San Francisco sits close to Silicon Valley and blends high-tech energy with neighborhoods that favor analog experiences. Several local restaurants provide relief from constant connectivity by offering welcoming, low-tech atmospheres. VIP Coffee and Cakeshop evokes an 1980s Hong Kong cafe with big booths, giant food photos, and slow, relaxed service serving egg tarts, pineapple buns, macaroni soup, and rich Hong Kong-style milk tea. Anh Hong in the Outer Richmond delivers communal Vietnamese dining with bánh hỏi, smoky meats, mint, and abundant nước chấm, encouraging hands-on rolling, shared plates, lively conversations, and prolonged stays without pressure to leave.
San Francisco has a complicated relationship with tech. We're less than 50 miles from Silicon Valley, and much of the city thrives on an enthusiasm for Waymos and living in a world where self-driving cars take you to the Apple Store to buy VR glasses. But sometimes you need a break from all that-a place that feels downright analog, where you can turn on your phone's do-not-disturb and look at a menu instead of a QR code.
With its old-style big booths, giant pictures of food on the walls, and a relaxed staff that's in no hurry to take your order, VIP Coffee and Cakeshop is like stepping into an 80s Hong Kong cafe. Since opening in 1985, this spot has served as a gathering spot for egg tarts, pineapple buns, and macaroni soup, and a healthy dose of neighborhood gossip.
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