Franko & Friends Expands to Evening Hours in Cow Hollow
Starting this Friday, the Union Street cafe will offer wine and light bites Wednesday through Sunday.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Coffee
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Cow Hollow residents now have a new spot for brunch and evening wine as Franko & Friends marks two months of operation. The cafe opened on August 29, 2026, serving Ukrainian-inspired dishes alongside specialty coffee.
Why it matters
The cafe aims to blend Ukrainian culinary traditions with a neighborhood gathering space for the health-conscious Union Street crowd. Owner Iryna Nevozhai plans to build on this by hosting community events like book discussions and rotating art exhibits.
Franko & Friends has been open for two months following its August 2026 launch. This follows the owner's decade of time in California and the 2024 opening of her original location in Sausalito.
The players
Iryna Nevozhai
The proprietor of Franko & Friends who moved to California from Ukraine in 2016.
Valentyna Zasutska
An artist who created the wall paintings featured inside the Cow Hollow cafe.
The details
The cafe serves Hedge Coffee beans and features a menu highlighted by syrniki, which are Ukrainian farmer's cheese pancakes. The interior space is accented with wall paintings by artist Valentyna Zasutska. Beginning this Friday, the shop will expand its hours into the evening, operating Wednesday through Sunday.
Timeline
2016: Owner Iryna Nevozhai moved to California from Ukraine.
2024: The original Franko & Co. opened in Sausalito.
August 29, 2026: Franko & Friends opened in Cow Hollow.
October 30, 2026: The cafe expands its service to evening hours.
Across the Bay
The cafe's arrival in Cow Hollow follows the model established by the 2024 opening of Franko & Co. in Sausalito. This expansion brings the same Ukrainian-influenced menu and community-focused atmosphere across the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you are looking for a new evening destination on Union Street, the cafe will be open for wine service Wednesday through Sunday. You can check out the new evening menu or view the local art installations starting this Friday.
The takeaway
Try the syrniki if you are looking for a taste of traditional Ukrainian farmer's cheese pancakes. Keep an eye on the shop's social media for the upcoming schedule of community book discussions and rotating art events.
What happens next
The cafe will begin its new evening hours starting Wednesday, November 4, 2026, following the initial expansion on October 30.
Further reading
Find more neighborhood openings in the Coffee section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The San Francisco Standard.
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