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.
San Francisco’s coffee culture is steeped in a commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. San Francisco coffee shops and roasters are known for their meticulous sourcing, roasting, and brewing practices and 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.
Now, we will take you on a tour of the best coffee shops San Francisco offers, 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 City’s vibrant coffee culture 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 San Francisco coffee scene.
With a wide range of curated coffees and many 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 according to 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 coffee producers, they can deliver high-quality products with unique flavors and aromas.
There are many Saint Frank locations around California. In every store, you can expect their quality roasts, expertly delivered in various forms.
From coffee flights to caffeine-fuelled milkshakes, Saint Frank has plenty to try.
Many of the stores have wonderful outdoor seating areas where you can take a load off with your friends and pets or enjoy 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 hand-selected from several small bakeries in the Bay Area. It also offers gluten-free and vegan treats.
Pinhole Coffee will be your new favorite spot in town for a fabulous blend of coffee, art, and community.
Address: 231 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110 (click for map)
4. Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
Founders Trish and Nick have a lifetime of experience in the industry, which is why they can offer their customers sustainably sourced, expertly roasted coffee.
The café may be small, but it certainly has much to offer. It offers brewed coffee, hand-crafted pour-over coffee on its custom brew bar and a selection of teas.
If you’re hungry, pick up a freshly baked pastry from Le Marais Bakery.
Address: 2271 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 (click for map)
5. Sextant Coffee Roasters
Independently owned, Sextant is a café and roastery that gets its name from a tool sailors used for centuries to help them navigate and explore new territories.
With a relaxing outdoor area and a light and bright, welcoming café, this spot has nothing to dislike.
Most of the coffee is sourced from Ethiopia, and it is 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 traveling 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 roasting facility.
Today, the business thrives and does much for the local community and the environment.
Their locations offer clean, 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 and 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 who aim to craft their coffee perfectly 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 from around the world.
Many previous customers have noted the good vibes, nice decor, and great selection of baked goods.
It’s the perfect place to have a great cup of coffee while 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 that hosts their production roastery, coffee bar, and community space.
Wooden beams and low lighting soften the industrial factory setting.
Training labs, retail space, and a chance to see how it’s all made keep their customers coming back repeatedly.
You’ll never get bored when stopping in at Sightglass Coffee.
Address: 270 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (click for map)
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, giving them 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 can source high-quality coffee for their customers.
Their fresh coffee is served and steers away from fancy flavorings.
Their coffee shop combines sleek exposed beams with 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 prepared.
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 coffee with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge sound?
Equator Coffee works hard to provide its customers with fair-trade, organically farmed coffee with exciting flavors.
The Equator was voted the “Best coffee subscription of 2022” and has been featured in countless notable publications so that you will get a good cup of coffee.
Besides coffee, you can order tea and light bites while enjoying 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 relax and come 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 and wash them down with 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-son duo teamed up to serve Variety Coffee, a Brooklyn coffee roaster that happens to be owned by one of their relatives.
Compton’s Coffee House aims to please everyone with quality coffee, a diverse drink menu, and a range of delicious pastries.
They hope to create an atmosphere where people can work, socialize, or relax in their long, cozy café.
Address: 1910 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (click for map)
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 where you can host events, gather with friends, and generally enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Offering a simple yet diverse menu with freshly brewed ‘coffee of the day’, among other treats, the restaurant offers many exciting 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 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, 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.
