Embarcadero Specialty

There are now ten locations strong in the bay area, with cafés in the Ferry Building, Hayes Valley, Heath Ceramics, Market Square, Mint Plaza, and on Sansome. There are two locations in Oakland, on Broadway and Webster St. Perhaps the most groundbreaking of their brews is the chicory-spiked New Orleans cold brew, which comes in a handy single-serving carton. They also make a pretty great granola in-house while the SFMOMA rooftop location is home to Chef Caitlin Freeman’s modern art desserts. Think: a loaf cake made to look like a Mondrian painting and cookies inspired by Richard Serra’s sculptures.

There are locations peppered throughout L.A., NYC, and even Tokyo, but Blue Bottle coffee will forever be synonymous with San Francisco, the city that started it all. Perhaps the most groundbreaking of their brews is the chicory-spiked New Orleans cold brew, which comes in a handy single-serving carton. They also make a pretty great granola in-house while the SFMOMA rooftop location is home to Chef Caitlin Freeman’s modern art desserts. Think: a loaf cake made to look like a Mondrian painting and cookies inspired by Richard Serra’s sculptures.

Humphry Slocombe vs. Bi-Rite Creamery is an ongoing debate between locals. Jake Godby and Sean Vahey—the two dudes behind team Humphry—pride themselves on the time and effort they put into concocting flavors, which run the gamut from Elvis (the fat years) to potato chip to salt & pepper. They’re also bringing back the ice cream cake in a big way. There's also a location in the Mission.

Humphry Slocombe vs. Bi-Rite Creamery is an ongoing debate between locals. Jake Godby and Sean Vahey—the two dudes behind team Humphry—pride themselves on the time and effort they put into concocting flavors, which run the gamut from Elvis (the fat years) to potato chip to salt & pepper. They’re also bringing back the ice cream cake in a big way. There's also a location in the Mission and Mission Bay.

Cowgirl Creamery is the brainchild of Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, ex-hippie chicks with a passion for good food (collectively, they've worked at Chez Panisse and Bette's Oceanview Diner). What's cool about CC's Ferry Building cheese shop is that they spread the love, stocking the best selection of local and international cheeses alongside their own varieties. Their triple cream Mt. Tam is the most famous of the bunch and it's delicious.

Cowgirl Creamery is the brainchild of Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, ex-hippie chicks with a passion for good food (collectively, they've worked at Chez Panisse and Bette's Oceanview Diner). What's cool about CC's Ferry Building cheese shop is that they spread the love, stocking the best selection of local and international cheeses alongside their own varieties. Their triple cream Mt. Tam is the most famous of the bunch and it's delicious.

This gorgeous building right on the Embarcadero houses some of San Francisco's most notable food merchants including Hog Island Oyster Company, Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, and Blue Bottle Coffee. It's the ideal place to bum around on a rainy day and the outdoor farmers market (they set up on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) is not to be missed.

This gorgeous building right on the Embarcadero houses some of San Francisco's most notable food merchants including Hog Island Oyster Company, Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, and Blue Bottle Coffee. It's the ideal place to bum around on rainy day and the outdoor farmers market (they set up on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) is not to be missed.