Beacon Coffee & Pantry

My review is about the avocado toast which used to be one of the best in the area (see the old photos) and was worth the $10+ as a treat. Now the sourdough is not nearly as high quality, nor is this dish made the way it used to be, and only got more expensive…please make it the old way again 🙏 otherwise not worth it

Actual skillfully pulled espresso shot. Avocado sandwich was tasty and creamy. I think i hv found my to go place for coffee in San Francisco!

Very nice coffee place with nice atmosphere and very good coffee… the food was good as well. 8/10. very much recommended.

Delicious coffee and great service! Vibe is chill but not sleepy, lively but not over the top - right in the sweet spot 😊

I came here to grab a quick lunch near my office and wanted to try a new place. I’ve seen this place numerous times and thought I’d give it a try. I ordered the smoothie with the coffee shot in it and the Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was really good. The pesto dressing was delicious and a great sauce to add to the sando. The bread looked thick, but it was a great choice given how “saucy” the sandwich was. As for the smoothie, it was disappointing. It was very watery and had a consistency of juice. Perhaps too much ice was used in making it, but it wasn’t good and I’d avoid it. The space in itself was nice and the service was friendly! I’ll have to try a cappuccino here one of these days to see how their coffee is, but for now I can highly recommend the Turkey Sandwich!

Came here based on a recommendation from a local. The staff was busy chatting and having fun behind the counter, but that didn't extend to the service. Took my order without greeting me, then didn't make my coffee while I waited, until I asked. They then made a latte in under a minute and somehow overheated the milk. Disappointing experience.

Espresso is often burnt. Service used to be good. Now trash metal is blasting through speakers and windows are super dirty. I asked the if they could change the music so I could hear my thoughts they said they won’t do it for me. No idea why I was even here. So many cool coffee spots in the area!!!

Amarah and Team are amazing. Love how they have transformed this spot from just a coffee shop to a book store and a space where u can purchase little gifts like candles, lotions to cups and greeting card so iam looking forward to see how this spot is gonna become in yrs to come.. 5star thats for sure

The Beacon aspect of this coffee shop and why I am giving it 5-stars: *The lavender oat milk latte was the best I've ever had--creamy, with a distinct lavender flavor, no sweetness, and no dark roast espresso beans. *I tried both the cinnamon braid pastry and the mochi chocolate cake; the chewy, gooey texture was amazing. The staff member asked me about any allergies while I was picking up my pastries. I appreciated their concern, as it showed they prioritize customer health and safety.

I came here to grab a quick lunch near my office and wanted to try a new place. I've seen this place numerous times and thought I'd give it a try. I ordered the smoothie with the coffee shot in it and the Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was really good. The pesto dressing was delicious and a great sauce to add to the sando. The bread looked thick, but it was a great choice given how "saucy" the sandwich was. As for the smoothie, it was disappointing. It was very watery and had a consistency of juice. Perhaps too much ice was used in making it, but it wasn't good and I'd avoid it. The space in itself was nice and the service was friendly! I'll have to try a cappuccino here one of these days to see how their coffee is, but for now I can highly recommend the Turkey Sandwich!

Leaving this review so Beacon sees it and fixes their matcha! It was essentially a cup of milk, with very little matcha. It didn't taste of much besides water. Service was quick and the place was clean; but obviously sad about my drink as it felt like a waste of money.

Super cute coffee shop in Noth Beach w beyond sweet staff, chill tunes in the background. Delicious americano made with local coffee. Free oat milk ! Pastries are delicious - banana bread w walnuts is super moist. CC accepted Free wifi

My boyfriend and I stopped by in here for a coffee during a walk, and I did not expect the Matcha Latte to be so good! It didn't have the strongest matcha flavor, as I asked for a lighter dose of matcha, but it was a very decent latte. This is such a cute cafe with little trinkets, books, and merch for sale. We only stopped by inside for a bit, but I wish I could stayed for a bit longer. The drinks There's a few tables to sit at but I get the sense this is more of a 'stop by and get your fix' kinda cafe.

Got an iced vanilla latte and thought it was delicious! Waited about 10 minutes in total to place my order and received my drink

Super cute spot! Lovely gift section that you can browse while waiting for your drink. Try the caramel in your latte -- it's decadent! Good seating and WiFi if you need to stay and work.

What a lovely neighborhood cafe! I'd wanted to get the avocado today but unfortunately their avocado delivery hadn't arrived yet, so I got the ricotta toast instead with a flat white. My friend had a breakfast burrito and an iced latte.

What a cute spot! We found this while out on a walk through SF and it was a great find. My girlfriend and friend got coffees and sandwiches which they all loved. I ended up getting a smoothie and it was delicious! Plus the decor is so adorable and they have cute lil things for sale too. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Great coffee shop with plenty of seating! Service was prompt as well. Tried their breakfast burrito and it was so filling. I also tried their lattes and it was delish. Would definitely come back if you need a space to get some work done.

Although it looks unassuming on the outside it's not a coffee shop you should just walk by. The lavender latte was fantastic and the ricotta toast hit all the marks. Seating is a little limited but it's 100% a place you should check out.

The service was terrible. A lot of attitudes. I am surprised. We won't not come back.

Food always a hit- regular order is the breakfast burrito. The breakfast sandwich has a biscuit that a big yeasty but pairs REALLY well with Zab's hot sauce. The Brie and fig breakfast sandwich was great. My family & I are regulars & they always find a way to make it happen for us. They have a cool shopping area & even a very small grocery area. Coffee is SOLID. I couldn't ask for much more. Service is cool. Everyone friendly.

A nice, standard cafe offering tea and espresso drinks as well as some breakfast bites--not full-on meal or brunch level, but still a decent selection from a compact menu. My favorite part of the store was the little array of gifts & goods. Your standard fare of PF Candle Co, tumblers, bath teas, zines, and cute letterpress greeting cards. It was really fun to browse while waiting for our order! They have housemade lavender and vanilla syrups ($0.50 extra) which I love. I tried an oat milk latte with lavender and the flavor was definitely great. At the risk of sounding extremely snobbish, the way the espresso was crafted was almost elementary... not up to my expectations of a $5.50 latte. There was no crema, just a lot of foam with big bubbles. It wasn't bad, but just the kind of drink I'd expect from my Nespresso machine, not from a professional coffeeshop. We tried some of the food offerings as well. My avocado toast was pretty tasty but a little small in portion for the $9 price tag. I did quite like the seeded bread they use. My bf got the breakfast burrito which was downright disappointing. It was chock full of unseasoned, boiled potatoes (not even fried) and contained 1 (one!) black bean lol. It was super lacking in flavor although they did include ketchup and tabasco packets which were a thoughtful touch and very necessary. I would skip the burrito. Of note, the indoor seating area is currently under construction. They have a pretty large, open space but only around 7-8 seats total, all bar-style (window or wall-facing, rather than individual tables per party). So while the space felt welcoming there just wasn't a lot of room to sit and enjoy ourselves. They do not offer outdoor seats. All in all this is a cute place to grab a bite if you're in the area, but neither with enough seating to hang out nor meritorious enough to bring me back.

My usual coffee spot. Limited seating, but good place to bring laptop and headphones to work for an hour or two. The service is quick, but not the friendliest to be honest. Standard price for coffee in the city. Lavender latte is my favorite. Have great ham & cheese croissants and smoothies. Used to only have the sidewalk storefront open during COVID, but now have expanded to inside and I love it even more!! They now sell boujee cook books and condiments. Love that they have made this into a little market too.

My favorite coffee shop in North Beach and I have lived here all my life. The team is friendly, the coffee is highly quality, and the food is delicious - especially the breakfast burritos with beans they slow cook in-house. I'm excited to try the new sandwiches! The community building vibe makes it feel like the perfect for locals.

Laidback coffee shop that's good for studying. Came here for a quick breakfast while waiting for laundry to finish and it was a chill vibe. You order at the counter and pay, and then they'll call out each order. I got the matcha latte (oat milk is available for an extra charge) along with the breakfast burrito (they're pre-made so they'll hand it right to you). The burrito is vegetarian. There is Tapatio by the trash/recyclable station. The avocado toast comes with a lot of avocado and is also vegetarian. Credit cards accepted.

Grabbed an iced americano here after a long flight. There's a lot of knick knacks in the store, great place to pick up gifts and fresh flowers! There was decent seating in the area. The worker here wasn't rude perse but he wasn't super friendly and enthusiastic either- dropping a star for that reason.

Great espresso. Went to get my wife a crossiant and a a matcha . Had an espresso while I waited. The espresso was really tasty. The crossiant was good but I was really hoping to have butter which they did not have. It was a Sunday so maybe the crossiant wasn't the absolute freshest. But it was good , just not perfect. Was torn between four and five stars. I'll leave five since they were also nice and the place was really cool

Super cute place, the service was amazing and the lavender latte was perfect. Also tried the avocado toast and it was delicious. Highly recommend!

Wow. Beacon is just amazing. Such friendly humans and service, amazing coffee, cool gifts/books for sale, beautiful atmosphere, and in such a prime location. And their breakfast sandwich is literally the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had!!! It is made on a fluffy, fresh, locally made, melt in your mouth biscuit and the cheddar cheese is chefs kiss. I wish a took a photo but ate it too fast cuz it was too dang good. Don't sleep on this place. It deserves 10 stars so imma just leave these here:

My friend and I originally wanted to grab some wine and catch up at Bodega but unfortunately at that time they were only serving breakfast. A stranger saw us trying to figure out where to go and he recommended Beacon to us to grab coffee while we waited for Bodega to convert from serving breakfast to lunch items. So glad he did because this place did not disappoint. Really cute indoor seating area and extremely friendly and fun staffs. My friends and I ordered a vanilla and lavender latte and it was perfect- not overly sweet with the flavors. Would definitely come back.

Best coffee shop in North Beach!! I live right around the corner and come here every day! Their cold brew is epic and it's an awesome spot to work. On top of that they also have a great environment there with fun books, art, and so much more you can buy. Last thing the employees are super friendly, the service is excellent, and they are always so friendly to my doggo!

The little store inside the cafe is very cute and they have nice food options. However, the staff are so unfriendly and unhelpful that it ruins the food and shopping experience. We have gone four times and it's a slight variation on the same theme. Today, they gave me attitude when i asked if they would heat up my croissant and then - after a few seconds in their microwave - they handed it to me cold with a mean side of attitude. We will stop coming here despite wanting to support a cute local business.

I like the brightness and quiet atmosphere at the window side counter spots here. I love the ricotta toast. The staff is friendly. Work calls aren't allowed. It's a great place to getaway and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.

Never write reviews but there's one girl in particular that works here everyday and makes the whole coffee and morning experience a living hell, when it should be the nice ease to your day. I'm not sure what she has stuck up her behind but she is eternally passive aggressive, sour, and even when I got service from someone else (who acted like a normal, decent human being), she just gives the death stare . She's so creepy and clearly hates her job and all humans so she really should Consider something outside the service industry , and this cafe would be wise to hire someone else.

Yummy drink and fun, bright ambiance. Cute place to come and work or get some home decor inspo.

I dropped by to pick up some coffee before work last week, and unfortunately didn't have the best experience at Beacon. The space is super cute and probably a good spot to work, but the drinks and service leave much to be desired. The staff are indifferent and didn't prompt me to order, pay or collect my drink, so my less-than 10 minute visit was full of empty stares and surprise moments where I felt like I was holding back this transaction. Staff shouldn't be obligated to make smalltalk, but I think a "what can I get you?" could be sufficient for a cafe service. I feel that if my Mocha had been good, I'd look back at this visit less harshly, but the drink was sour and didn't do well in terms of chocolate, milk, or espresso. Overall, it wasn't a great experience, and there are other places in North Beach to try.

Selection of food is very limited, and the breakfast burrito has zero flavor, cold brew was mediocre at best. . $15 for burrito and a cold brew. And the customer service and pleasantry from the staff defiantly left something to be desired.

Came here for a quick coffee on a weekday afternoon. Not super busy at the time. As previous review point out the service here isn't super warm, if anything they seemed disinterested. However, they were quick with my order! There's a cute store inside and the place is gives off modern, coffee shop vibes which is perfect if you're hoping to do a bit of work here. The cappuccino with oat milk here is okay. The coffee is more on the dark roast or bitter side (not sure what the cause of the flavor was) and gives off woodsy notes and not much else. The latte art was very cute (I got a tulip). If you're looking for great coffee experience in the area, I suggest Saint Franks or The Coffee Movement. But if you're around and need a place to chill for a bit, this shop is a nice option.

I've lived close to Beacon for almost 3 years now and the last time I went was when I first moved here. Today I paid a visit and was instantly reminded why I never frequented this cafe despite it being my neighbor. We ordered two oatmeal's and a chai. Literally we were sitting at the table closest to the register, waited nearly 30 minutes until someone noticed we were empty tabled and actually came and asked if we were waiting for our order. We watched as everyone who came in after us received their food and drink order while we wondered if they forgot about us entirely. It was awkward sitting there within their line of sight and no one addresses us. I get it, it's busy...but we were within your immediate sight. Finally someone comes by and asked if we were waiting for an order. We said yes we are waiting for oatmeal and chai. She apologized and blamed it on the ordering system but I don't believe it. Clearly they forgot our order because right after she came a couple minutes later our order arrive. Oatmeal does not take that long to stew and chai does not take that long to brew. Understanding it's busy on a Sunday morning, they should be better about checking in on patrons orders especially if they sit there awkwardly wondering if they had been forgotten. I don't like taking up a table and taking up space as people stare and wonder why were not eating or drinking. Nobody likes to feel forgotten, especially if you're forking over SF prices for breakfast and want to treat yourself to a nice meal out. The first time I came here they were very delayed in my order. This second time they forgot it in its entirety.

Great coffee and ambiance! Will definitely return when visiting San Francisco in 2024.

Solid coffee stop on Columbus. We walked up and we're second in line with maybe 3 groups waiting. Definitely a popular stop on the weekends. I also got the iced chai with oat milk. I really like the chai mix they use. It's on the sweeter side but not watery like other places I've been before. My boyfriend got the same thing (iced chai) but with almond milk. I'd recommend the oat milk over the almond milk for this drink. We also split an almond croissant. It was a bit tough, so maybe a little over cooked, but the flavors were good.

seemed like a pretty decent normal cute vibe cafe but the inside was closed (not sure why) and my latte was little watery/milky right off the bat.

The lattes here are excellent. Not a lot of seating. There's one sort of large table and a bar along the window with stools. So if you're looking for a place to sit with a group of friends, this would not be the best spot. But the coffee is top notch!

Great service. Short wait times. Low key environment despite the foot traffic on Columbus which makes Beacon one of the more preferred coffee joints in the neighborhood. They also feature art from local artists and have some great grocery items like their awesome selection of Momofoku!

Wow just wow, an amazing cafe with excellent service. I've been going here for years I've always been greeted with a smile. Their pastries are fresh. Coffee is four barrel. Definitely try the mushroom empanadas! Breakfast buritto is alright...idk why everyone on here raves about it....it just feels like potatoes. Lucia and Amarah are so sweet and tell really funny jokes. Hopefully y'all catch them working lol.

It's rather a relief to find a cafe in North Beach that doesn't require perusing and begrudgingly bypassing cannolis and sfogliatelle sitting in a display window. No, this is a more standard hipsterati magnet but more spacious with a lot of good people watching both inside and out. I came here after walking amid the tourists down Lombard and needed to address my parched state. While they offer a small breakfast and sandwich selection, I came in for caffeine and landed on the $4.50 Matcha Latte (photo: http://bit.ly/2rf1PNM). The barista prepared it with meticulous precision, and not only was the lotus foam design impressive, the combination of the matcha with the Andytown brew was quite enticing. No paisans in here. COFFEE - 4 stars...smooth with a subtle sweetness from the matcha AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nice open space makes it more inviting in here SERVICE - 3.5 stars...quietly precise TOTAL - 4 stars...the non-Italiano option for caffeine RELATED - Looking for dining options in North Beach? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2SjdB52

They make a pretty outstanding breakfast burrito for a very fair $7.50. I have yet to try the coffee but they use a very good coffee roaster. Excited to return, as I just started working in the neighborhood!

The aesthetics of this place were on POINT. It was beautifully designed and the colors and ambience was incredible. It truly was such a perfect little shop to go into and work or read or just meet a friend and drink a cup of joe. I got the cocoa oatmeal and it was pretty good, but not incredible. It definitely tasted super sugary and it just felt like they dumped some liquid and some uncooked oats into a bowl and called it a day. I'm sure it was more intricate but it wasn't my favorite thing on the planet. Their bagels and other options for food looked phenom though, and I'm sure their coffee is great too.

Fabulous spot, cozy location. I had the best vanilla ice latte. I would highly recommend this coffee shop to everyone.

This has been my go-to coffee shop since I moved to the area in 2021. They always had great coffee and food. In the last month or so the service, coffee and food have become TERRIBLE. The last 2 times the ice lattes are either just straight milk or watered down. The avocado toast ranges in size week to week as well as how much avocado is given. The inconsistencies in service, food and coffee are insane. I would NOT recommend coming here anymore. There is a new coffee shop around the corner on Lombard and Taylor that seems to be better!

Mildly decent cafe if you desperately need some coffee - the coffee has been watered down more often than not when I've tried it. They haven't opened the inside space yet so it's just ordering at the window. Don't pay extra for the lavender, it's never worth it. Also not a fan of the breakfast burrito.

I thoroughly enjoyed Beacon Coffee. I came in the afternoon looking for a place to get some work done and this place has everything you need. They have an amazing Chai tea $4.50 (50 cents for soy, 75 cents for almond) that was flavorful and sweet but still not to sweet. In addition, they had a berry and granola parfait made with Greek yogurt. A slightly sweetened bite with a good amount of toppings from the granola and berries. A bit pricey at $5.50 but a good change from the usual bakery items that they also have. The service was quick with the drinks and the food and once you are done, you simply bust your dishes by putting them in the basket near the front corner. The best part was the decor, the light coming through the windows and the light interior with the white tiles was very appealing and made the place relaxing to get work done. Highly recommended for a quick stop or an extended stay.

I was dragged here! I'm not much for coffee but gave in for a catch up with a friend. Well, their coffee is yummy. Maybe my taste buds have changed... maybe their coffee is the best. Their avocado toast is pretty great as well. The service was very slow though and it didn't have to be that way. I would still love to come back for my next obligatory coffee catch up though.

Nothing but good things to say about Beacon!! I've been coming here for about a year, and they have always been very kind and welcoming. I usually get an oat milk cappuccino and avocado toast (one of the best I've had) and move on to a matcha if I come for a second time. They also have a very well curated gift and book shop. Not a big yelper, but I thought I'd pay it forward to the folks who make my daily routine a little brighter!

Coffee and pastries are good. However, one consistent thing I've noticed is unfriendly staff.... Leaves you with this unpleasant feeling every time you leave. For that reason alone it's a no for me. If you want repeat customers maybe be nice .... And smile ... and don't make it look like you are doing me a favor by answering...?! Maybe it's just me

This is the perfect place to settle with a drink and read a book or do some school work. The vibes are chill and the drinks are A++ Setting (5/5): There is a good amount of seating in the cafe, so you'll likely be able to spot a table or bar seat, unless it's the afternoon coffee rush, then it might be a bit more challenging. Either way, good tables and I felt pretty productive here :) Drinks (5/5): I really enjoyed the mocha, the flavor was well-balanced and the latte art was pretty (who doesn't appreciate some latte art). I got a small but it honestly lasted me for quite awhile. Additionally, no tongue burns! I always get a little worried about burning my tongue with hot drinks (with is why I typically go for iced versions) but no worries here-the drinks are at the perfect temperature :))

Grab and go. No seating. Coffee was good. Pastries just OK. No salads or fruit. Very friendly service.