I hate giving away my secret favorites in San Francisco, but at some point, readers of this site expect me to disclose the hidden places that have good food or coffee. In this case it’s coffee — Blue Bottle Coffee. You don’t need to get into the long awful queue at the Ferry Building if you know about Cento, a tiny streetside cafe (no tables or chairs) in an alley off Brannan Street. If the weather is good, you can sit outside the building.
Cento
360 Ritch St
(at Brannan St)
San Francisco, CA
About Esme Vos
Yes, I go here twice a day. Coffee is excellent, and the employees and regulars are always friendly.