Caffe Greco

423 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA

★★★★4.4(1,547 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

This European-style café captures that timeless Italian espresso bar energy right in the heart of San Francisco, drawing loyal locals who return again and again for thoughtful cappuccinos and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that actually encourages you to linger with a book. The tiramisu is famously divisive (some swear by it, others don't), but the real draw is the cozy, lived-in vibe and solid espresso work—just come with cash and maybe arrive before the late-night crowd rolls in. It's the kind of place where you can genuinely disappear from the city for a few hours.

What to expect

Outdoor seatingLate nightsMeetingsSlow sitLaptop friendlyCash onlyPastriesLight foodEspresso focusedTraditional drinks

Google Reviews

Omar Torrentera
★★★★★2 months ago

Cozy little café with a classic European feel. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, and it felt like a nice place to sit down, enjoy a drink, and take a break from the city. The interior décor gives it a lot of character. Definitely a good spot if you want something calm and comfortable.

Sarina Iwai
★★★★3 months ago

Came here after dinner for a little sweet treat - keep in mind this place is cash only!! Biscotti was average but we rly liked the tiramisu! It was super airy and had the perfect ratio of cream and lady fingers in my opinion. The place has good amount of seating both inside and outside and the vibes of the place is comforting and nostalgic, which I rly love!

Dessa R
★★★★3 months ago

*cash-only -come prepared* Great late night spot for sweet treats and coffee. There might be some sketchy characters the later you arrive, but plenty of seating. We had cappuccinos and gelato and tiramisu! After a night of dinner & drinks, great way to end the night. The staff was friendly and efficient.

Jaskaran Virdi
★★★★4 months ago

The tiramisu is super overrated. It’s the worst tiramisu I have ever had in my life! The cream is frozen, the biscuit is tasteless and there is no coffee flavor. Even their Greco Grande cappuccino lacked the coffee flavor and wasn’t a strong capucinno. The seats are also right next to the each other to maximize customers at the cost of bad customer experience. The servers are rude and impatient. They took my order incorrectly and upon asking for clarification gave attitude for no reason. There is nothing Italian about this place. Feels like a scam!

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou
★★★★★4 months ago

Whenever I end up with a book in my hand and need a place to sit, have a good cup of coffee, and read in peace, Caffè Greco almost always wins. I’m a local, and over the years I’ve tried just about every café in the neighborhood. Greco has consistently stayed near the top of my list. It’s a comfortable, no-frills spot with plenty of seating, decent space to spread out, and a steady neighborhood vibe that makes it easy to settle in for a while. The coffee is solid, the service is friendly, and it’s a reliable place whether you’re stopping by for a quick espresso or planning to sit and read for an hour or two. It’s also a good people-watching spot without feeling loud or rushed. One thing that still makes me smile is that it’s located in North Beach’s Little Italy, and it’s called Greco. The owner isn’t Greek or Italian, and most of the staff is Hispanic. But honestly, who cares? It works. It’s a great neighborhood café, and that’s what matters.

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