I ordered the avocado toast & a tea latte. Avocado was generous, perfectly ripe & creamy, sprinkled with chives, on toast that's actually toasted! Extra points for that. I nixed the hummus, perhaps a mistake, but I'm a purist, reviewing all avocado toast on an even plain. They open at 9:30a, got there at 10a, and all tables full. Nobody at the communal table under 70, which is impressive, given the 250' incline on an uphill path through the woods, or a significant amount of stairs, or long paved path on incline from the parking lot. The friendly woman at the counter told me this group at the communal table comes every Friday. When I finished my breakfast I decided to check out the adjacent Randall Museum (bring the kids & dogs), free to enter, & discovered a patio with more seating. But wait, it gets way better. Step outside the museum and there's a magnificent view of the city. You can sit out there on a bench, eat your food & just stare out. I guarantee you won't be looking at your phone. Cafe Josephine is a real find in a beautiful setting amongst the trees, hugging Corona Heights. If you're up for more climbing, the very top rock formation has an awesome view of the city, highly recommended to watch the sun setting. Forget the tourist crowd on Twin Peaks. I'll definitely be back. read more

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I just discovered this place after years of living in the bay area. I was looking for a cafe near UCSF Parnassus and lucked into this place. What an delightful surprise - it just made my day! (Didn't hurt that it was also a beautiful 70 degree day.) You grab coffee and sit outside with one of the best views in the city - who knew? Take a hike up the hill for even better views. And soak in the beauty of SF. The folks working there were lovely, the pastries and coffee were yummy and (surprise!) there is parking. I'll take out of town guests here regularly. Please visit and help the cafe thrive! read more

Cafe Josephine - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

The egg salad on toasted sourdough levain with pickled onions was honestly one of my favorite breakfasts in recent memory. So good. Also, the outdoor ambiance and city views are spectacular and the two women working there were so kind and pleasant. read more

OMG. The Smoked Salmon Toast is honestly THE BEST: Smoked salmon, lemon caper dill cream cheese, radishes, pickled onions & chives on a large slice of Acme levain for $14, very worth it, imho. GET IN MY BELLY ;-) Add in a delicious hot Chai Latte ($4.50) = one excellent lunch! Also -- sweet & friendly service! (The woman cashier even gently corrected a woman who tried to cut in front of me in line, heh! +Bonus) I see others posting about negative service, but I saw none of that on Tuesday 8/22 afternoon, even when they were slammed with moms and kids crowding the ordering area. Maybe they caught them on a bad, high-pressure day? read more

Cafe Josephine - EXCELLENT Smoked Salmon Toast, $14. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

tldr; come here for the views and adjacent museum. sandwiches are solid. recs: egg salad sandwich Cafe Josephine is a warm and friendly gem of a cafe adjacent to a small museum with fun little attractions. Great to visit this place if the weather is nice to get a good view over the city. Egg salad sandwich was tasty but not too overwhelmingly heavy. Drip coffee and soup, however, were just okay. Service was speedy, friendly, and fantastic. Staff are knowledgeable and clearly care about the cafe. :) read more

Cafe Josephine - Egg Salad Toast and Soup with Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cafe Josephine is a nice place to grab a cup of coffee and catch up with friends. Situated at the top of a hill, you can grab your cup of coffee and enjoy walking around to take in a cool view of the city. I grabbed a coffee and a sandwich, which came in a pleasant mug and with minimal waste. They use Andytown coffee and Acme bread for their sandwiches. They were out of pickled onions on the day I visited, so my sandwich lacked a bit of substance, but other than that, I enjoyed the food and coffee. read more

Cafe Josephine - a counter with coffee machines and menus - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Best cafe view in the city!!! Great picnic table in the shade Cool kids museum next door They have WiFi too! read more

Cafe Josephine - a view of the city from the top of a hill - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This review is for Cafe Josephine not the museum. The museum is amazing for parents and kids and the people there are just amazing. We live in the neighborhood and we have been supporting the coffee shop since it opened as it's so convenient for parents to grab food and drinks. However, the staff has just gotten worse. The women who work there are so rude and entitled. When the young man is there, he is always smiley and kind. But, when the two women are there, they ignore people, yell, and they are not accommodating at all. They don't even listen to you when you talk, and anything we ask, they just say no and look away. Their food quality and quantity has significantly gone down. They used to serve a side with a sandwich for the example; and now they just give you the sandwich and it doesn't even taste good. They have no care for kids at all. If you have children, the two women keep rolling their eyes and won't help you till the kids leave. And when we get there, we buy things multiple times, so if you don't tip them for the third time of being for just getting a bottle of water, they get so pissed. I highly recommend bringing your own food and still enjoying it at the museum patio. read more

Such a sweet little hidden spot. I FINALLY came here during opening hours, to chill with my neighbor who is moving ( :( :( ) and I was so impressed. The cafe is connected to the Randall Museum, right above the courts and down the hill from the dog run. Josephine's has light options including - but not limited to- awesome oat lattes!! I am picky with my lattes, and rarely have high expectations if any at all, but this was the best I have had in a really long time. There is a little patio attached to the cafe, overlooking the park area and though I did not bring my dog with me, she would have loved it. We both got mauled badly at the dog run a few years ago, so I typically avoid corona heights park (sadly as it was a fave for a long time) but I am glad my neighb got me back up here, and I will definitely be returning (at least to this cafe) from here on out. There is a surprisingly large parking lot for the museum so it makes driving less of a headache if you happen to do so. ...I recommend walking though! You can also take the 37 bus line to Roosevelt Way and walk a few minutes down to get your fix. Also, please say hi to the lone raccoon in captivity at the museum, if you have a chance-he has to be housed alone because he was attacked by other raccoons (bc obvs they r jelly) and he seems a lil sad. Send him good vibes! Enjoy! read more

My family and I used to love coming here however today when we went to the cafe, we saw that one of the employees was wearing a violently offensive shirt that made us feel profoundly unsafe. Needless to say, we will never patronize Cafe Josephine again. read more

Cafe Josephine - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The best museum cafe in the Bay Area, at least food wise. Their grilled cheese and other sandwiches are Michelin standard

This review is not for food. It's probably fine but we didn't get that far. Lady making items was harried to say the least and barked at us after we stood there for a few minutes "I 'll get to you in a while " or some such and not in a friendly tone. Deck we could see outside looked lovely and we were in no hurry. Stood there without any further acknowledgment...stood there....until finally looked at each other and walked out. Seriously? Just a brief cordial chat with customers would mean a lot. Even " If you'd like to take a seat outside, I 'll be with you in ten minutes." Or call for some help. Terrible feeling to be utterly ignored. read more

The food is amazing & delicious. The staff are super friendly and the hike & view make the whole experience quite pleasant!

Love love love this cafe! The food was delicious and I had the best tuna melt sandwich! The customer service was amazing and the staff was wonderful. Go visit and you will see why you want to come back. Fresh food, good views and it's a good vibe! read more

Good coffee, food, quiet, outdoor patio with a view of downtown. What more can you ask for?

I had been planning for weeks to visit this place and finally had the time and the good weather to do so. I was greeted by the owner of the café who made great recommendations. Upon settling on what seemed the speciality of the house (or at least one of the specialties), I received the most amazing grilled cheese (Brie) and quince sandwich. The sandwich was pure bliss. Served with a few cornichons, I devoured it quickly. However, as great as the sandwich was, it was the superior cup of drip coffee that sent me into orbit. As a big time coffee aficionado, this roast/blend/etc...was some of the best I have ever had in San Francisco. I've lived in parts of the world where coffee is sacred (Italy, Spain, Greece, parts of Latin America) but the cup of coffee placed in front of me was the best I have had in a very long time. You will do yourself a favor by checking out Café Josephine. read more

Well wouldn't this have been great when Law School Girl was little and we were at the Randall all of the time? Fast forward a bunch of years and yah there's a cafe at the Randall! And the food is really good and the views are still fantastic! There were a bunch of parents with little ones in tow enjoying a snack and the view. The kids all seemed to like their grilled cheese ...and so did I. I also had an arugula salad with almonds, prosciutto, mint, shaved fennel,burrata and lemon dressing. I was just as good as it sounds. read more

LOVE Cafe Josephine! Best egg salad & grilled cheese sandwiches. Beautiful setting if you want to sit, eat and enjoy the view. Very high quality food. Friendly staff. They have a grab & go section with salads, yogurt, fruit, olives & yummy rice crispy treats brownies, best chocolate croissants in town. So if you're in a rush it's a great too for a cappuccino and quick breakfast or lunch to go and lots of parking at the museum! read more

The Randall museum gets packed full of small children and their parents running around learning things, so as a result Cafe Josephine also shares the same population. If you are looking for a nice quiet peaceful spot to grab a coffee and read a book, this may not be the ideal place for you. They have a cute little cafe space with a couple of baristas serving up high-quality coffee, tea, and bagels and sandwiches. There is a lovely outdoor patio space, however they don't provide enough tables, and as a result the four or five tables end up feeling a little bit cramped next to your neighbors. The overall vibe is like a watering hole for parents to restock on caffeine to continue running around with their children, while stopping in for a little snack break. The view is lovely though, and I would certainly return earlier in the morning for some peace and quiet. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by this unassuming cafe inside the Randall Museum. After a stroll through the varied exhibits we came in for lunch and ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and cup of tomato soup. My perfectly plated meal was made with quality ingredients and tasted great. The grilled cheese was not greasy and the tangy soup complemented my sandwich quite well. The outdoor seating made for a scenic dining experience. I would definitely come back. read more

Don't let its location at a children's museum fool you - the food here is fresh, healthy, seasonal and delicious. And the view!

We just moved to the area and are a walk to this wonderful coffee shop. They make great espresso drinks and the view can't be beat! Food has something for everyone, kid friendly and healthy options. There is also a parking lot so if you're driving through on your way to haight or the park stop here for a quiet delicious break. read more

We've always loved the Randall Museum and missed it while it was being renovated, but one of the best things about the renovation is the addition of Café Josephine: a much needed and long awaited onsite café and food stop for families. Holding it's grand opening this past June 2018, Café Josephine just upped the Randall Museum's game. This ain't your lame and basic park and rec food concession with limpy hotdogs under heat lamps, and packaged, processed, sugared up baked goods. Owners Sahara and Jason are thoughtful about their food offerings, and Café Josephine offers up fresh, locally sourced and organic produce and food made to order. Food is super fresh and delicious: salads are tasty (the kale salad and egg salad is our fav), fresh baked cookies, homemade and healthy "lunchables" that kids love, made to order grilled cheese options and creative toasts (tartines), organic hot soups, and sandwiches too. (...And we love that they add fresh sliced strawberries to your lemonade - it's the little touches that make the biggest difference!) They make killer Andytown Coffee espresso drinks (and even have your Snowy Plover if you're craving it) and have a great selection of premium teas as well. The café is the perfect place to stop and take a deep breath with a coffee in hand (steamed milk with cinnamon for the kiddies) and take in the sweeping 360 views before you set out to conquer the City or about take on the Randall's animal room. You're literally in the heart of the city, and yet you feel like you're miles away from it all. Now go and visit! You won't be disappointed. read more

Great cafe with an incredible view! Lots of outdoor seating to relax and take some sun (or watch Karl the fog!). I had their grilled ham and cheese sandwich and it was very tasty. Service is excellent. Definitely will come back! read more

Awesome place! Grilled cheese with Apple is a must. We had it and our boys had it without the apple. So yummy. Everything is really good. Loved the Mediterranean bars and the apple sauce was spectacular. Please open another location in the city so we can have your food more often. read more

So much to choose from. Had the Brie and Pear Chutney. Divine. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu.

LOVE Cafe Josephine. The staff is super welcoming and warm. The selection of food is amazing - whether I'm looking for a quick breakfast & coffee, a leisure lunch or just a snack! AND there are great options for my kiddos too! It's a great compliment to the Randall, as there is something for the whole family, or just for me to enjoy when I want to work outdoors and enjoy some good coffee and yummy food. Can't go wrong with any items off their regular menu or their seasonal fare. Highly recommend! read more

Lovely spot for delish eats and great coffee! Try their special Snowy Plover coffee soda!

Cafe Josephine is an amazing addition to the Randall Museum. The coffee is great, the food is delicious, and they have great options for children and adults. For me, it means staying at the Randall longer because we don't need to stop for coffee or go home for lunch. But even if I didn't have kids or any interest in the museum, I would definitely come for a coffee or lunch and to enjoy the stunning view. The staff are also super nice and accommodating. read more

I'm a fan. Food is fresh and delicious. Variety is great. Andytown coffee is the real thing. I'm coming back, often.

Staff here is incredible, there's a fresh selection of foods and treats for kids, and of course, plenty of great coffee. Plus, Randall Museum (which is attached) is awesome. read more

Great cafe inside the Randall. They have a little bit of everything, and every item we tasted was top notch. Plus they offer Andytown coffee, yes Snowy Plovers and all. Gentleman working behind the counter was super friendly and knowledgeable. Not only did they have a full coffee mar menu to choose from, they also make small batch shrubs weekly that sounded delicious. Unfortunately, they were sold out by the time we got there yesterday afternoon. But look forward to trying it when we visit again. They offered a wide selection of baked goods, sandwiches, kid friendly snack items and bottled drinks. We got a snowy plover (Andytown special of espresso, ice, club soda and home made vanilla whipped cream. Yum!) tropical kambucha, hard boiled egg and the most scrumptious chocolate chip cookie. I really wanted a sandwich too, but we had just eaten lunch. I cannot wait to return to try more items. I'm telling you this cafe was the highlight of the Randall museum. What a hidden gem. We will definitely make this a regular spot. And next time I'm ordering two cookies so I don't have to share. They were baked to perfection with rich cream butter, vanilla and chocolate chips. read more

Went to the Randall museum today and stopped it to their cafe. It was clean and sweet. They had an array of goodies to offer. I had a baguette with salami and cheddar which was delicious and my son had a fruit cup and apple juice that he loved. We also had a chocolate chip cookie that was amazing as well. Everything was very fresh and staff was very friendly. I will definitely be going back, many other things to try especially the coffee. This place is a great asset to the children's museum. read more