Photo: Juan P / GoogleThe Best Coffee & Cafés in San Francisco
What is the best coffee & cafés in San Francisco?
By consensus across 3 independent sources, Excelsior Coffee, Saint Frank Coffee, Better Half Coffee lead the coffee & cafés ranking in San Francisco.
How the consensus ranking works →The ranking
Excelsior CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation · SF Standard
Standout espresso shares the counter with ube brownies and donuts from next-door Ube Area, at a neighborhood roaster that hosts latte-art throwdowns and cross-cultural food pop-ups.
Saint Frank CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation · SF Standard
Housemade almond-macadamia milk turns every drink silky at this white-counter, light-wood roaster — order a macchiato and watch a two-ounce pour reveal the barista's skill.
Better Half CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · SF Standard
A weekends-only Russian Hill pop-up turning out exquisite espresso-based drinks worth planning your Saturday morning around.
Caffe TriesteⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
The West Coast's first espresso bar, pouring dark roast since 1956 — crickety chairs, decades-worn floors, and faded murals only add to the charm of this literary North Beach haunt.
Delah Coffee HouseⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
A Yemeni latte strong with cinnamon and cardamom anchors this SoMa coffee house — one of the rare few in the city pouring until 11pm.
Golden Goat CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
The eponymous Golden Goat latte — goat milk and turmeric — leads a rotating cast of ube lattes and orange-cinnamon cappuccinos, tucked down a quiet SoMa alley.
Grand CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
A tiny Mission roaster bursting with communal energy, pouring affordable, well-made espresso beneath a small wall of artful cups hand-decorated by regulars.
Paper SonⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
The frothy pandan aerocano and fizzy Guava Pillow, capped with guava-puree foam, headline the Asian-inspired menu — chase them with a chewy black-sesame chocolate cookie.
Pinhole CoffeeⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
A ridiculously smooth flat white poured against cheery rainbow walls, a colorful mural, and sticker-covered doors makes this pocket-sized Bernal Heights cafe worth the climb.
The Coffee MovementⓘWhere it’s ranked
Eater · Infatuation
Competition-grade baristas pull seasonal lattes — vanilla lavender, ginger spice — and coffee tasting flights while cheerfully interrogating your plans for the rest of the day.
Andytown Coffee RoastersⓘWhere it’s ranked
Infatuation · SF Standard
The Snowy Plover — espresso over sparkling water — is the move at this Irish-inspired roaster, where floor-to-ceiling windows and a TV streaming surf comps and otters keep you lingering.
CoffeeShopⓘWhere it’s ranked
Infatuation · SF Standard
Cold brew and lattes chilled with coffee ice cubes never water down, alongside a well-spiced dirty chai, at this cheerful Bernal Heights corner shop.