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! read more

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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. read more

Rose's Cafe - Polenta and sausage - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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! read more

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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. read more

Rose's Cafe - Linguine - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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. read more

Rose's Cafe - Butter Lettuce Salad with added salmon. Apples were crisp. Delicious. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Rose's Cafe - Yukon Gold Potato Hash - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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! read more

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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! read more

Rose's Cafe - Yukon Gold Potato Hash - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for Sunday brunch. We were seated immediately. It was such a nice day so we requested a table outside. I ordered a Bloody Mary which I thought was ok. There wasn't much kick to it. For food, we had the breakfast pizza, the arugula salad and a side of crispy potato's. Everything was great! Definitely recommend the breakfast pizza. The crust is light and thin and leaves you feeling pleasantly satisfied. read more

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Beautiful little place nestled in quiet little corner in marina. The ambiance brings a warm, homey french vibe, and the dishes will satisfy your palate from the stuffed focaccia section to their mussels and excellent seafood linguine. There's even a french toast bread pudding i'm dying to try! Add on a fresh squeezed mimosa and you'll be ready to scale the steep hills of SF! cheers read more

Rose's Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The restaurant is blight, cheery, and full of charm. Great restaurant for lunch. It was packed but the wait was fairly quick. Our mushroom pizza and tuna salad were fresh and delicious. The pizza has just the right amount of sauce and the crust is thin with a crispy and crunchy edge. The salad is lightly dressed which was perfect for us. read more

Rose's Cafe - Poached Tuna, Organic Greens, Capers, Fennel & Red Onion - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really great dining experience at this restaurant! We got the corner table on the left. We ordered the linguine with seafood and pizza with sausage and broccoli rabe per the recommendation of our server. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. The restaurant filled up pretty quickly and we didn't feel rushed. The ambience was very charming too. I recommend this place for a date night or just an upscale meal with someone. read more

Rose's Cafe - Linguine and Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Longtime regulars, but we won't be back. After a 90-minute brunch with a party of four, we were effectively asked to leave by a bearded staff member claiming they needed the table. At 2:00 PM, the restaurant was half-empty with no line outside. Our server was professional, but the management's "no rush, but please leave" attitude was insulting and unnecessary read more

One of me and my boyfriend's favorite places for dinner in the Marina! Have been going back for years and it never disappoints. Went around 5:30 pm for dinner on a Saturday and was seated immediately, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating options. The inside is also very quaint, inviting and warm. When seated, they gave us fresh bread and the staff was very kind, letting us take our time to order too. Broccoli Rabe - Wanted to get a vegetable side and it was a nice lightness and cleanser between the other heavier dishes we had. Cooked well but had a little too much garlic flavor in some bites. Margherita Pizza - They always do their thin crust pizza so well. The margherita had good flavoring and was a classic: cheese, tomato and basil. Half Chicken - Something new we tried and it surprised me. It came out super hot and juicy, not dry at all inside. The skin was also slightly crispy and had good flavor with the herb butter. Was pretty large with the amount of meat it had and we took some of it home. A great place for a date night or casual dinner, will need to go back to try their brunch that people always talk about! read more

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Fun breakfast/brunch spot! There is a wide variety of food options, so there is something for everybody. Definitely recommend ordering the breakfast pizza for the table! The flavor was perfectly balanced and the crust was super thin and crispy. Sit outside if the weather is nice! read more

Rose's Cafe - Arugula salad, Breakfast Pizza, Fried Potatoes - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time at Rose's Cafe! I ordered the Yukon Gold Potato Hash, it was delicious. It was flavorful and the portion was filling. The Bloody Mary was good. The service was prompt. We were seated outside, there is plenty of seating. A great spot to grab brunch! read more

Rose's Cafe - Yukon Gold Potato Hash Roasted Chicken Sandwich Rose 's Bloody Mary - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Well I'd give them 3 starts based off food. But what really saved my meal was how attentive and friendly the staff was. I ordered an egg breakfast sandwich and it ruined by their choice of veggie on it. Flavor wise it gassed that green crunch and a bit of a bitter profile to counter the sweet flavor of the bread and cheese as well as blended with the savory of the pork. However their choice of Broccoli was found wanting. It lacked being cook properly which made eating the sandwitch more of a fight to not have the whole thing collapse as the veggies get pulled the creation. My side salad was almost a slap in the face knowing they had other veggies that could have been put on the sandwitch. I did however see what people around me ordered and I fear I chose wrong. The turkey sandwich looked amazing. Maybe that's what I will wonder when I come back. The location is hard pressed on parking but what isn't in the city. It is compact and when they start to fill tables it just feels part. This is a weird one where I would recommend eating here even though I didn't enjoy my meal. That means they must be doing something right. read more

Rose's Cafe - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Went on a busy Saturday around 1 with no reservation, the place was jam packed but we were seated in under 10 minutes. Service was very quick and friendly! Food we ordered: * Linguine with Manila Clams, Fennel, Onion, Chiles, Cream, Garlic & White Wine: 9/10 * Salmon Cozy with Cucumbers, Watercress, Red Onions, Radishes & Herb Aïoli: 10/10 read more

Rose's Cafe - Brunch menu (front) - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The bowl of coffee was served with dishwasher sanitizer on the rim and when sipped the sanitizer burnt my tongue and lips. Left behind a chemical/heat burn on my lip. read more

Rose's Cafe - Cafe mocha - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really cute spot. Super homey environment and the food is yummy. Not everything on the menu is a home run but it's a good spot.

Rose's has not updated its decor since opening in the 1990s. The general neglect shows in the attached photos of Rose's stinky dilapidated bathroom. It's about time to repaint with fresher colors, invest in new tables/chairs and change out the art too. It's all tired and worn out. Please don't take loyal customers for granted. I still love the brunch/lunch food (e.g., Chopped salad, Salmon Cozy, Sausage and polenta), but we no longer come for dinner. At these prices, there are many other enticing options nearby. Management should seriously consider closing down for a facelift (January?). I will happily put Rose's back on a more frequent rotation and give it 5 stars! read more

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Ok. Stopped in on 11.15.25 to have a glass of wine. While sitting inside and looking onto the patio I noticed a large mouse/rat running around trying to get at a piece of fallen bread. The staff is in their own world. They do not clean after the patrons leave. Why was food sitting there??? They did not check in with me at all. I wanted to alert the managers of the large rodent running under the outside tables... to which I had to flag down, I believe is a hostess, to whom I told her about what I was seeing. She went on saying, " it's SF..." and I am like clean after each patron... Then the gnats!!! I had to use a hand fan to keep them off of me and my beverage! The curtains in the window draping onto the sitting area were filthy. I am calling the health department tomorrow. This place is falling under the radar because of its longevity. Gross experience. Very alarming! read more

After I knocked two errands off my list, I decided to treat myself to lunch. The inviting sidewalk tables and French-inspired woven chairs drew me in. I toggled between ordering a thin crust pizza with salmon or a burger. While I wanted shoestring fries, the server's description of the potato wedges that "were crunchy on the outside and hot and fluffy inside" sealed the deal. I asked for medium rare and the burger arrived very rare, in fact slightly raw; I chanced it, happy to have a burger undercooked than over. It was good. The star of the meal were the potatoes. Hot, crispy, fluffy with aioli on the side as I requested. The lavender lemonade was not only pretty but unique and refreshing. Service was terrific. Jesse waited on me, cheers to her! read more

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Had a quick girl's brunch here and it was cute! Perfect location for apps and yapp - us girlies shared a salad and sandwich; it was the perfect portion to share. We also ordered the Iced Tea and it was not sweet & super refreshing. Overall, everything tasted very fresh and the weather was nice so we sat outside which made the vibes even better. Honestly, this would also be a perfect solo date spot, sitting outside to read or to grab a bite after shopping around Union. read more

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There were five of us. We shared two salads and everyone got an entree. We had a bottle of white wine ($52) and three glasses of Cabernet. We tipped $65 on approx $371.00 taking the final bill to $436 or so. It claimed to be a "reasonably priced"place but I keep scratching my head on how the bill became so high. Their website is under construction. read more

We came in for a friday lunch and were seated quickly. The table available was outside and I was worried since it was quite windy out, but they had heaters on the wall so it was comfortable! The food came out quickly and was good. Would love to see some more variety to the menu in the future! read more

Rose's Cafe - Hash with egg on top - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We were just walking through up/down hills for exercise and ended up in this place for brunch! It's a casual local cafe with indoor and outdoor seating with full bar. Service was good with responsive waiters. Food was OK, nothing I can point out or recommend TBH perhaps we didn't order right ones but overall OK for a Sunday brunch. Hash eggs are (obviously) very potato rich if you mind. Salad was refreshing as it must be, no complain . It's a good stop if you happen to be close by. read more

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I used to really like Rose's for breakfast and lunch when I worked nearby. It's on the corner of Union and Steiner in Cow Hollow. People who say it's in the Marina are mistaken. It's been awhile and I guess things have changed. I made a reservation on Open Table for 6pm Saturday night. That's on the early dinner side so it wasn't surprising that there were only four tables with people eating when we arrived to check in. Our host who greeted us asked us if we would like to sit on the side patio or the front patio. There were many tables and a counter inside with empty seats. We asked if we could have one of the available tables for two inside since it was cold outside. The host flat out said no. We looked at each other and said ok, front. So we followed her out to a wet (it had been raining all day) table and the host told us that we could turn the knob to turn the heat lamp on. We sat at the table about ten minutes while the heat lamp was warming up and were ignored by staff. It would have been slightly better if we had someone give us water or napkins or just say hi. Nope. There are so many restaurants within one block of Rose's that you should seriously consider making a back up reservation in case you're stuck freezing your arse off outside while others are inside toasty warm with service. We left and were seated right away at Flores and had a delicious dinner inside and then walked back home to see the same empty tables at Rose's inside and wet tables outside with nobody sitting in front or on the side patio. I do not get it. read more

Lovely back patio enclosed in verdant green foliage was the perfect setting for brunch with friends. We had a wonderful selection including the breakfast pizza with ham and fontina (huge and plenty for sharing), corn beef hash and the salmon cozy. The giant in-house pizza oven ensured all the crust and bread was fresh and delicious. Service was friendly and prompt. I'd love to come back to try another pizza and some more of their salads and sandwiches. read more

Rose's Cafe - Yukon Gold Potato Hash - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I came here on a weekday so we got sat right away. The space is real nice, the service was quick and kind. I didn't really love anything on the menu. We ordered the Breakfast Pizza and added some tomatoes. The dough was really good, I usually don't like flat bread pizza but I thought it was good. The Arugula salad with beets was a good size to share with another person. The Polenta with Marscapone and Jam was nice. It's not a full meal but a good shareable for the table. read more

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Great spot for (dog-friendly) brunch in the city! I got the polenta with chicken sausage and tomato sauce to branch out of my brunch options. It was pretty good. I also got an iced latte with oat milk which was great (up to par with the coffee shops in the city). They also gave me a free house made biscuit for my dog. The service was great. The waitress checked in on us often (which is sometime rare when you sit outside.) Love the quaint decor and plates they use. read more

Rose's Cafe - polenta - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Solid brunch stop on Union Street with an 80s brasserie feel. I'd been curious about Rose's Cafe for a while, due to their large corner periwinkle blue parklet with provence yellow awnings and wicker cafe set up, which I reasoned would be nice on a sunny day. Today after a short break in a very rainy week, we ate inside for warmth. Rose's checks that box too. The interior is dated, and feels like San Francisco of twenty to thirty years ago: faded Japanese prints, a vintage expresso maker, classic tile, and Murano-like chandeliers. Food was a-okay, but not memorable. Both dishes could have used more seasoning: we had a potato hash with poached egg and a spinach soft scramble on white toast. The side of caramelized butternut squash was simple, but was the strongest dish. Service was friendly, professional. Coffee service included French raw sugar cubes, nice touch, but the coffee might have been stronger. In all, a solid spot with cozy charm and adequate food. read more

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Although it's got a nice ambiance for a casual but cute brunch spot, we were both really disappointed in the food. The French toast: 4/10, not a French toast. The texture reminded me more of bread pudding. And the clear watery syrupy liquid that drenched the dish was odd. Flavors were okay though, cream was good. Breakfast pizza: 3/10. Sounds great in theory, ham and egg on a pizza. But in execution we didn't enjoy it at all. The cheese tastes off, the ham is generous but thus overly salty. It doesn't have the lightness of prosciutto, it's just ham. And the egg white is okay but the egg yolk in a pizza is odd. The only thing I liked was the nice thin crust. read more

Rose's Cafe - Rose 's French Toast - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Roses is a highlight of my morning everytime I go. They have Pliny on tap, a cute little bistro area outside, kind servers, and killer food. The evolving menu makes it a fresh experience whenever you come in, and thankful that they keep a few signature items on at all time. The breakfast bread pudding, and eggs in purgatory are two of my favorites when I'm not devouring the polenta. Don't change a thing read more

Great little spot, with no wait time! Got there around 12pm and seated immediately. The portions are a little on the smaller size. Service was great, and very attentive. Good spot when you're looking for a last minute brunch! read more

Rose's Cafe - Rose 's French Toast - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We loved Rose's! The food was delicious and the vibe was so cute. Service was great as well. The Yukon gold hash was delicious and the breakfast pizza was fun and unique. I had a vanilla latte and it was so good. We'd definitely come back! read more

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Came in on a week night and ordered the snapper. The fish was cooked perfectly and was delicious. I will definitely be back to try their pizza. read more

Rose's Cafe - Black cod with asparagus and kale. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Staff is very mean, very bad attitude. Price of food is not cheap but has tolerate poor customers service.