URGENT UPDATE: San Francisco’s literary icon Dave Eggers has just announced plans for a groundbreaking café within the ambitious Art + Water project at Pier 29. This innovative space is set to transform the Embarcadero into a vibrant hub for artists and coffee lovers alike, aiming for a launch in late summer or fall 2026.
The café, created in partnership with Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the founder of Oakland’s renowned Yemeni café Mohka House, promises a unique experience reminiscent of historic coffeehouses that sparked revolutionary ideas. Eggers envisions a space that invites patrons to “luxuriate in a space filled with rugs, pillows, tapestries, silver, copper, and gold,” according to a statement reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Alkhanshali stated to Eater SF, “Eggers noticed there was no coffee in that entire area,” highlighting the need for a distinctive café experience in the bustling waterfront locale. The design aims to move beyond conventional café norms, offering an atmosphere inspired by the historic coffeehouses of Sana’a, Cairo, and Boston.
The Art + Water project, spanning an impressive 70,000 square feet, will not only host Eggers’ café but will also provide ten established artists with free studio space, fostering mentorship for twenty emerging artists. This initiative, as per Eggers’ vision, breaks away from traditional art school models, providing education without the burden of debt.
The inaugural program featuring Boots Riley, an Oakland musician and filmmaker, is set to open the space, creating a platform for artistic expression. Alkhanshali plans to further engage the community by hosting events and showcasing local talent within the café.
In collaboration with the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, which secured a two-year lease for the pier, this project will also serve as a crucial resource for visual artists priced out of traditional spaces. The area will act as a “satellite” gallery, allowing artists like Paul Madonna and Taraneh Hemani to thrive in a supportive environment.
Applications for the nonprofit’s inaugural fellowship will soon be available through Art + Water’s social media channels, promising free classes and gallery exhibitions that will enrich the local community.
As this project develops, it is poised to become a cornerstone of San Francisco’s artistic and culinary landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as the café and Art + Water project take shape, promising to reshape the cultural narrative of the city.
