Mama Art Cafe
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
Neighborhood: Excelsior4754 Mission St
(between Leo St & Russia Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 586-8453
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: Free
143 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"Had Axis been around 10 years ago when I went to school at CCA across the street (wow, has it already been a decade?!) , I would have spent…" read more »
26 Reviews for Mama Art Cafe
Clean, friendly staff and customers, good wifi.
Parking meters in front are 1 hr only.
This was my first coffee experience in SF, but the staff made me feel like I was practically family. The place is sunny and warm, with artwork on the walls, a little bay of goodies to buy, and a great selection of food and drinks.
Unsure of which coffee we wanted, the cute little old lady gave us three cups to try each one--- all of which were yummy. We snacked on the orange slices set out for communal snacking, then flipped through a little bio of the artist they were exhibiting as we sat at a big huge table. The owner even came over and chatted, telling me about "Mama" and the summer festival they have in her honor, the cafe, and the artist. What an adorable family-owned and operated place, I wish I stayed in San Fran long enough to hit it up again!
The Excelsior suffers from a lack of good bars, restaurants, cafes, and stores, but Cafe Mama is worth going to. It's really the only GOOD cafe in the neighborhood. The owners are great, the art is usually compelling, the food is decent, and the chai is tasty. It's got a friendly vibe and it's cozy. Viva Cafe Mama !
I'm all for supporting the local mom and pop store BUT to pay $4 for a 16oz soy latte is just too much. This place is not cheap and it definitely is making you pay for free wifi through the drinks. The latte tasted good but I've had the same quality or better at more affordable prices. Also...the service was not fast. There were two ladies before me. The cashier girl took my order and didn't tell the person making it. I stood there wait and wait and finally noticed they served the people before me and then is standing around talking about something. It definitely wasn't about making my drink until they noticed me staring at them. It was not busy!
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I've heard so much about this place for two years but I've only recently discovered and actually visited in the past year. Ever since then, I've gone back quite a bit.
Imagine a stereotypical trend-seeking, beret-wearing, art-infatuated guy in a coffeehouse. Cafe Mama allows you to get one step closer with the fantastic art, cozy atmosphere, and really great beverages and spices that they have.
I love getting breakfast there if I can spare the time. I recommend their pesto sandwich and their bagel and cream cheese is always good. How can you ruin a bagel and cream cheese? Although, they do put so much cream cheese that sometimes I really do have to wipe away all that excess fat. I haven't got too much of their coffee or espresso-based drinks though. Their freshly made orange juice, yogurt parfaits, and fruit cups are also a favorite of mine.
I like Cafe Mama and that it's a local cafe. The story behind the opening of the cafe is always really heart warming, as a guy opened it in tribute to his mother and grandmother. They lose money (most likely due to rent or Martha Brothers or perhaps a combination of the two) but it's still impressive that they continue to open just for the community. You can also find some art exhibitions or programs meeting in their cafe, which they endorse and advertise so they really are more than "that cafe around that corner on Mission."
Mighty Leaf tea +1 star
Rotating artists +1 star
Free music on Saturday afternoons +1 star
Free wifi +1 star
The nicest friendliest staff ever +1 star
Even though it's Excelsior, I will be making my way out here more often it's that great!
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Mama has by far the best coffee I've every had in my life. They have like 5 different roasts that they import themselves. All of the coffee is organic and fair trade. They also import a variety of spices which you can buy at the cafe or at various markets which carry them. The peruvian coffee is incredible.
There is live music pretty often, and usually some friendly cool people hanging out. the staff is great too, although they lost two cute baristas in the last few months, keeping me from issuing a 5 star rating.
Good coffee, cool staff, LOVE the art - this is a GREAT local coffee place. Their music is very cool and I love the fact that they rotate artists. I love having a great local cafe! Yeah!
They make the best soy latte and chai! Even just a regular coffee with cream tastes so smooth. My bf likes their almond frap. I think they have weekly music events inside the cafe. Personally I haven't gotten the chance to go check that out, but I kept going there for the drinks!
Underrated cafe. The customer service is astounding! Not only was the cashier quick, but he was also friendly. I listened to him chat another customer up, and I made small talk with him before I left. For about $1.30, I received a mug of water, and picked out a Mighty Leaf flavor. (I highly recommend the Green Tea Tropical: fruity tones, lightly caffeinated.)
Light classical music makes this a perfect spot for relaxation or studying. I took a seat by the window, and was able to look out onto the street, where a 5-year-old was playing with her mother and the cashier, who was obviously very laid-back. There is also a bench outside if you want to enjoy the weather.
The cashier, whom I presume is the owner, told me that for a while, the cafe had to be closed on Sundays because of slow business. What I don't understand is why people flock to cafes like Starbucks when they could be supporting local cafes. Mama Art is an experience 10x better than Starbucks.
Great ambiance, terrific customer service, delicious tea, reasonable prices. What more could you want in a cafe? Never mind that I hadn't tried the food. I'm giving Mama Art the benefit of the doubt. Next time, however, I will be sure to try a parfait or a sandwich.
Best chai I've ever had. Don't know how authentic it is, but it's spicy creamy goodness in a big, fat over-sized cup. I don't want to know the fat content because I'd never be able to get it again.
The folks are nice, and the food is uber-slow, but worth the wait. Not a place to go to when you're in a hurry. This is a place for when you have an hour to invest somewhere.
The space is airy and light, even on overcast days. A great place to sit and work.
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Well this is a beautiful cafe. They have good coffee and the environment is very comfortable. The only thing that bothered me was all the flies circling around the middle space. They made me question the cleanlieness of the place.
This is definately the only worthwhile place in the excelsior to hang out. They have delicious espresso drinks, and Mexican hot chocolate so good that you'll pee your pants with pleasure. The homemade chicken soup is also delicious and made to order; actually everything is made to order, so there's no disgusting reheated slop. The people working are all super friendly, and so are the other customers.
Come on Saturday for free local music. They have a different band/artist every weekend. Also, ask the people at the counter about upcoming events. They have cd release parties and art receptions.
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After our solid Hawaiian meal, we were picking our meat from our teeth and walking down the streets of Mission to do a little window-shopping. Then a guy walking his dog with a cup of joe in his possession. His coffee was aromatic and can be smelled from a distance. Then Matt approached the guy and asked,
"Hey buddy, where you get that cup of coffee from?"
He responded, "Mama's. It is located next to the Burger King. I love their coffees!"
Without any hesitation, Matt dragged niece's hand and ran down to the coffee shop and check it out.
This coffee shop is very pleasant and has no sight of ruggedness in this cafe. Matt had a medium Vanilla Latte. And for $2.75, not only that it is cheap, the hot-drink was very tasty. The drink is good enough to revive Matt's struggle through the day.
Niece had a 16 oz White Mocha. Her $3.25 is also a winner. A smile on her face is proven evidence.
The coffee shop is a family operated business and a damn good one.
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The first time i walked by this place was when i was getting off work and i saw (now my friend) Thomas playing. I stood outside and he motioned for me to come in. I came inside and ever since that day (almost 3yrs ago) I've been comin back. i love how home feeling it is when you're there. you got a couple of tables, a couch, wonderful people employees, AMAZING art from the locals on the walls, the food is always fresh, there are never any "surprises" showing up in my food or drink which is always a major bonus. occasionally i'll show up on a thursday night where they have live FREE music. some of the musicians that play are worthy of a record deal.
any one who is sick of the the burritos or entry fees, stop by here for a fresh change.
FREE WIFI that actually works, and works well, since it seems underused and underappreciated in this neighborhood. Been here for the whole morning in this spacious cafe and saw only 2 other laptop people (and not at the same time).
Good yogurt parfait and egg bagel.
Jazz playing pleasantly in background. Cool photo-art on the walls.
Clean bathroom.
They have live latin jazz on Saturdays - check on the time.
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Is there any kind of unspoken rule on what's considered an acceptable length of time for your stay based on how much you purchase? I stayed about eight hours yesterday, a full work day for me, and the entire time I felt completely comfortable and welcome!
Their wifi works great compared to others I've tried, plus their food and coffee are delicious. I had an iced mocha, water, and a veggie bagel. Seriously one of the best bagel sandwiches I've had: avocado, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, salt & pepper, and cream cheese on a toasted asiago cheese bagel. Sooo good!
It seemed like a lot of people were getting the homemade chicken soup though. I definitely will be trying that out next time I come by here. =)
Don't you hate it when you order something to eat and you're all happy, then you see what someone else ordered and you wish you had ordered that instead? I definitely had one of those moments last week as I sat sipping on my white hot chocolate (tasty) and drooling over the soup that the girl across from me was sipping (smelled like heaven).
This place is totally cool for supporting local artists. In fact, the reason I was there was to see a friend and his group Active Crime Transplant (may as well plug it).
I like this place a lot. Not enough to go to SF regularly from Oakland, but I've never been to a cafe THAT good.
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Back in the day, I used to come here every once and awhile because it was by my school. Very relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. I always enjoyed the artwork they had on the walls, and the workers were always very friendly. The name is also very cute.
I love Mama Art Cafe. First of all because they actually do have a commitment to supporting local artists. The walls are covered with a revolving display of local artists' work, and they sponsor live music regularly. Everything from the latest up and coming indie band to accordeonists, chanteuses covering torch songs, to jazzy bass mood music.
Like another reviewer I am puzzled that it is not more crowded. But maybe that's a good thing. There are always a couple people inside either chatting or working on their MacBooks... you never have to fight for a seat (and I LOVE the cushy couches to cuddle up with my computer).
Best coffee shop in Outer Mission (Martha & Bros is just a few doors down and is a close second but I prefer Mama's if I'm going to drop a few bucks to rent space for my butt for an hour)
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I'm a Mama's boy. Mama makes you feel like you are part of the family. The owners, people who work at this cafe, and the clients are all so easy-going and warm.
Fresh food; free wi-fi; live music every Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. A blend of Folk and Latin Jazz, and sometimes impromptu performances by local artists who are also customers. Attractive Latinas behind the counter, always with sunny, authentic smiles. Very cool yet down to earth. Walt Whitman would have loved this cafe.
The coffee quality can be improved, but I really just go there to make friends and see all the beautiful people.
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This cafe/art/music space is the best in the Excelsior. I'm amazed it's not more crowded all the time, but with the "name brand' of Martha and Bros. up the block, it's got competition. It's named for the mother of one of the owners, and she is often there behind the counter. A friendlier kinder Mama I can't imagine knowing. Many of the people who work here are family and friends, and the family-style attention really shows. The breakfast/lunch menu is small, but everything is always very fresh and made to order. The breakfast bagel sandwich is one of my faves - delicious!
The space is always decorated with fresh flowers and original artwork hanging on the walls. A beautiful custom mural decorates the back wall. Be sure to check out the bathroom and its quirky decor.
This coffee shop is located in the outer mission in a pretty nice neighborhood. It is owned by a nice Latino lady who receives you with a smile every time you come by. They don't have anything more than simple sandwiches and bagels with cream cheese to eat, but the place is a peaceful place to chill out during midterms and finals. Everything is so clean all the time, even the bathroom, and they have large windows by which the sun fills the place with light during the mornings. Once in a while they have musicians performing live music.
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A wonderful family run cafe. Everyone who works there is really nice! I have to disclose that I actually knew the owners before the cafe opened, but please give it a try, you'll enjoy yourself. I promise! They have great coffee and the live music is always awesome!!
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This place is easily one of the nicest things about the Excelsior neighborhood. A cafe with such a welcoming decor and ambiance is a rare find in any area and I feel fortunate to have it so close at hand. The food is made to order, relatively inexpensive and really good (no pre-wrapped soggy sandwiches etc.). The coffee is the best on the street (sorry Martha Bros.). They have free wifi (very fast btw).
The art being exhibited is often done by artists from the area. In fact everything about Mama Art Cafe seems to be organically derived and/or inspired by the immediate community.
On Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoon they have live music. I'm constantly amazed by the quality of artists they manage to dig up! Some of the best acoustic performances I've seen in the city have taken place here - just two blocks from house! ...for free! Rarely are they your typical coffee-house acts that you wish would just go away so you could get back to your email and latte. The acoustics are perfect for the mostly acoustic performers.
I strongly recommend anyone in the area to check out Mama Art Cafe. You'll love it.
pleasant, charming, affordable, and very friendly. check out their bagged spices too.
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