If you're visiting the San Francisco zoo and planning to have something to eat: either dine in or takeaway, I suppose you wouldn't have much of a choice in terms of eateries. This cafe is pretty much it and you'll have to make do with whatever is available here.
I visited on a Wednesday afternoon and it was almost empty although as time progressed, I saw more customers. There is plenty of seating available: both inside as well as outside. You can order via the self-service touchscreen. My order of hot dog and fries was ready in literally 2 minutes. I understand why: they just put the hotdog in the bun and give it to you. The sauces (barbeque sauce, tomato ketchup), mayo, yellow mustard etc are kept separately in big plastic dispensers and you're free to add whatever you want as many times as you may require.
The cost could be slightly less: I paid around $17 for the 2 items and felt it was more than what I would pay at a standalone cafe. I suppose they charge a small premium as they're based within the zoo premises. Maybe that is standard practice.
There are refrigerators stocked with cold fizzy drinks and there is also a separate area vending hot drinks like coffee which I did not try. They also serve the Bay Area specialities like Clam Chowder.
Overall, an average experience: nothing extraordinary or specifically worth highlighting. The hot dog and fries were good.
Vegetarian options: Very few vegetarian options such as 4-cheese flatbread. I didn't see any others.
Dietary restrictions: I didn't see any options for people who have certain dietary requirements such as vegan, kosher, halal etc.
Parking: Parking is on the main ground near the zoo entrance gate. Payment has to be made when you buy the tickets for entry.
Food quality was really good for a zoo. Expensive, but also expected. Only downside was being notified of our order being ready through SMS (which we didn't have access to since we're not from the states). Otherwise, way better than we thought for a tourist attraction. Clean and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Judy Margaret Chen
It’s your average zoo cafeteria. The food was decent. It was hit or miss. My meatballs and bread were salty. Hubby’s cheeseburger was okay, the side french fried was good.They had a lot of selections based on American cuisine. Their indoor interior was huge and spacious, but it was self-served.
Parking: $13 on weekends.
Kid-friendliness: They have kid’s high chairs.
Wheelchair accessibility: Doors are always open.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Fries
Layer2chains
I have not been to the zoo in years, but to my surprise, the leaping lemur Cafe at the San Francisco Zoo is amazing. It's not too high priced. Nice selection of food, and let me tell you, my whole family enjoyed the foodI had the Korean fried chicken sandwich. It was delicious, and it came with french fries. When you order just a side of fries, they fill the whole box they are also fantastic. Next time you go to the zoo, plan to eat at the Leaping Lemur Cafe. You will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries
grow a pair
if i could give it zero stars i would. i was excited because i love lemurs but anyways i got a burger and the BOTTOM bun (so check yours) had black mold spots. they tried saying it was flour…meanwhile NO other burgers i saw in my immediate area has that. the line cooks were annoyed i returned it and asked the manager if i should be charged to change my food out to tenders, when i should have gotten a free refund for MOLDLY BREAD. i didn’t get a chance to take a photo but i wish i did. CHECK YOUR BURGERS
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ian
Quality food, very expensive! Soft drinks are $7 for a cup! Service is poor, staff are rude.
Maureen Jobson
Only went in for a drink coffee good
David Driscoll
Mediocre cafe food.
Selin Barnes
Very rude staff and stale food. I had completed an order on the tablets inside and whilst waiting for my food to be ready, I was looking around and picked up an extra water bottle in addition to my order to check out. When my order was ready i picked up the bag to check the contents and the male at the till came to me and spoke in an aggressive manner with a raised voice saying “do you understand what a pick up is?!” And took the extra bottle away from my hands and took it to the fridge. I was like what are you doing i wanted two bottles, then he was oh yeah you want two then? I said not anymore thanks and he and his colleagues were making hand gestures behind me when i turned to look. The food was stale as it was prepared way before the order and just waiting around in case someone ordered it. Very disappointing.
David Enos
It's a concessions service so of course it's a bit over priced. Basic street food / food court - Pizza, burgers, fries, etc. There's decent interior seating, with self serve drinks and condiments. Quality is better than a fast food restaurant, but not quite upto California diner/cafe standards.
If you're visiting the San Francisco zoo and planning to have something to eat: either dine in or takeaway, I suppose you wouldn't have much of a choice in terms of eateries. This cafe is pretty much it and you'll have to make do with whatever is available here.
I visited on a Wednesday afternoon and it was almost empty although as time progressed, I saw more customers. There is plenty of seating available: both inside as well as outside. You can order via the self-service touchscreen. My order of hot dog and fries was ready in literally 2 minutes. I understand why: they just put the hotdog in the bun and give it to you. The sauces (barbeque sauce, tomato ketchup), mayo, yellow mustard etc are kept separately in big plastic dispensers and you're free to add whatever you want as many times as you may require.
The cost could be slightly less: I paid around $17 for the 2 items and felt it was more than what I would pay at a standalone cafe. I suppose they charge a small premium as they're based within the zoo premises. Maybe that is standard practice.
There are refrigerators stocked with cold fizzy drinks and there is also a separate area vending hot drinks like coffee which I did not try. They also serve the Bay Area specialities like Clam Chowder.
Overall, an average experience: nothing extraordinary or specifically worth highlighting. The hot dog and fries were good.
Vegetarian options: Very few vegetarian options such as 4-cheese flatbread. I didn't see any others.
Dietary restrictions: I didn't see any options for people who have certain dietary requirements such as vegan, kosher, halal etc.
Parking: Parking is on the main ground near the zoo entrance gate. Payment has to be made when you buy the tickets for entry.
Kid-friendliness: Yes, kid-friendly
Wheelchair accessibility: It's wheelchair accessible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries
Food quality was really good for a zoo. Expensive, but also expected. Only downside was being notified of our order being ready through SMS (which we didn't have access to since we're not from the states). Otherwise, way better than we thought for a tourist attraction. Clean and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
It’s your average zoo cafeteria. The food was decent. It was hit or miss. My meatballs and bread were salty. Hubby’s cheeseburger was okay, the side french fried was good.They had a lot of selections based on American cuisine. Their indoor interior was huge and spacious, but it was self-served.
Parking: $13 on weekends.
Kid-friendliness: They have kid’s high chairs.
Wheelchair accessibility: Doors are always open.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Fries
I have not been to the zoo in years, but to my surprise, the leaping lemur Cafe at the San Francisco Zoo is amazing. It's not too high priced. Nice selection of food, and let me tell you, my whole family enjoyed the foodI had the Korean fried chicken sandwich. It was delicious, and it came with french fries. When you order just a side of fries, they fill the whole box they are also fantastic. Next time you go to the zoo, plan to eat at the Leaping Lemur Cafe. You will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries
if i could give it zero stars i would. i was excited because i love lemurs but anyways i got a burger and the BOTTOM bun (so check yours) had black mold spots. they tried saying it was flour…meanwhile NO other burgers i saw in my immediate area has that. the line cooks were annoyed i returned it and asked the manager if i should be charged to change my food out to tenders, when i should have gotten a free refund for MOLDLY BREAD. i didn’t get a chance to take a photo but i wish i did. CHECK YOUR BURGERS
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Quality food, very expensive! Soft drinks are $7 for a cup! Service is poor, staff are rude.
Only went in for a drink coffee good
Mediocre cafe food.
Very rude staff and stale food. I had completed an order on the tablets inside and whilst waiting for my food to be ready, I was looking around and picked up an extra water bottle in addition to my order to check out. When my order was ready i picked up the bag to check the contents and the male at the till came to me and spoke in an aggressive manner with a raised voice saying “do you understand what a pick up is?!” And took the extra bottle away from my hands and took it to the fridge. I was like what are you doing i wanted two bottles, then he was oh yeah you want two then? I said not anymore thanks and he and his colleagues were making hand gestures behind me when i turned to look. The food was stale as it was prepared way before the order and just waiting around in case someone ordered it. Very disappointing.
It's a concessions service so of course it's a bit over priced. Basic street food / food court - Pizza, burgers, fries, etc. There's decent interior seating, with self serve drinks and condiments. Quality is better than a fast food restaurant, but not quite upto California diner/cafe standards.
Restaurantji Recommends
Offers all your American staples - chicken fingers, French fries…but it costs an arm and a leg…
Expensive as hell Flys all over the food In 2 of the kitchens
Skip it.
Overpriced mediocre foods. The worst part of SF Zoo.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Surprisingly decent food
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