Coffee Movement

Coffee Movement in Nob Hill is my go-to coffee stop in San Francisco, and I mean that in the truest sense — this is a place to get incredible coffee and go. There's no seating inside, just a counter for ordering and a small outdoor area where you can stand if you want to linger.

I come to Coffee Movement primarily for one thing: the best cappuccino I've had anywhere in the world. The cocoa cappuccino is what sets this place apart from every other coffee shop. It's a perfectly made cappuccino — excellent espresso, ideal dairy-to-espresso ratio, beautiful art — with a light dusting of cocoa that's so natural I'm shocked it's not standard everywhere. This isn't a mocha or some sugary drink. It's a pure cappuccino enhanced with a light dusting of cocoa (think dusted dark chocolate, not some sugary hot cocoa powder). When I recently traveled to Mexico City, when I'm in New York for work, or when I'm visiting family in the Midwest, I find myself comparing every cappuccino to this gold standard.

Beyond the signature drink, their seasonal lattes are consistently excellent, especially when you ask for less sweetening syrup. I've recently been hooked on their vanilla rosemary latte. The rosemary really comes through when it's not overly sweet. Pro tip: this one is great iced. They also carry beans from high-quality roasters. I especially enjoy that I've never heard of many of them. One favorite I first encountered at Coffee Movement is Dak Roasters from the Netherlands, and I rarely leave without picking up something to brew at home.

Yes, there are lines on weekend mornings, but they move faster than you'd expect since everyone queues outside. I've never waited more than 15 minutes, and it's usually closer to three. After over a year of going multiple times a week, I'm still impressed every single time. The error rate is almost unbelievably low — nothing's perfect, but Coffee Movement comes pretty damn close.