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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
Neighborhood: MissionMon., Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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very quaint, very conducive place for studying, very cheap menu, very eclectic decor, and very FEROSH! :D
cafe petra boasts the best of the mission--cheap and eclectic! LOL.. other than that, my first day today was never disappointed. i find it hard to find who the heck is selling mexican hot chocolate around SF, but ZOMG! cafe petra does! for the most cheapestt priceeee.... as well with the other drinks! FOOD was cheap too.. aaahhhh! with that said, wifi is free!!!!!!! WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR??? :D :D :D
oh yea, it'll be a bit challenging if you're have "yao ming's" height, because the chairs and tables are not friendly with people that are super tall... cafe is small, so you better go there early because seats are very limited. other than that, love at first sight indeed!
Ok, I know I've been heavy on the 4 stars. But it's just the appropriate amount so often of the time!
This cafe's got that great neighborhood vibe. Free wi-fi. Randomly strewn pillows on colorful fabric covered benches. Ample seating and PLUGS! Good coffee, and snacks like bagels, sandwiches, etc. Wish there was a better selection of food. My only complaint.
When I'm in the city I come here at least 3 times a week.
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I wanted a place with free wifi, good and cheap food and most important a place that is conducive for studying. This was perfect.
Each side has two long benches with a ton of throw pillows. Ok my description does not do it justice but look at the photos. Nice ambiance and it is supper quiet.
Please if you know more places like this anywhere in the city send me a message. I like to move around and try new places.
This is possibly the best cafe I've found in the Mission District (for my needs anyway). A small house coffee is just $1, and with no surcharge, it is the cheapest that I've found in the entire city. If you say that you want to eat/drink in, they'll give you your coffee in a ceramic mug, which is a major plus.
This is definitely a great place to just sit and read, Yelp, or whatever. It's super quiet, with the exception of sirens outside, but that can't be helped. All the earthy, Mediterranean-ish, Middle East-ish throws and pillows make this a nice, inviting place to just chill. Free, entirely unproblematic wi-fi seals the deal.
I don't typically find blonde guys attractive, and yet I sport a head of naturally golden locks. I make fun of people who wear trendtard fashions like uggs and Affliction tees, but I own more than a handful of questionably ugly pairs of leggings. I scold those who smoke, but I actively partake in binge drinking.
As you can see, I am a girl of contradictions. This may be why I can appreciate Cafe Petra's vibe.
- It's located in the Mission, but it's not overpopulated by trust fund scenesters waxing poetic about whether Okkervil River has sold out or not. It's got a good mix of old ladies knitting, the unemployed job-hunting on their computers, and people like yours truly waiting for their cars to be fixed.
- It's listed as Mediterranean/Greek, but a) the menu is typical cafe fare (wraps, omelettes, salads, coffee), and b) the entire staff is Asian.
- They offer free WiFi, but unlike most places that do, they don't hound or harass you to buy things off the menu to justify sitting there. I saw at least one person there on his laptop who hadn't purchased anything.
- $2 hot cocoa, but tastes like $6 hot cocoa. Creamy, chocolatey, and smothered in whipped cream.
- The bathroom may have a key you have to borrow to keep out the riffraff, but its walls are still covered in lovely poems and questions like "Have you ever felt sexually inadequate?" (Answer in Sharpie directly below: "YES. ALL THE TIME. FROWNY FACE.")
All in all, a good well-lit cafe with a nice menu selection (LOVE the avocado spinach salad, and the accompanying warm pita was delish). I got creeped out by an old dude who stared at me for an hour and kept giggling when I looked up, but I figure that evens out when the hottie across the cafe picked up HIS phone and answered, "Hey what's up? It's Devon!"
An attractive (and blonde!) guy with the same name as me?
I swooned. 'frealz.
I wish I had known about this place when I was a student. I would have been here everyday to do homework. (That implies I did my homework . . . hm . . .)
This is a perfect place to study. Since I am no longer a student, I use this place to work on weekends. Having to work on weekends from time to time sucks, but at least I don't have to be at the office. This place is warm and cozy. Small but quiet. I wouldn't recommend this place on a hot day though. No air conditioning and it gets pretty warm inside.
Everyone comes here to compute. I'd feel uncomfortable if I walked in here with another person to chat over tea/coffee. This isn't that kind of place. It feels more like a granola laid back library.
Food is cheap, healthy, and fresh. Sandwiches and salads are in the 4 - 7 dollar range. Granola is gourmet and fabulous. I love the bamboo screen they use to cover the ceiling, and my tushie really appreciates the blanketed seating.
Minus one star for the limited dessert selection. All they have is some muffins, which aren't technically desserts, ABC Co. Vegan cookies, and biscotti.
A dude like me can hang out at a place like this. They got this middle eastern looking decor, and soft radio tunes give it kind of a cool vibe. Great cafe to chill and raise your heart beat with a cup of java. The food is OK.
I was in the Mission the other day and I wanted some breakfast so my phone's gps found Cafe Petra. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked inside to find cheap breakfast and free wifi! Food and coffee was good and did I mention the free wifi =)
I'm also a student so whenever I find a cafe that offers free wifi I take advantage. The vibe was good and the employees were nice as well.
On of my favs in the Mission! Comfy, laid back, good inexpensive breakfast and lunch, and smooth mochas and Mexican hot chocolates. Love that the wi-fi is free since I'd rather be here than in my office. I also like the decor, something like being in India with an Asian twist. Only thing, they got 96.5 KOIT playing in the background, LOL. Be sure to bring your own music!
Ok, the taste is not the greatest, of course compared to Tartine.
But if you have to wait more than 20 minute just to sit down uncleared table in noisy Tartine, Cafe Petra is not a bad substitute.
Their Internet connection is great. I do not really like Salad, because I think it is tasteless, however, I like their coffee, they have vanilla flavored coffee, which can be rarely spotted in SF.
Over all, if you want to study in a quiet environment, this is probably the best place to be in the Mission.
It was a dark & stormy night and I was in search of a warm place to hang my hat...
I stumbled upon this oasis thinking I had come to the end of my rope in my search for a cup of joe. But lo and behold, the stars were looking down on me that night.
I popped in and had a vanilla latte that was the bees knees and curled up with the cushions that reminded me of my days in Casablanca. As I lost myself in one of the many paperback thrillers they had on the shelf I sighed and thought I would have this moment.... forever.
And then, amidst the busy bees working around me with their new fangled laptops and free Wi-Fi, I could hear my main squeeze calling me.
"Hey, I'm at Mariachi's. Meet me there?"
Sigh. At least I'll always have Cafe Petra.
A big, fat bowl of granola barely hiding a healthy selection of apples, bananas and strawberries topped with soy milk - oh yum. The salads are incredible and although I've never had the wraps or sandwiches they look amazing.
I'm quite perplexed by a notation I made not too long ago: Whenever I decide to drop into the cafe in the afternoon and order a wheat bagel - they are always out. Always. A motley looking selection of egg, plain and onion bagels battle it out in the large, see-thru plastic container they store them in. Hey Mr. Petra, um, you might make a few more bucks and hold onto less pigeon food if you stocked the obviously more desirable bagel. Petty, I know... just thinking out loud.
Inexpensive, quality food for a small cafe.
At this point, if they change the dial I may miss the cheesy Mariah, Whitney and Celine hair-pulling contest during silent pauses from my own selection plugged into my ears. But, it may serve the patrons well if they just went ahead and found a different station. (Hey Mr. Petra - how 'bout satellite radio?)
I'll drop off my consulting card later.
Small, yet cozy. Quiet, well lit and pretty darn good coffee. $1 if you bring your own mug. 50 cent… Read more »
I tried it once, and probably won't be going back, much to the delight of the culty-looking customers who seem capable of dark, vicious voodoo.
Coffee is OK, but there are plenty more choices in the neighborhood.
I was in the neighborhood on Friday and it was pretty warm outside. I was right there on 16th and Valencia and I was torn. To my left was Pancho Villa, with my shredded pollo verde burrito. To my right and around the corner was Cafe Petra, with their tasty sandwiches and salads. I decided that I wanted something cold and healthier, so I went with my initial instinct and went to Cafe Petra.
This place has yet to disappoint me. For $5.95 you get your sandwich (I always get the fresh turkey and add cheese) and a salad (either caesar or house). I can be somewhat picky about my sandwich toppings, and normally tell people NO MAYO because it disgusts me when it gets slathered on! But Cafe Petra has never let me down before, so i made no special requests about my sandwich and let them do their thing. Perfect. They lightly toast the bread, give you an ample amount of turkey and toppings, and they never put too much mayo and mustard. The salad dressing comes on the side as it should.
Most of the people in here are on their computers minding their own business. Its pretty much a comfy local place with a really great deal on a salad/sandwich combo. I've never tried their coffee or bagels because I always want that tasty sandwich!
I highly recommend checking Cafe Petra out when you are in this neighborhood looking for a solid sandwich!
I was in need of a tasty sandwich....I gravitated towards cafe Petra. i had been here only once… Read more »
Great place to hang out for hours on the free wifi network, and slurping down gallons of a fresh brew.
Perfect stop in your daily nomadness.
Quaint ambiance would best describe this cafe. Nice colorful mosaics on the walls, bamboo ceiling, kind of dark.....a good place to hide from the outside world. You can get online if you need to and they have a couple bookshelves of books you can choose from if reading is your forte.
Nice selection of coffee and tea (or other beverages) but what I liked most is their selection of food. Not just lame cafe food like scones and biscuits, they had sandwiches, salads, omlettes, bagels with good stuff on them (like eggs, cheese, mushrooms, avocado, etc.) and even PB&J sandwiches.
It's a bit on the cozy side but it's quiet and clean. A good place to unplug from the outside world and go off into your own world.
And where else can you eat your bagel while listening to Hotel California only to be followed with a rousing rendition of Brick House? Not many places.
I studied here in the middle of the day on a Sunday. It was quiet and chill. The baristas weren't snotty, the music wasn't blasting, and there wasn't a line out the door like Ritual.
There were comfy cushions on the benches, and the coffee was good. The lox bagel was REALLY good, with a much more generous portion of everything than normal. The prices were lower than normal. (coffee is one dollar, and refills are 50 cents) '
They have outlets all over the place and free wireless.
Wow!! this place is great! First off its heated... which is awesome on a cold day. IT has a cozy cafe setting and great fresh salads. I got a HUGE cous-cous salad that was about $5!! Three people ate for under $17... that is pretty amazing in this city. I will definitely be coming back.
The food here is okay. You can truly get an immense breakfast for cheap, but it's not mind-blowing.
This place does get four stars, however, for being extremely quiet. For some of us who need a workspace away from home, it's perfect.
My favorite Sunday morning stop for a bagel with avocado and vanilla nut coffee. The staff here are super friendly and very fast and the prices are very reasonable. I also like they accept credit cards, even if you have forgotten cash and are charging your $3 bagel and coffee. Good seating, although not as comfortable as it appears as first. Best for keeping you awake while working but not really for snuggling in and reading a book.
Only complaint: no raw sugar for coffee, only regular sugar, brown sugar, and fake sweeteners.
This place has all the charm and ambiance of summer-school study hall.
They do have good food and good coffee. But, like, lame!
Delicious bagel sandwich. I had the egg, cheese, and mushroom bagel and a Mexican Hot Chocolate. Tasty. The bagel was toasted and soft with a crunchy crust and the egg was delicious. And it was all only $5.
Think this place draws a lot of locals and regulars. The ambiance does seem to have something that seems discontinuous. Maybe it's because of the mediterranean drawings on the walls and the lite rock in the background.
A great little coffee shop tucked away on Guerrero, not too packed with people and just the right quiet environment if you're looking for a little down time or want to work.
I love the decor and the way the space is layed out, it really is ideal for reading a book or working away on your laptop. And it's always a BONUS for free wi-fi.
As for the dishes, I'm a big fan of mediterranean food and loved what they had to offer. The veggie wrap is great and so are their dolmas. I also ordered an iced chai and was happy with it too. Prices are extremely reasonable.
This place is one of those finds that you hope too many people don't know about so it doesn't lose it's charm but at the same time you want to talk about b/c it was so nice. I visited Cafe Petra for the first time today and will definately go back.
While I wouldn't go out of my way to hang out at Cafe Petra (hence the three stars), it's a great little neighborhood cafe, with strong coffee and free wi-fi.
The space is small, and not that conducive for conversation (perhaps more an indictment on our caffeinated culture of siting at our laptops), and the seats can get a little uncomfortable after a few hours, but it's definitely a step above and away from the posered frenzy of Ritual or something like that.
You would never expect this cafe to have BREAKFAST and I mean eggs, hash browns, etc not like pastries breakfast...full on breakfast!!
They have really good bagels...my favorite is the San Franciscan: cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes!!
Hot chocolates are good, too!
Oh and the breakfast isn't greasy at all! It almost seems the healthy version of breakfast! So if you're on the go or want to eat a quick breakfast, it's perfect! Sometimes it's full, but still I always found someone where to sit!
This place is really really inexpensive. I don't think I've gotten a $1 coffee at a coffee shop in years.
It's true that everybody is on laptops here (including me) and that the benches provide little protection against the astonishingly fidgetty guy who's bouncing around next to me, but other than that it's cute, cozy, and generally comfortable -- the pillows are a great touch.
Fair warning: This is much more of a work or study coffee shop than a get together with friends coffee shop.
Is this place a morgue? Every time I walk in there are zombie like people staring into their laptops.
This is not my main complaint about Cafe Petra albeit the environment is equivalent to a wax museum. My issue is the chain of command or lack of that goes on during the ordering process. This morning I was the second person to arrive at Petra. I ordered an egg and cheese bagel. Seventeen minutes later I have no bagel but about 6 people that came in after me have their lattes ,their bagels with cream cheese, and their pastries. I approach the counter and ask why it is taking so long and if he can't make my bagel I would like my money back. Another customer who came in just ahead of me asks the same thing. Instead of hustling to get our orders he gives us back our money! RIDICULOUS. Seventeen minutes of my morning wasted on nothing! This place bites the big one.
I've been here a few times and I cannot understand what all of the fuss is about. The food is just ok and the customer service isn't super good. But free wifi, which is pretty much expected at this point. meh
Comfortable, lovely, relaxed and unpretentious, with great coffee.
Simple, no frills, and good. Avoid eggs and hash browns-they're the McDonald's variety-stick to sandwiches, salads, and coffee.
Another Yelp Mobile find! (I'm telling you, stick http://mobile.yelp.com in your cell phone).
I'm volunteering tonight at the Boys and Girls Club on Guerrero and was in SF a bit early and needed a place to hangout that had free wifi, and Mobile Yelp directed me towards Cafe Petra, and it's right across the street from the B&G Club.
Wide selection of organic coffees and teas, baked goods, Odwalla juices, and free wifi make this a winner in my book. Speaking of books, there's also a bookcase full of books (I know you're just dying to read Crichton's Lost World again). Throw in a diverse menu of bagels, breakfasts, salads and sandwiches, and I just might be a regular if I actually lived in the area.
Thanks again Yelp Mobile for helping my find places when I have these minor emergencies, i.e. like sating my Yelp addiction.
3/9 update - Returned for lunch, and I was not disappointed. I went with the Petra salad, a delicious mix of greens, chicken, pita, cous cous and cucumbers. They generously swapped the mixed greens for spinach, and I somehow managed to carry this massive salad up to the top of Dolores Park for lunch with a view. Spectacular on all counts (view and food).
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Two things needed to happen to finally get to Cafe Petra - sleeping in and terrible weather. Both pretty much had me staying local for breakfast, and it was the perfect excuse to finally get here. Glad I did.
We had the granola bowl, and it was exceptional. Freshly cut fruit, low-fat yogurt and a generous serving of granola made for a light but filling start to the day. Coffee was spot on as well. What elevates this place to five-star realm was the very friendly ambiance, free Internet and very, very reasonable prices. Another day where I walk home thinking there is no where else I'd rather be living. I love the Mission!
I was in need of some self-indulgence today. My favorite nail place is closed on Mondays. Happily, a cute little salon has opened up right around the corner from me, where I can go (hooray they're open on Mondays) when I want to feel enveloped in the soft, comforting world of feminine things.
Anyway, Cafe Petra is right next door to the nail salon and right as I was leaving the salon, thinking about various things, lost in my own reality, I felt the familiar rumble of my tummy pulling me back to the everyday demands of the earthly body.
I paused in the doorway of the cafe and peered into a room which seemed to just pull me in to its gentle rythyms. Good music was soothingly pulsing, the lighting was gentle, and the many tables with cushioned banquettes made me wish that I had brought my laptop. I learned that they have free wi-fi too...next time.
On this hot day some grilled protein on top of a cool salad was exactly what I was in the mood for...Lo and behold there was a menu full of salads, wraps, and other simple appetizing things. I had a crunchy Caeser salad with grilled chicken and was very pleased.
I love a good coffee shop! It reminded me of Amsterdam, a very interesting vibe to the place. I had a coffee too. One, because it's not very fair to write a review about a cafe and not try the coffee (I knew a review would be called for the second I stepped inside the door), and two, because I like coffee. The coffee was great! Organic, smooth and strong...same way I like my men, oh yeah...
A charming oasis in the middle of the Mission area, Cafe Petra is a quaint cafe with free wi-fi and above average food. It's basically a small room with wooden benches and small tables, perfect for studying or working but not so great for large groups. Because the tables are close together, I could hear people eating though - or maybe I just ran into several loud eaters. The wooden benches are covered with rugs and topped with embroidered metallic cushions. The walls are painted with desert scenes and they even play Middle Eastern inspired music. Hummus is on the menu in a various forms.
There's a real kitchen onsite, so they have a better menu than most coffeehouses. You can get bagel sandwiches, wraps, granola bowl, salads, sandwiches, omelets and even hash browns. I had the breakfast wrap which was served piping hot (and grilled on the outside). It was stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, tomatoes and onions - very filling and better than average (I do wish that it came with salsa though).
They have a bathroom, two computer terminals, and quite a few books. It's a comfortable place where you feel encouraged to stay. Prices are reasonable too ($2.75 for a latte). The latte is good enough and organic. I wasn't sure about the power outlet situation but I think there might be some along the wall (they're hard to see). Credit cards accepted.
With the closure of La Onda, Cafe Petra is hands-down my favorite cafe in the Mission area. I can't speak to the food and/or dessert items on their menu but the coffee drinks are well-made and very reasonably-priced. It had been quite crowded the two times I have been there - once on a Sunday morning and another time late Saturday evening. The owner lady is very sweet. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be back.
Update 2.3.07: 5++ stars. Cafe Petra is spoiling me with its vegetarian-friendly menu ... not to mention, the free wifi, abundance of outlets, friendly owners, and eye candies with glasses, on skateboard, and in running shorts ;-). Life is good.
Call me a serial monogamist. I moved to the Mission, I broke up with my old coffee house, and I'm now with Cafe Petra. For the record, there was no overlap. I'm not that type of girl.
$1 quality drip coffee (good body, great texture) in my travel mug, brown sugar (the mark of sophistication), and smiles from all the staff.
Bonus points to them for letting me drop off an envelope of keys for my incoming houseguest when I had to go off to work.
DO NOTE, though, that it's not a chat-with-your-peeps place. The hipsters behind their computers mean business here.
My gentleman caller (and I, by association) frequent Petra in the Mission, relying on a standard order of coffee and bagels. Although I feel somewhat guilty for the latter (the most recent issue of Men's Health informs me that a bagel with cream cheese equals 500 calories, calories which could be better spent on a ham, egg, and cheese english muffin--and don't ask me why I'm currently reading the latest Men's Health in the first place; embarrassing and irrelevant), this place carries a damn good bagel as many previous Yelpers have also noticed (note from gentleman caller: the bagels could be better toasted). Being that the bagels are in such high demand, Petra should really be placing a larger order with their suppliers--a visit or two ago, GC and I got the last two, and this was fairly early on in the mid-morning. My drip coffee this morning was good; I'm not that picky when it comes to my morning caffeine, but GC complained that his latte tasted burnt.
I find the space a little cramped in the vicinity of the register, but I fully intend to hang out here one day taking advantage of the wifi and checking out the local scene, assuming that the place, thank goodness, does not attract hipsters. I love that there is a fully stocked bookshelf, although the collection is eclectic to say the very least. Charming touch, though, and a welcome change from the standardized interiors of chain coffee shops.
This place is charming.
It's a great spot to grab coffee and light breakfast before work. Or for an inexpensive lunch. The food is definitely no-frills, but it's always been tasty. Good salad, sandwiches and coffee. Great selection of teas. And the service is super-friendly and quick. The atmosphere is unique, funky and cozy. I like the mural.
Though it can get a bit cramped on the weekends (since it is sort of small), it's never a crush like Ritual, et. al., since it's slightly off the beaten path. And with free wi-fi, good light and cheap refills on coffee, it's a nice, mellow place to read or hang out with one's laptop for a few hours.
However, I'd recommend bringing an ipod or other music to listen to, but then again the "light rock" radio station they always have on just isn't my thing.
I'm salivating just thinking about the Petra salad. It would be an ordinary salad, but they put cous cous in it. And then they put pomegranate vinaigrette on it. The chicken chunks and the cous cous soak up all the tangy pomegranate yumminess and then I'm in salad heaven. Can't say enough good things about it. If you're veggie, then go for the cous cous salad. It's every bit as tasty, just no chicken.
Oh, one more thing. Their breakfast items will sometimes come with tater tots. How cool is that?
PLUSES:: Great food, mellow ambiance, lots of outlets
MINUSES:: Really, really, really, really, no I mean REALLY hot. Wear a swimsuit if you can.
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This cafe should really have only 3 1/2 stars b/c it is so damn HOT in there. No, really. It's REALLY hot. In the afternoon, the sun comes blazing in. They really need to get a cross-breeze in here, and some sun-shield on the windows.
But, it's got a mellow ambiance, chill music that's not played too loudly (some low-key spanish stuff, jazz, classical, that sort) and I really dig the FOOD.
There is a nice selection on the menu of Omelets, Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches, a fantastic Mediterranean Plate (ask them to make sure the dolmas aren't TOO cold), and breakfast items.
They've got Odwalla Juices, some other random Cold Bottled Beverages including a variety of Chai flavors, they've got Loose Tea in cute little individual-sized teapots.
There iced lattes are not bad, but I always Ask Them to Put in Extra Ice b/c for some reason they have super-quick-melting ice and a lukewarm latte is nasty.
Interestingly, everyone in this cafe seems to have teeny-tiny laptops that are 10,000 times cooler than my clunker work-issued stink-pad, and it's hard not to get distracted by coveting the little Vaios and Apples across the room. *sigh*
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Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
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Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Arts & Entertainment
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