So you are a coffee lover who just moved to San Francisco or someone who loves to try as many variants of coffee as are available in the US. Don’t worry; I, a fellow coffee lover, have curated this exclusive list of the best coffee in San Francisco.
1. Which US City Has the Best Coffee?
Coffee has long been a part of human life. The coffee shop count in the US has drastically increased, almost increasing by 40 thousand in numbers and reaching close to total revenue of pre-pandemic levels.
Without hesitation, San Francisco takes the top spot for offering the best coffee drinks in the US.
2. Why San Francisco?
San Francisco is nicknamed the US’s most awake city; at this point, it won’t be hard to figure out why for a coffee lover, lol!
So, what makes San Francisco so special regarding coffee drinks? Though one might think San Francisco is one of the world’s technological industry headquarters, modern humans’ function on coffee might be the reason.
But coffee love started its roots in the mid-19th century. Thanks to James Folger, who set up spice and coffee mills in San Francisco, which eventually turned into Folger’s Coffee today.
And currently, San Francisco has the highest coffee shops-to-people ratio. Each corner of San Francisco has a different coffee flavor and aroma.
3. Find the Popular Roasters and Coffee Shops in San Francisco
San Francisco is a city of coffee lovers, with many great options. You can check out the following coffee shops:
3.1. Ball Coffee Roasters
Popularly known as Wrecking Ball coffee roasters, roasting beans since 2011, it was founded by Trish – a coffee expert and a roastmaster – and serves one of the best-roasted coffee.
This coffee shop is particularly known for its pour-overs and espresso drinks. Their menu includes espresso drinks, brewed coffees, tasty pastries, and herbal teas. The hand-crafted pour-over coffee prepared in their custom-built brew bar is one must-try on their menu.
Wrecking ball coffee roasters are located in Union St, San Francisco, CA (Bay area). In the aesthetic-looking interiors, sipping the freshly brewed coffee is pure bliss.
Visit: Website
3.2. Andytown Coffee Roasters
This coffee shop was started in 2014 by two baristas and specialized in offering the best specialty coffee in San Francisco.
(For starters, specialty coffee is the premium coffee originating in a single-estate coffee farm, grown especially in high altitudes with utmost care.)
Within three years, they extended their branch onto Taraval along the beach area, where you can sip coffee in the outdoor seating along the ocean beach and watch the outer sunset.
Coffee packs (single serve and different quantities), cold brew equipment, micro-filters, cold press, and filters are part of their items on sale. They offer their tasty pastries and coffees in bulk orders.
With the strong establishment, the roasters have branched into four new locations and have announced that they will be opening a new store soon in a new location.
3.3. Sightglass Coffee:
This is an artisanal roaster that uses only high-quality beans. The atmosphere is very relaxing, and they also have a tasting room where you can try different coffees before you buy them.
Their coffee products are freshly imported from India, Africa, South America, and Mexico farmers.
In addition to selling one of the best specialty coffee, espresso drinks, merch items, and coffee station equipment, they also teach recipes and many other “how-to” home-brewing.
Also, the coffee shop has the highest ratings among customers and reviewers.
Visit: Website
3.4. Ritual Coffee Roasters:
Ritual Coffee Roasters has been around for over 20 years, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to making delicious cups of Joe. They offer specialty coffee, seasonal blends,
They also offer free WiFi, which makes them a good place to work remotely or study on your laptop. Dandelion Chocolate offers excellent coffee – cold brew – and a mix of chocolate.
Their recent collaboration with Dandelion Chocolate has boosted their presence in wider areas. Their coffee is sold/served at different cafes, restaurants, and events along the San Francisco Bay area.
The headquarters is located in Valencia St, San Francisco, CA. And among other branches in multiple places, Hayes Valley, Octavia St, San Francisco, CA.
Visit: Website
3.5. Four Barrel Coffee Company:
Four Barrel Coffee has been serving delicious coffee beverages since 2002. They are among the few users of traditional methods of coffee roasting with experts rather than using computers.
Their popularity relies on the sources; they source their beans from generations of farmers in Latin America, Indonesia, and East Africa. The coffee shop offers espresso drinks and 11 different coffee varieties from 22 different ingredient combinations. They occasionally engage artists to set up stalls and promote local art. This is one of the must-try.
They operate at two different locations – Valencia St, San Francisco, CA, and The Mill, Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA.
Visit: Website
3.6. Blue Bottle Coffee Company:
Blue Bottle is one of the most popular coffee shops in San Francisco. They have an excellent selection of beans and espresso drinks.
These places offer some of the best coffee in San Francisco (not ‘only’ best coffee shops). Feel free to try out a variety of San Francisco’s Coffee shops.
4. What to Order at the Best Coffee Shops in San Francisco
Coffee stayed in San Francisco for centuries and made San Francisco home to many different coffee varieties, and the flavor of each type can vary greatly. Some popular varieties of coffee beans include Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica.
5. Common Grounds for Coffee Nerds
The flavor of the coffee beans can also be influenced by factors such as where the beans are grown, how they are roasted, and how they are brewed. It all comes down to your taste preference.
Some people prefer the smooth, mild flavor of Arabica beans, while others enjoy the bold, robust flavor of Robusta beans. You should always experiment with your taste buds in terms of coffee.
6. Widely Popular Bean
With its fruity, floral, and sweet aroma and flavor, Arabica is the most common type of bean used for making coffee. Cafe con Leche is one of the most famous beverages made using Arabica.
Other popular beverages made with an Arabica base are lattes, where the mix of condensed milk is suitable for preparing latte art and iced coffee.
The only way to discover your coffee flavor preference is to expose your taste buds to various coffees.
7. Ferry Building
San Francisco’s Ferry building is a prime hot spot for good coffee. Some notable places are Red Bay Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Boulettes Larder.
8. Cold brew and Nitro cold brew
If you love their coffee cold, this section is dedicated to you.
9. Mazarine Coffee: (best coffee in San Francisco, cold brew)
This coffee shop offers great coffee, especially nitro cold brew. Their menu is also filled with various coffee and healthy salads as sides.
Pour-over coffee, drip coffee, and espresso drinks are a few on their menu, which are must-tries and are currently on special offers. Raf is their signature drink, don’t miss it!
Mazarine Coffee Shop is located on Market Street St, San Francisco, CA.
Visit: Website
10. Yo También Cantina
This coffee shop is a must-visit for cold lovers. You can rely on the Lavender Cold Brew and House Drip coffee here. Check their website for more information on the menu and online ordering.
11. Wooden Coffeehouse – The Thing
This coffeehouse is a unique one, and this is what happens when movie lovers and coffee nerds become single people!
You can enjoy espresso drinks, drip coffee, pour-over, cold brew, and hot chocolate. The coffeehouse is like a coffee bar in Cole St, San Francisco, CA.
12. San Francisco Coffee That You Should Not Miss
Coffee lovers visiting San Francisco worldwide for their favorite coffee drinks know they will find quality coffee beans roasted anywhere from Tony’s over the Golden Gate Bridge to Tartine or Bar Tartines themselves!
13. Commonly Popular Choices
There are many great places in San Francisco to enjoy an Arabic beverage. The flagship cafe is Blue Bottle Coffee. It specializes in expertly roasted specialty coffee worldwide and serves delicious food, cold coffee, hot chocolate, and other beverages.
Local farmers bring their beans to be roasted in-house at Blue Bottle for perfect coffee flavors and aromas every time.
Other great options for enjoying good coffee in San Francisco include Coava and Tony’s over the Golden Gate Bridge. Each one offers a different atmosphere ranging from ferry building to outdoor seating and also serves unique foods – avocado toast and cinnamon toast – that complement their coffee flavors well.
13.1 The Mill – Josey Baker Bread
The mill is a 2-in-1 hot spot. You visit them and get the lovely Josey baker bread and sip coffee from Four Barrel Coffee House.
Located on Divisadero St San Francisco CA.
13.2 Flywheel Coffee
The coffee house was born from a coffee family and later taken on by the younger generation, experienced baristas, and roast masters.
Their varieties mix Latin American and African beans roasted in-house, bringing a special flavor to their coffee.
The place is converted into a coffee place from an old bike shop located on Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA, where you can walk around Golden Gate Park sipping their coffee.
13.3 Piccino Coffee Bar
Piccino coffee bar holds your back whether you need a caffeinated, caffeine fix, or decaffeinated. They offer all varieties of Sightglass coffee.
This excellent coffee shop offers a drip variety of coffee and espresso drinks. Don’t miss the 22nd St, San Francisco, CA bar.
13.4 Equator Coffees
Equator coffee offers some unique blends known as “chef combo,” one of the best sellers. Other than this, they have excellent coffee in single-origin and seasonal blends.
Their coffee blends are also among the best preferred by repeat customers.
Equator coffees are available in multiple locations; you can find two spots in San Francisco. One is in Golden Gate Park Bridge Plaza, San Francisco, CA, and the other is Fort Mason, Fort Mason Center Gatehouse, San Francisco, CA.
Visit: Website
13.5 Trouble Coffee
Some memories with trouble coffee on Judah St, San Francisco, CA. Though the bar is closed, it used to offer the best cinnamon toast and espresso drinks but has been closed permanently.
13.6 Moroccan Arabica Beans
Like Blue Bottle, many restaurants feature a specialty blend or a variety of beans for their coffee. Bar Tartine features Moroccan arabica beans for its take on café noir, which means black coffee with no added sugar or milk.
This Coffee Bar also uses local ingredients whenever possible for its delicious menu choices. This way, their patrons can enjoy a flavorful cup of joe with every meal at Bar Tartine.
Another excellent choice for specialty coffee at Bar Tartine is Bay Area’s Wild Peppers & Coffee Company’s honey chile lattes. Their latte art is fiery as they add jalapenos to their lattes to add more flavor to your drink.
13.7 Bowl of Joe
If you want a great cup of coffee while supporting local businesses, do not miss ordering a bowl of Joe at any of these recommended eateries in San Francisco. Joe’s Anchor Quarters has served good food and cheap beer since 1909.
They had a special breakfast menu available every day until 2 a.m. called ‘Breakfast at Joe’s. It also served good meals all day, so you could order something light for lunch or a hearty meal with your brews- whatever suits you best!
You can taste residents’ love for their coffee here in San Francisco by sampling each variety they have at every restaurant and cafe!
People can enjoy various coffee styles and blends at the local coffee spots. Major Coffee spots serve delicious pastries and snacks to go with strong coffee. Anchor Coffee is known for producing high-quality coffee from its small roasting facility.
End Note
Being the awake city of the US, more coffee bars and roasters are popping up on every street in San Francisco, CA. These are our selected varieties of roasters and coffee bars in San Francisco.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
