Blue Bottle Coffee

Paid $8 for a small latte just for the barista to scream at me asking my name when I tried to get my drink. Be prepared to wait 15 minutes for a coffee.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Passable latte and interesting shakerdo, probably won’t come again the roast used was very underwhelming

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

This is fancy coffee, but the best!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tried the winter latte, was something different than the usual

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Blue Bottle Coffee at the Ferry Building Arcade is a great stop when you’re along the Embarcadero. The location alone makes it worth visiting right in the heart of the Ferry Building with a lively, energetic atmosphere and plenty of people watching.

The quality of the coffee is consistently good. Everything feels thoughtfully made, from the flavor of the espresso to the balance of the drinks. It’s the kind of place you go when you want a reliably high-quality cup of coffee.

The staff was friendly and efficient, even with a steady flow of customers. Orders moved quickly, and everyone was approachable and happy to help, which made the experience feel smooth and welcoming.

The space itself is more of a grab-and-go setup, but that works well for the location. It’s perfect for grabbing a coffee before walking the waterfront, heading to work, or browsing the Ferry Building.

Overall, Blue Bottle Coffee at the Ferry Building delivers on quality, service, and consistency.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

In the early 2000s, W. James Freeman, a coffee-loving freelance musician, became frustrated with what he considered to be corporate coffee. He decided to take matters into his own hands with the goal of selling freshly roasted beans to discerning caffeine enthusiasts who cared deeply about the aroma and taste of quality coffee. He made a simple promise: “I will only sell coffee that is less than 48 hours old!”

Blue Bottle Coffee quickly gained a following because people loved the freshness and the craftsmanship, leading to expansion throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. In 2010, they opened their first location in New York. Then, in 2017, something unexpected happened: Nestlé purchased 68% of the company—marking a major shift toward a larger corporate structure. In recent years, Nestlé has increased its ownership stake even further, solidifying Blue Bottle as a global brand rather than the tiny indie roaster it once was.

Even so, Blue Bottle has held onto many of the values that made it special. They still focus heavily on quality, freshness, and sourcing transparency, and in the mid-2020s they doubled down on sustainability efforts—introducing compostable packaging, reducing waste in cafés, and rolling out more single-origin offerings that highlight small farms and specific harvest lots. They’ve also modernized their menu, adding experimental drinks, seasonal cold brews, and limited-release roasts that sometimes sell out within days. While the choices today can feel a bit overwhelming, the craft behind the coffee is still very much alive.

This Ferry Building location is where I first discovered Blue Bottle in 2007, when the choices were fewer and simpler. Even now, I still remember my favorites, 17ft Ceiling and Hayes Valley Espresso. I usually order a long pull, which gives me a rich burst of coffee flavor along with the caffeine kick I seek!

If you're near the Ferry Building, I highly recommend visiting that location. The baristas are friendly and helpful, the consistency is excellent, and the atmosphere is ideal whether you’re grabbing a quick espresso or lingering with a pour-over.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

great vibe but sadly i’ve had better pour over coffee :(

Food: 4

Just got back from Blue Bottle at the Ferry Building and I’m officially in holiday mode.

Thanksgiving week vibes were unreal: the marketplace packed, bay light streaming in, holiday lights already twinkling outside, and then I spotted the 2025 holiday mugs. This year they went all-in on a deep, gorgeous Christmas red with a tiny matte white wreath detail in the center. Instant obsession.

Grabbed a hot latte and my usual New Orleans iced (still perfect, zero notes) and picked up two of the red mugs on the spot. The color is rich, the ceramic feels premium, and they look straight-up magical against the Ferry Building’s white arches and golden hour glow. Already know these are gonna live on my counter all December.

If you’re in SF and want that “holidays just hit” feeling in a cup, go see these red mugs in person before they sell out (and they will). Blue Bottle absolutely crushed it this year. ☕🎄❤️

(Pro tip: Ferry Building during the holidays is chaos, beautiful chaos. Get there early or just enjoy the people-watching with your latte.)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We took latte and cappuccino. Tasted amazing with Chocolate chip pumpkin pound cake.
Loved-it. 🤌🏻 Can’t wait to visit again. 🤞🏻

hot coffee store, needs to line up for it

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

I am an amateur coffee lover and I love the blue bottle coffee! Also the baristas are awesome and great service ! I can’t wait to get their coffee back! Thanks

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 5

Best coffee in San Francisco and the best Blue Bottle location. The manager is 👌

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I love their coffee. The winter latte worth the try (it’s a seasonal drink)

Good coffee

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Aromatic delicious coffee. However, wait time is too long for super busy location in SF Ferry building.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4