Simple Pleasures Cafe

3434 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
$$$ Cafe
(519 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Located on the bustling Balboa Street in San Francisco's Outer Richmond neighborhood, Simple Pleasures Cafe is a charming haven for coffee lovers and casual diners alike. This cafe is more than just a stop for your morning caffeine fix; it’s a community hub where warmth and good vibes thrive, making it a must-visit for both locals and travelers.

Simple Pleasures Cafe prides itself on its expertly roasted coffees, including their signature Simple Pleasures Dark French—a bolddark roast with a high acidity that delivers a strong initial bite, making it perfect for those who seek an energizing start to their day. For those who prefer decaffeinated options, the Simple Pleasures Dark French Decaf offers a rich flavor without the jitters. Additionally, the café showcases an environmentally conscious flair with their Organic Colombian Shade Grown Rainforest coffee, introducing patrons to the joys of sustainable coffee sourced from esteemed environments.

The atmosphere at Simple Pleasures is nothing short of inviting. With ample seating both indoors and on their outdoor "parklette," it’s an ideal spot to relax or concentrate on work. Customers rave about the cozy ambiance where you can often find local musicians strumming gentle tunes, adding to the cafe's laid-back vibe. Heather Dessel describes it as "divey without being gross," highlighting the comfort it offers and the unique sense of community fostered within its walls.

Simple Pleasures Cafe also offers a delectable range of pastries and sandwiches that cater to various tastes. Whether you're in the mood for a satisfying hot sandwich or a freshly baked pastry, the menu is filled with delightful options. As Ryan Rovira-Lanzendorf points out, the baked goods are a standout, tempting repeat visits during his time in San Francisco.

While the simply aesthetic values and rich flavors captivate your senses, the reviews indicate that the cafe has room for improvement, such as in the chai latte area, much to Katia Martha’s experience. However, with such a rich menu, you’re bound to find something that will charm your palate. The place buzzes with lively conversation and an array of guests—from laptop warriors to families enjoying a casual meal—creating a vibrant tapestry of communal life. Jason Branch notes the ideal atmosphere for relaxing or meeting locals who share tales of the city.

No matter when you visit, Simple Pleasures Cafe is bound to serve up both great coffee and a slice of local life. Whether you're seeking a warm beverage to kickstart your day or a cozy spot to unwind, this cafe invites you to share in the simple joys that make every cup a delight. Stop by, grab a chair, and immerse yourself in the happy buzz that defines the heart of the Richmond District—where every visit becomes a cherished memory.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Has live music
Has live performances
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
Has kids' menu
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

519 Reviews
Heather Dessel

31 Aug 2025

One of my favorite neighborhood spots! Divey without being gross, just comfy. Spots to sit inside and outside. Chill and good vibes.

S D

27 Aug 2025

Simple Pleasures offers a very classic Richmond district cafe experience - multitude of pastry/protein bar/snack options with a wide array of coffee & food options as well (mostly sandwiches). The vibes in here are great, it’s longer than you’d think and plenty of space to work. Musician came in and played very relaxed music. Also a slight warning! There’s a simple pleasures coffee roasters that comes before it but that’s not this one. We got confused!

Isabel

26 Aug 2025

I really enjoyed visiting this cafe. Food was good, staff was kind, but I would recommend checking ahead of time to see if there’s live music when you visit. It’s nice for the vibes but not the best when you’re trying to study.

Ryan Rovira-Lanzendorf

24 Aug 2025

Simple Pleasures is a mainstay in the Outer Richmond. The roast their own coffee, their vanilla iced lattes are my personal favorite, baked goods are so good, the space is great so you can chill or work, they have an outdoor parklette, and they serve beer later in the day. I love this place.

Jason Branch

01 Jul 2025

Great coffee and food is delicious. I was here every morning and afternoon during my stay in San Francisco and would recommend to anyone looking for great coffee, food and a really chill atmosphere to relax and or meet some really cool locals to learn some history about SF, Thanks Mike and Jon

Katia Martha

23 Jun 2025

Rating 5 stars mainly for ambiance and because I’d go back and try other things. Really charming, cozy place with all ages gathered- seems like an established community hub. There’s people working on laptops and just hanging out. Unfortunately the thing I ordered was not satisfying but I’ll try something else next time. I ordered a chai latte and it tasted nothing like any chai I’ve had. I had my two friends take sips of my drink too to verify and they said it tasted like ginger tea. I wonder if my drink got mixed up somehow or if they ran out of chai? If they ran out, I’d rather have been told so I could’ve gotten something else. My friends enjoyed their coffees and bagels. Friendly people and great atmosphere make it worth it for me to come back, try something new, and recommend to others. Oh also! The writing on the cups was beautiful :)

drawonnoodles

30 May 2025

This cozy cafe is a community favorite and is always busy. There is both indoor and outdoor seating bit I prefer to sit inside since Balboa is windy most of the time. Their hot sandwiches are really good and unique. I definitely did not expect the jalapeno in there. The dutch crunch is best enjoyed when the bread is still crunchy. Their pastries are also really good though they are kind of pricey. Wish they put the names and prices of their pastries up front.

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