I’m indebted to my friend Karen for introducing me to Linea Caffe, which we paid a flying visit to on my previous visit to San Francisco in April 2019. Sadly I didn’t have time to do a write up, so on my equally brief return to San Francisco last week, I made a point of calling in for a more extended visit.

Located in the heart of The Mission, there’s not a lot to Linea Caffe, just a small, near cube-shaped, sunny, corner spot with windows on two sides and a massive L-shaped counter inside, which leaves space for a single, two-person wooden bench and not much else. Indeed, there’s far more seating outside, where a similar bench is joined by six small, round tables down the side of Linea Caffe.

Linea Caffe, which roasts all its own coffee, has a concise espresso-based menu using a seasonal blend plus decaf, backed up with a single-origin on batch brew. If you’re hungry, there’s a small range of cakes and pastries, including savoury options, from Neighbor Bakehouse.

You can read more of my thoughts after the gallery (all pictures from 2020 unless otherwise specified).

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Andrew Barnett opened Linea in 2013, and it’s occupied the same spot on the corner of 18th and San Carlos in The Mission ever since. It’s a sunny spot, with large windows on two sides and a single door at the right-hand end, facing onto 18^th Street. There’s a solitary two-person bench here, to the left of the door, under the first of two windows. However, there’s more outside seating around the corner on San Carlos Street, where six one/two-person round tables stretch out along the pavement beyond the back of the store, alternating in colour between red and green. This is where Karen and I sat on my first visit in April 2020.

Inside, there’s a single wooden bench under the window to the left of the door, separated from its twin outside by the front wall. The remaining space is occupied by the L-shaped counter, although in reality it’s two counters. There’s a stainless-steel catering counter to the left, behind which is an open kitchen, while the heart of the operation is a wooden counter, running the full width of Linea along the back wall, holding the cakes, till, retail bags and espresso machine.

The right-hand wall, meanwhile, is unoccupied, save for two large, sash windows, the first occupying the space between door and counter, while the second is behind/to the right of the counter. The first window, which was permanently open during my visit last week, can be used as a stand-up window-bar (at least, that’s what I did). The lack of any other seating does mean that the interior, with its high ceilings, is remarkably uncluttered.

When Karen and I visited, I had a cortado, served in a glass and made with the seasonal espresso blend. By the time of my return, Linea Caffe had invested in a brand new La Marzocco KB90, which I put into action with an espresso, again using the seasonal blend, pulled commendably short and served in a cylindrical pottery cup.

The coffee went well in milk, producing a smooth drink with classic chocolate notes, while on its own, it was nicely balanced, a smooth, surprisingly dark coffee. I paired it with a buckwheat financier, which was also very impressive, a rich cake, with plenty of body.

July 2022: you can see what I made of Linea Coffee Roasting + Caffe, Linea’s new (to me), roastery and coffee shop in Potrero Hill, which I visited on my return to San Francisco.

Liked this? Then don’t forget to check out the Coffee Spot Guide to San Francisco for more great Coffee Spots.

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