Highlights
- Great dessert
oChef » Na Ya – San Francisco
Na Ya - San Francisco
Photo from Na Ya
Na Ya at a glance
San Francisco Hayes Valley
- 🍰 Dessert Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 76 of the guests
#1740 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#7 Dessert Restaurant out of 8 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
464
Reviews
64.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious desserts
- Appealing presentation
- Cute atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Noisy environment
- Inconsistent service
The cafe Na Ya Dessert Cafe invites you to experience a delightful escape in San Francisco’s vibrant Hayes Valley. As a premier dessert restaurant, you’ll discover why it’s celebrated for its truly great desserts.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a cozy spot to unwind, this trendy and casual cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere perfect for any time of day. You can enjoy your treats with convenient outdoor seating or opt for dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
Overview: Introducting Na Ya
Na Ya offers a delightful experience, often described as a cute cafe with excellent desserts that are quite Instagram worthy. Many find it a pleasant spot for a special occasion or a casual hangout, appreciating the overall presentation and atmosphere.
However, some visitors note that the environment can be quite noisy, and concerns about the air quality have been raised. While the offerings are generally well-received, these aspects might affect the comfort of your visit.
Good
6.9
out of 10
464
Reviews
64.4%
Satisfaction
133
negative
32
neutral
299
positive
Na Ya generally earns a respectable 6.9 out of 10, indicating a good overall impression. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at a mixed 64.4%.
This assessment comes from 464 customer remarks, with 299 positive observations outweighing 133 negative ones, suggesting a generally favorable but not universally acclaimed experience. The Food stands out as a strong point, scoring (7.6), reflecting many positive comments on its quality and presentation.
Ambience (6.1) and Service (5.9) hover around average, indicating areas that could see improvement. The Value (4.4) is perceived as the weakest link, with several guests finding the pricing a bit high for what’s offered.
What people like
- Delicious dessert variety
- Appealing visual presentation
- Welcoming, cute atmosphere
What people don't like
- High price points
- Noisy environment
- Inconsistent service
With a solid recommendation score of 7.4, Na Ya generally leaves a positive impression, especially for its culinary offerings. It’s a place that excels in delivering visually appealing and tasty treats, making it a noteworthy stop for dessert enthusiasts.
If you prioritize creative desserts and a charming setting over strict budget concerns or a quiet, spacious environment, this spot is worth considering. However, be prepared for potential noise and service variations during busy times.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Na Ya
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.6 score and a 73.8% customer satisfaction, indicating a good experience for most. Out of 305 total opinions, 225 were positive, praising delicious desserts like the Mango Sticky Rice crepe, great flavors, and appealing presentation. Many found the food quality to be consistently high, offering unique treats.
However, not everyone was entirely thrilled, with 59 negative opinions noting some concerns. Some found the sweetness overwhelming, while others felt portions were small for the price. There were also mentions of inconsistent quality, including a chalky texture in some items, suggesting room for improvement in certain dishes.
Food
305
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
59
negative
21
neutral
225
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious desserts
- Great flavors
- Unique treats
What people don't like
- Too sweet
- Small portions
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodIt tasted more like ice cream than shaved ice, and it was served in a cup, which was unexpected for a small size. Despite the disappointment with the bingsoo, the other food we ordered tasted good and was very pretty. Overall, it's a cute place with nice service, but I was hoping for a better bingsoo experience.
- dessertsMy experience at this Asian fusion dessert place in Hayes Valley was great, especially since it stays open late until 11 pm. It's a fantastic spot for groups looking to hang out after dinner and enjoy some instagrammable worthy desserts. Although it was packed when we arrived around 10 pm on a Saturday, the wait wasn't too long.
- Mango TangoI had the Mango Tango. Thai sticky rice with mango with the divine shave milk ice cream
- dessertMy experience at the restaurant was after dinner, and it was a great place to hang out. I enjoyed some tasty and good looking dessert.
- shaved iceCome here for the shaved ice. You will not be disappointed!
- FoodFood:5
- presentationthe presentation and experience worth it
- toastWe tried the Mango Tango, where the mango was super sweet and juicy, the sticky rice had a perfect consistency, and the shaved ice was just the right sweetness and so light. However, the Salted Egg Custard Toast was the absolute best dish we ate; the custard was delicious and the toast was airy and a little crunchy.
- Salted Egg Custard ToastBeen obsessed about the Salted Egg Custard Toast
- Salted Egg Custard ToastedThe friendly smiles of the staff truly embrace you, making the atmosphere very welcoming. I particularly enjoyed the Salted Egg Custard Toasted, which was a highlight of my dinner. The service, food, and atmosphere were all rated a perfect 5, making it a highly recommended spot.
Frequently criticized
- portion sizeThe portion was very small, even though we ordered the “large.”
- chocolate lava cakeHowever, the chocolate lava cake was a significant letdown. It was way too small for its price and, unfortunately, wasn’t tasty. The presentation was also unusual, with more fruit than cake, and the cake itself had a floury texture.
- drinksdrinks makes them look toxic
- small sizefelt a bit mislead when we ordered the small size instead of the large and didn’t get our dessert plated
- Chocolate Thaiti something cakeChocolate Thaiti something cake i had, wasnt anything special
- Ferrero crepesreally sweet and the quality overall wasn't there
- Thai Tea BingsuWe opted for the Salted Egg Custard Toasted and the Thai Tea Bingsu. The Thai Tea Bingsu was a letdown. Served in a cup and overloaded with crystal boba, it felt more like a novelty item than a well-crafted dessert.
- Thai crepe dessertthe desert disappointed me
- Thai teathai tea too sweet to eat with dessert
- Thai tea shaved icea bit too syrupy slurpee than refreshing shaved ice taste
If you're craving creative and flavorful Asian-inspired desserts, especially their signature crepes and bingsu, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might be on the sweeter side, and portions can be smaller than expected for the price.
Service (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
Looking at the service, which scores an average of 5.9, many guests found things to like. Based on 38 positive comments out of 71 total, you'll often encounter friendly service and quick seating. Guests frequently praised the attentive staff and fast service, noting how quickly they were seated and served, making for a pleasant start to their visit.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 53.5%, with 31 negative remarks pointing to areas for improvement. Some experiences included rude service, a lack of warmth, and customer service that felt lacking. Guests also reported long wait times for food or to order, and some were put off by an aggressive tip policy.
Service
71
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
31
negative
2
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, friendly service
- Quick seating
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
- Aggressive tip policy
Often praised
- serviceThe atmosphere was rated a 3, suggesting it could be improved. Despite the drawbacks, the service was also rated a 5, indicating a good overall experience.
- staffThey were incredible – not too sweet, not too heavy, and exceptionally moreish. The cute interior and friendly staff added to the pleasant atmosphere. I've been obsessed with the Salted Egg Custard Toast ever since.
- ServiceService was faster than a bullet train
- friendly servicefriendly service (feels like a dine-in experience
- packagingEverything was very nice and neatly packaged
- friendly smilesfriendly smiles embrace
- heatThey turned on the heat for us
- seatingNaya Dessert Cafe in San Francisco, despite being packed on a Saturday night, managed to seat us quickly, which was a definite plus. However, the desserts themselves left something to be desired.
- serversThe servers were very nice
- tableit took less than 5 minutes to get a table
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service also was on the same level with the desert : mediocre
- customer servicetheir customer service is lacking
- waitressDespite there being no line, both employees ignored me while I was standing at the door waiting to be seated. When I finally got a table and began to give my order, the waitress cut me off and asked if I was finished. She then took the menu while I was still looking at it and immediately presented me with the check after taking my order.
- arrival timeEvery time they say come before 10:30 and we’ll get a seat but every time they say oh they want to close soon
- checkgave me the check immediately after taking my order
- clear our tableinquired multiple times if she could clear our table
- customer skillsHowever, their customer service is lacking, though generally friendly. One of the staff members doesn't communicate properly, and while I try to be understanding, she needs to work on her customer skills. She's just hard to understand.
- employeesboth employees ignored me standing at the door
- insufficient servantsWhile the taste of the food was good, the atmosphere was quite noisy. Additionally, there seemed to be insufficient servants, which impacted the overall service. The amount of ice served was also not as big as expected.
- long wait timeslong wait times, especially at night
If you're hoping for quick seating and generally friendly staff, you might be pleasantly surprised. But be prepared for potentially long wait times and inconsistent customer service, which could make your visit a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to the ambience, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.1 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 52.5%. Many folks found the cute gem to have a cozy interior and an Instagram worthy spot with great cafe vibes. Out of 59 comments, there were 31 positive remarks about the overall vibe and atmosphere.
However, not everyone was charmed. Some found the space inside to be small and noisy, with a few noting the interior felt unorganized. A recurring concern was the smell of oil and issues with the ventilation system, making the air feel hot and leaving clothing smelled like fried oil.
These 25 negative observations suggest there's room for improvement in comfort.
Ambience
59
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
25
negative
3
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute, cozy interior
- Instagram worthy spot
- Great cafe vibes
What people don't like
- Smelled like oil
- Poor ventilation
- Small, noisy space
Often praised
- atmosphereIf you are looking for a cute cafe with excellent service, supreme food, and a great atmosphere, you've found it! Na Ya Dessert Cafe is lovely.
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful! It's a super cute place with excellent desserts. I really wish I lived closer so I could visit more often!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- interiorcute interior
- Instagram worthy spotvery Instagram worthy spot
- ambiancethe overall ambiance of this place was amazing
- ambienceNice ambience
- atmospheric settingAtmospheric enlightening setting.
- cafethe cafe is cute and cozy
- cafe vibesGood for friends hangout cafe vibes
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereIt’s quite noisy
- interiorfurther in the restaurant is a bit dark and lit by aggravating LEDs
- airthe air didn't feel fresh and clean.
- air at that placethe air at that place gets hot
- airflowthe airflow just isn't very good
- clothing smelled like fried oilWhen I got home, my clothing smelled like fried oil.
- conversationAdding to the less-than-stellar experience was the incredibly loud and obnoxious group seated next to us. They made it nearly impossible to have a conversation and really took away from any potential enjoyment of the meal. Overall, Naya Dessert Cafe was just "decent.
- cooking in frontcook directly in front of the tables
- entryThe entry was a bit weird with a bell you need to ring
- hotit just feels hot
If youre looking for a cute, cozy spot for a quick dessert and dont mind a potentially small or noisy space, it might be worth a visit. Just be aware of the ventilation issues and the possibility of a fried oil smell lingering, especially if you're sensitive to that.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
Looking at the value, some customers found the prices to be quite amazing, offering value for money and feeling like a special dessert date stop was truly worth it. Despite this, the overall customer satisfaction is a poor 17.2%, and the score for value is an average 4.4. However, the majority of the 29 comments, with 18 negative views compared to just 5 positive, highlighted significant concerns.
Many felt the price was overpriced or insanely expensive for what you get, with mentions of high prices and items being on the pricey side.
Value
29
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
18
negative
6
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good bang for buck
- Worth special occasions
What people don't like
- Overpriced for portions
- Not worth cost
- Sky-high prices
Often praised
- pricesThe prices are very good
- prices are amazingprices are amazing too
- small cupThe small cup cost $9. I think the cup is perfect for 1-2
- special dessert date stopit's worth it for a special dessert date stop!
- value for moneyyou really get the bang for your buck here
Frequently criticized
- priceOverall, I enjoyed the melon snow as it was a unique flavor combination. My only critiques are that I wish it was a little bigger for the price and less sweet.
- pricesMy friend enjoyed the chocolate lava cake with Thai tea, which was a bit sweeter but well-balanced with strawberries and ice cream. While the prices are a bit on the higher side, the presentation and overall experience were definitely worth it.
- billwaitress has already presented us with the bill
- foodfood was pretty pricey for what it was
- high pricesPrices so high for what it is
- large bingsuLarge bingsu cost $17, which is pretty pricey
- priceyA bit pricey
- pricey sideThis was on the pricey side
- suggested tipthe suggested tip was 18% on top of the sky high prices and taxes
If youre considering a visit, be aware that while some find specific items offer good value for money or are worth it for a special occasion, many customers feel the offerings are overpriced' for the portions. Manage your expectations, as the general sentiment leans towards a less-than-satisfying value proposition.
How are the prices at Na Ya?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 76 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Dessert Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests spend in that $11–$20 sweet spot. A good number also venture into the $21–$30 range. This means prices cluster nicely around the average, offering a consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 76 reviews.
How this dessert spot in San Francisco stacks up against similar restaurants on value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Dessert Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank for a sweet treat.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Na Ya
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Unique Thai Desserts Worth the Price
My experience at this cozy spot was centered around their delicious Thai-inspired desserts. We enjoyed the mango sticky rice shaved ice and a few other unique treats that my kids and I loved. While it was a bit pricey, the friendly service and the unique treats made the visit worthwhile.
- Thai-inspired desserts9
- mango sticky rice shaved ice9
- unique treats8
- pricey4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Toxic Drinks, Overpriced Desserts
My experience at this dessert shop was quite disappointing. The amount of food dye they use in their drinks makes them look toxic, and I wasn't comfortable trying them. Additionally, I found that you could get better cakes for a third of the price at places like Whole Foods or any other grocery store.
I question how this dessert shop achieves a 4+ rating, as the other reviews seem fake. I would avoid this place at all cost.
- food dye1
- drinks1
- cakes2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Amazing Mango Thai Sticky Rice!
This shop is such a gem for dessert. I tried the mango Thai sticky rice and it was absolutely amazing, perfectly ripe mango paired with creamy, fragrant rice. Simple yet so flavorful, it really hit the spot.
If you’re craving something refreshing and a little unique, this is a must-try.
- mango Thai sticky rice10
- ripe mango9
- creamy, fragrant rice9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Delicious Food, Great Service, Minor Heat Issue
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive! I absolutely loved the food, especially the chocolate toast, which I can honestly say was the best I've ever had. The staff were also really nice, contributing to a great overall experience.
I would definitely visit again. The only minor drawback was that the cooking happens directly in front of the tables, which can make the air hot and smell like toast. However, this was a small issue, and I'm just nitpicking.
There are other seating options available, which I plan to try next time.
- food10
- chocolate toast10
- staff9
- cooking in front4
- air at that place4
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
NaYa is my new go-to Bingsu spot!
As a dedicated Bingsu lover, my first visit to NaYa was flawless. I used to frequent U: Dessert, but NaYa has now become my preferred destination. We enjoyed the Mango Tango and the Black Thai Tea Crepe.
The service was incredibly fast, like a bullet train, even with just one person managing it. Both dishes were absolutely delicious, with a perfect taste and quality that wasn't overly sweet.
- Mango Tango9
- Black Thai Tea Crepe9
- Service10
What Na Ya offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Na Ya Dessert Cafe?
At Na Ya Dessert Cafe, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for relaxing. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner, or just dessert, you can enjoy comfortable seating options. It’s also a great spot if you’re dining with kids, offering a welcoming environment for families.
What service options and accessibility features does Na Ya Dessert Cafe offer?
Na Ya Dessert Cafe provides flexible service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery for your convenience. The cafe is also wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating available to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
What is Na Ya's overall rating and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
Na Ya holds an overall score of 6.9. Its primary strength lies in Food (7.6), while Ambience (6.1) and Service (5.9) are average, and Value (4.4) is its weakest point.
What kind of desserts can I expect at Na Ya?
Customers frequently praise the excellent desserts, particularly the shaved ice and the unique Salted Egg Custard Toast, often highlighting their appealing presentation.
Are there any common concerns about the dining experience at Na Ya?
Some patrons have noted that the restaurant can be quite noisy, and concerns about air quality and high prices for certain items have been mentioned.