Golden Goat Coffee — Restaurant in San Francisco

I came unprepared (with no info except for the great rating), and I didn't expect Golden Goat to be what it was and where it was: a tiny hole-in-the-wall type situation around the corner from a gas station on a cute and out of sight street. Heard a lot of great things about this place, so I thought it'd be a big and bustling business. Instead, it's a tiny and charming cafe. I was surprised at the constant flow of traffic in and out, and many of the visitors seem to be regulars. For good reason. Liv and Scott are great baristas and know this place and its products inside and out.

It is very small and seating is limited with two small benches outside. I imagine on a cold and windy day, customers will be packed inside like a can of sardines just to get some of the stuff they're brewing. I do not particularly love coffee, as caffeine is just as easily accessible to me from a can or four of Red Bull, but even I think it would be worth it to brave the SF weather to get out here.

They offer a selection of (I think local) fresh pastries, with gluten free and other such options. They recommended some sort of cappucino with goat milk... don't know what else was in it, I just listened to whatever they recommended. But just trust them. My cap was good and Liv, who is very friendly and very skilled, topped it off with some great latte art. You can also get your pastries warmed, and enjoy quickly before SF winds blow them ice cold. She will make sure you have everything you need and have you walking out the cafe much happier than you were before.

I also picked up a bag of beans from an Aussie owned roaster. Scott told me what was best for brewing method and ground the beans for me. If you think you have the best method of making your cuppa, you should probably forget about it and come to this guy. He knows his coffee and almost definitely knows what's best for yours. From someone who also works as a barista... I spend a decent portion of the time not knowing what the hell I'm actually talking about... but this guy is the real deal and cares for what he's making and selling.

I don't make it my business to go to SF often, but I might do it for GG. Highly recommend to come to here to escape the hustle of daily San Francisco life and have a sweet bite of delight, a coffee that hits just right, and a chat with some of the best...

Can I give ten stars? Golden Goat is my favorite coffee shop in the city and it changes the way I think of a coffee shop. It's a place that gives me joy and a sense of community.

Golden Goat makes excellent coffee (and has great pastries to accompany it). And better yet, this little shop serves and connects people. Kevin and Andrew take great care of everyone that stops by, chatting with new customers like an old neighbor and remembering regulars' drinks and stories. Kevin, the master behind the bar, is meticulous about the art of coffee making, and there is no doubt he genuinely loves making coffee for people and connecting them. This place exudes warmth, congeniality and the positive social energy that we crave, I even get to meet and befriend some other regulars here.

If you are looking for a coffee shop to work on your laptop without much distraction, obviously this is not the place. But if you think coffee time is when one slows down and appreciates the good things in life with friends, as the Swedes do in “fika”, Golden Goat is your dream come true. There is no other coffee shop that feels so...

An excellent place to get some coffee! Here's the tl;dr: DEFINITELY go here to get your coffee fix if you're in the area.

Let me start with the coffee and service: I walked up, asked for a dark roast (my favorite) but they had none. They asked me what notes I liked and I described my favorites - and they found just the right flavor for me based on that. They were very nice, actually listened, and delivered exactly what I wanted. I felt quite at home and happy with my drink.

I then sat outside - it's nice to people watch with customers, work on my academic articles, and just hang out. It's a frequented place but off the beaten path so you get some nice atmosphere going. Seating is very limited though. I got to make friends with a couple who shared my bench.

They also have a nice sticker!

Now, Google took me here through 2nd street but the alley Golden Goat is located from there starts with a placard saying 'do not pee' and it didn't seem like a coffee shop would be at the end of it (very industrial-looking) - just fyi. You can also come from 3rd street though - which might be more...