Wouldn't say endearing, nor romantic, nor quaint or enchanting. I think the word is delightful. Especially for being right on the main strip with plenty of outdoor seating (during COVID) and a good array of cocktails, wine and food. Never been here for dinner but have always enjoyed the HH. Great meatballs and you HAVE to try the fried rice ball. Cocktails and the service are okay. For both nothing horribly bad, just could be a little bit better.
Sofijb
Coffee is good. Pastries are not good.
Brianna R.
The food and drinks taste okay but not great enough to justify the prices. I felt the customer service left something to be desired. I hadn't been here for a while and was in the area, so I figured I'd give it another try, but my impression was pretty much the same as last time: not very impressed.
Robyn B.
$4.35 for a cold and stale donut. I was so excited to try the advertised Italian donuts. But my dreams soon shattered when I bit into it and it was cold. Obviously, these are frozen and thawed onsite. I should have known being right on Union Square that it was going to be an over priced tourist trap. Shame on me!
Neloffer E.
Perfect spot to come and order some hot chocolate on a cold night by the beautiful Christmas tree and ice skating rink. The line was not too long but it took forever to finally get to order. There was no pastries left and the ones that were left didn't look appealing at all because it looked like it was sitting there for many hours. Also, there was only 2 employees working at that time. One was taking orders and the other was making drinks. My husband ordered a cappuccino and I ordered the Italian hot chocolate. I asked the server if he can make it extra hot and they did exactly what I asked. The hot chocolate was really delicious and really made my night magical. My husband and I enjoyed our drinks by sitting next to the Christmas tree. The only negative thing I would say duding our experience was when our hot drinks were ready the server just handed it without a lid or a cover. We had to remind her to give a lid and a cover to protect ourselves from the heat. It was a bit bizarre that we even had to ask which is why I'm taking off 1 Star.
Tanmoy M.
Nutella bomboloni... best in town. soft and delicious. one such best snack in union square
Jacob Varshavsky
Clean and quality service if you find yourself right on Union Square looking for a snack and a coffee right on the square proper!
Robin Strobel
Really good coffee. The stuff is not super friendly though
Jrali1
If you want to stop for a coffee and an icecream, be prepared to spend some money. 2 cappuccino 1 beer and 1 small icecream close to 30$. Location is okay, nothing special. Check other icecream places or coffee shops for a shopping or sightseeing stop. The people working in there don't know much about what they are selling, they made a mistake with icecream flavor. Asked about the panettone, he didn't know what it was and which one it was.....
JoAnnS122
This will be a short one. Stopped in several times over the past couple of months wanting to try the Bomboloni. Never had the custurd or apricot available until I stopped by last Friday. I was ASSURED one was apricot. Anyway, got them home - first they tasted like day old donuts. Second, filling was minimal. Custard bland. The second one turned out to be rasberry so that was an added sorce of irratation. At $4.35 each they should have been excellent, but I would rate them as poor. So location, location, location. I think with those prices you were paying to sit at a table. If you are taking them home, you really get overcharged. Will never go back.
Liked to sip a coffee here - but after my last visit I will look for another place. Looks like a garbage dump - dirty, disgusting tables surrounded by trash all over the place...anyone managing this place????
214alekss
Loved starting my mornings here. Delicious coffee, nice selection of sandwiches and pastries. Was thrilled to find meini, a northern Italian cornmeal cake which isn't usually on café menus. Delicious. Mornings were a good time to go, but there may be a wait at lunch or if tour groups show up. Patio has seats in the shade and in the sun, with the sights and sounds of Union Square to enjoy.
Nate Reiners
What's with the service here. They were nice just incompetent. Cashier took the wrong order, baristas forgot items after order was corrected. Had to remind them about 2-3 items. Everyone working here needs more training before working the weekend rush. I don't think anyone here has worked as a barista for more than a week. Really weird experience like being served by 10 year old kids. Coffee is not bad.
jessica
didn't expect too much... but my sandwich and coffee were SO delicious!! the pastries are pretty good as well. would definitely recommend stopping by if you happen to find yourself near union square! my go-to place
Denise C.
Today I decided to take a visit downtown in SF. I was walking around Union Square when I decided to visit Emporio Rulli at Union Square for the first time. I decided on a bomboloni dessert. It's a donut with some hazelnut chocolate, so it's like a beignet really. It's a nice Emporio Rulli. The other one I went to was at the airport. This is a local Italian cafe business. It's nice.
Wouldn't say endearing, nor romantic, nor quaint or enchanting. I think the word is delightful. Especially for being right on the main strip with plenty of outdoor seating (during COVID) and a good array of cocktails, wine and food. Never been here for dinner but have always enjoyed the HH. Great meatballs and you HAVE to try the fried rice ball. Cocktails and the service are okay. For both nothing horribly bad, just could be a little bit better.
Coffee is good. Pastries are not good.
The food and drinks taste okay but not great enough to justify the prices. I felt the customer service left something to be desired. I hadn't been here for a while and was in the area, so I figured I'd give it another try, but my impression was pretty much the same as last time: not very impressed.
$4.35 for a cold and stale donut. I was so excited to try the advertised Italian donuts. But my dreams soon shattered when I bit into it and it was cold. Obviously, these are frozen and thawed onsite. I should have known being right on Union Square that it was going to be an over priced tourist trap. Shame on me!
Perfect spot to come and order some hot chocolate on a cold night by the beautiful Christmas tree and ice skating rink. The line was not too long but it took forever to finally get to order. There was no pastries left and the ones that were left didn't look appealing at all because it looked like it was sitting there for many hours. Also, there was only 2 employees working at that time. One was taking orders and the other was making drinks. My husband ordered a cappuccino and I ordered the Italian hot chocolate. I asked the server if he can make it extra hot and they did exactly what I asked. The hot chocolate was really delicious and really made my night magical. My husband and I enjoyed our drinks by sitting next to the Christmas tree. The only negative thing I would say duding our experience was when our hot drinks were ready the server just handed it without a lid or a cover. We had to remind her to give a lid and a cover to protect ourselves from the heat. It was a bit bizarre that we even had to ask which is why I'm taking off 1 Star.
Nutella bomboloni... best in town. soft and delicious. one such best snack in union square
Clean and quality service if you find yourself right on Union Square looking for a snack and a coffee right on the square proper!
Really good coffee. The stuff is not super friendly though
If you want to stop for a coffee and an icecream, be prepared to spend some money. 2 cappuccino 1 beer and 1 small icecream close to 30$. Location is okay, nothing special. Check other icecream places or coffee shops for a shopping or sightseeing stop. The people working in there don't know much about what they are selling, they made a mistake with icecream flavor. Asked about the panettone, he didn't know what it was and which one it was.....
This will be a short one. Stopped in several times over the past couple of months wanting to try the Bomboloni. Never had the custurd or apricot available until I stopped by last Friday. I was ASSURED one was apricot. Anyway, got them home - first they tasted like day old donuts. Second, filling was minimal. Custard bland. The second one turned out to be rasberry so that was an added sorce of irratation. At $4.35 each they should have been excellent, but I would rate them as poor. So location, location, location. I think with those prices you were paying to sit at a table. If you are taking them home, you really get overcharged. Will never go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Liked to sip a coffee here - but after my last visit I will look for another place. Looks like a garbage dump - dirty, disgusting tables surrounded by trash all over the place...anyone managing this place????
Loved starting my mornings here. Delicious coffee, nice selection of sandwiches and pastries. Was thrilled to find meini, a northern Italian cornmeal cake which isn't usually on café menus. Delicious. Mornings were a good time to go, but there may be a wait at lunch or if tour groups show up. Patio has seats in the shade and in the sun, with the sights and sounds of Union Square to enjoy.
What's with the service here. They were nice just incompetent. Cashier took the wrong order, baristas forgot items after order was corrected. Had to remind them about 2-3 items. Everyone working here needs more training before working the weekend rush. I don't think anyone here has worked as a barista for more than a week. Really weird experience like being served by 10 year old kids. Coffee is not bad.
didn't expect too much... but my sandwich and coffee were SO delicious!! the pastries are pretty good as well. would definitely recommend stopping by if you happen to find yourself near union square! my go-to place
Today I decided to take a visit downtown in SF. I was walking around Union Square when I decided to visit Emporio Rulli at Union Square for the first time. I decided on a bomboloni dessert. It's a donut with some hazelnut chocolate, so it's like a beignet really. It's a nice Emporio Rulli. The other one I went to was at the airport. This is a local Italian cafe business. It's nice.