Strong, good coffee, engaging, happy staff. Order their bagel, cream cheese veggie spread and make sure to eat it there. It's served in massive quantities--enough cream cheese for three bagels, and heaps of fresh rommain, cucumber, sprouts, tomato, onion, olive and pepper. That with a small coffee is a bit over 5 bucks. It's a full on meal and hands down one of the best values in the city. Local feel is prominent but never off-putting--strangers are welcome at simple pleasures. Simple pleasures is what the modern coffee shop movement, in local corporate forms, purports to be in that it's a community gathering point where ideas are shared easily and without pretense amongst a panoply of personalities. If not from the neighborhood, go alone or with a friend and lay low on a mid saturday morning. Read a paper, pet a dog and float for a couple of hours. What a brilliant cafe. read more

Best coffee in town. Always cool people around, typical neighborhood place. Worth to stop by!

This is one of my favorite cafes in the city - a hidden gem in a chill neighborhood, and a favorite with locals.

Stopped going there some staff have always been rude to customers this was the last straw, guy took change for parking meter from tip jar and put in a extra tip (meter person was waiting) made me walk out :-( read more

You cannot go wrong here when it comes to quality of coffee, variety of breakfast stuff to eat with your coffee. Plus the people who work here are nice too! I had to wait in line for a little bit since it was 8 in the morning but it's ok. I loved the oat cakes, and the brownies. My double mocha was very good and the people who sat outside were chatty and cool! read more

I've been here a few times over the years just because i live nearby. On the plus side, this place is often open on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, for that emergency cup you just gotta have but don't wanna make yourself. I've never really been that impressed by the taste of the coffee here though, it's always seemed kinda bland, whether it's regular, mocha or latte or iced. If you doctor 'em up they're passable if you're lazy and desperate though! :) They also have bagels and sandwiches to munch on and these are okay. Their service can be a little slow - especially when they stand there chattin up the locals while you're waiting for that slooooowly brewin cup of coffee...The chairs also are dirty, worn and old. And it's just not pleasant (at least for non-smokers) to be greeted by cigarette smoke before you even walk through the door, so be prepared for that... All in all, i've had better. read more

Absolutely love this place. If nothing else, they roast their own beans and their house blend is bound to give you that satisfactory strong taste and a nice kick without the overwhelming burned aftertaste. A great spot to unwind and listen to some live music. Jazz is a frequent genre. read more

A great place to have a coffee and get some work done. And the food is pretty good, too. Simple Pleasures is a perfect description of this place. It's simple. Simple food. Simple coffee. Simple politeness. Simple seating. Simple everything. And it's a real pleasure just to be here. My go-to place for coffee in the outer Richmond. read more

Went yesturday was asked if I needed help I said yes would like some cookies I was told by this rude woman behind counter get them yourself!!! Won't ever get anything there it's not a that read more

Love this café! I have been going there for the past 15 years. Eclectic atmosphere, great pastries, paninis, coffee, decent wine, fabulous music and a friendly staff! I hadn't been there in a while but have recently been going for walks in golden gate and end up there to chill. Thanks guys! read more

I visited this café initially because they have a coffee roaster store next door. I figured the coffee would be very good. It might be. But I like hot coffee and the coffee here was luke warm. I mean, come on. Now, it was about 1:30 pm, so maybe they didn't make the coffee fresh periodically (is business that bad that they can't have fresh coffee made very hour or so???). But maybe it was me. so I went back around 10:00 am another day. Same thing. Tepid. And I did give it a third try - I don't remember the time of day or day of week, but it was different than the first 2. Same result. So, they are a neighborhood haunt, it is a nice place inside to sit, but the coffee is not good - at least not nearly as good as it should be considering that they seem to have good coffee "turnover" and they are part of a coffee roastery. So, be forewarned. Oh, and while they have a coffee at ?1.75, it is about 6 ounces. Why bother? Everyone else is selling coffee for 42 (except for the Fillmore Bakery on Bush and Fillmore where a very good 12 oz. coffee goes for $1.75 - and the pastries are 3000% (yes, three thousand) better). Come on, Simple Pleasure - you can do much better. read more

Great coffee! Totally cool atmosphere, wish they took credit/debit though. Try the ultra good pastries. read more

I was told by friends that these guys had great coffee, and that the place was nice and laid back, but what I did not expect was to be INSULTED. The worst part is that I believe he is the owner of the joint. Background: my parents were visiting me from a foreign country, they have a limited proficiency of the English language, but enough to get by. They wanted to get lunch nearby where I live and have a good cup of coffee with it. Setting: slightly after 1:30 pm on a cloudy Thursday. No line. What happen: We all made our order, paid for it, and then patiently stood nearby waiting for it to be handed over the counter. My father, who ordered, heard a yell coming from the preparation table, a lady's voice: "WHAT KINDA DRESSING?' He was a little confused, thinking ,"was that with me?" As quickly and as well as he could, he answered: "no dressing, just olive oil and vinegar please." The man who took our order, over my father's voice, replied to the lady: "Just give him whatever" Conclusion: my father was given a salad PURPOSEFULLY with the wrong dressing, and all that happened right in front of him. I honestly don't know what that man was thinking, that my father would not understand what he had just done? Honestly, I understand that being a clerk can drain one's patience, but there is no excuse to be rude to your clients. Awful situation, it ruined our lunch! read more

We have been going to Simple Pleasures for years. I admit the tables are usually grungy, the staff seems to have Aspergers or some other social phobia, and the cream sugar situation is gross but one staff member has made it so we will never go back. We were very grossed out by a big woman staff wearing a way too small halter dress thing with her breast almost coming out. She was rude and flippant to us. It makes me wonder how clean things are behind the counter as she pretended to grind and hump with another staff behind the counter to heroin induced grunge music, which really fit the whole scene. Yuck! read more

the stars are for the coffee which in my humble opinion is the best in town - take that blue bottle! and it's a real neighborhood place with regulars of all ages and varieties. i love the coffee! read more

I would give them minus 4 stars if I could. This place is a dump. The ATM never works, & they only take cash. The food is not good & I've yet to buy a snack that isn't stale for ($4+). It smells awful in there. The door are always open so the cigarette smoke blows in & there is always someone smoking outside. The music is crap. There is always a "help wanted" sign in the window & if you appy, the owner will tell you to, "hang out" & see if it's a fit. I think if anyone is so broke they'd apply there, they can't afford to be "hanging out" anywhere for free & buying coffee. I guess that is the reason the counter help is so bad as well. They probably had to waste a week of their lives sitting around the dumpy place, groveling for the job before they got it. Go next door for a smiling face & a tasty burrito. Takes cash too but at least the employees are friendly. {& most of them don't even speak English}. read more

The two blonde girls working this morning are pretty damn rude. It seemed like they were mad at anyone who wasn't a cute boy for them to flirt with. Ladies, develop personalities and learn some social skills. read more

Truth be told, I don't really come out here that often. Occasionally I will make a visit to the frozen tundra that is the Outer Richmond, and Simple Pleasures is a mandatory stop. Actually my information is kind of old, because it was nine years ago that my friend lived in the neighborhood and I would go over to work with him out of his house. One would think the gap would make this review obsolete, but never fear, things are exactly the same as they were before. They still have the board games, they have the exact same tables as far as I can tell, and for all I know it is the same people hanging out there every weekday. One concession to the modern age is that they have wi-fi now. The Chinese restaurant down the street has a different name, but for the most part, time has stood still. As such, if your standard is Blue Bottle, you probably will not like it here. But if you can stand regular coffee free of Celtic emblems painstakingly traced in the foam, from beans that were not squeezed through the anus of a civet and then tweezed from the forest floor by a fresh-faced, legally-employed cherub, then this just might be your hangout. read more

To be fair, I have not yet eaten something here. I walked in and was rather overwhelmed by how "cool" both guests and staff seemed to think they were/were concerned with being and it felt really cramped inside. I'd rather go to Zephyr down the street. read more

I like things SIMPLE. I like coffee; it PLEASURES me. You would think I would like Simple Pleasures. I don't. The staff treats you like dirt if you catch them on the wrong day (which is about 75% of the time). I was fine with that, they would still get 3 stars if that was the only problem (I do like the veggie bagel). The problem that dropped them to 1 star was the time my girlfriend offered to get the monthly bag of french roast that I would typically endure the poor service to obtain. I'm cool with people being assholes to me, in fact, I'm used to it. BUT when my girlfriend went in to buy some coffee beans, they were out of french roast. The guy behind the counter (with the dreads) was a complete asshole to her, and really, she's a hard person to be mean to. She came home all flustered over the exchange. I don't need people to be all starbucky fake, but being decent to your neighbor definitely isn't too much to ask for. read more

Love this neighborhood cafe. I like the share tables and cozy atmostphere. Delicious coffee and great bagel toasted just the way I like it. Tons of butter (I didn't use it all) and lox on the side. Exactly what I wanted. Nice folks and everything looked delicious. read more

I like the dark French roast coffee beans roasted and ground there. I make my coffee at home with it. The place has a welcoming atmosphere and is usually full of customers. There is also seating outside. read more

Ever since my son was born almost two years ago, I've been going to Simple Pleasures a few hours a week to write. Delicious coffee, good bagels, and now, the excellent panini, compliments of veteran SP man Dae, who calls the panini machine "a little sandwich magic maker" and can frequently be heard reading horoscopes to the cheerfully over-caffeinated. Michelle is a calming presence behind the counter who apparently knows just about everyone who comes in. On any given day, one of several insanely attractive college-girl types can be seen working the espresso machine. Cozily ratty couches, big tables for chatting with the regulars, wi-fi, tidy little one-tops with individual lamps and power outlets. I'm so grateful to these folks, I've listed them on the acknowledgements page of my new novel. A great hangout for locals--you'll come to recognize them: the bike guys, the retired cab driver, the guy who's always working on a college essay, John (papa to dog Jessie), a few mamas who frequently come in with their toddlers. The owner's wife and baby daughter occasionally make an appearance. It's actually not the best place to write, because there are lots of distractions, but that's what makes it interesting. Best spot for eavesdropping is the couch on the kitchen side in the back, from which you can hear the counseling sessions going on at the opposite sofa and chair--which seems to serve as ground zero for a couple of neighborhood therapists. Here, I've listened to a guy complain about how his wife only has time for the baby; a woman turn a guy down for capital for a business he wanted to start, and the guy barely hold back the tears; a girl try, none to subtly, to turn the coversation with her friend around from music to this great new cosmetic product she's selling--"you can get in on the ground floor for just $29! It's really what God wants me to do with my life!" It's great people watching because folks seem to think they're invisible, and they kind of let it all hang out. read more

why have people written such lengthly and complex reviews. simple pleasures is simply simple. simple people, great americano, and simple atmosphere. great place to hang out at night - have pint and listen to some jams....great place for the am cup a joe as well....as the sun beats down on you. read more

theres a shorter brunette girl that works here who is horrible. most of the female employees have a face like they are smelling shit and are bothered by having to make you a coffee. however there are 2 guys that work here who are great one is a bit older both have facial hair. sandwiches are good but its pretty expensive. i used to live a couple blocks away so i used to frequent this place. coffee is good and strong, customer service is just seriously lacking. read more

First started going here over a decade ago, and it has retained its unmistakable essence with remarkable determination--a megachill coffeehouse of yesteryear, frozen in amber. It's important not to take a space like this (with its deliciously utilitarian bagels, study-friendly atmosphere, recognizable dramatis personae, and abundant dark wood) for granted in the new San Francisco. Support this great local institution! read more

Bagel sandwiches are great, Coffee is great. Everything about this place is pretty chill besides the d-bag manager who wears the ridiculous Kangol hats. read more

Real family-type establishment where everyone knows everyone. The guy sitting next to me had been coming regularly for 17 years, since he was in high school. There were a bunch of older and younger people who all intermingled and said hi to each other. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and had a good cup of tea. I felt fine sitting there for hours writing letters. read more

Good things: live acoustic music on a regular basis, some good servers, ok food, good wi-fi. Bad things: Smoking immediately outside the door floods into the cafe making for a smoky interior, consistently dirty bathroom, some incredibly rude servers. One very bad incident: they don't announce they are closing. They just suddenly start putting the chairs up on the tables. Employee "accidentally" bumped me not once but twice with the chair. The server looked at me like he wanted to start an altercation. Sorry, I won't be going back... except maybe for some live jazz. I go to other places to sip coffee, or study, or surf, or grab a bagel or sandwich. read more

I had been going and enjoying the best coffee in the city. However, the service has gotten so so slow - well, haven't had the pleasure over numerous attempts the last many months. Sad. The coffee is so good, and it is so hard to just stop in, and grab a cup. From slow to NONE read more

ok cup of JOE and ok food... kind of a hipster wanna be hang out and the employees have a bit of an attitude, why I dont know... better than some coffee houses.... Only suggestion... loose the attitude. read more

This was the first cafe I tried after recently moving into the Sunset. Went in here to do work during the day. Simply a great neighborhood cafe. It is homey and comfortable and there is definitely a cool local vibe going on. The coffee is good, the sweets are amazing, and the breakfast bagel sandwiches are cheap and delicious (ie. everything bagel w/ lox is ~$5). Get the oatcake w/ honey. Also- this place has ridiculously good beers on tap, though I think there are only five or six. All are $4 and they've got Sculpin, Heretic, Steelhead IPA, Magic Hat most of the time. Place pretty much rocks. read more

The best 90s coffee shop in the bay area. Cheap bagels, strong coffee, THE BEST AMBIENCE, I just love this place with all my heart.

I have been living in the Richmond District for 5 years now and really look forward to my Saturday morning coffee and chill time. I have to agree with other reviewers - the staff is far more interested in themselves and carrying on conversations with each other than helping customers, it wasn't always that way there. I know I can be a little grouchy before my first cup of joe but it has been the same thing the last 3 times I've been in. Really too bad because the neighborhood needs them. read more

This cafe has become a staple in my friend's life, and whenever I'm in her neighborhood, I'm always sure to stop by. Lively cafe with good drinks (the hot chocolate is delicious!) and decent bagels. Sometimes seats are hard to come by, and Sunday night (after a sudden craving for hot chocolate and a brownie...) my friend and I found it closed after braving the cold :( Overall, good hang out if you're in the neighborhood read more

Ok. So this place gets three stars ONLY FOR THE COFFEE. okay and maybe a little bit for the retro interior. but every time i've been here, that fat guy (you know the one i'm talking about) that works there is super rude. and the last time i came here one of his coworkers came over to the girl sitting next to me to apologize for him. it's comforting to know that i'm not the only one he's rude to. but seriously, if you don't look a certain way i.e. like a hipster, don't expect to be treated nicely. ok and i work in customer service so i know what it's like to have to be nice to people, but put a little effort into it. read more

vanilla black tea is the most amazing thing here. as for the rest. awful. and by the rest i mean people. employees, majority of them are unhappy, ungrateful, and as rude as they get. if it was no for the tea, id never go here. but i love the tea.. but i can honestly say they ruin my mood every single time i get here, i wish there was somewhere else i could get the tea :( lady with long dark hair. here on friday evenings. rude, ugly, mean, did i mention i hate her? and i love everyone . trust me. takes a lot to piss me off. but she does well. i wish they could fire half their employees and get new nice ones. i dont know whats up with that. but the tea... mhmmmmm read more

First, I should say that I'm not a big coffee drinker, so I rarely recommend a coffee spot. With that in mind, I don't go here for herbal tea, chai, or ambience, it's just too far away from my home in the Presidio to bother. When I'm at Simple Pleasures, I'm here for the coffee, and it is fantastic! I lived for 20 years in Santa Cruz, so I'm used to an abundance of fresh roasted coffee options from area institutions like The Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company. Imagine my surprise when I first arrived in northern SF and discovered the pickings in this area of town were so slim! Bottom line, this place has fresh roasted coffee and it's awesome! Great coffee can be had in the outer Richmond. Enjoy! read more

Café looks nice, charming and they have a really nice deck to have beer or coffee. Was going to go there with two other friends after the Balboa matinee on Sunday. But, they only take cash. No thanks. Interesting, businesses are thinking of their own bottom line when it comes to transactions, but they are not thinking of how many customers they turn away who don't have cash and are not thrilled with a $4.00 ATM fee. So hence, we went to a bistro that took the card. read more

This has to be the "cheers" of cafes in the outter richmond. A place where everyone knows your name and you probably know most of their names. There is a regular crowd without a doubt. I've spent more than a few mornings sitting outside in the fog and dew smoking a cig and drinking cappuccinos and probably mistaken for a fixture or something or other. That's not here or there, what is of critical importance is the coffee: it's quite good and fairly strong stuff. This in my mind is the heart and soul of a joint. Along with the very cozy decor, the no-frills interior that is worn, but in a kind of way that speaks of use and pleasure, rather than apathy and disregard, it feels homey. You feel like you're in a friend's kitchen having a hot chocolate. The folks behind the bar play a wide range of music from burning spear to beirut, they do it all... so if you find yourself near the beach and dying for a fix then hop on over to the cafe... read more