Until the techies’ dream of city-wide WiFi becomes a reality, coffee shops are still the best places to plug in and plug away. Here are seven of our favorite spots for free browsing and good coffee.
Coffee Bar
Perfect cappuccinos aren’t Coffee Bar’s only specialty. Rotating art exhibitions, comfortable custom-made furniture and sweet treats from Patisserie Philippe complete the experience. On sunny days, you can do your “work” on the outdoor patio. 1890 Bryant St., 415-551-8100, coffeebar-usa.com
Caffe Trieste
A North Beach staple for over 50 years, the godfather of Italian espresso has branched out into the East Bay and San Jose. The next step? A possible franchise on the East Coast. You could work here all afternoon, then stay to see one of the musicians that frequently play in the evenings. 601 Vallejo St., 415- 392-6739, caffetrieste.com
Cafe Que Tal
This is the place where busy bees flock. Its unusually quiet and laid-back atmosphere allows for lots of uninterrupted laptop time. Tasty sandwiches, free WiFi, friendly staff and plenty of power outlets—that’s what’s up. 1005 Guerrero St., 415-282-8855
Tazza D’Amore
This is one of the few coffee shops in the Castro with free WiFi; the espresso itself is worth the trip. Everything is reasonably priced, and there’s an outdoor patio for those unusually tepid globally warmed afternoons. 3463 16th St., 415-864-2965
Java Beach Café
Mere feet from the ocean, Java Beach caters to more than just surfers. An eclectic assortment of locals gathers daily for happy hour and chess tournaments. The brand new second location, just a couple miles down the Great Highway and across Sloat from the SF Zoo, caters to the kiddie set. 1396 La Playa St., 415-665-5282, javabeachcafe.com
Sugar Café
Delicious pastries and eye-popping espresso by day, swanky lounge and bar by night. Bring a change of clothes in your laptop bag, and stay for the party after a long day’s work. 679 Sutter St., 415-441-5678, sugarcafesf.com
Café Murano
Pac Heights has more to offer than just gorgeous views. Café Murano is a neighborhood favorite not only because of the comfy theater chairs but also because of the excellent lattes and fresh fruit bowls that fuel an afternoon of work. 1777 Steiner St., 415-771-0888, cafemurano.com
