San Franciscans are serious about their coffee. On those afternoons (ok, every afternoon) when all you need is a cold pick-me-up, head to one of these cafes for a deliciously frothy cold brew.
Boba Guys
Mind-bending twists on traditional bubble tea are the claim to fame here, but Boba Guys' contorted take on cold brew is a worthy alternative. Stop by one of their three SF locations for a Coffee Milk Tea, an awaking take on bubble tea with a spike of cold brew. Get the 24-ounce iced coffee with your choice of milk (we're loving the new oat milk), and ask for it at "25% sweetness." // Various locations in SF and South Bay, bobaguys.com
Flywheel Roasters
Cole Valley's Flywheel Roasters may be best known for its spiced-up dirty chai, but the silky smooth cold brew, with hints of chicory and soft wood smoke, is well worth its buzz. Flywheel cold brew is steeped overnight to bring out the full flavor profile of the single-source Brazilian beans. Served in full-size mason jar, one order will cure the midday slump. // 672 Stanyan St. (Cole Valley), flywheelcoffee.com
Foundation Cafe
Homey decor teamed with a modern, urban menu makes Foundation a favorite. Now, the cafe is serving Four Barrel's Nitro Brew, infused with isotopically stable nitrogen. With just the suggestion of cinnamon and nutmeg, you might be convinced to ditch the cream and sugar altogether. // 335 Kearny St. (Nob Hill), foundationcafesf.com
Saint Frank Coffee
Saint Frank Coffee is home to one of the city's foremost glasses of cold brew. To elevate your iced caffeinated concoction, ask one of the knowledgeable baristas for their suggestions on house-made milk. // 2340 Polk St. (Russian Hill), saintfrankcoffee.com
Mazarine Coffee
Mazarine Coffee's Market Street location is prime real estate for FiDi denizens looking to sponsor their caffeine addiction. To kick your 3pm slump, indulge in the Nitro Cold Brew from Costa Rican single-origin beans. Each pour is steeped for 24-hours and pumped with nitrogen to bring out a creamy, velvety head that makes each sip taste like it's illegal for anyone under the drinking age. // 720 Market St. (FiDi), mazarinecoffee.com
Black Sands
Known for its homebrew supplies and homemade beers, this Lower Haight pub also pours equally addictive coffee and espresso until 2pm daily. Served alongside Jane pastries, Black Sands' De La Paz Big City cold brew is rich like one of their ales but with an addictive kick you can't get enough of. // 701 Haight St. (Lower Haight), blacksandsbeer.com
Coffee Bar
Coffee Bar already has a pretty amazing cold brew, but in its riff on the Mexican classic horchata, rice milk and heavy cream come together with Madagascar vanilla syrup, cinnamon, and 24-hour cold brew to create a sweet morning treat. In a rush? You can place an online order any time before 4pm and get your drink to-go. // Various locations, coffeebarsf.com
Stumptown
Portland's Stumptown dispenses the “original" cold brew. Shelved at hipster locales like Bi-Rite or Rainbow Grocery, stock up on the grab-n-go bottle for an essential accessory that exemplifies any Dolores Park outing. With its recent acquisition by Bay Area's own Peet's Coffee & Tea, Stumptown is set to embrace a much wider audience but you can still say you “knew them when …" // Various locations, stumptowncoffee.com
Equator Coffee
Equator partnered with Joyride Coffee to release a nitro cold brew, a smooth and creamy pour made from their Mocha Java Blend. Served at both the Miller Ave. and Mid-Market location, the brew is kegged and served chilled for the techie crowd. On the Tam Junction menu, get Equator's own 12-hour cold brew made with their 5-gallon toddy maker, a perfect way to beat the Mill Valley heat. // 986 Market St. (Mid-Market), equatorcoffees.com/warfield
Reveille
A San Francisco class, Reveille's smooth cold brew packs quite the punch. Don't be surprised if you're bouncing in your seat after slurping it down. // Various locations, reveillecoffee.com
Jane
If you're in the market for a nitrous-blasted caffeine fix, look no further than Jane. Their nitro cold brew packs a powerful caffeine wallop and a thick, Guinness-like texture. // Various locations, itsjane.squarespace.com
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This article has been updated since it was originally published in 2015.
