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oChef » Cenote – San Francisco
Cenote - San Francisco
Photo from Cenote
Cenote at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 40 of the guests
#345 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#61 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
190
Reviews
87.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful dishes
- Friendly staff
- Charming ambiance
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Bland flavors
- Cleanliness issues
The restaurant Cenote offers a casual dining experience in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood. You’ll find a diverse drink menu here, perfect for unwinding after a long day or kicking off a fun evening.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, happy hour drinks, or a full meal, this spot caters to your needs with its inviting atmosphere and extensive beverage options.
Overview: Introducting Cenote
Cenote offers a generally positive dining experience, often highlighted by its delicious Mexican food and a particularly friendly staff. Patrons frequently enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular choice for various occasions.
While many dishes receive praise, some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in food preparation or flavor. This establishment is noted for its cute spot and inviting ambiance, creating a pleasant backdrop for meals.
The overall value proposition is also a strong point, with many finding the pricing fair, especially for certain deals. However, a few minor concerns regarding specific dish quality have been noted.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
190
Reviews
87.9%
Satisfaction
19
negative
4
neutral
167
positive
Cenote achieves a commendable overall score of 8.3, reflecting a generally positive customer experience. This is further supported by a strong 87.9% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that most visitors leave content.
These figures are drawn from a substantial base of 190 customer opinions, with 167 positive remarks outweighing 19 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Service stands out as excellent (9.3), with staff frequently praised for their attentiveness.
The Ambience also scores well (8.7), contributing to the pleasant dining environment. Food maintains a good score (8.1), though some minor issues were noted, and Value is considered good (7.8), particularly for its appealing deals.
What people like
- Flavorful Mexican dishes
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Charming, cute ambiance
- Fair pricing, good deals
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Bland dish flavors
- Cleanliness concerns
Cenote presents itself as a solid option, particularly if you appreciate a lively atmosphere and attentive service. With a strong recommendation score of 8.5, it’s certainly worth considering for a casual meal or happy hour.
The positive feedback on its Mexican offerings and overall value makes it an appealing choice. While there are minor notes on food consistency, these don’t overshadow the many positive experiences.
If you’re seeking a place with good vibes and generally satisfying fare, Cenote is a reliable pick that delivers on its promises for a pleasant outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cenote
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, Cenote generally hits the mark with a good score of 8.1 and a good customer satisfaction of 85.5%. Many of the 106 positive remarks rave about the exceptional margaritas, delicious and customizable tacos, and the thoughtful vegetarian options. Guests consistently praise the quality ingredients and flavorful dishes.
However, a smaller number of 15 negative comments point to some items lacking flavor or being served cold, like certain burritos. There were also a few concerns regarding the use of seed oils and occasionally soggy rice, suggesting some inconsistencies.
Food
124
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
106
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Exceptional margaritas
- Delicious, filling tacos
- Good vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Some dishes bland
- Burritos served cold
- Concerns about oils
Often praised
- foodFood was served beautifully. Crafted with care and full of flavor
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the delicious Mexican food, which is conveniently located right in the middle of the financial district. It's a good option for a casual lunch or for enjoying a nice drink.
- tacosMy new favorite spot for after-work happy hour! I had delish margs and bomb tacos. I'm excited to try their breakfast burritos soon 😋.
- FoodFood:5
- margaritasThe margaritas were out of this world excellent
- breakfast burritosExcited to try their breakfast burritos soon
- breakfast tacosbest breakfast tacos I’ve ever had in my life
- carnitasThe shrimp and carnitas were my favorite
- chips and salsaThe chips and salsa were pretty good
- coffeeMy coffee was made fresh when I got there so it would still be HOT!
Frequently criticized
- burritoSome parts of the burrito were randomly cold
- ricecaused by the rice not being hot
- Beyond MeatMy experience was meh. The bowl lacked flavor and tasted pretty bland. I wasn't a fan, and it definitely wasn't worth the $19-$20 price tag.
- agua frescaagua Fresca was $5.50 and only 10 oz
- bbq pulled porkcarnitas tasted more like bbq pulled pork
- carne asado tacosCarne asado had no taste and felt like it was boiled cooked first
- carnitasCarnitas tasted more like bbq pulled pork
- lemon in the waterwaaaay too much lemon in the water
- metal part of grill brushit’s the metal part of grill brush
- salsadidn’t give enough of either to finish the chips
If youre looking for a spot with great margaritas, tasty tacos, and solid vegetarian choices, Cenotes food is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few dishes might occasionally miss the mark on flavor or temperature, so choose wisely.
Service (9.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.3 and a fantastic 94.7% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Based on 18 positive remarks out of 19 total, diners rave about the friendly staff, quick service, and helpful servers, with special shout-outs to bartender Mario for outstanding attention.
Whats truly remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback or concerns about the service. This indicates a consistently high standard, with guests finding nothing to fault, which is quite rare and impressive across 19 comments.
Service
19
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Helpful servers
What people don't like
Often praised
- servicegave us the best service ever
- ServiceService:5
- staffreally friendly and attentive staff
- bartender MarioThe bartender Mario gave us the best service ever
- friendly staffMy experience at Cenote was fantastic! I walked in on a Friday after work and was immediately impressed by the great food, friendly staff, and cool vibe. I ordered the Torta Cubana, which was absolutely delicious with plenty of meat and incredible taste.
- helpful servershelpful servers
- quickso quick
- take outtacos to go
- teamI love their team
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If top-notch service is a priority for you, this spot is an absolute must-try. You can expect a friendly, attentive, and quick experience that consistently delights customers. Don't hesitate to visit for service that truly stands out.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With an impressive score of 8.7, indicating a good performance, and an excellent customer satisfaction of 96.2%, its clear most folks are loving the atmosphere. Out of 26 comments, 25 rave about the "welcoming space, " "Tulum vibe, " "nicely decorated" interiors, and "laid back atmosphere, " making it a gem for a casual lunch or quick bite.
However, with 25 positive remarks, there was one isolated concern about cleanliness, specifically mentioning a need to "clean thoroughly. " While this is a minor point given the overwhelmingly positive feedback, its worth noting that one customer had a less-than-stellar experience regarding thorough cleaning.
Ambience
26
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming space
- Cool, laid-back vibe
- Nicely decorated
What people don't like
- Cleaning thoroughness concern
Often praised
- atmosphereI used to frequent the restaurant before Covid and loved the quantity, flavor, and quality of ingredients. Cenote also boasts an awesome atmosphere and offers so many options for vegetarians. It's fun to sit at the counter and watch them prepare salads, bowls, and burritos.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placethe place is so cute :)
- spotThis is a super cute spot located right in the middle of the business district. It's a great place to grab drinks & apps with a friend.
- Tulum vibenice little Tulum vibe
- ambiancetheir ambiance
- bar setuptheir bar setup is ultra cute
- bathroomIt has a bathroom for customers
- casual lunchGood for a casual lunch
- cleanlinessCleanliness was fire!
Frequently criticized
- clean thoroughlyNow I’m worried about my intestines; I just wanted a lunch. I’m going to guess it’s the metal part of the grill brush and they didn’t clean thoroughly.
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic, laid-back atmosphere and a cool, welcoming space, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The overall vibe is a huge draw, making it perfect for a casual outing. Just keep in mind there was one minor comment about thorough cleaning, but its largely overshadowed by glowing reviews.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 49% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 7.8 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 85.7%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a great deal and worth their money. Many rave about the overall value and happy hour options, making it a go-to for affordable and satisfying meals, based on 18 positive remarks.
However, not everyone is completely thrilled with every price point. A few guests, in 3 less favorable comments, found certain items a bit pricier than expected, particularly specific drinks. While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, it's worth noting that a couple of individual choices might not feel like the best bargain.
Value
21
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great meal deals
- Affordable overall pricing
- Worth your money
What people don't like
- Drinks can be pricey
- Some items expensive
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this lovely joint was fantastic! I enjoyed the delicious and reasonably-priced breakfast options. I'm already eager to return and try the lunch and dinner menus.
- pricesthe prices are right
- $11-12lunch for $11-12
- Solid priceSolid price as well
- Texas pricesgreat meal at Texas prices
- breakfast burrito + coffee combo deal$8 breakfast burrito + coffee combo deal can't be beat!
- dealThese breakfast burritos are A DEAL!!!!
- foodthe food is well-priced
- happy houra nice happy hour
- valueI found this place to be the likely best value in the FiDi for a quick breakfast. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros ($8.
Frequently criticized
- priceA bit pricier than expected. It’s an extra 5.50
If youre looking for a place where your dollar goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most customers find the overall value' to be excellent, offering great deals and affordable meals. Just be mindful that a few specific items might feel a tad expensive compared to the generally reasonable pricing.
How are the prices at Cenote?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 40 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners find themselves in this sweet spot, with the majority of prices clustering right around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 40 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a restaurant of this type, offering good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cenote
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Yummy Tacos and Burritos!
My experience at this restaurant was super yummy! I enjoyed the tacos and burritos, and they had what seemed like homemade chips. The restaurant was pretty busy when we arrived around 1pm, just as the lunch hour was finishing up.
It was good to know they have a bathroom for customers.
- tacos9
- burritos9
- homemade chips8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Flautas for a Perfect Light Meal
I'm so glad I happened upon this place! I got the flautas, which were delicious with a lovely topping. They made for the perfect light meal!
The nicely decorated atmosphere was also a plus.
- flautas9
- lovely topping8
- light meal9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Vegan Bowl
I ordered lunch from here and got the vegan bowl with Beyond Meat. My experience was meh. The bowl lacked flavor and tasted pretty bland.
I wasn't a fan, and it definitely wasn't worth the $19-$20 price tag. I wouldn't order from here again lol.
- vegan bowl2
- Beyond Meat3
- price2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Stomach ache from seed oils
My experience at Cenote was consistently negative, as I never left without a stomach ache. I strongly suggest they stop cooking their food in seed oils.
- seed oils2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Friendly Staff, Delicious Food!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The staff was extremely friendly. The food was served quickly and beautifully, crafted with care and full of flavor.
The cleanliness was fire!
- staff10
- food10
- cleanliness10
What Cenote offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Cenote?
At Cenote, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They also offer catering services for your events. For your convenience, you can choose from onsite services, dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
Does Cenote provide accessibility features and amenities for guests?
Yes, Cenote is committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. For your comfort, the restaurant provides a bar onsite, free Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom, ensuring a welcoming environment for all guests.
How does Cenote generally perform?
Cenote holds a good overall score of 8.3, with strong points in Service (9.3) and Ambience (8.7). Food (8.1) and Value (7.8) also contribute positively to its performance.
What are some popular food items at Cenote?
Customers frequently praise the tacos, breakfast tacos, and margaritas. Other well-received items include the carnitas and chips and salsa.
Are there any common concerns about Cenote?
A few patrons noted occasional inconsistencies with food, such as a cold burrito or bland flavors in some dishes. There was also a specific mention of a cleanliness concern related to a grill brush.