- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Caffe Centro
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Food Coffee & Tea Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
102 S Park StSan Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 882-1500
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5 pm
Sat 8 am - 4 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
249 reviews for Caffe Centro
Review Highlights
"Highlights: Mac and Cheese, Pasta Portofino."
(in 18 reviews)
"Love the nicoise salad, bread salad and cobb salad."
(in 18 reviews)
"I eat here prob 3 times a week."
(in 11 reviews)
Loading...
249 reviews in English
-
Review from David P.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2012
I LOVE this place. I walk over to South Park at least once a week so I can grab lunch at Cafe Centro. The service is incredibly fast and the folks working behind the counter are exceptionally nice, courteous and professional. I'm in and out in 10 minutes, max.
The food is delicious - I get the grilled chicken sandwich - and always totally fresh. I love watching this business grow because they really have a good business model down pact.
I hope I never change jobs because I would hate to not be able to come back to Cafe Centro every week. -
Review from van kim l.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2011
I've been going here for years. My favorites are the grilled chicken sandwich and the pasta portofino salad w/PINE NUTS! They get busy for lunch but move pretty fast. Everyone there is always friendly. I've had the mac n cheese special a couple of times and it was pretty tasty. Good portion of food. OH! and the sweets are pretty sweet!
I also like the 'no wait for coffee'. You can pop in there and drop your money in a box and grab your own coffee (and it's good coffee).
South Park is an adorable hidden area. You can take your lunch to the park, sit outside at a little table and inside has a nice cozy atmosphere if you can grab a table. This has been a staple spot for me.
Now that I've finally written a review, I'm kinda craving it! -
Review from Stephanie M.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2011
If you haven't had the Caprese with fresh mozzarella, oven roasted roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil, served on focaccia bread with Proscuitto, you have not been to Caffe Centro.
If you have worked in SOMA you know there's a little secret window on the side of the cafe in the alley where you can order to go. There are usually two really sweet ladies who take your order. If not you can go inside and order from the two gentlemen and sit down. Its such a cute park, why not sit outside on the benches or on the swings with dogs playing frisbee, birds chirping, and leaves falling. Hey! You can even make friends with squirrels. That's nuts.
I have tried everything on the menu, and my favorites are the Caprese sandwich and the Cobb Salad with grilled chicken, bacon, sliced eggs, fresh tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, on a bed of mixed greens, served with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing with bread. Both very filling and delish!
Since I work downtown now, I eat at the yerba buena park, but birds always tend to attack me. I give one bird a piece of bread and 20 come cooing at me. Only one with an angry look had to poop on my tights the other day, urgh. This never happened to me at South Park! I would go almost everyday to CC, but, I will definitely return for more someday. I miss you CC. -
Review from Kristal D.
Daly City, CA
2/6/2012
I had a roasted veggie sandwich here that was not the business. I expected something warm but it was cold refrigerated veggies that were roasted who knows when. I was totally unimpressed.
-
Review from D. D.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012
I love Caffe Centro and have been coming here for the past four years. Quality and friendly.
-
Review from Amanda D.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
The food here is gross. I work in the area so I've been here on several occasions and, aside from the black bean salad (one of my "last resort" lunch choices), I have not been impressed at all. Avoid anything with chicken at all costs, I'm not sure what it is but it does not have the taste nor texture of real chicken.
-
Review from Katie V.
10/26/2011
Just wanted to write a quick review so this one doesn't fall off my radar. Went there for lunch today - right on the edge of south park. When the weather's beautiful I really want to make a practice of coming down here, grabbing a salad or sandwich and enjoying the park.
As for the food I had a Roma sandwich (tomato, mozzarella, olive paste basil and greens on a baguette) and I think I'm in love. It was so fresh tasting and was exactly what I was looking for on a day like today. It was a little slow but not horrifically so.
I could definitely make this a regular Wednesday spot!Listed in: SF Lunching
-
Review from Ann S.
10/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Caffe Centro is a cute corner cafe tucked in a nice neighborhood atmosphere, away from all the hustle bustle of the city. With chairs and tables perched outside the cafe, this is a wonderful place to enjoy your cup of coffee or your plate of tasty greens.
I ordered up the Nicoise salad and I was actually pleasantly surprised by the food combination. The green beans, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and tuna topped off with balsamic vinaigrette dressing were interestingly good.
The service was extremely friendly.
I will definitely return for some of their sandwiches next time. -
Review from Paul C.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sometimes it's annoying when the South Park hipsters/tech-entrepreneur-whatever people hog the tables and babble loudly, but that shouldn't take points away from how good this place is.
The coffee is good, though maybe a little pricey, the food is great and the people working there are cool. Definitely worth a visit -
Review from Grace L.
South San Francisco, CA
12/30/2011
Oh man their cobb salad is sooo good! Can't beat it. Wild greens with a good portion of bacon, egg, blue cheese and chicken. I must admit the chicken doesn't taste like real chicken, maybe some bloated type, but it's tender and it grew on me. Their vinegarette is awesome on their salad, sometimes I ask for extra, but then it'll get too salty. Yum cobb salad! I haven't even had much else other than that.
-
Review from Ty T.
10/11/2011
Cafe Centro is my pre-morning ritual before work.
Nothing makes me salivate quite like my savory soy vanilla lattes.Listed in: Places That Make Me WHET
-
Review from Karen T.
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I needed to find a place to study and ended up here. The place was busy at lunch on a weekday so must be good. I just had a cup of Tazo Black tea
-
Review from Angelica M.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2011
Always hoppin' at lunch time. Consistent food and charming South Park location.
There's an indoor line and the outdoor "to go" line. This place can get a lil crowded, but you typically don't have to wait longer than 5-10 minutes for your food. The bread on the sandwiches is fresh and the staff is friendly....
chocolate chip cookie (and all their cookies hehe): yummy
Vegetarian sandwich: it's cold, marinated veggies (zucchini, red pepper), with a bit of cheese on DELICIOUS bread.
Caprese sandwich: Also good and yummy.
My hunger is satisfied with half-orders of their sandwiches during lunch. Their salads are big and yummy too. I like the one with the oranges, nuts, and cheese on spinach.
This place is again...consistent...and has quality food. -
Review from Annie L.
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
A very cute spot in a little piece of quiet in SoMa. We ate al fresco in front of South Park which really brought up the work day with it's Mediterranean feel.
I got the bean salad which had the perfect amount of vinaigrette and hit the spot perfectly.
Bustling with laid back workers, it really is a great place to forget work and revitalise for a moment. -
Review from Kelly P.
8/5/2011
This has become one of my go-to places for lunch. The foccacia is delic, although they often run out after the lunch rush so you have to order early. Solid sandwiches, salads, blended mocha caffeine drinks, and pastries.
My favorite sando is probably the roasted veggies or roma on foccacia to take outside and eat in the park. You can order inside and eat or to-go at the outside window which is convenient.
South Park is a cute little spot tucked behind the bustle of 3rd street, great to stroll and check out the other mostly french-themed restaurants on the block. Apparently years ago it wasn't so nice -- had more of a Tenderloin-park theme so it always shocks my parents when I say I'm eating in South Park a they remember it a bit differently. -
Review from Sally M.
9/2/2011
Cute cafe nestled in adorable South Park. Ample tables outside to enjoy the warm weather. Plenty of windows to welcome in sunlight.
Friendly staff. Good Food.
Today I opted for this for lunch, and was most pleased:
Ham & Swiss
sliced black forest ham, imported swiss cheese, lettuce , sliced tomatoes, Mendocino mustard, Served on baguette. -
Review from Diane B.
Updated - 7/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Ok, I'm upping this a star for three reasons:
1 - the soy lattes. sweet, yummy, hit the spot;
2 - the power outlet I can use (see my Quick Tip for The Creamery: not an outlet to be found which is a majorrrr bummer); and
3 - Perhaps best: the staff. SO SWEET! They always let me stay until past closing....and even use the restroom as they clean up. And today they let me go under the minimum amount required for a credit card: "for you, anything." The staff rocks.
Wish they stayed open later but I feel loyal to hitting these guys up even though The Creamery down the street is lighter....no outlets there, and a little more attitude keep me going back to Centro these days.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/16/2010
If I gave Caffe Centro 4 or more stars, it'd be the Park talking. Because let's face it: sitting at… Read more »
-
-
Review from Erin W.
10/27/2011
Great coffee, wonderful tables outside (fresh air, good people watching), tempting lunch offerings that I'll have to return to enjoy. I think I just may have to make this my next remote office...and the clientele also seems very chill and cool - quirky in a enjoyable sort of way.
-
Review from Cat C.
San Francisco, CA
6/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great place for a grab-and-go sandwich. You may have to wait a few minutes for your sandwich if you don't make that first wave of ready-made sandwiches they usually have ready.
If you dine in, make sure to grab a mocha to go on your way out. They're delish! -
Review from Joe M.
It started off as another overcast day in SF until the skies opened up and rained all over my parade. I was joining my girlfriend for lunch and I wanted to try something new, so I braved the 5 blocks of rain to get to South Park and we dipped into Caffe Cento.
Their menu is mostly run of the mill salads and sandwiches and prices are pretty high given the location. I got the chicken sandwich which came served with, well, nothing really. It was just ok for me, and my girlfriend's soup was on the watery side.
Caffe Centro was very meh for me but is very popular with the local tech workers. I much prefer the offerings at HRD for every reason and will be going there instead from now on. Luckily Centro has some tables outside for your dog but they're not allowed inside. Tie them to the nearest tree before rejoining them with your lunch!
Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Price: $
Atmosphere: 6/10 -
Review from Adelina W.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Caffe Centro is a cute little cafe located in SoMa. The lines get long, but they have a convenient walk up window for quick orders. Seating can be scarce, but there's a nice little park right across the street should you want to eat outside on a nice sunny day.
The food and people are great. I love their Friday special, mushroom panini with a side salad. I also LOVE their alfajaro cookies and chocolate brownies. I think the prices are a bit high, but the food is good. -
Review from Jen L.
6/17/2011
I think it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
With their food that is. Don't be daunted by the long lines that form during the work lunch hours. Getting an indoor table on a rainy is probably a problem, but while our finally summery weather exists, head outside to lovely South Park. It's about a 15 minute wait from the line to ordering to pick up.
I've had a couple of salad-delicious meals here-the Nicoise and the Cobb salads. Both are good size meals which come with a couple slices of bread. Their hot chocolate was pretty good too, esp. on cold windy days like today.
Commence grazing! -
Review from Andrew K.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2011
I had a sandwich here once that was good, and a few coffees that were OUTSTANDING. Perhaps the best coffee in San Francisco. Not sure which roaster delivers their beans, but if you like espresso drinks, this is surely the place for you.
Their menu is long and diverse. I tried a bite of their vegetarian sandwich, the centerpiece of which was eggplant. This one packed a ton of flavor and, I have to say, I like it better than the roast beef sandwich I had ordered.
NOTE: No internet at this cafe. -
Review from Greg B.
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Overall I'm quite pleased with Caffe Centro. Great sandwiches, especially when warmed up in the panini press. I always get the Grilled Chicken sandwich and am always very happy. The desserts are not as great as their prices are high, but I always get one so I can reach the $10 minimum to use a credit card - minus one star for that. I'm also disappointed that the sandwiches don't come with any side dishes, not even some leafy greens, and they often run out of soup, so there's not much to adorn your sandwich.
The biggest perk of Caffe Centro is the neighboring South Park, which has plenty of nice park benches to eat at.
So overall, the sandwiches and nearby park are definitely 4 star, but the lack of side dishes, good desserts, or credit card acceptance drop it to 3 stars. -
Review from Victor W.
5/28/2011
Food here is good, especially for lunch. The sandwich and salads are reasonably priced, tasty, and relatively healthy (compared to other options around south park). Out of all the lunch options, I liked the caprese sandwich and nicoise salad the best.
The coffee is only okay. I would prefer Starbucks and certainly Blue Bottle, but this place probably has the best coffee in South Park (if you're willing to walk a few blocks, there are some better more options).
Staff is very friendly and the whole place has a certain charm to it.
Basically, if you're looking for a convenient option in South Park, you won't get a bad experience here. -
Review from Ziyan C.
5/27/2011 1 photo
I just started working in SOMA and I'm loving South Park. Such a nice respite from the offices & highrises of the area, this has such a secluded, well shaded, and relaxing park surrounded by cute restaurants. Centro has a side window where you can order out - grab a picnic table in the park and you've got a great lunch!
* Grilled chicken breast (with oven roasted tomatoes, herb aioli, on focaccia, $8.9)
- Delicious!
- Bread soft & soaked up the sauces nicely.
- Tomatoes incredibly fresh & full of flavor.
- Chicken tender and perfect. -
Review from Sally T.
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
awww, i love caffee centro. the coffee is strong, like the men behind the counter...just kidding about the strong men. not saying they're not but i don't have any proof.
anyway, it's a cute little place in south park. great for people watching if you're sitting outside. the service has always been friendly. one morning i was there at 6:30, brain functioning at 20% capacity and struggling to figure out how to carry two cups of coffee and a bag of bagels. dude runs over from behind the counter to help me figure it all out. best part was, he shows me the jar of peanut butter on the counter, gave me a to-go container and said "help yourself". omg, seriously dude, you made my morning.
oh, why aren't you open on sundays? -
Review from Allison M.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Because my life choices keep me primarily confined to the areas immediately surrounding my school, I am only just beginning to discover the gems that are strewn numerously across this neighborhood.
I had a phenomenal breakfast across the way, and I needed to do some schoolwork, so I made my way to Caffe Centro, right below my future, when-I'm-a-rich-attorney house, for a cup o' joe and homework in the sun. Sunny days in San Francisco are lovely for me. Find me at any cafe with an outdoor patio.
I liked this place, but wished for wifi. I had an Orangina because it reminds me of when I went to France. I also had a hot tea, and it was fine too. I would have stayed longer, but I definitely needed to research wrongful convictions and compensation statutes for my seminar class paper. It's due in a few days, for those of you who care, and it's no where near done. I don't blame you, Caffe Centro.
I'll come back before I purchase my new house. Probably won't bring my laptop. -
Review from Anya R.
4/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place right across from the park. When its nice weather choose a table outside.
Had a bowl of the soup of the day- pretty tiny cup but it actually was perfect because I got the pasta primavera salad and that thing was HUGE and delicious.
A bowl of bow tie goodness with pesto and vegetables with a piece of bread to match.
They have sandwiches where you can get half or whole too.
Lots of dessert to wash down your food. -
Review from Theresa N.
Campbell, CA
4/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
First time here and left super dissapointed. This place was recommended by a coworker, so I thought it would be great.
Walking in and looking up to the chalkboard (keyword for later) for something to order, I chose the chicken ceasar salad listed at $7.95. This is important too.
As I walked to the register, after adding a bag of chips, the cashier rings me up for $15 something. I asked ummm, what costs so much? She said, no lie, "Oh, we raised prices AWHILE ago and haven't updated the board." (chalkboard!!) I didn't realize getting a piece of chalk and an eraser was so complicated. Or, that telling your customers the pricing listed is not accurate.
Ok, aside from their "homemade" dressing for this salad tasting like water, I doubt I will venture back. When I mentioned that this was very misleading and how is someone supposed to know accurate pricing? The cashier said "You can look on our website." Seriously? -
Review from Hayley W.
1/21/2011
I talk with my mouth full. I shove as much food in my mouth as I can with every bite. I eat as fast as I can. I drop food on the ground and on my clothes. I barely chew. I often get the hiccups because I forget to drink while eating. Sometimes I eat with my hands. Basically, I am a pretty gross lunch date. But my lunch today wasn't so repulsive and I would like to give thanks to Caffe Centro.
I was able to hold my squealing/fussing 5 month old in one hand, walk outside while eating, drop food on the ground without feeling bad (I left a tip) and not rush because they gave me my food in a to-go box. Hooray! I know that the table next to us wasn't a big fan of me, but I consider lunch a success if I only get 2 hairy eyeballs from patrons.
And while I used to live off of Centro's nicoise salads, I really enjoyed my mushroom panini today. This is especially shocking because I opted out on cheese... And as we all know, a panini should really have cheese. Anyhoo, it was pretty tasty and I would order it again. As always, the $4 counter paninis are a solid choice for a quick cheap yummy belly fill.
Of course my lunch was improved greatly by the company of Miss Angella S. and Ting A. Lovely to see you both as always. -
Review from Angelica N.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2010
A solid lunch spot, with decent staples: salads, sandwiches, etc. I've come here a number of times, but have never been able to settle on a clear favorite meal, so that's why I cannot give Caffe Centro more than 3 stars with a clear conscience. And with today's choice, the cobb salad, I may have pinpointed the cause: the chicken they use makes me want to become a vegetarian.
That said, the service is great, as are the outside surroundings. -
Review from Scott D.
Pleasant Hill, CA
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
A great bistro feeling cafe. Coffee in the morning is consistently good, and the Cobb salad is great for lunch.
-
Review from Jen K.
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wanted to like this place, but my order to go was the wrong sandwich. I ordered an egg salad and got a chicken parm! It was ok, but not what I ordered. I know they can be busy but they should be more careful.
-
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2011
Who knew I would discover one of my favorite salads at Caffe Centro, a nondescript cafe nestled in the secluded South Park area? I first stumbled across it when I was running late to my salon (Grasshopper Salon). I hurriedly ordered a pesto pasta salad. WOW. It's the perfect salad: pasta to quench your carb craving, but greens to make you feel healthy. Fresh salad greens are dressed with a light balsamic vinagrette. The salad is topped with tender chunks of chicken and al dente bowtie pasta tossed in fresh pesto. Toasted pinenuts and parmesan cheese perfectly tops off the salad. I now make it a point to grab this salad everytime I'm at my salon. And when I'm craving this salad but not in the area, I've come up with my own version that I make at home. It quenches my craving until the next time I have a hair appointment and can get to Caffe Centro.
-
Review from Jackie G.
7/11/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I LOVE South Park. Not only is this place super cute, but the food is good! I've had the spinach salad with mandarin oranges (not quite sure of the name) and the black bean salad. Both came with bread and were really good. Also, the portions are huge! So I ended up having a lunch and a dinner out of it. Pretty good prices for SOMA too. AND they sell dirty chips!? This is the spot.
-
Review from Tony W.
Minneapolis, MN
8/30/2011
Caffe Centro is cute, has some really good food, and is in a good location right off South Park -- perfect for grabbing a sandwich and going into the park to eat. The ordering process is a bit hectic. I wanted to ask a quick question about ingredients but quickly discovered it would be impossible.
-
Review from kierstan g.
Marin, CA
11/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
I am at this place all the time, at least a few times a week. Is it because the food is that amazing??...nope not really. But it is consistent, walkable from work and has half sandwhiches. I love you half sandwhich option. More specifically, the yummy turkey on super good foccachia with diced tomatoes ( I know, have you heard of something so crazy?) and a tomatoe aoili sauce thing...love love it...
It is always crowded at lunch, with a line out of the door...but, somehow there are always seats available..if not the park provides an awesome place to sit and eat your half sandwhich....
The coffee is good, kind of strong, but soy mochas are yummy, and the chai is decent. Not awesome but def decent.
They always have a few sweets to choose from and if you ever watched dirty jobs and saw the host work in the dirty chip factory...and then found yourself searching safeway (not there) and paradise (not there either) and a bunch of other places for dirty chips because you are that suggestable...you can find them here. And that is why you will find me there as well. But not if I need the internet, they still don't have free wi-fi, wtf? -
Review from Christine C.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2010 2 Check-ins Here
A casual lunch cafe in the warm sun and light breeze, Caffe Centro got the location just right. This South Park cafe serves your usual lunch fares - soups, salads, and sandwiches.
I had half a green salad and half a Caprese sandwich. Fresh mozzarella, oven roasted roma tomatoes, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil served on focaccia bread, this would have been a sandwich that could make anyone envious. A thin layer of mozzarella and a thin layer of roma tomato paste between two thick, cold, and greasy slices of focaccia, there was not much to be envious about. I could just imagine what a difference pressing would make.
The mixed green lettuce with balsamic vinaigrette dressing was a mouthful of dry leaves. It reminded me of a salad you get on the refrigerated shelves of a grocery store.
My friend had the cobb salad and he seemed to have enjoyed it.
Nothing too interesting. It's probably a good spot for the lunch crowd that works in the South Park area.Listed in: SoMa Gems
-
Review from oliver d.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2010
Starbucks WHO??? I love this place in South Park!
Ever since working near this place, I've gone here every morning for my Coffee and Mocha!
What really continues to impress me is their Hospitality and Patience! You're always greeted with a genuine smile and service is pretty spot on.
I just tried their Grilled Chicken Sandwich last week and I must say, it was really good! If you ever go here, PLEASE tip them, these guys deserve it....
http://www.caffecentro...
