The Coffee Movement (Nob Hill)
Coffee is a contentious subject, even amongst the most seasoned of enthusiasts. Especially in a large city like San Francisco, many coffee shops and cafes boast their unique value proposition, whether that be the atmosphere, drink quality, or some other factor. And while certain establishments may be able to get away with less-desirable drinks in place of trendy aesthetics or gimmicks (no shade, Starbucks), cafes should, in my opinion, focus on the actual coffee being sold as its core identity. The Coffee Movement in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood is a testament to truly excellent coffee and craftsmanship that is found nowhere else in the city.
Located on the literal border between Nob Hill and Chinatown, The Coffee Movement is an inconspicuous little shop that always has lines out the door every day. This cafe actually holds a special place on this website as I lived directly across the street from it during one of my summer internships in college. The owner of the store invited us over for coffee the day we moved in on a rainy May morning, and the rest is history.
The original VW bus can still be seen outside the shop (out of frame to the right of the picture).
Interestingly enough, the coffee shop that stands today was not always its original location. The idea was founded in a 1969 VW van before they could acquire their current storefront. The coffee shop, while small, draws in those who are truly passionate about coffee, and are also “in the know”. While this might sound pretentious, it is not meant to be. It is a true local establishment that any true San Francisco coffee enthusiast will recommend, and the love for this place is well-earned.
I myself am not a huge coffee drinker. However, I will never turn down an opportunity to make a visit here when I’m in the area. Their entire approach to coffee is to focus on the quality of the product, and that is apparent even in the ethos of the shop’s interior design. The one-story shop is incredibly compact and only has room for the baristas, a wall with various merchandise, and about two to three customers at a time.
Their menu is also simple, carrying only about fifteen or so varieties at any given time. This is to quality control what they serve and to ensure that every item curated on the menu is legitimately crafted to the closest degree of perfection from their standards.
The slow drip, cappuccino, and latte are popular favorites, and their coffee beans have a complex dimension of taste that I have yet to experience anywhere else. While everyone’s tastes differ slightly, I’ve personally found that many of their coffees exhibit a fruity, almost orange-like flavor that is subtle and yet vibrant. In fact, they sometimes offer a seasonal, orange-flavored coffee that does exactly this but to a more pronounced degree. While some may not like this flavor profile, it is difficult to find fault in the shop’s quality of product. While I hesitate to say that it is an “exotic” type of coffee as many of their offerings are so straightforward, they have somehow found a way to elevate the experience of the taste of coffee to a new level.
Past customers line the walls of the shop.
When ordering, the baristas are also highly knowledgeable about every cup’s preparation method, flavor profile, and recommendations based on personal taste. They are always kind and attentive to their customers, but also focused on providing the best outcome for their drinks.
Lastly, I believe that the prices at The Coffee Movement are incredibly fair. While many cafes in the city charge almost the price of a small breakfast for a single drink, The Coffee Movement charges only about $3-5 per cup for most items, making this an accessible spot to try amazing coffee.
So whether you are just recently getting into coffee, or have been a caffeine addict for decades, The Coffee Movement in San Francisco is a true icon of the city’s coffee scene, and one that should not be looked over when visiting the area.
*The Coffee Movement now has a second location in the Inner Richmond neighborhood (1737 Balboa Street).
