What Makes Cotogna San Francisco So Popular?

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Cotogna is a remarkable downtown Italian eatery owned by Lindsay and Michael Tusk. It’s the home of excellent pastas, wood-baked pizzas and affordable wine. The restaurant offers exceptional service and the staff is friendly and approachable. It’s difficult to find an empty table without booking in advance or arriving early, and the family style Sunday dinners are an absolute favorite.

What Kind of Restaurant Is Cotogna?

The upscale Italian spot is located in the Financial District, which makes it perfect for any type of occasion. In addition, the food never disappoints. House-made pastas, side dishes and pizza are all must-haves. The ingredients in each dish are top notch, which speaks to the quality of the food served in the restaurant. Large groups of diners tend to stick to the pizzas and pastas because they stand out and are ideal for sharing. As a starter, many people consider burrata or ricotta.

The Interior

The restaurant is located in a high-ceilinged room with a long bar at the far side perfect for those who are dining alone. Slightly behind the bar is a wood fire oven that not only cooks pizzas but also gives the room warmth. The service is efficient and the staff friendly. The clientele is mature and professional. Many people who come to the restaurant are happy to have a restaurant in San Francisco that serves tasty pizza and other Italian dishes.

What’s on the Menu?

One of the favorites is Brussels sprouts au gratin, consisting of roasted Brussels sprouts in bread crumbs and creamy cheese sauce. The ricotta della casa is a pot of melted ricotta alongside bread, which makes a starter while waiting for pasta or pizza. Kale and radicchio salad in vinaigrette and hard-boiled eggs are other great starters.


Salsiccia, burrata and broccolini pizza comes with plenty of cheese, fennel sausage and veggies. The wood-fire choices don’t upset or fall short of expectations. Corn Triangoli is a summer delight — it’s a triangle-shaped pizza topped up with sweet corn purée. Diners who have tried it say it is delicious and a must try. For meaty options, the tagliatelle Bolognese has great texture and is delicious.


Dessert options are wide but everyone seems to lean towards the gelatos. They come in many flavors with interesting toppings and are great choices for finishing off a meal. When it comes to drinks, Italians enjoy a glass or two of wine, and the wine list at Cotogna has something for everyone.

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