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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: MissionMon-Sat. 6:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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I love this place. It's got a good community vibe. My only problem with it is that I am more likely to get distracted here than other places and it doesn't have that many outlets for your computer. It's not my ideal work place, but I like to go here when I'm working on a more creative project (one I actually enjoy concentrating on) and just be around people.
For those who don't have a big ton of work to do like me and want to come here to relax, god it's great! It's a cafe with wine and beer and the owner remembers your name! I love that! I also throughly enjoy their corn chowder soup with french bread. The music is also good. It's an inspiring atmosphere and quite frankly I always wish I wasn't coming there to work because I know I would have a better time if I wasn't. Despite that I never quite meet my purpose when I come here, I still enjoy coming to this place and I think I'm going to keep going back -- at least twice a week.
Also in their favor: they have the biggest selection of food I've seen at coffee shops and they have SO many drinks. I often miss that at coffee shops where I've been there for five hours and I just want a meal - not a bagel and cream cheese. Fortunately Cafe Boheme delivers in this department. Go check it out, but don't be so loud that I can't work ;)
I always come to La Boheme, right across from the 24th Street Bart, with the intent to write, and instead spend my time people-watching and eavesdropping. It's too easy to do both here. The place itself feels spacious, with high, salmon-colored ceilings and a lot of mismatched wooden furniture (there's an old Singer sewing machine table in one corner), but it fills up quickly. They have free wireless here and a community bulletin board with flyers posted for writing classes and salsa dancing. They also have several beers on tap, a small but good selection that includes Full Sail and Fat Tire and occasionally Mothership Wit. There's a huge selection of desserts and teas and many other hot drinks: the spicy chai and the Mexican hot cocoa are two of my favorites. I haven't yet been harassed for grabbing a large chai upon entrance and then nursing it for three hours while I try to get some writing done in the corner. There's always at least one serious chess game going on at a big table in the center of the room, and I can count on a table of loud Spanish-speaking men talking with their hands and laughing heartily, or a couple of older white tweedjacketed men discussing Brando's best movies and whether proof for God's existence can be found, or a group of 20-something-year-old Wobblies fervently making plans to overthrow capitalism.
This place isn't trying to be cool; it's not a "see and be seen" place. You can come here to do your thing, whatever that may be, solo or with a group, and chances are that nobody here is paying all that much attention to you. Except, of course, for the unemployed writers in the corners.
Sit in the alcoves and it's like you're in a Mission 24th St BART Station fish bowl. Sit back with a Mexican mocha and chocolate cream cheese muffin to watch a Socialist hipster here, crazed homeless man there. Relax with your lap top free wifi-ing it up or just people watch your little fishy heart out.
Babaganoosh (sp????) for $3 and in the mission, knock me over with a feather I am so shocked/excited/obsessed with this place. Since I found this place a week ago, I have been back daily for my Babaganoosh that I buy in a nifty to go cup and chow down on my way to work.
I'm only giving this place 4 stars because last night I went in there to grab a snack before I went to a dance class next door. Seeing they served alcohol I thought a drink would help my salsa skills. Such a mistake, the Sangria way too sweet and the only fruit in it was a lone orange slice.
We had soup and salad on a cold (almost summer) night. Very well done with generous portions. The restaurant is a bit on the funky side but what's wrong with funky. My favorite was the faux stained glass windows. They are actually thin sheets of colored plastic tacked up with thumb tacks...how cool is that!! They seem to spend all their time in the kitchen and not showing off in the front. The guy (owner?) said we would be back and we will.
Did I mention fair prices too.
I work less than a block away (hint: a philly cheesesteak place) and sometimes like to find something different for my lunch break. I have gone here other times I've been in the Mission too just to enjoy their expansive selection of beer... well, actually, I think I've only ever had the Blue Moon or Hefeweizen there, but that's beside the point.
I love the fact that I can walk in, have a quick drink and bite to eat, and occupy myself by either grabbing a copy of The Onion or just watching various men gather to play speed chess. The people in the cafe are very friendly and talkative, staff and patrons alike. I don't understand why the place doesn't have a higher rating. Their vegetarian sandwiches are great and decently priced. I need to try the cranberry slush soon.
It was either here or Cafe Venice across the street.
I was in the area running errands on my lunch break and needed a quick bite. Normally I would go for a burrito or taco from one of the many tacquerias around but I've been eating too much of that stuff lately. The menu at Venice wasn't what I wanted so I came here instead. Business looked decent and that was a good sign - everyone here was on a laptop.
I ordered the Napoli sandwich which was sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto. By itself, the cost rang up around $7.75 or so. But I'm a carnivore and can't go a meal w/o meat so I added chicken. I was quite disappointed to see my sandwich had increased 50% for this option to $11.xx. Ouch. But I was hungry and in a rush so whatever.
Did I mention I was in a rush?
My order took 15 minutes. In their defense, it seems only one person handles the food and the chicken is really grilled. But had I known, I would've just gone sans meat for a day and saved myself a few bucks and the stress of beating the clock.
Lunch break is over so I have to enjoy my food on the job. Sprouts, tomatoes and lettuce are served on the side. Call me crazy but I was quite bothered to find pickles inside the sandwich. Who puts pickles in something w/ sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella?? It just seemed odd to me. Overall it wasn't bad but for the time, money and trouble, I just expected a little bit more.
my fave cafe to go to. If I'm hanging out with a friend and we don't kow where to go/ what to do.Well I come HERE. The owner is so friendly. I always feel welcome when I come here, such a great feeling that is :) I like their old furniture, I myself like my furniture a little beat up, which is why i mostly only buy used. So maybe that's why this place appeals to me.
They always use the freshest ingredients here. My wife and I are regulars for breakfast on the weekends and have gotten to know the women behind the counter.
I really love the mix of people. It's not just a bunch of Mission hipsters.
I live within walking distance from this cafe. I love it. It's in the perfect location, right next to BART. I almost always stop by for a cup of tea or a hot chocolate on my way home from work. The food is great too. Order the morning power breakfast with a delicious glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Mmm!
It's a great place to sit back and relax while working on your laptop.
Every time I come here, there is always a different sexy girl working on her laptop, reading poetry, writing in her journal, having sexual fantasies about John T, stepping outside to smoke a clove cigarette. (I'm only joking about the writing in her journal part).
Indeed, this is my favorite coffee shop in the city. The owners are nice and the food is not bad. Plus they serve beer and wine. There are only a few things in life that make me happier than beer and wine: free wifi, a well prepared gyro, sexy girls smoking clove cigarettes, and puppies.
If Café La Boheme could find a way to incorporate puppies into their business model, I don't think I'd ever leave. A free puppy with every 10th coffee purchase perhaps? Just an idea.
My only complaint is the James Taylor mix played on continuous loop. I don't mind his music per se, but if I hear "Fire and Rain" one more time, I might start growing a vagina.
5 stars.
* One of these days, I'm going to work up the nerve to actually talk to the sexy girl smoking a clove cigarette. Maybe we can talk about our favorite songs. If she mentions "Fire and Rain", my clitoris might start to enlarge.
Came across this place after my birthday dinner at Velvet Cantina. Nice place to sit and chat with friends while drinking coffee. Very bohemian, no B.S., community vibe. The owner/guy behind the counter was friendly and patient with our drink orders. Open late (10:30pm) which is good for after dinner coffee and conversation. I'd be back if I'm in the area. Wish I could find a place like this in my hood.
Yeah a REAL community coffee shop...you won't find state-of-the-art flashy crap here or that 'look-how-hard-we-try-not-to-show-that we're a-bigass-corporation' feel. just cool people playing chess, drawing, chatting, surfin the internets, etc. the place is always warm and has a very welcoming and cozy feel while playing some nice Marley tunes. It's a family-owned place so prices aren't dirt cheap but also not more than the regular corporate lifeless dribble that passes for coffee shops these days. The feed is definitely decent and I find it rather odd that alcohol is served here.
The family that owns it definitely doesn't have fake smiles but they also don't harass you for not buying stuff or using the bathroom (a rarity in SF).
Great place, the best coffee shop in the Mission.
Big crowds gather around the large dinner tables. This place is crowded and friendly, with decent coffee and free wi-fi. The barista didn't smile as we walked in, but he wasn't unfriendly, just didn't know us. He was obviously amused by the fight between me and my boyfriend about my coffee addiction. (I'll admit I'm addicted, but I won't admit that it's actually a bad thing.) I settled on a delicious peppermint white mocha, and he got a Mexican mocha, which didn't taste very much like mocha. When he went to ask for more chocolate, they put in another spoonful, but he didn't like it so much.
The chairs are mis-matched, as are the tables, but it's all fairly comfortable. People are playing chess, others are on their computers, and mostly people are here to meet with friends and tell funny stories. If you bring your computer everywhere with you (like me), they have some outlets scattered about, and the wi-fi signal is strong. You won't be alone here if you bring your computer, but may I suggest headphones if you don't want to be distracted so much?
They also serve a full menu, featuring sandwiches, breakfast, and middle eastern food (hummus, gyros, tabouli, etc.)
Love this cafe and the family that runs it. They are true gems and extremely hard-working, lovely people. The owner is a great man, extremely concerned that the experience his customers are having be a good one. PLUS this place has wonderful sandwiches, extremely affordable coffee, and an atmosphere that is cannot be reproduced at any other SF cafe. What culture. Please, frequent La Boheme - you will not be sorry! And get the Florence sandwich -- SOOOO amazing!!!
I stop by here once or twice a week during lunch break or right before I start work at the Mission. I definitely enjoy the latte, mocha, fresh-squeezed OJ and the super fresh, delicious sandwiches. This is a nice place to relax, read the paper, surf the web, meet up with friends, and simply people watch. Very interesting people in this area.
La Boheme is a great meeting place - study groups and event coordinators often gather round the big family-style tables in the middle of the room and towards the end of the week, you can barely squeeze past the rotating chess games and their fans.
I love the unassuming atmosphere and eclectic mix of people and furniture. My favorite spot is the sewing machine table in the window. This is where I go for quality time with my laptop.
This place is surreal. Have you ever noticed the male to female ratio? I agree w/Maria d. if you're a lady and pass by this place you will feel the men's eyes burning holes into you. The coffee, and food is okay for the price you are paying.
I was meeting a friend here once and I grabbed a table next to this lady dressed in head to toe black. I see this lady in black pull out a mirror, and tweezers and proceed to pluck her chin. Such a strange thing to do in public, I thought. Well, she continues doing this to her upper mouth area, all the while she's playing chess and chatting with her friend. So surreal.
i go here occasionally, it's close to my house, but for some reason i usually end up elsewhere. still, this place is kooky and cool and always full of weird offbeat characters. totally diverse interesting mix of all ages and ethnicities.
also they have FIVE kinds of chai tea, which says something pretty awesome about them. today i tried the unsweetened spicy chai. it was good! and so nice to find a chai that's not loaded with sugar.
I love Cafe La Boheme. Now, to tell the truth I have only had their coffee, tea (loose leaf) , and hummus plate so I can't rate the food that well. But obviously that isn't why i keep going back. I love the atmosphere!
Sometimes as I sit reading or typing on my computer, I forget that I am in San Francisco! It kind of feels like some little cafe in Buenos Aires instead (granted I haven't been yet, but thats what I imagine...lol) . There are always regulars outside conversing in Spanish about politics or soccer, and people inside playing chess. If you want to feel inspired and get a taste of "la vida boheme" this is the place.
Do you like flies? Unemployed oddballs? Spelling out your order to the 9th graders behind the counter? If not, this might not be your first choice in cafes.
Unfortunately, there is a serious dearth of bagels in the 10-block radius of my apartment, and I like theirs best. So I usually send my wonderful boyfriend to fetch them.
Right across from the 24th St BART station, La Boheme has a Muddy Waters-type atmosphere in terms of the patrons and interior setting. Folks can be seen doing a variety of things, from banging away on the keys of their laptops, to reading, to playing games, like chess or dominos. I can't comment on the food or the coffee, but $3 for a pint of beer was good stuff. After being carded, the 13-year-old girl at the counter expressed shock and said that I looked younger than her...
Bitch.
The Palestinian family that owns the place have their good and bad days - just like everybody. I see that many complain about the service, but at this coffe shop there is no policy to greet with a fake smile anything that walks in, and I like that. This place is authentic.
I'm writing this at La Boheme, after eating the best bagel with hummus in the neighborhood. Earlier, Alfonso Texidor, the Puerto Rican poet, was talking to a group of teachers about the Mission and the Latin American struggles that connect to it.
La Boheme has a pretty rad set up, with it being decorated with different chairs and tables all mixed together, you cant help but be choosy where you sit.
the list of there teas are almost a tea lovers wet dream. there's SO many! depending on which one (tea) you order, some come in a tea pot that you can bring to your table with you (which i absolutely adore!!) and the soup is delicious and very filling.
i took a star off for the service. they suck at it.
I stumbled upon this place sometime last year and it was conveniently located by the BART 24th & Market station. Cafe La Boheme had it all: amazing atmosphere, wine available per glass, beer on tap, coffee and yummy food!!
The decor was very unique and the music actually moved one dad to dance with his baby and the whole place applauded afterward.
I definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
Given that there were patrons inside, I'd assume that there are people in this world who enjoy having a not-so-fine layer of coffee ground sludge at the bottom of their mochas.
I'm not one of them.
Five stars for that painting of a chicken. I want.
(they also have decent espresso, wine, and incoherent furniture)
*sigh* Why do you have to be so close to the BART? You mock me! Everytime I've come I've been disappointed, decent coffee but this place brings me down. Examples:
1) Only person in line, stand there for a bit watching the server walk around on her cell phone, then she comes to the counter and stands there for a bit watching me while she talks on her cell phone. Um...should I go? 2) Again, only person in line, stand near the counter after I've ordered, stand, stand, stand, get tired and sit, sit, sit, sit, give up and go to leave, see my coffee on the counter, she asked for my name but hadn't bothered to call it. 3ish) Not all the time, but sometimes there is a group of men hanging around out front, and not all of them by any means but some will make weird comments or give discomfort-inducing looks.
I surrender. I carry my uncaffinated body a few more blocks down 24th before purchasing better coffee from a place that doesn't make me sad.
This place is not bad for the neighborhood, but nothing really stands out, except there are worse places to sit and have coffee.
Location is great - free wifi next to 24th and Mission BART, less than 2 blocks from my pad, and opens at 6am.
3/5 coffee
3/5 atmosphere
3/5 service
3/5 food
3/5 value
Dicey location? Check.
Weirdos hanging around out front? Check.
Insouscient service from hipster chick barrista? Check.
Good espresso? Check.
Eclectic atmosphere, and even more eclectic variety of homo sapien customers? Double-check!
Sounds like a five-star SF cafe to me!
This place has a lot of character, and to me that is very important in a coffee shop. Coffee and food come second. The walls, mismatch table and chairs, and music give this place plenty of character. I have bought watercolor paintings, had my picture drawn, and been given poems by artist at the cafe. I also love the location. You can just sit near the window and people watch all evening.
I concede that this place is not for everyone, but thats ok.
I've been to Cafe La Boheme a few times and I think it's alright. The lady and the gentleman (Jackie and Awad) are always friendly and make jokes with me. I don't really have coffee here, but I did have a tuna sandwich, which I thought was tasty. The only thing I didn't like about this place is the location because I must have gotten hit on a WHOLE BUNCH OF TIMES, which is really annoying.
I would recommend this place only if you don't mind being around weird guys who would hit on you because otherwisee, the service is good and the food is good!
The coffee is usually stale. The service is often rude. The one time I ordered food, they got my order wrong. The funky atmosphere and eclectic clientele seem to me its only draws...
I love this place! This is my fav cafe to go to. I love the fact that they have wireless internet access for free, beats staying on campus to study :)
This is definately a place that has it's established customers. The atmosphere is great! I also love that they have beer, not only bottled but on tap, and if you don't like beer there's wine :)
The Caesar salad is yum!
The Jerusalem falafel pita is decent enough. How bad can this place be? They have Fat Tire on tap!
This place is really awesome. I love the diversity of people that attend the cafe. I was there on election night and they put a tv up and we all got to watch Obama's speech. I would say that I go here at least 3 times a week. The owners (Awad and Jackie) both know my first name, and it is a place that I really feel comfortable in. The music they play there is great, totally an eclectic world mix that never gets old. It's my favorite cafe in the 94110 neighborhood. It's not pretentious like those hipster dives on Valencia, either. Two thumbs up! They have free wi-fi for those computer users as well. It's more of a real deal cafe with an authentic flavor with very little pretense. Very uncorporate and very comfy.
I love, love, love this place. Have been coming here for at least ten years, when I was a tea drinker, and they have some excelent choices on that front. Tea is still lovely, but I'm now addicted to coffee, and their coffee is also very, very good. I usually get a latte, and love the real glass it comes in, as opposed to the paper cups at the coporate places. The hummus plate, or mediterranian plake are both delicious there is no "hipper than thou " attitude here, and I think the weirdos add to the flavor of the place. It is also like a neighborhood bar for me because once i paid with my credit card, and they found out my name, so it is always "hi Sascha" when I come in. (Than they ask if I want anything with my latte, lol. ) My only very small complaint is they don't have splanda or Equal. Since i don't do sweet and Low,(eweeee) I just splurge on sugar. It is aso a nice place to talk with friends or say a new guy froom EHarmony, lol. It is nice music, but the music is low enough so you can hear each other.
buying local is not always better...
waiting in line for 5 minutes when i'm the only person in line sucks donkey balls! and that's exactly what happened to me at cafe la boheme cuz there wasn't anyone behind the counter. so after 2 minutes, i was ready to bail, but then i would have wasted 2 precious minutes and no coffee. so i made an executive decision and waited.......and waited. finally, after 3 more minutes, someone showed up at the counter and i finally got my coffee........and the coffee was burnt. why am i not surprised? it was an entirely appropriate ending to an entirely unsatisfied experience.
therefore...
you know, i'm all about supporting local business.......however, when your product sucks (it tastes like folgers) and the service sucks more, you give no choice but to shame you.......two stars!.......and i'm being extremely generous here because i have a soft spot for small business.
* despite my experience, it appears that a fair amount of missionites (not hipsters) frequent cafe la boheme on a regular basis. so perhaps they're doing something right?
YUCK! Why are so many places in the mission filthy and popular? I met my friend here for breakfast yesterday morning and i knew it would be bad from the moment i walked in. Dirty cafes with bad food really don't appeal to me but I wasn't going to complain to my friend. First i thought a bagel with hummus sounded good so i asked the lady at the counter if they make their hummus. After a long pause and looking away i got a "yes". I didn't believe her so I ordered the vege special which was a bagel with cream cheese and veges with a coffee. How can you go wrong with something so simple? My friend got an english muffin with egg. When i picked up my order it looked like it had been sitting around for days. the bagel was a mess and the veges looked pathetic. the sprouts were big and gross looking and upon sitting down at my table I noticed a long black hair woven into the sprouts. I took my plate back to the lady and told her i wanted my money back and that there was hair in my sprouts. she denied it and said she didn't see it but gave my money back.
My friends food also looked pathetic and her eggs had been cooked in a microwave. SICK!!
This place shouldn't bother serving food. The coffee was passable.
The clientele is unappetizing and so is the food.
UPDATE! the owners are complaining to my friend about how I trashed them on yelp. (the friend who was served the really yummy microwaved eggs.)
Girls - want to get hit on by a bunch of unemployed Latin American intellectuals? Just sit outside Cafe La Boheme! Eventually someone will talk to you and if you're really lucky, they'll invite you to "party" with them at The Attic or at Radio Habana Social Club at 22nd & Valencia. I have no idea what the coffee tastes like here because I've already forgotten.
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