Cafe La Vie

Great neighborhood joint, small and off the main road. Great for studying and nicest baristas! On nice days they roll up the garage door style street face — combined with light music and Internet — makes this a great study spot.
The setback… The garlic/​onion smell (bagels) is making me dizzy, even with half my head out the window. The flies inside like it though.

Great value and delicious coffee! If your in the area i highly recommend to stop here for breakfast and or coffee. They have good pastries too.

Actually large coffees for $ 2.50. Delicious, filling, bagel egg cheese for a reasonable price. Friendly service. This place is a bargain by SF standards. One of the best cafes in Hayes.

Perfect, affordable way to start your day with a kick! I had the egg sandwich on brioche (the only way to go) plus a cappuccino. Coffee takes a while to prepare but its worth it, and the pastries are great too!

I sat down outside for literally 30 seconds and was deciding what I wanted to order before the woman behind the table told me the table was for customers only, so I left. I get it if I was there for 20 minutes just hanging out but that was just bad service and bad business. Won’t be coming back here again.

Love this little café. Old wood floors, arty décor, mellow music, tons of light, free WiFi, personable staff and unlike their competitors in the neighborhood, reasonably priced for San Francisco.

It smells more like something is constantly burning. Someone here doesn’t know how to use the toaster oven apparently. I don’t know about the food but the coffee was okay. I think I rather go to Ritual across the street.
I’m writing this review mainly to talk about wheelchair accessibility. The bathroom is pretty cramped so I had a hard time trying to get in. Which is fine. A lot of places in SF are (unfortunately) like that. What really pissed me off was the barista smirking at me from behind the counter. Okay, asshole, glad you’re having fun watching me struggle with my wheelchair.
Only added the extra star because they’re providing the wifi I’m using to write this bad review.

Happened to be in the area for a few hours and this place came up on Unilocal so decided to give it a try — turns out, it was a great decision.
The storefront is pretty simple and easy to overlook, but the inside is cozy and comfortable. A healthy assortment of pillows and cushions line the windowsill closest to the door, creating a comfy seating area for work. There’s also ample charger strips littered around the café, so you really don’t have to worry about fighting your neighbor for a slot. The interior is a bit on the smaller side though, I was guess max seating capacity of about 20 people.
What really resonated with me, however, was the personality of the staff members here and how they interact with other patrons. This place seems to be a popular spot for locals, as nearly everyone in line before me struck up a casual, friendly conversation with the barista. Definitely a no judgment, good vibes place to hang out.
Prices are very affordable, and very deserving of the 1 dollar sign. Unfortunately, I did take off a star because they closed their kitchen at 4pm, 2 hours before they close. Quite a shame too, as their sandwich selections looked robust and interesting, and clock in at around $ 6-​$ 7. Regardless, I’d love to come back to this place frequently and definitely will next time I’m in the area.

This place is absolutely ADORABLE. The staff is super friendly, the tea that my boyfriend got was delicious, and the seating area is just really comfy.
We came here when it was raining one day and all the seats except for the couch in the back was taken. There was another couple there, but it was big enough for all 4 of us to sit comfortably while I charged my phone. I also worked on some homework here because they have free wifi. It was quiet enough to get some work done too.
I love the décor of this place too. Absolutely homey/​European/​quaint feeling. If there was a Café La Vie where I lived, it would definitely be my go-​to coffee and studying spot.
The drink my boyfriend got was called Foggy SF or something like that, and it was simply almond milk with black tea, but it was delicious. My boyfriend liked it and he’s not even a huge fan of tea. I don’t really get some of the 3 star reviews on here because I really liked this place.
It is small, but I think that’s what adds to the charm and why I liked it.

Really great veggie bagel. My chai was pretty bland, though. Threw it away after a few sips.

Friendly staff, spicy chai that’s not overly sweet, and really yummy veggie burger. They are also dog friendly. If the weather is nice they open the window. The space is on the smaller side though so you might not always get a table inside if you are looking to study or browse the Internet.

Some of the nastiest, meaniest, sulkiest hostesses/​baristas. Um, you work at a coffee shop, do you understand there is a world out there where they actually do way more important things?
It’s always unpleasant to go in here, as you never know what kind of attitude you will get. The coffee is good, and the food good but the attitude horrendous. I hope the owner reads this!

Cozy little haven in the midst of marina-​esque cafes and boutiques. Reasonably priced drinks and food, wifi, and friendly staff. Good for people watching. Outdoor seating on nice days is a plus. Large tables good for sharing with strangers! Delicious soy latte.

Yep: small space… BUT indoor space unlike a few of the open-​air stands around. More importantly Samantha gave me what I wanted unlike the pretentious other SF café’s who «don’t serve 16 oz, only 12» and don’t have flavors, insisting I take my latte plain… Please: I’m a grown ass man. I know how I like my coffee. Here’s a great idea SF: Just serve me what I want.
Samantha at Café La Vie did just that. What I wanted. Great pour. Great foam. The size I requested. The flavor I requested. Recommended.

I mean, it is exactly how Unilocal defines the 3-​star rating… A-​OK.
The café is small, not too much sitting area — it’s a cute little space. I liked that the menu is written chalk style on the side of the wall, though it does expanse the entire wall so you have to take a step back to take it all in.
I came here for breakfast and ordered a poppy seed bagel with cream cheese and the boyfriend ordered a garlic bagel lox sandwich. However, somehow along the lines I guess the barista forgot and switched the bagels. Not a big deal, except that I really wanted that poppy seed bagel and now it has been covered in salmon… aaaand it was the last poppy seed bagel. So now, I’m just the littlest bit annoyed because the garlic bagel was really nothing amazing. I mean just such a meh-​bagel. Like why do you even bother making this bagel? Could barely taste the garlic.
I also ordered the spicy chai drink — which for $ 4 for the smallest size, I was expecting more than literally just tea. Like maybe even a latte even? But that is my bad for not reading the menu carefully enough. Would not recommend. Drank less than half and ended up tossing it.
Overall, its a cute place to come and study and hang out but food/​beverage wise as a café? Could definitely do better elsewhere.
Pro-​tip: it’s dog friendly. They have this jar of doggy biscuits for your p-​awesome furry friends. I’m pretty sure they are complimentary because this old man came in and kept feeding his adorable sweater-​wearing pooch with them.

Really really fun place to visit with a group. We ended up spending over 5 hours there, and never felt pressured to leave even though it was busy. Excellent collection and the staff are very helpful and friendly.

Good place to grab a quick lunch and get some work done. This place is super small and does not have a lot of seating. Sometimes the smell form the people smoking outside is very cumbersome.
The super lox (previously called the slamin salmon) bagel is super yummy and their hot chocolate is also very smooth and creamy – all the things they should be.
Free wifi and a couple of outlets if you need to fuel up your devices.

Small and honest local coffee shops are somewhat hard to find in SF. It has everything you want and nothing you don’t: good bagels, good coffee, friendly staff, comfortable, welcoming to everyone; no long lines of bros and hipsters, no techies networking, no trendy furniture, no tourists, not pretending to be a Parisian café. There are thousands of places like this all over the world, but it is special in SF.

My favorite café in Hayes Valley because of the lack of pretentiousness and the fast, delicious breakfast sandwiches.

This is my favorite café in the area and there are alot of great cafes in Hayes Valley!
I love seeing the regulars and the friendly staff, the ambience is very comforting and chill. The music is always good and the coffee is always great. The iced coffee is also very good.
I like how they put the half & half in a push-​down dispenser, rather than having to pour it. They also have spoons to use, so they keep it eco-​friendly.
My favorite thing about this café has to be the breakfast and lunch bagels! They are not over-​priced and are made perfectly with lots of love (seriously)!
My recommendation is the Veggie Bagel (w/​either hummus or cream cheese) served Open Faced (for $ 1 extra). The healthiest and most delicious way to enjoy a bagel! The egg sandwiches are also very tasty!

I didn’t want to review this place because it’s my fav local neighborhood spot to grab a bagel and SF fog (Paris tea with steamed almond milk. It’ll change your life — just get it) and I don’t want to give away this hidden gem. However, they deserve it and I’m just being selfish.
Great tea lattes, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. It’ll be the one place I miss in Hayes whenever I move. Well that and loving cup :)

Nice place to work on a weekday. Very laid back staff. Small inside.

Stopped by on a weekend because I needed a place to chill and pass time. I was originally going to go to Artis Coffee across the street, but it was too small and too crowded. Café La Vie is still pretty small too, but was quieter and less crowded. I LOVE how cozy it is! I found a table in the back with pillows on the bench — super comfy spot to work (there’s free wifi!) or catch up with friends.
They serve coffee/​tea here and food as well. I didn’t order anything to eat here, but had a small SPICED CHAI ($ 2.95). Nothing special but not bad.

Come by and grab your cup of sass and food to go!
PROS
— Windowed wall opens up and allows a lot of sunshine in
— Warm, small gas fireplace
— Sassy barista with impeccable service
— Cheap and tasty food ($ 4-​$ 10)
— Good WIFI
CONS
— Seating is limited and not super spacious
— All the smells and bugs from outside get inside
— Sassy barista is some sasssssy shit
— Limited selection of food (more akin to a Philz than a Starbucks)
— Got the floor stereo so music has to be manually turned back on every 2 hours.
My friend Greg and I were working at
, which has a beautiful garden out back. But you definitely pay a premium on the food. Also, the WIFI absolutely SUCKED that day! But then we came here. I met the friendly barista and got faster internet believe it or not. Café La Vie HALLELUJAH!
I wouldn’t bring my smell-​sensitive boyfriend to hang out here, but I’d be more than happy to visit here with outdoor-​loving friends like Greg anytime!

This is my ride or die neighborhood coffee shop. Locally owned and operated. Highly recommend the egg sandwiches and conversations with the owner/​employees.
This spot has great vibes. For example, I just finished teaching the owner how to Moonwalk.
Get off your butt and get in here!

This is one of my favorite little cafes in Hayes Valley — maybe one of my favorites in SF. In the category of «sit, chill, do some work, sip some coffee, maybe grab a bite to eat», this place does pretty well. And, it’s tucked away not far off the main Hayes Valley drag, but on a quiet street.
You’re going to find the regular café-​fare here. All the Coffee and Coffee-​Drinks you’d expect. They also have Bagels, Breakfast Sandwiches, Scrambles, Lunch Sandwiches, as well as Pastries. All the food I’ve had has been good and fresh-​made. I honestly tend to stick with a simple Bagel with Butter, and Coffee. Or a Diet Coke, as Adam S. is wont to do. (They charge $ 1.25 for a can of Soda — come on man, it should never be more than $ 1.)
There’s a good vibe here overall. I love the space — it’s intimate, but very open. The front of the café opens up entirely (think clear garage door) from the seat-​level up. There is also outdoor seating. The inside is cozy, and has art on the wall from local artists — which has changed frequently over the last couple of years. The service is good — although it can be a little slow compared to other spots. Just be aware if you have to race back to the office. But that said, they’re not slow because of bad service, they just make things fresh and it’s not a soul-​less assembly line. They take the time to talk.
Winner. I like having it near the office. And, who cares if it takes a little longer — I’ve learned over the years the the office will almost always be there when you get back.

Was recently in the area and needed wifi and felt like a coffee so I dropped by.
Service was mixed. The cashier was super friendly and welcoming but the other guy prepping the food seemed pretty rude, unfriendly and borderline obnoxious.
I ordered a drip coffee and it was terrible at best. The type of drip coffee that makes instant coffee taste good. Maybe this was not the thing to order?
A lot of people came in for bagels and breakfast sandwiches so maybe this is what the place is known for and offsets the terrible drip. The prices also seem really cheap which could be another reason for the steady stream of customers.
The free wifi was reasonably fast which is always nice, since wifi is hit or miss in the city these days.
The place is pretty small and if you sit near the front and the smell of smoke is mildly irritating you might not enjoy it.
If you just want a coffee there are a lot of better options nearby (Blue Bottle, Ritual, etc).

Needed a place for coffee on a rainy Sunday and saw that this place had some pretty good reviews so decided to give it a try. The place is a pretty small café – definitely the small and cozy feel. I went solely for the latte which was pretty meh… I don’t feel like penalizing the restaurant as a whole though just because it seems like some of their other food might be good? The coffee does pale though and if you’re in Hayes Valley, you’re better off walking a minute to Ritual or Blue Bottle if you’re looking for a good latte.
Otherwise, cute cozy place to get some work done.

This has become one of my regular spots in Hayes. Simple and relatively healthy food choices served in comfortable café style seating. Their coffee is consistent and the staff is friendly. Their bagels and egg dishes are quick and good. Definitely a neighborhood type spot with regulars coming through. I have worked from here on several occasions. The wifi could be faster, but hey it’s free.
Tips: On nice days they open up the rolling door and it becomes an open air café. Dog friendly environment with Milkbone treats at the counter. The inside seating is small and fills up. Outside seating is on the shaded side of the street so it can be chilly at times.
Bottom Line: Quick, consistent and cozy.

Small place better for coffees and sandwiches as there’s no actual stovetop. All their food items are prepared with a microwave and toaster oven. Keep that in mind when you order. Ordering the scramble was a MISTAKE, but the other items didn’t look half bad. Their coffee items are where it’s at. Didn’t even have to add sugar to the americano!
It’s a pretty casual place with big open windows, great for people watching. However, there are FLIES that get in and get bothersome. There’s also noise pollution from motorcycles and cars passing by, but if you like the hustle and bustle, then you’d like this spot.
There are few tables outside, and about five tables inside. They don’t mind people hanging out for extended periods as they offer plenty of outlets on extension cords. The place was decently crowded, but there was usually open seating. The SPOTTY INTERNET ranged from 13.5 Mbps down /​3 Mbps up when it worked to 1 Mbps down…
Don’t know if I’d come back here as there are so many other coffee shops to try. However, this is an acceptable neighborhood joint with reasonable prices. All the staff were also super friendly and nice.

Preis — Leistung einfach klasse.
Die Bedienung war sehr freundlich und hat auch recht schnell unsere Getränke gebracht.
Hier kann man auch endlich mal draußen sitzen und muss nicht immer drinnen hocken. :-)
Ein niedliches kleines Café in dem man sogar etwas zu Essen bekommen kann.
Wirklich ganz toll.

Hipster café shop that is located in Hayes Valley.
The interior décor is rather unique and they utilize the small space that they have.
I ordered up their breakfast croissant and coffee. It hit the spot for an early morning before a walk along the Land’s End Trail.
I like the versatile, wide open and close window that they have. The morning breeze makes it quite leisurely to kick back while sipping on coffee and munching on a snack.