Café de la Presse — Restaurant in San Francisco

I’ve been coming to this restaurant every two weeks for breakfast before work. It’s been part of my routine—but today I was deeply disappointed and hurt by how I was treated.

When I arrived, I was met by a man named Oliver who didn’t greet me like he did with other patrons—especially those who were French-speaking or white. Instead, he quickly dismissed me, saying they “don’t do to-go orders.” I was shocked, since I’ve been coming here for years and have always ordered food to go.

When I politely let him know that, he became even more dismissive, stating “we haven’t done that for years” in an arrogant tone. Thankfully, a kind server who recognized me intervened and clarified that I could order food to go—just not coffee.

I placed my order, but when I returned to pick it up, Oliver’s smug, taunting demeanor made me feel even more unwelcome. When I asked for the manager’s name, he told me he was the manager. I asked for the owner—he claimed to be that as well.

I then explained how his treatment made me feel humiliated and discriminated against. Instead of listening, he immediately denied any wrongdoing. I pointed out how different his energy was toward me compared to how he interacted with other patrons, and that it felt rooted in judgment based on my appearance. His response? “I can’t be discriminatory—I have Latino workers.” That statement only deepened the problem—it proved he sees brown-skinned people as workers, not patrons who deserve respect and grace.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed—other guests dining nearby came up to me and said they agreed with me. It was that obvious.

Discrimination isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s in the small dismissals, the lack of warmth, the refusal to help. Today, I felt all of that. I left feeling humiliated in a space I’ve supported consistently for years. This experience was painful and unacceptable.

Until accountability is taken and change is made, I can’t recommend this place—especially to...

I recently visited Café de la Presse with high hopes. Unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. Let’s break it down:

Forgetful Service: The service was disappointingly forgetful. Our server seemed to forget abut us after she took our order. Empty water glasses remained that way, and we had to flag down staff multiple times just to get their attention. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to enjoy a meal. We had to request our check as our server never made her way back to us, then I had to find a way to pay the bill as I couldn't get anyone's attention.

Hidden Surcharges: The owner’s practice of passing through surcharges to patrons is a major drawback (This was not a SF mandated tax, but a way for the owner not to pay it and to pass it along to the patrons to pay for his employees healthcare benefits). While transparency is essential, these additional fees caught us off guard. It’s disheartening to see unexpected charges on the bill, especially when they’re not clearly communicated upfront.

Pricey Fare: Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the cost. Café de la Presse is not for the budget-conscious. The menu prices are steep, and unfortunately, the value doesn’t always match. While the food quality is commendable (more on that below), the overall dining experience should justify the price tag.

The Silver Lining: Good Food Despite the hiccups, there’s one redeeming factor: the food itself. The French-inspired dishes—croissant breakfast sandwich was flavorful and well-prepared. If only the other aspects matched this level of excellence!

In summary, Café de la Presse has potential, but it falls short due to forgetful service, hidden surcharges, and the hefty bill. If you’re willing to overlook these issues for the sake of good food, give it a try. Otherwise, consider exploring other French bistros in San Francisco.

Remember, dining experiences can vary, and this review reflects my personal encounter....

My wife and I met up with the rest of our family at the Café de la Press to have a nice Easter brunch.On arrival we both needed to use the restroom. Good luck it was 7 deep. This wasn't going to work for me so I had to use one at a different restaurant a few doors down. When I got back my Wife was still waiting to use the restroom. when my wife returned we all ordered some drinks. when the drinks came I noticed fruit flies were landing in my drink. I brushed them off trying not to make to much of a fuss about it but then then when our food came to the table it got worse and my patience was getting short.I told the manager of the situation and she moved us to another table. This really sucked right in the middle of our meal. The fruit fly problem gets worse at the table she moved us to. I got her attention and told her I am not going to pay for our meal. She came back with the bill and comp me the food but not the drinks By this time I was steaming and told her I wasn't going to pay for anything. She called me rude and said there wasn't that many fruit flies. Let me tell you I could not get out of this place soon enough but had to wait for my family to use the restroom that was standing room only again. To put this to a close the food was good if you only wanted a snack but I guess that's how the...