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oChef » Noriega Cafe – San Francisco
Noriega Cafe - San Francisco
Photo from Noriega Cafe
Noriega Cafe at a glance
San Francisco Golden Gate Heights
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 23 of the guests
#1093 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#132 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
138
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Cozy atmosphere
- Attentive service
- Budget-friendly
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Service hiccups
The restaurant Noriega Cafe welcomes you to the vibrant Golden Gate Heights neighborhood in San Francisco. This casual spot offers a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite, coffee, or even a beer.
Whether you’re looking for a convenient takeout option or a comfortable dine-in experience, you’ll find it here. It’s a great place to stop by for lunch or dinner, providing table service and a friendly environment for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Noriega Cafe
Noriega Cafe generally provides a pleasant dining experience, with many appreciating its clean, and well-kept spot and cozy vibe. The staff is often described as friendly and attentive, contributing positively to the visit.
While the menu boasts a wide array of classic Cantonese dishes, some specific items have drawn criticism for their preparation. Guests often find the overall pricing to be quite reasonable, especially for lunch.
Good
7.6
out of 10
138
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
21
negative
12
neutral
105
positive
Overall, Noriega Cafe earns a respectable 7.6 out of 10, indicating a generally good experience for many patrons. Customer satisfaction also stands at a solid 76.1%, suggesting that most visitors leave content with their meal.
This assessment is drawn from 138 customer observations, with a healthy balance of 105 positive remarks against 21 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Ambience (8.3) stands out as a strong point, often described as clean and comfortable.
Value (7.8) also scores well, with many appreciating the reasonable pricing, particularly for lunch specials. While Service (7.6) is generally good, some feedback points to occasional inconsistencies.
Food (7.5) receives the most commentary, with a broad range of positive comments on Cantonese dishes, though some specific items have been noted for quality issues.
What people like
- Clean, cozy atmosphere
- Friendly, attentive service
- Good value, reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Occasional service issues
Noriega Cafe presents itself as a solid option for those seeking a comfortable and reasonably priced meal. With a recommendation score of 7.6, it generally delivers a satisfying experience, especially if you appreciate a welcoming environment and good value.
While the food can be a highlight, be aware that some dishes might not consistently meet expectations. It’s worth a visit for its overall positive atmosphere and service, but perhaps stick to well-regarded Cantonese classics for the best culinary outcome.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Noriega Cafe
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a good score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction of 76.1%, many diners rave about the wide variety of comfort food options. Out of 88 total remarks, 67 were positive, often praising balanced flavors and generously portioned dishes.
However, not every bite was perfect. A few of the 14 negative remarks pointed out issues like excessive batter coating on some items, salty spice, or even undercooked shrimps. Some also mentioned feeling thirsty, hinting at potential MSG' use.
Food
88
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
14
negative
7
neutral
67
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Wide variety
- Comfort food
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Excessive batter
- Salty spice
- Undercooked items
Often praised
- foodThe menu is filled with a wide variety of dishes, all of which are reasonably priced and generously portioned. And don't be fooled by the affordable prices - the food is absolutely amazing. From the appetizers to the entrees to the desserts, each dish is expertly prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients that will leave your taste buds dancing.
- dishesWe ordered seven dishes... Everything was delicious and flavorful
- FoodFood:5
- Beef stewClassic Chinese diner dishes Beef stew
- Cantonese foodThe menu is impressively extensive, packed with classic and delicious-sounding Cantonese dishes. As someone always on the hunt for great Cantonese food, I’m thrilled to have found this neighborhood gem. Just go—you won’t regret it!
- Chinese comfort foodhigh quality Chinese comfort food
- Chinese foodGreat standard fare Chinese food.
- Chow funnoodles, Chow fun
- Curry chickenI had the Curry chicken once and it was good.
- Mongolian ChickenI had their Mongolian Chicken and it is VERY good.
Frequently criticized
- Beef BroccoliBeef Stew and beef broccoli. Both were inedible.
- Beef StewBeef Stew and beef broccoli. Both were inedible.
- MSGLittle MSG in the dish
- batter coatingtoo much batter coating the paper-thin meat
- chicken wingsChicken wings were undercooked yet the spice was too salty.
- foodThe food was horrible, unpalatable
- fried riceFried rice was underspiced.
- meatpaper-thin meat
- pig's trottersthe pig's trotters were hairy and tasted bad
- ricethe rice was of very poor quality
Overall, if you're seeking a place with a broad menu and satisfying portions, the food here is generally a safe bet. While a few dishes might miss the mark with batter or seasoning, the majority of diners leave happy, making it worth a try for your next meal.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a good 73.1%, many diners rave about the attentive and fast service. Shout-outs often go to individuals like Ann, the hostess, Christine, and the nicest lady who make dining a great experience, based on 19 positive remarks.
However, there are a few areas where service could improve. A handful of customers (6 opinions) noted that service can be pretty slow, especially with take-out orders or when one person is handling everything. There were also some concerns regarding delivery issues and an uncomfortable situation about tipping.
Service
26
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast, speedy service
- Personalized great service
What people don't like
- Service can be slow
- Take-out order delays
- Uncomfortable tipping requests
Often praised
- serviceService is pretty good even though there's only one person
- ServiceService:5
- Ann, the hostessThe restaurant itself is a clean, and well-kept spot with a cozy vibe. Huge shoutout to Ann, the hostess—she was so friendly and made me feel welcome, even though I just came in for take-out. The menu is impressively extensive, packed with classic and delicious-sounding Cantonese dishes.
- ChristinaChristina was the best server ever!!
- ChristineChristine was very friendly
- Great servicesGreat services
- attentivevery attentive.
- dining and take out experienceI had such an amazing dining and take out experience. The food is always very delicious.
- fast serviceFresh food, fast service and very attentive.
- meet all our needsTrying to meet all our needs
Frequently criticized
- servicethey were defensive, saying we can just tell them next time
- deliveryOrdered two meals through club feast for delivery.
- handling all the ordersone person handling all the orders
- take-out ordersdepending on volume of take-out orders.
- tippingwas asking me to tip them. Tipping should be a voluntary thing
Overall, you can expect a generally good service experience here, often highlighted by friendly and attentive staff. While there might be occasional slowdowns, especially with take-out, the positives largely outweigh the negatives. If youre looking for a welcoming atmosphere with good personal touches, its definitely worth a visit.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.3 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 86.7%, its clear guests are loving the vibe. Many appreciate the "casual atmosphere, " finding it a "clean, and well-kept spot" with a "cozy vibe" that feels like a true "neighborhood gem.
" These positive sentiments come from 13 out of 15 total customer remarks, highlighting a consistently pleasant experience. Interestingly, there are no negative opinions or terms mentioned regarding the ambience. This suggests that while the atmosphere is generally well-received and comfortable, there arent any specific areas that customers have found fault with, making it a reliably pleasant place to dine.
Ambience
15
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
0
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean interior
- Cozy vibe
- Casual atmosphere
What people don't like
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Casual atmosphereCasual atmosphere
- Comfortable sittingComfortable sitting
- cleanthey seem really clean.
- clean, and well-kept spotThe restaurant itself is a clean, and well-kept spot
- cozy vibewith a cozy vibe
- easy parkingeasy parking evenings
- family dinnerGreat place for my family dinner/gathering
- interiorParking was manageable, and the restaurant wasn't overly crowded. The interior is very clean and intimate, featuring two large round tables and some smaller square ones. We ordered seven dishes: Westlake soup, mapo tofu, salt and pepper spareribs, pumpkin with salted egg, fried rice with salted fish, a clay pot tofu dish, chow fun, and greens with mushrooms.
- neighborhood gemI’m thrilled to have found this neighborhood gem
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a restaurant with a consistently clean, comfortable, and casual atmosphere, this place is definitely worth a visit. Its a great choice for a relaxed meal, especially if you appreciate a cozy, no-frills setting.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.8, which is quite good! Many guests rave about the reasonably priced and affordable prices, often highlighting the generous portions and quality food you get for your money. With 6 positive remarks out of 9 total, it seems many find the overall experience quite satisfying, especially praising the lunch specials.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a 66.7%, suggesting a mixed bag for some. There's been a slight concern, with 1 negative remark out of 9 total, regarding the lunch specials, specifically that prices seemed to have increased. This indicates that while generally good, some guests have noticed changes in what they consider affordable.
Value
9
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great lunch specials
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Increased lunch special prices
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially considering the fairly inexpensive prices, particularly for the lunch specials. Each dish was priced at $11 before tax and tip.
- Reasonable pricesReasonable prices
- affordable pricesThe menu is filled with a wide variety of dishes, all of which are reasonably priced and generously portioned. And don't be fooled by the affordable prices - the food is absolutely amazing. From the appetizers to the entrees to the desserts, each dish is expertly prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients that will leave your taste buds dancing.
- lunch specialsespecially for the lunch specials
- reasonably pricedall of which are reasonably priced
Frequently criticized
- lunch specialsnoticed the prices seemed to have increased from $11 to $12.99
Overall, if youre looking for good value, especially for lunch, this place is generally a solid choice. While theres a minor concern about recent price adjustments on lunch specials, the majority of diners find the prices reasonable for the quality and portions you receive.
How are the prices at Noriega Cafe?
On average, you’ll spend around 19 per person – from 23 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Most guests (14 out of 23) are comfortably within that $11–$20 range, though a fair few (7) venture into the $21–$30 bracket. This shows prices generally cluster around the average, offering a consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 23 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Noriega Cafe
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Experience, Not Recommended
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the food was not salty, which is good for seniors, I suspect there was a little MSG in the dish, as I felt thirsty afterward. Due to these concerns, I cannot recommend this place.
- food5
- MSG3
- thirst2
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Noriega Cafe's Pan-Fried Rice Noodle is a Must-Try!
I finally tried the much-talked-about Pan-Fried Rice Noodle at Noriega Cafe, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! The dish featured perfectly crisped noodles on top and a perfect saucy meat-to-noodle ratio underneath. I ordered the savory pork & preserved pickle version, but they also offer this dish with chicken or seafood, which I’m definitely coming back for.
The restaurant itself is a clean, and well-kept spot with a cozy vibe. Huge shoutout to Ann, the hostess—she was so friendly and made me feel welcome, even though I just came in for take-out. The menu is impressively extensive, packed with classic and delicious-sounding Cantonese dishes.
As someone always on the hunt for great Cantonese food, I’m thrilled to have found this neighborhood gem. Just go—you won’t regret it!
- Pan-Fried Rice Noodle10
- crisped noodles10
- saucy meat-to-noodle ratio10
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Wonderful Chinese Food and Service!
Our family, a party of 7, had a wonderful dinner at Noriega Cafe this Saturday evening. Parking was manageable, and the restaurant wasn't overly crowded. The interior is very clean and intimate, featuring two large round tables and some smaller square ones.
We ordered seven dishes: Westlake soup, mapo tofu, salt and pepper spareribs, pumpkin with salted egg, fried rice with salted fish, a clay pot tofu dish, chow fun, and greens with mushrooms. Everything was delicious and flavorful, and importantly, not too salty, though we did request low sodium. The prices were reasonable for the generous portion sizes.
Our server, Christine, provided excellent service. My personal favorite was the pumpkin with salted egg, but all dishes were really good! Christine was incredibly friendly, making us feel like family.
This experience definitely makes us want to return soon. I even left a reusable bag behind, and when I called, Christine remembered us and confirmed she had saved it for me to pick up. What a nice little restaurant!
I’ll be recommending Noriega Cafe to anyone seeking great Chinese food and pleasant service!
- dishes9
- flavor9
- low sodium8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Disappointing Lunch Special Experience
I visited this restaurant for their lunch specials and noticed the prices seemed to have increased from $11 to $12. 99. My takeout order contained a substantial amount of rice.
The salt and pepper ribs were more like batter-fried, lacking pepper and spice. The meat was paper-thin, heavily coated in batter, making me wonder about the cutting process. Despite being very hungry and eating everything, I left a lot of the rice behind.
- rice5
- lunch specials4
- salt and pepper ribs3
- batter coating3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Pick-up Service and Tipping Expectations
During a recent food pick-up, I was asked by a staff member to tip them. I believe tipping should be a voluntary act, especially for pick-up orders. While the food itself was okay, I will not be returning to this establishment.
- food6
- tipping2
What Noriega Cafe offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Noriega Cafe?
At Noriega Cafe, you have several convenient service options, including no-contact delivery, takeout, and traditional delivery. If you prefer to dine in, seating is available for both lunch and dinner, complete with table service. You can also accept reservations for your visit.
Is Noriega Cafe accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Noriega Cafe is designed to be accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. It’s also a great spot for families, as it’s good for kids and provides high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for your little ones.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Noriega Cafe?
Noriega Cafe holds a good overall score of **7.6** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **76.1%**. Its **Ambience** (8.3) and **Value** (7.8) are particularly well-regarded, while **Service** (7.6) and **Food** (7.5) also contribute positively to the experience.
Is Noriega Cafe a good spot for a casual meal?
Yes, many customers describe Noriega Cafe as a **clean, and well-kept spot** with a **cozy vibe** and **casual atmosphere**, making it suitable for family dinners or a relaxed outing.
Are the prices at Noriega Cafe considered reasonable?
Absolutely. Customers frequently praise the **affordable prices** and **reasonable prices**, especially noting the good value offered by the **lunch specials**.