Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Café La Bohème – San Francisco
Café La Bohème - San Francisco
Photo from Café La Bohème
Café La Bohème at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 28 of the guests
#1503 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#106 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
272
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Menu variety
- Cozy atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Cleanliness issues
- Service inconsistency
The café Café La Bohème in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District invites you to discover a truly cozy and casual spot. Known for its great coffee, this trendy cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
You’ll find a variety of healthy options and small plates, making it an ideal destination whether you’re starting your day with breakfast or enjoying a leisurely brunch.
Overview: Introducting Café La Bohème
Café La Bohème offers a distinctive experience, often praised for its wide variety of food and drink options, particularly its well-regarded coffee and tea selections. Many appreciate the cozy, bohemian atmosphere that makes it a comfortable spot to linger.
However, some visitors have noted inconsistencies, particularly regarding the overall cleanliness of the space and occasional issues with food quality. While the friendly staff often receives compliments, there are instances where service could be more attentive.
Good
7.2
out of 10
272
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
53
negative
11
neutral
208
positive
Café La Bohème earns a solid overall score of 7.2, reflecting a generally positive experience for many patrons. Customer satisfaction stands at a respectable 76.5%, indicating that most visitors leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 272 customer comments, with a clear majority of 208 positive remarks outweighing the 53 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Food (7.7) receives strong marks, particularly for its diverse menu and beverages.
The Ambience (7.0) also contributes positively, creating a welcoming environment. While Service (6.5) is generally seen as average, some find it quite friendly.
The Value (5.6), however, is perceived as more of a mixed bag, with some finding prices reasonable while others feel certain items are a bit steep.
What people like
- Diverse menu options
- Good coffee, tea
- Cozy, bohemian atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent cleanliness
- Specific food quality issues
- Inconsistent service attitude
If you’re seeking a relaxed spot with a broad selection of beverages and food, Café La Bohème is worth considering. Its unique atmosphere and often friendly staff create a pleasant environment for a casual visit.
The recommendation score of 7.4 suggests it generally delivers a good experience. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in cleanliness and occasional service quirks.
While the coffee and variety are strong points, some food items might not always hit the mark. It’s a place with character, but managing expectations on certain details will enhance your visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Café La Bohème
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a 7.7 score and a solid 84.5% customer satisfaction. With 109 positive remarks out of 129, guests frequently praise the great coffee, authentic dishes, and fresh ingredients. Many appreciate the extensive menu with great choices and quality ingredients available.
However, not everything is perfect, with 14 negative comments pointing out some areas for improvement. A few experiences mentioned finding hair in my bagel or concerns about low quality food. Others felt the portion size was weirdly small for the price, leading to some mediocre experiences and issues with quality control.
Food
129
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
14
negative
6
neutral
109
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great coffee selection
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Extensive menu variety
What people don't like
- Quality control issues
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
Often praised
- coffeeThe Turkish coffee is unfiltered with cardamom and quite good. I recommend grabbing a coffee here and a doughnut from The Jelly Doughnut nearby. It's a nice pairing if you like your sugar with caffeine.
- foodI've been there many times and never get tired of it. They offer good music, good food, and good coffee, all at a fair price.
- bagelsExtensive menu with bagels
- Turkish coffeeThe Turkish coffee is unfiltered with cardamom and quite good
- lattegrabbed a latte
- menuHUGE menu up on the walls of all kinds of foods
- teaExtensive menu with tea
- varietyMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a super low key space with a wide variety of things for everyone. They offer gf and vegan foods and drinks, which is a huge plus.
- Authenticthis is TRULY Authentic
- ChaiI go frequently for his Chai!
Frequently criticized
- foodThe owner was good to talk to, which was a positive aspect of the service. However, the food quality was poor, and I felt the food was not fresh. The price per person was $10–20.
- food qualityPoor quality and felt the food was not fresh
- bagelfound a hair in my bagel so i really only ate half
- breakfast specialbasically an egg McMuffin, but dramatically overpriced
- dolmastwo dolmas (both dryish)
- extra cream cheesepaid extra for extra cream cheese got not that much
- hair in my bagelfound a hair in my bagel
- oranginaI just wish they still stocked orangina
- portion sizeWeirdly small portions for how expensive it is
- qualitynothing to rave about the quality
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally good food and a wide variety of options, especially for coffee and fresh ingredients, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few customers have noted occasional quality control issues or smaller portions.
Service (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! Based on 56 customer remarks, theres a definite split here. Many folks rave about the friendly and attentive staff, with the owner often singled out for their kind service and personal touch.
It seems like a place where people enjoy talking with the owner and appreciate the quick, super-friendly interactions, contributing to a decent number of positive experiences. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. With a score of 6.5, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 64.3%, which is a mixed bag, there are some clear areas for improvement.
Some customers found the staff to be cold, the owners attitude unpleasant, and the overall customer service lacking, with issues like bathroom policies and WiFi passes causing frustration.
Service
56
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
19
negative
1
neutral
36
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Kind owner
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Unpleasant owner attitude
- Cold staff
- Bathroom policy issues
Often praised
- ownerthe lovely owner Ahwad... makes the only decaf Chai
- serviceService and products are above average
- peopleThe two people very friendly
- staffI grabbed a latte while in the Mission district. The staff member working in the morning was quick and nice. He even offered to add more caramel if needed.
- ServiceThe atmosphere is rated a 5, and the food also received a 5. Service was also excellent, rated a 5.
- cafe ownerCafe owner was wonderfully kind
- community knowledgeseems to know the community well
- friendly and attentive staffEl personal es amable y atento
- friendly ownerMy experience at this old-school coffee house was fantastic. The rustic vibe created a welcoming atmosphere, and the friendly owner made me feel right at home. I had the best iced coffee in San Francisco here, and their Turkish coffee and espresso were exceptional, truly transporting me to Italy.
- guyThe guy was friendly
Frequently criticized
- staffThe staff yells a bit
- WiFi passPretty empty yet has one hour long WiFi pass.
- appapp required for bathroom
- barista/server’s vibevibe was gruff-didn’t feel friendly
- bathroom policyThey told me I have to have my receipt to use the bathroom
- businessI don’t want give them my business any more
- customer servicenothing to rave about the customer service
- free refillsNo free refills of the Mexican chocolate mocha
- friendlierNext time I'm in a rush, I'll just go to McDonald's for reliable service and food. I don't usually write negative posts, but the establishment seriously needs to fix its quality control and work on being friendlier.
- ownerowner seemed disinterested and ungrateful
If you're looking for a place with a potentially warm, personal touch from the owner and staff, you might find it here. But be aware that service can be a bit of a gamble, with some customers experiencing less-than-friendly interactions and specific policies causing friction.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7 and a solid 73.8% customer satisfaction. Many patrons appreciate the quiet atmosphere, spacious facilities, and the overall great vibe, often noting it as a comfortable place with a strong community feeling. Out of 80 total opinions, 59 were positive, highlighting its unique charm.
However, there's some room for improvement, as 17 opinions pointed out issues. Concerns about cleanliness, particularly grime on floors, and a dusty appearance were mentioned. Some also felt the place needed more lighting, suggesting a bit of sprucing up could elevate the experience further.
Ambience
80
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
59
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great community vibe
- Spacious and comfortable
- Quiet atmosphere
What people don't like
- Cleanliness issues
- Needs more lighting
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this cafe was very positive. It's a cozy cafe with a great atmosphere. The food, drinks, and overall experience were excellent.
- WiFiOutlets and WiFi
- outletscouple of outlets
- spaceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a super low key space with a wide variety of things for everyone. They offer gf and vegan foods and drinks, which is a huge plus.
- tablesThe Oregon Chai was delicious, and the service was friendly. There were plenty of tables available, contributing to a great atmosphere. The vibes were unique, managing to feel both Bohemian and welcoming, as well as exotic and homey.
- vibesSuch great vibes
- BART 24th and MissionVery close to BART 24th and Mission
- La BohemeI absolutely love this place. We used to go to church up the street and I’ve been walking past La Boheme for over 20 years, but I've been a proud loyal customer for the last 5!
- alcoholic vibesort of a fun old-timey alcoholic vibe that I was into.
- bohemian placeBohemian place
Frequently criticized
- placeThe owner seemed disinterested and ungrateful. The place was filthy, and I couldn't believe the grime on the floors.
- Above the Restnothing to set it Above the Rest at the time being
- ambienceAmbience, not so much
- bathroomapp required for bathroom
- cleanlinessla limpieza puede mejorar
- coffee cuplipstick all over my coffee cup 🤢
- dustyIt was a little dusty
- grime on floorsThe owner seemed disinterested and ungrateful. The place was filthy, and I couldn't believe the grime on the floors.
- interactionsimpact that computers have had people's interactions
- lightingMy experience at this cafe was positive, with service and products being above average. However, the cafe definitely needs more lighting, especially near the register and menu.
If you're seeking a place with a unique, comfortable atmosphere and a strong community feel, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared that some areas might not be sparkling clean, and the lighting could be better in certain spots.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 11% of the guests
When it comes to value, many guests found the prices to be quite reasonable, with some even calling them good prices and fair. Based on 4 positive remarks out of 7 total, it seems many appreciate that things are reasonably priced, especially for the area. The overall sentiment here is a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction sitting at 57.1%.
However, not everyone agrees, as 3 negative comments point to concerns about the prices being a bit overboard or even dramatically overpriced. This contributes to an average score of 5.6 for value, suggesting theres definitely room for improvement in consistency. Its clear that while some find it fair, others feel the cost doesn't quite match up.
Value
7
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good, fair prices
- Reasonable for SF
What people don't like
- Prices too high
- Dramatically overpriced
Often praised
- reasonably pricedreasonably priced for SF
- priceI've been there many times and never get tired of it. They offer good music, good food, and good coffee, all at a fair price.
- pricesgood prices
Frequently criticized
- pricesBut the prices and the guys’ energy. No bueno.
- pricedramatically overpriced at 14 with tax
If youre looking for a deal, this spot might be a bit of a gamble; some find it fair, while others feel its too pricey. Its worth checking out if youre not on a super tight budget, but be prepared that the value might not impress everyone.
How are the prices at Café La Bohème?
On average, you’ll spend around 12 per person – from 28 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests find themselves in this 11-20$ bracket, though a good number also enjoy options in the 1-10$ range. It seems prices cluster nicely around the average, offering a good mix.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 28 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Cafe, especially considering the variety of options available to guests.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Café La Bohème
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
A Favorite Cafe with Comfort and Great Food
My favorite cafe in SF. I spent so much time there over the last 10 years, I probably tried everything on the menu. I love the gyro sandwich and the Mexican hot chocolate.
This place is comfortable and it’s different from all the modern soulless coffee shops.
- gyro sandwich9
- Mexican hot chocolate9
- comfortable8
- modern soulless coffee shops3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
3
Mediocre Food, Early Hours Convenience
My experience at Cafe La Boheme was mixed. While it was open early, which was great, the food was mediocre at best. I also encountered an issue with my coffee cup having lipstick all over it 🤢.
The service and atmosphere were okay, though I found the place to be a little dusty. The staff member was friendly, but overall, I don't think the reviews matched my experience. I probably won't return unless I specifically need a place to sit early in the morning.
- service3
- atmosphere3
- guy7
- food2
- coffee cup1
- dusty2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
9
Sentimental Favorite Cafe Since 1981
My experience at this cafe has been a sentimental favorite since it was my local spot for quality coffee back in April 1981 when I was young and new to SF. It's wonderful that it's still here!
- quality coffee9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Interesting Spot with Good Latte
My experience was interesting, especially given the current times. I'd recommend going to see for yourself if you're in the area and ready to explore. The latte was good!
- latte8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Nice coffee, but dirty and off vibe
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the coffee was nice, the overall vibe was off, and unfortunately, the place was a bit dirty. The reviewer metadata indicates a Service score of 3, Atmosphere of 3, and Food of 3, with a price per person of $1–10.
- coffee7
- vibe3
- place3
What Café La Bohème offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options and accessibility features does Café La Bohème offer?
At Café La Bohème, you can enjoy various service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. The café is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What kind of food and drink can you expect at Café La Bohème, and when can you dine?
Café La Bohème offers a diverse menu with great coffee, a wide tea selection, healthy options, organic dishes, and vegetarian choices, including small plates. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, with happy hour drinks, beer, and wine also available.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Café La Bohème?
Café La Bohème has an overall score of 7.2, with customer satisfaction at 76.5%. Its Food scores well (7.7), and the Ambience (7.0) is also highly regarded. Service (6.5) is considered average, while Value (5.6) is more of a mixed perception.
Does Café La Bohème offer a good variety of food and drink?
Yes, customers frequently praise Café La Bohème for its extensive menu, offering a wide variety of food and drinks, including good coffee, Turkish coffee, tea, and options for GF and vegan diets.
What are some common concerns about Café La Bohème?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding the cleanliness of the establishment, occasional issues with food quality (e.g., dry dolmas, hair in bagel), and inconsistent service attitudes from staff or the owner.