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Manitas Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Manitas Cafe
7.8
Salvadoran-leaning café where breakfast burritos share space with pupusas and all-day plates. The burritos skew hearty with well-seasoned fillings and a light toast on the wrap.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito (chorizo, egg, avocado), Superb Burrito (rice, beans, crema, avo), Carne Asada Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Hearty, griddled breakfast burritos with Salvadoran touches and friendly pacing.
Who should go: Hearty-breakfast burrito fans
When to visit: Weekdays 8–10am for fastest service
What to order: Breakfast burrito, Superb Burrito, carne asada
Insider tip: Ask for curtido on the side—it adds crunch and brightness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Divisadero and nearby residential blocks; metered spots turn over quickly before 10am.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; locals often come in weekend clothes or workout gear.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during brunch hours but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; small rush around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several options like the veggie burrito and pupusas with cheese and beans.
Vegan options: Limited — can request no cheese or cream; a few customizable dishes.
Gluten-free options: Partially — pupusas are naturally gluten-free but kitchen shares surfaces with flour tortillas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for casual and low-pressure — the counter setup and quick turnover suit relaxed coffee or breakfast meetups more than romantic meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins only. Arrive early on weekends for a smoother experience; seating turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — welcoming to families with kids of all ages. High chairs available and menu includes mild, filling plates kids can share.
Best For
Better for: Value, speed, and consistency in breakfast burritos — more heartiness than most brunch cafés nearby.
Skip if: You’re seeking atmosphere or bar service; the space is utilitarian and focused on fast comfort fare.
Manitas Cafe
8.0
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Sunny Salvadoran spot doing all-day breakfasts alongside pupusas and hearty plates. Portions are generous, prices friendly, and counter service moves quickly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Desayuno Típico, Pupusas (with curtido), Sweet Plantains
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: All-day Salvadoran breakfast with standout value and speed.
Who should go: Hearty-breakfast seekers on a budget
When to visit: Weekdays 8–10am for fastest service
What to order: Desayuno típico; pupusas; plantains
Insider tip: Ask for extra curtido and salsa with your pupusas.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—usually available on Divisadero or nearby residential blocks before 10am, tougher after brunch peak.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—come as you are; locals often stop by in weekend wear or gym clothes.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours—conversation-friendly but with a lively hum from the counter and open kitchen.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait except for a few minutes at peak noon hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several options like plantain plates, eggs, beans, and pupusas with cheese or loroco.
Vegan options: Limited—some items like beans, rice, and plantain combos can be customized to be vegan if you skip dairy.
Gluten-free options: Partially—corn-based pupusas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact possible in shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for a relaxed, casual meet-up than a romantic first date. Think quick breakfast before a walk in NoPa.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter service only; simply grab a seat when available. Early mornings see the smoothest flow.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—plenty of families stop in for breakfast. High chairs available and dishes like pancakes and plantains are kid-approved.
Best For
Better for: Generous portions, quick counter service, and standout value make it stronger for weekday breakfasts than sit-down brunch spots.
Skip if: Skip if you’re looking for a long, leisurely brunch with mimosas—this is a practical, hearty neighborhood café.
Manitas Cafe
8.0
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Sunny Salvadoran spot doing breakfast all day alongside pupusas and hearty plates. Friendly counter service and generous portions make it a reliable NoPa standby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Desayuno típico, Pupusas revueltas, Plantain & black bean plate
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: All-day Salvadoran breakfast with standout value.
Who should go: Hearty-breakfast seekers on a budget
When to visit: Weekdays 8–10am for fastest service
What to order: Desayuno típico, pupusas, plantains
Insider tip: Ask for curtido and salsa extra for your pupusas.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Divisadero can be limited during brunch hours, but nearby residential streets usually have open spots within a short walk. No dedicated lot or valet service.
Dress code: Completely casual—tees, jeans, and weekend wear fit right in with the relaxed neighborhood vibe.
Noise level: Moderate—busy chatter and sizzling griddles during breakfast rush, but conversation is still comfortable at most tables.
Weekend wait: N/A - closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; counter service is fast with plenty of turnover.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several plates like plantain breakfast, beans and eggs, and cheese pupusas work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—can customize with beans, rice, and avocado, but pupusa fillings often include cheese.
Gluten-free options: Yes—pupusas are made from corn masa and many breakfast dishes are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for casual meetups or brunch catch-ups than romantic first dates; it’s bright, friendly, and lively rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t needed. Order at the counter, and tables turn over quickly even on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—staff are warm with families, high chairs are available, and portions are generous enough for sharing.
Best For
Better for: Hearty, affordable breakfast plates with a homestyle Salvadoran twist; faster and more filling than nearby brunch cafés.
Skip if: You’re after espresso drinks, long brunch cocktails, or a quieter sit-down café setting.