Settlers of Cafes

Check out the map of all coffee shops that I've been to in SF since I started this blog (around 20 at the moment). You can filter them by score and read the blog entry for them. It is the fastest way to find a suitable coffee shop to work f ro m! Open map of San Francisco's coffee shops.

Initially looked like a fairly small coffee shop. Then I followed the corridor at the back of the front room and found a really nice and cozy room with cushions and also an outdoor seating area. Front Section: Back Section: 1) wifi 10 / 10 It works. 2) seating 10 / 10 You can choose the bench and chairs in either room or even sit outdoors if you don't care about power outlets. The front section is more busy and noisy where as the back section is more cozy and quiet. Cushions were the cherry on the top. 3) power outlets 10 / 10 There are plenty of power outlets in the coffee shop. Unlike many other cafes that only decide between blocking or not blocking the available outlets, they have run power strips around the cafe just in case. 4) vibe: 10 / 10 Its a nice coffee shop with plenty of seating. You can choose the noisier front section or the quieter back section to work. Overall: 10 / 10 Everything at this cafe was perfect. Will definitely go back! They

Trying to cover all of SF, today I rode down to Bernal Heights and tried two cafes. First, cafe 78 which is a typical local cafe. Nothing really stands out and nothing really disappoints. Reasonably priced quick bites and coffee drinks are available. 1) wifi 10 / 10 It works. 2) seating 9 / 10 I have been here a lot and most of the time you can find a seat. 3) power outlets 7 / 10 There are power outlets in the coffee shop. The middle section of the large wooden bench doesn't have outlets though. 4) vibe: 6 / 10 Its a quiet local coffee shop. Overall: 7 / 10 It's a good coffee shop overall. You wouldn't regret working there, though you may not remember it either.

Another Starbucks review. It is kind of hard to avoid them! They are everywhere. Being on Pier 1 makes this a good spot for working. You can take short walks on the sea front. 1) wifi 8 / 10 It works. Sometimes laggy for streaming. 2) seating 8 / 10 There are enough seats for around 20 people inside and given the busy area, they are taken in the peak hours (evenings and mornings). However you will find a spot to sit after a few minutes. There is a lot of outdoor seating too which I tend to avoid as sun light doesn't work well with a monitor and there are no power outlets outside. 3) power outlets 7 / 10 There are power outlets on the large bench and some on the other corner. 4) vibe: 8 / 10 Its your typical Starbucks vibe. Perfectly fine to work here. Overall: 8 / 10 There is not much to say about a Starbucks. The picture says it all. If you are a Starbucks fan, this location is perfect as it is close to the water.

This Starbucks is in heart of the action, FiDi. So I was skeptical about its seating area and space. It is very common for coffee shops in this area to be packed and not have power outlets. Contrary to my expectations, this Starbucks had relatively more benches and chairs and had power outlets. So I ended up having a great workday! 1) wifi 10 / 10 It is a Starbucks. 2) seating 6 / 10 There is enough seating for around 16 people. The coffee shop was pretty much full during the day. Given the location, I can see it get full. Checkout the pictures. 3) power outlets 9 / 10 There are power outlets in the coffee shop where ever you sit. The real question is whether you can find a seat. 4) vibe: 6 / 10 It is a typical Starbucks with a mix of people working on their laptops and people taking a coffee break. I sat there for around 4 hours during which multiple groups were looking for chairs to sit but couldn't find any. So that made me feel a bit bad about myself

It was a hot sunny day today in SF. So we decided to take the ferry to Sausalito to enjoy the nice weather in a calmer atmosphere by the water. While there, why not squeeze in an hour or two of work at a coffeeshop? Firehouse is the perfect cafe in Sausalito for that! 1) wifi 10 / 10 It works. 2) seating 9 / 10 There are some standard tables and chairs, some couches and a bigger table for work. I have been here only a few times and it has never been too crowded. You will find a good spot to sit with your laptop regardless of what you prefer. 3) power outlets 9 / 10 There are power outlets in the coffeeshop. 4) vibe: 8 / 10 Its a quiet coffeeshop that melds well with Sausalito's vibe. You are in for treat here. Nice decoration, good coffee and mellow background music. Overall: 9 / 10 If you end up in Sausalito looking for a place to sit and work on your laptop for a while, firehouse is the perfect coffeeshop.

Today I checked out Chestnut Street Coffee Roastery. It has a cool decor at the end where they roast the coffee beans. They have coffee and pastries but no proper food or even deli sandwiches. 1) wifi 10 / 10 It works. 2) seating 9 / 10 There are plenty of seats here. 3) power outlets 9 / 10 The walls have power outlets. If you sit along the walls you will be fine, but if you sit in the middle, you probably don't want to plug your charger in as people may tip over the cable. 4) vibe 8 / 10 It is another rather quiet coffeeshop. Customers are a good mix of coffee drinkers and settlers staying longer to work on their laptops. Overall 9 / 10 This is another great coffeeshop to work at.