16 Best Cafes in San Rafael

“Great food and service. Great presentation“

“This was my first time visiting Oddcha while heading home from San Francisco, and it definitely caught my attention because of the great reviews.
We ordered the Coconut Bomb and the Thai Twister, and both drinks were excellent. They weren’t overly sweet and had a really refreshing flavor. The boba also tasted fresh, which made the drinks even better.
Ordering was easy using their kiosk system. One thing to note is that parking is located behind the shop. It was a bit confusing at first since the store is on a very busy road, but once you find the back parking area, it’s much more convenient.
Overall, a great stop for refreshing drinks—I’d definitely come back!“

“One of the most inspired chicken sandwiches I’ve had in my life…

This place is hanging in there despite being the only tenant in a now defunct medical building. What that means for you is:
✅ ample parking
✅ beautiful outdoor seating
✅ quality food / service“

“This place has been a community bedrock for 20+ years. Always here for us. During covid lock downs, they set up their own food pantry (with the fridge getting electricity from the shop).

Churros are always a hit. Good coffee.
Come and enjoy.“

“Had my espresso machine serviced here, and it was an extremely helpful experience.Food choices are a little old school. Haven't seen piroshki for a while, but they have em.Geared to serving the local business employees, since they're in the warehouse district.“

“If I could give 6 stars, I would.Fabulous little hole in the wall restaurant, outdoes any chain and several other small restaurants.If you order any dish that comes with tortillas, I highly recommend the corn tortillas. They are handmade and slightly thick, which is typical for Mexican or Guatemalan fare. They are extremely tasty and pair well with the chorizo and eggs combo, which is what I ordered.I got the rice and beans option which consisted of refried black beans and a Guatemalan rice that is similar to Mexican rice but has peas and tiny chopped carrot pieces along with the onion and tomato based sauce. I'm not really a big rice fan, but I would recommend this rice to those who are. It is not a heavy tomato sauce but rather colors it mildly red and adds just a little flavor.The refried black beans were a perfect consistency and had no chunks of beans. Definitely must try.The plate also had a generous side of crema, which a Latin style sour cream that is a little thinner than American sour cream and went well with my chorizo "tacos" that I made with the tortillas.A wonderfully mild Mexican cheese chunk was served on the side and lastly a restaurant made salsa that was mild in hotness and delicious in flavor was also served with the dish.The gentleman that served me was the proprietor and he was very gracious in his service to me. EXCELLENT customer service!The prices are in keeping with most restaurants, not overpriced, and the portions were a good size. Great value for money!I highly recommend dining at this restaurant when you're in San Rafael.“

“I picked up a sandwich to go. When I got home, I noticed the lunch was a chicken salad. I called the Cafe to let them know, Amy, the kitchen supervisor, was most gracious: she told me the next time I come in, the meals on them. To that I say cheers!“

“Sanaa Cafe offers an excellent selection of coffee, desserts, and delicious Fatayer. The atmosphere is truly unique, featuring authentic Yemeni architecture and Coffee. It is a perfect environment for productivity; it’s inviting, bring your laptop and work while enjoying a Sanaa Adani Chai or a Pistachio Mocha. I also highly recommend trying our delicious pistachio cheesecake.“

“This is a charming cafe with a sweet outdoor patio! What a hidden gem! The baked goods are amazing and homemade by Armida! They do homemade sandwiches to order, have savory and sweet baked goods! Try the bacon/egg/maple syrup bun or the veggie pocket! There is ample indoor space to sit and sip. There are also books and puzzles for bringing your child, and with the outdoor space, an ideal child friendly cafe for a bite to eat.
What a great neighborhood gem!!“

“Great coffee great service most of the time. People working there need to learn to communicate and let customers know when they are backed up so when they make an order, they understand how long it will take instead of letting them know after the fact.“

“My family and I recently moved into the neighborhood and stumbled across Redwood Cafe, and it has quickly become one of our favorite local spots. Although they’re only open from 6am–3pm, this is absolutely a place you can’t skip out on.

They offer a great selection of breakfast and lunch options, plus a Greek menu that gives you even more to try. One of our favorite things is that they rotate different soups almost daily—there’s always something new and comforting. The owner, Leo, and his entire staff are truly wonderful and make you feel welcome the moment you walk in.

The cafe itself is small, cozy, and full of locals who clearly love being there—you can feel the happy, community vibe while dining. Redwood Cafe consistently goes above and beyond with customer service. I often bring my mother with me, and they genuinely treat people like family.

We love this place so much that we try to stop by at least once a week. Thank you for the delicious paninis, amazing soups, and the great selection of desserts. We will absolutely continue supporting local businesses like Redwood Cafe!“

“Love this coffee shop. Nice sandwiches, easy ordering online. Quick in and out.“

“The coffee and tea at Sana’s Cafe are honestly outstanding. Every cup is rich, smooth, and so satisfying, and the teas are perfectly fragrant and comforting. I love going there because it just feels warm and welcoming the moment I walk in. The cakes are absolutely delicious—fresh and flavorful—and I can never pick just one. Their ready-to-eat Middle Eastern snacks and dishes make it so easy to grab something quick without sacrificing taste. Everything feels thoughtfully made and full of authentic flavor. It’s such a beautiful place to relax, connect, and enjoy amazing food, especially during Ramadan.“

“Really great cafe with delicious Korean food. The kimchee was delicious and each dish we ordered was loved by our group of 4. The protein bowl (both chicken and beef) were LOVED. I had the kimchee soup meal and it was amazing. Staff were kind and the prices were reasonable.

By the way, at this point all of the negative reviews are from 2+ years ago and the concerns they note (few options and small portions) were not at all what we experienced. A good sized menu for a small cafe and the portions were perfect - and we were hungry. I think they adapted to the feedback. The average stars here should be much closer to 5. If there were any hesitations at all the matcha and boba were not favorites (not bad, but not at the level of the food)

We will definitely be back!“

“I came in today randomly for the first time today from the pet store nearby. I was really hungry but didn't know what to do because I had my dog with me. I called and told the lady over the phone told her if I could place the order and if they could bring it out for me because I had my dog. She said, no don't worry, you come in and pay and leave it's okay. They have tile floor so it made sense and really I appreciated that I didn't have to go hungry. My tuna melt was tasty, but what really made my day was their freshly baked breads in different flavors sold by the slice, I got pumpkin, zucchini, and banana for my partner. Best store bought bread ever! Soooo delicious! I will be returning.I had a good experience with customer service.Anyway, I am a happy customer.“

“Servers are fun to talk with and to learn about the best treats!“