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    Rose's Cafe

    3.7 (1.2k reviews)
    Open • 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    ROSE'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Yukon Gold Potato Hash
    Elena S.

    Fun spot for breakfast. We really enjoyed the hash. Skip the smoked salmon pizza, it was a little fishy. Come around 1:30 on a weekend for no wait!

    Latte in a bowl
    Aravind V.

    5 stars just for the French toast bread pudding - this was delicious and one of my favorite breakfast items I've ever tried. The latte was good but also interesting that it's served in a soup bowl. Everyone was super friendly and the shop was nice but I have to reiterate - the French toast bread pudding. Get it!!

    Doreen C.

    I really enjoyed getting brunch here! There was not much of a wait for a party of two during lunchtime, which was nice. We ordered a decent amount of food and the bill didn't come out to be too expensive which was great very worth it.. We ordered the Caesar salad the soup of the day the breakfast pizza I think that's what it's called, and the dish with polenta and sausage also forgot what it's called. And everything tasted really good for a fair price too.! my favorite was definitely the polenta and sausage plate was super unique and tasted amazing. The breakfast pizza was cool too, and came with a generous amount of meat overall would visit again!

    Lesly M.

    Got the hash brown, Margherita pizza, and polenta! The hash brown was filling and tasty. Pizza was simple, thin and good! The polenta was interesting, but the tomato sauce, poached eggs and sausage elevated the dish. Place is cute, plenty of seating inside and outside. Service was kind and attentive. Parking may be tough to find.

    Polenta and sausage
    Julia S.

    I loved this place! It has such a lovely, European vibe to it. I went with my friend on a Saturday at lunch time, and we got seated pretty much immediately. I ordered the polenta and sausage and it was pretty good. I think I would try something else next time though. The service was very nice as well.

    Beverage menu at Rose's Cafe in San Francisco.
    Jason F.

    Rich authentic hearty Italian cuisine doesn't get anymore community based as it does than at Rose's Cafe. Located on the corner of Union and Steiner Streets in the heart of San Francisco's trendy Cow Hollow neighborhood, Rose's Cafe has slowly become a staple of the area that had catered to locals looking for affordable yet comfort-filled homemade Italian dishes since their establishment in 1997. The success of Rose's Cafe can be credited to owner Laurie Thomas who has invested in this local restaurant's success not long after their opening almost thirty years ago. I've personally had my eye on Rose's Cafe for a number of years now, not only because they are a local institution but year in and year out they have participated in San Francisco Restaurant Week, which over the course of two periods over the year, restaurants give locals and out of towners alike the chance to sample three separate courses from their menu, all at an affordable price. What makes Rose's Cafe so unique is that they have always sold their meals at a basic minimum for dinner, 45 dollars for three courses, which truly makes Rose's Cafe old-school, not only in how they prepare and serve their cuisine, but in the affordability in price points. Reservations on the OpenTable website were very easy to make, and there was plenty of seating available as they were busy all evening long, but not too busy that tables weren't available for those wanting to dine on the weekend evening when we arrived for our dinner. The regular menu at Rose's Cafe is separated in categories including Antipasti; Soups & Salads; Pasta; Pizza & Focaccia; Stews, Grills & Roasts; Sides; and their Beverage menu. What makes Rose's Cafe so unique is that their Restaurant Week menu features menu items that are not on their regular dinner menu, so in essence we are getting a sneak preview of their menu without being able to try anything on their actual menu. With this in mind, I ordered for my first course their Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Brown Butter & Fried Sage, while another diner in our party ordered their Arugula Salad which was served with Pears, Feta Cheese, Toasted Pecans and topped with a Balsamic Vinaigrette. For our main course, I ordered their Braised Pork Shoulder which was served on a bed of Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and Chimichurri sauce, while another diner in our party ordered their Mushroom-Asiago Ravioli which was topped with English Peas, Cream, Black Pepper, Leeks and Pecorino cheese. For our third and final course, we each ordered their Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, which was topped with Amarena Cherries and Pistachios. Our soup and salad course would come out first, and there was so much food with this initial course that our appetites were already satiated and we had two additional courses to get to. Thanks to the richness of the soup mixed with the brown butter and deep-fried sage, it was the perfect starter on a brisk evening. For our main course, the Pork Shoulder was a wonderfully protein-filled rich entrée that was juicy and flavorful with no knife usage necessary to cut into your meat. Then perhaps the best part of the meal, their dessert which was so perfectly made and not overly sweet that I could enjoy a second and third helping of the panna cotta and still want more. Since our meal was 45 dollars a person our bill for three diners would come out to about $141.75, which would include a 5 percent surcharge that Rose's Cafe charges diners to help offset the cost of city health ordinances, but before tax and gratuity were added, making this one of the more affordable meals that I have enjoyed in the city of San Francisco in recent times. I cannot wait to come back and try more of their regular menu at Rose's Cafe including their pizzas, many of which I saw diners enjoying and looking so deliciously made. At Rose's Cafe tradition is certainly appreciated and celebrated and with food so rich in quality as it is made here, the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco is so lucky that they remain thriving here, may they enjoy another quarter century of success!

    Butter Lettuce  Salad with added salmon. Apples were crisp. Delicious.
    Lenore N.

    Stopped in for brunch; hadn't been there for years. I had a butter lettuce salad with walnuts and blue cheese. I added salmon and it was cooked perfectly. Lovely service. I long to come back for one of this yummy breakfast pizzas.

    Linguine
    Naomi W.

    Cute old diner vibes, but our table felt a bit small for seating three people. We ordered the fettuccine and linguine with clams, both of which had a healthy serving of sauce and were delicious. Service was a bit difficult to flag down at times despite it being a very slow Thursday night.

    Double Espresso
    Richard A.

    I am from the San Francisco Bay Area but when I visit family, it is usually in the East Bay and when I visit friends for lunch in San Francisco, it is usually around the Embarcadero area however recently, I was on my way to the Marina and wanted only a coffee and pastry since I was going to a catered event. As I recalled, there were always nice little cafes and eateries on Union Street so we head there. We ended up at Rose's Cafe and it was buzzing, the weather was agreeable and there were those enjoying the outside seating. It's a pity that I only ordered a double espresso and a pastry because the brunch menu looked so inviting but I was going to a catered event shortly. The next time that I am in the San Francisco Bay Area, I will make it a priority to visit Rose's Cafe for brunch.

    Rose Pistola Margherita Pizza
    Pete M.

    This was a quaint little restaurant that we saw while walking San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge. We sat outside because the weather was wonderful. Our waitstaff was very attentive and helpful in describing things we were unsure of. The pizza we ordered was perfect as we weren't super hungry and it was very rustic style of pizza.

    Yukon Gold Potato Hash
    Amelia D.

    We came here on a Saturday morning for brunch and while it was quite busy we were seated quickly. Our server was friendly and recommended the Roasted Chicken sandwich, which came with grilled onions and was made with pulled chicken. Super delicious and it comes with a side salad. My partner got the Yukon potato hash, which was delicious but could use some sauce so we asked for hot sauce on the side. The table coffee was free refills but weak (at $5+ I'd recommend an espresso drink.) I got a cappucino which was tasty but small. Not many of the menu items are gluten free. Which is something to be aware of. We enjoyed the sun-filled indoor dining area and the Japanese art on the walls. The cafe has been around since 1997, so it has staying power. I'd like to come back to try the focaccia.

    Salmon cozy
    Gabrielle L.

    Such a warm and cozy setting on a cold and rainy SF day! I loved the caffe latte served in an oversized bowl, and the Bolognese was spectacular. I got the salmon cozy based on recommendations, I can see why people like it but felt like it was missing something (maybe some lemon would have helped?). Overall a great gem of a place!

    Yukon Gold Potato Hash
    Grace J.

    I'm so surprised I haven't written about Roses yet! This review is for weekend brunch. I'll start with the service - super attentive and kind, at least the servers from brunch hours are :) The ambiance is super cute and cottagey. I love their outdoor seating when the weathers nice. Perfect sunday brunch spot. The food is fairly priced and they have a great range of selections. My favorite is the strawberry bread pudding french toast, and I love the ham and fontina breakfast pizza too. Their BLT also hits. Will continue coming back!

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    Céleste - potatoes

    Céleste

    3.8(60 reviews)
    0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

    Need a reward after a soul cycle class nearby? Stop by this wine bar for a post sweat sesh with the…read morebesties. After a Taylor Swift themed class my friend and I popped over and ordered: - The hummus and pita: deliciously pillowy and lemony hummus with fresh grilled veggies and flavorful pita - Fried potatoes: craggy and salty. We inhaled them so fast we forgot to try the side of sauce lol - Non alcoholic sparkling wine: crisp and refreshing without that wine-y taste but not as sweet as sparking apple cider - A rose that had strawberry gossip in the notes: this one was a miss in our pallets. It came off fermented strawberries in a bad way. But you won't love all varieties. Logistics: - Indoor and outdoor seating (though indoor is a lot of standing room) - Limited street parking nearby but close to major bus routes

    Had a very lovely experience at Céleste. I've been trying to get more into wine but still have…read morepretty limited knowledge of what I like, so I shared a few preferences with the staff member helping us. He recommended a couple options for my friend and me to sample, and we ended up loving and choosing exactly those. It was also my first time trying a sparkling red wine, and it's safe to say I'll be reaching for that style more often. The ambiance is beautifully curated, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Seating is somewhat limited, but the overall vibe makes it feel intimate and thoughtfully designed.

    Photos
    Céleste - Outside

    Outside

    Céleste
    Céleste - The food was good but I was deff still hungry

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    The food was good but I was deff still hungry

    Bar Crenn - Pretzel

    Bar Crenn

    4.1(186 reviews)
    0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow
    •$$$$

    I've never been to Atelier Crenn but I'm definitely planning on it now after coming here! Both the…read moredrinks and food were delicious and I loved the aesthetic of the place. The super tinted windows and vintage but chic furniture gave the vibes of speakeasy mixed with record store. The prices were also pretty reasonable, at par with other bars in the SF area. Tips are already baked into the menu prices which I love, so it's not as pricey as it seems. All of the drinks we ordered were beautiful and delicious. I love whiskey sours and espresso martinis so my favorite drinks were the Arlequin and the Gospel. The Arlequin had a perfectly smooth picturesque egg white foam tinted pink with huckleberries. It was a great balance of tart and sweet, and the berry notes complemented the light oak flavors of the scotch. The Gospel was like a classic espresso martini but with more complexities. The orange and ginger added floral notes and the drink was super smooth. The food was also amazing. We didn't order much since we were planning to eat dinner elsewhere, but I wish we ordered more. The stroop waffles were insanely good. It's a savory stroop waffle filled with tuna tartare that was deeply savory with sesame and chive flavor. The smoked crème fraiche emphasized the savoriness and added a richness. The yuzu glaze tied everything together with a light sweet and tart flavor.

    Came here for a few rounds of drinks, partially, well ok, fine, yes, entirely because it has the…read morename Crenn on the wall. I admit it whole-heartedly. But it's fine! The environment and mood was incredible, and probably worth the trek over alone. I loved that the place wasn't super crowded or super loud, and the vintage record listening bar decor was a pleasant backdrop to everything to come. The drinks themselves were tasty and a nice twist as well. The espresso martinis, in the pictures below, were great and arrived in wine glasses. Sure, why not? Maybe it was just a charmed night. We found street parking, the bar was pleasant, the drinks were good. What more can you ask?

    Photos
    Bar Crenn - The vibes are immaculate

    The vibes are immaculate

    Bar Crenn - Bread Service

    Bread Service

    Bar Crenn - Cocktail

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    Cocktail

    The Patio - Salmon

    The Patio

    4.6(234 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

    Dear Val and The Patio Restaurant Team,…read more We wanted to extend our sincere thanks to you and the entire Patio Restaurant staff for making our wedding brunch celebration such a memorable experience. From the very beginning, Val was incredibly kind, responsive, and organized. She answered every question we had and guided us through the planning process with patience and professionalism. Her recommendations on the food portions were spot on, ensuring that everyone had plenty to enjoy without overordering. Our family and friends had a wonderful time, and everyone complimented the food, drinks, and beautiful venue. The patio space created such a warm, welcoming, and intimate atmosphere that was perfect for celebrating with our loved ones. The brunch menu was outstanding. Every dish was delicious, from the mac & cheese, fried chicken sandwiches, and meatballs to the calamari mixto, French toast, fruit and berries, charcuterie selection, sommelier's cheese selection, little gem salad, avocado toast, and scrambled eggs with potatoes. There was something for everyone, and every plate was enjoyed. We also want to recognize the bartender for crafting amazing drinks throughout the event and the servers for being so friendly, attentive, and professional. They made sure our guests were well taken care of and contributed to the relaxed and joyful atmosphere. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure everything was set up perfectly, allowing us to simply enjoy the celebration with our family and friends. We will always cherish the memories we made that day, and Patio Restaurant will forever be a special place for us. Thank you, Val, and thank you to everyone on your team for providing such exceptional service and hospitality. We truly appreciate everything you did and look forward to visiting again in the future. With gratitude, Jihong & Yurie

    We did a team dinner at The Patio and I felt like it left so much to be desired. For one, we came…read moreon the early side for dinner (but at the time of our reservation), and they didn't have a table ready for us and even offered us a place to sit outside around a fire pit even though we had come to dinner. It was kind of strange but I overlooked it. So we got a proper table and our menus and yet, even though there was only one other couple sitting in the back, it took forever for our server to help us. When he finally came back to take our order, we ended up giving him our entire order for drinks, apps and food cause we were starving (he didn't come to take our order until 30-40 min after we sat down). Then when the food came, it didn't come coursed out at all. The mains came before the shared appetizers. The oysters came out midway through our meal. It was all just kind of a mess. I ordered a burger medium and it was mostly pink through the entire burger and had little to no salt in it - there was no flavor! The fries I asked for crispy and they were just not soggy but hardly crisped. All around, the food was lackluster and the service was disappointing.

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    The Patio
    The Patio - Meatball

    Meatball

    The Patio - Pasta Primavera

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    Pasta Primavera

    California Wine Merchant - Happy Hour Sauvignon Blanc.

    California Wine Merchant

    3.5(347 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow
    •$$

    When I find myself in San Francisco's Marina District I like to stop in and enjoy a glass of lovely…read morewell curated wine--especially fun after shopping and you just want to relax. The seats next to the open window are great to people watch. The staff are sweet and knowledgeable. Stop in and sip (or gulp) some wine.

    Greg The owner is super nice and super friendly! He walked us through the history of how he built…read morethe bar 52 years ago and was one of the first people to really start getting in on the California wine trend. He met a lot of the famous California wine vineyards that now can go for $500 a bottle 30 years ago or 50 years ago when there were just getting started and only for $5 a bottle. He is super friendly and accommodated us even for a last minute Monday wine tasting a few minutes after the original 8:00 and said he was just excited to have us come see the space and also talked through about how hard it is even make the wine shelves which he made all by himself selecting the redwood lumber and cutting everything there while a junior in college! Greg got into wine through taking a wine class at school way back and got excited by how a lot of the fathers at his school were both into wine and classical music and really shared his passion with us -- talking about not only a wine but also the farm to table movement and how Chez Panissse helped to innovate there! Additionally, the other folks at the bar were lovely talking about how they got into wine and their journeys and favorite wines! Definitely would suggest Monday wine tasting nights !!! Also you can read about the pup mascots over the years such as Murphy Lucky and Arfie!

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    California Wine Merchant
    California Wine Merchant
    California Wine Merchant - Cheers!

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    Cheers!

    Cultivar - San Francisco - White truffle caesar

    Cultivar - San Francisco

    4.2(315 reviews)
    0.4 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow
    •$$

    I had brunch here today & it was great. They offer bottomless mimosas & I opted for that (they…read moreoffer orange, pineapple & cranberry juice & I tried all 3). My friend chose cocktails but I forgot which one. We shared the burrata, which was presented with sliced apples & blood orange & regular orange sections with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar & served with toasted baguette slices. It was delicious! I had the mushroom eggs Benedict with a side of bacon with potatoes & it was also delicious! The spinach & variety of mushrooms made it a healthy choice to offset the crispy bacon (4 generous slices too). Service is friendly & helpful. They have a back patio which is uncovered & front parklet for outdoor dining but we opted to sit inside because it was chilly today. The main dining room is sleek & modern with a wall of wine bottles as decor but it also served.

    Having been to the amazing Sausalito location, I had high expectations for this location as well,…read morebut unfortunately the experience was extremely disappointing. The food itself was fine, but the service completely ruined the evening for us. The blonde woman bartending was especially rude and dismissive. Every interaction felt like we were bothering her just by asking a question or trying to order. There was very little warmth or basic hospitality, and her attitude made us feel unwelcome from the start. One of the male servers was just as frustrating. His responses came across extremely snarky and unnecessarily sassy, even when we were being polite and simply asking normal questions. Instead of feeling taken care of, we felt like we were being talked down to. Having multiple staff members interact with us this way made it hard to brush off as just one bad moment. We weren't expecting over-the-top service, just basic friendliness and professionalism. Unfortunately, the attitude from the staff overshadowed everything else. It's hard to enjoy a meal when the service makes you feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. I've had such a positive experience at the Sausalito location, which made this even more disappointing. I really hope management addresses the service here because the restaurant itself has potential, but based on this experience, I wouldn't be eager to return.

    Photos
    Cultivar - San Francisco - Cultivar Club Party

    Cultivar Club Party

    Cultivar - San Francisco - Ahi tuna tartare

    Ahi tuna tartare

    Cultivar - San Francisco - Grilled cheese

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    Grilled cheese

    Union Larder - short rib raclette

    Union Larder

    4.3(230 reviews)
    1.0 mi•Russian Hill
    •$$

    This place is in such a nice area and it's quite cute and small. I really enjoyed their wine…read moreselection and had a wonderful time... After buying two bottles of wine and paying quite an expensive tab my friends and I decided to play one last hand of our card game before leaving. Not 10 minutes after paying the 200$ bill the server rushed us out and told us that we needed to leave to make room for others. I totally understand that this isn't her fault and is due to the high volume of customers but this was quite off putting after such a great experience otherwise. I would recommend but if you are looking for a place to chit chat and play cards with friends you are much better off going elsewhere. I don't think I will be coming back again after this experience.

    I think there are lots of better wine bars to choose from in the area. Let me start off by saying…read moreour initial server was a super chill guy, and they have a great wine selection to choose from. My two main gripes lay with the ambience of the place - if you don't get a table the bar seating is quite squished, and the fact that after dropping $170 on two bottles of wine we were quickly escorted out the moment we were finished to make room for potential customers. I totally understand doing this if it was a packed house, but there wasn't a single person waiting, left a sour taste in my mouth and feel like if you are spending a pretty penny on service you should be able to enjoy the establishment a little bit after you have finished your drinks. Maybe we caught them on an off night, I see a lot of potential still.

    Photos
    Union Larder - Inside

    Inside

    Union Larder
    Union Larder - Interior bar

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    Interior bar

    Rose's Cafe - italian - Updated September 2026

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