Had a chill lunch here. It was nice sitting outside on a sunny day. The food was solid-got crab Benedict and the beef pho after looking at all the Yelp reviews and both were great. The Vietnamese coffee was sweet and strong, but not too intense. Kind of bummed we missed the hash browns (they were out), but the country potatoes were savory and crispy. Friendly staff rounded out this pleasant experience. Would come back for this chill SF lunch experience! read more

Darren's Cafe - Crab Benedict-the sauce was delicious and the potatoes were perfectly crispy! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Tourists on a budget should go here. Your dollars will stretch further. And the food is actually really good. We had their french toast combo and it was substantial and tasty. The 4 pieces of french toast were crispy on the outside but pillowy soft inside with just the right amount of egg covering. Additionally at least at the time of this review, when you check in you get a free bowl of fruit courtesy of being a yelper! Win - win! read more

Darren's Cafe - French toast combo for half the price from other breakfast places around the wharf area!!! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's hard to F#*% up breakfast. But so many places still do. Not Darren's. Quick, fast & friendly. No frills, no gimmicks. Just good food. I recommend to any traveler. read more

Our first breakfast cafe in San Francisco and what a delight! It's a hole-in-the-wall cafe, so the ambiance isn't the most impressive. Relatively expensive for breakfast food, but we have learned fast that that's just the way of the Wharf, so very much in line with the other places in the area. (We just haven't gotten used to it yet!) DELICIOUS food. Huge portion sizes. The French toast was impressively light and fluffy. Both omelets--Veggie and Italian--we scrumptious. And the VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE. As someone who worked in a cafe in Vietnam, I can vouch for this iced coffee. It was strong. It wasn't overly sweet. I was so thrilled. And the service was fast and friendly!!! Very attentive servers. They pre-bussed the tables as soon as we were d finished and refilled all the water glasses when needed. Quite pleased!! We walked away a very happy and very full family. read more

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If you find yourself looking for a breakfast/brunch spot, come here! My dad has been coming here for awhile and I was in town visiting him so we we went to grab some brunch. Located just a little ways from fisherman's wharf it's a quick walk to get here. Ambiance and service: We were greeted by David the owner and his son Darren and chose to sit inside. They've got some seating inside and some outside for when the weather is nice. Everything is nice and clean and you can see into the kitchen so you know the food is made fresh to order. Our order was taken quickly and food came out quickly! Food: Their menu ranges from classic American breakfast, Chinese and Vietnamese food, and sandwiches. I ordered pho and a Vietnamese coffee and my dad ordered french toast with eggs and bacon. I've had a lot of pho in different parts of the US so I'm picky about my pho and this is hands down one of the most flavorful pho broths I've ever had. Good size portion with all the regular pho fixings. My dad always orders one of two things: french toast or chicken fried steak and according to him, both are delicious but I had the pleasure of of trying the french toast this time. It was cooked to perfection and not overdone in the batter or flavors. Overall, I'm glad I got to eat here. From the service, to the food, I enjoyed every bit of it. I can't wait to bring friends here and enjoy more meals with my dad! read more

I was walking to the wharf to get some clam chowder when this place caught my attention. I saw someone eating pho and it looked really good. Decided to give it a try and I was impressed. Service was amazing, speed of food coming out was amazing and it was very clean! I had the beef pho and it was 10/10 ! The bowl is huge and you can probably split a bowl with someone. I ate the entire thing but I can see two people sharing. Either way, I didn't expect such good pho in the wharf area. Definitely give this place a try! read more

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Nero and Seneca where recommended "Darren's cafe" in San Francisco by another known foodie of ours, so we knew we had to check it out. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the amazing host, Darren himself, who made us feel right at home. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and we knew we were in for a treat. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the head chef, Dave, was also there to prepare our meal. We knew we were in good hands with this talented team. We started off with an amazing fresh squeezed orange juice and a cup of coffee, which were both delicious and energizing. As we perused the menu, we were excited to see the diverse options available. We appreciated the diverse menu, which offered something for everyone, We opted for the classic American breakfast dish of chicken fried steak and eggs, as well as the Italian lover omelette, later in the day some Vietnamese pho for lunch. Every dish was absolutely amazing, and we couldn't get enough. The pho was especially perfect for the cold day we were having, and warmed us right up. ( highly recommend the Q4 spicy) we could see why there's is such a huge gathering of people eating here and our foodie friend loving it so much. We were blown away by the amazing food at Darren's. On another day We started off with some delicious appetizers, including the pork roll, which was a definite standout. For our main courses, we opted for the I3 Vietnamese sandwich and L2 chicken teriyaki rice plate with veggies. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were out of this world. The hospitality at Darren's was also top-notch. Darren and the staff were always prompt and attentive, making sure that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. We loved Darren's so much that we ended up going there every morning for the past week, eager to try a new dish each day. and we found that there was truly no wrong choice. It quickly became our favorite breakfast and lunch spot, and we found that if we didn't get at least breakfast, our whole day just wasn't the same. Overall, "Darren's cafe" Restaurant is a must-visit spot in San Francisco. The amazing food, hospitable staff, and cozy atmosphere make it one of the best breakfast spots in the city. Whether you're in the mood for some classic American breakfast dishes or some delicious Vietnamese cuisine, Darren's has something for everyone. Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed, given alcohol or any non-dog-friendly food during our visit. Only water and dog-approved food were provided to ensure the well-being and comfort of all furry guests. read more

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Menus is absolutely perfect, good range of dishes and beautiful breakfast and Pho! Loved that they have both English and Vietnamese dishes. Really awesome spot. Simple decor, clean and fabulous service. read more

This is a great little place when walking early morning to Pier 39. The service was great, the breakfast was good, the price was good! What more could you want. Very nice owner! Outdoor seating was available, but I sat inside. Clean - would go again. read more

Day one of our San Francisco trip, I woke up hungry as freak at 5 am PST. All fairness, I am eating breakfast at 6 am EST so...it was lunch time for me. I just yelped a Vietnamese place that was around our hotel and open as soon as possible. This place was around the corner of our hotel AND they served pho in the am. I was told any Asian place in the West Coast had better food than NYC. Ouch? Not really... We do not have good pho anywhere people! I got the spicy beef satay pho and my friends got the egg Benedicts. I like my pho with tripe and all the works, but this one just had sliced beef and meatballs. Regardless, this was still the best pho I've ever had. I wish I had time to try the plain pho to see how the broth actually tasted without all the spice, but it was fine. I really just wanted to try pho in the West Coast and this place really delivered. It does not seem like they open on Mondays so plan accordingly. If you check in (fellow yelpers), you get a free small plate of fruit if you are into that. One per table. I will definitely recommend going here if you are around the area. Perfect for this time of the year where the air is cold by the bay and you need a warm hug. My friends said that their meals were phenomenal so I recommend giving this place a go. read more

I get really insecure about eating Vietnamese food because I always come out smelling like fish sauce and charbroiled meats however Darrens has excellent ventilation. We came around 1 on a Saturday and there was only a few tablEs occupied. I knew I immediately wanted the pork vermicelli dish because looking at the picture I was sold. When the dish arrived the meat didn't really like like the image, it was like thin mince meats versus the pic looked more like slices of thicker meat like a chop. When I mixed all of the inputs together it was really tasty at first but then the dish started getting increasingly salty. The meat being thin absorbed a lot of the marinade and was very very salty and concentrated. We also ordered a side of egg rolls which were more so the Chinese kind but only had shrimp and chive, kinda boring and you only get 3 for $8 which is expensive. This dish satisfied my cravings at first but I couldn't tewllt finish cause I was chugging water! I'd love to come back and try other dishes maybe the brunch.. read more

I was curious about this place because it's basically an American eatery with a pho section on the menu. I came for the pho and left satisfied! I didn't get meat in mine so it was only $10 with an additional $1 for spice. This is such a sweet deal for the expensive Fisherman's Wharf area. Next time, I would try without the spice so I could get a better grasp on the flavor of the broth but if you're in the mood for pho without leaving the wharf, this is the perfect option. Update: came back for the non spicy pho and the broth flavor was very good, just added more Siracha :) read more

Darren's Cafe - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped here before our road trip to Napa and did not disappoint. We ordered the pork Vietnamese sandwich and split it between us. The pork is marinated to perfection and so juicy. Absolutely delicious and the perfect portion for us to split. read more

Darren's Cafe - Vietnamese pork sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had the vermicelli pork, my daughter had the blt & fries, and my husband had an omlette. Super different choices for an 11:30am lunch, but they were all fantastic. Super friendly staff, large portions, and quick service. Highly recommend! read more

Stopped in for breakfast. Had the California omelette. Excellent food, friendly, fast service. Just what I was looking for.

We were looking for a place to have breakfast before heading out on the town and found Darren's just a few blocks from our hotel. Their menu looked great with typical breakfast options to Vietnamese food like pho and vermicelli bowls. We were sat right away and handed their large menu. They pretty much have something for everyone there. I went with the basic breakfast of 2 eggs, 4 sausages, hash browns and toast. The hash browns covered the whole plate, it was a giant portion. Everything was cooked perfecting and delicious. It also came out really quick. My husband got the pho bowl. The soup came out a little after min, which was surprising since it should have pretty already been made and ready to go. The cook noticed my husband scraping the hoison out of the provided bowl and offered to bring more. That was nice of them. The service was on point and super friendly staff. They were constantly filling drinks, making sure we had everything and available if needed. For the price and right by the wharf, this is a great gem. read more

In March , visited San Francisco and decided to try this restaurant. It's located in Fisherman's Wharf. Service was prompt and food was well prepared. I would definitely patronize this restaurant again. read more

I had the fried chicken and French fries and it was one of the best fried chicken I ever tasted. The ambiance is also awesome and the environment was family friendly. The service is awesome to and I would totally recommend this place. read more

Darren's Cafe - My fried chicken and French fries - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Serves breakfast until 1:30pm!!! Hard to find a late breakfast eatery around Pier 39&41. This one is a gem! 1 block up from the fisherman's wharf on Taylor. Fast service, great staff! They even had crab Benedict and omelette read more

Darren's Cafe - American and Vietnamese - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Wet good breakfast but pretty pricey! Had bacon and eggs, girls had kids meals coffee was amazing! Went on a Sunday and not bad wait times. read more

Darren's Cafe - Breakfast with family - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great staff. Great service Food cooked to perfection! Location easily found. Little or no waiting read more

The food here was definitively delicious. I had breakfast and it was so tasty, my family had lunch and that was fantastic as well. The people here are very kind and have great hospitality. We didn't have to wait very long for our food and the prices were very affordable. If your looking for a nice place to eat with friends or family it would be delightful and you should really consider eating at this place. read more

We planned a week at a hotel in Fisherman's Wharf and Darren's is literally the only restaurant open for breakfast at 7:30. It's a quaint little place with about 15 tables total (inside and out). Great people making and serving excellent food! read more

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Absolutely delicious breakfast! The staff is incredibly friendly, and the FOOD! My god, I could have eaten a pound of the home fries! Totally go have breakfast here! read more

Portions are huge! Blueberry pancakes are fantastic! The hash browns were delicious Minimal seating inside and outside. The inside has a draft and was a bit chilly so we sat closer to the kitchen. Customer service was great! Will be back when in San Fran! read more

The food here was good, served fast, fresh and friendly. We went here by randomness when touring the Fisherman's Wharf area on the cusp of the North Beach area. The prices aren't bad and portions are good here. It's reliable for good food and is NOT a tourist trap. read more

Darren's Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Darren's cafe is hands down one of the best! Not only is the breakfast amazing, but he serves up the best Pho I've ever had! I got the Q4 and I never had to add hoisin sauce to it! The flavor, meat everything was so spot on! You can tell Darren puts his whole heart into his Pho with his 16hr broth! Service was also excellent! Do yourself a favor and go! Thanks Darren & crew! read more

This place has something for everyone. Whether you are in the mood for traditional breakfast or Vietnamese food, this place has it. I highly recommend the French toast and the pork Vietnamese sandwich. The pho was ok. Service is extremely friendly and courteous. There is usually a 20 minute wait but it is worth it. read more

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Been to San Francisco many times, and for some reason we never stopped at this place. All I can say that this is now my favorite breakfast place in San Francisco. We had breakfast here Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The food is delicious, staff is very friendly, service is fast. 5 stars in my book. read more

Darren's Cafe - French toast and eggs - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came in Sunday , June 2nd around 1:30 pm , at first they said they were closed but they reconsidered and served us anyways . Very generous! Thank you so much. The service was very good and we felt accommodated the whole time . We got two large phos & they were delicious! Only thing is i wish they had chili oil like most vietnamese spots do! But was still good regardless. Thank you for serving us even when we were unaware of the restaurant hours. We will definitely be back! read more

Giving Darren's four stars because the service was kind and they put up with my complicated self !! :,) FOOD : I got the egg white omelette with mushrooms and spinach and it also had some kind of cheese in it. It was my fault for not telling them to keep the cheese off (lactose life), but the omelette was nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn't incredible but it was also just an egg white omelette. TIP : if you don't want butte on your toast/ English muffin, ask for it dry!! SERVICE : the service, like I said, was very kind and understanding with my complicated order. They were nice about it and willing which was refreshing. Very active in waiting on tables, good service. ATMOSPHERE : smaller restaurant, you can watch them cook your food, the servers just kind of sit and watch you which is a bit awkward but hey, it happens. read more

Darren's Cafe - Egg white omelette. Tip : ask for toast / english muffin dry if you don't want butter - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food was good and it came out hot. Service was fast and it seemed that a lot of locals come in. Pho was really tasty

I really liked this place. If it was closer it would have been my go-to pho place. Im obsessed with pho, and I was pretry impressed by how flavorful their pho was. Service was phenomenal- i came with a small dog and they made a separate seat for us as all of the outdoor tables were occupied. The only downside was two items that I wanted were sold out (egg rolls and hash brown). Im glad the pho was not out of stock. 100% recommend, solid place! read more

Great breakfast and lunch joint down at Fishermans Wharf. Eclectic menu - breakfast, Vietnamese and classic American sandwiches. Seat yourself. Indoor and outdoor seating. Quick service. And many available outlets so I was able to charge my phone during lunch. read more

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We came to Darren's based on other reviews. We were pleasantly surprised to find they were accurate - the waitstaff is very polite and the service was great. The food was very good, so much so we went for breakfast both days we were in San Francisco, and the server remembered us on the second day - and what we ordered. Highly recommend. Also, as a side note, on our first day we watched as they handed out breakfast sandwiches to the disabled unhoused persons near their restaurant. It was good to see they also have a heart. read more

We got a recommendation to come eat here and let me tell you it did not disappoint. Great menu variety and great quality food. Food was so flavorful and clean Tasting. The staff is amazing and big shout out to David! We came to San Fran for a birthday girls trip and we planned on eating everywhere but now we just may come here because it's just so delicious and great variety! Thanks to all the staff! read more

Great breakfast place. Super crispy hash browns. The eggs Benedict were perfect. Excellent service. Sidewalk tables. Almost like being in Paris. read more

Every time we're in town, This is a place we need to Visit at least twice. Their food is to die for! We love their breakfast ! read more

Darren's Cafe - Potatoes - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Darren's Cafe still slaps. The team there works efficiently and with a smile. The new Canadian bacon is worth a try. read more

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Great food, fast service. Located half a block away from the fisherman's wharf sign. Excellent location, multiple menu options.