Side Characters Coffee
★ 4.6 · 60 reviews San Francisco Opened June 2026
A June 2026 coffee bar on the Polk Street strip
Side Characters opened on Polk Street in June 2026, on the Russian Hill run between Green and Vallejo where most of the neighborhood's eating and drinking sits. It's a coffee bar with the volume of a neighborhood one, not a laptop hall.
Polk has a long history of small independent operators surviving here because the surrounding blocks are dense and walkable. Side Characters is betting on the same thing. Weekend mornings are the busiest stretch.
What guests say
Reviews by Google-
Holly Pound 3 reviews 30 July 2026
I was on a work trip from NYC and stumbled upon this spot and it’s the best matcha I have ever tasted.
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Ellebean 42 reviews · Local Guide 14 July 2026
thick matcha- love that it is not too diluted by milk. great vibes , definitely will come back to study n read a book.
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Miray Sozer 9 reviews 11 July 2026
One of the best coffee shops in SF. I love the black sesame latte. They have a great selection of signature drinks. Strongly recommended!
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Mesut Ozcan 4 reviews 11 July 2026
Absolutely one of the best coffee spots I’ve found! The latte was smooth, perfectly balanced, and beautifully crafted. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and relaxing, making it the perfect place to unwind or get some work done. The staff were genuinely welcoming and made the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be coming back!💐💐💐💐☺️☺️
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Clemence Moullet 5 reviews 14 June 2026
Loved the high-fidelity sound system + choice of music. Had a very good matcha americano with a dash of almond milk :)
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