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    YakiniQ CAFE

    3.9 (711 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    YAKINIQ CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - YakiniQ CAFE

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    Reviews With Photos - YakiniQ CAFE

    Itzel A.

    Such a warm and cozy spot! They don't have outlets but plenty of tables to work or read from. Nice small menu & goodies to purchase.

    Sweet Potato Latte
    Miranda L.

    My friend decided to show me this cute cafe in the Japantown area and the inside aesthetics were very light, bright and modern. They didn't have their seating area open when we went so we sat outside and picked up our lattes 5 minutes after we ordered. Sweet Potato Latte - The latte had a mild sweet potato flavor and was made with real sweet potato which I enjoyed but wished the flavor was more punchy. It was a good level of sweetness and I liked the cinnamon that was mixed on top that gave it more warmth. Mixed together it tasted great but at times, the espresso taste overwhelmed all the other mild notes. Overall, it was a cute place to stop by for a caffeine pick me up and I would love to try some of the other unique drink flavors they have.

    Delicious sweet potato latte and elegant sewing scissors are both available
    Kate L.

    I've been here twice in five years and both visits were a calming respite in a busy city. The coffee is excellent, with specialty lattes in flavors not often found in the US, like sweet potato and black sesame. There are tasteful housewares for sale, but not in a distracting way. I found perfect scissors for the sewing kit I'm putting together for my little girl! Music is soft and lighting is low, adding to cozy vibes. There's only one person behind the counter but she's quick and skilled. I shall return!

    Black Sesame Cream Latte
    Katherine G.

    The drinks here are good, but man are they pricey. When I came, they also didn't have any indoor seating but there seemed to be a large area that was closed off. They do have a couple tables outside though. I got the black sesame latte iced, and my friend got the sweet potato latte. The black sesame cream was good but I wish there was more of it and that they served it in a lid that didn't require a straw so you can get a sip of the cream and coffee together. I also tried some of my friend's sweet potato latte which had a really prominent sweet potato flavor and was quite sweet but also good. The drinks were almost $10 for the smaller size which I thought was a bit much, though. Probably not a spot I'd frequent often unless it was to try something really unique and new.

    Matcha Red Bean Latte
    Sarah C.

    the matcha red bean latte ($8.50) was pretty good (they use real adzuki beans) but a bit too sweet and the matcha powder itself tasted more earthy (they also used a shaker instead of a whisk to mix). the iced black sesame cream latte ($7.75) was alright too, the black sesame cream had real sesame seeds so it was quite grainy. I think the double shot was a bit too overpowering though. overall the drinks were kinda expensive for the size (12oz)

    Black Sesame Cream Latte
    Grace K.

    The ambiance of this cafe is so calm and cute- there's no indoor seating because the space is being used for events, but maybe opening indoor seating soon! The black sesame cream latte was delicious and the lady making the drinks was very sweet

    YakiniQ Matcha Drink ! I love their Matcha !!!
    Patricia R.

    I love YakiniQ and especially their matcha pie/cake. They have the best matcha ....I just can't get enough of their matcha. Try this matcha drink at Yakiniq. It's a dream..come true. I can't wait to return. Did I say "matcha" enough times...probably not!!! I have to have more matcha, people !!!! (smile...) The picture is from YakiniQ Facebook.

    Yummy cookies!
    Christine C.

    We have long enjoyed this cafe for many years and it's delightful to come upon it again today while the cherry blossom festival is taking place. Unlike the rest of Japantown during this time, the tastefully designed cafe offered a quiet retreat from the crowds. We got a coffee jelly latte, a black sesame latte, and some black sesame shortbread cookies. Drinks had just the right level of light sweetness, the black sesame shortbread cookies had a good balance of sweetness with just a hint of saltiness. The combination was on point and delightful - the perfect afternoon coffee set. As of April 2022, the cafe is still maintaining precautions; while I miss hanging out in their chill, tastefully designed indoor space, I appreciate these precautions. Masks are required, max 4 customers in the store, no indoor seating or restroom use. When we visited, there were two tables with 3 seats each outside their storefront; that's where we hung out for a little to enjoy our coffees and shortbread cookies.

    Strawberry Yuzu Fizz
    Joey W.

    Strawberry Yuzu Fizz - more yuzu than strawberry flavor. I was hoping the strawberry would come through a little more. There are a bits of strawberry and yuzu. The fizz is subtle. I was hoping it would be more carbonated. The cafe seating inside is still closed. There is very limited seating outdoors.

    Old, dusty matcha that cost over $7.
    Crystal C.

    I gave this place two tries, both of which were strikes. I ordered a lavender latte on my first visit. There was only one person ahead of me in line who ordered two drinks, but it took 20 minutes for me to place my order and receive my latte. I figured the long wait was because the drinks were made so meticulously, but my I found my latte underwhelming and overpriced (it came out to over $8 after a $1 tip). The second time was inexplicably worse. I ordered a matcha tea that totaled to over $7. Was the matcha whisked? No. I watched the barista scoop some powder into a paper cup and stir in hot water. I could tell the matcha was old because it was oxidized and dark green, not bright green or grassy. The cafe chairs outside were occupied, so I asked if I could sit on the empty bench inside the cafe. The barista dithered and said no. It's rude to not allow patrons to simply sit on empty furniture you provide in your restaurant. No wifi, no hospitality, absurdly overpriced but poorly made drinks.

    Matcha Yuzuade
    Justin K.

    Cute cafe to swing by when you're in Japantown! I had the Matcha Yuzuade which was refreshing as I walked about the area. Lots of offerings on the menu are some unique flavors that I'm curious to try out in the near future. When I visited indoor seating still wasn't available, but the interior was both homey and comfortable. Would definitely be a great spot to study or get some work done once it fully reopens!

    Jacob M.

    Uniqueness: Special drinks like sesame The only downside is their indoor seating, most of it is blocked off. I'm glad I came across such a unique drink selection! Taste: 5/5 Sight: 4/5 Smell: 5/5 Sound: 3/5 Touch: ?/?

    Outside table
    Xin S.

    So happy to see thus neighborhood cafe coming back to life after what seems to have been forever. The hours are now 11a-5p but sounds like they will try to gradually expand back to regular hours (used to be till 10pm on some days). I love this cafe and used to come every week to read, work, or just relax with a latte and some tasty snacks. Their latte's amazing and taste home made and strong. My favorite is the nutella latte which marries well the sweet nuttiness of nutella with the dark warmth of espresso. The owner is very kind and artistic and the decoration feels cozy and whimsical, a blend of Japanes Scandinavian styles. The snacks are varied and all high quality. Desserts taste delicious and made with love. I love the coconut cream cake and the flourless chocolate cake, rich but not overwelming, great for an afternoon pick-me-up. The span rice sandwich has been my craving during Covid to the point I would make it at home. There is also a good variety of sandwiches with balanced ingredients and made in the tiny kitchen. It's a bit sad that their spacious interior is not open yet but there are three outdoor tables to sit and sip with friends on a sunny day. I can't wait to be able to sit inside again. Japantown needs places like this to continue to feel like home.

    Yuzu Lemon Iced Tea to die for.. Organic Banana Bread! Very Hip & Young crowd and I'm glad the Rocking Chair was available for me...

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    Consistently great drinks, baked goods, and service in warm environment. Try everything!

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    YakiniQ CAFE Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - YakiniQ CAFE

    Are they finally open for seating inside?

    Are they still open? I've gone twice, and both times they have been closed. I also tried to call and no one picked up. I'm confused.

    Yes, they are still open. They have a few tables outside, otherwise it's just takeout.

    Do they offer dairy free milk options?

    Yes they do. Soy, almond, and oat milk.

    Is this a good place to get work done?

    Yes! Nice tables, Wifi, and good food and drinks.

    Is it open? I called at 3:11 pm Thursday. No answer, heard msg, voicemail is full.

    Look at their hours of operation, most businesses don't answers the phone if busy or on the other line. Call back later.

    How much are macaroons if you buy a box?

    I called the cafe. 6 for $13.50, 12 for $27.00.

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    Arsicault Bakery

    Arsicault Bakery

    4.7
    (3.1k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    This was the one place I wanted to visit while in SF. It was amazing, but there is so much hype it…read morewas hard to temper my expectations!!! There are three Arsicault locations, but this is the original, opened in 2015 (or so the internet told me). Our hotel was closer to the Tenderloin location, but that area wad sketchy. The line was 15 people long, but moved incredibly fast. The menu is on the front glass window (no prices,). Once you enter, you can see the pastries and corresponding prices. Unfortunately, you enter when it's your time to order, pay grab your food, and then leave. We went twice and our whole interaction was less than a minute per trip!!! We had many things and there were only winners. If you don't want to spend $60 like we did, here are my thoughts on what we tried. Croissants: the almond was the winner by a long shot!!! I liked the ham and cheese, but only if you need a savory option. Chocolate chip croissants are not my favorite, but my daughter ate the whole thing and loved it. The almond chocolate chip had too much going on and it's the only one I would not recommend. The kouign amann is delicious and worth getting. The morning bun is good, but only if you want a bit of citrus flavor (orange zest). The monkey bread was good, but after all the other pastries, it didn't stand out. It seemed similar to the kouign amman in retrospect and I'd need another side by side to really sort out the differences. The chocolate chip cookie is delicious, but beware that it is salted. My son wasn't a fan, but the rest of us liked it. A bonus if you go the Richmond Ariscault -- it's next door to Breck's, a great coffee shop that has seating. Looks like most Arsicault customers grabbed their pastries and went next door to get coffee and sit down. We followed suit and it was a perfect pairing. After our pastries, we went to Golden Gate to walk off the meal. An epic morning!!!

    Excellent croissants and pastries at Arsicault. There's usually a line but it generally moves…read morequickly. The storefront is small so you pretty much walk inside to tell them what you want, pay, and get your pastries to go. No place to sit; only drip coffee offered. The croissants are crunchy on the outside and flaky on the inside. One of the best croissants in San Francisco. They don't offer a huge selection of pastries but the more popular ones are the croissants and Kouign Amann. With the croissants they offer a number of variations including almond, chocolate, ham and cheese. They also sell scones but I would stick with the croissants in my opinion.

    Photos
    Almond Croissant
    Almond Croissant
    Classic Croissant
    Classic Croissant
    Classic Croissant

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    Classic Croissant
    Butter & Crumble

    Butter & Crumble

    4.6
    (743 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love this place. I am lucky enough to live within walking distance and have been here…read morethree times in the last few months. This most recent time I arrived just before opening and waited about an hour and a half for my delicious strawberry roll. If I had got there earlier, I think the line would've been only about 20 to 30 minutes so if you are an early bird they allow you to line up anytime after around 7:45 AM. I listened to a new album and great podcast while I was in line, it can be a great solo activity and makes the wait go by fast! I also enjoy talking to the people around me about whether or not they've been here yet and hearing what their favorite items are or what they're excited to try. This time I met someone who had brought their family member all the way from Mexico to try! I think a lot of the people who are frustrated don't understand that there will be a wait. The owner has explained on her Instagram that the reason they cannot simply bake more is because they are not baking pastries that are designed for bulk creation. They are all handmade small batch goods that simply cannot be made in large quantities. I think when you go into it understanding that it's going to be an experience that more often than not comes with a wait time it is much more enjoyable. I did see some teenagers show up with their parents who immediately seemed like they did not want to get in the line. The thing about lines though is that typically if there is a consistent line somewhere that means it's good! I really admire the parents that did wait with their kids because it is worth it! We all need a little bit of whimsy in our life and these goods and the wonderfully magical people who work there make my day a little brighter each time I go in. The shop itself is decorated so well, you can tell that the cookbooks and tools are not just props on the shelf. They are actually used. There are also a couple glittery surprises that I will leave for you to find out... I cannot recommend this little bakery enough. If you are in San Francisco, even just for a day, add it to the top of your list and start your day with a treat you won't be able to find anywhere else.

    After hearing all the hype and braving a near 2 HOUR wait in line....sorry, it wasn't quite up to…read morepar for me. There are better bakeries for lower effort. Let's start with the good. The namesake Pistachio Cardamom croissant was excellent for a filled croissant. It had excellent layers and the cream was just enough to add a lusciousness to each bite that wasn't too heavy. The madame lorraine was my other favorite. It was meaty and rich with the soft baked runny yolk and the light touch of rosemary was just enough to accentuate the bite. The not as good...a standard butter croissant. Maybe we got a dud but there was a serious lack of layers in ours and it wasn't as crisp or as buttery as I like. The elote corn croquiche filling was also quite salty which was a shame because the pastry layer was pretty good. I still have two more pastries to try but given the weight and the mixed bag, I definitely expected a lot more from Butter & Crumble. Pro tip: get a butter croissant at Arsicault, walk to B Patisserie and get a kouign amann. You'll have both before the line moves here.

    Photos
    Hanna's twice baked biscoff croissant
    Hanna's twice baked biscoff croissant
    Lauren's chopped cheese pain suisse
    Lauren's chopped cheese pain suisse
    Allyson's pork bun bearclaw

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    Allyson's pork bun bearclaw
    Neighbor Bakehouse

    Neighbor Bakehouse

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Neighborhood Bakehouse is the kind of neighborhood bakery you'll find yourself coming back to again…read moreand again. I've been here a few times and this time I remembered to take photos of the pastries before digging in! We tried the ube twice-baked croissant, ham and cheese croissant, curry potato bourek, and the spicy chicken pepper sausage croissant. Every pastry was perfectly flaky on the outside while staying soft and buttery on the inside. My favorites were the spicy chicken pepper sausage croissant and the ube twice-baked croissant. The savory pastries were packed with flavor, and the ube croissant struck the perfect balance of sweetness without being overpowering. I also love that they offer unique pastries you don't find at most bakeries. The café itself is small and cozy, and the staff were warm and friendly. It's usually packed, but we arrived at the perfect time and were able to grab everything we wanted before they sold out. We'll definitely be back to try more of their delicious pastries!

    I've seen some coffee shops around the city selling their baked goods and was glad to finally visit…read moretheir Dogpatch location. It's not much, more of a storefront with 2 tables outside but they have all the pastries. This place has the best mushroom tart ever. It has a generous amount of mushrooms but is not overpowering. All of their pastries are top of the line, fresh and flavorful with the perfect blend of ingredients. I also tried the Curry Potato Bourek and Everything Croissant which I'd recommend. I really wish they had a website where you can see the establishments where they sell the pastries. Dogpatch is kinda BFE for many people but great to stop by if you live in Portrero Hill, Mission Bay, or are doing something at UCSF or the Chase Center.

    Photos
    Char Siu Croissant
    Char Siu Croissant
    Roasted Mushroom Croissant Tart
    Roasted Mushroom Croissant Tart
    Pistachio Berry Twice-Baked Croissant

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    Pistachio Berry Twice-Baked Croissant
    Jina Bakes

    Jina Bakes

    4.3
    (820 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    We stopped into Jina Bakes during the Nihonmachi Street Fair. It was recommended to us, and the…read moreline spoke for itself- this spot is popular! My husband got in line while I waited outside. It's on the first floor of the Japan Center Malls and easy to find in the corner. While the line was long it moved quickly and we ended up ordering two drinks and a few pastries. We had the drinks right away and I enjoyed their honeycomb toffee latte ($8.25) while my husband ordered a flavored lemonade. The Honeycomb latte wasn't overly sweet and the honeycomb on top was a nice treat. The honeycomb itself was sweet and crunchy and you can either pick it out and eat it or stir it into your drink and let it melt. The lemonade my husband ordered was on the sweeter side, but was super refreshing for summer. If you like sweet you'll like this- if you prefer less sweet or tart it may not be for you. We also brought home a few of their pastries. All of them were fresh and well made. The basque cheesecake was creamy and satisfying without being overly sweet. The chocolate chip cookie had dark chocolate and was really rich and satisfying. The last pastry I forget the name of but it was like a cinnamon roll but with an orange glaze and some cocoa powder, this one was also delicious and not overly sweet. They had some savory options that were sold out when we visited and we would definitely visit again to try those and more items from the menu. We can see why this spot is so popular.

    5 stars because of the unique Injeolmi and Kalbijim croissants…read more Injeolmi croissant - so unique and executed perfectly, Kalbijim croissant - very nice and unique. Nice savory flavor Kalbijim salt bread - also nice and savory. A bit too cheesy and not as much galbijim as the croissant. Tayberry kouign-amann - acidic and crispy, a really good more basic pastry Banana chocolate almond croissant - fresh banana, balanced textures and flavor Roti salt bread - texture was disappointing, not as soft with the outer crisp I look for in a really good salt bread, it also wasn't hot, so not fresh even though we went at opening. Coffee crisp surrounding the bread was tasty though!

    Photos
    The store front 2/18/24
    The store front 2/18/24
    Galbijjim (Korean Braised Short Rib) Croissant | $8.50 - Tastes like cold pizza
    Galbijjim (Korean Braised Short Rib) Croissant | $8.50 - Tastes like cold pizza
    Match Cream Puff ( I have been craving this!)

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    Match Cream Puff ( I have been craving this!)

    YakiniQ CAFE - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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