Cafe Europa

AMAZING comfort food. Very calming experience, great cakes especially with tea. Definitely recommend for any time of day, whenever hungry.

I visited Café Europa on my last three vacations in San Francisco (I live in Lima). We go from Hayward to enjoy their wonderful cuisine.

+1

Love this restaurant! Good atmosphere and great food! Would love to go there again and try other things

+3

WOW! Cafe Europa is hot! And I mean hot like your best friend's sister hot! I was just out boppin around lookin for this and that with my pals Welder Grabbers, Lil Thumper and Bigbang and we stumbled upon the Cafe Europa Restaurant, and hell it was time to eat, so we did just that...eat. What a great place, the food was Amazing and the menu was just right, not overwhelming in the least bit, it was perfect. The Schnitzel was so Spectacular it disappeared before I could get a picture, that in itself is worthy of a two hour drive! 5 stars all day long. ☆☆☆☆☆

This place is sooooo good , long time I did not had good Russian food . It is bring so much memories from childhood, Everything was super fresh and home made ! Delicious! If you want to try Russian food you should come eat here ! Отличное мену и ваша еда очень вкусная. Больше спасибо !

+1

Great little spot making eastern European fare. The Goulash with potato dumplings was delicious as were the potatoes pancakes with sour cream and mushroom sauce. The Napoleon torte, which I have only found from a bakery in Omaha Nebraska, was wonderful.

Being originally from the North East, there is a much larger presence of Eastern European food. This small café is the best restaurant in San Francisco if you are looking for this kind of food. They had a wide variety of familiar imported beers from those regions very authentic food and dessert. The potato pancakes (draniki, latkes, etc.) Had a delicious mushroom gravy and was probably my favourite part of the meal. I had The beef stroganoff for the entree, it was very savory but not at all fatty and the Napoleon pastry to finish it off.

The owner is so friendly and attentive. The food...unbelievable. I believe I ended up going like 6 times in 3 months. I can not wait to go back to SF to eat here.

Our family liked cafe Europa so much! The food is delicious and authentic. We even ordered the second cup of borsch for our 4 year old boy because he loved this soup so much. Napoleon cake is amazing, too. Highly recommend this place!

I had the Beef Stroganoff and it was hands down the best I've ever tried! Unbelievable! It's like magic! My wife got the Borsch and it was great as well. I love this place and I plan to try most of the items on the menu at some point. Next up for me will be the Goulash and then the Schnitzel. Can't wait!

We are infrequent patrons but this is always at the top of our minds whenever we're near Presidio Heights. Today was potato pancakes, beet salad, stuffed cabbage with mashed potatoes,and Hungarian goulash with pork. On the menu listed as beef. Pork was delicious. . A tea and a non alcoholic beer for tonight. Nice quiet place to dine. Friendly host/owner. Some of the best mashed potatoes in town.

I had such a heartwarming experience at this restaurant. What a hidden gem. I have sensitivity to gluten and dairy and they were able to accommodate easily. I had the norwegian salmon and roasted potatoes with red cabbage, it was excellent, freshly made and cooked to my preference. Definitely recommend and I will go again to try the Keilbasa.

The food and service are excellent. I was very surprised. Old school. Not cheap with beers appetizers, dessert.

I had the chicken peirogi appetizer and chicken schnitzel entree. The food was delicious and homemade. The service was friendly and helpful. I’ll definitely be back to this charming little place.

Cafe Europa is such a delight! There’s such a small amount of Eastern European food in the city so I was so happy to find this gem. It felt like elevated home cooking in the best way possible. We even ordered more pierogies at the end because they were THAT good. I can’t recommend this spot enough, we had a blast. They even had a variety of Eastern European beers that paired so well with the meal. See you again soon Cafe Europa!

I’d like to point out that this café has a very attentive owner, Alex, who is present at the establishment and genuinely cares whether guests are satisfied. The staff is very polite, the prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the food is delicious. I highly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy European cuisine!

The service was exceptional and the gentleman serving us made us feel welcomed and taken care of—attentive without being intrusive. The food was simply outstanding. So glad we found this spot because it delivers on all fronts. By far the best dining experience I’ve had in San Francisco. Highly recommended.

We were working in San Jose and decided to visit San Fran one night after work. Neither of us have ever been. I did a ton of wading through a ton of fantastic looking food options before I decided on Cafe Europa. I was excited about the menu options and was not disappointed! The food was so very good! My bf said the salmon was one of the best he's ever had, and he tends to order salmon frequently. The atmosphere was very intimate and a lovely setting. We got to chat with the owner for a good bit of time and enjoyed the convo and getting to know a little more about the area from him. We were full but desperately wanted to try some of the dessert so we ordered to go. Absolutely delicious!! If I ever make it back to the area I'll be very torn between trying a new place or going back to Cafe Europa! Отлично! Спасибо!

Super nice service and good food. Nice vibes with the chill music too. My favorites were the potato pancakes (with both sour cream and mushroom sauce) and the cream of mushroom soup. But everything else we got was quite good as well.

Really good Eastern European staples! We had the borscht, potato pierogi, chicken schnitzel and mushroom pancakes. Very tasty!

Amazing spot! All the food was delicious and the staff are incredibly kind. Highly recommend the strudel!

Cafe Europa left such a lasting impression on us that we've decided to return tomorrow before heading home to NC. Our experience with their authentic European homemade-style food and delightful service was so enjoyable that we can't resist one more visit. From the comforting borsch, flavorful schnitzel, and mouthwatering perogies to the tempting suggestion of their Napoleon cake, every moment at Cafe Europa feels like a warm embrace. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this culinary gem!

Stick-to-your-bones and hearty Central and Eastern European restaurant — serving warm dishes perfect for a cold, foggy day. Step in to the smell of schnitzel frying in the kitchen — it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Pork Schnitzel — crispy fried and pounded tender, thick enough still to have a chew. Sautéed sour cabbage and carbohydrate side, perfect. Borscht, excellent. Georgian Saperavi wine, a nice accompaniment.

Honestly the Borscht was better than Cinderella which is a super popular alternative in the neighborhood. Also the Pierogi tasted just like my grandma used to make! Food came quick and you can tell it was family owned and ran. I’ll forsure be back to try more!

Do not sleep on this neighborhood gem!! We shared a bunch of dishes and it’s rare to say that each one was phenomenal. Easily the best schnitzel I’ve had, including from Europe. The potato pancakes were fresh, fluffy and flavorful. Beef stroganoff, dumplings and cabbage roll were all best in class flavor and texture wise. Also do not get me started on this chocolate cake…. the BEST. The impeccable service really was the cherry on top of the dining experience. Will be back!!

Laid-back café with fantastic food. Staff is friendly and attentive. I had the borscht and beef pierogies and both exceeded my expectations.

Had an awesome first visit. Food tasted and looked delicious. The owner is friendly and welcoming, took the time to share a few stories. The food came out fast. The place is clean and has a cozy vibe. I recommend it.

Really cool place, friendly staff, Schnitzel was fantastic, has a good draft selection of central/Eastern European beers.

Sarah Ryherd

Cafe Europa is such a delight! There’s such a small amount of Eastern European food in the city so I was so happy to find this gem. It felt like elevated home cooking in the best way possible. We even ordered more pierogies at the end because they were THAT good. I can’t recommend this spot enough, we had a blast. They even had a variety of Eastern European beers that paired so well with the meal. See you again soon Cafe Europa!

Vsevolod Kantor

I’d like to point out that this café has a very attentive owner, Alex, who is present at the establishment and genuinely cares whether guests are satisfied. The staff is very polite, the prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the food is delicious. I highly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy European cuisine!

Sujin Lee

The service was exceptional and the gentleman serving us made us feel welcomed and taken care of—attentive without being intrusive. The food was simply outstanding. So glad we found this spot because it delivers on all fronts. By far the best dining experience I’ve had in San Francisco. Highly recommended.

Kasey

We were working in San Jose and decided to visit San Fran one night after work. Neither of us have ever been. I did a ton of wading through a ton of fantastic looking food options before I decided on Cafe Europa. I was excited about the menu options and was not disappointed! The food was so very good! My bf said the salmon was one of the best he's ever had, and he tends to order salmon frequently. The atmosphere was very intimate and a lovely setting. We got to chat with the owner for a good bit of time and enjoyed the convo and getting to know a little more about the area from him. We were full but desperately wanted to try some of the dessert so we ordered to go. Absolutely delicious!! If I ever make it back to the area I'll be very torn between trying a new place or going back to Cafe Europa! Отлично! Спасибо!

Elaine Wang

Super nice service and good food. Nice vibes with the chill music too. My favorites were the potato pancakes (with both sour cream and mushroom sauce) and the cream of mushroom soup. But everything else we got was quite good as well.

Oksana Eastman

Cafe Europa left such a lasting impression on us that we've decided to return tomorrow before heading home to NC. Our experience with their authentic European homemade-style food and delightful service was so enjoyable that we can't resist one more visit. From the comforting borsch, flavorful schnitzel, and mouthwatering perogies to the tempting suggestion of their Napoleon cake, every moment at Cafe Europa feels like a warm embrace. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this culinary gem!

Timea Bara

Really good Eastern European staples! We had the borscht, potato pierogi, chicken schnitzel and mushroom pancakes. Very tasty!

Audrey Aday

Amazing spot! All the food was delicious and the staff are incredibly kind. Highly recommend the strudel!

Adam Kelly

Honestly the Borscht was better than Cinderella which is a super popular alternative in the neighborhood. Also the Pierogi tasted just like my grandma used to make! Food came quick and you can tell it was family owned and ran. I’ll forsure be back to try more!

Christopher Chung

Stick-to-your-bones and hearty Central and Eastern European restaurant — serving warm dishes perfect for a cold, foggy day. Step in to the smell of schnitzel frying in the kitchen — it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Pork Schnitzel — crispy fried and pounded tender, thick enough still to have a chew. Sautéed sour cabbage and carbohydrate side, perfect. Borscht, excellent. Georgian Saperavi wine, a nice accompaniment.

Angela Dao

Do not sleep on this neighborhood gem!! We shared a bunch of dishes and it’s rare to say that each one was phenomenal. Easily the best schnitzel I’ve had, including from Europe. The potato pancakes were fresh, fluffy and flavorful. Beef stroganoff, dumplings and cabbage roll were all best in class flavor and texture wise. Also do not get me started on this chocolate cake…. the BEST. The impeccable service really was the cherry on top of the dining experience. Will be back!!

Damon Tighe

Laid-back café with fantastic food. Staff is friendly and attentive. I had the borscht and beef pierogies and both exceeded my expectations.

Milan Klusacek

Had an awesome first visit. Food tasted and looked delicious. The owner is friendly and welcoming, took the time to share a few stories. The food came out fast. The place is clean and has a cozy vibe. I recommend it.

Ray Altenberg

Really cool place, friendly staff, Schnitzel was fantastic, has a good draft selection of central/Eastern European beers.

We were the first persons in last Sunday. The gentleman who ran the place was very friendly and warm, offering suggestions and let us know what was just finished in the kitchen (Stroganoff and a pork dish). Fun Euro music in the background. We had Sweet cheese Pierogies, Beef Stroganoff, Cabbage Roll with Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Sauce, and Silesian Potato Dumplings in Mushroom Sauce. Good food on a sunny afternoon. We'd go back again. 😊

Best price and service food quality balance. If you want a dish from your European childhood look no further. Come and enjoy your evening here. Any time I go there I meet interesting people.

The pierogi and goulash are SO good here! The server always goes above and beyond to make it a great meal. Every dish I've tried here has been amazing.

Meigan Mell

The pierogi and goulash are SO good here! The server always goes above and beyond to make it a great meal. Every dish I've tried here has been amazing.

ArtES Kevich

Best price and service food quality balance. If you want a dish from your European childhood look no further. Come and enjoy your evening here. Any time I go there I meet interesting people.

Artemis

We were the first persons in last Sunday. The gentleman who ran the place was very friendly and warm, offering suggestions and let us know what was just finished in the kitchen (Stroganoff and a pork dish). Fun Euro music in the background. We had Sweet cheese Pierogies, Beef Stroganoff, Cabbage Roll with Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Sauce, and Silesian Potato Dumplings in Mushroom Sauce. Good food on a sunny afternoon. We'd go back again. 😊

I recently visited this place. They are serving Central and Eastern European-inspired dishes. The location is a bit off the main path, but easy to find. The food was tasty, with generous portions and authentic flavors. However, I found the prices a bit high compared to other places in the area. Still, it’s a good option for those wanting to try this cuisine.

A quaint restaurant for simple and straightforward central European dishes. There are eastern European dishes included, but the floor manager mentioned that it's primarily central. The meals are hearty and delicious. There's minimal fluff, just local ingredients prepared in the old ways. This is one of the few spots in the Bay that I've found that serves veal schnitzel, so I highly recommend trying that while here. Next time I'm around, I'll definitely make it a point to try their cabbage rolls.

B. Li

A quaint restaurant for simple and straightforward central European dishes. There are eastern European dishes included, but the floor manager mentioned that it's primarily central. The meals are hearty and delicious. There's minimal fluff, just local ingredients prepared in the old ways. This is one of the few spots in the Bay that I've found that serves veal schnitzel, so I highly recommend trying that while here. Next time I'm around, I'll definitely make it a point to try their cabbage rolls.

The was food was OK, so was the service.

At July 2025 when I was visiting, I came into this cafe and ordered two dishes. The foods cost $33, plus 8.625% tax in San Francisco and 15% tips I clicked on the screen, the total should be $41. Yet I came to realized much later that they charged me $45.59! At that time, the bill was handwritten for me to check, and when I put down the credit card, a staff came with a POS machine. I clicked 15%, signed, and saw the total charge went to $43.xx, so I checked the handwritern bill again and realized the staff made a mistake (the total of the pre-tax food items should be $33 and but she wrote $35). I pointed it out, the staff apologized, and gave me $2 cash. So far everything should be fine, an honest mistake and the staff was very nice about it. However, this does not explain why my credicard was eventually charged $45 instead of the $43 I signed for. Were there uncommon charges in San Francisco, and is it allowed that the resterant owner to not inform customer about it & not showed them in the final amount (after tax and tip) on the bill?

Amber Ku

At July 2025 when I was visiting, I came into this cafe and ordered two dishes. The foods cost $33, plus 8.625% tax in San Francisco and 15% tips I clicked on the screen, the total should be $41. Yet I came to realized much later that they charged me $45.59! At that time, the bill was handwritten for me to check, and when I put down the credit card, a staff came with a POS machine. I clicked 15%, signed, and saw the total charge went to $43.xx, so I checked the handwritern bill again and realized the staff made a mistake (the total of the pre-tax food items should be $33 and but she wrote $35). I pointed it out, the staff apologized, and gave me $2 cash. So far everything should be fine, an honest mistake and the staff was very nice about it. However, this does not explain why my credicard was eventually charged $45 instead of the $43 I signed for. Were there uncommon charges in San Francisco, and is it allowed that the resterant owner to not inform customer about it & not showed them in the final amount (after tax and tip) on the bill?

Good schnitzel. I would have given this place higher marks. But there was a problem with my order, and they handled it very poorly. The menu says the dish I ordered came with sauerkraut. I asked the server if it was served raw, and he said yes it was. When they delivered the dish, the sauerkraut had been cooked. When I pointed this out, he apologized says it was a "miscommunication." But then he refused to bring me the raw sauerkraut that I asked for, saying they "would not do substitutions". He only agreed to bring me the raw sauerkraut I requested if I ordered it as an separate side dish (i.e. pay extra). I relented. But this business practice is so poor, that my friend and I both agreed that we would never come back here again.

Chris Adams

Good schnitzel. I would have given this place higher marks. But there was a problem with my order, and they handled it very poorly. The menu says the dish I ordered came with sauerkraut. I asked the server if it was served raw, and he said yes it was. When they delivered the dish, the sauerkraut had been cooked. When I pointed this out, he apologized says it was a "miscommunication." But then he refused to bring me the raw sauerkraut that I asked for, saying they "would not do substitutions". He only agreed to bring me the raw sauerkraut I requested if I ordered it as an separate side dish (i.e. pay extra). I relented. But this business practice is so poor, that my friend and I both agreed that we would never come back here again.

Extremely disappointing experience. This restaurant charges a $40 service fee, yet we had to rearrange our own tables — no one even offered to help. The place was filthy, from the floors to the tables. It felt like no one cared about cleanliness or customer comfort. For the price we paid, the level of service was completely unacceptable. Definitely not coming back, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

I was disappointed by the lack of basic amenities and the owner's dismissive attitude. The restaurant’s bathroom had no trash can for feminine hygiene products, which is a basic necessity. To avoid clogging the toilet, I took my trash out and politely asked the owner if they had a trash can elsewhere. I also kindly suggested they add a small bin in the bathroom for obvious reasons. Instead of acknowledging my reasonable request, the owner simply stared at me without a word, then used his eyes to motion toward a trash can at the back of the restaurant—still saying nothing. His demeanor was unwelcoming and rude. Later, when I was at my table, I asked politely for some water. Once again, the owner completely ignored my request, saying nothing. At that point, I felt so disrespected and mistreated that I decided to leave without even trying the food. If you value respectful service and a considerate environment, I wouldn’t recommend this place.

Stopped by to get a famous Russian dessert. Service was sub-par, as was the ambience - mainly because no-one was around (no customers too around 7pm). But my main concern is with the dessert - it was half the size of what you get at other places in the neighborhood for twice the price and after being told that it is the best in town, my girlfriend said it tasted "like feet" and it was truly that bad - we had to trash it after one bite It's one of my favorite desserts and I was looking forward to it after being shown so much confidence & pride by the person selling me the item, but it was a huge disappointment & hence I can't help it but leave a bad review

Terrible experience—avoid this place at all costs. Our first visit was disappointing, with painfully slow service that felt like it took forever. We decided to give it another chance, but that was a mistake. The second time, the waiter refused to serve us unless we met a per-person order limit, even though we were with two little kids. The place was nearly empty, yet we ended up leaving with a hungry child. When I asked how much we had ordered so far, the waiter rudely told me to count it myself. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.