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Cafe Francisco

3.7 (320 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Cafe Francisco Photos

Business Info

CAFE FRANCISCO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for working
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Cafe Francisco

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Reviews With Photos

Lewis S.

I come here way too often (I say that only because I have a dozen other favorites within blocks, scattered across North Beach), but boy is it predictably great. And in the most understated way, Ziad achieves the perfect laidback cafe vibe: great coffee (and tea), lowkey but fantastic bespoke sandwiches, and a chill scene inside & out. Please ignore this review though, I'd hate to have this become overcrowded ;)

Wonderful spot! The pastries are amazing and the seating is great. Big windows with lots of light. And the owner is so friendly and kind!

Erik B.

This place is stuck in time, my guess is the 80s, and I love it for that. Operated by hardworking staff, the cafe is conveniently located close to the harbor (great spot to stop for food prior to an Alcatraz tour). The menu is full of diverse options including frittatas, falafel wraps, and salads that include the infamous capers (with fresh tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and italian seasoning). The only grip is timing: if you are in a rush, hop to another spot. The food also appears basic. The line can get long here and with little staff support, folks eating at the outdoor/indoor tables wait longer than normal. To-go orders also take time given the lack of staff. But overall pleasant and friendly - on the list for a repeat visit!

Cute sign!
Clayton T.

Such a wonderful atmosphere! It felt homey and like a classic, casual cafe run by a fine gentleman. I loved the soft radio playing tunes in the back as I sat down in one of their many chairs and looked at the chalkboard menu. The service was amazing, I was welcomed in by the boss and we had a great conversation about the food! I really love the atmosphere of this place. I had seen this amazing avocado toast here on yelp and got that alongside a lox bagel. It was absolutely SUPERB! I enjoyed my meal dearly and genuinely wish that this cafe was closer to where I lived because I would certainly frequent such a cute place. The freshness and quality of the ingredients makes me crave more just thinking about it. I got to go back!

Le Croissant
Kinsey M.

Very cute cafe with great food and drinks. Obviously frequented by a lot of regulars who seem to personally know the proprietor. My friends and I went on a Sunday morning and we all ordered egg dishes, which did take a while to make. This makes sense because a lot of people came in and it's only one person working behind the counter (and everything is made to order). No problem if you have time to sit and hang out but if you're in a rush and you want more than a coffee, might not be the best option. I had Le Croissant, eggs with avocado, tomato, red onion on a croissant. Delicious!

Iced latte
Angelina Z.

I loved how homey this cafe was. The owner was friendly and also recognized a few regular customers. I got the iced latte, which was alright, a bit watery for my taste. The sandwiches looked quite good, and I'd definitely come back for them.

Afshin A.

Still going strong! Cafe Francisco is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, cafe's in the neighborhood. Near a quarter of a century ago when I moved to San Francisco, I started coming to this neighborhood cafe where I met many neighbors who later became friends. Many of them have moved on now, but those of us who are still around still get together here and enjoy each other's company over a beer, coffee or a meal. The coffee is good, as are the sandwiches, but my favorites remain the same: the Mediterranean Plate (under Salads) and Falafel Sandwich. For breakfast, I always go with Francisco Bagel with Lox! Those are my picks and I tend to get into routines and that is precisely why you should not limit yourself to my favorites list when you visit! :-)

Outside seating and happy hour specials

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3 months ago

Great food, wonderful service, nice place to sit for a while to get work done while having a sandwich. The basil tomato soup is crazy good.

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11 months ago

Got back to sit and drink a cold mocha ...quiet neighborhood little Italy ...visited again

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 months ago

Nicest man ever who helped us! Quick service and fair prices for our coffee, and they were great! Nice casual spot

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2 years ago

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11 months ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Excellent food and service! Great ambiance with calm music and a wonderful host, the breakfast bagel was excellent!

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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9 years ago

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5 years ago

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14 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

Loved the cafe's vibe!! Worked from here for a couple of hours and Ordered a turkey sandwich, it was yummy!!! So close to the pier 39!

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2 years ago

Cute cafe with an old fashion feel. Friendly staff, relaxing vibe. Coffee is amazing.

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

The most authentic and cool place in the neighborhood. They have great food and delicious coffee.

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7 years ago

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Ask the Community - Cafe Francisco

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Lovely little wine bar for a night out! Super busy and loud but a great ambiance. Small indoor and…read moresmall outdoor seating. The wine was pretty good, and the tapas were amazing! I loved the poke. It's a bit sweeter but a great taste. Also a cute dog roaming around. Definitely will be back!

We believe in second chances. And by we I mean me, my friends, and Tom…read more We showed up last night and immediately the atmosphere was different. Every single table was full and bustling. The people were laughing, the drinks were flowing. It smelled really good, which we would later find out was from the food especially that Mac and cheese. We started off with different wines, some that Tom recommended based on what we told him we didn't like or did like. He apologized for our previous experience and was genuinely a nice guy. Honestly it's very admirable for a business owner to take feedback to heart and want to incorporate it. Plus he's a really cool guy when you get to know him. The staff was busy running around but still made time to come check on us. Our final verdict is we came on a bad day. This time we got the actual Waystone experience. We finally got to try the chicken bites with a creamy aioli, fries with yogurt sauce, and the star of the show was the Mac and cheese. Tik tok did live up to the hype and we will have to come back for one of their jazz nights. Be warned this place gets busy! But it's worth it.

Photos
Ribs and Mac and cheese
Ribs and Mac and cheese
Fries
Fries
Bar area

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Bar area

Cafe Francisco - coffee - Updated June 2026

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