Simple Pleasures Cafe

"At Simple Pleasures Cafe, you wouldn’t blink twice if you saw a neighborhood book club plopping down on the back couches or staff greeting long-time regulars by name. The coffee shop is a feel-good, all-day gathering spot in the Richmond—even if you just come in for a quick cappuccino, don’t be surprised if you end up staying for hours with a good book by the big windows. In terms of the actual menu, there are hearty cafe staples like bagels and paninis, and a straightforward list of espresso drinks served in to-go cups." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

"In the Outer Richmond Simple Pleasures Cafe keeps large parties buzzing with a big parklet suited for groups of any size — including any amount of animals. The neighborhood institution has served the city since 1978 and, while it’s well-lit parklet is much newer, longtime residents need no instruction to get their morning fix on Balboa Street." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri

"At Simple Pleasures Cafe, you wouldn’t blink twice if you saw a neighborhood book club plopping down on the back couches or staff greeting long-time regulars by name. The coffee shop is a feel-good, all-day gathering spot in the Richmond—even if you just come in for a quick cappuccino, don’t be surprised if you end up staying for hours with a good book by the big windows. In terms of the actual menu, there are hearty cafe staples like bagels and paninis, and a straightforward list of espresso drinks served in straightforward to-go cups." - Julia Chen

"Among them is La Mejor Bakery on 24th Street; Cow Hollow bar Blue Light; coffee spot Caffe Greco in North Beach; wine shop Castro Village Wine Co.; butcher shop Guerra Quality Meats; Beijing duck purveyors Hing Lung Company; beloved dive bar Mr. Bing’s; North Beach’s Peña Pachamama; Piro Pizzeria in the Sunset; Simple Pleasures Café on Balboa; ice cream shop favorite, Swensen’s; and Tony Nik’s Café on Stockton Street." - Dianne de Guzman