Buena Vista Cafe

Recommends

king_of_boggle

Joined 9 years ago

Just coffee, please. Go for the coffee. Love the coffee. The Irish Coffee is great! Enjoy the atmosphere and view. Stay away from the food! Anything beyond appetizers is a mistake. Overpriced and disappointing describes each of our four entrees. The rather poor service didn't help matters. This was a good place to meet friends, at least on a Tuesday evening. We both found convenient parking and it's an easy landmark to locate.

Recommends

DJF

Joined 10 years ago

Supreme Irish Coffee. This place offers outstanding (& strong) Irish coffee. I only go there for this reason. It is a great place to bring out of town visitors to experience a little of SF lore. Prepare yourself for large crowds of tourists who venture off the wharf seeking this spot. Seating is typically tight. Still worth the trip.

Recommends

IrishMyFriend

Joined 10 years ago

Irish Coffee Delight IN, Whiners OUT. Don't let the whiners fool you. This place is a special spot on the map.

Sure it's touristy because of the locale, but its also popular because of its long history. What other pub in town lasts 50 years and goes strong?

What confuses people is that they go to the Buena Vista for dinner - this is ok for tourists wanting a bite, but the true ambience comes from sitting at the bar enjoying a hot glass of Irish Coffee with the its kick of Irish Whiskey, and creamy frothy top. Positively delicious.

And be kind to the waiters and bartenders. Its a busy place. If you are kind to them, they are kind to you.

Recommends

Aither

Joined 10 years ago

It is San Francisco!. Sit at the bar or a table and enjoy an Irish Coffee or an Anchor Steam while you look out the window at Fisherman's Wharf, a trolley car, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. How can you say that is not romantic or is lacking ambience? Take some time to relax and meet new friends from around the world as they stop in for a drink. I never go to San Francisco without stopping at the Buena Vista, you shouldn't either!

Doesn't Recommend

BJJC

Joined 11 years ago

Best View of Bad Waitress in SF. I had the WORST dinner (barely qualified as "food")and the RUDEST, most unapologetic waitress of my experience spread over many years visiting SanFrancisco. I rarely waste my time in forums like this, but my bad experience at the Buena Vista was so awful, and the waitress so bad, that I am compelled to address it here. - Don't spend your money where your custom will not be appreciated.

Doesn't Recommend

NewYorker001

Joined 11 years ago

Big Servings of Bad Manners. I went to the Buena Vista Cafe to get a quiet meal and a peaceful view of the bay. Too bad the service was slow, surly and my waitress unhelpful when a mistake was made. more to the point, she was rude when it was brought to her attention. Let's face it, Fisherman's Wharf and the surrounding area is tourist schlock, but no paying customer deserves rudeness, no matter how well known the place may be. Give this one a miss.