Sustainable, ethical coffee buyers agree: There is no one-size-fits-all solution to sustainable and fair-trade coffee. Different countries, regions, even farms present varied issues. Four Barrel seems to be endlessly learning (and continually educating their curious consumers) on the specifics of coffee growing around the world; and in a town full of excellent coffee on a coast that is coffee-obsessed, they still manage to stand out. Whether it’s a busy Wednesday morning or a lazy Sunday afternoon, the Four Barrel staff seems as interested in the quality of your cup as you are, and all their knowledge creates a memorable, sometimes palate-changing coffee experience. Kicking back on the high stools on Valencia street or inside the cozy wood cafe is, beyond a doubt, a new classic San Francisco experience. (Some may argue that the hours-long line for their coffee, which snakes through the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays, is its own event, but feel free to pass it up; you’ve stood in lines before.)
