San Francisco

Asian Art Museum

Built in 1917 as the city's public library building, this building is a fantastic blend of "Beaux Arts" and modern design elements. It was designed by renowned architect Gae Aulenti (architect of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris). Inside, you'll find many interesting architectural details including the grand staircase, loggia, vaulted ceilings, the great hall, stone floors, period light fixtures, an oddly interminable escalator, and inscriptions. The museum is one of the largest and newest museums of Oriental art. It has circa 15,000 artifacts covering 6,000 years of Asian history. The Asian Art Museum hosts many special exhibits as well. The cafe on premises also has some decent food, though pricier and somewhat more tame than better places a short walk away.

Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM (with extended evening hours every Thu until 9PM); closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day · Free first Sunday of every month, $15 adults, $10 seniors/students/youth ages 13-17, free for children 12 and under/military/SFUSD students. Th evenings at a reduced rate ($10) after 5PM. Special exhibitions cost extra · Wheelchair accessible

Ferry Building

A historic ferry terminal which survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and had 100,000 people pass through it every day before the bridges were built. It was renovated several years ago and now it's a great example of Bay Area "foodie" culture. Inside you'll find little shops selling artisanal bread (Acme), cheese (Cowgirl), chocolate (e.g., Recchiuti, Ghiradelli, Scharffen Berger, etc.), slow-drip coffee (Blue Bottle), and so on. There's even a stand selling vegan donuts! There are also a few excellent little restaurants and specialty markets as well as a large farmers market out front (Tuesdays and Saturdays year-round and on Thursday evenings in the summer). Together with its surroundings, the Ferry Building is beautiful to see, especially at night (although the shops will be closed at night). It's a popular place to visit for downtown office workers and tourists alike.

Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 07:00-22:00; Su 07:00-22:00 · Wheelchair accessible

The Little Shamrock

The oldest Irish pub in San Francisco. Here you will find free popcorn for patrons, a few TVs tuned into all manner of sports, eclectic but cozy furniture, a shelf full of games at the back, and a fireplace. With very kind bartenders (and regulars), the Little Shamrock feels like a safe cozy den on any weeknight. Due to the fact that it serves Irish Coffee, it's also got coffee all night.

Mon-Thu 3PM-2AM, Fri 2PM-2AM, Sat Sun 1PM-2AM · Wheelchair accessible

Columbus Tower/Sentinel Building

This flatiron (wedge shaped) copper-green building is an unmistakable San Francisco beauty. The "Grateful Dead" once recorded some of their songs there. Today it is owned by movie-director, Francis Ford Copolla. It now has a cafe on its ground floor, where you can grab a coffee whilst admiring its impressive setting, at the foot of North Beach.

Blue Danube

Small coffee shop with good sandwiches and a few sidewalk tables. Paid wi-fi available.

Mon-Thu Sun 7AM-10PM, Fri Sat 7AM-11PM · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Caffe Greco

Probably North Beach's most popular cafe, especially with locals. It has a real European atmosphere and imports its coffee from Italy. Curbside tables add to the ambiance.

Sun-Thu 7AM-11:30PM, Fri-Sat 7AM-midnight · Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

Coffee to the People

A favorite community gathering spot, Coffee to the People serves giant sandwiches, hearty soups, and organic and fair trade coffee and tea. Their croissant breakfast sandwiches are especially popular with locals. The shop is laptop/work friendly, with free wi-fi and almost a dedicated section to people working around notepads and notebooks. The shop has an overtly political theme and decor and is a good spot for people watching.

Mon-Fri 6AM-8PM, Sat Sun 7AM-9PM · Wi-Fi · Vegetarian options

Pier 23 Cafe

Lively and colorful, you can't miss this place on your way down the piers of the Embarcadero. It's part bar, part restaurant, and part cafe — ever popular with locals, it has an outdoor drinking deck.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2AM, Sat 10AM-2AM, Sun 10AM-10PM · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

Pork Store Cafe

Extremely popular breakfast spot. Always a line on the weekends. Very inexpensive and friendly diner atmosphere and food.

Mon-Wed Sat Sun 8AM-4PM, Thu Fri 7AM-4PM · $7-16 · Wheelchair accessible · Vegan options

Crepevine

A laid back California-style eatery with a largely Brazilian staff. Scrambles, omelettes, sandwiches, soups, and, of course, crêpes, fill the chalkboard menu. The chicken vegetable soup is a favorite. Free refills on coffee. No reservations necessary.

Mon-Sat 7:30AM-11PM, Sun 7:30AM-10PM · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Cafe Zoetrope

Owned by the film director Francis Ford Coppola, Zoetrope is an elegant Italian restaurant located in a historic landmark, the Sentinel Building, in the shadow of the Transamerica Pyramid.

Mon-Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM · Outdoor seating

Caffe Trieste

Has become a North Beach landmark. Although a little bit scruffy, it has excellent coffee — certainly one of the best cups of coffee in North Beach, and it's very popular with the locals. One famous local patron was Jack Kerouac and reportedly Francis Ford Copolla wrote part of the Godfather here.

Sun-Thu 6:30AM-11PM, Fri-Sat 6:30AM-midnight · Wi-Fi · Takeaway

Union Street Coffee Roastery

Decent coffee, an excellent location, plenty of seating, and very friendly staff are what attract patrons here.

6:30AM-10PM daily · Wi-Fi

Bohemian Cigar Store

Excellent espresso and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with curbside tables that overlook Washington Square. Its cappuccino is prize-winning.

Mon-Sat 10AM-midnight, Sun 10AM-11PM

Cafe International

Offers net access, live music, food, and a variety of beverages from coffee, tea, beer, wine to fresh squeezed juices. Good desserts.

Wheelchair accessible · Vegetarian options

Cafe Pescatore

A mid-range Italian trattoria that focuses on the staples of Italian food like pasta, pizza, and risottos. It being Fisherman's Wharf, they do have a particular focus on seafood however.

Mon-Thu 7AM-10:30AM, 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sun 7AM-10PM · $14-25

Columbus Cafe

Great bar in a huddle of bars around the intersection of Grant Avenue and Green Street. It draws a lively and predominantly young crowd. It does a two-for-one happy hour on beers and also $3 Fernets. Watch out though, it can get crowded.

Mon-Fri 2PM-2AM, Sat-Sun noon-2AM

Darren's Cafe

Reasonably priced "mom and pop" Vietnamese/breakfast place on the Wharf. They serve Vietnamese dishes, soup, and sandwiches as well as more traditional breakfast options like country potatoes and omelettes. Small but friendly!

Daily 8AM-4:30PM · $6-9

Farm:Table

Very tiny spot with one large "farm table" (thus the name) and limited outdoor seating/standing bars. They serve coffee from nearby Santa Cruz roaster, Verve and have their own delicious sweets and other foods that they make daily. Very popular with the locals.

Mon-Fri 7:30AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-4PM, Sun 9AM-2PM

Pat's Cafe

Charming little cafe serving traditional American fare, with friendly staff and very reasonable prices.

Breakfast and Lunch: 7:30AM-3PM daily, Dinner: Thu-Mon 5:30PM-9PM · $5-10

XoX Truffles

Run by local Chef Jean-Marc Gorce, this teeny-tiny place is more of an award-winning truffle vendor than coffee shop. However, the coffee is fresh and even if you just order a small house-blend for just $1 you'll get a free truffle (worth 75 cents).

Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM

Eagle Cafe

One of the more reasonably priced places to eat on the Wharf. Traditional fare served. Pancakes are a favorite.

7:30AM-9PM daily · $7-30

Buena Vista Cafe

Famous for its Irish Coffee, supposedly the first to serve it in America, and great views over the bay.

Mon-Fri 9AM-2AM, Sat Sun 8AM-2AM · Entrees $9-17

Moulin Rouge Breakfast Cafe

If you can't stomach the line (or the hipster clientele) at Dottie's, the Moulin Rouge Breakfast Cafe around the corner on Geary offers solid grub at much cheaper prices. The elderly couple who run the place are always friendly and never hurry you, and the shabby faux-French decor is weirdly charming despite liberal amounts of duct tape holding the place together.

Mon-Sat 7AM-2PM, Sun 7:30AM-2PM · $3-7

The Grind

Coffee shop with breakfast, lunch, and an amazing array of desserts, pastries, and munchies. Indoor and patio seating.

Mon-Fri 7AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-6PM, Sun 8AM-6PM · $6-10

Grand Cafe

With 30-foot high ceilings supported by pillars, sunken tables, sculptures, and artwork adorning the walls, it's not hard to see that this place was once an elegant ballroom. Today it's an elegant dining room where they serve excellent French cuisine.

Breakfast: Mon-Fri 7AM-10:30AM; Brunch: Sat-Sun 8AM-2:30PM; Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM; Dinner: Sun-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri-Sat 5PM-11PM · $30-100

Ritual Roasters Coffee

Among the best coffee in the city. Organic beans roasted locally, each cup made fresh individually. A large seating area with free wi-fi.

Mon-Fri 6AM-10PM, Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 7AM-9PM

Soluna Cafe and Lounge

Just a stones throw from the performing arts buildings, it's a great place to grab a cappuccino just before the overture.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-10PM, Sat 5PM-10PM

Troya

Turkish/Mediterranean cafe with occasional live music and some outdoor seating.

Mon-Thu 5PM-9:30PM, Fri Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM

Union Square

The most important site is the square itself, which was revamped in 2002 to provide more space for outdoor events and less space for napping homeless people (an earlier version of the square appeared in the film The Conversation). The square now includes a Cafe along with an underground parking garage. For blogging people-watchers, there is free wi-fi provided by the city. Look under the leaves of the greenery in the planters, and you'll find a few power outlets for your laptop.