San Francisco is not Seattle. However, there is something of a coffee "scene" here, with a number of accomplished baristas and roasters in the city. We have our fair share of accomplished Latte artists, and certainly most hipsters know their macchiato from their mocha.
Blue Bottle Coffee, based in Berkeley, has a storefront in Hayes Valley, where one can get coffee, espresso drinks and beans. There's also a small selection of pastries from Miette. Blue Bottle also operates a stand at the Saturday Farmers Market at the Ferry Building.
Ritual Coffee Roasters has a store in the Mission and one in the Dogpatch neighborhood of Potrero Hill. Anecdotal evidence suggests the god-like nature of the baristas there, with many competing in national barista competitions. They have appropriately Olympian demeanors.
Fourbarrel Coffee is a new spot started by a Ritual cofounder, also located in the Mission.
There is Philz Coffee, which has several locations, one in the Castro, one in SoMa (near Mission Bay) and one in the Mission, which has an unbelievable number of roasts available to be turned into coffees. The staff (are they baristas if they don't do espresso drinks?) will mix in the cream and sugar for you on request — a pleasant change from having to fiddle with all that stuff yourself at another counter.
Mr. Espresso is not to be confused with Mr. Coffee. Mr. Espresso is a roaster based in the East Bay. Coffee made with Mr. Espresso beans is served in a number of places in San Francisco, including the legendary Tartine Bakery.
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