Good coffee + good vibes go hand-in-hand, and we're here to up your mood with San Francisco's greatest caffeination stations. Whether you're in it for the drips, pour-overs, lattes frothed to perfection, or even just the ambiance, you're in good hands. Cheers!
Last updated September 15, 2022
Via Ritual Coffee
(Hayes Valley // Mission // Haight)
Ritual Coffee Roasters has been growing steadily over the past 15 years. With single-origin coffees sourced from all over the world, these beans are full of luscious flavors. Also, Ritual has a line of Instant Coffee available for purchase as well, so you’ll never have to be without your caffeine fix.
(Rincon Hill // Outer Sunset // Parkside)
With three beautiful SF locations (one is right next to the beach!), this women-owned business brings a sense of comfort to the coffee-drinking experience. Pair your Americano with a breakfast sandwich to go, and take a lovely stroll down by the ocean.
(3139 Mission St // Mission)
We love the unique creations coming out of CoffeeShop! From coffee ice cubes to sugar-free organic Amazeballs, you’ll surely find the perfect pairing here for your next coffee drink. If you’re looking for a little extra sweetness, try one of the delicious croissants and pastries.
Via Equator Coffees
(Golden Gate Bridge // Fort Mason)
This LGBTQ+-founded collection of coffee shops has become a Bay Area staple thanks to their directly sourced, organic, and most importantly, delicious coffee offerings. Stop by their Round House cafe location next door to the Golden Gate Bridge for some scenic views, or skip the tourists and enjoy your brew at their smaller Fort Mason storefront.
(Mission // Potrero Hill)
One sip of this hole-in-the-wall cafe’s impeccable espresso and you’ll never want to go back to Starbucks. It’s a true destination for artisan coffee — come for flavorful roasts and gourmet pastries. If you can’t get enough, they also have a subscription service so you can enjoy top-notch coffee beans on a regular basis.
(720 Market St // Union Square)
Inspired by the Bibliothèque Mazarine – a historic French library – Mazarine Coffee adds a little je ne sais quoi to your morning brew. Along with espresso, cold brew, and pour-over, they also serve up dishes like fig jam & ricotta toast, bacon grilled cheese, and lemon chicken salad, making this bright, airy cafe the perfect space to set up shop when you’re WFH.
Via Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
(2271 Union St // Cow Hollow)
Co-founded by the man behind the Your Korean Dad TikTok account, this ultra-hip Cow Hollow spot focuses on expertly crafted versions of classic espresso drinks — think cappuccinos, cortados, and lattes with a sublime, smooth finish. If you go in the morning, prepare to wait in line!
(601 Vallejo St // North Beach)
If you like your cup of joe with a side of San Francisco history, local institution Caffè Trieste is a must. The cafe’s been serving up high-quality Italian-style coffee for over 50 years, and some of its past customers include Beat poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
(Golden Gate Park // Mission)
Rise & Grind gives you the best of both worlds. If you’re a no-frills person, try their traditional options like a latte or a cappuccino. If you’re more adventurous, browse their exciting selection of specialty drinks, including iced black sesame matcha, a horchata latte, and the “Mission Chill,” their take on Vietnamese coffee.
Via Pinhole Coffee
(231 Cortland Ave // Bernal Heights)
The impeccable vibes are reason enough to visit Pinhole Coffee: their colorful paneled wall and quirky wood decor are the ideal backdrop for sippin’. Luckily, their locally sourced menu is also great — they serve Linea coffee, Berkeley’s Blue Willow Teas, and pastry treats from an assortment of neighborhood bakeries.
(736 Divisadero // NoPa)
Come for the freshly baked bread and Four Barrel coffee, stay for another cup of coffee. The amazing flavor of this brew will make you go for as many cups of joe as you can handle. And the cold coffee here, served fresh and canned, is just as good as a hot cup.
(672 Stanyan St // Haight-Ashbury)
Flywheel’s founder was born on a coffee farm and working as a barista by age 12, so it’s safe to say you’re in good hands when you stop here. Grab the perfect cup of coffee — each drink is made-to-order — before a nice stroll around Golden Gate Park, located immediately next door.
Via Snowbird
(1352 9th Ave // Inner Sunset)
Snowbird is “for the dreamers,” and with its selection of assorted classic drinks, any coffee aficionado will think they’re in Heaven. And with a picture-perfect brick-building location, Snowbird is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tongue.
(1415 Folsom St // SoMa)
If you’re searching for Ethiopian coffee brewed to perfection, you’ve come to the right spot. And with a whole slew of espresso drinks on the menu, including the chai-infused Wired Gandhi, you’ll start your day ready to go!
(Chinatown// Richmond // Sunset)
Looking for a cafe that takes creative liberties with its coffee. You’ll feel right at home! You can get a Cookie Monster (cookie butter latte), a Hangover (iced sparkling Americano) or a red velvet latte from the cafe’s Creative Menu. Or go simple with a classic drip coffee or mocha.
(Alamo Square)
Not only is the coffee delish, but Lady Falcon also gets double points for being one of the most unique of SF's many coffee shops. Stop by the truck's mainstay at Alamo Square and sip a heart-warming cup of joe while looking over the Painted Ladies.
(2340 Polk St // Russian Hill)
Named after St. Francis, who saw special qualities in the ordinary and mundane, Saint Frank knows how to take something simple like coffee and make it special. And with ethical sourcing practices, including a transparency report, you can feel even better about your morning cup of joe.
(SoMa // Lower Haight // Mission)
These beans are bursting with rich flavor notes, with signature blends like Organic Blueboon (milk chocolate, mandarin, honeysuckle) and Owl’s Howl (cacao nib, stone fruit, candied orange peel). Get yourself a cup to go, or a bag to take back with you on your way home.
Via HITW Coffee
(524 Union St // North Beach)
Maybe you didn’t realize that fresh-drip coffee and a whole young coconut go so well together. But anyone who goes to HITW Coffee knows the deal. Whether you want coconut, or possibly a coffee, HITW's many options from blonde to brunette to red head, this never-decaf cafe will bring you to life.
(4495 Mission St // Excelsior)
Coffee is amazing on its own, but sometimes you need a bite to eat too. In that case, head to Excelsior Coffee, where you can pick up one of several tortas to eat with your Slow Jam Blend, Clutch Espresso Blend or any of Excelsior’s other signature flavors.
(848 Cole St // Cole Valley)
Not only does Reverie have delicious coffee and an incredibly on-point brunch game, but their back patio is a dream for any coffee-lover looking for a peaceful spot to sip, read, or catch up with friends.
Written by Riley Huff and Grace Orriss
