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oChef » Vip Coffee & Cake – San Francisco
Vip Coffee & Cake - San Francisco
Photo from Vip Coffee & Cake
Vip Coffee & Cake at a glance
San Francisco North Beach
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#2077 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#235 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
288
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great Value
- Authentic Food
- Egg Tarts
Frequently criticized
- Dirty Restrooms
- Poor Ambiance
- Service Problems
The restaurant Vip Coffee & Cake invites you to experience a casual dining spot in San Francisco’s vibrant North Beach neighborhood. You’ll discover a welcoming atmosphere perfect for any time of day, renowned for its great coffee.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this restaurant offers a delightful escape.
Overview: Introducting Vip Coffee & Cake
Vip Coffee & Cake offers a taste of authentic Hong Kong-style fare, with many praising its affordable prices and generous portions. You’ll find classic comfort food that resonates with childhood memories, particularly the well-regarded egg tarts and flavorful milk tea.
It’s a spot where the food often speaks for itself. However, be prepared for a no-frills experience.
Some visitors have noted a dingy atmosphere and occasional issues with cleanliness, particularly in the restrooms. While the service can be helpful, there are instances where communication or staff demeanor has been less than ideal, impacting the overall visit.
Good
6.3
out of 10
288
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
95
negative
26
neutral
167
positive
Vip Coffee & Cake holds a respectable 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 58%. This indicates a somewhat divided opinion among patrons.
The restaurant garners significant feedback, with 288 customer observations, comprising 167 positive remarks and 95 negative ones, painting a detailed picture of the dining experience. Diving deeper, the Food (7.2) and Value (7.2) are clearly the strongest aspects, both rated as good, suggesting that what you eat and what you pay for it are often highlights.
Conversely, Ambience (4.6) and Service (4.2) fall into the average to poor range, indicating areas that could significantly improve the overall experience.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Authentic HK Food
- Delicious Egg Tarts
What people don't like
- Unclean Restrooms
- Dingy Atmosphere
- Service Issues
If you prioritize genuine Hong Kong-style food and exceptional value over pristine surroundings, Vip Coffee & Cake is worth considering. With a solid recommendation score of 7, it suggests a generally positive experience for those who know what to expect and appreciate its core offerings.
This spot is ideal for a casual, budget-friendly meal where the focus is squarely on the flavors. However, if a polished environment and consistently smooth service are high on your list, you might find certain aspects disappointing.
Go for the food, and you’ll likely leave satisfied.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Vip Coffee & Cake
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 72.1%, it's clear many diners are happy. Out of 172 opinions, 124 rave about the yummy Hong Kong foods, especially the real work egg tarts, delicious milk tea, and a variety of baked dishes.
However, not every dish is a winner, with 35 comments pointing out some areas for improvement. Some found pastries to be stale, while others noted bland food or issues with rich spaghetti sauce and over-baked buns. It seems consistency can be a bit of a mixed bag.
Food
172
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
35
negative
13
neutral
124
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious egg tarts
- Authentic HK dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Stale pastries
- Bland food
- Over-baked buns
Often praised
- foodIf you grew up in Hong Kong or know what the authentic cha chan tang experience is supposed to be like, this is the place to go. It’s a little dingy, people are loud and a bit short with you, but everyone speaks Cantonese and the food is exactly what my childhood tastes like. You can’t go wrong with the macaroni soup bowl (HUGE), the HK style milk tea is PERFECT, and the egg tart is flaky and creamy and melts in your mouth, as it should.
- egg tartsThese are the second best, if not the best IMO, based on wait time, price point, availability, andddd taste, of course.
- milk teaNo real ambiance since locals don't want the prices to go up because of that. Everyone who comes here has their standard favorites with mine being the Sultan double pork chops smothered with orange sauce over spaghetti paired with a coffee or milk tea. While copy cat restaurants have popped up around the area, this has and will always be my favorite original old fashioned Chinese-American diner in Chinatown.
- egg tartegg tart is flaky and creamy and melts in your mouth
- HK milk teathe warm butter bun and HK milk tea are nice
- BBQ pork bunspineapple and BBQ pork buns
- coffeeNo real ambiance since locals don't want the prices to go up because of that. Everyone who comes here has their standard favorites with mine being the Sultan double pork chops smothered with orange sauce over spaghetti paired with a coffee or milk tea. While copy cat restaurants have popped up around the area, this has and will always be my favorite original old fashioned Chinese-American diner in Chinatown.
- crustThe custard was eggy with a pleasant, not overly heavy sweetness. A standout feature was the lard flavor in the crust, giving it a distinctive savoriness that differed from using more butter. Mmmmmm lard.
- dessertdecent Asian food and dessert
- good foodMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by good food and large portions, all offered at great prices. However, diners should be prepared for a communal dining experience, as you'll likely share tables.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe interior was filled with flies, worthy of an old, unsanitary restaurant. The food was not good. We had pork curry and beef curry.
- bunsThe buns are over-baked and all have the weird sour taste.
- pastriesthe pastries were old, stale and not very flavorful
- French friestheir French fries has gone downhill
- Milk TeaThe milk tea was hotter than scorching magma
- baked tongue spaghettiBaked tongue spaghetti (too rich spaghetti sauce) $16
- baking processsuspected the honey or sugar put on the buns was not handled properly during the baking process
- beef currypork curry and a beef curry. It was bland
- cakeone cake came with mold on the strawberry
- friesEven though I tasted most of the breakfast sets in Chinatown, I only recently discovered the breakfast at VIP, which is a steal! I enjoyed their chicken omelette, which is healthy and not too oily (the fries are oily) but the warm butter bun and HK milk tea are nice. The service is also friendly.
If you're craving authentic Hong Kong comfort food, especially their famous egg tarts and milk tea, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some bakery items or certain dishes might not always hit the mark, so choose wisely.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
Let's talk service! Out of 56 customer observations, 13 highlighted some genuinely positive interactions. Many praised the friendly and helpful ladies, noting speedy service and decent hours of operation.
While the overall customer satisfaction for service is quite low at 23.2%, the score itself is an average 4.2, indicating a real mix of experiences. On the flip side, a significant 36 out of 56 comments painted a less rosy picture. Many customers encountered slow service, rude staff, and a challenging language barrier, particularly when trying to explain issues or place orders.
Complaints also surfaced about long waits, messed up orders, and frustrating card payment problems, suggesting a need for improvement in customer service.
Service
56
Reviews
23%
Satisfaction
36
negative
7
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Speedy service
- Decent operating hours
What people don't like
- Slow, long waits
- Rude, minimal service
- Language barrier
Often praised
- serviceThe service here was happy and very helpful
- ServiceService:5
- aunties working the counterThe aunties working the counter were friendly and helpful
- hours of operationdecent hours of operation and opens late on weekends
- kindness of the serviceWhile the infrastructure, specifically the restroom, needs improvement, the outstanding service and delicious offerings made it a worthwhile visit. I would have given 5 stars if not for the restroom condition, but the kindness of the service was so impactful that I still highly recommend it.
- ladiesSuper nice but busy ladies
- orderingAtmosphere, ordering, food, feels like HK!
- wait timebased on wait time, price point, availability, andddd taste, of course.
- welcoming happy ladyMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I was greeted by a welcoming happy lady, which is a pleasant surprise for this area. I enjoyed a delicious hot HK style Milk tea for $3.
Frequently criticized
- serviceIf you grew up in Hong Kong or know what the authentic cha chan tang experience is supposed to be like, this is the place to go. It’s a little dingy, people are loud and a bit short with you, but everyone speaks Cantonese and the food is exactly what my childhood tastes like. You can’t go wrong with the macaroni soup bowl (HUGE), the HK style milk tea is PERFECT, and the egg tart is flaky and creamy and melts in your mouth, as it should.
- waiting timetook over 25 minutes for them to make my baked pork chops spaghetti
- Englishnobody speak English there when you tried to explain the issue
- ServiceService:1
- cancel orderShe tried to force us to withdraw cash
- card paymentshe couldn’t take card bc the wifi was bad
- cashierthe cashier told us she couldn’t take card
- cursed us outshe cursed us out when we left
- customer serviceneeds to work on actual customer service
- hoursThey cut hours during the pandemic
So, should you go? The service here is a real mixed bag; you might encounter friendly, speedy staff, or you could face long waits and unhelpful interactions. If youre patient and willing to overlook potential service hiccups, the food might still be worth it, but dont go in expecting consistently top-notch customer care.
Ambience (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
For ambience, theres a definite charm for some, with 10 positive observations among the 34 total. Guests enjoyed the spacious dining room and a fun experience that reminded them of childhood bakery stores. Many appreciated the authentic atmosphere and the feeling of being in a place where locals eat, suggesting a unique, lived-in character.
However, the overall sentiment for ambience is quite challenging, reflected in a poor 29.4% customer satisfaction, even with an average 4.6 score. A significant 18 negative comments pointed to issues like dirty restrooms, general cleanliness concerns, and high noise levels. The decor' was often described as dilapidated or unimpressive, creating a less-than-ideal environment for many.
Ambience
34
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
18
negative
6
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spacious dining room
- Authentic local vibe
- Nostalgic atmosphere
What people don't like
- Dirty restrooms
- Poor cleanliness
- High noise levels
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereAtmosphere, ordering, food, feels like HK!
- bakery storesreminded me of bakery stores during childhood years
- experienceFun experience
- locals eata spot where a lot of locals eat
- main upstairs areaThe service was happy and very helpful with the menu. While the bathrooms could have been cleaner, the main upstairs area was pretty clean. It's definitely a cool place to check out in Chinatown!
- plates and utensilsthe plates and utensils always clean
- spacesThe service is also friendly. There are lots of spaces even though the decor is a bit old. They offer a lot for the money!
- spacious dining roomSpacious dining room
- this placeI still love this place
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereIf you grew up in Hong Kong or know what the authentic cha chan tang experience is supposed to be like, this is the place to go. It’s a little dingy, people are loud and a bit short with you, but everyone speaks Cantonese and the food is exactly what my childhood tastes like. You can’t go wrong with the macaroni soup bowl (HUGE), the HK style milk tea is PERFECT, and the egg tart is flaky and creamy and melts in your mouth, as it should.
- restroomsThe restrooms was a bit eerie...really tiny and dirty.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- ambiancePictures on the wall are helpful for tourists but the regulars already know what they want walking in the door. No real ambiance since locals don't want the prices to go up because of that. Everyone who comes here has their standard favorites with mine being the Sultan double pork chops smothered with orange sauce over spaghetti paired with a coffee or milk tea.
- bathroomsBathrooms could definitely have been cleaner
- cleanlinessmarred by the cleanliness of the establishment
- decorthe decor which seemed pretty boring and plain
- dirty dishesdid not remove the dirty dishes from the table
- infrastructureThe infrastructure (restroom) needs improve
- interiorInterior filled with flies, worthy of an old, unsanitary restaurant
If you're seeking an authentic, bustling local spot and can overlook some rough edges, especially regarding cleanliness and noise, you might find its unique charm appealing. However, if a pristine and quiet environment is a must, this place might disappoint.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 76.9%, its clear many diners feel they get their moneys worth. Out of 26 comments, 20 rave about the good price, great prices, cheap options, and overall great value, often praising generous portions and tasty food for what you pay.
However, a few of the 6 negative remarks suggest some diners encountered unexpected issues. Concerns arose around certain price points, the cost of specific items, or mysterious fee charges, making some feel they were charged for food they didn't expect or for extra items like milk teas.
Value
26
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Affordable prices
- Unbeatable cost
What people don't like
- Unexpected charges
- Hidden fees
- Price discrepancies
Often praised
- priceThe price can’t be more affordable
- pricesI've eaten here for about 20 years and we always go back on the weekends. The prices are definitely reasonable. It's a good alternative to dim sum.
- $3.50for $3.50
- cheapShe said really good food and cheap
- credit cardstake credit cards too
- egg tartsI call ahead to order a dozen every time, and every time I pick them up, they are hot and fresh. It's only $1 each. The food there is pretty solid.
- foodThe tea has bright flavors and is strong enough to keep you up at night! The food is pretty cheap; you can get a meal for under $15, or even under $10. I highly recommend the pineapple fried rice, especially since it's served in a pineapple.
- good pricefor a good price!
- good pricesGreat Chinese food for really good prices
- great pricesMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by good food and large portions, all offered at great prices. However, diners should be prepared for a communal dining experience, as you'll likely share tables.
Frequently criticized
- $3 feegot charged a mysterious $3 fee
- charged for foodmake sure we don’t charged for food we never got
- costthe cost of this is 2 dollars?
- feethe fee was written in Chinese
- pay for milk teasforce us to pay for milk teas with what cash we had
- priceBaked tongue spaghetti (too rich spaghetti sauce) $16 (price increase, not on menu).
If you're looking for a place where your dollar stretches, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most customers find the prices very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. Just keep an eye on your bill for any unexpected charges, especially for extras.
How are the prices at Vip Coffee & Cake?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant in San Francisco, thats quite budget-friendly, leaning towards the lower end of mid-range.
Most guests seem to agree, with a clear cluster of spending in the 1 – 20 $ range, showing its a popular spot for more affordable meals.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the average spend and the distribution, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a restaurant in San Francisco, especially given the tendency for guests to spend in the more affordable ranges. It seems like a good option for a reasonably priced meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Vip Coffee & Cake
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Wrong order, not recommended
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I ordered one item but received something completely different, not matching the picture. Therefore, I do not recommend this place.
😕
- order2
- picture2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
6
Good Milk Tea, Mysterious Fee
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. I enjoyed the milk tea, finding it to be good. However, I was charged a mysterious $3 fee that was written in Chinese on the receipt, while the tea itself was listed in English.
I regret not asking about it at the time, but it's something for others to watch out for.
- milk tea8
- $3 fee2
- fee3
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
BEST FRENCH FRIES Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially because of their BEST FRENCH FRIES! I have fond memories of eating here with my parents when I was a kid in the 90s.
- French fries10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
A Long-Time Favorite for Baked Pork Chop Rice
I've been a customer since I was a youngin and I could still remember the delicious first bite. They’re known for their baked dishes such as the infamous baked pork chop rice, which is mainly the reason I come here for. The service is great and the food is also great.
They open early and serve up breakfast meal sets which are also a great choice. I definitely recommend this spot for anyone interested in Hong Kong style dishes. Definitely will be back!
- baked dishes9
- baked pork chop rice10
- service9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Hong Kong Tea House Experience
My experience at this classic no-frills Hong Kong tea house was fantastic. We enjoyed some delicious pastries and authentic HK milk tea. The egg tarts were perfectly flaky, and the BBQ pork buns were rich.
The portions were generous, offering great value for money. The aunties working the counter were friendly and helpful. It was also convenient that they accept credit cards, which is a plus for traditional spots.
- egg tarts9
- BBQ pork buns9
- portions8
What Vip Coffee & Cake offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options does Vip Coffee & Cake Shop offer?
At Vip Coffee & Cake Shop, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. You are welcome for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and don’t forget to indulge in their delicious desserts. Table service is also available for your convenience.
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Vip Coffee & Cake Shop?
You’ll find a casual and inviting atmosphere at Vip Coffee & Cake Shop, perfect for a relaxed visit. You can grab a quick bite, enjoy small plates, or simply savor their highly-praised great coffee.
What are the main strengths of Vip Coffee & Cake?
Customers frequently praise the restaurant for its **Value** (7.2) and **Food** (7.2), highlighting affordable prices, generous portions, and authentic Hong Kong-style dishes like egg tarts and milk tea.
What should I know about the overall experience at Vip Coffee & Cake?
Vip Coffee & Cake has an overall score of **6.3** and a customer satisfaction of **58%**. While the food and value are well-regarded, the **Ambience** (4.6) and **Service** (4.2) are noted as areas needing improvement, with some mentioning cleanliness issues and inconsistent staff interactions.
Is Vip Coffee & Cake a good option for a budget-friendly meal?
Yes, many opinions emphasize the excellent value, with customers noting that prices are reasonable and you can get a meal for under $15. The restaurant is often described as a good alternative for affordable, authentic Chinese food.