Darren's Café — Restaurant in San Francisco

If you find yourself looking for a breakfast/brunch spot, come here!

My dad has been coming here for awhile and I was in town visiting him so we we went to grab some brunch. Located just a little ways from fisherman's wharf it's a quick walk to get here.

Ambiance and service: We were greeted by David the owner and his son Darren and chose to sit inside. They've got some seating inside and some outside for when the weather is nice. Everything is nice and clean and you can see into the kitchen so you know the food is made fresh to order. Our order was taken quickly and food came out quickly!

Food: Their menu ranges from classic American breakfast, Chinese and Vietnamese food, and sandwiches. I ordered pho and a Vietnamese coffee and my dad ordered french toast with eggs and bacon. I've had a lot of pho in different parts of the US so I'm picky about my pho and this is hands down one of the most flavorful pho broths I've ever had. Good size portion with all the regular pho fixings. My dad always orders one of two things: french toast or chicken fried steak and according to him, both are delicious but I had the pleasure of of trying the french toast this time. It was cooked to perfection and not overdone in the batter or flavors.

Overall, I'm glad I got to eat here. From the service, to the food, I enjoyed every bit of it. I can't wait to bring friends here and enjoy more meals...

Stumbling upon Darren’s Café at the Wharf felt like finding a back alley shortcut in a city full of dead ends. You don’t expect to find warmth in a place like this—a city built on commerce and pretense—but Darren’s? It’s got that quiet hum of authenticity. No fuss, no gimmicks. Just good food and people who actually give a damn.

The food? It’s the kind that doesn’t just fill you up—it settles you down. The pho, in particular, is a revelation. Rich, fragrant broth, noodles with just the right amount of bite. You taste the care in every spoonful, the kind of precision that comes from someone who’s been doing this a long time and hasn’t started cutting corners yet.

You can tell it’s family-run. That rare sense of genuine hospitality seeps into everything—the way the staff talks to you, the ease of the whole operation. They’re not just serving food; they’re welcoming you into their rhythm. No one’s trying to turn tables or rush you out. It’s a place that operates on its own clock, and you’re invited to sit back and enjoy it.

Darren’s Café isn’t trying to be cool. It’s not chasing Yelp reviews or Instagram clout. And that’s why it works. If you’re looking for something real—a place that serves food made with care and greets you like you belong—this is it....

Chose this on our walk from the hotel to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s just a couple of blocks away. The ‘breakfast all day’ sign caught us the first day we stayed and we had brunch.

I ordered Eggs Benedict with dungeoness crab. AMAZING! I love crab, especially when I don’t have to crack and peel it. This dish basically comes with the usual eggs Benedict setup, but instead of Canadian bacon, it has the crab… in a cake form and covered with hollandaise sauce. OMG! If you like crab, you need this in you life. It’s going to cost you, but crab/seafood will make that dent in your pocketbook. My wife ordered 2 two egg setup and enjoyed it, although it was a little pricey, but we discovered most things are in SF. Just be aware if you are trying to save money.

We ate inside, but I think there may have been room on the sidewalk too. The staff here is like a busy beehive, BUT they are all attentive and smiling. Everyone seems to be enjoying their jobs. I have seen this camaraderie in many of the restaurants here.

You also get a discount on the aquarium and possibly other things by using their code. (Wasn’t a fan of the aquarium but I saved $8 overall.)

If you want to get away from the crowd and just walk a block away, this place might be...