10 Best Cafes in San Mateo

“Eating lunch here right now with the family on a weekend. The service is very friendly and speedy. The space is also very clean and open. The place is kind of tucked away in office buildings but there was still a good amount of people here on a weekend. The kids loved the pond area outside to run around and look at the ducks. The food is also very good. Lots of light and heartier options. We got masubis, loco moco and bibimbop bowls along with some drinks. We’ll definitely be back especially since the kids love it here.“

“Fiero Cafe is a great spot for a casual but satisfying meal. The pasta here is authentic and delicious — the bolognese especially stands out, rich and full of flavor. Portions are just right, and you can tell the ingredients are fresh. They also serve omelets, which make a nice lighter option if you’re not in the mood for pasta. Overall, a cozy place with tasty, well-made dishes that feel genuinely Italian.“

“Fritters are great for a treat“

“was an amazing vibes lovely crew coffee was so good!“

“Love the indoor/patio ambience Menu selection,,,food ,,,,especially variety of bruschettas Drink selection as well,,,, mimosas,,,sangria Would like more live music“

“I was just looking for a place with quick service and a really good latte, and Atlas Bakery & More completely delivered. It’s inside a corporate building, which honestly made the whole thing feel even more unexpected. I grabbed my coffee and sat outside in their sunny courtyard with the fountains, little benches, and umbrellas, and it ended up being such a peaceful part of my morning. A very charming little hidden gem.“

“The cutest little thing with the staff that knows how to take care of their customers. You can just have a Latte and a Pastry but they have a variety of absolutely delicious salads, wraps and sandwiches. Can't recommend it highly enough. # 294 goes there from the Hillsdale Shopping Center.“

“The Absolute Best Coffee in the Bay Area!My husband and I are total coffee seekers whenever we travel, and finding Kaizen & Coffee was the absolute highlight of our trip to San Mateo! It might be the smallest coffee shop we’ve ever visited, but it packs a massive punch. The modern black-and-white interior is incredibly clean and inviting, and the baristas are wonderfully friendly and helpful.We stayed for a week and literally came back 5 times—that’s how good it is! We tried three of their signatures: the Black Sesame Latte, Ube Latte, and Miso Caramel Latte. The Black Sesame was our absolute favorite, closely followed by the Miso Caramel. If you love perfectly balanced drinks, trust me: these are exceptionally delicious, never overly sweet, beautifully creamy, and topped with the thickest, perfect foam.The biggest selling point for us? Absolutely zero chemical syrups. They make all of their bases and syrups in-house, which is exactly what we look for in high-quality specialty coffee. We live in Arizona and are already wishing we could clone this place and bring it home. We cannot wait to visit the Bay Area again just to come back here. Don't skip this gem!“

“Super cute little cafe! Has nice jazz music playing along with friendly staff! I had the half & half combo with the turkey Italiano sandwich & the broccoli cheddar soup & a bottle of water which came out to 16.55 total..Both very good and would reccomend! Has indoor and outdoor seating.“

“Great place. Long lines and worth it“