Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » IKEA – San Francisco
IKEA - San Francisco
Photo from IKEA
IKEA at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🇸🇪 Swedish Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#2215 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Swedish Restaurant out of 1 in San Francisco
Average
5.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
105
Reviews
50.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Value for money
- Meatball quality
- Restroom cleanliness
Frequently criticized
- Ordering delays
- Service inconsistency
- Seating scarcity
The restaurant IKEA is a welcoming Swedish Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxing coffee break.
This spot stands out for its exceptional accessibility, offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a dessert, this deli has you covered.
Overview: Introducting IKEA
IKEA offers a casual dining experience where you can find some surprisingly tasty food options, particularly their signature meatballs. It’s often seen as a convenient spot for a quick bite, providing a decent meal for the price.
However, be prepared for potential hiccups with the overall flow. While the atmosphere can be quite pleasant, some patrons find the process of getting their food unnecessarily complicated.
There are also occasional concerns about items out of stock and the efficiency of the service, which can impact the overall visit.
Average
5.7
out of 10
105
Reviews
50.5%
Satisfaction
42
negative
10
neutral
53
positive
Overall, IKEA receives an average 5.7 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 50.5%. This reflects a dining experience that has its ups and downs, based on 105 customer observations.
While many appreciate the Value (7.3) and Ambience (7.3), the Food (6.2) itself garners a more moderate reception. The primary area for improvement appears to be Service (3.8), which significantly impacts the overall impression.
With 53 positive remarks versus 42 negative ones, it’s clear that experiences can vary, particularly when it comes to the efficiency of ordering and staff interactions.
What people like
- Good overall value
- Signature Swedish meatballs
- Clean monitored restrooms
What people don't like
- Slow ordering process
- Inconsistent staff service
- Limited seating options
If you’re looking for a budget option with some familiar comfort food, IKEA can be a convenient stop. It offers a decent meal for the price, especially if you enjoy their classic Swedish meatballs.
Just manage your expectations regarding the overall dining flow. With a recommendation score of 6.4, it suggests that while many find it acceptable, it’s not a standout culinary destination.
It’s worth considering if you’re already there for shopping or seeking a quick, affordable bite, but perhaps not for a dedicated dining outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on IKEA
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many guests find plenty to enjoy! With 30 positive remarks out of 51 total, you can expect delicious options like the classic Swedish meatballs, often praised for their lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Many appreciate the generous portions, vegetarian selections, and even free coffee, making for a satisfying meal or quick bite.
The overall score for food sits at a 6.2, indicating an average but decent experience. However, it's not all smooth sailing, with 16 negative comments highlighting some bumps. Guests have reported issues with ordering, finding items like side salads or salmon out of stock, and encountering problems with the soda machine.
Some found the food quality lacking, describing it as greasy or having an awful-tasting sauce, which contributes to a customer satisfaction of 58.8%, placing it in the mixed category.
Food
51
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
16
negative
5
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Swedish meatballs
- Generous portions
- Vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Ordering issues
- Items out of stock
- Greasy food quality
Often praised
- foodthe food itself was pretty tasty
- Swedish meatballsDecent Swedish meatballs served in gravy
- Costco cafeteriaa big step up from the Costco cafeteria
- FoodFood:5
- Momo'sMomo's being a particular standout
- Signature meatball plateSignature meatball plate is the MUST
- Stockholm saladStockholm salad with smoke salmon is popular
- Swedish MeatballsSome decent meatballs
- Swedish meatball mealThe Swedish meatball meal is pretty good
- delicious optionsoffers a variety of delicious options
Frequently criticized
- food qualityFood section is much worse than in Palo Alto location
- greasy foodIt's very greasy
- hot dog dealHiding up and behind the over-ambitious Saluhall is Swedish Restaurant. I just wanted the classic IKEA cheap hot dog deal. Everything from finding this food counter to ordering, paying for, and finally being served 3 hot dogs was unnecessarily complicated.
- itemsIt's hard to believe leadership isn't aware of this persistent issue, which makes me question what else might be neglected. Additionally, the store could use more seating, and items are constantly out of stock.
- jamI don’t love jelly
- mustardAKA lunch time. Went to let crew know mustard needs refill and check pickle status. Both had disappeared to who knows where.
- orderAfter waiting several minutes to be called up for 3 hot dogs, I went to the counter. Hearing nothing, I went to the counter to see my "almost ready" order sitting there, getting cold. Finally got an oblivious crew member's attention to ask about the delay: "We're still prepping the pickled cabbage.
- peasthe peas and very meh
- pickle statusAKA lunch time. Went to let crew know mustard needs refill and check pickle status. Both had disappeared to who knows where.
- pickled cabbageHearing nothing, I went to the counter to see my "almost ready" order sitting there, getting cold. Finally got an oblivious crew member's attention to ask about the delay: "We're still prepping the pickled cabbage. " Really?
If youre looking for a quick, satisfying meal with classic Swedish options and dont mind a few potential hiccups, its worth a try. Just be prepared for a mixed experience, especially if youre particular about every detail or specific items being in stock.
Service (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 85% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are a few glimmers of hope amidst the challenges. Out of 31 total comments, 7 positive remarks highlighted a generally solid experience, with one customer appreciating a nice older worker who even apologized and offered a treat. The presence of security guards for entrance and exit also added a positive touch to the overall service experience.
However, the service here faces significant hurdles, reflected in a poor score of 3.8 and a poor customer satisfaction of just 22.6%. With 22 negative comments, many customers found issues with robot ordering screens, limited hours, and unfriendly staff leading to long wait times. Ordering, paying, and waiting were frequently described as complicated and slow, often due to automated kiosks and touch screen ordering.
Service
31
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Helpful older worker
- Security guards present
What people don't like
- Slow ordering process
- Long wait times
- Unfriendly staff
Often praised
- serviceService:5
- ServiceService:5
- experienceotherwise solid experience
- older workerMaybe to check if their side hustles were doing numbers and could save them from working in IKEA hot dog purgatory? A nice older worker apologized for doing nothing wrong and gave me a wee soft serve ice cream. On the upside, the dining room itself is not blasted with tacky music as the Saluhall is.
- security guardsFor security they have guards for entrance and exit
Frequently criticized
- automated kioskOrdering through the automated kiosk was incredibly slow
- orderingthe automated kiosk for ordering was so incredibly slow
- automated logisticssurprised their automated logistics are so bad
- being servedI just wanted the classic IKEA cheap hot dog deal. Everything from finding this food counter to ordering, paying for, and finally being served 3 hot dogs was unnecessarily complicated. After waiting several minutes to be called up for 3 hot dogs, I went to the counter.
- close earlyneed to close early
- finding this food counterfinding this food counter... was unnecessarily complicated
- forksThey were also out of forks
- hoursMy experience at this IKEA food location in San Francisco was a disappointment, especially since I usually love IKEA food. The hours are extremely limited, which was a major inconvenience. Additionally, some of the staff were unfriendly.
- lazy dudesThose 2 lazy dudes should be fired
- ordering screensthe ordering screens have been broken every single time
If youre prioritizing quick, seamless service, you might find yourself frustrated here. Be prepared for potential delays and a somewhat complicated automated ordering process. Its probably best to manage your expectations or consider other options if efficiency is your top concern.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
The ambience here generally earns a solid score of 7.3, placing it in the good category. Many guests find the dining room a pleasant place for conversation, appreciating its fun, casual vibe and the bonus of clean, monitored restrooms. With 9 positive opinions out of 13 total, the atmosphere is largely well-received, even if customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 69.2%.
However, its not all perfect. A couple of guests mentioned issues like tacky music in some areas, which can detract from the overall atmosphere. There were also comments about the need for more seating.
These few points, from 2 negative opinions, contribute to the mixed 69.2% customer satisfaction, suggesting theres a little room for improvement.
Ambience
13
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant dining room
- Clean monitored restrooms
- Fun casual place
What people don't like
- Tacky music
- Limited seating
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- clean monitored restroomsIt’s IKEA, so set expectations accordingly. A bonus in SF is the clean monitored restrooms. There are also other restaurants in the complex with vegetarian and meat/fowl/fish options for more expense.
- conversationOn the upside, the dining room itself is not blasted with tacky music as the Saluhall is. Which is likely a problem for Swedish Restaurant, as it's actually a pleasant place to eat warmish hot dogs and have a conversation, unlike the deserted Saluhall.
- dining roomA nice older worker apologized for doing nothing wrong and gave me a wee soft serve ice cream. On the upside, the dining room itself is not blasted with tacky music as the Saluhall is. Which is likely a problem for Swedish Restaurant, as it's actually a pleasant place to eat warmish hot dogs and have a conversation, unlike the deserted Saluhall.
- fun casual placeMy experience at this restaurant was that of a fun casual place that is convenient if we are in the area. The food is cheap and offers vegetarian comfort food.
- pleasant placeOn the upside, the dining room itself is not blasted with tacky music as the Saluhall is. Which is likely a problem for Swedish Restaurant, as it's actually a pleasant place to eat warmish hot dogs and have a conversation, unlike the deserted Saluhall.
Frequently criticized
- seatingStore could use some more seating
- tacky musicA nice older worker apologized for doing nothing wrong and gave me a wee soft serve ice cream. On the upside, the dining room itself is not blasted with tacky music as the Saluhall is. Which is likely a problem for Swedish Restaurant, as it's actually a pleasant place to eat warmish hot dogs and have a conversation, unlike the deserted Saluhall.
If youre seeking a pleasant, casual spot for a chat and a quick bite, this places ambience is generally a good bet. Just be aware that some might find the music a bit tacky or wish for more seating. Its worth a visit if those minor points dont deter you.
Value (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at a good 70%, many folks rave about finding something cheaper or a budget option here. Out of 10 customer comments, 7 were positive, highlighting value for money and even weekly deals for members.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. A couple of voices (2 out of 10 comments) did mention the "price" as a sticking point, with some feeling its not worth it or that prices are a touch on the high side. So, while generally good, there's a slight whisper of concern.
Value
10
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unbeatable city prices
- Good value for money
- Excellent weekly deals
What people don't like
- Prices a bit high
Often praised
- budget optionnice budget option for vegetarians
- cheap foodcheap food
- cheaperhard to find anything cheaper in the city
- priceGood food for the price
- pricingfor reasonable pricing
- value for moneyyou get good value for your money
- weekly dealsGood weekly deals as member
Frequently criticized
- priceNot worth it for the price
- pricesprices are a touch on the high side
If youre looking for a place that generally offers good bang for your buck, especially with their weekly deals, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While a few find the prices a bit steep, most agree youll get good value, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at IKEA?
You’re looking at roughly 14 per person – reported by 19 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Swedish Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests, 17 out of 19, tend to spend between 1 – 20 $, showing prices generally cluster around the average, with just a couple of diners opting for something a bit pricier.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar places in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Swedish Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair, offering good value for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about IKEA
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Unacceptable Service from Tim
My experience at the restaurant was marred by the service. I had to ask Tim for the RR code five times before he would acknowledge me and provide it. As a paying customer, I found it unacceptable that a simple question couldn't be answered promptly.
- service1
- paying customer1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing IKEA Food Experience
My experience at this IKEA food location in San Francisco was a disappointment, especially since I usually love IKEA food. The hours are extremely limited, which was a major inconvenience. Additionally, some of the staff were unfriendly.
I arrived at 5: 10 pm, and two younger staff members were already attempting to close up, putting chairs on tables and shutting down ordering kiosks, despite the official closing time being 6 pm. This establishment will struggle to succeed if customers are made to feel unwelcome.
- hours2
- staff3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Unacceptable Wait Time for a Hot Dog
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing due to the waiting time. I waited literally half an hour for a hot dog. This is unacceptable.
The two staff members responsible seemed lazy and should be fired.
- waiting time1
- lazy dudes1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Food court variety, but food quality differs
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the food court offered a good variety with options like curry, noodles, and Mexican food, the overall food quality was not as good as the Palo Alto location. The service and atmosphere were rated positively.
- food court7
- service10
- atmosphere8
- food quality3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Fresh, Tasty Food at Reasonable Prices!
My experience at this restaurant was a great break! The foods were fresh and tasty, all for reasonable pricing. The Signature meatball plate is a must-try, and the Stockholm salad with smoke salmon is also popular.
The service and atmosphere were excellent, rated 5/5.
- foods9
- pricing8
- Signature meatball plate10
What IKEA offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is IKEA Swedish Deli in San Francisco's Mission District accessible for all guests?
Yes, the IKEA Swedish Deli is fully accessible. You will find a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable and convenient visit for every guest.
What dining options are available at IKEA Swedish Deli, and do they cater to children?
The IKEA Swedish Deli offers a wide range of dining options including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They are also good for kids and provide a dedicated kids’ menu.
What is the overall dining experience like at IKEA?
The dining experience at IKEA is generally considered average, with an overall score of **5.7** out of 10. While **Value** (7.3) and **Ambience** (7.3) are well-regarded, the **Food** (6.2) is moderate, and **Service** (3.8) is a notable area for improvement.
Are there any standout food items at IKEA?
Yes, many customers highlight the **Swedish meatballs** as a decent and often “must-have” option. The Stockholm salad with smoked salmon is also popular, offering some delicious choices.
What are common frustrations customers experience at IKEA's restaurant?
Customers frequently mention issues with the **automated kiosk** being slow and ordering processes being **unnecessarily complicated**. There are also comments about limited seating and occasional unfriendliness from staff.