12 San Francisco
Coffee Shops to Visit for the Perfect Caffeine Fix

By Carol High

Visit these San Francisco coffee shops to satisfy your caffeine cravings, whether you're looking for pour-over, drip, latte, or an espresso.

There’s so much to see when you’re visiting San Francisco, and you’ll need to stay awake for everything on your itinerary. While we're famous for our Irish coffee, that's not the only flavor here for you to try. Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just looking for a quick boost, these roasters and shops unique to the Bay Area will give you the kick you need to experience everything the city offers.

Various Locations

Andytown Coffee Roasters

If you need a boost before you head to Ocean Beach, check out the Outer Sunset’s Andytown Coffee Roasters. When it first opened in 2017, all of Andytown’s operations were based in its 600 square foot storefront. Since then, the company has opened an additional beach-friendly shop, a seventh floor coffee escape in the Financial District, and a giant roasting and education facility near its original home.

Check out Andytown Coffee

Various Locations

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee was born in Oakland, but it’s expanded across the U.S. and into Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and China since its 2002 start. A cult favorite, Blue Bottle is known for incredibly fresh, flavorful coffee, which you can also get delivered to your door via their subscription services. For those who want to refine their palettes, Blue Bottle offers online coffee making classes.

Check out Blue Bottle Coffee

Various Locations

Reveille Coffee

The Chase Center’s year-round events and culinary highlights have put the Mission Bay neighborhood on everyone’s radar, but Reveille Coffee Co. has been roasting its beans for years. A pair of brothers run the operation and serves coffee at several brick-and-mortar locations across the Bay Area, which remain popular for pairing strong coffee and great outdoor seating. Their location in North Beach, with an iconic view of the TransAmerica Pyramid and the Sentinel Building, is worth a stop over for a quick cup of joe.

Check Out Reveille Coffee

601 Vallejo St.

Caffe Trieste

Head to North Beach for a San Francisco staple that’s known for introducing espresso to the West Coast. Caffe Trieste has been a neighborhood fixture for more than 50 years. It’s a family-owned stop once frequented by Joe DiMaggio, Francis Ford Coppola, the Beat writers, and other San Francisco celebrities.

Check Out Caffe Trieste

Various Locations

Equator

Founded in 1995, Equator Coffees has always been ahead of the third-wave coffee culture. It’s also been a leader in the ethical cultivation of its products. In 2016, the women-owned roastery was recognized as the National Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its “Chain of Well-Being” philosophy landed Equator in high-profile kitchens such as French Laundry and Bouchon. There are seven storefronts across the Bay Area.

Check Out Equator Coffee

Various Locations

Flywheel Coffee

Grab a drink from Flywheel Coffee before a day in Golden Gate Park. Much like the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood that it’s located in, the shop is eclectic and cool. Between its large indoor tables and outdoor seating, it's a great spot to meet up with friends.

Check Out Flywheel Coffee

3417 18th St. and 1125 Mariposa St.

Linea Caffe

Linea Caffe has been one of San Francisco’s popular coffee roasters since 2013, and it’s made a name for itself in the indie coffee community. The original Mission District cafe only seats about five people, but there's more room at their newer Potrero Hill location.

Check Out Linea Caffe

Various Locations

Philz Coffee

Touted as one of the best coffee shops in America by "TimeOut," Philz Coffee made its mark on the Bay Area coffee scene and has expanded to several U.S. cities. Phil started his business in the Mission District in the early 2000s, and it’s quickly become the coffee of choice for the big tech companies. Make the Mint Mojito Iced Coffee your go-to order for a “treat yo self” moment.

Check Out Philz Coffee

Various Locations

Ritual Coffee

Ritual Coffee started as a roastery on Valencia St. in the Mission District, and its reputation is built on flavorful beans and inclusive environments. Each shop has a signature drink that’s unique to its location. If you need an impressive date spot, the Hayes Valley location is a repurposed shipping container!

Check Out Ritual Coffee

Various Locations

Saint Frank Coffee

Why pick one single origin roast when you can have a flight? Sip easy knowing that this coffee company is dedicated to finding the most ethically-sourced beans possible. The two locations, one in Russian Hill and a Polk Street pop-up, will give your Instagram feed a boost, too.

Check Out Saint Frank Coffee

Various Locations

Sightglass Coffee

Sightglass has expanded to three locations across San Francisco. Be sure to visit the flagship shop and roastery in SoMa. The airy atmosphere makes it a great spot to hang out on your own or meet up with a few friends. Did we mention the mezzanine level, too?

Check Out Sightglass Coffee

2271 Union St.

Wrecking Ball Coffee

The Marina and Cow Hollow are great neighborhoods for running, exploring, and sightseeing along the water. It’s a better experience with a latte from Wrecking Ball Coffee in your hand. The small, chic store offers a full-service coffee bar and pastries.

Check Out Wrecking Ball Coffee

Carol High

Carol is a digital marketer creating media-rich content for global audiences covering travel, San Francisco and the Bay Area, food & drink, outdoor experiences, and cross-cultural storytelling. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. She lives in San Francisco with her family and regularly explores the parks in her city, especially untamed McLaren Park.