My freezer is too full from too many trips to Costco. But after a while, I JUST DONT WANT TO COOK…read more I am scrolling through my favorite TGTG choices. Up pops Viva Cafe. I remember how much I liked it. It is a tiny hole in the wall, easily found by smelling the wonderful aromas. If I worked downtown, this would definitely be my go to spot. I ordered 2 meals, each had 2 pieces of chicken, rice, beans and I think cabbage. Wonderfully flavored and enough to share. It felt healthy to me, none of this unnecessary goop. Let the ingredients and spices shine. Since hubby and I shared a meal, we have one left. YAY. The owner/chef is so friendly definitely recognizing his regulars. Highly recommend.

Phenomenal place…read more THE spot to get hearty, home cooked takeaway meals for a reasonable price: Baked salmon, chicken and rice, polenta, BBQ pork and more. The entrees are deeply flavorful and full of perfectly cooked fresh vegetables including carrots and cabbage. They use a heavy hand with garlic in their chicken and rice dish that made it especially savory. I ordered two Too Good To Go boxes that gave me a day off from cooking. I'll definitely return to choose entrees from their extensive carousel of items; one of us is definitely getting the chicken & rice! Super friendly service, welcoming atmosphere as if you're family. FiDi spot so open weekdays until 2 or 2:30. You gotta try this spot!

This was definitely my first time ever coming to San Francisco's Chinatown. I've actually only been…read moreto the one in New York!! This one is a fraction of the size, but it's easier to get to for me! Hee. I will say if you park on the street, make sure you turn your wheels the correct way!! Sadly out in front of this coffee shop we got a $273 ticket because our wheels returned the wrong way. I actually didn't think that this street had that much of an incline, but safety first! What a happy note, my boyfriend won $20 scratch off here and his sister got $15 of another series of scratch off tickets! Lol as we congratulated each other on our weddings, other people came in. Hee I also love the mural that was being painted outside and there was an artist or two out there, painting it as we walked by! I honestly love the community aspect of these beautiful heroes that give so much detail about US history, especially within are many different cultural nationalities! I will definitely come back to this coffee shop and get more items! About a block away is the Bruce Lee Mural, in case you're looking for that!! Hee

Jinshan Cafe was an unexpected stop during a walk home through Chinatown. I needed a short break, a…read morecup of coffee, and a place to sit for a few minutes, so I stepped inside. An older gentleman behind the counter took my order for a small latte and was friendly and helpful in getting me situated. The latte was good, although a bit pricier than I expected at just over $7 with tax. The café itself is small but comfortable, with a handful of tables along the wall and some interesting artwork that gives the space a little character. While sipping my coffee, I noticed they also serve ice cream, and flavors like Red Bean and Black Sesame definitely caught my attention. I managed to resist the temptation this time. A group of students and teachers arrived shortly afterward, making the café a bit livelier, so I finished my latte and headed out. Overall, it was a pleasant place to take a break in Chinatown.

I've been here twice now. First and second time, the only…read moreperson working there says nothing, like some sort of coffee-serving-NPC. At this point, I'm starting to think he is an advanced coffee-bot. Second time, I was literally the only person in the space, and the NPC sat my coffee down on the other side of the counter, making me walk all the way over there instead of just handing it to me where I was at the other side of the counter. He also said "macchiato" as if there was any other order pending. Very strange and impersonal in every way. Also, coffee was bitter the first and decent the second. For the higher prices, sorry for expecting human service of any kind. Will go to Andytown instead now that they are also open on Market and Kearney.

I highly reccomend trying this espresso bar in SF. This…read moreplace is excellent for espresso and cold brew. I can't wait to try their other menu items. The service was excellent. Very attentive to your needs. Ambiance is what to expect from all coffee shops. Only difference is no seating.

I spent $17 on two drinks for them to be just milk with a bit of matcha and hojicha…read more (Only drinking it cause of what I spent on it)

One of my favorite cafes in FiDi…read more I like the vibes here. Mostly ample seating, except when it gets super busy. I usually get their grab and go items and enjoy them inside. The salads are fresh. I've also had the pesto pasta salad a few times. Only thing is I believe the pesto is made with pistachio and arugula, but not any basil. I much prefer pesto made with basil. I mean, it's not really pesto if it's not made with basil. At least not in my book, and I think most Italians would agree. The Roasted Salmon Filet was a bit on the dry side, but they do use loch duart salmon My friends like their coffee, but I can't personally speak to that. It's definitely not inexpensive, but you're probably paying for the location, and I must admit I always just like hanging here. The main downside for me though is the VERY limited street parking in the area. No fault of the business, just fact.

Was visiting the area and decided to stop by Kiss of Matcha after seeing the reviews. Really glad I…read moredid. The shop has a cozy Japanese-style atmosphere with good music and a relaxing vibe that made it easy to hang out for a bit. I'm not usually a big matcha person, so I tried the hojicha soft serve instead and it was honestly really good. Rich roasted flavor, not overly sweet, and something different from the usual ice cream spots. I also sampled the black sesame and definitely want to come back for that next time. The staff were friendly, patient, and happy to explain the menu since it was my first time there. Everything came out quickly and looked carefully made.

I've ordered their surprise bag on Too good to go twice and both times have been amazing!…read more The soft serve with mochi was my favorite the first time. The vanilla soft serve was still amazing the second time but the matcha soft serve outshined it. It had a generous amount of matcha. There's a self order kiosk when you walk in. There's a few tables and chairs, making this a good spot to grab a sweet treat and yap with friends.

What a positive surprise. I enjoyed a breakfast ham and avocado burrito (comes with cheese and…read morehouse sauce) and it was delicious! The portion was bigger than expected. I am always worried with the breakfast foods - but here, the eggs, ham and the avocado tasted really fresh! The service was fast and friendly. It's a tiny place with three tables. The place radiance confidence (from the inside) that the food is prepared well and that the place is clean. This review is based on a single visit, breakfast.

The food was okay…read more The breakfast burrito was priced right. However, the eggs were hot and steamed the avocado, and I am weird about hot avocado. It was a little too gloopy, and towards the end I didn't feel like continuing. If I were to reorder, I would not have the avocado or the spinach in the burrito, and I would have potatoes and eggs instead. Other people in the group had bagel sandwiches which were really gloopy as well (half the avocado squirted out of one), multiple napkins were ineffective at keeping it under control. They ended up using a fork. For all that, it was a little overpriced for a to-go bagel sandwich and the ingredients were not quite what was ordered via kiosk. The poke bowl needed more sauce for flavor; it barely covered the top layer of rice. Order at a touchpad. There is a seat for one inside, but it's pretty cramped. There are two tables outside, with room for two people each. It's also near St. Mary's Square, which is a very pleasant park for to-go outdoor dining.

Matcha Cafe Maiko is a popular spot for matcha throughout the Bay Area and across the nation. While…read morehosting some family friends from Japan, we realized they were missing matcha, so we decided to drop in. Their Chinatown location is a small shop. Not much space to wait in line or to pick up your items. Hence, Ordering is simple: place your order and pay at the counter, then wait for your number to be called. Minimal service interaction and not a good place to hang out, since it's primarily a to-go spot. I got the Matcha Latte with Soy Milk, and they got the Matcha Soft Serve. She said the soft cream tastes like Japan, and I agree. My matcha latte was good, definitely earthy and well-balanced. Personally, it was a bit too sweet for me, so I'd ask for less sweetness next time. If you're in Chinatown and craving matcha, Matcha Cafe Maiko is the way to go! It's a popular spot with long lines, but it's worth a visit. Find them at the corner of Grant Ave., with limited street parking nearby.

I've been to this franchise of Matcha coffee shops a handful of times before but only in the south…read moreBay/Silicon Valley. This is my first time going to one in Chinatown. Service was as fast as it could be since their menu is all the same. We got a Matcha lemonade and oh hot Matcha latte for my sore throat. Everything tasted delicious and we got a sample of the Matcha soft serve also! We got our food within five minutes and we're out the door! This particular store was rather small, but I would definitely go back again since the café itself is very consistent on its flavor from location to location! I appreciate the consistency and delicious much flavor!!

The Nutty tastes like a Ferraro Rocher. The chocolate one was really good. I wish they made…read moresmoothies in a thicker texture though. I don't know if it's healthy but it tastes good so I'll be back.

FOOD. SERVICE. AMBIANCE: It's been about 8 months since I…read moreboycotted JOE & THE JUICE because of awful business practices I go into in previous reviews. Today I thought I'd give J&J another chance. 8 months to read citicisms and get its act together. SERVICE: JOE & THE JUICE gained a bad reputation in the Bay Area pre-covid for flagrantly disregarding city law that prohibits retail businesses from going strictly cashless. For good reason: Refusing paper and coin currency is defacto segregation against Black and Brown folks and the working poor and those on a fixed income who are more likely to be restricted to cash transactions. This is an unjust policy, refusing to take "certain people's " money and in my book equals BAD SERVICE. FOOD & BEVERAGES: Upon my return to the large JOE & THE JUICE location in San Francisco's Financial District - which I used to frequent most days of the week for years before the boycott - I ordered my signature drink, Americano + extra shot of espresso with milk. Now although J&J is wildly overpriced compared to other espresso bars and snack joints, the Danish (J&J is a Denmark import and not locally owned, so maybe they don't understand how we do here in the USA) ownership refuses to provide the paying customer options between 1/2&1/2, Whole Milk, 4% Milk, etc. It carries only 2% milk which is just above lightly flavored water. I always have 1/2&1/2 with my cofffee but not at J&J, despite the high prices customers pay. I used to stock this location myself with 1/2&1/2 out of my own pocket from the Walgreens across the street, which a customer shouldn't have to do. BEVERAGES: Well my Americano, honestly, was awful. Tasted like dirty dish water. Old stale coffee bean flavor only slightly diluted luke warm water. BAD PRODUCT. SERVICE: It appears JOE & THE JUICE ownership and management are back to their old tricks again refusing cash payment. I told the manager it's city law thay accept cash payment - payment equality - and he conceded he knew this is the law. I was given the excuse the cash register just happened to be broken and they were waiting repairs, but trust me as one who knows J&J very well this is just BS: they're told to tell customers or city inspectors this and cynically keep going on with their segregationist policy. BAD. BAD. BAD SERIVICE!