25 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!“

“Great walkable neighborhood“

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

“Fiero Cafe is truly a hidden gem in San Mateo! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the passion and authenticity behind everything they do. Filippo Guarino, the owner, pours his heart into every dish, and it shows. His handcrafted Italian food is nothing short of extraordinary, fresh ingredients, rich flavors, and the kind of attention to detail you only find in true Italian cooking.

I tried the catzo sandwich, and it was fantastic, perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. On top of the food, Filippo makes you feel like family, welcoming you with warmth and genuine hospitality.

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in the Bay Area, Fiero Cafe is a must. Do yourself a favor and go, you’ll leave planning your next visit before you even walk out the door.“

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

“Raises the Tea bar considerably!“

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

“Fritters are great for a treat“

“Nice place!“

“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!“

“What we thought would be a casual Thai joint in San Mateo turned out to be one of the best veggie meals we've had in a long time. Our group of three split a couple of mainstay dishes including their Papaya Salad, Tom Kha with Tofu, and entrees such as their Fried "Fish" and Minced Basil Soymeat. Everything came in large portions that we were barely able to finish most of them without taking a few bites home. The salad and tom kha were my two favorites - each having so much depth and flavor to each dish. The mock fish was also a standout and really goes well with a serving of rice, so don't forget to order some. Looks like they used to be a fully vegetarian/vegan restaurant but have since started serving animal products. Despite that, I encourage anyone to give them a try because their food and service were fantastic.“

“The bacon scallion scones are delicious!“

“I love this location! Israh, Diego, Edson, Ellen, Joseph, Jen and Vicki are all so friendly and welcoming—it makes the whole experience feel so personal. I love that they greet their regulars by name, and they literally know my order based on the time of day, which is a nice touch.

The coffee is always delicious, and my drink has never been wrong. The vibe is cozy, the store is clean, and the service is fast without ever feeling rushed. Whether I’m grabbing a quick coffee to go or working on my laptop for a bit, it’s always such a great experience.“

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

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

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

“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.“

“Cozy little hidden place in San Mateo. A bakery, coffee shop and specialized on cakes. They do offer some Filipino delicacies.“

“My Sister, Sister-in-law, and I are here from the East Coast. in looking for nice brunch places we found Bay Watch. We can’t wait express how great the food was: choices, freshness, and overall taste. We absolutely loved the dining experience. However, more importantly was the service. Our waiter was Tony, he must be the star of the establishment. He was engaging, funny, and clearly knows how to keep the customers happy.

Having Tony and enjoying the food only reinforces Baywatch being the best in San Mateo.“

“I quenched my thrist I loved this place.... ����“

“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.“

“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“

“Such a cool spot! KitchenTown is a food startup incubator, and through their Cafe (now Curbside), we all get access to that yummy, trendy food. Super seamless experience. Just order online, and they'll drop it into your car on weekends. The food is really high-quality. It comes frozen and reheats in 15min, so I keep my freezer stocked to brighten up a random weekday. Love the chicken chili verde, all the pastas, the Korean short rib, and fresh breads. There's also a coffee counter, so I grab an oat milk latte while I pick up my food for the week.“

“I lowkey think the mini chocolate croissant is the sleeper hit here. Pretzel croissant dough for a little extra chew and some salt to contrast and bring out the chocolate 🤌😚

Also complies with my harm reduction diet, 12oz coffee cup for scale. The back patio is lovely as well.“