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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Loved by locals

Coffee and ice cream in San Francisco

Made for those who believe a double-shot espresso is the only acceptable palate cleanser for a scoop of cold cream.

Based on 641 Opinions
+638
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Updated April 2026
01
Legends Café & Creamery image 1
Legends Café & Creamery image 2
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New York City charm fills the space with a vibrant, welcoming vibe enhanced by awesome music and a striking mural of legends. The café draws a late-night crowd seeking exceptional shawarma and homemade ice cream waffles, creating a lively yet cozy atmosphere until 1 am.

Vanilla Cappuccino stands out as a highlight with rich flavor. Nutella latte offers a unique twist. Coffee beans are flavored and roasted to enhance taste.

Homemade handmade ice cream waffles stand out alongside the Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae. The milkshakes and ice cream sundaes come with a friendly service vibe.

People are saying

"I found the shawarma, especially the rib-eye, to be excellent."

"I loved the awesome coffee and perfect latte here."

"I'd return just for this amazing Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae."

Good to know

1

The café is open until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

2

Legends Café & Creamery accepts credit cards for payment.

3

Expect a great late-night counter service experience.

02
Mellis Cafe image 1

Small cafe with outdoor seating and cozy atmosphere offers a friendly vibe that shifts from bustling mornings to homey evenings. Arabic pop music plays softly in the background, enhancing the welcoming environment. Few tables outside provide a quiet spot to enjoy flavorful coffee and sandwiches.

Coffee here stands out for its excellent espresso and variety of brews like Americanos and Cappuccinos. It pairs well with fresh bagels and sandwiches, making it a solid spot for morning or late night coffee.

Fresh and satisfying, the ice cream comes alongside no frills desserts and treats. People enjoy the good cakes and varied sweet options including sandwiches and pastries.

People are saying

"I found the coffee here to be amazing and flavorful."

"I found the bagels here to be fresh and delicious."

"The ice cream here is so fast and friendly."

Good to know

1

Mellis Cafe opens at 5:00 a.m. and stays open until midnight.

2

Expect reasonable prices for sandwiches and breakfast items.

3

Mellis Cafe is ideal for quick breakfast and coffee options.

03
Maruwu Seicha - SF Japantown image 1

Small shop with minimalist decor featuring wood panels and dark green highlights creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Busy with a steady flow, it offers outdoor seating and a kiosk for quick orders. Known for award-winning matcha and creamy soft serve, it draws a crowd despite higher prices.

Matcha and espresso blend stands out in drinks like the Matcha Dark espresso and dirty matcha latte. Options include taro, sesame, lattes, and americanos, with some drinks like the honeycomb latte offering less satisfying flavors.

Soft serve matcha ice cream offers an intense and rich flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. Ube ice cream delivers a robust and mind-blowing taste, while the texture stays creamy and silky, avoiding any watered-down feel.

People are saying

"I thought the matcha here was really good and creamy."

"I thought the matcha soft serve was amazing and earthy."

"The matcha here is so smooth and rich."

Good to know

1

Ordering at the register is much faster than using the self-service iPad.

2

Expect long wait times, especially during peak hours.

3

Prices are on the high side, with matcha lattes costing nearly $8.

04
Koolfi Creamery and Cafe image 1

Ice cream shop offers Indian-inspired flavors with dosa-flavored cones and unique kulfi varieties. Outdoor seating creates a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where people talk and joke comfortably. Tastings help visitors explore an extensive, inventive menu.

Options include South Indian filter coffee with a bit of a kick and masala chai. Coffee and tea resemble homemade flavors, with some drinks like the affogato tending to cool quickly.

Unique ice cream flavors include Malai Koolfi and jackfruit with tropical fruit from Kerala. Vegan sorbets are light and not too sweet, and dosa-flavored cones pair well with the ice cream.

People are saying

"The ice cream here is delicious with unique Indian-inspired flavors."

"The desserts here have a delicious Indian twist, like the Mysore Pak."

"The South Indian filter coffee here has a nice kick."

Good to know

1

Koolfi Creamery offers a rotating selection of unique Indian-inspired ice cream flavors.

2

They cater to dietary restrictions, ensuring options for everyone.

3

Tastings of multiple flavors are available to help you choose.

05
Saluhall SF image 1
Food court

Food court combines open, light-filled design with multiple levels hosting diverse restaurants and bars. Atmosphere stays relaxed and cozy with a refreshing vibe that connects to a nearby retail space. Frequented for local food options and a cooking school, it offers a lively yet chill environment.

Coffee here stands out for its excellent quality and pairs well with fresh bread. The coffee shop offers a varied selection alongside other food and drink options like burgers and vegan dishes.

Soft serve comes in large portions with a vegan option and unlimited toppings. Strawberry sorbet and regular soft serve offer solid flavor choices.

People are saying

"I loved the variety of food options and vendors here."

"The soft serve ice cream here is amazing, with huge portions."

"The coffee here is excellent, rich, and nutty."

Good to know

1

Trivia night happens on Mondays at Saluhall SF.

2

The downstairs area opens at 8 AM for breakfast and coffee.

3

Happy hour runs after 5 PM on Thursdays with specialty drinks.

06
Kiss of Matcha image 1

Small, traditional Japanese-style tea house with a cozy minimalist interior and strong tea aroma. Atmosphere feels warm and calming despite limited seating and occasional crowding. Known for creamy, deeply flavored matcha soft serve that stands out among similar spots.

Offers a variety of matcha espresso lattes with customizable sweetness and ice levels. Also serves blended drinks like smoothies and frappe-chinos alongside sundaes and coffee.

Soft serve features a creamy texture with a deep matcha flavor that matches authentic Japanese ice cream. Vanilla and sesame ice cream options pair well with toppings like boba and Ferrero Rocher.

People are saying

"The matcha soft serve is creamy with a strong, grassy flavor."

"The matcha ice cream has a really strong, concentrated flavor."

"Their matcha soft serve is creamy, not too sweet, and has a strong matcha flavor."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times after 2pm; visit in the morning for shorter waits.

2

They offer a rewards program with $2 ice cream on Tuesdays.

3

Street parking is available, but the area can be busy.

07
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop image 1

Chocolate flows from a central fountain wall surrounded by neat displays of mini chocolates and vintage milling machines. Busy with families and tourists, the atmosphere blends retro style with a historic setting but feels somewhat soulless and commercial. A viewing area offers a glimpse into chocolate-making, while the space remains large enough to avoid crowding.

Espresso meets American standards with decent quality but some coffee tastes burnt. Mocha coffee comes off as just okay rather than impressive.

Offers great ice cream sundaes and chocolate shakes with a flavor that is not too sweet. The ice cream is consistently worth the price and draws a crowd despite parking challenges.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the great selection of high quality chocolate."

"I loved the ice cream; it was delicious."

"The Gold Rush sundae was incredibly delicious."

Good to know

1

Expect a 15-minute wait to order during busy times.

2

The shop closes at 8pm, so arrive well before closing time.

3

Sundaes cost around $15, but they use high-quality ingredients.

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San Francisco, California

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