San Francisco and coffee go together like fragrant, freshly ground beans in a high-quality roaster.
With our abundant community of caffeine enthusiasts, many premier coffee companies have established cutting-edge roasteries right in our San Francisco Bay Area, providing flavorful and complex beans and beverages with a consistency we admire and rely on.
See also: Delightful Telescope Coffee Uplifts And Reimagines Classic AAPI Flavors
Below, you’ll meet some of the most talented local coffee roasters who won’t let you down the next time you need an impressively refined pick-me-up.
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1415 Folsom St.; 415-355-1415 / Website
Located in the heart of the vibrant Folsom District, bright and airy Sextant exudes a boldly adventurous spirit that can be tasted right in its deluxe coffee. Founded by first-generation Ethiopian Kinani Ahmed, Sextant specializes in a distinct roasting that carmelizes the beans in order to bring out a subtly rich sweetness, the process of which can all be seen in the shop's cute back area with state-of-the-art equipment.
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1050 Howard St.; 415-641-1024 / Website
As the name suggests, Ritual’s impeccable coffee will have you returning routinely for that daily dose of deliciousness! Founded by talented visionary Eileen Rinaldi, Ritual began in 2005 on Valencia Street with immediate acclaim, now boasting several locations in Napa, the Haight and SFO. Whether you visit the flagship when out exploring the Mission, or want a comforting taste on the go at SFO, Ritual’s emphasis on inclusivity, sustainably sourced and fair trade coffee will have you feeling right at home.
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Various Locations, 3629 Taraval St.; 415-571-8052 / Website
Andytown is a women-owned business founded in 2014 with a roastery primely located in the Outer Sunset. Channeling the serene leisure of the nearby beach, Andytown brings the same casual comfort in its three stores and diverse coffee creations. Whether you want a buzz when out on the beach or crave a cup with a view atop the Salesforce Park, we definitely recommend indulging in the Snowy Plover with whipped cream. It'll feel like you’re drinking Karl the Fog!
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270 7th St.; 415-861-1313 / Website
Sightglass’s roastery is located in SoMa just adjacent to the Design District, with an absolute masterpiece of an interior. The spacious warehouse, complete with high ceilings, makes for the perfect spot to host both a cafe and cutting-edge equipment. It feels like you’ve got a front-row balcony seat to the roasting process. Sightglass was founded in 2009 by brothers Jerad and Justin Morrison simply as a kiosk, but it now boasts various locations in SFMOMA and Divisadero.
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1125 Mariposa St.; 415-780-5424 / Website
Linea’s roastery is delightfully perched atop Potrero Hill, ready to deliver award-winning coffee to the picturesque neighborhood and beyond. Founded by expert barista Andrew Barnett in 2013, Linea can also be found in the Mission, serving up environmentally friendly global coffees that partner with progressive farmers in the fight against climate change.
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375 Valencia St.; 415-896-4289 / Website
Four Barrel was founded by innovative mastermind Jeremy Tooker in 2007 and utilizes a vintage 1957 German roaster to handcraft a coffee that’s unparalleled in both classic taste and technique. Boasting strong partnerships with The Mill and farms in Latin America, Africa and Indonesia, Four Barrel is precisely involved with every step of production to ensure a quality experience, from the single-origin beverages to the carefully curated in-store music.
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162 University Ave., Palo Alto; 831-464-8141 / Website
Verve by co-owners Colby Barr and Ryan O’Donovan once humbly began in a shared sports facility before tremendously expanding to Palo Alto, Market Street, and even Los Angeles and Japan! Verve values its Farmlevel Initiative very highly, which is its Direct-Trade buying model that invests in global coffee communities and the quality of their environments.
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Various Locations / Website
Blue Bottle, whether in the Ferry Building or any of their downtown and Bay Area locations, is constantly overflowing with an adoring crowd, all thanks to James Freeman’s innovative care for maximum quality with an iconic minimalist aesthetic. Aside from the divine espresso creations, the NOLA cold brew is a unique and ever-popular choice, bringing some rich New Orleans chicory to the Bay.
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460 Lincoln Ave #10, San Jose; 408-217-1135 / Website
Chromatic down in the South Bay takes every detail seriously, from carefully sourcing water to produce a legendarily light Scandinavian-style roast to welding its own tables for a barista competition! Such diligence pays off, having won Metro’s best new coffee roaster in 2013 and in 2015, and Thrillist’s top Bay Area coffee company. If you love a bright light roast, Chromatic is a champion that’s worth the drive.
Big thanks to these renowned roasters for consistently caffeinating our community with such care and adoration! Now, explore the cafes in town serving up our favorite iced coffees.
Photography by: Hinterhaus Productions / Getty
