Lava Java

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.

2.8 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)

0.2 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.

1.1 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)

3.0 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)

3.0 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)

1.1 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)

0.8 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.

1.8 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!!!!

Things to do in San Francisco

Iced Raspberry Matcha

Earl Grey

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Inside of comptons where you wait for your drink

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19 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Rowena G.

17 years ago

This place is phenomenal! My boyfriend and I went there in a Sunday and Monday. Sunday there was a 45 minute wait which seemed pretty long and the hostess didn't tell us it was going to be that long, but I just had to try it. Service was a little slow because there were three servers, but we got the really friendly smiley one. Everything was great . So overall, great food, great price, just be prepared for a wait on the weekends. read more

Guillaume K.

16 years ago

This beautiful shanty of a cafe crafts soothing drinks. Go for their tasty iced coffee or try a Turkey Club Sandwich. The latter takes a bit of getting used to, but it's eye-opening. Like their menu, this spot is small. Luckily there's a park around the corner. Before moving on, high-five the awesomely friendly staff for me, please? Color me curious, but I've got to try their vegan cookies. read more

Dianne W.

16 years ago

I can't choke down most teas, Chai included. I am a coffee girl through and through. So the coffee here at Lava Java is hot, bold and full. Add half and half and this chick is smiling. The food is perfectomundo too. A plain toasted bagel with butter and/or cream cheese will start a perfect day every time. Thanks Lava Java for being the best in our neighborhood. read more

Chad Y.

16 years ago

Me: "Cappuccino please". Barista: " for here?" Me: " to-go if you don't mind" Barista: "we don't mind at all; have a seat and i will bring it to you" (said with a gleaming, eyes engaged smile) Me (in my head): what planet is this that there us a non-pretentious friendly barista AND seating? $3 cappuccino/latte. Bonus--only $0.25 x-tra for soy! read more

mark s.

17 years ago

I really like this place and I always come back! Their coffee is very good and their sandwiches and cakes are very tasty, everything is so fresh! The owner is very nice and always very kind! it makes you feel good when you start your day with a good coffee and brakfast, and lots of friendly smiles. read more

Johnny C.

9 years ago

Great coffee, friendly staff, and a gorgeous outdoor area. This is a great cafe to sit and chat with friends, or enjoy some time to yourself. read more

Alden C.

9 years ago

Lava Java is a charming cafe. Their ginger chai is fantastic and their turkey bacon club was delicious. The staff is also super friendly.

Jasmine V.

6 years ago

I tired an iced dirty Chi latte, delicious. Subs and wraps are pretty bomb too! Only one lady working so be patient :-) CASH ONLY! read more

Moses J.

845

212

15 years ago

I liked this place well enough. The coffee is pretty good and the shop is in an excellent location. And the service was great.

Giancarlo P.

9 years ago

Good coffee,helpful staff, and a gorgeous outdoor area. Nice little neighborhood spot for a bagel sandwich. Cash only.

M D.

15 years ago

5 stars for ginger chai alone. If you are a chai lover, this is the best chai I have ever had. Spicy and amazing.

Jose E.

2 years ago

I would never go there anymore that way that you had to pay and they ask you a bunch of question

Erika C.

Elite 9

18 years ago

Turkey club! Forget the turkey swiss - it's all about the turkey club!

Fred F.

11 years ago

This place is great. The staff makes you feel like you are at home.

p w.

137

17 years ago

Coffee= Good to above average, Pastries= poor to below average.

Audrey K.

409

175

14 years ago

Really yummy breakfast sandwiches. Super cute owner and staff.

Courtney A.

808

118

15 years ago

Lava Java's Chai tea lattes = Christmas in a cup.

Leela A.

11 years ago

good fast cheap I like this place alot

Thomas H.

281

12 years ago

awesome service

Lava Java - coffee - Updated October 2026

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Stopped by while walking down Haight with some friends! Ordered a vanilla matcha with tiramisu cold…read morefoam, so delicious! I ordered at the kiosk but you can order with an employee as well. Drink came out super quick. Love the pink vibes and they had a few tables you can sit at and people watch out the window. Loved!! Price: $7.50(vanilla matcha) +$1.50 (tiramisu foam) +$1.00 (tip) = $10

Support small biz and BIPOC owned!…read more Wake Cup had the best reviews for tea/boba in the area. And we happened to be in Haight area. We saw all these Gen Z kiddos coming in, so knew it was going to be very aesthetic and popular. The menu grabbed us both, they had all these creative teas from pineapple tea to pistachio latte. I went with an iced matcha which was delicious. Coloring was a bright green, and zero additives just the way I like my 0%. My friend also enjoyed their iced fruit tea. The folks working the barista station also made the food. Looks like they also sell things like wraps and sandos. We kept spying on the other customers that got salads and bowls. Service was so friendly and welcoming. This is a solid spot to people watch and rest your feet while thrifting. They let me bring my calm dog in, who was just happy to have a place to lie down and rest. There's some outdoor tables good for small duo's or solo diners, and more indoor seating for a larger group. It's def a small cafe or grab and go kind of spot. Bathroom is clean for customers only.

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Visited on a Monday afternoon. Ordered the iced chai latte and iced banana cream latte…read more Unfortunately, the chai tasted like straight up milk and the banana cream latte lacked the banana flavor. I went back in to ask if they could add the banana syrup, but I was initially ignored by all 3 baristas and then given attitude by a blonde barista. Not sure what warranted that response but the interaction left a bad impression. There's lots of other cafes nearby so if you're in the area, I'd recommend going elsewhere.

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Hubby & I popped in for a quick bite Sunday at 9am…read more Both indoor and outdoor dining available. We sat indoors as it was an overcast day. Lots of natural light with large picture windows. Ordered- * hubby had a chocolate chip bread pudding - very custardy. I'm assuming the day old croissants were repurposed for the bread pudding. (forgot to take a photo) * I had the turkey & Brie croissant - good combo. * two BLT sandwiches to go - great baguettes. * two cups of hot drip coffee served in glazed ceramic cups. There were plenty of patrons in the hour we were there. Pro tip: ask the staff for the code to access the unisex ADA restroom.

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