Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great wine list
- Great tea selection
oChef » Cassava – San Francisco
Cassava - San Francisco
Photo from Cassava
Cassava at a glance
San Francisco Financial District
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $61–$70
mentioned by 96 of the guests
#1475 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#102 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
743
Reviews
68.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The café Cassava in San Francisco’s Financial District offers a truly inviting experience. You’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy spot where the great coffee is a definite highlight.
Whether you’re starting your day with breakfast, grabbing lunch, or enjoying brunch, this cafe provides a welcoming atmosphere to relax and savor your meal. It’s a perfect destination for those seeking quality beverages and delicious small plates in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Cassava
Good
7.2
out of 10
743
Reviews
68.9%
Satisfaction
184
negative
47
neutral
512
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cassava
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Diving into the food, it seems theres a lot to savor, with a solid 7.2 score pointing to a generally good culinary journey. Many guests absolutely adore the delicious food, especially praising the Japanese breakfast, seasonal dishes, and fresh ingredients. Out of 452 comments, 310 express positive sentiments, highlighting the quality and creativity on display.
However, the 68.6% customer satisfaction indicates a somewhat mixed experience for some diners. A portion of the 106 negative remarks mention mediocre food, bland flavors, or dishes being undercooked or overpriced. ' These suggest that while many meals hit the mark, there can be inconsistencies.
Food
452
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
106
negative
36
neutral
310
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Japanese breakfast praised
- Thoughtful presentation
What people don't like
- Mediocre, bland flavors
- Inconsistent cooking
- Overpriced, small portions
Often praised
- foodHowever, the moment we started gathering and asking for some things, they treated us badly. From facial expressions to employees commenting to each other, it's so unprofessional and unfortunate because the food is good, even though they missed the second course and messed up two orders. They removed some items from the bill and adjusted the price, which was fine.
- fried chickenThe fried chicken is a cathartic experience: tender, juicy, hot and melts in your mouth.
- duck confitHad the duck confit and muscles with fries and the salmon. All excellent
- Japanese breakfastWhile the chicken skin was browned and crispy, indicating some correct techniques, it seemed a step was missed, likely due to a kitchen error. On a positive note, friends who ordered the Japanese breakfast enjoyed the salmon and miso soup. I rarely leave such reviews, but I hope the restaurant can improve its operations, especially considering the price point and the fact that some dishes were well-executed.
- mealThey are not afraid to experiment with different, unexpected fusions. In over 20 visits, I have yet to have a bad meal. If you appreciate the savoriness and acidity of Japanese cuisine combined with the complexity and texture of French cuisine, this is the place for you.
- pork chopThe server recommended Chef’s speciality lamb belly (we were told it’s fatty and we were like yes!) and the new entree pork chop. The pork chop was probably one of the best we’ve ever had, super juicy and not dry and tender. We always love the wine they have there, and the pairing is always exciting.
- dishesWe felt completely accommodated and at ease here. The dishes all had lovely flavors and textures, especially their desserts and coffee! We look forward to coming back to try their regular menu.
- menuThe menu is elevated but not at all precious, with distinctive choices
- buttermilk fried chickenThe buttermilk fried chicken was everything you would want from a good fried chicken dish
- cocktailsthe cocktails on the menu were creative and alluring!
Frequently criticized
- food” It was still another 10 minutes for our food to finally come out. If the food was great or high quality we could have overlooked these things, but unfortunately we were disappointed. The food portions were small and overpriced in our opinion, even for restaurant week.
- breadNobody came to check on us at all during the meal, and finally we had to flag someone down to even get the check. The avocado toast was decent, but served on the same dry and stale bread as the French toast bread. We felt pretty shocked to pay this much for extremely mediocre food.
- salmonthe salmon in my rigatoni tasted frozen, at best, and canned, at worst
- French toastMy French toast was really sad. The bread is only half soaked so you have a stale white bread interior
- codThought the cod was a bit bland
- dishesdishes; they look great but taste horrible
- meatmeat was extremely rare and fatty
- musselsThe mussels flavorless in a lifeless broth
- Cornish henThe Cornish hen was dry and the whole dish was completely unseasoned and bland
- Crab & Asian pearthe crab needs to be less salty
If youre looking for creative and often delicious dishes, especially their Japanese breakfast or seasonal offerings, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences have been inconsistent, so manage your expectations for every single dish.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally leaves a good impression, with a score of 7.2. Many guests rave about the warm hospitality and attentive service, often highlighting the friendly staff and knowledgeable recommendations. Based on 104 positive remarks out of 152 total opinions, it seems the owners and team truly care, making many feel welcomed and cared for with great attention to detail.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 68.4%, indicating there's still room for improvement. Some diners experienced slow service, poor pacing of plates, and long wait times, occasionally finding staff unresponsive. These 44 negative comments suggest that while many have excellent experiences, consistency can sometimes be an issue.
Service
152
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
44
negative
4
neutral
104
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Warm hospitality
- Knowledgeable recommendations
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Poor pacing
- Unresponsive staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was not good. We visited during restaurant week, and despite positive reviews and good service, the food was barely edible and certainly not worth the prices. The salmon was not good, the short rib was difficult to even look at, let alone taste.
- staffOur second visit was prompted by SF Restaurant Week 2023 and to celebrate my partner's and my anniversary. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and received excellent wine recommendations. They were very accommodating as we happily munched on the appetizers.
- serverserver was the most delightful part of our experience
- attention to detailswho are very attentive, attention to details
- hostI had high expectations for this restaurant after seeing many articles and reviews, but unfortunately, my experience was disappointing, and I won't be returning. While the host was really nice and the interior was cold (temperature-wise) but had a nice setup, the service was a major letdown. Our server was awful; she seemed new to serving and was very awkward, bringing dishes out in the incorrect order and missing a drink.
- ownerThe owner came by and said hello.
- ownersMy experience at this restaurant was pleasant. The owners are very nice, and they offer coffee and quick food options. I particularly enjoyed the patio, which was very nice and relaxing.
- teamI came for dinner with a large group of colleagues, and we had an absolute blast. Yuka and the team were so lovely and accommodating. I'd be so happy to come back!
- Chef Owner Yuka IoroiCassava is the perfect weekend brunch spot, and the fusion dishes reminded me of the creativity and flavors that epitomize why I love living in the California Bay Area. Chef Owner Yuka Ioroi is the consummate hostess and stopped by several times to ask how the dishes were, as well as provide tips on natto, which I usually dislike. She also shared the news that Cassava is moving to a new home in SF’s North Beach.
- ServiceService:5
Frequently criticized
- serviceFrom the beginning, everything was above and beyond, especially the manager; I exchanged a few emails with her and I do appreciate that 📧. However, the moment we started gathering and asking for some things, they treated us badly. From facial expressions to employees commenting to each other, it's so unprofessional and unfortunate because the food is good, even though they missed the second course and messed up two orders.
- waitwait almost 2 hours between our first course and the main meal
- waiterFrustrating, but it ended up being around 10 minutes or so. The service was quite bad and our standards are not very high - it took 55 minutes for our main dishes to come out and during this period, our waiter didn’t check on us in any manner, inform us of any delay, or indicate any sort of caring for how long it was taking. We had to flag him down and he was just like “it’s cooking right now” only for the manager to jump in and say “it’s being plated now.
- wait timeIt took over 2.5 hours to receive and eat 5 course!
- waiting timereservations at 7:15, seated at 7:30, appettizers at 8:30, main meal at 9:15, desert by 9:50.
- ReservationReservation was at 1.30pm, seated around 2pm ish
- ServiceService was slow
- asian womanhorrible asian woman with the ugliest face
- check on usBut besides that, it was dry, and when I asked for syrup, the server said she’d go look for some, but never returned. Nobody came to check on us at all during the meal, and finally we had to flag someone down to even get the check. The avocado toast was decent, but served on the same dry and stale bread as the French toast bread.
- clap backsclap backs when asking questions
If youre looking for a place with genuinely warm hospitality and attentive staff, its often a great choice. Just be aware that some experiences have noted slower service or pacing issues, so it might not be ideal if you're in a rush.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
This restaurant truly excels in creating a wonderful atmosphere, earning a good score of 8.1 and a strong 87.4% customer satisfaction. Many guests adore the unique design, beautiful space, and great vibe, often praising the outdoor dining and patio. With 83 positive observations among 95 total, the decor, lighting, and spacious feel clearly make for a warm and inviting experience.
However, a few patrons pointed out some minor issues. Some found the music too loud or the high-top seating uncomfortable. While only 8 comments mentioned these, external factors like a homeless guy harassing customers outside or the absence of Wi-Fi occasionally impacted the otherwise peaceful dinner for some.
Ambience
95
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
83
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful, unique design
- Great, inviting vibe
- Lovely outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Uncomfortable high-tops
- No Wi-Fi
Often praised
- atmosphereThe walls of the restaurant are adorned with bright hues, and the large, expansive windows fill the space with an abundance of natural light, making it very warm and welcoming.
- spaceSuch a gorgeous space, perfectly designed
- ambiencethe staff, cooking, and ambience invites warmth, welcoming, celebration, and a homie-ness
- vibeWe had a delightful time at Cassava. The gorgeous space and great vibe contribute to the experience, and the food is out of this world delicious. Co-owner Yuka is a wonderful host, truly a gem.
- ambianceThe ambiance was delightful with an inviting atmosphere
- locationWe got to sit outside with our dog and watched people go by on the Columbus Ave. We liked their old location, but this location is more grand, gorgeous and North Beach is just a super fun neighborhood to be in. Looking forward to trying more new menu items soon.
- placeHowever, I'm more than happy to give them a second chance. I found the whole place very charming and the food very fresh.
- beautiful spacewarm, caring service, and beautiful space
- new spacegreat to see their gorgeous larger new space
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
Frequently criticized
- Wi-Fithere is no Wi-Fi
- atmosphereBad everything
- dirty platesstill with dirty plates on the table
- high-top seatingThe wobble and lack of back support of high-top seating made it a little less enjoyable too.
- homeless guy harassing customershomeless guy harassing customers sitting outside
- kitchen sizeTheir kitchen is too small for the number of tables
- musicThe music was loud and ghetto
- peaceful dinnerhoping for a peaceful dinner by myself
If a beautiful setting and a great vibe are high on your list, this spot is a strong contender. It's perfect for those who appreciate thoughtful design and lovely outdoor spaces. Just be aware of potential noise or seating preferences before you go.
Value (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some bright moments, with a score of 4.7 indicating its about average overall. Many guests appreciate the accessible and affordable price points, especially noting good value in their prix fixe menu options. With 15 positive remarks, some even found the price-to-value ratio incredible, feeling like they got a steal.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, as customer satisfaction sits at a poor 34.1%. A significant number of guests, 26 to be exact, felt the experience was overpriced and expensive, especially when mandatory gratuity was added to the bill. Many found the quality didn't justify the high price point, leading to disappointment.
Value
44
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
26
negative
3
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value meals
- Affordable price points
- Excellent prix fixe value
What people don't like
- Overpriced experience
- Mandatory gratuity issues
- Not worth the price
Often praised
- priceFrom facial expressions to employees commenting to each other, it's so unprofessional and unfortunate because the food is good, even though they missed the second course and messed up two orders. They removed some items from the bill and adjusted the price, which was fine. Little do they know, we know what good service should look like, and this certainly wasn't it.
- valueThey were not only friendly and accommodating but also incredibly knowledgeable and perfectly timed their service. Don't miss out on this experience; it offers excellent service and great value.
- accessible and affordablemake it accessible and affordable
- affordablehow affordable and yummy
- billFrom facial expressions to employees commenting to each other, it's so unprofessional and unfortunate because the food is good, even though they missed the second course and messed up two orders. They removed some items from the bill and adjusted the price, which was fine. Little do they know, we know what good service should look like, and this certainly wasn't it.
- good valueA good value fancy meal
- gratuitygratuity already included on the check which was great
- other placesFor this price, there are many places in the city that’s much better.
- price pointsI highly recommend Cassava for a great dining experience. The wine list, though small, is very well designed, offering excellent food pairings and price points for any budget.
- price-to-value ratioincredible price-to-value ratio
Frequently criticized
- priceAnd as for price, the premium they charge for the food is simply not justifiable for what you get.
- billwhen they brought the bill - they automatically charged the tip
- price pointPurely from a food perspective, this felt like an airport restaurant experience. For this price point in a vibrant city, diners deserve much better.
- overpricedit was a little more overpriced
- 20% gratuityautomatically charged us 20% gratuity without our consent
- expensiveThe house-made rigatoni pasta tasted so fishy that my wife and I both couldn’t finish it. This place is very expensive ($120+ per person) and had a homeless guy harassing customers sitting outside to the point where the police had to come. I would advise others to steer clear.
- gratuity chargecharging 20% gratuity without giving the opportunity to rate service is unacceptable
- included gratuityThe included gratuity was a poor surprise
- mealOur meal was vastly overpriced for what it was
- pint of beerwash down with a $16 pint of beer.
If youre considering this place, be mindful of the cost. While some find specific offerings like the prix fixe menu a good deal, many others feel its significantly overpriced, especially with automatic gratuity. It might be worth it for specific value options, but prepare for a potentially disappointing bill.
How are the prices at Cassava?
You’re looking at roughly 68 per person – reported by 96 diners. That puts it in the $61–$70 category. For a Cafe, thats definitely on the higher-end side!
While the average sits here, its clear many guests are enjoying a more premium experience, with a significant number spending over 101 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 96 reviews.
See how this Cafe’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Cafe, the pricing leans premium. We think its fair if the quality and experience match the higher spend, especially given the significant number of guests choosing those top-tier options. It suggests there’s value for those looking for something special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cassava
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Extraordinary Cafe Experience!
My first time visiting this cafe was an absolute delight. The atmosphere and ambiance were extraordinary amazing. The food was delicious, and the service was impeccable.
I recommend this place 200% 🙌🏼.
- atmosphere and ambiance10
- food10
- service10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Sweetest people, solid food!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The vibe was great, and the food was solid. I particularly enjoyed the matcha, though I didn't get a picture before I finished it!
It's a fantastic stop for anyone needing a break for tired legs and looking for healthy eats. The people running the place are the sweetest.
- vibe10
- food10
- matcha9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
4
Bland Sando, Nice Atmosphere
I really wanted to like this place, but the egg sando was very bland. I've had much better at 7-Eleven in Japan 😎. However, the atmosphere is pretty nice.
- atmosphere8
- egg sando2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Elegant Cafe with Mixed Food Experience
My experience at this cafe, tucked away in an office building, was like stepping into a serene world away from the city's hustle. The atmosphere felt very elegant and historic, complemented by calm outdoor seating shaded by the building. I tried the egg sando, which was light and airy, but the bread was unfortunately quite dry, suggesting it might have been kept in the fridge for too long.
I also ordered a matcha latte, and it turned out to be bitter and grassy, similar to other matcha I've had. I'm unsure if they offer iced drinks as I didn't specify. Despite these points, the other food offerings looked great.
It's a good place for catching up or doing some offline work.
- atmosphere10
- outdoor seating9
- egg sando7
- bread3
- matcha latte4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Cute Courtyard with Great Coffee
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful! It's a really cute courtyard spot that offers solid, casual Japanese-inspired lunch options. The coffee was amazing ☕️☺️.
The space itself provides a great mood, and I can’t wait to go back❣️
- courtyard spot9
- Japanese inspired lunch8
- coffee10
What Cassava offers
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Brunch reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Table service
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Cassava San Francisco?
At Cassava San Francisco, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere. You can enjoy great coffee, an excellent wine list, or a fine tea selection. The menu features healthy, organic, and vegetarian options, alongside delicious small plates and refreshing cocktails.
What service options and planning recommendations are available at Cassava San Francisco?
Cassava San Francisco offers onsite services, takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating. Lunch and brunch reservations are recommended and accepted. Paid parking lots and street parking are available, though finding a space can be difficult. The venue is also fully wheelchair accessible.