Social Cafe
Coffee · Alameda
About Social Cafe
At Social Cafe, we're proud to serve authentic Cuban cuisine in the heart of Alameda. Our Latino-owned and women-owned establishment is dedicated to bringing the flavors of Miami to the Bay Area. With a focus on great coffee, delicious breakfast and lunch options, and sweet treats like pastelitos, w...
At Social Cafe, we're proud to serve authentic Cuban cuisine in the heart of Alameda. Our Latino-owned and women-owned establishment is dedicated to bringing the flavors of Miami to the Bay Area. With a focus on great coffee, delicious breakfast and lunch options, and sweet treats like pastelitos, we've become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Our welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to enjoy a meal or snack with friends, family, or solo - even those with mobility needs can feel right at home. Whether you're craving our famous Cuban sandwiches, delicious coffee, or just need a quick bite, Social Cafe is the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings.
What Customers Say About Social Cafe
Social Cafe is a family-run Cuban cafe loved for its authentic flavors and friendly service. The Cubano sandwich, pastelitos, and ham croquettes are highly recommended. Some wish for more seating and note limited seating.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Try the Cubano sandwich, pastelitos, or ham croquettes for an authentic Cuban taste. Check Google Maps for updated hours before visiting.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Social Cafe
Social Cafe is located in Alameda, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- National Carbon Company Building (A 519m) — historic building in San Francisco, California, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
- Old San Francisco Mint (A 840m) — historic building in San Francisco Hito histórico nacional
- Building at 465 Tenth St. (A 841m) — historic building in San Francisco, California, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
- Haas Candy Factory (A 860m) — historic building in San Francisco, California, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
- St. Joseph's Church and Complex (A 923m) — church building in San Francisco, California, United States of America Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
Museums
- American Bookbinders Museum (A 573m) — museum in San Francisco, CA
- Children's Creativity Museum (A 817m) — museum in San Francisco, CA
- SF Camerawork (A 921m)
Other Points of Interest
- Prelinger Library (A 547m) — library
- Ayoub & Kubein Building (A 786m) — building in San Francisco, California, United States
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about Social Cafe
Social Cafe Alameda Reviews
Delicious pastelitos and Cuban coffee! Great prices and great service too! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of Miami for me! I was only in town for a wedding, but discovered this cafe on Google. I believe I talked to the owner when I was there. So nice and friendly! It was fun to briefly share stories. I never really drink coffee, but enjoyed my cortadito. My husband and I shared the Cuban sandwich which brought back so many memories. The guava y queso is my favorite! The mango was so good too! I also ordered the OG meat pastry for my husband to try as well, and I was given a complimentary croqueta to try along with my order (thank you again)! Soooo goood! Sadly, I only have two photos lol it was too delicious 😉 The only tricky part was parking. My husband dropped me off and did a few loops lol but that's the city I guess. Honestly, these were better quality pastelitos and croquetas than the ones I had most recently in Miami! Maybe because I went to calle ocho. But I even tried another place, and no bueno. Social Cafe is the real deal! If I'm ever back in the area, I'm definitely visiting again 😊 Dale!
For anyone looking for delicious Cuban pastelitos in SF, this is the spot! The flavors were incredible, the bread was homemade, and the sandwich was 10/10!! I definitely recommend checking this place out. They also offering catering!
Fantastic spot! The food is delicious, and the service is quick and genuinely friendly—even when you’re in a rush. Dog-friendly, too: the staff adore Nina, and she’s always excited to visit.
This cafe near the Hall of Justice is a jury duty lifesaver. The Cuban coffee and Cortadito are super-smooth perfection, and the mango-and-cheese and chicken pika are game-changers. Don’t miss this hidden gem for a brighter day!
I'm absolutely impressed with the pastries! I ordered 2 of everything!! The flavors are authentic!!! Being that my mom and I are 100% Cuban, we do not get these flavors anywhere in San Francisco, let alone in the Bay!! Everyone is always trying to infuse the flavors of our traditions, but Terri kept it 💯% authentic!! I was so excited that I got thru most of the box before I remembered to share my love!! Highly recommended if you want the original flavors of Cuban pastries and real Cuban coffee ☕️ 😋
My longer review is below, but to keep this part short and sweet…grab something to eat here when you have the chance. It’s definitely worth it, and the variety of pastries, sandwiches, and weekly specials will keep you coming back for more (like I have been for the last 6-7 months)! The owners, Ruben and Terri, are exquisitely pleasant people, and the passion and love for food is shown through every one of their menu items! I’ve been working in the neighborhood for over half a year, and Social Cafe has been part of my weekly morning ritual. More often than not, I find myself there most mornings before work, and their various pastries are as tasty as they are affordable (most of them are $2 each; what a steal)! I recently bought one of their weekly specials, which was a beef stew over rice (I can’t remember the name of it though), and it brought about a sensation reminiscent of home cooked meals from my childhood. If you take anything from this review, then know this: this cafe is absolutely worth it, and if you like it as much as I do…then spread the word! ☺️
This is my second time coming here and this time I ordered the Cuban style chicken salad sandwich. The bread was super crunchy, the chicken salad tasted great, and the veggies were fresh. It was a perfect lunch! I was very pleased with the service as well. They are always kind and they are happy to answer any questions you may have about the menu. I left with a smile and so did my sandwich! Haha
Absolutely love this place. Authentic Cuban food is so hard to find in the Bay Area and this place nailed it. My personal favorites are the chicken pastelito, ham croquettes, and cubano sandwich. The service was fast and workers had a positive attitude. It's the perfect place for an on the go meal. I went for the soft opening and will be making this a regular spot!!
The pastries I had this morning were absolutely delicious! Also loved the latte, service and atmosphere! Worth the trip even if you don’t have to report to jury duty down the street!
The Cuban mind has a difficult time paying $2.50 for a croqueta, BUT, they're worth the price.
The place is great! The Cuban coffee is excellent! The pastries are really good. The bread is really good. I highly recommend!
If you go to Portos in Socal, you'll love this place. The staff is super friendly, the pastries are tasty and the coffee is strong. I'm a cortado person and I was sold on the cortadito. It's a less milk than the cortado and it's served in cute little cup.
My boyfriend is Cuban and try’s to find pastelitos in every city we go to. He said these are the best he’s found outside of Miami.
I’m from Miami and this is, hands down, the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had! The ham croqueta and cortadito were also absolutely incredible—so delicious! Everything was very fresh, and everyone was very friendly! Definitely highly recommend and will be coming back soon!
Cuban food is very hard to come by in the Bay Area, and if you’re wondering why this place has a 5.0 rating stop by and see for yourself! The Cuban sandwich here genuinely was better than the ones I’ve had in Miami. The pork is much more flavorful, and the bread is house made and super fresh. I am shocked I didn’t know we had a Cuban bakery in the heart of SF, but you gotta stop by and see for yourself! They also have a lot more love put into the products than Porto’s in LA. Thats the key for what truly adds to the experience, because that the owners are all extremely passionate, and put a lot of care into the product. They’re here themselves in the bakery / kitchen, quality checking everything. On top of that, all the items are fairly priced, made in house and super fresh. I spoke to some other people from the east coast who also agreed this spot is legit. I’ll hundred percent be back here to try the guava and cheese pastry and other items. The cafecito tasted exactly like the corner shops in Miami too. What a gift to have this lovely Cuban bakery in SF. It was the only thing that was missing in the city, and we are lucky that we got a good one!
TLDR: very fair prices for good food! I came in and ordered two pastries that were a little on the smaller side but they were only $4.50 for both!! I got the meat pastry and the flavor was good, though a teeny bit dry. The guava and cheese sweet pastry was awesome and I loved it! The prices are super fair for being in San Francisco, great choice especially if you’re here for jury duty at 850 Bryant
I’m from Miami and this is, hands down, the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had! The ham croqueta and cortadito were also absolutely incredible—so delicious! Everything was very fresh, and everyone was very friendly! Definitely highly recommend and will be coming back soon!
Cuban food is very hard to come by in the Bay Area, and if you’re wondering why this place has a 5.0 rating stop by and see for yourself! The Cuban sandwich here genuinely was better than the ones I’ve had in Miami. The pork is much more flavorful, and the bread is house made and super fresh. I am shocked I didn’t know we had a Cuban bakery in the heart of SF, but you gotta stop by and see for yourself! They also have a lot more love put into the products than Porto’s in LA. Thats the key for what truly adds to the experience, because that the owners are all extremely passionate, and put a lot of care into the product. They’re here themselves in the bakery / kitchen, quality checking everything. On top of that, all the items are fairly priced, made in house and super fresh. I spoke to some other people from the east coast who also agreed this spot is legit. I’ll hundred percent be back here to try the guava and cheese pastry and other items. The cafecito tasted exactly like the corner shops in Miami too. What a gift to have this lovely Cuban bakery in SF. It was the only thing that was missing in the city, and we are lucky that we got a good one!
TLDR: very fair prices for good food! I came in and ordered two pastries that were a little on the smaller side but they were only $4.50 for both!! I got the meat pastry and the flavor was good, though a teeny bit dry. The guava and cheese sweet pastry was awesome and I loved it! The prices are super fair for being in San Francisco, great choice especially if you’re here for jury duty at 850 Bryant
Fantastic spot! The food is delicious, and the service is quick and genuinely friendly—even when you’re in a rush. Dog-friendly, too: the staff adore Nina, and she’s always excited to visit.
Delicious pastelitos and Cuban coffee! Great prices and great service too! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of Miami for me! I was only in town for a wedding, but discovered this cafe on Google. I believe I talked to the owner when I was there. So nice and friendly! It was fun to briefly share stories. I never really drink coffee, but enjoyed my cortadito. My husband and I shared the Cuban sandwich which brought back so many memories. The guava y queso is my favorite! The mango was so good too! I also ordered the OG meat pastry for my husband to try as well, and I was given a complimentary croqueta to try along with my order (thank you again)! Soooo goood! Sadly, I only have two photos lol it was too delicious 😉 The only tricky part was parking. My husband dropped me off and did a few loops lol but that's the city I guess. Honestly, these were better quality pastelitos and croquetas than the ones I had most recently in Miami! Maybe because I went to calle ocho. But I even tried another place, and no bueno. Social Cafe is the real deal! If I'm ever back in the area, I'm definitely visiting again 😊 Dale!
For anyone looking for delicious Cuban pastelitos in SF, this is the spot! The flavors were incredible, the bread was homemade, and the sandwich was 10/10!! I definitely recommend checking this place out. They also offering catering!
This cafe near the Hall of Justice is a jury duty lifesaver. The Cuban coffee and Cortadito are super-smooth perfection, and the mango-and-cheese and chicken pika are game-changers. Don’t miss this hidden gem for a brighter day!
I'm absolutely impressed with the pastries! I ordered 2 of everything!! The flavors are authentic!!! Being that my mom and I are 100% Cuban, we do not get these flavors anywhere in San Francisco, let alone in the Bay!! Everyone is always trying to infuse the flavors of our traditions, but Terri kept it 💯% authentic!! I was so excited that I got thru most of the box before I remembered to share my love!! Highly recommended if you want the original flavors of Cuban pastries and real Cuban coffee ☕️ 😋
My longer review is below, but to keep this part short and sweet…grab something to eat here when you have the chance. It’s definitely worth it, and the variety of pastries, sandwiches, and weekly specials will keep you coming back for more (like I have been for the last 6-7 months)! The owners, Ruben and Terri, are exquisitely pleasant people, and the passion and love for food is shown through every one of their menu items! I’ve been working in the neighborhood for over half a year, and Social Cafe has been part of my weekly morning ritual. More often than not, I find myself there most mornings before work, and their various pastries are as tasty as they are affordable (most of them are $2 each; what a steal)! I recently bought one of their weekly specials, which was a beef stew over rice (I can’t remember the name of it though), and it brought about a sensation reminiscent of home cooked meals from my childhood. If you take anything from this review, then know this: this cafe is absolutely worth it, and if you like it as much as I do…then spread the word! ☺️
The Cuban mind has a difficult time paying $2.50 for a croqueta, BUT, they're worth the price.
This is my second time coming here and this time I ordered the Cuban style chicken salad sandwich. The bread was super crunchy, the chicken salad tasted great, and the veggies were fresh. It was a perfect lunch! I was very pleased with the service as well. They are always kind and they are happy to answer any questions you may have about the menu. I left with a smile and so did my sandwich! Haha
Absolutely love this place. Authentic Cuban food is so hard to find in the Bay Area and this place nailed it. My personal favorites are the chicken pastelito, ham croquettes, and cubano sandwich. The service was fast and workers had a positive attitude. It's the perfect place for an on the go meal. I went for the soft opening and will be making this a regular spot!!
The pastries I had this morning were absolutely delicious! Also loved the latte, service and atmosphere! Worth the trip even if you don’t have to report to jury duty down the street!
My boyfriend is Cuban and try’s to find pastelitos in every city we go to. He said these are the best he’s found outside of Miami.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best Cuban café in the Bay Area! Finally—San Francisco has a place that captures the authentic taste of Cuban food. The Cuban sandwich is perfect: pressed flat with crispy bread (not burned!), and every bite has meat—exactly the way it should be. The picadillo pastry is spot-on, and the croquetas are perfect. For years, Paladar was my go-to Cuban restaurant, and I still miss the chefs Rita and Vicki. But now, thanks to Terry and Ruben, I feel like my Cuban roots have a home again. I’ve met them both, and every time I stop by and speak in my Cuban language, I feel transported—like I’m back with friends and family. San Francisco finally has Cuban food done right. Thank you, Social Cafe—you’ve brought back something we’ve all been missing. Come eat here—you won’t be disappointed! —Eduardo
Amazing family couple cafe. They are so sweet and their salads and drinks are delicious. Their chicken pika is also the best, I come here all the time! It’s real coffee!
Amazing family couple cafe. They are so sweet and their salads and drinks are delicious. Their chicken pika is also the best, I come here all the time! It’s real coffee!
Family run! Great food! Great price! Try the Cubano sandwich and holiday pastries
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best Cuban café in the Bay Area! Finally—San Francisco has a place that captures the authentic taste of Cuban food. The Cuban sandwich is perfect: pressed flat with crispy bread (not burned!), and every bite has meat—exactly the way it should be. The picadillo pastry is spot-on, and the croquetas are perfect. For years, Paladar was my go-to Cuban restaurant, and I still miss the chefs Rita and Vicki. But now, thanks to Terry and Ruben, I feel like my Cuban roots have a home again. I’ve met them both, and every time I stop by and speak in my Cuban language, I feel transported—like I’m back with friends and family. San Francisco finally has Cuban food done right. Thank you, Social Cafe—you’ve brought back something we’ve all been missing. Come eat here—you won’t be disappointed! —Eduardo
I live about 2 blocks away from here and it's quick, high quality, and affordable. Terry's always super nice and the croquettes are a must. (Just wish there was more seats) If there's local food I'd feel homesick about, it'd be from here.
This is a takeout joint. The only seats are outside in the beating sun. I had to take my dry sandwich elsewhere to eat. There’s not much around the location so I was happy to see a 5 star option. Someone mentioned good prices in the reviews. $20 for a tiny coffee and a subpar Cuban sandwich is not a deal. The staff barely spoke to me. Sorry…I wanted to like this place but was disappointed I stopped here.
This is a takeout joint. The only seats are outside in the beating sun. I had to take my dry sandwich elsewhere to eat. There’s not much around the location so I was happy to see a 5 star option. Someone mentioned good prices in the reviews. $20 for a tiny coffee and a subpar Cuban sandwich is not a deal. The staff barely spoke to me. Sorry…I wanted to like this place but was disappointed I stopped here.
1 star to post a review at this time to be able to write.. I am hoping to make it a 5 star in the future. I drove up from the peninsula this morning only to park and see a sign that the storefront is closed. Please try to update your Google maps hours. Disappointed I am unable to try this place.
1 star to post a review at this time to be able to write.. I am hoping to make it a 5 star in the future. I drove up from the peninsula this morning only to park and see a sign that the storefront is closed. Please try to update your Google maps hours. Disappointed I am unable to try this place.
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About Social Cafe
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804 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Alameda, CA 94103
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