A damn good cup of coffee in San Francisco

ritual is the best. now also home of the western regional barista champion 2008 (chris baca) and best new comer (drew cattlin). mad skills.

Starbucks

Blue bottle is close, but Philz' Mocha Tessora is the best coffee I've ever had, period. I don't know what kind of drugs Philz puts in their coffee, but I'm hooked.

blue bottle/ritual. especially since blue installed their new $20,000 hotness (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/dining/23coff.html?ex=1201755600&en=aab105...)
(not to be outdone, ritual has the clover). philz is good too, but when it comes to real coffee, it doesn't hold up.

...now i'm thirsty.

this is starting to look like yelp.

Farley's on Potrero Hill. Kickin' magazine selection to boot, and free Wi-Fi.

Ok, your original question said, "based on coffee taste alone.." This is something I have a strong opinion on, and I've been actively searching the city for good coffee. In order of preference:

1.Blue Bottle
2. Ritual
3. Phil's Coffee
4. Magnolia's Brewery
5. Mission Beach Cafe (brews Blue Bottle)

Order a cappuccino for all the above except Phil's of course. Their specialty is drip.

Philz. Nuf said

I second Joe. Philz has the best coffee in the city. And with a location right around the corner from Current SF you can get that kick on those slow mornings.

If you go there and like strong coffee you have to get the Turkish with some mint. Probably one of the best cup of coffees i have ever had.

rite now, my favorite spot is Martha Bros, the on @ Divis+CA. not sure if its mostly women always working there (yay!) or if the capps are so dry and strong (2ble yay)

I used to love stumptown @Ritual. Now Philz gets me utterly wired. love Rullis in Larkspur is a piece of what tiny asscafes in europe look like, minus the snotty attitude, of course. people watching doesnt get better than the teenage update on valencia+ the blueB. the hayes. Blue bottle going to the mint? nice, along with the multi-million pads opening soon. ca-ching. french press me some Major D's pronto.
Ilove coffee. Ilove coffee.

Blue Bottle.

peets on chesnut or Cafe Rulli on chesnut.

best coffees hands down

blue bottle is good , but holier than thou.......

Graffeo, on Columbus.