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Contraband Coffeebar

Contraband Coffeebar

(Now Closed)
Coffee Shop$$$$
Polk Gulch, San Francisco
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    • SF Weekly
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  • Adam F.
    Adam FAugust 2, 2014
    There is a reason this place has been voted best coffee in SF. Service is great and the coffee is tasty and hot! Not many places you can get a flat white but it is on the menu here!
  • Eater
    EaterMarch 30, 2017
    The "Pirates Chai" is a spicy organic matcha green tea chai latte. Order to-go in a rush, or settle in for the mellow vibes at this free Wifi haven with ample light and art-filled walls. Read more
  • Geoff R.heart icon on user image
    Geoff ReinhardtFebruary 26, 2017
    Been here 10+ times
    Great place to do work. Try the spicy matcha chai tea if you're looking for something a little different and delicious.
  • Zachheart icon on user image
    ZachMarch 31, 2015
    Tried both a regular latte and a dark white. Espresso great on both, dark white really doesn't have the chocolate hints you would expect. Nice place to work just get there early (only a few plugs)
  • d f.
    d felesSeptember 5, 2014
    pretty awesone espresso in a glass cup. the bartenders mustache is a must, you get a free espresso if you manage to swirl it. (maybe not, i've never tried)
  • Anna L.
    Anna Lin-CampbellApril 10, 2011
    Their beef empanadas are delicious and leave you wanting more. Dynamo donuts sell out early! The Ethiopian drip's the way to go if you are into dark, full-bodied, slightly-bitter coffee!
  • Liana C.heart icon on user image
    Liana CascianiMay 24, 2017
    Free wifi, locally sourced food, good coffee and good baristas. Bathroom code is 2939
  • Alice
    AliceMarch 15, 2016
    The separator iced coffee is really good - two shots of espresso, coconut, honey, etc. The barista was pretty rude though...
  • ashley t.heart icon on user image
    ashley tevatiaAugust 7, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    One of my favorite coffee shops. Can't go wrong with a latte or a regular drip. Great place to get some work done too.
  • Kelsey K.heart icon on user image
    Kelsey KotzebueOctober 4, 2016
    The Chai is alright. Definitely should have listened to everyone and gotten something with espresso. I'll def come back again, great spot.
  • Phil C.heart icon on user image
    Phil CalçadoAugust 16, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Great coffee, OK pastries, amazing service. Perfect to get some work done.
  • Nimalan M.heart icon on user image
    Nimalan MahendranJanuary 31, 2016
    Been here 50+ times
    Great coffee, but one barista is really passive-aggressive so avoid that person at all costs!
  • Dave J.heart icon on user image
    Dave JensenNovember 30, 2014
    Been here 100+ times
    The Bali roast is like pecan pancakes and maple syrup smothered in sweet, plump blueberries (remember those blueberries in 2013, like those). Blueberries.
  • Mark T.heart icon on user image
    Mark TooleySeptember 1, 2013
    Fabulous coffee, cool space, free wi fi. Great venue to hang, read, study, think!
  • Gloheart icon on user image
    GloOctober 29, 2018
    Yummy mocha. Appreciate the laptop-less seating space (counter) and the full length mirror in the bathroom.
  • Ugur K.
    Ugur KanerJanuary 19, 2015
    Good coffee and wide selection of coffee beans. Free, stable wifi. Ok to work.
  • Eugene L.
    Eugene LeeSeptember 29, 2013
    Some of the best espresso drinks around! Awesome pastries, and free wifi.. Too good
  • Colin J.
    Colin JohnstonMay 11, 2016
    Been here 50+ times
    Coffee is excellent but the physical space has become quite dingy and dirty over the last year or so. Thankfully the cups are clean.
  • Scrapp H.
    Scrapp HuntingtonNovember 24, 2013
    Great coffee, awful music, at least it's not rap. However bring your headphones. Coffee here is 2nd best in San Francisco (next to philz that is)
  • Ben F.
    Ben FunkAugust 19, 2014
    Cool vibe and good coffee, but expect to feel awkward if you don't know which exotic blend you want for your drip!
  • Kyle M.heart icon on user image
    Kyle MinorFebruary 17, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    The coffee here rivals any of the best in the City. Try their Flat White; sort of a short latté, known elsewhere as a Gibraltar.
  • Roderic C.heart icon on user image
    Roderic CampbellApril 13, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    The espresso pulled by the owner is one of the best in the city. I would highly recommend it.
  • Brandon F.
    Brandon F.December 10, 2015
    If you like your coffee robust, try the Yemen. You can't go wrong with drip coffee.
  • Ashok L.heart icon on user image
    Ashok LalwaniNovember 9, 2014
    Good Place. Very different coffee menu than a typical coffee shop. Had Dark White (Cappuccino with hint of dark chocolate). Liked it.
  • cami j.heart icon on user image
    cami j.July 12, 2015
    baristas were friendly and helpful, coffee was tasty, and it's a great place to get some work done.
  • Lon R.heart icon on user image
    Lon RohlfingJuly 16, 2021
    Espresso is a medium roast. Excellent pull by the barista.
  • Luke B.heart icon on user image
    Luke BornheimerApril 11, 2014
    Wifi password as of 4/11/2014: 1415larkin — Their service has gone way down hill, and the guy with the mustache genuinely seems irritated that I was coming in to buy something and give them business.
  • Neeharika B.
    Neeharika BhartiyaDecember 14, 2013
    Came here through a www.simmr.co event and just got to go behind the coffee bar and use the contraband brew machines!
  • Christine L.
    Christine LeeDecember 20, 2012
    Really wonderful latte, service and latte art. Great place to come and do work, it's busy but not crowded.
  • Z
    ZFebruary 27, 2013
    "single-origin espressos, tricked-out Synesso Hydra machine, Chemex pour-over pots, free WiFi and Dynamo Donuts"
  • SF Weekly
    SF WeeklyMay 24, 2011
    SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST NEW CAFEBringing great coffee to areas dominated by burned espresso. The Mission, SOMA, Hayes Valley: well served, thank you very much... Read more
  • Steve R.heart icon on user image
    Steve RubinMarch 14, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Good espresso drinks, and it's open surprisingly late for a third wave coffee shop
  • Kyle O.heart icon on user image
    Kyle OlivoMay 29, 2016
    Quality coffee, but a little expensive. Ample seating, but music can be distracting. Power outlets aren't plentiful. It gets quite warm.
  • Bryce A.
    Bryce ArcherOctober 25, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Really friendly staff. Great music. Pour-over is made w/ love & expertise.
  • Ryan D.heart icon on user image
    Ryan DorshorstAugust 7, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    The espresso is good, nice variety of pour overs, and daily dynamo donuts are a nice bonus.
  • Danielle E.heart icon on user image
    Danielle EbsteinFebruary 20, 2017
    Great vibe - unique specialty drink
  • Shannon C.
    Shannon ClarkSeptember 8, 2011
    Serious coffee, dynamo donuts and free wifi in a nice space = serious win for this area!
  • AskMen
    AskMenJanuary 14, 2011
    Every Saturday at 2:30, you taste, & learn about their full-range of coffee flavors. They also roast their beans on-site & make some of the best coffee in SF right now.
  • Abylkassym Z.
    Abylkassym ZhanatAugust 21, 2013
    Nice place to get work done on the mornings with great coffee. Try Iced Latte on a warm day
  • TenderKnob.com
    TenderKnob.comAugust 20, 2011
    Been here 25+ times
    You might pay an extra 50cents per coffee (latte) but it is well worth it for their unique blend of roasted beans.
  • Victor N.heart icon on user image
    Victor NovikovApril 25, 2017
    Good atmosphere, great coffee. #a perfect place to read or work. I wish they had better food options.
  • Martina E.heart icon on user image
    Martina EkmanMay 25, 2016
    Great cappuccinos, tasty savory and sweet pastries, and WiFi
  • Melissa H.heart icon on user image
    Melissa HerreraNovember 6, 2016
    Good coffee and Nice staff. Music that was playing was really good
  • Isabel S.heart icon on user image
    Isabel SwartzJanuary 5, 2019
    Good coffee, but haven’t always had the nicest experience with the folks who work here.
  • David W.heart icon on user image
    David WilliamsApril 19, 2015
    A nice patron named Jeff. He told me where to find delicious kimchi!
  • Damian B.heart icon on user image
    Damian BayonaAugust 14, 2016
    Line can get long. Coffee starts at $4. Cappuccino or other milk based drinks are the way to go.
  • Mighty T.heart icon on user image
    Mighty TravelsNovember 16, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Good coffee. They have my current favorite - Corado- on the menu. Location is odd though.
  • Peggyheart icon on user image
    PeggyOctober 6, 2016
    Try the dark white (a flat white with dark chocolate)!
  • Daniel K.heart icon on user image
    Daniel KaufmanAugust 16, 2014
    Go to spot for coffee when I'm in San Francisco. Best redeye hands down.
  • Nick B.heart icon on user image
    Nick BaumJanuary 29, 2013
    Been here 100+ times
    The maple-bacon donuts from Dynamo are delicious, especially when paired with a latte.
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