Why Grand Coffee Is Mission Street’s Loveliest Cafe

PHOTOS AND WORDS BY ANDY SAMWICK

The sensational coffee movement that is Grand Coffee first opened on the North side of Mission Street in 2010. It became more than just another coffee shop, more like a cultural epicenter that brought together the many hearts of the neighborhood. And while artisanal has become a household term, Grand Coffee brings the idea to a new level. It feels cozy and warm with just a handful of seats for those looking to either quickly grab an espresso or stay longer with a larger mug of fresh brew. There is plenty of room to hang around outside, which many do, to catch up with the neighbors. The business truly took off recently when they began to expand their partnership from one owner to three. Nabeel Silmi and his partners Kimberly Kim and Adrian Lopez harnessed their roasting abilities with unique signature roasts. Such hits include their Lights On, known for its all-women cooperative roots in Honduras, and their newest medium-bodied Ethiopian and Guatemalan blend La Llave which references how we as coffee drinkers can unlock our mindset for discovery.

Owner Nabeel Silmi is a San Franciscan through and through.

It’s no surprise that you can find a bag of the Grandest beans throughout many cafes and restaurants on all sides of the Bay. Restaurants including Foreign Cinema, Chez Panisse, Buddy, and The Laundromat offer Grand coffee. Bakeries Automat and Rosalind also serve and sell their coffee. Groceries like Bi-Rite and Rainbow Grocery Cooperative are now fully stocking their shelves as Grand is in such high demand. The business recently expanded with their Grand Coffee Too space, located only a block away and across the street from the original, and already opened up a whole other side of the community that now lines up for their riffs on the classic latte with housemade orange blossom or pineapple vanilla syrup. The space is bright and open and habit-forming as customers have made it their newest morning ritual. For me, I like their cortado. Equal parts espresso and whole milk.

Andy Samwick is a bon vivant who brings decades of food and beverage insight to the table.

Grand Coffee’s first location is a treasure trove of communal nostalgia.