Flywheel Coffee Roasters

I’ve been here multiple times and my experiences have always been less than favorable, though nothing so bad that it’s kept me away for good.
The space is cool, very modern with high ceilings. Think stark with some reclaimed wood and welded iron elements. I can see why some people would find it cold or off-​putting but I actually like the space a lot. Definitely conducive to working or meeting up with people.
What I am not a big fan of, however, is the drink quality and prices.
One of the first times I came here, I ordered a Yerba Mate Latte, for some reason assuming the quality would be higher because of its price and the general atmosphere of this place. I was unpleasantly surprised to see that it came from some weird premix you could get from Safeway or some such place.
The coffee and espresso, from what I can remember, is decent, though it’s pricey and you really don’t get all that much for what you pay for. Everyone walking around with Flywheel coffee to go is toting it around in this miniature 8oz cup.
The nitro is interesting, it’s kind of like coffee soda, but unlike soda, it leaves a weird bubbly feeling in the back of your throat that doesn’t go away immediately. Even a sample of it was enough to get me jacked, I can’t imagine how people drink an entire serving of the stuff without having an anxiety attack.
Today I came in early on in the morning and ordered a tea, which was Mighty Leaf, and was $ 3. Even if you’re going to serve the most basic, easily acquired brand of tea in a fancy Bodum mug, it does not justify $ 3. Also, it doesn’t allow much wiggle room for one to tip, which is something I typically do with service industry people. But I’m not about to slap down $ 4 for a cup of Mighty Leaf Tea.
The tea was served to me SCALDING hot (burned the very tip of my pinkie in an attempt to test the temperature) with no warning. I’m glad I didn’t bump into anything or else I may have ended up with a 3^rd degree burn, not even joking.
I’m not sure what the appeal is to playing the most cheesy and explicit R&B/rap music at 9:30 am, but I’d suggest coming prepared with headphones.
After about 15 – 20 min of waiting for my tea to be remotely cool enough to sip, I was disappointed with how bland it was. It is beyond me why 80% of cafes and eateries choose to use this company for their teas.
So yeah, not the best place for tea or anything other than coffee (I can’t speak to their hot chocolate or mochas). Though, their pastries do look appealing and are reasonably priced. I’ll swing by again to try those sometime.

Nice coffee in general, prefer pour over over the siphon. The siphon does look madly cool though :-) Ethiopia beans are super delicious…

Really great coffee here for what I ordered and at decent prices! Baristas were super cool and helpful in recommending options. I’d be back again for sure!

Less than impressed
Everything in here looks so cool and it’s really awesome that they roast their own beans. Personally, I think the coffee I ordered, the Nitro, was way too bitter and tasted like the end of the barrell. I could feel my stomach turning after a few small sips of this acidic brew.
Other than the Siphons and that being a really funky means to brew coffee, I wouldn’t come back here.

The coffee was delicious and it was a very refreshing atmosphere after walking through Golden Gate Park.

I came here with some friends to get some work done, and I got a latte while here. I thought the latte was okay, not that great because it had more milk than I usually prefer. We sat at a round table in the back, and I liked how this place is a lot bigger than it looks.
I would rather come here to meet up with someone rather than get work done since I found it kind of on the louder side.

As much as I love a good cup of joe, I’d be lying if I said I was a coffee connoisseur. While I can easily tell the difference between the likes of Blue Bottle, Starbucks, and the «coffee» from those Keurid pods (both gross and an environmental menace), my palette definitely isn’t sophisticated enough to pick up on the nuances of grinds and beans from around the world. However, if I were to spend more time at a place like Flywheel? Perhaps I could start!
Similar to the likes of Blue Bottle and so many of the city’s other «hipster coffee shops», Flywheel is quite a bit nicer than your typical neighborhood spot. The space is decently large and spacious with a modern commercial/​industrial sort of look. Their relative wealth of tables and high tops also make them a good spot for camping out, but all of the meters and restrictions on nearby parking put a damper on that. Most importantly though, the coffee is pretty good!
Offering beans from numerous countries of the world, Flywheel features a variety of coffee that you don’t often see. Of the handful of choices available, I opted to go with the TARRAZU from Costa Rica ($ 4.00) specifically because I wanted to see if it tasted like what I had when I was down there (it kind of did!). While it wasn’t super strong, it still packed some punch (hellooooo, caffeine!) and had a nice profile — deep, dark, and a tinge of caramel that was quite tasty.
To go with my cup of lava java, I also decided to try their CINNAMON CRUMB CAKE ($ 3.50). Of all of the pastries in the case, this stood out to me the most simply because it looked so good! And believe me when I say that it tasted even better; the crumble on top was awesome (not super heavy on the cinnamon) and the cake itself was so moist and light. Plus, it wasn’t overly sweet either, which made it just that much better.
Besides the area’s parking situation, Flywheel might not be the ideal option for camping out for an extended period unless you happen to be near one of the few outlets I saw (though, to be fair, I didn’t make a point of looking). However, if you’re just looking for a place to catch up with friends or to check out their coffees? Flywheel just might be what you’re looking for. I’m sure I’ll be back again, especially for that crumb cake and to try the cold brew that so many others have mentioned!

I thought I had been in some really hipster places before, but this one takes the cake. The café is going for that modern-​rustic warehouse feel, complete with fake barn doors and a lot of unused space. The register is one of those iPad-​based systems, but they encased it in fake wood for… reasons? Not a particularly laptop-​friendly place either, as other reviewers have noted. Limits on wifi usage, which is nearly unheard of in this day and age.
Décor aside, the coffee comes in very small amounts and is very expensive. Fine, clearly they put some work into it. Whatever they do, it’s not my taste. The coffee tastes kind of bitter and fruity and doesn’t go down well. Just not to my taste, like the rest of the café. Oh well.

Scenario:
I went to flywheel last week with my friend. We were doing a collaborative work at the café. Here are some of my insights:
Pros:
–good location
–nice café shop concept
Pain points:
–you need to pay for the wifi after two hours
–not much light source
–coffee was just ok
–plugs are in an unreasonable place usually
*Would recommend to just hangout or meet with friend there than doing study there.

Probably my favorite coffeehouse in the neighborhood. The coffee is really good and vibe is nice for conversation or just studying. Generally super crowded; there’s also an outside area with a few tables. I wish it were open a bit longer!
I had the peanut butter power bar today and it was not that good haha, but got my protein in!

Came in on a Friday afternoon around 3pm to get some work done. I was scared that it would be really crowded and there wouldn’t be any open seats, but it was actually pretty empty! The space is considerably large and there are outlets throughout the shop, so Flywheel could be a go-​to spot if you’re looking for a place to work or study on the weekdays.
After a few moments of contemplating, I decided to get the Siphon just because it’s not something you see every day. It was cool to see them make the coffee, and they bring it to you in the pot for you to pour into the accompanying glass mug. The coffee itself was pretty mellow in flavor; it wasn’t very bold, so if you’re into stronger-​tasting coffee then this probably isn’t the best option for you. I did enjoy it myself, as it is definitely a unique way to experience coffee. I don’t think I’d get it again simply because of the hefty price tag, but it was fun to try. On top of having a unique selection of drinks, the pastry case was loaded with goodies, but I wasn’t hungry during my visit so I didn’t get anything to eat even though everything looked so good.
I didn’t get to try their cappuccino, which I use as my comparison point between coffee shops, so I’m a little hesitant to give Flywheel a full five stars. Hopefully I’ll come back soon with an updated review!

I been wanting to try Flywheel for a while. The café itself was very spacious and dim. But I think it was all hype. I order their regular latte and banana bread. Nothing special about the coffee itself. I ha better lattes else where. And the coffee art was not even nice. If you are charging me for a 5 dollar latte, at least give me some pretty art? haha But the banana bread was pretty good.

This place is perfect for those seeking on setting aside time for productivity. It is also a great place to socialize since the caffe is so spacious. Upon entering, the overall atmosphere and vibe of Flywheel Coffee Roasters is great. The décor is fairly modern and very hip.
The coffee itself is has good flavor for those who don’t prefer the extremes– not too sweet, not too bitter.

Really loved the feel/​vibe of this place if I was coming to chill or hang out with friends. But as a study spot, it’s a little too dark and too warm, which made me sleepy/​not productive haha. Their coffee is super strong though (milk/​cream is a must)!

Unlike that Flywheel cycling class I went to, the Flywheel Coffee Roasters live up to the hype. I’m actually not sure if this place has any hype but it should!
Flywheel has a great vibe to the whole place. I dropped in on a Sunday evening. Most people were working independently or in small groups which I typically prefer since it promotes a productive environment.
Service was solid and their pastries seemed popular. I was sitting at the counter so I could watch them make coffee during my stay. It’s quite entertaining.
When I go to coffee shops for the first time (and if you read my other reviews), I typically try 2 cups of coffee: the latte and a drip. Today was a little different. I ordered up 2 Siphons ($ 6 each) and a Nitro coffee ($ 4 – 5, I forget which). I’ve had both styles from several different places in the past. Both styles were very good and met my expectations. I will explain how each works at the end of my review I case anyone was interested.
If you’re visiting for the first time, I strongly suggest the Nitro coffee because it’s basically a cold brew that offers a better drinking experience. If you desire on the Siphon, you get to (or forced to?) choose which beans to use. I recommend the Kenyan because it has a nice, mellow flavor. If I were to go back, I would try the pour over instead of a Siphon because it’s mostly a cool gimmick IMO.
One criticism I had was that the wifi disconnects every 30 min or so without warning. It’d be helpful if they state that somewhere so I know when my google doc isn’t being saved anymore.
Bottom line is to check this place out of you like coffee. It’s a good experience.
OKAY, stop here if you don’t care about the technical stuff because I’m about to flex some knowledge (hopefully, I say everything correctly).
For the bean options, Your options are the Kenyan, a Costa Rican, and a Ethiopian. There’s nothing special about these because of their quality to price point. They, or similar options, are roasted by most of the popular roasters (Blue Bottle, Sightglass, etc.). The difference is usually how the beans are roasted and the brew temperature and duration. I won’t get into all those details but just know that how the beans are roasted makes this place unique, not the beans themselves.
NITRO: The process is pretty simple to explain. You take a cold brew, keg it, then use nitrogen to force the cold brew through a modified stout head (stout = beers like Guinness). No, the coffee isn’t carbonated but it does have a nice bit of head /​foam on top because of the tap. When you drink a Nitro Coffee, you’ll first experience the light aromas in the foam along with the foam texture which will be followed by the stronger flavors of the coffee on the back end. I think the nitro helps bring out the flavors in the grounds but that could just be in my head.
SIPHON: Pretty much the same thing you do when you run out of gas. Just kidding. Okay this process is more sciencey version of a French press but it’s conceptually simple. Okay, so there’s an upper chamber and a lower chamber that are connected to be airtight. The upper chamber has coffee grounds in it while the lower chamber has purified water. As the water heats up in the lower chamber, the water has nowhere to go except to escape to cooler climates in the upper chamber with coffee. This is the «siphon» effect. The system continues to be heated while the coffee brews in the upper chamber. Once the coffee is ready, the heat is removed and the brewed coffee drips back into the lower chamber with the help of gravity. There’s usually some type of filter in between the two chambers but there doesn’t have to be. BAM, coffee is done. Now, let it sit for about 5 – 10 min for it to be at a drinkable temperature and enjoy. This process takes a long time but I probably wouldn’t get it again from Flywheel.
Other notes: The barista told me the Siphon process removes the acidity which doesn’t make any sense. I’m pretty sure that the acid is reduced because of the longer brew time during a Siphon. This can be done with other brew methods. I’d probably just get a pour over next time and ask them to increase the brew time since cheaper.

This review is just for the coffee. It’s great. May have even gotten better.
I come here at least once a week. Best coffee in the city — only ritual really compares.
It’s great to have seen this place grow over time and have their space well utilized on weekdays and weekends.
It’s of the best coffee in SF, and the absolute best in a mile radius.

Pro:
Spacious and hipster café where people can study and socialize while enjoying their coffee!
Con:
The flat white was good but it was more on the bitter side. You also have to register to use wifi.

3 stars for ambiance (purely physical) and my delicious nutty cappuccino, and –2 for the blonde gal working on ⁸⁄₂₄ at 6pm for service that can use some work.
I understand it’s the end of the work day, serving so many types of people, blah blah blah; however, when one chooses to be in the service industry then isn’t giving good (perhaps GREAT in Utopia) service what one shall strive towards giving?
I love me a good cup of coffee, but it would be nice to be greeted when looking at choices and not just a lack of emotion or rather any human interaction.
Das my two cents and more.

This review probably isn’t going to be too epic as I literally just popped in for a quick macchiato and to use the loo — but all in all the café was pretty cool, roomy and the right side of hipster without being too full of itself.
I’m sure the stripped back design was cutting edge once but I really struggle now with a lot of independent places world wide going for the ultra minimalist, industrial vibe — I get it, it just doesn’t excite me and I’m waiting for the next quantum leap in design to come (hopefully) soon!
Pretty spacious and occupying a cool spot next to GG park — it could be a good option if you want to get your coffee fix on when heading for a stroll.

Flywheel Coffee
SF The Haight
2pm Wednesday 15^th April 2015
Four Stars
Flywheel to me is an exercise facility. It is also an app for you find and pay for a taxi. Now it’s a coffee house as well. This place was very spacious but was too warm for me sit inside (probably because they actually roast beans inside the place. I had an iced coffee to wash away the taste of this mornings not so good ice coffee at earth’s coffee. The coffee had notes of caramel and very low acidity. Enjoyable.