Caffe Central

Certified professionals

Locally owned & operated

Came here a few weeks ago because I heard their matcha was really good. I ordered the Velvet Matcha…read moreCloud, and the matcha was strong with just a touch of sweetness. It was well blended, had a great consistency, and tasted like a good-quality matcha. The staff was friendly, and the space was clean with plenty of seating. It does get a little busy, but I could definitely see this being a great spot to study or get some work done!

It took me a while to get back here, but I finally made it. There was a very small line - I waited…read moremaybe 10 minutes at the most. I tried the strawberry Matcha cloud this time and it was so much better than what I got before, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I look forward to going back again and trying some other things! My first experience, there was not the best because my friend got rancid milk in their Matcha, but the the shop contacted me and let me know that they made changes to prevent something like that from happening again. I really respect and appreciate how they handled the situation.

3.1 mi•Polk Gulch, Russian Hill

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Saint Frank Coffee

4.3(1.1k reviews)

Cozy, upscale cafe located in the vibrant Russian Hill neighborhood…read more I went on a Monday afternoon and there was a great crowd there. Lively customers and staff, good vibes! There was a lot of natural light in the coffee shop, definitely a visually-appealing, 'aesthetic' place. I got an iced red tea and it was delicious. The tea was botanical, smooth and fragrant. Amazing experience! Excited to come back and try the coffee and pastries, which looked super fresh.

First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

Order counter and interior seating (from the entrance)

Coffee; Chocolate Banana Muffin

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Black Sesame Kouign-Amann

Flywheel Coffee Roasters

3.9(711 reviews)

0.5 mi•The Haight

Clean inside and out. Local first responders patronize this coffee shop. Their menu is well curated…read moreand simplified. Service is caring, kind, professional, and quick. I had the pumpkin spice bread and large latte. My friends had the hot chocolate and cappuccino. All were on point and delicious.

Rude people. They are bias under the guise of being open-minded. They seem to dislike first…read moreresponders. I noticed that they were super rude to them The staff made eye contact and purposely ignore them until they left. So unprofessional. I sensed the negativity and it gave off such uncomfortable and negative vibes. They certainly are NOT the type of people to welcome all. Be warned. This is not the kind of people and business I will support. Take your money elsewhere to people who are truly kind.

1.5 mi•Alamo Square, NoPa

Macchiato

Matcha Latte

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The Mill

4.0(1.5k reviews)

The Mill has a very industrial look in terms of how the cafe is laid out, and they have plenty of…read moreseating. Their pastries also look delicious! I thought their coffee was not quite as specialty as what I typically get, but they were able to make some modifications for me, which I really appreciated. Both the coffee and pastry I got were really good, but I would personally lean more toward their pastries than their drinks. They're definitely a very hopping spot, too. They had a lot of people coming in, and every time I walked by, they were completely packed. Overall, a cute spot with good pastries and coffee!

Great coffee shop! I had a decaf latte with simple syrup and really enjoyed it! I also highly…read morerecommend the kouign amann! And I love that they allow you to bring your own cup and give a 75 cent discount if you do! They have a lot of seating inside and outside but it's quite a popular place (at least on a Sunday morning!) so it was hard to find an open table. The employees were very friendly and were happy to answer my questions about the various pastries they have.

Two GS/3s and a Little love.

Four Barrel Coffee for sale.

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Elicia & Tim, jovial baristi.

Delah Coffee

4.6(648 reviews)

3.4 mi•SoMa

Cute and cozy spot! It's great place to hang out with friends or do work…read more We had the chai and rose cake - both were tasty. The chai is great for sharing, we comfortably shared a large amongst 4 people. The rose cake is light and moist. Staff were all friendly.

Spent an afternoon at Delah. It's a good place with really nice people. Plenty of table and…read moreseating. A few of them have power outlets nearby, which makes it easy to work. Now, the coffee, it was ok and that's the rub. I went with something unique called the Yemeni Latte and idk if I liked that added masala blend. It might have been a very good coffee otherwise, but I couldn't really tell. They have a cool dessert display and I was tempted to get something. The baklava was fine. OMG, sugar overload, but you know that baklava is, so... :) Had my sugar fix probably for 1 week just from that.

Beehive bread and chai

Fresh croissant.

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Rose milk cake

Kiss Of Matcha

4.3(613 reviews)

1.4 mi•Inner Richmond

I was there! Kiss of Matcha on Clement Street in San Francisco…read more My Yelp Elite friend treated me to my very first Matcha soft serve. Hmm, I don't believe I've ever had matcha soft serve before. It wasn't what I expected. I thought maybe it would be gritty and bitter. It was actually smooth, creamy and had an earthy taste just like green tea. It also had a strikingly pretty green color. It looked too nice to eat. The shop itself is tiny and resembles a Japanese tea house. It has ordering kiosks, a pickup booth, and only four stools along the front window. My friend and I grabbed two stools up against the wall. My stool wobbled a bit. As more customers entered, the shop filled up quickly. I like the place, but it's a bit small. Located nextdoor to See's Candy. Street parking

Yet another TikTok find! I was excited to try Kiss of Matcha since their menu looked so good, but…read moreoverall I thought it was just okay. The matcha unfortunately wasn't very well blended, which is always a little disappointing when matcha is the main event. I also tried the soft serve and liked the flavor, but it wasn't quite as creamy as I would've wanted. The texture was actually a little grainy, which threw me off. There's also no WiFi, so just something to keep in mind if you're hoping to come here and get some work done. That being said, they have a pretty extensive menu with a lot of different drinks and desserts, so I'd be open to coming back and trying something else. Maybe I just didn't order the right things for me!

Matcha Jasmine Latte

Uji Matcha Latte, Matcha Frappe

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Taiyaiki Soft Serve

Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

4.5(267 reviews)

2.6 mi•Outer Sunset

Whoever is running this bookstore's selection is a book curator! They have great taste! A nice mix…read moreof local reads and interesting niche books.

Just loved this charming and delightful spot! Enjoyed a Delicious peqch matcha latte and spiced…read morechocolate donut. Tasteful selection of books and gifts. Lovely aesthetic inside, beautiful garden in the back. Very kid-friendly with several spaces for children to frolic. I saw a sign that they have storytime and a boba book night for older kids- plus more events. Packed on a Saturday morning, parking was a challenge, but worth the effort.

Iced peach matcha (@joeynht)

Ham and cheese croissant (@joeynht)

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Rose Pastry

Oishii Matcha

4.1(199 reviews)

1.4 mi•Castro

This might be my new favorite matcha spot in the city. They use a lot of matcha in the latte and in…read morethe foam, you can adjust sweetness, and they have so many fun drinks on the menu that you will have a hard time choosing. Mango matcha with matcha foam at 50% sweetness was perfect for me. Not so sweet, great mango flavor, and tons of matcha. Will definitely be back to try more!

Decent matcha, sweetness is on the less sweet side and please do not order the black sesame latte…read morewith boba with 0 % sugar. I made a terrible mistake by thinking the boba and the black sesame foam might be sweetened but it came out super unsweetened. I regret not having like 50% sweetness. It honestly tasted like herbal tea. The staff stood behind the counter making drinks so there was no interaction with the staff. The whole shop doesn't have any ambiance at all (they played music) so I recommend getting your order and drink elsewhere.

Hōjicha Latte | $6.95 + 50 cents oat milk (I think the ratio of milk to tea was flipped).

Ube matcha

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Black Sesame Latte and Dirty Matcha

Sweet Glory

4.7(324 reviews)

0.4 mi•Inner Sunset

Very good cakes. My friend bought 4 pieces and shared them at dinner and they were all really good…read more I hope this review helps you better make decisions on selecting what flavors / types of cakes you wanna get. Early grey crepe cake- if you like earl grey tea and crepe cake this would be a strong contestant. The tea flavor was immense and I liked how the layered cream was airy and a bit foamy that makes the earl grey cream the main character of the cake. Passion fruit - really good!! The passion fruit flavor was deep and strong with real seeds in the cream. It has a very slight hint of tangy and a very well done flavor profile! Sesame basque - if you like a creamy basque cheesecake and sesame then this would be wonderful. For me, basque cheesecake usually isn't my go-to as I like something more light and airy, but the black sesame was very rich and tastes almost a bit savory. Flavor profile is a bit neutral and neither too sweet or savory. Pandan sponge cakes- pandan flavor stands out and I love how they use coconut flesh in between the layers. It's pretty creative! There's texture (soft pandan sponge cake + crunchy fresh coconut ) in this cake which is interesting, but when you cut the cake it might fall apart. I would say this cake plays more with texture and creativity and less on the perfecting the taste. Don't get me wrong it's still good! Not sure about service but my friend said she interrogated the staff so that she could select the best cakes for us :) Will Def be back !

This is a great place for sliced cakes, especially if you like Asian inspired flavors. They have a…read morereally nice variety of mille crepe cakes and other desserts, with flavors like pandan, matcha, ube, taro and more. I love that you can get individual slices instead of committing to a whole cake, which makes it so easy to try several flavors in one visit. The cakes are really pretty and have so many thin layers that each bite feels light and creamy. This is perfect if you enjoy lighter cakes. I think the Asian flavors are what make Sweet Glory stand out from a lot of other cake spots in the city. There are plenty of familiar flavors, but also combinations that you don't see anywhere else. The space is also surprisingly spacious, with plenty of indoor seating and a cute patio in the back. It's a nice place to sit down with a few slices and take your time. Great dessert spot if you want to try a few different cakes in one visit. The fact that you can order by the slice makes it especially easy to explore the menu without having to choose just one.

2.2 mi•Lower Pacific Heights

Japanese Sesame Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Pandan Coconut Mille Crêpe ($11) + Hōjicha Latte w/ oat milk ($7.50)

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Pandan basque cheesecake ; Lychee rose cooler

Compton's Coffee House

4.6(288 reviews)

Solid vanilla latte. Not too sweet. Very good coffee flavor…read more A couple of my friends ordered the raspberry matcha which was delicious. I'd come back!

Compton's has such a sweet neighborhood vibe! While it attracts a lot of new/weekend visitors, it's…read moredefinitely a neighborhood staple for regulars. The staff are super friendly and are the heart of what makes this place so special. The coffee is always fantastic. I always get a vanilla latte, either iced or hot, and it's always a consistently good cup. I'm also a big fan of their raspberry matcha. They have a seasonal drinks menu that features a few creative and unique styles drinks. I always stop here or walk by on my walks because even if I don't get a drink, the vibe is so uplifting. There are always people and dogs pouring out. It's truly a third space. The other day I saw two women get to chatting because one was knitting and the other stopped to introduce herself and invite her to a craft group. Just adore!!!!

Iced Raspberry Matcha

Earl Grey

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Inside of comptons where you wait for your drink

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Martina M.

295

111

1 year ago

Tried to go here but it requires a UCSF badge to get into the library. Is there any other way in??

Caffe Central - coffee - Updated October 2026

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Beanery

4.1

(386 reviews)

I come from a family of big coffee drinkers and when they say the coffee is good, the coffee is…read moregood. It is so good that it is often made after a meal with our family. The service was great. They give a good recommendations on what blend is best for your flavor profile The ambience is a regular sitdown café.

Wow, I'm impressed. I've been meaning to stop by this cafe for the longest time. The aroma of the…read morefresh roasted coffee beans linger each time I pass by this cafe. I had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of Joe today and loved every sip. Well actually, my first few sips were ultra sweet. I asked the barista if I could add a bit of coffee to counteract the sweetness. She offered to adjust it by either adding more cream and or an espresso shot. I opted for the latter. She was super nice and accommodating. Once she added the shot, it was PERFECT! I'll make sure to note that I'd prefer light sweetness when ordering next time. Now that I discovered my favorite cafe in the neighborhood, I'm super excited to try the rest of the drinks on the menu.

Fifty / Fifty Coffee and Tea

4.1

(520 reviews)

Great tasting drinks!…read more Wished it wasn't +$1 to ask for soy milk or other non-dairy. It's pretty steep considering a lot of places don't charge extra for this.

A cute corner coffee shop with plenty of tables and chairs to lounge or work. I ordered a matcha…read morelatte; it was prepared in a traditional bowl. Great service and fast. Delicious!

Ballast Coffee

4.2

(312 reviews)

Yum! This place is an awesome coffee shop to grab a quick caffeine fix in the neighborhood- they…read moreeven offer a delicious decaf version of their house ube latte which I had to get. It was SO yummy, perfectly creamy and sweetened. Elena helped me at the register and was very sweet. The barista was also friendly. The whole cafe is lined with seating and local artwork. It has a calm, local vibe in here. They also offer an enticing array of fresh pastries. Check them out if you're in West Portal!

Got a beef empanada there and it was alright. Service is a coin flip, you either get someone really…read morefriendly or you get someone that gives you the Gen Z stare. Ambiance is a small cozy coffee shop.

Snowbird Coffee

4.3

(377 reviews)

You know all those jokes about snobby, unfriendly baristas? They all work here but I don't care…read morebecause the coffee is soo good and the baked goods are incredible. I love the interior of the place! It's small, cozy, and quiet - not a place where you can sit and do work, but there are plenty of other options for that! But for great coffee, come here!

I got an espresso…read more It had a creamy texture and a good layer of crema. I tasted cacao bitterness and a tart cherry note. A little more sweetness would have made it perfect. . 4/5

Bello Coffee & Tea

4.1

(430 reviews)

Stumbled upon Bello Coffee on our way to Glen Park and it ended up being such a great find!…read more The interior is super cute and has all these cool coffee mechanics on display. They even have a machine where you can grind your own coffee beans. I got their hazelnut oat latte and it was honestly the best hazelnut latte I've had in the city!! The flavor was so good and memorable that every time I drive by now, I'm tempted to stop in again Definitely adding Bello to my SF coffee rotation!

been seeing this on my maps whenever i commute to work, and i wanted to try it during my last week…read moreat the office! went around 7:45am on a tuesday and it was decently busy. they have a variety of savory breakfast options as well as pastries service was fine, the cashier was friendly but they weren't calling out the orders (at least loud enough). i had to assume that since no one else was grabbing the sandwich that it was mine (the drink had my order on it thankfully). lavender white mocha (8/10): the espresso is strong but smooth, not bitter at all! it balances out well with the lavender flavor that isn't overly bitter/floral. the whipped cream on top is a nice touch too. overall this drink is my ideal levels of creamy and sweet (not TOO sweet but appreciated by a sweet tooth). bacon breakfast sandwich (5/10): heated up, it looks MUCH smaller than what was in the pastry case. english muffin was soft, kinda had to rip at it with my teeth. thought there would be more inside (just bacon and egg). not sure if this was worth the $6.

The Beanery

3.9

(215 reviews)

Love this place! Been coming here for years. My wife has a chai latte and I get plain coffee or…read morecold brew, plus a chocolate croissant. The staff are very kind and personable. I really enjoy when I'm able to come here, get a drink, and say hi to the staff. There is cool coffee machinery inside too which gives it an extra fun and interesting feel. Ive never sat down to drink my coffee but I can tell they have wifi if you need it.

The location and ambiance are great, as it's tucked away from the restaurant row on Irving and off…read morethe beaten path of 9th Ave. This location is smaller than the one on 9th Ave, but it feels more intimate. Unfortunately, the barista was extremely rude and unpleasant. She seemed noticeably friendlier toward customers she knew, especially those who are white, while appearing reluctant to greet or engage with people she didn't know. When we entered the café, my friend had a cup from another café. As soon as we walked in, the barista immediately told me, "You can't bring in outside drinks or food." It took me a moment to understand what she was referring to, since I didn't have anything with me, before realizing she was referring to my friend's empty cup. I explained that my friend intends to order a drink as well. Instead of simply acknowledging that, the barista repeated, "Well, are you ordering a drink to go? Because you can't bring outside drinks here." My friend heard the exchange, threw away her empty cup, and then stood in line to order with me. The interaction felt unnecessarily confrontational, especially given that the cup was empty and my friend was planning to purchase something. A simple, polite reminder about the cafe's policy would have been enough. It's a shame because I really like the location and cozy atmosphere. Unfortunately, the unpleasant customer service made the experience much less enjoyable than it could have been.

Earth Tone Cafe

4.3

(120 reviews)

Thought this was a really good place!…read more Drinks were good, service was friendly. Most importantly, drinks were not overly sweet! Thai kafe coffee - good flavor, not sweet, but kind of unique Chocolate mint - tastes like an Andes candy, loved it. Also really loved the flowers pressed on the cup. Such a cute touch

Walking through the neighborhood enjoying the warm weather when we came across the cafe. It's a…read moresmall cafe and the interior is quite charming with just a few tables and chairs. Love banana coffees so ordered the Banana Thai Kaffe Latte. Cute presentation with a flower sprig taped to the side of the cup. The coffee itself was good, not bitter, and just sweet enough. The banana flavor was subtle - probably would've liked it to be a bit stronger in flavor. Otherwise, it was a good iced coffee.

Pixlcat Coffee

3.7

(240 reviews)

Pixlcat Coffee did not miss and the black sesame latte is proof…read more I got the black sesame latte and it was seriously delicious -- the balance was spot on. The black sesame flavor came through in the most subtle, nuanced way without overpowering anything, and the coffee still delivered that punch you need from a latte. It's the kind of drink that feels thoughtfully crafted rather than just trendy, and that makes all the difference. If you're a fan of unique flavors done well, the black sesame latte needs to be on your order. Pixlcat Coffee, I'll be back for more!

We were looking to get our caffeine fix and was curious about dopo panna lattes so settled with…read morepixlcat. I liked that they have the option to adjust the amount of whipped cream as well as ice. We also got a classic box of 3 piece mochi. To go bag designs are cute! My sesame doppo latte had a strong nutty black sesame taste but sadly couldn't taste the espresso even though I opted for an extra shot. I did also get the large cup size but compared to the other 2 large size drinks in my order, it was smaller? I was able to try the mint chocolate doppo latte with an extra espresso shot and it reminded me of a Girl Scout thin mint cookie! Too bad also couldn't taste the coffee aspect though which was what we were looking for.However the iced latte with an extra shot was strong in coffee taste. Seems like their flavored specialty doppo lattes tend to be lighter in coffee taste and heavier in the specialty flavor. Luckily the mochi cupcakes did not disappoint! Of the 3, we enjoyed the classic butter mochi and the black sesame. I don't think the matcha one needed the extra frosting on top because without it, the cupcake still did have the matcha taste. Overall, mochi was not too sweet and had a good little chew

Charm Coffee

4.5

(96 reviews)

This is truthfully my new favorite coffee shop in the city. Latinx-owned, just enough seating to…read morenever feel busy, and great food to match the great drinks. I went on a weekday and was hoping to get some work done. Most of the seats were available when I got there and the staff kindly shared the WiFi. They were overall extremely friendly and just their vibe made me want to go back again. I think a pitfall of a lot of SF coffee shops is the food, but both the drinks and food were superb and just what I needed to kickstart my day. They have unique flavors and seasonal drinks. I'm inspired to make my way through the menu! PS if you're a transit girly like me, this is right along the K line!

San Francisco is full of coffee shops and there is so many different ones throughout the city…read moreneighborhoods offering their own brand of charm. You can go for blocks in SF and find hardly any coffee shops and then go to certain neighborhoods where there are more than one coffee shop within a block. There is one located on Ocean ( not salty one ) Avenue in SF which has its own charm with drinks and pastries and it is called Charm Coffee. On a Summer stroll where rain drops fall and the sun comes out after I landed on Ocean ( not the beach) avenue. Inside Charm Coffee you will see a menu with toast and jam and grilled cheese like some in SF but you will also find avocado toast and cheesy quesadillas. They also matcha for Don Juan de la Matcha. I got the iced mocha which had a smooth taste and it was refreshing. I then I got the butter croissant which was flakey like some I seen on my social feed in SF. This place is a good place to make a pit stop on Ocean avenue. There is a "place" away from the "rat race" in SF which is a coffee shop with its own flavor and "taste" with a slower "pace" The weather is unpredictable in the Summer you better cover your "arm"and also be "alarm"if it rains you can go to a place to get organic coffee straight out a Latin American "coffee farm" and the place is on Ocean not the salty beach in SF but the avenue and it's called " Charm"

Henry's House of Coffee - Cafe

4.3

(543 reviews)