Discover San Francisco’s best coffee shops for parents and kids.
In a city known for its coffee shop culture, San Francisco has a little something for everyone. With places offering pour-overs, nitro cold brew, and lattes for days, you can certainly stay caffeinated here! With the kids in tow, however, it’s hard to know where to go. Coffee shops with no seating, a line around the block, or a sea of laptops aren’t exactly perfect for a relaxing family outing.
Luckily, the Golden City is chock-full of spots that are particularly welcoming to parents, nannies, and sitters with kiddies in tow. These coffee shops include everything from play areas to parklets, and from babycinos to storytimes. And most importantly, every one of them features amazing coffee for sleepy parents on the hunt for a pick-me-up.
Start exploring the local family-friendly scene with these 10 coffee shops, perfect for when you need a laid back place to sip some caffeine while the kids play.
Pinhole Coffee
Address: 231 Cortland Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 415-364-8257
Kids will be instantly charmed by this funky neighborhood coffee shop. From the brightly colored walls to the whimsical murals, the playful interior immediately creates a warm, kid-friendly vibe.
Pinhole Coffee serves pour-overs, espressos, iced coffees, and more. They always feature beans from local roasters Verve and Linea, as well as a #pinholepourover — a third coffee option that changes every two months so you can always try something new.
A few standouts on the menu are the iced shaken coffee — a creamy caffeine explosion — and the fizzy nitro cold brew. Kids can enjoy hot chocolate, chocolate milk, or a steamed milk kiduccino.
Pinhole feels like a community gathering space, complete with local events, artists, musicians, and families. A peek at their Instagram shows how much they value their littlest customers, with plenty of cute kid pics and an insistence that new employees “love coffee, hospitality, and babies.”
Philz Coffee
Address: 4298 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94114
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Phone: 415-817-1510
Philz features a rare and glorious coffee-shop find: a play area! With plenty of books and toys available, kids can stay busy while you unwind with a classic Philz coffee and a local pastry. Hot days call for iced mint mojito coffees, spiked with fresh mint, while foggy afternoons are best paired with a rich mocha tesora.
There’s a little bit of outdoor seating, but if you want an outdoor coffee experience, Noe Courts Park is right next door. This popular park includes a playground, as well as tennis and basketball courts, and plenty of space for a coffee picnic!
Arizmendi Bakery
Address: 1331 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 415-566-3117
Looking to soak up a little midday sun? Arizmendi has a lovely parklet right outside with plenty of seating. The cozy interior usually has tables and chairs available, and it’s a laid-back place to enjoy lunch or a coffee break.
Arizmendi specializes in baked goods and pizza, but they also offer strong caffeinated and decaf coffees. The pizza-by-the-slice here is legendary, and the toppings change daily. You will definitely want to check out their website before you go to find out what’s on the menu that day.
If you’re looking for a luscious breakfast or a sweet bite to go with your coffee, the freshly baked scones, muffins, and cookies are divine. The bakery also includes vegan and gluten-free options. In fact, the vegan mint chocolate chip cookies and the gluten-free ricciarelli, a sweet almond cookie, are two of Arizmendi’s best desserts.
This location is just a short walk from Golden Gate Park and a short drive to Ocean Beach. On Sundays, the Inner Sunset Farmers’ Market pops up right across the street, too.
Bernie’s
Address: 3966 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94114
Hours: Monday – Friday, 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 415-642-1192
Between Charlie’s Corner, Folio Books, and Noe Valley/Sally Brun Library, Bernie’s is in the epicenter of weekday storytime events for kids. If you need a pre-storytime pick-me-up, you’ll feel right at home at Bernie’s, where the staff is friendly, the coffee is strong, and there are always plenty of families around. The surprisingly large interior includes lots of tables, so it’s easy to get a seat. There are a few outdoor benches if you need some fresh air, as well.
Cinderella Bakery and Cafe
Address: 436 Balboa St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 415-751-9690
Cinderella Bakery and Cafe is a smorgasbord of authentic Russian sweets. Chocolate-covered hazelnut cookies sit beside bright cherry strudels. Decadent honey cakes and glistening pastries wink from behind a glass case. And what goes well with a plate full of sweets? A strong cup of Ritual coffee! Before diving into dessert, try one of Cinderella’s hearty lunch options, such as their fresh piroshki.
Cinderella Bakery and Cafe is a hallmark of the Inner Richmond area and has been part of the community for 50 years. Since there are always plenty of parents and children enjoying coffees and cookies, you’ll definitely feel right at home here. All of the seating is outdoors, so skip this spot on a rainy day.
Cafe St. Jorge
Address: 3438 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Saturday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 415-814-2028
Stumptown fan? You’re in luck! Cafe St. Jorge serves Stumptown favorites Holler Mountain and Hair Bender, as well as Stumptown cold brew on tap. If that doesn’t wake you up, you can add a shot of espresso to any of their sweet, healthy smoothies, like the Almond Joy or the Cocoa Almond Bliss.
The menu features plenty of great Portuguese snacks and a wildly kid-friendly array of treats, including perfectly-crisped grilled cheese sandwiches and a whole menu of gorgeous toasts. There’s gluten-free toast, sandwich, and pastry options, and the menu also includes vegan treats. Are your little eaters feeling adventurous? Have them try “The Goose Is Loose” — a grilled cheese sandwich with ham and banana.
The interior of this Portuguese cafe feels like a dreamy vacation house on the Mediterranean — the perfect place to hang out when you need a mini-vacation midday. A play area is available so kids can chill out with books and toys.
Ritual Coffee Roasters at Flora Grubb
Address: 1634 Jerrold Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 415-694-6448
Nestled in a sea of plants and flowers, this tiny stand serves the legendary Ritual coffee that you know and love. Mix up your typical coffee order and try out a Cherry Bomb (a fizzy cherry and cold brew concoction), or skip the caffeine and grab a fresh bottle of Moose Juice. They also have a few cookies and pastries to round out the menu, too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEM7dpPwDd4/
Since the coffee shop is smack dab in the midst of the Flora Grubb garden store, you can sip your espresso at an outdoor table surrounded by lush greenery. Kids are definitely welcome, and there are always plenty of families enjoying the garden store. Little ones will love the open spaces and paths through towering plants and flowers. Take the kids on a mini-nature walk while you enjoy a much needed caffeine fix.
Rigolo Cafe
Address: 3465 California St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 415-876-7777
New Kids Play Area at Rigolo Café! Perfect for moms to enjoy meal & glass of wine while the kids play. #SFKids #KidsPlayArea #SFKidFriendly pic.twitter.com/XbgovpDHPg
— Rigolo Café (@RigoloCafe) May 24, 2017
Sun-soaked and bright inside, this cafe includes plenty of seating, as well as delicious brunch and lunch menus. The interior and cuisine are meant to evoke a Parisian cafe, inspired by the owner’s childhood in France.
Kids are welcome and now have a new play area to enjoy. Rigolo is the perfect place to relax and grab lunch. Enjoy classic French fare, like a crisp Croque Monsieur or a hearty Nicoise salad dressed in a champagne vinaigrette. There are plenty of salads and classic brunch menu options, as well as an entree of the day. Kids will love the pommes frites, sandwiches, and burgers.
HOME
Address: 1222 Noriega St., San Francisco, CA 94122
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 415-742-0038
Welcome to toast heaven! If you’re looking for a menu of snacks that you and the kids will both love, check out HOME’s assortment of toasts, topped with everything from a fried egg to Lucky Charms.
The coffee is not only delicious, but gorgeous, too. In fact, HOME Cafe is known for its incredible latte art! The doodles include a bunch of fun edible illustrations, from crossword puzzles to smiling cats on your foam. There are plenty of hot chocolate options for kids that are similarly inventive, with oversize marshmallows and unique flavor combinations.
The staff is warm and friendly, and tables are plentiful. Get here a bit earlier in the day to make sure you snag a seat, because this is also a popular hangout spot for local college students.
Precita Park Cafe
Address: 500 Precita Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
Hours: Monday, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Tuesday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 415-647-7702
Having some post-park hunger pangs? Precita Park Cafe, across the street from Precita Park, has got you covered! The menu is full of hearty, healthy lunch options, as well as organic juices and smoothies. Its proximity to the park means there are always lots of kids and families enjoying a pre- or post-park coffee and snack.
Precita Park Cafe serves both Equator and Sightglass coffee, Thai iced teas, fresh squeezed lemonades, and hot apple ciders. Kids and parents can both find a drink they like. Looking for a sweet treat? The dessert menu includes roasted banana splits, hazelnut ice cream pie, and Mitchell’s ice cream by the scoop.
