Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Starbucks – San Francisco
Starbucks - San Francisco
Photo from Starbucks
Starbucks at a glance
San Francisco Cow Hollow
- ☕ Café
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#2343 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#160 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Average
4.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
133
Reviews
36.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Comfortable setting
- Quality coffee
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Cleanliness concerns
- Poor value
The cafe Starbucks in San Francisco’s vibrant Cow Hollow neighborhood offers you a perfect spot to unwind. Known for its great coffee, this casual and trendy cafe provides a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite or a leisurely moment.
Whether you’re grabbing a morning brew or meeting friends, you’ll find a welcoming environment.
Overview: Introducting Starbucks
Starbucks offers a mixed experience for its patrons. Many appreciate the sophisticated ambience and friendly staff who often ensure order accuracy.
It can be a pleasant spot for a quick drink or a comfortable sit-down, especially when the atmosphere is just right. However, some visits are marred by concerns about cleanliness, with reports of a dirty appearance in certain areas.
There are also instances of rude service that can detract from the overall experience, suggesting inconsistency.
Average
4.6
out of 10
133
Reviews
36.8%
Satisfaction
73
negative
11
neutral
49
positive
Overall, Starbucks holds a restaurant score of 4.6, placing it in the average category. However, customer satisfaction sits at a lower 36.8%, indicating a notable gap between the general rating and how content patrons truly feel.
This suggests that while some aspects are acceptable, a significant portion of visitors leave less than impressed, as reflected in 73 negative comments compared to 49 positive ones out of 133 total. Diving deeper, the Food (4.8) is considered average, with many enjoying their coffee and specific items like bantam bagels.
The Ambience (5.9) also hovers around average, often praised for its sophisticated feel, though cleanliness can be an issue. However, both Service (3.6) and Value (3.7) fall into the poor range, highlighting areas where improvement is clearly needed for a more consistent experience.
What people like
- Friendly, accurate service
- Sophisticated, comfortable ambience
- Reliable coffee quality
What people don't like
- Inconsistent, rude service
- Cleanliness issues
- Poor value for money
With a recommendation score of 4.7, Starbucks presents a mixed bag. While you might find a pleasant atmosphere and a correctly made drink, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and cleanliness.
It’s a place that can deliver, but not always reliably. If you prioritize a quick, familiar coffee fix and are willing to overlook occasional shortcomings, it could serve your needs.
However, for a consistently high-quality experience across all aspects, you might find yourself looking elsewhere.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Starbucks
Food (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
Lets talk about the food and drinks! Many customers genuinely "like their drinks" and often praise the "coffee, " describing it as "excellent" or "nice coffee. " Some even get excited about "bantam bagels" when theyre on offer.
With 13 positive opinions out of 32 total, there's a clear appreciation for certain items, contributing to an average score of 4.8. However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 40.6%, suggesting some inconsistencies. A notable 17 negative opinions highlight issues like watery taste in caramel macchiato drinks and vanilla sweet cream cold brew, often due to skipped espresso shots or overall poor quality.
There were also complaints about hot water being refused and flimsy straws.
Food
32
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent coffee
- Great drinks
- Bantam bagels
What people don't like
- Watery taste
- Poor quality
- Skipped espresso shots
Often praised
- coffeethe coffee to be excellent
- drinksLike their drinks
- bantam bagelsthey had the bantam bagels, which I love
- beverageI wish that staff would have asked him to step out. Otherwise, my beverage was made well.
- coffee stylethey Make your coffee in a different style
- drinkIt boasts a great location, friendly staff, and a wonderful atmosphere. They've always made my drink correctly! While I don't visit this location super often due to its distance from work, I'll come here if my shift starts earlier and the Chestnut location isn't open, or if it closes early.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good coffee and good food. The staff was nice, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
- morning coffeePretty good place for morning coffee
- nice coffeegood place to drink nice coffee
- puppacinoMy Yorkie takes me there for his puppacino all the time. They see him come in and they make it without me asking.
Frequently criticized
- drinkThe truth may be that my English was strange. Caramel Macchiato's T is very very difficult. Yes, I didn't accept it because it was a different order, but they said, "This is yours!
- Venti Strawberry AçaíVenti Strawberry Açaí with no ice... a quarter of it empty
- baconsome of the bacon was more raw than cooked
- bacon & egg sandwicha pc of bacon & egg sandwich not ready.
- bacon egg and cheese sandwichreceived a bacon egg and cheese
- caramel macchiato drinkswatered-down nasty taste
- coffeeCoffee doesn’t taste as usual Starbucks coffee.
- creamthey add too much cream
- dependable coffeeWhat a shame. So much for dependable service and coffee. Your brand is rubbish, and I am truly done with Starbucks.
- espresso shotsWe ordered two tall caramel macchiato drinks, which we ended up tossing in the trash a block down the street, a $10 waste. The barista made us milk and caramel but skipped the espresso shots, resulting in a watered-down, nasty taste. While we waited, another barista, wearing earbuds, stormed towards us with a broom and began sweeping near my wife's feet aggressively.
If you're looking for a reliable coffee or a specific treat like bantam bagels, you might be pleasantly surprised. However, be cautious with more complex drink orders, as consistency and quality can be a hit or miss, potentially leading to disappointment.
Service (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
Despite some significant challenges, a few customers have highlighted bright spots in the service, noting a friendly bunch of staff and great service with consistent order accuracy. Out of 55 total comments, 14 positive remarks praised the helpfulness and efficiency when things went well. However, the overall picture for service is quite concerning.
With a score of just 3.6 and customer satisfaction at a low 25.5%, many experiences point to slow service, rude staff, and a bad attitude from some employees, often feeling understaffed. A substantial 39 negative remarks indicate significant room for improvement.
Service
55
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
39
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great service
- Order accuracy
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Bad attitude
Often praised
- staffMy secondary Starbucks when the one on Chestnut is closed. It boasts a great location, friendly staff, and a wonderful atmosphere. They've always made my drink correctly!
- ALL staffALL staff was amazing today
- ServiceLovely service every time
- baristathe barrista was working their tail off
- customersIt is my local and favorite Starbucks. They work hard to keep their customers happy.
- employeesA few employees know be by name and are always so sweet!
- friendly bunchThe staff were a friendly bunch
- line upno line up to pay for coffee
- order accuracyThis Starbucks can get busy sometimes, especially in the morning, but I’ve literally never had my order made incorrectly in going here for over a year and a half. The service is consistently good, with orders always being correct, which is impressive given how busy it can get.
- servicethe service is great
Frequently criticized
- staffI was in and out quickly, so much so that I forgot to look at the souvenir mugs. Despite having 7 minutes left, I decided against re-entering to avoid upsetting the staff, even though there were still 5 people comfortably working on their phones and laptops. It's a great neighborhood to stop in.
- serviceDespite my clear request, I received a cup of water with ice. It was surprising and disappointing to receive such rude and inattentive service. I wonder if her behavior was due to my accent or if she is equally discourteous to other customers as well.
- ServiceService:1
- angry lookshe gave me an angry look
- attention to detailno attention to detail
- attitudebad attitude with the costumers
- bagHowever, on Monday, 05/10, I ordered 8 drinks and asked the girl with red hair for cup holders and a bag. She told me that bags and cup holders were only for Uber drivers. I was shocked and found this extremely rude.
- baristabarista made us milk and caramel and skipped the espresso shots
- baristasnot the most talented baristas
- batista with earbudsanother batista with earbuds on came storming at us with a broom
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for a mixed bag when it comes to service. While some have positive experiences, the low satisfaction and score suggest you might encounter slow or unfriendly interactions. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
The ambience here presents a bit of a mixed picture, landing an average score of 5.9 with customer satisfaction sitting at 53.8%. Many of the 21 positive comments highlight a sophisticated ambience and stately feel, praising features like paneled wood walls, comfortable leather corner booths, and tall ceilings that contribute to a nice shop size and overall experience. However, 13 negative opinions reveal some significant downsides.
Customers have reported a generally dirty appearance, with filthy tables and chairs, and even large seating areas covered in dog hair. Some have also noted an unpleasant smell, making the atmosphere less inviting and more akin to a library than a coffee shop.
Ambience
39
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
13
negative
5
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Sophisticated ambience
- Stately feel
- Comfortable seating
What people don't like
- Filthy tables/chairs
- Smells like sewage
- Dirty appearance
Often praised
- ambiencesophisticated ambience and a stately feel
- atmosphereMy secondary Starbucks when the one on Chestnut is closed. It boasts a great location, friendly staff, and a wonderful atmosphere. They've always made my drink correctly!
- ceilingsTall ceilings
- experiencewonderful experience here
- first StarbucksThe prices are always typical for the chain, but it was nice to be in the first Starbucks opened in San Francisco.
- free WiFiThere was free WiFi
- layoutwell spaced layout
- leather armchairsMy experience at this Starbucks was really nice. It has a sophisticated ambience and a stately feel, featuring paneled wood walls, a long wooden communal table, a leather corner booth, and comfy leather armchairs. A bonus was that they had the bantam bagels, which I love and not all locations have!
- leather corner boothMy experience at this Starbucks was really nice. It has a sophisticated ambience and a stately feel, featuring paneled wood walls, a long wooden communal table, a leather corner booth, and comfy leather armchairs. A bonus was that they had the bantam bagels, which I love and not all locations have!
- locationGreat location
Frequently criticized
- atmospherequality atmosphere to be in
- chairsAll lunaTECHs are reserving the chairs
- coffee shopseems like a library rather than a coffeeshop
- dirty appearanceOverall dirty appearance
- dog haircovered in dog hair
- filthyIt is filthy!
- large seating arealarge seating area was covered in dog hair
- parkingparking is difficult to get here
- place to setNo place to set
- political viewspolitical views this company's leadership chooses to extol and support
If you're seeking a sophisticated spot with comfy seating, you might enjoy the vibe. However, be prepared for potentially dirty conditions and an unpleasant smell that could detract from your visit.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
On the bright side, when it comes to value, at least one customer found the price per person to be quite reasonable, noting it falls comfortably between $1–10. This single positive remark, among 7 customer observations, suggests that for some, the cost might align with expectations. However, the overall sentiment paints a less flattering picture. With a poor score of 3.7 and customer satisfaction at a very low 14.3%, many feel the value is lacking.
Four negative comments highlight issues like the owner trying to save money, being charged extra, and problems with reward card balances, leaving some feeling their 10 bucks wasted.
Value
7
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable price per person
What people don't like
- Owner charges extra
- Reward card issues
- Money feels wasted
Often praised
- price per personPrice per person is between $1–10
Frequently criticized
- 10 bucks wasted10 bucks wasted
- charge extracharge me extra for The quarter that you kept empty
- ownerThe owner decided to safe money ?
- reward cardEmptied my reward card today, Zero Balance
When considering value, this place seems to be a bit of a gamble. While the base price might appear low, be cautious about potential extra charges or issues with loyalty programs. If clear, straightforward value is your priority, you might want to explore other options.
How are the prices at Starbucks?
Expect to pay around 8 $ per person here, based on what 17 guests have shared. That comfortably places it in the $1–$10 price range. For a Cafe in San Francisco, that’s quite a sweet spot – budget-friendly and fair for a casual meal or coffee.
Most diners find themselves in this lower price bracket, though a few opt for slightly more, venturing into the 11-20$ range.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 17 most recent reviews.
See how this spot’s value compares to similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Cafe, offering good value for a quick bite or coffee in San Francisco.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Starbucks
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Service from Abby at Starbucks
I visited Starbucks and had an unfortunate experience that I feel needs to be shared. After enjoying a cup of coffee, I politely asked the barista, Abby, for a refill. Abby did not respond with a smile or any acknowledgment; instead, she gave me an angry look.
I also requested a cup of water without ice, but Abby appeared visibly upset with this request as well. Despite my clear request, I received a cup of water with ice. It was surprising and disappointing to receive such rude and inattentive service.
I wonder if her behavior was due to my accent or if she is equally discourteous to other customers as well. Either way, this experience left me feeling shocked and unpleasant.
- service2
- angry look2
- cup of water3
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Unfriendly Staff and Dirty Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the unfriendly staff and dirty appearance. I am a regular customer who visits often for coffee. One day, when I asked the staff to fill my water bottle, they were nasty about it.
This incident, coupled with the overall dirty atmosphere, suggests that the staff do not care about providing good service or a quality environment.
- staff1
- water bottle1
- dirty appearance1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
2
Rude cashier denied restroom access
I went to this restaurant this morning to get a coffee. When I asked for the code to use the restroom, a very rude cashier told me it was out of order. However, before I left, I saw her giving the code to another customer.
I am very disappointed by how I was treated.
- rude cashier2
- restroom access1
- disappointed2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
2
Too Much Cream, Same Issue Twice
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the food quality. I found that they add too much cream to the dishes. I ordered twice, with different orders, but the result was the same.
😔 The service score was 1.
- cream2
- Service1
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Decline in Cleanliness
It’s a shame how this place has changed over the last couple of years. It appears that when they close at night, that’s just it, they just close. The tables and chairs are filthy when you come at first opening.
Yesterday, the large seating area was covered in dog hair. It is filthy!
- tables and chairs2
- large seating area2
- dog hair2
What Starbucks offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Drive-through
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What accessibility features does Starbucks in Cow Hollow offer?
At Starbucks in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow, you’ll find excellent accessibility. The cafe provides a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What dining and service options are available at this Starbucks location?
This Starbucks offers a variety of convenient service and dining options. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert with dine-in service, or opt for takeout, delivery, no-contact delivery, or even drive-through for a quick bite.
How does Starbucks generally perform according to customer feedback?
Starbucks has an overall restaurant score of 4.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 36.8%. While Food (4.8) and Ambience (5.9) are average, Service (3.6) and Value (3.7) are rated poorly.
What do customers appreciate most about Starbucks?
Many customers enjoy the sophisticated ambience and friendly staff, often noting the accuracy of their drink orders. The coffee itself is frequently praised for its quality.
What are the main complaints customers have about Starbucks?
Common issues include concerns about cleanliness, instances of rude or inattentive service, and feelings of poor value, sometimes due to incorrect orders or perceived overcharging.