Best Coffee Shops in San Francisco (2025)

A tiny bar with big standards, known for coffee flights and a measured, two-step service that slows you down in the best way. Frequently praised by the San Francisco Chronicle and local coffee geeks for precision and hospitality.

Andrew Barnett’s boutique roastery keeps it minimal and sweet-focused, with excellent espresso, shrubs, and award-winning beans. Often cited by local critics; a perennial pick for quality without fuss in the Mission and Potrero Hill.

Elegant bars in Russian Hill and SoMa champion transparent sourcing and deft, tea-like extractions. Regularly recommended by Eater SF and the Chronicle; house almond–macadamia milk and the Kaffe Tonic show range beyond the purist cup.

Outer Sunset stalwart blending Irish roots with West Side community spirit. The Snowy Plover and griddle-baked soda farls are local rituals, and recent coverage highlights why it still matters to the neighborhood.

A Bernal Heights beacon where art and coffee meet. Rotating single origins and a custom Linea house blend anchor drinks that the San Francisco Chronicle and neighborhood regulars praise for personality and care.

East African–owned roaster spotlighting Ethiopian and Kenyan coffees alongside unique regional drinks. Eater SF and Time Out note standouts like the Wired Gandhi and ginger gasheer—heritage and specialty technique in one cup.

Family‑run roaster at Golden Gate Park’s edge, hand‑built from reclaimed wood. Known for siphon brews and sturdy espresso; a recurring pick in local roundups for honest, neighborhood‑driven coffee craft.

Mission mainstay roasting with heart since 2010. The tiny original window and art‑filled second space pour expressive espressos; Eater SF and the Chronicle highlight its role as a community anchor.

A tiny alley bar near South Park with big creativity—think goat‑milk lattes with turmeric and honey, citrusy espresso tonics, and standout pastries. Lauded by local reviewers and the Chronicle’s citywide list.

Alex Pong’s pop‑up has become an essential stop for expressive espresso and Asian American flavors—espresso passionfruit tonics, Thai Tea Cloud. Featured by Eater SF, with a weekday downtown outpost via Vacant to Vibrant.

A living slice of SF culture since 1956—Beat poets, Coppola lore, and proper Italian espresso. Still family‑run and noted by Condé Nast Traveler and local press as a must for historic coffeehouse ambience.