The Coffee Lama — Restaurant in San Francisco

When they opened up I thought “wow the last thing we need in SF is another coffee shop selling small lattes for almost $6”. But then I started giving them a chance because I literally live 3 doors up from them. But after today’s extremely rude and hostile interaction with one of the workers who refused to make my usual drink that they have made many times before I will certainly not go back and will urge my friends and neighbors not to go there either. All I asked for was them using half Almond milk and half Soy milk, as all soy is too much soy, and all almond milk doesn’t froth up at when steamed. It’s a great combination for anyone who doesn’t want a dairy milk latte. Everyone there has been accommodating before for this simple request but today the barista decided “we don’t do that”. To which I replied “really? you have many times before”. She went off not even saying, sorry we can’t do it, it’s against company policy to mix milks or whatever her rationale was, she just kept saying “we don’t do that”. But they do! Anyways she conceded and agreed to make the drink, took my money, made the other drink I ordered for my girlfriend, and then at the last second reverted to saying again “we don’t make that, pick one almond milk or soy milk!” Super offended by her abrasive negative attitude and unfriendliness I got a refund and left. With probably about 10 other cafes within a 4 block radius why would I ever go there again and deal with that kind of negativity and lack of customer service? I went up to Gus’s Market (2 blocks away) and they happily made my half soy half...

Not gonna lie, this place missed the mark on pretty much everything. Coffee came out barely warm – like, I ordered a hot drip, not lukewarm drip, you know? The restroom situation was rough. Honestly couldn’t tell if I walked into a bathroom or a storage closet that someone gave up on. But real talk – the energy from the barista was the biggest letdown. Zero smiles, zero warmth, just straight up “here’s your coffee, please leave” vibes. I get that everyone has bad days, but my guy seemed genuinely miserable to be there. Made the whole experience feel super uncomfortable, like I was bothering him just by existing. The whole vibe felt weirdly dated – like stepping into some unfriendly café from a century ago, which is wild for SF in 2025. Look, I can see you’re trying to build something here, and I genuinely hope it works out. But the hospitality piece really needs some attention if you want people to come back. Wishing you...

Replacement of the Ritual that used to be in this space. They say they serve Ritual coffee but it didn't taste like it. If you go to actual Ritual on the regular you know their coffee has a distinct taste and aroma. All their shops smell "like Ritual" and this one used to, but it doesn't anymore. I ordered a latte ($7) and it had a strange off-flavor, hard to describe. Definitely not a "good 3rd wave coffee" experience, unfortunately. I live in the neighborhood and will go elsewhere.

They have pastries but they looked pretty middling, nothing looked good enough to make me want one. Also there was only 1 employee (instead of 1 register/1 drinks) so a line built up as he took an order, made a coffee, took...