I don't think I would come here if I didn't live in the neighborhood, and I find the interior to remind me way too much of my troubled mid-twenties when I spent way too many hours having espresso-induced anxiety attacks in cafes with chalkboard menus, but Java Beach deserves recognition. Why? Because they are open till 11 pm. Yes, here, in this strange neighborhood, we have a cafe that serves actual food till a normal hour. This is great. You hop off the N, the friendly proprietress (who actually remembers you after you come by a second or third time) is nice to you, and you get decent food at a normal price. The cafe is full of all kinds of people at all hours, because most people have lives that dont't stop at 7 or 8 and isn't it nice to have a place open till 11pm? It is nice. Thanks, Java Beach. read more

Alright everyone, I'm kicking off my return to Yelp (just finished producing CFS2011 -- and its kept me from being up in the Yelposphere!) with a 5-star of my new favorite coffee shop! This place has got amazing food, amazing coffee, and an even more amazing vibe. Bustling with a low-key SF crowd that is grabbing a drink or bite, this place is almost always packed. The baristas are super nice, know customer's names by heart, and are rapidly efficient. Also, its right by the beach. With ample parking. And reasonable prices. And I love me some coffee, so we all know its hard for my espresso-craving self to ever hate those that provide it to me... 5 Stars. And a huge welcome back to myself. :) read more

If there's one thing in this world I can get behind, it's owners who are incredibly attentive to the needs of their customers. I had a not-so-great experience here the other day, and when I wrote about it here on Yelp the owners were lightening fast about messaging me personally to apologize. I know many of us use Yelp as a place to vent our frustration when we feel we weren't given the service we deserved, with the hope that our voices are heard by these businesses and taken seriously. Most frustrating of all is that it doesn't really seem like businesses care. Java Beach DOES care. The sheer fact that their owners even bother to read and respond to their reviews speaks volumes about the kind of environment they aim to create, and the integrity of their business. I'm happy to come back and be part of it. read more

I've hit up this place several times since living here in SF, usually to get late night coffee. Last night a friend of mine was driving back home and wanted some coffee for the drive home so we popped on over to the only coffee place I knew of that was open past 10pm. We arrived and I've been craving sugar so I asked the woman (with glasses) if they happened to have any chocolate croissants left? She said I was in luck and handed me my chocolate, buttery sweet. I joked that I'm on a sugar kick and I didn't care if it was 10:30pm. She agreed and said "Sure, why not, you deserve it, don't deprive yourself!!" She cracked me up. I waited for my tea while I munched on my croissant on one of the empty sofas. My friend and I just sat and chatted. A couple groups were in just having wine talking and hanging out. It looks like they had live music earlier as one the guys at the table was cleaning up his equipment. They annoyed that the cafe was closing in 7 minutes, but most of us stayed put for a little while. The cool girl with the glasses started to pick up empty glasses so I took that as the cue that we should head out. It was after 11pm when we left so it was cool they didn't say "we're closed now" when it hit 11pm. A cop and other people popped in just before closing for a beer and coffee who were still served. That's cool. They could be regulars though who they're cool with hanging out while they clean up the place. Anyway, I had my sugar fix and my friend got her coffee fix. Nice folks and super chill if you wanna hang out by the beach at night. I've been there during the day too which can be super busy, especially on a nice day. Lots of surfers and beach goers. Locals with their dogs too. They have sandwiches, granola stuff, muffins and other pastries and specials of the day for drinks. My friend had the mint mocha which she said was good.All around nice place to hang out or grab a cup of somethin' somethin' at all hours of the day. read more

Anything that reminds of Southern CA gets 5 stars from me! Even though Ocean beach is kinda colder and foggier, the people here have the laid back Southern CA spirit that I love. Everyone is happy, and nice and friendly and seems to know each other. Coffee, sandwiches, snacks and pastries and even beer. Warm cozy couches, tons of seating! LOVE THIS PLACE!!! read more

Wow!! Can a small, private coffee shop be THAT good??!!.... YES!!! I have to say that I was absolutely surprised to taste how good the coffee is here. Everyone knows I am THE coffee drinker, so I am pretty picky with my cafes. Their iced white mocha is deeeee-licious! What a great way to top a day at the beach... when you're laying at the beach and need a little jump start, just walk over and Java is right there! This is for sure my new favorite cafe. read more

Expect to needlessly waste 30+ minutes waiting on your food. First time I went I thought here was an issue, so I went back. Seems like it's the regular thing, people didn't seem apologetic at all both times. Many people were just hanging there waiting for their food for ages, not knowing what to do with themselves. Seems like charging $11 for a sandwich won't allow to pay for enough cooks not to leave your customers waiting like idiots. Food is good, but not worth the wait (even more so considering the price). read more

Going to Ocean Beach feels like leaving SF proper and stopping by Java Beach Cafe evokes that same out of town feeling. It's inevitable that you'll run into surfers but also families, old timers, students and so forth, all of whom are drawn to the relaxed vibe and the availability of street parking. The display case is filled with croissant sandwiches, bagels and other pastries. I haven't tried those but I did have a bowl of oatmeal (hot oatmeal - yum) that I enjoyed (and they have brown sugar if you want it). The latte was quite good. Then there's the free wi-fi....which I have no complaints about. And I don't mind that the tables are close together. But I do mind the fact that there are no power outlets, making it difficult to hang out here for hours (and be on your laptop). They take credit cards but the minimum is $10 or was it $15? read more

Maybe I was a bit unfair with that 2-star review. Yesterday, I was hanging out at Ocean Beach with two girls I met on the N-Judah, one of who recognized me from a Super Bowl Party thrown by my former co-worker in North Beach. They were enjoying the day on the sand, catching up, and I quickly excused myself and went into Java Beach to get a quick cup of coffee. My eyes were averted from the super-connected laptop patrons. Surprise surprise, I was happy to get a medium Dark French Roast coffee with fast and friendly service, and I barely glanced at the other patrons. For a quick coffee to-go, why not Java Beach? For sit down coffee with a friend, I'll still go somewhere else. STILL WAY TOO MANY FOLKS ON LAPTOPS HERE! ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY BEACH DAY! This would be the opposite of what French people would call a "douce ambiance". read more

(Okay, I'm rusty. Haven't done one of these in a while so here goes:) Belly Sam Bitch and Two Key Sam Bitch for Cara!! Belly Sam Bitch and Two Key Sam Bitch for Cara!! Followed by that infamous, Mothra screeching piercing sound! (Ah those Japanese Monster Flicks!) That about sums up the effect of the woman calling out the orders at Java Beach. Now I'm not making fun of her. It's just that it was pretty busy in there and noisy too! Anyway, I know it's not the woman's fault that her voice was irritating the heck out of my lunch pal (Say Hey Starla!) and yours truly. Anyway, on to Java Beach. I've been coming here for the past year during my lunch hour with my co-workers. I can't think of a better place to sit down and order food and enjoy those rare sunny warm days by the beach. The sandwiches here are surprisingly good. I don't know what it is though. Could it be the secret sauce? Starla says it's no secret, I say it's good. I've only had the veggie sandwich which is pretty good. Honestly the sandwiches are rather plain looking. Visually bland would be how I would describe them. You know, run of the mill bread, served on a very generic looking plate. But I must tip my cap to them because once you take a bite, you forget about the permanent ear damage and nail scratching the chalkboard torture we had to endure just to get our food. The food is good, the coffee is fab and the beer! Did I mention they serve Beer? Sorry Starla, I had to steal your line! Yep, I come here after work, take a walk down the beach and cross the highway to JB for a brew. My advice, is bring earplugs while you wait for your food. After that just sit down and enjoy. Oh, they tend to be on the slow side in preparing the food but to me it's well worth the wait. Hey, plenty going on here to keep you visually entertained! Cheers! read more

Java Beach is my hangout. It's a lot of people's hangout. There is reason for this. The reason is that it is awesome. When I was student I often sought refuge here to eat // study // eat // study the day away. Now that I'm a working stiff, I often WFJB (it's a variation of WFH, but with more food). The sandwiches - I recommend a medium salami, heated with the works; fatty goodness. The coffee - a smorgasbord of freshly brewed coffees to fit your personal fancy. I'm a Bernie's Blend kinda girl. Or if you're in the mood for something a little more frilly, they're espresso drinks are also great. Be adventurous and try a latte with coconut syrup, perfect afternoon treat. The scene - As I was eating/working/eating here a few months ago, and Gavin Newsom popped in to tape an interview. This should validate the scene-ness of the place and what a community staple it is for those who are unfamiliar. Another big plus for me as a new mommy, the puppy kind not the baby kind, is how pet friendly this place is. Bringing your dog in to order is no big thing and there is plenty of outside seating for you and your BFF to enjoy beach breeze and free wifi together. Only thing to beware of is how crowded and noisy the joint can get. If you're coming to be productive and tend to get distracted easily, this is not the place for you. I'm an ear bud addict myself, so the chatter doesn't bother me. Every-buds diff :) read more

I'd give Java Beach a lot more stars if it weren't for my unfortunate experience with my small cup of joe. This has never happened to me before... but I filled up a small cup of hazelnut coffee and added the typical sugar and cream. THEN - what came out of it was a foul tasting concoction... no where resembling anything close to the warm toasty flavor I was anticipating!! I was traumatized and don't think I'll be ordering coffee here again. It was a waste of my $1.75. Has this happened to anyone else? Maybe the half&half went bad? Or hazelnut and half&half is just a plain no-no... But it was crowded with all sorts of people on their laptops, or catching up over a cup of coffee, or just enjoying something hot (it was i, i swear, like 59 degrees outside and the winds blowing). I'm going to come back and try some of those baked goods they had taunting me in the case. Same goes with the sandwiches! See you soon Java Beach Cafe! read more

Right next to the N Judah Muni train turnaround. They have some snacks to eat too. Sometimes the inside gets a bit thrashed because it can get quite busy. The appearance of the place is not the best. It is too mishmashed, but I guess it is appropriate considering how the houses and apartments look in the area. A cool place to get some coffee. Yummy and strong coffee (like my women, lol). Very close to Ocean Beach. Lots of surfers, stoners, families, some lost tourists and San Franciscans all together enjoying some coffee. If you are in the area and need some caffeine, don't hesitate. Good vibes are around this place. read more

Super cute place! Super cute staff. Super cute...uh I mean good coffee. I didn't get any food here but I certainly was tempted. Next time. read more

It gets crowded for a reason. I love the hot vegi sandwich. The yerba matte tea is the best. The calm environment and sweet staff is a big draw for me. Plus it's near my house and right by the beach. I love this place. It's a good place to be on a cold day. read more

Ordered a sun dried tomato bagel and a hot veggie sandwich, as well as lattes several times. The food was decent and tasted good, but had incredibly small portions for the price. Coffee was mediocre; wasn't terrible, wasn't great. Convenient because it's near the beach and a few hotels, but I'd advise not stopping here and searching for your breakfast elsewhere. read more

A java house along a nice bike route, this place is becoming a regular stop for me on the weekend when the weather is good. Expect a long long line (although it moves along fairly quickly) with classic beach bums, well-pedicured ladies with their groomed poodles, and everything in between. The muffins here are HUGE... I mean, HUMONGOUS. I can have it as a meal in and of itself. The coffee selection... very awesome.. from regular roast to flavored ones (my fave hazelnut among them!) Steaming hot, and meanly roasted. Just the way I like it. I've not had anything else here... but the muffins and coffee are enough for me to come back for more. read more

I've been to Java Beach Cafe *several* times since moving to San Francisco three-ish years go. It's right near the beach, has big windows that let the light in, and it's staffed with awesome baristas who definitely deserve their tips (tip, people! -- you think working minimum wage and slaving over our coffees and latte art all day is actually paying the bills? Someone awesome with a great personality poured you that perfect cup of joe while standing on their feet all day and ruining their back, so throw a dollar in the tip jar, ya' cheap-o!). Here are all the reasons one should go to Java Beach Cafe: * Planning on laying out at the beach all morning? Java Beach Cafe is located right off the sandy strip and is the perfect spot to come grab a tall iced tea with lemon after you've soaked up your vitamin D for the day. * There's nothing better than a triple-stack toasted sourdough sandwich with three layers of chicken, bacon, avocado, tomato, and more, all sitting pretty next to an overflowing pile of salty potato chip goodness. Mmmm. * Talk about a perfect latte! Just the right amount of cool latte art laying over warm espresso and milk. When you take that first sip, your lip piercing the foamy cream, the rush of hot espresso washing over your tongue after is -- ugh. Just. So. Good. * Working on a manuscript? Need to get through the last few pages of your favorite novel? Want to zone out in front of your computer for a few hours just surfing Reddit? Feel like whipping out your sketchbook and doodling during peak people-watching hours? Java Beach Cafe has *tons* of table space, lots of outlets, and available Wifi with decent speed (though not speedy enough to, say, run Netflix). I've been here early in the day to snag a coffee before taking walks along the beach, and it's always swimming with people. Folks *love* Java Beach Cafe, and peak people-watching time is definitely from noon to 5PM. I've also been here late at night for meet ups with fellow novel writers, as well as to simply relax after a long day and get some reading in, jacking my adrenal glands with caffeine despite realizing I shouldn't be drinking their tasty soy-milk lattes right before bed. Things get pretty slow and quiet at night -- the baristas more friendly (now that they have time to chat with the customers individually) and the people more quiet (folks in San Francisco generally respect that others are trying to get actual work done if they're at a cafe this late at night), but the food and coffee stays just as delicious. Basically, if you're looking for a nice, chill spot that is sometimes peppered with surfers but mostly visited by the locals (this is *not* a "tourist" spot, though it very well could be), this is the place for you. It's one of my favorite cafes in the city, and for good reason. I can't wait to go back for another latte! read more

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I got a rice krispie here once. It was really hard, sort of like a brick. I also had hot cocoa that day because it was cold and I had just gone to the beach for some reason. Oh yeah, the people here are very friendly. Yay! read more

No freebee, just the best libations you can get on the west coast!

Cheap, fast, friendly and charming kick it spot. I like it :)

Java Beach House, I can't get enough of your smooth and perfect coffee! It doesn't hurt that your location is close to the beach and that you have that neighborhood friendliness factor down. Others may rave about Blue Bottle or Philz, but you are my shining star for a perfect cup o java! read more

Definitely one of the most reputable cafes in the entire sunset ~ a nice local gathering spot with pretty good coffee & eats - their sandwiches on dutch crunch look killer (didn't try, just looked on at other peoples' tables)!! One thing I really appreciate also about Java Beach is the fact that they offer a 10 oz size cafe drink - a nice, slightly smaller alternative to a 12 oz, yet not as small as an 8 oz where you feel like you only get two sips of the drink! In my book, a 10 oz double latte is the right espresso to milk ratio - I HATE a weak latte!! Now that we're having nice weather in SF, i may be making more ocean beach runs & stopping in here! read more

Came in for lunch on valentines day after biking all the way across the city and didn't feel like waiting at Outerlands for food. I ordered the Kale Caesar salad + chicken (they were out of Caesar dressing, so subbed italian). Luckily the italian dressing was pretty good, but not massaged in or evenly coated at all. The BF got a sandwich with roast beef, which he said was pretty good. However, the espresso was TERRIBLE-tasted like burnt sludge and we only received one when we had ordered two..we didn't want the second one because EW. The service was REALLY slow for the quality of food that we got, but the guy ringing us up did give us advanced notice that the sandwich was going to take 15 minutes, so we definitely appreciated that. Another odd note-this guy decided to site in between us and another pair of diners on one of their small benched tables, which was awkward but ok. Then we noticed that he wasn't wearing any shoes (EW) and he kept saying how bad the salad that I ordered normally was. Getting more awkward. Then- he asked if he could have my roll from my plate, which OK i wasnt going to eat, and then in a really self-entitled way said "hand me your butter".... SO WEIRD/STRANGE. He didn't order anything for himself by the way...just there for the WiFi and to significantly creep people out. Anyways, won't be back because the food was just OK and I dont like feeling judged/creeped out/gross when I'm dining. read more

Sure it's at the end of the line and that's convenient. Sure it's always packed (because it's so cold outside you need tea to warm you up). Sure you can never find a place to seat ('cause everyone and their laptops). Sure it's popular (well, it's the only one --- duh). And sure, it's close to me, but I never go, and here's why: Whenever I go near this coffee shop, I feel like I am in Santa Cruz. The chicks with flip-flops stand-out. I always feel like telling them how the water isn't warm or ask if they forgot their socks. Their coffee is---flavor-less. Messy. Dirty cups. Their food is expensive and you gotta be specific about what you want in it. If you order a Cesar salad, be sure to let them know to add greens, cheese, ranch, and chicken. Otherwise you might only get 2 ingredients. Imagine being stuck with ranch and cheese? Oh no! Sandwiches are um---did I use the word flavor-less already? Damn. One time I saw a lady solving crossroad puzzles while drinking beer. I couldn't help but think how pathetic that was. read more

OH YEAH!!!! I wish this place wasn't an hour away. Great beachside vibe and fantastic coffee!. I love skipping across the street (yes im the idiot bounding across The Great Highway) with a not too sweet mocha. It was packed and I was worried my order would get mixed up with someone else but all the other orders were soy, extra foam, extra hot, double shot, cinnamon foofoo concoctions that a single mocha with whip was the odd man out. read more

Mocha was just ok. So yeah, "Meh, Ive experienced better" which is equivalent to 2 stars. What annoyed me most was the barista thought it was ok to text in-between making coffee orders. And she did this while we all stood and waited.. she even made eye contact with me a few times and proceeded to text and drink her soda. Then she took a phone call and walked away while I and a few others were waiting for our drinks. I just don't think it's professional or hygienic for a server to be handling my food while touching their dirty cell phones and/or help him or herself to soda while we all wait for our overpriced coffee drinks. UPDATE: The owner sincerely apologized for my experience. I can appreciate it when owners care about their customers and business and for this I feel my original 2 stars should be increased. I will give them another shot. read more

I rolled in around 7:30am to grab some hot chocolate and read a bit that morning. I ordered a hot chocolate without whipped cream and gave $20 cash. The lady (Lin) took my $20 and rang it up as a $5. After being shortchanged $15, I told her she rang it up wrong and Lin said she would call that afternoon if "they had too much". Left my name and number on the receipt. She never called back. Also my hot chocolate came with whipped cream despite me requesting a cup without it. Worst experience ever. Essentially $20 for a simple drink that did not meet my basic specifications (just don't add whipped cream). I suggest to take your money farther towards the inner sunset for better service and customer service that listens and knows how to read money and do basic math. TL;DR: This place basic. Avoid at all costs. EDIT: Complained again and the lady decided to refund my money and give me a free drink the next morning. Remorseful service but still wholly unacceptable. read more

I love Java Beach. Not only is it the perfect place to hang out on a nice day with great outdoor seating and sunny indoor seating, but the food and the service are awesome. Sometimes I'll head down there just for the chips that they serve with all the sandwiches. Which, by the way, are absolutely fantastic - thick, crispy, golden and perfect. Recently I ordered a tuna salad sandwich without the bread (being gluten-free and all) which usually just kinda turns it into a tuna salad, but they made me little tuna lettuce wraps which totally made my day. It's really nice to see a busy place go the extra mile for its patrons. Oh, and to top it all off, they serve Magners AND Barry's tea. One time I asked for Irish Breakfast tea and I can't tell you how excited I was when the cashier asked if I wanted Irish Breakfast tea or Barry's tea. I love Barry's tea. And Java Beach. read more

Good parking, decent food. I ordered the Tsunami sub which was pretty good but nothing special. The quinoa porridge was pretty bland and I ended up putting some syrup and cinnamon in it. We also ordered the arugula salad but was not a fan of the dressing. As for drinks, I ordered the white mocha which was pretty good! read more

I really liked this place! Very good for breakfast (fresh made Bagels and other baking goods, hot coffee, tea, chocolate) and also for a drink in the evening when it gets too cold at the beach. The tram stops right in front of the building, the beach is just over the street and our Motel was next door, so it was the best place to enjoy some food&drinks :) Would definitely come back again, the staff is also very friendly, young and alternative. Oh, and there is free wifi ;) read more

It's certainly true that the beach gives this a sort of SoCal (or at least Central Coast) vibe. But don't worry, it's still a good place:) Actually, while the tourists head to the Cliff House and, to a lesser extent, the Beach Chalet, the locals know this is the real beach place to hit. Great atmosphere with couches, outdoor tables, and even a bar inside. One warning: I've seen ridiculously long lines here on sunny weekend days. Try to come on a foggy weekday; not only will there be no line but you'll have some kick-ass ambience. read more

I'm glad this cute, yet laid back cafe is in my new 'hood and only a couple of steps from where I now live. After a run in the park, my sister and I stopped by for a late lunch. A friend had mentioned that their sandwiches were good, so I was looking forward to that. I'm on a pesto, mozzarella and veggie sandwich crave lately, so I tried it here. It was delicious- toasted to a perfect crunch as the cheese melted and glued everything together. I did have to wipe off some of the creamy pesto. A small order was actually a pretty decent portion. I'd definitely go with the hot sandwiches. Order at the counter, and keep an eye out for any open seats because it gets packed! It seems like regulars camp out with their laptops. I'm definitely coming back and bringing others with me! read more

I visit this place only out of a lack of options. If another cafe opened up next door, and lowered their prices just a bit, Java Beach would have a serious run for their money. While its nice to be able to grab a beer or a coffee in the same place, be able to use wireless internet, walk to the beach, or just enjoy a sunny day, its obvious that a lack of options has allowed the owners of this place to mark up their prices. Coffee and bagels for two is usually about 15 bucks (which I find ridiculous). It is also usually pretty croweded, especially if its a nice day in the outer sunset. Don't get me wrong, this place isn't bad, but it could benefit from a little competition. read more

I can not give it more than 3 stars, im sorry i was in and out with in 5 minutes. however i am giving them an extra star for having great prices. normally for what i got which was a small coffee, a medium with a double shot, and a double shot espresso i would pay an arm load in san diego, well im not in san diego, im in frisco and everyone is a coffee nazi. I LOVE THAT!!! squeeze those butt holes for your quality coffee!!! i spent about 6 bucks total! sweet mother of Jebus, thats cheap and your right around the blocks from where im staying... sweet! one day down and 5 days ill be stopping here again! read more

Great place for lunch! Couples of friends and I came here for lunch today, Sandwiches all around. For a decent 7.50, I got a fatty tuna salad sub! It was delicious, pact full of tuna salad as well as veggies, I was reallllllly happy when i picked up the sandwich after a fair 10 minutes of waiting... Ice tea was a bit expensive though, I got a 16oz of the goods and it cost me a whopping $2.95, really? I could get a 24oz diluted, ice tea from Starbucks for less than that... and it would taste just as good. but overall, java beach cafe is a definitely worth a trip, alot of seating indoors and outdoors! great place to eat with your bestie doggies. read more

Sitting at this place reminds me of Santa Cruz, and I've never even been to Santa Cruz... I'm not even sure where Santa Cruz is but as a newly post-east-coaster I have seen so many Santa Cruz t-shirts and mentions that I feel like I know it. I assume it is a laid back surf town where dogs and dread-headed hippies roam with no leash and everyone is friendly because they are either stoned or just really enjoy beautiful weather or both. Yeah this place reminds me of that but with better coffee. I recommend grabbing a pint of Fat Tire and sitting outside right around 6:45pm and enjoy the Sunset in Sunset. And hurry because I hear that in about a month (November) this whole neighborhood will look like the inside of a potheads lungs after an ice-bong hit. Cold and foggy. So get it while it's hot. read more

I like 8 balls -- 2 shots of espresso and a beer. This is what I do before I go get blown around on the beach. Then I come back to Java Beach and have another 8 ball. I like 8 balls on the patio. I like 8 balls inside at the bar. I even like them when I'm surrounded by bored kids on their laptops but not as much. This place is cute. It's obvious it was like a Mexican restaurant or something before it became king of the 8 balls. read more

Perfect in every way! Free wifi, small comfy area, locals, vegan goodies, Barry's (Irish!) tea, Yerba Mate Lattes, sandwiches, smiles, brown sugar, beach location, N-Judah. I'd move across the street just to have hot tea and bagels at 5:30 in the morning.. and then come back at 11PM for a goodnight snack. read more

Is this place even in SF? Located across the street from Ocean Beach, this is an AWESOME little cafe. Sit inside or out on the sidewalk, you're sure to fall in love with this place while basking in the sun. The roommate and I sat in the cafe on one of the comfy couches. We ordered iced tea (Lipton's) and a mozzarella, tomato, and pesto sandwich which came opened faced. It was so superbly yummy! If you're going to pay with your debit card, make sure your total is $10 or more. There is an ATM if you need to withdrawal money. The staff are crazy friendly and funny as all heck. The reason I gave this place only four stars is because it is sooooo far away. I'll definitely be back to grab lunch and then cross the street to watch the waves crash! read more