Chapel Hill Coffee

Very good coffee (beans from Four Barrel Coffee) brewed in a FetCo system. Close to my work and quick service makes this place a winner.

Heaven in a tiny glass.
I have to walk a little bit out of my way to get here, but it is worth it every time for the outstanding espresso. Today my espresso weighed 26g. I’ve never noticed another place weigh their shots out after pulling them, but I think I get the idea — the perfect ratio of coffee to time to temperature to water can create a consistently outstanding drink. I have never had a less than marvelous espresso from here, so they must have the science down. Perfect temperature — hot, but not scalding, perfect amount of crema (50% maybe?), and the perfect balance of tart, bright citrusy notes to the basic clean taste of great coffee I have become accustomed to in the city. I don’t happen to drink coffee too often, so I am grateful that we have access to so many aficionados in the bay area who will hook you up bigtime.

Why and how do they manage to be so snobby. .. the two times I’ve been there it’s been clearly second class treatment. .. I don’t suppose it has anything to do with being an older woman rather than cool, casual and young?

Extremely hidden place in an alleyway on the outskirts of chinatown. I almost missed it and was going to turn around until I saw the sign.
Nicely crafted drinks here. I ordered a cup of cappuccino. Great strong taste, well-​balanced. Small place with modern industrial décor.

Awesome coffee, cheerful and charming staff. What’s not to love about this adorable spot?

Great coffee. Dudes are solid crafters of the goods.

Adorable little coffee shop on Commercial Alley. I had a delicious cappuccino and my friend had a latte. Would definitely return.

The best designed coffee shop I came across in SF, which is huge. Defiantly a take out, as there are no tables or seats. But given they have pretty great coffee, my only complaint is that I would love a seat to enjoy the wonderful space.

Place of worship.
In the religious sense:
In the caffeinated sense: Four Barrel beans used for all types of drinks including an enjoyably smooth Americano. Keeping things simple there are no syrups and just whole milk and almond.
For $ 3 it hit expectations. Impressed more by the space and choice of lighting and woods. Bright and airy with just the right industrial touch.
Important to know: Unilocal listing is wrong and there is no WiFi. Or seating.
Plan to attend service at least once.

Tiny little hidden gem in Chinatown. I wouldn’t have known about this place if it wasn’t for my coworker. There is rarely a line-​up there, and the coffee is great. Would definitely recommend.

Chances are pretty good that you’ll miss this spot, even if you’re looking for it which I wasn’t. I finished a less-​than-​satisfying bowl of noodles at Hon’s Wun Tun House and decided to walk on ped-​friendly Commercial Street between Kearny and Montgomery. While I was momentarily perusing the menu at the unexpected Schilling Café, I turned my head and noticed people having coffee in what looked like a small studio (photo:
). I just figured it was an office break room with a cool logo, but then I reminded myself I wasn’t in SoMa but Chinatown. Oh I get it, it’s a coffee spot. Never heard of it, but I noticed from the bags of coffee beans on display that they served Four Barrel Coffee. That, I’ve heard of and in a good way.
Really liked their unexpected cul-​de-​sac spot in Portola (review:
), and I like this set-​up, too. It’s a tiny place staffed by two serious-​looking fellows who serve up just seven types of caffeine. The usual suspects — espresso, Americano, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, mocha, and… what am I missing? Oh yes, coffee. That’s enough. I had the $ 4.50 Latte and it was smooth as silk and twice as voluptuous (photo:
). Not quite Philz or Blue Bottle but somewhere in the proximity. I took it to nearby Empire Park, a poop-​friendly respite ideal for sipping if you wear a hat. I wasn’t even aware that the baked goods come from the Neighbor Bakehouse (photo:
) or that they offer artisan chocolate from Dick Taylor. I may just have to hang in this hidden spot.
COFFEE — 4 stars… a smooth latte that will soothe the inevitable gurgling resulting from Chinatown noodle bowls
AMBIANCE — 3 stars… a walk-​in closet with rustic style
SERVICE — 4.5 stars… focused on the quality of the coffee
TOTAL — 4 stars… pretty well hidden spot that you just missed

This has become my go-​to coffee spot when I’m at work and need an afternoon pick me up. Friendly service, amazing coffee, and nice ambiance and music. Pricey, but that’s the name of the game for good coffee.

Great little coffee spot that is relatively new. However, this place is really easy to miss as it’s tucked away in a little alley without an obvious sign protruding out front (which in my mind is a good thing, but perhaps bad to catch the random potential customers).
I really like the overall design of the space and the barista that works early in the morning is always greeting me with a smile on his face.
I hope all goes well with this spot, as I will continue to visit when I need a latte on my way to work.

Listen… I love coffee and I’m ok with snobby coffee places that brew great tasting strong coffee. This place is no exception. It’s great coffee.
What I DO have a problem with is rude barristas. Consistently, everyone in my office has had a bad experience with one black-​rimmed glasses guy behind the counter. He’s dismissive, unfriendly, and downright rude to customers. I witnessed him smirk and dismiss a guy this morning who was just trying to be friendly and joke about the size of the chocolate croissant he’d ordered.
I will say that the other people behind the counter have been great but he’s the first person a customer interacts with and he’s just down right miserable in his life or hates the world. I can appreciate someone just having a bad day but this has been more than one occasion.
I’m sad to say that I’ll be walking an extra 4 blocks to go back to Coffee Bar, simply because I don’t want to experience that interaction at the start of my day.
Trina

Delicious cappuccino! Excellent texture and consistency, with a real rich flavor. They use FourBarrel coffee which is roasted right in the mission!
We’ll be back!

Awesome new coffee bar in Commercial st. Reminds me if a Melbourne laneway. Cute street. Lovely café. Awesome coffee. Great to see Andrew land somewhere great.

I admit, there wasn’t anything special about Chapel Hill Coffee when I visited this morning. There wasn’t any seating save for a long wooden table (which doubled as someone’s standing desk at that hour), no pastries to choose from, no pour over options (although they’d like to start doing them once they get bigger and can hire more people), and I overheard from the one person working that there are no plans to provide seating inside the café. Normally, I’d be put off by all of these facts, but the truth is, there’s something really quaint, charming, and unique about the nothingness that was in Chapel Hill’s nondescript shop on Commercial Street. They serve Four Barrel coffee in drip, with a variety of espresso drinks on the menu (I’m not a mocha person, but a mocha here sets you back $ 5). With all of the fanciness that goes on in SF’s coffee shop scene, it was a nice check back to reality to get down to the real reason why we visit coffee shops: for the coffee. Four Barrel obviously has got it right with some high quality beans, and while Chapel Hill is a ways off from being at the same size and popularity of their neighbors up and down the street at Coffee Cultures/​Workshop Café/​Reveille/​The Station, this place has potential. Lots of it. A selfish part of me wants this to stay a hidden gem, but here I am, divulging another cool coffee place the FiDi has to offer during the week. I look forward to watching Chapel Hill grow — especially with those Neighbor Bakehouse pastries they offer.

Finally, a 3^rd wave espresso in the financial district.
Friendly, great coffee and pastries and open early!

Chapel Hill has great potential! Tucked away on Commercial Street next to City View, Chapel Hill is a nice, quiet haven between busy Chinatown and FiDi. They just opened last week and are still in their soft opening phase, so I look forward to seeing additions to their menu such as my favorite drug of choice: cold brew.
Operated by two lovely baristas and an adorable greeter dog, Chapel Hill serves Four Barrel and Straus Creamery milk, along with Neighbor Bakehouse pastries, although in fairly limited quantities thus far.
The price of the coffee is a bit high — 4.5 for latte — but nothing out of the ordinary for FiDi certainly. I opted for an iced latte and found it smooth, non-​acidic, and a lovely start to my morning. Thur far they have all the usuals– lattes, drip coffee, mocha, cappucinos, and a variety of teas.
No seating yet, but the space is just large enough for a few tables, so I look forward to returning and checking out their next offerings!

Time: 7:31am/49°F sunny
Purpose: This place was in the making over a year already. Place is within stones throw of office. When word went around saying it was open, I went nuts try to call them. Next best thing to do is to walk over. I did just that and they were closed. Next day left for work earlier just to stop by.
Ambiance: Located in an alley tucked way boardering Fi-​Di and Chinatown. This place can be miss if one not paying attention. The decal on windows are narrow printed gold/​black. There are no seats available only standing room with 10ft wooden table and anchoring foot stand below. The window facing Commercial street has hinges that pops out for gush of fresh air. Some areas of the wall plain natural cement with light green hues. L-​shape counter with two chamber LaMarzocco espresso, Mezzer grinder, iPad, tip jar, copperwears, cake pedestal, drinking water faucet. Behind counter all white tiles with bright studio lights and necessary business essentials.
Staff: Taller gentleman about 30s well trained on the machine. He tells me that he wasn’t the owner and the owner was Raphael. Tell me they just got finish remodeling that place the last week or so. Has been soft opening hardly any people ever noticed them. To end a conversation, I told him that I specialize in marketing/​advertising might be able to give them a few pointers here and there.
Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccably clean. Brand new place open up a week or so. I expect the same every time. Small shop when not busy baristas usually clean and wipe.
Eats/​Drinks: Cappuccino $ 4 Strong early morning jolt. Normally I don’t do cappuccino that early in the morning. This morning, I felt that being a new place. I wanted to be supportive of local businesses. By trying it and watching barista method one can calculate whats in store for the place. No sugar was needed in the beginning then I had to add half teaspoon. It was too potent and bitter for my liking. Sugar took it down a few notch and then it was more enjoyable. Definitely an eye opener. I end up not drinking drip till near noon time.
Products/​Services: Mocha, latte, cappuccino, americano, espresso, macchiato, hot chocolate, flavor latte, drip, café au lait. Pastries/​danishes by Neighbor Bakehouse. Not sure of Wi-​Fi didn’t use or ask about it. Takes plastic.
Punch Lines: Modest cost, calm vibe, no seats, no sidewalk seating, décor leaves something to desired, claustrophobic interior, zippy service, can’t go wrong, casual setting, tucked in alley, worth the wait, limited baked goods, kept it standards, street parking (hard), Chinatown, Fi-​Di, North Beach, Downtown, closes early.
Tradeoffs: You don’t need to wait in line for four barrel coffee in Fi-​Di. This place will get you in/​out under 3 mins max after ordering. All Four Barrel beans are the same its, the barista that can make or break you cuppa joe.
Final Thoughts: Lately, I’ve been noticing third wave cafes opening within 1 mile radius of each other. On Columbus ave there are Sight Glass, BB, Ritual and now Four Barrel. This could be a sign of economic boom has arrive or it can also mean people are taking a chance at the coffee trade. What ever it may be, I’m pretty sure more and more will follow. As for me, I don’t have a particular hard core brand in mind, but do appreciate the premium branded kind though.