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South Beach Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Pizza Italian, Pizza [Edit]
800 The EmbarcaderoSan Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 974-1115
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
260 reviews for South Beach Cafe
Review Highlights
"...I was able to use my brand new iPhone on their free wi-fi."
(in 6 reviews)
"All you need to order is the Chicken Pesto Pizza."
(in 8 reviews)
"I love olive oil in Italian food."
(in 8 reviews)
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260 reviews in English
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Review from Erin C.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
For lunch, I love their Tuna Salad and South Beach Salad. YUM. I also remember liking their panini sandwiches but aren't sure if they still offer them. My co-worker really likes their ravioli.
Nice atmosphere for lunch with or without company. Not too crowded usually and you can enjoy the outdoor seating on a nice day. The Italian owners are very friendly. -
Review from Heidi M.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2011
I used to eat here very frequently for lunch; now that I no longer work in the area, I still make it a point to venture out to South Beach once in a while to eat at the cafe. It's a charming little place, very comfortable and inviting. It is not like a family style Italian restaurant, but a casual cafe, and the decor and set-up reflect that. The dining room can be a little cramped right around noon, but they have additional seating outside, which is really pleasant during sunnier days. The indoor dining room can be a bit loud sometimes - when the cafe is full at lunch, there are a dozen loud conversations flowing at once, during less busy times they usually have loud music or even soccer games on the TV.
Service is paced a bit slowly -- I am not saying the service is poor (the staff is great and attentive when you make a request) -- it is just not a place where you are bustled in and out quickly. If you are looking to try the food but do not want to commit to spending an hour at lunch, they also do take-out and are very quick in preparing orders.
Okay, now let's get to the food. My family is Italian, and I can be... extremely picky about Italian food. This place is pretty good and passes my requirements for "authentic" Italian. The pizzas are excellent. I've tried all of them and have never had one I didn't like. All of the salads I've had have been fresh and well seasoned/dressed. I have not tried the sandwiches, but I have eaten all of the pasta entrees. Mmmm. The lasagnas and cannelloni are especially good, but both are a bit dense and the portions are large, so I can rarely make it through even half of my order.
I've never left feeling like I did not get my money's worth, nor have I ever left thinking I would not want to come back. On the other hand, I have left many times feeling like I needed someone to carry me back to my office because I was too full to move. Ergh. -
Review from Jennifer S. P.
Lafayette, CA
11/10/2011
Really affordable prices for the good quality food and pretty good service that my group of friends and I got while we were there.
We ordered 4 different types of pizzas, and a couple salads and everything was great. The beers were cheap too!
I would highly recommend this place for small or big groups or just to meet for a quick nosh. -
Review from Thomas O.
Redwood City, CA
2/6/2012
Since 10 years one of my favorite hang-outs in the city. Nice location, good food, good prices, and best of all, friendly owners. You wanna talk soccer, this is the place to be.
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Review from Craig N.
Pleasanton, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great food and close to giants stadium
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Review from Robert M.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
South Beach Cafe did an excellent job hosting the holiday get-together for our neighborhood association. There was an amazing variety of pizza, salad and some exceptional service.
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Review from Janu A.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2011
Yummmmayyyyyy! The thin-crust pizza here is so yummmaayyyyy! This is one of our usual lunch spots. It's pretty quick so can be squeezed into a lunch hour. We usually just get a primavera pizza EACH! The pizza is so light that I can eat a whole one by myself...usually.
Their pastas are fresh and delicious as well as their salads.
This place is a really great place to go to during World Cup. It's PACKED! They point all the restaurant seats towards the big screen so it's a mini-arena. Half way into your meal you'll be screaming and high-fiving! it's fun! :) -
Review from Jennifer C.
Oakland, CA
11/22/2011
Great location. Very nice staff. Food is squarely mediocre.
Big complaint - House rules do not allow for computer use at your table during lunch. In SOMA. So very, very lame. -
Review from Amber S.
Houston, TX
9/2/2011
I give it four stars because it is good in San Francisco...given the very reasonable prices and location. You can't beat it when you are strolling the Embarcadero, or if you live nearby (as we did) and you are on a budget. When we were trying to save money, it was our date night, and it was pretty darn fun.
You can see the water right out the window or even sit outside. That's fantastic, given the pricepoints of many of the other water view restaurants.
Get a profiterole. They are homemade and delicious. -
Review from Plaid B.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011
I would give this four stars but the music is SO loud, both inside and out, that it's hard to hold a conversation over your delicious pizza and fresh salads. So you get 3 stars. Thank you for being in a great location.
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Review from Peter S.
San Mateo, CA
11/15/2011
This place has the best pizza in all of America. I don't want to talk it up too much, but it really is that good. The Primavera and Chicken Pesto are my 2 favorite.
Unlike other pizza places, they have consistent service, great topping choices, and the pizza is not floating in oil when it comes out.
If you are in SOMA, and don't have lunch here or Chili Lemon Garlic, you are mad. -
Review from Agnes K.
Torrance, CA
Had a delicious vanilla latte here the other day. My bf had a cappuccino, which he liked as well. There is no "vanilla latte" on the menu, so if you want one just ask for a latte with vanilla syrup.
The man working at the counter was extremely nice and helpful. Great customer service always adds a star to my reviews (: -
Review from Ian S.
Palo Alto, CA
6/27/2011
I had some salmon. It was rather dry.
On the bright side, the service was cheerful and fast. -
Review from Gisele M.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2011
This place is amazing!
Everyone here is super friendly, the service is good and food is great!
It's that kind of Italian place that makes you feel home.
We had Bruschetta and the Antipasto Assortito as starters. After that each of us (4) asked for a different pizza so we could "exchange" some slices. We had Shrimp, Antonio, Quattro Stagioni and Margherita... excellent choices by the way.
For dessert an awesome Coppa Caffe.
Definitely a place I want to go again and again. ;) -
Review from Arlene Z.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2011
I've been a SF resident for over 40 years and I came to eat here with my sister & her BF after their work and we were headed out of town but wanted to get a bite to eat, so we happened to pass by this restaurant with parking space in front. It was a great choice for me as I am very picky of restaurant locations and restaurant staff.
It's not a very fancy place, but a nice and cute dining area and an outside patio area for dining. The food was good. I had canelloni with a salad which were pretty tasty .Their tiramisu dessert was also good. Nice location, friendly owners, workers and service. -
Review from Mike G.
1/26/2011
Pros:
Excellent neighborhood location to just sit down outside (have to go on a nice day), enjoy some food and coffee, and authentic Italian service.
Cons:
A little cramped inside.
Fun:
One time we heard a full on argument in Italian over some personal drama here--it actually added to the atmosphere! This place has character. -
Review from Carissa S.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/7/2011
Every time I eat at South Beach Cafe, I feel very welcome by the employees.
The food is also really great and a great price!
Their pizzas are indiviually sized and a thin crispy crust. I've had their margherita pizza($7.95), chicken caesar salad(around $9) and chicken pesto pizza($8.95)...all were great! -
Review from Lizete S.
San Francisco, CA
9/21/2011
I stopped by for a late lunch with a colleague last week. She had been here a number of times and recommended the tilapia so we both ordered it. The dish came with rice and salad-it was a nice light meal. Service was fine.
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Review from Ida C.
Mountain View, CA
3/18/2011
I've been coming here for a couple of years and I love their simple thin-crust pizzas and fresh baguette sandwiches. On Wednesday nights, South Beach Cafe serves rather authentic Fondue and when I tried it the other night, one of the fondue pots was a touch heavy on the kirsch but the other wasn't. I suppose the fondue in the kitchen wasn't stirred thoroughly after addition of the alkie but the 3rd fondue we ordered was well-balanced.
The lasagna is excellent. It has the right amount of cheese, sauce and meat and I was so hungry after not being able to eat solid food for the past 2-3 days (it's best you not know why), I could have easily ordered another. Not that I would have been able to finish it... I don't think.
The owner seems to speak every European language including German, Swiss, Spanish, and French, so you'll likely get slightly better service if you're able to communicate with him in a language other then English. I came here last week to celebrate a friend's bday and we were all treated spectacularly well and very much like family. It could have been due to the fact that my friends spoke German to the owner though.
Oh. And the profiteroles are divine. -
Review from Jane A.
10/22/2010
NO LAMBRUSCO
(3.75 stars)
but jaba approved.
CAN I ORDER... s-c-h-i-a-c-c.... #38
our pack of 15 people came here because we had nowhere else to go. few blocks away from the stadium and able to get a table for a night of watching the Giants make that one win to the world series... miracle! it was packed, long line to get food, people outside crowd the window to get a peek at the game, every open space was covered with standing people. overall experience, A POSITIVE!!!!
I decided to be adventerous and order a dish with the longest name and most authentic name on the menu that i could not pronounce. #38. Schiacciatina Di Pollo (with tomatoes). It was crappy that I had to go in line to order my food and beverages, but i cant complain, it was a crazy night in SF. I asked for Lambrusco, no lambrusco, settled for a glass of red wine. But in the mist of waiting in line, i met a cool guy named Francisco.
I skimmed the menu, all looked fabulous. Everyone was ordering their pizzas and i was tempted but I just had to be different. Service was actually on-point and really appreciated that. However, i wish water was served automatically. I think the owner didnt expect how busy it would be... its the big giants game, expect business. They should have planned logistics better, pushed all the tables forward and have the line go behind all tables instead of the middle. people blocked people's views as they wait in line for food.
ORDER
Schiacciatina Di Pollo (with tomatoes) - $7.95, chicken covered with dices tomates. bread. and mixed greens. the chicken was a bit dry but still decent, the diced tomates were PERFECT and paired well with the chicken and mixed greens on the side. BUT THE BREAD THERE... thats like award winning. I never had bread like that. mini roll sliced in 6 pieces all the size a little larger then a silver doller. SO SOFT and fresh. i could just eat that and have been extremely happy.
TiraMisu was delicious. can't ever go wrong with tiramisu. I wish it was chilled a bit longer because i like the cream part to be nice and cool when i get it. maybe it was just me, but i've been off of coffee for awhile, but after eating a piece of tiramisu, i felt like i just had a cup of coffee.
* Prices - decent
* Portions - fair
* Ambiance - didnt feel like i was at an italian place more of a breakfast cafe joint
* Service - pretty damn good, especially on an overly packed and crazy night. good job
I copped myself a menu. Lusting over their cheap breakfast that I know would do my palate some goodness.
Will i be back? I sure will
Until the next review..... -
Review from Vicky L.
Updated - 7/28/2010
Maybe it's because I'm not Italian, but I feel like the main guy (fondue guy from my previous review) just isn't very nice.
He wasn't nice when he lectured us how to properly eat fondue. Okay, maybe he's just in a bad mood because he's tired and he's had a long day already. Whatever.
Then, a few months ago, I stopped by again for a salami sandwich. I didn't want the side salad, so I asked if he could swap out the salad for maybe a piece of fruit or something. He already looked impatient (there was no one in line behind me, and it was around 1 PM on a Thursday), and without even making eye contact the whole time, scowled, shook his head, and said no. He then turned away and rang up my order without saying another word.
That's nice. How sweet of you. Your attitude made my sandwich taste nasty. Any time I want a superstar smile to brighten my day, I'LL STAY AWAY FROM YOU.Listed in: SOMA Embarcadero eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2009
I've had three experiences here: The first was terrible, the next two were fantastic. Hence the 3… Read more »
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Review from Joey F.
San Mateo, CA
1/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Molto Gratzie!
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on authentic Italian pizza, but this is the closest thing I've had to my favorite pizza it Italy.
One bite of the margherita and I was transported back to 2004, studying abroad with my future wife and having our usual, budget-friendly lunch at Francesco Vini's in Firenze (followed by a 50 cent dinner of noodles covered with olive oil and garlic).
Of course the place is small, so your flashback will likely be interrupted by some interaction designers discussing their latest startup. -
Review from Mimi T.
8/2/2010
I must have walked by here a thousand times and never thought to stop in. Yesterday I was treated to coffee and red velvet cake....
I liked the friendly service and the casual atmophere...and boy was I excited to discover that Wednesday nights are Fondue nights!! I'll be back soon for Fondue..and maybe some yummy take out! -
Review from Eric A.
Burlingame, CA
2/11/2011
SLOW SLOW SLOW!!!
I was in line this past weekend for FanFest and wanted to get a little breakfast for me, my gf, and her brother in line.
Stood in line behind 4 people, took 15 minutes to take their orders.
They ran out of foccacia, no more ciabatta, no more croissant, I had to order a breakfast sandwich on a baguette (aka the bread you automatically get with any breakfast order as a side).
15 minutes later my food was not even NEAR being done and now the line was moving briskly. My gf calls and says they are near the entrance, so I ask where my order is.
4 ORDERS BEHIND!!
I said forget it , and left due to the haste in their kitchen and lack of time management.
I should have gone across the street to Blue's.
OH, BTW they microwave your egg omelet, IN A STYROFOAM CUP!!!
Let's just say I left with no food and $19.00 lighter in my pocket. -
Review from katherine f.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Weak sauce. They can't even get their basic salad right. They left out the olives. I paid $6.50 for mixed greens and tomatoes. Thank God I added mushrooms.
Only plus is their excellent olive oil. -
Review from Aaron L.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2011
South Beach Cafe is charming - it feels like something right out of Italy. They're always showing a soccer match on the TV.
The highlight here is the pizza. It has a very thin crust, and a nice selection of simple toppings. The lasagna is also a good choice.
I'm hestiant to mention this because it makes me sound like a gluttonous American, but I've always found the portion sizes to be on the small side. I always finish my meal wishing there had been just a little more on the plate. If I didn't pace myself while eating a pizza, I would easily finish it in 5 minutes, since it's so thin and light. I think a big part of this is that South Beach Cafe is true to their Italian heritage and serve European portion sizes instead of supersized American ones. That's commendable - but I would go there more often if the pizzas were about 20% larger. -
Review from Alona G.
San Francisco, CA
6/22/2010
Hello 5 stars, it's been a while...
I came to this cafe to watch World Cup, not at all expecting to find a little hidden gem. The vibe was fun and the light-filled space was relaxing, but I was most surprised by how much I enjoyed the food.
I am so happy to have finally found a European-style thin crust pizza that is the real thing. Treat yourself to the Quattro Formaggi with the Gorgonzola and Brie, it's incredible.
The prices were very reasonable and they serve beer and wine. I will be back for the pizza, but also to try their Wednesday night fondue.
Thank you! -
Review from Young L.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2010
I only had the coffee here. Twice. Twice it's been pretty dismal. I'm not sure if it's a special kind of coffee but i just cant get behind it.
It's a great location, I love the outdoor seating so you can see the water, it seems like a nice place. It seems like their food is pretty good but after being twice disappointed here, i havent found the right motivation to stop by and eat the food. One day i will.
anyways 3 stars for good location, rumors of decent food, friendly people. -
Review from Daniel L.
Alameda, CA
8/24/2011
Their pizza is delicious.
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Review from Allison J.
Sacramento, CA
8/18/2011
I called in a pizza order here and they were not busy, so the pizza was ready in less than 10 minutes. It's a cute little restaurant. The pizza here is okay, I guess, if you like crispy thin-crust pizza. I'm not a big fan of super thin crust pizza, but the flavor was still good. I could have eaten the whole pizza by myself. It's a personal pizza for one, and I'd say I'm a big eater. The staff is not the most polite, but I really wasn't expecting too much from them. Overall, not a bad place to go for quick bite to eat.
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Review from Joseph F.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2010
In my quest for new food in a new area, I was hopeful to find a nice cheapish breakfast spot in the nearby vacinity.... sadly it just didn't live up to par.
Yes, it's clearly family owned, and yes the ambiance and decor is nice, pretty and inviting... sadly the food I had just didn't live up to the rest.
Food was slow, definitely don't come here in a rush. The sausage was clearly cheaper than safeway brand meat, and the battle I fought with my belly later wasn't worth the slight jump my tastebuds made. The eggs were... well just standard, and when I tried to get some ketchup it came out brown (mini packages...).
Sadly this just didn't live up to my expectations. From the other reviews I might try a salad here, but frankly it's going to be tough to gather the willpower to make it back. -
Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2010
I've liked South Beach Cafe for a long time, but like any place in SF that's not overrun by hipsters, you tend to forget about the place.
Well I had the opportunity to revisit the cafe at 4:30 this morning because they're open for World Cup matches. That bumps it up a notch.
Tried a trio of the egg sandwich combinations, egg & sausage, egg & ham, egg & prosciutto. All were good.
I'll have to revisit the sandos on on Foccacia next time around.
Even at 4:30 am there was definitely a local flavor to the place as nearby residents gathered to watch the match.
Also free wi-fi.
Definitely stopping in next time I'm down for a Giants game, or if I have to drag my butt somewhere to watch soccer at 4:30 -
Review from Jason B.
5/1/2010
I'm usually not going for the tuna sandwich, but when the friendly lady assured me it was not mixed with mayo but just a bit of olive oil, I went for it. Wise choice. Olive oil was indeed light, greens and tomato brought everything together for a delicious sandwich. One of the better deals in the area at $6 and change, especially with the small side salad.
Only wish it had been a few degrees warmer so we could've moved outside and enjoyed the view. You'll want to save SBC for one of those days. -
Review from Kara H.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2010
A-OK describes it well. I popped in to try their coffee (pretty strong stuff) and play with my new MacBook Air.
I scored a nice spot by the window. I wasn't too far from the owner who was chatting on the phone in Italian. Later he started to sing along with the music in the background. Hmmmm... Not such a good move, not the best singing voice but more so than he didn't know the words. LOL He looked over an apologized for his singing. I said no problem but that I actually preferred to listen to him speaking Italian! -
Review from Joy B.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/13/2011
Have been here twice, service was equally pleasant both times, but the food was just ok. I had a salad and a pizza. Again, not bad....but just ok. Prices are decent which is a plus.
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Review from Abi J.
Palo Alto, CA
11/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
1. Wow, this place gets crowded during a soccer match. The atmosphere is definitely one of a little Italian eatery. The service is more attentive than you would expect of such a crowded place.
2. The South Beach pizza is completely loaded with prosciutto, this is good or bad depending on how much you like sawing through prosciutto with your teeth. The pizza crust and sauce/cheese was so-so. The sandwiches are excellently priced ($6-$7) and come with mixed greens.
3. A guy at the next table over had an egg sandwich and it looked really good. I wish I'd ordered the egg sandwich. -
Review from Miki D.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2011
If you want authentic Italian food, I definitely recommend this place. The service is slow though. But there is a very interesting ambience and it makes a great place to read since South Beach Borders shut down.
The food is good, but a bit expensive. It's understandable, as this is a block from the ballpark. I love their Italian sodas! Yummy! -
Review from Sachin T.
San Jose, CA
7/14/2011
Pizza selections are good. Interesting toppings. Many vegetarian options as well.
I had the brie pizza - it was interesting and tasty! -
Review from Ed U.
3/28/2007 2 Check-ins Here
I suppose if Don Johnson (in pastel-colored Sonny Crockett mode) came out and decided to have a long-term relationship with Mario Batali, this may be the schizophrenic result. How else do you explain the Italiano-meets-Miami vibe you get from the confused decor? Lots of Latin-flavored hues and a swordfish border with misshapen blue glass light fixtures above and a hastily painted mural of what looks to be a Mediterranean fishing village above the kitchen.
A cool, blustery evening does not provide the best climate for this casual eatery a stone's throw from AT&T Park, especially since the best seats are outside. I suppose the plastic tablecloths and Xeroxed menus signal the risk of spillage from potentially boisterous patrons. I could see the strong possibility of that on game days but not tonight as it was fairly subdued. And luckily the food is pretty darn good.
The menu is basic, no-frills Italian with lots of pizzas, salads and sammies. But a few entrees stood out at dinnertime. I had the $8.50 Schiacciatina di Pollo, which was a seared chicken breast pounded to submission and ladled with chopped marinated tomatoes and melted Gorgonzola cheese. Jamie W. had the $6.95 Ricotta Cheese Lasagna, which actually looked like a bowl of French onion soup but was in actuality, wide noodles rolled around dollops of melted cheese and then broiled...a pretty audacious culinary move and it worked.
Both came with salads that were sprinkled with chopped garlic and a lot of bread. Solitary laptoppers seem to find their cones of silence as they happily station themselves indifferent to anything around them. It's definitely worth a stop on your Embarcadero stroll.
FOOD - 4 stars...solid Italian at bargain prices, creatively prepared with care
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...confused and in need of a makeover, but the WiFi crowd couldn't care less
SERVICE - 4 stars...a courteous Italian waiter at your service
TOTAL - 4 stars...go for the food on a sunny day -
Review from David D.
9/16/2008
Pizzas appeared to be their strong suit.
The first day on the job, my new manager treated several of us to lunch here. The pizzas were thin crust, and the prosciutto pizza appeared to be all meat. A basil leaf on one of the pizzas was about the size of my hand. Truly amazing.
I ordered a Caesar salad with chicken, and a diet Coke. It looked like this would have cost me about $7, had I bought it myself. The romaine lettuce was fresh and crisp, the dressing was Cardini, the chicken was cooked all the way through, and I wished there were more.
One of the guys ordered the schiacciatina, an impressive roast chicken with pesto, tomatoes, and gorgonzola. which looked well worth the 20-minute wait. During the wait, we enjoyed a great conversation in the shaded sidewalk seating.Listed in: Mission Bay
