Specialty Coffee in San Francisco Bay Area

SF Bay Area Coffee Culture

I might have some bias to the San Francisco Bay Area because I grew up there exploring everything from Santa Cruz and Monterey, to San Jose, San Francisco and across the bay. But no bias can deny the fact that the Bay Area is chock full of top tier coffee shops for you to choose from, virtually anywhere you might be, whether that’s one of the big cities or any of the hundreds of towns in between. The Bay Area has something for everyone to enjoy and it will keep you caffeinated and fuelled up with good food no matter why you’re visiting. To learn more about the city and what to do after you’ve had your coffee in the Bay Area, visit the blog for a look behind the scenes.

Best Pour Over Coffee Shops in San Francisco & Bay Area

Verve Coffee Roasters

Verve Coffee Roasters is headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, but I first discovered it as its welcoming Palo Alto coffee shop. The ample public outdoor patio space lent itself naturally to develop a crowd with more of a focus on human interaction and conversation than all-day workers plugged in with headphones on. The knowledgable staff will give a great coffee recommendation for whatever you’re looking for.

What to order: Pour over, Missile

Address: 162 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website
vervecoffee

Saint Frank Coffee

Having grown up in Menlo Park, I have to say, it’s a shame Saint Frank didn’t set up shop by the local train station 20 years earlier. Unassuming with outdoor seating only, it really is the best place to slow down and relax for a few minutes with a well-prepared cup of coffee before or after work before hopping on the next train.

What to order: Pour over or Espresso tonic

Address: 1018 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Website
saintfrankcoffee

Sightlass Coffee

Sightglass knows what they’re doing and this large footprint location makes space for anyone who wants to settle in and enjoy their coffee any time of day and have a great conversation with staff rain or shine. Some truly creative applications and unique drink recipes take the Sightglass menu above and beyond.

What to order: Pour over or Vanilla paste latte

Address: 270 7th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Website
sightglass

Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters

Small and quaint, Wrecking Ball is not necessarily meant for the lounger with tons of available seats, but you can relax while you wait for your coffee order and be on your way. It might seem counter-intuitive to order a slow manual pour over in a coffee shop like this, but you’ll want to buck the quick espresso trend of most citygoers, because they serve it up right here.

What to order: Pour over

Address: 2271 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Website
wreckingballcoffee

1 Oz Coffee

1 oz Coffee sits on a rather busy small city street with limited parking opportunities, but you’ll want to stop in if you’re anywhere in the vicinity of Mountain View because the team at 1 oz is ready to treat you with a phenomenal pour over, or two, if you’re ok with keeping the meter current. Enjoy the usually sunnier weather than you’ll get in SF with a great cup of coffee.

What to order: Pour over

Address: 650 Castro St #130, Mountain View, CA 94041

Website
1oz_coffee