They make the best avocado toasts. They're only available for a few hours every morning. Go and grab them. They are really flexible with making salads and sandwiches for lunch. You can easily substitute the ingredients and make your own little lunch. read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

Meh. I got a really crappy cold brew and a fig pastry that looked beautiful but had not flavor. Maybe I just picked poorly - my friend liked her mint Sherpa coffee (basically bulletproof coffee) and egg and avocado toast. I would not go back - there are too many other great places in SF. read more

Foundation Cafe - Looks more like an interior design store than a coffee shop... - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

WELCOME BACK! Foundation reopened on Kearny Street and it is so great to have them back. The egg sandwich is a little different from before (more savory with spanish jamon and braised greens), but just as delicious. Looks like the have some really tasty new offerings that I can't wait to try. Stop by and support this business! I thought we'd lost them to the pandemic, but they fortunately reopened. Great addition to what once was a great FiDi lunch zone, but which got crushed during Covid. FYI - they now charge an automatic service surcharge, which goes to support the great staff. read more

My go-to place for breakfast in Fidi... the avocado toast is out of this world!! Everything about it is decadent, and here's what I mean: Thick, toasted bread that absorbs the olive oil beautifully. Ricotta gives you a little bit of a creamy texture. Enough avocado to make you feel healthy, and it's sliced in small enough bits that it's easy to bite. Have to add an egg (costs extra)! I get the poached egg, which is such a pleasure to break open and have all that delicious yolk soak right into the bread. Pair that with a Jasmine tea and I'm in heaven! read more

Foundation Cafe - Amazing pastries! - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

The staff is so helpful and friendly and the salads are huge! Really they're giant. Okay prices for the city especially considering how large and tasty it is. Get a cookie :) read more

I keep hearing rave reviews about the avocado toast but have yet to try it...maybe that's why the only two times I've been here the food has been just alright. First time I got the make your own bowl. The ingredients are interesting but for $10 before adding any protein...eh I'll pass for the portion size. Second time I got the California sandwich (turkey, bacon, avo, arugula, green goddess dressing). The sandwich was fresh and on a lil wheat roll. For $11 I was expecting this thing to be loadedd, sadly it was a little more like thinner baguette size and I had to munch on some chips to fill up. Very basic and could find that at a deli for $7 I'm sure... So far it's not a go to place for me but like I said...a few people have raved about the avo toast so I might give that a try and see if that ups my stars! read more

TLDR - nothing special plus multiple hairs. Don't get me wrong - the soup was really bomb, as well as the hotsauce. Pro tip; put a few spoonfuls of the hotsauce in the soup to up the flavor a bit. It is pretty oily but that's where a lot of flavor comes The grilled cheese is nothing special, tastes like every other grilled cheese to be frank. My coworker got a hair in his sandwich. I got a hair in my soup. Pretty gross stuff! But to be fair they have better food than my barber shop! read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is my go-to breakfast spot when i'm traveling to SF for work! It never fails to be delicious and service is awesome, such nice people. The breakfast burrito is legendary read more

This was my go-to when staying near the financial district for a few weeks. They serve Sightglass coffee, good breakfast, and have friendly and prompt service. They're also open earlier than a lot of the coffee/breakfast cafes nearby, which is puzzling but welcomed. I only tried the avocado toast once and thought it was just alright (I like a high avocado:bread ratio) but the morning oatmeal is pretty great. You can add your own dried fruit, maple, etc. from the oatmeal bar so I guess I'm just a sucker for choice. Either way, $9 total (with tip!) for a large tasty coffee, hefty oatmeal with fixins and a banana is just about all I could ask for at 7am in the city. Would totally go back! read more

Vanilla Bean Latte was excellent! I would recommend the breakfast burrito w/ avocado as well!

Similar to Market & Rye in spirit, Foundation Café offers a short menu of fresh, tasty sandwiches ($10-$12), salads ($9-$11), sides, and soups with an espresso/coffee bar featuring Four Barrel coffee. Breakfast is also offered (omelets, granola, steel cut oats). The refrigerated case holds drinks and some grab n' go salads and sandwiches. It's on the pricey side but that's to be expected due to the high quality ingredients and FiDi location. The café is small with limited seating and a charming rustic looking décor (lots of wood including wood paneled walls, wood tables, white tiles, architectural theme). For dine in orders they'll bring your food to you. Grab some refreshing cucumber infused water while you're waiting. * Fried chicken sandwich ($10): It's a smaller sandwich (you can add a side salad for $2) but satisfying and comforting. The rosemary semolina roll was warm, chewy and light and it holds a piping hot, lightly panko encrusted, golden white meat chicken cutlet, Swiss cheese, lots of smoked bacon, grilled scallion aioli, and spinach. The chicken was very tender but on the underseasoned side. However, the bacon, cheese and creamy aioli added lots of yummy flavor. I guess they ran out of the ciabatta roll that they usually use for this sandwich. * Chicken tortilla soup ($3): delicious, thick and tasty with queso fresco, cut up fresh avocado, a drizzle of crema, a few crispy tortilla strips on top, strips of chicken...but it was served lukewarm The staff is very nice but seem a bit disorganized...the line was very slow moving, but once the order is placed, the food comes out quickly. They're still new so things should speed up in the future. Foundation Café is off to a promising start and should definitely should be part of the FiDi lunch time rotation. read more

See all

Foundation is my new go-to coffee spot in FiDi. Why? I'll tell you why. 1. Sherpa Coffee! It's like Bulletproof Coffee, but without the trademark dilemma. It's coffee with coconut oil and grass fed butter, with a little vanilla. If you're keto, just skip the vanilla. They can also add a mint sprig. Yay for my not-Bulletproof-but-still-bulletproof fix! 2. Quality coffee. It's craft-roasted coffee, and it's damn good. 3. Friendly people. I've had some great conversations while waiting for my cuppa. 4. It's preciously hip inside. 5. Interesting food offerings - not just your usual sweet pastries. Legit breakfast stuffs here. Yeah, 5 stars. Easy. read more

If you're looking for the best avocado toast ever, come here. It's grilled sourdough with ricotta, lemon, avocado (obvs), and I get the egg on top. The coffee is really great. Love the espresso and cold brew. It's great for lunch, too. I love the donburi with the fried eggplant. The only downside is that after a certain time in the AM, I think 11?, you can't get breakfast anymore, meaning you can't get avocado toast. :'( read more

Foundation Cafe - Donburi with fried eggplant. - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

Foundation Cafe serves up one of the best morning breakfast sandwiches in the area. Unlike many place that start getting things rolling around 8 AM - Foundation will have you nourished with sustainable fresh morning menu items at an impressive 7 AM. Foundation doesn't serve up the typical microwaved eggs wedged in between a lackluster croissant. Nope - they will serve you culinary eye opening egg-cellence, coated with melted cheddar cheese and nicely complemented with wild argula, roasted garlic aioli. And if you're feeling ambitious - some bacon and avocado. The best part? You can get this magic on top of a buttery biscuit or croissant from Devil's Teeth Baking Company. Looking to avoid gluten? You can get all of the above delicious on gluten free bread. Now that's what's up! In addition to satiating carb-ed up sandwiches - Foundation Cafe also offers up avocado toast, Chia Seed Pudding, D.I.Y. Steel Cut Oatmeal, and a small but formidable selection of baked goods from Devil's Teeth - that include dangerously good donut muffins, scones, and thick slabs of chocolate banana walnut bread. For your sipping pleasure they are well stocked on Four Barrel drinks and even have mastered the Sherpa Coffee (aka Bulletproof coffee) thick with a coconut oil and grass-fed butter foam. I personally stick to their subtle green tea Five Mountains Tea to start my day. The Financial District is painted with mediocre breakfast spots. Treat yourself to an elevated breakfast at Foundation. Trust. read more

A little cute cafe that is great for lunch. They have a wide variety of sandwiches, salads and small appetizers. Their choices are very different to me, not your plain old things you would order at other cafes, they have their own style and kick to it. I got their California Donburi, it had heirloom brown rice, fried eggplant, avocado, soy-pickled cucumber, green onion, watermelon radish, napa kimchi, sesame seeds, soy ginger dressing. You can add protein such as chicken, shrimp, and beef. It was pretty good, I definitely recommend esp if you are feeling a bit asian fusion. I like their little appetizers such as picked carrots. Definitely recommend for lunch when you in the fidi area! read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing new lunch spot in Financial District. I'd recommend the fried chicken sandwich or the rock cod sandwich. Each are about $10. The sides are $5 but are delicious veggies like roasted artichokes. They also have great cucumber infused water for free. The wait for the food can be 5-10 minute since they make it all from scratch. read more

I like their avocado toast with that cheese (not sure what it is but it's yumm) in the morning - I've had it twice! I took pictures of it, posted them and all my friends were absolutely salivating! Sometimes the people that work there are kind of snooty, but maybe they are just grouchy being there so early and all. I would not be in the mood to serve people either so I'll just ignore them, enjoy my avocado toast and be on my way! read more

Foundation Cafe - Avocado toast with bacon - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Best avocado toast ever. 'Nuff said. (I'm sure everything else there is just as good but I can't bring myself to part from that bomb toast.) read more

Foundation Cafe - Avocado toast with ricotta, olive oil, and lemon zest on grilled sourdough. Indescribably delectable. - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

My manager and I were craving either a nice salad or a sandwich so he suggested Foundation. Small place with an assortment of both. Also serves some breakfast. It was around noon and a very small line so I had to decide quickly. As much as I'm a fan of Cubano's - I'm more of a fan of buffalo chicken and had to order their BUFFALO SOLDIER ) fried chicken breast, house buffalo sauce, celery root, fuji apple slaw, bleu cheese vinaigrette, grilled potato roll.) $10 bucks and it was well worth it! Perfect flavors, textures and quickly produced for consumption. Will be back and I'm most definitely going to start crossing things off their menu! read more

Came for the bulletproof coffee! So I'm staying at a hotel just over a mile away and wanted to find a place with keto coffee and yelp directed me here. It's amazing to have a place you can go and get this it's so hard to find outside of making it yourself. I got it without the vanilla as they said it's sweetened. It's OK. Some people said it's way better than they make at home, for me I like my home made one better but I think I use wayyyy less butter and oil. I also use mct at home and it says coconut oil here? If I lived here I'd probably make my keto coffee at home but I would still come here for the cool vibe, and what looks like amazing food. If you're traveling or don't live in the area and are looking for a bulletproof coffee I'd recommend coming here 1,000% read more

Friendly Folks with a convenient location on my way to the Financial district. This place is Small,Hip,yet not so pretentious like most of the new coffee cafes popping up everywhere. This place RULES. Great Coffee,fresh quick easy fresh foods . I myself enjoy the Savory sour dough toast riccotta ,avovado ,Lemon with a egg on top.So delicious and not expensive. They always remember my name and make me feel welcome. Something most of the cool hipster spots lack. This one has it all. Thanks for being open on my work route. read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place looks super cute and I was excited to have found a "healthy" breakfast spot for a quick bite. They advertise breakfast and lunch so I walked over only to find the kitchen is closed between 10-11am. Very disappointing! I wish it was posted on yelp so that I didn't waste ten minutes of my busy morning for nothing. So here it is: KITCHEN CLOSED FROM 10-11 read more

Two words. AVOCADO TOAST! It has been my morning breakfast for many months and I'm so glad foundation is not overpriced like the rest of the places in the fidi. The toast itself is a thick slice of sourdough which is topped with ricotta, olive oil, avocado, and a pinch of salt. If you're feeling extra fancy, they can even add a egg to it! I've tried to recreate it but failed. They gave plenty of other breakfast and lunch items but I've only tried their avocado toast. The space is small and cozy and workers are friendly! read more

Very clean adorable cafe. I got the California sandwich and it was such a delight to eat. Also ordered the vanilla bean latte.. Amazing.. Delish! Very pleasant staff, very nice cafe! I will be coming back to try more of their food! read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped in here for a coffee and snack. We were pleasantly surprised by the food here. Get both toasts the savory and the sweet, delicious both. It's a small place and this time it was filled to the gills with people enjoying the vittles. I can tell you, it was very tasty. Most definitely will make this a destination when we are back on the west coast. read more

Foundation Cafe - Decisions, decisions, might as well get all three, zero regrets. - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been to Foundation for lunch quite a few times. Their food is what I call "pinterest food," i.e., somewhat healthy options, fresh, and interesting simple recipes that are usually pretty good. Unfortunately, I discovered what looks to be some sort of worm/caterpillar in my salad today, and I will not be returning. I want to be sympathetic to the realities of the food industry, but this was really an unacceptable line for me. read more

Foundation Cafe - Definitely found a small caterpillar-type insect in my food, and will not be returning. - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

A bit pricey, but so so delicious. Line goes out the door during lunch hour but thats because their sides are delish. The baby kale salad with chicken and tofu green goddess dressing: BOMB. The kale, dressing, avocado, and omygoodness the fresh roasted corn. YUM. Thought the line is long, the wait isn't too bad! read more

I've had a long week. Sometimes on a Friday before work I'll go to my favorite cafe and I'll get my favorite avocado toast (I know very millennial). The woman working there asked me about my weekend plans, but then kept asking me more questions, eventually about work, law school, interests. I'm so stressed with finals coming up and work being so busy, the small things are starting to become overwhelming. Then she wrote a note on my to go box "don't work too hard:. So thank you to that woman, for just making my Friday a bit brighter and putting me in such a good mood. Thank you for being so genuinely kind. read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

My colleague and I stumbled on this cafe by accident and we are both glad we stopped in. I thought the prices were reasonable and the menu had a nice variety. I like the home feeling vibe and would definitely come back in again to try some of the other items on the menu. read more

Foundation Cafe - Banh Banh sandwich - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

BEST avocado toast ever. I am terribly addicted. I try to make it the exact same way at home but it's never as perfect and crave-able. Sometimes I have to get 2 orders even though it's a generous size because I can't help myself. Please keep making avocado toast forever. And I wish you would serve it all day! Also get the fried chicken as a side order or salad add on. Perfectly crispy, non greasy and very large filling portion especially for the small price. read more

This place is a gem. The avo toast is 4.75 and best I've ever had. Their oatmeal is awesome too. Highly recommend this if you're looking for a breakfast cafe in FiDi. read more

Foundation Cafe - Salad Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sweet spot. Wonderful staff!! Delicious gluten-free bread and veggie options. Pastries look yummy!! I'll be back for salad sometime! Also coffee smelled great! read more

Finally tried this location for a work lunch and am happy to have discovered their delicious Chicken Adobowl! I'm Filipino and have eaten and cooked adobo my entire life. This version adds coconut milk and a mixed cauliflower, which I find a unique touch. Excellent portion size and reasonable preparation time. The playlist the day I visited was pumping out Whitesnake's, "Here I Go"...great vibe!! read more

My brother introduced me to Foundation Cafe not too long ago, and I'm so impressed! If you are looking to hit ketosis, definitely try their mint sherpa coffee. It consists of brewed coffee, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and vanilla bean. Butter in my coffee? Yes, please. The Mint Sherpa is great but I'd say the El Mustachio definitely wins. It is an iced cappuccino with maple, cinnamon, peppermint sprig with a warm foam top. It's absolutely delicious and I could see myself drinking it every day but I probably shouldn't spend $4.25 on coffee every day. I haven't tried the food but the menu looks fantastic, and the food available next to the cash register looks great as well. They have burrata that looks incredible and I'm sure tastes as good as it looks. Foundation Cafe is must-go-to if you haven't already. I mean, why wouldn't you want butter in your coffee? read more

I was surprised how hard it was to find a coffee shop that sells nitro cold brew in SF of all places, especially near the Montgomery Bart station. Glad I found Foundation Coffee. They sell one size nitro cold brew for $4.25 with or without ice (without ice you get a smaller cup; with ice you get a larger cup but they don't fill it all the way). I think you get about 10oz give or take either way. I read from other posts that it is Four Barrel nitro and it was very smooth and not too bitter like other nitros can be. The caffeine hit me within minutes! read more

I think this is probably the most reasonably priced ("reasonably priced") place in SF for a fancy toast ($3.75 for avocado, which is seasoned with lemon zest and ricotta, or a seasonal fruit toast). The toast is a horizontal slab of bread and both the avocado and bread slices are relatively thick. Service is hit-or-miss - there's one barista who is super nice and there's a pair who roll their eyes at me when I ask about the coffee menu, but usually the former is around more often. read more

Cute little cafe and one of my to go spots for coffee or lunch. *cries* the pains of working in SF is that you feel your wallet cry every time you pay $12 for a salad or $5 for a coffee but .. what can you do... GIRL NEEDSTA EAT. Ordering is simple. Get in line, order and pay. Along with their menu items, they sell individual sides as well. Things I've tried : - Spanish Bomb ($9 + $3 extra for tofu): romaine + white beans + roasted red peppers + almonds + cherry tomatoes I'd say this was a pretty bomb salad. Huge fan of roasted red peppers. The portion is definitely filling, I usually try not to eat too much at lunch so one of these salads lasts me two lunches! I did pay $3 extra for tofu, and while the tofu was good, they gave me one measly piece of tofu. Urg, *eye roll* not worth the extra money. - Biscuit: I don't know why I'm a sucker for biscuits. The biscuit was yummy, flaky and buttery. - Vanilla Bean Coffee ($4.75): Oh yas, this coffee is BOMB. Tasty and not overly sweet. Loooooove it. Overall, nice quick place to grab lunch and you'll definitely be satisfied. read more

At the recommendation of a co-worker a few of us came in for lunch around 12:30 and there was a bit of a line, however, it moved quickly. I ordered the "Shake Your Bahn Bahn" and also opted for the corn chowder soup. The food came out decently quick despite the amount of people and the staff was very kind. My sandwich was amazing and had a good bit of spice to it which I didn't expect but I really enjoyed. The chowder was okay but a little on the sweet side which I wasn't too fond of. Would definitely check this place out again. read more

One of my favorite lunch places in Fidi. It's a bit of walk from my work place but nevertheless an enjoyable feeling knowing I will get the California donburi bowl which consists of a bunch of delicious things like crispy eggplants, avocado, kimchi...I always get an add on of grilled chicken., but their fried chicken is even better not thinking about how healthy it is. Personally, I think the kimchi doesn't fit in super well with the dish because the rest of the ingredients all have a sweetish soy flavor to them, but kimchi just seems out of place when you bite into something sour. They also serve great coffee here. read more

I'm very disappointed.. Just went to this place for lunch with my coworker and ordered CALIFORNIA DONBURI. My plate came straight from the fridge - fried eggplant was cold and the rice was gummy. Also its too much of bitter things here, pickled cucumbers, reddish, kimchi and whole bunch of green onions! and did I mention it was $10 meal?? Giving this place 2 stars because at least one thing on the plate was fresh - avocado read more