The best cafes in San Rafael

11 cafes we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Cafes · 11 places · showing the latest additions first

Treat yourself this week to Co Ba Dessert, Tea & Coffee, where pandan waffles pair with silky coconut sauce and the Hoi An Imperial brings…

3730 N First St Ste. 110 (San Jose)

Treat yourself this week to Co Ba Dessert, Tea & Coffee, where pandan waffles pair with silky coconut sauce and the Hoi An Imperial brings warm grass-jelly nostalgia. Sip a zesty Kumquat Royal or floral Mekong Majestic, then share dessert flights or a heritage dessert box with the crew.

From the Milpitas newsletter, August 19, 2026

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Family-owned and just off SF State, Blue House Cafe keeps things fun with house-made syrups, hand-whisked matcha, and signature drinks like…

302 Randolph St (San Francisco)

Family-owned and just off SF State, Blue House Cafe keeps things fun with house-made syrups, hand-whisked matcha, and signature drinks like the Ube Iced Latte and Pandan Iced Latte. Grab a Spam musubi or weekend sushi bake and call it lunch.

From the Daly City newsletter, August 25, 2026

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Coffee Bodega Farm-to-Table offers specialty coffees grown, roasted and packed by small farmer cooperatives in Costa Rica, giving you true…

50 Fremont St (San Francisco)

Coffee Bodega Farm-to-Table offers specialty coffees grown, roasted and packed by small farmer cooperatives in Costa Rica, giving you true known origin, exceptional aromas and a socially responsible cup that actually tastes like the mountains.

From the San Francisco newsletter, September 17, 2026

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Double Rainbow Cafe is officially in the “coming soon” zone, and it’s got future Novato neighborhood hangout written all over it. Put it on…

850 4th St

Double Rainbow Cafe is officially in the “coming soon” zone, and it’s got future Novato neighborhood hangout written all over it. Put it on your radar this week, spread the word to the group chat, then claim early regular status when those doors finally swing open.

From the San Rafael newsletter, September 17, 2026

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Whiskerwood Haven is a cozy cat lounge and adoption center where you can decompress with friendly felines, support local rescues, and maybe…

3000 Geary Blvd (San Francisco)

Whiskerwood Haven is a cozy cat lounge and adoption center where you can decompress with friendly felines, support local rescues, and maybe meet your new roommate. They host cat yoga, low-key movie nights, and a silent book club, so your calendar can be whisker-forward this week.

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 21, 2026

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For that Milpitas afternoon slump, Caffe Bene has organic, fair trade coffee and tea plus Kusmi tea, milk tea, cakes, waffles, sandwiches,…

181 E Tasman Dr #80 (San Jose)

For that Milpitas afternoon slump, Caffe Bene has organic, fair trade coffee and tea plus Kusmi tea, milk tea, cakes, waffles, sandwiches, and plenty of desserts sourced from local dairies and bakeries. A quick pick-me-up that easily becomes a treat-yourself stop.

From the Milpitas newsletter, August 25, 2026

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A.M. Craft treats every cup like a tiny culinary project, with single-origin brews, house-made syrups and a mocha made from 100% cocoa…

481 E San Carlos St (San Jose)

M. Craft treats every cup like a tiny culinary project, with single-origin brews, house-made syrups and a mocha made from 100% cocoa rouge, plus fresh-baked pastries. , and abroad, so your coffee this week doubles as a mini tasting tour.

From the Los Banos newsletter, August 28, 2026

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Need a serotonin boost that also does good? Itty Bitty Kitty Cafe lets you unwind in kitten playrooms with adorable, adoptable kittens, all…

14420 Union Ave (San Jose)

Need a serotonin boost that also does good? Itty Bitty Kitty Cafe lets you unwind in kitten playrooms with adorable, adoptable kittens, all supporting Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty Rescue’s mission to get every tiny meow into a forever home, so reserve a spot this week for maximum purr therapy.

From the San Jose newsletter, September 17, 2026

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When your week needs a tiny reset, The Birdcage San Francisco delivers an espresso bar tucked inside an art gallery, rotating shows and pop…

816 Sutter St (San Francisco)

When your week needs a tiny reset, The Birdcage San Francisco delivers an espresso bar tucked inside an art gallery, rotating shows and pop ups, plus gift-y shelves stacked with Grand Coffee, tinned fish and dangerously good candles. Swing by, caffeinate, peruse, maybe print that zine idea too.

From the San Leandro newsletter, August 12, 2026

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XOX Truffles crafts truly handmade, French-style chocolates in 26 flavors, from Cognac and Champagne to Earl Grey and vegan dark chocolate.…

754 Columbus Ave (San Francisco)

XOX Truffles crafts truly handmade, French-style chocolates in 26 flavors, from Cognac and Champagne to Earl Grey and vegan dark chocolate. Pair a truffle or two with a latte this week, linger, and let master chocolatier Jean-Marc Gorce reset your mood.

From the Oakland newsletter, August 26, 2026

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If your afternoon needs a reset, The Orange Tabby pours seriously good tea drinks, from silky house matcha and roasted hojicha lattes to a…

1344 Ridder Park Dr (San Jose)

If your afternoon needs a reset, The Orange Tabby pours seriously good tea drinks, from silky house matcha and roasted hojicha lattes to a pink coconut matcha that tastes like summer behaving itself. Treat yourself between Zooms, then text a friend to meet you for refills.

From the San Jose newsletter, August 20, 2026

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