Ritual Roasters, with its communist hammer and sickle-inspired company logo, is more an experience than a coffee shop. San Franciscans take their brew seriously, and connoisseurs guarantee an all-day, line-out-the-door stream of traffic at this hipsters-plugged-into-gleaming-laptops haven.

Yet it’s more than just an über-cool, happening facade—one sip of this dark liquid gold, and it’s startlingly evident that you’ve never before understood the rich potential of a cup of joe. Savor yours with something sweet or savory from their delectable baked-goods display.