Café Flore

First off I just love the location of this place. My boyfriend and I stopped for a late lunch around 2PM. We were not happy with the one side menu with only a few items on it. But we ended up having two amazing dishes. The food is fresh and carefully prepared, the table next to us was ecstatic about their meal too… that’s all we could hear about lol. Our drinks were cheap and strong just how we like them and service was warm and friendly but not overbearing. We have ate here in the past but for dinner, I just wish that they had a little big larger of a lunch menu to compete with Harveys where we typically have lunch near the Castro.

First off I just love the location of this place. My friend and I stopped for a late lunch around 2PM. We were not happy with the one side menu with only a few items on it. But we ended up having two amazing dishes. The food is fresh and carefully prepared, the table next to us was ecstatic about their meal too… that’s all we could hear about lol. Our drinks were cheap and strong just how we like them and service was warm and friendly but not overbearing. We have ate here in the past but for dinner, I just wish that they had a little big larger of a lunch menu to compete with Harveys where we typically have lunch near the Castro.

Easily one of my second favourite places in San Francisco, at least for Sunday brunch, Café Flore, located in the Castro, is a trendy, bohemian inspired restaurant that serves a kicker AM meal. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that it has been 20+ degrees C all times I’ve eaten there, or if it’s because of the great company I’m with, or if it’s the mimosa bottle-​service talking, but Café Flore has yet to disappoint me. The cozy atmosphere, and gardened outside seating area make for the perfect brunch atmosphere and the reasonable prices only up the restaurants appeal.
Last time I was here I ordered the breakfast sandwich which combined a fried egg, bacon, avocado, aioli, and cheddar cheese on a toasted bun. Served with a side of house potatoes this meal hit the spot. Not to mention the mimosa bottle service that included a carafe of freshly squeezed juice and a bottle of champagne, great for sharing, and for only $ 25. With that being said the Croque Madame is pretty top notch as well although it comes with salad instead of house potatoes, which can quite the deal breaker for some of us. The coffee is great as well.

Great spot. Burger was wonderful and the house made pickled onions and thick crispy bacon made it even better. Wonderful setting.

Good food, good patio, and a great atmosphere. I’m giving them 2 starts because the service isn’t great, not sure who is to blame for it.
They forgot our reservation and they had to put tables last minute very close to the sidewalk. We ordered and they forgot one of the people’s order, the burger came out after everyone was already finished. They should probably hire more servers if they know they will be busy on the weekend.

After being a loyal Café Flore breakfast customer on my visits to San Francisco for over 20 years, I’m sad to be giving them a 3 star review. Honestly, it should be lower than that but I’m being generous because of my memories of what once was. I fell in love with Café Flore years ago because of their amazing blood orange juice. They are now heavily diluting it with tart, pulpy regular orange juice. Not good. At all. The service has tanked too. Add to that the fact that they served me a runny frittata and served my friend MOLDY TOAST (not just a little moldy, we’re talking fuzzy moldy) and I just can’t imagine coming back again. This is truly heartbreaking.

Came in with friends from Sweden. Waited half hour for coffees and juice. There is no lower option on the star menu.

AMAZING! From the atmosphere to the drinks, this is the place to be for brunch on a Sunday. We enjoyed amazing sangria, and mimosas with a side of egg ben.
I would recommend to anyone!

Beautiful greenhouse look from the inside gazing outside through glass walls to a lovely array of flowers and tree limbs climbing up the glass. A must try is the lavender lemonade. The flavor is so vibrant and refreshing!

Limited menu, inattentive service, average food.

Great Castro people watching, sunny bright patio, good service, the best huevos rancheros. Served on a huge tortilla with guacamole, salsa.
Can’t wait to go again.

This place has great food and atmosphere, and is not high priced for the locale. The service, however, leaves something to be desired. Often there’s a long wait for the initial greeting and the servers lack any type of cheer or enthusiasm. On top of this, their checks suggest a tip of up to 30%, lol. And if that isn’t ridiculous enough, it’s based on the full total, after taxes!

I was so excited to see steak back on the menu. It is 10 oz. of prime New York cut and, from the taste, I know it came from a once very happy cow! Served with mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and compound herb butter, it is well worth the $ 25 being charged. As good as you’d expect for double the price. Bravo, Café Flore, Bravo!

Omg i just had the new addition to the menu. The steak is so good. Its now 10oz and cooked to perfection. The menu is being updated and new items are being added so i suggest you ask what the specials are dor the day.

Good food, Good Service, and Reasonably Priced… Flank Steak Salad, and Wagyu Burger are my FAV’s… Would have given 5 star, but I stopped drinking, and I save the five star formed in a drunkin haze… Good Times!

One thing: Bottomless Mimosas! went for Sunday brunch and sat on the patio and drank bottomless mimosas and ate eggs benedict. If the weather is great I would suggest to head to Café Flore for brunch because their patio is a great place to sit in the sun. The bottomless mimosas cost $ 26…and they really are bottomless! Make sure to get there early so you can get a good spot.

Came here for brunch and left disappointed. Food isn’t the worst, but certainly not good. Menu is limited. Service was absolutely horrible, excluding one friendly host who tried to make up for the negligence of our terrible waitress. We asked for water and coffee, and she went away and promptly ignored us while sipping her own coffee at the bar. 10 mins later, we finally said something to the host and he brought our drinks with an apology. Similarly, we sat for over 20 mins with empty cups waiting on the bill while the server hung out at the bar.
Not coming back.

I had a boozy brunch here and I liked the place a lot! Lots of Windows everywhere, and the waiter was very friendly. The music choices are great too.
I got the egg sandwich, I thought the price was fair. And it was a delicious simple breakfast, and the potatoes that come with most dishes were amazing!
Our table also got mimosa bottle service. They bring the sparkling wine and orange juice in separate bottles to the table in an ice bucket and you pour your mimosas yourself. Not bottomless, but prices were still fair.
If you’re tired of waiting ridiculous wait times for some overrated brunch spot in SF, I’d recommend this place because it has all the basic elements — good food, good music, and a great location!

A little haven ideal for brunches and boozy lunches.
The courtyard seems to be the place where you can sit out in the sun and absorb some of the SF sunshine.
I thought the food was fairly average, however the service there was top notch. I would defintely go there again for the service.

Finally got to try this place that happens to be right across from my work!
I LOVE the ambience. Windows are my major importance factor in cafes and the windows in Flore are top notch. I like that there’s a lengthy menu but also enough of a coffee shop vibe that you can hang out and do work. The waitstaff were all very warm. I can’t wait to try this place on a sunny day sometime so I can sit on the patio.
I had the Huevos Rancheros. First of all it was MASSIVE. The eggs were great mixed with guac, peppers, and generous helpings of melted cheese and beans. The potatoes were crispy and delicious albeit a bit greasy. I didn’t eat much of the tomato tortilla that the whole thing was served on as if it were the plate. It tasted a little like pizza and somehow I’d been expecting corn tortillas. Plus I was full! I’ll definitely come again for some brunch dishes, it seems from other posts that those are the way to go!

SERVICE: Nothing to brag about but the waitress was very friendly and checked in on me and my girlfriend regularly.
FOOD: I ordered the breakfast sausage scramble with goat cheese which came with a side of toast and home-​fried potatoes. I think the potatoes were the all-​stars of the whole dish. They were seasoned with herbs (parsley?) and mixed with grilled onions. Well salted, and perfectly crispy. My girlfriend ordered the cheese biscuit with sausage gravy which came with a poached egg and a strip of bacon on top for asthetic appeal. It was also very tasty! Keep in mind that you are only served one biscuit, egg, and strip of bacon if you order this dish.
ATMOSPHERE: We ate in their outdoor patio because it was a beautiful day and my girlfriend brought her dog. This place is located on a corner of a huge intersection so there is a lot going on in the streets. There are parisols at each table which help shade you on from excessive light and the wooden walls that close off the tables from the sidewalk are lined with cute little plants which give you this «picnic» sort of energy.
OVERALL: I’ve always wanted to try this place, and now that I have I can say I’m down to revisit it and try something else on the menu. Although there are plenty of other places around the area worth trying too!
side note** The chai tea tastes more «spiced» than «sweet» so be wary of that.

This little adorable place is on a corner with a small courtyard and some amazing Mac and Cheese. I wanted to sit outside under the string lights with my moscow mule and never leave.
Our server was eccentric and super attentive, suggested many drinks and made fun of us a little (we liked that the most). Our drinks never went empty without the next on the way. Our food was delivered hot and delicious. No complaints here.
Now on to the Mac and Cheese… This place was suggested by a friend that met us there. We had to wait until 4:30 for us to be able to order off of the dinner menu for this. All four of us ordered the Mac and the other couple ordered two to-​go. We have a problem. The best kind of problem to have. I ordered mine with bacon, because BACON. The boyfriend added mushrooms to his because he doesn’t love bacon (I’m considering a separation because I don’t think that’s natural). One of the other people ordered theirs plain. None of us were disappointed. I added half a bottle of chalula because I have problems.
If ever I am back in San Francisco I WILL be back for many reasons. Now excuse me while I go daydream of this Mac and Cheese…

An update to my old review from 2008.
This is also my GoTo when I need to look at beautiful men who dress well, sport fantastic hair, and remind me why going to the gym is such an important facet of attraction, regardless of sexual orientation. I still get jealous over seeing beautiful Swedish women with legs up to their necks while I’m stubbing around in my genetically cursed trait.
Flore is my spot for happy hour/​late night check-​ins. They have fantastic burgers that are consistently done right (medium-​rare) and their calamari, a different type of breading (cornmeal, perhaps?) that give it this extra crunch. Add in one of my favorite staff members (Jeffrey) and my day is set.
Great service, people watching, outdoor patio, and friendliness to dogs?
5 stars, all around.

I’m basing my review solely on the bloody marys and company.
I LOVE the bloody marys here, I always make sure to grab one while in town, I have yet to try the food though! I usually sit at the bar or on the patio and the bartenders are always so nice and you can really have a great conversation with them. Next time I’m trying the eggs benny!

I’m generously giving this place 3 stars. Food was 3-​stars, but service was more like 1 star — a true comedy of errors. It’s a shame, because it’s such a charming spot with so much potential.
I stumbled upon Café Flore the other day while strolling down Market Street. Their sunny bistro patio looked inviting, and the sun was shining, and I was hungry… so I figured «Why not?»
I walked inside to be seated but there was no host or hostess to greet me. I tried to catch the eye of one of the many servers, but to no avail. Finally, I just seated myself. It took about 10 minutes before someone came over to my table (which was still dirty, BTW, and lacking silverware, plates, and napkins). And when the server did arrive, he immediately asked me what I wanted to order. I smiled and replied, «Would it be possible to look at a menu first?»
«Oh yes, of course. I’ll be right back,» he said, and then disappeared for another 5 minutes.
The menu pretty much consisted of classic breakfast options (eggs, bacon, huevos rancheros, etc.) and some sandwich/​burger options. I noticed that they also had a full bar and some brunch cocktail specials. When the waiter finally returned, I ordered eggs over-​easy & bacon and a Manhatten cocktail (not usually my go-​to lunch cocktail, but it had been a really long, exhausting day). I also requested a glass of water. The waiter smiled and nodded and then disappeared again (and I never saw him for another 30 minutes). Fortunately, another waiter inherited my table and delivered my food 10 minutes later. Keep in mind, the food arrived 10 minutes before my cocktail. And my water was nowhere in sight.
The meal itself was your standard greasy spoon-​style breakfast. It’s hard to screw up eggs (especially when they’re over-​easy), and the bacon was actually perfectly cooked. And I’ve got to say the breakfast potatoes were a nice combination of crispy on the outside and chewy in the center. So no complaints on that front. The dish also came with a side of sourdough toast and butter/​jam. However, it would’ve been nice to have had the option for different bread (wheat and/​or rye) or an English muffin. But c’est la vie.
The cocktail, on the other hand, was awful. Keep in mind, a Manhatten only consists of 3 ingredients: Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters. Café Flore’s version of it tasted like a cherry cosmo. I think they actually poured cherry juice in to the drink. So the only thing I could taste was the sweetness of the vermouth and the cherry juice. The bourbon tasted watered down, as though it had been sitting in ice for a while, and the ice had melted. Long story short — I could only take a few sips.
At no point, did a server check in to ask how my meal was. When I asked again for a glass of water, it took another ten minutes for it to arrive. I looked for my waiter and found him hanging outside just chatting away with a friend — totally oblivious to all the tables who were waiting for him. I finally requested the check, and once again, it took another ten minutes for it to arrive. While all this was happening (or not happening, for that matter), another diner seated herself at the table next to mine. I watched in astonishment as she pretty much endured the same slow service. She finally gave up and just left. I can’t say that I blame her.
I really don’t like giving negative reviews. I really want every business to succeed and flourish. But I do feel that Café Flore’s management should be aware of these fix-​able issues. As I stated before, it’s a charming brunch spot. I just wish they would start living up to their potential. Because if they don’t start cleaning up their act, there are plenty of other brunch options in the city to choose from.

The food is decent, the service not so much. So I came here for brunch with a group of friends on a Monday (Presidents Day) and it was busy but there were still plenty of open tables so we were seated right away. The interior of the restaurant sort of looked like a hip greenhouse with a full bar. There was also plenty of outdoor seating. The menus are also super fancy, made of cork. So the décor and ambiance of the restaurant was casual but very hip.
THE SERVICE DOE. My god. Yes it was brunch on a holiday but it sucked. I think they had 2 waiters going around but our group sat there for maybe 15 minutes before anyone even came to take our order AFTER we had to tell them we had been ready to order ages ago. I ordered an eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and an Americano. They messed up both parts of my order but charged me the amount for what I actually ordered. I’m not complaining about that but the wait staff shouldnt have made the mistake. They added avocado to my eggs Benedict but didn’t charge me for it (score for me not so much for them lol) and they gave me a regular cup of coffee instead of an Americano… yeah…awkward.
The food on the other hand was pretty delicious. The eggs Benedict I had was tasty but it wasn’t anything too extraordinary. The potato wedges doe. Those things deserve a round of applause. SO FREAKING DELICIOUS. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They also had really good ketchup for some reason lol. I think they put something extra in it.
Overall I would come here again for the food… but the service definitely could use some work.

Nett gelegenes Café/​Restaurant mit Sitzmöglichkeiten draußen und draußen. Küche hat durchgehend geöffnet, Happy Hour wochentags ab 16:00 (jeden Tag eine andere, z. B. Montags Bier 1 $ günstiger). Speisen und Getränke bestellt man an der Theke, die Speisen werden dann an den Tisch gebracht. Angenehmes Publikum, ganz gute Mischung aus schwul-​lesbisch und hetero. Die Burger kann ich empfehlen, ebenso wie den frisch gepresste Orangensaft und das lokale Bier (aus der Flasche).

Gemütlich. Wintergartenromantik. Tolle Speisen, leckeres Essen.

Ein kleines gemütliches Cafè mitten im Castro Viertel von San Francisco. Gut und günstig. Getränke aller Art werden an der Bar gemixt, sein Essen bestellt und zahlt man direkt beim Küchenteam. Man kann drinnen wie auch draussen sitzen.

Since I’ve reviewed this in 2014, it’s gotten better! They now serve you and they have a new cook, new owner and new menu:) They have the best cold brew on tap too! I really like their breakfast, lunch and dinner! I guess you can say, I love Café Flore. The newest owner, Stu Gerry has done some very nice things to Flore. Notably, gone are those copper tables that smelled awful. The new wood tables are much better. The menu is smaller and definitely better. They have the best mac n cheese in town, says my 12 year old. I went one Monday, not sure what to get and the special was meatballs and pappardelle. Okay, I’m all Italian and I can tell you this was on par with my grand mom’s. By far, one of the best prices and best tasting dishes. If you’re still hungry, order the key lime pie!