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20th Century Cafe

(Now Closed)

Café$$$$

Civic Center, San Francisco

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20th Century Cafe

The experts at SFGate and Serious Eats recommend this place

117 Tips and reviews

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Jenn ChenFebruary 3, 2018
Beautiful, light-filled interior with period details, delicious knisches, and yeah, that show-stopping honey cake you’re probably here for is worth it. Recommend ordering ahead for whole cakes!
Chris MessinaMarch 7, 2016
Been here 25+ times
While it's pricey, the open-faced salmon on salt bagel is incredible. Ask for a little extra dill and extra peppercorns. Make sure to get a personal pot of black coffee and pierogis for accompaniment.
Renato Valdes OlmosAugust 16, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Get the open face sea salt bagel with tomato and an order of pierogis and share. Grapefruit juice to wash it down. Great little Eastern European place. Amazing details on the bar.
SFistJanuary 12, 2017
Instagrammable down to the floral dishes, this slice of Eastern Europe in Hayes Valley is known for knishes and cake (the bagels are also pretty good!) but it's also a great spot for a weekend brunch. Read more
Anthony AdamsMarch 30, 2016
The obvious choice here is the Russian honey cake but don't leave out the other options. The hazelnut torte is glorious as well as EVERYTHING else on the menu. Fun small cocktail menu as well.
Nico PitneyNovember 1, 2014
Been here 10+ times
A tad pricey but the simple veggie open-faced bagel is gorgeous to look at and even better to eat
Monique FernandesSeptember 4, 2014
The Bagel is delicious. They have just two options, I just tried the one without salmon, because I don't like fish, and I loved it! ❤️
SFistMarch 18, 2015
Chef Michelle Polzine knows her way around European baking traditions, from knishes and honey cakes to her boiled and baked bagels, liberally crusted with poppy seeds, or onion, or just plain naked. Read more
Natalie BurdickNovember 29, 2018
Been here 10+ times
A touch of quiet sophistication and decadent desserts (the fresh-baked bagels are also a delight) in the middle of the city. A perfect afternoon escape...
Jenny SlafkoskyMarch 3, 2018
Been here 5+ times
I love the pierogi, which is house-made and served with Damson plum preserves (also house-made) and sour cream. The deviled eggs are also excellent as are the caraway shortbread. Lovely ambiance too!
Omer ZachJuly 12, 2017
Been here 10+ times
20th Century Cafe's Russian honey cake is one of San Francisco's best desserts/pastries and you don't even have to wait in line for it.
Natalia TereshchenkoFebruary 19, 2015
This place definitely has a unique atmosphere, very similar to european cafes. The personal is very cheerful. Try their bagel with smoked salmon (open-sided for more fish).
Hannes ☕April 27, 2016
Serious eats rated this the best bagel of San Francisco, but what you really want is the Russian honey cake.
Dava TaylorNovember 7, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Everything is insanely delicious! I'm obsessed w/the honey cake. It's light & delicate and I'm pretty sure if the whole cake was in front of me I would devour it! The kale sandwich is also fantastic!
Sarah JutrasJanuary 8, 2014
Deliciously creamy almond cappuccinos, never a crowd and music and ambience that takes you back in time.
Maggie SheldonJanuary 29, 2017
The bagels are delicious, as well as the deviled eggs. They seem to put orange in a lot of their desserts. Great spot to go with one other person vs. a big group.
Andrew ChoiMarch 9, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Bagels are to die for too! Never forget the Russian honey cake. Never.
Lama HaddadinApril 29, 2016
Hands down best bagels I've had but a tad bit expensive
SFGateMarch 25, 2015
If you're forced to pick one dessert, go with the apple strudel; not just because it's wrapped in the finest layers of buttery pastry, but because you can watch the cooks stretch it over a table. Read more
Christine WuMarch 2, 2015
Adorable china, crisp perogies and the best savory scone. I really love the attention to detail and flavor balance here.
Grace S.March 27, 2016
Russian honey cake, bagel anything, pierogis and fresh grapefruit juice
H KAugust 24, 2019
Get the open faced bagel with salmon. Oh my, so delish. Also, their baked goods are crispy.
TaminatorJuly 13, 2013
krasinski tortchen(layered Russian honey cake),cucumber yogurt soup(bit light),lox,drip coffee(bit light),cold brewed iced coffee(recommend). Nice relaxing and elegant setting!
Austin BalesJuly 30, 2016
Been here 10+ times
Bagels are stellar. Seasoned on both sides!!
tablehopperAugust 3, 2014
I adore her potato knish ($8)—just try to find a better one in the city, so flaky and savory. And yes, buttery. Read more
Kayvon TehranianJanuary 6, 2015
Beautifully conceived period piece with delicious food inspired by the cafe culture of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Sit, relax and enjoy!
Ben WardApril 5, 2018
One of the best reuben sandwiches I’ve had. The Fatted Calf pastrami (from the butcher just round the corner) was perfect.
Ashley MowreyNovember 22, 2015
Their staff are kind of awkward. The pastries are amazing though, so so amazing. The coffee is pretty good, last I went they had blue bottle, I'm not sure if they rotate their roasters or not.
Maya ByrneMay 22, 2017
Delicious Perogies but extremely overpriced at $8 for 2. Enjoyed the lox bagel as well!
Charlene NaughtonJune 16, 2017
The Russian Honey Cake is a must but the pastrami was lackluster and you get a side of rude rockabilly service to go with it all!
Julia QiuJune 28, 2015
Travel back in time in this amazing little European cafe. All the food here is on point! Homemade bagels ftw especially
Mark DregerJanuary 21, 2016
Expensive but authentic. Wild boar sausage is perfectly cooked, with warm slices of apple underneath.
Bradford StephensNovember 27, 2013
One of the very few places in SF with excellent, nutty, not-acidic hand-pulled espresso. Get a cappuccino and revel in the joy.
Katherine M.November 1, 2014
The special honey cake and the period decor make this a lovely place to duck in from the weather and read a book.
michelle morrisonAugust 22, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Charming little cafe, true to its name. Try the verbena iced tea and chocolate torte.
Shirley LiuMay 1, 2016
Russian honey tea cake and the strudel are each a must try!
heathr goldJuly 14, 2017
Skip the pastrami. Go for the deviled eggs and Dubose Torte. Lovely details in the place. Good for writing.
Bay McLaughlinAugust 21, 2013
Seriously delicious homemade goodness to be had here. Any the people there are an absolute delight. Highly recommend!
Tim BradshawMarch 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Peaceful, light, beautiful and delicious cafe with tasty Eastern European treats
DSquirrelyApril 12, 2014
A must do. A hidden gem of foods from Budapest, Hungary, and Eastern European specialties that taste like home.
Chuck RoslofMay 6, 2018
Wonderful little Hungarian cafe with a very Old World aesthetic. Highly recommend the baked goods.
Chris MessinaJune 4, 2016
Been here 25+ times
Can't go wrong with the avocado open-faced bagel either.
Chris MessinaApril 21, 2017
Been here 25+ times
The bagels are seriously works of art.
Eric PanJune 28, 2019
The honey cake, the bagels, the coffee, basically you can’t order anything wrong 👌
Tom SAugust 16, 2014
The Russian Honey Cake is an exercise in excess, deliciousness, and architectural mastery. Ten layers of joy.
Frances 미라September 18, 2016
Great bagels! The little gem salad and the french toast was delicious as well. Highly recommend 👍
Ting SOctober 16, 2015
Russian honey cake is a dream. Drop coffee is so delicious too.
Linzi BerryJuly 19, 2013
The Blackberry Coffee Cake is FANTASTIC! Served fresh & moist with a stunning crunchy top. Order with the iced coffee.
Stella NovenaJanuary 16, 2015
Russian honey cake is the best! The nettle soup was also very good.
Melissa NagyAugust 26, 2013
This Russian honey cake is now my favorite cake in all of the land. Also order the bagel w/smoked salmon.

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