Black Point Cafe: The Ultimate San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Coffee Experience

September 7th, 2012

As a resident of the particularly touristy reaches of North Beach, I’m often frustrated by my neighborhood’s dining offerings. Sure, I have my choice of chains, from In-N-Out to Chipotle to Boudin. There’s also a plethora of Starbucks locations, and of course infinite Italian options. But a girl can only eat so much pasta. What’s really lacking in my immediate proximity is the selection of small, sophisticated, locally-owned restaurants and cafes.

(Photo Credit: Yelp.com)

So you can imagine my delight at the recent opening of Black Point Cafe, an independent coffee shop that’s making the Fisherman’s Wharf region a lot more inviting. Located at North Point and Larkin, just across the street from Ghiradelli Square, it could easily have been another tourist trap with mediocre coffee and non-existent customer service. Yet as soon as I walked through the doors of this surprisingly spacious cafe, I knew I had finally found my go-to neighborhood coffee shop.

Black Point Cafe is calm and peaceful with an open layout, stylish dark wood décor and lots of light thanks to many massive windows, which also provide gorgeous views of the Bay. There’s free WiFi and a large downstairs area with plenty of seating, and the staff is welcoming and helpful. Service can be a bit slow, but you can tell they put considerable time and attention into crafting each individual beverage.

And that time and attention pays off; the coffee is phenomenal. In addition to the usual drink choices, Black Point boasts an impressive selection of unique java creations, all brewed with San Rafael-based Equator Coffee. There’s the deliciously sweet “Bees in the Trees” latte, with honey and maple; the unexpectedly smooth lavender latte, complete with real flecks of lavender (try it iced for an amazingly refreshing warm weather treat); and my personal favorite, the “Dirty Chai” – a chai tea latte with an added shot of espresso. Next on my list of drinks to try is their newest innovation, the humorously titled “White Mac Dre,” flavored with white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

(Photo Credit: Black Point Cafe)

Black Point also offers a full spectrum of fresh pastries, from healthy, grain-laden bran muffins to luscious red velvet cupcakes. A refrigerated case near the register is home to juices, sodas and many tasty pre-made foods from local sources, including salads, yogurt parfaits and savory breakfast burritos.

Unless you’re entertaining guests from a foreign country, you’re probably short on reasons to visit Fisherman’s Wharf, but Black Point Cafe is definitely worth the trip. Next time you’re in North Beach or Russian Hill, head over and check out to this diamond in the rough – you won’t be disappointed!