Cafe 101

1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
$$$ Cafe
(23 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Welcome to Cafe 101, a cherished gem nestled within the heart of the San Francisco State University campus, located at 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132. This cozy cafe is more than just a place to grab a coffee; it’s a welcoming hub for students, faculty, and local coffee aficionados alike.

Step into Cafe 101, and you’ll immediately notice the vibrant atmosphere that invites social interactions and creative inspiration. With its spacious seating and energetic ambiance, it’s a perfect spot for study sessions, casual meet-ups, or simply enjoying a moment of calm with a cup of exceptional coffee.

At Cafe 101, quality and affordability blend seamlessly. Customers rave about their amazing selection of coffees and delightful pastries, all at prices that won’t break the bank. As Roger Bland aptly put it, “Cheaper than Starbucks,” this cafe's combinations of flavor and value make it a standout choice. You can start your day with a rich espresso or indulge in their creamy lattes, as Neal describes savoring their unique single shot affogato with ube ice cream, a culinary creation that brilliantly marries the boldness of espresso with the exotic sweetness of ube.

But that’s not all—Cafe 101 caters to a variety of dietary preferences, offering plenty of vegan options, which Alexandra Chapovskaya found delightful, especially their vegan banana nut bread and breakfast wraps. The café ensures that everyone can find something delicious to enjoy, making it a great stop for both coffee lovers and those seeking tasty snacks or wholesome meals. As Allen Lin points out, a vast array of pastries like donuts, muffins, and croissants await to tantalize your taste buds.

However, it’s important to appreciate that while the cafe is committed to customer satisfaction, guests should communicate their preferences clearly. As Denisse P Nguyen Martinez highlighted, ensuring that specific requests, like dairy alternatives, are accurately fulfilled can enhance the overall experience.

Cafe 101 is not just a coffee shop; it’s a place that embodies community and inclusivity, making it an invaluable asset to the SFSU environment. So next time you find yourself near the campus, don’t miss the opportunity to experience this exceptional cafe for yourself. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee between classes or looking for a relaxed place to unwind, Cafe 101 promises an experience steeped in flavor, friendliness, and fun.

Phone Number: +1 415-338-3469

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Crowd
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

7:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

23 Reviews
Roger Bland

09 Sep 2025

Cheaper than Starbucks. They don't ask my name every time I order a latte. And they have several vegan items! The servers are very polite. An asset to the SFSU community.

Neal

05 Jul 2025

Great coffee, pastries, and ice cream at fair prices. There's usually a line here and for good reason: it's worth the wait. I had a single shot affogato with ube ice cream. The espresso was great and the ube ice cream was tasty too. A biscotto (a piece of biscotti) was placed on top. The price was $4.25, which is great considering that you can be charged $5 for just a scoop of ice cream in some parts of San Francisco. I've been here before for mango ice cream and espresso con panna, both of which were inexpensive and tasty. They serve Mitchell's ice cream, which is local, and their espresso has a rich flavor and isn't very bitter, plus all their coffee is organic. Finding a place to enjoy their items isn't an issue, because there's plenty of seating nearby.

LC Cheers

29 Jun 2025

Located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center @ San Francisco State University(SFSU). Small café with huge selections of items for breakfast, lunch & even snacks. Spacious area for social hangouts!!

Allen Lin

18 Jun 2025

Great stop for caffeine or non-caffeine drinks here. They sell a range of different pastries including donuts, muffins, and croissants. Lines can get long especially when 9 a.m. classes are about to start but service is quick. Seating is also plentiful.

Denisse P Nguyen Martinez

10 Jun 2025

I love their coffee but it has been 3 times that I have asked for soy milk on my cappuccino but I get it with regular cows milk. I had very bad symptoms, my stomach was super upset since I'm lactose intolerant. They need to be more careful with making sure they use the milk that their clients ask for.

Alexandra Chapovskaya

10 Jun 2025

I've only been on campus for 2 days and I've ordered their drinks and vegan banana nut bread for both. I got a mocha and vanilla latte, both with almond milk and no whipped cream. Both vegan and delicious! Truly, I'm just waiting for the day I can try their vegan breakfast wrap (it's always out of stock) and other vegan pastries.

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