Borderlands Cafe
| Address: | 870 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA |
| Phone: | +1 415-970-6998 |
| Site: | borderlands-cafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 53
Reviews 26
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K Tempest Bradford
I think of this place as the Geek Community Center. This bookstore is popular and beloved by SF/F readers, writers, and editors, so if you hang out here long enough youll run into someone you know from a convention or someone youve heard of or someone whose book youve read. I love that about Borderlands. Its nice to have a space to be where theyre not anxious about getting you out of a seat, where the people working are pleasant and joyful, and where theres a vibe of community. That last one makes it easy to ask people to share a table if there arent any free. I love to come here and write. Being in proximity to books helps the vibe. Plus, there are group meetups of writers who come to socialize or just write. Their food offerings could be more extensive and there could be more savory options. Thats a quibble, though. What pastries they do have are tasty. And all the drinks are great. Prices arent bad, either. I am less than pleased about the Cash Only thing, but if it means keeping prices down then I cant complain too much. They also hold events here regularly. What I appreciate is that the event area in back is large enough to accommodate many people and is separate from the front of the cafe. You can still come here and chill even if youre not interested in the event. Borderlands Cafe is a model of what every cafe should be. Im glad its still here.
CI
Cindy Toh
Was mid-day and we desperately needed a wake-me-up coffee, so glad we chance upon this cafe. A friendly neighborhood cafe that serves up awesome coffee. We had a latte and a ice latte, taste superb! Its a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, a perfect place to rest your feet and just slow down a little. People were working on notebooks as in pen and paper, couples reading together, kids drawing and just a handful on their laptops. Quite a rare sight honestly. Just a small downside hence the four star instead of five - they do not accept credit. So remember to bring cash before swinging by. A wonderful place to do some reading, chill a little and just enjoy the mission.
A
A Private User
FINALLY a decent cafe on this block. (Javalencia and Mission Creek arent cutting it.) - Interesting selection of teas, including loose leaf. I LOVE that they give me the teapot with strainer and a little tray for it. Thats the way it should be done everywhere. - Best part is the meat/cheese plates and dessert plates, the latter of which comes in two sizes: Modest ($5) and Immodest ($8) - Comfy, quiet place with couches and large tables (good for spreading out and studying).
LE
Lena Cardell
Excellent coffeeshop for playing board games. Big tables and no wifi mean theres usually room to spread out. They also have couches and comfy chairs where you can curl up with one of their many magazines or a good book. Some recommendations on what to drink: -The coffee itself isnt amazing, but its reasonably good. -I dont recommend their mochas since they taste like theyre made with low-grade syrup. -They make a lovely flavored lemonade.
SA
Sara Riedl
Its really difficult in San Francisco to find a quiet cafe with plenty of seating and decent coffee but Borderlands Cafe is one of these rare gems in the middle of the Mission - they even let you browse through the latest magazines and newspapers without having to buy them (as long as you return them unharmed). They also have super friendly staff and your favorite mystery novel bookstore is part of the operation
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jā carter
Classy and Nerd-core af. Great coffee, clean and relaxed atmosphere, a Dungeons & Dragons game is likely to be underway at a back table (quietly, surprisingly!) and any of the baristas can hold their own in a discussion about science fiction theory. An Amazing selection of the best magazines in publication to read and purchase. I travel a lot, and this is one of my favorite cafés in the country, frankly!
A
A Private User
Bringing literacy other than computer code back to the Mission. Thank you for reminding folks that there are these things called books that exist and they should be featured. Great addition to the neighborhood, but can we please not use CFL energy saving bulbs? Their horrible vibrations ruin what could be a wonderful evening spot.
LI
Liz Phillips
This cafe attached to a bookstore is beautiful and exactly what I want from a coffee shop. The wood floors and decor are plain and inviting. The ambiance is warm and quiet, perfect for reading a book (or working ... if you must.) Cash only is a little bit of a bummer, but come prepared, and you wont regret it!
KA
Kalai Lam
Got a coffee and a cheese danish here, after a afternoon walk and window shopping. I have to say the service was fast and very good, people there were very friendly and the environment was good to hang out. Only thing I didnt like was the taste of the coffee they served here, it was too sour!
ST
Stuart Gilbert
The staff were friendly, the coffee was good. The customers were mostly lone people sitting at a table for 4 with their laptops. You need to get a key to use the restroom, which, I suppose, tells you something about the place... Im not sure what, but its weird.
GL
Glenn Jahnke
Pretty good food, pretty good coffee, great service. Quiet place to work, internet is reliable too. Rarely a line either. If youre into fantasy books you can wander over to the bookstore side, they have an amazing selection.
A
A Private User
Move over Mission-area coffee shops. Theres a new cafe on Valencia street, and its attached to Borderlands Books. Get some books next door. Get some coffee. Read. Chat. Hang out. awesome.
RO
Robert Dolores
Nice cozy bright..good to chill while doing paper work or read new book from main store or pick up a cup or an snack, if a lil high on average, b4 or after taking young kids to next door park
MA
Matt Trifiro
Solid cafe attached to a bookstore. Friendly staff, limited food options. Free WiFi during the day. Chairs arent super comfortable, so dont plan to stay all day (although people do)
SA
Sam Hilgartner
Decent coffee drinks, quiet comfortable and non pretentious environment. Everything needed to sit down and read for a while. Also appreciate the wifi limitation.
BR
Brandon Smyth
Very calm, spacious cafe. Reasonably priced pots of tea and a good selection. The big tables are great if you need a little more space. Neighbourhood favourite.
A
A Private User
Had some hot chocolate drink that was really good. Also had the bonus that it was pretty empty, so I could actually sit down and chat with a visiting friend.
MA
Mayu Okazaki
There is cozy and warm atmosphere to take coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice and etc. I sometimes go here to study or read some books.
JE
Jennifer Yoo
Awesome cafe with a bookstore next door. I had their loose leaf tea, which was excellent. Nice place to hang out and read or chat.
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Ken Penn
One of my favorite places, next to my favorite bookstore. Quiet and cheerful, with good drinks and pleasantly odd staff.
MA
Matt Dubs
Wide selection of food and drink. Great interior with tables and couches. Outlets and wifi (temporarily at least).
ST
Steven Hudosh
Great place to caffeinate and get some work done. Much more down to earth vibe than the other cafes in Valencia.
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Gerald Berg
its not that I dislike the place its just that I thought the employees could have been more friendly
OD
Odalis Mandereau
Great coffee, SUPER nice employees, and you can post up here for hours and get all of your work done.
BR
Brendan Callum
Love checking out the books and having a drink at the café. Not a bad place to work either.
ME
Meghan Gaudet
This is a great spot to grab a hot beverage and get some work or reading done. Pretty cozy.
