Left: Espresso with Milk from HI NRG
Right: Cafe de Olla (cinnamon cappuccino) from HI NRG
Cardamom Bun by Vinegary Personality from HI NRG
Cardamom Bun by Vinegary Personality from HI NRG
In my year of living in San Francisco, I've had the pleasure of trying many new-to-me coffee shops. Here are a few I would recommend.
After perusing the Clement Street Farmers' Market on Sundays, I've stopped by the HI NRG pop-up at High Treason, a wine bar in the Inner Richmond, a handful of times. Located on Clement between 5th and 6th, this pop-up has a succinct, thoughtful menu that features coffee prepared in a few ways as well as an interesting specialty drink. I've tried the Espresso with Milk, Cafe de Olla, and the Blueberry Bomb, all of which were dynamic in flavor and prepared perfectly. Additionally, they've partnered with Vinegary Personality in offering equally interesting baked goods. So far, I've really enjoyed the Cardamom Bun (pictured above) as well as a cheesy, flaky biscuit. While it can be hard to find your go-to espresso spots when you're new in town, I'm glad to know that HI NRG will always serve interesting drinks that my coffee industry friends approve of. I will be visiting again soon.
Vinegary Personality: Instagram
Location: High Treason, 443 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 2pm
Left: Decaf Cappuccino from Andytown Coffee Roasters
Right: Lavender Latte and Cappuccino from fifty/fifty
Next, there's Andytown Coffee Roasters with a few locations throughout the city. I've only visited a couple times, most recently at the Taraval roastery at 40th in the Outer Sunset in late March. While on a long bike ride exploring the area, I stopped by for a Decaf Cappuccino, which was well-made and served by a nice, informative barista. Next time I'm in the area, I will be sure to stop by this beautiful location for a drink.
Andytown Coffee Roasters
3016 Taraval St., San Francisco, CA 94116
Open: Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm
Fifty/fifty is more of a hole-in-the-wall spot located on Geary and Spruce, on the flip side of the University of San Francisco's Lone Mountain campus. They serve a variety of classic and specialty coffee and tea drinks. On this trip last November, I ordered a Lavender Latte, while my dining companion enjoyed his Cappuccino. This is a great place to catch up on reading or meet a friend, while sipping a well-made caffeinated beverage.
Left: Lavender Latte from Home Coffee Roasters
Right: Cappuccino from Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
Home Coffee Roasters has a couple locations and is known for adding color to their coffee and matcha drinks. I stopped by the Chinatown location on Grant and Pine last September, where I enjoyed a Lavender Latte with a bear design in the foamy milk. It was a treat. Next time I would order one of the bright drinks that have made them popular.
Home Coffee Roasters
455 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 4pm
I stopped by Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters, another subtle spot on Union and Steiner in Cow Hollow, to catch up with an old friend last April. I enjoyed my well-prepared Cappuccino and appreciated that we could find a nice place to slow down on a busy weekend.
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