This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. What is that you say? You love French food? In your opinion, Soufflés are one of the greatest creations of humankind? Well, then. You’re in store for a treat. You see, I also love both French cuisine and a delicate, fluffy, luscious Soufflé. Accordingly, I’m always on the hunt for restaurants that serve these velvety gems. Little did I know that a tiny, independently owned Soufflé making treasure was hiding in plain sight in San Francisco. I present to you: Cafe Jacqueline. Even after years of living in San Francisco and trekking around North Beach on foot, I had no idea Cafe Jacqueline existed. Besides being a tiny little establishment on Grant street, Cafe Jacqueline also has no website, social media or digital reservation system of any kind. That’s correct. If you find out about Cafe Jacqueline on the inter webs, its likely from one of the usual restaurant review platforms, major publications or independent writers such as myself. Deep in the heart of the bustling North Beach neighborhood, Jacqueline Margulis has created something beautiful. In the fall of 1979, at 45, she took over the space that is now Cafe Jacqueline, formerly a shoe store. If you are someone who craves familiarity or enjoys the comfort of nostalgia, you will appreciate Cafe Jacqueline. Since opening her Soufflé haven she has changed very little. The walls are the same color as they were when she opened her doors. Her assistant chef whom helps her prep has been with her for decades – almost forty years. Her head waiter, whom recommended the most divine wine to pair with my meal, has been with her since 1994. It’s a place that’s easy to feel connected to, because when you return, everything will be as you’ve left it. The room. All of the staff. The food. At the time of writing, Chef Margulis is 87. You won’t find Cafe Jacqueline on open table. Additionally, the restaurant also has no website. The only way to make a reservation is to call. Though, more than likely, you’ll need to leave a message. Basically, there are only two servers whom work in the front of house and are usually tending to a room full of Guests. Tip: Cafe Jacqueline’s phone number is (415) 981. 5565. Leave a message clearly stating your name, phone number and when you’re looking to dine at the restaurant. While Cafe Jacqueline has an interesting backstory and is run much differently than most modern businesses, the food is why you’re there. Undeniably, the food is what will keep you coming back! Cafe Jacqueline was the only restaurant in the USA with a Soufflé focused menu until similar restaurants started popping up in the last several years. The menu offers a variety of savory and sweet Soufflés that would likely please even the most discerning palette. The Soufflés are all made to order. Subsequently, you should allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for each Soufflé course you order. If budget allows, I’d recommend ordering something light like soup to tide you over. The soups are all made from scratch in house and are scrumptious. While there are soups, light salads and a couple appetizer options to order (pending availability) the menu is almost entirely Soufflés. We had the Salmon and Asparagus Soufflé as our main dish and their signature Grand Mariner Soufflé for dessert. The dining atmosphere at Café Jacqueline is one that is becoming more and more rare in the US. There are only a handful of tables in the sole dining room. The dimly lit room is aglow mainly from the elegant chandelier overhead. Freshly cut flowers adorn each table along with a neatly folded napkin. Two tenured servers, polished in collared white button downs and bow ties take care of the entire dining room. However, the service is hardly stuffy. Both gentlemen enjoy chuckling at a cheeky joke and will happily make wine and menu suggestions. There is a single restroom outside in the garden for Guests. You have to walk through the kitchen to get there. This is where you will likely sneak a peek at Chef Margulis hard at work. When I was returning to my table from the loo, my server introduced me to Jacqueline. She smiled coyly and was quite warm. She graciously declined any pictures be taken of herself, but the restaurant was fine. Chef Jacqueline Margulis has built a special, cozy enclave in the heart of San Francisco. I truly hope she is making Soufflés for many years to come. Her legacy will certainly live on far beyond. It takes a little bit of patience to get a reservation at Cafe Jacqueline, since they only take reservations over the phone. In addition to Jacqueline, there are only two – three employees running the entire show. I left a message and one of the servers got back to me a few days later. Good things come to those whom wait! Like most places in San Francisco, I recommend not driving your own vehicle. If public transport or ride share isn’t an option, there is street parking available. If you can find a neighboring structure, I recommend parking in a parking structure. Vehicle related crime is unfortunately very high in San Francisco. Have you been to Cafe Jacqueline? What did you think? If you have any questions about dining here, please drop them in the comments below! Check these out: Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Why Cafe Jacqueline San Francisco is a best kept Secret you need to know about
A little bit of history about Cafe Jacqueline
How to make a Reservation
The Food and Menu at Cafe Jacqueline
Service, Atmosphere and Experience
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Oh my gosh my mouth watered as I was reading this this article. Such a lovely piece of writing. I’ve not been in SF for a while now but must certainly seek out this restaurant next time I’m there. Thanks for the hidden gem recommendation!
I love, love, love that the chef is still going at 87 and this sounds like a marvelous, unpretentious spot that I’ll check out next time I’m in Bay Area. I shared this with my family members who live in the area and can’t wait to hear what they think. Thanks for sharing your soufflé secret discovery!
Hi Liz! I absolutely love that she is still going strong at 87, too. The spot is elegant in a very unpretentious way . It’s completely unpretentious but a lovely, charming atmosphere all the same. I’m so happy you shared it with your family members. I hope they love it (and I believe they will)!
OOoh I love that Cafe Jacqueline also has no website or social media, that’s so charming. It’s such a cute place and I love French food, so this is perfect for my next visit to SF. Thanks for sharing this “secret” little cafe 🙂
Cafe Jacqueline looks like my kind of place. The French Onion Soup looks yummy. Interesting that there are only 2-3 employees.
It all looks so delicious! I would love to visit.
What a gem, definitely looking forward to visiting the cafe
It’s such a gem. I genuinely can’t wait to dine there again. I hope you visit soon Lucia!
I was searching to see if the restaurant is still open and was happy to find that it is and that Jacqueline is still beating and folding egg whites in copper bowls at 88 years old!
My wife and I’ve had the good fortune to eat at Cafe Jacqueline twice while traveling through San Francisco and the seasonal white peach soufflé might be the single best dessert I’ve ever eaten (73 y/o and traveled to 70+ countries and all 50 states). We’re stopping over in San Francisco in November and can’t wait to enjoy another meal at this fantastic little place.
Oh yes! I had the privilege twice! It has been several years back since my daughter who lived in San Francisco invited me and her stepfather to Cafe Jacqueline. What fun it is to know she is still going strong. I smiled when I read about the huge bowl of eggs because I too remembered seeing them when going through the kitchen to get to the courtyard to get to the restroom.
It establishment is tiny, it is delicious and it most definitely is worth the wait in getting a reservation!
I must say, of the waiters/garson did come off a bit stuffy but I must say he took his job very seriously and served us with total perfection. In some way, it actually added to the whole experience.
Thanks for the write up! I give the restaurant a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is no restaurant that has more charm, warmth and an almost religious dedication to pure beautiful food! If that were not enough, the washed farm floor boards, the crisp pressed white linens, the simple yet sparkling glasses……
Why am I not there right now!?!?
There is no restaurant that has more charm, warmth and an almost religious dedication to pure beautiful food! If that were not enough, the washed farm floor boards, the crisp pressed white linens, the simple yet sparkling glasses……
Why am I not there right now!?!?
Nicole, perhaps you should’ve written this article. Couldn’t have said it better! I am currently asking myself the same question… “Why am I not there right now?!”