Welcome to Cafe Elena
At Cafe Elena, nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s One Market food court, authentic Mediterranean flavors come alive. Founded by the warm and inviting couple, George and Lena, this eatery prides itself on using fresh ingredients to create beloved classics like their savory chicken kebab plate and flavorful maklouba. With a commitment to friendly service and a homely feel, each dish resonates with the owners' 27-year dedication to hospitality. Diners rave about the ample vegetarian options and the delightful homemade hot sauce, making Cafe Elena a beloved destination for anyone seeking a heartwarming breakfast or lunch in a bustling urban environment.
- 1 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94105 Hotline: (415) 543-8933
Welcome to Cafe Elena, a culinary gem nestled at 1 Market Street in bustling San Francisco. With a focus on mouthwatering Greek-inspired wraps and a delightful breakfast and brunch menu, Cafe Elena is quickly becoming a beloved destination for food lovers and busy professionals alike.
What sets Cafe Elena apart is not just the delicious food but the warmth and hospitality of its owners, George and Lena. Customers rave about the personal touch they bring to each dining experience. As Jennifer C. noted, their conversation feels like catching up with old friends, enhancing the overall enjoyment of your meal.
- Breakfast Offerings: Dive into the Pita Pocket Breakfast, a scrumptious sandwich crafted with fresh ingredients, priced at just $8.75. Or savor the delightful omelet made to order, customizable with up to three choices for only $9.75.
- Lunch Specials: The maklouba special is a standout, boasting a hearty mix of eggplant, potatoes, and cauliflower on buttery rice, paired with creamy hummus and a refreshing cucumber salad. As Nicole B. experienced, it's a dish that's not just delicious but also generously portioned.
- Signature Drinks: Complement your meal with a refreshing drink from their juice bar. The homemade Watermelon Juice is a favorite among patrons, particularly on warm days, providing a revitalizing flavor that truly rejuvenates.
Cafe Elena isn’t just a place to grab a meal; it’s an experience. It’s where Mediterranean flavors come alive in a friendly atmosphere, making it a great spot for family gatherings or a quick office lunch. Customers like Alison R. appreciate the efficiency with which their favorites are prepared, turning brief lunches into memorable encounters.
With rave reviews painting a picture of a clean, inviting food court and a team that genuinely cares about their patrons, Cafe Elena is worth a visit. Don’t miss out on their gyro wrap and falafel sandwich, both of which have garnered high praise for their flavor and freshness. As Juan V. notes, the chicken kebab plate is also a must-try, combining tender chicken with perfectly paired accompaniments.
So, if you find yourself near the Embarcadero, seek out Cafe Elena. Whether you are in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a light brunch, or a delicious lunch surrounded by cheerful service, you will find it here. Support this charming establishment and savor the authentic Mediterranean cuisine they proudly serve. Your taste buds will thank you!

I just met the lovely George and Lena, owners of Cafe Elena. We had a lovely conversation while George made my omelet fresh to order from fresh ingredients. It was tasty and filling. I just found my new breakfast spot for the Tuesday morning when I come to sf. Give them a try. The food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. Bonus is how nice and conversational the owners are. I look forward to getting to know more of their 27 year story here at One Market.

Got the maklouba special at lunch. She said I wouldn't be able to stop eating it and she was not wrong. A huge portion of eggplant, potatoes and cauliflower on buttery rice, with creamy hummus and cucumber salad. Super friendly people and the dining area post Covid has plenty of seating. Delicious!

The Food Court tour continues in San Francisco and I am going to tell you one of the best and cleanest Food Court in San Francisco and it's on Market street ( no it's not the Westfield Mall) and they got a plate for you .The food court is called " Plates" at One Market. I was craving Cafe Elena's which has one of my favorite plates when it comes to Mediterranean food and the restaurant also comes with a juice bar. The best food court Mediterranean food when it comes to the chicken kebab plate in San Francisco. I like kebabs but this particular one does not come with a skewer. Once I started my order you get shown so much hospitality by the owners. They are good people providing me with words of encouragement. I ordered the chicken kebab plate which comes with pieces of the chicken breast that are so tender along with a soft yellow rice which is warm and it complemented the humus ( I ordered extra humus ) and it had my palate humming a Summer tune. I like to mix the hummus on the pieces of chicken so it gives it a yummy saucy tasty flavor. It also came with some veggies with a good drizzle on it. Then I wiped the saucy plate down with the pita. Since it was another hot Summer day in San Francisco I then ordered the Watermelon Juice from their Juice Bar menu. The Watermelon Juice has sliced pieces of watermelon that are put through the blender in a blender and the rest is history. Each sip of the Watermelon juice is so juicy and refreshing. It's the refresher to awaken my senses and recharged my batteries ( phone included). It's a good place to start or get a restart at the start of Market street at One Market. Get a kebab plate or Grab a juice from the juice bar from One Market to go because it's the antidote To enjoy a hot day in the city by the Embarcadero by the water to watch the boats as I let my mind float

The most delicious office lunch possible. I came here twice in two weeks, the falafel sandwich was just so good! The owners recognized me the second time and had my order ready within minutes. Healthy, delicious, friendly, and a pretty good deal for an office building lunch. I will be coming out of my way to eat here more regularly!

Gyro wrap, fresh watermelon drink and lemon chicken soup all great! Better though are the kind ow

This review is based on the beverage only. I walk around often and usually frequent Pressed Juicery for my healthy drink options, but I wanted to try something different. Maybe the same but at a different shop is a better way of putting it. Inside Plates (food court) at the One Market Plaza building facing the Embarcadero, you can find Cafe Elena. Was going to get 16 oz but for only $.50 more, 20 oz for $6.99 was a no brained. Asked for the Vegetable Juice, but it wasn't available. :( Opted for the Green Juice (apple, spinach, celery, orange, lemon) since that wasn't available. I'd say it's not completely juice as it had noticeable bits and pieces of apple and spinach, and couldn't taste the celery at all. The apple had the hard core pieces, which got me spitting out. They are super friendly and courteous, and mom pop, but the juice wasn't what I was looking for but it did taste very good. Sweet, fresh tasting, and refreshing but I'll have to try the Veg Juice which is healthier next time.

This food court located right across Ferry building is a nice spacious place with five different eating places. I am glad I decided to eat at Cafe Elena Mediterranean food place . They have good choices for vegetarian options. Makloube turned out to be delicious, healthy, and filling. Black coffee good. Prices reasonable. Service polite and friendly. A great place to go in a group with family and friends when visiting pier 39, and fisherman's wharf. Hassle free, shareable, enjoyable eating option...

If you are looking for a home cooked meal look no further. The sweetest owners make their food with love and the best pitas to order. Their hot sauce is also homemade and takes 15+ days to preserve. Support small business and try them out! They are one of the few open in One Market Plaza.

Cafe Elena is the first (and only) place to reopen in the 1 Market food court, so come show this place some love! Was looking for a spot close by to grab lunch with a friend during a rare day in the office, and when we saw a sign advertising Cafe Elena out front we decided to give it a try. Neither of us had been inside 1 Market before and the food court was a little difficult to find as it's hidden away if you're coming from the MIssion St entrance: we walked all the way across to the Market St entrance and were about to give up, but spotted it in a corner on the left as we were walking back. The owner is very sweet and greeted us warmly. He recommended we try one of their lunch specials so I got the chicken shawarma plate, which came with a warm pita on the side. With the exception of the occasional extra-salty piece of chicken, it was a filling and healthy meal. The hidden location coupled with the fact that the employees in 1 Market haven't yet returned to office means that unfortunately this place doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. I recommend giving this place a shot if you're in the area; I already know I want to try their falafel wrap next when I find myself in the office again!