La Trappe Cafe & Trappist Lounge

No Longer In Business

Visited this place back in Feb 2010 with my son who is of drinking age. We had just arrived in town after a lengthy delay and long flight, followed by a ride in the subway and a taxi to the hotel. It was raining like mad, but we braved it walking a few blocks from the hotel. We HAD to have a beer, or two, after all that. We very much enjoyed the atmosphere, a cafe with a great bar down in the basement. Their beer list was extensive, although all Belgians. I have nothing against Belgians and we each had a couple different selections. Price was higher than a bottle shop, but that is to be expected. Food was good and the brews were too. Wish we had something like this in my town. Will be back next time I come to SF. Highly recommend.

Went here late @ night. Ate at the bar since we couldn’t get a table. Friendly staff, decent food, decent value. I liked the place and would go back again.

This place has great ambiance and a stunning menu, although I held back a few points because it specializes in Belgian. However, it does Belgian very well. The staff is knowledgeable and very willing to give you samples. Food is decent, quite rich as you’d expect. Pricey, like all Belgian bars seem to be.

Was staying in the area and decided to walk on down. Cool bar but NO place to sit. I stood at the bar because several parties had taken all the stools, kind a bummer. Beer menu is nice but a little pricey. I grabbed a Berliner Weisse for $8. Bar staff was friendly and talkative which is nice. Food menu looked good but I wasnt about to stand and eat, F that. Overall, it was fine but nothing too exceptional. UPDATE: you know what? Fuck this place. They had Rose Gambrinus on the menu and then they didnt have it on hand. They had a Vignerrone I was going to buy then they told me they couldn’t sell it THEN they said they could for $75! Fuck you. Place is retarded, I’ll never go back.

This place was great. I walked in and immediately headed down stairs. A really comfortable place to grab a drink and enjoy some mussels, what else to do you need? I enjoyed a few beers here, and enjoyed my time here quite a bit. The crowd at the bar was very chill, mostly beer fans just enjoying a relaxing drink. I was talking to a few beer fans from out of town that also had heard about this place by reputation, as well as the brewer from Cherry Voodoo Brewery. The rested of the crowd seemed to be similarly enjoying the atmosphere. Granted, it was a Wednesday night, and I hear it gets much busier Thursday-Sunday, but this was a great time to visit. Anyway, the service was really good, as well. The bartender and bartender/owner were very friendly, constantly chatting with the patrons, and sharing pours. The prices are not low, but reasonable for the beers they are pouring. Definitely my type of place, this is the type of place I would love to frequent if I were a local, and I will surely be back next time I’m in San Fran.

Great selection of belgian beers. Too many to choose from. I had the Rosee d’Hibiscus and the Bios Kriekenbier. Both delicious. Crowd is mix of late 20s and up. Very friendly staff behind the bar and you can tell they a) love what they’re doing and b) appreciate your business. Best part for me was that it was right on the cable car line so I could take it back to my hotel.

Been here once to meet some folks from work and came away very happy and very impaired. Selection is solid, at least comparable to the Monk’s Kettle, and the food was better than average as well. Very solid beer bar. Service was friendly, but slightly less than knowledgeable.

A little space upstairs, and a solid area downstairs for people to sit eat and eat. Bar area, and a little room for everyone else just drinking beers. Low lighting, but a generally solid atmosphere. Real good bottle selection of Belgians, and sometimes some interesting tap beers.

Overall impression - a decent Belgian Bistro with a huge selection of Belgian beers located in tastefully decorated basement. I visited for dinner on a Tuesday evening with co-workers. Upstairs are 3 or 4 cafe tables, but the action is all downstairs. It’s a small place, with a bar a few bar tables and some larger tables and booths in the back corners. The beer book was impressive, featuring more Belgians than I have seen at one place. Having said that, I did not see anything crazy rare or out of the ordinary - regardless a solid list that paired well with the Belgian standards. I had the Moules, and they were just ok. Service was friendly and attentive, well trained on the beers. Only downside was by 9 this place filled up and got crazy loud, sort of killing the relaxed Brussels cafe vibe.

82 = ★★★½ (Solid place, near the top of the list for locals and visitors)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.

I’ve closed this place down everytime I’ve been here. Incredible selection (200+ beers) with a welcoming and friendly owner. Don’t pass this place by from the street view.. the action is all downstairs.

Oh man, I haven’t rated La Trappe yet? Well let me officially tick this great place in that case. Well, it’s in North Beach in San Francisco for one, but you probably already knew that. There’s an upstairs and a downstairs, the downstairs being down in the cellar. If you stay upstairs the whole time, then you, chief, have missed out. The downstairs area is where it all happens. It’s frequented by a nice crowd, without too many annoying hipsters even though it’s in SF. It’s got sort of a Belgian beer cellar theme, with barrels and low lighting. Really a great ambiance. The beer list is enormous. It’s almost all Belgian or Belgian style, and you’re sure to find some real gems on the list. Last time I was there I had New Belgium Eric’s Ale (tap), 3 Fonteinen Beersel Lager (bottle), and La Rulles Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux (bottle). All righteous brews. Bottles are a little on the expensive side, but compared to the insanely outrageously priced Monk’s Kettle, you’ll feel like it’s a steal. Oh yeah, and the food. It’s incredible. The Moules Frites are top notch and come with any of about 10 different sauces for the fries. I like the wasabi mayo, chipotle aioli, and spicy ketchup, among others. The rest of the menu is similarly excellent. I was recently wowed by the portobello burger even, which is surprisingly tasty even without meat, which I consider essential to any good dish normally (eat your heart out, animal rights hippies!). Food prices are fair. Service is pretty friendly from what I’ve experienced. Great, great place. One of the best in the city.