Sightglass Coffee — Restaurant in San Francisco

Sightglass Coffee is one of the first cafes I visited after moving to SF several years ago. To this day, it's still one of my favorite places to get coffee, or lattes, to be exact. Their pastries are quite good and they do offer a wide selection, from sweet to savory options (e.g., croissants, scones, pastelitos, empanadas,...).

If you are thinking of ordering some pastries and need a recommendation, I would go for any one of their croissants which are outsourced from Neighbor Bakehouse, a well-known bakery in the city. Just looking at them, you can tell they will be good. I personally think you could skip out on the gluten-free donuts, which are decent but not particularly noteworthy in comparison to some of the other GF donuts I have had before. I have tried the strawberry lemon donut which is apparently one of there more popular flavors, which tastes lightly of strawberry, and chocolate espresso donut, which tastes of chocolate.

This particular location, in SOMA, is unique because they have a gas coffee roaster which they use to roast their coffee beans throughout the day. It's also probably one of the more spacious cafes in the city, with two stories available to the public.

Note: The first floor of Sightglass is typically cool and shaded and has a number of seats surrounding the roaster. If you are interested in taking a look at the coffee roasting process, I would definitely recommend grabbing a seat there. The second floor also has a number of seats, as well as a private space for Sightglass employees. On sunnier days, this floor does get pretty hot. I felt using "warm" would be an understatement. Also, there is no wifi at this location. However, do not let that stop you from enjoying yourself. Bring a book or a friend.

I would definitely recommend checking Sightglass Coffee out...

Okay, Sight Glass coffee isn't cheap coffee. But that's exactly why you came here. Good, smooth, flavorful expression to satisfy your senses I have to say today's visit did exactly that with a cappuccino. My cup was one of those experiences not requiring anything but just what was served. Coming from a raw sugar lover that says much. It all starts with an excellent roast. Certainly smelled great this morning. The rest is the skill of the barristo, who this visit was Matt. You made great cup today and I will be walking back down in a moment for more. Thanks Matt!

Also taken was a pistachio croissant with blackberry paste filling. Much better than expected. A sort of risk on my part since I am a self-avowed croissant snob. While not a perfect filled affair, it was tasty and well worth the price paid .

Total for the cappuccino and pastry was $10.33. Not cheap. Every bit fulfilled the value you might expect.

Sight glass sells as well. You'll probably take a pound or two when you leave. :)

As for the location it can be described as warm open warehouse look and feel with plenty of counter and table space for meeting family and friends. Lots of windows and roof skylights let in the sun to give it a bright look augmenting the soft hanging lights. Iron work and wood every where you see. Tri-levels with a wide open view from front to back. The perfect ambiance for coffee roasting coffeehouse experience.

If you love a great coffee experience Sight Glass is one of the Must-Go places in...

Sightglass Coffee: A Stylish Blend of Rustic & Industrial in the Heart of SF

Sightglass Coffee is one of San Francisco’s most iconic specialty coffee shops, and I recently had the chance to visit it with colleagues and my supervisor. Although I couldn’t fully relax and enjoy the coffee due to the work setting, the space itself left a strong impression.

The cafe features a unique blend of rustic farmhouse and industrial aesthetics. As you enter the first floor, you’re greeted by the visible coffee packaging and roasting operation — it’s open to the public and integrated directly into the customer area, making the production process part of the experience.

The building uses a central skylight for natural lighting, and the loft-style second-floor seating is housed under a cozy cabin-style wooden roof. The warm wooden textures and exposed structures give off a vibe reminiscent of a Western saloon, with a modern twist. When we visited on a weekday afternoon, the cafe was nearly full — a clear sign of its popularity among both locals and tourists.

I ordered a matcha coffee, a relatively uncommon combination of earthy matcha and bold espresso. Unfortunately, since I was with colleagues in a work context, I didn’t get to savor it the way I would’ve liked — that’s my only regret. Next time, I’ll definitely come alone, grab a window seat, and fully enjoy both the coffee and the carefully...