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first time to kantine! While walking around the city Actually would've never noticed it had we been walking by it? But we wondered what all the commotion was outside of the establishment And lone behold it was brunch. I ended up getting a few pastries here. A little too sweet to my liking, but now I can say I can try it. The service here was not bad, the line moved pretty quick for a weekend café
Cardamom morning bun: 5/5 Ginger slice cookie: 4.5/5 Bread pudding: 4.2/5 Cardamom knot: 4/5 Jam caves: 3.5/5 Cinnamon knot: 2.5/5 Rye chocolate chunk cookie: 1.5/5
Kantine is such a cute, fun brunch spot. There is a good amount of seating inside and outside, you pay at the counter and they bring the food/drinks to you, and you bus your own tables afterwards. We got there before the line started, but it seems they get very busy on the weekends around 11am ish. The coffee was yummy and strong and the cardamom knot was delicious. The brunch plate was fun, but my favorite thing was definitely the jam. The rye was seedier than I was used to, the cheese wasn't super sharp and the yogurt was a bit boring so I would probably try something new next time. Still, a very fun experience and I'll be back!
Scandinavian pastry is high on my radar these days. I'm tired of croissants. Give me cardamom pastries! Poppy seeded pastry. That's why I am SO excited by Kantine. It is in the middle of Upper Market near the Old Mint. Some savvy folks know about it and go for their brunch. Porridge? Soft cooked eggs? Pastries...yup, I'll go for these! Service was calm & steady and went pretty quickly. Charming, calm ambiance early in the morning. Seats outside on Market Street go quickly. I bought a cardamom morning bun. A bit too Sugary sweet...but Deliciously scented and crispy outer shell yet moist inside. I also could not pass up their savory pain suisse with veggies inside. Buttery flaky pastry with a savory filling...so delicious! I'll be back again soon to try more!
I love to try unique cafes and this Scandinavian one is a little gem! The atmosphere is bright and airy, and although there's a line, it moves quickly. With every item in the pastry shelf looking absolutely amazing, it was hard to decide! We ended up ordering the cardamom knot which I thought was delicious and perfectly fluffy. We also ordered the lox bagel sandwich which hit the spot. While eating, my food envy led me to ask the table next to me about their egg sandwich which looked fantastic too. It's called the Grovbirkes sandwich, so I'm adding that to my order for next time! Seating can be hard to find on a weekend to be honest but may have opened up if we lingered for a while. We ended up sitting in a cozy bench corner which was fine but would have been hard to eat a larger meal. Go check it out :)
not a single miss here, everything is filling and appetizing. I love the fresh and tangy flavor profiles of my favorite things here like the yogurt and the seeded rye bread. It's a good price point as well. The service is at the kiosk and you order after viewing the display and menu. it's usually quiet on weekdays and busier on weekends but ambiance is casual and simple.
Kantine is a charming and unique spot in the Duboce Triangle area. I went in on a Saturday morning at about 10am and it was pretty crowded. Outside was full and there was a couple spots inside that I had to snag pretty quickly. But there's a reason they are so busy, the food is absolutely spectacular. I got the cardamom bun which is one of my favorite Nordic pastries and it was just as I remembered it. Super flavorful, very soft, just an incredible pastry. I had it with coffee too which was also delicious. My friend got the yoghurt which was thick and flavorful and topped with unique toppings and a delicious apple sauce. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. Definitely a new go-to place in the city for me.
I've had Kantine on my want-to-go list for such a long time, and I finally checked it off over the weekend with my friend. We stopped by for a round of cinnamon knots and enjoyed them fresh outside in the pleasant weather. The pastries were lightly sweet with a pretty soft chew despite the browned exterior. I thought there were salt crystals on top of the buns, but it turned out to be a type of sugar. It's kind of hard to accurately critique this place after only sampling one item, but for my first time, between the cinnamon knot and chill environment, it was a 4/5 experience. Next time I'd like to branch out and try one of the savory dishes.
A very stylish spot to meet friends or hang out for a few hours. The staff was lovely, the interior and exterior seating was plentiful, and there were so many tasty looking things on the menu! I ended up having their salmon bowl, an iced tea, and a cardamom bun and everything was tasty and refreshing, if a bit small portioned given the price. Pros: - very tasty food with fresh ingredients - cardamom bun was slightly sticky and spiced with a hint of sweetness, perfect in my opinion - plentiful, nice seating - in an area with street parking a block or two away Cons: - on the more expensive side - small portions - limited gluten free selection
Went here on a Sunday morning to enjoy a brunch. There was a bit of a line, but it was a really nice day so one of us grabbed a table outside and the other one ordered. We went with the brunch plate with sourdough, the shrimp salad smorebrod and a cardamom knot. Also got some orange juice and a cafe latte. We really liked the cardamom knot. Very light and flavorful, not as heavy as a an American cinnamon bun. I also enjoyed the smorebrod with the shrimp salad. Bread was great and good portion of the salad. The brunch plate was also a good mixture of jam, cheese, butter, yoghurt and some nice bread. Some of the other sandwiches also looked great and the pastries as well. Would definitely be back and check out more of their offerings. Staff were super nice.
Deliciousness all around! We ordered the Savory Porridge, Trout Scandwich, Golden Klint drink and the Choux bun! I've never had savory porridge in this way - with grains, mushroom, kale and cheese but all the flavors worked so well together and was a light clean dish! The Trout Scandwich was also super tasty with the crispy sprouted rye buns and flavorful cream cheese, purple onions and trout! I ordered the Golden Klint with oat milk and it was such a warm and cozy drink which reminded me a bit like eggnog flavor! The choux bun had the perfect amount of cream and crispy so chefs kiss! Service was quick and servers were very attentive. The only downside would probably be the lack of seating sometimes especially on a busy Sunday but people were nice to share tables with us! Will definitely stop by again to try the rest of the menu :)
We ordered the $40 cookie box for Christmas Eve and it was just OK. The display was really pretty and the cookies looked nice, but the only ones we really liked were the butter wreaths. We did appreciate the service as they were ready when we asked for them to be ready because you had to pre-order them.
Awesome Swedish bakery full of authentic pastries and breads. The coffee is just like Swedish. They use quality ingredients. I had the rye bread to take home it's excellent. They are very popular and busy. Definitely would go back I highly recommend them!
I've gone here a couple times, and I have loved everything I've tried so far. The place is very cute, and I always see a line during peak brunch hours (for good reason). Some people might say it's pricey for what you get because the portions aren't huge, but the flavors are unique So far I've gotten - Poppyseed almond pastry: not super sweet and flakey, which I love!! - Savory porridge: only had a bite from a friend's but it was good and homey. take with grain of salt because I don't know if I would've enjoyed eating the whole thing, but I think I would probably do the add-ons next time if I were to get this - Smoke salmon bowl: it looks so simple but somehow each of the ingredients go so well together and is prepared very well read more
Came for a bite and was delish. I hadn't been in a while but I pass it all the time and is always pretty busy. Thankfully it wasn't too full midday on a weekday. It's cute inside and a nice outdoor seating area. All the pastries are flaky and a bit unique than a traditional bakery. Their plated items are also really good and filling. Recommend and am never disappointed! read more
2 years ago
I came here around 11am on Thursday with one of my friends. Very warm day but decided to stay inside and we were able to find a seat immediately. We ordered one of the special dishes (soup with mushrooms, barley), a piece of bread and one sweet for me (sorry I don't remember the name). The soup was very good, simple but good, bread was good too maybe not very soft, and the sweet was delicious! I liked also the americano I ordered. The ambiance is nice and friendly too. read more
We tried the Summer salad ($13), goat cheese twisted pastry ($4), chai latte ($5), savory grain porridge ($15 with quinoa, wild mushrooms, farmers cheese), and sprouted rye bread with havarti cheese ($8). The summer salad was so refreshing! I was delightfully surprised with the size of it compared to the price. It had a light, slightly tart sauce that complimented all the toppings well. I highly recommend this! The chai latte was delicious! You can taste both the coffee and the spices. I also enjoyed the savory grain porridge. It had yummy mushrooms that reminded me of brown versions of enoki mushrooms. There was also quinoa and a fancy cheese! I usually don't eat or make savory oatmeal, but this made me more excited to try other ones! I also think their sprouted rye bread is very unique. I have had rye bread before but not like this. The bread was made up of individual grains, so it was like someone took sprouted grains and squished them into a bread. The service was very friendly. We got our food within 10 minutes. There are a few large tables, some small tables, and an interesting couch/bench area. Lots of natural light! read more
lots of unique pastry selections! the danish chocolate custard bun thing was my favorite pastry we tried (not too sweet and rich, perfect amount). would say the brunch plate was more for the aesthetic, nothing too special and a more $$ on the menu, but stunning presentation! hot chocolate was decadent! read more
Each time I look up great cafes or brunch restaurants, Kantine always makes the cut. And now I understand why. It's cute and it has some of the best price points for a solid meal. While there, I saw orders of gigantic salads and sandwiches delivered to each table. I got the opened faced chicken meatball sandwich, one of their specials for the day. It was very pretty and actually really tasty. It was surprisingly filling as well. I went later in the day, so I could see it getting packed fast. So if you plan to come, be prepared. I look forward to visiting again soon. read more
10 months ago
I'm blown away by this place! First time having a Scandanavian-inspired brunch menu, I think they really knocked it out of the park. Flavors are amazing, service is fast, and the decorations/vibes are so energizing and refreshing. I came with a friend on a Saturday around 11:15am. You can order at the counter and find a table for yourself - at this time it was a little crowded but we still were able to find a corner for ourselves. SWEET 3-GRAIN PORRIDGE - Do it for the peaches and cream! Combined with pistachio for flavor and mint for aromatics, this dish blew me away in presentation and flavor. Lightly sweet, creamy, and crunchy, it's to die for. SAVORY 3-GRAIN PORRIDGE - Super healthy and hearty, I loved the mushroom and cheese combination. Salty with umami flavors, the added creaminess of the cheese works so will with the mushroom texture and slight crunch from the sunflower seeds. Highly recommend trying this out for the girlies that love a good savory breakfast! SCANDI SAMPLER - So simple yet utterly delicious! Great for sharing with a friend, you have to power to split a bread in half and create your own sweet/savory variations. SMOKED TROUT SAMPLER - Creamy and salty, a great spread for the bread! Reminds me of a more concentrated tuna salad, but elevated with more complex umami flavors. The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. You may end up taking some home with you for next breakfast read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
A very unique brunch spot that gets very busy during peak hours and especially the weekend! The space is very cute, if the weather is nice they have nice little outside seating as well. I enjoyed their lavender latte and little breakfast items. The sandwiches are awesome, they use very fresh seeded bread which elevates the food! read more
1 year ago
Kantine's got a great aesthetic and selection of both savory and sweet baked goods. I really like the breakfast plate and the cardamom knot (must get every time I go!!). I've also tried the savory oats--not usually something I'd order, but was super filling and flavorful. Great for getting work done on a wfh day or for a coffee date. They also offer spritzes which can be a fun addition to brunch :) All around solid option if you're in the area. read more
Brunch here is cute and delicious! Came in a group of 3 on a Saturday 11AM and didn't have to wait. Ordered brunch platters and the porridge. I love the savory porridge - it's indeed very savory with the mushroom on top, and I would recommend adding an egg and bacon to add more flavor. It's also super filling. From dishes in brunch platters, I think everything with egg are pretty good. Coffee is also pretty good. Only downside is that we had to sit on the roadside to eat. It could get quite loud and dusty. It's the safest area so sometimes there are weird people walking by. Post tax it was ~$30 per person. read more
3 years ago
Cute spot for morning coffee/pastries or brunch! My friend & I tried the tebirkes (almond filled pastries), iced coffee, and iced mocha. I think the pastry was delicious, flaky, and not overpoweringly sweet. It is a bit messy to eat bc of the poppy seeds on top, but the added crunch is amazing. The coffee isn't anything crazy. Didn't love or hate it, it's alright. I think I would stick to the pastries and other brunch items next visit :) There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, staff is friendly and bring food to your table. The vibe here is very relaxed and chill. read more
1 year ago
Had a Grovesbirkes breakfast croissant which was ok but too savory couldn't even eat more than half of it. Their chocolate cardamom croissant was ok. very tasty and soft inside but the outside was way too flaky kinda ruined the experience. the environment inside the cafe seamed off to me not very exciting or welcoming. All the workers looked miserable none had a smile on their face. yikes mochas were ok though but didn't have much flavor or the milk was old. i give this place a 1/10, the owner talks rude to people. Absolute No for me. skip this place entirely. read more
I was disappointed. It was more impressive when I visited a few years ago. The set menu came with yogurt and muesli, cheese, jam, butter, salt, a soft boiled egg, raw arugula, half cut block of radish, and rye bread. None of them were impressive and nothing better than my quick home-prep. I would put together much nicer than this. Didn't feel like I would happily pay the price for what I got. It looked good and hip, but flavors were not. The trout sandwich was just so so. The bread was too dry. Flavors were not interesting and lacking. Swedish sandwich I know is a lot more delicate than this. I have visited Sweden multiple times, and I fell in love with Swedish cuisine and bread. Maybe I had a high expectation, but this was below the average. read more
3 years ago
This is my first time having real Scandinavian food (sorry Ikea) and it tastes so wholesome! I truly understand now why people in nordic countries live longer because it tastes like REAL food. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is due to the price. It's not exactly attainable even in SF but if you're bad and boujee, this is your spot. I really like being able to sample different things even when dining alone so the byob (brunch edition) is super clever. I got the runny eggs, rye sprouted bread, yogurt, beet hummus and pickled herring. All were delicious. Do note though that the food here takes awhile to come out when they're busy so don't come hangry. As a user experience designer, I'm always thinking about how to improve experiences. One area of improvement was how to flow customers against employees bringing out food. The two streams cross in a very awkward fashion for both parties. There's many ways I can see redesigning the space. But the most minimal change could see ..... hmm I'll try my best to describe without a drawing: Currently, people snake into the restaurant and there's a separator inside so you go through the door, snake to the left then snake forward. Instead, it might be better to go through the door straight, then snake to the left while hugging the counter. And leave a gap between the door and counter line. That way, there is a clear walkway along the window seating area. read more
The pastry was tasty and spare and I liked the firm fluff to it as + cardamom flavor, the veggie sandwich was pretty spare as well, and all in a pleasant way somehow. The bread had lots of stuff in it and was really tasty. Sandwich was a touch oily for my taste, though the spareness of everything made it generally feel healthy. Would go again. read more
11 months ago
Had a delicious lunch. I only tried the herring and beet smørrebrød, but it rivaled anything I've had in Copenhagen. I only gave 4 stars because, when I purchased a handful of items to go (all of which were also delicious), I was charged for 2 extra items (only 1 of which I noticed before I got home). read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
We get the savory grain porridge almost weekly. It's so yummy and healthy! Shrimp paste toast was amazing!! It tasted like fresh spring. I hope it comes back! We also always get the cardamom knot, not too sweet and has a special light scent. read more
1 year ago
5/5 stars for a week day. But let's talk about the line on the weekends... I'm not sure it's THAT good. You're better off ordering for pick up and taking to Dolores. That being said, hard to go wrong with any pick. When I have a smoked fish hankering, this is the place to scratch that itch. The almond/sesame croissant is 10/10, 100% recommend. Also love the porridge sourdough. Minimalistic interior, but that shouldn't surprise you. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
I'm so glad I FINALLY tried Kantine and cannot wait to go back. My friend and I got here around 11:10 am on a sunday morning and the line wasn't too bad at all! (~15 minutes) There were plenty of open outdoor and indoor tables as well. I loved the breakfast board. The beet root hummus was so creamy, the chickpea kale was delicious with a tangy dressing, the bacon flavorful and not too salty, and the eggs deliciously creamy and buttery. We also got the sweet porridge and it was amazing! The cara cara oranges added the perfect amount of sweetness with the sweetness and tanginess of the other fruits. And the fresh squeezed orange juice was truly fresh and made my morning :) read more
No more Scandinavian brunch sets anymore! We originally came to try them, but it seems like they sunsetted them from the menu. What's left is porridge, simple breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee/pastries. I don't know if I just had high expectations, but I found the food to be a bit lacking. It was definitely fresh and good quality, but my porridge was lacking in flavor and the cardamom bun was super hard/dense. Also the porridge is quinoa based and not rice! My friend got the kale and mushroom bowl which had a lovely vinaigrette, but for dishes with no meat it felt a bit overpriced. The ambiance is super nice though, tables are first come first serve and the line on a Sunday afternoon was about a 15 min wait. read more
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Joachim M.
Hi Adel. Thanks for your feedback. We realize it is frustrating that…
Came here with a friend on Sunday around 10:45am - the line wasn't too bad, with only about ~10 people in front of us. By 11am, the line was out the door, so I'd definitely recommend coming early! I got the 5-item bread board with the following: -Porridge Sourdough Bread: This is sourdough bread, but with a twist. It has porridge baked into it, so it's soft and moist! It's a pretty thick slice of bread, so it's pretty filling. Would recommend! -Runny egg with Spinach Cream: The egg was warm and perfectly runny! The spinach sauce was also tasty. -Yogurt with Granola & Mixed Berry Jam: This was one of my favorites! The mixed berry paired well with the yogurt. -Beetroot Hummus: This is a super bright hummus (great for photos)! It paired well with the sourdough bread. -Lentils w/ Tomato: These were pretty good, though could have had a bit more flavor. Overall, the food is very healthy, unique, and aesthetic! They rotate menus seasonally, so I will definitely be back to try next season's menu! read more
4 years ago
went here around an hour before closing and it was still pretty packed. The pastries were the better part, the semla I got was FILLED with an almond paste that wasn't overwhelming in flavor but there was a lot. The cream on top has no sugar or anything which was interesting. The almond croissant was perfect in every way tho, perfect sweetness and almond flavor against the croissant. My friend got the smoked trout bowl and that was by far my favorite dish, the creme fraische with the pickled red onions combo with everything was great. Smaller than we thought. I unfortunately didn't like my order as much, the savory porridge was bland in my opinion and I needed a lil salt. It was a great portion and the individual elements were good, but it didn't seem to come together well for me. Amazing service though! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
So unexpectedly surprise by the delicious food and cafe environment! My friend had gone a few years back and enjoyed it so we decided to give it a try on a Saturday around lunch time. Upon arrival the cafe was busy but still had a few tables open both indoors and outdoors. I loved that it was a casual sit down place where you got to order and then take a seat, giving you the option to eat with friends or just have a bite/coffee as you read/study. We tried a few different items: -Trout Bowl: 5/5, this was my favorite. It came in a small bowl but it was incredibly filling with such a good texture to the trout and potatoes. -Dark Chocolate Cardamom Bun: 4/5, this was a seasonal special and recommended by the cashier. -Cardamom Bun: 4/5 -Sweet 3-grain Porridge: 5/5, was delicious and great as a brunch option! Would recommend trying if you're in the area! read more
I've tried their other pastries from catered events and honestly love them but this review reflects my meal when I went there. Came here for weekday brunch with a friend. We both got grilled cheese with an onion soup. I don't think this is a great bread choice for a grilled cheese. I think if I had thought about it I would have realized before I ordered, but the texture was all off. With this kind of dense crumbly bread, you don't get the crunch of the bread and the ooze of the cheese. The cheese kind of gets absorbed into the texture of the bread and it's all just soft. The soup was pretty light, like a broth that happened to have some diced onion in it. I was totally expecting something much richer and with caramelized onion to maybe allow sandwich dipping. All that being said, I do want to come again, try some other menu items, and hopefully give a higher rating! read more
The experience was all too underwhelming-I arrived three hours after opening to a long line and a crowded dining room, so I was hoping Kantine wasn't one of those establishments where when they run out of pastries they are not going to make anymore. Thankfully as the line started to move, more pastries were brought out from the kitchen but even then the experience was about to become tumulous. First, I contacted Kantine via social media ahead of time to inquire about their weekend special berry and cream cheese pastry, but radio silence from there. Second, their website indicated they have their Lavendel Kaffe, however when I tried to order this, I saw they had drew a black line over the price. When I eventually asked the barista, he told me they ran out of their lavender syrup and eventually crossed out the whole line on the menu. The tebirkes is a standout, and I would go back to try their Cardamom Morning Bun and hopefully their Lavendel Kaffe but I'm not a fan of their dining area. They try to fit as many tables, so it feels very cramped and is a safety hazard especially when walking to the back left corner to place dirty dishes in the tub, wait for the bathroom, or fill your water cup up. read more
This place has been on my list for awhile, so I'm glad I finally got to come. We came around 11:15am on a Saturday and wait in line until we got our food was about an hour- so be prepared to wait if you're coming on the weekend. There is plenty of seating, some indoor and some outdoor so it shouldn't be a problem getting a spot. I got the Savory 3-Grain Porridge ($14) with an Egg ($2) & Hot Smoked Wild Trout Bowl ($18). The porridge was such a good size (way bigger than salmon bowl). The egg was perfectly runny and there was plenty of mushroom. I do wish it had a little more flavor, but it was beautifully plated and filling. My friend said the trout bowl was good as well. She also got a decaf coffee, but really did not like it. I would love to try to yogurt & granola or some of the pastries next time. The brunch sets also looked really good, and let's you try several different things. Overall, good food- wait is definitely a bit long, but would come back. read more
1 year ago
Been on the search for a cardamon bun since I moved here! It's so good, and super fresh and warm. 10/10 Got excited the camera did not eat first! read more
8 months ago
4 years ago
Kantine reminds me of an upscale cafeteria. You come in, order, take a seat, and wait for your food. If you plan to just get a pastry, you'll get it instantly. I got a latte and a pølsehorn, a fancy pig in a blanket. The pølsehorn was great. The sausage was beefy. The pastry was flaky and so buttery. The outside was coated with seeds. I wish they warmed it before serving though. The latte was okay. I think there are better coffee options around the area. Because it was so busy, it took them a long time to make. I would've been done with my pølsehorn if I hadn't waited to eat it. It was a little chaotic the Saturday I went because it's so crowded. There might not be seats by the time you order. If you come with someone, make sure that one person scouts for seats while the other person orders. I'd come back for either a light snack or for brunch to try the other items. read more
4 years ago
It is true! SF Chronicle mentioned this as "a thrilling grovbrikes sandwich". It was so delicious. Although it was expensive, it certainly tasted worth its price. The mocha was not too sweet. I had 2 other pastries: a cardamom morning bun and a Meyer lemon cream bun, everything was very good. I will be back to try other popular breakfast items read more
More info about Kantine
1906 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hayes Valley, Duboce Triangle
Directions
(415) 735-7123
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http://www.kantinesf.com
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Does Kantine see Selma year round? Would we be able to get some say January 30th?
Semla seem to be available only seasonally.
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