Painted Leopard, a Bay Area coffee pop-up specializing in El Salvadoran beans, is opening its first permanent cafe in San Francisco at 253 Post Street.
The cafe will operate inside The RealReal’s flagship store in Union Square, according to SF Standard. Owned by Claudia Campos, Daniel Ortiz, and Octavio Vargas, Painted Leopard is currently open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plans to expand to seven-day service in early April 2026. Customers can expect espresso drinks, including a brown sugar latte made with the brand’s Dulzura beans, along with pour-overs, cold brew, and specialty drinks once the grand opening is complete.
Painted Leopard started as a roaming pop-up, appearing at Tunnel Tops Park in the Presidio, Dolores Deluxe in the Mission District, and Local Economy in Oakland. The brand formally launched at the SF Coffee Festival in November 2023 and has built recognition for its edgy, social media-friendly designs. This permanent location marks the first brick-and-mortar stage for Painted Leopard, providing a stable home for its coffee offerings.
The cafe’s interior will feature local art, high-fashion racks, couches, tables, and Wi-Fi, creating an inviting environment that highlights Painted Leopard’s story and aesthetic. Coffee is sourced exclusively from a cooperative in Osicala, Morazán, El Salvador, where Campos’ family has deep roots, and roasted by Ge at 444 Collaborative in the East Bay. This connection ensures a direct link between the farm and the cup, emphasizing quality and sustainability.
Menu offerings at the new cafe will include signature coffees such as Dulzura, known for notes of Fuji apple and cacao nib, and experimental micro-lots like Abejas, a honey-processed coffee with tamarind and wine flavors. Pastry partners will be added after the grand opening to complement the drinks.
Ownership reflects a personal connection to the coffee’s origin, with cousins Campos and Ortiz leading the operation and Campos’ mother living in the Osicala region, which supplies the beans. The RealReal partnership solidifies Painted Leopard’s presence in Union Square and provides an excellent landing space for the brand’s first permanent cafe.
