Top Coffee Shops In San Francisco

It seems there’s lots of TOP TEN lists out there especially for food lovers and such which outline the best eats or top destinations in a given city.  Its always great to have a guide when you’re visiting a new city or location- compiled by people in the know who have first hand knowledge etc.  We’ll if you’re in the San Francisco area on vacation, business, or heck.. even if you live there – the folks at Mister Archer have you’re go to list of the Top Coffee Shops in San Francisco.  San Francisco is a food lovers paradise, complete with a vibrant nightlife and diverse offering- also the city is know as a premier destination for specialty coffee and boutique cafes with some of the best coffee around.  Thanks to the fine folds at www.misterarcher.com for the list and be sure to check it out directly on their website at http://www.misterarcher.com/san-francisco-coffee/

 

	Progressive Grounds
	400 Cortland Ave, SF (at Bennington St)	See Yelp reviews
	Experience the whimsical side of Bernal Heights. Order a coffee and a piping hot breakfast sandwich with a coating of melted cheddar and a couple strips of bacon. Then cozy into the backroom den with a red brick fireplace. Stay a while—they just installed more powerstrips to accomodate tethered entrepreneurs. The outside patio is a neighborhood gem… the tranquility invites both contemplation and levity.

	Nervous Dog Coffee
	3438 Mission St, SF (at Kingston St)	See Yelp reviews
	The typical greeting from the owner, “you want the usual?” And the regulars don’t drink decaf. Restless entrepreneurs are grinding away on their fledgling startups… quite similar to the “nervous little dogs” in this Gary Larson cartoon—the muse for this coffee shop. The cozy intimacy is usually accompanied by inspiring art from local vistuosos.

 

 

Castro

 

 

	Spike’s Coffees & Teas
	4117 19th St, SF (at Castro St)	See Yelp reviews
	Arrive with an open mind and schedule. This cell phone free zone affords a grand opportunity to enjoy a few idle moments soaking in the chatter on their sidewalk patio. Order up a homebrewed spicy chai or a “celestial” soy latte. Here you’re family—you can even start your own tab on a 3”x5” index card. Is caffeine or community more addictive?

 

 

Cole Valley

 

 

	Reverie Cafe & Bar
	848 Cole St, SF (between Carl St and Federick St)	See Yelp reviews
	Some days just have that lazy feel to them… especially during our Indian summers. Then welcome to Reverie–“absentminded dreaming while awake.” Enjoy the flora and fauna in the back patio. The amalgamation of the Cole Valley + UCSF crowd is respectfully effervescent. Leave the laptop at home (no wi-fi or outlets); so curl up with a book instead. And, unless you enjoy washing dishes, bring cash.

 

 

Diamond Heights

 

 

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Financial District

 

 

	Caffé Ida
	303 Sacramento St, SF (at Battery St)	See Yelp reviews
	Bro… things at work are stuck in slo-mo? Short on time, but coffee you can’t forego. Skip the stale cup with the packs of Sweet & Low. Instead, head on out and appreciate the walk to and fro. Hello! Grab a cup of joe and go! You can’t dillydally because the seating capacity is zer-o. Woah! When you need a quick cup of joe… now you’re in the know. Hey yo!

 

 

Fisherman’s Wharf

 

 

	Buena Vista Cafe
	2765 Hyde St, SF (at Beach St)	See Yelp reviews
	Is this the magical elixir in your school dean’s Thermos? Welcome to the domestic birthplace of the Irish Coffee—a brew consisting of steaming coffee, Irish whiskey, and cubed sugar topped with a layer of cream. Yeah, a bit too many folks in the pink “San Francisco” trolleycar sweatshirts. Fortunately, you don’t need to elbow jockey for the barstools… just head around back to the downstairs room.

 

 

Glen Park

 

 

	Cafe Bello
	2885 Diamond St, SF (between Bosworth St and Wilder St)	See Yelp reviews
	“Coffee beans roasted fresh daily,” greets the sign. Coffee connoisseurship is thriving in this cozy Glen Park enclave. Conveniently close to the Glen Park Bart station, or just a quick detour off the highway. Might as well grab a bite to eat too and the quiche selection is eggscellent. For those working remotely, enjoy the quiet solitude and you will have a prductive morning with the double shot espressos.

 

 

Haight

 

 

	The Grind Cafe
	783 Haight St, SF (between Scott St and Pierce St)	See Yelp reviews
	The Grind Cafe has partnered with some of the titans of SF dining, Mr Espresso, Boudin Bakery and Niman Ranch. Lucky they have vaulted ceilings to provide sufficient headroom and natural lighting. There’s free Wi-Fi during the week. On the weekends, hit up the french toast croissant wopped with fruit. Don’t worry, it won’t hit back. This is your refuge from the Haight street panhandling.

 

 

Hayes Valley

 

 

	Blue Bottle Coffee Co
	315 Linden St, SF (a little off Gough St)	See Yelp reviews
	This alleyway kiosk is groundzero for the boutique coffee revolution in San Francisco. There’s always a line here… even in the late afternoon. The secret sauce? A promise. James Freeman, the Bill Walsh of SF coffee connoisseurship, founded BB on a commitment to use the “finest organic, and pesticide-free, shade-grown beans” and serve them less than “48 hours out of the roaster.”

 

 

Inner Sunset

 

 

	Alvin’s Scrumptious Coffees & Teas
	1708 Irving St, SF (between 18th Ave and 19th Ave)	See Yelp reviews
	Affectionately known as the “coffeemeister,” Alvin and wife Helen have almost 35 years serving the best coffee in the Sunset. The Blue Mountain Jamaica is the favorite of the regulars. Their secret? “Roasting is tender loving cooking.” For those looking to cool off in the afternoon, order up a cafe glace—coffee with a scoop of ice cream. Now that’s scrumptious coffee!

 

 

Laurel Heights

 

 

	Rigolo Café
	3465 California St, SF (between Laurel St and Spruce St)	See Yelp reviews
	Rigolo is filled to the gills during brunch and lunch. You, my friend, should swim against the current and visit during the off hours (although the $3 mimosas from 11am – 3pm are tempting). There’s plenty of parking in the back lot and a few sidewalk tables out front. Their brews feature coffee beans from Equator Estate who also roasts for a gentleman by the name of Thomas Keller.

 

 

Marina / Cow Hollow

 

 

	Jovino
	2184 Union St, SF (between Fillmore St and Webster St)	See Yelp reviews
	The power breakfast spot in Cow Hollow with free coffee refills and hour-by-hour Wi-Fi. Be seen up front or start companies in the back. Their intimate patio is a special place for bright, sunny mornings. The creative décor also works for the happy hour and evening shifts. Oh, coffee is a stimulant… and Jovino features the best bathroom in the Marina—could be subletted as a studio.

 

 

Mission

 

 

	Coffee Bar
	1890 Bryant St, SF (Corner of Florida St)	See Yelp reviews
	Can’t a guy keep one secret? Guess not. A gem on the corner of Bryant x Florida, the Coffee Bar warrants a spot in your regular rotation. They know their beans… one of the owners is the son of Mr. Espresso. The clean, industrial look is surprisingly welcoming. Lots of Silicon Valley rainmakers play hooky here. On a spring day, expect abundant sunshine and MacBooks.

	Ritual
	1026 Valencia St, SF (between 21st St and 22nd St)	See Yelp reviews
	Ritual pioneered the roastery-cum-cafe experience in the Mission. They source their own beans, seeking out the best varietals by geography, altitude, soil, shade, and harvests. Ritual brews both coffee and controversy, ranging from the Soviet-inspired logo to the removal of the power outlets. (Sorry, all day Tweeters.) But they offer a great cup of coffee and they’ve even shared their brewing guide.

	Atlas Cafe
	3049 20th St, SF (at Alabama St)	See Yelp reviews
	Who let the dogs out? I can’t help you there… but the Atlas Cafe lets the dogs in. Hang out on their back patio with the morning paper, man’s best friend, and a cup of Equator coffee. For a morning snack, indulge with a $1 Mission Mini, you deserve it. Thursday nights are special here—live music from 8-10pm or ragtime & blues on Saturday from 4-6pm.

	Philz
	3101 24th St, SF (at Folsom St)	See Yelp reviews
	Sorry folks, the Philz phenomenom is creeping outside SF. The reason? Discerning folks appreciate over 20 handmade coffees brewed one cup at a time. The go-to order is the Tesora blend. For special occassions, try the mint mojito iced coffee… smooth and chocolatey, decadent and refreshing. Patrons seem to be able to concentrate even though the pours probably have 3x the caffeine.

 

 

Noe Valley

 

 

	Bernie’s
	3966 24th St, SF (between Noe St and Sanchez St)	See Yelp reviews
	Bernie’s is much too humble… “a local coffee shop?” no, THE local coffee shop with bed and breakfast-like amicability and tranquility. The owner, a third generation Noe Valley resident, will quickly match your face with your name and drink of choice. Reciprocate her smile and you’ll have another friend along with a free refill. Milkbones gratis for the dogs (the people food is good too).

 

 

North Beach / Telegraph Hill

 

 

	901 Columbus Caffé
	901 Columbus Ave, SF (at Lombard St)	See Yelp reviews
	Happy Hour starts at 5pm featuring $2 beers. Oh… work before play, eh? Get an early start and grab a booth seat enjoying the morning solitude. For lunch, they offer salads and sandwiches… but you can’t go wrong with the Al Capone panini with the focacia bread saved a few seconds before being blackened. They have a ginormous HD tv if you need a quick distraction.

 

 

Pacific Heights

 

 

	The Grove
	2016 Fillmore St, SF (between California St and Pine St)	See Yelp reviews
	Disclosure: I’ve somehow never had the coffee here. I go straight for the fresh-squeezed OJ. You should too! With 15+ years experience, they’ve perfected the staples including the right-from-the-oven cookies and bursting breakfast burritos. They’re anything but complacent. The newest concoction? Zoe’s hot pastrami sandwich. They’ll soon open in SOMA then followed by Hayes Valley.

 

 

Parkside

 

 

	Mocha 101
	1722 Taraval St, SF (between 27th Ave and 28th Ave)	See Yelp reviews
	The friendly owner Eric puts the “mo” in mocha. Kickstart with a coffee and then add on the appropriate meal… breakfast bagel, the strawberry + banana crepe, or a matcha green tea smoothie. Great people watching from the loft, especially during their weekend live jazz. Great retro feel with pacheco and even a Street Fighter arcade. Show up wet and get a free cup o’ joe with purchase.

 

 

Portrero Hill / Dogpatch

 

 

	Sundance Coffee
	2295 3rd St, SF (at 20th St)	See Yelp reviews
	Sundance subscribes to the K.I.S.S. methodology… “provide the highest quality product in a simple and straightforward manner.” Success! After all, you should be the protagonist! This is the neighborhood cafe for a few friends to share some stories and laughs. On Tues/Thurs afternoons, swing by the Lower Deck gallery afterward for inspiration from emerging local artists.

 

 

Presidio

 

 

Richmond

 

 

	Blue Danube Coffee House
	306 Clement St, SF (between 4th Ave and 5th Ave)	See Yelp reviews
	Instead of cursing the long lines of Burma Superstar, peel over to this bohemian coffee house. With 6+ years of experience, they don’t resort to cheap parlor tricks like free wifi. Instead, they’ve honed their cuisine including the stellar french toast for breakfast and the prosciutto panini for lunch. The Mexican Hot Chocolate is one size-fits-all (large) and the pitcher of sangria is great for friends.

 

 

Russian Hill

 

 

	Nook
	1500 Hyde St, SF (at Jackson St)	See Yelp reviews
	There’s lots of crannies in SF, but there’s only one Nook! Tucked in a serene Hyde street corner, Nook hooks regulars from morning brunch through evening cocktails. A very intimate spot except for the intermittent rumble of the cable cars, the studious crowd slowly sips their lattes… until the lunchtime rush (no Wi-Fi during peak hours). Ease into the evening with the happy hour special $4 sake cocktails.

	La Boulange de Polk
	2300 Polk St, SF (at Union St)	See Yelp reviews
	I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight this charming, local coffee shoppe. Always buzzing with activity, La Boulangerie never leaves one with the sensation of claustrophobia. Credit the feng shui. Don’t have a dog to attract those working out at the nearby Alhambra theater? Then simply order a cup of joe with a daily special and park at the sidewalk tables. You’ll be treated to the best people watching in the Polk Gulch.

 

 

SOMA

 

 

	Sightglass Coffee
	270 7th St, SF (between Folsom St and Harrison St)	See Yelp reviews
	Sightglass is brewing up something wonderful in SOMA. Earning their sea legs at Blue Bottle and Four Barrel, Justin and Jerad are now at the helm of the ship. Each day, you have a choice of beans by geography along with tasting notes… coffee redolent of blueberry pancakes. They are under construction in a 4,000 sq ft two level warehouse. But the coffee, espressos, and macchiatos are near perfection.

	Epicenter Cafe
	764 Harrison St, SF (between Folsom St and Harrison St)	See Yelp reviews
	Lots to love here, especially their attention to detail… minimalist interior, custom ceramic mugs, and even a whole lotta latte foam art. Curl up on the couches in back or soak in the heavy sun through the big bay windows up front. For espresso aficianados, pick your favorite bean—all selected by Barefoot Coffee, a celebrated South Bay roastery who also offers free tasting classes at their Santa Clara HQ.

 

 

South Beach

 

 

	Crossroads Café
	699 Delancey St, SF (at Brannan St)	See Yelp reviews
	No WiFi. Ok? All other amenities are provided in this utopian cafe. NYC H&H bagels, Mitchell’s ice cream, fresh ahi tuna, Tree of Knowledge… well, a bookstore. Spacious and bright, this cafe features effervescent energy. And their private garden is the perfect recluse for sunny weekend reading. The real story here is the community of folks rebuilding their lives. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

	The Creamery
	685 4th St, SF (at Townsend St)	See Yelp reviews
	Caltrain commuters have a routine and the Creamery is their ritual… fittingly, they also serve Ritual beans. The rustic wood lodge creates a welcoming ambiance—a refuge from the surrounding urban bustle. Their front porch soaks up abundant sunlight. (sorry, no complimentary sunscreen.) This is a great spot for a mocha before a Giants game or simply a leisurely morning reading the paper.

 

 

 

	Gilt Groupe
	Invitation-only discounts to high-end fashion
	Gilt Groupe provides access to Men’s and Women’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. The full collection is available at the start of sale, although popular items sell out in minutes. All sales guaranteed. Exclusive invite for Mister Archer members.

 

Sunset

 

 

	Java Beach Cafe
	1396 La Playa St, SF (at Judah St)	See Yelp reviews
	A fog-free day in the City? Tilt your head to the side because you’re about to get kissed by the salty froth of the ocean. Start with Bernie’s Blend—a wicked brew from the Due Torri folks. There are a few personal tables for the nomadic professionals. The socialites should enjoy the patio or the inside bar on cooler days. The menu items commemorate the OB breaks, like Kelly’s Cove (turkey + pesto).

 

 

Tendernob

 

 

	farm:table
	754 Post St, SF (between Jones St and Leavenworth St)	See Yelp reviews
	If you’ve been here, then it’s your favorite. If you haven’t been here, remedy that situation ASAP! They streamline the selections offering daily specials via Twitter. Everything is exceptional, especially the service. For the hitters, order up a non-menu item, the “Little Smokey,” cream, sugar and a layered shot of espresso. A definite headturner.

 

 

Twin Peaks

 

Van Ness Corridor

 

 

	Notes From Underground
	2399 Van Ness Ave, SF (at Green St)	See Yelp reviews
	Located right in the heart of the Van Ness Corridor, Notes From Underground provides all the basics including a filling granola plus yogurt meal to get you to the meal. In the shadows of this intimate spot lurk modern-day Dostoevskies typing out their rambling memoirs… or perhaps, simply composing existentialist Facebook status updates. Why am I here? Oh yeah, the coffee and free wifi.

 

 

Western Addition / NOPA

 

 

	Matching Half Cafe
	1799 McAllister St, SF (at Baker St)	See Yelp reviews
	If you’re married to your work, then coffee serves as your better half (let’s say “Matching Half” considering how much invested in your education). MacBooks shimmer in the bay windows of this sleek, almost spartan, shop. They serve the Verve—the beans from the distinguished Santa Cruz roastery. With the recent move of Green Chile Kitchen, this block is set with anchor tenants.

	Mojo Bicycle Café
	639 Divisadero St, SF (x Fulton St)	See Yelp reviews
	Mojo Rising! This intimate cafe and cycle shop is authentically independent (and adjacent to The Independent)… Timbuk2 bag optional. An urban Eden is out back for laughs on a sunny day with friends. They serve Ritual beans and De La Paz espresso—quality pours even for the discerning hispter. Stay into the evening for cheese plates complemented by $2 pints at happy hour from 5 – 7pm.

	Apollo Coffee
	1064 Divisadero St, SF (at Turk St)	See Yelp reviews
	Apollo, sharing the name with the Roman god of sun, basks in the bountiful, natural light of the corner location. You’ll be productive at this contemporary spot both morning (coffee) and night (diverse selection of loose leaf teas). A battle-scarred veteran of high finance, the ever-present owner will attend to your every need. Note author bias: Apollo is also the Roman god of archery.