The cafes I actually go out of my way for, from the beach to the Excelsior. Mostly neighborhood spots with great espresso, plus a couple of late-night options. Picks are drawn from The Infatuation's 2026 SF coffee guide.
Map
Richmond cafe where the baristas actually want to hear about your day. Get a seasonal latte and something light to eat.
The Coffee Movement
Steps from Ocean Beach with floor-to-ceiling windows and strong espresso. Grab a coffee and walk the beach.
Andytown Coffee Roasters
Sleek, minimalist Russian Hill counter with excellent espresso. Try it with their housemade almond macadamia milk.
Saint Frank Coffee
Bright Bernal Heights spot with rainbow walls. Go for the flat white and a seat on the benches along the wall.
Pinhole Coffee
Family-run since 2019 but already a neighborhood staple. Standout espresso drinks and ube brownies and donuts from Ube Area.
Excelsior Coffee
Dark, cave-like Inner Sunset cafe with seriously strong coffee. Order a cortado or a cafe bombon and drink it on the bench out front.
Snowbird Coffee
Yemeni coffee in SoMa, open until 11pm every night with plenty of seating. The late-night coffee stop.
Delah Coffee
North Beach institution since 1956 and the first espresso house on the West Coast. Creaky chairs, open until 10pm.
Caffe Trieste
NoPa spot made for a weekend walk around Alamo Square. Great matcha and housemade syrups like rose cardamom.
Third Wheel Coffee
The only SF cafe specializing in Indonesian coffee. Try the pandan latte with a pineapple tart.
