Blue Bottle opened their Mint Plazz cafe in January of 2008, in the rear of the elgant 1912 Provident Loan Building in downtown San Francisco. In stark contrast to the old limestone-clad Mint just across the street, they loaded their shop with the prettiest, most delicate gear: Ther is a five-light siphon bar, manufactured by the lucky 9. Cremas company of Japan; a vintage San Marco lever espresso machine, built sometime in the late 1970s; and a Kyoto-style iced coffee apparatus, which produces a delicate, refined and fragrant cold-brewed coffee.
The historic venture started on the night of November the 10th in 1952. Jack Koeppler, then-owner of the Buena Vista, challenged international travel writer Stanton Delaplane to help re-create a highly touted "Irish Coffee" served at Shannon Airport in Ireland. Intrigued, Stan Accepted Jack’s invitation, and the pair began to experiment immediately. History Smishstory ... get yourself down to The Buena Vista for the best Irish Coffee this side of Ireland. It's in the Wharf neighborhood, so take the trolly.
As the first Espresso coffee house on the West Coast in 1956, Caffe Trieste has been serving up optimum quality Espresso coffee and fabulous music for well over a half century in San Francisco. The historic flagship location in North Beach hosts poets, writers, composers and artists, all enjoying the some the finest coffee in San Francisco and the World.
The Fairmont San Francisco’s Caffé Cento, recently named one of the country’s Best Hotel Coffee Bars by Huffington Post, now also serves beer and wine daily from 10:00am-6:00pm. Wines and beers are local blends and brews. Go and experience a great cup of joe on top of Nob Hill, take the trolly while you're at it.
Everyone loves a donut, but Sara Spearin's confections are well above average. At Dynamo Donut + Coffee, Spearin takes her years in the kitchens of some of San Francisco's top restaurants (Foreign Cinema, Liberty Cafe, Stars, Postrio) to create flavor pairings you'd be more likely to find in artisinal pastries than in the humble donut.
When you visit Mario's, you feel all the rich history of North Beach. Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store founded by Mario Crismani and his wife, Liliana has all the wonderful ambiance of North Beach packed into one little Cafe.
Their oven baked Focaccia Sandwiches are to die for. The meatball sandwich - so much more spectacular than its name - is a culinary treat.
Sightglass is an independent, sibling-owned coffee company in San Francisco. To us, a good craftsperson works tirelessly to perfect and deliver excellence. The best creations are the ones that are made by hand and Sightglass, coffee is our hands-on craft.
Can you figure out that website? We can't, but if you can weather the hipster scorn the toast will blow you away. People go nuts for the coconuts. Walk down to Ocean Beach and enjoy your java by the surf.