Highlights
- Great coffee
oChef » The Turn – San Francisco
The Turn - San Francisco
Photo from The Turn
The Turn at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 4 of the guests
#2108 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#240 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
159
Reviews
62.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Good atmosphere
- Helpful staff
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- High prices
- Tight seating
The cafe The Turn in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood is where you’ll discover more than just a great coffee experience. This casual, trendy spot invites you to unwind, whether you’re starting your day or looking for a late-night bite.
You’ll find a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious offerings and excellent service.
Overview: Introducting The Turn
The Turn offers a mixed experience, where the food often stands out, with many appreciating dishes like the “Turnt chicken” and the quality of their coffee. Guests also find good value, especially with happy hour deals and reasonable pricing for breakfast.
However, the experience can be uneven. Some find the ambience to be a bit limited or cold near the door, and there are instances of slow or inconsistent service, with reports of dirty tables and long waiting times.
Good
6.2
out of 10
159
Reviews
62.3%
Satisfaction
54
negative
6
neutral
99
positive
The Turn holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.2, placing it in the average range, and a Customer Satisfaction of 62.3%, indicating a mixed reception. With 159 customer observations, including 99 favorable remarks and 54 critical ones, there’s a clear split in experiences.
This suggests that while many find aspects to appreciate, others encounter notable drawbacks. Diving into specifics, Food leads the way with a score of (6.6), suggesting it’s a consistent strength.
Ambience (7.4) is quite good, while Service (5.2) appears to be a weaker point. Value (4.8) also falls into the average category, indicating that while some deals are appreciated, pricing can be a concern for others.
What people like
- Quality Food & Coffee
- Engaging Atmosphere
- Attentive Staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service
- Overpriced Menu Items
- Limited Seating
The Turn presents a somewhat mixed proposition, reflected in its Recommendation Score of 6.3. While there are clear strengths, particularly in its culinary offerings and engaging environment, potential visitors should manage their expectations regarding consistency.
If you prioritize a lively atmosphere with good coffee and specific food items, and don’t mind potentially higher prices or occasional service delays, it could be a suitable spot. However, those seeking seamless, budget-friendly dining might find it less appealing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Turn
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot offers a mixed but generally appealing experience, with a score of 6.6 and customer satisfaction at 69.4%. Many patrons rave about the excellent coffee selection, from Italian-style barrister to vanilla lattes, often calling it the best in the city. You'll also find praise for outstanding brunch plates, the delicious Axiom burger, and delightful pastries and muffins, based on 50 positive remarks.
However, not everything hits the mark, as seen in 19 negative comments out of 72 total. Some diners were disappointed by issues like raw mushrooms in dishes, burnt burgers, or finding the flat bread underwhelming. There are also mentions of expensive, plain breakfast options and occasional complaints about the coffee quality, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
72
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
19
negative
3
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent coffee selection
- Outstanding brunch plates
- Delicious Axiom burger
What people don't like
- Raw mushrooms served
- Expensive plain breakfast
- Burnt burger issues
Often praised
- foodYou might be surprised when you walk into this place because it doesn't look like much more than a hotel bar, but it did not disappoint at all. We ordered 2 brunch plates and the food was outstanding. Seating is a bit limited, just fyi, but the place wasn't busy so we had no issues.
- coffeeThe best coffee I've found in SF by far
- drinksMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the good food and good drinks. The service was also good, and the games added to the fun.
- Americanoel café americano no es suave ni es tan aguado
- Axiom burgerMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the "famous^ Axiom burger was indeed good and huge, the fact that it took them 30 minutes to serve it made them a star lower in my books. We came here for a quick drink and eats before catching a show at the theater.
- Bloody MaryMy experience at the restaurant featured a very nice bartender and a good Bloody Mary. It was also a great deal at only USD 6 between 9 and 11 am.
- Bunderburg Ginger beerhave Bunderburg Ginger beer from Australia
- French toastEnjoyed the French toast
- Italian style barrister coffeeI found the coffee to be the best I've had in San Francisco by far. If you're looking for proper Italian style barrister coffee, this is the place to find your way to.
- Turnt chickenThe Turnt chicken is so good
Frequently criticized
- coffeeWe ordered coffee and croissants at our table in the restaurant. The ordering and payment (including a very high tip) were handled via a barcode at the table : -(We received two very bad coffees in paper cups and the croissants in a bag. Very bad service.
- toastI received dry toast and the staff seemed confused when people entered. It took over an hour to be served the worst omelette and crunchy toast.
- MachaMacha was the worst
- bagel breakfast sandwichmost garbage bagel breakfast sandwich with some rubberized processed egg thing
- basic plain breakfastbasic plain breakfast that wasn't very good
- breakfastbreakfast was extremely expensive for basic plain breakfast
- burgerburger ordered medium came out burnt
- croissantcroissant was cold inside
- croissantsWe ordered coffee and croissants at our table in the restaurant. The ordering and payment (including a very high tip) were handled via a barcode at the table : -(We received two very bad coffees in paper cups and the croissants in a bag. Very bad service.
- espressoshocked espresso
If you're looking for a great coffee experience, a solid burger, or a satisfying brunch, this place is worth a visit. Just be mindful that some breakfast items might be overpriced for their quality, and consistency can be a bit hit-or-miss.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 indicating its pretty average. However, there are bright spots! Out of 39 comments, 18 highlighted positive experiences.
Guests often praised the helpful person at the counter and specific bartenders like Pinky, Christine, and Jorge for delivering seamless service and being damn fine company. On the flip side, with 21 negative comments and a customer satisfaction of 46.2%, theres definitely room for improvement. Some found the service mediocre, citing issues with the order terminal and frustrating waiting times.
Others encountered rude staff or a barista attitude, leading to a less-than-ideal customer service' experience.
Service
39
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
21
negative
0
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Helpful counter staff
- Friendly bartenders
- Seamless service
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Long waiting times
- Order terminal issues
Often praised
- serviceWhile it was a little overpriced, the overall experience was pretty good, with the watermelon/strawberry slush being a particular highlight. The food arrived very quickly, and the service was exceptional. The staff member at the register, Jorge, was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to assist me in resolving issues with a food voucher.
- bartenderGabor is the best bartender
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a very nice atmosphere and wonderful staff. However, I found that many of the menu items were way overpriced, particularly the beverages.
- JorgeJorge, was very helpful and went beyond expectations
- Pinky and ChristinePinky and Christine are phenomenal bar tenders!
- convenientVery convenient for anyone staying at the Axiom Hotel
- damn fine companyThey're damn fine company
- food arrivedWhile it was a little overpriced, the overall experience was pretty good, with the watermelon/strawberry slush being a particular highlight. The food arrived very quickly, and the service was exceptional. The staff member at the register, Jorge, was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to assist me in resolving issues with a food voucher.
- person at the counterPerson at the counter was very helpful
- seamless servicedeliver seamless service
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe ordering and payment (including a very high tip) were handled via a barcode at the table : -(We received two very bad coffees in paper cups and the croissants in a bag. Very bad service.
- staffthe staff never came to clean the table or take our order
- waiting timeMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the "famous^ Axiom burger was indeed good and huge, the fact that it took them 30 minutes to serve it made them a star lower in my books. We came here for a quick drink and eats before catching a show at the theater.
- acknowledgmentwithout being acknowledged or seated
- barista attitudegot attitude
- bartenderbartender condescendingly informed me the drink I wanted
- customer serviceNot impressed by the customer service at all
- hostessestwo hostesses at the stand not doing anything
- order terminalOrder terminal does not work even though payment has been made
- ordering and paymentOrdering and payment (including a very high tip) were handled via a barcode at the table
Overall, the service here seems to be a bit of a gamble. If youre lucky, you might encounter some truly helpful and friendly staff, but be prepared for potential delays or less attentive interactions. Its not consistently bad, but it's certainly not consistently great either.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at a good 80%, its clear most people enjoy their surroundings. Out of 30 remarks, 24 were positive, often praising the comfortable seating, superfast WiFi, and convenient charging stations.
Many also loved the overall atmosphere, especially the fun gaming options like arcade games and a foosball table. However, its not entirely without its quirks, with 4 negative remarks noted. Some found the seating to be quite limited, and a few mentioned it could get chilly near the door.
While not a major deterrent, these are small points to keep in mind if you're planning a visit and looking for a perfect, cozy corner.
Ambience
30
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable seating
- Excellent WiFi/charging
- Fun gaming options
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Drafty door area
Often praised
- arcade gamesThe service was also good, and the games added to the fun. They have an upstairs gaming spot with a few arcade games and a foosball table.
- atmosphereVery nice atmosphere
- foosball tableGabor, the bartender, is the best, and the Axiom and 1944 are the top-notch drinks. Upstairs, the large screen TVs show all the sports games, and there are classic arcade games and a foosball table for entertainment. It's a great place, enough said!
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was quite pleasant. It's a nice and cozy place. While the price tag is a little higher, the food was delicious, fresh, and served in good portions.
- seatingMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While it was very overpriced, I appreciated the area with very comfortable seating. I had three hours to kill before catching a bus, so I waited here and utilized the free wifi and charging stations.
- Sephora next doorI was also impressed by the superfast wifi, which is a huge plus. Plus, the deal of $4 champagne and having Sephora next door made it even better. What's not to love!
- WiFiI've always loved the food here, and they also offer decent alcohol. The seating is described as fun and funky, and the establishment provides free WiFi along with plenty of charging spots for devices.
- charging spotslots of places to charge your devices
- charging stationsWhile it was very overpriced, I appreciated the area with very comfortable seating. I had three hours to kill before catching a bus, so I waited here and utilized the free wifi and charging stations. Accessing the bathroom required asking cafe employees for a key, as it's located downstairs.
- elegance of the buildingthe elegance of the building
Frequently criticized
- dirty tableWaited 20 mins at a dirty table
- doorit's really cold near the door
- funfun is about the same
- seatingSeating is extremely limited, most spots aren't big enough
If youre looking for a place with great amenities for working or just chilling out, especially with friends for some games, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that prime seating might be snatched up quickly, and you might want to avoid a table right by the door if youre sensitive to drafts.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to value, some guests have found pleasant surprises, especially with affordable breakfast options and fantastic happy hour deals on drinks and oysters. Many appreciated the reasonable prices and even the special $4 champagne. While the overall score for value sits at an average 4.8, and customer satisfaction is a poor 38.9%, these positive experiences, noted in 7 out of 18 comments, highlight specific areas where the pricing shines.
However, the picture isn't entirely rosy. A significant number of customers, 10 out of 18, felt that many menu items and beverages were overpriced, with some calling it extremely expensive for basic offerings. There were even unfortunate instances of payment issues, where money was lost without an order, which is a definite concern.
Value
18
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable breakfast
- Great happy hour
- Cheap champagne deals
What people don't like
- Overpriced menu items
- Expensive beverages
- Payment issues
Often praised
- pricethe price was reasonable at $5.75
- $4 champagneI was also impressed by the superfast wifi, which is a huge plus. Plus, the deal of $4 champagne and having Sephora next door made it even better. What's not to love!
- breakfastuno no siente que le están robando por tomar un desayuno
- happy hourMy experience at the restaurant was positive, particularly due to the affordable happy hour and the nice selection of happy hour appetizer options. The sauteed Japanese peppers were particularly good.
- happy hour pricesGreat happy hour prices on drinks and oysters
- priceslos precios están acordes
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While it was very overpriced, I appreciated the area with very comfortable seating. I had three hours to kill before catching a bus, so I waited here and utilized the free wifi and charging stations.
- beveragesespecially the beverages
- extremely expensiveextremely expensive for basic plain breakfast
- lost moneyno order and lost money
- menu itemsmany of the menu items here are way overpriced
- over priceddefinitely very over priced here
- overpricedA little overpriced
- paymentpayment has been made... In the end, no order and lost money
If you're looking for a good deal, aim for their happy hour or breakfast specials, as these seem to offer the best value. Otherwise, be prepared for potentially overpriced regular menu items and beverages, which could lead to disappointment.
How are the prices at The Turn?
You’re looking at roughly 14 per person – reported by 4 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Prices seem to cluster nicely around this average, with most reviews falling into the $11–$20 bracket, though a few are a bit cheaper. Just a heads-up, this is based on a few reviews, but it gives us a good feel for the pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 4 reviews. Just a heads-up, this data is limited but gives a good indication.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It’s a solid mid-range option.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Turn
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Tasteless Coffee, Worst Matcha in SF
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I have never tried a coffee this tasteless. The Macha was the worst in SF.
The only reason this place still survives is that it is next to the cable car and people buy coffee while waiting in line.
- coffee1
- Macha1
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Cozy Spot with Delicious Food
My experience at this restaurant was quite pleasant. It's a nice and cozy place. While the price tag is a little higher, the food was delicious, fresh, and served in good portions.
- place8
- price tag6
- food9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Exceptional Service, Good Food
My experience at the restaurant involved ordering the chicken sando, a watermelon/strawberry slush, and creme brulee. While it was a little overpriced, the overall experience was pretty good, with the watermelon/strawberry slush being a particular highlight. The food arrived very quickly, and the service was exceptional.
The staff member at the register, Jorge, was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to assist me in resolving issues with a food voucher. He was very helpful and accommodating.
- chicken sando7
- watermelon/strawberry slush9
- creme brulee7
- overpriced4
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
1
Order terminal broken, lost money
I had a very bad experience! The order terminal did not work even though I had already made the payment. According to the staff, the order was not received, despite the payment being processed.
In the end, I received no order and lost my money.
- order terminal1
- payment1
- lost money1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Perfect Vanilla Latte Daily!
My experience was centered around the vanilla latte, which was the highlight of my morning every day. It was served at the perfect drinking temperature right away. I found the price of $5.
75 to be reasonable. The location was also very convenient for anyone staying at the Axiom Hotel.
- vanilla latte10
- perfect drinking temperature10
- price8
What The Turn offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Table service
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining experience can you expect at The Turn?
At The Turn, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere. You can enjoy various dining options like breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dessert, with both counter and table service available. Seating is provided for your comfort.
What diverse offerings and accessibility features does The Turn provide?
The Turn offers great coffee, quick bites, small plates, organic dishes, and late-night food. You can also enjoy happy hour drinks, cocktails, wine, and beer. For your convenience, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating, and restroom.
What is the overall verdict for The Turn?
The Turn has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.2 and a Customer Satisfaction of 62.3%, indicating a mixed experience. While Food (6.6) and Ambience (7.4) generally perform well, Service (5.2) and Value (4.8) show room for improvement.
What do customers particularly enjoy about The Turn?
Many guests appreciate the quality of the food, especially the coffee and specific dishes like the “Turnt chicken.” The engaging atmosphere, complete with arcade games and comfortable seating, along with good happy hour deals, are also frequently praised.
What are some potential drawbacks or issues at The Turn?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding inconsistent service, including long waiting times and unacknowledged arrivals. There are also mentions of menu items being overpriced, and limited or occasionally unclean seating.