Poesia Café

Sandwiches slayed, everything from the bread to the meat was very quality! Vanilla custard croissant was perfectly sweet as well. Latte was refreshing to top it off.One person was behind the register handling everything and he was super welcoming and sweet!The ambiance inside felt like we were transported to Italy too. They ate!

I've had this bookmarked on Google Maps for a while! I walked down hill from Twin Peaks on a Monday morning expecting to go to another coffee shop, only to discover it was closed on Mondays--so I walked 2 blocks to Poesia.It was so cute and cozy! There were a few people working or having meetings inside. There was an older man reading the paper outside. There's some parklets and some comfy seating. If I were to describe the ambiance, it would be like a warm hug. It felt European as well.I tried the Veneziana baked good and a warm chai latte. Both were delicious. I will be back to try a focaccia sandwich!

I have lived in the Castro for 26 years and this is by far my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE coffee/breakfast/lunch place we have ever had!! The pastries are not only freshly baked, they are also stunning and original. I actually dream about the Almond Lemon cake and the Apricot, pistachio croissants! It is obvious that the pastry chef (who is one of the sweetest human beings you will meet) loves his job, he is an absolute artist. When we go there for lunch everything is so tasty we have a hard time picking what sandwich or salad we will have! Prosciutto, arugula, goat cheese and PECANS (who knew!) on fresh made focaccia or will it be turkey with delicious artichoke hearts! as for atmosphere, it is very relaxing (you never feel rushed), I love that they display local artists work, and they are all just such lovely people.I highly recommend stopping by!

Absolutely delicious sandwiches and pastries. I had the mortadella on tomato foccacia and my SO had the caprese, also on foccacia. Both were outstanding. Simple but with the freshest, best quality ingredients. We also shared a custard filled cornetto that was just out of this world. The vibe is relaxed and service is friendly. We will definitely be back.

Love that they have a great selection of sandwiches/pastries, have free wifi, and ample table space/seating! The furniture is a bit eclectic so it's not the most comfortable, but there's cute outdoor tables as well! I liked my mortadella focaccia sandwich ($12), but my iced latte ($5) tasted really bitter/burnt? Not sure if it was a one off.The staff and chef all speak Italian so it seems authentic otherwise :)

Came here on a Saturday afternoon and it was like 80% full. I ordered a hot chocolate and it was 16 oz for $6. They use bittersweet chocolate so it wasn't too sweet but they also added chocolate powder and chocolate pieces to the bottom for an extra touch. I wish they had cup sleeves to carry the drink in but overall this place was really good! I would come back to try a sandwich or a pastry.

A welcome addition to the Castro with excellent Italian baked goods, Italian sandwiches, breakfast items and coffee drinks. The mortadella panini was super tasty and fresh.Fast efficient service and a nicely decorated shopPlenty of indoor dining and welcoming outdoor seating area. Will definitely be back to try the baked goods!

The ambiance here is nice with plenty of large tables inside, but the food can be a hit or miss. I got the raspberry pistachio brioche, which had too much raspberry jam inside and not enough pistachio. The cold brew lacked flavor and was diluted with too much ice.My friends enjoyed their croissant sandwiches and quiche though, so maybe I ordered the wrong items.

My friend Jeannie ordered the chicken salad. It came with kale and feta on the side. 5 stars.I got the caprese salad. Two large tomatoes, soft mozzarella cheese, pesto, delicious & aesthetically pleasing. 5 stars.Next day went back for dessert with friend Billy. He ordered a lemon almond cake. Very moist & tasty. Lots of yummy looking pastries in the case. 5 stars.Sadly, didn't care for the avocado toast at all, couldn't finish it. The bread was suitably crusty with a nice texture. However, the avocado was mashed up, thin layer, with a whole lot of seeds that overpowered the avocado. Billy didn't like it either. I asked for steamed milk for my tea. Received a large cup full of frothy milk, very generous, but it had a light brownish tint & tasted like chai. The place does good business. Both days the person behind the counter was completely overwhelmed. There were zero tables available inside due to the usual laptop village. I spoke to the guy & he said he was powerless, people get mad if he says he needs the table. I know there's a whole new crowd of entitled people who think it's perfectly acceptable to spend all day nursing a coffee. How are these cafes supposed to survive? They probably can't afford to hire a second person. Luckily, there's a large parklet you can also hog forever, but there's no laptops & shocker, people are having conversations with other folks in person! Bonus, no loud talkers on both visits. I will definitely come back for lunch, and skip the avocado toast.

The pastry here looks pretty and tempting Tried the Nutella Croissant, 5/5, crispy crust, and generous filling. It's a bit on the dense side, which is how I like it. A little bit pricey, $5.4 for a Croissant, but it is SF and it is Castro, everything is overpriced here. Local business got to survive, too. Will come back to try more pastries in the future and update photos and my review as it goes. I would love to try the Apple Danish, Chocolate Croissant and Almond Croissant next.