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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lower Haight, Hayes ValleyMon-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
"Birley's a new favorite of mine in the FiDi. I've tried a couple of really fantastic sandwiches and will plan on working through the rest of…" read more »
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This is a European cafe on the streets of San Francisco.
It can't get much better than this. A small cafe, with plenty of table space, wireless internet, fantastic ambiance, beer, wine, fresh food and delicious coffee! Ok, yeah, that was a long list, but it is not an exaggeration, they have everything! I ordered a hummus, tomato, cucumber and sprout sandwich with a cup of coffee. They are very generous with their coffee and the open faced sandwich was made with fresh ingredients. I would definitely come back here again!
Met someone I was teaching photography here. Really nice relaxing and neighborly vibe of a cafe. I ordered the large mocha with the two shot espresso. It was good, not really close to the best I've had and also not really hot. The pastry though was fresh and excellent.
I was happy I found a free parking spot because the Weds cleaning made the meter ones hard to find.
Another grand Lower Haight café.
Inviting staff, delightful atmosphere, good French-inspired food and wine, and the usual espresso and tea choices.
Fresh and savory Wi-Fi.
And sun. Did I forget to riff on the café's name? It's on the northern side of the street, getting lots of sun. So when you're chilled over at The Grind (another great place) or you want other-than-American fare, head on over here.
This is a very French cafe in Lower Haight. Since only one block from my new place, I'll be a frequent visitor at this lovely cafe. The outdoor seating in a sunny day is awesome, and the quality of their free wifi converts the place instantly into a neo-nomad paradise, however the lack of electric wall sockets drastically limits it's usability as a workplace. The selection of teas, coffees, sandwiches and baguettes are outstanding. The vibe of the place is touching the visitors and even the quality of the service is so authentic and French the customers will learn soon they might not always correct, and they will have to be patient until they'll be served sooner or later, when the waitress has some spare time for them. Authentic lovely French experience in the middle of Lower Haight.
This is the most aptly named venue in the Lower Haight ,if not the city. The sun is shining and the weather is sweet- on a daily basis. The service is ok but best when given by Mustafa the owner. He is always friendly and makes great recommendations for this french pattisserie and watering hole. Outdoor seating with sun exposure is purrfect. The coffee and danish (apricot) combos warms the belly. Looking forward to trying the minestrone and veggie barley soups. Free wi-fi exists, but no power outlets. :-(
Just seeing the picture of this corner bakery made me want to go there. It looks like most of the Bay Bread Group boulangeries but the menu is much simpler. We shared a Spanish omelet with smoked salmon and a French Toast and both were so refreshing and tasty at the same time. The omelet was sitting atop fresh greens mixed with French salad dressing.
But it was the French toast that stole the show. It was a round stack of toast breads swimming in a blueberry compote and topped with a large ripe piece of strawberry. We could have had an extra one on the side and wouldn't have felt guilty or overly full.
Our coffees were pretty good if not perfect but sitting out on the sidewalk and gulping down our food, we enjoyed our sunny morning in Lower Haight like a French in a small French town would have done it.
I'm not a coffee drinker, so I find myself looking for more varied and subtle attributes in a cafe. The Soleil sets a new high water mark for me in neighborhood cafes.
You really you should go check this place out, it's low-key but perfect. I'm sure you can find finer food or better beverages at other establishments, but for a great place to hang you go to Soleil. If they were making a tv series about a neighborhood cafe in San Francisco, this would be the setting.
But there's more to it than that. This story is about a caring attitude that I think defines this good place. If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, actions speak louder than words, and seeing is believing.... suffice it to say I see clearly that the Cafe du Soleil staff did what they said they'd do, and this has left a sweet taste in my mouth.
Rewind almost a month, when I was partaking of the Lower Haight sidewalk culture with an enjoyable tea and cake from this darkwood-yet-somehow-still-airy establishment (I'll go there again just because it's a really nice place to hang).
Sitting in the morning sun, rocking gently back and forth on my chair while chatting with my charming companion put me into a pleasant, slightly drowsy state. Maybe too pleasant and too drowsy, because when I boarded my bicycle to pedal home, I left a small bag with my lock and repair kit hanging over my chair.
On return home I called the Soleil, and they already had it safely stowed behind the counter. I asked them to hold it and I'd come to collect. That was almost a month ago (it's a long story). I called again this morning, and they still have it!
I think that's pretty darn nice of them, and definitely worth a mention for an approach to customer care that goes above and beyond what one could hope for or expect :-)
Coffee is great. Wine is good. Food is mediocre, at best. The only thing I'll eat here anymore are the croissants. The plain ones - any other kind is too greasy.
I once had to wait to place my order for the two employees behind the counter to finish up a conversation about the guy that one of them was seeing. You're right, girl. He should NOT treat you like that. Yes, instigating a fight with you over the phone right before you have to hang up to go to work IS totally rude.
You know who ELSE needs to get to work? Me. So could I order my coffee, please?
With only a few hours left in SF, we decided to cab it to Lombard St. to do the touristy thing - see the crooked street. After pittying the residents of the actual road (I mean, who really wants constant streams of vehicles and pedestrians in front of your home?) - it was time for a snack.
Low and behold - after the downhill trek to the main street - there was Café Du Soleil . A small, but pretty lively coffee house. It was like the dive bars of café's, so I was game.
I ordered a pecan bar, a 7 layer bar, and an oatmeal raisin cookie. Although the 7 layer bar is supposed to be the café's most sought after dessert - I found it to be dry and brittle. Maybe they sold me the "day old" on an accident. HUMF! I want a refund!
The oatmeal raisin cookie could have used a little bit of cinnamon. It was bland in comparison to what I'm used to (or the ones I make.) I have a hard time buying cookies from an establishment that cannot make 'em better that I can. Though I must say - I'm pretty good in the kitchen - well, only when it comes to desserts and Filipino food. Ha ha.
The pecan bar on the other hand - was a dream! While eating it (and NOT sharing with the 4 guys I was with), a plethora of adjectives fled through my mind: moist, creamy, nutty, soft, fresh. It was so good - it caused me to make up my own adjectives: caramely, pecanny, swooshy, kalooey, and chocolamanooey. Those, by far, are my favorite adjectives!
So all in all, I was disappointed by my first two treats - but was more than satisfied with the last. So satisfied - I just made a fool out of myself on yelp by admitting that I make up nonsense words!
(spell check that post! HA!)
I used work up the block from this particular eatery, it was my pay day spot! A bit pricey for the fare that's served but it's well and delicious. The owners Mustafa and Christina are great, alway have a good conversation for you. The music is always great wether it's Buena Vista or an obscure French artist, it goes well with your wine and open faced sandwich. The place has great character, go drink be merry!
don't hate you Nor Calers, this place wasn't so bad. Although, no outlets for laptops is kind of lame. Hey, but my salad was good, and the location...you just can't go wrong with the location. Plenty of "bohemian" ambiance and beers on tap.
So, what's the difference between Das Lower Haight and Die Upper Haight, anybody (from a recent Long Beach/L.A. county transplant)?
REally StrONg Coffee! I mean, wow!!! I think i might try again the next time i feel like poop and need a quick pick me up- that would last all day and the day after that.
The blueberry muffin was really good too!
(it is a really cute cafe!!! :) so yeah, definitely would recommend!
:)
(FYI, i don't like strong @ss Coffee, but i know some people do, so yeah,)
This place is way too tasty to be so close to our house. I can foresee plenty of Sundays spent stuffing my face with their buttery croissants. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The crowd is eclectic. There's a decent mix of both savory and sweet items on the menu. Oh! Did I mention it's delicious?
They're owned by the same folks who head La Boulange. So my advice is whatever you order make sure you make a a beeline to the nutella, pickle and jam bar, you won't regret it. Well, maybe you waist line will.
i love cafe du soleil! i might be a bit biased because i often go here on my day off to spend a long afternoon drinking coffee and reading outside in the sunshine (how could you not love that?), but even still, i think it deserves 5 stars for a few reasons. firstly, the coffee itself is pretty good, not blue bottle good, but better than most of what the other coffee spots in the area serve; the food is always tasty; the servers are always pleasant; mostly though, its got great outdoor seating for sunny days, and cozy indoor seating with big windows for all the other gray and drizzly days. the one complaint i hear (mostly from my boyfriend) is about the cups, or should i say bowls, that they serve beverages in- i personally like them. overall, a terrific neighborhood cafe.
I came here on a lark with a friend and was quite pleased with the atmosphere. However, their service could use serious improvement.
When my friend ordered his coffee we noticed that there was a chip on his cup. Instead of replacing the cup (really, we would have been fine with them pouring the coffee into a new cup), the person behind the counter got uppity and refused to give us an unchipped cup. She quipped that you should just "drink from the other side."
The coffee itself was midling at best, although the pastry selection was very good.
The bottom line: if you don't care about the coffee quality (or you come to not drink the coffee) and don't mind drinking out of chipped cups, this is a place for you.
Sweet little cafe on the corner. Mighty Leaf teas, always a plus.
Menu looks superfun. Love the decor.... and here's where i say what I didn't like: The Bathroom. Ew.
Tore.
Up.
I really wish I could give this place a better review, because the interior is beautiful, but NO CHAI. What the hell?
Other than that it's on the noisier loud side so I had to put in head phones to work, but I think it's worth it being loud if the decor and atmosphere are nice. Lots of dark wood and dark browns, just the way I like it!
Have to leave my half-finished pear cider at this adorable cafe because they sealed all of the electrical outlets..
Super cool in all other ways pastry and beverage, but if your battery's dead, it's dead..
Perfect spot in the Lower Haight when seeking a drink outdoors, as the south facing sidewalk-dining will give you the most sun in the neighborhood. Total first date material-- can get coffee or tea or alcohol. People tend to congregate to do work or study, but beware- the wi-fi is fickle. Morning pastries are some of the best in the area... and don't forget my favorite: Granola with Fruit and Yogurt. Best. Granola. Evah.
Starbucks corporate PR department.
Admin: Sir, we keep getting a bunch of strange faxes today.
Boss: Like telemarketing? Isn't that normal?
Admin: Well, yes, but these are different.
Boss: How so?
Admin: These are all of a photocopied middle finger and all are signed by some guy named "Archie."
Boss: What?
Admin: Yeah, it's quite strange, we've gotten 200 of them so far.
Boss: Why?
Admin: No idea, oh, wait, here comes another one....it's hand written.
Boss: What does it say?
Admin: Found another soy latte down the street from house, only $3, eat it.
Boss: Wow, harsh.
Economy.
Smelled like poo when we walked in, but stayed.
Had the most excellent slightly stale (it was 6pm) almond croissant.
Still smelled of poo.
Had a plate of tasty cheese.
It stopped smelling like poo. That made my day.
Delicious pastries and coffee perfection. I'd give it five stars if it were based on the food alone, but this place gets way too crowded (I mean geez people, it's just pastries) and there are too many of those laptop yuppies...you know who you are, laptop yuppies! I guess I was once like you...before I had the internet hooked in my apartment. Oh yes, there is free wifi in this place too.
Cafe du Soleil might be technically A-OK, but i think it's over praised. It's a mid-quality execution of the generic french inspired SF cafe. It's location in the lower haight is it's greatest asset, and if that's where you are than you have found a decent place to grab lunch. The service is even pretty good.
But for me a nicoise salad w/o nicoise olives was a not A-OK "feature" of Cafe du Soleil. And the threat of their "aioli" (it looked like mayo sitting around for a while) spread over everything is enough make me keep my distance.
Bonjour,
I just wanted to tell you about my favorite cafe in the city. Now, you know I'm not the most credible source, especially when I've been to a total of 5 cafes in SF but this place def stands out. I swear you will think you're in Paris. Be sure to go after the stay-at-home mom crowd clears out with crying babies (around 3?) and drink some sangria or beer or eat a cheese plate and say la bonne vie.
Au revoir!
Please pay better attention to your food Cafe Du Soleil! You've got everything else going for you! I go to this cafe all the time because its right near my house. Ok, I feel bad giving this place 2 stars because its a great all around cafe except for the pretty bad food they make there. Pastries are good/great but are from Boulange.
I think the sandwiches and cheese plates are pretty thoughtless. Last time I had the cheese plate there was very little cheese on it and I enjoyed only one of the four cheese. There was a thick but small slice of parmigana reggiano which just isn't a cheese that should be served that way and frankly we all have eaten enough parm without it being on a cheese plate too. There was a lot of "filler" cornichons and some olives that overwhelmed the flavor of the cheeses. Sliced strawberries, eh. The warm baguette is a nice accompaniment but don't serve half a baguette with four tiny portions of cheese. Its a waste. The open faced sandwiches suffer from too much cheese and aren't helped by the dense almost sour walnut levain.
I've had an ok but REALLY thin split pea soup (more like vegetable broth with split peas in it) and an inedible Mexican soup of some kind. I'vve gotten a green salad a couple times which was really delicious- nice balanced vinaigrette, lightly candied pecans, etc. What I get from this place is that the owners probably won't pay enough to hire a decent cook or don't care enough to train their cook or can't tell the difference between what tastes good and what is just adequate. I go to this cafe all the time because its right near my house. I just wished the food was better, and it could be if someone there took more of an interest in it.
The food is decent, but a bit pricey. Portions are "french" in size, meaning don't go ravenous and nearly broke. I've only had food to go, so have never had the pleasure of dealing with the rude french guy. Weird that the staff and patrons are mostly white, but the decor is Carribean, and the photos are the wall are exclusively of black people. Cool? A bit flattering, if nothing else.
I have two choices on a monthly basis. Spend $700 and fly 11 hours to go to France or $15 and walk five minutes to Café du Soleil for a slice of France...in the lower haight!
Alas, I am not independently wealthy (or dependently wealthy for that matter) nor have oodles of time to kill so option one really is only a yearly option...thereby leaving only option two. Which, I have to say, is still a great option...especially in the lower haight!
While strolling down the street walking up to Soleil it appears almost as if a mirage...outside french café culture in the lower haight! Could it be true? I hope it doesn't disappear by the time I arrive. Ah yes...within a block you see that it is true. Customers have populated little tables outside the café, under the awning or basking in the sun, drinking wine/beer/coffee, and munching on little treats or big lunches...in the lower haight!
Inside you'll find numerous tables for various sized parties as well as one central communul table. It is always mildly busy here due to the foot traffic outside as well as general café culture of just lounging around. You have to be especially vigilant in your attempts to procure an outside table...even though there are roughly ten they fill up fast and seat vultures swarm constantly. Inside is not a bad option on chillier days or nights. However, if it warm outside the poor crosswind makes Soleil one uncomfortable place inside. My French teacher would say, "C'est chaud qu'une vache dans ici!" Which means it is hot as a cow in here...I have no idea what that means but I heard it any time it was hot in the room...so now I think of every time I'm there.
The menu will offer great French staples and also amazing brunches. My favorites: Open faced ham/gruyere/bechamelle or smoked salmon/creme fraiche/herbs/shallots...but the french toast for breakfast is stupid good.
Soleil also offers fresh baguettes and other pastry items in addition to lighter noshing choices like a straight up jambon sandwich (ham/butter only on bread). The desserts are all really good too (chocolate pot de creme).
Beer selection is pretty decent...all on tap...good choices. I've always found the wine selection a little so-so...it seems to miss the mark for me there. However, it is nice to hang w/ some friends inside over a bottle while it is chilly out...The coffee is OK but the drinks w/ milk in it always appear to be too large, e.g. lattes or what have you.
Service-well at times it leaves a lot to be improved upon. More often than not it is slow. On occasion it will be curt. Unless you're a hard core regular it is never delightful. Many used to complain their proactive stance on café squatters-that is to shoo them out if they are not buying stuff occasionally. I concur with management 100% on this. This is not your office nor your den; this is a business.
I have to say the heat inside and the difficulty of getting an outside chair is what keeps this only at 4 stars. I'm stoked that this is an option...in the lower haight (worth repeating trust me). There are very few better ways to spend a sunny afternoon then to sit around outside with your friends enjoying the company and drinks/grub. Soleil offers this opportunity daily.
This place is awful. DO NOT THINK OF GOING WITH KIDS, not kids friendly at all. They will look at them as if they were aliens.
I asked for a Cafe au lait and they put hot milk but NOT STEAMED over my coffee. When I complained the bold guy at the counter said: THAT IS A CAFE AU LAIT....Meaning I don't care what you say.
HORRIBLE
Stella, Bass, and pear cider on tap in the middle of the afternoon in a tried and true french cafe. These guys know how to do it.
Their soups and salads rock, and there's even a little bar with a few stools if you're feeling for it.
And, the outside tables seem to *always* be in the sun. When the sun is out, of course!
Add to all of this the fact that they have free wi-fi and are open till 11pm. One of my favorite spots in the city.
The location of this cafe is perfect. Perched at the corner of Weller and Fillmore means it receives gorgeous southern sun. The ceilings are roomy, airy and relaxing.
Coffee, coffee beverages, and beer are reasonably priced, but their food is expensive for cafe fare.
I love walking by this place! Definitely the most cheerful and comfy place on the block as the neighborhood is coming to life at 7:30 am on a weekday walk to work. Haight and Fillmore isn't a pretty intersection, pretty rough and depressing with some of the sights. This cafe always makes me smile. I have loved everything I have gotten here, from wine, pastries, sammies, salads, breads and cheeses and the coffee is also pretty delish! I'm into coffee, and because I'm a public school teacher I am also always on the scout for value and quality with my caffeine.
It's also a great date spot, good people and service, and when the weather is nice the outside seating is a treat!
Awkwardness is so delicious. Sometimes I want to just roll around in it. My experience at Cafe du Soleil gave me a hearty fix of awkward, when, upon entering with my friend Scott (you remember Scott, right dear readers? I somehow got his phone number at Cafe du Nord last week.) the lady at the register proclaims "OH! CUUUUUUTE COUPLE! OHHH!"
We exchange glances and proceed to order. I take out my wallet and prepare to pay, when the woman at the register says. "Oh! No! He pay for you! You good couple, he pay! Maybe you owe him....Dinner....or something....LATER. TONIGHT. But he pay!" Then she winks at me.
He pays, and as she hands him back the change, she says "You look SO good together. Lovely. She's a smart girl. I can tell by her eyes! GO! SIT! I BRING YOUR DRINKS TO YOU."
So we find seating at a very large and comfortable couch near a window, where the sun was working on beating out the rain. The cafe itself is a huge, comfortable space. Lots of tables and chairs and a couple of comfy couches. The food they serve here looks delicious, though I didn't have any.
True to her promise, the lady brought out our drinks, and winked and waved manically at me as she left her shift. Guess she's into karma...?
While sipping possibly one of the best soy lattes I've ever had in my life (HELLO? chocolate powder on top!), an old man with a hook for a hand sat at the table directly in front of our couch. As he waited on his order, he would almost absentmindedly scratch his head with his hook. He would occasionally turn around and stare at Scott. The gaze started at his feet and then very slowly (and not very subtly at all) moved upward.
When Captain Hook had us both weirded out, he finally tried to strike up conversation with my poor friend. It wasn't reciprocated well, so when his bowl of soup came, he left him alone to eat it. In morbid fascination, I watched a man with a hook on his hand struggle to break apart a piece of bread to dip in his soup.
This cafe struck me as one of those typical Lower Haight spots, where the clientele ranges from dot-commers to REALLY CREEPY dudes with hooks on their hands.
This place was great! A bit crowded on a Saturday afternoon, but they served great cafe au lait in a bowl, and we shared a great baguette to enjoy with our coffee, complete with free butter, jam, and nutella.
When I saw another customer eating the home made potato chips, I asked her whether they were as tasty as they looked (um, they looked VERY tasty). She answered that they were, especially the parmesan ones. Well, folks, she couldn't have been more right on. My wife and I had a great time alternating between sweet and salty, focusing on our baguette for a while and then enjoying the potato chips, all while sipping our delicious cafes au lait. The wife's originally from Montreal, Canada, and we've been looking for a good cafe au lait here in SF. I'm so glad that we've found one!
What I really admire about Cafe du Soleil is how genuine the staff is here. And getting there is easy on MUNI.
Not to mention my mocha is always great too!
I may have found my favorite nook in San Francisco. Cafe du Soleil is a dream!
In this Parisian inspired cafe expect to be surrounded by lovely conversations--many in French. As you sip your vino or cafe au lait, you can soak in the croons of Nat King Cole or Edith Piaf.
The menu looks delicious. I chose this spot as a place to read my book in the evening and found myself wishing I hadn't eaten dinner. I'll be back soon I'm sure!
An added bonus is the free wifi--great place to leisurely catch up on emails or wrap up unfinished work.
I can't wait to come with friends over a glass of wine and talk about the events of the past week.
Date & Time: Wednesday December 31, 2008 @ 1pm
Company: Michael
Crowd: Neighborhood 20-40 Somethings in Lululemon
Vibe: Chill
Decor: Charming. Communal Table & Wooden Tables for Deux & Quatre w/ Cozy Nooks. Lots of Dining Al Freso
Service: Very Nice & Friendly
Imbibe: Espresso
Devour: Ham & Gruyere on Toasted Baguettes, Chips w/ Parmesian, Pastries(Canelle, I think)
Total: $15
This is an immediate favorite. I spent many a morning or lazy, sunny afternoon lounging in the shaded sun with good friends and good conversation while dining on a high quality selection of delectable foods and beverages.
This place is a wifi hotspot, though I don't think you will luck out with a wall outlet.
The selection is amazing here as is the quality, not to mention the friendliness of the staff. They have everything from croissant burre, croissant chocolat, brunch, lunch, soup, etc. They have abundant selections for vegetarians. All the food is well presented for a casual cafe and it is all as satisfying as it is delicious.
They have a great selection of beer, wine, sangria and other beverage selections. The coffee is pretty good if not entirely amazing.
This place has a great overall feel and an excellent location in a hip neighborhood. Perfect preparation for wandering, or a great place to pop in for lunch after a bustling morning to slow things down a bit. Although this is clearly a popular place, the service is quick.
I was a regular during my stay and would continue to be if I lived in the area.
I would like to go back there at some point and actually try the food.
All I have to review so far was the coffee, which was quite good.
Okay, I have now tried every open-faced sandwich at Cafe di Soleil. In descending order of awesomeness, here they are:
* Goat Cheese/Pesto/Roasted Peppers
* Smoked Salmon/Creme Crème Fraîche/Fresh Herbs/Shallots
* Smoked Turkey/Tomato/Provolone/Aioli
* Ham/Gruyere/Béchamel
* Spicy Chicken/Bacon/Swiss
* Tomato/Olive Tepanade/Feta
* Hummus/Avocado/Cucumber/Sprouts/Tomato
Oh gawd, I'm so in love with the goat cheese/pesto sandwich. Also, let it be clear that all their sandwiches are excellent, except one -- the tomato/olive tepanade -- that's actually quite bad.
Lovely staff, yum coffee, yum pastries, yum open-faced sandwiches.
Last I tried the ham and gruyere,…
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The coffee was mediocre and the staff rude (in keeping with the French theme). Mostly white professional women in this predonatly African-American neighborhood (the Lower Haight). I won't be back.
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