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San Francisco Bay Area

Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in the SF Bay Area (including Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, and San Jose)

Where o where for breakfast in San Francisco?

Hi, we're vacationing in SF for a few days and wondered where people like to pick up breakfast near SFMoma? (That's roughly where we're staying, and we hate expensive blah hotel breakfasts!)

A short walk is fine by us. And we'll certainly be trying out Dottie's. We would love to know about somewhere else nearby, where you can maybe just get a decent pastry and a good coffee.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

    15 Replies so Far

    1. Butler and the Chef Bistro .5 mile from MOMA.
      http://www.oralpleasureinc.com/cafe/M...

      1. During the weekdays, Sentinel has pastries and coffee for breakfast.

        • The Sentinel
          55 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
        1. re: sfbing

          Thanks -- I'll check those out

            1. re: sfbing

              Excellent coffee and sandwiches at The Sentinel; I've heard that the muffins are wonderful, too.

              • Blue Bottle Cafe opens at 8am
                66 Mint Street at Jessie
                http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/

                Bocadillos might be too far a walk for you... M-F 7am
                710 Montgomery St. between Columbus Ave & Jackson St
                www.bocasf.com

                another long walk... to the Ferry Building
                Acme Bread, Frog Hollow Farm, Mastrelli's Delicatessen
                Boulette's Larder is open at 8am

                at Yerba Buena Gardens across the street from MOMA:
                Samovar Tea opens at 10am
                above the Waterfall on the Upper Terrace

                if Dottie's is on your List; add Brenda's French Soul Food, too
                it's between Eddy and Turk St. near Civic Center/Tenderloin
                www.frenchsoulfood.com
                652 Polk St

                1. re: Cynsa

                  The Ferry Building has quite a few excellent stands offering breakfast on Saturday. Definitely worth going, especially if the weather is nice, you can sit on the Bay and eat.

                  • Lots of good suggestions above. There's also a Whole Foods with a big takeout section at 4th and Brannan.

                      1. What days of the week? Some places like Sentinal are only open during the week and others on the weekend. Here's some places in nearby Union Square
                        http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/108

                          1. re: rworange

                            A note about your list - the champagne brunch at Anzu is expensive and not particularly good - a lot of boring, bland food. I took some out of town guests and was really embarrassed and felt that I damaged my credibilty by providing such a mediocre dining experience.

                            • Townsend is on the fringe of where you're looking, a bit less than a mile away, but it is worth going a few more blocks for.

                              1. re: BernalKC

                                Nearby Crossroads Cafe has decent breakfasts at fair prices.

                                • If you decide you want a bigger breakfast, we recommend Luques, even though it's in a hotel, we found the food to be very good. It's downtown:

                                  Luques Restaurant & Bar
                                  Located inside the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
                                  433 Powell Street between Post and Sutter 415.248.2475
                                  http://www.luquesrestaurant.com/

                                    1. re: Kim Cooper

                                      Definitely adding Luques to our breakfast near Union Square repertoire, Kim, thanks. I searched and your post from your Windsor trip seems to be the only commentary on it here -- maybe I'll be able to add to the database at the end of the month :-).

                                        1. re: grayelf

                                          We forgot to reply to thank everyone for their suggestions. Ultimately we ate at Dottie's, twice, and loved it. I can think of no better breakfast. Everything was outstanding and with a spirit of generosity and a laid-back vibe -- not at all like the stingy, brunch rush you often encounter in New York. The bakery stands at the Ferry building farmer's market were great (particularly the one that does the donut muffins) and we picked up coffee from the Blue Bottle stand. Also went to the Blue Bottle cafe where the eating options first thing in the morning were limited to disappointing almond filled brioches that were greatly overpriced.

                                            1. re: johannabanana

                                              The donut muffins are from Healdsburg's Downtown Bakery. I have a stash in my freezer that I bought at the mother ship at the half-price markdown on weekdays after 4:30pm. They reheat beautifully.

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