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901 Columbus Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Mediterranean Coffee & Tea, Mediterranean [Edit]
901 Columbus Ave(between Chestnut St & Lombard St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
(415) 409-9001
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
207 reviews for 901 Columbus Cafe
Review Highlights
-
"There is a lot of seating and free wi-fi which is nice." In 19 reviews -
"Best happy hour in San Francisco in my opinion." In 38 reviews -
"5) Board games - Cranium, LIFE, etc." In 9 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
207 reviews in English
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Review from Vinay A.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2012
My go to cafe to work out of in the city. They make a good latte as well. The homemade cookies are soft and tasty.
More awesome is when there is a basketball game going on they put it on. -
Review from Johnson K.
West Covina, CA
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped by San Francisco for a quick weekend trip and decided to go to a nice coffee shop for breakfast to take a friend over to the touristy Lombard Street. What do I do? Yelp it of course! Hahaha..
I had the zebra mocha and a panini and it ain't bad at all! Coupled with the free wifi and cool neighborhood coffeeshop feel, it was a great escape from hustle and bustle I'm used to in LA.. Street parking was plenty and, after the breakfast, we were all fueled up to just walk up the hill to our destination... too bad I didn't have a chance to come back later in the day for their cheap beer and wine! -
Review from Keane L.
2/6/2012 27 Check-ins Here
Thinking back is dangerous business. Reminiscing is often a sure-fire way to the bottom of a bottle, what with those warm days long lost, and all that Jewel and Duncan Sheik playing for some reason... and why is it always raining outside?
When I think back to the coziest days in San Francisco cafes, nothing tops memories of 901 Columbus Caffè. It's my go-to place for work. Why? I'll head here around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, grab some coffee and maybe a delicious bagel sandwich, and start tapping away on my MacBook until 5. By then, I'm about as drained as Ron Jeremy. Luckily, it's happy hour: $2 Speakeasy pints and $3 house wines from 5-10pm every day. It's spinach and I'm Popeye. Yabba dabba doo, I'm back in form, mixing up my cartoon references.
It's a day well spent, rain or Jewel, and I'm always sure to bring a few friends with me.Listed in: Best Cafes in San Francisco
-
Review from B W.
North Beach/Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, CA
5/12/2012
They didn't make my coffee drink correctly (ordered an iced drink but they made it hot). I couldn't believe they wouldn't make it again and instead tried to argue with me! Poor business sense.
-
Review from Emily S.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The hubby and I stopped in here after a long day of moving and apartment hunting. We were tired, hungry and in need of coffee. 901 Columbus Cafe was convenient and highly rated. The smiling guy at the counter was eager to take our order so we hastily made our selection, a panini and an iced mocha and chose a table outside as it was way too hot and stuffy to sit inside. The sandwich and coffee came quickly and were good, a nice addition to our afternoon. Although there are so many other shops in the area, this one was reasonably priced, didn't require a long wait at the hostess table, and was quick. I won't say it was the best sandwich I've ever had in SF, but it wasn't bad for the money. Another time I'll have to try out their beer selection and maybe another panini. Overall, nice place, nice people, fast service. That's good in my book!
-
Review from Brian L.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Worst breakfast burrito ever, but I do like the $2 Speakeasy drafts!
-
Review from Judy J.
West Covina, CA
4/5/2012
Great coffee... if you are coffee lover and love to chill in a nice place with a cup of coffee and some snacks, this is the place to go to. They have free wifi. The most important thing is they have good lattes...
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Review from Anthony M.
Chicago, IL
How could I resist a Happy Hour from 5 to 9:45pm everyday!!! It is more like a Happy Year!!!
There are $2 pints of local SpeakEasy on tap. Three to choose from. I got the white ale or that's what I understood from the guy behind the bar. Also cash only. That's a great deal. I totally love the pint glass... it has eyes on there like the angry birds. (check my picture) I would love to steal it but that would be wrong!!!
This place also has coffee, cake and free wifi. The happy also includes $3 wines!
This place is everything a coffee shop should be...crammed tables, fake brick paneling, Christmas lights, a window with a note that says, "Do not open Window seriously!"...I am starting to sound like Stefan from SNL!!! If you've never seen the character then you need to and you will probably be laughing at my last comment.
They are also rocking U2 in here too. I love it when a place just puts on a CD and plays the whole thing. It reminds me of my youth. You listened to the whole album and you learned to like all 11 songs. Sad part is I have this CD, maybe that's why I'm enjoying it. Who needs Pandora and Sirrus?
Okay I kind of like this place and would hang here if I lived here!!! I think the extra alcohol beer is kicking in!!! -
Review from Mike S.
Livermore, CA
1/16/2012
Stopped in for a quick lunch while walking from chinatown to fisherman's wharf. As a fan of bacon, I had to keep it simple and go with the BLTM. Delicious. Crunchy, but still meaty, salty...it really is like meat candy. I'll have to go back again one day and try some more things on their menu.
Yes, their bacon earned them 5 stars. -
Review from Dennis S.
Oakland, CA
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
"No phones at the counter, baristas are people too" - At the register
How can you refuse a study bar open late, close to opening time at Cobb's next door.
901CC is the perfect little place for activities and festivities.
-$2.00 Speakeasy draft pints
-$3.00 wine
-Board games
-Free Wi-Fi
If your headed into Cobb's like I was or on a bar hopping adventure in North Beach you can't go wrong with 901CC. With all the other pricey places around the area its nice to see such a simple place have some success. -
Review from Jenna L.
12/9/2011
North Beach is an awesome place for awesome food. You can pretty much go anywhere and the food is good there. The one thing I did notice though is that there was no AC, so on warm days, it's not very refreshing.
The food was really good though, I will say. The bread was nice and toasted and fresh, and the stuff inside the sandwiches were really good too. There was just something about this place that seemed very.. fresh and healthy. Clientele looked like they were frequent visitors to the place and were very relaxed, sitting and reading, enjoying the warm day.
Food was good, and North Beach is always awesome for food. I'll probably be back to this place for another good sandwich. Maybe on a cooler day though. -
Review from Chloe M.
2/20/2012
$3 house wine? Ok by me. Went here for a glass of wine and to wait a bit before seeing a show at Cobb's. It has a very nice, friendly, cozy atmosphere. There were a couple of people working on their laptops, but it still felt pretty chill and laid back.
-
Review from Terry C.
San Francisco, CA
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very chill music and atmosphere in the evening with very comfortable seating. $2 drafts of Big Daddy. Free Wi-Fi.
As a local I love meandering the city and finding cool new places. I immediately fell in love with this place and little did I know this comfortable Friends-ish style cafe was also right next to the comedy clubs and the park on Columbus Ave as well.
My only complaint is it gets a little busy and is hard to find a seat sometimes, but everyone seems to keep to themselves and not get too loud conservatively.
I definitely need to come by here again more often. -
Review from Valia P.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
The barista was unresponsive to any questions I had, and very VERY rude. He actually proceeded to tell me "keep the change" when he saw that I was putting my change in my wallet rather than his tip jar. And of course the $4 latte I bought was not even average at best!
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Review from Evonne L.
1/25/2012
Delicious homemade tiramisu to be found here!! It's baked in a glass pan and is a tad pricey for $5 a slice, but the fluffiness of the whipped cream and the generous espresso flavor makes it a delight worth sharing. We came in late at night, bought the last piece left, and it was still delicious! Even though the place says it closes at 10:00pm, we stayed a few minutes after and no one was rushing to kick us out.
-
Review from kim w.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2011
I think a lot of times, I stumble into random cafes just to use their lavatory. But someone told me last night that theres no such thing as "random" even when you put your ipod on shuffle.
This place seemed nice, I like cafes that sell beer and coffee its always nice to have that option. -
Review from Jon T.
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Most of the cafes in north beach are over-priced and super touristy. 901 is pretty much the exception to this. I think it really helps that it's about halfway between north beach and fisherman's wharf, kind of a tourist no-man's land.
I usually drink tea or beer when I'm here, but I've heard the coffee is pretty good. The vibe's super calm and you can just chill here for hours. Free wifi and you can print too (not sure how much that costs)
Next time I go, I really want to check out some of the food. Last time I was there, I noticed a few vegan/vegetarian options that seemed appetizing.
Only downside is that it is indeed in North Beach, which means you kind of have to go out of your way to get here. But hey, if you're going to see a show at Bimbos, why not stop here beforehand? -
Review from Richard L.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool hangout spot!
-
Review from Westwood D.
Yuma, AZ
2/12/2012
Nice atmosphere fair prices. Had the bagel with cream cheese and lox, which was really good. Had a latte which also was really good. Would go here again.
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Review from Miran C.
San Francisco, CA
9/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love the zebra coffee drink- both hot and iced. It's very laid back here, and you're guaranteed relaxation with conversation, a game on the flat screen, or even a board game or two (ie. Cranium) that are on the bookshelves.
Service is OK, not effusive. I see some regulars here from time to time wih their laptops. Note that waffles are not served all day but you can get sandwiches with Italian gangster references, ie. Corleone, Gambino, etc. Very cheeky. -
Review from Rafael R.
Van Nuys, CA
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wife and I came in for some breakfast had a breakfast bagel sandwich called Bellvedere wife had a Waffle, both ordered Americanos coffee was good breakfast was delicious and hot freshly made, nice ambiance friendly staff. Read sign that advertised Speakeasy for $2 a pint from 5-7 will be back for that.
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Review from Lacey L.
North Beach/Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, CA
12/20/2011
LOVE this place for breakfast and caps... Just hate how slow the service is!
-
Review from Lisa N.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2011
Sometimes the best place to grab a beer isn't a bar or pub, it's the little coffee shop on the corner. I LOVE San Francisco's independent coffee shops that also happen to serve wine and beer.
My friend introduced me to this place--they have a great happy hour that runs until 9 PM where they serve $2 pints of 3 different Speakeasy beers on tap. My friend pointed out that this is even a better deal than the Speakeasy Brewery itself!
Other great things about Columbus:
- free wi-fi
- a bookshelf library with communal books
- yummy looking treats
- generous seating area
- a comfortable environment -
Review from a a.
San Jose, CA
Chill little cafe - think Central Perk from Friends. This place isn't just coffee, cake and a paper. Whether you're looking to browse the web/kick your boyfriend's butt at checkers and sip a cup of coffee....OR have lunch and a beer or few (at $2 a pint during happy hour, you can't beat it!), I think this is a cool spot for anyone. Not too loud, either, and I like the music they usually have playing. They also have a couple seating areas outside, which is awesome for people watching whilst sipping your $2 beer, haha. One of those places that I would frequent if I lived in the area. Minus 1 star for the smelly, although interestingly decorated, bathroom.
**White Lightning beer was good, tiramisu was eh....the lemon bar was delicious!!! -
Review from Lianne S.
New York, NY
10/11/2011
I spent a lot of time here. I can guarantee you that the staff thinks I died or was kidnapped by the creep who jacked Elizabeth Smart. I'd job hunt here all day online- sometimes clocking 10 hours-- so I'd say I'm a slight authority on 901. Free wifi. Great space. It's one of the few coffee shops in SF where you don't feel cramped. You can work, eat or sit on the sofa and watch the Giants game. 5 PM is quitin' time! $2 brews. Get the 'Big Daddy IPA.' It's super strong. I'm a lush and two would do me in. Nothing like a $4 high. All of the staff (The owner, T, the barista, Alex and other staff are really chill and great.) However, there is one barista (short/angry/always there during the day) who is the biggest prick. He never smiles. He's rude and 9 times out of 10 he gets your order wrong and acts like it's your fault. I actually saw him tell a customer he needed to change the keg for the beer he wanted then when the guy went to his table he poured him a beer he didn't order! This place gets a lot of gullible tourists- so he gets away with it.
Don't let one douche spoil what is otherwise a great spot to grab pints and have a laugh with friends. And, if you see that rude worker- tell him Lianne from New York says to fluck off. -
Review from Gail N.
2/8/2011
I think I've been spoiled by all the fantabulous coffee shops in the east bay...Perhaps my expectations were set too high by yelp, but maybe this kinda vibe is just not my cup of joe :P. (Pun intended).
Anywho, had 2 hours to kill before work and after reading about this place on yelp a few weeks ago I was excited to try it out! (I love my coffeeshops!).
Despite the large # of outlets and free-wifi (which if a coffeeshop doesn't have now a days it's just behind in the stone age), the vibe isn't as welcoming as I had hoped: feels like a bar, the cushioned seating is torn, the tables are a bit grunge, and the service priorities are a bit skewed.
When I went to order a sandwich, the guy said "It will take about 20 minutes to make though because we just had a large order over the phone"... Is it just me or would you not try to make a sandwich for the 1 person waiting for food in your restaurant rather than an order for 100 other folks NOT present?
All in all, the food IS good for the price and there is a huge assortment to choose from which all piqued my interest, but I shall venture else where otherwise to unwind. -
Review from Jane A.
3/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
LITTLE COFFEE SHOP NEAR THE CROOKED-EST STREET IN SF
(4 stars)
How do you enjoy a baybreezed yet humid evening in the city when trying to kill some time before heading to a place you dearly dread? Felt sorry for myself that I'm the selected "lucky" one to work overnight at the office. Thought I'd treat myself to something yummy. Sit at a little cafe and post up listening to itunes over a hot beverage and dessert and people watch.
- taste, beverage and desert - great. they have a full menu from beer, espresso, breakfast & lunch items, pastries, etc.
- price, i could get better for cheaper but i'm willing to pay
- service, great!
- ambiance, little cafe with a bunch of random house plants for decoration
- atmosphere, very chill. everyones in their own business mostly on laptops. F/M ration, 1:12 (including staff 1:14). I being the one -- ackward. HAHA jk but i thought it was funny
HEFFER-STATUS:
HOT COCOA ($3) - the barista put it in a clear glass mug and topped it with whipcream. the hot cocoa wasn't chalky and rich like those nestly quick mixes, it was perfect. i'm not suppose to take in caffine while i'm currently on my "treatment" for my illness, so i went with Hot Coco instead of my usual.
TIRAMISU ($5) - i love me some desert. There wasn't much pastries behind the glass case at this late in the hour. I chose the Tiramisu and hope to godness it is good. I know i'm not suppose to have caffeine on my "treatment" but it wouldn't hurt if i'm not drinking it *winks*. I need something to keep me awake if i'm slaving myself overnight. Good stuff, pretty decent. The bottom was a bit liquidy but edible.
Will I be back? Maybe.
Until the next review... -
Review from David C.
Sacramento, CA
11/5/2011
I bet that most people have no idea that this place used to be the location of a club called "Wolfgangs" that was owned by Bill Graham, and that Jerry Garcia, Randy Newman, The Grateful Dead, and U2 (one of their early US appearances), and many other famous acts played here. Take a look around...when you are in here, you are in a place of rock and roll history.
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Review from Andrew M.
2/8/2011
I GUESS 901 Columbus Caffe was not too crowded and had available seating. I GUESS the internet was not too slow, since it was not bombarded like a busy Starbucks router would be. I GUESS the music was a good mix of 80s and 90s hits.
No matter how hard I'm trying, I can't rationalize a can of diet Coke costing $1.75. -
Review from Jen N.
San Francisco, CA
6/13/2011
It's apparent in other reviews why this cafe is so great.
I'll just say this: If you don't totally love this place, and especially if you don't like it for whatever reason, you need to seriously reevaluate your standards as a human being. What more could you want from a cafe? Really?
The only way it could possibly be better is if, instead of the 80s music, they played what would normally play on your Pandora (without the random commercials trying to get you to buy diamonds or Sketchers). But you know what? It isn't physically possible for the cafe to play everyone's Pandora at the same time-- so shut up, eat your yummy food, drink your $2 speakeasy, and smile. -
Review from mike r.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2011
NORTH BEACH LOCALS BEST KEPT SECRET !!
This place is everything that Starbucks wants to be. A true neighborhood cafe.
If you are looking for a good place to hang out,use your computer or just have a few drinks with friends while in North beach Columbus Caffe is a great choice.
Not only is there FREE INTERNET -you will be happy to find outlets strategically placed so that no matter were you are sitting you can plug in.
SPEAKEASY is on tap (3 choices) for only $2 everyday after 5pm
For $10 I had 2 beers a huge bowl of Corn Chowder and bread.While I downloaded a movie on net flicks and still had enough to tip the friendly professional staff. -
Review from Charlie S.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2011
Excellent coffee, friendly service; my new favorite place in the area.
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Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2011
Hooray for cheap draught beer! Hooray for a flat screen TV that will showcase Giants games whilst you enjoy cheap draught beer! Hooray for a place that serves cafe food and drinks in case you want to watch the Giants game, but are not in the mood to enjoy cheap draught beer!
The staff is nice, too. -
Review from Elle V.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011
One of the best cafes in the area! Great prices, food, ambiance (whether to study, people watch or catch up with an old friend)! Only drawback at times - cash only.
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Review from Amanda X.
Homosassa, FL
4/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool little cafe. Our barista was nice and funny, not snobby or elitist like some people fear when they walk into a place like this.
My zebra espresso was pretty delish and the boyfriend enjoyed his ice coffee.
OH I ALMOST FORGOT -- the chocolate chip cookies were amazing. They looked hard and burned in the case, but they were soft and squishy and almost melty when we got them. Awesome. -
Review from Sydney H.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2010
I have been looking for a truly great coffee shop in the Bay Area (not San Francisco in general, but the BAY AREA) for years. YEARS. That's a friggin long time. And I think I've finally found one.
It's everything I've been looking for in a coffee shop. It has great drinks (including an excellent white hot chocolate). It has a happy hour, during which beer (GOOD beer) is $2 and wine is $3. It has great food, including options beyond the usual sugary pastries (I got the broccoli-cheddar soup, it was delicious). It has a COUCH and a big comfy chair (why is this such a big deal in coffeehouses in the Bay? Does everyone here just like to sit on hard-ass chairs in general?), as well as a lot of seating for big groups and general socializing with people who aren't hiding behind their laptops like I was. It has outdoor seating. It's open relatively late. Did I forget anything? Oh yeah, it's CUTE too. I sat and wrote for hours.
I'm really excited for our second date. I think this one's a keeper. It might be the one. -
Review from Andrew S.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2011
The perfect "anytime" cafe. Here are the reasons I love this place.
1) Open from 7-10 EVERYDAY! Most other cafes in the neighborhood close around 8:30 or earlier most nights, so this is THE place to go if you're looking for a place late at night.
2) Free Wi-Fi.
3) The vibe: Mellow. Got your couches, got your table chairs, got your stools - you wanna be hard it work? You can do that. You wanna sit on a couch and watch the Giants game? You can do that. Informal date place? You can do that.
4) Caffeine drinks and alcoholic drinks
5) Board games - Cranium, LIFE, etc.
This place reminds me of the cool social room of a college dorm (sans the ping pong table). Coffee isn't quite as good as Roma's and it doesn't have Roma's neighborhood regulars, but this place is great.
Points off for - CASH ONLY (don't know why they say it takes Credit Cards, they don't). Sound system - a little loud at times. Bathroom - only one and though interesting decoration, a little run down. -
Review from Charlie B.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2011
So, I stopped in here the other day to enjoy a couple of their $2 happy hour pints. I realized late that night that my wallet must've fallen out of my pocket and i retraced my steps back to the Columbus Caffe.
You can imagine a sleepless night knowing that $200 in cash, my diver license and credit cards may be long gone. I rushed to the Caffe early the next mornign at 7am and they had it waiting there for me!
It's good to know there are decent people at the Columbus Caffe! Thank you to the #1 place in the city! -
Review from Laura C.
Fremont, CA
3/27/2011
I've been here once - it was a few weeks ago as I waited for our show at Cobb's (they're very close in proximity - the line for Cobb's actually wraps to the front of the cafe).
The place wasn't super busy on a Friday night - I recall that about 3 tables were occupied. There was a happy hour special going on - I think it was for $2 beers and $3 wine. I ordered the wine - I felt a little weird about it as the guy poured it from a bottle sitting next to the register and the bottle didn't look "fresh". The bottle looked a bit sad as if it had been sitting on a store shelf for a year with no one wanting to buy it. The wine was also served in a lowball styled glass which was fine by me - a bit ghetto, but A-OK.
Between our party, we ordered wine, beer, soup, a panini and possibly a sandwich (sorry, memory is hazy). Overall the food was OK - nothing really special to write home about.
This place is good if you want to grab a cheap beer before your show at Cobb's (assuming it's happy hour). Aside from that, it's alright. -
Review from stephen j.
Lynnwood, WA
3/3/2012
Great place, try the zebra mocha. Free wifi is always nice plus outlets to charge up.
