Café de la Presse

It’s a neat French Bakery within few steps from the San Francisco China town. Had poached eggs with Salmon and had the sauce in the side. The potatoes were crispy good and did not taste oily. Recommend the place for coffee and breakfast.

A great spot to enjoy international cuisine. The Escargots were tasty. The Deviled Eggs are a must! Creamy and adorned with caviar. Staff are warm and friendly.

Great place to try something new. The burger was great as was the salmon. It is located next to hotel Triton. Which has a blue sign and The restaurant sits on a corner. The staff was very friendly, and knowledgeable. I would go there again.

Overall A+ : service, atmosphere, food quality excellent. Not to mention great people watching on Sutter St. Salted Cod Fritters, Salade Frisée, Veal entree, bourbon & absinthe cocktails. Highly recommend, especially on a sunny afternoon after downtown shopping.

Our server Sergio was great! Food was delicious! Nice cocktails. Had a few, loved " April in Paris".

Delicious food, friendly staff, and lovely French-style cafe. Eggs Benedict never disappoint! Indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating make it a nice place to stop and eat if youd like a true cafe feel. Decent coffee too! Always a bonus. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a tasty breakfast to start off your day!

Had a delicious brunch at this place on Sunday. I ordered the French onion soup and duck confit and both were very tasty. The server was also very attentive and well versed with the menu

I love the ambience of this little café, and it’s a great standby. I want them to survive, but my experience there this last time was not great, except for our waiter who was hustling given the place was understaffed. They have butter croissants on the menu, but never seem to have them in stock. For our eggs and toast, the toast was not really toasted at all and the poached eggs tasted strongly of vinegar. The coffee was great, however.

Café de la Presse is an absolute gem that I can't believe I didn't visit sooner! Growing up in the city, I'd often pass by, curious about this charming spot, and now I'm kicking myself for not stepping in earlier. The atmosphere is enchanting, transporting you to another time with its timeless decor and the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. It's the perfect blend of nostalgia and comfort. The service was fantastic! As first-timers, we were warmly greeted with a smile, and our hostess went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful experience. We ordered a double mocha, an espresso, and a selection of baked goods--including the fluffiest croissant we've ever had! Everything was absolutely delicious. We're already looking forward to our next visit!

Stopped by for Sunday brunch here, including croissant sandwich, french toast, and onion soup. Food is on the more traditional and French side, so expect more classic staples, and your eggs and croissants buttery. Onion soup was great! Portion size is good, so you wont be leaving hungry. Service and ambiance are solid. Quickly seated, servers checked on us, etc. Overall a good rec if you are looking for (more classic) French food.

After a couple of days searching (and failing) for somewhere good to eat, we decided to revisit the first place we ate on our trip. We decided to try the duck confit, steak frites and caramelized croissant pudding. Another first time for me! Duck was salty and delicious. Steak was steak but the croissant pudding was it! So worth it to come back and visit. I was surprised at the low yelp ratings so I did some reading. Most people that left 1-2 stars were upset about something other than either the food or service. One lady was mad about their menu WITHOUT even trying anything. Ugh, try the place. You won't regret it.

Lovely spot! Admittedly a little cramped, but that might have just been our spot near the window. We had a good time getting a good look at Chinatown, and wanted a little snack after getting our sesame seed balls and egg custards. The food was good, our group tried the quiche, crab cake eggs benedict, and duck confit. We were happy with our food, and our waiter Sergio was very thorough and wonderful.

I just walked in to get a coffee here to go and was told they were out of cups by the man at the front of the restaurant. This is very disappointing as I was suggested to try a coffee here by a friend. I would have liked to be offered an alternative if there were truly no cups.

I love Cafe de la Presse. The burger is hearty and delicious. The fries are good too! "The best fries in the world"- my boss. Soups tasted homemade, yummy & comforting. The service is always on point. It was sunny outside so the waiter brought us an icy carafe of water. Indoor and outdoor seating and such a nice vibe (whichever you choose) Great location near FiDi and china town.

You know what's cheaper than flying to France this summer? Getting lunch at Café de la Presse. Go here for the unhurried gallic ambiance, the French brasserie bar and seating, and the authentic food. Sitting in the dining room really feels like one is in France. We used to go here to buy French magazines and be able to order in French, and sadly their press selection is no longer that extensive, and we didn't get the impression that the servers are francophone. But the onion soup, fries, salads, drinks, desserts--those are all still preserved and good. Is it a little pricey? Yes, but it has always been this way, and at least it's one of the few places that has been consistent over the past 25 years that I have visited.

Walking along Grant St. in Chinatown, my friend saw this place and recommended we stop for coffee and dessert. We ordered Crème Brulee and Chocolate cake, so sumptuous! Our waiter even gave us our coffees on the house since we were celebrating a birthday. How sweet! Nice ambiance, right outside the gates of Chinatown. Good place to return and dine!

Aight so boom. I had the Coq Au Vin wtih Fettucine and the Caramelized Croissant Pudding. 1. The Coq Au Vin with Fettucine was cooked nicely. The succulent chicken and the al dente fettuccine would've been a perfect dish if it wasn't for the bland flavor. The sauce tasted like box gravy with red wine. 2. The Caramelized Croissant Pudding is your typical bread pudding with a vanilla gelato. While the pudding was warm and tasty, it was just too sweet. I would recommend asking them to remove either the caramel or chocolate sauce. 3. The service was great. We accidentally dropped a fork and got another one immediately without asking. We didn't even know that our server saw the drop. She was on point!!! 4. The space is casual yet elegant. On a sunny day such as this one, it felt like a slice of Paris.

This has been a destination bucket list of mine for quite some time. I've lived here my whole life and somehow coming here escaped me. Well, finally all the stars aligned and here I was! My experience was excellent! We only had a cup of coffee and a double espresso and sparkling water though. Next time it'll be with more friends and a meal. We were greeted so warmly and sat right by the window. Our server was charming and professional, unusual after Covid. So happy we came and had old school service that we crave! Thank you so much and we will be back!!! Tres bien et merci beaucoup!

I've always been curious about this corner restaurant. Being part of a hotel and named "cafe", the restaurant didn't catch my eye as a food spot but more of a breakfast and coffee spot. After dining a few doors away for lunch, I noticed diners having salads and a variety of other foods in walking by. I made a point to stop here and found time on a midweek afternoon. In walking in, my greeter who also would be my waitress offered me my choice of indoor or outdoor dining. I chose inside and was led downstairs to their main dining room. There were five or six tables with the customers so I chose a wall side table near the window. I was determined to try one menu item but was pondering over my main meal choice. I started with the onion soup gratinee (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=VY3U45uH25S6DWTOlGLxTA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), made with emmental cheese and croutons; I love the crusty portions of the cheese and the croutons were portioned perfectly. The broth was on the lighter side but just right saltiness wise. For my entree, I chose the Mercredi (Wednesday) special, boeuf bourguignon (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4Qmw9GT0eM1QmIW2RZItJA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) and macaroni gratin (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=eE0ZuuHs5rM5s-ngC4QEXQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); described as braised short ribs in red wine sauce, dice (sp) bacon, carrots, and mushrooms. This homey stew was full flavored and would be great on a bed or rice or noodles; what I did with my unfinished half that I took home. The wine flavor was prominent and it leaned towards the sour side instead of sweet likely due to the wine. The star for me was macaroni gratin. O.M.G.... it was the most delicious version of macaroni and cheese that I'd ever had. The macaroni was melt in your mouth soft and the cheesy sauce was like mashed potato with a crusty top for a textural contrast. I could eat this alone and be happy. As mentioned, the sidewalk dining area was mostly full, I My waitress Aya checked on me frequently in refilling my water carafe. She kindly gave me two small paper containers to pack my beef and macaroni separately. Looking forward to coming here again and try more of their menu.

This is a lovely French restaurant right on the edge of Chinatown. Its exterior and interior are designed to look like it had been transplanted from the streets of Paris to San Francisco. I had been meaning to come here for some time, but the timing was never right. Why? Because I needed to be here on a Thursday - that's the only day that they have cassoulet. Fortunately, a conference at the nearby Ritz-Carlton gave me and a close friend the opportunity to stop by for lunch. We had reservations and were seated upon arrival. To my delight our hostess and serveuse both spoke French, so I had an opportunity to practice a bit. We ordered some bread, an appetizer, and our entrees, and got down to our catching up conversation. The dishes came out at a relaxed pace - first the bread and the drinks, followed by the appetizer. It was nice not too feel pushed along during the meal. Our meal today consisted of: Salad de Bettraves (beet salad) - beets served on endive with creamy burrata cheese. Fresh, light, very good. Cassoulet - this is a traditional French stew, with beans, duck confit, sausage, and pork. Most people, when they think of a typical French dish probably don't envision this. It was hearty and warming, but I wish I had some fresh vegetables on the side as a counterpoint. This was delicious. Braised rabbit - this was also very good, served with mashed potatoes in a warm brown sauce/broth. The rabbit was just a little dry in parts. Overall it was a pleasant meal. The $6 for bread and butter feels a little steep and I don't know if cassoulet should cost over $30, but I would go back for it again.

The baked goods are fantastic! Light and fluffy and oh almond!!!!! Cappuccino was delightful and hot. The staff was friendly and greeted me with a smile. Service was quick and responsive. Great feel to this place and there is even outdoor seating as well as inside. The menu had something for everyone. Recommended.

Surprisingly quiet around 11am this morning; I decided to treat myself to some breakfast. I was greeted and seated. Staff was friendly. Breakfast came out fast and fresh. I also had a couple strawberry rose mimosas which were great. The French toast hit the spot. Will come back again.

This review is an absolute pleasure to write. Here's a restaurant that deserves five stars. Why, from the moment you walk in your greeted by a staff of employees that strive to give you the best service that they can. The restaurant is clean and well organized. The menu, as you might have guessed, is French and they do it well. There two signature dishes of chicken Coc au vin and Duck con fet (sp) is spot on. These are two tough dishes to make well in a restaurant and they do it spot on. Coupled with some crusty warm bread and great butter and you have found home. As you look around the other patrons are truly enjoying their meals. There's a sense of happiness and contentment. This restaurant is going on my must visit for either a small coffee and croissant to my next full meal. This restaurant deserves a look. Bon appetite fellow travelers.

A standard over many years. Lunch or breakfast can't go wrong and a great location to people watch and enjoy a great meal. I usually get the Quiche Lorraine and salad - a very Parisian style experience in old San Francisco just across from the Dragon Gate in Chinatown. The menu is simple but well executed - enjoy it.

SOLID FOOD - NIVE AMBIENCE - EXPENSIVE. It seems logical thot this corner in SF is expensive, and the food and service are good... but damn, it's expensive.

The food was delicious and everyone who works here was very kind. The music was just a little loud for me. I'm hard of hearing and it was difficult to hear my friend I was there with some times. It would be so nice if they could turn down the music just a touch!

Duck Confit oh my my. Serious yum from some very nice folks. Weekend brunch is always a good idea with a nice mix of tourists and locals. Need to brush up on French? Easy to do here and mispronouncing a few words is expected. Money and time well spent.

The service was probably the best thing about this place. The food left much to be desired. I got the warm chicken salad which the waitress mentioned was very popular. It was a green bean based salad with a gravy sauce. The best part of the salad was probably the fruit sprinkled on top. Nothing on the menu really interested me. The restaurant was clean and cute but it Disney distract from the food.. unfortunately.

We found this little gem on a walk and decided to try it. We came here for dinner. We got here for an early dinner, so it wasn't too busy. I thought it was a cute French restaurant. The place has small tables outside and they do serve coffee and pastries in the morning. It is right across the street of the Chinatown entrance. I ordered the half chicken and my husband ordered the duck confit. The chicken was very good. It was moist and had good flavor. My husband liked his duck dish. For dessert, we ordered the croissant bread pudding. I thought that was unique. I've never heard of a croissant bread pudding before. But let me tell you, OMG, it was so good. I really enjoyed this place. I've never been to Paris before, but I can imagine it would be like this French restaurant.

Cafe de la Presse is in tourist trap central and often, IMO, unfairly maligned by locals because of its location. It delivers a good French-ish cafe experience of caffeine + light French fare such as pastries and croque. On a rare day, you might even be treated to stereotypical snooty French service and large cafe. LOL. I've found the service very welcoming. I see that others promote the warm salad but i haven't tried. I'd recommend the more traditional fare of croque +frites, the coq au vin, duck confit, and steak + frites. If you want to eat in peace without the bustle of tourists, ask for the dining room in the back.

Smoked salmon Benedict was delicious, as well as the side of potatoes that come with. They were crispy on the outside, tender in the inside. Coffee is great, service, awesome, pleasant environment! I highly recommend for a nice breakfast / brunch, if staying near the gates to Chinatown.

My uncle spoke often about this little taste of heaven. Whether you like your espresso in a sweet martini or under a cloud of foam, cafe de la presse won't disappoint! I don't know how they found this prime real estate but looking out to the entrance of China town is such a good space to people watch and see dogs passing by as you sip on a cappuccino made by friendly servers! Knowing I got the last almond croissant of the day also made my treat taste extra special. When you are done soaking in the flavors, be sure to take a moment to walk around this beautiful little restaurant with a bottom floor that's sure to impress on a night out with friends or date night

Consistently delicious food and excellent service every time. Sitting outside is extra nice on little French style chairs in the vibe of the city.

One of those restaurants where the vibes precedes the food, and I don't mind it. Slowly becoming a neighborhood favorite to drop in for coffee or brunch post partying nights out. They also have a great selection of magazines to browse through while you wait, or while sipping your coffee. Interior enthusiast, artist types, and vibes curators will appreciate this greatly! Fyi. Some days it's empty, and I able to just drop in; but it'd be wise to make a reservation during the weekends.

I am a genuine foodie, and I have literal dreams about the breakfast we had here on a trip to California. I had the Eggs Meurette and it was outstanding. The decor was spot on, it was relaxing and I could have stayed there forever. They had a ton of European magazines for sale that were the perfect gift for my daughter.

We kind of stumbled onto this place. We were going to eat in our hotel but the menu was limited so we were walking to another place a few blocks away and my wife saw this place and we went. it. It's a cute French place. It has seating outside just like Paris. This is right across from Chinatown entrance. So from our table we could see the two lions guarding the entrance. I got the duck confit and it was so good. My wife got the half chicken which was yummy to. I asked about their fresh pastries and she was naming off what she had left. But she then asked if I wanted the dessert menu. All in house made. I got the croissant pudding . OMG so delicious. While we were eating some people came in and wanted to go items and the waitress said that they don't do take out. You would have to stay and eat or drink what you ordered here. I thought that was kind of unique. Maybe because French food is to be enjoyed and not rushed? We really enjoyed our meal here and the service was fantastic. Have to come back to try more sometime.

Overall A+ : service, atmosphere, food quality excellent. Not to mention great people watching on Sutter St. Salted Cod Fritters, Salade Frisée, Veal entree, bourbon & absinthe cocktails. Highly recommend, especially on a sunny afternoon after downtown shopping.

Great environment and delicious food! If you are San Francisco definitely try this place.

Good menu with many options; all prepared with a french flare. Extensive cocktails as well. Always a go to when in this part of town.

Food was mediocre, not hot, and not visually appealing. No vegetarian or vegan entrees. The restaurant used to be iconic, but now it's just a tourist spot with a bathroom and they're phoning it in. Such a missed culinary opportunity.

We (party of 8) had brunch at Cafe de la Presse this morning and were very disappointed!! We had a much better experience last year and were so looking forward to another good brunch. We had eggs Benedict and all agreed that they were just o.k. They were very bland and lacked plate appeal. For the price, we will be trying another place next year.

Cafe de la Presse was one of my friend's favorite restaurant, located right outside of the Chinatown gate between Bush and Grant streets. Bik's and I dined here recently celebrating her memories. I think she would have like Bik's despite the fact that he's not a cat. So on this visit, Biks and I sat outside. We received service from a staff member who can speak French. Dined on crab cakes Benedict with a glass of cava while Bik's dined on tuna treats that we brought with us. The crab cakes Benedict was delicious. We ate, we drank, we people watched--and enjoying life. Always. Happy Birthday, Kat!

Great place working during lunch time in the area. Menu is pretty good with democratic prices.

It's always a good place to go for excellent French and atmosphere. I brought my nephew and his crew here in August for lunch, and everyone loved it. Go during the Holidays if you can. They decorate well, have great drinks, and it's just a great spot at the end of the Financial district and the food of the Chinatown entrance.

Great lunch here. Was an unintentional but coincidental visit on Bastille Day! The salted cod fritters were delicious, nice texture. The escargots were, escargots! I had the couscous special, with braised chicken and lamb, and Merguez sausage. It was a good amount of food. Maybe I was a bit full from appetizers, but the dish was just so-so. The meats just sort of blended into each other taste wise. Others in the party had Steak Frites (excellent, great crispy frites), Croque Monsieur (also excellent) and the Moules Frites (this was very good). Very friendly staff and welcoming environment.

Great place for brunch. The croissants are outstanding and the croissant sandwich is my favorite brunch item in the Union Square area. I go every time I'm in The City.

Cute little corner bistro recommended by the hotel. French bistro with personality. The owner was dressed adorably and the interior was laden with French touches throughout. We had a light lunch after traveling - French onion soup/ house salad and hubby had a salad Nicoise. Both were really tasty. If you closed your eyes you could really feel you were in France.

Rated a four because there weren't that many options, especially the two eggs meal. If you want bacon or a salad, you have to add on. $13 for two eggs, potatos and bread is quite expensive and if you add on, it's close to $20. At that point you, might as well get a chicken sandwich or the lobster Benedict, which I got. Lobster Benedict was delicious and they gave a good amount of lobster. I was hungry, so I added on bacon. For one person, it's enough. Great service, very quick and attentive. Accessible location near union square and Chinatown.

Came here and ordered the Croque Monsieur and Eggs Meurette with my boyfriend! We sat at this cute little table (which was tiny lol). Service was extremely fast and p good. The food was amazing and delicious, it was like tender fatty french food. Highly recommend for a cute bistro date

Good breakfast with good service. The pain au chocolat was excellent along with the café au lait.

Came in as a solo diner in between breakfast & lunch. Seated promptly by a busser? He was very nice. Had to wait until lunch service which was fine. I ordered a cappuccino while I waited. While waiting I asked a female waitress I wanted the Quiche Lorraine and promptly told my waiter. Food came shortly which was nice. HOWEVER, the Quiche was very salty and struggled to eat the whole thing. A side salad helped save the plate, but for $19.00 it was a miss for me. The ambiance was bistro type setting and was busy at the end of breakfast but died down. As lunch started more of a business meeting vibe. The was a Manager hosting at the door and seemed bored and robotic. The place was empty during my meal service and never asked how I was doing. Overall, I MAY come back to this place for the kind service of the servers and bussers and noticed they were working hard under the manager's eyes. The food was just ok but will not be my first choice to come back for French bistro inspired food...I know there are better choices in SF!

Just realized I've never reviewed this hem. Had a wonderful dinner here pre Covid. Came back yesterday for lunch with coworkers. One coworker had the crab cake Benedict. Loved! Tempted to do the duck confit but had to resist since I hadn't worked out that morning I ordered the lobster Benedict, replaced muffin with avocado tomatoes and spinach. #winning and healthy! Service was great! Wasn't crowded Saturday 1145am. Solid choice

I live nearby this place and always make sure to take my friends and family who come to visit me here. There's something lovely about sitting next to the windows and sipping an espresso while looking out at all the people walking through dragon's gate. Their bread is LOVELY and I would recommend their quiche when they have it on the menu!

I went for lunch today with two friends. Two of us had the mussels with a cone of french fries. They were excellent. The tomato sauce on the mussels was wonderful. My other friend had the hamburger with mushrooms and blue cheese. She said it was the best hamburger she had had in years. Now that is saying something. It looked like it was cooked perfectly. The gentleman who served us seemed to manage the whole restaurant with grace and ease. The atmosphere was lovely. So nice to be in a restaurant which was charming and quiet enough to hear one another easily. There was a little background music--just perfect. Bravo!

The food and service is always on point when my fiancé and I go here. The staff are so welcoming and accommodating -- they really make the experience. We love their coffee, especially their lattes!

I love the ambience, the location is excellent, service is super fast, as in extremely fast. Within 5 mins of ordering we got our food. So I'd you're in a hurry, this is not a bad choice however....the food was just okay. for the location, they can charge the premium. but the quality just isn't there. I ordered the crab benedict and a latte. Nothing out of the ordinary, and tasted mediocre Service was attentive and kind Overall I did get a little trip to Europe through this meal but think there are places with better food

The best French Toast!! This place really serves some of the best French Toast I've ever had. I ordered mine with a side of bacon, crispy, and everything was perfect. We also ordered the Croissant Sandwich and Home Fries. The "fries" we're cubed potatoes and cooked perfectly to be crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The meal was fantastic. Add to that the excellent service, the cute dining area with bistro tables, AND the location being right across from the Dragon Gate Chinatown entrance, then this becomes a must do breakfast. Definitely worth a try.