Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Fredericks – San Francisco
Fredericks - San Francisco
Photo from Fredericks
Fredericks at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 31 of the guests
#1953 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#133 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
244
Reviews
60.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pleasant ambiance
- Tasty breakfast
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Poor service
The cafe Fredericks, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square, offers you a truly delightful experience. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This charming spot is celebrated for its great coffee and impressive tea selection, making it an ideal destination for your morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert here.
Overview: Introducting Fredericks
Fredericks presents a generally pleasant dining experience, with many appreciating its inviting atmosphere. Guests often find the food, especially breakfast items, to be quite satisfying.
However, the overall impression can be tempered by other factors. While the welcoming staff contributes positively to some visits, concerns about the price point are frequently raised, suggesting a need for careful consideration of value.
Good
6.5
out of 10
244
Reviews
60.7%
Satisfaction
78
negative
18
neutral
148
positive
Fredericks holds an overall restaurant score of 6.5, placing it in the average range, while customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 60.7%. This assessment is drawn from 244 customer opinions, indicating a balanced but not overwhelmingly positive reception.
It suggests that while many find aspects to enjoy, there’s also room for improvement. Looking closer at the specifics, the Ambience truly stands out with a strong (8.7), receiving considerable praise.
Food also performs well at (7), with 148 positive remarks often highlighting breakfast items. However, Service (5.8) is average, and Value (2.8) is a clear area of concern, frequently mentioned in the 78 negative comments.
What people like
- Inviting, pleasant ambiance
- Satisfying breakfast items
What people don't like
- High prices, hidden fees
- Inconsistent, poor service
With a recommendation score of 6.5, Fredericks offers a pleasant setting for those prioritizing atmosphere and specific breakfast items. If you’re seeking a comfortable spot and don’t mind the cost, it could be a suitable choice for your morning meal.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and a higher price point, especially with additional charges. It’s a place to consider if the ambiance and certain food offerings outweigh concerns about value and occasional service hiccups.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Fredericks
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, guests generally have a lot of good things to say, contributing to a good score of 7. Based on 92 positive remarks out of 135 total, many rave about the delicious breakfast options, especially well-made omelettes and eggs Benedict. The coffee often receives high praise for its quality, and the pastries like muffins are frequently highlighted as perfect treats.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.1%, indicating some areas for improvement. Around 31 negative comments point to issues like disappointing cappuccinos that lack espresso taste, and pastries such as cinnamon rolls or pound cake being dry. Some also found the avocado toast too oily or the basic breakfast food overpriced for its quality.
Food
135
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
31
negative
12
neutral
92
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious breakfast options
- Excellent coffee
- Perfect pastries
What people don't like
- Dry pastries
- Weak coffee drinks
- Oily avocado toast
Often praised
- foodMy experience at Fredericks was over the top. The service was exceptional, and the food was definitely hot and simply amazing! I also enjoyed the espresso and the chocolate croissant.
- breakfastWe ordered breakfast and it was tasty, but we found it to be too expensive. The atmosphere is very good, and I would choose this place if you don't mind paying a high price for basic food.
- coffeeThe service is okay. The coffee is very tasty; I ordered a double latte, pancakes, croissant, and eggs Benedict. It was very worthwhile.
- pastriesI stopped here for breakfast on two mornings during my visit to San Francisco, as I was staying just up the street at The Marker. I enjoyed the good coffee, pastries, bagels, parfait, and chia seed pudding. However, it's not inexpensive, so buyers beware.
- avocado toastI got the avocado toast and my fiancé got the waffle. We both LOVED our breakfast.
- eggs BenedictI ordered late duplo, panquecas, croassaint, and ovos benedict. Valeu muito a pena
- bagelsI stopped here for breakfast on two mornings during my visit to San Francisco, as I was staying just up the street at The Marker. I enjoyed the good coffee, pastries, bagels, parfait, and chia seed pudding. However, it's not inexpensive, so buyers beware.
- breadEverything from bread was amazing
- chocolate croissantThe service was exceptional, and the food was definitely hot and simply amazing! I also enjoyed the espresso and the chocolate croissant. Regarding the pricing, for a luxury hotel in downtown San Francisco, the Clift Royal Sonesta, eating breakfast at Fredericks twice was worth every penny.
- AvocadoIf u love Avocado this is where u get ur toasty on
Frequently criticized
- pound cakecharged me for 2! Twice we've stayed here that they've overcharged me
- avocado toastThe cappuccino was mostly steamed milk, with no discernible espresso taste. The avocados were barely ripe and tough to chew. The sourdough toast was the only redeeming part of the meal.
- cappuccinoThe cappuccino was practically all steamed milk, could not taste the espresso.
- Almond croissantAlmond croissant was very dry and hard
- FoodFood:2
- bananathey stupidly gave me the greenest one
- basic breakfast foodOverpriced for basic breakfast food
- basic foodWe ordered breakfast and it was tasty, but we found it to be too expensive. The atmosphere is very good, and I would choose this place if you don't mind paying a high price for basic food. We ordered a yogurt, a breakfast croissant, and two drinks, and it cost us almost $60.
- beveragesbeverages are in paper and plastic containers
- chocolate croissantchocolate croissant had a tiny piece of rock hard chocolate
If you're looking for a solid breakfast experience with some standout dishes and good coffee, this place is worth a try. Just be mindful that while the food quality is generally good, some items might not live up to expectations, and the value for money can be a mixed bag for certain dishes.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers have had some really positive experiences! Out of 42 customer remarks, 21 highlighted the friendly staff, great service, and attentive people. Guests frequently mentioned feeling welcomed, with some even praising specific individuals like the amazing and diligent chef and Armando for their excellent care.
However, the overall picture is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.8 (average) and customer satisfaction at 50% (mixed). There were 17 negative remarks, pointing to issues like poor hospitality, long waiting time, and a general lack of attention. Some felt the service was dismissive, with staff being irrelevant or not greeting customers promptly.
Service
42
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great service
- Attentive people
What people don't like
- Poor hospitality
- Long waiting time
- Dismissive service
Often praised
- staffMy experience at Fredericks in San Francisco was outstanding! The ambiance is charming and welcoming, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. The menu offers a diverse selection of delicious breakfast options that are freshly prepared and of high quality.
- serviceThe service from the baristas and server was great
- ServiceService:4
- ArmandoArmando is a great guy
- baristaOnly the nice barista in the corner even acknowledged I was there
- cashiercashier made us feel very welcomed
- chefamazing and diligent chef
- friendly staffFueron muy amables con nosotros a pesar de que no hablábamos muy bien el inglés
- great serviceThe manager overseeing everything brought us complimentary homemade potato chips that were light, crispy, and absolutely fantastic. It's a truly welcoming spot with great food and great service. We'll definitely be back!
- peoplePeeps are nice as hell
Frequently criticized
- serviceDidn’t feel welcome, not polite, even agressive
- staffStaff just sat there talking instead of greeting me and looking up to take my order
- attentionWhen I tried to get their attention I was ignored again
- complementary waterthe complementary water is only for the restaurant and if they wanted bottle water they should purchase it.
- hospitalityReally poor hospitality considering how nice the space is.
- irrelevant staffIt takes another set of skills to get the order totally wrong. This place definitely succeeded in hiring the most irrelevant staff, and the staff succeeded in screwing up everything.
- orderIt takes a special set of skills for 5 people behind the counter to do nothing while the queue is growing enormously. It takes another set of skills to get the order totally wrong. This place definitely succeeded in hiring the most irrelevant staff, and the staff succeeded in screwing up everything.
- paying and picking uppagare e ritirare davanti al bancone per poi scegliersi un tavolino, in un posto così non è il massimo
- serverwe overheard the server stop one of the customers from refilling her water bottle.
- stealingliterally thought I was stealing it
Service here seems to be a bit of a gamble; you might encounter incredibly friendly staff, or you could face frustrating delays and a lack of attention. If you're willing to take that chance, you might be pleasantly surprised, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place absolutely shines! With an impressive score of 8.7 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 97.1%, it's clear guests adore the atmosphere. People consistently praise the beautiful space, decor, and overall ambiance, often highlighting the natural light and welcoming feel.
Out of 34 total opinions, a remarkable 33 were positive, focusing on the lovely setting and classic hotel atmosphere. Interestingly, there were no negative opinions or terms mentioned regarding the ambience. This suggests that the restaurant consistently delivers a pleasant and enjoyable environment for its visitors, making it a standout feature without any apparent drawbacks to report.
Ambience
34
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful space and decor
- Top-notch atmosphere
- Welcoming natural light
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is very good
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambianceMy experience at this restaurant offered decent food and a good ambiance. However, the overall experience was marred by the fact that it was too expensive.
- ambienceStay for the ambience which is absolute top noth
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the place looks good and the food itself seemed to offer good value for the price, the service was a significant letdown. I didn't feel welcome, the staff were not polite, and at times even aggressive.
- settingYou should stay for the ambience, which is absolute top-notch. The setting is really nice and cozy, especially on those cold, windy days.
- spaceWe ordered the Classic Eggs Benny and Avocado Sourdough Toast, and both were excellent. The space is beautiful with plenty of natural light and a modern, yet artistic finish. The service is very straightforward, provided by somewhat surly older gentlemen, but we found it endearing and part of the overall vibe and experience.
- atmosphere and decorlove the atmosphere and overall decor
- beautiful placeHermoso lugar! Fueron muy amables con nosotros
- calmer atmosphereliked the place by being calmer
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The beautiful decor and welcoming vibe are consistently praised, making it a great choice for an enjoyable experience.
Value (2.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to value, there are a few bright spots, with 2 positive comments out of 33 overall. Guests appreciated the fair pricing and found some items, especially with a voucher, to be worth every penny for a quick breakfast. While the overall score for value sits at a rather poor 2.8, customer satisfaction is a bit more average at 6.1.
However, the overwhelming sentiment, with 30 negative remarks, points to significant concerns. Many felt the experience was overpriced and expensive for basic food, with some mentioning a confusing charging system or pre-added gratuity and service charges. This led to disappointment, as the cost often didn't match the quality.
Value
33
Reviews
6%
Satisfaction
30
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth every penny
- Voucher offers value
What people don't like
- High cost
- Added service charges
- Poor value for quality
Often praised
- pricingit was worth every penny
- voucherok for a quick breakfast if you have the $10 daily voucher
Frequently criticized
- priceWhile the setting is fantastic and I was initially excited to try the place, the overall experience was disappointing. The service was dismissive, and the food was just okay, certainly not worth the price. My cappuccino was essentially a glass of milk with only one shot of espresso.
- breakfastMy experience at this restaurant was that it was super expensive for breakfast and the food wasn’t that good. I ordered the avocado toast, and although it was a huge portion, it was full of oil.
- overpriceda lot of the dishes are a little overpriced
- pricesConnected to the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, this place is convenient for guests but definitely not for your wallet. No matter how rich you are, these prices for a la carte breakfast items are a bit outrageous. I found the $9 flat croissants tasted like something from Costco, and the $7 "large" drip coffee was more expensive than Starbucks or most airports.
- 11% food taxan 11% food tax added on top
- 18% service chargethere was an 18% service charge added on top
- 18% tipadd an 18% tip without asking or letting you know
- 30% surchargepaying a hefty 30% surcharge
- actual amountnever settle it for the actual amount
- breakfast placevastly overpriced breakfast place
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for a potentially high bill, especially for breakfast items. While a voucher might offer some relief, the general consensus is that the value for money is quite low. It might disappoint if youre looking for an affordable meal.
How are the prices at Fredericks?
You’re looking at roughly 30 $ per person – reported by 31 diners. That puts it squarely in the $21–$30 category. For a Cafe, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most guests spend in the 11 – 30 $ range, there’s also a noticeable spread, with some opting for more premium experiences.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 31 most recent reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Cafe in San Francisco, we think 30 $ per person feels fair. Its not a budget spot, but you’re likely getting quality for your money.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Fredericks
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Excellent Breakfast with Fantastic Service
My experience at Frederick's was excellent! We enjoyed a fresh and flavorful breakfast. They even offered gluten-free toast, which was a great option.
The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. The manager overseeing everything brought us complimentary homemade potato chips that were light, crispy, and absolutely fantastic. It's a truly welcoming spot with great food and great service.
We'll definitely be back!
- breakfast9
- food9
- gluten-free toast8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Incompetent Staff, Wrong Orders
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a profound lack of skill from the staff. It takes a special set of skills for 5 people behind the counter to do nothing while the queue is growing enormously. It takes another set of skills to get the order totally wrong.
This place definitely succeeded in hiring the most irrelevant staff, and the staff succeeded in screwing up everything.
- staff1
- order1
- irrelevant staff1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Poor Hospitality Despite Nice Space
My experience at this restaurant was marked by poor hospitality. Despite the nice space, the staff were disengaged, sitting and talking instead of greeting customers. The place was completely empty, yet I had to wait for them to finish their conversation before they noticed me.
Only one barista in the corner offered any acknowledgment. When I ordered a banana, I was given a greenest one. Attempts to get their attention were ignored again.
When I tried to swap the banana, the staff member accused me of stealing and proceeded to yell at me, claiming I was in the wrong. This was particularly frustrating as they clearly had time for this interaction.
- space7
- barista8
- hospitality1
- staff1
- banana2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
6
Great Breakfast, Terrible Pound Cake
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I found the breakfast sandwiches to be solid and satisfying. However, the pound cake was a significant letdown; it was the driest, most flavorless I've ever encountered, to the point where I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
The service and atmosphere both received a 4 out of 5, indicating a pleasant overall environment and good service, but the food quality, particularly the dessert, was a major drawback.
- breakfast sandwiches8
- Service7
- Atmosphere7
- pound cake1
- Food2
Service Type
- Dine-in
4
Pound cake needs work, watch your receipt
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. I found that they need to work on the pound cake. Additionally, it's important to watch the receipt as they pre-add the gratuity.
- pound cake2
- receipt3
- gratuity3
What Fredericks offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is Fredericks in Union Square accessible for all guests?
Yes, Fredericks prioritizes accessibility for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable and convenient visit for all patrons in San Francisco’s Union Square.
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Fredericks?
At Fredericks, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any time of day. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert, with small plates and quick bites available for dine-in or takeout.
How does Fredericks rate overall and in specific areas?
Fredericks has an overall score of 6.5. Its Ambience is highly regarded (8.7) and Food is good (7). However, Service is average (5.8), and Value is a notable weakness (2.8).
What do guests appreciate most about Fredericks?
Guests often highlight Fredericks’ beautiful and calming ambiance. Many also enjoy the quality of its food, especially items like coffee, pastries, and avocado toast.
What are the common criticisms of Fredericks?
The primary criticisms concern Value, with many finding prices high and additional charges confusing. Some also experience inconsistent or inattentive service from the staff.