Café Mélange, a cafe located inside San Francisco City Hall, has reopened under new ownership in San Francisco at 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place.
The company’s reopening follows Chef Dontaye Ball’s takeover of the cafe, according to a press release from Gumbo Social. The space originally opened in 2024 as a shared project backed by the New Community Leadership Foundation. Café Mélange officially reopened on March 18, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Daniel Lurie, Supervisor Shamann Walton, Chef Ball, and NCLF leadership. Customers can expect a menu focused on gumbo, along with sandwiches, soups, salads, and coffee, with new refinements and collaborations planned under Ball’s leadership.
Café Mélange is located on the ground floor of City Hall and primarily serves city staff, elected officials, and visitors handling government services. The cafe is not directly visible from the street and requires passing through security to access, making it a regular stop for those working in or visiting the building.
Originally, the cafe featured several Bayview-based food businesses collaborating in one space. Over time, that structure changed, leading to Ball taking over operations. Under his ownership, the cafe will continue its focus on Bayview and San Francisco culinary talent while adding curated events, pop-ups, and collaborations with local artists and vendors.
The menu continues to include gumbo, sandwiches, and other quick-service items. Coffee is sourced from Mr. Espresso, and expanded catering options are planned. Day-to-day operations are led by Lead Team Member Quanisha Johnson, a former owner of Yes Pudding, who brings hospitality and small business experience to the cafe.
Ball also operates Gumbo Social, located at 5176 3rd Street in San Francisco. He plans to maintain both concepts while using Café Mélange as a platform to highlight local chefs, food entrepreneurs, and artists, making City Hall a destination for curated culinary experiences.
