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    Spruce Cafe

    4.0 (679 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    SPRUCE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Spruce Cafe

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    Black Lattes with apple pastries and a cheese danish
    Elle F.

    How dare I come to my favorite coffee shop & not write a review ! I've been coming here for years whenever I'm around the area & want some coffee. Our go to is the black latte which is made out of charcoal that gives the drink a deep black/grey color . The taste is very subtle not too sweet and has a light earthy taste . This pairs nicely with all of their delicious pastries ! I just tried their apple pie pastry and omg it was amazing ! It was a mix off croissant , a kouigann aman and an apple pie ! it was so crisp , and light and airy . MINDBLOWN. Today , I asked the barista if they did latte art and wow did she amaze me . It was a masterpiece . I love this spot & it's a nice hidden gem to enjoy coffee and pastries .

    Pia V.

    The cafe is nestled in a plaza with a 'food court' connected. There is seating indoors, outside seating, and a dog park with benches outside. However, the dog park fencing is super low, so any dog can easily jump over it. The setup is minimal, and the coffee is strong. The pastries look yummy but didn't get to try any this visit. Bought some beans, which they offer to grind up for you - if you want. The beans were pricey, $24, but they are strong beans. The woman who took our order was calm, and helped find the beans - looked like she was the only one working the entire cafe. Would come back here, unsure if they have wifi as it seems like a nice place to work.

    Linda K.

    Food - Yummy sandwiches - Good matcha and coffee - Pastries are yummy as well Location - Has a parking lot in the front - Some indoor seating - Has wifi Service - Very nice and fast! - The baristas make delicious coffee and matcha

    Black latte, Matcha Tea, Matcha Latte, latte
    Warren W.

    Place was a bit hard to find. It sits next to a Korean restaurant/bar that looked closed. Once you're inside, it looks industrial and cute with lots of white decor. Looked like a pop up shop. It was a bit cold on a December morning. They had the door open and there was no heat. I don't suggest taking off your jacket. We ordered the black latte, an iced matcha latte and a matcha tea. Matcha tea was a large cup with matcha flavor. It was a bit diluted and misses on the nuances that would make it good. The matcha latte was good. The black sesame latte was very good.

    Inside
    Linda C.

    This review is only for the matcha latte. At no fault of the baristas, the matcha quality is not great here. The color is not a vibrant green and the flavor is weak. So if you do come, the coffee is probably better. The cafe itself is cute and a nice place to sit for a while though.

    Hazelnut Torta Nocciola.
    Ray N.

    When you find yourself just south of San Francisco in very appropriately the city of South San Francisco( the biotech hub), you absolutely must come by Spruce Cafe and enjoy your lattes and donuts in the lovely atmosphere, big and relaxing seating area( both inside and out) with stellar care and service from the fantastic and friendly Kaitlyn and Alicia. We loved our time here and hung out with families from the Philippines and Canada visiting their new grandkids, students busy on their laptops and young couples on coffee dates. Alicia the cashier was a sweetheart. She lived in the area and besides her great pastry and vegan blackberry croissant recommendation she also gave us some restaurant pointers. Kaitlyn was the fantastic barista who took her time( positive) in creating the perfect pumpkin spice latte( photo) and a gorgeous and delicious extra hot honey lavender one. 6 bucks each and worth it. The vibe was just so laid back and warm. This is a big, big space with a beautiful outside patio to enjoy the 70 degrees and sunshine. No rush no fuss just chill, sip and hang out.

    Lemon Tart
    Mike L.

    Maybe it's just me, but when one of my former coworkers suggested meeting up at Spruce Cafe to get some work done, I never expected it to be such a nice looking place. That's not to say I thought it was going to look shabby or anything, but I figured the decor was going to look a whole lot closer to your average sort of neighborhood coffee shop than anything so modern and semi-IG worthy! Much like their next-door neighbor, The Night Market (which might be owned by the same folks...?), Spruce Cafe is a bit of a hidden gem in a mostly quiet part of South San Francisco. However, that also adds to the charm and convenience, as does having their own parking lot and outdoor seating, which is handy considering there isn't a ton of seating inside. Similarly, the menu also isn't super extensive, but it still offers a lot to choose from. Along with your staple coffees, espressos, lattes, matchas, and teas, you'll also find a mix of cold brews, including some with cremas, and seasonal specials. They also have a handful of sandwiches as well, but most of their food offerings are made up of the pastries and sweet treats in their display cases. -- HOUSE COFFEE Nothing super amazing, but still pretty solid. They use Ritual coffee beans, which is always a plus, and I appreciated that they didn't burn it (no char or bitter tail on it). -- VANILLA COLD BREW ESPRESSO CREMA Ever since the first time I tried this, it has become my go-to order. The drink as a whole isn't too sweet, the cold brew itself is delicious, the vanilla isn't overpowering, and I love how the espresso crema adds so much body/creaminess after it's all mixed together. DELICIOUS! -- CHOCOLATE CROISSANT Sadly, I didn't get a picture of this one, but it wasn't bad. The croissant was a little dry, but it was flakey, not overly buttery and the chocolate tasted pretty good. That said, I do wish it had more chocolate in the center. -- LEMON TART Not sure if they still have this (didn't see it the last time I was here), but this was great. The crust was firm and crisp yet not dried out and it still had a nice crumble to it. Plus, I loved the lemon filling - sweet yet balanced by a nice punch of tartness and acidity. With regards to the wi-fi and service problems mentioned in a few recent reviews, I can't say I've experienced the same (thankfully), but I'm not shocked that they did. The times I came here to do work, the wi-fi was fine for my needs, but it did get slow/choppy at times. As for service, I've definitely seen some of those issues. Most of the workers have generally been friendly and get orders out steadily. However, there was one time where the girl working the register, who later switched to making drinks, was fairly terse with this one couple and wasn't exactly in any rush to make even the simple of drinks. Also, FWIW, the bathrooms, which are shared with The Night Market, has been clean each time I've used it. Despite their aforementioned flaws, I wouldn't hesitate to come back to Spruce Cafe again (I don't come here often to do work, so the wi-fi doesn't matter to me). At the very least, it's awesome to have a place like this around than to not. The one thing I would probably avoid is the Salami Sandwich I was so tempted to try...until I saw that it had just a single layer of meat (add $2 and give me more meat!). Their dessert items, though? I'd definitely like to try more of those! All in all, FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down for now.

    Store
    Cat N.

    Great space. I left the Christmas tree decorations. They feature ritual coffee, which is so delicious. They had lots of food options. We got the bacon cheese croissant and it was so good. I had a regular coffee and a decaf coffee with milk and they were delicious. The people that work there were very nice. Good service parking was easy.

    Banana matcha latte
    Manit D.

    Pretty decent cafe in a secluded location. Came here to study and got the seasonal banana matcha latte recommended by the barista. The drink was ok, matcha could've been stronger since banana usually overpowers the matcha. Also they had tiny tables which were a bit rocky so not the best to work but that's ok for the time I was there.

    Gamini G.

    My friend and I were looking for some tasty pastries and good coffee. After a quick Yelp search, we came across this cafe. We were amazed by the coffee variety that they had! I got the rose latte, eclair, and pistachio pastry. It was raining outside and we wanted to do a take out and eat in the car, so we requested a to-go box. The server was super sweet about it. The coffee itself was delicious. They topped the coffee with real rose petals! The eclair was chocolatey and yummy. The pistachio cake slice was the best of the lot! It was made with real pistachios and the flavor was right on. The texture of the pastry was perfect. It was one of the most tasty pastries that I have had in a while. If you are in the area - definitely check out this place!

    Vanilla cold brew crema (not good, I would not recommend- has a strange tangy aftertaste)
    Gina O.

    Stopped by because it was nearby, but overall it was just okay. Drink: I ordered the vanilla cold brew crema. It looked good, but the taste didn't match- refreshing at first, but followed by a weird muggy, tangy aftertaste. Not something I'd order again. Seating: At first glance, the interior looks nice, but it's actually pretty basic- standard seating, artificial lighting, and the space felt a bit warm and stuffy. Bathroom: kinda clean Service: Disappointing. The staff didn't seem friendly or welcoming. The person at the counter didn't greet me, just took the order without much interaction. When I said thank you as I was leaving, I was ignored, which left a bad impression. It felt like they were just there to do the job, nothing more. On a good note: The weather was nice, so I was able to sit outside and enjoy that. And there was free WiFi (only when sitting inside) and it has free parking with a design lot Overall: I was just visiting the area and decided to give it a try, but I wouldn't return. There are probably better spots nearby

    Creme Brulee Bar and Mango passion fruit eclair
    Regan T.

    The location is a bit random in a warehouse-y neighborhood but seating and parking was very spacious! I tried a pumpkin pie latte which was delicious. The barista did a great job with pulling the espresso and the milk was foamed perfectly. I was a little disappointed that they didn't really have food options other than pastries. They weren't anything special - even warmed, the savory turnover I had was kind of stale with all the cheese melted out and hardened, and the sweet pastries were just ok. I would come back to try another flavor of coffee because the drinks were a hit here!

    Matcha latte
    Ashley Y.

    If you come here, please do not get their matcha latte. It was actually straight up bad. It tasted like burnt grass and I couldn't bring myself to drink more after like 5 sips. I can't speak for their other drinks since it seems like their reviews for those are good. It's a decent place to study.

    Interior. Quite a bit of flies flying around...

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    2 months ago

    Head's up, vegans: the vegan croissant is discontinued (3/30/2026). Such a bummer. They do offer oat milk and almond milk.

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    Page 1 of 17

    Spruce Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Spruce Cafe

    Are there any charging outlets?

    Yes! Behind the long bench against the wall on both ends.

    Hello! I'd like to know if we can sit and work while eating and if the place has outlets?

    I went here last weekend and there were plenty of tables/seats great for sitting and working/eating here (: there are both tables available inside and outside. WiFi is great!… Read more

    Do they always have Hokkaido milk crepe cake available? Or certain days during the week/ on weekends?

    Hi Amber yes we always have Hokkaido crepe available , any day of the week.

    Is this place good for studying/working?

    Yes it's perfect! Very chill

    Are there any vegan pastry options?

    Hi Yanni, yes we have a vegan blackberry croissant as well as a blueberry oat bar.

    View All 6 Questions

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    4.3(193 reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    Incredibly delicious pastries made in house and all served warm. We ordered the Spinach pastry,…read morethe pistachio berry croissant, and the chocolate hazelnut croissant--so buttery and delicious! We also ordered a pistachio latte and a cardamom latte. Both were exceptional. The service is very welcoming and friendly. The shop is squeaky clean. This bake shop is owned by the owners of Mazra, our favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Try both, you won't be disappointed!

    Zorek is a hidden gem! We visited on a Sunday (late) morning and found it quite busy. The cafe…read moreitself was tiny and cute, with mostly (dog-friendly!) outdoor seating. The interior had cool green tiling on the counter, hanging plants, and a little stand with fresh flowers for sale. Ordering was convenient on the electronic kiosk. For drinks, I ordered the Mint Lemonade (so tasty and refreshing), but the caffeinated beverages looked awesome, as well. For food, the 3 of us ordered the Pistachio Berry Twice Bake Croissant, Smoked Salmon & Labneh Bagel, Cream Cheese & Heirloom Tomato Bagel, and Armenian Sujuk to share. The Pistachio Berry Croissant was unreal! The outside was perfectly flakey and the inside was so gooey and delicious. The bagels themselves were mediocre (I always have low expectations for California bagels), but the filling was great, especially the smoked salmon and labneh. The Armenian Sujuk (pizza) as very tasty, and was also great leftover the next day. Service was quick and friendly. Would happily return for more!

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    Brothers Cafe - Prawn Salad

    Brothers Cafe

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    This place is everything you'd expect from a diner, but with better quality. you can really tell…read moreeverything is fresh. I love the fresh orange juice and carrot juice ( especially the half oj half carrot combo). The waffles are nice and crispy and i really like the corned beef hash thats made in house! I've yet to order something i didn't like. the staff is super friendly and Im constantly impressed with how fast they get everything done when it's really busy on the weekend. including kitchen staff because food comes out pretty fast for the labor that goes into cooking it. this place is really cozy. would be the ideal place to catch up with friends or family or have a casual brunch date. lots of extra outdoor seating, which is phenomenal on a nice day.

    I had been coming here for over 7 years, I had never had a waitress screamed at me at my table…read morebecause I gave my dog water from the plastic cup, and kept saying she has to threw the plastic cup in the trash because I used it to give my 14 years old dog water, I waited for someone to Come and asked but we did not even got utensils until the food came , all she did was just kept screaming like I cannot understand, of course I did and it was crystal clear and she angrily continued for several More times, she did not give me the time to respond, then walked away and I did not think she wanted to bring me another glass of water, then finally she did and kept saying the same thing, " I threw the cup in the trash because of my dog had some water from it, kept saying the cup is for human not for dogs. I know what I did and I heard her loud and clear, but she said it like want us to leave because she looks so angry. I will be more than glad to pay for it, but she made us all Felt like we were stupid not understanding, we should had just left but we just came back from Burlingame and wanted to go to Cafe Central but the line was impossible to wait, so we said let's just go to our favor spot which is Brother's cafe. But after today experience we will not return, she did not even came by and asked if the food was okay or if we need anything else, we had to ask someone else for a paper cup. It took her a few minutes before she brought me another cup of water and repeat the same thing again and again that she threw the plastic cup in the trash because of me. The worst part we notice she was eyeing in us and told her coworkers, as we left the waiter that normally come by gave my sister a hug and we can tell, he said see you guys next week... which it will not happen. She did not need to scream so many times and repeated herself so many times even the table next to us just turn around and said what is the big deal. Yes I should had know better but my 14 year old dog was happen and issue with the heat from Burlingame. I love this place but after the server ( Latina women with glasses mid 30's-40's)not just try and give us a lecture and scream at me and kept telling me because of what I did she throw the plastic cup away, instead she could be more calm and use a better wording we would had enjoyed our late breakfast. She only had to say it once but she made a comment that is not expected, by eyeing us from afar and we feel Like she wanted us to leave, we could not enjoy today's meal. This is a restaurant not a home do some respect for your self and your customers. Thank you for the last 7 years of food, we had enjoyed every Sunday since. By the way I would be more than happy to pay for the plastic cup, and I am sorry this upset her so much she made us felt like we are not welcome anymore. I had a business in San Francisco and my employees know better than to behave with such attitude.

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    Antigua Coffee Shop - Breakfast Plate

    Antigua Coffee Shop

    4.2(616 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Breakfast burritos...yum. Yum yum! Popped in here for the first time to try their breakfast…read moreburritos and they are hearty and packed. I've been exploring all the breakfast burritos in SanFran but this place is now also at the top of my list! I ordered a breakfast burrito with sausage and was happy with all the fillings - chunky potatoes, good amount of egg, onions, tomato, and chunky pieces of sausage in a spinach tortilla. (Instead of protein, my friend added avocado instead. And you can choose different types of tortillas - flour, whole wheat, spinach, and others) Just overall good and very filling. Not huge but not small either. The only thing I missed was salsa to put on it. Tapatio packets were given instead. (To be fair, these are Latin American-inspired breakfast burritos not "Mexican" burritos with salsa on the side.) Great breakfast burrito! Looks like there are other dishes to try. Lots of people were also there on Sat morning and enjoying their breakfast. Plenty of tables. We'll be back!

    This place is a hidden gem. I saw all of the photos on yelp with their Christmas decor and can't…read morewait to come back during the holidays. In SSF where options are limited, this is a great stop. This coffee shop has plenty of food options and great coffee options, including soy milk. There are some seats near the window to do work or people watch with plenty of tables inside for a large party. I appreciated that this place was very clean, including the bathrooms. The service is great. Can't wait to come back and try some of their breakfast options. They have a HH, but I didn't see the menu.

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    L Drinks & Snacks - Hawaiian breeze smoothie

    L Drinks & Snacks

    4.7(34 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Great drinks - have gone 3 times in the past month or so…read more Coffee / espresso drinks are great Fruit smoothies are delicious. Snacks are not to be missed. Popcorn chicken and desserts! Super friendly service! Will be back.

    This place is Gold! The best healthiest REAL fruit drinks and delicious dumplings in town! I wish I…read morefound them sooner! Their drinks is made with real fruits. Its amazing to see your avocados being cut in front of you to make your smoothie, very refreshing and a big departure to what most powedered junk boba shops like Quickly offers. Their price for drinks around $7! When Jamba Juice want $14? Every smoothie they make is super addicting as they are healthy with no sugars added like most other places. Their Avocado smoothie, Hawaiian Colada smoothie, Coconut Coffee Ice Latte, Bulgogi Dumplings, Popcorn Chicken are all amazing. Can never walk out here without their desserts too - Tiramisu Cake and Lychee Cake is handmade are delicious. Their Cheesecakes have a lot of fans super popular. They are so smooth and creamy super addicting. I see lots of people order big batches 20 over dozens. Highly highly recommend them. I love coming here everyday now. Every food they make is handemade with lots of love and care put in at every topping. The service is always awesome the owners are super friendly and enjoy making great quality food. There's plenty of seats inside to sit and eat as well is a plus. This place is the mom and pop shop everyone love and miss and I recommend them to everyone.

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    L Drinks & Snacks - Guava smoothie $7.35

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    L Drinks & Snacks - Chicken wings $7.61

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    10/9/25

    Spruce Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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