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    Lava Java

    4.0 (245 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Lava Java Photos

    Business Info

    LAVA JAVA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for working

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    Inside
    Nichole E.

    Yumm!! If you are in SF and looking for a delicious coffee, Lava Java can help you out! I really enjoyed the charm of this coffee shop. It reminds me of old Sf so I personally loved the inside. Service was fast, friendly, and helpful! The Coconut Mocha and chocolate muffin we bought were beyond yummy! Next time I want a mocha it has to be a coconut mocha, it's changed my mind about mochas forever!

    Counter.
    amy T.

    It's a cute local cafe that has everything you need. Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, smoothies. I got two breakfast sandwiches to go and an orange juice. $20. Not bad for Cole Valley/Haight. The eggs in the sandwiches are microwaved fyi to fit the round of the English muffin. It was pretty good. They only take Venmo, cash, and Zelle. Probably easier for them. It's a tiny little cafe so don't expect it to be Starbucks which I prefer the local vibe anyway. They have puzzles and games. No bathroom.

    Caramel macchiato ($5.45)
    Courtney B.

    I found this little coffee shop on my morning walk near Golden Gate Park and UCSF medical center. It's small, but very welcoming inside. The lady working was friendly and helpful while I ordered! She made my caramel macchiato quickly and it was very hot. The macchiato wasn't "traditional", but it was pretty good. Would definitely recommend this place compared to any others in the area. They only take cash, venmo, or zelle for payment.

    Mushroom spinach egg wrap, Bacon egg and cheese on everything
    Madison P.

    Great little spot to take refuge from the rain and enjoy a quick brunch! My spinach mushroom egg wrap was yummy, but the two other people in my group said that the bagels are really good, so if I had to order again I would go that way. Heads up for other tourists that they only take cash/Venmo/Zelle!

    Vicky L.

    Very small mom and pop shop. I just got an iced soy latte. The latte is just okay it's not phenomenal, yet it's still $7.27, there wasn't any flavoring or syrup either so for a basic soy latte I don't think it was quite worth it.

    Montage of images from Lava Java
    Ed U.

    I like the catchy name. I kept picturing a river of red hot magma flowing out of its front door with Polynesian island princesses running away in terror. But no, this is the Haight on the edge of Golden Gate Park, not Kilauea on the Big Island about to erupt. In fact, the only thing tropical about this compact cafe was the $5.20 20-oz Coconut Mocha, which provided a soul warming bliss on a brisk weekday afternoon (photo: https://bit.ly/3mxcP5W). I sat at a small cafe table in the corner watching a stream of regulars put in their orders, none of them in sarongs. Likin' the Lava. MOCHA - 4 stars...the coconut flavoring was a nice treat in their mocha AMBIANCE - 4 stars...cute and compact SERVICE - 4 stars...cordial and quick TOTAL - 4 stars...no molten lava but the mocha was piping hot RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2YK1e99

    the loose leaf tea :)
    Kylie S.

    This place is amazing: the service, the bagels, the loose leaf rose oolong tea! I loved it here.

    Ham cheddar egg bagel
    James K.

    One of my favorite things to do in the mornings is to come to this cute neighborhood coffee shop in Cole Valley. Perfect spot for breakfast! Gives those great small town feels. Love coming here for to go or to hang out a little. It's 5 minutes away from golden gate park, so sometimes we take our food there. Large coffee and breakfast sandwich for $11! Can't beat the value.

    Iced Coffee
    Harvey K.

    ***[Pre-COVID-19 customer experience]*** Athletes are superstitious. So are referees! While I'm not as bad as some others, I do have a short list of rituals that some may consider superstitious. One of my less quirky ones is I must stop by Lava Java for a cup of pregame coffee whenever I work a game at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco. I've always had a smooth game whenever I do that. On 03/03/2020, I was assigned to work a state basketball playoff game at Kezar. As usual, I stopped by here for my pregame cup. This time, I got an iced coffee ($2.95). The taste was pretty robust and they didn't water it down like Starbucks does. Service was fantastic. The owner's daughter is running the show now and she was energetic and friendly. We ended up chatting for quite a while. When she saw me finish my drink, she told her employee to give me a refill. Her gesture was greatly appreciated. This is a great neighborhood coffee shop. Check them out if you have a chance! By the way, the game I worked came down to the wire. The #1 seed avoided a major upset by hitting a 3 at the buzzer to win the game! I will be back again next time I work at Kezar. :-) BONUS MATERIAL: - Cash only.

    Egg spinach mushroom wrap . Irish cream iced coffee , strawberry banana smoothie

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Cute little coffee shop. Friendly employees. Paid with Venmo as they didn't take card.

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Ordered a breakfast tea latte, two Thai ice tea and tuna melt. All of the drinks and sandwich was really good.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A cappuccino is not a latte. They don't know the difference. Need I say more? $5 too.

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    We've been to this bagel shop a lot of times but the old lady was super rude and slow, never going back to this place again.

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    3 years ago

    The owner, as well as the whole staff make the greatest food. ALWAYS great service as well.

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Super nice staff. Can't go wrong with a Ginger Chai. Hot or cold best Chai in the City!

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    11 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    I love their Strawberry and Banana smoothie! It's a must stop place for me everything when I pass by.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Stopped by today - service was wonderful. You must try the Ginger Chai!! It's soooo good

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    A mocha that actually made me like coffee and the best breakfast bagel sandwich I've had since I left Colorado? 'Nuff said.

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

    The owner is so rude. She didn't want to make coconut latte even they just use coconut powder. Me and my husband not gonna go here anymore.

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    9 years ago

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    Page 2 of 7

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    Saint Frank Coffee - kouign amann

    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    2.8 miRussian Hill
    $$

    Cozy, upscale cafe located in the vibrant Russian Hill neighborhood…read more I went on a Monday afternoon and there was a great crowd there. Lively customers and staff, good vibes! There was a lot of natural light in the coffee shop, definitely a visually-appealing, 'aesthetic' place. I got an iced red tea and it was delicious. The tea was botanical, smooth and fragrant. Amazing experience! Excited to come back and try the coffee and pastries, which looked super fresh.

    First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

    Photos
    Saint Frank Coffee - View from back of the shop.

    View from back of the shop.

    Saint Frank Coffee - Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte

    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte

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    Delah Coffee - Inside - Great vibes!

    Delah Coffee

    4.6(642 reviews)
    3.0 miSoMa
    $$

    Feeling adventurous so ordered coffee from Delah for delivery. Process was quick and smooth…read more A lot of interesting latte flavors and specialties to choose from but ended up with iced Yemeni latte and rose latte as well as some milk cakes. Didn't realize the rose latte would come as a hot drink but it was still good. Opted for less sweet but was a little more sweet than expected compared to the Yemeni latte. Yemeni coffee was light and subtle with cinnamon. Milk cake was moist and not too sweet - texture reminds me of a les tres cake. Rose and saffron flavors were perfect and not too overpowering Turkish coffee is not bitter or too strong. Knowing this now, will try some of their other drinks when I'm looking for something light in the future!

    My friend and I were catching up after a long drought and chose to meet up at Delah because it was…read moreso we'll rated. It's located at the filthy corner of 4th and Clara, which made the outside smell of urine. Fortunately the cafe itself is pretty clean, which is a nice escape from the street. I ordered an Americano and my friend got one of their $8+ lattes, which were fine, but nothing special. My biggest gripe was the service and absolute scorn of the customer. My friend and I sat at the counter basically in a staring contest with the woman behind the counter, who just stared right back. After some 30 seconds, we finally flagging her down to place our order. After turning around the drinks suspiciously quickly, my friend and I sat down to catch-up in the empty cafe. Before long, the barista pumps up the volume, increasing higher and higher every 5 minutes or so, as if to signal to us that our time was up. I asked her to turn down the volume, which she tuned down from an 11 to a 7, but minutes later it continued to creep up, like the snooze setting of an alarm clock coaxing you to wake up - except in this case, to get out. Ultimately, the volume got unbearable and we finally threw in the towel and got out of there to let the barista enjoy her music. Definitely never going back there - they clearly don't want the business. Food: 5/10 Service: 0/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 4/10

    Photos
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    Beehive bread and chai

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    Rose milk cake

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    Fresh croissant.

    Lava Java - coffee - Updated September 2026

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