Red Door Cafe

The Red Door has graced San Francisco with its unique presence for a decade, but this gem has closed its doors after selling to a new owner, who will operate as a different restaurant going forward. There never was and never will be another restaurant like Red Door. We may not notice just yet how this little cafe has changed the dining-out experience, but I bet its influence has, and will spread. The amazing food was almost overshadowed by the experience of the visit itself. How Ahmed, the owner, managed to execute those flavorful dishes and provide such a personal, vibrant experience simultaneously, is a gift and mystery. From the time spent waiting in line, and to the very end, it was always a one-of-a-kind-experience. Only the effortlessly hilarious, quick-witted Ahmed could pull this off, and as mostly a one-man-show! He made magic happen here for myself and others, and memories that will not soon be forgotten. I feel a little changed after having known The Red Door Cafe, and will miss it like crazy. update: 1/6/17 Looks like it's official (sad face). The owner has put a sweet good-bye message on the window for Red Door customers, his landlords and the new owners.

The host is a cosmic explosion of unicorn confetti and joy, and sarcastic wit. Absolutely adored him, makes you feel right at home immediately. The food is absolutely delicious, and coffee and tea are served in quirky containers :) As he's a one man show, he takes solos and folks in pairs, not groups, just be aware of that before you rock up to this spot! Will definitely return the next time I'm in town! A real gem!

Ahmed is great. He makes the place bright, fun, and he talks to all the patrons. It's been three months since the first time I was there, and he remembered my name, and asked me where my girlfriend was. He's really good at what he does. The food is amazing. I can't get enough of it. I want to keep coming back. I'm not a vegan at all, but the vegan food at the Red Door Cafe really can be better than non vegan. Give it a whirl.

This place is one of San Francisco's brightest gems. Ahmed is an artist in the kitchen and has one of the most beautiful hearts. You have to be kind and willing to wait (he runs the entire place solo and things take time) but you will be sincerely rewarded if you hang in there. If you're looking for something truly special, the Red Door Cafe is it.

The Red Door Cafe is like vitamins for my soul. When I'm feeling down, going there picks me up. I LOVE the Havana tacos and I ADORE AD. It's a great San Francisco experience for those who are open to it. If you want to go to a quite spot and be left alone, this place isn't for you--it's more about the group dynamic. It's very small (maybe 14 seats), so be prepared to wait in line, but I promise you, it's worth it. It's a magical place that can brighten your day. (Note, they only accomodate groups of two or solo diners).

In a city of corporate chain restaurants & hundreds of other local restaurants spending a small fortune on marketing-- essentially trying to convince you that they can nourish your soul & give you a unique San Francisco dining experience-- the Red Door is the real deal. The owner invited us in like family (it's a small place & he turned a few people away), fed us the best food we had in San Francisco (Havana tacos & Oreo french toast for the win), & thoroughly entertained us (haven't laughed so hard in ages). It was absolutely the highlight of our San Francisco trip. Go with an open mind & an empty stomach. This place is fabulous.

KEEP AN OPEN MIND. That is the best piece of advice I can give to anyone visiting this place for the first time. Be patient and leave your expectations at the door! I promise you, it'll pay off. This is an experience you won't soon forget! The people on here who left one star reviews, were just going out for brunch. The Red Door Cafe is SO much more than brunch! The owner of RDC is also the head waiter, head chef and host. He CREATES a dining experience that is difficult to describe and sometimes, difficult to tolerate. His talents may be more accepted in the Castro but, that would be too easy. That's not his style. He makes food with great effort and he expects effort from his guests in order to fully enjoy his creations. It's a little more work than the average diner is looking to invest but, you get out of it just what you put it. Just remember, it's not just food, it's an adventure.

Definitely a place you must come to at least once - especially if you live in the Bay Area! Read the other reviews to get an idea of what to expect, but if you are in the mood for a harrowing adventure, come down to meet the flaming gay owner who expects you to follow his written rules to the T in order to score a spot in his small restaurant (which only seats 10 at a time). The food is pretty good too! Tad bit on the pricey side, but hey, I think you are paying for the experience. Be prepared to be hit on (if you are a cute guy), or rehearsing what you will say to him to try to win his affections, and to pretend you love creepy trolls to get in.

This spot could truly only exist in San Francisco. It's such an experience. Show up early if you don't want to wait forever (there's a small handful of tables, and yes, seriously - they only seat tables of two). But once you get in, the service is top-notch. You feel as though you've been welcomed into a good friend's home for brunch. I'm a fan of the french toast and the breakfast tacos.