icafe Bakery Introduce
For California residents and Bay Area locals with a craving for authentic, high-quality Chinese baked goods, the search ends in San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. Nestled on the charming Waverly Place, **icafe Bakery** stands out as a quintessential destination. This is far more than just a place to grab a quick bite; it's a piece of local cultural heritage, specializing in traditional and beloved Chinese pastries and treats that evoke joy and comfort with every bite. The tone here is slightly promotional because the quality and authenticity of the experience truly set it apart for local users seeking the real deal.
**icafe Bakery** is widely celebrated for its scratch-made items, blending traditional techniques with fresh ingredients. It has earned a reputation, particularly for its mochi, which customers have boldly proclaimed to be the "best mochi in chinatown." Beyond this signature item, the menu features a wide array of savory and sweet pastries, making it the perfect spot for breakfast, a mid-day snack, or a delightful dessert. The quality of the baked goods is consistently described as "top notch," and the flavors—like the perfect balance of "chewiness and sweet without being cloying" in their bao—demonstrate the expertise of their bakers.
Visiting icafe Bakery is a deeply satisfying experience for local patrons. The bakery maintains a friendly atmosphere, where speaking Cantonese can be an "added advantage," suggesting a strong cultural connection that many patrons appreciate. Whether you are seeking the chewy delight of their mochi or the savory pleasure of a BBQ P.Bun, icafe Bakery provides an authentic and delicious culinary journey right in the heart of one of San Francisco's most iconic neighborhoods.
The location of **icafe Bakery** is as iconic as its pastries. You can find this treasured spot right in the middle of Chinatown at **133 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA**.
Waverly Place, known for its historic architecture and distinct atmosphere, offers a charming setting that enhances the overall experience. The location is easily accessible via the extensive public transit network serving Chinatown and the nearby Financial District, making it a convenient stop for locals working or exploring the city.
While the bakeshop is ideal for a **Quick visit**, it caters to various dining preferences. The primary **Service options** include **Takeout**, catering to the fast-paced nature of the neighborhood. However, for those who wish to savor their treats on-site, the bakery thoughtfully provides **table seating for a dine-in experience**, offering a brief reprieve from the bustling city.
**Accessibility** is a key feature, as the bakery includes a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, ensuring that all community members can easily enjoy their offerings. Furthermore, the bakery offers an important amenity for dine-in customers: a clean and maintained **restroom facility exclusively for customers**, a detail that enhances the overall convenience and comfort of the visit. Payment is simple, with the acceptance of **Debit cards** making transactions fast for customers on the go.
**icafe Bakery** offers a curated, high-quality menu of Chinese bakery staples and specialty treats, perfect for any time of day. The core **Services Offered** include:
- **Specialty Mochi:** Celebrated as the "Best mochi in chinatown," with specific flavors including Mango Mochi, Red Bean Mochi, Sesame Mochi, Purple Potato Mochi, and Dunion Mochi.
- **Classic Savory Baked Buns and Pastries:** Featuring beloved items like the BBQ P.Bun, which are savory delights perfect for a light meal.
- **Traditional Chinese Sweets:** Including popular items such as paper cake, custard tart, and highly praised egg tarts.
- **Specialty Steamed Items:** Offering substantial and traditional items like big dumplings (zhong zi), sometimes referred to by customers as "Chinese-style tamales."
- **Coconut Crème Bao:** A fan-favorite sweet bun that is noted for its perfectly balanced texture and flavor profile—"a perfect bite of chewiness and sweet."
- **Beverage Service:** Serving **Coffee** for patrons seeking a classic pairing with their breakfast or pastry.
- **Dining Options:** Available for both **Breakfast** and dessert/snack dining throughout the day.
- **Takeout Service:** Focused on efficient and quick service for customers opting for **Takeout**.
The reasons why icafe Bakery holds such a cherished spot in the San Francisco food scene are rooted in its authenticity and excellent customer experience. These are the key **Features / Highlights** that make it a local gem:
- **Reputation for "Best Mochi":** The bakery’s mochi selection is a significant draw, with specific mention of flavors like Mango and Sesame, establishing it as a go-to for this specific, popular Chinese dessert.
- **Quintessential Chinatown Experience:** Customers describe it as a "quintessential Chinese bakery," providing an authentic cultural and culinary experience often sought by locals and Bay Area visitors alike.
- **High-Quality, Top-Notch Pastries:** All baked goods, including the egg tarts, bao, and paper cake, are consistently praised for being delicious and of "top notch" quality, suggesting a high standard of ingredients and baking expertise.
- **Dine-In Amenity:** While takeout is available, the availability of **table seating** and a **clean restroom facility exclusively for customers** enhances the experience for those who wish to slow down and enjoy their breakfast or treats.
- **Excellent Customer Service:** The staff is praised for delivering "excellent" customer service, making the experience pleasant and welcoming.
- **Cultural Connection:** The advantage of being able to communicate in **Cantonese** highlights the bakery's deep roots and service to the local Cantonese-speaking community.
- **Value of the Experience:** The joy derived from their pastries is palpable in customer reviews, describing the experience as "delighted" and so good that they are willing to "take my money" without question.
For Bay Area locals planning to visit this celebrated Chinatown spot, here is the essential **Contact Information**:
**Address:** 133 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
**Phone:** (415) 391-8088
**Mobile Phone (Alternative Contact):** +1 415-391-8088
When considering **What is worth choosing** icafe Bakery in a city full of dining options, the answer is simple: authenticity, specialty, and comfort. For Californians, especially those who appreciate the rich culinary tapestry of the Bay Area, icafe Bakery provides a distinct and consistently high-quality experience that transcends typical bakery fare.
The unique specialty of the "Best mochi in chinatown" is a compelling reason alone to visit. However, the true value lies in the perfection of their classic Chinese pastries—the soft, sweet coconut crème bao, the savory BBQ P.Bun, and the delicate egg tarts—all delivered with a level of quality that even warrants a "Mama's approval."
Choosing icafe Bakery means choosing a genuine piece of San Francisco's Chinatown. It’s a place where you can grab a quick, perfect bite, enjoy a cup of **Coffee** with a paper cake, and experience the kind of customer service that makes patrons "so happy." The convenience of **Takeout**, the option for dine-in seating, and the guaranteed **Wheelchair accessible entrance** ensure that this top-notch, highly-rated Chinese bakery is accessible and enjoyable for every local user seeking that perfect balance of chewiness and sweet. For a truly authentic and delightful Chinese bakery experience, make 133 Waverly Place your next stop.
icafe Bakery Menu
Mochi
Best mochi in chinatown
- Mango Mochi
- Red Bean Mochi
- Sesame Mochi
- Purple Potato Mochi
- Dunion Mochi
icafe Bakery Details
Service options
- Takeout
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Debit cards
icafe Bakery Photos










icafe Bakery Location
icafe Bakery
133 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
icafe Bakery Reviews
egg tartchinesecoffeepineapple bunmochipricesbbq pork buntamaleshk milk teahua juan
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1It is a quintessential Chinese bakery situated in the heart of Chinatown. They offer table seating for a dine-in experience. We recently sampled their BBQ P.Bun, paper cake, big dumplings (zhong zi), and custard tart, and found them to be quite delicious! The experience met with Mama's approval. The customer service was excellent, and speaking Cantonese proved to be an added advantage. Additionally, they maintain a clean restroom facility exclusively for customers.
June 22 · SPI know I am always giving five stars. It’s because I am thrilled when I visit places I have been reading about for ages. And when I finally get to have a coconut crème bao again after months, and it just makes me so happy. This place is funny. They are known for Chinese-style tamales. I did not have that. I had the egg tart and bao. Yummy. There was not a place to sit in the place on Sunday morning so I did the next best thing- stood outside the cafe and ate it. ☺️ again perhaps if I lived close to a Chinese bakery I would not be so joyful about my bao but I was and continue to be delighted. It was the perfect bite of chewiness and sweet without being cloying. I don’t know how they do it and I don’t want to know I will just say “take my money” and enjoy. The pastries here are top notch. Check it out for yourself.
July 28 · Jennifer McKeeverSeriously the sweetest aunties!! I found out about them at the Chinatown night market and their mango mochi was so juicy 😭😭😭 it revived me
September 12 · J XNice place to get a treat and have warm asian veggie tamales - my wife also got a ice tea we love to try more things
June 29 · Mr. BravoWhat a cute little bakery! I came here by chance after an event at the bookstore on the corner, and I'm really glad I did. Other bakeries are pretty chaotic, loud, and intimidating. This one is very chill and calm. The auntie at the counter patiently takes your order, I can't say that for all Chinatown bakeries! I got a green onion bun, a bo-lo bao (called a pineapple bun, because it looks like a pineapple), a cha siu bolo bao, a ham and cheese bao. All were really light and fluffy. My favorite was the cha siu bolo bao! But, also the mango mochi, that were on the counter, those were really really good and my family finished those in minutes. Highly recommend making the trip down Wavery to find i-Cafe!
September 15 · Curtis Chinn
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