Cafe Savini is a family-owned weekday cafeteria at 950 Tower Lane, Suite 100, in Foster City’s Metro Center office district, California. Operated by George and Carmel Elhihi, it has served Foster City for more than 20 years, drawing on their extensive corporate-cafeteria experience. Travelers come for breakfast specials, espresso drinks, sandwiches, and salads rather than a leisurely weekend brunch. Its early opening and afternoon closing make it particularly useful for business visitors and anyone planning lunch before exploring the city’s lagoon waterfront.
What to Expect at Cafe Savini
The identity here is practical and personal: an independently operated cafeteria designed around the working day. George and Carmel emphasize cleanliness, service, freshly prepared food, and variety for customers with limited lunch breaks. Expect a daytime meal rather than a full-service evening restaurant. Breakfast specials, sandwiches, and salads anchor the offering; check the day’s choices before committing to a particular filling or hot dish. The owners’ background is in corporate dining, not a chef-led tasting-menu format.
The published menu gives coffee drinkers considerably more choice than basic office coffee. Espresso, macchiato, espresso con panna, cappuccino, latte, and mocha appear alongside chai, hot chocolate, and Italian sodas. The Napa Salad is a particularly specific lunch choice: spring mix with dried cranberries, sliced pears, fresh raspberries, and house-made balsamic vinaigrette, priced at $7.50. A Caesar salad also appears on the menu. Vegetarians can start by asking about the fruit-and-greens salad; vegan or gluten-free diners should discuss dressings, substitutions, and shared preparation surfaces directly.
- Napa Salad: Pears, raspberries, dried cranberries, spring mix, and house-made balsamic vinaigrette for $7.50.
- Espresso con panna: A cream-topped espresso option listed at $2.50–$2.75.
- Morning coffee selection: Drip coffee costs $2.50–$2.75; cappuccino is $2.75–$3.75.
- Italian sodas: Italian soda is $3.50, with the cream version priced at $3.75.
- Weekday breakfast and lunch: A 7:30 a.m. opening accommodates early appointments; service finishes at 2 p.m.
Cafe Savini at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 950 Tower Lane, Suite 100, Foster City, CA 94404 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Metro Center office district |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday closed |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ casual dining; Napa Salad $7.50; drip coffee $2.50–$2.75; caffe latte $2.90–$3.50 |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | SamTrans Route 251 serves the East Hillsdale Boulevard corridor; confirm the closest current stop. Ask about designated visitor parking at 950 Tower Lane. |
| Official Website & Phone | Cafe Savini; +1 650-572-0330 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive around opening for breakfast, or before noon if you want lunch ahead of the conventional office rush. Treat this as a weekday stop: neither Saturday nor Sunday service is scheduled. For a group, a time-sensitive collection, or a specific dietary request, telephone first rather than assuming table reservations or a particular special. Consult the official menu for choices, and ask about accepted payment methods. Dress casually; this is a working-day cafeteria, not an occasion-dining room.
For public transport, use the SamTrans journey planner to check Route 251 and the walk from East Hillsdale Boulevard. Tower Lane is within an office complex: follow visitor-parking signs, avoid reserved employee spaces, and ask the cafe about parking validation or charges. Wheelchair and stroller users should call for the exact step-free entrance, door access, and restroom arrangements before arrival. After lunch, walk roughly 10–15 minutes toward Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park and Foster City Lagoon; the Foster City Library on East Hillsdale Boulevard is another nearby pairing. Use marked crossings on the larger roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cafe Savini’s hours, and when should I visit?
Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m., with weekend closure. Choose early morning for breakfast or arrive before noon for an early lunch; telephone ahead around public holidays.
How much does a meal cost, and do I need a reservation?
The published Napa Salad is $7.50, and a caffe latte costs $2.90–$3.50 before any extras. Plan a casual cafeteria visit rather than a reserved dining experience, and call about larger parties or advance orders.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow 30–45 minutes for ordering and a seated breakfast or lunch. Add another half-hour or more if you intend to continue to the lagoon and take a waterfront walk.
Is Cafe Savini suitable for families and wheelchair users?
The casual breakfast-and-lunch format works for families visiting on weekdays, although weekend outings need another option. For wheelchair access, call +1 650-572-0330 to establish the entrance route, seating clearance, and accessible restroom location.
When planning your Malibu travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Malibu, pair this stop with standout local spots including The M Malibu, Regent Santa Monica Beach, Moonshadows Malibu, and Beach Hut Deli (2.7 km away).
