Caffé Central

I was apprehensive about this place walking past it for a couple years before I finally went in. Now I go there a couple times a week. Something about the location seems off: It’s mostly a block where deliveries are made, not where food and drink are obtained.
The manager (owner?) really, really, really cares about the team making drinks right: Right temperature, right combinations, right presentation. It’s almost a mistake to get anything «to go» because it will no longer be «right» when you finally drink it.
But Caffe Central’s «not quite right» is still better than many other places’ best effort. I am consistently impressed with everything I try here.
Of particular note there’s a rant-​fueled blog post elsewhere about how SF’s «Gibraltar» fad would be a Europe-​standard cappuccino if Americans hadn’t enlarged the original and ruined it. Central’s Gibraltar and their cappuccino are essentially the same drink: both are missing the four gallons of milk you’d get in one from the big green chain.
I am happy that Caffe Central is so conveniently located near my workplace. I wish there were one near where I lived as well.

Homemade Tiramisu is not that great but expensive ($ 7 a piece). Taro milk tea is with full sugar by default, yet I usually only drink quarter sugar milk tea. Too sweet

Great latte! Nice foam on top the way a latte should be. Unfortunately the service not so great. Cashier was very rude acted like it was a chore to take out order and ring us up. Yikes! I asked for a juice combination that they had all the ingredients for she said they don’t make it;which is totally okay, but she offered no suggestions. She stared at me with a complaisant face. I was disappointed because the coffee is great!

Worst green smoothie ever! I just came across this café while shopping because I saw they had green juice/​smoothies. I order a Good Morning Greens smoothie and I saw that a young boy was making it (he was also touching his phone and texting someone while making it, not sure if that’s appropriate or even sanitary since he had no gloves on). When I got my smoothie, I walked out, tasted it, and I was chewing on veggies! Like I was eating my drink. It was barely blended! Plus tasted bland. I make my juices with the same ingredients and they aren’t bland. Maybe their fruit wasn’t ripe? I don’t know… I haven’t tried anything else though. So two stars…

I ordered a black milk tea without the flavor add-​in or toppings and it was deliciously refreshing! Fair size and price.

Seriously let down. A bagel toasted with cream cheese doesn’t mean microwave the bagel and hand me a little side of cream cheese. For just under $ 4, I didn’t think it was too much to ask to get a good ol’ fashioned toasted bagel… I guess I was wrong.

Got a quick latte on the way back to my car. The coffee looked great, but unfortunately was barely warm. I had a sip when I was walking out so it wasn’t because of the coffee cooling down yet. I was in a hurry so didn’t have time to let the store know. They had what looked like a nice selection of pastries and sandwiches though. Not sure I would return.

Great coffee, the Cubano was so good we ordered another. We split the nutella banana waffle and the torta special (avocado, ham, egg, cheese) the bread was crusted with asiago and it was amazing. Overall I would recommend trying this place out.

Was our go to breakfast place during our visit. Tried the Cuban Latte — OUTSTANDING! Probably one of the best coffee drinks I’ve ever tasted. My kids enjoyed their banana waffle. my husband had the cubano breakfast sandwich, which was also good. I got the nutella twist, which was too sweet and rich for me. While eating, I did notice that they purchase outside food for their meals such as the cakes and lunches. One of staff arrived with bags of groceries and tempura. I saw him put them in a food holder as he prepped for lunch. A little disappointing.

I was too lazy to roam far from work for a boba tea. When I realized Caffe Central was close, I decided to check them out. It was Monday, February 29^th at 2:45pm.
I got the Bubble tea ($ 3.75 for 24oz): Black, No milk with Tapioca pearls (boba), No sugar. When placing the order, my cashier seemed really confused. He kept saying you want a milk tea with boba? My answer was NO, I want a bubble tea with NO milk, etc. Finally the guy making the teas stepped in and helped me clarify. I finally said I just want a black tea with boba. That’s it. The cashier seemed to finally understand when it was described that way.
The wait for the tea was a little uncomfortable as it’s super hot in this little shop. I actually couldn’t wait to get out of here because it felt rather stuffy. Definitely not a shop to go and hang out. Luckily, they also made my tea pretty quickly.
After taking a sip of my drink, I knew this was a place that just threw bubble tea as an option on their menu. Their was no milk tea love. The balls weren’t soft and chewy. (This reminded me of when I was little and my mom tried making milk tea at home. It was a complete failure. The balls were hard and just plain bad.) Even the tea wasn’t very good. I ended up adding a little skim milk and splenda to the drink which made it a little better.
I can’t comment on this place as a coffee shop, but go elsewhere for a pearl tea. They just don’t do it right here.

Organic fresh juice, smoothies, fresh pastries and Tcho hot chocolate … Plus just enough seating to pop in for an hour worth of work. I actually passed by this place and then ended up turning around and going back. It’s tucked next to the parking garage, which probably deters people, but it remains with a good local, unpretentious presence in the heart of tourism and shopping. No fuss, just good stuff!
Super friendly staff! I’m glad to see some good, fresh, quality food in a café downtown. Seems hard to come by these days, even in hip spots.
Note: no hipster vibe here. Enjoy!

Beautiful sandwiches — fresh and tasty. Pastries looked good but I didn’t have one. Drip coffee and nice service. Across the street from Macy’s makes it a nice place to take a shopping break.

This is the second time I’ve gotten coffee here. Really, from my first visit I’ve tried their Iced Cuban Latte which was not too bad.
So yesterday I thought well I needed some caffeine for my hour and a half drive to Monterey and maybe order the same iced coffee.
This time I saw their Iced New Orleans Latte on the menu, so that was ordered. The wife ordered the Iced Cuban Latte.
We waited and waited and noticed a few customers gotten their orders before us. My wife and I looked at each other like WTF?! We approached to the barista and asked about our coffee, then she asked what we ordered? She looks at one of the order tickets and realizes that our order was not made. Then she quietly starts brewing our coffees. When she was done she just placed them on the counter without apologizing.
Iced New Orleans Latte: bland, and it tasted like water with a scoop of coffee powder. Even adding the milk in and three packets of sugar doesn’t help it, it just makes it worst. I couldn’t finish this one.
Iced Cuban Latte: strong, sweet, milky and flavorful. (The better of the two).
This café is convenient for people on the move and its location next to the parking structure. But the people that worked here that night need to get their sh*t together.

I came in here twice while in the area on business. The first time I got a chocolate banana protein shake and my girlfriend got a fountain of youth juice. Both were really good so we decided to come back again the next day. The second day I got a breakfast torta, I wasn’t really a fan of this it was not my thing all cheese and the bread wasn’t toasted, after that I ordered a hot chocolate. It was good… I like this place because they have organic food and drinks, it really beats going to Starbucks and a lot of other near by places for a quick quality bite to eat.
I would recommend it, try for yourself.

Pleasant suprise
Didnt really expect mch for the boba from a food court café but was craving something to drink so i grabbed a thai iced tea and it was pretty good and not too sweet or creamy or anything! Im really picky with my thai iced tea and theres was pretty good ~
Service was quick also!

This is an A-​OK place
I came here once and ordered homemade Belgium waffles with strawberries and bananas. I ordered it to go. The waffles were yummy :)
They have a variety of sandwiches and delicious looking pastries. So I will definitely come here again and check-​out other items on their menu.

Good food, good boba and desserts, but prices are pretty expensive! Service is always polite and i plan to continue to come (:

I’ve never had coffee like this before. It I wish we had it in Virginia. They are amazing

A relatively small café wit a big selection of drinks, sandwiches and pastries. I have to hand it to this place on the bubble tea. I had Jasmine tea with regular milk, tapioca pears and it was coconut flavor. Amazing drink.

The coffee is good. Individually brewed coffee from a selection of coffees and roasts. I god a medium roast from Ethiopia which was surprisingly good. I am tempted to come back to try the Cuban coffee.
My breakfast was a yogurt parfait which was above average. The café is nicely decorated and spacious with a couple of tables and a bar. Central offers a good selection of pastries, beverages and sandwiches. Today’s (small) breakfast menu included waffles and a ham and avocado torta.
Three stars is a reflection of the attitude of the people who work here. Don’t expect a ‘You are welcome’ or a ‘Have a nice day’.

Joint to get quick meal fix, snacks, coffee and bubble tea.
Was searching hard for a café to hang for a couple of hours before my next appointment. Wanted something other than the Starbucks, Peets and Coffee bean.
Located right opposite Macy, an easy spot to reach and grab a quick bite before heading to your next destination.
I got myself an apple strudel and a bubble tea (black tea with coconut and peach flavoring plus boba), cost me about $ 12.
It’s a small café catering to mostly take out customers. I was here at 2+ in the afternoon and the traffic is regular and noisy. Not a place you want to be if you want some peace and quiet or to get some work done.
The strudel was not fantastic, was edible. The bubble tea was way too sweet for my liking.
They have limited seating. Not recommended for big groups unless it’s a grab and go. I was alone but still ended up at the bar counters with painful screeching stools.
And oh plus point, a restroom at the back. They look like they have free wifi, didn’t ask for it since I have data.
Overall, good place to stop for a quick bite.

Only ONE star because of the disgusting attitude of the manager EDDIE …
I came in looking for some protein and a triple shot of espresso. I chose the «chicken olivieh» which … by its ingredient list clearly lists CHICKEN as the first ingredient… Which legally means «it is the largest ingredient… I paid $ 6.90 !!!
Well folks … 90% POTATO !
If I wanted POTATO SALAD I would have chosen potato salad but I wanted chicken.
I was also taken aback by the way he treated the Asian girl at the cash register as if she was stupid. I asked for a triple shot of espresso and he came to her and said now do you understand what that means that means that it’s three shots and he held up three fingers! Yes I understand she said in perfect English.
So I open the package of chicken that turned out to be potato salad and I went over and stood quietly until he noticed I was standing there. He was clearly nervous
With high-​energy and I told him the problem. He twisted his face in a sarcastic way as his eyes rolled around and I said sir there is no need for the sarcasm. I just wanted protein and I want to chicken and it’s all full of potatoes and legally the first ingredient listed has to be the most. He looked at me and said I don’t know anything about legally and I don’t make the salad! I said do you have anything with chicken in it?
He was very rude and he said yeah how about this chicken salad but it has cranberries in it maybe you don’t like cranberries, huh?
I said yes cranberries are fine I just wanted chicken not potatoes. My first order was $ 6.90 and this chicken thing was four dollars and something and he did not refund me the difference in price.
The chicken cranberry dish was really delicious and only chicken !!
On the site I’ve posted a photo of Eddie and also a photo of the so-​called chicken and the chicken cranberry salad.

Friendly baristas!
Great latte art
Delicious mocha with the perfect chocolate (not too sweet not too chalky)
Convenient location
Messy countertops, one trashcan
Didn’t try any pastries or food, so I’ll be back!

Wow… horrible customer service. And the food was microwaved. What a sh$t hole! The people were extremely unfriendly and unable to even smile. I am over generous on Unilocal but honestly this place needs to be closed. Do not go here

It’s a easy stop if you shopping in the city. Very close 2 the all stores. they have indoor&outdoor sitting. Always busy during daytime and have a super fast service and friendly staff!!!
It’s a little bit pricey but their coffee worth for that money. I like the way how the Turkish guy (baris) makes different sizes heart on your latte!

The hubs and I were in town for a shopping excursion and happened to park in the parking structure where this little café is located. Looked like your regular coffee shop. Before we started our excursion, I really wanted to stop in for a caffeinated beverage. I never really drink coffee, but the two hour drive had me feeling drained.
Super surprised that this typical looking café offered so many Asian drinks! bubble Teas! Vietnamese Coffee! What?!? The hubs ordered the Vietnamese Coffee. That stuff is like crack for me! I’d be so high that I’d accidentally buy everything, so I decided to go with a honey milk bubble tea. I’m a freaking sucker for bubble tea! If it’s available, I’m definitely ordering it. Both drinks were yummy. Great flavor for what appears to be an American Establishment. The café also offered an array of pastries, desserts, and meal options. Perfect place between shopping excursions or if your on your way to/​from work if you’re in the area.

It’s a stop. If you’re wandering around and need a break and something to recharge this isn’t a bad spot, they have drinks, pastries and savories. Like most SF spots it’s tiny but has a few seats to take a break. Is it awesome and totally a must visit SF spot, heck no but it’s a good place to stop and recharge.

This Caffe Central is across from Pinkberry on O’Farrell, had a huge Grand Opening sign and Blue Bottle so hubby wanted to go here, I was planning on just going to Starbucks.
I got the Cuban latte $ 4.25– this was just ok, I should have stirred it because the sweet condensed milk was all on the bottom. Still drank it all.
Crème brûlée tart $ 5.25 — asked for it heated it, tasted ok, nothing special.
There’s a few seats/​tables. Next to a parking garage too. One unisex bathroom don’t need a key to use.

I’ve ordered from here twice in the past week.
The first time I went, it was around 9pm and that beautiful Blue Bottle logo appeared like a beacon of joy before my eyes… so I walked in and, while waiting for the barista/​server to become available, looked at the snack options. Aside from the typical slew of desserts, they had some sandwiches that did not look appetizing… until I noticed a vegetable quiche. I mean, who doesn’t love a quiche? Even my 18 month old picky eater loves quiches. Well, except this one. Neither my husband, daughter, nor I liked this bland dish that only looked like a quiche. And the real reason why I went in? Well, their espresso machine was broken. And I only found out after I had committed to a quiche. Sigh.
The second time I went was today. I ordered a Blue Bottle latte, expecting that luscious milky goodness and the rich coffee that I had associated with what still remains my favorite latte IN THE WORLD. (Yep, the world.) Unfortunately, the latte tasted watery. Just not good. I didn’t even bother finishing it.
Maybe I didn’t order «the right thing». but if you’re going to have a Blue Bottle sign up, you’d better figure out how to make the coffee the way they do. ;-)

The bubble tea drinks come in standard flavors, but are served in large containers. I ordered The Original, which is milk tea without any flavoring. I chose a jasmine tea base and requested tapioca pearls. My drink was absolutely delicious, and I was given a generous serving of tapioca.
Yummy-​looking pastries and other sweets are sold here, too. I picked up a white chocolate cherry cookie. Unfortunately, it was just an average cookie and nothing really amazing.
This café is located inside a parking garage and on a busy street, making an ideal place to grab a quick drink and snack on the go. There’s also inside seating, but seats fill up fast.