Simple Pleasures Cafe
(415) 387-4022
3434 Balboa St
San Francisco,
CA
94121
37.7759
-122.4955
Neighborhoods: Outer Richmond, Northwest
What People Are Saying About Simple Pleasures Cafe
The Editor
Joanna Currier
Citysearch
In Short
Neighborhood locals lounge and discuss everything from politics to surf conditions at this casual Outer Richmond cafe. Vintage details such as stained glass lamps and a parquet floor are all but hidden by well-worn, comfy furnishings. Stacks of games mark the entrance to a back room filled with sofas and low tables. Fresh baked goods and draft brews beckon from the counter. A Japanese-style mural of ochre waves crashes over one wall. One lone, dusty computer gets little use.
User Reviews
saira1123
May 28, 2008
I used to live down the street from Simple Pleasures and it was always a safe haven for me to go if I had to study and my roommates were being too loud or I just wanted a good cup of joe and a yummy dessert. The staff is young and always seems to be having a great time at work. They are very welcoming and willing to give you advice on the best thing to eat or drink. There coffee is made in the beanery next door to the cafe. There is a constant flow of interesting patrons hanging around playing music, drink coffee or beer, and playing an array of board games that are offered by Simple Pleasures. They also have beers on tap, which is never a bad thing. I think the friendly vibe of this place makes it what it is a pleasurable experience.
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Anonymous
April 30, 2008
a fun pace to hang out in the evenings. be conscious of the afternoons because the local high school is nearby and may get crowded during lunch. usually have postings for evening events. coffee is good too!
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sfoyyc
June 13, 2007
Looking for a great cafe and a place to relax and recharge? Simple Pleasures on Balboa could almost be classified as a sanctuary that also serves coffee. This is a place to escape to, have a coffee or a beer and maybe something to eat while you read a book or sit with a friend and solve the world's problems. The staff is full of jive and always has a smile, but what really sets the place apart is the people behind the counter know exactly what they're doing. They crank out the absolutely positively best coffee drinks on the planet. Simple Pleasures even roasts their own beans (a few doors up the street). There is always fresh pastries and good food, and everything is fairly priced. On most evenings, and on Sunday afternoons, you can even catch live music, all of which can be best described as seriously eclectic; jazz, folk, ethnic, classical, or even Steven Strauss and his ukulele (fantastic). You never know what you're going to get. The layout of the place is such that the music can't overpower the whole space. If you'd rather carry on a conversation you can hang out up front, or grab an outside table. The decor isn't pretentious; just well worn and relaxing. The place is definitely not trying to make an artistic or architectural statement. There's no scraping metal chairs on concrete floors or avant-garde hollow industrial acoustics. It's just funky and very comfortable. At any given time the clientele is a cross section of local folks and visitors: New age, punk, tech, old lefties, some buried in a laptops or a book, people who were strangers five minutes earlier discussing the world. Everyone is always made to feel welcome and at home, which is exactly how a cafe' should be.
read full reviewThe Details on Simple Pleasures Cafe
On the Menu:
Try the "death wish" -- four espresso shots blended with half-and-half and whipped cream -- if you dare.
The Extras:
The cafe features nightly live music by local performers -- with no cover. Call for details.
Where to Sit:
If the fog has lifted, try to score one of the two front outdoor tables.
