30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best American in San Francisco
Best Trendy American in San Francisco
Best Business Lunch American in San Francisco
Master Critic Review
The Grove – Yerba Buena
7.7
A lodge-aesthetic café built around all-day brunch and hearty comfort plates, served at long communal wood tables a block from SFMOMA. The high-ceilinged, open room runs loud—especially during live music sets Wednesday through Friday—making it a better fit for group brunches and laptop sessions than quiet conversation. Transit-friendly SOMA location near Yerba Buena Gardens keeps it reliably busy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Toast
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Rustic, lodge-style café steps from SFMOMA serving all-day brunch and hearty comfort plates at communal wood tables
Who should go: Brunch crews and remote workers near Yerba Buena Gardens
When to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid weekend brunch waits
What to order: Start with the eggs benedict or breakfast burrito, add a pot pie if staying through lunch, and grab a lavender lemonade to drink
Insider tip: The pot pie is the sleeper hit — most regulars come for brunch and never try it
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot—street parking in SOMA is tough. Best bet is BART or MUNI, both walkable. Nearby garages on 3rd St if you must drive.
Noise level: Lively and bustling—big open room with high ceilings. Live music Wed–Fri 5–8 PM amps it up further. Fine for group conversation, not a quiet date spot.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options: The Vegetarian sandwich, Crisp Oven Fried Portobello Burger, Berkeley Bowl salad, Roasted Vegetable Salad, Roasted Portobello and Maple Sweet Potato Plate, house-made hummus.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free bread substitution available on select items including breakfast sandwiches, eggs benedict, and avocado toast.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual early-stage date than a formal romantic evening. The space is warm and charming — sparkling lights woven through floor-to-ceiling trees, a fireplace, and cozy built-in booths create real atmosphere. However, it's counter-service (you stand in line and order at the counter), so there's no table service or candlelit formality. The vibe is lively and bustling rather than quiet and intimate. Great for a low-pressure 'getting to know you' date over comfort food, but not the spot if you're going for classic romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — in fact, you have to. The Grove does not accept reservations any day of the week. It's entirely walk-in, counter-service: you stand in line, order your food, and then find a seat. During peak weekend brunch and lunch hours expect a line and competition for the best seats, especially the fireplace booths and heated patio. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are easiest for grabbing your pick of seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the casual, counter-service format is naturally low-stress for families. There's no formal dining atmosphere to worry about disrupting, and the comfort food menu (burgers, sandwiches, mac and cheese, fresh-baked cookies) has plenty kids will eat. The space is wheelchair accessible and the covered patio gives kids room to move. A dedicated kids menu and high chair availability are not confirmed online — call (415) 655-9194 to verify before visiting with very young children. Best for families during daytime hours.
Is it good for groups? Yes — especially on the patios. The front patio seats about 20 and the side patio at 3rd & Mission seats about 30, making it easy for groups to spread out. For private events, the corner patio accommodates 26 seated or 50 standing. Counter-service means no splitting the check hassle — everyone orders and pays individually. The no-reservation policy means larger groups should arrive together to snag adjacent seating. For organized group events or catering, contact them directly through their events page.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — two covered, heated, wind-protected patios with custom furniture at the corner of 3rd Street and Mission. The front patio seats approximately 20 guests and the side patio seats approximately 30. Heaters and wind protection make them usable in San Francisco's cooler weather. Prime outdoor seats fill up fast on nice days, so arrive early if patio seating is a priority.
Best For
Better for: Groups and casual hangouts—multiple rooms (main floor, mezzanine, covered heated patio), counter-service keeps it flexible, comfort food menu works for mixed crowds.
Consider Alternatives If: You want table service or a reservable time slot—it's counter-order only, no reservations, everyone waits in line.
Hours
Monday7:30am - 10pm
Tuesday7:30am - 10pm
Wednesday7:30am - 10pm
Thursday7:30am - 10pm
Friday7:30am - 10pm
Saturday7:30am - 10pm
Sunday7:30am - 10pm