Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Honeybear – San Francisco
Honeybear - San Francisco
Photo from Honeybear
Honeybear at a glance
San Francisco Dogpatch
- 🍜 Taiwanese Restaurant
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 32 of the guests
#2017 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Taiwanese Restaurant out of 14 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
250
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious drinks
- Cute ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- High prices
The restaurant Honeybear boba brings a taste of Taiwan to the vibrant Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. If you’re searching for an authentic Taiwanese Restaurant experience, you’ve found your spot.
This welcoming establishment is particularly known for its great tea selection, offering a delightful array of beverages to complement your visit. Whether you’re a local or just exploring the city, you’ll appreciate the dedication to quality and flavor here.
Overview: Introducting Honeybear
Honeybear offers a mixed experience, with many finding the drinks to be quite delicious and the overall selection to have excellent flavors. The atmosphere is often described as cute and a welcome addition to the neighborhood, making it a pleasant spot for a quick stop.
However, some patrons have noted concerns regarding the price for what’s offered. There are also occasional issues with service, including disorganization and inconsistent closing times, which can detract from the visit.
Good
6.4
out of 10
250
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
83
negative
17
neutral
150
positive
Overall, Honeybear lands with a Restaurant Score of 6.4, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer feedback indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 60%, suggesting a mixed reception.
This assessment is drawn from 250 customer comments, with 150 positive remarks balancing against 83 negative ones. Diving deeper, Food (6.6) is the most discussed aspect, generally receiving average marks for its flavors, though some find quality inconsistent.
Ambience (6.8) also scores in the average range, with its cute decor noted. However, Service (5.6) and Value (5.3) hover at the lower end of average, indicating areas where experiences can vary more significantly.
What people like
- Delicious drink flavors
- Cute atmosphere
- Friendly, efficient service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service experience
- Perceived high prices
- Limited seating options
Honeybear presents itself as a decent option for those seeking a quick, flavorful drink in a pleasant setting. While the Recommendation Score of 6.4 suggests it’s a generally acceptable choice, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and value.
If you prioritize a cute spot and good drink selection, it’s worth a try. However, if consistent service and clear value are paramount, you might find the experience a bit hit-or-miss.
Manage your expectations accordingly.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Honeybear
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Youll find a lot to love about the drinks here, with many customers praising the delicious flavor and impressive variety of flavors, from unique creamsicle options to classic milk tea. The boba quality often gets a nod too! Based on 102 positive comments out of 165 total, the food topic earns an average 6.6 score and a mixed 61.8% customer satisfaction.
However, not everything is perfectly brewed. Some customers have noted issues with boba texture, describing it as inconsistent or clumped. Concerns about overall quality dropping, drinks being watery, or simply too sweet also appear in 49 negative comments.
This suggests theres room for improvement in consistency.
Food
165
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
49
negative
14
neutral
102
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great drink variety
- Delicious flavors
- Good boba quality
What people don't like
- Inconsistent boba texture
- Quality has dropped
- Drinks too sweet
Often praised
- drinksMy experience at the restaurant involved decent drinks, but the ordering/pickup experience was a bit chaotic. I wasn't sure when my drink was ready until I went up to the counter to check.
- bobaYum. Order it without the boba if you don’t like boba, but don’t say I didn’t tell you to give it another chance at winning you over on the boba train. This is the spot.
- strawberry matcha lattestrawberry matcha latte and it was absolutely delicious
- Brown Sugar Milk w/ CremaBrown Sugar Milk w/ Crema is sooo good
- black milk teablack milk tea with crema, brown sugar, and boba (regular sugar) and it was so good!
- flavorsMy experience at the restaurant was marked by a great selection and excellent flavors. What truly stood out was the uncommon kindness shown by the staff.
- foodMy experience was SOOOOOO GOOD I CANT EVEN LIE. I wish I didn’t live an hour and a half away 😣.
- strawberry lemonadeThe strawberry lemonade is on point!
- sweetnessyou can taste the toned down sweetness at 50%
- taro milk teaTried the taro and jasmine milk tea. Both were good
Frequently criticized
- bobabrown sugar milk tea with boba. It was way too milky and salty
- drinksonly a total of 4 drinks were handed out
- brown sugar milk teabrown sugar milk tea with boba. It was way too milky and salty
- fruit teasTheir fruit teas are very artificial
- qualityThis place is coasting on their good reviews from years ago. As a regular and local customer, their drop in quality has been astounding. The last 3 times I've been there, I've had to ask to get my drink remade since it has tasted like there's no flavor in it.
- strawberry green teaThe strawberry green tea tasted perfume-y
- 50% sweetnessordered 50% sweetness on my drinks and it was so sweet
- Black Milk Teathe drink itself tasted like watered down tea/milk
- Hong Kong Milk TeaVery water down and minimum tea flavor
- Tapioca Pearlsthe Tapioca Pearls I got were hard and stale
If youre looking for a wide selection of interesting drink flavors and good boba, its worth a try. Just be mindful that consistency can be an issue, especially with sweetness levels and boba texture.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to service, there's definitely a bright side! With 26 positive remarks out of 50 total comments, many customers praised the friendly staff and quick service. People loved the recommendations and experienced genuine kindness.
The overall score for service sits at an average 5.6, suggesting a decent experience for many. However, not everything is smooth sailing. With 23 critical observations, some patrons faced issues with operating hours not matching advertisements, leading to frustration.
Others reported long waits and felt the customer service was lacking or even disorganized. This contributes to a mixed 52% customer satisfaction, indicating areas where improvement is needed.
Service
50
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
23
negative
1
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Short wait times
What people don't like
- Inaccurate operating hours
- Disorganized service
- Unprofessional staff
Often praised
- staffstaff immediately offered to make her a new drink
- serviceFriendly and quick, efficient service
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- GabyGaby made it didn’t disappoint
- OrderOrder was fulfilled pretty quickly.
- ServiceService:5
- cashierThe cashier really helped me out
- clerkHelpful clerk
- customer servicethe customer service is A1
- drinksThe drinks were served quickly
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceSan Francisco has terrible customer service
- deliveryThe long wait was mostly the Uber Eats driver’s fault, but there’s more. When he finally came to deliver the drinks, he only had 6 drinks out of the 12. He also didn’t get any straws for the drinks.
- attention to detaildisappointed to the attention to detail when it was an online order
- closing timeI might assume that the high school aged kids that run the place just don't care. The lady that runs the store kicks people out of the store 15 minutes before closing by telling everyone to get out. I wouldn't recommend this place anymore, and it's sad that such a great local business has gone down the drain to such an extent.
- disorganizedVery disorganized not knowing what drinks were part of what order
- employeeI’m sure the kid wasn’t the owner because he would have been nicer
- employeesThe 2 employees could be heard yelling at each other & complaining
- lack of responsedisappointed at the lack of response from the team
- long waitThe long wait was mostly the Uber eats driver’s fault
- operating hoursMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. We arrived at 6: 45 PM, expecting it to be open until 7 PM as advertised, but we were told they were already closed. This was a frustrating experience as we specifically chose this place based on its stated operating hours.
Overall, you can expect friendly and quick service, making it worth a visit if that's your priority. Just be aware that some customers have experienced issues with operating hours and occasional disorganization, so it might not always be a perfectly smooth experience.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a highlight, with a good score of 6.8 and a solid customer satisfaction of 73.9%. Many folks, 17 out of 23 comments, loved the cute shop and awesome atmosphere, calling it an awesome addition to the neighborhood. They also appreciated the nice merchandise and cute cups, making it a pleasant new spot.
However, its not all perfect. A few voices, 4 comments, pointed out some minor issues. Concerns included trash cans in the way of the door and some feeling the shop was a bit dirty.
Others found the atmosphere very bare and noted no real area to sit or hang around, which might be a drawback if youre looking to linger.
Ambience
23
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute shop aesthetic
- Enjoyable atmosphere
- Great neighborhood addition
What people don't like
- Limited seating space
- Bare atmosphere
- Cleanliness issues
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere of the place is cute
- shopThe shop is cute
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Awesomenessknew about this Awesomeness!
- Scothe Sco looking good
- addition to the neighborhoodAwesome addition to the neighborhood
- customersHappy customers
- cute cupsThey have cute cups
- logoand logo too!
- merchandiseThey have some nice merch for sale too
Frequently criticized
- area to sitThere's no real area to sit or hang around
- shop atmospherevery bare
- shop cleanlinessThe shop was a bit dirty
- trash canstrash cans were in the way of the door
If youre looking for a quick, pleasant stop with a cute vibe and some cool merch, this spot is worth checking out. Just dont expect a cozy place to lounge, as seating is limited, and keep an eye out for minor cleanliness issues.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, some customers found the experience quite positive, with 5 opinions highlighting that prices were fair, economical, and even extremely affordable. Despite a mixed customer satisfaction of 41.7%, the sentiment around Prices and economical options suggests there are definitely some budget-friendly aspects to appreciate here. However, the overall score of 5.3, which falls into the average range, indicates there's room for improvement.
With 7 opinions expressing concern, many felt the price for items like the regular size drinks or a cup was not proportionate, leading to feelings that the price point was a bit much and not worth the money.
Value
12
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Economical options available
- Fair and affordable prices
What people don't like
- High prices for size
- Not worth the money
Often praised
- pricesGreat job Larry & Staff. It's a must visit, and I forgot to mention the prices are extremely affordable.
- Price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- PricesPrices were fair.
- economicalIt is economical
Frequently criticized
- pricey’all messed up charging for boba whrn ur drinks be expensive
- cupThe cup is stubby for $7
- local businessThe lady that runs the store kicks people out of the store 15 minutes before closing by telling everyone to get out. I wouldn't recommend this place anymore, and it's sad that such a great local business has gone down the drain to such an extent.
- price pointPrice point is $5.25 for a small drink with no boba which is a bit much
- regular sizeThe regular size was NOT proportionate to the price
If you're looking for economical options, you might find some good deals, but be aware that the value can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some items might feel overpriced for their size, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Honeybear?
Expect to pay about 6 per person, based on 32 reviews. That places it in the $1–$10 category. For a Taiwanese Restaurant in San Francisco, this is incredibly budget-friendly!
The data clearly shows that most diners, 29 out of 32, keep their spending within this lower range, indicating a consistently affordable and accessible experience.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 32 most recent reviews.
A look at how this restaurant compares in value to similar places in San Francisco.
We believe the pricing here offers fantastic value. For a Taiwanese restaurant in San Francisco, 6 per person is exceptionally fair, making it a truly accessible and delicious option.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Honeybear
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Great Brown Sugar Milk!
My experience at this boba spot was fantastic! It's one of my favorite places in the city. The workers are super nice, and the Brown Sugar Milk w/ Crema is sooo good 🔥.
- workers9
- Brown Sugar Milk w/ Crema10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Decent Boba, But Lacks Value
Right out the gate, I knew this would be a place I am not going to frequent. I was waiting for a train and wanted a sweet treat, and HoneyBear was closest. First, I’ll give my compliments.
The tea is strong and high quality, compared to other boba places. It doesn’t just taste like syrup water. They fulfilled my various specifications, such as light sweetness and light ice.
I’m glad they allow customizations. The pearls are noticeably sweet, and while I’m not personally a fan, I think others would be. The atmosphere of the place is cute.
Those are big compliments, though that is where they end. Now, my criticisms. The pearl quality was inconsistent, although most of them were too soft.
The pearl to tea ratio was not the best (not enough boba to finish the tea). The regular size was NOT proportionate to the price. I ordered a peach black tea, which totalled to $7.
25 (with boba). The cup is stubby for $7, especially when you compare what you can get from other places for the same cost. The milk teas and specialty drinks were even more expensive at the base price, and their selection could be broadened.
They only take card payments here, and while the place is cute, there was barely any seating. Overall, HoneyBear Boba is just another boba place, nothing too special about it. I’m glad there’s a boba place around these parts, but that alone is no reason to love it.
3/5.
- tea8
- light sweetness7
- light ice7
- pearl quality3
- pearl to tea ratio3
- regular size3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Mixed Experience with Strawberry Green Tea
On Sunday the 31st, I tried the strawberry green tea, but unfortunately, it was bitter, likely from being over-steeped. Thankfully, my wife’s drink was delicious.
- wife’s drink8
- strawberry green tea2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Service and Great Flavors
My experience at the restaurant was marked by a great selection and excellent flavors. What truly stood out was the uncommon kindness shown by the staff. When my friend accidentally ordered the wrong drink, the staff immediately offered to remake it with her intended order.
This level of service was incredibly kind.
- selection9
- flavors9
- kindness10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
9
Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade & Delicious!
This was my first time here, and the 🍓🍋 was incredibly refreshing and delicious! I will definitely be stopping by again when I'm in SF. 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊
- strawberry lemonade10
What Honeybear offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What convenient service options does Honeybear boba offer?
For your convenience, Honeybear boba provides several service options. You can choose from no-contact delivery for a safe experience, traditional takeout if you’re on the go, or standard delivery right to your door. Enjoy your Taiwanese favorites with ease.
Does Honeybear boba provide accessibility features for its guests?
Yes, Honeybear boba is committed to being accessible to everyone. The establishment features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all visitors can comfortably enter and enjoy their experience at this San Francisco Taiwanese restaurant.
How does Honeybear generally rate among customers?
Honeybear holds a Restaurant Score of 6.4 and a Customer Satisfaction of 60%, indicating a mixed but generally average experience. While Food (6.6) and Ambience (6.8) are rated average, Service (5.6) and Value (5.3) tend to be lower.
What are some popular drink options at Honeybear?
Customers often praise drinks like the strawberry matcha latte, Brown Sugar Milk w/ Crema, and black milk tea for their delicious and excellent flavors.
Are there any common complaints about Honeybear's service or pricing?
Some customers have noted issues with inconsistent service, including disorganization and early closures. Pricing is also a concern for some, who feel it can be a bit high for the portion size.