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Central Coffee Tea & Spice
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Cafes Coffee & Tea, Cafes [Edit]
1696 Hayes St(between Central Ave & Lyon St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
(415) 922-2008
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 7 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
146 reviews for Central Coffee Tea & Spice
Review Highlights
"Ali, the owner, is one of the kindest guys out there."
(in 30 reviews)
"With cream cheese, or butter--with or without jam."
(in 11 reviews)
"They've also got free wi-fi, for those of you who are..."
(in 5 reviews)
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146 reviews in English
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Review from T. E. F.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012
Not too small (like, say, the Brown Owl Cafe in Parkside) with reasonable prices - a sm. cup of drip goes for $1.55, I got a "cafe au lait" for $2.05. A more neighborhood-y feel than some of the other local places - for some reason Cafe Abir has a kind of hard edge, cold, cool (and I like it) but this place is a bit more homey, warmer. It has a morning sun strike that comes in around 9am, outside seating that is not beset by enormous amounts of traffic (i.e. bean bag cafe). Free wifi which is a mixed blessing, but I'll call it good for now.
But mostly what makes this place such a win in the ol T.E.'s book: the laundromat next door. This is not nearly as hip - or sketchy- as Brainwash which has it's cafe inside the laundry (or rather with an adjoining hallway really) but it serves almost the same point.
Enormous windows provide copious amounts of sunlight making it a pleasant place to hang out. It's dog friendly (though I don't have one) and they provide water for those unable to operate water fountains with their paws. -
Review from Theresa C.
San Francisco, CA
12/16/2011
I have been on the hunt, people. I have been searching for my favorite coffee shop to relax at. After hanging out at local coffee spots filled with hipsters/hobos/obnoxious music/strange smells/hideous decor, I have finally found my spot.
Central Coffee Tea & Spice is a quaint, cozy little cafe on the corner of Hayes and (who woulda thunk it) Central. It's pretty tiny, but they offer both indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not much of a coffee person--I do the chai or hot chocolate thing--and holy crap was their hot cocoa amazing. So so delicious and rich. The lady working the counter was kind and patient, and the guy preparing drinks was really friendly. They seemed a little busy, but got my drink out pretty quickly. The food looked yummy, but I didn't come hungry so I'll have to save that for another time...
The atmosphere is just great. Perfect for a conversation with a friend, great for studying since it isn't too loud, and tons of natural light. This is just the coolest spot, and I don't think I'm going to ever go to another coffee shop again.
Also, totally getting brownie points for playing Christmas tunes. Charlie Brown Christmas songs? Yes, please. -
Review from krys s.
12/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here
i always come in here before i start my workday because they're consistent. cafe ole everyday with a banana nut muffin. always delicious, every time. THANK YOU.
side note: last year, this is where i first encountered using the Square to handle transactions. i was so impressed that i had all of my clients pick up a Square too. now it's all over the place... yay for technology! -
Review from Ellen C.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Perfect little coffee shop to take a load off and read awhile. The coffee is good, the staff is friendly, the prices are average, and the space is comfortable. Don't know if this was on purpose, but the army of tiny tables is strategically brilliant. Nobody is going to have a meeting here. This results in a bunch of people quietly reading or doing work, occasionally saying polite things to each other in low voices. It's like what librarians wish their workplaces were like - minus the food and drinks b/c they go apeshit about that kind of stuff. Basically, calm atmosphere that is hard to find in the city.
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Review from T O.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2012
2 stars for the outside seating area on Hayes which is the best on a sunny weekday when the cafe isn't too busy. Don't go for the coffee - which is awful. Sometimes you get an okay bagel - but often you get one with that moldy aftertaste - like it got wet and sat around. The service is surly or just depressed. Either way, sit outside and have a tea - it's really hard to f' that up.
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Review from Josh E.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2011
Coffee taste bad.
They didn't make my order, had to remind them. I got very little free time, sitting in their for 30 minutes for nothing is bullshit especially when the person who took my order looked at me several times. -
Review from Julie M.
Mesa, AZ
12/1/2011
Loved this place! I stumbled upon it the first day when vising friends in SF. They just happened to live down the street. It's a great little neighborhood coffee shop, small, cute, and one of the best soy lattes I've had anywhere, and phenomenal staff to boot. Their prices are cheap! I'm pretty sure I went there all six days I was in the city!
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Review from Krze O.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2011
Great local coffee shop with friendly staff.
Great breakfast selections and light lunch options. Love their mortadella sandwich and breakfast bagel and lox with capers. Ali the owner is friendly and really cares about customer service and satisfaction. -
Review from Kate T.
Lawrenceville, GA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am normally a Starbucks follower and was made fun of early that day because I always go to the same coffee place. I decided to venture out and Yelped a local coffee and tea place. Central Coffee Tea & Spice was right around the corner from where I was staying. Walking in, I fell in love with the chill atmosphere. They have the best Chai Tea Latte I have ever had. There's tasted like it was made with love =)
Listed in: Coffee or Tea, please...
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Review from A.J. K.
Burlington, VT
12/14/2011
Great atmosphere, great staff, laundry next door, peaceful location.
While the coffee is a shade below excellent, the experience is always pleasant. -
Review from Kat M.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Coffee-Pretty good
Staff-Excellent
Food-Pretty good
Seating: Not a lot. Some tables, couch and 2 outdoor tables.
Wifi-Free
Atmosphere: Studious.
So why the 4 stars? The internet connection kept dropping while I was there forcing me to go to Starbucks for the remainder of my study session. -
Review from Sebastian J.
San Francisco, CA
7/5/2011
I moved to NOPA 6 months ago and was looking for a neighborhood cafe with a good coffee and community feel to it. This place fits the bill. The coffee is amazing the staff is very friendly and helpful an downer Ali is great guy.
They always have two roast (strong and Medium) and have a great bagel selection (order it with Veggies). Their strong may be too strong for some folks. -
Review from Leuwam T.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2011
Solid coffee shop. They have a a comfortable chair seating area and a nook with tables and chairs. This area can be okay for studying if you don't mind the music (it was a bit loud for my taste).
The coffee and pastries are not anything to write home about but the soup, sandwich and salad options offer a good variety. I had the carrot ginger soup and eventually tried a pecan sticky bun. The soup was great. I managed to eat only half of the sticky bun which makes me think it wasn't marvelous.
I will definitely consider this close to home coffee shop if I can't study at home and the school library is closed again. -
Review from Lowen B.
San Francisco, CA
5/22/2011
Central Coffee absolutely deserves its high rating. The owners are incredibly warm and friendly, will go out of their way to customize your order and they just have really, really good food and coffee.
There are plenty of tables and outlets for getting work done and Central Coffee's windows face south on Hayes Street so they let in lots of sun all day long. It's a very dog friendly place with tables out on the sidewalk and a pretty devoted neighborhood crowd.
The coffee is some of the best in the neighborhood, but they food is terrific. They have super fresh salads and soups, quiches, and croissant sandwiches. Big portions and careful, attentive presentation. I know, know what you look for in a coffee shop, but they just go the extra mile.Listed in: Divisadero Cafes
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Review from Linda T.
San Francisco, CA
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stumbled on Central Coffee as I was walking on Hayes Street one afternoon. I desperately wanted an iced coffee, and I almost resorted to playing it safe by going to the nearest Starbucks. Thank goodness I came across Central Coffee, because now I am in love with this place. Though the café isn't spacious and beautifully decked out like most hipster-y cafes in Hayes Valley, it's one of the best in the city!
One thing Central Coffee is known for is its spice. I ordered one of the deli sandwiches on display at the counter. It was one of the specials of the day, a chicken salad. The deli sandwiches are pretty tiny, but it definitely has a taste that you can't possible get anywhere else. I know - you wouldn't really think that a small place like Central Coffee would have great sandwiches, but they do! It must be the spices. I also think that their Iced Peppermint Mocha w/ Soy was one of the best I ever had. Mmm... the sweet aroma of espresso. Seriously, how did I not find out about this place sooner? -
Review from Elizabeth R.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2011
Amazing! Moch and I went in a little too hungry and got about three and a half meals plus drinks for 17 dollars. The $2 sandwiches (we had chicken salad, turkey, and salami) were so good that I got cranky about sharing them even though the owner gave us a free one. The macaroni and cheese was yummy, had fresh broccoli and spinach in it, and was almost more than we could eat. We also had two kinds of soup - both were delicious. One of them was served to us in a GIANT mug by the girl with the hoodie that Moch had a fat crush on.
The owner spent a while explaining "cafe africane" to me, and it was, as I heard someone there say, "THE SHIT". ugh. god it was so good, and i am so caffeinated right now.
We sat next to a lady who had been coming there for years, and then the owner sat down with us and we were all friends and also, they had Tapatio!
yes. -
Review from Cara M.
San Francisco, CA
Definitely as good as it gets. I've been searching for a nice cafe to work at, and this is it. The coffee was great, it has a nice atmosphere, and I feel like I can just hunker down and work.
The one drawback was the food selection (a bit sparse), but the coffee makes up for it.
Will be back! -
Review from Stephanie A.
Tucson, AZ
11/1/2011
If I lived in the area, I would haunt this place. Small, clean, cozy, not expensive, and an excellent latte! I also had toasted bagel with lox. Absolutely perfect tomatoes on the side (along with capers, onion, cream cheese), and a generous portion of smoked salmon. Free wifi was a bonus.
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Review from Crystal R.
Los Angeles, CA
10 minute walk from the Metro hotel we were staying at. My expresso was very strong, but good. My mac n cheese was.. different. Overall good, would come back here to try other items.
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Review from Lindy C.
Western Addition/NOPA, San Francisco, CA
4/9/2011
I love the ambiance of this place. Kind of a hole in the wall and exactly what I love. Probably THE best latte I have ever had. It's never too busy and they make good use of the small space for seating. About 5 tables and then an arrangement of haggard cool individual retro/vintage chairs from the 70's or something.
They also make some great soups! Not a huge menu, but what they have is fresh and tasty.
Only downfall is there tea. They don't have fresh tea, which is a bummer. Hopefully they start carrying loose leaf tea someday.
Great place to study, get some fresh air and just enjoy a mellow non-trendy scene. Awesome spot! -
Review from Kerry P.
9/7/2010
I live across the street. I know what you're thinking..."You're disclosing your home on a public forum, whatever are you thinking?!?!" Maybe you should think about that everytime you check in somewhere on Four Square (aka - http://Pleaserobme.com). You may as well put a bat-signal target beacon on your head for every person you've wronged in your life to come find you and make you "magically disappear."
But I digress....
Central Coffee is truely the heartbeat of the eastern Panhandle (an area I just made up right now). Every morning patrons with their books, laptops, children and dogs arrive for their morning cup o' joe. This small cafe has a funky groove with an awesome selection of organic coffee and teas. They have delicious bagels and comfy seating both indoors and out. Just outside the shop there are some flower beds which give it a lovely feel. Be sure you scrounge your change; they don't take the plastic.
On an otherwise quiet corner, Central Coffee is the modest epicenter for a neighborhood coming together. What sets it apart from other coffee shops in the 'hood? The man who comes to play the ukulele every weekend afternoon. :) -
Review from Margaret R.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2011
Reasonably priced.
Okay chili and comes with a few small slices of fresh baguette. -
Review from Nick C.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2010
The staff is very pleasant, the owner Ali is a great bloke, the coffee is good, and the food they serve is decent and reasonably priced.
It's a real neighborhood place as well - lots of regulars, that sort of thing.
It's only got a few tables inside, not a whole lot of room, but it is otherwise everything one could wish for in a neighborhood cafe. -
Review from Joshua S.
San Francisco, CA
3/6/2011
Aw man, these folks knew how to reel me in from the beginning.
As soon as I moved in a block away, I started using a coupon that had come from Central Coffee for 7 DAYS OF FREE COFFEE. No gimmicks, no asterisks, just good strong coffee. Over that first week I began getting acquainted with the employees who were very friendly, and the owner who's a really great guy.
Love the regulars that come by, the dogs that socialize with my dog out front, and everything about it. Good prices, good food, and great coffee/drinks. -
Review from Chad P.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/29/2011
The free wifi never seems to work. It is always showing but I always have to ask them to reset it to get it to work with my computer.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/13/2011
Wow, possibly my new favorite place. Great place for a rainy Sunday chillax. Very friend staff,… Read more »
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Review from Jamie G.
Fremont, CA
7/5/2011
Delicious coffee. Great service. Fantastic price. I am a fan.
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Review from Mimi S.
Philadelphia, PA
8/7/2011
Good food and coffee and conveniently located next to a laundromat. Staff are nice, service was a little slow both times I went (once on a weekday morning and once on a Saturday afternoon) because it was really busy--which I guess is kind of a good sign. Not a lot of room if you're looking to get work done.
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Review from Pat S.
Western Addition/NOPA, San Francisco, CA
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Only stopped in for bagels but they were perfectly toasted and the cream cheese was just the right amount. Will definitely try again.
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Review from donal c.
San Francisco, CA
5/14/2010 23 Check-ins Here
This review is a long time coming.
I've lived in Nopa for several years now, and almost from the day I arrived, Central Coffee has been my reliable go-to coffee shop in the neighborhood. (It doesn't hurt that it's only a couple of minutes' walk from my place...!) The place is very casual, small and un-fussy, but the coffee is great and there is always a warm, friendly vibe. Its proprietor, Ali, always seems to be either in the place or roundabout the neighborhood (no matter what time of day...) and always seems to be willing to engage in intriguing conversations in any number of topics.
I'm a creature of habit, so I have established my staples -- the great, robust Dark Roast Brewed Coffee, and the outstanding Bagel with Tomato, Cream Cheese & Avocado (hold the veggies!) I was recently out of the country for a longish period, and I experienced an ache of nostalgia for Ali's coffee place & for the fine coffee I was missing -- surely a sign of a place that's close to my heart! -
Review from Jessica t.
San Francisco, CA
10/17/2006
Like Cheers with caffeine. Everyone knows your name, if you take sugar and cream, and why you have big bags under your eyes. A real homey local coffee shop, that survives through those that make it their daily habit to stop by, pick up a paper, and chill out. Ali -the owner is warm and genuine and has created a very real sense of community in the neighborhood. The staff reflect this same sense of genuine-ness, and are always warm and quick to serve you .
This past weekend, after drunken debauchery at one too many bars, I was reminded why alcohol and I don't work. I lost my ID and my keys. With no way to get into my place and a dead phone and computer, I was forced to wander around until my roommates returned. Coffee Central was my second stop. I sat outside, watching the regulars come in and out and chatted with some of the staff about my plight. I'd already downed a couple of chais at Philz, so was running low on cash, but I felt at ease just sitting and taking in the scene. If you are a little bit more responsibel than me and have cash (keys and ID) - Central is a great place to take it. Their soup and baked goods are fresh and delicious and their hot drinks are served with love.Listed in: Coffee spots in San Francisco
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Review from Laura W.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2009
I am siting in Central Coffee as I type this.
I love it here, because the free internet gives me my much needed fix.... you can use it as long as you want, with any purchase, which is fine by me because everything I've tried here is great. The hot chocolate is delicious (today, for example, a $2.35 hot chocolate has provided me with an hour of internet use and counting...) And if you come around lunch time, the vegetarian chili and the mushroom quiche are excellent choices. All entrees come with about 5 slices of a baguette. Yum!
I have really appreciated the great, affordable food here since moving a block away with barely any money :P On top of that, the servers are the nicest people I've met in this city. They are friendly, fast, and they never complain about those of us who immediately plunk our laptops down as soon as we're through the door. The place is always filled with internet users, most of them just drinking the cheapest thing they could buy. A very sweet girl who worked here recently moved away, but all the servers seem equally smiley and talkative. When I inquired about the soup of the day, I was suddenly given tasting portions of both my options. Both were sooo tasty. I love it here and I am happy to call this cafe my second San Francisco home! :) -
Review from Maria D.
7/7/2007
Back when life was normal and I did things like go to a job, wear shoes on both my feet, take showers standing up and ride public transit, I would fantasize about quitting my pathetic, future less day job and traveling to places like Barcelona and Helsinki and Prague and Budapest. I would imagine days filled with chain smoking Silk Cuts indoors, drinking shots of absinthe and flirting with cute boys with accents and eating at tapas bars and smorgasbords and having to deal with unfamiliar toilets and dirty hostels and how lovely all of that would be.
Now, I fantasize about leaving my house, being able to walk for more than 10 steps without wanting to rip off my own arms and perhaps walking to the charming, off the main drag Central Coffee Tea & Spice for a cup of their fantastic coffee (a rare occurrence these days, I've tried to convince myself I am "detoxing" but my half empty vicodin bottle says otherwise) and a bagel. Sigh. So soon, Central Coffee, so soon I will be able to limp my titanium ankle over to you. -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2007
CC has several things going for it: fairly easy parking, free (and secure) wi-fi, bathroom, books, a laid back atmosphere, good lattes and better than average coffeehouse food. I like how the bagel w/ cream cheese and veggies comes with spinach, red onion slices, tomatoes, sprouts, and cucumber. You put it together. It's fresh and delicious.
However, several things really bothered me and made it difficult to hang out for longer than an hour. First, the place is filled with many flies and they're aggressive ones. It's difficult to work with flies landing on you. Second, they have outdoor seating (which is nice) and it attracts many, many smokers. The smoke gets inside the cafe. As a non-smoker, I find this very unappealing. Ugh. Third, the furniture is falling apart and looks like it came from Salvation Army. It's a little too run down, even for me. Cash only.Listed in: Confessions of a Coffeeaholic, Free wi-fi + Food in SF
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Review from Seong P.
4/13/2008
I like this place because the couple of times that I've been, I've always managed to find a seat outside to enjoy the sunny weather. The iced coffee and americanos are good and half a sesame bagel with hummus and veggies was the perfect snack to tide me over while waiting for the worst packer ever. I heard the jalapeno bagel with the habanero spread is really good, too.
The service is great, free WiFi and there are usually nice dogs hanging outside. -
Review from David D.
2/10/2006
It's dark and crowded in there. All the chairs were occupied by people using laptops. But hey, I was there because I'd heard they had free wifi. It uses WEP, and I hear you get the key at the counter. I'll be back to try it again. Coffee and a scone were enough for me; the menu didn't excite me.
Update 2/22/06: I went back to try out the WEP, and the barista happily handed me a sheet with the key on it. I had a croissant instead of a scone this time ... mmmmm butter! I feel much better now. The wireless net worked like a charm!Listed in: NOPA, Baby!, WiFi Near the Park
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Review from Rita C.
San Francisco, CA
5/29/2007
I absolutely love this place...
Good, organic coffee...
Amazing bagels (especially when there's hummus and veggies on it!)...
Good prices...
And most importantly, an amazing staff!
It's one thing to have good, cheap coffee, but it's also another thing to have that and amazing service...
Granted they can get a little frustrated at the crowds, but who wouldn't be annoyed by the crazed caffeine-craving customers!?
Nonetheless, this place is amazing and I will keep coming here every morning for my regular coffee and bagel!
UPDATE: They've upped the prices and more people go to it now.... But don't worry Central, I will still always love and be faithful to you.Listed in: Customer Service Is Where It's…, The 94117
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Review from Shannon M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/17/2006
I just recently moved to this neighborhood and I was so glad to find Central. As a student, I have a hard time studying at home (which is what I SHOULD be doing right now... but I'm yelping. Oh well). My laptop and I cruise around the corner to Central and work hard for hours at a time. Always have felt welcome.
I'm a tea drinker usually, but I do indulge in vanilla lattes from time to time. The vanilla lattes at Central are AMAZING! They even look amazing with the foam all swirled on top. I loved the veggie lasagna and the other yelpers were right, the bagels are bomb.
Thanks, Central Coffee, for the free wifi. It's seriously amazing. Good atmosphere, good service, friendly staff, I would recommend this place to everyone! -
Review from Johnny C.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2006
I used to go to a cafe in the neighborhood...we'll call it Blabidy-Blah Cafe (Name has been changed to protect the innocent). Because it was close to my apartment, I was forced to drink the caffeinated swill they were passing for coffee. One day I happened upon Ali's joint, the Central Cafe. I walked in and had one of the best Lattes in my life. I became a regular and one day I busted out the question: "Ali how do you get the Lattes so damn good? I go to Blabidy-Blah Cafe and all their Lattes and espresso tates like ass." He looked at me and just said, "Aw that's easy man, the secret is you've got to clean your equipment and I clean it all the time." After Ali pulled the Einstein rabbit out of the hat, I never went anywhere else. Then I moved, but I still stop in for damn good coffee.
4 duckets for being the best cafe in the Western Addition. 1 extra ducket because Ali's the bestisist. -
Review from John S.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2008
Central Coffee Tea & Spice, I love thee.
The soup is really good, and if it's raining or just really foggy--and that's like 73 percent of the time--bring a good book here and read. And read. And read. See, you can do that here because it's not pretentious. You might feel bad for taking up more than 10 percent of the seating just by using a chair, but this place doesn't mind. In fact, it's so small, that it's never really full, if that makes sense.
I've spent hours studying here, and I've enjoyed every one of those hours. -
Review from Kira B.
San Francisco, CA
10/8/2006
Can't do better and I live across the street...how lucky!
Ali, you rock...and the coffee is SO good! Fresh food, open early and late, it's everything a neighborhood cafe aspires to be...
