50 Best Cafes in San Francisco

“Food is well priced and the atmosphere very pleasant.
Staff are very friendly and the shop has a lovely rustic feel.
The location is safe and I did not feel anxious leaving my car with all my belongings on the side street.“

“Great facility and staff for hands-on culinary skills learning.“

“Amazing burritos. Bomb.com“

“This is definitely an insiders’ spot in San Francisco. It’s usually pretty busy from the street view so I decided to try it on a Friday and it was still busy. I don’t want to talk the place up. There’s no need for that at a five star restaurant. The proprietors of the establishment have their photo up with the Mayor. Word on the street is that this place is like a religion. The food was good. Changed my mind about a few things. Made me ask, what is food in San Francisco today? Would I go there again? Yeah maybe if I had 30 minutes on a Friday, but no and not because the experience was terrible, but because they had already mastered the art of business in San Francisco if not the world.“

“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.?“

“Their menu will delight anyone who longs the classic diner fare of the greater NY area. And their service is top notch in efficiency, kindness, and wit.

Always a fantastic chance for me to get a taste of my hometown's flavor.“

“My local sibling brought me here for breakfast after a hiking trip. The Brisket Hash and sourdough toast hit the spot! The hot sauces completed a perfect package. My wife didn't speak while there were still Loc Benedict on her plate, and our coffee cups never emptied. Staff were genuinely friendly and excited to tell us about other restaurants in the city to try while visiting. Portions were hearty, and I would have happily paid more for the experience. This is a must-return spot for me!“

“Highly recommend this cafe for its delicious (and super affordable) bahn mi sandwiches! I got the grilled chicken. The bread was warm and crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside. And the generous portions of chicken and picked veggies filled me up. The staff were super nice as well. Hidden gem!“

“Such a great place!!! The coffee is delicious and the pastries are honestly some of the best I’ve had in SF. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming and Patrick especially took great care of us. Really enjoyed our time here and would definitely come back. Highly recommend😍“

“Great place and great coffee“

“If you're looking for an exceptional place to get coffee and a Vietnamese Bahn Mi, you must visit Fresh Brew!

I was greeted promptly and did not have to wait long to order or wait for the food and coffee to be ready. You can tell the owner takes pride in his shop and was happy to have visitors.

The iced coffee was vibrant and perfectly balanced. Not too strong or watered down. It was refreshing drink to have on warm SF afternoon.
Instead of typical pork, I tried the chicken Bahn Mi. The baguette was crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. It was filled with fresh vegetables and pickled veggies along with the perfect amount of sauce. There was no skimping of chicken, just the right amount to make the sandwich filling.

My only small complaint would be the lack of seating. However, it's a small shop in a dense area of the City so that's to be expected.

Prices are very reasonable for the portions, no silly up charges. I would highly recommend this coffee shop for lunch. Next time I will go earlier and try one of the breakfast offerings.“

“Good food, friendly service, and a comfortable space overall. I enjoyed the breakfast sandwich, the cookies, and the hot chai. I'm looking forward to going back again soon. 😊“

“Good food and excellent service! I highly recommend their coffee drinks. Also, the fresh squeezed OJ is such a treat. I am sure their non-brunch items are good but I am still obsessed with their breakfast items.“

“San Francisco’s most hidden gem“

“Nice cafe with a good selection of drinks and food right off the main thoroughfare. Upon walk in you are able to see a menu showcasing all of their drinks and food. They have acai bowls, a huge assortment of pastries, crepes, etc. everything has Brazilian flair which was cool. We ordered acai bowls which are big for their size and jam packed full of fresh fruit. Honestly, one of the best acai bowls I’ve had, presentation wise and taste wise. The coffees were also good, but nothing spectacular. The light pastry we ordered was very good and fluffy. You can see the assortment of pastries as you go through the check out, as it’s a bit like a school lunch line. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a trendy but quiet spot to have a good meal and a cup of coffee.“

“Five bright stars, Lissa darling!“

“Local, family owned & operated new coffee shop with delicious coffees - alt milk options available (almond, soy, oat) chai & matcha lattes, tea, pastries and more focusing on the individual experience and quality served in a welcoming and friendly environment. Just hop in Varney Alley off of 3rd near the Shell gas; you won’t be disappointed!“

“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.“

“This HK / Macau bakery is a shining star amongst the plentiful Chinese bakeries sprinkled all over San Francisco. Its fair to say their portuguese egg tarts (po tats) are internationally known, and arguably the best in the Bay Area. A sleeper baked good is their curry beef bao - that's my go to for a quick bite in the early AM.

My other favorite are their whole cakes - specifically their mixed fruit cakes. Hot take - asian cakes are better than western cakes as the frosting is less sweet, and the cake is more spongy. Their cakes save me a short drive to Sunset Bakery (another staple Chinese bakery on the western side of SF).

The other items on their menu are fine - but these are the three that really stand out. The ladies are great, the place is a literal hole in the wall, and I always feel lucky when there's less than 1/2 dozen people waiting to be helped.

If you need a drink to go with your baked goods, their HK milk tea is pretty darn good too.“

“No wait on a Saturday around 9! Got the OG breakfast burrito with avocado - insanely good. Both hot sauces were fantastic, personally preferred the red for the smoky flavor. They were very busy, so service was a bit spotty (forgot some items and utensils) but this was easy to ask for.“

“I absolutely loved the breakfast! Despite the simple interior, every dish was beautifully presented with the attention to detail you'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant. The omelet and smoothies were fresh and delicious. I especially appreciated the European-style approach—clean, natural flavors without being overloaded with spices, heavy sauces, or grease. A wonderful place if you enjoy fresh, healthy, and beautifully prepared food. Highly recommended!“

“Manitas is just around the corner from me. Not usually into Mexican food, but the huevos rancheros was actually really good. Tacos were decent too, and the horchata is sooo refreshing.“

“I ordered the Italian Frittata which was a good portion, full of fresh vegetables, and topped with an ample amount of cheese. The home fries were well cooked and not greasy like some can be. I added a single beignet with this and as someone with Louisiana creole heritage, and raised with authentic creole and cajun cuisine, THIS is beignet done right! I normally steer clear of restaurant beignet because of too many past letdowns, but taking a chance here was well rewarded.“

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

“Cafe International is a welcoming cafe in Lower Haight. The delightful owner, Zahra, is inviting and warm. The food is as outstanding as the coffee, making it the perfect spot to checkout. Be sure to stay for the live music.“

“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!“

“The waffle is a little bit too dry. The waffle fries need a little bit oil or something for the Furikake seasoning to stick.“

“Both the salmon breakfast sandwich and the veggie sandwich are amazing! The bread is well done and salmon &eggs are fresh in the sandwich. They have a water dispenser there and a relatively clean restroom. Good atmosphere with the plants and seats by the window. Loved it!“

“I mean, this place is simply the best! If you want a delicious filling meal that leaves you feeling full, light & content come to Yo Tambien. The staff is the best, the menu is simple meaning you can’t go wrong, and it’s my favorite place to grab a bottle of wine. The coffee w/lavender syrup is addictive & I just couldn’t recommend enough!“

“High quality matcha and delicious sandwiches!
We came on a trip visiting SF and stopped by for lunch. We got the strawberry cream matcha and the pistachio cream. By far the strongest matcha latte I’ve had but in the best way— you can tell they use high quality matcha.
For sandwiches we got the Tonkatsu with Pineapple and Fish Katsu with Shiso. The sandwiches were hot, flavorful and incredibly filling. We also got the crab and salmon onigiri, and would recommend the crab one.
The atmosphere feels like a cute study spot for students or to catch up with friends. Service was good as well.“

“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!“

“Hands down the best coffee shop. Just moved here from DC and I’ve been literally twice but Cara (sp?) legit remembered! The coffee is delicious, the magazine corner is an awesome retro touch and the staff is amazing. I don’t even live in the city but this is officially my local spot.“

“Perfect for breakfast and lunch. Love these pastries 😊“

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

“A fantastic hidden gem in San Francisco. Excellent food, reasonable prices for the area, and always friendly owners/staff. The cafe can be hard to find off the street, as you either enter through a parking garage entrance or an office building lobby.

It can get tight inside when they’re busy with limited seating and people waiting to order, but they stay busy for a reason. I certainly will keep going back, as Sutter Street Cafe has become my go-to quick breakfast spot in SFO.“

“We came here on a lark because we found parking a few blocks away while running an errand. Wow. The food is fantastic and the outdoor patio is so nice.

Best breakfast burrito I have ever had.
My partner loved the chicken rice bowl too which she ordered because she couldn't find anything else she wanted. She said she will be dreaming about the bowl now.“

“Such a cozy little cafe!
The food was delicious 👌🏻 We ordered the bacon, egg & cheese bagel and the ham & egg croissant, plus two iced blended mochas. Everything was fresh and made to order.

The place is small, which is what makes it feel so cozy and welcoming. The ladies were so kind and friendly, and you can really tell they care about the food they make. Everything tasted fresh and homemade.

Definitely a great little spot for a delicious breakfast and coffee.“

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

“Great coffee and service!“

“A very cozy place in the financial district. Even though we went on a weekend, there were still a lot of people working there. Their pour over coffee is reasonably priced and they also provide coffee beans in the shop. I like the paintings they have inside. The coffee also comes with a postcard telling us where the coffee beans come from and the history, which I think is very nice. If you like coffee, I recommend giving this place a try.“

“Highly recommend Best coffee in San Francisco ☕️“

“Shoutout to Angelina’s Deli Cafe in San Francisco! Stopped by for a bite and everything—from the coffee to the pastries and the sandwiches—was absolutely amazing.
​If you're in the area and looking for a top-tier lunch or morning pick-me-up, this is the spot. Phenomenal food and great quality. We will definitely be back!“

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

“Best coffee ☕️ and the best service“

“I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve been here numerous times and it never occurred to me to leave a review. My team and I will visit Angie and her crew whenever we have a break in the morning. I have NOT had a bad experience here… EVER! Always welcomed with a smile. Food is fast, hot and delicious!!
Thank you so much for being in our town !!“

“I got the (edited:not double matcha) matcha with matcha cold foam I honestly didn’t taste or see the cold foam on it. I got it 75% sweet I think it was still too sweet it seems like the matcha is good quality but is just too sweet for me I think there’s way better matcha places than this one“

“Amazing food & amazing staff!!“

“Love the cozy atmosphere here.“

“Man, I’ve been addicted to this pistachio latte since my first sip. The first one I had was iced with the sweet foam on top next level. The second time I got it hot, and somehow it was just as good. Seriously, you can’t go wrong either way.

You guys have to check this place out. The best part is you’re supporting a local business, and the owner is an awesome dude who’s almost always there. It’s clear he genuinely cares about the shop and his customers.

Amazing coffee, great people, and a spot that’s definitely worth supporting!“

“I have been here a few times now. Great food, great service, combined with a modest price. Get there for the early bird and the deals are even better. I have enjoyed their breakfast multiple times. It’s got that charm that I absolutely love when walking into a breakfast/lunch restaurant. Lots of locals eat here, and the television screens run a montage of pictures of all the great parties and festivities that occurs in the Castro. Great place to eat and start your day!“