Excellent selection of chai tea latte, this cozy coffee shop did not disappoint! They had regular vanilla chai, ginger chai, green tea chai, and chocolate chai...and honestly, I've never seen or known that so many chai latte options existed! I tried the ginger chai, and wow was it an explosion of ginger flavor! The good thing about it was, you can taste the real ginger juices and pulp almost, and the freshness of this little cup of latte instead of paying for fake food flavoring. I asked for it to be extra hot and the temperature was definitely a lot more desirable than the extra hot at Starbucks. The service was exceptional, and the selection of regular coffee was also vast, with 4-5 choices hot and ready for you to try at the counter, along with all the creamer and sugar options. Although seating is a little limited, if you aren't here during busy hours, it makes a great place to relax and hang out. Their sandwiches also looked delicious, will definitely come back! read more

The Turkey Sandwich with garlic pesto on croissant was so good, I've been craving it all week... Going to get one today. read more

I pass Lava Java often, but never really find myself with the time to stop in. So on a lazy weekend afternoon, I finally made it happen. It's a really cute little place, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and the afternoon sun coming through its front window made the whole place downright cozy. Also helping this were the cases upon cases of yummy pastries and the smiles I received from behind the counter. I ordered an iced ginger chai latte from a small handful of available chais, noting through the very variety that I had found the right place. Ginger chai? Who does that? Not Starbucks, that's for sure. I was further tickled when I was asked if I wanted my ice crushed or cubed, and then kindly directed to the nearest ATM when I realized the place was cash only. Upon my return, my drink was ready and I was assured by the awesome barista that I had chosen the best one. There wasn't really a doubt in my mind, but it was good to have her confirm my suspicions. I thanked her, and went out to the front of the building, sipping my drink at an outdoor table and soaking in the surprisingly-decent weather. I had chosen crushed ice, by the way, so it was a veritable chai and ginger smoothie. If there's a part of your body that doesn't say "Yes" to that, you might want to have it checked by a doctor. While Lava Java is still not in an area that's incredibly convenient to me, I must say that I'm actually going to make a point to go there more often. It's not that far out of the way, and they're good people who can make a mean drink. They also unquestionably made my afternoon. read more

I live 3 blocks from this place but rarely go. Today I was dropping off a bike for a quick repair at American Cyclery Too, so went in for a cuppa while I was waiting. I have no complaints with this place, and as I was waiting for my coffee, a patron left, calling, "Thanks Annie!" to the proprietor. So I thought to myself, gee, why DON'T I come here? It's my neighborhood coffee shop. Sure, I have other options (Peets, Reverie, the place on the corner of Waller and Cole, all of Haight Street, etc) but golly what a nice, neighborhood feel...my girls would love it... With this warm fuzzy feeling floating around my psyche, I ordered my red eye. My $2.50 red eye. Cool. Yet when I asked for some water, I was told that I had to purchase it. "For to-go you have to pay for water, tap water is only to eat here." Now I get that this place is very close to GG Park and bike rentals and the Haight and UCSF and I am sure that A LOT of tourists stop in to this place. HOWEVER, I really take issue with this response - so much so that I am inspired to Yelp about it. First off, no one asked me if my coffee was "for here" or "to go," and as a matter of fact, I was planning to sit down and drink it while waiting for my bike (which I did). So theoretically it was "for here." Second of all I did just pay $2.50 for a cup of coffee; would a cup of water for a paying customer really be too much to ask for? Disappointing. read more

I don't like how everything is made with a microwave. If I wanted microwaved food, I would make a TV dinner at home. No wifi and cash only. read more

Whether you are craving a caffeine fix, fruit smoothie or a Thai ice tea, Lava Java got you covered. The drinks are good, and there is indoor and outdoor seating. They play classical music, which I enjoyed. I stopped by for a minute and stayed for half an hour. Cute cozy place, it's definitely a neighborhood gem. I will be back when I am in Cole Valley! read more

Lava Java - Perfect place for a lazy Saturday afternoon! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Meh. (+) Friendly staff, good espresso (-) Plastic-wrapped stale old pastries, cash only, cramped inside, impossibly slow internet, difficult to understand cashier read more

Green tea latte and mango smoothies are great. Get one before taking a stroll at the golden gate park or do your window shopping at haight st. Will be an okay cafe if it's not for the chocolate chai. Yuck... I can't even stand the smell of it. How can you get wrong with chocolate or chai? And by all mean, I am not picky at all. This is probably a super rare occassion where I throw away drink because I think it's yucky. My friends also cannot take more than 1 sip of this drink. No bathroom too so that may take away .5 star. It's tempting to give it one star but... I think it won't hurt to actually give another star considering that some people may actually like the chocolate chai read more

When I first moved to Cole Valley we stopped in here and the people working that day were so nice to us we've kept going. I particularly enjoy the European Royale. They have a couple tables setup outside but if you sit there don't expect a tranquil chat with your paramour as the cars and busses on Stanyan stand a good chance of drowning out your palabras de amor. If it's peace and quiet comtemplation that you want it's better to head into the park. I annointed LJ my patron saint of caffeine when joining the impossible-to-get-to-the-bar early morning crowds at Kezar Pub during the World Cup. I grabbed some joe to go and then tucked inside the door at Kezar to get my soccer fix. read more

Very yummy ginger chai latte! Really nice strength of the ginger flavor and spice! Also very fresh and delicious bagel tomato egg and avocado. read more

Cute shop with a great location; right across the street from Kezar. They confirmed that they do have free wifi, but they do not have any outlets. Turns out there are no outlets in the front area because the shop was converted from a house. It leaves me wondering...where did they plug in their lamps? For a working professional looking for a place to set up shop for a couple hours with their computer, this will not do. If your electronics are already all charged up, you are planning read something on paper, or just planning to have a chat, it seems like a comfortable place to be. Didn't order anything substantial, but their ice tea was mediocre. read more

Homemade chai, NOT FROM A MIX! Healthy, delish oatcakes So friendly! Lo Carb Big Train Ice Blended drinks. read more

Unpretentious coffee shop. The fourth star is for their crazy delicious egg cheddar mushroom bagel that is the only thing I now crave when hungover. It also doesn't hurt that it's within crawling distance. read more

One of the best blended iced mochas that I've ever had! Was absolutely amazing. Also very friendly service and reasonable prices. I look forward to going back =) read more

Lava Java - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Good stop for a hot coffee after a run through Golden Gate Park. Didn't try any of the food but the bagel sandwiches looked delicious!

PRO's: -Decent prices for bagels -They make blended drinks -Cozy atmosphere CON's: -No bathroom -Almond/Soy are 80¢ extra, which is a bit steep My former roommate claimed this was his go-to cafe to work on his laptop and I've never really understood why. It's fine for ordering a drink or bite to go but there is no restroom, so it's unwise to linger for too long. I would come back to try something blended or sweet when I'm craving that sort of thing. I ordered a ginger chai over ice, it was served to me warm with some ice in it. Delicious but kind of an odd temperature to consume it. read more

I was volunteering at Kezar Pavilion, feenin' for some caffeine and was directed to this establishment. It is a small, quaint and cozy cafe with a wide selection of beverages and food options, perfect for my fix. After much deliberation, I ordered a (Dirty) Matcha Green Tea Latte and a breakfast sandwich of some sort (I don't recall the food item, but I do remember that in my starved state it was delicious). It was the first time I'd ever ordered that drink any where and I was immediately curious as to why nobody had ever recommended this drink to me before since I love green tea and I love espresso (dirty = espresso shot). Having my fix and my food, I was undoubtedly pleased with my experience. read more

I love little hole in the wall restaurants like this. You never know the level of creativity & care they put into their food until you walk in. If you want grab-and-go quick premade stuff....go elsewhere. If you want beautiful, delicious, & carefully prepared food at a great price...eat here. I got the egg spinach mushroom wrap and it was so good. I had to ask them if they made their own salsa because it seemed so fresh. Later that same day: had to go back for lunch/dinner it was that good. Yes that salsa is fresh! The avocado smoothie. The avocado smoothie. So good it will haunt me all week! read more

Lava Java - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

I recently decided to move to Cole Valley to a place without a garbage disposal or solid walls, mainly so I would be closer to Lava Java. They always remember how I like my breakfast bagel sandwiches, and don't take it personally that I request extra salt. Also, my boyfriend and I frequently see the owner (well, we think she is the owner) out in the neighborhood and she always remembers us. Sure, we go there a few times a week, but we aren't especially memorable, so this is a big deal. Plus, you know. Good coffee and stuff. read more

Stopped because the sign said an egg sandwich for $4.99! Wow it was delicious but the best part was the staff/owner she was super nice and sweet. Friendliest lady I've met in a long time. Her appreciation for my business made the sandwich taste great! The sandwich was delicious!! read more

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I agree with other readers on 2-scores: a) the restroom issue (I actually thought it was the law if you have any sit-down tables)? b) the credit card issue (although, having had my own business most of my life, I know the % rate of each sale and now most banks also charge at least a 50-cent transaction fee can really eat into profits..the result is higher pricing). Karen (I believe she is the owner) greets everyone who comes through the door like they were her best friend (she called 76% of the folks by name when I was there yesterday for my first eat-in experience). I had a turkey/bacon club which for $6.40 total tax-included was great. I presently live in the neighborhood and often take coffee out...the latte is lovely. read more

Love this little coffee shack...mini outdoor lounge space, reasonable prices, love their peppermint and almond iced coffee read more

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Annie - the lady who runs this little cafe is so sweet and friendly. i love that in a walk-up-and-order-at-the-counter kind of place. but let's talk about the egg/bacon/cheese sandwich on a baguette (you have to order it with the baguette- i don't think it appears on the menu). it's to die for. i've tried to duplicate it at home (i live next door) to save the $4.50, but i just can't manage it for some reason. the eggs are so much fluffier than mine - and the spices are perfect. and then there's the bacon club sandwich on a toasted baguette. i can't even walk by here without salivating at the smell. so de-lish and so not a part of my current diet (damn). the coffee is ok - nothing special - but it's these sandwiches and the friendly service that make it a 5-star for moi. read more

Lava Java is good at what it does, and isn't that the ultimate definition of success? This place is not fancy or pretentious, there are no frilly names for things and no hurried Starbucks vibe, but they make great lattes, killer breakfast bagels, and have a good and plentiful selection of coffee in the morning (and they let you taste to figure out which one you want). I am not a fan of flavored coffees really, I tend to enjoy more "serious" coffee (as in good quality black coffee), but there are many flavors for those who like something sweeter. The people who run this place are SOO nice... my boyfriend goes in there nearly every day (more than once sometimes) and he always returns with a little sample of some pastry or some drink that they give him free of charge. This feels like a neighborhood coffee house because they know you, however not many people stick around to enjoy their purchases. Lava Java is WAYY better than something like Tully's any day, and even though Reverie brags about its "French Laundry Coffee," that stuff tastes really bitter (I have a feeling Thomas Keller does a better job making his, even if they are the same beans). Lava Java is definitely the way to go! read more

I live right around the corner from this place and must've walked by a thousand times without ever stopping in -- even though I know my roomie is addicted to their green tea chai latte. Well, on Friday I finally stopped in for my first time, and the GINGER CHAI LATTE CHANGED MY LIFE. Seriously, it's a drink that you need to experience. Delish. In fact, I loved it so much that I went back later that very same afternoon. Except for my second time around I decided to try the pumpkin chai latte. The barista was super friendly, sweet, and helpful as I tried to decide what to order, and as he was making my drink I kept chatting away -- I think my rambling might've distracted him because he ended up making a pumpkin spice latte instead of the pumpkin chai. Now normally I'd have just taken the pumpkin spice and rolled with it, but he was so sweet that he insisted on making the pumpkin chai and gave me both! They were both delicious, although 3 lattes was (ha!) a latte (haha) for one day (gosh I crack myself up). I even went back both Saturday and Sunday this weekend and got the pumpkin spice latte because it was so good. SO GOOD. You need to check this place out. The service and drinks are fantastic. Totally beats anywhere else in the neighborhood. read more

Lava Java is my jam. It has become an obvious addiction the past several months. You'd think living on Haight Street would give me endless options for coffee and bagels, but somehow I always find myself walking toward Frederick and Stanyan to this little gem. Hands down best bagels in the area, if not the whole city!! The coffee is always on point, always. And if somehow you manage to get the last of the pot, it is changed out instantly with a fresh one. Thats no joke when I say instantly. I can't forget to mention the awesome customer service every time I go. The older woman with the cute glasses is an absolute sweetheart. Friendly, fast, and efficient service. Lava Java, I'm here to stay :) read more

This place is a find -- best sandwiches ever. It must be a combination of the cucumber slices in the sandwiches and the toasted bread that is so, so good. read more

Some of the best soy Chai tea I've had! The spice level is PERFECT, it actually has a kick! In a city swarming with cafes (I love that) Lava Java sticks out as a gem in the sleepy Haight/Cole Valley interchange! Grab a cup on your way into Golden Gate park and enjoy a perk with your walk! read more

Nicest folks around. Proper Japanese green sencha served in lovely little teapots. Their chai is splendiferous, and you can mix 'n' match flavors (ginger + vanilla= yumm). Stay for a homemade tofu sandwich. read more

please take into account my review with a bit of a caveat; i am not a coffee drinker, but i did order their croissant breakfast sandwich and strawberry banana smoothie. first, the sandwich was decent. the croissant had a nice crisp to it, the egg had a nice, slight pepper sprinkle to it, and the cheese complimented it well. the problem - while i'm a big fan of breakfast sandwiches like it, it felt a bit thrown together and the bacon...the bacon wasn't crisp. your boy likes crispy bacon. while the sandwich fulfilled my hunger, it was the smoothie that earned the 2-star rating. oh man, it was not good. in order to get the strawberry flavor, they seem to use the strawberry syrup from what you might find on an ice cream sundae. consequently, it was super sweet. i like smoothies; that was not good. read more

I liked this place before I even stopped in just because it has a low-key vibe and is definitely a neighborhood place. It is a little smaller inside than I thought, cozy perhaps. The prices seem very reasonable-- a medium cup of tea is 1.70 for example. I didn't realize when I was there that they have free wireless, but that seems like a large added bonus. I found the baristas helpful, but not as friendly as Yelper Lee-John S. It was definitely busy for such a small space. The only problem with that is that I can't see being able to get much work done here. Despite the free wireless, it doesn't seem like Lava Java is really geared toward the working crowd. I think that's cool because not all coffee shops need to be copies of one another. Given the great prices on sandwiches, I would say this is a good place to drop by for lunch and maybe get to know some people in the neighborhood. read more

Meh. It is a small establishment, which is usually fine, but you have to come here specifically to be in and out. With no bathroom and no outlets, it's not a good spot to come to work (which is what I came here to do). Needless to say, the coffee is fairly well priced (on par with Starbucks) but not much better. It's self pour, which I normally don't mind but I think the brew had been sitting out for quite a while because it didn't taste fresh. I like that it's a cozy, local spot but that's about it. read more

(3.5 stars) I was walking back from the DMV on Fell and wishing that there was a Phliz nearby when I walked by Lava Java. I had gotten Hawaiian Macademia Nut Coffee here before ( I LOVE coffee with natural flavor) and so I decided to get it again. They have a ton of other little snacks and the sandwiches look really good. I poured the coffee and realized they were cash only reason that I would give them 3.5 stars instead of 4 (really annoying) but thankfully I just scraped together enough for the cup of coffee. One a side note.. the cashier, I think she owns the place too, had really awesome clear, large glasses so I complimented her and she laughed and told me they were too old fashioned and she had them forever. She said that she would find out for me what the brand was, which was sweet. Overall, good experience. read more

I choose to come to Lava Java every morning for daily my coffee and I get a dose of Cole Valley friendliness. I come back here because the staff is super friendly and will remember your name and what you like. They'll make special treats for you if you're nice back. That's why I come back, despite the fact the coffee is not the best in the city, and neither are the pastries. The sandwiches are quite good though. I'd recommend the Pumpkin Latte, Chai Latte and the sandwiches. read more

I love the neighborhood feel and friendly service... so happy to see them in the morning for cup of Kona coffee!

There are two types of people that go to coffee shops. Starbucks people and everyone else! IF you fall into the latter, you'd enjoy Lava Java. It's a no non-sense coffee shop, where you serve yo'self regular coffee. Yeps, that's small, medium , and large Amigo! Next, order the freagin delicious bagel with eggs/ham. Get the whole wheat, you need some goodness... Now, kick back , read the paper outside, chill out man. I rarely get the cappucino, or use the google when i'm there, so I can't tell you how good that would be. I do like the latte, it's goodness. Also, they have the odd wall a juices and other stuff. Get on with life...and don't double park infront of the bus stop! In case you don't know, the muni buses now have cameras and you will receive an automatic ticket-----not goodness Gavin! read more

Coffee is tasty. Sandwiches, off the hook. Really chill vibe. Not the most comfortable place to work on one's laptop (seats a bit uncomfortable, and no power outlets in sight), but this corner has just the right amount of ambient noise for a productive 1.5 hr work session. read more

Cute place with friendly, fast service. The marinated tofu/lettuce/tomato/hummus sandwich was amazing--my mouth is still watering hours later. I can't quite give 5 stars, though. For one, there's no bathroom. The lady at the counter nicely told me to try the McDonald's down the street. she was nice about it, but really--if you sell both food and drink and have inviting little tables to sit at, then you need to do better than that, bathroom-wise. Also, some of the smaller nibbles were overpriced. Do people really pay $1 for one of those tiny Aussie bites that comes out of a CostCo can? read more

Lava Java is one of my favorite places in the area. They're small but have seating on the nice wide Stanyan sidewalk. Their sandwiches and breakfast bagels are amazing - the tofu sandwich is my favorite, it's packed full of flavor. Their chai tea latte and pot of special blend tea are both wonderful. Lots of little baked goods and other nummies too. Love the staff here as well, I always look forward to a visit on laundry day! read more

The coffee is always good and the staff is always friendly. Wifi is available, but bring your laptop juiced because there is nowhere to plug in. read more