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    Always Awake Coffee

    3.5 (42 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Always Awake Coffee Photos

    ALWAYS AWAKE COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Always Awake Coffee

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    Emily G.

    Cute little coffee shop with a photobooth! Aesthetic, minimal and modern inside with one long table. You wouldn't have known it's located in the outskirts of TL if you were inside. Besides coffee and matcha, they also sell pastries and Korean brand Fritz coffee beans. Menu is only located on the front counter Service was quick since we came pretty late in the afternoon around 4pm on a weekend. As a peanut butter lover, I had to get the peanut butter latte! Also because it was one of their popular drinks. My friend got the strawberry matcha. Both were iced but I noticed most their drinks are hot and 1 size only. All their drinks default to whole milk but free to sub soymilk! While we waited, of course we had to get a picture using the free photobooth. The image printed out black + white on a receipt-type paper. Drinks didn't take longer than 5 mins since there was 1 person making the drink and 1 taking orders. Staff instructed us not to mix the PB drink. I love the addition of crushed peanuts and the creaminess of the PB on top. The coffee was strong and good, overall not too sweet. My friend said neither the strawberry or matcha was overpowering or sweet. Overall, a little on the pricy side at $8-$9 per drink but still a cool spot to check out!

    vibe
    Michelle Z.

    Stopped by since I was in the area. It's located in the outskirts of the tenderloin but the vibe inside is clean and minimalistic. Their drinks are unique and lots of hot specialty items which is nice to see! Usually I only see specialty iced drinks. Tried the nutty caramel latte (hot only) and the peanut butter latte (iced only). Soy milk is free (but oat/almond cost extra). The drinks are pretty pricey tbh but both drinks were good! They were sweet but not too sweet. I did feel like the peanut butter latte got watered down after a while though. The nutty caramel latte was very smooth but it was hard to take to go since it has a chocolate rim. Didn't realize they have a photo machine! Very cool and would be fun to come with friends. Service was friendly.

    Peanut butter cream latte Strong coffee
    Bill P.

    Order: peanut butter cream latte, their unique drink Strong coffee, not too milky. Peanut butter with nuts as top layer. sip the top for the sweet cream that was not too sweet, just the right amount. They had bags of Fritz coffee on the counter, which is a Seoul based company. Pasties are available for purchase. Photobooth prints out black and white, grainy photos as a keepsake. Large elevated table for seats. Small place that has a long bench and large elevated table for seating.

    Peanut butter latte and free photo print from the small selfie "booth?"
    Diane N.

    New Korean-style cafe in Nob Hill that shoots for a retro, relaxed vibe. I came to Always Awake Coffee on a Thursday morning and there was a small line forming around 8 A.M. Looking at their menu, it looks like they offer a couple of signature drinks such as the peanut butter cream top latte, the nutty caramel, and strawberry matcha. The drinks here, I will call out, are on the pricier end with my single drink costing around $9-$10. While you wait to order your drink, there is a cute photo booth in the queue that you can snap your photo at for free. It might be a bit inconvenient when you are in a longer line, but it is still nice. The service here was friendly, but when I came there was only one barista taking orders and making the drinks, making the line feel a bit longer. I opted for a peanut butter latte to try, as it seems like a lot of folks rave about it. At first I wanted their rose strawberry latte since it looked really good in their photo lineup outside, but I realized that there was no espresso or coffee in it, so I decided to pass. They listed it as a "refresher," and I also asked. My drink came out in 5 minutes and looked pretty. When they delivered it to me, they told me not to mix it when drinking, which made sense so you can get the cream top. The drink itself was good and nutty, but I don't think it was mind-blowing enough for me to justify being a regular here and paying a premium price. The store itself is nice and has a communal table that you can sit at to get some work done, alongside some smaller tables to chit chat, so if you are staying for a bit, maybe paying a bit more might be okay with you.

    peanut butter cold brew
    Hannah P.

    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!

    Grace P.

    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.

    Nutty Caramel Latte ($8) + Peanut Butter Cream Latte ($8.50)
    Cherylynn N.

    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.

    Ajay K.

    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!

    Bar
    Lauren C.

    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.

    lemon peach iced tea and matcha latte...
    Kartika H.

    place is ok. one person handles everything. ambiance is great. they have high table in order for you to put your laptop. the drinks: * matcha latte: usually other stores just put cream on top but this cafe shop put a latte art on it. the matcha is good but i think if they make it fresh and whisk it on the spot will even taste better... * lemon peach iced tea: quite unique that they put a bit peach syrup and then put lemon orange flavour tea bag inside. to be honest, when i got my drink, i was kind of disappointed but then when i sipped it, hey!!! it is pretty good... four stars i think. too bad just small cup though so i will say a bit pricey. recommended coffee shop...

    inside
    Aileen L.

    Stopped by with a friend Saturday around 11 and it wasnt too busy, but a line formed right after we got our drinks and left. We walked here and id imagine finding parking in the area to be difficult. The interior is clean and modern and there's a cute little screen that prints out black and white paper photos, and sole seats at a larger table where you could possibly get some light work done. I got the peanut butter iced latte, and my friend the nutty caramel latte which only comes hot. The drinks were both pretty, and the worker told me not to stir the pb iced latte - I tried a few sips this way and have to confess I had to mix it to drink the rest and I kept getting sips of straight espresso. The drink was nutty, smooth and not really sweet at all, so if you're looking for a dessert type drink this isn't it. Cute spot, though in an area that's a little out of the way but some more unique and tasty coffee drinks I haven't seen elsewhere :)

    Cinnamon Caramel Latte, Matcha Strawberry Latte, Peanut Butter Cream Latte
    Michelle H.

    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.

    Cinnamon cappuccino
    Humera S.

    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.

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    Saint Frank Coffee

    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    All around pleasant experience in terms of both the service and coffee. I had the flight and…read morethought it was overall good. They explained that the flight includes an espresso shot, espresso shot with milk, hot coffee, and iced coffee. I hadn't had a straight espresso shot before, so this wasn't for me personally just because it was so overpowering. I enjoyed the other three though. Like the majority of SF, parking is difficult to locate. I was dropped off nearby the location. There is indoor and outdoor seating; I was able to grab an empty spot late in the morning on a weekend, but I don't think seating is always readily available. It's not a huge space.

    First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

    Photos
    View from back of the shop.
    View from back of the shop.
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann

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    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann
    Stonemill Matcha

    Stonemill Matcha

    4.2
    (1.7k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Loved this spot. The minute you step into the cafe you can tell it's going to be good…read more The sesame latte on ice had real sesame and delicious sesame flavor. This cafe uses real ingredients and not powdered flavorings. The rusk was crunchy and sweet. The strawberry yuzu was fruity, cool, and refreshing. It's like nothing I've ever tried.

    The place is called Stonemill Matcha so I should've got some matcha or latte, but I digress. I've…read moreheard this place has one of the best katsu sando around and as a lover of Katsu, I couldn't skip it. There's some good places in SF like Cafe Okawari. But Katsu is really becoming the new hype of the day for Japanese food, following the Sushi, Ramen, Japanese Curry, Katsu trend. So I came in with a critical view. I feel like Yoshoku in general may be next but I yet again digress. The box sandwich came in a cute little box. The inside was packed so I couldn't get a chance to fully appreciate the cafe, but the service was nice though the pay line may have moved slower than hoped. I'll say this. This is "the" best katsu sando in the bay. The katsu is crispy, but little on the softer side. But this hardness matches perfectly with the absolutely tender, soft, juicy pork wrapped inside. I'm looking at the menu again and it all makes sense. The pork has been in shio koji, making the meat ever so tender while adding the subtle but complicated marinated flavor. The cabbage is plenty, but not over packed to take away from the main Katsu flavor. What really perfects it for me, was not only the sweet and savory katsu sauce, but the mayo with dash of I think a karashi mustard. That slight tingle, the perfect kick gives a powerful awakening of flavor that really sets the it apart. This is art, an artisan. Culinary art is the refuge no raging rampant AI slop "art" can ever hope to touch. Until the day we get some cyborg implant to our brain into gustatory, olfactory functions. Even then, I don't think any tasteless tech bro are hopeless to create anything unique or beautiful.

    Photos
    03.20.2026- Stonemill Matcha SF- interior
    03.20.2026- Stonemill Matcha SF- interior
    Strawberry Yuzu-ade, tamago sando (w/ pork katsu on the side (that i sliced and put in myself)) (02/2026)
    Strawberry Yuzu-ade, tamago sando (w/ pork katsu on the side (that i sliced and put in myself)) (02/2026)
    2024 Christmas Strawberry Matcha Cream Pie (sliced) (12/2024)

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    Delah Coffee

    Delah Coffee

    4.6
    (639 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Feeling adventurous so ordered coffee from Delah for delivery. Process was quick and smooth…read more A lot of interesting latte flavors and specialties to choose from but ended up with iced Yemeni latte and rose latte as well as some milk cakes. Didn't realize the rose latte would come as a hot drink but it was still good. Opted for less sweet but was a little more sweet than expected compared to the Yemeni latte. Yemeni coffee was light and subtle with cinnamon. Milk cake was moist and not too sweet - texture reminds me of a les tres cake. Rose and saffron flavors were perfect and not too overpowering Turkish coffee is not bitter or too strong. Knowing this now, will try some of their other drinks when I'm looking for something light in the future!

    My friend and I were catching up after a long drought and chose to meet up at Delah because it was…read moreso we'll rated. It's located at the filthy corner of 4th and Clara, which made the outside smell of urine. Fortunately the cafe itself is pretty clean, which is a nice escape from the street. I ordered an Americano and my friend got one of their $8+ lattes, which were fine, but nothing special. My biggest gripe was the service and absolute scorn of the customer. My friend and I sat at the counter basically in a staring contest with the woman behind the counter, who just stared right back. After some 30 seconds, we finally flagging her down to place our order. After turning around the drinks suspiciously quickly, my friend and I sat down to catch-up in the empty cafe. Before long, the barista pumps up the volume, increasing higher and higher every 5 minutes or so, as if to signal to us that our time was up. I asked her to turn down the volume, which she tuned down from an 11 to a 7, but minutes later it continued to creep up, like the snooze setting of an alarm clock coaxing you to wake up - except in this case, to get out. Ultimately, the volume got unbearable and we finally threw in the towel and got out of there to let the barista enjoy her music. Definitely never going back there - they clearly don't want the business. Food: 5/10 Service: 0/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 4/10

    Photos
    Beehive bread and chai
    Beehive bread and chai
    Rose milk cake
    Rose milk cake
    Fresh croissant.

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    Fresh croissant.

    Always Awake Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026

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