Every morning, when the doors open to the Noe Café in the UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building at 675 18th Street in Mission Bay, customers are clamoring for a good cup of coffee.
“Our UCSF business is mainly generated through the morning coffee rush and the lunch crowd,” said Christian Ritter, owner of the cafe. “UCSF is like family. We cherish our strong ties and the sense of community they bring. The university’s importance to our business lies in the friendships, support, and vibrant energy it adds to our small café.”
Ritter said students, staff, medical professionals, and a growing number of neighborhood locals, appreciate the coffee and the warm ambiance of the newly opened café. “We love serving this diverse and engaging crowd.”
Noe Café opened its doors in June 2023. “We saw the potential to create a cozy coffee spot in the heart of this academic and medical community,” Ritter said. “It was a dream come true to be part of the UCSF environment.”
It was also a dream come true for UCSF coffee lovers. Noe Café sources some of the finest coffee in San Francisco. It’s that flavorful coffee that helps create artisanal lattes, one of the most popular items on the menu.
“We also sell a lot of Argentinian empanadas and homemade pastries to go with the coffee. They are loved for the burst of flavor that keeps our customers coming back for more,” Ritter said. And, while the coffee is excellent, the breakfast, lunch and snack options provide the UCSF community with another option for fresh, healthy, food. This includes freshly made sandwiches, donuts by Dynamo, croissants and biscuits made daily by Kahnfections, Napa cabbage salad, and more.
Despite being open for just a short time, Ritter sees a promising future at Mission Bay. “We envision continued growth and expanding our offerings and collaborating closely with UCSF to create a mutually beneficial partnership that thrives for years to come.”
