Cafe Elena

Vegetarian friendly

Did I order the wrong thing? I ordered a Butcher's Kofte salad delivered and the meatballs didn't…read moretaste very fresh. Kinda gamy almost. I heated the meat balls up and they still didn't taste good! Salad was fresh but the dressings were subpar. Didnt taste like much. Not sure if I'll order again!

Had this via doordash once 2 years ago and have been coming ever since. Always a staple on our team…read moreand will keep going back here. The food is so so good and always packed to the brim. I normally can eat a lot, but with this I have to portion it out into two meals and it all tastes so freaking good. Will keep coming back! Love love the herb sauce - adds a nice boost in flavor

Organic Chicken Rice Bowl. Comes with sumac yogurt sauce and hot sauce.

Red Lentil Balls Rice Bowl - Vegetarian. Comes with fresh herbs yogurt sauce and hot sauce

See all

Butcher's Kofte (Meatball) Wrap. Comes with fresh herbs yogurt sauce and hot sauce.

Mama's Luncheonette

4.2

(349 reviews)

2.0 mi

I grabbed the Mama's breakfast burrito with smoked brisket added to go and it was a nice and…read morefilling breakfast. I enjoyed the combo of the scrambled eggs, avocado and brisket which reminded me of a really nice beef jerky. I do wish the tater tots were a bit crispier but overall it was a nice grab and go option. The burrito itself is mild and the beef and smoked salsa added a nice kick if you want something spicier. The line can be long, especially on weekends, but it's worth the wait and it moves quickly!

I've been interested in trying Mama's Luncheonette, especially for the Chopped Chicken Caesar Wrap…read more There was a small line and the place was busy, but it didn't take too long to receive our order. The Chicken Caesar Wrap was stuffed and made for a filling meal. It was sliced in half, which I appreciated because one half was already plenty of food. It also comes with chips, which made for some added crunch on the side. Overall, I thought the wrap was delicious and the flavors were good, it definitely would be a good choice for brunch or lunch in the city.

Chopped Chicken Caesar Wrap

See all

Lamb Wrap

Saucy Greens

4.8

(68 reviews)

1.3 mi

Magnificently packed. Cheerful to look at as well as to eat…read more I like getting food just for myself here. The Awake salad and their muhammara both excellent. Working my way through the menu... You can see from the factory-line production how well loved they are by groups, but at scale that somehow makes the presentation seem more mundane. Nicer to think it was prepared just for you. They also have a fine selection of partner kitchens whose food they offer (soupchu!).

It's the best salads I've ever had! The best in the city. So different from the usual!read more

See all

World Wrapps

Alberto Is the best server there could be on earth, he is attentive the food he serves is amazing…read moreand in general the experience with Alberto serving me and my family has been absolutely incredible

William is the goat of service. system was very intuitive and seems super healthy. Music was great…read moretoo

Argentina Chimichurri (Vegan)

See all

The Boys’ Deli

I had an amazing time at The Boys Deli in San Francisco!…read more It's a fantastic sandwich shop, and even though they don't offer vegan lunch meat, they were so sweet and accommodating. I brought my own, and they crafted a custom sandwich for me with a smile. My friend had the Reuben with just mustard and mayo, and he said it was perfect a great picnic lunch by the waterfront. The guys there are so sweet, funny, and have top-notch service. Plus, some of them are pretty cute! They were also super patient helping three little old ladies before us, so kind. And their tip jar was full of money so you can see how excellent their service is. Make sure to TIP They deserve it! I'll definitely be coming back! 5 STARS!!

Excellent sandwiches, made fresh. I like the toasted roll, they get the texture just right. Good…read moresize. I order ahead online, it's waiting when I walk in. Easy pickup. The store has chips, drinks, candy, etc so that's nice.

Sanfranpsycho Sandwich (No Bacon)

See all

Sandwich with all fixings!

Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen

Appetizer sampler plate -- very good! nice to try a bit of everything. My favorite was the eggplant…read moredip and the babaganoush. hummus was good and is always popular, the salsa was interesting. We ordered a bunch of a la carte meats: chicken gyros, chicken kebab, lamb kebab, beef kebab. These were all quite popular as well. Also ordered a greek salad Everything was tasty and I would order again.

The pita has a spring to it and the hummus is excellent. The falafels are done just right…read more One downside is this place doesn't have the compost and recycling receptacles required by SF law. See Starbucks across the street for how it's done. Here is the rule: https://www.recology.com/recology-san-francisco/recycling-legislation/?cookie-consent-set=true

Olive and feta hummus topped with olive, feta, and roasted garlic

Inside, menu

See all

Greek salad

Freddie's Sandwiches

been coming here since i was in middle across the way nothings has changed this place has amazing…read moresandwiches and the people are great 10/10 people food and service would recommend.

My new favorite tuna sandwich in the city!…read more They've been around since 1926 and their soft sourdough sub roll is some of the best sourdough I've tasted. They're giving old school NY bodega with their ambiance and the service is extemporaneous friendly. A must try in the North Beach neighborhood.

16. BLT Sandwich with provolone, Rye & Sourdough.

See all

27. Roasted Turkey Breast Sandwich + avocado

North Beach Gyros

Discounts available

Good service, food is good. We got the lamb and beef gyros. We were also given complementary…read morebaklava. It tasted great.

Good food very friendly. Gave baklava on the house which was awesome! Would come againread more

See all

Molinari Delicatessen

Hugely popular Italian gourmet sandwich/deli shop in Little Italy. Expect lines during meal times…read moreand especially weekends as each sandwich is freshly crafted amongst a lot of to go orders. Many sandwiches to choose from paired with the bread of your choice. There is also pasta. There's a lot to see in the Italian themed shop itself and items to pick up from its shelves and refrigerators.

I came today busy moment and I collected the number and I waited. I saw people being served but the…read morescreen wasn't really moving the numbers so I asked if they were operating with numbers. The answer of the worker was: no we pick and choose ahahah So I left I have been a chef in many different places and countries and one thing is sure: north beach is loosing clients because these types of individuals ruin the experience of the industry because they don't have passion and they are jerks.

See all

Cafe Isabella

Decent food not worth the price. Burritos said 15 which is steep then total was 17.70. Food was…read moregood but not amazing.

One of my favorite businesses in Nob Hill…read more I always get the Best Friend's burrito which is delicious. The owner is super sweet and service is great. It can get crowded on the weekends though, I would recommend calling ahead. The space itself is very small, there's only a little bit of room outside. Sometimes I will sit outside or take the food to go.

Inside

Bagel isa

See all

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

Food was awesome but the venue needs work. Way too crazy. Not enough comfortable seating.read more

Service was quick , and it's best pizza I have had in my life ! Vibes are great can't wait to have…read moresome again definitely driving 4 hours again for this .

Il Padrino Sicilian pizza

The place we sitted

See all

Margarita pizza, award winning for a reason!

Fog Harbor Fish House

Family-owned & operated

Full bar

Jeremy, Thank you for your great services. Food and ambiance were so great. Love this placeread more

Carlos was incredible. Warm, funny and accommodated my dietary restrictions subtly and without any…read morehesitation. So grateful for that and our family had a wonderful time. Food was delicious and was a beautiful sunset throughout dinner. We stop in at Fog Harbor every time we're in SF. Thank you. We'll see you next time!

Fresh Local Dungeness Crab

See all

SF Classic - Cioppino

Udon Mugizo - San Francisco

I've been here a few times already and I always get the Zara udon! This time we tried the agedashi…read moretofu and it's wonderful, especially if you like takoyaki! Mattana our server was great too, and was there to refill our water a number of times (which was especially nice since we came on a warm day).

I got the tonkatsu ramen deluxe, it was amazing! Our server Janny was attentive and friendly, she…read moredescribed the food before ordering which was appreciated. Will be coming back again!

See all

Dumpling Home

i always love coming back to dumpling home! i tried the dry cooked green beans for the first time…read moreand they were so delicious, i highly recommend and will be getting them again for sure. i also tried the black bean noodles with pork, those were still good but a bit less flavorful than expected. service is quick and friendly as always! if you go during dinner time, expect at least a bit of a wait. i love dumpling home and can't wait to be back!

Delicious and will definitely be coming back. My favorite dish was the Numb & Spicy Xiao Long Bao…read more I also really enjoyed the cucumber salad. It is definitely worth your time and money. The service is remarkable. Thanks!!

Inside, packed even during a Wednesday lunch

Pork Xiao Long Bao (4 pcs.)

See all

Dry fried Chicken Wings

Four Chairs

Amazing! I'm actually going there for the second time today!…read more My family arrived early, so the wait was only about five minutes before we were seated. I don't remember if there was music, but it was a busy, lively place with multiple conversations happening at once. It was definitely a cozy, home type atmosphere. A few people ordered chicken and waffles, so I had the chance to try it, and it was delicious! The waffles melted in my mouth! That's what I plan to order next time. I order a Korean chicken sandwich. It was very tasty and large. I had leftovers! I was disappointed because I forgot my leftovers on the table . Note to self: NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. The lemonade was very flavorful, and my kids enjoyed it too. I even tried an alcoholic beverage, I can't remember the name, but I swapped it for lemonade because it was THAT good. As I mentioned earlier, I will definitely return to this restaurant and highly recommend it.

Four chairs is always packed for brunch every time I drive by the mission, so it was time to give…read moreit a try. Their Asian take on brunch is quite refreshing. I ordered the K-Bomb chicken Benny and oh boy will you leave satisfied in every way. The perfectly poached eggs are served on top of a fluffy slice of bread topped with kimchi-hollandaise sauce. The chicken was a Korean style fried chicken with a crunchy sweet and spicy bbq sauce reminiscent of gochujang and honey. Home fries and green salad with sesame dressing topped it all off. The mango matcha latte was also quite good and the price for SF and for all that food was great value for the money. Ambiance is casual and a bit loud as can be expected from a brunch place but overall it is clean and a fun spot to meet friends for brunch. Don't stay too long after paying though or you will get stared at by the folks waiting in line. Overall definitely recommend checking them out. I look forward to trying other specialties here.

Chipotle Benedict, Mascarpone Pancake, & Chicken Apple Scramble

See all

K-bomb chicken benny

Surisan

10 years in business

I love Korean food and I love brunch, so I knew I had to check Surisan out during my SF trip…read more My husband and I ordered the bulgogi fried rice and galbi sando. Both dishes were sooo delicious and I'd highly recommend them! The portion sizes are also pretty big--I actually only ate half of the galbi sando and saved the other half for another meal. Service here is friendly and we were checked up on often. The ambiance here is pretty nice and they offer both indoor and outdoor seating. There was no wait when we came on a Saturday around 11:30AM. Overall, I'd highly recommend checking Surisan out!

We went here looking at the photos and relying on fellow Yelpers, but sadly this place wasn't worth…read morethe visit. We got poached eggs, I am guessing they poached it with lemon or vinegar because the eggs were almost inedible. They were very sour. The French toast was also okay, not something I would go back for again. Reason for 3 stars - Orange juice and Caramel Latte were super delish!

Flight of millionaire's bacon

See all

Pimped up ramyun, locomoco, Blackstone benedict

The Buena Vista

Pub Crawl #1 My man…read moreand I took advantage of our stay in San Francisco with a memorable date night. Since I had never tried Irish coffee before, we walked to the Buena Vista--famous for its legendary Irish coffee, according to him. Despite the crowd when we arrived, we managed to snag seats at the bar. Woo hoo! Watching the bartenders expertly line up heat-treated goblets, pour steaming Irish coffee, mix in smooth Irish whiskey, and finish with a thick layer of frothy cream was mesmerizing. Our bartender was attentive and friendly, making the quick stop all the more delightful.

Okay, this is my selfish selfie post because there are already plenty of Irish Coffee photos in…read morehere. I was born in this beautiful city of San Francisco. It's great to come back as a tourist to enjoy what the area has to offer. On this day trip we took the Vallejo Ferry straight into Embarcadero. We love the hassle free trip and really enjoy the ride. Once in the city we simply walk throughout Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf and into North Beach. The Buena Vista is an iconic spot dating back to the mid 1800's. It's great to pop in, have an Irish coffee, and enjoy the vibe. We got seated immediately at the bar. Service was great and everyone was enjoying futbol. San Francisco looks amazing! Shared a few photos to enjoy. Hope you get a chance to try. Highly recommended.

Summer of love 2017 at the Buena Vista

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Ron G.

5 years ago

Cafe Elena is open again for business. I forgot how great the food is is until I had there lunch. The chicken is nice and tender and the rice with lentils is so flavorful. The service that George and Leena I'd phenomenal. They are super fast, but still take the time to catch up and see how you are doing. This is a real jewel of a place. A must have if you are downtown next to the Fairy Building. read more

Wesley W.

12 years ago

The owners are incredibly nice and go the extra mile to get to know you. Their interest in their regular customers is unparalleled in SF from what I've seen. I haven't tried too many things on the menu, but I've had the Chicken Fattoush Salad a billion times and it has never turned its back on me. read more

Aniket B.

11 years ago

mujadara plate love it

Cafe Elena - greek - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Cafe Elena also viewed

Le Petit Cafe

(35 reviews)

Great lunch pick up around the area. Everyone is super friendly and the food tasted great!read more

Can't believe I literally live a block away, but have never been here in my 12 years as a neighbor…read more Their food is reasonably priced (for San Francisco). The salads are especially quite large and hearty and a great value. Taco Salad: This is my kind of salad, because it's not too salad-y. Basically loaded nachos that happen to be resting on a bed of shredded lettuce. Very filling, I had some leftover after focusing on this as my main lunch. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich: Was one of the specials. Tender pork and loads of sweet BBQ sauce on a fluffy, yet toasted, panini. Not gonna woo any deep South BBQ fans, but it was good enough for San Francisco. Meatball Sammy Panini: A bunch of halved meatballs on pressed bread with some cheese and a smear of marinara sauce. The meatballs were a little squeaky in texture, not like the really dense texture of heavy on the meat meatballs, so figured there must be a good amount of filler. It was alright, but you should really go to North Beach for a meatball sandwich. Cheese Quesadilla: Cheese in a whole wheat tortilla. Pretty basic. Some lettuce and tomatoes and sour cream on the side. It was priced even cheaper than the other items, so it's a good snack or side.

Working Girls' Cafe

3.9

(445 reviews)

one of my fave lunch spots! not horrifically expensive like sweetgreen and the owner is really…read morenice. really personable and remembers your name when you go frequently. also a multilingual king! I have only gotten the sandwiches and he customizes for you if needed

Lovely to-go sandwich spot in the heart of the downtown. Fresh ingredients and fast service -…read moreWorking Girls is always my choice if I want to grab something for lunch and have it in Salesforce park within an hour lunch break. The owner is very nice and can give a good recommendation. The popular blackened red snapper is super juicy but on a spicy side. Their salads are worth trying too!

Nosh Cafe & Catering

4.6

(21 reviews)

Highly recommend the spicy mama sandwhich. Pesto, red spicy sauce, chicken cooked w melted cheese.read more

The driest falafel I have ever eaten. Disappointed considering this is just across the street from…read moremy office.

Working Girls' Cafe

4.0

(576 reviews)

Good breakfast place with tables in back as well as window counter seating. Had bagel and cream…read morecheese, bear claw and peanut butter cookie. Good pastries, especially the bear claw, and reasonable prices at $4-4.75. Only complaint is they don't open till 8 am which we didn't know when showing up before that the next day. Seems a bit strange for a breakfast place to open so late on weekday mornings.

This doesn't really need to happen early on a Friday morning, but looking through my reviews, it…read moredidn't seem fair for Working Girls' Cafe to share a four star rating with some truly excellent restaurants that could be a tweak away from five stars. Ultimately, this salad could be recreated at a half-decent salad bar and is pretty crummy bang for buck. It's a mountain of greens with a passable dressing and it's the exact meal that is too easy to recreate at home to justify the expense. Ratios, flavor and price point all need to be adjusted.

Locali Mediterranean

3.8

(268 reviews)

Amazing place. Love their falafel in lavash…read more Please make your shop banner bigger. I had real difficulties locating it when I didn't know the shop.

What place has the best service and food?! LOCALI! I've…read morebeen here about 4 times and all the times I've came they have not disappoint, service is always great and the plus is it's by my job. I didn't catch the name of the lady who works there but I LOVE her energy! So welcoming and makes you want to come back! Locali you will be seeing more of me

The Halal Cart

(22 reviews)

Spot is i think same location it was few years back. The plates are still good as before that i can…read moreremember. Here is what I order and what I recommend. Always the gyro plate they already drizzle the white sauce all over the meat, make sure to drizzle a little more and pour little of that dragons fire sauce, they do have a new sauce that was red but it was sweet, minus this sauce go for the fire. Plate comes with saffron rice and salad with a helpful share of lamb meat. Meat still tender, bigger chunks then I remember but still good. Rice pairs well with everything, salad is just shredded lettuce no real seasoning on the salad Again it is a full meal on its own, togo old, they do take card now which is a good thing since the bofa behind it is closed. Always will be better then any lamb plate served at any other halal restaurant. Definitely sample this dish, if you lole chicken you can do this plate or do a combo of half half, all are good but if you are in fidi and on market, stop by and sample their offerings Plate ***** that red sauce is fire Price $ 16.50 a plate Service ***** helpful and quick Ambiance *** togo only

The service was so fast and easy! I got the chicken plate and it tasted super fresh. Others with me…read moregot the combo and loved it. Definitely recommend adding more sauce and the sauce station - the tzatziki is delicious

The Sentinel

(1.3k reviews)

Good thing I didn't check this listing before I popped over. It's showing temporarily closed but it…read morewas definitely open today (2/12/2026). Sadly I was too late for the pork shoulder but I got the chicken sandwich and it smells amazing! Can't wait to devour it when I get back to the office. And the Andes mint is always a welcome treat.

The warm, fresh-baked, generously sized muffins at The Sentinel (almost) make me look forward to my…read morein-office days. Those sweet delights are a small and highly valued reward that I promise to myself to make up for the pain of the commute. The Sentinel's a tiny, easy-to-miss, grab-and-go storefront with fast, friendly and efficient staff. I've only ever had their muffins, but, after the first one, have kept going back for more. If those baked goods are any indication of what the rest of the sandwich-centric menu tastes like, don't hesitate, just go.

Mixiote

4.8

(29 reviews)

A short San Fran lunch break run allowed me to stumble on Mixiote. The menu is very abbreviated,…read morewhich makes sense given the smaller worker population in SF financial district nowadays. It's Mexican fusion and I tried a little bit of everything in their menu. My bowl had both the chicken and pork along with the quinoa and beets and veggie noodles. It was flavorful and satisfying without making me feel like it will put me in a food coma. Chips come on the side. Limited seating, about 3 tables, are in-site. It's a bit difficult to find, but just look for the sandwich board pointing the way. Casual. Please come and create your own adventure.

Mixiote is a small takeout cafe in the heart of the Financial District. It's hidden under the…read morestairs in the Sephora building! Food was delicious and great value, more affordable compared to other lunch options in this area. Bowl also comes with sides of chips and salsa! Service was very quick and friendly. I will definitely be back!

sweet joanna’s cafe & Bakery

(271 reviews)

First time buying food from here. Ordered a falafel wrap . I am not disappointed. It was a good…read moresize and tasted great. I look forward to trying their sandwiches

Overall just a fantastic place to get breakfast, coffee, pastries, or lunch. I got a breakfast…read moreburrito, coffee, and a donut and loved it.

Cafe Venue

4.0

(564 reviews)