San Francisco, California has a multitude of restaurants and a growing population of restaurants. However, it is also a city that has capitalized on the third wave of coffee. After spending countless afternoon exploring the plethora of coffee shops that San Francisco has to offer, I’ve come to the conclusion that each coffee shop has something special to offer. Checking yelp for your next study day, though, leaves you with an overwhelming amount of 4.5 star reviews to investigate.
So based on my own caffeine-induced experience, here are my top five SF coffee shops.
1. Andytown Coffee Roasters
If you choose to venture to this gem in the Outer Sunset, I might actually be sitting right there—in the corner seat of the communal table. The baristas here are all wonderful humans and they are experts in the craft of coffee. My usual order is an almond milk latte and a soda currant scone. On a summer day, however, try their signature Snowy Plover (two shots of espresso over sparkling water topped with homemade whip cream). Stay tuned for their second location opening up on Taravel in the near future!
2. Sightglass Coffee
Sightglass has two SF locations—one in SoMa and one in the Mission. SoMa is my preferred place and also their larger location. The décor has slight rustic and industrial vibes, which contribute to making the space very open. My favorite thing on the menu is the Vanilla Iced Cold Brew. They also offer a range of equally delicious pastries.
3. Hollow
Hollow proudly serves Ritual Roasters coffee and their cappuccino and espresso was perfectly rich. Their selection of food includes amazing ham and cheese empanadas, which I highly recommend. The atmosphere is quaint and inviting and is perfect after a picnic in the park.
4. The Mill
The Mill is a huge space with communal tables and a brilliant aesthetic located near Alamo Square. Order something from their specialty toast selection, which is delectable. I recommend a cappuccino and the cinnamon sugar toast.
5. Caffe Puccini
My dad first introduced me to Caffè Puccini, which is located in North Beach. This caffè differs from the more modern options above and is a traditional Italian coffee shop. They also serve real food, not just pastries. I always get a regular cappuccino, which is made properly with a hefty amount of foam. It’s always delicious and very inviting.
Whatever coffee shop in San Francisco that you end up at, it's almost sure to be a gem!
