San Francisco Coffeehouses

Café Abir

1300 Fulton Street (at Divisadero Street) (415) 567-7654

Always packed to the gills, this Western Addition coffee lovers institution boasts one of the strongest house brews in town (I know people who literally swear by it). It’s mildly battered, wood-heavy, and entirely cozy confines make it a great place to sit and study, catch up with friends, or read magazines (the café boasts an incredible selection of rags from all over the world at the adjoining newsstand). In addition to coffee and all the usual coffee spin-offs (espressos, café lattes, etc), the Café also boasts a great selection of domestic and imported beer on tap (happy hour is from 3pm to 7pm daily), as well as pastries, cookies, salads, and mini-pizzas. Outdoor seating is available on days when the sun shines…

San Francisco Coffeehouses: Café Flore

2298 Market Street (at Noe Street) (415) 621-8579 Official Website: Café Flore

The epicenter of gay daytime social life in the Castro, Café Flore is perhaps the cruisiest place in all of San Francisco—you walk in for a cup of joe and no matter how bad or good you look, a million sets of eyes are immediately upon you. Don’t let that scare you off though, for this is an incredibly fun and friendly place to get your wakeup buzz on, or have a full and hearty meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served, and all are delectable). The café opened in its incredibly centralized location in 1973 and was an instant success for a variety of reasons, one of the chief ones being the fact that it offered ample outdoor seating in a neighborhood where people watching could be considered a sport. Flore has won the coveted title of Best Coffeehouse in San Francisco by the SF Bay Guardian on numerous occasions, and has been featured in such glossies as Elle and Wired. “Go in for an espresso, walk out with a phone number,” is one of my friend’s taglines for this Café, so if you’re in the mood to meet someone…

Café Trieste

609 Vallejo Street (at Columbus Avenue) (415) 392-67396 Official Website: Café Trieste

Legendary, richly historic North Beach Italian coffeehouse is where many of the most famous beat writers woke up after long, long nights of partying. The café has been in operation since the 1950s, and boasts the distinction of being the first place on the west coast where espresso got brewed and served. The spirit of the once-bohemian neighborhood lives on in Trieste—go there on any day and see crusty, bearded old men in paint-splattered clothing smoking imported cigarettes and philosophizing over matters big and small. The coffee here is strong and rich, and you can expect a bit of a wait in line in the morning and at lunchtime. Snacks like pastries and cookies are available, as are sandwiches, and if you like the coffee you drink here (most do), you can now order it online for home delivery through their official website!

Blue Danube Coffeehouse

306 Clement Street (at 4th Avenue) (415) 221-9041

While Clement Avenue is best known for its ridiculously extensive array of acclaimed Asian restaurants, it also boasts one of the best San Francisco coffeehouses in the city. The Blue Danube has the look and feel of your parent’s basement rec room—old, worn-down couches and kitschy, outdated artwork are yours to relax in while kicking back with a good book and a potent cappuccino. In addition to a full coffee menu, the Danube also offers breakfast and lunch items like chicken wraps and spinach salads, as well as a king’s selection of pastries and sweets. If coffee ain’t your thing, luxuriate in the expansive selection of beer and original cocktails. This is a great spot to unwind in after a shopping trip to nearby Green Apple Books.

San Francisco Coffeehouses: Momi Toby’s Revolutionary Café

528 Laguna Street (at Linden Street) (415) 626-1508

Sleepy, adorable Hayes Valley coffee mainstay is a great spot to hit if you’re a telecommuter working on a laptop, or a grad student cramming for finals—the music on the speakers and the conversations swirling around you never, ever get too noisy. Service is attentive and fast, and if you order something off the lunch/dinner menu, it comes out quick (I recommend the macaroni and cheese). Getting a table here can be difficult (most only seat two people), but if you see someone occupying a table all by him/herself, don’t feel shy about asking to share the space—most people who come here are regulars, and most are very friendly. On a cold day, Toby’s maroon walls and hot brews can make you feel as if you’re nestled inside a wool afghan blanket…

Ritual Coffee Roasters

1026 Valencia Street (between 21st and 22nd Streets) (415) 641-1024 Official Website: Ritual Coffee Roasters

Politically minded (but not pretentiously so) coffeehouse offers fair trade and organic coffee to its many happy customers. And why are the customers so happy? Maybe it’s because Ritual individually roasts and brews each cup of coffee it serves—you won’t be served a mug of flat joe that’s been sitting in a carafe for ages. This is massive, quiet space with high ceilings—the three times I’ve been here have been akin to a visit to the library (and that’s a good thing!). If you’re looking for a coffeehouse to begin work in on the next great American novel, look no further. A small selection of treats is available, some of which cater to vegan lifestyles.