Darren's Café

This place had the best breakfast I have ever had. I’m not kidding, I simply had scrambled eggs with cheese, potato chunks, ham and of course sourdough toast but I’m telling you everything was cooked perfectly and the seasoning was on point. My wife had an omelette, hash browns and toast. I know it’s nothing special but it was so delicious, I can’t explain how good it truly tasted and no we weren’t starving. My wife’s an excellent chef and the foodie and she was so impressed by how good everything was. This must be a small family owned restaurant because you could tell the people there really cared and were very tentative. A must try if visiting the Wharf area. I’m sure lunch is just as great!

Found this place by accident and let me tell you I will definitely be back. The chicken was grilled perfectly and had so much flavor! The country potatoes were also perfect. The chicken fried steak was huge and not so heavily breaded. Keep up the great work!!!!

It was breakfast but we were craving for soup due to the cold and windy bay area weather. The reviews did not disappoint, this place was very accommodating and serves great food. We ordered vegetable phoa, fried rice with bacon and vietnamese coffee —absolutely a-ma-zing! 😋👏 Huge portion for asians like us. Phoa serving was just right for the 3 of us. Our tummies were full and satisfied when we left. Thank you!

The pho is nice and worth a try! The viet coffee on the other hand doesnt taste like the ones i had in other countries/shops with a bitter after taste? Other than that, the service staffs were great! Just that the food felt a little too expensive...

Ate here twice for breakfast on vacation. Very well cooked food, especially the eggs. Quick and attentive service.

My husband and I were just need to eat something very quickly, and with many options we stopped at this place and was great, the service and the food. I got a fried rice those with everything and it was soo yummy

Friendly service, very prompt. Relaxed Atmosphere, staff is really friendly, LOVE that the chef is outgoing and checks on you after you get your food. Food is amazing, cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly. Fresh, had to wait for it to cool a moment. Will definitely be back with our kids too! Highly Recommend.

Looking for something for breakfast included the Fisherman’s wharf area, found this place and got me a bagel with eggs and cheese and sausage. Well made sandwich! Hit the spot!

We love coming to Darren's Cafe! All the workers are super friendly! We tried so many different dishes from here and we have zero complaints! My brother always gets the French Toast from here! It's a must!

Awesome little cafe just off the Embarcadero/Fisherman's Wharf area. Great service and delicious food for a reasonable price. Feels like a mom and pop restaurant. Close to hotels and the trolley line. Great iced coffee also available to go.

Stopped in on a Friday morning around 8 and had no issue getting a seat although it started to fill up as we were leaving. Solid breakfast food, excellent service, and great name for a cafe

Stopped into this café and had such a great experience! The server, Kevin, took excellent care of me and even made a fresh pot of decaf. The food was delicious and came out exactly how I ordered it. The restaurant was very clean, and everyone I interacted with was super nice and welcoming. Definitely a place I'd come back to!

Breakfast was good. Service was quick. Portion size was a little small in my opinion and prices were high just like most places in area.

This place was hopping when we arrived around 8:30. We did have to wait about 10 minutes for a table, but it was nice and cool out and they have a menu outside that we looked at while we waited. Once we were seated they took our order quickly. Food took about 10 minutes to come out. We ordered the eggs Benedict and then the bagel with cream cheese and avocado...and added an egg to that. The bagel came all separate so you can add the amounts of what you want to it...which worked great for us. Definitely enjoyed our breakfast here...would come again.

Causal breakfast/lunch place with outside seating near the wharf. It has the usual American breakfast like pancakes, French toast, omelette and egg Benedict. In addition, it does a decent Vietnamese pho and rice plate. Food is solid and service is friendly. We usually seat ourselves with our dog. There are heat lamps outside should you need it.

DARREN'S CAFE was excellent!!! California omelette with bacon. It was amazing & country potato's were a the perfect crunch and seasoning. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. A must go when you are in San Francisco

Great place just outside of a high traffic tourist area. Pork Bahn Mi was excellent! Staff is nice and attendent too.

VEGAN REVIEW Randomly walked into this joint for Veggie Pho. And was surprisingly good! I appreciate that the veggie soup didn't feel like an "afterthought " & just thrown together they took time to layer flavors which most places don't. They had great take out packaging too. ** It was a bit pricey but standard for that area for sure

Small store front restaurant with an absolutely amazing breakfast! The service was fast, and the staff was friendly. We even met Darren, the restaurant's namesake! We will definitely be returning on our next trip to San Francisco!

Food and services were great. We had 5 people in our group and everyone loved their meals. Highly recommended for everyone.

Fisherman's Wharf is not the first place I think of to grab some breakfast, but here I was in the most tourist congested area of the city thinking optimistically that I could find something worthwhile to eat. On my way to the Presidio, I just happened to walk by this spot which was already bustling at 8:30AM. I found a table for a solo diner right in front of the register, and the staff encouraged me to take it. The breakfast menu was a robust combination of all American favorites and Vietnamese family dishes. I didn't go got the hotcakes or omelets but chose instead the $16.95 Veggie Fried Rice, a satisfying homestyle mix of rice, soy sauce, eggs, and a variety of chopped vegetables (photo: https://bit.ly/3DdfSsk). There was no art to the execution, but it didn't matter because it hit the spot. Good to know Darren is here for good eats. FOOD - 4 stars...good fried rice fresh from the wok AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...busy and surrounded by tourists SERVICE - 4 stars...pretty conscientious and affable TOTAL - 4 stars...solid breakfast plates both American and Vietnamese RELATED - Exploring Fisherman's Wharf? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2HyFdzC

The Dungeness Crab Benedict is out of this world. I've tried this dish at other places, but none compare to Darren's rendition. These bennies are full of flavor! I close my eyes and savor every bite. Great folks and great service. They took care to make sure I could get in and out in time to catch my next appointment. I always eat outside so I can enjoy some nice SF weather. It's only a short distance from the trolley stop so SF is your oyster when you are done.

Because I decided to grab a lobster roll and some clam chowder on Pier 39, my wife and son decided to come to Darren's Cafe for lunch since they don't like seafood. I came to join them while they were eating their meal. My son had the burger which was medium and he thought it excellent. Fries came with burger and he thought they were very well seasoned. He gave his meal a 10/10 My wife had the spicy satay beef combo noodle soup. She said the broth and beef were very good but that the glass noodles stuck to each other in the bottom of the bowl. In short, she felt that the noodles didn't separate properly. She gave her meal a 6/10. They both commented how nice their server was (10/10). In general, they both enjoyed coming to Darren's and would return again. I saw the menu and would like to join them next time.

The food was amazing, really good service super fast !!! The staff were very kind and generous. This is the perfect place to visit with your friends and family

Ate here a few days ago with 5 others. We were seated immediately, even though the business isn't that large. The food was very good and the menu quite eclectic. The only complaint was that the crab Benedict was a little more onion tasting than expected. The pho was terrific, the omelets were terrific and the hash browns were crispy. The staff was very friendly and efficient. The kitchen is on full display which I found fun to watch. I will go back.

Menus is absolutely perfect, good range of dishes and beautiful breakfast and Pho! Loved that they have both English and Vietnamese dishes. Really awesome spot. Simple decor, clean and fabulous service.

Stopped in for breakfast. Had the California omelette. Excellent food, friendly, fast service. Just what I was looking for.

Food 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Customer service 5/5 Speed 5/5 Price 5/5 Outdoor seating? Yes Wheelchair access? Yes Restrooms? Yes Found this place a few years back and had their veggie pho. Loved it so much, I had to try it again on my next trip. Yep, still delicious! Highly recommend.

Good little brunch place that has a variety of food. From Vietnamese to American Breakfast foods. I usually get the charbroiled beef Bahn mi that's really good. Good Amount of meat and the fresh veggies taste all great. Definitely get that all the time I go there. There Beef Pho is good, taste clean and not oily. Good amount of meat and noodles. Just regular good pho nothing crazy. The same for the French toast nothing special. Just regular French toast that you can make at home. But this place is good if your hungry and get something quick. Service is pretty fast

In March , visited San Francisco and decided to try this restaurant. It's located in Fisherman's Wharf. Service was prompt and food was well prepared. I would definitely patronize this restaurant again.

Darren's Cafe is a tucked away hole in the wall spot serving surprisingly good brunch and Vietnamese food! A group of friends and I came in on a weekend for lunch and stumbled upon it. Parking was hard to find and seating was limited inside the cafe, but they were able to push together some chairs. The vibe in here is quite simple and sterile and I was surprised to see Vietnamese food on the menu. After debating between playing it safe with an American dish or getting the veggie pho, I chose the pho and was not disappointed! The pho was unique and came with tofu, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms and had an amazing broth. Every friend in the group enjoyed their meal, American or Vietnamese. I would like to return just for the pho.

The food here was definitively delicious. I had breakfast and it was so tasty, my family had lunch and that was fantastic as well. The people here are very kind and have great hospitality. We didn't have to wait very long for our food and the prices were very affordable. If your looking for a nice place to eat with friends or family it would be delightful and you should really consider eating at this place.

Had a chill lunch here. It was nice sitting outside on a sunny day. The food was solid-got crab Benedict and the beef pho after looking at all the Yelp reviews and both were great. The Vietnamese coffee was sweet and strong, but not too intense. Kind of bummed we missed the hash browns (they were out), but the country potatoes were savory and crispy. Friendly staff rounded out this pleasant experience. Would come back for this chill SF lunch experience!

I had the vermicelli pork, my daughter had the blt & fries, and my husband had an omlette. Super different choices for an 11:30am lunch, but they were all fantastic. Super friendly staff, large portions, and quick service. Highly recommend!

If you find yourself looking for a breakfast/brunch spot, come here! My dad has been coming here for awhile and I was in town visiting him so we we went to grab some brunch. Located just a little ways from fisherman's wharf it's a quick walk to get here. Ambiance and service: We were greeted by David the owner and his son Darren and chose to sit inside. They've got some seating inside and some outside for when the weather is nice. Everything is nice and clean and you can see into the kitchen so you know the food is made fresh to order. Our order was taken quickly and food came out quickly! Food: Their menu ranges from classic American breakfast, Chinese and Vietnamese food, and sandwiches. I ordered pho and a Vietnamese coffee and my dad ordered french toast with eggs and bacon. I've had a lot of pho in different parts of the US so I'm picky about my pho and this is hands down one of the most flavorful pho broths I've ever had. Good size portion with all the regular pho fixings. My dad always orders one of two things: french toast or chicken fried steak and according to him, both are delicious but I had the pleasure of of trying the french toast this time. It was cooked to perfection and not overdone in the batter or flavors. Overall, I'm glad I got to eat here. From the service, to the food, I enjoyed every bit of it. I can't wait to bring friends here and enjoy more meals with my dad!

If you need a good old fashioned breakfast, check out Darren's Cafe in the Fisherman's wharf area. They have your usual go-to like French Toast and Pancakes, but also offer a couple of asian fusion dishes if you want something a little different for your brunch. Their food was basic but yummy nonetheless. They offered both indoor and outdoor dining at the time. Service was quick and courteous, great if you just need to stop by to eat on your way around the touristy area. Pricing was about average, but if you're not a big eater you can definitely share one of their combo dishes and still be full. A great place to keep in mind if you're around the area!

It's hard to F#*% up breakfast. But so many places still do. Not Darren's. Quick, fast & friendly. No frills, no gimmicks. Just good food. I recommend to any traveler.

Darren's cafe is hands down one of the best! Not only is the breakfast amazing, but he serves up the best Pho I've ever had! I got the Q4 and I never had to add hoisin sauce to it! The flavor, meat everything was so spot on! You can tell Darren puts his whole heart into his Pho with his 16hr broth! Service was also excellent! Do yourself a favor and go! Thanks Darren & crew!

Food was good and it came out hot. Service was fast and it seemed that a lot of locals come in. Pho was really tasty

I was walking to the wharf to get some clam chowder when this place caught my attention. I saw someone eating pho and it looked really good. Decided to give it a try and I was impressed. Service was amazing, speed of food coming out was amazing and it was very clean! I had the beef pho and it was 10/10 ! The bowl is huge and you can probably split a bowl with someone. I ate the entire thing but I can see two people sharing. Either way, I didn't expect such good pho in the wharf area. Definitely give this place a try!

Our first breakfast cafe in San Francisco and what a delight! It's a hole-in-the-wall cafe, so the ambiance isn't the most impressive. Relatively expensive for breakfast food, but we have learned fast that that's just the way of the Wharf, so very much in line with the other places in the area. (We just haven't gotten used to it yet!) DELICIOUS food. Huge portion sizes. The French toast was impressively light and fluffy. Both omelets--Veggie and Italian--we scrumptious. And the VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE. As someone who worked in a cafe in Vietnam, I can vouch for this iced coffee. It was strong. It wasn't overly sweet. I was so thrilled. And the service was fast and friendly!!! Very attentive servers. They pre-bussed the tables as soon as we were d finished and refilled all the water glasses when needed. Quite pleased!! We walked away a very happy and very full family.

Nero and Seneca where recommended "Darren's cafe" in San Francisco by another known foodie of ours, so we knew we had to check it out. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the amazing host, Darren himself, who made us feel right at home. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and we knew we were in for a treat. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the head chef, Dave, was also there to prepare our meal. We knew we were in good hands with this talented team. We started off with an amazing fresh squeezed orange juice and a cup of coffee, which were both delicious and energizing. As we perused the menu, we were excited to see the diverse options available. We appreciated the diverse menu, which offered something for everyone, We opted for the classic American breakfast dish of chicken fried steak and eggs, as well as the Italian lover omelette, later in the day some Vietnamese pho for lunch. Every dish was absolutely amazing, and we couldn't get enough. The pho was especially perfect for the cold day we were having, and warmed us right up. ( highly recommend the Q4 spicy) we could see why there's is such a huge gathering of people eating here and our foodie friend loving it so much. We were blown away by the amazing food at Darren's. On another day We started off with some delicious appetizers, including the pork roll, which was a definite standout. For our main courses, we opted for the I3 Vietnamese sandwich and L2 chicken teriyaki rice plate with veggies. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were out of this world. The hospitality at Darren's was also top-notch. Darren and the staff were always prompt and attentive, making sure that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. We loved Darren's so much that we ended up going there every morning for the past week, eager to try a new dish each day. and we found that there was truly no wrong choice. It quickly became our favorite breakfast and lunch spot, and we found that if we didn't get at least breakfast, our whole day just wasn't the same. Overall, "Darren's cafe" Restaurant is a must-visit spot in San Francisco. The amazing food, hospitable staff, and cozy atmosphere make it one of the best breakfast spots in the city. Whether you're in the mood for some classic American breakfast dishes or some delicious Vietnamese cuisine, Darren's has something for everyone. Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed, given alcohol or any non-dog-friendly food during our visit. Only water and dog-approved food were provided to ensure the well-being and comfort of all furry guests.

Came in Sunday , June 2nd around 1:30 pm , at first they said they were closed but they reconsidered and served us anyways . Very generous! Thank you so much. The service was very good and we felt accommodated the whole time . We got two large phos & they were delicious! Only thing is i wish they had chili oil like most vietnamese spots do! But was still good regardless. Thank you for serving us even when we were unaware of the restaurant hours. We will definitely be back!

Tourists on a budget should go here. Your dollars will stretch further. And the food is actually really good. We had their french toast combo and it was substantial and tasty. The 4 pieces of french toast were crispy on the outside but pillowy soft inside with just the right amount of egg covering. Additionally at least at the time of this review, when you check in you get a free bowl of fruit courtesy of being a yelper! Win - win!

I was curious about this place because it's basically an American eatery with a pho section on the menu. I came for the pho and left satisfied! I didn't get meat in mine so it was only $10 with an additional $1 for spice. This is such a sweet deal for the expensive Fisherman's Wharf area. Next time, I would try without the spice so I could get a better grasp on the flavor of the broth but if you're in the mood for pho without leaving the wharf, this is the perfect option. Update: came back for the non spicy pho and the broth flavor was very good, just added more Siracha :)

Stopped here before our road trip to Napa and did not disappoint. We ordered the pork Vietnamese sandwich and split it between us. The pork is marinated to perfection and so juicy. Absolutely delicious and the perfect portion for us to split.

This is a great little place when walking early morning to Pier 39. The service was great, the breakfast was good, the price was good! What more could you want. Very nice owner! Outdoor seating was available, but I sat inside. Clean - would go again.

We were looking for a place to have breakfast before heading out on the town and found Darren's just a few blocks from our hotel. Their menu looked great with typical breakfast options to Vietnamese food like pho and vermicelli bowls. We were sat right away and handed their large menu. They pretty much have something for everyone there. I went with the basic breakfast of 2 eggs, 4 sausages, hash browns and toast. The hash browns covered the whole plate, it was a giant portion. Everything was cooked perfecting and delicious. It also came out really quick. My husband got the pho bowl. The soup came out a little after min, which was surprising since it should have pretty already been made and ready to go. The cook noticed my husband scraping the hoison out of the provided bowl and offered to bring more. That was nice of them. The service was on point and super friendly staff. They were constantly filling drinks, making sure we had everything and available if needed. For the price and right by the wharf, this is a great gem.

Ordered steak & chicken teriyaki. Steak was inedible and could not even be cut with the utensils. Servers were nice but will not go back!

Absolutely delicious breakfast! The staff is incredibly friendly, and the FOOD! My god, I could have eaten a pound of the home fries! Totally go have breakfast here!

I had the fried chicken and French fries and it was one of the best fried chicken I ever tasted. The ambiance is also awesome and the environment was family friendly. The service is awesome to and I would totally recommend this place.

Great staff. Great service Food cooked to perfection! Location easily found. Little or no waiting

Serves breakfast until 1:30pm!!! Hard to find a late breakfast eatery around Pier 39&41. This one is a gem! 1 block up from the fisherman's wharf on Taylor. Fast service, great staff! They even had crab Benedict and omelette

We planned a week at a hotel in Fisherman's Wharf and Darren's is literally the only restaurant open for breakfast at 7:30. It's a quaint little place with about 15 tables total (inside and out). Great people making and serving excellent food!

Customer service is excellent, now the food was exceptional. I loved the Teriyaki Chicken plate! And the atmosphere was extraordinary for a small diner! Thank you so much!!

Wet good breakfast but pretty pricey! Had bacon and eggs, girls had kids meals coffee was amazing! Went on a Sunday and not bad wait times.

Day one of our San Francisco trip, I woke up hungry as freak at 5 am PST. All fairness, I am eating breakfast at 6 am EST so...it was lunch time for me. I just yelped a Vietnamese place that was around our hotel and open as soon as possible. This place was around the corner of our hotel AND they served pho in the am. I was told any Asian place in the West Coast had better food than NYC. Ouch? Not really... We do not have good pho anywhere people! I got the spicy beef satay pho and my friends got the egg Benedicts. I like my pho with tripe and all the works, but this one just had sliced beef and meatballs. Regardless, this was still the best pho I've ever had. I wish I had time to try the plain pho to see how the broth actually tasted without all the spice, but it was fine. I really just wanted to try pho in the West Coast and this place really delivered. It does not seem like they open on Mondays so plan accordingly. If you check in (fellow yelpers), you get a free small plate of fruit if you are into that. One per table. I will definitely recommend going here if you are around the area. Perfect for this time of the year where the air is cold by the bay and you need a warm hug. My friends said that their meals were phenomenal so I recommend giving this place a go.