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Li Po in Chinatown.
The Chinese Mai Tai at Li Po Lounge in Chinatown is a San Francisco speciality.
Patricia Chang

Here Are San Francisco's Most Iconic Drinks

Buckle up because drinking your way through this list will be a wild, boozy, caffeine-fueled ride

by Lauren Saria Updated
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The Chinese Mai Tai at Li Po Lounge in Chinatown is a San Francisco speciality.
| Patricia Chang
by Lauren Saria Updated

Most San Francisco locals and tourists know at least a few of the city’s most iconic dishes. After all, it’s basically a rite of passage to dig into a chowder-filled bread bowl the size of your head or to attempt to take down a two-hands-required Mission burrito. But there’s another side of San Francisco’s food and beverage scene to be explored: the drinks. This map spotlights some of the city’s most legendary beverages including cocktails, of course, but also caffeinated concoctions and sweet treats.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe

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The Buena Vista can’t take credit for inventing the Irish coffee, but it is the bar that popularized the drink in the States, which is almost the same thing. They still sell hundreds of the world-famous Irish coffees everyday, and they’re made with a dash of theatricaity. Grab a seat at the bar for a front-row view as the staff combine Tullamore Dew whiskey, coffee, sugar, and heavy whipped cream.

2765 Hyde Street, San Francisco, California 94109
415-474-5044
415-474-5044
A group of customers cheers with Irish coffees. Patricia Chang

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Espresso martini at Balboa Cafe

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Pro-tip: Balboa Cafe makes two versions of its famous espresso martini. One comes from a keg to appease the crowds that often swarm the bar in the evenings. It’s a solid drink, super smooth thanks to the nitro tap, made with Stoli vanilla vodka and Kahlua coffee liqueur. The other, however, is made to order with a fresh pulled shot of espresso, which means it can be made decaf if you’re into that kind of thing. 

3199 Fillmore St (at Greenwich St), San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 921-3944
(415) 921-3944
Balboa Cafe

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House cappuccino at Tosca Cafe

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Tosca might not be the culinary powerhouse it once was — at least, not according to some experts — but the restaurant’s house cappuccino remains a San Francisco classic. The drink dates back to Prohibition when Tosca served it under the guise of being mere espresso and milk. In reality, it’s spiked with bourbon and cognac with a touch of chocolate. 

242 Columbus Ave (at Pacific Ave), San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 986-9651
(415) 986-9651
Cappuccino cocktails at Tosca Cafe Tosca Cafe

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Chinese mai tai at Li Po Lounge

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Chinatown’s Li Po Lounge is so proud of its Chinese Mai Tai that it trademarked the secret recipe. Since it’s a secret and all, we can’t tell you what’s in the powerful cocktail, aside from that it has something to do with Chinese wine. Most importantly, consider yourself warned that the $11 drinks are very sweet and impressively boozy. 

916 Grant Ave (at Washington St), San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 982-0072
(415) 982-0072
A man with a glass in his hand. Patricia Chang

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Leeward negroni at Pacific Cocktail Haven

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The negroni is a popular drink, well, everywhere, but Pacific Cocktail Haven’s version is one that flips the classic cocktail on its head. Best American Bartender (and PCH owner) Kevin Diedrich infuses flavor into the drink via coconut-washed Campari and pandan cordial, making for a relaxing, tropical riff on the Italian classic.

580 Sutter St (btwn Mason St & Powell St), San Francisco, CA 94102
Pacific Cocktail Haven

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Fernet at R Bar

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For better or worse, San Francisco has a longstanding love affair with Fernet Branca, the bitter herbal liqueur with a cult following. And of all the places to take a first shot — or your 100th — there’s no better bar than R Bar, a homey dive with a “Cheers”-like atmosphere. This Pork Gulch bar is responsible for selling more of the amaro than any other in the city, at least, according to legend. 

1176 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109
(213) 387-7227
(213) 387-7227

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Tommy’s margarita at Tommy’s Mexican

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For tequila lovers, getting a taste of this three-ingredient cocktail is a must. Invented by Julio Bermejo at his family restaurant Tommy’s Mexican, this riff on a classic margarita subs agave nectar for orange liqueur and makes for a cleaner-tasting cocktail than other variations. 

5929 Geary Blvd (at 23rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
(415) 387-4747

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Mai tai at Smuggler’s Cove

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Though it’s not the original (for that, you’d need to head across the bridge to Trader Vic’s), the Smuggler’s Cove Mai Tai holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both San Franciscans and cocktail lovers around the world. Credited to rum expert Martin Cate, this version of the drink marries rum, orange curacao, lime, oregat, and sugar.  

650 Gough St (at McAllister St), San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 869-1900
(415) 869-1900
Smuggler’s Cove

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Martini at Martuni’s

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There are a lot of places that make a great martini in San Francisco. But there’s only one Martuni’s. It’s been around for decades and remains a classic San Francisco bar — not quite a dive but definitely not fancy. There’s a piano in the back room, where extremely talented singers take turns on the mic, and the only reasonable thing to order is the house martini, which comes ice cold with your choice of gin or vodka. They’re well-made and, importantly, massive. 

4 Valencia Street, CA 94103
(415) 241-0205
(415) 241-0205
A martini. Lauren Saria

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Mint mojito at Philz Coffee

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These days, Philz Coffee has locations all over Bay Area and as far south as Los Angeles, but never forget that this chain started here in San Francisco and remains a hometown favorite for a quick caffeine boost. The most popular drink is the Mint Mojito, an iced coffee beverage inspired by the cocktail of the same name. It’s made with pour-over coffee alongside fresh mint, sugar, and heavy cream. 

1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 907-2222
(415) 907-2222
Philz Coffee Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

House hot chocolate at Dandelion Chocolate

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Dandelion Chocolate changed the game on bean to bar in San Francisco, and the hot chocolate is a great way to taste what makes the company so popular. It’s an uber rich treat made with  70 percent Camino Verde, Ecuador single-origin chocolate and perfect for sipping as you walk around the city. 

2600 16th St (at Harrison St), San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 349-0942
(415) 349-0942

KSA at Fort Point

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You’ll know Fort Point by its incredibly well-designed cans and boxes of beer — and once you recognize the brand, you’ll see it just about everywhere in San Francisco. It’s a local staple, available at just about every corner liquor store in the city. For a park hang on a sunny day, there’s nothing quite like the KSA, or kölsch style ale, a light beer with just the right balance of American hops and German malt. 

742 Valencia St (btwn 18th St & 19th St), San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 361-7001
(415) 361-7001
Fort Point

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Snowy Plover at Andytown

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Generic iced coffee this is not. Andytown’s Snowy Plover deserves its own praise as a bubbly, caffeine-driven drink that keeps customers going through the day. It features Andytown espresso shot over sparkling water and simple syrup topped with house-made whipped cream. It’s a rejuvenating beverage with a caffeine kick in the pants. 

3629 Taraval St (btwn 46th & 47th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 571-8052
(415) 571-8052
The snowy plover at Andytown Coffee in San Francisco Andytown Coffee
Lauren Saria is the former editor of Eater SF and has been writing about food, drinks, and restaurants for more than a decade.

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Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe

2765 Hyde Street, San Francisco, California 94109

The Buena Vista can’t take credit for inventing the Irish coffee, but it is the bar that popularized the drink in the States, which is almost the same thing. They still sell hundreds of the world-famous Irish coffees everyday, and they’re made with a dash of theatricaity. Grab a seat at the bar for a front-row view as the staff combine Tullamore Dew whiskey, coffee, sugar, and heavy whipped cream.

2765 Hyde Street, San Francisco, California 94109
415-474-5044
415-474-5044
A group of customers cheers with Irish coffees. Patricia Chang

Espresso martini at Balboa Cafe

3199 Fillmore St (at Greenwich St), San Francisco, CA 94123

Pro-tip: Balboa Cafe makes two versions of its famous espresso martini. One comes from a keg to appease the crowds that often swarm the bar in the evenings. It’s a solid drink, super smooth thanks to the nitro tap, made with Stoli vanilla vodka and Kahlua coffee liqueur. The other, however, is made to order with a fresh pulled shot of espresso, which means it can be made decaf if you’re into that kind of thing. 

3199 Fillmore St (at Greenwich St), San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 921-3944
(415) 921-3944
Balboa Cafe

House cappuccino at Tosca Cafe

242 Columbus Ave (at Pacific Ave), San Francisco, CA 94133

Tosca might not be the culinary powerhouse it once was — at least, not according to some experts — but the restaurant’s house cappuccino remains a San Francisco classic. The drink dates back to Prohibition when Tosca served it under the guise of being mere espresso and milk. In reality, it’s spiked with bourbon and cognac with a touch of chocolate. 

242 Columbus Ave (at Pacific Ave), San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 986-9651
(415) 986-9651
Cappuccino cocktails at Tosca Cafe Tosca Cafe

Chinese mai tai at Li Po Lounge

916 Grant Ave (at Washington St), San Francisco, CA 94108

Chinatown’s Li Po Lounge is so proud of its Chinese Mai Tai that it trademarked the secret recipe. Since it’s a secret and all, we can’t tell you what’s in the powerful cocktail, aside from that it has something to do with Chinese wine. Most importantly, consider yourself warned that the $11 drinks are very sweet and impressively boozy. 

916 Grant Ave (at Washington St), San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 982-0072
(415) 982-0072
A man with a glass in his hand. Patricia Chang

Leeward negroni at Pacific Cocktail Haven

580 Sutter St (btwn Mason St & Powell St), San Francisco, CA 94102

The negroni is a popular drink, well, everywhere, but Pacific Cocktail Haven’s version is one that flips the classic cocktail on its head. Best American Bartender (and PCH owner) Kevin Diedrich infuses flavor into the drink via coconut-washed Campari and pandan cordial, making for a relaxing, tropical riff on the Italian classic.

580 Sutter St (btwn Mason St & Powell St), San Francisco, CA 94102
Pacific Cocktail Haven

Fernet at R Bar

1176 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109

For better or worse, San Francisco has a longstanding love affair with Fernet Branca, the bitter herbal liqueur with a cult following. And of all the places to take a first shot — or your 100th — there’s no better bar than R Bar, a homey dive with a “Cheers”-like atmosphere. This Pork Gulch bar is responsible for selling more of the amaro than any other in the city, at least, according to legend. 

1176 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109
(213) 387-7227
(213) 387-7227

Tommy’s margarita at Tommy’s Mexican

5929 Geary Blvd (at 23rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121

For tequila lovers, getting a taste of this three-ingredient cocktail is a must. Invented by Julio Bermejo at his family restaurant Tommy’s Mexican, this riff on a classic margarita subs agave nectar for orange liqueur and makes for a cleaner-tasting cocktail than other variations. 

5929 Geary Blvd (at 23rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
(415) 387-4747

Mai tai at Smuggler’s Cove

650 Gough St (at McAllister St), San Francisco, CA 94102

Though it’s not the original (for that, you’d need to head across the bridge to Trader Vic’s), the Smuggler’s Cove Mai Tai holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both San Franciscans and cocktail lovers around the world. Credited to rum expert Martin Cate, this version of the drink marries rum, orange curacao, lime, oregat, and sugar.  

650 Gough St (at McAllister St), San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 869-1900
(415) 869-1900
Smuggler’s Cove

Martini at Martuni’s

4 Valencia Street, CA 94103

There are a lot of places that make a great martini in San Francisco. But there’s only one Martuni’s. It’s been around for decades and remains a classic San Francisco bar — not quite a dive but definitely not fancy. There’s a piano in the back room, where extremely talented singers take turns on the mic, and the only reasonable thing to order is the house martini, which comes ice cold with your choice of gin or vodka. They’re well-made and, importantly, massive. 

4 Valencia Street, CA 94103
(415) 241-0205
(415) 241-0205
A martini. Lauren Saria

Mint mojito at Philz Coffee

1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158

These days, Philz Coffee has locations all over Bay Area and as far south as Los Angeles, but never forget that this chain started here in San Francisco and remains a hometown favorite for a quick caffeine boost. The most popular drink is the Mint Mojito, an iced coffee beverage inspired by the cocktail of the same name. It’s made with pour-over coffee alongside fresh mint, sugar, and heavy cream. 

1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 907-2222
(415) 907-2222
Philz Coffee Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

House hot chocolate at Dandelion Chocolate

2600 16th St (at Harrison St), San Francisco, CA 94103

Dandelion Chocolate changed the game on bean to bar in San Francisco, and the hot chocolate is a great way to taste what makes the company so popular. It’s an uber rich treat made with  70 percent Camino Verde, Ecuador single-origin chocolate and perfect for sipping as you walk around the city. 

2600 16th St (at Harrison St), San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 349-0942
(415) 349-0942

KSA at Fort Point

742 Valencia St (btwn 18th St & 19th St), San Francisco, CA 94110

You’ll know Fort Point by its incredibly well-designed cans and boxes of beer — and once you recognize the brand, you’ll see it just about everywhere in San Francisco. It’s a local staple, available at just about every corner liquor store in the city. For a park hang on a sunny day, there’s nothing quite like the KSA, or kölsch style ale, a light beer with just the right balance of American hops and German malt. 

742 Valencia St (btwn 18th St & 19th St), San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 361-7001
(415) 361-7001
Fort Point

Snowy Plover at Andytown

3629 Taraval St (btwn 46th & 47th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116

Generic iced coffee this is not. Andytown’s Snowy Plover deserves its own praise as a bubbly, caffeine-driven drink that keeps customers going through the day. It features Andytown espresso shot over sparkling water and simple syrup topped with house-made whipped cream. It’s a rejuvenating beverage with a caffeine kick in the pants. 

3629 Taraval St (btwn 46th & 47th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 571-8052
(415) 571-8052
The snowy plover at Andytown Coffee in San Francisco Andytown Coffee

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