North Beach is home to the first espresso coffee house on the West Coast and one of the first artisanal coffee roasters on the continent. It’s safe to say that coffee and café culture in this historic neighborhood just hits differently—and it’s not because of the caffeine.
“What I love about North Beach, like coffee itself, is that it’s the great uniter," says Aidan Compton, owner of Compton’s Coffee House. “Every culture has their own form of coffee, and you see these cafés here with people sitting outside and inside, just connecting.”
This slice of the city is accustomed to tourists passing through on a quest for Italian food, beatnik lore, and gold rush history, but it's also a regular haunt for locals, both those living in the neighborhood and across town.
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe(Courtesy of @mariosbohemian)
“It is a unique collision point in the city where there is great admiration for great food and culture,” says Walter A. Haas, co-owner of Graffeo Coffee Roasting Company, from which the smell of roasting beans often permeates the neighborhood. While Graffeo isn’t a café itself, it's the institution behind many great cups served across the city—and one of North America’s oldest artisan coffee roasters. A visit to Graffeo will result in two guarantees, according to Haas: “a little bit of their story and the ability to make a better cup of coffee once you get home.”
But in North Beach, what’s even stronger than the brew are the beings behind the beans. “We’ve created a community by genuinely caring about people and listening to them, giving them a cheerful comment along with their order,” says Café Francisco owner, Ziad Abudiab. “I feel that this place is an anchor for them.”
At Hole in the Wall Coffee (HITW), where “the honor system is alive and well,” just "introducing neighbors to neighbors is one of the coolest things [we do]," says founder Nick Floulis.
Those in search of true café culture will find exactly what they're looking for in North Beach: there is a place here for everyone, no matter how you take your coffee.
The morning ritual at Cafe Francisco(Courtesy of @cafe_francisco)
Cafe Francisco
For 31 years, Cafe Francisco has been a cornerside hub for community, culture, and quality food and coffee. It’s the type of place where locals become friends and tourists feel like locals seated outdoors or in the cozy, wood-laden space beneath a rotating local art gallery. Come for a coffee, but stay for the conversation—and maybe a frittata or Mediterranean plate with fresh hummus. //2161 Powell St (San Francisco), cafe-francisco.wa-cafe.com
Caffè Greco
Caffè Greco is the place for a late-night jolt and a bustling international vibe. Open until 11pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, here you might forget you’re not actually in Italy, thanks to a sleek, sophisticated interior and spacious parklet. Greco's award-winning homemade tiramisu, cannoli, and gelato only add to its charm. The café is also prime for people watching and is the total vibe when it comes to gathering and catching up with friends. || 423 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), caffegreco.com
Caffe Trieste
Credited as the first espresso coffee house on the West Coast, Caffe Trieste embodies the artistic spirit of North Beach’s past and present. Open since 1956, stepping inside feels like stepping back into the days of bohemians and beatniks. It’s perfect for people-watching, soaking up North Beach nostalgia or, if you’re lucky, catching some live music. || 601 Vallejo St (San Francisco), caffetrieste.com
Hole in the Wall (HITW) serves up coffee and conversation.(Courtesy @hitwcoffee)
Hole in the Wall (HITW)
Blink and you might miss HITW—and that would be a shame. For the last 12 years, Hole in the Wall has connected the community over coffee and coconuts (yes, really). This casual, quirky spot carved out of seemingly nowhere is unlike any other in the neighborhood, with coffee roasts named after hair colors and enough charm to fuel the whole city. || 524 Union St (San Francisco), hole-in-the-wall-coffee.wa-cafe.com
Caffe Capriccio
You can’t miss Caffe Capriccio's bright red awning. Friendly service, a quaint and cozy environment, indoor and outdoor seating, sneaky-good sandwiches, and cannoli make this quiet café a favorite. || 2200 Mason St (San Francisco), capricciocaffe.com
Beacon Coffee and Pantry
Fairly new by North Beach standards, Beacon is a cozy specialty coffee shop with a lovely aesthetic that also serves a killer avocado toast with a view. || 805 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), beacon-sf.com
Graffeo Coffee Roasting Co. opened in 1935.(Courtesy of @cafeinacao)
Graffeo Coffee Roasting Company
Graffeo has been a vital part of North Beach’s coffee culture since 1935. Open their beautiful heavy doors and step inside to meet masters of their craft—and to bring home a true cup of North Beach coffee. || 735 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), graffeo.com
901 Columbus Café
This casual café and coffee house is a scenic spot for a cup with Lombard Street looming pretty and proud around the corner. Don’t sleep on the zebra mocha. || 901 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), 901columbuscafe.com
Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe
Not a cigar in sight at Mario's (at least, not since 1992) and there's more food than coffee, but this corner cafe on Columbus street is full of Italian charm and an excellent eggplant parmesan. Family-owned and operated since 1971, it’s the perfect place to experience authentic North Beach.|| 566 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), mariosbohemian.com
Cavalli Café has roots in the 1880s.(Courtesy of @415urbanadventures)
Cavalli Café
This cafe began in the 1880s as A. Cavalli Co., a bookstore and Italian print shop. It found its current form in the early 2000s, when it first began encouraging customers to “take the cannoli.” Seating is available upstairs and downstairs, and it’s open until 11 p.m. || 1441 Stockton St (San Francisco), yelp.com
Cafe Angolo
Cafe Angolo is a classy corner café that’s lovely inside and out, with a small menu of savory and sweet items. Like a Cuban-style espresso? This place is for you.|| 501 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), yelp.com
Compton’s Coffee House
The newest pour in the neighborhood, Compton’s is a calm and sleek spot specializing in third-wave coffee, standout customer service, and baked goods. Their veggie scone is not to be missed. It’s the perfect place to post up, plug in, and get some work done—or to simply sit and connect with a friend. || 543 Columbus Ave (San Francisco), comptonscoffeehouse.com
