Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Casa Borinqueña – San Francisco
Casa Borinqueña - San Francisco
Photo from Casa Borinqueña
Casa Borinqueña at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌿 Vegan Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 95 of the guests
#112 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Vegan Restaurant out of 6 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
646
Reviews
90.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic flavors
- Friendly staff
- Lively atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent hours
- Small portions
- Service issues
The restaurant Casa Borinqueña invites you to discover a delightful vegan experience in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco. This cozy and casual spot offers a trendy atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite or a full meal.
Whether you’re looking for healthy options or small plates, you’ll find a welcoming environment perfect for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting Casa Borinqueña
Casa Borinqueña offers a delightful culinary experience, particularly for those seeking flavorful and authentic dishes. Many guests praise the chef and staff for their warm, helpful demeanor, making every visit feel welcoming.
While the overall experience is largely positive, some visitors have noted occasional inconsistencies with service and portion sizes. The vibrant vibe and ample seating contribute to a pleasant dining atmosphere, often enhanced by lively events.
The focus here is clearly on the food, with many finding the offerings to be a true revelation, even for those who aren’t typically drawn to vegan cuisine.
Excellent
8.8
out of 10
646
Reviews
90.4%
Satisfaction
45
negative
17
neutral
584
positive
Casa Borinqueña earns a solid restaurant score of 8.8, reflecting a generally strong performance across the board. This is further supported by an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.4%, indicating that most patrons leave pleased with their experience.
These figures are based on a substantial 646 customer observations, with 584 positive remarks outweighing 45 negative ones. Looking closer, the Food (8.9) and Service (8.9) both stand out as excellent, receiving high praise for their quality and attentiveness.
The Ambience (8.7) also scores well, providing a pleasant backdrop for your meal. However, Value (6.5) is perceived as average, with some guests feeling that portion sizes don’t always align with the price.
What people like
- Authentic, flavorful food
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Lively, casual atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent operating hours
- Smaller portion sizes
- Occasional service issues
If you’re looking for a place with genuinely flavorful and authentic cuisine, especially if you appreciate well-executed vegan options, Casa Borinqueña is certainly worth considering. The high recommendation score of 9 suggests that many diners would happily return, drawn by the quality of the food and the friendly interactions.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service hours and portion sizes, which might affect your overall value perception. It’s a spot that delivers on taste and hospitality, making it a good choice for a casual meal, provided you manage expectations regarding the occasional operational hiccup.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Vegan Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
266
88%
- $$
- Duboce Triangle
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Vegan Restaurant
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
80
86.3%
- $$
- Silver Terrace
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Vegan Restaurant
7.8
out of 10
out of 10
589
76.4%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Vegan Restaurant
7.3
out of 10
out of 10
461
72.5%
- $$
- Sunset District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Vegan Restaurant
5.9
out of 10
out of 10
75
53.3%
- $$
- South of Market
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Casa Borinqueña
Food (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an 8.9 score and 91.8% customer satisfaction, it's clear diners are delighted. Based on 427 positive remarks out of 465 total, guests rave about the delicious sampler plate , incredible vegan food options, and the rich flavor that delivers authentic Puerto Rican food experiences.
However, a smaller number of 29 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. A few found certain dishes like the mofongo cups to be dry or bland , with some wishing for more flavor in the filling . There were also occasional concerns about portion size not matching expectations.
Food
465
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
29
negative
9
neutral
427
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic vegan flavors
- Delicious sampler plates
- Excellent mock meats
What people don't like
- Some dishes bland
- Portions can be small
- Fillings lack flavor
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was insanely good. Even though I'm not vegan, I would happily eat here all the time if I could!
- FoodThe Food was also a perfect 5/5
- vegan foodMy experience at this restaurant was an absolute revelation. I hadn't had vegan food this good in a while, and that's exactly what I felt. It was an absolute godsend.
- sampler plateIt's completely 100% meat-free, which means vegetarians have tons of protein options. I especially loved the sampler plate, particularly the "chicken" skewer, which I believe is soy-based. The food was excellent, and the service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both rated 5/5.
- arroz con gandulesThe arroz con gandules was authentic. Tasted like my abuela’s massive pot
- relleno de papapastellilos and relleno de papa (fried stuffed potatoes) were my favorite
- Puerto Rican foodfirst time trying Puerto Rican food and it was amazing!!!
- tostonesAs a vegetarian and Puerto Rican, I absolutely recommend this place. Located in the heart of San Francisco, within walking distance from Union Square, you can find the crispiest tostones and the vegan pollo encebollado. It's to die for ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌱 I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu, lol.
- vegancan’t believe it’s vegan (but the best part is that it actually is)
- chickenbetter "chicken" than a lot of chicken restaurant
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this food hall was a mixed bag. While the prices were decent, I found myself underwhelmed by the food. The pastelillo had a fantastic flaky crust that wasn't too messy, and the vegan chicken was decent, but the filling was mostly air.
- food qualitydisappointing, primarily due to the food quality
- portion sizeMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was good, but the portion size left me feeling still very hungry. For $20, I expected a more substantial meal.
- saucesauce for both seems to be thousand island dressing
- Relleno de PapaThe beef inside this one left me wanting more flavor honestly. A little bland for me.
- arroz con ganduleshow dry the arroz con gandules were
- basic balsamicjust basic balsamic on it
- blandfood is pretty bland
- cross contaminationworried about cross contamination
- entree selectionthat's the only entree selection
If you're seeking excellent, flavorful, and authentic vegan Puerto Rican cuisine, this place is definitely worth a visit, especially for their sampler plates. Just be mindful that a few items might occasionally lack the same vibrant flavor or generous portion size as others.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
Youll be delighted to hear that service here is truly a highlight! With a good customer satisfaction rate of 89.2% and an excellent score of 8.9, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 102 remarks, a whopping 91 highlighted the fantastic experience, praising the friendly service from the staff, owner, and even Chef Lulu herself, who often goes above and beyond.
However, its not entirely without its hiccups. The 9 negative remarks pointed to some inconsistencies, with concerns about the establishment being closed well before posted hours, and a few instances of a server being perceived as rude or providing little service'. These suggest occasional areas for improvement in operational consistency and guest interaction.
Service
102
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
91
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Quick, attentive service
- Personal owner interaction
What people don't like
- Closes earlier than posted
- Inconsistent staff quality
- Order mistakes occur
Often praised
- serviceWe visited with a big party, and they handled split checks with no problem. The space is beautiful, parking is easy, and the staff was friendly with fast service. I absolutely love this spot!
- ServiceThe Service was excellent, rated 5/5
- staffThe staff were super nice and helpful
- Chef LuluChef Lulu personally answered all my questions and was so nice and helpful.
- chefMy experience at this restaurant was truly amazing! The chef personally handed us our food, a gesture she extends to all her clients, and it's easy to see why. This is a vegan restaurant that serves "chicken" better than many actual chicken restaurants, perfectly encased in a fried empanada (pastelillo).
- ownerThe owner was was a doll and made us feel right at home
- folks working therethe folks working there were really friendly and kind
- ownersowners are so sweet and friendly
- Friendly serviceFriendly service and the food court offers plenty of seating
- StaffThe ambiance is very casual but sweet. Staff were super friendly and informative and you can tell they all really care about what they're doing. We had the pleasure of meeting the star chef herself and she was absolutely lovely.
Frequently criticized
- address on Google Mapsprecisam ajustar o endereço no Google maps. Me direcionou para os fundos!
- closed well beforeoften closed well before the posted closing time
- orderThey messed up our order and another table
- owner's responsesowner responding is being very combative/immature
- posted closing timeI was so excited about IKEA’s new food hall and all of the vegan options that it would add downtown. While Casa Borinqueña has fun and unique vegan offerings, they are often closed well before the posted closing time. It’s extremely disappointing to go there, expecting to grab a quick dinner after work, just to find that they’re closed 2 hours early.
- posted hoursI understand that businesses on Market are struggling with the lack of foot traffic, but closing early without notice isn’t helping your problem. Please consider reducing/adjusting your posted hours on the days that are consistently slow so that your customers aren’t regularly disappointed, causing folks to stop visiting entirely.
- serverannoyed me in an unpleasant way was rude
- servicelittle service yesterday
- treatmentWhen she did, she was rude and unpleasant. Due to the bad service and treatment, I would not return, despite the very good food.
If you're seeking genuinely warm and attentive service, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that a few guests have noted early closures or occasional inconsistencies. Expect a friendly welcome, but keep an eye on their hours.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to the overall feel, this spot truly shines! Boasting a fantastic score of 8.7 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 90.8%, its clear most folks are loving the atmosphere. With 59 positive remarks out of 65, guests frequently praise the welcoming, homey vibe, ample food court seating, and kid-friendly space, often highlighting its cleanliness and quiet comfort.
However, a few of the 3 negative comments noted a strict no outside food/drink policy, which some found a bit off-putting. There were also mentions that the atmosphere could sometimes feel a bit desolate or lack specific cultural island vibes, ' suggesting a minor area for refinement.
Ambience
65
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
59
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming homey vibe
- Plenty of seating
- Clean and quiet
What people don't like
- Strict outside policy
- Lacking island vibes
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food court often has events going on, like craft fair, DJ, life music stuff, amazing if you’re into that!! 🎶💃🎶
- Atmospherethe Atmosphere was equally impressive at 5/5
- food hallMight be the nicest food hall I've been in
- locationThe location is a great, clean, lively respite
- seatingMy experience at this restaurant, located in a food court off of Ikea, was fantastic. There was lots of seating available and the service was fast. The food itself was the highlight, described as the punch to the heart that screams you're home, even if you've never known Puerto Rican food as comfort food.
- spaceplenty of space for groups to dine and roam around
- vibeThis place DELIVERS-- we had the Chicken sampler and Bori fries and the yuca was PERFECT and the arroz con gandules was so flavorful. Huge stick-to-your-ribs portions, and a chill, friendly casual vibe that was perfect for letting our messy toddler sit on the table and try some of the meal. Definitely gonna come back, it makes me so happy my daughter will get to be raised with the same memories of eating bomb boricua food :)
- Noise levelThe Food was also a perfect 5/5. It was a very quiet lunch with a price range of $10–20 per person.
- ParkingParking in basement of building
- ambianceWhat kind of magic? The ambiance is very casual but sweet. Staff were super friendly and informative and you can tell they all really care about what they're doing.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere is lacking some Puerto Rican vibes
- no outside food/drink policythey strictly enforced a “no outside food/drink” policy, it felt like going through TSA 👮🚨 so that wasn’t a fun experience
If you're looking for a comfortable, clean, and welcoming spot with plenty of space, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a strict outside food policy might be a minor hurdle, the overwhelmingly positive vibe makes it a great choice for a relaxed meal.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems like this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.5, placing it squarely in the average range. Many guests found the prices reasonable, especially for the area, noting the Price per person and prices were decent, offering good value for the quality. Out of 14 total opinions, 7 were positive, highlighting great taste and a good price-performance ratio.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%, indicating that not everyone walked away feeling satisfied. There were 4 negative opinions, with some feeling that the price was too high for what they received, leading to disappointment. Mentions of spending $20 and still being hungry suggest that for some, the value just wasn't there, expecting more for their money.
Value
14
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value for money
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Portions too small
- Disappointing for price
Often praised
- pricesprices were decent for this food hall
- Price per personThe Food was also a perfect 5/5. It was a very quiet lunch with a price range of $10–20 per person.
- Price-performance ratioPreis-Leistung mega
- good valueHaving spent a good amount of time in PR, I was so pleasantly surprised to find this spot at Saluhall. The food was incredible, super authentic, and offered good value. The vibe at the new Saluhall was also great.
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- valuegreat taste and value friendly service
Frequently criticized
- $20It's ok food for $20 I expect a lot more
- priceit was a big disappointment, especially for the price
- valuespent 20 dollars and am still very hungry
If youre looking for a decent meal with reasonable prices, especially in a pricier area, you might find good value here. However, be mindful that some guests felt the portions didnt quite match the cost, so manage your expectations regarding portion size for the price.
How are the prices at Casa Borinqueña?
You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 95 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Vegan Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 21, a good chunk of diners actually spend less, often in the $11–$20 range, showing there are plenty of wallet-friendly options alongside the mid-range choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 95 reviews.
See how this restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
For a Vegan Restaurant, we think this pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, allowing diners to enjoy a meal without breaking the bank, while also having options for a slightly more indulgent experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Casa Borinqueña
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Vegan BBQ Despite Empty Mall
My experience at this restaurant was surprisingly positive, despite the surrounding desolate atmosphere. The place is still open and the food is still amazing. Don’t let the empty food hall fool you; there was a dispute with the management, causing many other vendors to leave.
With the mall next door also empty, foot traffic on Market Street is weak, making the area look desolate. However, this place would be jam-packed if it were anywhere else. The sampler bbq vegan chicken is legit.
- food10
- sampler bbq vegan chicken10
- atmosphere3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Food, But Still Hungry
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was good, but the portion size left me feeling still very hungry. For $20, I expected a more substantial meal.
They could improve the value by including a side of beans, rice, lettuce, and some thin skewers.
- food7
- portion size3
- value3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Hidden Gem: Delicious Vegan Food
My experience at this restaurant was a pleasant surprise! It's a fully vegan spot located in the middle of what appears to be a food court. The location on the second floor could be a bit confusing to find at first, but once you discover it, you'll realize the food is good.
The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, contributing to a great dining experience.
- food10
- location6
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Sampler Plate and More!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried the Sampler plate, which included the vegan chicken and onions, as well as the Pinchos. I also enjoyed the Pastelillo, Mofongo cups, and Relleno de papas.
The flavors and textures were absolutely spot on. I would definitely eat here again in the future. 10/10.
- Sampler plate10
- vegan chicken10
- onions10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Vegan Puerto Rican Food!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I entered through the Market Street side, next to IKEA. They offer all vegan Puerto Rican food, which is a dream come true.
I highly recommend the sampler platter, especially with the vegan chicken and onions. It was so good, I almost went back the next day. Nothing hits quite like rice and chicken.
- all vegan Puerto Rican food10
- sampler platter10
- vegan chicken and onions10
What Casa Borinqueña offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Casa Borinqueña?
At Casa Borinqueña, you can enjoy dine-in service or opt for convenient delivery. They offer a range of dining options including brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with comfortable seating available. Catering services are also provided for your events.
Is Casa Borinqueña accessible and what amenities does it offer?
Yes, Casa Borinqueña is wheelchair accessible with both an accessible entrance and seating. You’ll find a gender-neutral restroom and a bar onsite, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive experience for all guests.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Casa Borinqueña?
Casa Borinqueña has an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.4% and a strong restaurant score of 8.8, indicating a highly positive overall experience for most diners.
What are the standout features and areas for improvement at Casa Borinqueña?
Customers consistently praise the excellent Food (8.9) and Service (8.9), along with a good Ambience (8.7). However, the Value (6.5) is considered average, with some concerns about portion sizes and inconsistent operating hours.
Is Casa Borinqueña a good option for vegan diners?
Yes, Casa Borinqueña is highly recommended for vegan diners, with many positive opinions highlighting the quality and flavor of its vegan food, including dishes like the ‘chicken’ empanada and ‘chicken’ skewer.