oChef » Cafecito – San Francisco

Cafecito - San Francisco

Cafe Cafecito in San Francisco
Photo from Cafecito
How do the guests rate it?
Cafecito at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#417 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#43 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
8.8
Food
8.3
Service
6
Ambience
8
Value
138

Reviews

86.2%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Delicious food
  • Great service
  • Good value
Frequently criticized
  • Sketchy location
  • No Wi-Fi
  • Incorrect hours

Overview: Introducting Cafecito

Cafecito offers a delightful experience, particularly noted for its excellent food and attentive service. Many appreciate it as a genuine mom and pop shop, providing a cozy, nice low key spot for a meal.

However, potential visitors should be aware of concerns regarding the surrounding neighborhood and location, which some found less inviting. Additionally, the absence of wifi might be a consideration for those planning to work or linger.

Excellent
8.2 out of 10
138

Reviews

86.2%

Satisfaction

12

negative

7

neutral

119

positive

Overall, Cafecito earns a strong 8.2 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 86.2%, indicating that most patrons leave pleased.

These figures are drawn from 138 customer remarks, with a significant majority of 119 positive comments outweighing just 12 negative ones. The Food (8.8) is clearly a standout, receiving high praise for its quality and taste.

Service (8.3) also performs very well, with staff often described as friendly and attentive. The Value (8) offered here is considered good, providing affordable options.

However, the Ambience (6) scores as average, primarily due to external factors rather than the interior itself.

What people like
  • Delicious, quality food
  • Friendly, attentive service
  • Excellent affordable value
What people don't like
  • Uninviting exterior location
  • No Wi-Fi access
  • Inaccurate online hours

Cafecito is a strong contender for those prioritizing excellent food and warm service at a reasonable price. With a solid recommendation score of 8.4, it’s certainly worth considering if you’re in the area and looking for a satisfying meal.

While the immediate surroundings might not be its strongest suit, the quality inside makes up for it. If you’re seeking a cozy spot for a delicious, budget-friendly breakfast or lunch and don’t require Wi-Fi, Cafecito delivers a reliable experience.

Similar Restaurants in San Francisco

Verdict: Our expert take on Cafecito

Food (8.8 out of 10)

mentioned by 92% of the guests

When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.8 and an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 96.2%, its clear diners are loving whats on offer. Out of 79 observations, a whopping 76 were positive, praising everything from the delicious breakfast burritos and tamales to the quality coffee and homemade cake.

The overall consensus points to fantastic flavor and generous portions. What's truly remarkable is the complete absence of negative feedback regarding the food. There were zero negative comments among the 79 observations, indicating a consistently positive experience for all patrons.

This suggests a high level of satisfaction across the board, with no significant areas for improvement identified by customers.

8.8 Food

79

Reviews

96%

Satisfaction

0

negative

3

neutral

76

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Delicious breakfast burritos
  • Incredible tamales
  • Quality coffee
What people don't like

Often praised

  • food
  • coffee
  • breakfast burrito
  • breakfast
  • latte
  • portion
  • quality
  • quesadilla
  • sandwiches
  • Asiago Cheese Bagel

Frequently criticized

No complaints so far.

If youre looking for a place with consistently delicious food and drinks, this spot is definitely worth trying. With overwhelmingly positive feedback and no complaints about the cuisine, you can expect a satisfying meal every time. Its a clear winner for anyone prioritizing great taste and quality.

Service (8.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 64% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.3 and an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 88.9%, its clear the staff are doing something right. Out of 27 customer remarks, 24 were glowing, frequently praising the "attentive" and "friendly staff, " and highlighting the "sweetest people" who provide "unmatched service.

"However, its not entirely without a few bumps, as 3 comments noted some minor issues. These mainly revolved around online information being misleading about opening hours and a couple of observations about employees appearing disengaged, particularly concerning the Open sign when the place wasn't actually ready for customers.

8.3 Service

27

Reviews

88%

Satisfaction

3

negative

0

neutral

24

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly, attentive staff
  • Excellent customer service
  • Warm, kind people
What people don't like
  • Misleading online hours
  • Disengaged employees

Often praised

  • service
  • staff
  • people
  • attentive
  • customer service
  • friendly
  • friendly and attentive staff
  • friendly people
  • girls serving
  • group of ladies

Frequently criticized

  • Open sign
  • employees
  • online information

If youre looking for a place where youll feel genuinely welcomed and well-cared for, the service here is definitely a highlight. While there might be a rare hiccup with online info or initial impressions, the overwhelmingly positive interactions make it worth a visit.

Ambience (6 out of 10)

mentioned by 47% of the guests

When it comes to ambience, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 6 and customer satisfaction sitting at 50%. Many guests appreciate the clean and cozy feel, often describing it as feeling like home. The availability of indoor and outdoor seating is a definite plus, and its celebrated as a charming mom and pop shop.

However, based on 22 customer observations, with 11 positive and 8 negative, the surrounding location and neighborhood are a significant concern. Many find the outside area to be sketchy or unsafe, with mentions of beggars detracting from the overall experience, and a lack of childrens chairs noted by some.

6 Ambience

22

Reviews

50%

Satisfaction

8

negative

3

neutral

11

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Clean and cozy
  • Homey atmosphere
  • Indoor/outdoor seating
What people don't like
  • Unsafe neighborhood
  • Sketchy outside area
  • No children's chairs

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • cafe
  • clean
  • feel like home
  • indoor and outdoor seating
  • mom and pop shop
  • neighborhood
  • nice low key spot
  • place
  • tables

Frequently criticized

  • location
  • area
  • beggars in the area
  • chairs for children
  • neighborhood
  • outside area
  • wifi

If youre seeking a genuinely cozy and clean spot with a homey vibe, this place could be a real find. Just be prepared for the surrounding neighborhood, which many find less than ideal, especially if youre planning a visit with kids.

Value (8 out of 10)

mentioned by 25% of the guests

When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 80%, many folks rave about the reasonable prices and affordability. Youll often hear its the best bang for your buck and you can enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank, as 8 positive remarks confirm.

However, its not entirely perfect. Out of 10 comments, just one person felt it was a bit pricey for breakfast, specifically mentioning the breakfast price. ' So, while overall value is strong, keep an eye on those morning meal costs.

8 Value

10

Reviews

80%

Satisfaction

1

negative

1

neutral

8

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Great value
  • Affordable meals
  • Bang for buck
What people don't like
  • Pricey breakfast

Often praised

  • prices
  • affordability
  • bang for your buck
  • budget
  • price
  • reasonable prices
  • without breaking the bank

Frequently criticized

  • breakfast price

If youre looking for a place that offers great value, especially for lunch or dinner, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Youll likely find the prices agreeable and leave feeling satisfied without emptying your wallet. Just be mindful if you're planning a breakfast visit, as some found it a tad expensive.

How are the prices at Cafecito?

On average, you’ll spend around 16 per person – from 17 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.

Most guests seem to stick to this price point, with only a couple venturing outside this range.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.

How this spot’s value stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.

Overall, for a Cafe in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. Its a comfortable mid-range option that wont break the bank for a casual meal.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Cafecito

Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
Marissa S.
Review date: 08/25/2025
8
Gem of a Cafe, Shady Neighborhood
Traveling solo from out of town, I was looking for a quick and easy breakfast spot for coffee and a ham & cheese croissant. This spot was perfect, but the neighborhood it's in seems really shady/unsafe. I walked only 7 minutes there and questioned multiple times whether to press on or turn around and go back to my hotel. I would Uber next time. The staff was super sweet, and the prices were reasonable by SF standards. I'd go again; the cafe is a gem – just wish it was a little better outside the doors. The croissant was good, and as a coffee snob, the latte was pretty perfect.
  • staff10
  • prices8
  • cafe9
  • neighborhood2
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Group Type
  • Family
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Cameron C.
Review date: 07/03/2025
8
Great Service, Good Food, Safety Concern
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, with great service and good coffee. The staff was nice and quick. I'm especially grateful to the sweet lady who made my son a quesadilla with only cheese on a corn tortilla. The food was good, and the service was excellent, both rated 5/5. However, the outside area around the restaurant didn’t feel safe, which was the only issue.
  • service10
  • coffee8
  • quesadilla10
  • outside area3
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Adriana P.
Review date: 05/28/2025
9
Hidden Gem with Delicious Food!
What an experience! The walk from the Hilton Hotel felt a little uneasy at times—maybe that’s just my perspective as a young woman—but once I arrived, I was so glad I came. The food was cheap, affordable, and absolutely delicious. You can really tell it’s a small business that cares about quality and service. If you can, I recommend going with someone just to feel a bit safer, but don’t let that stop you—this spot is 100% worth it. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a great meal on a budget! P. S. I got the bacon burrito and medium Mexican hot chocolate which tasted AMAZING!
  • food10
  • quality9
  • service9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
Emily R.
Review date: 03/27/2025
9
Exceptional Burrito, Worth Returning For!
My experience was fantastic, largely thanks to the reviewer who raved about their sausage egg and cheese burrito. They were dead on – it is exceptionally good! The burrito was crispy and savory, with all ingredients in perfect proportion. It was so huge that it honestly felt like a two-meal burrito for me. Paired with their salsa verde? Chefs kiss! I'm in town for a conference and will definitely be going back tomorrow to order the exact same thing.
  • sausage egg and cheese burrito10
  • crispy9
  • savory9
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
James B.
Review date: 03/04/2025
10
Life-Saving Breakfast Burrito!
My experience at this restaurant was truly life-saving, thanks to their outstanding sausage burrito. It's a perfect blend of a delicious tortilla, eggs, sausage, cheese, salsa, and potatoes. I'm pretty sure the cure for depression was in there as well! Located about a block and a half from the Union Square Hilton, this little gem is a must-visit. Ordering the breakfast burrito may just restore your faith in humanity!
  • sausage burrito10
  • tortilla9
  • cheese9

What Cafecito offers

Highlights

  • Great coffee
  • Great tea selection

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Crowd

  • Tourists
  • Groups
  • College students

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Kids' menu
  • Good for kids

Popular for

  • Solo dining
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast

Amenities

  • Paid Wi-Fi
  • Bar onsite
  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Healthy options
  • Vegan options
  • Coffee
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Dessert
  • Table service
  • Lunch

Service Options

  • Dine-in
  • Takeout
  • Delivery

Pets

  • Dogs allowed inside
  • Dogs allowed outside
  • Dogs allowed

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual
  • Trendy

FAQs

How does Cafecito generally rate among customers?
Cafecito holds a strong overall score of **8.2**. Customers particularly praise the **Food** (8.8), **Service** (8.3), and **Value** (8), while the **Ambience** (6) is considered average.
Customers frequently highlight the delicious and affordable food, including items like breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and coffee. Many describe the quality as excellent, with generous portions.
While Cafecito offers a cozy atmosphere and indoor/outdoor seating, it does not provide Wi-Fi. Some patrons also noted concerns about the immediate surrounding neighborhood.
Loading map…
Location
406 Ellis St, 94102 San Francisco
Opening hours