The best cafes in Palo Alto

12 cafes we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Cafes · 12 places · showing the latest additions first

Creative coffee shop offering a variety of teas, pastries, and panini, with Wi-Fi.

3210 Pacific Ave (Stockton)

Creative coffee shop offering a variety of teas, pastries, and panini, with Wi-Fi.

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Red walls set the mood at a cafe where art & live music are often served with the coffee & snacks.

201 Castro St (Mountain View)

Red walls set the mood at a cafe where art & live music are often served with the coffee & snacks.

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A relaxed space with specialty & housemade blends, along with light eats, free WiFi & live jazz.

744 W Dana St (Mountain View)

A relaxed space with specialty & housemade blends, along with light eats, free WiFi & live jazz.

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Casual shop spotlighting Vietnamese coffees and teas with contemporary desserts.

3730 N First St Ste. 110 (San Jose)

Casual shop spotlighting Vietnamese coffees and teas with contemporary desserts.

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Casual Mediterranean restaurant offering classic fare like shawarma & falafel, plus outdoor seating.

650 Castro St suit 110 (Mountain View)

Casual Mediterranean restaurant offering classic fare like shawarma & falafel, plus outdoor seating.

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Casual cafe for Korean desserts such as shave ice (bingsu), plus coffee and tea.

975 W Dana St (Mountain View)

Casual cafe for Korean desserts such as shave ice (bingsu), plus coffee and tea.

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Neighborhood coffeehouse offering espresso, latte, tea & pastries in airy, minimalist environ

302 Randolph St (San Francisco)

Neighborhood coffeehouse offering espresso, latte, tea & pastries in airy, minimalist environ

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Coffee Bodega Farm-to-Table offers specialty coffees grown, roasted and packed by small farmer cooperatives in Costa Rica, giving you true…

50 Fremont St (San Francisco)

Coffee Bodega Farm-to-Table offers specialty coffees grown, roasted and packed by small farmer cooperatives in Costa Rica, giving you true known origin, exceptional aromas and a socially responsible cup that actually tastes like the mountains.

From the Alameda newsletter, August 6, 2026

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Warm, wood-hued coffee shop serving European & Japanese-style cakes & pastries plus smoothies.

181 E Tasman Dr #80 (San Jose)

Warm, wood-hued coffee shop serving European & Japanese-style cakes & pastries plus smoothies.

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Hip spot serving specialty coffee, teas, espresso drinks and pastries near SJSU.

481 E San Carlos St (San Jose)

Hip spot serving specialty coffee, teas, espresso drinks and pastries near SJSU.

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Relaxed cafe offering espresso drinks, wine, tea, beer and more amid artwork, gifts, records and pastries.

816 Sutter St (San Francisco)

Relaxed cafe offering espresso drinks, wine, tea, beer and more amid artwork, gifts, records and pastries.

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Celebrated shop for handcrafted French chocolate in unique flavors & liqueur-infused varieties.

754 Columbus Ave (San Francisco)

Celebrated shop for handcrafted French chocolate in unique flavors & liqueur-infused varieties.

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