Best 9 Coffee Shops in San Francisco

Bay City may be notorious for its counter-culture nightlife, but San Francisco coffee shops can hold up their own with other coffee cities like Seattle and Portland, both due to the sheer number of coffee stores as well as their startling variety.

Nice coffee shops in San Francisco are not that difficult to come by, but how do you pick one that can serve your favorite drink or fit your mood? Here’s a quick overview of San Francisco’s best coffee shops and coffee-oriented cafes, some rather quaint and others more suitable for larger gatherings.

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SIGHTGLASS COFFEE

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Sightglass Coffee in San Fransisco serves coffee in three fully-operational locations all over downtown, offering a range of familiar coffee classics on the go, though you are free to take a relaxing break in their bright open spaces with vintage decor and cosy atmosphere. 

Anyone who is looking for a quick breakfast or lunch snack will be able to enjoy freshly-baked pastry delivered from Neighbor Bakehouse, while particularly dedicated coffee lovers can find everything they need in Sightglass coffee store, from single-origin beans and blends to pro equipment for home brewing.

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Coffee Bar

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If you want to try something similar to Paramo Coffee but in closer vicinity to Union Square, look no further than Coffee Bar.

Their stores specialize in coffee- and tea-based beverages, serving from two convenient locations, with the Montgomery store only a short walk from the Montgomery BART station and the Kearny store barely a stone throw away from the St. Mary’s Square Garage.

Both coffee bars sell prepackaged coffee beans in addition to the classic coffee brews while also offering a few artisan drinks such as mocha Guittard made with sweet-ground Guittard Chocolate sauce and mocha Recchiuti brewed with Michael Recchiuti dark chocolate.

Their Vietnamese cold brew is also worth a try steeped over 24 hours over ice and mixed with condensed milk for extra sweetness. All coffee and espresso beverages are available with non-dairy milk like soy, almond, or oat. Between 8 am and 2 pm you can also try Coffee Bar’s hand-made pour-overs brewed from single-origin coffee beans.

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Mazarine Coffee

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Located only a 500-foot walk from the Montgomery BART station, Mazarine Coffee is an accommodating modern coffeehouse with a cosy patio area, mid-range pricing, and tall well-lit interior space.

The coffee shop offers a range of coffee and tea drinks as well as specialty beverages such as sparkling hibiscus and half-and-half raf.

There’s also an impressive selection of brunch foods like oats and yogurt parfait, sweet and savory toast, and salad bowls. Extra add-ons are also rather tempting, from fairly traditional avocado and bacon to sous vide egg and organic beet hummus.

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Ritual Coffee Roasters

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With coffee shops available all over San Franciso (and even one store in Napa), Ritual Coffee Roasters is one of the best retailers dealing with roasted coffee beans, fresh grinds, and classic coffee drinks on-the-go.

A variety of espresso and au lait drip coffee, popular espresso-based drinks (extra hot or iced), and signature chair and chocolate beverages, including the delicious Cherry Bomb cold brew with tonic and maraschino cherry.

All stores sell Ritual coffee beans for all popular brewing methods, including French press, drip, Hario v60, Aeropress, Chemex, Kalita, and cold brew. Individual stores also offer free books for on-site reading and specialty treats; for instance, the Haight store has fresh pastry available, while the Valencia store offers little apple treats and dandelion chocolate. 

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Antigua Coffee Co

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Antigua Coffee is a fairly new San Francisco coffee company with stores in South San Francisco and Hayward neighborhoods, though the company’s operation is similar to that of a cafe. The South City shop is located close to the South San Francisco City Hall, so finding it won’t be an issue.

The shop features an extensive breakfast and light lunch menus, even offering soups, empanadas, tapas, and salmon cakes. Aside from coffee, tea beverages, soft drinks, and smoothies, Antigua Coffee serves light alcoholic drinks including beer and wine, both bottles and on tap, sangria, michelada, mimosas, and much more.

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Jane

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Jane may be a small franchise but it can certainly boast menu variety. Both stores serve hot and cold coffee drinks, herbal tisane, and original smoothies, while Jane the Bakery offers original pastries.

As a true testament of San Francisco bay coffee culture, Jane roasts, blends, and brews coffee and tea in-house, so you’ll be able to witness the creation of something unique and taste it without delay. 

Both stores provide breakfast throughout the day, including sandwiches, toast, salads, and panini. If you crave something more elaborate, Jane the Bakery will be a better pick with its extensive selection of baked goods and generous takeaway cases.

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THE BUENA VISTA CAFE

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Located on Beach Street in the Fisherman’s Wharf, the Buena Vista Cafe is perhaps one of the best frontage venues in the city—a retro-style coffee shop with the best view in San Francisco, serving customers on the go as well as providing cosy seating for a companionable night-out.

The Buena Vista Cafe is primarily a cafe, delivering takeout and arranging traditional table service not far from the beachfront. Aside from the wide selection of coffee and tea drinks, the cafe’s menu features breakfasts, entrees,  full courses with appetizers and sides.

There is also a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including coffee drinks with liquor, draft beers, wine, strong cocktails, straight gin, rum and tequila to go with the best of the Mexican cuisine available on the cafe’s menu.

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Park Cafe Life

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Park Cafe Life is essentially a series of coffee shops based in parks across San Francisco. Each store supports office & home delivery and no-fee pick-ups, offering a great variety of coffee drinks, cold beverages, juices and smoothies, beer, wine, and popular cocktails.

The food selection is pretty broad as well, featuring popular breakfast foods and pastry, classic sandwiches, salads and soups, and a separate kid’s menu with smaller portions and altered recipes.

If you choose to visit any of the Park Cafe Life shops, be sure to try out some of their food and drink specials such as chicken sausage burritos, huevos rancheros, or delicious matcha smoothies.

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Home Coffee Roasters

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With locations in Richmond, Chinatown, and at Sunset, Home Coffee Roasters allow their customers to choose between a great number of coffee-based drinks from two main menus: classic menu and creative menu, with the latter featuring novelty drinks with an emphasis on unique flavors.

All stores also serve teas, non-caffeinated beverages, toast and ice cream, making it an ideal choice for a quick breakfast or longer lunch break. One of the more interesting toast options is Seoul Much Avo with spicy kimchi and avocado. And if you happen to have a sweet tooth, there’s plenty of specialty coffee drinks to sample, including lattes with Nutella, Sea Salted Caramel, and Red Velvet toppings.