901 Columbus

Cafe · Russian Hill

901 Columbus

Cafe · Russian Hill

2

901 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

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901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
901 Columbus by null
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901 Columbus by null
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901 Columbus by null
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Sandwiches, pastries, coffee, beer, happy hour, free WiFi  

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901 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 Get directions

901columbuscafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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901 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 Get directions

+1 415 655 3953
901columbuscafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

15 San Francisco Restaurants Dishing Out Comfort Food for Takeout and Delivery

"This tiny Japanese cafe in North Beach always had a streamlined menu, and that hasn’t changed now that it’s adapted to a takeout-only model. The main attraction here is the Japanese curry — available in vegan and non-vegan versions, with or without panko-fried chicken thigh. In addition, there’s a highly popular katsu sandwich, cold udon, coffee drinks, and bulk pantry items available for purchase. Order online for pickup Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m." - Luke Tsai

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-comfort-food-restaurants-sf-takeout-delivery
View Postcard for 901 Columbus
@eater

The 7 Best-Stacked Katsu Sandwiches in San Francisco

"Family Cafe is a sweet and exceedingly small family-owned establishment, serving coffee, tea, katsu, and curry. The chicken katsu sandwich comes with housemade sauce, and they also have quite possibly the most beautiful vegan sandwich in San Francisco. Would you look at those vegetable batons?" - Becky Duffett

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-katsu-sandwiches-san-francisco
View Postcard for 901 Columbus

Nicholas Pun

Google
Stopped here since I had some time to burn on the weekend. Chill vibes, very friendly people at the counter, and decent drinks. Got their limited eggnog latte and tiramisu and both items were excellent. Good amount of seating here, can definitely imagine coming here with a laptop and working for an hour or two.

Jay Jamal

Google
A True American Dream... i have been going to this place for about 4 yrs now but during the Pandemic in 2020 realized that it was one of the only place open and serving the people around the neighborhood. Not only a few days ago when i decided to ask who owns it and found out that a Guatemalan brothers took over the place when the elderly owner gave it up came Pandemic.. one of the brother was the guy who started in the kitchen almost 20yrs or so ago and here he is can proudly say its my American dream. i know i dont have to say anymore as i look back and see the potential this place had location wise for example. That is the reason iam giving them a 5star and will make sure as long as iam gonna be around the neighborhood, i will put this place on tbe map to a state where people will wanna come to San Francisco and visit it for a bottle water or just a cuppa tea.... Its has so many attractions near by and the history of North Beach that goes with it...Iam so digging this place alot and for someone that can afford to sit in any restaurant or cafe in SF or anywhere in the world, this place has made me realised that there is still hope in this country cause people like the new owners are the ones that makes things possible in a country soooooo broken and a city so damaged like San Francisco.. Here iam pleading for people that will read this.. please when u visit this place at least keep an open mind.. look beyond the people that smile and wake up sooo early to come work because of customers like us. Only until we put ourselves in their shoes than we will be able to make a world a better place... 5star it is for me 👏👏👏

Daniel Curran Jr

Google
This is a great place to grab something to eat before a show at Cobb's comedy club or bimbo's 360. The prices are super reasonable for the location, although the sandwiches are a little smaller than I expected. Great atmosphere. I think there are a lot of regulars from the neighborhood that hang out. I posted the menus as of June 2022

Gwynn Bowling

Google
After walking San Fran hills we were ready for a break. Soooo great this lunch spot. Great wholesome food. Friendly atmosphere. School kids came through and family operated. All American dream of full life on display here

Sagar

Google
Tried the Hazelnut gelato and the taste was perfect!! The guy was from Guatemala and gave me an extra scoop for free! Hence 5 stars!!

Alberto Vega

Google
This place had delicious paninis!! They had a big menu and I wish I lived nearby. I'd probably go several times a week. They also had alcohol to go! I got a chelada and my lady got a very tasty mimosa. The staff was very friendly and it's under new management so the hours have changed so call in. I believe they close around 6pm

Christopher Liew

Google
Great atmosphere! Needed a coffee. Good corner to just people watch too and enjoy the afternoon.

Yatin Pradhan

Google
I was walking around town for about 5miles and stumbled upon this spot. $4 beer sign outside pulled me in. I enjoyed some Kona big wave and Elysian for total of $8, unheard of in any big city. The guy was friendly and I was able to enjoy the outdoor and the bustling traffic while enjoying some good 🍺 If u ever walking around Lombard st or the wharf, stop by here for some 🍺
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Steph Q.

Yelp
Stumbled upon 901 Columbus Cafe and had a good first experience. I originally came in for some coffee and a breakfast pastry, but was welcomed by so much more including plenty of sandwich choices on their menu, gelato, and drinks. Service was friendly and efficient; exactly what you would hope for when you're on the run in the morning. Overall, a positive visit. Stopped in on a weekend morning and there were several patrons inside enjoying their breakfast. I opted for a Zebra Mocha and a croissant. The Zebra Mocha was a strong mix of White and Dark Chocolate incorporated into an iced mocha. It was a little sweet for my liking, but I think that was to be expected based on the composition of the drink. The croissant was fresh, warm, and flakey. A great way to balance out the sweetness of the Zebra Mocha. The only downside is that pricing was a little high for the items. 901 Columbus Cafe is a cute spot. They have seating inside for patrons to enjoy their food and, as mentioned, service was kind and quick. There are a lot of tasty looking treats and menu items I could see myself trying in the future. Looking forward to visiting again.
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Caroline C.

Yelp
Best beer/wine happy hour in town with delicious pastries to boot! This is a sweet spot on the corner that's an easy meeting spot for locals and visitors alike. A great place to people watch right in North Beach, they have great deals on draft beers and house wine. Plus, you can get a little slice of cake to accompany it. I must admit that I prefer this spot as a treat after work over their bagels and coffee in the morning. That said, they're kind and quick and hard to pass up for a quick stop!
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Denise M.

Yelp
Got the BLTM (BLT with mayo) while waiting for the show at the comedy club next door to start. Crispy bacon, fresh tomato and lettuce, on nice warm panini pressed bread, and the mayo tied it together quite well. It's an inviting space with a well-priced menu, could see myself being a regular if I lived close by. There's currently a shark theme going on from the featured photos on the wall and in the bathroom, so sharkaphobes beware- it's temporary though per the servers!
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SD J.

Yelp
I was charged 8 dollars for a cappuccino with oat milk. It was a teeny tiny cup, and I was flabbergasted. I had paid without asking how much because I am used to 5-6. When I got two dollars change on a 10 I was blown away. Not a cute coffee shop, a regular simple cafe with sandwiches. The fancy coffee shop next half a block up with legit fancy coffee machines charges 5.50 for a large. Gouging for the hell of it is not ok by me. They lost my business. I work up the street and came here often.

Sofia M.

Yelp
We usually love coming here- just recently we ordered 2 cafe lattes ($18.10 total) and got charged extra just for getting it iced, charged for syrup ($1.50) and charged us for an extra shot we didn't ask for. The espresso they used is very light even with the extra shot. I'm disappointed!
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Keely H.

Yelp
This little cafe is delicious! We enjoyed a scrumptious Apple Cider on a cold evening.
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G B.

Yelp
After walking San Fran hills we were ready for a break. Soooo great this lunch spot. Great wholesome food. Friendly atmosphere. School kids came through and family operated. All American dream of full life on display here
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Savannah R.

Yelp
I came to 901 Columbus Cafe to order a Strawberry Banana Smoothie. It was one of the best-tasting, flavorful smoothies I had in a while! I also liked the vibes of the cafe with the music and TVs for entertainment. I would definitely return!
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Emmett K.

Yelp
Great sandwiches! The vibe is also very relaxed... And the service was amazing! Please try any of their great turkey sandwiches.
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Nhi L.

Yelp
Great cafe with good cafe and pastries! Also a great place to come and do work/study, they have fast WiFi and outlets but music is loud here if you don't mind that. Carrot cake: 5/5 very smooth and not too sweet Cafe au latte: 5/5

Max R.

Yelp
This was a good cafe 10 years unfortunately now there's crying screaming children who are the family members working behind the counter definitely not the place or time for daycare, it really doesn't care about their customers, and that's to bad for a place that had a great north beach vibe

W T.

Yelp
The sandwiches are very tasty and fresh. The staff are very friendly with great service! Definitely will go again. Highly recommended!
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Desiree B.

Yelp
I love this place so much! Just a basic coffee shop that is so fulfilling. If you want fancy shop maybe not for you. But if you want a friendly staff that makes EXCELLENT breakfast, coffee, salads, sandwiches, this is the place! I love the food here so much. It's made with love and effort. One of my favorite coffee shops for-sure. Classic SF. They also have beers. Where else can you relax on your laptop with an affordable meal plus a beer? Latino ran and I hope it stays this way forever.
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Kat L.

Yelp
The ambiance was definitely trendy. The service was good! We order Café Au Là and crumbs cake.
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Eunice A.

Yelp
they were friendly but i ordered the breakfast burrito and it was more of a wrap. disappointed because it was $11 and was basically all spinach.
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Siddhartha G.

Yelp
Goodness, the caprese was a boat full of mozzarella, not that i'm complaining. It was perfectly toasted and served nicely and simply on a plate with a napkin. I had brought a to-go box to take half of it back, but it was too addictive, I ended up eating it all. The staff are all hardworking and very sweet.
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David M.

Yelp
The coffee was good they have a big menu of coffee. They have Sandwiches lunch breakfast. The guys that worked there didn't seem friendly for a coffee bar..
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Deseri T.

Yelp
I have to be honest this wasn't my first choice of cafes that were nearby when I was feeling a bit hungry. But the XOX Truffles nearby was closed in the middle of the day despite their hours saying otherwise so I came here instead. It ended up being a perfect place for a little caffeine and snack while sitting outside which is exactly what I wanted. Their chai latte was great! Perfect for a quick stop.
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Ellen L.

Yelp
We really enjoyed our breakfast at Columbus café. It was And easy walk from the Marriott at the wharf. The people were nice, Professional and the food was really great.

Sandra A.

Yelp
First time here. I had the Gambino panini and iced latte. Panini was very good and iced latte was okay honestly. Not the best but also not bad. Service was very nice and ambiance was clean and cute.

J. D. S.

Yelp
If you're looking for a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds singing and your heart happy, look no further than the charming little eatery tucked away in the heart of our vibrant, diverse neighborhood. This place is a true hidden gem, and once you step inside, you'll discover a world of gastronomic delights that will keep you coming back for more. Let's start with their ice cream - oh, the ice cream! Creamy, luscious, and bursting with flavor, it's like a little scoop of heaven on a hot summer's day. From classic favorites like chocolate and vanilla to creative concoctions such as salted caramel with pecans or lavender honey, their ice cream selection is truly something to behold. Each spoonful is a delightful journey of sweet indulgence, and you'll find yourself savoring every last bite. But the magic doesn't stop there. Panni, a signature dish at this restaurant, is an absolute must-try. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, perfectly toasted bread filled with layers of savory meats, cheeses, and vibrant vegetables. Whether you prefer a classic Italian panni with cured meats and mozzarella or a vegetarian delight packed with grilled veggies and feta, there's a panni for everyone's palate. The combinations are endless, and each bite is a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. In addition to their ice cream and panni, the restaurant offers a wide variety of sandwiches that are equally enticing. From hearty roast beef with horseradish sauce to a zesty turkey club with avocado, each sandwich is carefully crafted with fresh ingredients and served on artisanal bread. It's the kind of place where you can savor the simple pleasure of a well-made sandwich, elevated to new heights by the chef's culinary expertise. Now, let's talk about the environment. As soon as you walk through the door, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The cozy interior, adorned with vibrant artwork and stylish decor, creates a comfortable space where you can relax and enjoy your meal. The friendly staff adds to the welcoming ambiance, always ready to assist you with a smile and provide recommendations that suit your tastes. What sets this restaurant apart is its location in a diverse neighborhood. It reflects the spirit and vibrancy of the community it serves, making it a gathering place for people from all walks of life. Whether you're a local resident or a curious traveler passing through, you'll feel embraced by the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds that converge here. So, if you're in the mood for a culinary adventure, I urge you to stop by this wonderful eatery. Indulge in their heavenly ice cream, dive into the world of panni, and explore their wide variety of mouthwatering sandwiches. Experience the great food, inviting atmosphere, and the unique charm of a restaurant nestled in a diverse neighborhood. It's an experience you won't soon forget.
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Danielle H.

Yelp
Such a unique spot, I love it. The beer was cold. The sandwich hot. Service was friendly. I can't wait to come back.
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Fel I.

Yelp
Great coffee, love their Moka Java Ethiopian blend house coffee. Sandwiches are good, fresh, and affordable.
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Hilary B.

Yelp
Cute cafe in north beach. Great coffee and delicious bagels. Will visit again next time I'm in San Francisco.
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Alex K.

Yelp
when we first walked in we were greeted by a super nice guy who took our order, it only took about less than 10 minutes for our bacon-egg-and-cheeses to be ready. the coffee was pretty good and our sandwiches were great. the seating was pretty comfortable and the place looked nice. 10/10 would recommend.
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Rick T.

Yelp
Soooooo Good!!! Had the Tiburon Bagel and coffee, both were great!! Presentation and taste were ON POINT! Wish I wasn't leaving town today, I would have loved to try some of the other items on the menu! The cafe is cute and has a warm, comfortable feeling. A must try if you're in the area!
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Erin H.

Yelp
Ordered for pickup from a chill local bar a block away. The bartender recommended it and said they made a solid sandwich. He was correct. All tasty, fresh and enjoyable. Friendly when I walked in and picked up but it was pricey for sure.
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Lynn H.

Yelp
Great place to sit and enjoy a coffee and breakfast sandwich. The tunes being played were great too
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omar p.

Yelp
Very friendly employees, great tasting sandwiches and awesome happy hour! First came here when a pint was $1.50 over a decade ago. Although they are now $4.50 for happy hour, the beer is top notch, currently Elysian Space dust Ipa, 8.2% so you definitely get your money's worth! Good place to stop if you just did the Lombard street walk from the curvy part down to north beach for a well deserved beer or two!
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Ouliana G.

Yelp
Such a great cafe for a quick healthy and delicious bite!! I love this place so much they have a ton of vegetarian options so there's something for everyone. The staff is super friendly and will even make you a smoothie on special request. They're fantastic!

Mindy G.

Yelp
I got the Pastrami and cheese sandwich and chai latte. Both were really good. Service was good to. Definitely recommend.
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Donna C.

Yelp
Great cafe! They have sandwiches, lunch, breakfast. I also like the vibes of the cafe very entertaining.
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Brianne S.

Yelp
Amazing selection of items and such a welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the Sinatra wrap and cheesecake and both were DELICIOUS! Friendly staff and great prices. Highly recommend!!
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Emily Z.

Yelp
Walk away!!! All lies and false advertisement!!! Don't trust any of the signs. Super rude accusing us being cheap and not willing to pay for a beer. But that's not the problem tho...

Marla S.

Yelp
Very great place to grab a quick bite to eat....staff, service and food was very good...great walking location from our hotel.
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Liam W.

Yelp
This is the best cafe I've been to. The staff are the most friendly and helpful people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
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J D.

Yelp
Came here for lunch and ending up spending much more time than I had planned to because it was so comfortable and welcoming. Unpretentious space with big windows looking onto Columbus, tables worn smooth with years of use (but very clean!). The food was fantastic -- salad with very fresh ingredients, interesting flavors. Excellent coffee. The person taking orders was super nice, too.
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Dev C.

Yelp
The crunchy turkey sandwich at 901 Columbus Cafe is seriously addicting. The bread is soft, turkey fresh and all the fresh veggies on the sandwich give it a nice crunch. They also have delicious homemade baked goods. I'm a huge fan of the Russia Tea Cookies.
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Jen L.

Yelp
Friendly, clean and comfortable cafe that serves coffee in real cups on a dish! But beware, the place is cash only! Their menu of food items is pretty extensive though I didn't get a chance to try anything on my visit. It was a Tuesday at around 1pm and they had quite a few tables of people, some regulars eating, reading, computing, and talking with one another. It had a good vibe.
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Connie M.

Yelp
Columbus Cafe is probably a tourist trap but `at least they deliver excellent breakfast sandwiches. When I like to indulge on my cheat days (Just kidding, everyday is a cheat day for me because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day) I go to Columbus and order myself a croissant sandwich and an ice cold chai latte. Who am I kidding, I go here on my lazy mornings because I dread doing dishes from making breakfast because when I make breakfast, I go hard. I should open up a brunch spot for aggressive brunchers cause I make a mean breakfast! When I first had their chai latte, I was immediately impressed. I had it in house and it was beautifully frothy, creamy, and super decadent for chai. They probably used whole milk the first time which it probably why I was so enamored. The second time I ordered chai to go and literally the barrista poured milk into a cup and then some pre-made shelf stable chai mix that you can get from the grocery store. Charging patrons $4 for this seems excessive in my opinion because it's little to zero effort or artistry. Freaking Lombard and it's tourist prices!
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Marcy M.

Yelp
Great local cafe serving fresh food!! My husband and I love getting lunch here! We have tried so many different sandwiches but my new fave is a sesame bagel with cream cheese, tomatoes, basil and pancetta! The fresh squeezed OJ is wonderful- they make it to order! The cookies are yummy and the Russian Tea Cakes remind me of my childhood baking with my grandmother.
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Taylor S.

Yelp
Just a great place, low-key. The sandwiches are phenomenal, and the beers are fresh. This is my go to spot to hang out outside in North Beach.
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Lanny B.

Yelp
Surprising that the north end of Columbus is so devoid of places to hang out or get a drink. Just four or five blocks over toward downtown there are dozens of bars and restaurants buzzing with action. But not near 901. So, 901 is the best of not much. Imagine a bar that crashed into a market / deli and then got halfway through a remodel to make it a coffee shop before stopping in full mash up mode. It's like a pocket knife with tools for a range of purposes but not one done really super well. They have 2-3 tables in front where you can sit in warm weather, but even that is pretty underwhelming. Fine in a pinch, but pinch yourself to search a little wider and you'll do better.
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Ed U.

Yelp
Damn, I should have come here for my 901st review!... Well, I'm glad the owner didn't come up with some misconceived name like the Coffee Hut or Caffeine Express or Jolting Java for this super-casual place. Keeping the address in the name makes me remember it all the more since I don't live in North Beach. Jamie W. and I were strolling feeling a bit peckish after our paninis at Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe. We saw a group huddled around the sofa watching the Democratic Convention on a flatscreen, while others were focused solely on their laptops. They appear to serve the typical sandwiches and salads, but we went for the last piece of tiramisu in the glass case. It was really light and tasty, and I have no idea where they get it. But I'd come back for that in an Italian minute. Not much else to say except they serve a good cup of joe, too. If I lived around there, I'd be spending some serious slouching time there. The vibe is so laid back here that it feels like one big Valium in a martini. That's a compliment actually. COFFEE/DESSERT - 4 stars...that tiramisu was definitely homemade but whose home? AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...casual to the extreme SERVICE - 3 stars...chill, dude TOTAL - 4 stars...for a coffee place, sure, I'll give it four stars
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Daisy S.

Yelp
I went to a comedy show at Cobb's (next door) and waited for my friend at this cafe. It's a charming place- small, but they have everything you could want. Beers on tap and a looong happy hour, sandwiches, salads, pastries and a variety of coffee and tea drinks. They also have a large TV for catching the Giants' games and board games to play during football season. There are comfy couches and also some tables and chairs and WIFI and even a couple computers in case you forgot yours. I try to stop here whenever I'm walking through North Beach. If I lived in the city I would have to live in North Beach so I could make this my neighborhood hangout. Anyone in the area looking for roommates? ;)
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Kevin T.

Yelp
One of large handful of low key neighborhood places that are pretty low key where you can relax for a beer ($2 drafts 3-6), partake a respectable menu ranging from soup to sandwiches to breakfast. ..or slip into a great coffee and plant your self in a leather chair and chill. Convenient locale on the way to/from the Wharf and the Financial District. I always like their cappuccinos.
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Trung N.

Yelp
I love this place. Situated in one of the best neighborhoods in the city - 901 Cafe is a nice, comfortable and quaint establishment. I enjoy their house coffee here along with their breakfast bagel that includes egg, cheese and bacon. The order of these two things is under $8. There is outdoor and indoor seating and the servers are completely nice. If you're ever in SF, I'd stop by 901 Columbus Cafe. It's right by Lambard Street and on the way to Fisherman's Wharf.
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Ryon S.

Yelp
Phenomenal happy hour that can't beat. Only 3 beers on tap but it was more than enough to meet our needs. Looking forward to coming back soon!
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Joe M.

Yelp
We weary travelers needed a place to rest our feet after walking through the North Beach street fair and decided to duck into this non-descript shop for some refreshers. My friend and decided to share a soy latte, some homemade tiramisu, and a few bottles of water. This cafe was relatively expensive but the tiramisu's soaked ladyfingers were exceptional and the latte had a nice subtle sweetness to it. This cafe was a great place to rest our dogs (feet) but there's also a table outside where your real dog is allowed to hang out. You can't bring their great happy hour drink deals out there but anything else is fair game. If I lived in the area, I would definitely drop by for a drink or even just to get some work done. Food: 7/10 Service: 7/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 7/10