7 Best Cafes in San Francisco

As a premier getaway on the West Coast, San Francisco is home to many of the best cafes in the region. With endless options to explore, the city can be overwhelming to both first-comers and repeat visitors. Let us melt away your worries with this hand-curated list of the best cafes in San Francisco for you to visit and enjoy! Whether you need a morning pick-me-up, casual lunch eatery, or late-night adventure, we have you covered.

Andytown Coffee Roasters

Location: 3629 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116

Chosen as one of the best coffee shops in San Francisco, Andytown Coffee Roasters has been around since 2014. Long lines of doting customers at the original cafe led to the quick opening of the beach cafe variant on Taraval Street. Founded by a barista power couple, Lauren Crabbe and Michael McCrory, the cafe aims to bring exemplary and ethically sourced single-origin beans to the Outer Sunset district. Along with its delicious coffee, the cafe famously serves food with an Irish-inspired twist. Options include scones with house-made jams, wheaten bread, and soda farl.

Toast Eatery

Location: 1748 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94131

Have a family full of breakfast enthusiasts craving potato, egg, and batter? The best breakfast cafe in San Francisco title, as chosen by San Francisco Times, belongs to the Noe Valley location of Toast Eatery. The expansive menu covers all of the classics including omelets, buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, and more. Though the cafe can have a wait on the weekends, which is normal for many of the best cafes in San Francisco, the quality of the breakfast is well worth the wait. With options for both outdoor and indoor seating, you can be sure to enjoy both the experience and the food.

The Mill

Location: 736 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

A combination of Josey Baker Bread and Four Barrel Coffee, The Mill is a collaboration that creates some of the best sourdough bread available in San Francisco. Daily hand-milled flour forms the base of all the fantastic bread choices. Josey Baker, appropriately named owner, has long strived to blend wild yeast and whole grains in the best way possible; a decade of experience has him shining in a city full of exemplary bread.

Jina Bakes

Location: 446 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Bakery lovers who are feeling adventurous should look no further than Jina Bakes. Tucked away in Japan Center Malls, the French-Korean cafe serves truly unique pastries and drinks. Proprietor Jina Kim rocketed to bakery stardom by being the first person to marry the classic croissant with Korean kalbijjim short rib stew. However, the cafe started as a humble pop-up, the audacious blending of savory, sweet, and spicy in a pastry allowed for the permanent storefront to open in the fall of 2021. On top of short rib stuffed croissants, you can enjoy matcha butter mochi, black sesame and hojicha cream puffs, or an injeolmi (rice cake) croissant. Wash down any of the excellent selections with an Einspanner or Honeycomb Toffee Latte.

Fiddle Fig Cafe

790 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Studying for long hours can be no fun, but you will have a hard time feeling down among the lush, green jungle that is the interior of Fiddle Fig Cafe. Our choice for the best cafe to study in San Francisco, the cafe’s interior is bright and cozy with an astonishing number of plants woven into every nook and cranny. The space fulfills all three staples of a great study spot: ample seating, wifi, and outlets. Whether you need a snack, a full meal, or a stream of caffeine to keep you going, the cafe’s wide selection of pastries, acai bowls, sandwiches, and classic espresso offerings will help you whip out a paper in no time. When the studying is done, a short walk down to the San Francisco waterfront rewards you for a hard day’s work.

The Plant Cafe Organic

2335 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

If you are looking for a healthy and refreshing meal, The Plant Cafe Organic is one of the best cafes in San Francisco for locally grown, organic options. The cafe comes highly awarded and was voted Bay Area’s most sustainable restaurant by The Nature Conservancy. Since the cafe’s inception, founder Matthew Guelke has made it his mission to prioritize sourcing 100% organic ingredients that are both delicious and eco-friendly.

With a blend of contemporary Californian and Asian-inspired flavors, 100% organic options are available for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike! Bowls, sandwiches, and salads provide filling options, but lighter fare in the form of juices and smoothies is on the menu as well. What’s not to love about amazing food that also treats your body well? For a unique twist, pop in on Fridays from 6 - 9 pm when the cafe reinvents its menu to host a Tapas night.

Daily Driver

2535 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

The recent rise in work-from-home jobs makes coworking spaces more important than ever before. Daily Driver is the perfect spot to get a break from your desk, whether in your home or office. The interior design makes it one of the best cafes to work in San Francisco. The 2,700 square-foot mezzanine includes an entire second floor that works equally well for quietly answering emails or having a meeting. Beyond being an ideal coworking space, Daily Driver is renowned in the city for their hand-rolled and wood-fired bagels. The attached creamery, the first of its kind in San Francisco, churns out exquisite butter and cream cheese. Combine all of the offerings for a bagel experience that rivals even the mythical New York bagels.

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