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Borderlands Cafe

Borderlands Cafe

(Now Closed)
Café$$$$
Mission Dolores, San Francisco
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Tips and Reviews icon74 Tips and reviews
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  • Eater
    EaterSeptember 15, 2014
    This sci-fi/fantasy oriented bookstore offers a cafe for enjoying the contents of its shelves, minus wi-fi. Pick a new novel to get lost in, then pull up a chair and sip tea while you turn the pages. Read more
  • Wilson F.heart icon on user image
    The science fiction/fantasy reader's paradise, with an extremely knowledgeable staff of geeks to help guide you. And the added benefit of a great adjoining coffee.
  • nora w.
    nora walkerMarch 27, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Great place to get a coffee and do some work. Friendly staff. Free wifi during business hrs (m-f 9am to 5pm). lots of tables and outlets too.
  • Tim L.heart icon on user image
    Tim LucasAugust 24, 2017
    Really good place to hide away and work. They have a no-talking-on-phone policy, and good lemonade.
  • Ramon L.heart icon on user image
    Ramon LamanaSeptember 17, 2013
    There is WiFi. Really nice place and people. I was invited to a cup of coffee because I had no cash. Definitely I'll be coming here pretty often.
  • Dinakar T.heart icon on user image
    Dinakar TumuMay 8, 2018
    Good place to get some work done. Have good collection of books if interested in reading.
  • Paul M.heart icon on user image
    Paul MisonSeptember 18, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    No coffee snobbery (you can get PG Tips tea) and (usually) no trouble finding a seat mean I've no hesitation in declaring this my favourite place to get a drink on Valencia.
  • Jeff R.
    Jeff Reine 🌧September 22, 2017
    Wifi is free. Seating is plentiful. Great quiet place to laptop.
  • Dogan
    DoganNovember 2, 2018
    Been here 5+ times
    Great place to get some work done and browse among thousands of SF and fantasy books.
  • Andrew F.heart icon on user image
    Andrew FisterMay 23, 2017
    Been here 25+ times
    Get whatever drink is on the small chalk board by the register. It's always fun and seasonal.
  • Peterheart icon on user image
    PeterAugust 31, 2015
    Sadly they got rid of the couch - only chairs to sit on. Coffee was OK but don't expect a taste explosion. Very friendly staff though and great selection of magazines to read for free.
  • Diana G.heart icon on user image
    Diana GalvisOctober 24, 2014
    The fruit basket hot tea and chocolate croissants are delicious for an afternoon of work or reading
  • Omid M.
    Omid MortazaviDecember 26, 2015
    High-speed wifi. No music. Most people come here to read. Great place to grab a coffee and do some reading
  • Soosie C.
    Soosie ChoiJanuary 8, 2013
    I like the alcove in the back. There are easily accessible power outlets there so you can charge while using your mobile hotspot.
  • Pol G.heart icon on user image
    Pol Gomà DeàsAugust 6, 2017
    Great cafe (and coffee). WiFi is only available @ weekdays before 5pm.
  • Jared R.
    Jared RanereFebruary 5, 2015
    Great atmosphere for working but beware they impose work life balance by shutting wifi off at 5.
  • M M.
    M MilazzoFebruary 6, 2019
    This place held out for a long time, but now offers free WiFi between 9 am and 5 pm.
  • Barney
    BarneyMarch 15, 2013
    Might have gone through a change of ownership but the place has wifi now! Plenty of seatings, and good Mexican hot chocolate.
  • Diane O.heart icon on user image
    Diane OsborneDecember 20, 2014
    Enjoy the artwork adorning the walks , <3 seeing things from local artists.
  • Nina Y.heart icon on user image
    Nina YiamsamathaDecember 17, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Super friendly staff and yummy blueberry muffins
  • squeasel
    squeaselOctober 8, 2014
    Good place to pause for a rest and beverage to refuel on your next bookstores-of-the-mission pilgrimage.
  • David K.
    David KimAugust 1, 2013
    Awesome spot on Valencia. Library and bookstore meets cafe. Very original,
  • Melissa C.
    Melissa ContrerasOctober 7, 2011
    Great coffee. Tiny, cute muffins. Comfy chairs, tables, couches. But no wi-fi. No music either, quiet as a library.
  • Carrie H.
    Carrie HigginsFebruary 3, 2013
    This place looks like a Wes Anderson film. I dig it; creates an intellectual environment for getting work done.
  • Karina v.heart icon on user image
    Karina van SchaardenburgJune 19, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    No wifi (& more importantly no music) make this a great place to avoid distractions and read.
  • Rebecca W.
    Rebecca WrightMarch 17, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Food is meh. Coffee is pretty good. And it's a great place to get (non Internet) work done. Love the atmosphere.
  • Liz P.
    Liz PallattoApril 8, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    If this chair by the window is free -- it's super comfy and there is great people watching
  • Sean H.
    Sean HowellJuly 17, 2018
    Awesome spot but weird to sell magazines cash only
  • Harley T.
    Harley TrungSeptember 29, 2014
    No wifi on weekend. Need key to restroom. No music. But great work place with wooden table and sofa options. Outlets galore.
  • Mike C.heart icon on user image
    Mike CraigAugust 27, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Quiet and comfortable! A pleasant place to ponder
  • Brandon L.heart icon on user image
    Brandon LipmanJune 19, 2017
    Nice area with lots of seating.
  • Christina P.
    Christina PJanuary 12, 2014
    Note: cash only.
  • Edgar R.
    Edgar RiveraMarch 10, 2013
    best orange morning bun... ever! try it, you wont be dissapointed
  • Travis G.
    Travis GJanuary 18, 2014
    Cash only. No wifi on the weekends.
  • Chelsea D.heart icon on user image
    Chelsea DayJune 17, 2013
    No music, no scene - just work. Small North Beach plate is perfect.
  • Ni M.heart icon on user image
    Ni MuMay 18, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Try the raspberry lemonade! Perfectly tart.
  • Eric S.
    Eric SchnellSeptember 7, 2013
    Coffee is okay but they turn Wifi off at 5 pm every day. You're better off going down the street o Ritual where to coffee is good and there is wifi
  • Nic W.
    Nic WernerNovember 11, 2018
    Cash only, but atm inside. Low prices!
  • Joseph N.
    Joseph NagleMay 7, 2013
    There is wifi, not sure why people saying there isn't... Good place to get some work done
  • Steven K.heart icon on user image
    Steven KayeAugust 18, 2015
    Good service, not insanely noisy, ATM on premise.
  • Jerry W.
    Jerry WongNovember 28, 2011
    No WiFi, and not a lot of conversation. Great place if you need somewhere quiet and low-key away from home.
  • Kristina
    KristinaNovember 27, 2013
    Now they have wifi 9am-5pm weekdays!
  • Jiong L.
    Jiong LiuJuly 18, 2013
    Awesome spot to work from!
  • Edgar R.
    Edgar RiveraDecember 21, 2012
    coffee is so-so, but is a good place to get work done (if you don't need WiFi)
  • Jeff R.
    Jeff Reine 🌧September 22, 2017
    Thou shall not drink decaf drip
  • Veronica P.heart icon on user image
    Veronica P.November 30, 2013
    Free wifi m-f 9-5pm network shut off at 5pm exactly.
  • Shane V.
    Shane VitriolFebruary 28, 2013
    The chocolate tea is amazing.
  • Brendanheart icon on user image
    BrendanJuly 29, 2013
    Don't listen to the haters. This is a great fucking spot.
  • annie .
    annie 🧸June 4, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    As seen in the indie game movie documentary! : D
  • Ana H.
    Ana HRNovember 14, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    The big brown chair by the window is insanely comfortable.
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