22 Best Coffee Shops in San Mateo

“I really enjoyed my Friday morning visit around 10 a.m. There was about a 5-minute wait, a short line, and all the chairs were taken, lots of people standing around and the space was loud and crowded. I was meeting a friend, and even in the bustle we were able to have a wonderful conversation. By about 10:30, the crowd thinned out, and we found a table to enjoy not just our conversation but also some delicious coffee.

She ordered a flat white and loved it, saying it had a caramel-like taste. I had the Tahitian vanilla latte with oat milk (so good!) and an avocado toast. Next time, I’ll definitely order the avocado toast with an egg and try the miso latte the barista recommended.

The café has seating for maybe 15–20 people, either individually or paired up. Overall, a great spot, I’ll definitely be back!“

“Nice staff. Great menu and lovely outside patio for dining“

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

“Excellent Turkish coffee, they had some delicious Chai tea as well. The selection of lattes are incredible. A must experience for those who want extraordinary Coffeee and Tea experiences.“

“The bacon scallion scones are delicious!“

“Being from out of town I hadn’t heard oh Philz. I stopped by to hang out with some coffee for a little while before a meeting. I was surprised by their comprehensive coffee list and landed on a delicious blend to sip on. Service was fast and friendly. There were a dozen or so customers working away on their laptops with plenty of table space to spare. If this place existed near me I wouldn’t go to another cafe for coffee!“

“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.“

“I love the love sign in the Golden latte! #Nice!“

“Great food an Service. Friendly staff and generous portions.“

“+ Great variety of choices for brunches (sandwiches, bagels, rice plates, etc, rice balls) and beverages (coffee, tea, boba, etc)
+ Loved the omelet. Light and fresh taste. Not over-flavored like many other brunch places.
+ Quiet and low key atmosphere

- Hojicha was too sweet.“

“Fritters are great for a treat“

“Late is the best, looking forward to be drinking my late everyday here“

“Nice place!“

“Not only is the coffee the BEST but everyone who works there is so friendly and helpful! Great start to my day!“

“Good food (we had the green papaya salad and the pad kee mao, both excellent). Had we known that the pad kee mao didn't come with tofu we would have asked for it, so next time we will, but that's nitpicking. Very fast service, noticeably so. Location great for those in San Mateo or Foster City (and this restaurant is much better in my mind than Sweet Basil, I'm sorry). The pad kee mao dish was huge and we had to take home half of each plate (we got two, next time one will be enough, but we took it home and plan to enjoy later)“

“Peet’s Coffee in San Mateo has quietly become my daily ritual—my personal launchpad into the chaos of the day. There's something grounding about walking in and hearing the low hum of grinders and the warm “good morning” from behind the counter, where they already know I’m here for my chai tea. It’s not just the spice or the perfect froth; it’s the familiarity—the way the light spills across the tabletops, the subtle rhythm of the neighborhood waking up around me. I sip slowly, letting the warmth seep into my thoughts as I sketch out the day ahead.“

“When I used my husband’s Starbucks card, cashier said she couldn’t put my name on the cup. Weird! But the barista made my coffee perfectly!!! That occasionally happens when I order my coffee at other Starbucks. The first time I was introduced to Iced Cocoa Cappuccino, I was hooked! I do have to order Iced Mocha Cappuccino now because I was told they don’t always have “cocoa” in stock.“

“Best kept secret in town. Good, friendly service, and the breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos are surprisingly good, NOT overpriced--very affordable from a comparable standpoint. Over the past month the wait times have grown as more and more people are finding out about this place.“

“The restaurant is filled with festive spirits for the upcoming holidays! Nice decorations with tall glass windows for all the lights to shine through. Warm and cozy place. The waitress was so lovely and energetic even though it’s already midday.

The food was good. Only one small thing: the poached eggs of Egg Benedicts wasn’t poached enough. It was almost like a boiled eggs. Should be runnier. Otherwise, everything was good.“

“I often visit this place first before starting my Target trips since I always take long trips a d having coffee while shopping is delightful. It’s good to have a Starbucks in every Target store.The staff are friendly. Sometimes, I got my orders mixed up though. I was quite upset for not having what I wanted but just shrugged it off.

Parking: Plenty of free parking lots in the shopping center

Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair road and tables“

“I am genuinely surprised to see this location rated at only 3.9 stars. I've been coming here twice a week for the past month, and my experience has been consistently five-star.

The morning staff is particularly excellent. They are always friendly, and their genuine smiles are the perfect way to start my day. Yes, they get busy—it's Starbucks—but the consistent and friendly greeting everyone receives truly sets this location apart.

This spot is now one of my top locations, right up there with the East Cut store in SF!“