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Buena Vista Cafe

Bar, American Restaurant, and Breakfast Spot$$$$

San Francisco

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Buena Vista Cafe

9.0^/10

1,549

ratings

Ranked #1 for Irish coffee in San Francisco
This bar is famous for their Irish coffee. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"Must try Irish Coffee (best I've ever had) and SF sour dough."(286 Tips)
"The original Irish coffee, delicious!"(7 Tips)
"Crab Benedict is awesome as well as the BV."(9 Tips)
"famous Irish whiskey"(5 Tips)

392 Tips and reviews

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Irish coffee
original irish
scenic views
breakfast food
casual
good for dates
good for singles
eggs
trendy
corned beef hash
great value
bar
bread pudding
Frangelico
French toast
wifi
potato skins
tequila
restaurants
crowded
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EaterJuly 28, 2016
Sure, it's a tourist obsession, but the Buena Vista does make a damn good Irish coffee. Also, it combines coffee and alcohol and dark wooden bars, three things San Francisco adores. Read more
Upvoted Feb 18
Katherine WachterNovember 16, 2015
Cool place! You must sit at the front bar for an Irish coffee. Check in the back to see if a customer named Dennis is there- he owns art gallery two doors down… He can tell u anything u want to know
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
BuzzFeedAugust 23, 2016
The Irish coffee — a splash of hot water, two sugar cubes, coffee, a jigger of Irish whiskey and a frothy topping of whipped cream — is the perfect after-dinner apertif. Read more
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Sandra Lopez MilanJuly 16, 2015
It's definitely tourist must stop. Had the Irish coffee,was my first Irish coffee so I can't compare it but I'm thinking it's gonna be hard to beat it was delicious. Had an omelette it was average.
Daniel StansellApril 24, 2017
Brought the Irish Coffee out west, they have the perfect recipe. Big tip? Just order the traditional Irish Coffee (or three). This place is ALWAYS packed, so sneak in at the bar and watch the show!
StephanySeptember 9, 2018
You have to try it. Even though it’s touristy, it’s somehow delicious and the perfect amount of booze in coffee..
Rob WMay 25, 2013
Get an Irish Coffee! All the tips aren't lying when they say its the best here. History says this is the 1st place in America where Irish Coffees were served.
karely milanMay 5, 2015
Signature Irish coffee definitely a kick super strong.Had the steak and eggs steak was cold 😑.. Cool thing about this place is that you share tables with other people &waitresses are something else
Frank KimJune 16, 2015
The Irish Coffee definitely lives up to it's billing, believe the hype, I had 2. The corn beef hash was amazing, and the eggs blackstone had the most scrumptious and juicy thick California tomatoes.
Daniel KellyNovember 14, 2014
Everyone talks about the Irish coffee and yes it's good. I liked my corned beef hash with generous serving of potato but wouldn't say the food is amazing. Still a good breakfast spot with a good menu.
Werner SeibertMay 15, 2018
Crab Benedict is awesome as well as the BV. Coffee is good as well and you have to try the Irish coffee, which is the best I ever had.
robé benoApril 29, 2019
Great place, what makes this place special is the employees, they are a family and are dedicated to making you feel an experience!!
Nick FrühlingFebruary 26, 2016
"Jack Koeppler, then-owner of Buena Vista, spent a painstaking amount of time and effort perfecting the perfect Irish coffee in 1952, which has since become what The Buena Vista is known for."
Aaron CruzJuly 25, 2014
The home of the Irish Coffee! You gotta get at least one. Waiting a while to get a seat at the bar to watch them made by the dozen is well worth the wait.
Will KivinskiOctober 9, 2013
Been here 5+ times
My favorite was actually the Mexican Coffee with Tequila. It packs a bigger punch than the traditional Irish version.
Jeff LoyApril 13, 2014
If you're hungry, no food is served at the bar and all tables are "community", so be ready to meet new people (which can be an awesome experience and lead to great conversations).
Karen MiaoFebruary 25, 2016
Obviously the Irish coffee! Service is fast, people are friendly, and it's a perfect way to warm up from an inevitably foggy day. They even let my husband & his groomsmen take a picture behind the bar
Chris CamargoAugust 8, 2016
Watching the bartenders make the Irish coffees en masse is one of the best bar experiences I've had in recent memory.
Daria BukatovaMarch 16, 2017
The cult place with the best Irish coffee in San-Francisco and fresh crabs 🦀! Nice and authentic
Daniel SimmonsAugust 20, 2014
The Irish coffee is the reason this place exists. Usually pretty busy with tourists, but if you go during the week you're sure to sit at the bar. SF CLASSIC!
Jack JenkinsJune 30, 2014
Excellent service, good drinks and tasty food. I recommend the pastrami sandwich for lunch... wash it down with an Irish coffee as it would be rude not to
Tyler SzaboJuly 4, 2015
Great for brunch and the Irish coffee is a must. Watch it get made en masse at the bar. A few more seats are available in a side room.
Jon B.November 25, 2011
Definitely try an Irish coffee The naughty Irishmen is also tasty, an of you want to get row', try a shot of Padrón with a back of sangrita. Also, one of the best Guinness pours in the States!
Jessica ChoiAugust 21, 2016
You can get an Irish coffee to go $10. They give you a small bottle of Irish whiskey and you just have to add it to your coffee outside.
Jim RobertOctober 28, 2016
You have to have an Irish coffee (maybe two). They are to die for! The portions are large on the menu. You will not leave hungry!
John HaberlandJuly 21, 2013
Yes the Irish coffee was good, but if it's out of your way to get there, you're not missing anything fantastic. Plus if you don't get there early you could be in for a long wait.
Arch Rock FishAugust 6, 2011
If you are in the Santa Barbara area, come check out Arch Rock Fish. We have the exact same recipe as the Buena Vista Irish coffee from the whisky, the coffee & even the glassware. See you soon. Read more
Kaitlin MartineauMarch 7, 2017
It's hard to say this wasn't the best Irish coffee I've had.. so smooth and so delightful!
Terry YangJuly 20, 2014
Must try Irish Coffee (best I've ever had) and SF sour dough. Awesome corned beef hash too. Fantastic view to go with fantastic food
Brandon BourgeoisJuly 16, 2016
After your third Irish coffee, be ready to tip well and take the streetcar back up the hill!
JT LEEMarch 8, 2015
The alcohol portion of The Irish coffee is differ by waiters, for me (one with mustaches) so much for daytime. 만들어주시는 분에 따라서 강도가 달라집니다, 낮에는 주의하시길
Jazmín GarzaSeptember 2, 2013
Their Irish Coffee is great! The place is wonderful and full all the time, so be quick to grab an empty spot even if it's at the bar.
Terence Steward IIMarch 28, 2014
Irish coffee, of course however the food is much better. ANY of the fresh crab items is a winner and the clam soup bowl was DEE-lish!
Lindsay FloresOctober 21, 2015
Cute little cafe overlooking the bay. Their breakfast is so good! Try their breakfast potatoes and French toast!
G. SaxAugust 10, 2015
Come for the Irish coffee, of course, but also take time to enjoy the bay views, the history and the fries!
Francis AlvarezMay 3, 2017
Irish coffee with bread pudin. Bit too hard on the alcohol, but great for real coffee lovers.
heather 🍭🎀👗June 29, 2014
Famous for their Irish coffees, but the other varietals are awesome too! Try the keoke coffee with brandy and kahlua. Um, yum.
Human TripodFebruary 1, 2012
A little known fact: although they don't allow smoking, they may allow you to light an Irish pipe with pipe tobacco if seated at the bar. Nice! Now bring me my shillelagh! :D
Simon TanAugust 16, 2017
Crab Benedict was okay - get the sourdough toast though, it's worth it!
Maya ByrneDecember 2, 2017
Best Irish coffee. A must stop location when in the area.
Megan Blue-SkyFebruary 12, 2016
Make sure you sit at the end of the bar, so you can watch the bartenders make the Irish Coffee. It's an art.
Richard RevillaOctober 15, 2014
Well you come here for the Irish Coffee and the magic show. After 2 go ride the Cable cars across the street.
Michael EnescuJanuary 26, 2018
The Michael Flohr paintings capturing the spirit of this place are even better than its legendary Irish Coffee
Liz 🦎September 9, 2015
The Irish coffees really are good. A great way to take a break after Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf.
Randy RosenbergJanuary 18, 2013
Don't overlook the sourdough toast which goes with everything. Breakfast portions very generous so don't be out "he-manned" by just 2 eggs.
CarolineAugust 16, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Delicious Irish Coffee near Ghiradelli Square. Come on a clear day at sunset to sip your drink and admire the beautiful view.
JordynAugust 16, 2015
Always worth going here, though it's very busy. Best irish coffees around.
SarahnautSeptember 1, 2014
Irish Coffee FTW. Get it. Just get it and thank me later.
Amanda HaasAugust 18, 2014
The "original" Irish Coffee, the best! Their crab cakes are also quite good. Great views!
Kim OwensOctober 19, 2012
I always make a stop here, in the heart of tourist hell, to have an Irish Coffee, remembering my dad's story of his first date when he moved to SF in the 50's.

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