It was nice to visit and support a new coffee shop in the Tenderloin. They seemed to be doing well, at least on the Sunday afternoon that we came in. The interior is small with a minimalistic-style decor. We tried the peanut butter cold brew and one of the regular cold brew options. The PB cold brew had a nice texture, and I found the flavor to be on the milder side. I really enjoyed the dark blend cold brew. I love the beans they use- they seem to be high quality! read more

Always Awake Coffee - peanut butter cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

As someone who loves cappuccinos, I was really excited to try their cinnamon cappuccino but it fell short and tasted very salty. The ambiance is nice and there were benches and tables to sit on and they had a bathroom which was a plus. The customer service here definitely needs some work, the staff weren't very friendly or welcoming. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Cinnamon cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stopped by in the morning and luckily the line wasn't too long. It's a bit inconvenient they only have a paper menu near the cashier when you order. Service was minimal and efficient and they answered questions I had on the menu. I ordered their signature peanut butter cream latte and it was really good. Initially was not sure if peanut butter and coffee would go well together, but this drink proved me wrong. The coffee was strong and paired well with the peanut cream on top. The cream is thick and smooth and added sweetness to the coffee after mixing. It was also a nice touch with peanut bits in the drink. The interior is very modern with some wooden benches and a communal high table as seating. Feels more like a place to hang out with friends than getting work done. read more

Always Awake Coffee - peanut butter cream latte ($8.50) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Korean style cafe that uses coffee beans from a well-known brand in Korea. Most well known for their peanut butter latte but I did not try it during my visit. I will have to try the peanut butter latte if I ever go again. I am an iced coffee only person, and I thought it was weird that most of their specialty drinks are hot only. With the peanut butter as an exception. Limited seating available and bathroom is open for customers with a passcode. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Really wanted to like and support this place - I thought it might represent the start of something better for this otherwise struggling neighborhood. However, this Korean-inspired cafe is just not up to the mark. We got a matcha latte and strawberry matcha. They said the breakfast sandwich was sold out so we didn't get to try it. Unfortunately I think they don't know how to make a matcha: It was not sifted and possibly not whisked - I only got clumps of matcha stuck together in my drink which tasted only of milk since the matcha was not mixed in properly. The strawberry matcha also had the same problem. Lots of better matcha options in SF so probably best to skip this one! read more

Always Awake Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Four words: Peanut Butter Cream Latte. GET IT! Popular in trendy Seoul cafes, Peanut Butter Cream Latte aka Nutty Cloud is a must for peanut butter lovers. This layered drink starts with a strong, roasty espresso poured over milk then topped with a whipped, velvety peanut cream - perfect balance of sweet and salty...dessert vibes without being heavy or cloying. Sipping this while Marvin Gaye plays in the background - YAS! Sadly, I have to knock off a star... I came specifically for the matcha but was told they were "out." About 10 minutes later, another customer picked up a vibrant strawberry matcha latte from the counter. If the matcha wasn't ready yet, that should have been communicated. It was esp frustrating after a 30 minute drive across the city and the terrible parking situation. O T H E R I N F O * Always Awake Coffee is a Korean-inspired coffee shop that opened last month. It's a rebrand from Joy's Place (they no longer serve bingsu) * Espresso, pour overs, cold brew, tea, matcha, and bottled drinks. NO decaf available. Dairy alternatives: Oat + almond (50 cents), soy is free. * Trendy, minimalist renovated space with rich woods, vinyls, plants, bench seating w/ block tables, and a communal high top. * WiFi available. * Restroom requires a code. I'm surprised they didn't renovate the restroom, it was janky and doesn't match the clean aesthetics they're going for. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Nutty Caramel Latte ($8) + Peanut Butter Cream Latte ($8.50) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

I almost don't want to write this because it feels like a hidden gem but Always Awake has quickly become my favorite coffee spot in the city. I've been coming here almost every day since I found it, and it's become such a peaceful little routine. The space is beautifully done -- warm wood tones, minimal but thoughtful design, and a calm, cozy energy that makes it so easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's not overly crowded (at least for now), which means you can actually grab a seat, open your laptop, and get work done without feeling rushed. The free WiFi is a huge plus too. The drinks are what really keep me coming back. I'm currently obsessed with the cinnamon caramel cappuccino -- it's smooth, perfectly balanced, and just indulgent enough without being heavy. You can tell there's real care put into each drink. I've heard great things about the peanut butter latte, and after chatting with the incredibly kind barista -- who might actually be the owner -- that's definitely my next order. A small heads up that matches what others have said: since it's still new, there may only be one barista at times, so drinks can take a few extra minutes. Also no good parking so please consider another way of getting there. But the service is genuinely warm, and it feels worth the wait. Overall, it's one of those places that nails both the coffee and the vibe. I'll be working my way through the entire menu. read more

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Had such high hopes for this new, Korean-inspired cafe but was unfortunately a bit let down :( I came on a Saturday around 3pm and was able to order right away -- I got the Peanut Butter Cream Latte, Cinnamon Caramel Cappuccino, and Strawberry Matcha Latte. If you like Wether's Caramel Candies, you'll likely love the Cinnamon Caramel Cappuccino. It's not too sweet, and leans a bit more savory/Butterscotch-y. I personally am not super obsessed with caramel so this drink being very caramel/butterscotch forward was just OK for me. I probably wouldn't order again. The Strawberry Matcha Latte looked super promising, especially with the dark green color, but was such a let down. They use real strawberries, but I think it needs to be pureed down even more since the drink was giving more matcha with cut up strawberries at the bottom (hence why they give you a boba straw so the large strawberry chunks can pass through). It wasn't sweet at all and the nice fruity tartness I normally taste with a Strawberry Matcha wasn't there -- in fact, I don't know if I could actually taste the strawberry in the drink. The matcha also didn't taste very strong and felt a bit watered down :( I honestly can't really remember much from this drink since I basically had 2 sips and didn't want more. The star and savior of this cafe though is their Peanut Butter Cream Latte. They have mastered their cream top! It's super thick and fluffy and very peanut butter forward. Smells just like a Reese's Peanut Butter cup! The sweetness from the cream top balances very well with the coffee at the bottom so the overall drink isn't too sweet, but I will say that if you're a coffee connoisseur, you might find that the coffee itself tastes a bit watered down. Don't think I'd go out of my way to come here again, but if I'm already in the area and am feeling a fun drink, I'd maybe consider coming back for their PB Cream Latte. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Cinnamon Caramel Latte, Matcha Strawberry Latte, Peanut Butter Cream Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Pretty disappointed with the coffee. We ordered a cappuccino and a latte and both tasted burnt. I know they're still pretty new but for now, I can't see myself coming back. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Coffee and the shop was aesthetically pleasing to look at, but the coffee was just decent. It was missing some flavor, and the matcha was bitter according to my friends. It was great to try but not sure if I'd come again while in SF. They do have a cute lil photo machine that prints out pictures on receipt paper, so that was cool! read more

Always Awake Coffee - Strawberry Matcha (2), Nutty Caramel Latte (bottom left), Peanut Butter Cream Latte (top right) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

The cafe vibes are super nice once you step in - the area is obviously absolutely terrible and very unpleasant to be in. But what was disappointing was the matcha. You can see from the photos that it wasn't whisked at all - at $8.00 a drink (before tip after tax) it was absolutely underwhelming to drink clumps of Matcha in a drink that tasted only of oat milk. Service was fine but not that great. Overall would not recommend. read more

Always Awake Coffee - Matcha latte + strawberry matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

These cafes are getting a little too conveniently located near my routes in the city! As the newest addition to the area, they already seem to get quite a few customers early morning. It may take a few minutes prepare orders since at the time there was only one barista, but service was very friendly. The aesthetics were nicely sleek with a modern/ minimalist vibe. I tried the peanut butter latte which super super smooth and creamy with a few crunchy pieces at the bottom. Loved the coffee, gotta go back to try the matcha some time! read more

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New Korean inspired cafe! We came in around 2PM and ordered the Matcha Latte and the Nutty Caramel Latte. The Nutty Caramel Latte was hard to drink outside of the cafe because the lid doesn't fit with the chocolate nut side bits; the drink itself was nutty and caramel-ly though and was the better drink. The Matcha Latte was lacking in flavor. I wanted to try their Peanut Butter Latte but they only make it iced. There's a 2 tables and a small seating area. There's also free wifi for WFH! read more

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Amazing coffee! I usually don't like coffee but this cafe has a coffee I truly can enjoy. I like the ambience and love how we can just chill and relax with the good vibes. The granita(?) was exceptional on a warm sunny day. There are always a lot of people showing that they are exceptional! The peanut butter latte was great and something I had in Korea! Highly recommend it! Pricing is comparably to San Francisco, given now that Starbucks costs like $6, $7. Highly recommend stopping by for a quick drink!! read more

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service was a little lackluster, and drinks are pretty expensive for the size. my peanut butter cream latte ($8.50 pre-tax) had a nice cream but I wish there was more peanut butter involved. the base latte was kind of milky and watery read more

Always Awake Coffee - peanut butter cream latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Neighborhood is blah. Coffee is excellent (and pretty). I had the peanut butter cream late. Out of control good. Its also like $8. They do have wifi but minimal seating. Follow me for more on BayBitesNSips on Tiktok I'm also a bay area artist and I've just started selling online on Etsy: MLEcolorshop ; if you visit me or tell a friend who likes jewelry, I would appreciate it so much https://www.etsy.com/shop/MLEcolorshop read more

Came here pretty excited to try the matcha. After seeing this new location through my recommended, I decided to give it a shot. As soon as I walked it was quite warm and nice little space. I got my matcha but when i went to pick it up it was hot... which is my fault for not clarifying but when I asked if i could get it iced, they declined and said "you didn't specify". Well, i'm telling you now and they refused to give me an iced one. Like.. just give me a cup of ice .. THATS IT!! but no, they were really rude and not gonna like i embarrassed my self spilling a bit of the hot matcha lol. anyway this place hospitality stinks and is so disappointing. Matcha came in a pre-made bottle which i should've known it was gonna be really bitter and clumpy. BOOOOOOOOOO. i hate you guys! read more

Always Awake Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

I tried the nutty caramel latte with oat milk. The sweetness was right amount. I like it very much. I am normally a cappuccino drinker. But I wanted to try something new and I didn't regret. Love it!!! read more

Always Awake Coffee - the nutty caramel latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

This coffee shop is perfect for on my way to work and they served me an iced latte. It was great I liked the espresso strength and the milk tasted fresh too. There's little seating in the store so it's more of a grab and go. The barista was nice and efficient. Would go back again! read more

Always Awake Coffee - Iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I ordered the Peanut Butter Cream Latte, which came iced, and a chocolate chip cookie. Altogether it came to $14. The former is a layered drink with a thickened whipped peanut cream, crushed peanuts, and espresso powder. I could not taste the underlying espresso, but it was not overly sweet or salty. More importantly, the two items were underwhelming for the price. This place was rebranded as Joy's Place last March 2026, based on the reviews. The decor is rather spartan, with all hard surfaces, bench seating, and minimal chairs at a community height. There were no menus on the wall; instead, there was a piece of paper near the cashier. read more

Nutty Caramel Latte! With Nutella and nuts on the rim So good. And their chocolate chip cookie is great too! read more

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I visited this new coffee shop with my bike and was surprised by the experience. The place was basically empty when I arrived, with only a couple--a guy and a girl--inside. I went up to order a coffee and was asked whether I wanted it to go or for here. I said for here. That's when I was told I would need to leave my bike outside. I politely asked if I could instead keep it along the wall inside where it wouldn't be in anyone's way, but I was told no. Given that the café was nearly empty, this felt unnecessarily strict and not very accommodating. At that point, I chose not to place an order and left. I ended up going to another coffee shop just down the block where I had no issues bringing my bike in. Overall, I was disappointed with the customer service, especially for a new coffee shop trying to build a reputation. I won't be returning in the future. read more

matcha latte, tastes like milk with a hint of matcha peanut butter latte is just ok, i thought it could've been sweeter the cortado espresso tasted burnt lowkey this place is super overpriced, $9 for latte and $6 for the espresso! personally wouldn't get anything again read more

Always Awake Coffee - matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the best cream top lattes in SF! I got the peanut butter cream latte and it was perfectly balanced, not too sweet and the espresso had a lot of depth. Will definitely go back. read more

Got the cortado with no adjustments. Inside the place looks great. However the drink tasted bitter and astringent. Place has potential but would not give another chance considering the price. read more

Very great Americano! The space is clean, modern, and inviting. One of my new favorite coffee spots.