Best cafes: Maxfield’s
Maxfield’s cafe on 17th and Dolores is a typical Mission District cafe, just as full of hipsters but a little sunnier and lighter. I really like the atmosphere here, and the wireless signal is easy to catch. Yelp entry.
Only downside: parking’s very tight, though I often have luck on 17th St. just to the north.
I second the vote for Maxfields… light and bright, big beautiful windows, great coffee and not *too* cool for school.
I used to study here and sit here while my laundry was going next door at Star. Dragged a friend here the other day- instead of going to Ritual- and we got to sit in a sofa, great wi-fi, and yet the espresso was mediocre. This place has a great fengshui/perspective/location/situation whatever, having that big window and lots of light and plants. Before it was a cafe it was a very sparely shelved liquor store that screamed “front!”. haha. great choice!