50 Best Cafes in San Francisco

“This review is particularly for the Ilna pop-up on Sunday nights. Maz, the chef, cooks with so much passion. He collects the best ingredients from local farmer's markets, even using his background as a wine maker to create special ferments, and shares his family's Lebanese origins with so much care in each dish. The meatball and prosciutto are not to be missed!“

“Good for a quick bite. I like the local feel of the place but it can get very crowded, especially on the weekends so I'm glad for the outdoor tables. I like to stop by when I'm going to hang out near Ocean Beach. The food is tasty!“

“Had a great experience at Maison Nico today! I ordered a Pain au Chocolat and matcha, and both exceeded my expectations. The Pain au Chocolat was beautifully made - so light and delicate with those perfect flaky, crispy layers on top that you expect from a well-crafted pastry.
What really stood out was their matcha. Finally found a place that serves it the proper way - no added sugar at all! It's refreshing to taste the pure, earthy flavor of quality matcha instead of the overly sweet versions you get at most cafes.
I was fortunate to walk in without a line, but within several minutes there was a steady stream of customers forming a queue. That's always a good sign that locals know this place is worth the wait. The quality of their pastries and attention to authentic preparation definitely shows. Will be back to try more items!“

“Delicious sandwiches and great coffee!
I stopped by Stable Cafe while visiting San Francisco and was seriously impressed. I had the Turkey Avocado sandwich — fresh, flavorful, and definitely a must try. The coffee was also excellent, rich and smooth. The space is cozy and the staff were welcoming. Not sure when I’ll be back in the city, but this spot was a highlight of my trip.

Make sure to try the toast and plum jam. The jam is made from the trees in their garden, such a special touch and absolutely delicious.“

“Love this place! Great people, great food, and great coffee. We come here every visit to SF“

“Great place and great coffee“

“Friendly Staff! Great food!“

“The egg tarts here are smooth, creamy, and reasonably priced! Coffee comes as a dark roast, strongly flavored if you're into that. My Chinese parents have much good to say about the fundamental baked goods, the egg tarts, pineapple buns, and cocktail buns.“

“tl;dr: Hearty, classic diner brunch with a corned beef hash Benedict worth daydreaming about. Service can lag when it's busy, and the restrooms need some TLC, but the vintage charm and flavor-packed plates make it a satisfying stop for a leisurely weekend morning.

If you are craving a no-frills American diner breakfast elevated just enough to make it memorable, Pork Store Cafe delivers. The corned beef hash Benedict is a flavor bomb with perfectly poached eggs over savory, crispy-edged hash, smothered in rich hollandaise. Portions are generous without being overwhelming. Service is warm but slow, especially when the place is buzzing, so this is better for a relaxed morning than a quick bite. Atmosphere is pure diner nostalgia with vinyl booths, laminated menus, and the comforting clatter from the kitchen. The restrooms could be cleaner and more accessible, but overall, it is a fun and delicious brunch spot for those who appreciate a classic American breakfast experience.“

“We used Le Dix-Sept for a catering event for a house warming and the food received raving reviews. Recommend them!“

“The ice coffee ☕ was delicious and pastries“

“Delicious and fresh almond crescent and Tasty latte, very enjoyable!“

“Wonderful neighborhood coffee shop! If Cheers was a coffee shop, then it’s where everybody knows your name and they are happy that you came. They offer superb coffees and tea - by the cup or in bulk! Sweet and savory treats abound and fun merchandise make this the ultimate daily stop!“

“Wow…just wow. Several of my friends recommended that I try out Loquat when I moved to San Francisco, and I can absolutely see why — it fully lives up to the hype with its outstanding pastries, great coffee, and amazing vibes. The pastries, to quote a French friend, “rival the ones available in Paris,” although I’m not sure what she’s comparing them to given everything is Mediterranean inspired.

For a savory treat, I adore their feta and eggplant boureka, which has a remarkably rich and flavorful filling encased in a buttery, flakey shell. It’s topped with a very generous helping of poppy seeds, so be prepared to have seeds in your teeth for the rest of the day, but it’s 100% worth it.

They have tons of amazing sweet treats, ranging from croissants to cakes, but their classic is the salted chocolate babka muffin. It is literally to die for — the bread is perfectly flaky, with just the right amount of butter to make it rich but not overwhelming. The dark chocolate is wonderful and not overly sweet, but any sugar is balanced out by the salt. Genuinely the only thing wrong with this is that I can’t have it every single day.

Beyond the classics, they also have a rotating set of seasonal items that are all wonderful. I overheard a server chatting with the table next to mine and describing a seasonal dish featuring a summer Italian hot pepper. She got the brunch version of the dish with full peppers, eggs, and bread, but they also have a pastry-fied version in the form of a boureka. Literally everything is outstanding, and I cannot wait to make my way back here!“

“Amazing food. Fresh and delicious. Fantastic service“

“was stoked to try this place. and it hit in all the right ways! what the heck is goin on with this spot. it’s so good. food was creative and fresh and delicious. stunning and interesting and ultimately just so flavorful and weird and visually stimulating. had a wonderful time sitting in the salty warm air eating their fare.“

“Got breakfast here everyday I stayed in SF — if you get there right after 8:30 AM that’s when they start bringing out the fresh pastries. Get the egg tart and coconut bun. Coconut bun is out of this world and the egg tart is super flaky and buttery. Getting there early is a must because the bakery items are still warm!“

“El pan buenísimo, el lugar fuera de serie!!“

“I love this place. This is my second time eating at this cafe. I got the beef empanada and peanut butter Acai. The drip over coffee was strong (which is what I was looking for). There are many other things I hope to try on the menu in the future.“

“Solid burrito, nothing special. I had the OG, I felt it lacked a distinct flavor. The tots are a great addition. If you live in the area, definitely a place to check out, but not worth it to travel to and wait in the 30+ min line that is there at 1030am“

“One65 was an amazing discovery on our trip to San Francisco. Having spent the first half of our life in Montréal, Québec, Canada where it was hard to find a bad restaurant, we were absolutely amazed by this Bistro which looks more like a high end dining experience. The menu online & the photos attracted us to this location but we were amazed by the well timed service, the crisp white tablecloths, the table setting and the pleasant and calm atmosphere. My choices of charcuterie platter was perfectly sized; the chicken & the pork rillettes where a wonderful surprise. My husband had an onion tart with the crust as perfect as they get & which I envied. He loved his halibut, moist and tender and I raved over my grilled half lobster, so tender that I found myself munching on the shell parts as well. My bread pudding was not of overwhelming size & perfectly flavored. Don chose the Affogato (scoop of vanilla gelato « drowned » with a shot of hot espresso). We wanted to go back today but they are closed on Sundays.?“

“Cafe de Olla is an attractive, warm and friendly restaurant. The food and drink are delicious. I love their fermented pineapple juice and Tlayudas. Check it out!“

“Me, my mom and kiddo saw this little corner mom n pop cafe and decided to go in. Usually I'm skeptical since a lot of Mom and pops are disappearing in the city or lost the soul in cooking a great meal. But this place didn't disappoint!! The food was awesome and the staff was very nice. We had to wait since it's small but it was so worth it ?. Had the corn beef'n'hash and you can taste the love they put into it. Thank you! My mom and kiddo enjoyed themselves and that's hard to come by!

Kid-friendliness: Very nice family spot to bring the kiddos after playing at the park.“

“5/5! Would come back again and smile about it :) great atmosphere, friendly staff, plants aplenty, yummy food, and even a little corner with trinkets for purchase. I got the veggie sandwich and would recommend! I tried the yuzu latte as well but don’t think it’s a good choice- if you love yuzu, find a yuzu lemonade or a drink where it’s not mixed with coffee. I was hoping it’d be a light drink to highlight the yuzu but it pretty much just tasted like coffee with a hint of yuzu (you’ll really need to stir up the drink to taste even that hint). I think it was a cool idea to include a trendy flavor in a latte but it doesn’t let the yuzu shine. It wasn’t bad but I just don’t think it was the best use of yuzu. I’d recommend a different drink.

Good work/study place! I’m always on the lookout for growing my list of the best spots in the city to work/study. This place is a medium sized cafe- not too cramped but not large. A fair amount of seating with good lighting, wifi, and outlets. Bathroom open without key needed.“

“The menu is very small and I myself did not like the bowl at all but I could see that it probably is just not my thing. It had a strong nuttiness but was also fairly spicy. I skipped the egg cause they can’t boil it hard - only “jammy.”“

“My friend and I decided to try to be on the go for lunch since we’ve had B patisserie before. We shared a sandwich and ordered a soup. The tomato soup was super salty to the point. It was uncomfortable to swallow so I asked the cashier if we could have another bowl but he said no the salt is pre-mixed already he offered to refund us for the soup, which I thought was very kind of him. We had the pork sandwich and it was so good not only was the meat good but the bread was soft soft and warm. Although though I was disappointed, I didn’t have my soup. I’m sure it’s pretty good except it was just overly salted. Will be back for more food next time.“

“This place has always been amazing! The Vietnamese sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, and beverages are always splendid. The staff is friendly. There's frequently a nice place to sit either inside or outside. Love taking their sandwiches to go as well! Highly recommend, it's a place I bring my friends to!“

“اكل حلال اسعار في متناول اليد تعامل قمة في الذوق“

“Fantastic Coffee, Great Food, and Excellent Service!

Ashley’s Café in the Inner Richmond is a true gem! The food is fresh and delicious, with a great selection of breakfast and lunch options. Their coffee is absolutely fantastic—smooth, rich, and expertly made. Whether you’re grabbing a quick cup or sitting down for a meal, the quality is always top-notch.

What really sets Ashley’s Café apart is the excellent customer service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making every visit a pleasant experience. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again.

Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!“

“Five bright stars, Lissa darling!“

“I had the elephant chai and it was delicious service was good, the peace looked funky, pricing was ok Unfortunately it looked like there was maintenance or renovation work being done and I was there at an odd time, but generally it looks like it could be quite pillar and cool.“

“Highly recommend Best coffee in San Francisco ☕️“

“Amazing spot for breakfast. Some of the tastiest Shrimp and Grits I've ever had.

Also love the ordering at the counter but deliver to your table style. Makes it very easy for a group to go out together and not worry about splitting the check?“

“My wife and I really enjoyed our dinner at Acova. The menu is very interesting and varied. My wife had fish and chips and I chose the beef short ribs. Both dishes were super. Our server was helpful and attentive. We appreciate the fairly low noise level so we could have a comfortable conversation. Thank you.“

“A wonderful cafe. I did not taste the food, but the drinks are very delicious“

“Delicious fresh dishes, a pity that there were no anchovies in the Caeser salad, but fortunately the lettuce was wonderfully crispy. Meatballs were also tasty, as was the quinoa salad. Had a glass of wine with my food on their nice terrace. The sun was shining, what more could you want? The only downside is that everything is served in plastic. But otherwise a really great address! Definitely go in if you're in the area!“

“What a great work/study cafe spot! It’s part of the Southeast community center. Lots of space, light, outlets, and free wifi. The staff are always super friendly! I’ve interacted with Ramsy several times and he’s so kind! Not too many food options but what’s there is pretty good (yummy and healthy). Oftentimes I’ve come later in the day and they’ve run out of ingredients in dishes or drinks I’m interested in but the staff are always very accommodating and kind about it so it’s never felt like a problem. Have enjoyed and gone back many times!

Warning: adding smoked salmon to the lentil bowl was $4.50(!) and it was a very small amount, which I don’t think is worth it, so I wouldn’t recommend.“

“I really like this place, maybe that why I keep coming back. I have not tried the food yet. That is next. The cappuccino is amazing. Ikeep coming back here, they know how to make a great cappuccino. I've got to try one of their sandwiches sometime. They look really good. If you need that great coffee boost come here.“

“My brother sent me the gold leaf fig dark chocolate dipped for Christmas. They were the best I’ve ever had.“

“Amazing food & amazing staff!!“

“Stopped by this place with my family a few days ago and we loved it. Make sure you try their empanadas, they’re delicious! That said, we had a really good time at this place, service was great and the rest of the food was also very tasty. The place is a little hidden but not impossible to find.“

“Exceptionally helpful & friendly staff cooking superb food in a very chill environment. A must visit in the city.“

“Another incredible restaurant in San Francisco. The Mole here is one of the best we've ever had, full stop. The portions are immense, and I can say that this is full on "home cookin'". I also want to point out how patient and gracious the staff was with our questions, and our broken spanish. Breakfast here is really a treat!“

“Best roast pork around !!! For $12 are you kidding me ???“

“Espresso based drinks are always on point and delicious. Matcha is also delicious but maybe some baristas don’t know how to make it and sometimes you end up with a matcha drink made with non-sifted matcha so you get surprise matcha dust balls.“

“Good for a quick bite. I like the local feel of the place but it can get very crowded, especially on the weekends so I'm glad for the outdoor tables. I like to stop by when I'm going to hang out near Ocean Beach. The food is tasty!“

“Popped in for some shade during a pride march. Despite a huge line and tons of activity just outside, the café was relaxed and calm inside. I had a lovely fresh lemonade ($4, not too sweet). The manager took people's drink orders while we waited in line to get ahead of the rush. As a former manager myself, this kind of professional behavior tells me that they value the customer and work hard to build a smooth service experience for staff as well. Seen and appreciated!“

“Great coffee and service!“

“Fresh and yummy!“

“Accidentally stumbled into this cafe, while waiting for our pizzas to cook in a nearby restaurant. This cafe transport you back to the last century. The decor is very 1960s. The space itself is huge though and has plenty of seats. They also have an outdoor area which is nice on a sunny day. Unfortunately, they don’t accept any form of digital payment, but only cash, but thankfully, they had an ATM on the premises because we did not have any cash. The ATM machine is very expensive, though. I got a regular vanilla latte while my friend got the hazelnut latte, and both of them were pretty good. Was this the best coffee I ever had? No. What is this and perfectly acceptable cup of coffee? Yes. I also had the lemon cake, which was very flavourful, but tad bit expensive. This is a cool place to visit if you’re in the neighbourhood.“