Highlights
- Great dessert
oChef » Na Ya – San Francisco
Na Ya - San Francisco
Photo from Na Ya
Na Ya at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🍰 Dessert Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 43 of the guests
#1733 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Dessert Restaurant out of 8 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
460
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious desserts
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Diverse menu
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
The dessert restaurant Na Ya Dessert Cafe, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District, is where you’ll discover truly great dessert. This cozy and casual spot invites you to unwind, offering a trendy atmosphere perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely evening, you’ll find a welcoming space to enjoy delicious treats and coffee.
Overview: Introducting Na Ya
Na Ya offers a compelling selection of treats, with many patrons praising the delightful desserts and the overall quality of the food. The staff often receives commendation for their friendly demeanor and efficient service, contributing to a generally pleasant experience.
However, some guests have noted concerns regarding changes in portion sizes and occasional lapses in customer service. The overall value proposition also seems to be a point of contention for a segment of the clientele.
Good
6.9
out of 10
460
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
124
negative
28
neutral
308
positive
Na Ya achieves a respectable overall score of 6.9, indicating a generally positive experience for many. However, customer satisfaction stands at 67%, suggesting a somewhat mixed sentiment among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from over 460 customer observations, with 308 positive remarks balancing against 124 negative ones, providing a solid foundation for these insights. Diving deeper, the Food truly shines with a strong 7.9, consistently earning high praise.
The Ambience also contributes positively, scoring 6.7. Conversely, Service registers as average at 4.8, while Value presents a significant challenge, scoring a low 3.0, indicating it’s a key area for improvement.
What people like
- Delicious desserts
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Diverse menu options
What people don't like
- Poor value
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
With a solid recommendation score of 7.4, Na Ya generally earns a nod for its culinary offerings, particularly if you’re seeking delightful sweets. It’s a place that can satisfy a craving for specific treats in a comfortable setting.
However, be mindful of the overall cost and potential service inconsistencies. If you prioritize exceptional desserts and a nice vibe over strict value or flawless service, it could be a worthwhile visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Na Ya
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre generally in for a treat! With a solid score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at a strong 81.8%, many rave about the delicious desserts, unique flavors, and overall quality. Based on 239 positive comments, popular items like their various rotis, bingsu, and crepes often hit the mark, with many praising the generous portions and great taste.
However, not every dish shines, as indicated by 38 negative comments. Some diners have noted concerns regarding inconsistent portion sizes, overly spicy dishes, or occasional dips in food quality. Specific issues like microwaved bread and less-than-ideal presentation for certain items have also been mentioned, suggesting theres room for improvement in some areas.
Food
292
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
38
negative
15
neutral
239
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious desserts
- Unique flavors
- Great taste
What people don't like
- Inconsistent portions
- Poor food quality
- Microwaved bread
Often praised
- dessertsI still went and supported them, thinking it was just a temporary change, but now I feel cheated. The desserts are good and deserve 4 stars, but be warned they are very sugary and you may want to share them. The presentation was everything pre-pandemic, but the to-go containers they serve everything in makes all their items seem “less” at the same prices.
- foodIt's so unfortunate to see a beloved local gem follow the greedy business practices of soulless corporations practicing shrinkflation like Chipotle and Subway. The food is delicious though, but I will not go again or edit this review until they revert back to their original product.
- FoodFood:5
- bingsuStill good and much better than no bingsu
- dessertdessert is almost identical. It’s amazing. Not too sweet perfect texture.
- drinksThey’ve got a mix of Thai food, desserts, and drinks
- lava cakeI found the Thai tea crepe to be really tasty. I also ordered the lava cake, and it turned out great even without the custard on top. The matcha ice cream was delicious.
- menuI don't think you can go wrong with anything on this menu
- Mango TangoThat Mango Tango is probably the best version of mango sticky rice I’ve ever had
- mango sticky ricedream about that mango sticky rice
Frequently criticized
- dessert" Not nice. To top it off, for two people, the bill was $28 for dessert.
- portionI've been going to Na Ya for over 10 years and have always ordered the Cha Thai Roti and loved it. That is until the most recent time I went and found out they decided to cheap out and reduce the portion by half while keeping the same price. Instead of 2 rotis and 2 scoops of ice cream, it's now 1 and 1.
- presentationworse than udessert by a wide margin in terms of presentation
- ube cheesecakeIt is also so small
- 6 pieceschanged their toast desserts to only 6 pieces
- 9-piece toast dessertdisappointed that they have not bounced back to offering the 9-piece toast dessert
- Basil Fried Ricethe rice was uneatable because the level of spice was unbearable
- Green Tea Banana PuddingGreen Tea Banana Pudding which was a huge disappointment
- Nom YenNom yen wasn’t that great
- Salted egg yolk toastSalted egg yolk toast - lacking in sauce
If you're looking for a spot with creative and delicious desserts, especially those with unique Asian flavors, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some savory dishes or specific items might have inconsistent quality or portioning, so stick to their dessert specialties for the best experience.
Service (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers have highlighted the positive aspects, praising the staff for being very kind, attentive, and friendly. You'll often find mentions of fast service and accommodating staff, especially for larger groups, with some even receiving fantastic recommendations. Based on 27 positive comments, it seems there are moments where the team truly shines.
However, the overall picture is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.8 indicating an average performance, and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather low 35.1%. With 44 negative comments, many experienced long waiting times and found some staff to be rude, impatient, or even passive-aggressive. Concerns about customer service and even a health code violation were also noted, suggesting significant room for improvement.
Service
77
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
44
negative
6
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast service
- Great recommendations
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff behavior
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe matcha ice cream was delicious. Overall, it's a lovely place with great service.
- ServiceService was friendly
- staffthe staff is adorable they were keeping us a table
- staffsThe staffs were accommodating
- Wait timeeverything came out pretty fast
- fast serviceFast service
- foodthey serve the food pretty fast
- larger groupaccommodating for a larger group
- recommendationI highly recommend this place
- recommendationsI recently visited Naya and discovered it's one of the best spots for an awesome dessert when you're looking for something beyond a simple scoop of ice cream. The service was amazing, with such great staff who provided fantastic recommendations. I'm giving it a 10/10 and I'm already excited to try the Thai Tea Mille Crepe Cake next time!
Frequently criticized
- serviceShe was unhappy and almost raised her voice when we tried to confirm an order. This was the second time I felt uncomfortable with her service. Despite this, we kept the order, but it was a very disappointing experience.
- customer serviceHorrible customer service at this branch.
- ladyThe lady just eating her dinner in the back
- staffnot welcoming staff at all
- WaitressWaitress tried to push food items on us
- attendantThe attendant at the counter barely greeted us, seemed rude
- bare handswaiter used his bare hands to scoop the strawberries
- customers waitinglet customers waiting
- experiencevery disappointed experience
- health code violationTHAT'S A HEALTH CODE VIOLATION
If youre looking for quick service and friendly staff, you might get lucky, but be prepared for potential long waits and inconsistent customer interactions. While some experiences are great, the significant number of negative reports suggests its a bit of a gamble. It might be worth trying if youre not in a rush, but dont expect consistently stellar service.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a pretty mixed bag, scoring an average 6.7, with customer satisfaction sitting at a 66.1%. Many of the 41 positive remarks highlight it as a cute little cafe with a cozy atmosphere and chill vibes, making it a pretty spot perfect for a date night or a casual hangout. Reviewers loved the intimate feel and communal dining setup.
However, not everyone was charmed. The 16 negative comments frequently mentioned parking difficulties and the space being small and cramped. Some were also put off by styrofoam cups and single-use plates, along with concerns about the bathroom and loud music.
These points suggest some practical drawbacks to the overall experience.
Ambience
62
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
16
negative
5
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute, cozy atmosphere
- Good for dates
- Communal dining encouraged
What people don't like
- Small, cramped space
- Disposable dishware
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was pleasant
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeA really happy place to visit
- fun placeA fun place to satisfy your sweet tooth late night.
- aesthetica pretty aesthetic
- ambienceThis might be one of my favorite dessert spots in SF. From the food to the ambience, I think that NaYa Dessert Cafe is a well-organized, small local shop with some of the best food, from actual dinner entrees to dessert. I only came here for the dessert, but the other food looked great.
- appearanceit's cute appearance
- breezegreat breeze at the front tables
- caferelaxing date at a cute cafe
- communal diningencourages communal dining
Frequently criticized
- parkingparking was somewhat difficult to find
- MusicMusic is too loud too
- bathroomthe bathroom needs some work lol
- cupsentirely single use plates, cups, & utensils. Wasteful!
- interiorworse than udessert by a wide margin in terms of interior
- placeThe service was great, and they served the food pretty fast. Parking is only on the street, and this place fills up fast, especially at night.
- platesThe plates are paper products
- restaurant cleanlinessIt’s not a clean restaurant
- single-use platesentirely single use plates, cups, & utensils. Wasteful!
- small and crampedThe space is really small and cramped
If youre seeking a cute, cozy spot for a casual date or hangout and dont mind a potentially tight squeeze or disposable dishware, this place could be a sweet treat. Just be prepared for a bit of a hunt for parking before you settle in.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, theres a small glimmer of hope, with one customer finding "the prices were very reasonable. " This positive feedback, however, stands out as a rare exception among the 29 total remarks. The general consensus, unfortunately, paints a picture of poor value, with a score of 3 and a customer satisfaction of just 3.4%.
A whopping 26 negative comments frequently mention "high prices, " "overpriced" items, and the annoyance of an "automatic gratuity. " Many felt they "felt robbed" due to perceived small portions or unexpected charges, suggesting the cost doesnt align with the experience.
Value
29
Reviews
3%
Satisfaction
26
negative
2
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- High prices
- Adds automatic gratuity
- Poor value for money
Often praised
- pricesthe prices were very reasonable
Frequently criticized
- priceI've been going to Na Ya for over 10 years and have always ordered the Cha Thai Roti and loved it. That is until the most recent time I went and found out they decided to cheap out and reduce the portion by half while keeping the same price. Instead of 2 rotis and 2 scoops of ice cream, it's now 1 and 1.
- food itemsWe had to get go orders. You guys need to do better since all your food items are very expensive.
- overpricedFood is already overpriced
- Over pricedOver priced, $5.99, they want you to tip on the tax
- auto tipsurprising you with an auto tip of 18%
- automatic gratuityput automatic 18% gratuity even for a small party
- bag feeThey just charge that too
- billfor two people the bill was $28 for dessert.
- card to payyou can only use card to pay if you spend over a certain amount
- felt robbedfelt robbed
If youre looking for great value, this might not be your spot. The overwhelming feedback points to high prices and unexpected charges, making it hard to feel like youre getting your money's worth. You might want to consider other options if budget and perceived value are top priorities.
How are the prices at Na Ya?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 43 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Dessert Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 24, it’s interesting to see that most guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. This suggests there are some delightful, more premium options that pull the average up, alongside plenty of accessible treats!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 43 reviews.
How this dessert spot stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here offers a nice balance. There are options for a quick, affordable treat, alongside opportunities to indulge a bit more. It feels pretty fair for a San Francisco dessert spot.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Na Ya
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Kind service, unique desserts to try!
My experience at the restaurant was marked by very kind and attentive service. I plan on going back to try all the unique desserts.
- service10
- unique deserts9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
6
Delicious Food, Poor Service Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was delicious, earning a perfect score. However, the service was a significant letdown.
The waitress, who seemed to be the manager, was very impatient and passive aggressive when we were ordering and asking questions. This appears to be a recurring issue based on other reviews. Her demeanor only changed when the owner was present during checkout, at which point she faked a loud 'thank you'.
- food10
- waitress2
- service2
- thank you3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Horrible Experience with Rude Staff and Missing Items
I have had a horrible experience twice already. The staff were very rude, and our orders were short of ice cream twice. We had to get go orders.
You guys need to do better since all your food items are very expensive.
- go orders5
- staff1
- orders2
- ice cream2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Rude Service, Overpriced Dessert
My experience at this restaurant was marred by incredibly rude service. The hostess/manager was audibly scoffing, rolling her eyes, and yelling at us to "MOVE! " because I cannot walk without my service dog.
: (My dog was silent, tucked in the corner, out of the walkway, and extremely well-behaved. She needs her to navigate, and this woman absolutely discriminated. She even made us change tables to be "out of sight.
" Not nice. To top it off, for two people, the bill was $28 for dessert.
- hostess/manager1
- service dog discrimination1
- table change2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Awesome Dessert Spot with Amazing Service!
I recently visited Naya and discovered it's one of the best spots for an awesome dessert when you're looking for something beyond a simple scoop of ice cream. The service was amazing, with such great staff who provided fantastic recommendations. I'm giving it a 10/10 and I'm already excited to try the Thai Tea Mille Crepe Cake next time!
- dessert9
- service10
- staff10
What Na Ya offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you expect at Na Ya Dessert Cafe?
Na Ya Dessert Cafe offers a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere, ideal for unwinding. You can enjoy dine-in with table service for dinner or just dessert. It’s also perfect for a quick bite or small plates, making it a versatile spot.
What service options and accessibility features does Na Ya Dessert Cafe provide?
Na Ya Dessert Cafe offers convenient dine-in, takeout, and delivery options. It is fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance and seating. You’ll also find both free and paid street parking nearby, ensuring an easy visit.
How does Na Ya generally perform according to customer feedback?
Na Ya holds an overall score of 6.9, with customer satisfaction at 67%. Its Food is highly rated (7.9), and Ambience is good (6.7). However, Service is average (4.8), and Value is a notable weakness (3.0).
What are Na Ya's culinary strengths?
Customers frequently praise Na Ya’s desserts, particularly items like bingsu and mango sticky rice. The food in general is considered delicious, offering a diverse menu that many find appealing.
What are common concerns about Na Ya?
Recurring issues include portion reductions and an overall perception of poor value. Some patrons have also reported inconsistent service experiences, with occasional rudeness or hygiene concerns.