BEST COFEE SHOPS IN SAN FRANCISCO
There is no shortage of phenomenal coffee shops in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I've had my fair share of cups in the city. Whether you're searching for a place to sit down and catch up with a friend or looking to taste the best third-wave coffee the city has to offer, there's something for everyone on this list of the best coffee shops in San Francisco.
Andytown Coffee Roasters
There's always a lineup at this cozy, contemporary coffee shop in the Outer Sunset. And for good reason! Known best for the famous Snowy Plover, a refreshing coffee float made with espresso, Pellegrino and the most delicious homemade whipped cream I've ever tasted!
Blue Bottle Coffee
With a focus on single origin beans, Blue Bottle Coffee is considered one of the most knowledgable and skillful coffee roasters in the third wave coffee game. With cafes in LA, SF, NYC, & Japan, their fresh and flavorful roasts are carefully sourced and treated with care to produce a premium product. My favorite Blue Bottle location to visit is the one inside the San Francisco Ferry Building! Hot Tip: Order a Liege waffle and enjoy your coffee with a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge - you can't go wrong!
Cafe Réveille
Cafe Réveille started out as a single Coffee Truck in Jackson Square, now with multiple cafes across the Bay Area. Their Mission Bay location offers a charming spot to sit down and enjoy your coffee outdoors on one of their pretty pink table tops! Their brunch menu is delicious AF and rotates occasionally.
Flywheel Coffee Roasters
Located in Haight-Ashbury, Flywheel is hands-down one of the best coffee shops in San Francisco. An independent specialty coffee roaster, they offer a variety of hand crafted methods including siphon, cold brew and nitro to name a few. The baristas are friendly and the espresso drinks are fantastic. Grab a seat by the window and soak in the sunlight as you sip on your coffee in the industrial-style space.
Four Barrel Coffee
If I had to pick a favorite on this list - Four Barrel would be it. An independent, locally owned coffee roastery in The Mission, where the beans (which come from third-generation farmers and mill-workers in Latin America, Indonesia, and East Africa) are roasted fresh in-house. If you want to see the roasting process in action, just grab a seat at the back bar and watch them work their magic! Giving each cup the attention it deserves, you'll find that Four Barrel's baristas are friendly, efficient and consistent. The espresso is always smooth, indicating a carefully extracted espresso shot, and the latte art is well-executed. It’s the smoothest cup you’ll find in the Bay Area (IMHO) and it's easy to come often and stay awhile. Read more about Four Barrel here. PS: You can also find Four Barrel Coffee served at San Francisco favorites like Dynamo Donut or The Mill to enjoy alongside some tasty pastries!
Hollow (Temporarily Closed)
This hidden gem has a beautiful outdoor space where you can sip their delicious, gourmet coffee. Located in Inner Sunset, I discovered this spot while strolling around the neighborhood (post-Dynamo Donut) and enjoyed my time at this cozy cafe.
Home Cafe
If you're looking for the most unique and flavorful lattes in San Francisco, look no further than Home Cafe. This spot is perfect place to start off your weekend. Where else can you get such an assortment of lattes and creative toast options?! Though I much prefer my coffee without any added sugar, I love treating myself to their famous birthday cake latte, even when it’s not my birthday!
LINEA CAFFE
This cute little corner caffe & eco-friendly espresso bar is located in The Mission and quickly became a favorite of mine. The espresso is smooth as can be and their almond milk is steamed to perfection. I’ve been back many times and they never disappoint! Bonus points for the silky-smooth ceramic cups that give you a pop of red for your #coffeegram!
marigold cafe
One of the newest spots on the map in San Francisco, Marigold is a beautiful cafe & flower shop concept. Their coffee shop is tucked behind Marigold’s flower shop on a quiet street in The Mission. Warm tones and floral bouquets adorn the space, where they serve Heart Roasters (one of my favorites from Portland), delicious seasonal drinks & a small selection of pastries. Outdoor seating is also available, perfect for catching up with a friend or reading a good book!
Philz Coffee
With multiple locations across San Francisco, my go-to spot for a morning pour over is none other than Philz! Focusing on made-to-order drip coffee, this place has had my heart for a long long time. Not sure what to order? Don't worry — the baristas here are top notch. Briefly describe how you like your coffee and they’ll get you going in the right direction. My bean preferences: Tesora, Silken Soul (a blend of Silken Splendor & Philtered Soul), and the Mission Cold Brew!
Ritual Coffee Roasters
A top contender in San Francisco's third wave coffee scene is Ritual. Ritual is a fully independent and woman-owned coffee roasting company, maintaining the highest standard for quality and sustainable sourcing in the industry. The flagship cafe on Valencia Street first opened in 2005, and Ritual now has cafes throughout the city as well as in Napa and the Harvey Milk Terminal (1B) at SFO Airport. Consistently flavorful and aromatic coffee is what you can expect here. Learn more about Ritual here.
Saint Frank Coffee
This swanky coffee shop nestled in Russian Hill serves quality beans in a simple and serene environment. Minimalist decor and an airy atmosphere make for a perfect space to come get some work done and sip on your coffee of choice! PS: Whether or not you like to opt for non-dairy, they've got a fantastic almond & macadamia nut milk that you must try!
Sightglass Coffee
It's not just the beautiful, two-level industrial space that brings all the San Franciscans to Sightglass - the stellar coffee quality (all light roasts, BTW) is enough to keep you coming back time after time. Spend a few hours in this pretty space filled with sunlight and wooden accents, and don't forget to try something from their affogato bar at the 7th Street flagship location!
The COFFEE MOVEMENT
I stumbled upon this place on a staycation in San Francisco and I’m so glad I did! Serving up great craft coffee in a cozy, well-lit space in Chinatown / Nob Hill near the Cable Car line, the gentlemen running this place are not only super friendly but also really know their stuff! Minimalist vibes, a warm interior and great dairy alternative options.
Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
Arguably one of the best and most historic cups of coffee in the Bay Area, Wrecking Ball is serving up specialty coffee that is sustainably sourced and roasted by experts in their field. And the ever so popular pineapple wallpaper doesn't hurt either! While you’re here, grab a photo for the gram.
