15 Best Coffee Shops In San Francisco, California

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San Francisco, known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and colorful Victorian houses, is also a haven for coffee lovers. The city’s coffee scene is a mix of historic coffee houses, innovative specialty cafes, and bustling neighborhood joints that reflect its rich history and diverse population.

The coffee culture in San Francisco is steeped in a commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. The San Francisco coffee shops and roasters are known for their meticulous sourcing, roasting, and brewing practices, as well as their commitment to creating community spaces that reflect the unique character of their neighborhoods.

From the bustling Financial District to the charming corners of North Beach, there are coffee shops in San Francisco that cater to every taste and preference. Whether you’re a discerning coffee connoisseur seeking out the perfect single-origin espresso, a digital nomad looking for a cozy spot to work, or a casual coffee drinker who enjoys a well-crafted latte, San Francisco’s coffee scene has something for everyone.

15 Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In San Francisco, California Featured Image

Now we will take you on a tour of the best coffee shops San Francisco has to offer, showcasing the diversity, creativity, and craftsmanship that make the SF coffee scene one of the most exciting in the world. So get ready to experience the vibrant coffee culture of the City by the Bay.

1. Mazarine Coffee

Taking inspiration from a public library in Paris, Mazarine coffee house is a stylish and innovative part of the coffee scene in San Francisco.

With a wide range of curated coffees and a number of mouth-watering light bites, it should be on your list of cafés to visit. 

Their coffee is sourced from the best and most knowledgeable roasters and their menus change along with their customers’ interests.

Whether it’s lunch, brunch, or a quick snack there is something for every occasion at Mazarine.

Address: 720 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (click for map)

2. Saint Frank Coffee

Saint Frank travels to different parts of the world to bring their customers coffee with a story.

By building real relationships with the producers of their coffee, they are able to deliver high-quality products with unique flavors and aromas. 

There are many Saint Frank locations dotted around California. You can expect to find their quality roasts in every store, expertly delivered in a range of forms.

From coffee flights to caffeine-fuelled milkshakes, there is plenty to try at Saint Frank. 

Many of the stores have wonderful outdoor seating areas for you to take a load off with your friends, and pets, or simply as a quiet afternoon treat just for you.

Address: 2340 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (click for map)

3. Pinhole Coffee

The Pinhole Coffee approach is based on serving quality products from roaster friends, paying attention to the science behind coffee roasting to always get the best out of the beans. 

This vibrant and exciting cafe also offers a range of teas and fresh pastries that are hand-selected from a number of small bakeries in the Bay Area. There are a number of gluten-free and vegan treats on offer. 

For a fabulous blend of coffee, art, and community Pinhole Coffee will be your new favorite spot in town.

Address: 231 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110 (click for map)

4. Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters

Founders Trish and Nick both have a lifetime of experience in the industry, which is why they are able to bring their customers sustainably sourced, expertly roasted coffee. 

Offering brewed coffee, hand-crafted pour-over coffee on their custom brew bar as well as a selection of teas, the café may be small but it certainly has a lot to offer.

If you’re feeling hungry you can also pick up a freshly baked pastry made by the Le Marais Bakery.

Address: 2271 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 (click for map)

Best Coffee Shops In San Francisco

5. Sextant Coffee Roasters

Independently owned, Sextant is a café and roastery that gets its name from a tool that sailors used for centuries to help them navigate and explore new territories.

With a relaxing outdoor area and a light and bright welcoming café, there’s nothing to dislike about this spot. 

The majority of the coffee is sourced from Ethiopia, sustainably sourced and of the highest quality. Many of the farmers are even friends and family of Sextant!

Using state-of-the-art equipment, the coffee beans are roasted personally in San Francisco after making their way from where they were grown.

Address: 1415 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94103 (click for map)

6. Andytown Coffee Roasters

Andytown was created with specialty coffee in mind. The founders wanted to bring a cozy and welcoming space to San Francisco with their own roasting facility.

Today the business is thriving and does a lot for the local community as well as the environment. 

Their locations offer clean and modern interiors where you can come and hang out with a cup of coffee or a snack.

Catering to many dietary restrictions, they offer gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, and egg-free pastries as well as a handful of sandwiches. 

As with their coffee, only the best and freshest products are used in their food and drinks. They utilize local farmers and millers to help other businesses thrive.

Address: 3655 Lawton St San Francisco, CA 94122 (click for map)

7. Flywheel Coffee Roasters

Family-owned and operated in San Francisco, Flywheel Coffee Roasters has a team of lifelong experts in the field who aim to craft their coffee to perfection for their customers. 

The café is uniquely designed with reclaimed wood and industrial features that have a modern charm.

Small batches of coffee are roasted in-house using beans sourced from around the world. 

Many previous customers note the good vibes, nice decor and great selection of baked goods.

It’s the perfect place to have a great cup of coffee whilst you get some work done, with their complimentary WiFi.

Address: 672 Stanyan St., San Francisco, CA 94117 (click for map)

8. Sightglass Coffee 

Sightglass’ specialty coffee is roasted on-site using small production methods for their customers.

With a high level of attention to detail and responsibly sourced coffee beans, they always deliver on their promise of high-quality cups of coffee. 

Their flagship store is a dynamic space hosting their production roastery as well as a coffee bar and community space.

The industrial factory setting is softened by wooden beams and low lighting. 

Training labs, retail space, and a chance to get a peek at how it’s all made keeps their customers coming back time and time again.

You’ll never get bored when stopping in at Sightglass Coffee.

Address: 270 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (click for map)

San Francisco Coffee Shops Near Me

9. Caffe Trieste 

With over 50 years of experience, Caffé Trieste is an iconic internationally-known coffee house in San Francisco.

Combining the art and music scene with excellent Espresso, Caffé Trieste has been a vibrant hub in the community for decades. 

Using their own roast and unique flavor, each cup of coffee is personally brewed for the customer for a little taste of Italy in the heart of the city.

Whether you’re here for a quick caffeine fix or you’ve come to see some live music, you won’t be disappointed.

Address: 601 Vallejo St., San Francisco, CA (click for map)

10. Four Barrel Coffee

Four Barrel Coffee is an independent, locally-owned coffee roastery and café.

They directly source their coffee to roast themselves for their stores and wholesale partners using their vintage German roaster. 

Working directly with farmers from Latin America, Indonesia, and East Africa they are able to source high-quality coffee for their customers.

Their fresh coffee is served with a simple approach and steers away from fancy flavorings. 

Their coffee shop is a blend of sleek exposed beams and rustic decor to create a modern twist on a classic coffee shop atmosphere.

It’s a great place to hang out with friends or work on your laptop.

Address: 375 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94103 (click for map)

11. The Coffee Movement 

This small coffee shop has been carefully designed with thoughtful minimalism to help accentuate the space.

Striving to create a café culture to rival the Aussies, the founders created The Coffee Movement in the local community.  

With high-quality coffee, sophisticated flavors, and friendly service what’s not to like? Their menu may be small but it is expertly carried out.

Enjoy your coffee on some outside seating or order to go. Many customers describe it as a  hidden gem in the city.

Address: 1030 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 (click for map)

12. Equator Coffees At Round House Cafe

How does sipping on a cup of coffee with a view of the Golden Gate bridge sound?

Equator Coffee works hard to provide its customers with fair-trade, organically farmed coffee that has interesting flavors. 

Equator was voted the “Best coffee subscription of 2022” and has been featured in countless notable publications, so you know you’re going to get a good cup of coffee. 

Other than coffee, you can order tea and light bites whilst you enjoy the iconic scenery and Art Deco setting.

Address: Golden Gate Bridge Plaza, San Francisco, California 94129 (click for map)

13. Goody Café

Located in the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, this café is located right on the waterfront.

Featuring local art and modern decor this laid-back coffee shop is the perfect place to come and relax with friends. 

Coffee, tea, wine, and beer are all served at Goody Café.

Come morning or afternoon you can fill up on sweet and savory treats such as freshly made paninis and pastries, washing them down with a perfectly made coffee. 

Everything in the tucked-away coffee shop is made fresh in-house and rotates often.

Address: 2 Marina Blvd Fort Mason Center, Bldg C, San Francisco, CA 94123

14. Compton’s Coffee House

Relatively new on the scene, Compton’s Coffee House is owned by Aidan Compton.

This family business is a passion project, as the father and son duo teamed up to serve Variety Coffee, a coffee roaster from Brooklyn that happens to be owned by one of their relatives. 

With quality coffee, a diverse drink menu and a range of delicious pastries Compton’s Coffee House aims to please everyone.

They hope to create an atmosphere where people can work, socialize, or just relax in their long and cozy café.

Address: 1910 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (click for map)

Best coffee near me in San Francisco

15. Fluid Cooperative Cafe

Fluid is more than a café, it is a community for the Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming, and queer communities.

There is also an event space that can be used to host events, gather with friends, and just generally enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. 

Offering a simple yet diverse menu with a freshly brewed ‘coffee of the day’ among other treats, there are a lot of interesting and unique items for customers to try.

They offer specialty Espresso and iced coffee with an international twist.

Address: 332 Golden Gate Ave San Francisco, CA 94102 (click for map)

The Bottom Line

San Francisco has such a variety of coffee shops and cafés. If you don’t know where to start, try the ones on our list! Next time you get your phone out to search for the best coffee near me in San Francisco, just return to this page and try out another of our recommendations.

Check out the best coffee shops in California in other cities we cover.

Other California Cities: Berkeley coffee shops and San Jose coffee shops.

What to see in San Franscisco

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