The Blue Bottle Coffee Company at Linden Street is less cafe and more kiosk, but that shouldn't in any way deter anyone craving a steaming hot cuppa from visiting. The tiny ten-by-ten stand offers customers authentic, organic blends that are sure to send true connoisseurs to true caffeine heaven—be sure to try Freeman's Three African's Blend, or then the Yemen Sana'ani espresso. Sip on a piping hot coffee and watch the world go by at this friendly place.

This shop's main attraction is its roasted gourmet coffee. Featured coffees are brewed daily, providing customers with a great opportunity to taste one of the store's many blends before committing to a pound to take home. The Castro District shop also offers other gourmet edibles such as fine chocolates, pastries, crackers and spreads.

It's about time a coffee house starts thinking about its coffee and not its image. Ritual Coffee Roasters draw the typical Mission hipsters as well as the normal people wanting an even, smooth and delicious cup of coffee. The beans hail from Portland's famous Stumptown Coffee Roasters and any espresso connoisseur would know that it's simply worth the trip to taste the uniqueness. Pastries include reasonably priced mini chocolate cakes, vegan oatmeal raisin cookies and banana bread. The baristas are consistent in their work and the art changes monthly. With so many coffee houses in San Francisco, it's nice to know there's at least one gem buried in the Mission. Free Wi-fi.

This bright, airy and lush restaurant features a breakfast buffet with enough food to satisfy even the hungriest eaters. It is open throughout the day and features an enjoyable afternoon tea menu for all the ladies in your quilting circle and poker matches. Tea, sandwiches, scones, tarts and pastries are served in such a lovely display that Queen Elizabeth herself would be pleased. The court's ceiling is made of glass, allowing for warm sunlight to filter through, feeding both the plants and the patrons with healthy Vitamin D rays. The quality of the service and food are both superb. American favorites are featured in this bright spot that attracts tourists as well as an older, more conservative local clientele.

Located in Chinatown, this famous tea shop has more than 300 different varieties to choose from and endless variety of tea. The knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff will guide you to the kind that best suits your taste. The different health benefits are also something to keep in mind when you're making your decision. There's a tea for everything- headaches, digestion and weight loss. Free sampling is available to ensure quality and satisfaction. There is also a wide variety of tea accessories like draining trays, serving sets and ceramic tea cup holders.

Trendy and friendly, Tosca Cafe features a classy interior furnished with comfortable and inviting booths. The ambiance is subtle yet elegant, and the decor even more so. To avoid bass vibrations from the Palladium Club beneath the establishment, be sure to come to Tosca early on a weeknight. Relax in the same leather booths once occupied by Francis Ford Coppola and Sam Shepard at this charming and historic cafe. Sip a house coffee made with steamed milk, chocolate, and brandy, as you absorb the beauty of the opera on the jukebox and the antique espresso machine behind the counter. If you need something a little more substantial than a liquid diet, they serve a menu of Italian snacks and dishes.

Nestled in Noe Valley, Lovejoy's Tea Room is full of overstuffed furniture, porcelain bric-a-brac and brimming with charm. The food too is exquisite here. The bread in the finger sandwiches is so fresh that it practically melts in your mouth. The owner serves traditional English tea and makes every customer feel special with her warm welcome. High tea is available in splendid varieties and if you fancy the teapot your Earl Grey came in, it is available for sale.

This is an excellent place to go beyond the tea bag from your local grocer. The establishment itself, a bit formal with its antique furniture in dark wood, marble floors, and an antique tea counter, evokes old China. It is a perfect setting to sample rare teas like the delicate, airy flavor of silver needle white tea, the peachy smokiness of oolong, and the pungent and earthy pu'erh (not for the timid). A tea master can suggest what will suit you best, discuss the finer points of tea production, if you like, and then serve you a superbly brewed pot that you will be encouraged to linger over. There are traditional Chinese tea snacks available, including dim sum, cookies and rice crackers.

Less boisterous than the nearby Beach Chalet and more low-key than the Cliff House halfway up a hill to the north, this is a snug place to sip some java and warm up after a stroll on always windy, usually chilly Ocean Beach. The decor has an appropriately nautical air, perfect for the avid surfers who make this their post-ride hangout. The food, served up by personable types who seem to be surfers themselves when off duty, is the usual mix of sandwiches, soups and pastries, all tasty, none expensive. It is a great place to take a break and enjoy the view of a horizon that goes on forever.