- Distance: ~1.5 miles
- Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Number of Stops: 5
- Caffeine Level: HIGH
While you may associate North Beach with rich Italian food and a bustling music and bar scene (you are not wrong with those associations), we are also known for having vibrant coffee shops and strong, dark coffee.
Whether you love the atmosphere of the coffee shops that serve it, the bitterness on the palette of the coffee, itself, or simply need the caffeine, we’ve assembled a little tour of some interesting and more caffeinated spots in North Beach.
Step 1
Cafe Trieste
Let’s begin with a morning espresso at Cafe Trieste. A popular coffee spot for nearly 70 years, this is a great place to start our Coffee Crawl.
There is a huge mural on the back wall, pictures of famous (and some infamous) visitors to the cafe hanging on the wall, and there may even be some live music happening. Be sure to check out their jukebox–loaded with opera, Italian classics, and a hefty dose of Frank Sinatra.
The coffee is delicious and the coffee shop is steeped with stories. Urban lore holds that a young, up-and-coming director worked on his manuscript at the tables of Cafe Trieste. That movie was named, “The Godfather.”
Step 2
Caffe Greco
The next stop on this highly-caffeinated adventure takes us to Caffe Greco. It’s right on the sidewalks of Columbus Ave., and they’ve got a wonderful, covered patio and two brightly-lit rooms. They’ve also got delicious grilled panini sandwiches to enjoy with your Greco Grande Cappucino.
If your tour takes you to Cafe Greco in the evening, be sure to order an Affogato–it’s an espresso with a dollop of gelato on top, and it’s one of their house specialties.
Step 3
Graffeo
Not quite a Cafe . . . but, our third location is definitely worth a visit. Graffeo is a specialty Coffee Roaster in North Beach, and they roast some of the finest Dark Roast coffee in the city.
You can smell it as you approach–and, on roasting days, the aroma of coffee is wafting through the air in the neighboring streets. There’s no tasting room here–your stop won’t be long. But, definitely pop in long enough to get a pound of their French Roast coffee for you to enjoy later.
Step 4
XOX Truffles
Now this is where we take a turn into dangerous territory. XOX Truffles is actually a chocolatier . . . who happens to serve coffee. To get the word out about his amazing, hand-made chocolate truffles, he gives you one for free with each coffee drink.
This provides an excellent opportunity to get yourself a nice cappuccino to wash down your truffle, or perhaps a nice truffle to accompany your cappuccino. Regardless of how you package it, it’s worth a stop.
Step 5
Beacon
Our last stop is a relative newcomer to the coffee scene in North Beach. Regardless of their age, Beacon is the place to go if you are a fan of pour-over coffee. They’ve cultivated the experience of getting a custom cup of pour-over coffee brewed specifically for you.
The space inside is Beacon Coffee is small, but it is modern and bright, and they are located right across the street from Joe DiMaggio park and the North Beach branch of the Public Library. It is a nice, convenient space to meet with a friend or business associate.
What’s Next?
While we suspect that you are sufficiently caffeinated from this adventure, if you find yourself feeling energized, we have other Activities listed on the Enjoy page.
Thanks for joining us!