San Francisco: 4 Spots for Coffee & Pastries

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you know that I tend to collect cafes/coffee/bakeries when I go on trips (like my cafe collecting in Montreal). I always love trying places like these in cities because they often are full of locals and easily showcase the vibe and pulse of the city you’re in. San Francisco did not disappoint with these 4 relaxed, delicious, and cool coffee shops and bakeries.

Ritual Coffee Roasters – Every coffee roaster and shop has it’s unique take on its brew, and Ritual was my favorite coffee we had during our trip. Plus, who wouldn’t want to hang out in such a cool place? There’s several locations throughout the city, so make a stop sometime.

Favorite: mocha latte with soy milk

Ritual Coffee Roasters, San Francisco, CA
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Ritual Coffee Roasters, San Francisco, CA
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Ritual Coffee Roasters, San Francisco, CA
Ritual Coffee Roasters

b. Patisserie – WOW is one of the words I would use to describe this place. The head baker/part owner was a pastry chef for a few michelin star restaurants and the baking technique here is impeccable. However, it doesn’t feel like a place you need to be “on the list” for, which is part of its charm – friendly and delicious. I had never had a kouign amann before, and now I don’t know if I’ll have one better.

Favorite: kouign aman

b. Patisserie, San Francisco, CA
b. Patisserie
b. Patisserie, San Francisco, CA
Top to bottom: almond croissant, kouign aman, and pain suisse (croissant with a sweet filling and chocolate chips)
b. Patisserie, San Francisco, CA
b. Patisserie
b. Patisserie, San Francisco, CA
b. Patisserie

Philz Coffee – Locals love this place (though there are also locations in LA and DC). Their drink menu is huge and you can customize a lot. I played it pretty simple and ordered almond milk mochas – one hot, one iced – which were tasty and cheaper than heading to a Starbucks.

Favorite: Iced mocha

Philz Coffee, San Francisco, CA
Philz
Philz Coffee, San Francisco, CA
Philz Coffee

Mr Holmes Bakehouse – An Instagram sensation thanks to their adorable neon sign, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse now has multiple locations in California and one in Seoul! This is a place for some non-traditional flavors in traditional pastries, like their matcha dipped croissants. Their rotating flavors of “cruffins” are what they’re most known for – flavor of the day was coconut when I went. These are a great alternative to a cupcake, in my opinion.

Favorites: Matcha croissant and cheesecake creme brulee danish

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, San Francisco, CA
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, San Francisco, CA
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, San Francisco, CA
Box includes: coconut cruffin, cheesecake creme brulee danish, matcha dipped croissant and a banana almond chai danish

Next time – a couple we didn’t have time to try that will be a priority on the next trip to San Francisco!

Arsicault – I was really bummed we didn’t get to try this place out. It’s a French bakery and their menu is small, which from my experience means they focus on getting everything perfect. This will be on the list for the next trip definitely!

Blue Bottle Coffee – we were near Blue Bottle a couple different times but never had the chance to go in. I’d love to try this place out at one of its several locations (including DC, New York, and Miami!)

Any others in San Francisco you’d add to this list? There didn’t seem to be a shortage of options! What are your favorites?

Lydia Jane


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