The Buena Vista
Bar · Fisherman's Wharf ·
Home of the world-famous Irish coffee, a historic SF institution
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23085724/1_Buena_Vista_Irish_Coffee.PNG "The Buena Vista by eater.com")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70276860/2_Buena_Vista_Header.0.png "The Buena Vista by Illustrations by Fabiola Lara")
Home of the world-famous Irish coffee, a historic SF institution
"You’re probably getting the Irish Coffee that the bartenders claim to have invented, but they also make an iconic version of the beverage with chocolate liquor instead of Tullamore Dew. It is pleasantly boozy and chocolatey enough, the hot mug contrasting with cold whipped cream on top. Can you ask for an Irish mocha that adds the whiskey and coffee back in? You can certainly ask…" - Ori Ravid
"Though mostly (and justly) known for its Irish coffees, the Buena Vista Cafe also has a decent breakfast and lunch offering, with views of the Bay. It’s right off the Powell/Hyde cable car’s last stop, making it a tourist destination for many. Locals, however, still flock there regularly for a boozy, caffeinated pick-me-up, clam chowder in bread bowls, and old-school fare purveyed by white-jacketed bartenders. (It opened in 1916, though its famous beverage didn’t come along until 1952, according to the restaurant.)" - Paolo Bicchieri
"Yes, it’s a tourist destination often clogged with camera-wielding out-of-towners. But this San Francisco institution is also a neighborhood haunt and the bartenders often greet regulars with a friendly nod as they scoot up to a table or belly up to the bar. This bar and restaurant is much more than just a coffee cocktail innovator — though do make sure to try Buena Vista’s Irish coffee. It pairs well with the unfussy menu of breakfast, sandwiches, and entrees like corned beef and fish and chips." - Paolo Bicchieri
"You go to The Buena Vista for Irish coffee. In fact, the caffeinated cocktail was reportedly first recreated in the United States at this century-old saloon near Ghirardelli Square in 1952. The long wooden bar is the best seat to watch all the action. Bartenders in white lab coats line up glasses, plop in sugar cubes, and fill them up with coffee, whiskey, and whipped cream. Whether you actually enjoy guzzling down a glass will depend on how much you like sweet and creamy drinks, and/or just enjoy checking out San Francisco tourist traps that are also classic institutions. This place also serves wine, beer, and non-coffee-based cocktails, and has a dinner and brunch menu of decent burgers, clam chowder, Dungeness crab omelets, and more." - lani conway, julia chen 1, patrick wong
"You go to The Buena Vista for Irish coffee. In fact, the caffeinated cocktail was reportedly first recreated in the United States at this century-old saloon near Ghirardelli Square in 1952. Which certainly makes it a hub for tourists. Go with it. The long wooden bar is the best seat to watch all the action. Bartenders in white lab coats line up glasses, plop in sugar cubes, and fill them up with coffee, whiskey, and whipped cream. Whether you actually enjoy guzzling down a glass will depend on how much you like sweet and creamy drinks, and/or just enjoy checking out San Francisco tourist traps that are also classic institutions." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong