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ZipPicks Awards
Best Instagram Worthy French in Chinatown
Best French Fries in Chinatown
Best Breakfast in Chinatown
Best Brunch in Chinatown
Best Date Night French in Chinatown
Best Instagram Worthy Brunch in Chinatown
Best Luxury Dining French in Chinatown
Master Critic Review
Café de la Presse
7.8
A 1930s Parisian-style bistro anchored in San Francisco's historic French Quarter, built around a horseshoe alderwood bar and lined with vintage posters that give the room genuine character rather than staged charm. It works best as a weekend brunch destination or a solo seat with a newspaper and a croissant, though peak-hour noise and tight table spacing mean dinner dates require tolerance for close quarters. The menu leans French-American comfort—onion soup gratiné, eggs Benedict variations, solid café staples—executed with enough care to keep 1,700+ reviewers coming back at a steady clip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croissant, Eggs Benedict, Onion Soup Gratiné
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A 1930s Parisian-style bistro across from the French Consulate, with a horseshoe alderwood bar, vintage posters, and an international newsstand tradition rooted in San Francisco's historic French Quarter.
Who should go: Francophiles, solo readers, and weekend brunch seekers near Union Square
When to visit: Weekend brunch for full bistro experience; weekday mornings for quiet pastries
What to order: Start with a croissant and café crème, then the Eggs Benedict for brunch or the Onion Soup Gratiné before a Fried Chicken Sandwich at lunch — portions are bistro-sized, not oversized
Insider tip: Grab a sidewalk table facing Grant Avenue for prime people-watching steps from the Chinatown gate
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot—street parking is tight in this downtown corridor. Nearest garage is Sutter-Stockton at 444 Stockton St (~1 block), $6/hr daytime, $40 daily max. Several other garages within 0.2 mi from ~$16.
Dress code: Casual—jeans and a nice top fit right in, but the Parisian bistro setting rewards dressing up a notch for dinner or a date.
Noise level: Moderate to loud at peak hours—tables are close together indoors and conversation volume rises fast during brunch and dinner rushes. Off-peak is noticeably calmer.
Weekend wait: Reservations recommended Thursday–Saturday evenings; walk-ins may wait, especially 6–8pm.
Weekday lunch: Generally easy to walk in midweek without a wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid selection: Provençal Vegetable Soup, Tarte Provençale, Quiche, Caesar Salad, Butter Lettuce Salad, plus sides like Sautéed Green Beans and Mushroom Fricassée.
Vegan options: Limited dedicated options—Spicy French Fries and Warm Mediterranean Mixed Olives work as-is; salads may need dressing modifications. No dedicated vegan section on the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the 1930s French bistro atmosphere with vintage posters, period light fixtures, large mirrors, and warm wood floors sets a charming tone. Noise stays moderate enough for easy conversation during dinner, though weekend brunch gets louder. Request a window table or a seat in the upstairs 1920s dining room for more intimacy — the downstairs cafe side can feel tight and bustling at peak times.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays, yes — walk-ins are generally fine, especially for breakfast, lunch, or early dinner. Weekend brunch is the hardest time to walk in and a reservation is strongly recommended. Thursday through Saturday evenings also fill up. Book through their reservation system a few days ahead for weekend brunch or Friday/Saturday dinner. Note their hours skew early: Mon–Wed 8am–6pm, Thu–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 8am–3pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Moderately — the casual downstairs cafe area works for families, and the general noise level is tolerant of kids. However, there's no dedicated children's menu (it's classic French bistro fare), so plan on sharing plates or ordering simpler items. High chair availability is not confirmed — call ahead at (415) 398-2680 to verify. Best for kids during brunch or early meals rather than evening dinner service. Teens will do fine here.
Is it good for groups? Yes — the venue spans roughly 2,500 sq ft across two levels and seats up to 45. Private rooms are available for events, including custom menus for private luncheons, dinners, and cocktail receptions. For standard dining, groups of 6 or fewer can likely book online; larger parties should call the restaurant directly. Full venue buyouts run $10,000 weekdays / $15,000 weekends. Book well in advance for private dining.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — a small cluster of sidewalk tables (approximately 4–6) in classic Parisian cafe style, right at the corner of Grant Avenue and Bush Street across from the Chinatown Gate. Great for people-watching and casual coffee. Dogs are welcome at outdoor tables. Whether the tables have an awning or heaters is not confirmed — call ahead if weather is a concern.
Best For
Better for: Weekend brunch (it's what they're celebrated for), solo coffee-and-croissant sessions with a newspaper, and sidewalk people-watching on the Grant Ave corner.
Skip if: You need quiet intimate conversation (tables are close, peak hours get loud), you're dining with a large group (small tightly-spaced tables), or you're watching your budget (portions run small for the price point).
Hours
Monday8am - 6pm
Tuesday8am - 6pm
Wednesday8am - 6pm
Thursday8am - 8pm
Friday8am - 8pm
Saturday8am - 8pm
Sunday8am - 3pm