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oChef » Il Canto – San Francisco
Il Canto - San Francisco
Photo from Il Canto
Il Canto at a glance
San Francisco Financial District
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 94 of the guests
#274 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#26 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
345
Reviews
83.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional food
- Great value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Limited seating
- Service issues
- Food safety
The cafe Il Canto in San Francisco’s bustling Financial District offers a cozy escape. Here, you can grab a quick bite or enjoy a healthy option, perfect for a busy day.
It’s a casual spot where you’ll find delicious coffee to kickstart your morning or a satisfying lunch. This charming cafe provides a welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Il Canto
Il Canto appears to be a spot where the culinary offerings truly shine, with many appreciating the tasty food and particularly the breakfast burrito options. Guests often find the overall experience to be quite satisfying, noting the generous portions and the appealing flavors.
However, some experiences with the service have been less consistent, with occasional reports of rude behavior or long waits. The atmosphere, while generally pleasant and often quiet, does present a challenge for those looking for ample seating.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
345
Reviews
83.8%
Satisfaction
33
negative
23
neutral
289
positive
Il Canto generally earns high marks, with a strong Restaurant Score of 8.4 and impressive Customer Satisfaction at 83.8%. This positive sentiment is built on 289 positive comments against just 33 negative ones, indicating a largely favorable reception.
The Food (9) stands out as a primary draw, consistently receiving excellent feedback from patrons. While the Food is a clear highlight, Value (8.9) also performs exceptionally well, suggesting guests feel they get a good return for their money.
The Service (7.3) is rated as good, though it sees more mixed feedback than other areas. Similarly, the Ambience (7.4) is generally good, but some comments point to limitations, particularly regarding seating options.
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Great value for money
- Friendly staff interactions
What people don't like
- Limited seating options
- Occasional service issues
- Potential food safety
Il Canto stands out for its strong culinary offerings and excellent value, making it a compelling choice if you prioritize taste and affordability. With a Recommendation Score of 8.7, it’s clear many find it a worthwhile visit, especially for a satisfying meal on the go.
However, be prepared for potential service inconsistencies and limited seating. If you’re seeking a quick, delicious, and well-priced meal and can overlook these minor drawbacks, Il Canto is certainly worth considering for your next casual dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Il Canto
Food (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines with an excellent score of 9 and an impressive 93.5% customer satisfaction. With 186 positive remarks out of 199 total, guests rave about the phenomenal breakfast burritos, especially those grilled to perfection with homemade chipotle sauce, and the refreshing fresh OJ. However, based on 8 negative remarks, there were a few specific concerns.
Some found certain menu items like the pesto breakfast burrito and the egg and cheese sandwich on gluten-free bread to be disappointing, and the coffee received some lukewarm reviews. There was also a serious quality control concern reported.
Food
199
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
186
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent breakfast burritos
- Homemade chipotle sauce
- Grilled to perfection
What people don't like
- Serious quality concern
- Mediocre coffee
- Specific dish issues
Often praised
- breakfast burritoMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for breakfast! I had the best breakfast burrito in town. It featured homemade chipotle sauce, avocado, potato, sausage, onions, and other meat selections, all grilled to perfection.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was great, especially since it's one of the few places that opens before 8 am. I found it to be a good value with tasty food and coffee. The service from Jeff was also a highlight, as he served with a smile.
- breakfast burritosI'm usually not a fan of breakfast burritos, but this place has, by far, the best breakfast burritos ever. I ordered the classic bacon avocado burrito, and it was perfection.
- burritosburritos look heavy from the photos but they’re surprisingly light
- burritoMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional, particularly with their burrito. I was so impressed with the food that I jokingly said, 'I want to take this burrito to the altar and put a ring on it if I could, that’s how good this is. DAMN.
- coffeethe food, coffee, and service were all excellent
- meatlover avocado breakfast burritoI ordered the meatlover avocado breakfast burrito and a prosciutto panini. The burrito was very generous in size and quite filling, as well as tasty. It contained two eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, and avocado, with not much filler like potatoes, if any.
- avocadoAdd on some avocado and it's gold.
- chipotle burritoMy experience at this restaurant was outstanding, hands down the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever had. The chipotle burrito with bacon and avocado is a must have! The cold brew coffee was excellent as well.
- sandwichesMy experience at this walk-up, take-out spot was fantastic! They serve amazing sandwiches and breakfast burritos. The pesto and chipotle sauces were a delicious touch to all the hot items.
Frequently criticized
- coffeethe coffee honestly doesn’t taste good
- foodFood was ready but he didn’t pay us any attention and didn’t give us food.
- breakfast burritosUsually I feel like breakfast burritos are more on the dry side.
- egg and cheese sandwichegg and cheese sandwich on gluten free bread is pretty nasty
- metal screwbit into a metal screw inside the burrito
- pesto breakfast burritoOrdered a pesto breakfast burrito
If you're looking for an outstanding breakfast burrito experience, this spot is definitely worth trying, especially for their grilled options and signature sauces. Just be mindful of the coffee and perhaps stick to their highly praised burritos to ensure a great meal.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3, indicating a good performance, and a customer satisfaction rate of 70.3%, which is also good, many customers had a positive experience. Out of 91 total opinions, 64 highlighted friendly staff, efficient service, and a great overall experience, often praising quick orders and helpful employees.
However, its not without its bumps. There were 18 negative opinions, with some customers encountering rude staff, particularly cashiers, and experiencing frustratingly long wait times. A few also mentioned issues with poor customer service and communication, suggesting theres room for improvement in consistency.
Service
91
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
18
negative
9
neutral
64
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Quick orders
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe chipotle sauce - amazing! And as the cherry on top, the service was so friendly and kind. Will now have to find any excuse I can to come back just for this burrito!
- staffstaff are incredibly busy... incredibly friendly and helpful
- customer serviceeverything was great from customer service
- JeffI just discovered this place by walking by and seeing a line. It's nothing fancy, but I had a really good breakfast for not a lot of money, served by the friendly Jeff.
- ServiceService:5
- friendly serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had a great breakfast with very friendly service, even though it was a busy morning. I highly recommend this place for breakfast to go.
- FiDi outletIt featured homemade chipotle sauce, avocado, potato, sausage, onions, and other meat selections, all grilled to perfection. I highly recommend visiting their FiDi outlet, as it's much quicker than ordering in. The atmosphere was rated 5, service was 5, and food was 5, with a very quiet noise level.
- Lou's Lounge peopleVery nice people
- Lou's Lounge serviceCame around the corner to Lou’ lounge very nice service
- Order onlineOrder online and pick up in 10-15min.
Frequently criticized
- cashierthe guy working in cashier made me wait for 30 minutes
- Google MapsGoogle Maps said it was open. It wasn't.
- customer serviceThis is what we call Customer Service these days impersonal cold and nasty
- employeeAs an Uber driver, I was waiting for my order, but the cashier did not inform me that the food was ready. He is not a good employee, very disrespectful, and doesn't know how to speak with others. I suggest the owner or manager fire him, otherwise, customers and drivers won't return.
- guy behind counterthe guy behind the counter screams at me
- hand written signwelcomed by a hand written sign that says we’ll be closed
- huge lineHuge line.
- lady staffher behavior was rude
- page updateUPDATE THE PAGE!!!!!!!! Ridiculous.
- respect delivery driversHe doesn’t know how to respect delivery drivers
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient service, youll likely have a good experience here. Just be aware that there's a slight chance of encountering a less-than-stellar interaction or a longer wait, so it might be worth trying during off-peak hours.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, many folks really dig the vibe here! With 23 positive remarks out of 38 total, guests often praise the overall atmosphere and appreciate the outdoor seating options. They love that its clean and organized and often note the quiet noise level, making it a pleasant spot.
The ambience scores a solid 7.4, which is good, and customer satisfaction sits at 60.5%, showing a generally positive, though somewhat mixed, reception. However, its not all sunshine and roses, as 7 negative comments highlight some areas for improvement. The biggest sticking point seems to be the seating, or rather, the lack thereof, with many wishing for more options beyond limited outdoor seating.
Some even describe the morning rush as a chaotic scene, so be prepared for that if you visit during peak hours.
Ambience
38
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
7
negative
8
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent atmosphere
- Outdoor seating available
- Clean and organized
What people don't like
- No indoor seating
- Limited outdoor seating
- Chaotic morning scene
Often praised
- atmosphereI had a delicious breakfast and was met with super nice and friendly staff. The atmosphere was also great, contributing to a wonderful meal. I would love to come back!
- noise levelNoise level:Very quiet
- outdoor seatingThey have outdoor seating (a few tables)
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- clean and organizedlooked very clean and organized
- gemstumbled upon this gem
- hole in the wallSuper cute literal hole in the wall
- hoursthis spot is open during the weekend in FiDi (shocking), has great hours
- opening hoursfew places that opens before 8am
Frequently criticized
- seatingIt's kinda wild to me how many places without seating there are in SF. That's really the only negative thing I can say, though.
- atmosphereThe only way this place could be better is if we could have sat down to eat
- chaotic scenebe ready for the chaotic scene in the mornings here
- limited outdoor seatingVery limited outdoor seating.
- seating areaI wish they had some sort of seating area.
If youre looking for a clean, quiet spot with some outdoor charm and dont mind potentially standing or taking your food to go, this place has a good vibe. However, if ample seating is a must-have for you, especially during busy times, you might find it a bit challenging.
Value (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this spot absolutely shines! With an excellent score of 8.9 and a stellar customer satisfaction of 94.1%, its clear guests are thrilled with the value and affordable prices. Out of 17 remarks, 16 rave about the reasonable prices and price and quality, making it a top pick for budget-conscious diners.
Whats truly remarkable is that among all the feedback, there isnt a single negative word about the value. It seems this restaurant consistently delivers on its promise of great deals, leaving no room for disappointment regarding cost.
Value
17
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Affordable prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesThe eggs are seasoned and cooked to order, with added veggies for more flavor. It's fantastic that this spot is open on weekends in FiDi, has great hours, and fair prices. You can customize your burrito exactly how you like it.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent! I was not disappointed with the adequate portions for the price. I highly recommend checking this place out and grabbing a breakfast meal here.
- valueMy experience at this restaurant was great, especially since it's one of the few places that opens before 8 am. I found it to be a good value with tasty food and coffee. The service from Jeff was also a highlight, as he served with a smile.
- $12I also enjoyed their OJ, which was translucent and tasted like fresh-squeezed. All of this for $12, which is a great price given current inflation pressures. 5/5!
- affordablefilling and affordable
- moneyI just discovered this place by walking by and seeing a line. It's nothing fancy, but I had a really good breakfast for not a lot of money, served by the friendly Jeff.
- price and qualityrecommend it for price and quality
- value and tasteGood value and taste
- value breakfastBest value breakfast in San Francisco
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your dollar stretches further without compromising on quality, this restaurant is a definite must-try. You can expect excellent value and affordable prices that consistently impress, making it a smart choice for any meal.
How are the prices at Il Canto?
On average, you’ll spend around 15 per person – from 94 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the data, prices cluster very consistently around this average, with most diners finding themselves squarely in the $11–$20 range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 94 reviews.
How this Cafe’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Cafe in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. Its a solid mid-range option that offers good value for what youd expect.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Il Canto
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Service, Never Returning
My experience at this restaurant was very bad due to the service. The lady staff was rude, and I did not like her behavior at all. I will never go back there.
- service1
- lady staff1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
10
Best Breakfast Burrito Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was outstanding, hands down the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever had. The chipotle burrito with bacon and avocado is a must have! The cold brew coffee was excellent as well.
- breakfast burrito10
- chipotle burrito10
- bacon and avocado10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Delicious Burrito, Lacking Seating
It's kinda wild to me how many places without seating there are in SF. That's really the only negative thing I can say, though. I got myself an incredibly delicious breakfast burrito.
It was fast, affordable, and absolutely delicious. The fresh squeezed OJ is definitely fresh; I had two. Next time I'm in the area, I'll be coming back for more.
- breakfast burrito10
- fresh squeezed OJ9
- service speed8
- seating3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Breakfast Burritos!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for breakfast. I had the best breakfast burritos in town, thanks to their very yummy sauce that makes them taste unique. The portions are big and filling, ensuring you leave satisfied.
Although there's usually a line, they are incredibly quick at getting orders out. I highly recommend the Meatlover with avocado; it’s amazing.
- breakfast burritos10
- yummy sauce9
- Portions8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Delicious Chipotle Burrito for Breakfast!
My experience at this restaurant was great! I had the chipotle burrito with potato and bacon, and it was really good. The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was pleasant with tables outside.
I'm really glad I went here for breakfast.
- chipotle burrito9
- potato and bacon9
- friendly service10
What Il Canto offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Healthy options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Catering
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options near Il Canto Cafe in the Financial District?
Finding parking near Il Canto Cafe can sometimes be a bit challenging, but you’ll find both free and paid street parking options available in the Financial District of San Francisco.
What kind of dining experience and food can you expect at Il Canto Cafe?
Il Canto Cafe offers a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a healthy meal. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dessert, along with excellent coffee, and they also provide catering services.
What are the main strengths of Il Canto?
Il Canto is highly praised for its exceptional **Food** (9) and excellent **Value** (8.9), with many customers highlighting the quality of the meals and fair prices.
How is the service and atmosphere at Il Canto?
The **Service** (7.3) is generally good, often described as friendly, though some experiences mention inconsistencies. The **Ambience** (7.4) is pleasant and often quiet, but seating can be limited.
Is Il Canto generally recommended by customers?
Yes, Il Canto receives a strong **Recommendation Score** of **8.7**, reflecting high customer satisfaction at **83.8%**. This indicates a positive overall experience for most visitors, despite some minor issues.