While there are oodles of ways to fill your tummy in San Francisco (the mushroom flavored cheesecakes from CheeseQuakes!, the sweet sand angel cookies over at Batter Bakery and the succulent pork belly lotus buns at China Live are just a few of our favs), there aren’t too many places we’d consider an oasis in the heart of SF’s bustling Union Square. Café de la Presse is one of the few places in the Bay Area (or heck, the United States for that matter) where you can simultaneously tuck into a table at a 1930s style French bistro and dive into a fresh copy of Le Monde.

 

Copies of French Publications Like Ici Paris, L'Express and Point de Vue on Display at Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California
Copies of French Publications Like Ici Paris, L’Express and Point de Vue on Display at Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California

 

Chock full of European elegance, Café de la Presse is both a restaurant and a newsstand nestled in the heart of San Francisco. Laurent Manrique, Jean Claude Persais and Steve Mayer opened Café de la Presse in September 2005. It’s a café where you can get up to speed on the news of the day while slowing down with pain perdu (French toast) or a freshly baked croissant.

 

Brunch Hero - A Croissant Sandwich Made With Scrambled Eggs, Cheddar Cheese and Sausage at Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California
Brunch Hero – A Croissant Sandwich Made With Scrambled Eggs, Cheddar Cheese and Sausage at Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California

 

The food is consistently delicious and Café de la Presse, in true international style, never makes you feel like you need to be evicted from your table no matter how busy the weekend brunch rush may be.

 

High Bar - One of the Highlights of Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California is its Stunning Alderwood Bar
High Bar – One of the Highlights of Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California is its Stunning Alderwood Bar

 

Some of our favorite things about dining at Café de la Presse are the period light fixtures and the vintage posters. Every time we visit it seems like there’s a new piece to discover.

 

Hot off the Press - The Newsstand at Café de la Presse Offers Over 500 International Titles for Purchase
Hot off the Press – The Newsstand at Café de la Presse Offers Over 500 International Titles for Purchase

 

The tables arranged on the outside sidewalk may be on the corner of Grant Avenue and Bush Street, but they are exactly the same as what you might find at your average Parisian tabac.

 

In addition to Café de la Presse, here’s a list of other neat little local spots we love in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

Café de la Presse is the perfect French treat for anyone who might find themselves wandering around in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

 

Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California
Café de la Presse in San Francisco, California

 

Café de la Presse
Address: 352 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, California
Hours: Monday Through Friday 7:30am to 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:00am to 9:00pm
Phone: (415) 398-2680
Email: olivier@cafedelapresse.com
Prices (All in USD): Breakfast $4.50 to $17.00, Lunch Items $12.00 to $35.00, Dinner $12.00 to $34.00