It was my first time coming here, and definitely not my last. When I came in I just wanted an iced coffee, but I ended up getting hungry when I saw all the food options! My friend ordered the root beer float with cold brew ice cubes. It was not super heavy, it mixed well, and somehow, the root beer tasted great with the subtle but noticeable coffee flavor. For my drink, I got two shots of espresso. I just needed a quick pick me up! For food, my friend got the chicken tortilla soup. It was absolutely delicious. The shredded chicken and the broth were wonderful, I do wish it had less tortilla strips because they soaked up all the broth if left there for too long. I got the California bagel, which was also delicious. It was a little too much egg for my liking, but the bagel was only $12 which I think is decent for what I got. The Strawberry croissant was TO DIE FOR. I have never enjoyed a croissant as much as this one. Fresh strawberry cream inside, super fluffy and crispy croissant overall. LOVE! Not to mention the cafe is very chic, we sat at a table where we could maximize our sunlight exposure. The servers and cashiers were nice, welcoming, and helpful. So glad we came here! read more

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I stopped by with a friend after a yoga class and it was my first time coming here. We originally just wanted coffee but after seeing all of the display dishes we decided to try some of the food too. We ordered at the counter and the staff were all friendly and helpful. We walk into the dining room and there were several open tables. The space is pretty big with several people there working on their laptops I ordered a Vietnamese coffee and it was strong and delicious. For food I ordered a bacon cheddar quiche and a mushroom Gruyère toast. The quiche was flavored pretty well it was just a bit dry. And I wish it were served hotter. It came with a simple side salad that was tasty. The mushroom and Gruyère toast ended up being my favorite. The Gruyère got melty from the hot mushrooms and the balsamic drizzle on top was a perfect touch Overall we were very happy with our drinks and satisfied with the food we tried. Would come back to try some of their other menu offerings. The display case is really doing work in making you want to try everything read more

Foreigner Cafe - Bacon cheddar quiche and Mushroom Gruyère toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

Really cute brunch spot with quick service! Has a very casual vibe where you order at the counter. I ordered a lox toast and it was served with a side of salad. Excellent taste with a decent serving size. Will be back with friends whenever I have time :) read more

I've been doing a bit of research of this cafe and it looks really nice. So I decided to come by here and it was very hectic. I didn't expect this restaurant to be almost full especially when it's a cafe. It can be too loud for me to study and work here despite having WiFi. I didn't really feel like eating too much because of yesterday. So I decided to get one of the pastries as well as a cappuccino. Almost most of them look too sweet and I decided to get the Ube Puff since it's between the sweet and savory side. They did put a lot of Ube cream which made me surprised. Also the cappuccino is like any cappuccino I had from most restaurants. Hopefully, it's less crowded and I probably will get one of the sandwiches or other larger items the next time I return here. read more

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Exquisite! Clean and aesthetic... food is good quality, presented nicely and tasted wonderful. I was looking for a locally owned, beautiful food that's *healthy* and that's exactly what I got. 10/10!! Loved it Staff not the nicest, but that would be the only negative. (Gentleman serving food and cleaning were very polite and helpful) read more

We were up in the Bay Area last month for our Adored Grandson's birthday. As we have other family up in the Bay, and we don't get to be up there as often as we like, we let some of our closest family members on both my husband's side and mine know that we would be in town to celebrate AG's special day. We kicked around options for a brunch place with a varied menu that was centrally located. Foreigner checked off many boxes for us. We had almost 20 of us gathering from SoCal, Sonoma County, Crockett, San Jose, and Daly City. We hovered outside just before they got super busy and were able to score several adjacent tables so that we mostly were able to sit together. The inside dining room was full, so dining al fresco was how we managed. The fast casual approach of standing in line to order and pay, then get a pager to take to your table worked out fine. I loved my food, although I was busy talking and getting everyone situated as Dear Hubby and I were hosting the brunch, and my eggs got cold. Still, everything I had was delicious. By noon on a Sunday the line was out to the door to order, and tables were hard to come by. This seems to be very popular with the local crowd. I got to enjoy one of their crepe dishes, which was packed with delectable fillings. I would like to return whenever we get back that way again. It would be nice to get that crew back together again, but also good to be with a smaller group to more easily visit over good food, freshly prepared. The lattes were stellar, too. Very glad we found ourselves at Foreigner for our family mini-reunion! read more

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Our extended family had a lovely time, eating at an outdoor table in San Mateo at foreigner Café. We ordered at the front, sat down outside, and the excellent waiter brought our food. Several of us had delicious smoked salmon on toast with avocado and tomato and capers. We also had a delicious vegetarian omelette, a side of sweet crispy, brussels sprouts, and extra crispy bacon. The turkey crêpe was very good. The Chia granola fruit bowl was delicious. We had a wonderful time. read more

I came here for breakfast, and it was great! The location is very nice, and the seats and tables are stylish and comfortable. I got the smoked salmon Benedict, and enjoyed it immensely. The eggs were perfectly poached, the Hollandaise was tasty (but not overwhelming), and the biscuits they come in were really tasty. I also appreciated the lightly dressed salad that came as a side: the greens were very fresh. I also got the Cuban Cortadito, and I was pumped to have a non-dairy coffee drink. It was very well made: the slight hint of condensed milk was a nice touch. It was a nice sweet drink without being cloyingly sweet. But they have so many tasty coffee drinks that it was hard to choose, so I'll def be back to try more of them! read more

Foreigner Cafe - Cuban Cortadito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

My friend and I came here last Saturday at around 11:30am. Despite the rain and wet streets that day, the restaurant was busy and lively. We ordered our food and drinks first at the register and then they gave us a buzzer, which we took to a table of our choice. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, and fortunately, we were able to find a table inside. I ordered the Foreigner Favorite and an iced Yema Latte. My friend ordered the Veggie Scramble and an iced Euro Latte. We both requested less sweet for our drinks. This turned out good for the Euro Latte but I had to go back and ask them to increase the sweetness for the Yema Latte. The drinks were good, nothing too mind-blowing. The Foreigner Favorite was yummy. I really liked the sausages and poached eggs. I love potatoes, and I wish these were a little bit crispier. Regardless, it was an enjoyable dish overall. It was also very filling, and I ended up taking leftovers home. read more

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A variety of brunch items and pastries from quiches to muffins. I tried the Dolce Barako - really liked the sprinkled Himalayan salt, which enhanced the coffee flavors. They have outlets. It's a great place to sit down and catch up and I love how it's precentral in downtown San Mateo. You would need to park in a parking structure, which is around a dollar an hour. There are also parking meters nearby. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Dolce barako - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

Back for round two, and this spot is officially a keeper! Finding a place that can comfortably accommodate a party of five for a late breakfast without feeling rushed or cramped is a total win. The atmosphere was perfectly laid back--exactly the kind of "relaxed morning" vibe you want when you're looking to catch up over coffee. From a foodie perspective, the kitchen is clearly firing on all cylinders. Every dish that hit our table was a 10/10 on presentation; the plating was thoughtful and vibrant. But it wasn't just "eye candy"--the flavors were balanced and fresh. It's rare to find a place that nails both the aesthetic and the palate so consistently. If you're looking for a reliable, high-quality breakfast spot that actually feels like an experience, I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try. I'll be back for a third visit for sure! read more

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The kale smoothie was amazing Delicious and not expensive for the size. The nine of us loved the breakfast entrees and they very graciously allowed us to substitute the potatoes for salad. Friendly service and nice outside seating read more

First time at Foreigner and really liked this cafe/restaurant. Order at the counter and get a buzzer to put on your table or wait for your take out order. Plenty of seating inside and huge projector screen. Prices are a bit high for a morning breakfast croissant at $15.90 but it was solid. The hot chocolate is made with tcho chocolate so it is kind of bitter not sweet. I'll be back to try other menu items. Street parking only. read more

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I'd been hearing good things about Foreigner in San Mateo and finally stopped by to check it out. The inside has plenty of seating and offered some cozy vibes. We ordered the avocado egg toast and the burrata ham quiche, both served with a simple side salad. The avocado toast was fresh and well balanced, and the quiche was rich and flavorful with the burrata adding a nice creamy touch. Overall, a solid spot for a casual brunch. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Avocado Egg Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Decent place for brunch in downtown San Mateo! Came here on a weekend with a friend. You order at the counter and they will bring it to your table. Plenty of space available despite it being a Sunday. I decided to get the Euro Latte and the Croque Madam. I expected a bit more "wow" flavor to the Euro Latte but perhaps I got my hopes up. I felt like it lacked the Irish cream flavor. The Croque Madam was solid, with a nice runny egg yolk. I did think the ham was a bit lacking, especially along the edges. Side of potatoes were the right crispy. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Croque Madam - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I really enjoy visiting restaurants that offer a diverse menu, where the tables are comfortably spaced, and there's plenty of convenient parking nearby. While it can get lively and noisy, it's always a great spot for a satisfying meal. Plus, the service is consistently excellent. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Spinach Spinach and mushroom quiche - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

A great recommendation for brunch! They have a variety of food, drinks, and desserts to choose from. The place is very comfortable for meeting up with friends and family. The service was fast because they have excellent coordination from the moment you order until your food arrives at your table! read more

Foreigner Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It's expensive and portions are in the smaller side. Also, no refills for drip coffee. Presentation is nice and the good taste good. The crowaffle was one piece cut up into their 4 quarters and drizzled with syrup. The 4 quarters made it look like more than it was. For $16, though?!! The chicken BLT was served warm which was nice. The shredded cheese sprinkled on top of the bread as decoration was unnecessary and extremely messy. The grilled chicken salad was basic AF. I was tempted to get the latte flight, until the cashier told me that there was no caffeine and they taste like how they sound. You order first then take a seat and they bring your food to you. There's not much service beyond that. Everything else is self serve. Too expensive for portions is what will deter me from this spot. read more

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Great brunch place off to the side of downtown San Mateo! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is nice considering I can bring my dogs here to dine outside. Food was very fresh and tasty - especially the croissant sandwiches and Benedict's. They got really nice vinaigrette for the salads too! Definitely would return to try other dishes read more

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Service not bad, but friendly Sit down food is not bad Maybe we'll grab some bakery goods next time! Thanks! read more

Foreigner Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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3/1/25 I've always walked by this place, but never got the chance to eat inside. My husband and I were out for brunch and we went to Foreigner for the first time. It was already very busy when we got there. You wait in line for the cashier and then you tell them your order then you pay then you can sit down. There's also the option to order via the QR code that they have on the wall. As you're waiting in line, you can see displays of the different kinds of food they have on their menu. Here's what we got: - proscuitto burrata salad (his). - Mushroom gruyere toast (me) - mixed fruit tart (for me) After you have paid for your order, they give you a tracker so that when they bring the food over, they know which table you are sitting at. If you don't order drinks at the counter, there is a water station that is self serve. Utensils are brought with your meal. The wait time was about 10 to 15 minutes. Presentation wise everything looked absolutely delicious. And taste wise everything tasted really good. I liked how both of the dishes we had were full of fresh veggies. The fruit tart was yummy as well. Larger parties might have a hard time eating here because of the limited table space. It was also really noisy when we were there; I felt like my husband and I had to yell at each other to be heard, even though we were sitting right next to each other haha. Other than the noise level, the food here is really great . I would come back but maybe at a more quieter time. read more

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Typical Bay Area pricing- about $60 for 2 people to have a breakfast + coffee/latte. HIGHLIGHT IS THE COFFEE FOR SURE I got the avocado and egg toast (requested my egg be over medium) and a latte. The avocado looked like tube guac and resembled a New Yorker style avocado toast (not as good since they don't grow avocados in NY). I expected sliced avocado, because I was back in CA. It was tasty despite the tube guac. Prob wouldn't order it again though. Their "patio" is n the shade & nicely decorated- it's basically an impromptu COVID patio on the public sidewalk. I am glad I got to bring my dog. The service is nice and professional, and the ambiance inside is a bit like a cafe/living room... read more

Foreigner Cafe - Avocado Egg Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The lattes and food were delicious! I had the Cajun shrimp toast and yema latte. The toast was full A flavor and the latte was velvety smooth. The ambiance was cozy and the music was low enough to hear my family talk. Food was ready quickly, too. We will be back here soon. read more

I was in town to visit my sister and she said this is her favorite place to have breakfast or brunch! She brings everyone here when they're in town and she took me. It was such a cute spot right when we walked in. There was a line which is always a good sign when it comes to restaurants. We looked over the menu and both landed on the same item. We both got salmon eggs Benedict which looked so amazing. They have all their food displayed in a glass case which was really nice to see. I'm a visual person so that was refreshing and helped me with what I wanted. We also ordered coffee which was really good. We sat down, had some water, and great conversation. We got our coffees first and our food came out shortly after. The food tasted so good and I was very happy she took me here. 10/10 for food and service! She'll definitely have to take me back when I'm back in town! Thank you to the wonderful people who work here for the amazing food and service! read more

Foreigner Cafe - Salmon Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We hosted a baby shower at Foreigner yesterday and it was absolutely perfect. From start to finish, Josh and the entire team helped make the day so perfect for our group and mama to be! We did the tea towers and they were so delicious! All the teas were yummy and it was the best time. We will definitely be back for future events!! read more

A great spot for brunch! I liked that the dishes were displayed on screens inside the restaurant, so you can visually choose what to order. You place your order and pay first, then take a seat. Personally, I thought their unique latte options--like the mojito latte and red velvet latte--were really fun. The latte came in a big mug with a cute swan latte art on top! Apparently, the building used to be a movie theater, so the restrooms are located outside the main dining area. You'll need a code to open the door, so it's best to ask the staff. Everything on the menu looked delicious, so I'd love to come back and try more dishes! read more

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Great spot for brunch in San Mateo. Stopped by around 1pm on a Sunday place was busy, but still had tables available. Staff was amazing, super friendly and helped everything run super efficiently. Food was delicious, we shared a couple of plates and everything was amazing. Looking forward to trying more of their menu. read more

Best coffee n brunch in the area!! Latte selection and skill is out of this world. Food choices are also wonderful. In the distant past they did dinner. Fingers crossed that comes back (but without compromising the breakfast excellence) read more

Foreigner Cafe - Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

Foreigner is a great breakfast-brunch-lunch work cafe. I think most patrons are just here to catch up with old friends or colleagues, but there are wifi and outlets if you want to relax and work. The ambience is slightly bustling yet peaceful, and the design and decor is comfortable, spacious, and pretty. There is also plenty of outdoor seating and self-serve spa water. - Foreigner Favorite If you know a meat and potato man, this is the dish for them. Most of my gal pals enjoy the standard brunch options, but lumberjack dudes won't. The kielbasa sausage slices are plump and cute, the potatoes are flavorful, and the hot sauce is zesty with a bit of tongue sting. - Mozzarella Tomato Toast Beautifully presented, very fresh, and very healthy. I'm a fan of Caprese items, but I only want the tomato, mozzarella, and balsamic, which is why I personally would order something else. I typically don't like pesto paired with this, but it was tasty and light, as it was more basil and garlic than parmesan. The salad is also paired with a sweet mixed balsamic vinaigrette. - Morning Breakfast Croissant This is the best breakfast croissant I've ever had in the bay area, and I was definitely not expecting it, especially after being disappointed in a sandwich I tried previously. The croissant was perfectly warmed, flaky, and buttery. The ratio of ingredients was perfect, with the egg, sliced ham, swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato all identifiable and fresh. The shredded parmesan cheese could stand to taste more like shredded soft cheese than dried out confetti, but I'll accept it as part of the aesthetic. I'd love to eat this every day, and I can't emphasize enough how surprised I was at how well made the entire sandwich and croissant bread was. - Grilled Chicken B.L.T I had high hopes for this as I had a really good chicken BLT sandwich from another similar brunch place, but this order made me want to initially 3-star them. The ciabatta bread is simply too thick, hard, and basic. The pesto mayo tasted mostly of mayo, and was too prominent. The chicken was flattened and dry, but at least the bacon was on the crispy side. The salad that came with it was not dressed well, so it just tasted like a bunch of leaves. I would definitely not get this again. - Croque Madame Sandwich The bread seemed more like stale toast than I'd have liked, but my friend said she enjoyed this ham, cheese, and egg sandwich with potatoes. - Bacon & Cheddar Quiche Very good smooth and eggy quiche! It's a thick boi, and I was recommended the bacon cheddar as the most popular flavor. It's like a savory protein egg pie that's not intrusive on the carbs, and comes with a blood orange vinaigrette that tastes nicely sweet, citrusy, and fresh. - Mimosa Flight Pretty diluted and looked better than it tasted. The flavors of each one were extremely subtle, so it was mainly champagne with decorations. - Cafe Barako Flight Strong on the coffee and comes with ice cream to create your own affogato. There's a mocha one, a salted caramel one, and the espresso affogato (very strong) - pretty neat for coffee lovers. If you only get one thing here, it should be the breakfast croissant. It's leagues beyond the other options. read more

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Came by Foreigner for a quick work lunch and overall thought it was a solid spot to grab a bite and with solid WiFi, was able to get some work done as well. When you walk in, you'll order at the counter, you'll get a buzzer and they'll bring the food and bus your table afterwards. What I liked about their savory menu items is that they have them on display so you get a good idea of what you'll be getting. On this recent visit I went with the grilled chicken BLT ($17.50) which comes with a side salad. I thought the sandwich tasted super fresh, and good bread. It's a bit heavy on the veggies and light on the proteins. Nonetheless, it's a filling sandwich and honestly not a bad thing split with someone if you don't have a huge appetite. But of course I ate it in one sitting a felt satisfied. The indoor space is quite massive and was packed on a weekday afternoon. Plenty of table space and felt like it was a meeting place for many. Super solid spot overall that has a menu and cafe that can satisfy any appetite. Definitely would come here again. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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*** Vegetarian Review *** Sexy French Toast made w/ banana bread. Interesting twist. Comes with fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, and what tasted like a raspberry compote. First bite, without anything else. Just like eating a piece of Starbucks banana bread. So I dug in, forkful of everything in one bite. Much better. But then, I got more butter and slathered the heck out of it. There's the magic! Otherwise, you get mostly the taste of the banana bread edges which were a little darker than I typically like. Not burnt. But just darker than I like. And darker for a bread crust means dryer. The butter on top with all the fruit and compote dip was really good. Cleaned my plate. Would I come back? Yes. I saw an interesting waffle that looks like I should try. Parking is paid meter. Don't try to park close. If you're driving down 3rd Avenue and find a spot, close enough is good enough. 3-4 block walks here are nothing. Order at the counter. I came for brunch in a Saturday. All inside tables were booked. Most of the outside tables had no vacancy signs. But still, got my food delivered in about 10 minutes. read more

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Foreigner is one of my favorite brunch spots, serving breakfast all day long. The food is always fresh and tasty. My daughter and I especially love the veggie scramble topped with pesto and served with a side of semi-spicy sauce. On our last visit, we decided to order the veggie scramble again. It was bursting with freshness and juiciness from all the veggies, and the melted cheese on top was simply to die for. It came with fresh fruit and toasted bread as well. We also tried the Arcadian chicken salad, though it fell a bit short -- it was lacking in dressing and the chicken slices were a bit too thin. For dessert, we shared a banana and Nutella croffle. This time, the Nutella was a little over the top, making the waffle a bit soggy, but it still tasted delicious. The staff is always friendly and happy to answer any questions. The restaurant is consistently clean and has a relaxing, cozy atmosphere. We'll definitely be back to try something new. As always, we know Foreigner will deliver something delicious. read more

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Awesome. Very unexpected and quality food. I had the Avocado Toast and 2 slices of bacon, and a cup of their home brewed coffee. 5 . When we return to SF we will definitely comeback. Thank you read more

Foreigner Cafe - Avocado toast small green salad and cup of home brewed coffee. 5 ! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great food option and good vibes. Services was quite quick too. Went on a weekday so seating wasn't an issue. Tried the quiche and salmon eggs benedict. read more

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What a great Sunday spot to drop in on! Indoor outdoor seating your choice. Staff is extremely pleasant and accommodating. All of them. From counter to server. A short wait in line to order gives you time to download the menu or look at the counter at the premade meals to make your choice. Pricey in comparison to portions. For $100 we had 3 entrees, 3 hot beverages. My croque madam was a small croissant cooked on a waffle iron with a few berries and drizzle if sauce. A small dollop of butter and cream. A bit dry for my taste. Needed more sauce. My son loved his bacon Benedict and that portion was perfect and he lapped it up. Crispy fingerling potatoes on the side. Now the bacon quiche came with two little pieces pushed together like they were left overs??? Not sure if that's how they serve it. The was fabulous. Light fluffy interior with a buttery flaky crust. My salad was my favorite dressed with the most flavorful vinaigrette. Small portion for my husbands appetite I had to forgo a piece of my croque madam. I would have enjoyed a fourth entree to share in the middle as I saw many doing. read more

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First time coming here! Passed by this place when we were going to the library and afterwards, decided to eat here. Food: yummy in the tummy! The iced drink I had was scrumptious! I can't remember what dish I ordered Service: nice staff Ambiance: cool and casual . Looking forward to coming back again! ;) read more

Foreigner Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Gosh I was really hoping to like this place, and while it has super cute ambiance and the servers were all super nice, the food is just ok. We stopped by for breakfast on a Monday morning, plenty of street parking around 830am, and the restaurant was not super busy. Order at the counter and they will give you a tracker to place on your table for them to bring your food. We got the All Day Breakfast and the Veggie scramble. The food was not bad, but it also was not memorable either. Just very average. If you asked me to describe what I ate, all I would be able to say would be that I had a fluffy scrambled egg disk that was a little undersalted, a dry chicken sausage, a decent chewy arepa, and some bland beans. Maybe it was an off day or we just ordered the wrong things. With that being said, If I lived close by I could see myself coming here for a quick bite to eat, or to get some work done, but I really would not recommend traveling here just for the food if you are not local. read more

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As a self-proclaimed coffee addict, one cup is never enough, so I ordered the Barako Flight, which includes the Dolce Barako, Hot Chocolate, and Affogato. Every drink was well-crafted and full of flavor, making it a fun way to experience their coffee offerings. It definitely did not disappoint. A must-try for any coffee lover! read more

Foreigner Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This place is cute and has great outdoor seating but the price is not worth it. The food is just okay. And they messed up my BLT. They did give us complimentary cake for that but the server didn't tell us why she left cake on our table. Ordered chicken blt but I'm pretty sure mine was a turkey blt. Pretty standard. Kind of too much bread for me. Needed more sauce? Not really sure. The salad was just bag salad with a sub par dressing on top. I also ordered the ube puff. Super expensive for what this is ($7.50). It wasn't that good. Would not get again. Overall, just an okay place to meet up for lunch with friends. Probably would venture elsewhere though. read more

Foreigner Cafe - Ube puff - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The four of us ordered three meals. Since two of us don't drink coffee, we ordered two lattes. Our lattes came out first, and they were both tasty and looked beautiful. The food came out quickly. I was very pleased with our steak. It was nicely cooked to our liking. There is street parking, but it can be a challenge during rush hour. However, if you circle the block, you should be able to find a space. We will definitely come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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