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5 SF Cafe’s Perfect for Unwinding and Relaxation 

6 mins read

April is an exciting month for two reasons: Spring is finally here and it is National Stress Awareness Month. As summer approaches, many people are prone to experiencing burnout in their lives with either work or school. April is the ideal time to remind ourselves to stop and smell the spring flowers or enjoy a nice cup of coffee at a nearby cafe. 

Cafes in San Francisco are the best places to bring a dose of joy or happiness to anyone’s day. Visit these five must-try coffee shops in San Francisco if you are looking to unwind and feel at ease this month.

Karma Cafe

Karma Cafe is a must-visit in San Francisco. They offer a rotating menu of specialty items and lattes that match in accordance with national holidays like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, etc. This cafe is located near the Panhandle and Haight and Ashbury, so it definitely has a hippie and vibrant energy. One of the things that make Karma Cafe stand out amongst all other cafes in San Francisco is that the cafe very much reflects the community. For example, there is a wall of their customers’ dog portraits and the servers are incredibly friendly, for they go the extra mile to make their establishment feel like home. The menu has lots to offer from coffee to teas to smoothies to fresh juices to breakfast essentials to sandwiches and even pastries. Karma Cafe is truly a wonderful place that will brighten anyone’s day.   

Location: 1901 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The Social Study

The Social Study is a comfy coffee and wine lounge located in the Fillmore District. This cafe is special for many reasons, but most importantly for the great atmosphere. During the day, it is a great place to study and at night it transforms into a party lounge with fun music and drinks. The establishment has a cute library decor with books adorning the walls and large tables to choose from to hang out with friends, study, or read. The food and drinks are affordable, and the bar is always having different happy hour specials throughout the week and on weekends as well. 

Location: 1795 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94115

Stable Cafe

Stable Cafe is a homey coffee spot located in the Mission District. This cafe is the real gem of San Francisco known for its ambiance that is lovely for studying, working, or catching up with friends. They offer a plethora of seating with both gorgeous upstairs and downstairs outdoor choices. There are seating options inside as well if you need a quiet space to focus. The outdoor seating is delightful with the string lights decor, succulents, and the outdoor fireplace. The menu is all-inclusive with vegan and gluten-free alternatives for every meal listed. Also, the coffee is delicious with a variety of coffee art to choose from. Stable Cafe is a relaxing establishment that leaves you looking forward to your next visit.  

Location: 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Sightglass Coffee

Sightglass Coffee is a staple in the San Francisco coffee shop scene. The coffee is fresh and not too sweet, but powerful enough to give you just what you’re looking for. They also offer pastries and desserts like croissants, cookies, and danishes, among many others. The ambiance of the establishment is like no other coffee shop where it is a lovely space to catch up with friends or even study. Sightglass is incredibly spacious, so there are ample tables and seats to choose from. Natural light pours in through every window which adds to the calming and chill vibe of the coffee spot. The industrial decor is inspiring if you want to get work done. However, the only con is there is no WiFi offered. This is the perfect place for reading, studying, or even people-watching on your own or with a couple of friends. 

Location: 270 7th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

Automat

Automat is a restaurant and bakeshop that has a little bit of everything to offer. If you are looking for a spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Automat has got you covered. They have an extensive menu with so many options to choose from, but the customer favorites are their sandwiches and salads. The coffee is notable as well because their lattes and cappuccinos are served with coffee art which is always a nice treat to see. While the prices are on the more expensive end, they serve pretty hefty portions that will definitely fill you up. The ambiance at the Automat is super quirky with vibrant splashes of color spaced throughout the establishment paired with neutral tones. In the mornings or evenings, Automat is great for a chill atmosphere to study for an exam or send a quick email and have a pleasant meal.  

Location: 1801 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94115 

Erin Brown

Erin is currently a senior at the University of San Francisco. She is an LA native, but absolutely adores the Bay Area and all the wonderful foods and restaurants it has to offer. She enjoys writing and learning about new organizations and businesses within the city.