Now that we’re halfway through fall semester and have more or less settled into our routines here at school, I’m sure many of us are getting the itch to explore beyond the Berkeley bubble. Maybe you’ve exhausted all the cafes and libraries within a 5-mile radius and need a new study spot. Maybe you and your friends are struggling to get your weekend plans out of the group chat. Whatever your dilemma, San Francisco is just a fare-free BART ride away with a plethora of cafes to meet your needs!
Tadaima SF
Not only do Tadaima’s drinks and small bites make the perfect Instagram story, but they’re actually delicious. I personally enjoy its matcha latte with either strawberry or pistachio cream and its musubi with unagi, avocado, spam and egg. They also serve hojicha and jasmine tea, as well as a variety of sandos and onigiri. The Mission District location is particularly convenient; if you continue down the block, you’ll find plenty of places to shop, and it’s just a 10-minute walk to Mission Dolores Park. It’s a great way to start a day in SF or take a break from a busy itinerary.
Kiss of Matcha
Kiss of Matcha has locations in some of SF’s most popular areas: near Golden Gate Park, the Presidio and Chinatown. If you prefer sweeter matchas with a good cream top, then Kiss of Matcha might just be the place for you. You can even get matcha soft serve for dessert if you want something a little more special. Its menu is pretty expansive, as it also serves coffee, croffles and wagashi. If you’re going with a group, there will be something for everyone!
Paper Son Coffee
If you prefer a specialty take on your coffee, consider a stop at Paper Son Coffee. The coffee shop is known for its Asian-inspired flavors, including its pandan aerocano coffee and matcha passionfruit soda. Its downtown location also is home to the bakery Tano, so you can grab a pastry or salt bread in addition to your drink. Everything from its sesame toffee chocolate chip cookie to its ube salt bread looks Instagram-worthy — so make sure that the camera eats first!
Capital One Café
If you just want a new place to lock in and are looking for a quick, straightforward getaway to SF, look no further than Capital One Café. With three floors and plenty of seating and natural light, you’re guaranteed to finish that essay that’s taken you weeks, or finally attempt that practice exam. As a bonus, Origin Lab Coffee & Matcha is just a few steps away if you want more options for drinks — it makes a mean banana cream cloud.
Fiddle Fig Cafe & Coffee
This one is more of a hidden gem, and it’s an optimal study location. Alongside its coffee menu — which includes orange blossom lattes, coconut macadamia lattes and pumpkin cold foam cold brews — Fiddle Fig Cafe & Coffee serves a variety of food: açai bowls, avocado toast, burritos, sandwiches, waffles and pastries. The interior design is unique too, with plenty of plants, making it the best place to study and touch grass at the same time.
Sightglass Coffee
While Sightglass Coffee has a location in Berkeley, its store on Seventh Street in SoMA looks like an experience in its own right. The coffee shop offers tastings every Friday, which can be the perfect pick-me-up activity after classes. It also has unique flavors such as the brown butter miso caramel latte and the coconut espresso cloud. The more industrial interior lends itself nicely to a productive study session, but it can also double as a great place to catch up with friends who might be working in SF.
The Birdcage SF
A cafe, art gallery and souvenir store in one, The Birdcage SF is a must-visit, especially if you’re in the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood. It frequently hosts pop-ups and events, and you can keep up with its upcoming exhibitions on its Instagram. On top of all that, if you’re an artist, you can even submit your own art pieces to be featured in its shows. How cool is that?!
Whether you’re looking for a new cafe study spot, aesthetic drinks and small bites or just a change in scenery, there are plenty of cafes in SF that can meet those needs. Plus, with our fare-free access to BART, the world is your oyster … or coffee cup!