Hey Neighbor Cafe

The espresso is perfection! 10/10!!! The staff was so kind and attentive! The barista made a truly an exceptional Espresso… and then did it again! I so appreciate the attention to detail, whether it’s the mugs, the local artisan crafts for sale, the food, the sweetness given to all the customers. Even though I’m not a local, I felt very welcomed —somewhat of an anomaly these days at high-end coffee shops. The ube toast was a revelation in simple yet exquisite flavor. Expertly toasted, fresh butter… Just all-around lovely. A tiny location that is worth a stop if you’re anywhere nearby.

I love this coffee shop. It is a great meeting place for the community, and the people are so friendly. The coffee is excellent, flavorful, and made with love.

I love the coffee; I ordered a cappuccino, and the temperature was on point. However, I didn’t feel very welcome, even though it wasn’t rush hour. Parking was difficult, but after I managed to get a spot, it was worth it.

The vibes are wonderful, and the nearby garden is a gorgeous space to relax. No internet encouraged me to truly relax. The biggest critique was that the barista went from touching money and appliances to grabbing ice (and carrying it) with no utensils or gloves straight to my drink. The huge ice cube was shuffled between hands on the short walk from the freezer to my cup. There was no food or pastries to try, which pushed me to go to another cafe for snacks

Absolutely delightful get-away tucked into a cul-de-sac. The cappuccino was possible the best I have had in this part of San Francisco.

What a cute aesthetic little spot that I found super close to me! Good: - The vibes here are special, it's got an overall rustic jungle look and being next to a garden adds to the experience! - The cinnamon sugar ube toast was incredibly memorable! Super thick slice of bread as well - Good outdoor seating and lots of spots available Bad: - The peppermint mocha here was just alright, it was a little too bitter for me - A little slow on the service, there's just one guy making all of it Overall really liked this hidden gem of a place!

Small, limited menu. Good quality espresso. Local pottery cups and plates. Friendly place

I’ve been living in the Portola neighborhood for years and THIS is definitely the spot to hit. Coffee is really good, and Dee (the owner/main barista) is so kind and accommodating. Also happens to be in front of an amazing walk-through garden that is such a neighborhood gem.

great coffee, great location ( burrows mini park ) Fantastic owner & crew! A hidden gem!

came on a saturday morning and it was popping! there was only one staff member so it took quite a while to take one's order and make their food/ drink. they only had ube toast and one slice of everything toast left, so we got: - ube toast with almond butter and cinnamon sugar - everything toast with cream cheese and homemade marmalade - cappuccino I liked the actual bread (from ryze up bakery) but the rest were alright. the prices were pretty steep--each base toast was $5.50 but we were not aware that every topping was additional $1-$2 (this was not specified anywhere, and they encouraged you to mix-and-match toppings). you also had to add $1.50 for non-dairy milk. the homemade marmalade was quite bitter, it was mostly orange rinds. the coffee in the cappuccino was extremely acidic, which isn't my preference but you may like it. overall I see this place's charm, they had the loveliest garden and a sweet staff. unfortunately it didn't quite fit my personal preferences

Beautiful cafe with beautiful outdoor garden, perfect place for you and dog mommies for a chill morning / afternoon to hangout in. This place would've been a 4 stars but I took off a star because there were no food being offered at the establishment, no homemade syrups (they charge $1 for flavored syrups) and +1.25 more for alternative milk swaps.... As someone who is lactose, I can justify $.75-1 more for the milk swaps but any more than feels a bit.... bad like I am being punished for being lactose intolerant.

I'm in the area dog sitting, and always wanting to try new places. The Ube toast is what really brought me in. I woke up earlier than I thought I would and got here before they opened. This is unlike me. It said they opened at 8:30, they opened around 8:35/8:40. It's fine. Small business things. I ordered a latte and a slice of the ube toast with butter and cinnamon sugar. $19. Just reminded me which side of the bridge I was on. Only thing I was annoyed about was being given the butt of the bread. I am not a fan of the butt of the bread, but I also don't like complaining. So, I ate it anyway. The Ube toast was great. The cafe was cute, the outside surrounding was really cute. I like it a

initially came here to do some work since reviews said there was wifi, but there was no wifi nor any outlets available. coffee was still good and the staff were friendly, but would be nice if the description could be updated to reflect the amenities properly

I love this place. It is a local cafe! The owner is great, and people in this neighborhood know this place well. The owner is one of the sweetest and friendliest small business owners. The rustic ambiance of this place gives it a unique charm. The latte I had was amazing.

Amazing staff and beautiful ambiance! The coffee here is of exceptional quality. There are plenty of food options, from croissants to other pastries as well as their signature toast. I recently tried the secret menu item, "chaga-ccino," which is made with Chaga mushrooms. I've always heard good things about chaga mushrooms and their health benefits, but I was absolutely blown away by the similarities with a latte. I'm not sure how the owner made it, but it was delicious. The chagaccino and the chai are the main non-caffeinated drinks here. Otherwise, my go-to order is a standard iced latte. If you come to hang out for a bit, the cafe features plenty of seats inside and out. This seems like the go-to place for folks on the weekends, as it's the perfect spot to catch up and chat in the sun. There's a remodeled park with steampunk installations next to the cafe entrance. This spot is located on a small side street of San Bruno Ave. and always has open parking spots. Dino, the resident pup here, is calm and well-behaved. The cafe hosts some events here and always has flyers for neighborhood parties or street festivals. I'm happy to witness this spot growing into a community outpost. A lot of local customers will come in and give a hug to the owner or grab a coffee and chat with each other. It's the only place I know in the city that exudes such a friendly, welcoming vibe reminiscent of a tight-knit community. There were even some free stickers that would cost $4 each elsewhere! This location was previously Four Barrel, and Hey Neighbor opened around 2021. They've done an excellent job with the upkeep, since all the furniture, floor, and walls are very clean and still look like they did years ago.

The beautiful greenery lured me into a discovering Hey neighborhood cafe tucked away at the end of Burrows St off San Bruno and a cozy community garden with turquoise tables and chairs to enjoy your coffee on.

Wow! This place is adorable. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the neighborhood. Cute decor with indoor and outdoor seating.

My matcha latte was great and the ambiance was so nice. too bad the owner is insanely rude. They're very passive and condescending. maybe if they weren't id be more comfortable spending time in there. I had multiple friends warn me about the rude owner but i didn't think it was true till i visited

What a cute little cafe! Limited seating indoors and outdoors but very instagrammable. The ube toast was very good - a nice sourdough bread with a hint of ube flavor and overall not sweet with the butter. The latte was well made, and the barista friendly.

What a cute aesthetic little spot that I found super close to me! Good: - The vibes here are special, it's got an overall rustic jungle look and being next to a garden adds to the experience! - The cinnamon sugar ube toast was incredibly memorable! Super thick slice of bread as well - Good outdoor seating and lots of spots available Bad: - The peppermint mocha here was just alright, it was a little too bitter for me - A little slow on the service, there's just one guy making all of it Overall really liked this hidden gem of a place!

I thought I wasn't a cat person but when I returned and saw that it was missing the place felt a bit gloomy. This is the perfect meet spot to meet neighbors , catch up with friends, sip delicate treats, and enjoy the garden district. When I think of of Portola district I think of Hey Neighbors. I miss the kitty and retrack the first post I made about this place. The staff are friendly and went out of their way to make my friend and I reconnect. Hey neighbors cafe is indeed a little pocket of sunshine, so check them out !

I accidentally found this nookie little cafe and am so stoked. It has a warm and inviting feel nestled next to a wonderful small hillside garden. Vines wrap up the front so it feels like they built a coffee shop inside a bush that I played in for a fort as a child. Their mocha is smooth and creamy. Everyone who works there is genuine feeling. Even if it's a customer service mask their interactions aren't that "customer service" sugar coated fake-ness. I would come here to write, read or meet friends. They also have a cool free library out front

Service was great, felt really homey. Ambiance was nice, open spaces and lots of places to sit. I came in on a sunny day so I was able to enjoy my chai latte outside while reading. Highly recommend!

Business hours on a Sat says close at 3pm but the employee closed the doors at 2:30pm. It seems super slow so I guess? Went in around 2:20pm and employee doesn't say anything to us so we greeted the employee and proceeded to order. Ordered a flat white and it was pretty disappointing. The coffee was so hot that it almost burned my fingers. Milk wasn't aerated nicely so it did not have a smooth microfoam and had extra hot bubbly foam instead. Seems like the employee didn't care and just rushed to make the coffee to close early. Not sure about the beans used but the coffee was a little sour. Overall not a good experience as the coffee was below average compared to other coffee shops that actually aerate the coffee for a really smooth tasting drink that not only taste great but visually looks like there was effort put into making it.

Such a beautiful place (I'm talking both visually and energetically) . We're visiting the city for a couple days and this was the closest coffee shop. I got a cortado and my boyfriend got a vanilla latte. both were perfect. Persons working there were communicative and attentive.

I don't know why it's taken me so long to leave a glowing review for this charming little cafe, they are my favorite! Delicious coffee, great toast options, cute space, and a beautiful garden outside...but the biggest reason to keep coming back again and again is the kind and helpful staff. Dee is the best!!!

Easily the best coffee in SF, impeccable vibes, music, incredible toast and sometimes even house made jam, and a gorgeous garden that's open on posted weekend hours! It's very telling that the lower ratings are all complaining about the service- Karens and Connors who require fake bubbly energy, this spot clearly isn't for you. It's such a gift that in a city increasingly dominated by entitled tech jerks, there can even *exist* a Black&queer owned & operated cafe. ALSO- for the half-caff drinkers: you gotta check out the Portola Fog!

Can someone please let me know when this cafe is open? Business hours are incorrect and phone doesn't get answered. I've gone twice and it's been closed both times

Ducked in here on a rainy day and it was quite peaceful to sip on my coffee sitting cozy with the big entranceway open, listening to the falling rain outside. The vibe was nice, the drinks are nice - the only thing is there's not too much seating so I think of this as a nice pit stop rather than somewhere to really settle in.

Ah, the last time I ambled over to this bucolic Portola cul-de-sac, this space was a Four Barrel. I wasn't aware they closed this shop during the pandemic, so I was surprised to find the place has a different name, even though the decor and vibe were quite similar. That includes the mural and wildflowers in the pocket park at the end of Burrows Street. I'm not sure where their beans come from, but... I was satisfied with my $6.25 Mocha (photo: https://bit.ly/3jU6Vxe). Very smooth and not overly sweet. It looks like they offer specialty toasts which I'll take advantage of had I not just eaten over in Bayview. I just took my mocha to the garden where an empty plastic stool was awaiting my derrière. Still quite chill here and far enough away from the cacophony of San Bruno Avenue to get you all zen. COFFEE - 4 stars...a fine mocha even if it wasn't Four Barell AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...still a chill location with a comfy pocket park SERVICE - 3.5 stars...barista was busy talking to a regular TOTAL - 4 stars...Mister Rogers would be pleased RELATED - Exploring Portola? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/37B1acE

Food favorites: ham and cheese croissant (super flaky and buttery! wish there was more ham and cheese) Service: personal, quick Vibes: I love the backstory of this shop!! I believe it was originally closed due to COVID, but recently reopened in tandem with the development of community garden led by volunteers on the strip of land right behind the coffee shop. It's been revitalized to be such a cute woodsy, almost fairytale coffee shop - the name of the store only adds to the communal feel!

Located in a little knot from the main road, in front of a beautiful community garden project sits, Hey Neighbor Cafe. The interior is small but cozy with warm ambient lighting for the chillest of vibes. When you gaze upon the ceiling, you feel like you are inside an entire tree. There plenty of tables inside and outside for you to enjoy your coffee. The coffee was fantastic in a small size but you can get refill for a dollar. The service reflects the vibe of the shop-chill and personal. My barista got our orders out in 10 mins. I was there during a raining day where it was pouring for 30 mins with some sunshine afterward. Pro tip: Take your coffee and check out the community garden project.

It's a beautiful day at Hey Neighbor Cafe. My Chai latte is perfect. Lovely service and space. If I lived in the neighborhood I would definitely be a regular patron. Support your local cafe

Cute local spot! It's tucked away at the end of the block and hidden away by some vegetation. There's a few tables outdoors and no restroom for customers, (which is odd for a coffee shop - something that makes you need to use the restroom....) but overall was a charming shop with chill vibes. What I thought was super adorable were the sketchbooks and assortment of pens and markers for customers to doodle or write in. . Ordered a lavender latte which was delightful. They unfortunately did not have vanilla as an option, only lavender or hazelnut. Usually I avoid the floral flavors as it tends to remind me of soap, but it was just overall pleasant.

Love the backyard feel of this cute cafe. They don't have the black sesame toast right now, but the Ube toast with cinnamon sugar was so delicious. I couldn't taste much of the ube flavor but the thickness of the toast was just what I needed. It was crispy with each bite but pillowy soft towards the end. The space was small but open, I felt very relaxed as I enjoyed my toast and cortado. Definitely a nice escape from the busy city life :)

What can I say? I like my coffee shops to have personality, and Hey Neighbor has more personality than I will ever have! This small but mighty cafe is tucked away in the garden oasis that is the Pocket Park cul-de-sac off of San Bruno Ave. You can literally sit amongst the plants and enjoy your warm beverage at one of their outdoor tables, or take a little walk in the Portola Greenway. The inside of the shop has a modern industrial look with warm natural wood touches, like a beautiful ceiling that was handmade using redwood from an old Hetch Hetchy Reservoir conduit. How cool is that? I am a weirdo who only ever orders drip coffee or a cappuccino, so if you like those things, you're in luck because both are amazing here. The espresso to steamed milk to foam ratio in the cappuccino is absolutely perfect. Every. Time. Also, Hey Neighbor is extremely active in the local community. You will always find them participating in neighborhood events, promoting and collaborating with local artists, and supporting other small businesses in times of need. But WHO is Hey Neighbor Cafe, you may ask? In their own words... "This is who we r: Black/queer-owned small business dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming space where creativity can thrive and our community can grow. Simple n sweet n straight to the point. We're here for each other, makin bombass drinks, sellin food that shmacks, n havin fun along the way." What's not to love?

This is a real hole in the wall and super pretty. The outside has a cool plant entrance way and the inside look like a repurposed garage. The vibe is super chill. They even have an old school boombox that plays cassette tapes. There was one worker but it wasn't overly busy. I really like the vibes here. Super chill. The coffee is good. I got the cold brew and my gf got the oat milk latte. Both were very good. Another plus is that they use a cube for their ice cube. It was super cool. I'd come back to chill and get coffee again.

Grew up in the neighborhood and never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a coffee shop like this in the area! Such a cute place to have coffee and chill! The kids love the hot chocolate and decor/vibe! Too cute! Keep up the great work! Xoxo

You might miss Hey Neighbor unless you look really hard. It's tucked away in a tiny cul-de-sac in Portola and has a beautiful garden and little library outside. There's not much indoor or outdoor seating so it's not ideal for getting work done, but it's perfect for simply enjoying coffee with good company. My partner ordered a latte and I had a few sips. Hands down one of the best I've tried in SF; the steamed milk was frothed perfectly and it had a prominent coffee flavor with just the right touch of sweetness. Unfortunately they ran out of ice an hour before closing and there were no pastries left, but I look forward to coming back and trying their black sesame toast.

Cinnamon sugar on ube toast - more sugary than cinnamon. You couldn't really taste the ube but the toast was crispy on crust and edges and soft and fluffy in the center. I appreciated how the crust wasn't so hard it would hurt the roof your mouth. Housemade marmalade on black sesame toast - asked the guy working there what it was and he said he didn't know since he only helps out sometimes. I took a chance and tried it without knowing. I think it was lemon - very citrusy. I wish it was a little sweeter. Matcha latte - I liked how it wasn't a diluted matcha. It also wasn't super sweet which I appreciated.

Excellent espresso! Had a tasty buttered ube toast. Good music, friendly barista. Not a ton of indoor seating (1 table and a bar), but plenty outside with lots of greenery.

Hands down the best cortado in sf! Super creamy and luscious with oat milk. Great vibe , beautiful space that transports you to a zen spot surrounded by neighborhood folk and a lovely community garden. Breads and spreads are delicious and owner and staff baristas are friendly, welcoming and engaging, including towards pets.

Local neighbor coffee shop. It's one of those places where everyone knows each other by first name bases. They have a good variety of coffee, lattes and even matcha. The inside is small, not really a place to sit. It's definitely a grab and go spot. Parking is also rough as they're located on a dead end street right across from busy San Bruno Av. I saw only one barista working and it can take a bit to get your drink. Overall, a solid local coffee shop to pick up a morning brew.

One star for the wait staff that was trying to help me out and the homey, interesting decor/ feel of the space. The second barista made me feel so uncomfortable. I was looking for a place to take a call for work and grab a bite to eat and found this when I searched "wifi" on yelp. When I arrived the woman (bleached eyebrows) was treating me like I was a huge inconvenience for asking for the wifi password. Literally saying "everyone else" doesn't ask for this. She looked like she couldn't be bothered and I felt so unwelcome I went to sit outside. Good ambiance but not a good vibe.

In a city where so much is going on and people are constantly on the move commuting and heading to their next destination, Hey Neighbor Cafe is the perfect spot to slow down, take a sip of your Oat Milk Latte, and take everything in. I ordered an extra hot Oat Milk Latte with a slice of Black Sesame Almond Butter Toast for $14. Details from the ceiling, inside & outdoor seating, art, and the open space letting in the natural sunlight and air were what made me want to stay until closing. I would only hope that they had marmalade for the toast throughout the week; but disclaimer: the person at the register told me they tend to run out towards the end of week. The oat milk latte was too foamy, the espresso sadly tasted bitter, but the sesame almond butter toast was thick (idks how many c's) and filling. Unless you're on the lookout, it might be hard to find this cafe since it's tucked past parking spaces, however locals and ex Four Barrel Coffee customers seem to keep coming back as there are friendly and familiar interactions.

Unassuming coffee spot in the corner of Portola. It's one of 'those coffeehouse joints ' you would find in downtown sf minus the pretentious atmosphere. The owners have a cat and dog that walk around. Parking can be tricky, would have to park and walk up the main road. I came in a motorcycle but there would have been no car spots in front of the store. They have a tables inside with a coloring book for activities. The community garden around is lovely to see, you can walk around with your coffee and see different flowers that neighborhood is working on. There is also a community open library! I highly recommend to stop by and support your local coffee spot

Adorable coffee shop hidden at the end of a small street. I was drawn in by pictures of Boots the cat, but sadly did not get to see him during my visit early in the morning. I got there a little after 7:30 on Friday and the shop wasn't open yet - have the hours changed? Something to note if you're in a rush in the morning! I ordered a latte with whole milk (no other milk options available, and milk alternatives are extra). Coffee was smooth and definitely strong - it kept me going for several hours in the morning! Hopefully in the future they can add a few more milk alternatives, but all in all I'd definitely come back with a friend to try their other espresso drinks and food options.

Adorable little hidden coffee shop. Had delicious drink, pet a cute dog... I will come back soon

This 1-star review is not for the coffee, but for the staff member that works here. Staff makes or break a business, and this staff member is definitely breaking it. What absolutely amazes me is that she's the owner! This is literally the only decent coffee shop in the area, so that's why I come here. Too bad they don't realize this and capitalize on this monopoly. Every single time I come in the morning, the owner sees me but don't come to attend to me. One time I was literally standing there and was the only one in there, and she just stood there staring at her phone. It's common sense that people are in a rush in the morning to go to work and school, and this is how you treat customers that's supporting small businesses? One time I waved at her and said good morning and she literally ignores me. She has this attitude like I'm inconveniencing her. Lol. You say good morning or hi to her she either ignores or hesitantly say something back. I wish I was making this up. I gave this place chances after chances and it's the same result. I never jump to conclusions and know that everyone has bad days. But after a month straight of the same thing, there's no excuse. Please take your money somewhere else and support a small business that actually appreciates your support. Multiple times they're out of sugar, creamers, and lids, at 8am in the morning. Lol. I rather have bad coffee than come here. Too bad Starbucks or another decent coffee place is not near here or else I would've never set foot in here. It's very unfortunate this is how this place is run and unless she's only doing this to me, I'm shocked at how this place gets 4.5 stars rating. I sincerely hope another decent owner that actually appreciate people supporting their business takes over. It's very sad.

Stopped by on the way to work to try the toast and get a latte. Interior has a industrial feel and vibe with a nice sit down area and wooden tables. I ordered the brown sugar cinnamon with butter Toast. Toast is dense and filling from Rize Up Bakery. It wasn't my preference , I thought it would be similar to Trouble Coffee. The neighborhood cat likes to roam around and gets greeted by the regulars.

We found out about Hey Neighbor Cafe when they had a booth at the Brisbane City-Wide Yard Sale. They were generously giving out baked goods and delicious drinks! On our way home we stopped at their shop on Burrows St. Wow! What a beautiful space and beautiful people running it. And a cat! When you're there take a look at the ceiling, and the garden space in front and to the side. You'd never know you were in a busy city. It's peaceful.

Hey Neighbor Cafe is a fairytale coffee shop tucked away in the Portola. If you're coming for a visit, they are in the corner right next to subway. The cafe was warm, inviting and so vibey. Service was great and we were even greeted by the cute cat that goes around saying hello. I brought my puppy along and he loved it too, they are dog friendly! There's seating inside and out to choose from. Ube Toast - the day I came, they didn't have the homemade jam, so sad. I def will come back to try it since I've heard great things about it. I just got mine with cream cheese and it was good but pretty standard. Complimented well with my chai latte. Chai Latte - delicious! Great blend of spices in the chai and it was very fragrant. Matcha Latte - also great! good balance of flavor

What a cute spot. Very local. Both indoor and outdoor seating. Nice staff. Not busy at all when we went, everyone just seemed chill. The surrounding gardens are all run by the Portola Garden Club, and they were working on a Sunday afternoon so the gates were open and we could walk around and explore. Oh right, the drinks were good too! * Cappuccino (4.5 stars, good earthy flavor) * Chai (3 stars, watery)

This quaint little coffee shop in the Portola Garden District of San Francisco was a diamond in the rough. The ambiance is absolutely top notch. Decked out in foliage and it hidden behind a subway. It looks like you are entering a tree. The inside of the shop is quaint and cute the food and coffee is amazing and served with all natural ingredients. The service was absolutely stellar! Kudos for the guy with the beard who handled a very difficult woman with style and class.

Very cool small atmospheric coffee shop. Parking is hard to come by but they serve Captain + Stoker's so it's good

Finally finishing this review... took way too long , but here are a couple reasons why I love Hey Neighbor Cafe in San Francisco. So first off, it was super close to my house in excelsior, so thats numero uno... Secondly it seems like a really chill spot. Some folks like me loved the cozy vibe and great drinks, and would consider it a nice stop, but other people might complain about the limited seating... Hey you can't please everyone right? Third, there is a beautiful ambiance, especially the garden, and the cafe's unique aesthetic. I really love the drinks and service but keep in mind, it can get busy sometimes and there is a little inconsistency with certain beverage qualities... It truly feels like a community, you see the same regulars if you start coming often enough. I enjoyed coming and working on coding projects because I can slap on my headphones, plug in, stay caffeinated and work all day. Plus they have a fantastic cappuccino and toast! Overall, its a spot with charm and character. Definitely worth a visit!

Came on Thanksgiving. I got a latte. A nice hole in the wall. The vibes of the place were very chill, and it seemed like a great spot to just get a drink and chat. The coffee was good. Nice balance of milk and coffee. They had milk alternative options. Staff were nice. Menu is very simple.