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Café de la Presse is a French restaurant located at 352 Grant Ave in San Francisco. The menu offers a blend of classic French dishes and contemporary touches. Breakfast features traditional options like authentic vanilla French toast served with warm berries, alongside savory choices such as crab cake eggs Benedict and the Croque Madame. The restaurant also highlights duck confit and a selection of artisan cheeses. Desserts include French staples like crème brûlée au Grand Marnier, tarte Tatin, and profiteroles with hazelnut gelato. The wine list and carefully crafted cocktails complement the food offerings. The atmosphere reflects a European café style, providing a relaxed setting that suits both casual meals and more focused dining experiences. Café de la Presse serves as a local destination where French culinary traditions meet a comfortable, approachable environment in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling district.
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Amenities & More
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Sports
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Reviews for Café de la Presse
Review highlights
Based on 1,699 reviewsCustomers consistently praise Café de la Presse for its authentic French bistro atmosphere, which blends classic charm with a lively San Francisco vibe. The restaurant is favored for brunch, offering a diverse menu that caters to various tastes, with highlights including croissants, croque monsieur, and rich, flavorful dishes like French onion soup and beef bourguignon. The cozy ambiance, both indoor and outdoor, along with attentive and friendly service, enhances the overall dining experience. While some diners note occasional inconsistencies in certain dishes, the high-quality coffee and welcoming environment make it a popular and reliable choice for casual meals and social gatherings.
Café de la Presse is a spot we finally tried for brunch after making a reservation this past Sunday (12/21/2025). The space has a really cool vibe classic, lively, and very San Francisco which made it an enjoyable place to spend a late morning. They were busy, but that's to be expected because, honestly, who doesn't love brunch? The menu has a great variety of options, so there's something for everyone whether you're in the mood for sweet or savory. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of the chocolate and almond croissants by the time we ordered. We were told those tend to go very quickly, which honestly just makes me more curious to try them--so they must be good. We'll definitely be back specifically for those. We ordered the crab cake benedict, which was just okay. The crab cake had a bit of a fishy taste that took away from the other flavors of the dish. We also ordered the ham and cheese omelet, which was fine but nothing particularly memorable. Service was steady and friendly, though nothing that really gave a "wow" factor. Overall, the food was okay, the vibe was cool, and the experience was pleasant. While I'm not sure we'd rush back specifically for brunch, we'll definitely be returning to try those croissants next time.
Had Saturday brunch here before a family wedding and absolutely loved it! The food was delicious. We tried the deviled eggs, French onion soup, and beef bourguignon, all beautifully made and full of flavor. The atmosphere feels cozy and authentically French, and the service was great.
This review is for the Atmosphere, service, and coffee. We stopped by for coffee on a sunny Thursday afternoon. This place is just as charming as it was. When we spent our wedding night at the Hotel Triton next door 25 years ago, it felt like Paris! Alas, the extensive collection of international newspapers that they used to have has been reduced to a few magazines, but the friendly service and European charm remain. We enjoyed outstanding service from our friendly server, Sergio. I'm so glad that this gem of a place is still here, just south of the Chinatown Gate. A great place to stop by for a bit of old world charm in the heart of San Francisco, steps from Union Square.
Always open for a Croque Monsieur, filling but not too much! I will say I’ve had a difficult time with French Onion soup whether it taste too strong or watered down, but this makes up for all of those. Plenty of seating available whether it be indoor or outdoor. Always enjoy their ambiance. Look forward to returning.
This french restaurant has the most buttery, soft croissants. The eggs are fluffy which makes this sandwich delicious.
Love everything about Cafe de la Presse! It's right around the corner from my office. It really feels like you are in a French cafe. I had the burger, and it was seriously one of the best burgers. My friend got the salmon and liked hers. We shared the salad with bacon and those bacon pieces were Our server was attentive and very nice. I hope to go back soon!
The staff was very polite and professional. They opened up the side door so my mom could easily get in with her walker. Daniel is an amazing waiter. He was personable, efficient and has great customer service. The food was delicious with every bite. Definitely recommending to my family and friends! Thanks again Daniel!
It’s been years since i was here last, moved to Europe. But man… CDLP will always be a spot I come back to over and over again. The place needs support after COVID and I wish next time im here - I wish to see it as lively, busy, and bursting with energy is the old days French onion soup Steak tartare Steak Braised chicken Ahi tuna Boeuf Bourguignon Baguette Croissants Wines Attitude Brunch Cocktails I mean you hear me yeah? It’s a classic and if you want proper French food - CDLP is the place.
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Quick info
Opening hours
- Monday 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Tuesday 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Wednesday 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Thursday 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Friday 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Saturday 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Sunday (Today) 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
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