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Categories: Coffee & Tea, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: SOMA"Always reluctant to give a perfect rating on the first time out, but it was surprisingly tremendous and I feel they deserve it. I'll…" read more »
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When I came here during the summer of 2008, I was traveling alone.
After checking out the Frida Kahlo exhibit, I ordered the most amazing walnut and baby spinach salad. I stuffed myself on potato gnocchi, beautifully-slathered with fresh herbs and butter. Along with a bean soup, I racked up a bill of $27. Not exactly congruent with the budget of a backpacker, but it helped me get over my post-party blues after drinking at Stanford University for 3 days.
And although it was a year ago, I still think about that meal!
College dining hall feel aside, the menu looked promising. The results, however, were pretty poor. Pumpkin ravioli on a HUGE bed of overcooked oversauced kale came undercooked, lukewarm, completely lacking in flavor. I had to add a ton of salt just to get any flavor out of it. My friend had a spinach salad with beets, walnuts, and blue cheese. Rather unremarkable. My sprite had carbonation, which is good.
Overall, go here if you really can't think of anywhere else to go before/after your Moma experience (though why not try Vitrine at the St. Regis, or even any of the number of fast-ish food options in the Metreon).
We've had lunch here once before, several years ago. It was unmemorable. We took a break for lunch today after seeing the Georgia O'Keefe/Ansel Adams exhibit. I like that they had a sign where the lines formed informing patrons how the process worked so most questions were answered. There were three lines and they moved as lines do, slowly. The regular menu is beautifully engraved on metal strips on the wall behind the counter and then there are specials menus by the registers. The staff do yeoman's work weaving through the crowds bringing food to the tables.
I ordered today's soup, a vegan heirloom tomato, after watching several being carried by, and a Caesar salad. Alan ordered a portobello panini. He had water and I had iced tea. The soup was top notch, tasty and fresh. Because it was vegan it had no cream, which I like. The salad was pretty good, w/ crisp, fresh lettuce. The dressing had a nice hit of lemon, but not much anchovy depth. Alan was disappointed in his sandwich. The portobello was lukewarm. The iced tea was good, but outrageously overpriced at $2.95 for a small glass. It was worth half that. Lunch kept body and soul together and we didn't have to wander too far from the museum, but aside from the soup, it wasn't particularly special.
I've never had a decent meal at an art museum cafe. They always look nice since they have to complement the design of the museum. But they're always these cafeterias with plenty of choice but nothing of interest. I wonder if that's intentional. Caffe Museo is no exception to this rule. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that they epitomize the typical art museum cafe.
Perhaps curators think we can't be satisfied with the art at the same time we could enjoy something good to eat. Do they worry about art lovers experiencing sensory overload? Not me. I like quality art, y'know, the kind that looks good on a motel room wall, so the MoMA can be challenging that way. Consequently, I deserve a quality meal, especially if my eyes have been burned by some confounding abstraction that invariably has some ties to the world's ills. I didn't get it here.
Instead, I had a particularly arid Grilled Chicken Breast Panini for the blue-haired lady price of $8.95. There was rumor it had onion jam and aioli in it, but it was only a rumor. I did see the arugula...yes, there it is. But the foccacia appears to have been left in the oven too long since the result was a parched concoction suitable for a maximum security prison. I suppose I would have had better luck with a hot dish or maybe something pre-packaged. But maybe the food represents the true state of the arts. Maybe the National Endowment of the Arts should add a food allowance.
FOOD - 2 stars...a sammie for your trip through the Sahara
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...sure, the MoMA is nice
SERVICE - 2.5 stars...it is a cafeteria after all
TOTAL - 2 stars...better to be a starving artist, I think
It feels like a big cafeteria where you order your food at the cashier and they bring it out to you in a few moments. The only reason I ate here was we were starving and attending the Pre-Halloween event. I had the grilled salmon for $16.95 and my wife had the tuna burger. They were both average but edible. Probably would not eat here unless I was visiting the museum and starving. The St. Regis upstairs Vitrine Cafe is much better for about the same price. Oh no the secret is out on Vitrine!
This place reminds me of something.
The clanging of silverware against plastic trays. . . the surly service. . . the bland food. . . the prices ratcheted up to take maximum advantage of a captive audience. . .
Oh right, college! I haven't so thoroughly failed to enjoy a dining experience since my freshman year meal-plan. I almost feel as if I need to go cram for an 8am exam. . .
And, just to put the unremarkable icing on the flavorless cake, they cancelled the member discount.
We purposely ate here while visiting the museum--fully expecting it to be both high quality and pricey. It delivered on both assumptions. Hubby ordered the sirloin or angus burger, which came with fries. I ordered the cobb salad. We didn't order anything else. Our total: almost $30. Ouch.
But the food was DELICIOUS, so we felt it was worth it. Burger cooked perfectly. And those fries were among the best I've ever had. The salad was a modern twist on a cobb: ingredients were arranged in "stripes"--forming a pretty rainbow of toppings like egg, tomato, tender purple beans, and chicken. (I'm forgetting a few others.) All atop a bed of chopped, lightly dressed bibb lettuce.
Ever wonder why people who don't like their jobs, or there business... why they just don't quit or do something else!
Poor service (yet they were staffed and not even busy), bad attitude, very unprofessional lady in charge who has NO clue how to manage a cafe!
I love MOMA and I would NEVER hold them accountable (it's a separate business) but from no on, the 5 of us will bring a bag lunch!
Too bad....place has such potential! Maybe we will try again and give it more stars after our next visit.
Had a quick bite here at the cafe. Since the museum just opened at 11 am when we walked in, there's no problem snatching a table.
The crab crepe with Hollandaise sauce was decent, although I don't know why it was called a crepe -- it was definitely thicker than it should be, almost pancake-like. The crepe also came with pea sprouts salad and chopped Hazelnuts on top and that was yummy.
Skip the $6.50 slice of Strawberry cake, the icing just wasn't flavorful, although the strawberries used were pretty fresh. Safeway has a better version!
yes, they charge $12 for grilled chicken breast panini. But it's deliciously moist. (just the right… Read more »
It's ok...but meh, I've had better, and it's overpriced for a lot of dishes. The menu is interesting, but the execution is lacking.
-Mixed green salad was ok, needed more flavor in the dressing.
-Carrot soup was disappointing: grainy and lumpy, tasted too much like uncooked carrots
-3 cheese ravioli was tasty, especially the mushrooms on top - but it was served lukewarm/cold :(
-Focaccia bread - cold, and unspecial
Oh well, it was just a lunch before going to see the exhibits. Not the end of the world.
Really nice for a museum cafe. I had a Panini with mushroom, mozzarella, tomato and basil. The bread was crisp,the cheese was sufficiently gooey, the basil was fresh and fragrant, and the mushrooms added a nice meatiness to this vegetarian delight. My lemonade was fresh and delicious.
The place was packed so we had to sit outside, which I usually don't like, but I would actually voluntarily eat on this patio everyday. It is beautiful!
The place is wheelchair accessible and the staff was friendly and helpful.
Strange place. I always have a great time when I come to this cafe, but... there is always a but.
I think it could be a "prettier place", it feels a bit like a school cafeteria.
Food is delicious, but expensive. I come here for a "nosh" before going in to the museum. Don't come here for dinner or lunch. Keep it simple with a bowl of roasted potato soup or the butter lettuce salad. Ginger Tea or coffee and out the door...
Enjoy...
This place is cute and neat. It's very mod and the menu definitely had a lot of thought put into it.
The food has a lots of intricate details, from the flavor to the execution. I came here for lunch once and my friend purchased a sandwich while I got the ahi.
My dish was served with brussel sprouts on top of a potato cake. My ahi was seared just right, the potato cake was soo moist but flakey like a hash brown and the brussel sprouts were tangy. It was definitely a different combination but I really dug the contrast in the flavors.
My friend got the turkey sandwich. The bread was toasted and crisped just right. I'm really impressed because I had expected cafeteria food... They also serve Italian sodas and those are always fun.
Overall, I thought the place was fun and well thought out.
Before our adventure in the museum, we decided to have a bite to eat. Since we were going to see the Frida exhibit my companion (the BF's aunt), decided upon the special of the chicken mole' with basmati rice and tortilla chips. I had the lamb brochette with mint risotto with roasted vegetables. As for the food, the risotto wasn't very minty and needed salt. The veggies were mushy, and the lamb was a bit chewy. Flavor wise, it was tasty, but for $15 I expected a wee bit more. The mole' was tender but I don't think the aunt liked it as much as she said b/c she left half of it ( I didn't try it).
All in all, I think I would say this is a good place to stop for a nosh. A cup of coffee, bread/olives/ glass of wine or a sandwich. I would come back next time I go to the museum, but not as a special stop.
3.5.
Sweet potato gnocchi was quite good. I was impressed by this museum food. I've been to the Getty Center, Getty Villa, and their cafe options were very limited. I was forced to eat at the lower priced restaurant at the Tate Modern, and it was a very underwhelming experience. Pasta was so bland and sooo very small, and also full service. So it was nice to dine here without having to leave a "full -service" tip.
Whoever decided to put it ground floor, separate from the museum, is a genius. My hungry self ate before I went to the gallery.
My suggestion is to eat before you go to the MOMA. It's hard to find good, convenient food in the soma, and while caffe museo is extremely convenient, i'm always disappointed.
My main complaint is limited options- specifically for anyone vegetarian or vegan. As a vegan there is just one option- a veggie sandwich on pita, (tell them to please remove the cheese). It's good.. I've definitely had better, esp. for the $9 or whatever it is.
Good soy latte, but I really need to remember to eat before hand.
Decent. Edible. Not prohibitively expensive but it is pricey.
I came here before the Frida Members Preview as I was a total nerd that night and I wanted to be close to the action. My friend and I shared margarita pizza and a Cesar salad. Both dishes were fine. Nothing to write home about but better than I expected. The menu has an assortment of meat dishes, pasta, and salads. Not too shabby for a museum cafe if you ask me. For the Frida event, they had a couple Mexican specials but I was not about to venture into the land of a Museum's interpretation of "authentic" Mexican food. All in all it was a decent dinner and I'd return again.
One of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had! I was taking a class nearby and stopped in for lunch (first time eating by myself in a cafe - thank you very much). Book in hand, I readied myself for a boring, dry chicken sandwich that I would just nibble and be on my way. What a surprise experience. The service was very friendly. People actually came by to ask how I was doing. The sandwich was delicious. Juicy chicken, yummy bread, and a marvelous dressing/spread.
For my week long class, I went back there three times. :) Yes, I'm weird like that.
Typically I run into the SFMOMA museum cafe half starved before an opening party, jump back in surprise when I see the prices, order a scone and spend the rest of my evening hungry. Today though, I sat down for a proper long lunch. I forked over $16, ordered the salmon fillet salad with asparagus and greens, and enjoyed it immensely.
I've always been a serious fan of their patio. Sunny and sprawling, it's perfect for marathon conversations over wine or cappuccinos. The people watching is stellar, with folks from NYC and abroad. Everyone seems more intelligent, hip and urban when they're sitting in front of a museum though.... you know?
I liked this place. It had a great "raw" feel to it, and the food was great for a cafe, + the great people watching along 3rd!
We got a salad and a pizza, both of which were amazing! The food was delivered to the table super quick, and we ate it up even quicker!
If you visit MoMa, be sure you stop in for either a snack or lunch.
Cheers!
Okay...so this isn't Cafe 2 at the NYMOMA but hey, the chicken pannini sandwich with aioli and arugula was quite tasty on the beautiful, sunny winter's afternoon (aka yesterday) and the cheese pizza has always been good, although my SO called it "flabby" (too much cheese). The mocha was more like hot chocolate but I am more inclined towards rot-gut triple shots. Good for noshing after braving the Christmas season crowds in the museum on a Monday (!) and seeing a couple of good shows.
there really isn't anything special about the cafe that makes it stand out from the rest... the decor is minimalist boring and the menu was standard.
the lamb was over-cooked, the pumpkin soup was too salty and the crossontini that accompanied it was even salter. i tried to make the best out of my meal but after seeing the salt shaker on the table, i realized how ridiculous this was.
also, their napkins are the size of a scarf. i could go outside, tie a napkin over my head and no one would realize it's a napkin. someone needs to take these guys to CAS and teach them about conservation, seriously.
The family and I had a late lunch/early dinner (lun-ner... l-inner) before our trip through the MOMA. My husband had the grilled chicken breast panini on focaccia bread while I had the toasted smoked ham and fontina cheese panini... My husband's sandwich was ready prettty much right away. Mine took a while longer... the wait was worth it, though-- lots of stacked smoky ham with yummy warm gooey fontina cheese... Makes me hungry just thinking about it... Damn good!
To drink, I had a mug of regular coffee... I enjoyed it-- rich and not watered down... not sludgy either... imo, just right.
I'm sort of surprised by the number of poor and "eh" yelp reviews... Yeah, the ordering system's a little funky, the menu is limited, and there are plenty of better restaurants to choose from in SF... and it's on the pricey side for what it is... but I found it better than I thought it was going to be...
Either that, or I just lucked out with my sandwich choice, not sure...
Whatever the case, I wouldn't hesitate to go again at least for a cup of coffee or something before/after hitting up the MOMA. Liked the patio, too.
Moscone Center, during a convention, turns into a business meat market where everyone is hitting on other's customers. I have always found that Caffe Museo is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Moscone(or any other downtown/SOMA venue).
If you are looking a classy ambience to have coffee with someone from work or play without causing a strain in your wallet in the SOMA area, you can't go wrong with Caffee Museo.
$2.50 for a bottle of Perrier?!! Just rob me!
It was pretty in here, though.
I had a restaurant all picked out for a post MOMA lunch but my date was tragically late to the museum. My stomach was growling so when she arrived, we popped in to the attached cafe for a bite to eat. I wasn't expecting much as it looked and functioned like a cafeteria and I knew we would be paying a premium for the convenience.
After making our way through the slow and bunched up line to order, we found a seat without difficulty and the food was delivered to our table quickly. I had a shockingly good Chicken Panini; a grilled chicken breast with arugula and onion jelly on light and fluffy focaccia. It was refreshingly simple with an excellent balance of flavors and not too heavy before a stroll through the museum. My companion had a mixed greens salad with light vinaigrette and a generous apple crumb dessert. I'm not the dessert aficionado that she is; I enjoyed it; she stopped just short of licking every morsel from the bottom of the dish.
You might be able to get an equal or better lunch for less in the neighborhood but if convenience is key, I think you will be pleased with this museum cafeteria. Excuse me, cafe.
Overpriced grossness on a plate.
The peanut-butter cookie was like $4 for a piece of cardboard shaped in a circle. Everything else I've tried was overpriced and under-edible. The pizza is so-so. Service is poor.
Sadly, this seems like one of those restaurants that's only around because of its touristy location. I'd go to nearby Cafe Venue. Not as classy, but it's a cafe meal you can eat.
I love this little museum cafe. It's a perfect respite when your feet get tired from climbing the stairs and wandering around all the galleries to see the art at SFMoMA. We always try to hit it just before lunch time because people from the neighboring offices like to come here too. And, don't forget the ladies who lunch. They always take up a few tables.
The menu is limited. Their specials are usually a soup, a salad, and sandwich. The chicken tortilla soup is very tasty. Desserts are so good. Again, they make a really hot pot of tea just the way I like it. Order at the counter and if they have to make it, they bring it to your table; otherwise you get it on your tray and you're on your way to a pleasant lunch experience before heading back to see more Picasso, or whoever is hanging at the time.
The food is overpriced and kinda so so. Still, it's a great place to grab a quick bite before going to SF MOMA. I had the Caesar salad, which was good for quelling some hunger, but that's about it.
I recommend the chamomile citrus tea, though.
It's kind of overpriced, but a nice little cafe. It's very clean and has a nice layout. And you get 10% off if you're a museum member. In my opinion, they should add more meaty things to the small menu...there was a whole lot of salad and other meatless entrees (yes, their salads are big enough to be considered entrees). They have some desserts and scones and things too. I needed the meat, so I ended up getting a $12 burger from this place. It was Niman Ranch beef, and it was good (not great), but still, it was a burger. A $12 burger. It came with a whole load of oversalted fries. I was afraid they'd have teeny portions since it's a museum and all, but I didn't even finish my order. And I'm the kind of person who hardly ever leaves food on my plate. Supposedly the burger was a half-pounder, but it didn't seem quite that big to me. Their soda seemed just a bit flat, not that fizzy...which personally, I like. There weren't too many bubbles. Anyway, their food overall was just okay.
After wandering around Yerba Buena Gardens, we were HUNGRY. Taking a chance, we ordered an heirloom tomato salad to share.
Pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. These tomatoes looked like they'd just been picked at the Farmer's Market. Large portion, well seasoned. Of course, for $12.40 with a Diet Coke, (which in my accounting system, indicated that I made a charitable contribution to MOMA) this should be expected that it would be this delicious. Sitting outside on a nice day, I would say it was worth every penny. We could have sat there for hours, and I don't think the staff would have noticed/cared. I was confused-was I supposed to bus my own table? When the other options are Thirsty Bear and Chevy's, Cafe Musee has my vote.
GOURMET FOOD FOR A CAFETERIA
I can't believe how good the food is considering it is cafeteria style! I first found out about this place while visiting the SFMoMA.
The food is pricey, for cafeteria food, but not too expensive by San Francisco standards at all. It's worth every penny because you are getting gourmet food, quickly. Everything about this place is a little bit nicer than the standard cafeteria--no plastic trays, real silverware, nice napkins, etc.
The soups have always been amazing. There are new specials on the menu all the time and I haven't had anything that I didn't like. They sell glasses of wine and even the coffee tastes good!
I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here but if I am in the neighborhood and I want something fast, this place always makes me happy. The only downside is that they only open during museum hours so I can't go here for dinner :(
I had a lovely date day with my friend to the SFMOMA and of course got hungry along the way! In agreement with the majority of other reviews, the Caffe was on the expensive side (but what do you expect at a museum cafe, right?) I wasn't too happy paying almost $10 for a sandwich but it was really good (but not worth $10...)
It was pretty bustling in there for a 4pm on a Saturday and I was worried we were going to have to sit outside in the storm. But the tables inside cleared out pretty quickly.
I think what made this museum cafe dining experience so excellent however was that this place seems to be a prime people-watching spot. We could have stayed there for hours but the museum was closing.
The food is usually good but the service is extremely slow, a take-out can easily take 15 minutes of wait time. I'd suggest having the soup or salad, which would still take 5 minutes. Also, food is pricey and in small portion. The cap is always the "espresso" size!
Never quite like the hard, uncomfortable seating. Can't find any art in that.
Only come here when it rains and don't want to walk more than 1 block.
Plus+s:
-outdoor seating
-nice location in SoMA
-convenient if you've been in the museum or YB
-solid menu
Minus-s:
-pricey
-menu doesn't change very often
-staff can be gruff
A nice find in the middle of seemingly everything Moscone Center part of the city--and in the SFMOMA of all things. The kind of place I expected would charge jacked up prices for average food small portions and generally cater to a captured audience; WRONG.
Great fresh food, quick service and actual REASONABLE prices. Their crusty bread is really fresh and when topped with Neiman Ranch ham and Fontina cheese, you know they're not kidding around. This is one awesome HOT sandwich.
The Grilled Portabello mushroom was also really excellent on that same crusty rustic bread roll.
Oh yeah: the pickles were interesting. Not dills and not your typical sweet bread and butter pickles either. Certainly on the sweet side but not overly so. Not neon yellow-green either but kind of a soft green-brown--very easy on the eyes.
My family also had a Caesar salad that you could really taste the anchovy and their mixed green salad which was large and had bright lettuces with good variety.
Even though they were crowded we managed to sit our party of 8 down easily enough but alas at a cleared but not cleaned set of tables. Get your own water & utensils station was well tended to and easier than flagging a waiter down.
They allow you to order at a counter, give you a big steel pointy "cone" for your table & order so you can sit down and they'll bring your order out to you.
OK: so the waiters were really more like bus boys but we didn't miss the service. The food quality and value are excellent here.
Starving right before the Frida Kahlo exhibit, my roomie & I stopped here for food. We both got pizzas and I got a fresh lemonade. The pizza was great, crispy and very thin (flatbread style) and I was also rather satisfied with their fresh lemonade-great balance of sweet and tart. But I dropped $15 for a personal pizza and lemonade, so it's a tad on the pricey side. I guess this is a way they help support the museum.
Excellent food, rotating menu and tasty eats.There's often nowhere to sit, so make friends. A bit overpriced, but so. Very. Tasty.
Was trying to grab a quick bite here for lunch, but it ended up taking awhile. I was hoping the cafe like setting would be quick at lunch, but it took so long for the food to come out. when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised. My brother's lobster ravioli was tasty and my panini was delicious. The mushroom soup I had was a little bland tho.
All in all it was nice - the location is great and getting a table wasn't too hard. It was also nice to be able to sit outside on a sunny day in SOMA. Prices were a little steep - but on par with what I would expect at a museum - $9-15 an entree.
Yep, winter is here. And that's a good time to check out museums. I was going to the Asian Art Museum but, doh! They were closed. OK, plan B. MOMA. Walked 4 SF blocks, got to the MOMA and decided I need sustenance.
How about this place? I already knew it was gonna be pricey, but i spend all my hard earned cash on my days-off.
Since it was cold and wet, i thought a soup and sandwich would hit the spot.
Ham sandwich? Nope. Grilled chicken on house-made focaccia.
Soup, what kind? Vegan?! What?! Fuck that Shit!!
There was some yummy looking salads and pastas going by me, but I was in the mood for a sandwich.
Alright, a grilled chicken sandwich and a cup of coffee. 14$ with tip. Yikes, just like Vegas.
The place was crowded. Looks like everyone had the same idea. Outside was near empty, cool. I don't mind a bit of the cold, as long as I don't get wet. Can't get sick again.
Sat down, got comfortable. Ate.
Pretty good sandwich.
Grilled Chicken breast on arugula, and a onion jam on house made focaccia. Tasty.
Coffee. Decent. I was satisfied. Sat back, people watched, sounds of rain and traffic, enjoyed my lunch. Would have been nice if I had my fricken I-pod so I could have been listening to Thelonious instead.
No one was out side but me, so I had a smoke and finished my coffee.
Feelin' like I could go check out some artsy shit. Cool.
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