50 Best Coffee Shops near Portola Valley

“Very good place for morning coffee“

“I recently visited Brew Coffee and Bakery, a charming little spot with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The hot latte was smooth and well-balanced, with just the right amount of richness without being overly sweet. It was the perfect pick-me-up, made even better by the cozy ambiance.

The real star for me was the egg and cheese croissant. The pastry was perfectly flaky and buttery, with a generous filling of egg and melted cheese that was both comforting and satisfying. It’s clear they put thought and care into their menu, and I can’t wait to go back and try more! Brew Coffee and Bakery is a true gem for anyone looking for quality coffee and fresh baked goods.“

“I attended a Chemex Kenz coffee tasting and love their Hambala. Their love and passion for coffee translates in the quality of their beans. I’m glad I can also enjoy their brew at Sue’s Cafe in Downtown Saratoga.“

“Fantastic community based organization at a beautiful. Welcoming site!“

“I came here to say that this hole in the wall exceeded my expectations.

I ordered the breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon. ? I had it with their homemade style biscuit and it held its shape; not too buttery.

Eating the eggs was like eating fluffy clouds. The texture of the breakfast sandwich dissolved into my mouth and it helped that the Pumpkin Pie oat latte wasn’t acidic or too bitter or lacked espresso so sip, don’t gulp because you want to take your time.

The ratio of coffee to Oatmilk was equally proportional. One can actually taste every sip, reminiscent of a fond fall memory in your mouth. ??

Sadly..there are no pictures but in many ways I felt like I was truly present enjoying the experience. I can tell the workers also cared about their work; all were friendly and kept the place nice and clean.

Thank youuuu!!! I’m coming back and I live in Berkeley where all their cafes are hard to beat. But this takes the prize in San Carlos.“

“Love the layout and ambience. The coffee was great. With @mike and @gordon“

“Best coffee in San Carlos... by a considerable distance.“

“Honestly the breakfast bagel was okay, but nothing about it was remarkable. If you're just looking for sustenance this gets the job done. But if you're looking for something memorable that you would look forward to and want to recommend to out of town visitors I'm not sure this place would make the cut. The seating was not very comfortable and the table was very wobbly which is annoying when you're drinking coffee. Water was available upon request but not self serve, so you'll have to keep bothering the busy staff if you want a refill. Same for sugar for your coffee, they literally counted out two sugar packets and if you want more you have to ask them again. Just a bit strange these days when most coffee shops just let you help yourself.“

“Great coffee, super fresh, decent prices for Palo Alto

The coffeeshop is freezing cold. I was worried I’m gonna get sick. Have to bring a jacket.

And who puts mint in Chai??? I understand the owners aren’t south asian, but if you borrow something from a different culture, then do it right. Creativity is appreciated but mint on chai simply doesn’t work. Milk and mint don’t mix well. “

“Best coffee I’ve ever had!“

“You can tell when you walk in that this is a well-established fixture in Palo Alto. The breakfast menu is limited, but the food is made fresh and the ingredients were whole and healthy. And the coffee is very good, which makes sense since they advertise coffee from around the world and have a big roaster sitting off to the side.

The veggie omelet had a good number of veggies and was accompanied by a bagel and a cup of fruit. Although I was hungry I couldn't finish it all. They are generous with the coffee, and I also needed a to go cup for that. The seasoning on the omelet was pretty tame, but they provide salt and pepper, along with Tapatio got sauce to spice it up for those who like a little more flavor.

The counter service was courteous, and attentive, and our orders were correct.“

“Excellent store to stop by whether you need a quick coffee or if you're looking for something delicious to start your day.

Would definitely recommend the breakfast sandwich. It's delicious and hearty. Do watch out for the egg exploding everywhere though! Made a bit of mess myself ?

The batch brew was excellent. They source some great beans and I highly recommend grabbing a bag as well!

Super friendly and approachable baristas as well, thanks for making my morning excellent!“

“location, coffee and sandwiches“

“Delicious food in a pleasant setting with great service. Recommended.“

“Lots of bright, natural lighting. Big open space with lots of seating with access to power outlets. Clean. Three individual all-gender bathrooms. Friendly staff. Drinks come out perfect every time. Good place to work. Some people take personal and work calls though, so I recommend bringing noise canceling headphones if that bothers you.“

“Love everything about this place - food, atmosphere, books, decor, performances. What a blessing for our community!“

“Best coffee !!!!!!!!!!!!!“

“Great nice clean place friendly crew as I write this I'm back here again ... Good Day cheers“

“Ada’s is the best place for delicious food, friendly service and a real sense of community. On top of all that, it believes everyone can have meaningful employment and trains and offers wonderful work under the kind and generous care of founder Kathleen. It’s a community GEM!!“

“Loved the open face salmon sandwich.“

“Cafe Zoë is an incredible little community space that serves delicious beverages, food and entertainment. Kathleen, Zoë and the staff are truly amazing and provide great service. They are community minded and love how they support the arts as well.“

“Good food and good hot chocolate“

“The food was really very tasty. The staff were very humble and courteous. Food was served in an excellent way.“

“I tasted the quality in the ingredients. The texture of my chicken sandwich was perfect and the sweet potato fries were crispy. The kids mac and cheese was freshly made and perfect portion. The service was above and beyond. This is my family’s new spot!“

“Food is absolutely amazing. The breakfast sandwich is to die for, and their Kouign-amann is the best I've ever had. The store is adorable and doesn't have hipsters on laptops camping out in it. Service is quick and very kind. Best bakery I've ever been to.“

“Amazing breakfast burrito and croque monsieur. Chocolate croissant is also delicious! We can’t wait to try other menus. Good price and big portion. There is a big parking space right across the street and it is attached to some kind of senior center.“

“right next to Draeger's and parking available“

“The owner runs a great business and the staff is wonderful. Thank you.I double checked and you are correct. I have the wrong location. It’s the new store front under construction at the corner on the left side of the arch. I was upset and didn’t clarify I had the right business. A mistake I hope I can rectify with a new 5 star review“

“샌프란에가면 마셔봐야하는 민트모히또아이스커피“

“My favorite boba place anywhere! Anytime I'm visiting the Bay Area, I make a point to stop by to complete my trip. The ingredients are fresh, and it always tastes homemade. I'm a creme brulee fan and their creme brulee boba is almost worth the cross-country flight itself.“

“Super nice team working Saturday , glad we got in just before closing! Nice if you were open just abit later!“

“I am visiting from out of town and stumbled upon this bakery. I purchased the fresh strawberry tres leches. Oh my goodness. It was one of the best desserts I’ve had in a long time! So so delicious. Highly recommend!“

“I missed the drop off day for donating for the animals in need. Stopped by there this morning with a donation. Loved the greeting with a smile that I received when I walked in by the young man behind the counter. he was totally surprised when I handed him an envelope and explained that I had missed the drop off date. Now I know why this Cafe receives 5 stars, very friendly atmosphere. I will be back!!“

“I love Jason's cafe. A very pleasant breakfast spot. I highly recommend it. If you're looking for entertainment or drama, then you need to go someplace else. If you want good food, good service and a relaxing breakfast, or lunchtime, then enjoy a great meal at Jason's Cafe.“

“Amazing! I ordered the best turkey and brie sandwich. The baguette was toasted and the brie was nearly melted. So good for my first time stopping by this location. By the way, this is their headquarters, so it's cool:) and they have a cozy dining area too!!“

“Easily the best sandwich of my lifetime. I paused after every bite, saying “Damn, this is amazing”. The bread had that perfect crust and taste. While I’m at it, it’s also hard for me to remember a better tasting chocolate chip cookie.“

“Please fix your a/c! I'm a local and I've noticed that it's been 2 months. Some business is lost because people who want to sit and work (me) with their delicious coffee, can't because of the temp. I have to go to a farther Peets. Otherwise, great Peets and great customer service. 3 stars for atmosphere = no a/c. I would love to come here again.“

“Their donuts are simply the best. Don’t pass up on the chance to have at least one maple cover donut as their maple is delicious and unique!“

“Zoom Caffe, highly recommend! 5 � coffee and great eats!“

“This is a place filled with the aroma of coffee and the atmosphere of books. Whenever we visit the campus, this spot is always our go-to for a break. The staff is friendly, and even on a Sunday afternoon, it's never too crowded , so there's no long wait. You're surrounded by young students with books or laptops, discussing or working on their own things, each person immersed in their world. The energy here is vibrant and alive!

This is a place full of coffee and bookishness. When we go to campus and take a walk, this is always our temporary resting place. The store staff are friendly and there are not too many people even on a Sunday afternoon, and we don’t have to wait too long. There are young students around, holding books or laptops, or discussing with others. Everyone is immersed in their own things, and you will feel alive here!“

“Dunkin in Redwood City does it right! Totally like an original DDs. I lived over 20 years in Boston where DDs is on every third corner lol. I always loved the consistency in taste and the great prices for coffee and bagels with cream cheese. Now I love also their iced green tea. What a delight. The first DDs in our area in San Carlos just didn’t get it right. I was thrilled with this one in Redwood City. Wonderful service and great donuts and bagels.“

“Great place - superb coffee! Enjoyed the warm atmosphere and the exceptionally friendly staff!“

“The coffee is good, as usual, but service was not up-to-par. I paid with a credit card, because who touches cash during Covid? When I didn't put any thing in the tip jar the cashier stared at me, glanced at the jar, and then stared at me again. I said to her, "I wish there was a tip option on your credit card machine." She replied with an emphatic, "Me, too." Then, rather than pouring my coffee as they usually do, the cashier proceeded to sweep the floor and make busy. After a few minutes of this she got around to pouring my coffee. Excellent coffee, as usual...“

“Authentic and charming! The coffee, muffins and sandwiches are WAY wonderful!“

“Excellent espresso. Lavender, orange, and rose flavor sweeteners are sweetner free!!!!! This makes 3 unique flavors accessible to those who prefer/need no sugar or artificial sweeteners in their diet.As someone who loves espresso based drinks ( loved the cappuccino and the Gibraltar here) but also avoids sugar and artificial sweeteners- this was a real delight.I had a lavender orange hwc cappuccino. It was perfection.Great staff. In charming downtown.

Vegetarian options: I think this place has very few non-vegetarian options regarding food choices.Many alternative milks

Dietary restrictions: They were fantastic for drinks. No options food wise for low carb people. Limited for gluten free.

Parking: Free plaza parking for the downtown area. It is hit or miss to find parking

Kid-friendliness: It’s a coffee shop. It is neutral I guess?

Wheelchair accessibility: Not great. Narrow access to bathroom area might be hard to maneuver and there is an entire (main) lounge area that is only accessed by stairs.“

“Looking for something different with a nice view ? girls in bikini if that is offensive I apologize but it's a reality here drinks are for the most part good but the women working are the real reason you go maybe not a place to go with kids or family.“

“The owners are awesome and I'd definitely come back again! :D“

“Service is commendable here. The first few times I went, I didn’t realize until later but every staff member was very chipper and polite. Combined with the surpassingly addictive specialty lattes I’m sure it’s what contributed to me coming back. Today I was in a very grumpy mood. The staff serving my coffee asked, “is it perfect?” The question alone took me off guard . Such a contrast to any other establishment charging crazy prices and expecting 15-25% tips on much higher checks. Guess what? The iced honey oat milk latte was indeed perfect, just like it was the three times before that by different staff. Consistent. I presume it testifies to the managers hiring, training, and treatment of staff. I’m frugal so I’m surprised the Menlo Park Philz won me over with a $6-7 coffee.

Vegetarian options: Plant based sandwiches and pastries available.

Kid-friendliness: Kids seem fine here.

Parking: Caltrain and street parking available.

Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs.“

“Buenísima atención. Ideal para realizar trabajos, mientras disfrutas de una bebida.“

“Good place to get work done! Drinks come out consistent, baristas are nice and clarify drink orders to make sure they get it right. Usually there is seating available, access to outlets and WiFi. Sometimes it gets busy so the baristas can’t wipe down crumbs off tables right away, but no biggie. I like coming here more than other nearby Starbucks locations.“