Cafe Jacqueline

Wonderful food, wonderful service and it was a highlight to see Jaqueline working in the kitchen. Do be ready for the leisurely pace, expect 3 hours if you order soup, entree and dessert.

Delicious soufflés. We tried the shiitake garlic basil for the entree and the chocolate one for dessert. Didn’t order any appetizers which worked out since we could barely finish the meal, though we did have some of the baguette they brought out before the meal. It’s a joy to watch the chef work in the kitchen! This cafe is a San Francisco landmark so make a reservation and go there to enjoy a 3-hr long relaxed meal.

Soufflés. Yes, you go here for soufflés. It’s my first time trying out these soufflés or any soufflés for that matter. I tried white corn, garlic and ginger soufflés for entree and chocolate soufflé for dessert. They were soft, light, rich and airy. Staying true to my palate, I felt they lacked a strong punch for me - may be that’s how soufflés are. Subtle and light but very expensive. But the lady who makes these soufflés almost all by herself is about 85 years old. You can see her baking in the restaurant’s kitchen if you’re using the loo. I just found that inspirational! And a thing to keep in mind is that it’s going to take a lot of time for your order. So make sure you plan this dinner for about 3 - 3.5 hours. You’ll like the feel of the cafe. It’s tiny but an intimate and romantic setting. It worked out for me because I chose this for my first anniversary. If you’re a soufflé lover this might be the place for you. But anyone who likes solid and spicy food might not like it as much. Nonetheless it was a nice experience.

We loved it. Came here for our 17th and it was lovely. It's a cozy little place, and the souffles are excellent. Take your time to actually enjoy it, don't just stuff it down. Don't forget that the garnish is often part of the taste too. The fruits de mer had very thin lemon on top, and a little lemon with the souffle added some wonderful mixture of taste. The grande marnier was also wonderful, smooth and rich. The coffee was great, and the staff was very knowledgeable, wonderful, and friendly. We'll be back when we're back in town, 100%. My advice is to slow down, enjoy the whole experience. Don't eat like you're expecting to get somewhere else after. You won't. But it's worth it. If you're not able to slow down, then pick another place and come back to this one when you do have the time. It's not cheap, and rushing through will just waste your time and money. But if you *can* slow down and take your time, that time and money is well spent indeed. Call them for reservations and leave a message. They actually do call back!

Amazing food. Great service. The only negative point is the time you have to wait for your food. Don't plan anything afterwards, first you will miss it because of the time you'll spend there but second you will be so full you won't be able to move anymore. Overall we had a great experience. Oh and the waiter is really good at advising wines ! We had great time. Thank you Jacqueline !

Tried for months, no joke, to get a reservation; did not receive a return call after numerous attempts. Mysterious, opaque, seemingly snotty process. How anyone manages to actually have a meal here is beyond me

Came here for dinner. It's a tiny place and everything is made to order. We made reservations ahead. We had soup of the day which was light but delicious. Ordered mushroom souffle which was light but so fluffy n flavorful. We practically inhaled it. For dessert we ordered chocolate souffle. So masterful, mouth watering. Worth the wait. Also amazing wine selection. U will need it while u wait for food.

I love love love this restaurant because Jacqueline is one of the most amazing women on the planet. Yes, the reservation situation can be tough but just keep calling every now and then and go!!!

It's all about the soufflés here and they are perfect. I can't believe I've lived in SF for over 20 years and only recently visited Cafe Jacqueline. My friend was able to get a much coveted reservation for two on a Friday night. We shared the Belgian endives, a savory soufflé (prosciutto and mushroom) and a sweet soufflé (seasonal fresh fruit which was strawberry). The soufflés are heavenly and I found myself scraping every last bit of it from that ramican. The endives were a great appetizer and even the baguette was good. This was the perfect night out. The restaurant is charming and very French. Service was good, the waiter is old school and the soufflés take time so be patient. With tax and tip and a beverage, this was about $125 per person, which is a good value for the labor of love that are those soufflés. I'll be back. Highly, highly recommended!!!

You will wait 2 hours for your dinner. Know this going in, and you will have a lovely time here. Walking in to Cafe Jacqueline, you are greeted with a burst of warmth from the ovens in the kitchen. The staff is quiet and helpful and the tables are cozy and simple, somehow making you feel like you are at the home of a French chef who has left you with a tasty plate of things to savor while they whip up the main dish in the kitchen. Sit back, relax and enjoy yourself! Catch up with friends, really savor a glass of wine. The first soufflés to come from the kitchen were the savory Gruyère and asparagus. Salty yet so delicate and fluffy. The server helped carefully scoop a bit of cloud for each of us. The last soufflés were a strawberry one and a chocolate one: the perfect ending to dinner. I'll be back, as many times as possible.

Love, love the environment, food, and ambiance at Café Jacqueline! I really was transported back into the small bistros in France with daily rotating specials. The soufflés themselves are hand-whipped by the owner herself and she's been doing this for decades! They are on the expensive side ($50-80 for a souffle), but don't be fooled because they are super large and filling! Both soufflés had the most incredible light and fluffy texture. The flavor of the corn one was so fresh and umami, I still dream about going back! The chocolate souffle was also delicious and tasted of high-quality chocolate and not too sweet, which I love in desserts. The servers bring the souffle to each table and serve them individually to you in their special way. It is difficult to get a reservation here -- you have to call their line and state the date/times you want to dine, and they'll call you back if they're available. But it's definitely worth it!

My brother had suggested dining here before catching a midweek show. Soufflés..? We know they take a while, so we made reservations for right when they opened. Contrary to what Google may tell you, this place is still open, so I highly recommend you call in advance for reservations. Cute restaurant with about 9 tables. The staff was pleasant and when I mentioned we had a show to catch, he quickly took our order, salmon and asparagus soufflé, and a strawberry soufflé. I enjoyed my glass of bubbly, and warm bread and butter while we waited for our soufflés. When the soufflé came out, it looked absolutely delectable. The salmon and asparagus was a great choice, I'd recommend it to anyone!

Always delicious soufflés both savory and sweet. VERY efficient and knowledgeable waiters who have been with Jacqueline a long time. She, the chef, was away for awhile but am so glad she's back...I think she's back...need to return soon.

Outstanding experience! Did I say delicious food and excellent service?! Well, let's check those boxes too! I have lived in the neighborhood for over twenty years and have always heard wonderful things about Cafe Jacqueline, but I had never eaten there until over a month ago. And here is the bummer! They will be closing their doors soon! Jacqueline, the owner, and chef, is in her mid-eighties and will be retiring. The place is a small, charming space on Grant Ave in North Beach. The two gentlemen who work the floors are true professionals and very friendly if you try to be so! Regardless, they will make sure you are getting top-notch table service. soufflés are their thing, but we started with Onion Soup (outstanding) and Spinach salad with goat cheese. We then tried two different soufflés (Salmon & Asparagus and Lobster) and finished with a dessert soufflé (Lemon). We had an outstanding experience and really enjoyed our time dining. If you plan to go, remember that you must make a reservation way in advance. Try earlier days of the week and earlier dinner times. And do it before they close their doors.

I got an amazing service here Scrumptious food and incredibly polite stuff Highly recommend

We have eaten at Cafe Jaqueline several times over the years and it is always a superb experience! The soufflés are delicious, and we have tried both savory and dessert ones and they are all so good I c struggle to pick. I recommend getting a good bottle of wine and enjoying the wait with some appetizers and good company and then dive into the soufflés!

I don't think I've ever had a soufflé before our trip to Cafe Jacqueline and I don't think I'll ever want to have one that isn't from here! It was a near perfect evening - just the right amount of attentiveness and sass from our waiter, decadent food, and a bottle of sparkling that was so good I wanted to order a second. Our friends made the resy and they noted how great and easy it was. Between the four of us, we shared the cucumber salad, the Shiitake, Basil & Garlic soufflé, the Lobster soufflé, and the chocolate..... soufflé.... for dessert. I ate too much bread and I regret it cause I was too full to convince my table to order a second dessert soufflé! I saw a nearby table get the lemon soufflé and it looked amazing Definitely worth a second visit here. Go for an elegant dinner, a ladies night out, or just to treat a special someone to an unforgettable experience!

Soufflés are excellent here though definitely really over-priced. You can't just do desserts here anymore so you'll need to have dinner to get to their famous soufflés dessert.... think $25 for Onion Soup, $55 for 6 escargots, $22 for a simple spinach salad... and dessert soufflés for $72 for their famous Grand Mariner soufflé ... delicious and definitely the best but also the most expensive soufflés i've ever had. Service is definitely what Yelpers have already expressed... grueling reservation process, cold and luke warm service at best, and the server will refuse to take a picture for you... simply by walking away, waving his hands (for no) and rolling his eyes while walking away when asked. *puzzled look* Ambience is a very cute, small and intimate restaurant in a busy and vibrant neighborhood, but the restaurant feels tucked away and quieter in the North Beach, San Francisco neighborhood. The decor is classic and old school, with dimmed lights with old world charm. Now on to the meal and timing... well, they only have one main chef, so any and all dishes will take at least 90-minutes to arrive (yes even your salad). Expect to spend 3-4 hours here... notice I didn't say a 3-4 hour dining experience because there's no "experience" to be had... you're just waiting, and waiting. So don't come hungry or you'll definitely be hangry at this place. Oh and don't even think about rushing the waiter unless you want your dining experience to go (more) downhill from here. Overall - the soufflés are definitely, definitely the STAR at this restaurant... but does not make up for the (lack of) service, the extremely long wait time, and the hefty price tag. The whole dining experience here leaves much to be desired.

Magical! This unassuming cafe is tranquil and perfect in every way. It left me wondering why no other restaurant I have been to in the USA has mastered "dining" like they have. The service was professional, attentive but sublime. The setting is lovely for a date or dining with friends. It is not noisy, music is appropriate and conversation is everywhere but not overheard. I didn't see a single phone. The food is also unforgettable and in the kitchen (I passed through on the way to the bathroom) is a beautiful little chef in her white manteau and 4 ovens for the soufles. You MUST try the chocolate- I haven't had one to compare. It is all flawless and an experience that I have thought about every hour since.

Definitely a great date night spot! Cannot overstate how amazing this place. A genuine authentic experience with souffles that are seriously incredible. Be prepared for a long wait - all souffles are made fresh - typically about 45 minutes from order to being served. The french onion soup and chocolate souffle are also must in my opinion. Cafe Jacqueline is always enjoyable. Best souffles in Bay area

Very unique experience. Lovely setting and very quiet and nice. The service was great, they're very attentive, and the soufflés were wow. My favorite was the French onion soup. I would say, go prepared to be there 2.5 hours because the soufflés are made once you order them. But I personally wasn't that full afterwards, and I generally need more variety in flavors, but everything was really great!

I have been a fan since when I lived in SF in 2000 but this venerable intimate French soufflé bistro has been in business since 1979. Chef Jacqueline Margulis is around 86 yrs young and still working her magic of making fluffy soufflés in the kitchen. This intimate restaurant in North Beach off Grant is hard to find parking so bring your patience and it takes a leisurely two hours to enjoy a savory entree and dessert soufflé. Good things never change and remains the same the long time waiter Matthew has been there since 1994. The two waiters are attentive and constantly refill our water glasses making sure we are not thirsty. Keep in mind these are large soufflés meant to be shared between two to four people. Reservations are a must in this intimate nine table bistro, and walk ins can be turned away and no take out orders. Going to the restroom through the kitchen out to the back outside is a good chance to briefly greet and see Chef Jacqueline in action but don't stay too long and no photos allowed in her kitchen. Don't pass up an opportunity to dine at the only soufflé restaurant in CA, not sure how much longer she will keep cooking so call and make a reservation while you can.

Nothing like Cafe Jacqueline anywhere in the Bay Area, or really, anywhere else. Vive Jacqueline!

It's been very long time that we have came to visit this restaurant. It was Very nice anbiance& good food. Staff is very friendly and nice. I heard that her son runs the business now. Hope it's good. Thinking to come back next week

Very delicious, smooth, elegant, savory and fluffy are the words that come to mind. Total satisfaction in all areas thank you, I will go again.

Perfect every time! Food, service, ambiance they really think of the details. And the food!!! Oh my goodness I love the menu and always look forward to the summer menu.

Cafe Jacqueline in San Francisco is a charming and intimate dining spot that captures the essence of French cuisine with a touch of California flair. The cozy ambiance and welcoming atmosphere make it a perfect choice for a romantic dinner or a special celebration. The star of the menu is their savory and sweet soufflés, expertly crafted by Chef Jacqueline herself. Each soufflé is a work of art, light and airy yet bursting with flavor. The service is attentive and personalized, adding to the overall dining experience. If you're looking for a unique and delightful culinary experience in San Francisco, Cafe Jacqueline is a must-visit destination that will leave you craving more." thier grand manrnier soufflé is to die for

We dined at Cafe Jacqueline last night and it was a wonderful experience. It was a soothing meal after a stressful week. The service was excellent and the souffles were delicious and extraordinary. The wonderful Chef Jacqueline has a light touch with seasoning. My kir was the best I have had in some time. Our server was very attentive. Altogether a special evening. SF is fortunate to have this lovely restaurant that is affordable compared to a trip to France.

This place is amazing. The soufflés take awhile but it's definitely worth it. I was so sad when I thought they were closing during COVID. I can't wait to go back again.

Cafe Jacqueline is one of those restaurants that you either get it or you don't. They are old school and don't have a website, so you would call in and leave a message for a reservation. I happen to get lucky a few months earlier and called before the restaurant opened and was able to book dinner without playing phone tag. Yes- to enjoy good food, you will have a 3 hour dining time and will wait about 1.5 hours for your soufflés to come out. If you are frustrated with the wait time, this is NOT the place for you. If you are only coming here for dessert, this is also not the place for you. This is a 3 hour sit in dining where you go through the courses of soups, appetizer, main and dessert. You either get it or you don't. You either you like it or you wont. This place deserves 5 stars in my book. From the moment we walked in, we were told, sit anywhere! There were 9 tables total and 3 were taken already. We sat by the wall on the right hand side. The atmosphere is dim with a romantic vibe. We had 2 small lamps hanging down from our table and a vase of pink roses. The 2 waiters served the whole dining room. They worked hard and catered to our needs. It was a casual atmosphere, not stuffy at all, you can just be yourself here. We started with French onion soup one each and a cucumber salad to share. A loaf of French bread came with butter. I would say slow down on the bread as there is also bread in the soup. Pace yourself but there is quite a bit of waiting time here. We ordered the brie & broccoli soufflé and it came about 1 hour 40 mins. Plenty of time to chat with your loved one, check out the interior, enjoy the ambience and even chit chat it up with the waiters. When the soufflé came, it was cut up nicely for us. It filled us up quickly because it was savory with brie! It was one of the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. Soft, warm, and just soo amazing. It was comfort food for sure. The dessert didn't take as long, another 30 mins and out came the lemon soufflé. It was so light, with a tart lemon flavor inside with texture of a soft cake. Surprised to have eaten more on the dessert since it was lighter to digest. We had leftovers to go and ate it for breakfast the next day. I can not rave enough about this spot! One of those rare restaurants that's low key and good food. Thank you Jacqueline for creating magic in the kitchen after all these years! I am humbled and grateful to have tasted your delicious food!

Our waiter was a condescending smart ass and downright rude. The waiter who would show up in his place occasionally was a hair better but he never smiled. Delicious Gruyère soufflé and chocolate soufflé. The cucumber salad was very tasty, too. If you can get past the rude waiters, you'll have a fine time. Maybe.

After several attempts we were finally able to make a reservation at Café Jacqueline. It's been a place I've wanted to visit for the longest time but could never make the time to... I was in pure ecstasy when the day finally came around and I could try the lovely soufflés. We had a reservation at 5:30pm which was perfect as Café Jacqueline just opened up their doors--we were the first customers there! It was great because we got the opportunity to soak in the coziness and hominess in peace. It's definitely great for a romantic date here. After scoring the menu, we decided to grab: - Onion soup - Soup du Jour (which was asparagus) - White Corn, Ginger, & Garlic Entrée Soufflé - Seasonal Fresh Fruit Dessert Soufflé (which was strawberry!!) Your dishes and soufflés do take some time to come out so do take it chill and enjoy the ambiance and your companions! We were greeted with warm bread and butter shortly after placing our order which was divine--definitely remember to save your stomach for the rest of the dishes but the bread also made sure you didn't go hungry waiting. I had the onion soup which was piping hot (the server mentioned this) but also so rich and flavorful I just couldn't get enough. Our Entrée Soufflé eventually was served and my oh my was it beautiful--the perfect unison of fluffiness and lightness. I've never had restaurant soufflé before and I've got to say it was a wonderful experience. It might've just been me overfilling myself with bread and soup but the Entrée Soufflé got a bit overwhelmingly cheesy and heavy. Obviously that didn't stop me from our Dessert Soufflé. I was eyeing the Strawberry soufflé for soooo long I was so happy it was in season. Everything about that soufflé was also perfect... the balance of sweetness, lightness, creaminess... Man I'm still dreaming of that taste to this day--it also passed the jiggly test! Every bit of that strawberry soufflé was consumed without a single bite left behind. I had a wonderful experience at Café Jacqueline I really can't wait for the next visit! Do try to make a reservation and taste these lovely soufflés yourself!

Best soufflés on the planet, but I think they have closed permanently. Went as often as I could for 30 years. Absolutely charming interior. Quirky service.Limited but thoughtful wine list. I miss them.

Love this place! The soufflés are definitely worth the wait. Do not get turned off by some of the comments here regarding the serving staff. They're very San Francisco -- a little wry, a little snarky, and very friendly! They treated us like family.

Ambience service and delicious food make this special occasion restaurant a little neighborhood gem!

I can't stop saying good things about this restaurant. Having been with Jacqueline for more than 1.5 decades and they never disappoint. Being able to return after two years of pandemic did definitely gave me the warm feeling like seeing my family again. The food was great, the service was great, and atmosphere was great and romantic. I will be back in August for more, before Jacqueline decides to retire. :) P.S. I forgot to mention one thing, actually two. If you have not made a reservation, it's almost impossible that they will seat you in as reservation is required. Secondly, eat something before you go in, your souffle will ake 1.5 hours to be served on your table (I timed it).

Nothing as good as this exists anymore in San Francisco. Unique and spectacular. This looks s a don't miss dining experience

Phenomenal little slice--no, spoonful--of heavenly French food, served purely on Jacqueline's terms. She works in a rhythm from another time, another place. But the servers understand it perfectly. And after eating there, you will too. It is a transcendent drop into another dimension ruled by crispy, creamy, gooey goodness.

Yeah it's a challenge to get a live person on the phone. Deal with it whiners. lol The old schooliness of this place is unparalleled. And I love it. The waiters aren't rude they're just tired of everyone's bs and entitlements. Staff is friendly and fun AF. You just have to know how to be nice, empathetic and patient. Food is off the hook. I cannot get enough of this place and its lime soufflé. Definitely, a place to recommend and I will be back for more laughs with Chris and Matt. Thank you Jacqueline!

Cafe Jacqueline has played an incredible part of my life for the last 24 years along with my wife, kids and close friends. We have dined there 4 to 5 times per year during that time period. Cafe Jacqueline represents our "go to" place for any significant event in our family such as anniversaries, birthdays, etc. I read most of the reviews with such joy as they are spot on about the food, service, ambiance, etc...then I read negative reviews that make ridiculous and outrageous claims about the waiter, the wait time, etc. Folks...this is a soufflé restaurant with limited space...there is no reason to make negative comments about this spectacular restaurant that has provided so many great memories for so many people. I hope Jacqueline recovers from her arm break as my wife and I want to go back asap and spend time with our favorite waiters on planet earth (yes, both of them).

It says this place is open, just walked over there, 6pm on a Saturday night and it's dark. What a shame. No hours of operation on the door & phone number does not work

Amazing food, great service and communication. Love the space! Will definitely come back.

Went for Valentine's day dinner, pre-covid. Simply a magical and enchanting experience. I'm very happy to hear that the restaurant has re-opened and that Jacqueline is doing better. The reservation process really adds to the experience, and makes things feel truly special. It obviously worked out fine for me since I was able to book a reservation (about a month before Valentine's day in 2020), but can understand how it would be frustrating to not get a sought after reservation. There's a certain air of exclusivity when it's not as simple as clicking a link on Opentable to make a reservation. I can understand how this drives people crazy, and I would probably be singing a different song if things didn't work out perfectly for me. The mustachioed fellow who pops up in a lot of reviews was certainly a character, but my wife and I felt that he adds a certain Parisian charm to the place. I've seen him shopping at Le Beau in Nob Hill, so I assume he's a local. I got a kick out of his speech mannerisms, and still joke with my wife when ordering: "Why yeeeeeesssss... the lettuce, twice; and yeeeeeeesssss, the french onion soup, twice. Both excellent choices, twice". The food was simply fantastic. From the simple salad starter, the french onion soup, to the lobster souffle, and to the gran marnier dessert souffle. Wonderful. After coming here (and moving away from SF), I learned to make souffles for my wife. It's actually not as difficult as one would expect, but I definitely appreciate Jacqueline's ability to churn them out for a full restaurant. Price is on the higher side of things for what you're getting, but it certainly felt elegant. A special place for myself and my wife.

Had the best date night at Cafe Jacqueline! We ordered the French Onion Soup, Garlic Soufflé, and Chocolate Soufflé. They bring you a warm baguette to eat while your soufflés are being prepared. Everything was incredible; the food, the ambiance, and the service. Can't wait to go back!

Jacqueline herself is a show. But musty, overpriced to the point that it hurts the next day, and the soufflés are fine but not life changing. There are many better options for your money within walking distance.

Absolutely wonderful. The moment I heard Cafe Jacqueline was re-opening I grabbed my phone and called to leave a message for a reservation. The stars must have been aligned in my favor because no message was necessary - I believe it was Jacqueline herself who answered and wrote me down for a few days later. Every element of the dinner was spectacular. Onion soup - not at all too heavy or gloopy with cheese. The perfect balance and sharing between two was a lovely, light start. Then we went to the soufflés - salmon and asparagus and lemon. Perfection. Flavors, texture, everything about them. I was full after eating 1/2 of both but driving away I was wishing I had another one in front of me that I'd find room for. They were that good. Service was excellent. There were two waiters who worked the floor, both extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. It takes a little time between the courses, but it was the perfect amount of time to sip a glass of wine, eat some bread (also delicious) and have a nice conversation with you date in a beautiful space. I highly, highly, recommend.

This was an experience a must-have if you are new to Souffle, then try to get reservations here. I loved the ambiance, the service, and especially the food. I have worked in North Beach since 2005 and I regret I haven't been earlier in life.I must say that I will be back cannot wait

The onion soup and dessert soufflé are the way to go! Super delicious. The entree soufflé was quite bland, if I have to be honest. And you have to wait 1.5 hours in between each serving of appetizer- entree- dessert. The prices are way too high. Buttttt, I'd return again for the ambiance, soup and dessert, but not for a while. Service is good, they don't coddle you, but I don't need that.

Chef Jacqueline Margulis has been making her delicious soufflés at her Café Jacqueline since she was 45 years old. Now that she is heading into her fortieth year as the sole chef of the soufflés and with word that she might retire soon, I wanted to come here for my birthday dinner. As many reviewers have noted, this restaurant is still old school. So no online reservations and you have to call and leave message for a reservation. We left several messages about 10 days out and the problem was getting a return call. With backup plans in hand, we went to the restaurant when it opened at 5:30pm and talked to the waiter, Matthew, about not gettingt a call back and were checking if any openings were available tonight. Lo and behold, he told us to come back at 6pm. Wow, we were surprised to get in. The restaurant with its homey décor, is like a vintage intimate bistro. We were seated at a nice window table. The menu consisted of several starters of soup, salads and appetizers and the stars of the menu, 18 savory and 6 dessert soufflés. As others have said, Matthew is so curt and business-like. Asked him for his favorite soufflés, he says they are all his favorites. Okay. We placed our orders for a savory and dessert soufflé. Each serves two. It took about an hour for our lobster soufflé to arrive. During this time, we enjoyed our wine with the warm baguette and butter. The soufflé was nicely presented with a ring of lemon slices on top. This was my first savory soufflé. The soufflé is so smooth to the taste with its egg and cream mixture. It was very good, but wished there was more lobster in the soufflé. After our table was cleaned, the wait was about another hour before our Grand Marnier soufflé arrived. It appears the order goes in when you finished your savory soufflé. This dessert soufflé was so delicious and so French with the Grand Marnier. Light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness. I loved the dessert more than the savory soufflé. I went to use the restroom, which you had to go through the kitchen. There I saw the large basket of eggs and Chef Jacqueline preparing the soufflés. I told her that the soufflés were delicious and she smiled and said Merci. Come to Café Jacqueline for soufflés and they got some of the best I've tried. Just bear with the reservation process and the curt personality of the head waiter and give it a try before Chef Jacqueline retires.

This place was fantastic years ago when I last went. Fresh soufflé, made to order. Amazing.

I had seen this quaint restaurant when I took walks in the North Beach neighborhood any number of times, when it was closed during the afternoon. I always thought it had the look of a charming French country cafe. Cafe Jacqueline has a reputation for being a San Francisco treat, specializing in made-to-order souffles. I am not sure of the exact meaning of the expression "slow food", but I can say Cafe Jacqueline fits my idea of relaxed dining. I finally went there with a friend about five years ago, and we have been getting there to dine about five times per year since, COVID permitting! It is our favorite restaurant experience. Please know that they do reservations through their phone, and that it can take a few days to hear back. I find this personal touch a pleasure, versus the online Open Table. Cafe Jacqueline is a white-table-cloth restaurant, with widely-spaced tables---a luxury in itself---with spot-on service. It has calm lighting and very soft music, so it is a preserve of peacefulness in a rushed, noisy world. It makes me feel good about life for days after having dined there. They have first course salads in classic French presentation, simple but perfectly executed. My friend can vouch for the excellence of the French Onion soup. I have tried both the two spinach salads, and the endives-roquefort salad. They are served on chilled plates, a pleasing touch. Their vinaigrette tastes like a nut oil and French vinegar preparation. I never regret the prices, because I know I am being treated to an increasingly rare and wonderful evening, at Cafe Jacqueline. They are competitive with many restaurants that, to my mind, don't deliver nearly the experience. We have tried many of the main course souffles and can attest to their impressive presentation and unfailingly fluffy texture and deeply savory taste. We have enjoyed the leek variety especially, but also mushroom, either button or shiitake. After some experimentation with dessert souffles, we have settled on the surprisingly citrusy and juicy lime variety. The house coffee is as delicious as all the food offerings we have had there. There is no weak link in the two-hour-long experience of three courses at Cafe Jacqueline. If this sounds appealing, if you like to slow down, and savor a French dining experience, I cannot recommend Cafe Jacqueline highly enough. Thank you to the venerable Jacqueline, who is reportedly in her eighties, and who prepares all the souffles herself; and to the maitre d', who obviously is devoted to running the restaurant in a way that keeps it humming and peaceful. Service is excellent. Mike

The food was absolutely amazing. The soufflés were the best I've ever had. The mushroom and prosciutto delicious and we had the lemon soufflé for dessert. The wait staff was so attentive and efficient. They did a great job with the pace of the meal. This is an experience, so you need to enjoy the people you are with. Definitely a must try.

Just as amazing as I remember. Watching her work in the kitchen on all those soufflé orders is inspiring. Service was attentive and impeccable. Can't wait to come back.

I've been to Cafe Jacqueline twice in the past 4 years while living in North Beach. I've been trying to make a reservation for a third visit, but unfortunately they've been extremely hard to get ahold of and extremely rude when I went in person to ask about making a reservation. Let's rewind. Based on concept and food alone, this place is 5 stars. The soufflés are all made to order, so a meal does take 3-4 hours depending on if you also order a dessert soufflé (and you should). The 2 times I've been here, we were served by the same gentleman (the one with the Kenneth Branagh Poroit moustache). He was always quirky, not the friendliest person ever and quite brisk, but at the time it didn't really bother us because we were happily seated and enjoying our onion soup and soufflés. But like all things, it's always fine and dandy until someone gets offended... in this case, me. So the story is: I've been trying to make a reservation for the end of the month and started calling weeks ahead. Left 3 messages and never heard back, so thought maybe I could just stop by and make a reservation in person. Walked in, and the same server approached me apprehensively and asked what I wanted. I said, "Hi, I was wondering if I could make a reservation." to which he replied, "You need to call for that. I can't help you right now." I said, "Oh ok, I've already left a few messages so I just wanted to see that you got them." Then he GRABBED my elbow, and said, even more firmly, "I can't help you with that right now." So, with my elbow still in his grip, I asked, "But you'll check your messages?" And he looked at me and said, "... Eventually." Wow. Any desire to visit this establishment immediately disappeared. It's fine if you have a staple of regulars and don't want my business, but don't touch me, and don't waste my time by telling me to call for reservations when you're not going to bother answering. To Chef Jacqueline Margulis, if you ever read this: I adore you and your soufflés. Your restaurant will forever be part of my memories of living in North Beach. I understand that you're taking fewer reservations nowadays, and I'm sad to leave this city without tasting your food again. I'm also sad to be leaving this review, but I feel super disrespected and I think others should know. And looking at some of the more recent reviews, it seems I'm hardly alone in this sentiment.

Our waiter last night was such a tool bag, he took away from our overall experience. It's hard to give four stars but meeting Jacqueline herself melted my heart. This place would never survive in NYC. Cafe Jacqueline is a cute French bistro, off the beaten path. There are 10 tables, if they're doing 50 covers nightly, God Bless them. The waiter who represents the front of the house or more importantly, the face of the business? I wanted to snap on him, such a pissy and unprofessional demeanor. My wife & I walk in and he asked if we have reservations. We do not (the place is half empty) he shakes his head and says, a typical dinner is over two hours. I'm the only waiter here so I'll do my best. Um what?! Here's a correct response: You're first time here, great! Please be patient with us, our soufflés take a while to prepare but are well worth the wait. Isn't that a nice way to get greeted? And being the only waiter, it's his restaurant! He should be all smiles as he's raking in the tips with no splits. Again, why be all pissy? I'm not going to wait hours for dinner. Our body clock is on NY time, My wife would be out of her mind. I figured, let me speed up the process and order a funky salad, French Onion soup and a Chocolate Soufflé. The waiter comes over to take our drink orders. I said, we're simple and ready to order. He got pissy and said I'm not ready, you have to wait for me. Oh this guy.. I need to run everything. Ready? Put out a carafe of water on every table, no need to run around filling up glasses. Also, the butter was cold and hard to spread. It's your job to make sure it's not too cold for the guests. Or is that too hard and complex? I'm going to rate our meal from top to bottom: Chocolate Soufflé: This is the reason why we waited, once we took a bite everything else seemed secondary. I have never in my life had a soufflé as light and airy being served at Cafe Jacqueline. And I was stationed in France! French Onion soup: The soup was great but served boiling hot. Our waiter said it's going to be boiling hot so be careful. I'm not sure who's in charge of the soup but at midnight NYC time, I don't want deal with boiling soup. I waited for it to cool down. Spinach & Bacon salad: Why so expensive? It's spinach. It's bacon. Mix them in a bowl? For $20 bucks, it wasn't worth the price. Also, waiter?? Give me a damn serving spoon... Beer: I was hoping for Jenlain, a French beer. Nope, I was served a Belgium beer imported from Canada. To use the restroom, you must walk through the kitchen. Sure enough, there she is, the cutest little thing, Miss Jacqueline! She smiled at me. I told her I traveled from NY and made a special stop just to dine here. She smiled, asked me my name and said Merci! How can you get mad and give less than four Yelp stars? She's so welcoming and her soufflé is award winning. My waiter comes back from a smoke break (this guy is so annoying) and has pronoun trouble. How did "we" like our dinner? He think he also said did "we" rethink our order after I read the specials? What the heck is up with this guy? Dude, get another profession. "We" think your not worthy to work serving customers. It was so nice to meet you Ms Jacqueline. Thank you again for the award winning soufflé

Such a wonderful treat to finally have eaten at this delightful cafe for dinner. As their website recommends, reservations must be made in advance, as walk-ins do not seem to be accepted. I made reservations almost a month out for a Wednesday evening. Keep in mind of the location of this local establishment ~ it is in North Beach with very very limited parking. We circled around the block at least 4 times before we found a spot to park. Uber or Lyft if you can. When we arrived inside, there were about 4 other tables seated. I would say for the whole night from about 6:30pm to 10pm there were no more than about tables being served. I really appreciated the intimacy of this place. There were more tables available, so it could have been a slow evening. Now on to the food! I LOVED IT and well worth the wait. Chef Jacqueline herself was in the back whisking away preparing everyone's soufflés and what a sight to see her live in action. We had the onion soup, crab Soufflé, and Peach Soufflé. If you have a huge appetite, order your own, but if you're dining for 2, the 3 courses that I ordered was definitely enough. This was my first experience eating at a French cafe which only served sweet and savory soufflés... it was fabulous and I will definitely go back!

This place was amazing 5/5! And hidden in North Beach- I've walked by so many times and had no idea it was there. We ordered the garlic, basil and shiitake savory soufflé for our entree and it was cooked to perfection. It melts in your mouth. I can't even explain how delicious it was. One of the best meals I've ever had for sure. For dessert, we had to go with the traditional chocolate. Another great choice; it did not disappoint. This place has a lot of character. The waiters are all French men and the chef is one sole, elderly woman from France who was so sweet and makes the soufflés to order. I saw her in the kitchen and said hi. This is such a good spot for dinner and not hyped up at all, surpringly! **edit to say they also have a great wine selection!