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Visited Buoy for a quick lunch recently and it was a good experience. First off, the exterior is unassuming and simple. 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. The cafe was busier than expected but we were able to sit down in the corner with a nice couch and arm chairs. I liked the overall atmosphere, it was aesthetically pleasing in terms of design and decor and with a modern/ contemporary vibe. 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.
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.
A friend of ours DJ'd here on a Sunday and we thought the vibe was so cool inside. Sometimes it's so hard to go out a night in your 30s (lol) so a coffee shop with good music is the move. 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.
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 :). The interior of the place is very cute and modern, and surprisingly very spacious. Bonus: There is a bathroom for customers. 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!
Such a lovely cafe! The vibes here are great for enjoying a refreshment, catching up with a friend, or doing some light work. They do offer wifi and comfy seating. 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.
this cafe is pretty large with tons of seating. a bit hard to find if you're not paying attention. music isn't too loud but a nice seating vibe. 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. a very modern looking cafe and great for ambiance/wfh/chill hangouts. i just wish it was a lil bit cheaper :(
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. liked the dimly lit vibes. really want to try their pastries sometime.
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.
Interior was nice and dim, not the ideal place for a bday dinner but for casual is fine. 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 it was quite small inside too. Food taste was ok.
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!
Visited on a Saturday night and grabbed seats at the bar. Parking was surprisingly easy right outside, which is always a bonus in the city. The interior has a really cool atmosphere, and the staff were friendly and attentive without being over the top. The American Korean food was the highlight -- creative, flavorful, and just the right mix of both cuisines. Everything we had hit the mark. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend!
Ordered a wagyu galbi sando for $16 and received a completely empty salt bread roll. No wagyu. No filling. Nothing. My order was ready within 10 seconds of placing it -- which as management later confirmed, should not have happened. The bread looked nothing like the photos on Yelp. I questioned the employee at the counter directly and she confirmed it was correct. I trusted that and took it home only to find out I was right to be skeptical. I left a voicemail at 3:11pm, sent an email with photos and my receipt, and heard back from Esther in management within hours. She acknowledged the mistake, took accountability, and issued a full refund same day. The staff execution was a real failure. The management response was not.
Was pretty busy Friday afternoon, but able to grab a table. The WiFi was a little slow but I appreciate the work-friendly spot for meetings. Spot is so unassuming you'd miss it if you weren't really looking for it. Or even if you are looking for it. Super cute inside though. Order at the bar and they'll bring your order over. They had a pretty good lunch menu! Black sesame einspanner with espresso - could have been more strongly sesame, liked that it wasn't too sweet, although the sweet cream top was a treat Rib eye salt bread sando - maybe the rice flour texture is different but I didn't get the flavor and crust I was looking for in the salt bread. The beef was perfectly cooked though! Kinda small, snack size Octopus rice bowl - sizable portion, lots of good flavors and textures, honestly more octopus than I expected and veggies not just rice. Would absolutely come back for this. I'd read some reviews about unfriendly or sad? staff but I had a great experience with bar staff who helped guide me and make recommendations since it was my first visit.
3 months ago
Booked a dinner reservation here for my boyfriend's birthday and we loved it!! Both the food and service, as well as the general ambiance was really great & really perfect for a nicer occasion. We got: Truffle Honey Butter Potatoes - good, I'd say best if you like sweet & savory but it might be too sweet for some people... but the spicy mayo dip it came with balanced it out to me. Golden Toast - so yummy I was expecting it to be just alright but exceeded my expecations! Really great textures and complementary flavors, between the crispy toast, creamy avocado puree, salty Ikura, and everything else, we really liked it. Chili Jjampong Sundubu - the flavors were good, and surprisingly a really big portion, and had lots of protein included. It was a perfect spice level for me but slightly too spicy for my boyfriend, but we both thought it was good otherwise. Would be even better with rice or noodles but with everything else we ordered we'd have been too full anyways. Minari Bossam - our favorite!!! the thinly sliced pork was so soft and a little bit smoky i think from being torched on top.. everything complemented each other so well, and I loved the tofu ssamjang & kimchi that went with it. Totally a must-try. Black Sesame Yuzu Cup - I wanted to try the other dessert options but since it was my boyfriend's birthday I went for this because jt was more like a cake so they could put a candle in it.. the candle was so cute!!! And the servers were really nice and accommodating when I asked for it to be a surprise. A yummy and not super rich or sweet dessert to end our meal! The yuzu really cut the richness of the brownie, and there was some mochi at the bottom that was a nice textural element. I didn't taste much black sesame though. Loved the food here and the two of us definitely want to come back to try the other options or try their lunch/morning cafe menu!! And not only that, but the servers were very very nice and attentive, which I really appreciated. I accidentally splattered some of the chili jjamppong on my white shirt and one of the servers noticed and ran over with a wet wipe for me . Super sweet! read more
2 months ago
Tried their banana latte it was good but on the sweeter side. They had a DJ playing on Sunday morning. read more
1 year ago
Such a cute spot. Warm and aesthetic interior with lots of seating options available inside. So much space. Got the black sesame iced latte (not pictured) and the salt bread. The latte was mild and smooth. I do wish there was a slightly more prominent coffee flavor but it was delicious regardless and wasn't too sweet. The salt bread was perfect. Warm, soft and buttery. Great casual spot to hangout with a friend or do some work Food: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Ambience: 9/10 read more
Love the vibe here! I've been looking for a spacious cafe in sf to bring my laptop and do work and so happy that I discovered this place! There's plenty of tables, bar seating, and couches in the corner. They have projector playing shows on the wall which is so cute! I got the strawberry matcha and warmed salt bread. Strawberry matcha is decent, maybe 6/10, I think it could use a bit more strawberry in it. The salt bread is also around 6/10, the inside is fluffy and buttery and outside is crunchy but a lil too oily for me and not salty enough. Overall would come back here to do more work or just hang out, the food looks good too so would love to try that! read more
4 months ago
They use rice flour for their salt bread! An fyi - it is delicious but the bread is heavier. Excellent raw beef, flavoring and seasoning and pear was delicious read more
2 months ago
I ordered the salty bread to be warmed up but it was still cold in the middle. The black sesame tasted bland. Staff was not very friendly! read more
I stopped by around lunch time to grab a drink to-go. Lots of people looked like they were WFM but I didn't see any outlets. With its couches, leather seating, marble tabletops, wooden bar, and shelves lined with magazines and wine glasses, this is classier than your typical café. However, it was low key distracting b/c there was a couple sitting at the bar who were very touchy feely... Anyways, order at the register, find a seat, and pick up your order once it's called. I wanted something with caffeine, so I ordered the Black Cocoa Mocha ($7.00 + tax): +Drinkable temperature: Hot, but doesn't burn your mouth/tongue +Creamy, malty, and chocolatey: Definitely not your usual mocha! +Cute latte art -It became a tad too sweet towards the end: If I ordered this again, I'd request less sweetness. -Espresso could be stronger. Side notes: 1.) Self-serve water cups and napkins 2.) Stamp cards available for drinks: Buy 10 get 1 free 3.) Restroom available for customers. 4.) Walking distance from Van Ness station Verdict: If I was in the area, I'd return to try their salt bread or something with ssuk AKA mugwort. read more
1 year ago
Came here on a friday with a mentor and this is nice spot by Hayes Valley for a cup of coffee or quick bite. very spacious interior, quiet atmosphere. there were a decent number of people in the cafe during at noon. Staff was friendly and professional. I ordered the following: - black sesame latte: not too sweet with a noticeable black sesame flavor - kimchi panini: the bread was well toasted and I really liked the unique combination of kimchi and sweet potato. the salad on the side was great as well but overall this was on the pricier side and lowkey not worth the cost There's free wifi and large tables to work at, so personally I enjoyed the space more than the food. read more
6 months ago
I beg my finest pardon but WHAT did I just eat. The egg salt bread sando is unreal. The salt bread itself is made with rice flour so it's fluffy and bouncy and buttery and chewy in this addictive way that should honestly be illegal. It's so light you can basically inhale it. Then you bite in and the soft scrambled eggs are just... perfect. Creamy, silky, a little sriracha mayo hiding in there, the whole thing feels like a warm hug. I'm obsessed. I need five more. read more
Cute cafe with easy transit near Bart/Muni I ordered the iced Einspanner latte. tasty with a nice foam on top - would recommend. They have a lot of cute desserts on display but i didn't try them. The space was very nice and well decorated. The service was ok, not super friendly. read more
Been wanting to find a place that does salt bread like they do in Korea. This place comes close. Their plain Salt bread and their salt bread egg sandwich which was absolutely amazing. The fluffiness of the egg and the sauce on the bottom really knocked this out of the park. Also tried their matcha einspanner, which had a light whip cream like texture on the top. Their matcha wasn't too sweet or bitter. Middle of the road for me. I also tried their Ssuk einspanner, again it had that light whip cream and the drink itself was light in flavor gave me a slight nutty almond milk vibe. It's supposed to create a calming effect. I definitely would get it again. Overall walking into Buoy was reminiscent of walking into a quaint Korean cafe. The drinks are good and I would def come back for the salt bread Sandwiches! read more
I am always impressed by Buoy. I came back for their Ssuk Einspainer which was as good as I remembered. I love how unique it is and the flavor is great. This time we also got their corn salt bread and their milk salt bread. I preferred the corn salt bread but both were good! This is such a great spot to work from as well. You order at the kiosk and I like how the restaurant is set up inside. read more
Super cute Korean cafe located near Hayes Valley. I tried the salt bread and black sesame latte w/ a shot of espresso. The latte was pretty good - sesame flavor was prominent and not too sweet. The salt bread was on the denser side, though this might have been because we visited at the end of the day. I would come back to try their other drinks and pastries!! read more
Great spacious cafe with cute vibes, very good for sitting and chatting or working. We got the strawberry matcha latte which was good but okay compared to other places, and an einspanner which was amazing! Not too sweet but very creamy complementing the espresso very well. We went on a weekend and there were decent amount of people there but we were able to grab the seats next to the window and couches read more
If you need a WFH cafe with chargers, wifi, and amazing pastries and drinks, Buoy's your place! I worked here on a Wednesday morning and I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious snacks, the friendly staff, and how much seating there was. FOOD [5/5] ========== + Milk Bread (6/5 - WOULD RECOMMEND!) This is honestly a really amazing pastry. The milk bread is served warm, with a slightly salty outside and a warm soft sweet inside. For the price, it's a little small, but it's such a great bomb of flavor that I didn't mind. + Mugwort Latte with Espresso (5/5) This mugwort latte was really interesting! The mugwort is slightly bitter and earthy tasting, but it's balanced with the espresso in a way that makes the whole drink quite pleasant. + Tiramisu (???) Unfortunately I left this on the MUNI so I will never know how it tastes. T_T read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Izzie,…
I found this cafe on Instagram and was excited to see another Korean-inspired spot. What stood out to me were the gluten-free desserts ~ amazing for those who have Celiacs or just can't have gluten in their diet! The pastries looked yummy, but sadly, I didn't get to try them. The vibe was super cozy, especially on the gloomy Friday. I appreciate the open space, great for working or just lounging around. My experience was okay. The guy who took my order gave me an iced black sesame latte instead of hot, but this isn't bother me. The black sesame latte was super nutty and flavorful. Pretty good! $9 for a latte is pretty steep though...maybe because I got it with oat milk? Overall, regardless with how flavors were, this is the cafe you visit once to try the trendiest flavors or to chill and work. It is a bit pricey just for a regular drink. read more
Buoy is a cute Korean cafe in Hayes serving an assortment of coffees and snacks. There is plenty of seating inside - a coffee bar counter, dining tables, and lounge section. We enjoyed our flavorful black sesame latte and classic einspanner drinks. The salted bread roll was heavenly and something we could have easily eaten more than one of as it was quite small. We also had a red wheat loaf with walnuts which was bland if not for the side dipping sauce. Overall a decent first experience at Buoy. Drinks were great. Pastries were not too memorable but I am open to giving them a second chance and trying other items. read more
9 months ago
Buoy was decent...went on a weekday for a larger dinner reservation and I felt like service was slow...food portion sizes were also super small! The playes are tapas sized, but I didn't feel like it was a full dinner. Great for a light dinner or pre-dinner place, but I definitely left wanting more. Good, but for the price point I'm not too sure. I do want to try their afternoon/lunch items and maybe that's more promising. read more
1 year ago
While searching for a cafe near my sister's workplace with Wi-Fi and outlets, we stumbled upon Buoy--and what a find it was. We ordered the black cocoa mocha (which genuinely tastes like Oreos) and split the mushroom tofu panini and the Bam French toast. Usually, one item steals the show while the rest fade into the background, but here, everything was outstanding. The black cocoa mocha was rich, and deeply satisfying. The mushroom tofu panini was a surprising delight--the kick of mustard paired beautifully with the umami-packed sautéed oyster mushrooms. And the Bam French toast? It featured moist rice flour bread topped with a luxuriously smooth chestnut Bam purée. My sister and I loved every bite. On a return visit, I tried the Tropical Espresso Soda and the matcha raspberry jam levain cookie. The soda sparkled with pineapple and passion fruit notes, while the cookie was a perfect shortbread-style treat, balancing the earthy matcha with bright, tangy raspberry. It's rare to find a cafe that checks all the boxes: great food, creative drinks, Wi-Fi, and outlets. The only downside? The internet speed is a bit sluggish. But aside from that, Buoy is an absolute gem. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Caroline,…
1 year ago
This place is worth going just for their kimchi panini alone. It might be one of the best korean fusion dishes I've eaten here in the city/ever. Crispy bread, crunchy and spicy kimchi, sweet umami from the corn and gooey cheese. Loved every part of it. It comes sliced so you can share amongst two. The sweets I've had was so-so to good. The matcha roll cake was ok but the brown cookie with marshmellow was solid. Einspanner and ssuk lattes were so-so. Not bad but not great. Latte einspanner had chocolate milk texture and was just sweet. Ambience is great though, great place for you to study. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Sang Yoon,…
1 year ago
Cute cafe that's good for working -- they have free wifi and outlets and the vibe is great! They have tons of seating and it wasn't too busy on a Wednesday. Lots of people talking though which could be distracting. I got the ssuk latte, black sesame salt bread, and the kimchi panini. The ssuk latte was very mild and I liked the creaminess -- I've never had ssuk before but it didn't taste like much to me; very pleasant flavor. I liked the salt bread, which was filled with black sesame cream. Not too sweet but some bites were quite salty. The kimchi panini had corn cheese & bacon and was pretty good as well, but a little expensive at $20. I did really like the side caesar salad though. Service was good -- food & drinks came out fast and workers were pretty friendly. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Michelle,…
1 year ago
I'm so glad to have found this place! I've been searching for a cafe that serves einspanners in the city and this is the perfect spot! They had so many options and also had pastries and food! I tried the classic einspanner and it was delicious! I will definitely be getting it again! My friend got the black cocoa mocha and it was also yum! We shared the tofu mushroom panini and it was good but not memorable. The interiors are also very cute with lots of seating so will be coming back here to work! read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Namratha,…
TLDR: The upscale Korean cafe I didn't know I needed. The black sesame brownie and Ssuk Tiramisu here are standout and unique desserts, and I'd get them again in a heartbeat. The space is honestly really cute with both a casual lounge area and plenty of tables + "coffee bar" seating for studying or catching up with friends. They're known for their desserts and specialty drinks, but they also have 3 types of paninis and 3 types of onigiris if you're looking for real food. ------ FOOD: 1. Black Sesame Brownie (5/5) - The black sesame flavor is super strong here which is hard to come by in desserts and so nostalgic for me. The mochi balls in the brownie are a welcome surprise. The brownie itself is quite small though. 2. Ssuk Tiramisu (5/5) - This was delicious and the tiramisu part of the dessert was done perfectly. This was my first time trying ssuk in a cake and it gave the perfect, subtle herbal taste to add a twist to a classic. 3. Kimchi Panini (4.5/5) - Very complex flavor profile and made fresh which was great. Also comes with either a side of salad or chips. So much going on in this but somehow it worked really well, though the sandwich itself is quite messy so get napkins. 4. Black Cocoa Cookie (3.5/5) - I thought I'd like it more but it was a little too grainy and nutty for my liking and the melted marshmallow didn't quite work with the cookie, though it was delicious on its own. 5. Match Roll (3/5) - Didn't love the cake part of the roll because it wasn't as soft and pillowy as I was expecting it to be (had more of a bite than I was expecting?). I'm not a huge matcha fan but I actually didn't mind the matcha flavor of the cream in this. ------ ENVIRONMENT / AMBIANCE: Lots of seating options here bucketed in 3 types: 1) Casual lounge seating in arm chairs in a super cute library-type space at the front of the shop; lots of light and perfect for catching up with friends over a coffee or specialty drink 2) "Bar" seating at the coffee bar and dessert-assembly space near where you order; you get to watch someone decorate the various desserts throughout the day; tall chairs at a wide counter so multiple people can sit along the space 3) Table seating at round tables lining the interior wall of the shop; people were working here and catching up with friends over food / desserts There's some very convenient street parking right outside the shop as well as parking along the nearby streets. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Helen,…
Came here to try the lattes and roll cakes on a Sunday morning and saw that they were sold out of their scones and matcha roll cake already. I ended up getting a an iced latte einspanner with the raspberry roll cake and my friend got the black sesame latte. The lattes were great and I enjoyed the einspanner. The black sesame latte isn't by default caffeinated but you can add a shot of espresso. In general both were a bit sweet for my liking but overall pretty good. The roll cake is made from rice flour making them gluten free. The cake is pretty light and it's filled with a cream cheese mixture. Overall it was good and not too sweet but I wish the cake was fluffier along with the filling. The space is nice and welcoming. There were plenty of people sitting with laptops at the tables so if you can find a spot it's pretty good to work at. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Caili,…
Updated with more photos, including half of the charming alcove. :) (I couldn't get a photo of the other half since there were people sitting there who probably didn't want to be in a photo posted online.) The Ssuk and Black Sesame Einspanner are soooo good. They both had a nice, strong flavor and thick cream on top. The raspberry and red bean roll cakes were delicious too. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Cece,…
1 year ago
Heard good things about this place but had a hard time finding it due to the relatively lowkey exterior. The interior, however, is nice and spacious, with a relatively warm ambiance with ample seating and okay service. I had initially gone in for a drink, but decided to get a sesame brownie to take home. Unfortunately it became a little mushy (and some of it got on my hand while I was taking the BART home in spite of the sealing), but the taste was alright. I'm glad I was able to get this photo of it before the frosting got smeared around the side. Overall, it was an alright experience. The coffee was okay, nothing particularly memorable, and the brownie had a sweet taste that still maintained its sesame flavor. It might've been a little sweet for my taste, but I'm sure their other desserts, which are more akin to the kind of sweets I usually gravitate towards, will be better. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Yeebing,…
I had The Buoy bookmarked for a while and was excited to finally try them! However, maybe my expectations were too high, but I was honestly disappointed with my experience. I came in on a Friday afternoon and ordered the Matcha Roll Cake. I think the cake slice was on the more expensive side; it didn't feel super worth it to me. The cake itself also was just okay. I could taste the matcha, but the overall flavor was super subtle, and I didn't love the texture of the cake or cream. I think both could have been lighter and fluffier. The environment had a lot of tables and I saw a lot of people studying, but it didn't feel very warm or charming--if anything, it felt more dreary. Overall, I think there are much better dessert spots in SF, and I wouldn't prioritize The Buoy over other options. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Shania,…
10 months ago
Flat slates bread? Very disappointing Regular customers know what you give. 3rd time visit to buy salted butter role. First 2 times, it was excellent. Chewy, soft, tender and rich on top and bottom crunchy. Almost addicted but 3rd time which was today, disappointed. It clearly taste old, not fresh and flat. I won't come back for long time but eventually be back, then hopefully you give me the fresh, fluffy ones. Reason why I gave 4stars, because we all make mistakes. read more
The Buoy is a small, Korean cafe based in Hayes. In terms of the space and the vibes of the cafe, it does a great job. It has high ceilings (probably a reflection of the fact that it's in a new luxury building) and it has this massive bar with great lighting. It feels sleek in that particular way. I will say, it seemed clear that they were training new people when I went and I got the black sesame latte which tastes... off? It doesn't have a particularly nutty flavor and it tastes a bit artificial which feels like kind of a red flag to me, but the pastries seem really good (which I didn't get any of). The eispanner's also seem potentially good but I also didn't get those. I will say, in terms of a cafe to work out of during the day, it fits the exact bill. There's a fair amount of seating, free wifi, and a ton of space so if this is the spot that you're looking for. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Ivan,…
Nice cafe in Hayes valley. It's chill and spacious and really clean. It has a nice vibe and great for coffee/pastries and desserts. It can be a little confusing when you walk in if no one is near the bar on where to order, but the service was great. Greeted once I walked towards the bar. The bar area is where you order when you walk in. The vegan garlic bun was paired perfectly with an iced latte. Lots of nice options to choose from their menu. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Trevor,…
This place is so close to where I work, I can't believe I've never noticed it. Located on Franklin, you won't really notice this place driving by, but the cross street would be lily, right across from Nakama Sushi. What caught my eye about this place were their roll cakes. At the time, they had matcha, red bean, and a red velvet roll cake sold by the slice. I was a little bummed they didn't have any black sesame treats, but I'll just have to return for that someday. If you want a whole roll cake, you will need to place an order in advance for pick up. Treats are made from organic Korean rice flour and natural food coloring. Desserts are not too sweet either, which is the ultimate Asian person's approval LOL I have not tried their lattes yet, so I will update my review when I do. The café itself is very spacious, with lots of room for people to work, study, or just enjoying a quick coffee date. the interior design is such a vibeee. So aesthetically pleasing, giving boujee boutique hotel. They have a small intimate area with couches and plush lounge chairs. The service was a little slow for orders to-go, but the staff were very nice and I know they get super busy. all in all, great experience. I might have to schedule a couple of in person meetings here some time! read more
I was looking for a sweet treat in SF and came across this place. The matcha cream cake was excellent. Not too sweet but also not too bitter. It was soft and creamy in just the right way. Def recommend Also seems like a good place to study! There's a ton of seating and it's a well lit quiet spot. read more
2 years ago
This Korean inspired cafe is a new SF gem for my partner and I. We have been obsessed with ordering the Suuk latte (hot, with no caffeine) and Einspanner Latte. I've had a number of Einspanner lattes, and I find that this is probably the best Einspanner latte I've had in the Bay Area - 10/10 for both. The matcha rollcake is also pretty good, probably 7/10. Interior is also incredibly cute. There is plenty of booth/paired table seating, a bar of seats next to the baristas, and separate couch seating on the right. Fair warning, it does get pretty busy - so seats might be hard to come by depending on when you come in. We've seen a couple of dogs inside, so it seems pet friendly - but don't quote me on that. There are also plenty of folks WFH here (Free WiFi). Buoy is one of our official favorites/go-to's in the Bay Area! read more
More info about Buoy
22 Franklin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hayes Valley, Civic Center
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(415) 416-9409
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https://www.thebuoysf.com
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Buoy - desserts - Updated July 2026
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