Magic Donuts and Coffee SF is a trendy and popular café located in the heart of San Francisco. Known for its unique and magical offerings, the café has gained a loyal following among locals and tourists alike. The café's menu features a wide range of donuts and coffee options, all crafted with a touch of magic. One of the standout items on the menu is the Unicorn Donut. This colorful and whimsical creation is topped with a rainbow glaze and edible sparkles, making it a favorite among Instagrammers looking for the perfect photo opportunity. Another popular donut option is the Chocolate Explosion.

Magic Donuts

Generally, I’m not too much of a donut person. If I want something bready for breakfast, I’ll go for a pastry over a donut, mostly because donuts often can be quite greasy and overly sweet. However, when I found out about Magic Donuts, a recent addition to the Potrero Hill neighborhood, I knew I wanted to give it a try. They specialize in sourdough donuts which is probably one of the most San Francisco donuts you could find, plus they are headed by a pretty strong restaurant group that runs some high quality restaurants in the Bay Area.

The venue itself is new and clean, located in a deluxe condo building, and when you walk in, the display of donuts look outstanding. The first time I went I gravitated toward a couple of the fruit donuts and the vanilla honey which looked to be their equivalent of a plain glazed donut. The first thing I noticed when I bit into the vanilla honey donut is the donut base itself isn’t sickly sweet which is a characteristic I loved. The overall donut was slightly sweet, well fried and had a real burst of sourness from the sourdough base.

The two fruit donuts were saved for dessert later in the evening, and they also didn’t disappoint. I think the strawberry was slightly better as the topping was just slightly sweet with some acidity from the strawberries. The lemon meringue was very good, but a whole lot sweeter due to the meringue. It also showed that Magic Donuts can satisfy any person’s donut craving, as the donuts can definitely go mega sweet if that is your preference.

I’ve been back a couple of times and tried a few more, including the blueberry and lime, the cheesecake (with pumpkin!) and the maple pecan. Honestly, all of them were really delicious and didn’t feel overly sickly sweet or greasy. And if chocolate is your thing, they have plenty of options for you there too. They also have a selection of coffee drinks available, so if you want to hang out there and enjoy donuts and coffee with friends, it’s definitely got a cool vibe for that. I think it’s going to stay a staple for me when I do get those occasional donut cravings, or possibly a nice treat when I have visiting guests as a sourdough donut is probably a treat you’d only find in San Francisco.

Score: 4.5/5
Recommendation: I’d say try the Vanilla and Honey to get a real taste of the donut, but go wild!

Magic Donuts
1675 Mariposa Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Magic donuts and coffee sf

To say that the Bay Area’s Bacchus Management Group has been on a tear lately would be an understatement. In addition to opening three new establishments in San Francisco this year alone, plans call for for another new restaurant to debut at San Jose’s Santana Row in 2024 and one to open at the historic post office building in Burlingame in 2025.

That’s in addition to its already sizeable stable of Spruce in San Francisco, Michelin-starred the Village Pub in Woodside, Michelin-starred Selby’s in Redwood City, the Village Bakery in Woodside, and Pizza Antica locations in Santana Row and Lafayette.

Last week, I had a chance to check out its new Italian restaurant, La Connessa, when I was invited in as a guest. It’s on the street level of a new building on Potrero Hill. Just steps away are Bacchus’ two other new eateries: the burger place, Louie’s Original; and the sourdough donut shop, Magic Donuts & Coffee (more on that in a moment).

The focal-point bar. Neon decoration on the wall.

Dimly lighted with sleek, wedding band-like chandeliers and a soaring, illuminated bar, it has that sophisticated, moody aura, and boy, was it bustling on a Saturday night. There’s even a view into the kitchen behind big glass windows.

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Restaurant Group Behind Spruce and Village Pub to Open Three Side-by-Side Restaurants In Potrero Hill

Bacchus Management Group, which has a history of attracting loyal followings to its restaurants as well as Michelin stars, has plans for three new businesses in Potrero Hill, including an Italian trattoria and a new burger joint.

The team behind longtime stalwart hits Spruce and The Village Pub, as well as the more recently Michelin-starred Selby's in Redwood City, are readying to open three new spots in the base of Mason on Mariposa, a new luxe apartment complex that sits across from the historic Anchor Brewing Company headquarters. As the Chronicle first reported, the three concepts are an old-school doughnut shop, a burger-focused diner and takeout spot, and the more sit-down-oriented, "modern take on the classic trattoria," La Connessa.

An announcement from Bacchus suggests that the bar at La Connessa will feature "vintage Italian liqueurs" — which sounds like old bottles of Campari and other amari, as well as a wide selection of Italian wine.

And the restaurant will be reasonably sized with 86 seats (see rendering below), and a menu focused on traditional Italian fare. The location is 1695 Mariposa Street, at the corner of Carolina Street, across the street from Jackson Playground.

Rendering of La Connessa via Bacchus Management Group

Next door will be Louie's Original (1685 Mariposa), which will be a counter-service deal with a narrow dining room with just 17 table seats and 12 counter seats. The menu will be centered on Spruce's ever-popular English muffin burger, but it sounds like there will be other burger options as well as a fried-chicken sandwich, veggie options, frozen custard, and milkshakes.

And Bacchus's executive pastry chef Janina O’Leary is behind the concept for Magic Donuts & Coffee (1675 Mariposa), which will feature O'Leary's old-timey cake doughnuts, crullers, and brioche doughnuts, as well as Bacchus's own roasted coffee. Intriguingly, the doughnut menu will apparently include both savory and sweet varieties.

The timeframe for the opening of these three businesses, at this point, is just "next year," but we'll update you as we learn more.

As the Chronicle notes, Bacchus hasn't much been in expansion mode since having to close The Saratoga in SF during the pandemic, and Palo Alto's Mayfield Bakery & Cafe. But things are coming alive again all over, and so is the restaurant-opening schedule in SF, even though there's not a ton on the docket so far for this fall.

Another popular donut option is the Chocolate Explosion. This indulgent treat is filled with a rich chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate shavings, creating a decadent explosion of flavors. For coffee lovers, the café serves a variety of magically infused drinks.

The Magic Mocha is a must-try, combining the robust flavors of coffee with a hint of chocolate and a dash of magic. The result is a smooth and enchanting beverage that will leave you wanting more. The café's interior is just as enchanting as its menu. The walls are adorned with murals depicting mythical creatures and whimsical landscapes, creating a magical ambiance that transports visitors into a world of wonder and delight. Whether you're a fan of donuts, coffee, or both, Magic Donuts and Coffee SF is a must-visit spot in San Francisco. With its magical creations and enchanting atmosphere, it promises an unforgettable and delightful experience for all who enter..

Reviews for "Magical delights: Donuts and coffee in San Francisco's hidden gems"

1. Amy - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience at Magic Donuts and Coffee SF. The donuts were stale and tasted like they had been sitting out for hours. The coffee was also lackluster and tasted burnt. The service was slow and the staff seemed disinterested in their job. Overall, I would not recommend this place for donuts or coffee.

2. John - 1 star - Magic Donuts and Coffee SF was a complete letdown. The donuts were overpriced and did not live up to the hype. They were dry and lacked flavor. The coffee was mediocre at best and definitely not worth the price. The atmosphere of the shop was also unappealing, with uncomfortable seating and a lack of cleanliness. I would not waste my time or money here again.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for Magic Donuts and Coffee SF, but unfortunately, they fell short. The donuts were average at best, nothing special or unique. The coffee was mediocre and lacked the bold flavors I was hoping for. The service was slow and the staff did not seem knowledgeable about their product. Overall, I was underwhelmed and would not go out of my way to visit again.

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