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    Buoy

    4.1 (215 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    BUOY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Buoy

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Joey W.

    Was super excited to try this spot out but was disappointed. Maybe it was an off day and I need to give it another chance. Black sesame latte - super milky and had very little black sesame flavor. It had specks of black sesame but flavor was not coming through. I even tried mixing it up. Toasted coconut latte - it tasted like a normal latte with sweetener because the coconut did not come through at all. Salt bread - it was very dense and doughy but the flavor was good. It didn't taste close to the salt bread we had in Seoul.

    Ribeye Salt Bread Sando
    Sam R.

    Visited Buoy for a quick lunch recently and it was a good experience. First off, [[HIGHLIGHT]]the exterior is unassuming and simple.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Once you walk in, you notice the front counter area and a fairly spacious seating area with multiple tables where people are working, chatting, or hanging out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The cafe was busier than expected but we were able to sit down in the corner with a nice couch and arm chairs.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I liked the overall atmosphere, it was aesthetically pleasing in terms of design and decor and with a modern/ contemporary vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My friend and I both opted to order sandwiches, the Ribeye Salt Bread Sando and the Egg Salt Bread Sando, which were tasty and filling. I liked the egg version, as it had a nice texture and a bit of sriracha mayo to enhance the flavor. I didn't get a chance to try the ribeye version since I was too full, but I enjoyed the dining experience. My friend also had a matcha latte with cream top which she thoroughly enjoyed. I'll definitely have to return to try an iced coffee in the near future. The truffle honey butter potatoes were a nice addition and had a slight sweetness and crunch. I will say pricing for our meal was a bit steep, as with the two sandwiches and a side and one drink, it was almost $50. Portions were adequate and we had some leftovers. Customer service was friendly and efficient. Although, they did seem a bit understaffed. You do need to bus your own table and I didn't notice any signage on that, but likely missed it. Worth visiting if you want to visit a cute cafe with a chill vibe.

    Buoy Ssambap
    Emily L.

    I've been here for their cafe during the day and recently came for dinner. I didn't love their coffee or matcha. They both tasted pretty watered down to me, but dinner was a hit! We shared the truffle honey butter potatoes, wagyu yukhwe, chili jjamppong sundubu, buoy saambap, and the minari bossam between 5 people. It was a good amount for us. -The potatoes were really good. -I love yukhwe and everyone really liked it too. -The jjamppong was too spicy for me, but good for everyone else. -The saambap was interesting. I don't love perilla and it was basically topped and showered with perilla, so you got the taste with every bite. -The bossam was good and it really was thinly sliced. I think this for me was where I felt the most disconnect from how the dish is traditionally prepared. We got the strawberry matcha bingsu for dessert and it was really good. Tasted fresh and not too sweet. Their cocktails were also pretty good. I got the black tiger and it really doesn't taste like alcohol at all, just coffee.

    salt bread and einspanners
    Alex H.

    Salt breads were tasty but lacked the crispy, airy texture that I expected from a salt bread. I did go at 2pm so perhaps it was just old. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was quick and the interior aesthetic was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would recommend for brunch with the girlies or date night!

    Crystalin B.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]A friend of ours DJ'd here on a Sunday and we thought the vibe was so cool inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sometimes it's so hard to go out a night in your 30s (lol) so a coffee shop with good music is the move[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. The workers were super sweet and helpful - they recommended the iced black sesame einspanner which I got but I ordered with oat milk, and it was sooo good. Super flavorful and not watery at all. We also ordered the salt bread and omg... so fresh. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. We got the gochujang butter and ube spread to go with it, and both paired perfectly with the bread. Highly recommend trying it! They also open for dinner at night which I'd love to come back for.

    Black sesame latte and a ribeye sando
    Diane N.

    A Korean cafe that has delicious savory and sweet bites, perfect for your work at home needs and mid-morning pick-me-up! I came to Buoy to work from home on a Tuesday afternoon, and there were a good number of tables still available. After you go in and place your order at the counter, if you notate that you are eating here, they will give you a number to put on your table, and they will deliver it to you in your chosen planting spot :). [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior of the place is very cute and modern, and surprisingly very spacious.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bonus: There is a bathroom for customers.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered an iced tea unsweetened and a black sesame brownie and my friend ordered a black sesame latte with a ribeye sando. Here are my thoughts: * Black sesame brownie: Absolutely delicious and worth coming here just to try this. I am not going to lie, when I first got the brownie I was a bit confused because I thought it would look like the photos on yelp, but it came in a glass cup with a brûlée on top. That to say, this was so delicious and might be my favorite sweet of the year? The black sesame was so pronounced, toasty, and balanced well with the sweet and smoky brûlée topping and has nice textural chew from the mochi bits. * Ribeye salt bread: This was great and also surprised me! The bread was nice and buttery, and the ribeye was very tender. The saltiness of the bread matched well with the meaty flavors of the beef. * Black sesame latte: Unfortunately, I did not taste much black sesame in the drink itself, and it was a bit on the plainer side. Even though this is their signature drink, most people get, I might recommend to skip it. Overall, I would come back, and I am eager to try more bites!

    matcha einspanner, wagyu galbi sando, tofu rice bowl...
    Kartika H.

    first time here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]nice place with great light and ambiance. feel very comfortable here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] order at the front and then they will give you a number and serve the order to your selected table and seats. for the taste: * matcha einspanner: the matcha itself is actually ok for me, but the cream is good ~ a bit cheesy but blended perfectly... * wagyu galbi sando: the salt bread is soft and yummy. the wagyu is juicy, tender, and soft with great taste of galbi sauce. a recommended menu that you have to try!!! * tofu rice bowl: they fried the tofu and eggplant and sprinkle them with parmesan cheese and they are so so good. the vegetables on top of rice and mix them with umami sauce ~ make me cannot stop eating. another recommended rice bowl mostly for vegans... prices are ok ~ must try this korean cafe!!!

    black sesame einspanner (+ espresso)
    Maddie I.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]this cafe is pretty large with tons of seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] a bit hard to find if you're not paying attention. [[HIGHLIGHT]]music isn't too loud but a nice seating vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] MAKE SURE TO ASK TO WARM THE SALT BREAD. so crunchy crispy, but the butter inside is cold so needs to be warmed. still delicious nonetheless. i've never had a better black sesame einspanner, and i've tried a decent amt. it's delicious. a bit small for 7-8$ imo. it's like 10 sips. staff is sosososososos nice. the barista is amazing w recommendations and im happy with my order. [[HIGHLIGHT]]a very modern looking cafe and great for ambiance/wfh/chill hangouts.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] i just wish it was a lil bit cheaper :(

    Iced Black sesame latte
    Aimee V.

    Such a lovely cafe! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes here are great for enjoying a refreshment, catching up with a friend, or doing some light work.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They do offer wifi and comfy seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Love the drinks so far and I had really amazing service from the barista Ida. I love a black sesame latte, and this place does not disappoint. The flavor is sweet, nutty, and creamy. The einspanner is yummy as well, but for some reason it was smaller than the regular latte. I'd definitely come back to try more snack/food items and recommend checking out this spot.

    Drinks
    Mansi A.

    came for the happy hour deal. very pleased. unlimited soju cocktails for $20/person for 1.5hrs. drinks sooooo good. like very good. had two cuz I came late but already felt a buzz. would come again and earlier. service was terrific. they let us stay for a decent amount of time, despite coming in on the later end. [[HIGHLIGHT]]liked the dimly lit vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] really want to try their pastries sometime.

    Roasted coconut latte
    Joanna F.

    Ok this sandwich was insanelyyyyy good. I am docking points because this was just way too a small a portion for the price for me. I'm thinking the waygu is quite expensive, and I think with it? I just want more! The soup was very light, not bad but I like a richer broth. Drink was fine, wish there was a stronger coconut or pandan flavor, maybe it comes through more when served hot.

    Black sesame einspanner
    Rehab K.

    I visited Buoy cafe on a Friday afternoon and tried their black sesame einspanner and plain salt bread. I was really impressed with my drink - it was delicious! I requested it to be light sweet which was perfect. Their salt bread is also wonderful with a crispy exterior and soft chewy inside. I also spent some time working at the cafe - they have plenty of tables, outlets and WiFi which is great to see!

    Amy T.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Interior was nice and dim, not the ideal place for a bday dinner but for casual is fine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu didn't have much options so we ordered two plates of everything. We came here to celebrate a friends birthday which was a party of 9. I was still hungry after our meal and [[HIGHLIGHT]]it was quite small inside too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food taste was ok.

    Black sesame espresso einspanner

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    Review Insights

    2 years ago

    Yummy coffee and delicious chai. Beautiful cafe to work in. The pastries and the food are also very good.

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    Esther K.

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    1 year ago

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    Esther K.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Love the roll cakes here and their einspanners! I hope the red bean roll cake comes back :)

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    Esther K.

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    2 years ago

    Not typically a drinks person but the black sesame latte was delicious! Service was fantastic as well - would definitely come back

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    Esther K.

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    2 years ago

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    Esther K.

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    1 year ago

    the servers here are so nice! calm vibe and great ambience for study and casual hangout

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great pastries and the ambiance was very nice. I went on the weekend and it was packed, definitely worth the wait.

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful new coffee spot, with great staff and ambience. The rice flour pastries are also amazing!

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    2 years ago

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    Page 6 of 6

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    Saint Frank Coffee

    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    All around pleasant experience in terms of both the service and coffee. I had the flight and…read morethought it was overall good. They explained that the flight includes an espresso shot, espresso shot with milk, hot coffee, and iced coffee. I hadn't had a straight espresso shot before, so this wasn't for me personally just because it was so overpowering. I enjoyed the other three though. Like the majority of SF, parking is difficult to locate. I was dropped off nearby the location. There is indoor and outdoor seating; I was able to grab an empty spot late in the morning on a weekend, but I don't think seating is always readily available. It's not a huge space.

    First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

    Photos
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    Q Specialty Coffee

    Q Specialty Coffee

    4.2
    (309 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$
    Certified professionals
    Locally owned & operated

    Day Visited: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday Price Range:…read more$$ Parking: Street or metered parking Ordered: Mocha Dream Espresso Cloud, Velvet Hojicha Cloud, Nitro Mango Our favorite SF coffee shop to date! On the days we have gone, the line has varied from being out the door to a quick walk in and order - truly just depends. Regardless of the long line, these drinks are soooo good. Upon entering the coffee shop, you'll see a good amount of seating, but for the times we have gone, the majority of the seats are taken. It is definitely a variety of people socializing, working, reading books, or just hanging out. Parking is metered or street parking, and we haven't had any issue finding parking! It's also in an area where you can shop around (across the street) if you want to grab a bite as well. Our go to orders include the Mocha Dream Espresso Cloud and the Nitro Mango, but we have also gotten the Hojicha Cloud, which is amazing as well. We love the thickness and flavors of the cold foams - you cannot go wrong with any of the cloud drinks. As popular as this place has become, it truly is worth the trip! We will always make a trip whenever we are in the city!

    This was a solid coffee stop and I definitely enjoyed my drink. However, I don't think it's the…read morebest coffee spot in the city, especially considering how long the line gets. We waited quite a while, and while the drinks were good, I'm not sure they completely justified the wait. If you can come during off-peak hours, I think you'll enjoy it much more. Overall, it's a good café with quality coffee and a nice vibe. Just be prepared for a line if you visit during busy times.

    Photos
    An IG photo nook 4/19/26
    An IG photo nook 4/19/26
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    Pistachio lady m crepe cake
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    Stonemill Matcha

    Stonemill Matcha

    4.2
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Loved this spot. The minute you step into the cafe you can tell it's going to be good…read more The sesame latte on ice had real sesame and delicious sesame flavor. This cafe uses real ingredients and not powdered flavorings. The rusk was crunchy and sweet. The strawberry yuzu was fruity, cool, and refreshing. It's like nothing I've ever tried.

    The place is called Stonemill Matcha so I should've got some matcha or latte, but I digress. I've…read moreheard this place has one of the best katsu sando around and as a lover of Katsu, I couldn't skip it. There's some good places in SF like Cafe Okawari. But Katsu is really becoming the new hype of the day for Japanese food, following the Sushi, Ramen, Japanese Curry, Katsu trend. So I came in with a critical view. I feel like Yoshoku in general may be next but I yet again digress. The box sandwich came in a cute little box. The inside was packed so I couldn't get a chance to fully appreciate the cafe, but the service was nice though the pay line may have moved slower than hoped. I'll say this. This is "the" best katsu sando in the bay. The katsu is crispy, but little on the softer side. But this hardness matches perfectly with the absolutely tender, soft, juicy pork wrapped inside. I'm looking at the menu again and it all makes sense. The pork has been in shio koji, making the meat ever so tender while adding the subtle but complicated marinated flavor. The cabbage is plenty, but not over packed to take away from the main Katsu flavor. What really perfects it for me, was not only the sweet and savory katsu sauce, but the mayo with dash of I think a karashi mustard. That slight tingle, the perfect kick gives a powerful awakening of flavor that really sets the it apart. This is art, an artisan. Culinary art is the refuge no raging rampant AI slop "art" can ever hope to touch. Until the day we get some cyborg implant to our brain into gustatory, olfactory functions. Even then, I don't think any tasteless tech bro are hopeless to create anything unique or beautiful.

    Photos
    03.20.2026- Stonemill Matcha SF- interior
    03.20.2026- Stonemill Matcha SF- interior
    Strawberry Yuzu-ade, tamago sando (w/ pork katsu on the side (that i sliced and put in myself)) (02/2026)
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    Delah Coffee

    Delah Coffee

    4.6
    (639 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Feeling adventurous so ordered coffee from Delah for delivery. Process was quick and smooth…read more A lot of interesting latte flavors and specialties to choose from but ended up with iced Yemeni latte and rose latte as well as some milk cakes. Didn't realize the rose latte would come as a hot drink but it was still good. Opted for less sweet but was a little more sweet than expected compared to the Yemeni latte. Yemeni coffee was light and subtle with cinnamon. Milk cake was moist and not too sweet - texture reminds me of a les tres cake. Rose and saffron flavors were perfect and not too overpowering Turkish coffee is not bitter or too strong. Knowing this now, will try some of their other drinks when I'm looking for something light in the future!

    My friend and I were catching up after a long drought and chose to meet up at Delah because it was…read moreso we'll rated. It's located at the filthy corner of 4th and Clara, which made the outside smell of urine. Fortunately the cafe itself is pretty clean, which is a nice escape from the street. I ordered an Americano and my friend got one of their $8+ lattes, which were fine, but nothing special. My biggest gripe was the service and absolute scorn of the customer. My friend and I sat at the counter basically in a staring contest with the woman behind the counter, who just stared right back. After some 30 seconds, we finally flagging her down to place our order. After turning around the drinks suspiciously quickly, my friend and I sat down to catch-up in the empty cafe. Before long, the barista pumps up the volume, increasing higher and higher every 5 minutes or so, as if to signal to us that our time was up. I asked her to turn down the volume, which she tuned down from an 11 to a 7, but minutes later it continued to creep up, like the snooze setting of an alarm clock coaxing you to wake up - except in this case, to get out. Ultimately, the volume got unbearable and we finally threw in the towel and got out of there to let the barista enjoy her music. Definitely never going back there - they clearly don't want the business. Food: 5/10 Service: 0/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 4/10

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    Beehive bread and chai
    Beehive bread and chai
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