The Buoy
San Francisco
Buoy is a woman-owned modern Korean venue in San Francisco that seamlessly transitions from a spacious, airy daytime cafe into an intimate evening restaurant and cocktail lounge. It is widely acclaimed for its freshly baked salt bread served with creative flavored butters, as well as specialty drinks like banana brûlée and black sesame lattes. At night, the menu shifts to inventive Korean plates like minari bossam and wagyu tartare, complemented by creative soju cocktails.
Commenters are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with many fans jokingly attempting to gatekeep the spot to keep lines and crowds manageable. While the signature salt bread, banana latte, and value-packed bottomless soju deals receive consistent acclaim, an isolated review noted encounters with unfriendly staff. Overall sentiment remains exceptionally high, with several patrons hailing it as one of the city's most underrated gems.
- Order the signature salt bread served with specialty butters like matcha or gochujang.
- Try the banana brûlée latte or Einspänner coffee during daytime cafe hours.
- Stop by in the evening for creative cocktails, bottomless soju deals, and minari bossam.
- Don't miss the salt bread churros for a unique dessert experience.
- Arrive early if attending weekend food pop-ups to avoid sold-out items.
Summaries are created based on reviews, notes, and social media posts.
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