My Favorite Coffee Shops in San Francisco

Step aside, New York City. Welcome to the most awake city in America! For real, Google actually crowned San Francisco with this jittery title.

I recently moved to San Francisco and have used coffee as a means to get to know the city. I’ve discovered dozens of new spots during my weekly explorations of the bay. Coffee is a great way to try local flavors on a budget.

The places on this list come highly recommended by me, along with my trusted local sources (I’m friends with a lot of fellow coffee fanatics). From locally renowned hotspots to hidden gems, there is a coffee shop for every caffeine fiend in San Francisco.

My 19 Recommended San Francisco Coffee Shops

Mission Blue

Delicious espresso, friendly baristas, and a local gift shop. This is the perfect coffee trio on the main street of Visitacion Valley. 

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 508-7416

Mission Blue is the friendliest coffee shop in the Bay Area. Every time I am greeted with genuine conversation by baristas who remember my name. This neighborhood cafe offers local flavors from coffee beans to tea leaves to pastries. Any one of their seasonal specials is sure to hit the spot.

The gift shop is dangerous – you might just walk away with an armful of local merchandise. But hey, shopping local gives back to the community, so you’ll be doing all of SF a favor! (This is how I justify excessive spending, so maybe don’t listen to me.) Mission Blue is also close to some awesome San Francisco hikes, which you can summit after sufficient caffeination.

Black Bird Bookstore and Café

The best Outer Sunset spot to crack open a new book with a local pastry and coffee in hand.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 742-5203

Black Bird has a whimsical energy to it. It offers a variety of goods from coffee to books to local crafts, all in an inviting environment. The sweet staff welcomes you the moment you walk through the door.

Try the olive oil spelt cake with Earl Grey frosting (from Loquat Bakery) with your coffee. It’s probably the greatest thing I’ve ever eaten. I have dreams about it, not even kidding.

The backyard patio offers a beautiful space to sip coffee among the succulents on a sunny day. And the upstairs kids’ room is a blast for the youngsters. I may or may not have built an entire train set there one afternoon… Black Bird satisfies my wholesome coffee cravings every time.

Saint Frank Coffee

This modern spot is hailed as the best-quality coffee shop in the bay by locals and visitors alike.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 881-8062

I asked all my San Francisco friends about the best coffee shop in town, and 90% of them said it had to be Saint Frank. If you’re a coffee connoisseur, this is the ideal place for you. The minimalist setting isn’t all that exciting, but I have yet to try a better-tasting coffee anywhere else in the city.

Saint Frank is unmatched when it comes to quality. Here, each caffeine creation began with the intention of greatness. Their beans are sourced from small-scale farmers in Central America, and drinks are crafted by well-trained baristas right here in San Francisco.

Hey Neighbor Cafe 

A Portola neighborhood favorite with a garden, positive vibes, and delicious coffee.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 619-4091

Hey Neighbor is my favorite space to unwind with coffee and a good book. The half-in, half-out seating is lovely for rain or shine. Community sketchbooks and colored pencils add a creative flair to this wonderful hangout.

This spot has some of the best vibes and coffee I’ve tried in San Francisco. The coffee garden is delightful on a sunny day, and the staff is always welcoming. Make sure you say hello to the resident cat and dog if you’re an animal lover like me!

Madhouse Coffee

Enjoy strong coffee on the sunny patio at this delightful Brisbane neighborhood cafe.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 467-4003

Madhouse Coffee is one of the only coffee shops in the Brisbane area. This hilly neighborhood is beyond charming, and I love grabbing coffee and a bagel before strolling around the surrounding stores and parks. The woodsy, leveled patio is great for hanging out with friends.

Java Beach Cafe

Grab your coffee fix and a bagel, then enjoy the waves at Ocean Beach across the street.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 665-5282

Welcome to Surfer Central. Ocean Beach is one of the most popular surfing areas in California. Whether you ride the waves or just prefer to watch, it’s all the better after a tasty coffee from Java Beach across the street from the water.

This cafe is stunning, boasting succulents and a glowing neon sign in a dimly lit environment. Inside is relaxed and comfortable. I stay for hours to work and people-watch every time I visit.

Equator Coffees

This local chain boasts the most beautiful locations in the San Francisco area. 

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 729-9656

Equator Coffees was a top choice from the moment I stepped into its beachy shop in Sausalito. This is my favorite location, but I haven’t been to all 12 around town yet.

They offer a wide selection of coffee classics along with specialty roasts and unique concoctions I haven’t found anywhere else. Try the brainwash latte if you love mushroom coffee as much as I do! Their small bites and sandwiches are divine as well.

Andytown Coffee Roasters

A beachfront roastery nestled between Golden Gate Park and Lands End Lookout. More locations abound, but this is the best one.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 966-6073

Andytown is an Ocean Beach favorite. It serves specialty coffees and fresh baked goods in a welcoming atmosphere. Peruse books and locally-made gifts among the hanging surfboards while you wait for your order.

This is one of the best seaside coffee shops in the city. I usually take my drink and a muffin to-go and sit by the waves across the street. Check out its other locations in Outer Sunset and downtown.

P Town Coffee & Tea

The cutest PCH coffee shop in Pacifica with yummy drinks and pastries.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (650) 735-5529

The perfect PCH drive requires the perfect cup of coffee. Or boba tea, whatever floats your boat. P Town Coffee & Tea is one of the most unique and charming spots along Highway 1. Walk up to the window of this converted train car where you’ll fuel up before your coastal cruise.

I stop here every time I take an ocean drive through Pacifica. This coffee shop gives me the biggest smile (and caffeine buzz!), and I guarantee it’ll do the same for you.

Pinhole Coffee

A colorful, light-filled hangout with surrounding city views in hilly Bernal Heights.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 364-8257

Pinhole Coffee in Bernal Heights will brighten your day the moment you set foot inside. This adorable coffee shop displays colorful paintings, green houseplants, and beautiful artwork on every corner. The coffee is super delicious (its beans are from Linea, so it makes sense) and the cafe offers unique small bites and pastries, too.

Soul Grind Coffee Roasters

Listen to the waves crash as you sip a cold brew at the first roastery in Pacifica, a seaside surf haven.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (650) 898-8660

Soul Grind is located just steps from the beach and the fabled Pacifica Taco Bell. This oceanside roastery is as relaxed and vibey as it gets. Choose from an extensive drink menu with everything from cold brews to matcha concoctions. It also has a ton of food from small bites like quiche to high-stacked sandwiches. All delicious!

Soul Grind holds a special place in my heart because it’s the first coffee shop I ever visited in San Francisco. It’s still my favorite coastal spot to get my caffeine fix on the way to Half Moon Bay. 

The Coffee Movement

Watch the cable cars rumble by with a flight of locally roasted coffee at this obscure hotspot.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 237-3375

Quality is the name of the game at The Coffee Movement. Every single drink here is perfectly prepared by the kind staff. The prices are unbeatable compared to other shops in the area. From classic drip coffee to rosemary lattes, you can’t go wrong at this tiny coffee shop in Embarcadero.

Do note you’ll probably have to wait in line out the door. It’s worth the wait! Check out nearby Coit Tower if you’re in the mood to explore San Francisco sights.

Tailio’s Coffee & Tea

A humble hangout in the Bayview District with yummy drinks and a powerful sense of community.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (800) 278-6533

I truly adore Tailio’s Coffee & Tea. This unpretentious coffee shop delivers excellent customer service and even better coffee. The owner, Olton, told me his goal was to set up shop in a diverse neighborhood to expand the reach of quality coffee and tea in the bay’s vibrant communities.

Enjoy specialty pour-overs and classic drinks at this bright little shop. In addition to coffee, Talio’s serves incredible sandwiches, barbecue, and soul food, which is something you won’t find at most coffee joints in the Bay. Have a lively chat with Olton when you stop by.

Progressive Grounds

Brunch it up on the sunny patio at this cheerful Bernal Heights coffee shop.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 282-6233

Progressive Grounds offers great coffee and an extensive food menu. Enjoy a flavorful panini with a steaming bowl of the soup-of-the-day alongside your cold brew or cappuccino. This friendly shop has the perfect indoor/outdoor spaces for when you crave those classic, cozy San Francisco vibes.

Linea Coffee Roasting + Caffe

This Mission Bay roastery offers a wide variety of coffee beans to prepare at home.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 780-5424

Linea is my favorite place to grab a bag of coffee for my pour-over setup at home. It has an incredible variety and the staff is always super helpful if you need guidance on what kind of beans to buy. You can’t go wrong with a cappuccino on its streetside patio, either. You can also check out its corner store location near Mission Dolores Park!

Sightglass Coffee

A trendy warehouse shop with delicious, locally-roasted coffee in downtown’s beautiful Mission District.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 861-1313

I love the industrial aesthetic of Sightglass Coffee. The minimalist setting and friendly baristas impress me every time. Their California-roasted coffee is excellent and the pistachio croissants cannot be beaten. 

Sightglass’s converted warehouse space offers an ideal remote work environment if you’re trying to focus. Check out this fantastic coffee stop the next time you’re wandering around downtown. 

Philz Coffee

A favorite chain conveniently located all over the city, specializing in pour-overs and coffee classics.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 230-6359

I don’t typically write about chains because I think local shops are always the way to go. I stick to this notion, but Philz is the exception. This is the best local chain if you need a quick and convenient coffee fix. It’s a reliable place to grab a cup of joe, whether you’re headed for the airport or wandering the city. Try the coffee rosé for a pour-over delicacy!

Higher Grounds Coffee House

My favorite coffee shop in the picturesque Glen Park neighborhood, perfect for a laid-back crepe or bagel hangout with friends.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞(415) 587-2933

Higher Grounds is a quiet, unpretentious place amid the chaos of the Bay. This hidden gem features wooden benches, coffee bags hanging from the ceiling, and folk music floating through the speakers. It’s a peaceful spot to sip espresso with a friend.

Nothing pairs with a strong coffee better than a sweet crepe. But if you’re not up for the sugar, there are a ton of savory options, too! This Glen Park hangout has a charming ambiance with quality food and drinks to match.

Spike’s Coffee & Teas

The historic Castro neighborhood’s best spot for high-quality drinks, pastries, and small bites at decent prices.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (415) 626-5573

Don’t miss this welcoming coffee shop when you visit the Castro neighborhood. Spike’s offers a great selection of drinks, along with savory bagel sandwiches and flaky pastries.

The prices are lower than pretty much every other coffee shop in the area, which is always an added plus. The bulldog logo gives each cup of joe an irresistible touch.

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Now you’re ready to feel fully alert in the most awake city in America. I hope you enjoy these amazing coffee shops in San Francisco and discover some new go-tos in the Bay. Let me know if I’m missing your favorites in the comments!

Next up, check out Travel Lemming’s list of fun things to do in San Francisco.