San Francisco is a city that takes its coffee seriously. The coffee scene here is one of the best in the U.S. with dozens of artisanal roasters, specialty coffee shops and trendy workspace cafes.
Whether you’re serious about pourovers, can’t live without a daily flat white, or just need a strong iced latte to keep up with all the exploring, these are the San Francisco coffee shops worth adding to your list.
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Ritual Coffee Roasters is local San Francisco staple that prides itself on being a fully independent and woman-owned roasting operation. Ritual is committed to sustainable sourcing and holding direct relationships with the farmers behind its coffee. Founded in San Francisco back in 2005, it has become a mainstay in the city’s coffee scene, now with multiple locations throughout the city. The bright, inviting and relaxed cafe spaces are popular spots for local freelancers and students. You’ll find Ritual coffee beans stocked in many retailers around the Bay Area and an online store selling coffee to brew at home, plus regular coffee subscriptions for the most dedicated coffee drinkers.
Where to find it: Multiple locations, listed here.
Visit: ritualcoffee.com
Fourbarrel
Four Barrel is a coffee shop and roastery in the SF Mission District. The trendy coffee shop has an industrial aesthetic – with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and open views through to the on site-roastery. Pull up a stool at one of the rustic bench tables and enjoy a view of the coffee roasting process, or admire the work of local artists displayed around the cafe walls. The coffee menu boasts a wide range of beans and brewing methods – from Chemex, V60 and AeroPress through to classic espresso based drinks. The small selection of pastries and baked goods also offers an ideal sweet treat on the side. Coffee enthusiasts can stock up on a variety coffee beans to brew at home, plus coffee accessories and re-usable coffee cups that are so effective you’ll need to be careful not to scald yourself (speaking from personal experience).
Where to find it: 375 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Visit: fourbarrelcoffee.com
The Mill
The Mill is a hybrid bakery and coffee shop located in NOPA, founded as a joint venture by Four Barrel Coffee (see above) and Josey Baker Bread. As well as excellent Four Barrel coffee, The Mill stocks a selection of freshly baked loaves to take home, and serves a bakery-centric menu to enjoy on-site with a cup of coffee on the side. While the drinks menu alone is sure to satisfy coffee lovers – with brewing methods including drip, pour-over, and espresso based drinks – it’s worth bringing your appetite along to enjoy the toasted breads with delicious toppings that have become a firm local favourite.
Where to find it: 736 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Visit: themillsf.com
The Coffee Movement
The Coffee Movement has breathed new life into the city’s coffee scene, and has swiftly become a favourite spot for local specialty coffee lovers. The Nob Hill coffeeshop may be small in size but the quality here is incredibly high, serving espresso based drinks and seasonal special editions on a rotating basis. Given the compact space, you can expect to find it busy at peak times, with lines extending out the door – but rest assured the coffee here is always worth the wait.
Where to find it: 030 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Visit: thecoffeemovement.com
Sightglass Coffee
Sightglass Coffee is a San Francisco coffee institution that prides itself on its commitment to sourcing and roasting top-quality coffee beans. The original coffeeshop and roastery location in SoMa is an expansive, open warehouse space with a vintage industrial feel, where you can enjoy a view of the on-site roastery while you sip your coffee. More recent openings in the Mission and Pacific Heights have a modern and minimal feel, while maintaining a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. You’ll find wide range of coffee drinks on offer, from drip coffees to espresso based drinks, as well as baked goods and pastries to snack on. Sightglass beans are also available online for delivery and for regular subscriptions.
Where to find it: 270 7th Street CA 94103, 3014 20th Street CA 94110, 301 Divisadero Street CA 94117
Visit: sightglasscoffee.com
Bluebottle
Blue Bottle Coffee is a well-established name in the U.S. specialty coffee landscape, with outlets across many major U.S. cities. While the name is known to many, few may realise it was started in the Bay Area – with the original roastery and coffee shop in Oakland, and with San Francisco among its earliest flagship stores. You’ll find multiple Blue Bottle locations now dotted across San Francisco and the Bay Area. Blue Bottle sources beans from some of the best coffee producers around the world and serves them with a selection of tasty pastries and sandwiches in their coffee shops. The famous NOLA iced coffee here is a must-try.
Where to find it: Multiple locations in San Francisco, the Bay Area and beyond. Full list here
Visit: bluebottlecoffee.com
Andytown Coffee Roasters
From small beginnings serving takeaway coffee from a van in 2014, Andytown Coffee Roasters has succeeded in becoming a local SF favourite. Andytown roasts its coffee beans in a local San Francisco roasting site and has multiple coffeeshops now spread across the city. For a laid-back atmosphere, the beach café in the Outer Sunset neighbourhood is well worth a trip. Andytown’s flagship Fremont Street coffee counter also makes an ideal coffee escape from the concrete jungle in Downton San Francisco. Keep an eye out for its signature drink, the Snowy Plover – a refreshing cold brew coffee topped with whipped cream.
Where to find it: Various locations, find details here
Visit: andytownsf.com
San Francisco is brimming with excellent coffee shops, roasteries and cafes. My personal highlights here are just a drop in the city’s coffee ocean, so if your favourite coffee spot didn’t make this list, I’d love to hear more about it in the comments.
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