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Buena Vista Cafe
Bar, American Restaurant, and Breakfast Spot$$$$
San Francisco
The experts at Eater and SFGate recommend this place
"Must try Irish Coffee (best I've ever had) and SF sour dough."(287 Tips)
"The original Irish coffee, delicious!"(7 Tips)
"Crab Benedict is awesome as well as the BV."(9 Tips)
"famous Irish whiskey"(5 Tips)
393 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Irish coffee
- original irish
- scenic views
- breakfast food
- casual
- (15 more)
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Katherine WachterNovember 16, 2015Cool 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 knowUpvoted Aug 28
Sandra Lopez MilanJuly 16, 2015It'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, 2017Brought 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, 2018You have to try it. Even though it’s touristy, it’s somehow delicious and the perfect amount of booze in coffee..
Karen MiaoFebruary 25, 2016Obviously 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
karely milanMay 5, 2015Signature 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
Daniel KellyNovember 14, 2014Everyone 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, 2018Crab 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.
Frank KimJune 16, 2015The 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.
My favorite was actually the Mexican Coffee with Tequila. It packs a bigger punch than the traditional Irish version.
Rob WMay 25, 2013Get 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.
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."
robé benoApril 29, 2019Great place, what makes this place special is the employees, they are a family and are dedicated to making you feel an experience!!
Chris CamargoAugust 8, 2016Watching the bartenders make the Irish coffees en masse is one of the best bar experiences I've had in recent memory.
Kaitlin MartineauMarch 7, 2017It's hard to say this wasn't the best Irish coffee I've had.. so smooth and so delightful!
Aaron CruzJuly 25, 2014The 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.
Jeff LoyApril 13, 2014If 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).
Daria BukatovaMarch 16, 2017The cult place with the best Irish coffee in San-Francisco and fresh crabs 🦀! Nice and authentic
Tyler SzaboJuly 4, 2015Great 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.
Jessica ChoiAugust 21, 2016You 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, 2016You 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!- Terry YangJuly 20, 2014Must try Irish Coffee (best I've ever had) and SF sour dough. Awesome corned beef hash too. Fantastic view to go with fantastic food
Daniel SimmonsAugust 20, 2014The 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, 2014Excellent 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
JT LEEMarch 8, 2015The 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
Jon B.November 25, 2011Definitely 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!
G. SaxAugust 10, 2015Come for the Irish coffee, of course, but also take time to enjoy the bay views, the history and the fries!
John HaberlandJuly 21, 2013Yes 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.
Brandon BourgeoisJuly 16, 2016After your third Irish coffee, be ready to tip well and take the streetcar back up the hill!
Lindsay FloresOctober 21, 2015Cute little cafe overlooking the bay. Their breakfast is so good! Try their breakfast potatoes and French toast!
Richard RevillaOctober 15, 2014Well you come here for the Irish Coffee and the magic show. After 2 go ride the Cable cars across the street.
Jazmín GarzaSeptember 2, 2013Their 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.
Michael EnescuJanuary 26, 2018The Michael Flohr paintings capturing the spirit of this place are even better than its legendary Irish Coffee
Delicious Irish Coffee near Ghiradelli Square. Come on a clear day at sunset to sip your drink and admire the beautiful view.
Arch Rock FishAugust 6, 2011If 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
Geraldine RendónNovember 5, 2015Benedict eggs with a Mimosa and of course the Irish coffee is delicious, the flavor is so complex and layered
Matt CoddingtonMarch 28, 2013have your phone ready in camcorder mode, and catch the bartender creating half a dozen Irish Coffees at the same time! Truly amazing AND delicious!
heather 🍭🎀👗June 29, 2014Famous for their Irish coffees, but the other varietals are awesome too! Try the keoke coffee with brandy and kahlua. Um, yum.
Terence Steward IIMarch 28, 2014Irish 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!- Kim OwensOctober 19, 2012I 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.
Francis AlvarezMay 3, 2017Irish coffee with bread pudin. Bit too hard on the alcohol, but great for real coffee lovers.
Megan Blue-SkyFebruary 12, 2016Make sure you sit at the end of the bar, so you can watch the bartenders make the Irish Coffee. It's an art.
Human TripodFebruary 1, 2012A 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
Start your brunch with an Irish coffee and you will never regret it.
Liz 🦎September 9, 2015The Irish coffees really are good. A great way to take a break after Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf.
2,735 Photos
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World Famous Irish Coffee
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 9:00 AM–2:00 AM
- Sat–Sun
- 8:00 AM–2:00 AM
(415) 474-5044
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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