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    Cafe Francisco

    3.7 (322 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Cafe Francisco Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE FRANCISCO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Francisco

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    Lewis S.

    I come here way too often (I say that only because I have a dozen other favorites within blocks, scattered across North Beach), but boy is it predictably great. And in the most understated way, Ziad achieves the perfect laidback cafe vibe: great coffee (and tea), lowkey but fantastic bespoke sandwiches, and a chill scene inside & out. Please ignore this review though, I'd hate to have this become overcrowded ;)

    Wonderful spot! The pastries are amazing and the seating is great. Big windows with lots of light. And the owner is so friendly and kind!

    Erik B.

    This place is stuck in time, my guess is the 80s, and I love it for that. Operated by hardworking staff, the cafe is conveniently located close to the harbor (great spot to stop for food prior to an Alcatraz tour). The menu is full of diverse options including frittatas, falafel wraps, and salads that include the infamous capers (with fresh tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and italian seasoning). The only grip is timing: if you are in a rush, hop to another spot. The food also appears basic. The line can get long here and with little staff support, folks eating at the outdoor/indoor tables wait longer than normal. To-go orders also take time given the lack of staff. But overall pleasant and friendly - on the list for a repeat visit!

    Cute sign!
    Clayton T.

    Such a wonderful atmosphere! It felt homey and like a classic, casual cafe run by a fine gentleman. I loved the soft radio playing tunes in the back as I sat down in one of their many chairs and looked at the chalkboard menu. The service was amazing, I was welcomed in by the boss and we had a great conversation about the food! I really love the atmosphere of this place. I had seen this amazing avocado toast here on yelp and got that alongside a lox bagel. It was absolutely SUPERB! I enjoyed my meal dearly and genuinely wish that this cafe was closer to where I lived because I would certainly frequent such a cute place. The freshness and quality of the ingredients makes me crave more just thinking about it. I got to go back!

    Iced latte
    Angelina Z.

    I loved how homey this cafe was. The owner was friendly and also recognized a few regular customers. I got the iced latte, which was alright, a bit watery for my taste. The sandwiches looked quite good, and I'd definitely come back for them.

    Le Croissant
    Kinsey M.

    Very cute cafe with great food and drinks. Obviously frequented by a lot of regulars who seem to personally know the proprietor. My friends and I went on a Sunday morning and we all ordered egg dishes, which did take a while to make. This makes sense because a lot of people came in and it's only one person working behind the counter (and everything is made to order). No problem if you have time to sit and hang out but if you're in a rush and you want more than a coffee, might not be the best option. I had Le Croissant, eggs with avocado, tomato, red onion on a croissant. Delicious!

    Afshin A.

    Still going strong! Cafe Francisco is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, cafe's in the neighborhood. Near a quarter of a century ago when I moved to San Francisco, I started coming to this neighborhood cafe where I met many neighbors who later became friends. Many of them have moved on now, but those of us who are still around still get together here and enjoy each other's company over a beer, coffee or a meal. The coffee is good, as are the sandwiches, but my favorites remain the same: the Mediterranean Plate (under Salads) and Falafel Sandwich. For breakfast, I always go with Francisco Bagel with Lox! Those are my picks and I tend to get into routines and that is precisely why you should not limit yourself to my favorites list when you visit! :-)

    Outside seating and happy hour specials

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    9 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Got back to sit and drink a cold mocha ...quiet neighborhood little Italy ...visited again

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Great food, wonderful service, nice place to sit for a while to get work done while having a sandwich. The basil tomato soup is crazy good.

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Nicest man ever who helped us! Quick service and fair prices for our coffee, and they were great! Nice casual spot

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food and service! Great ambiance with calm music and a wonderful host, the breakfast bagel was excellent!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cute cafe with an old fashion feel. Friendly staff, relaxing vibe. Coffee is amazing.

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Loved the cafe's vibe!! Worked from here for a couple of hours and Ordered a turkey sandwich, it was yummy!!! So close to the pier 39!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The most authentic and cool place in the neighborhood. They have great food and delicious coffee.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Cafe Francisco

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    4.5(170 reviews)
    1.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Have dined here twice and both times did not disappoint! The service is great, and the food is…read morefresh and delicious. I especially love the dip trip and grilled halloumi. The burrito salad was alright, could have used a little more flavor in my opinion. I really like the small plates and sharing atmosphere of this place, and appreciate all of the vegetarian forward options. The space is small and intimate, definitely great for a date night or girls night! I will say if you make a reservation (I'd recommend, it's a small place and gets busy) be sure to be prompt as part of our group was running about 10 minutes late, and the servers kindly let us know we only had the table for an hour and a half, which is fairly strict on weekends.

    Came by on a Sunday during happy hour. We ordered a few food items off the happy hour menu: hummus…read moreand muhammara (a must!) with pita, aleppo fries, and falafel. We also ordered the non-happy hour burrata salad and the filet kebab. Our server was very attentive, though our main food items were somehow forgotten and we had to remind them.. but once they arrived, everything was great! I loved the pomegranate in the burrata salad. I also appreciated the non-alcoholic options, including my favorite Fentiman's rose lemonade. I would definitely recommend this place, especially for happy hour. My only small critique is the restroom, since the entire restaurant is so classy and chic, it would have been the perfect finishing touch if the restrooms matched the same vibe.

    Photos
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    Inside

    Roaming Goat - Brussels

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    Outside

    Waystone - Fries and chicken bites

    Waystone

    4.8(91 reviews)
    0.4 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

    We believe in second chances. And by we I mean me, my friends, and Tom…read more We showed up last night and immediately the atmosphere was different. Every single table was full and bustling. The people were laughing, the drinks were flowing. It smelled really good, which we would later find out was from the food especially that Mac and cheese. We started off with different wines, some that Tom recommended based on what we told him we didn't like or did like. He apologized for our previous experience and was genuinely a nice guy. Honestly it's very admirable for a business owner to take feedback to heart and want to incorporate it. Plus he's a really cool guy when you get to know him. The staff was busy running around but still made time to come check on us. Our final verdict is we came on a bad day. This time we got the actual Waystone experience. We finally got to try the chicken bites with a creamy aioli, fries with yogurt sauce, and the star of the show was the Mac and cheese. Tik tok did live up to the hype and we will have to come back for one of their jazz nights. Be warned this place gets busy! But it's worth it.

    Waystone is technically a wine bar, but spiritually it's a community living room disguised as a…read morejazz lounge with snacks. Yes, the wine is excellent..(not selling you 'natural' actively fermenting bottles) thoughtfully curated... the cab franc , interesting without being pretentious. Yes, the bites hit (shoutout to the watermelon salad). But what really makes Waystone magic is the people. Everyone who works here is warm, funny, and present in a way that makes you feel like you belong, whether it's your first visit or your 50th. Live jazz nights here are their own kind of therapy. I once saw a harpist who made me feel like I was floating inside the music. No cover, no pressure, just ridiculously good musicians making the whole place glow. One thing I love: the rotating local art. The walls change every so often as new artists take over, and it completely shifts the energy of the space. You might not love every piece, but that's kind of the point--it's alive, it's personal, and it's supporting real artists in SF. And if you do love something, you can take it home (yep, everything's for sale). Whether you're here for the jazz, the wine, the art, or the people.. waystone shows up with soul. I'd give it six stars if I could.

    Photos
    Waystone - Ribs and Mac and cheese

    Ribs and Mac and cheese

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    Bar area

    Cafe Francisco - coffee - Updated May 2026

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