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    Academic Coffee

    4.4 (1k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Academic Coffee

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    banana matcha latte
    Lara C.

    First matcha spot I've tried in San Jose and I need to go back!! My friends and I arrived around 11:30am. There was a bit of a line but it went by quickly. There was limited seating but my friends and I were able to snag a table. I love the interior of the cafe. They also give out free Pokemon cards! I ordered the banana matcha latte and it was so good! The banana cream didn't overpower the matcha and the matcha flavor wasn't too sweet or bitter. A good balance for me. Will definitely come back whenever I'm in the bay! :-)

    Banana Matcha (Oat Milk)
    Kyra K.

    After a long workday, I needed a pick-me-up. My friend has already mentioned good things about Academic Coffee. I went to their location near Valley Fair, but was curious about their OG downtown location. I came during the afternoon on a weekend. I don't know why I expected it to be crowded, but I was one of the only customers. Service was super kind and quick, which was nice! The actual shop is quite small inside, with seating, and there are seats outside as well. I got the Matcha Banana Latte with Oat Milk. This is what my friend always hypes up. I can see the hype! It was so rich, creamy, and banana-like without any artificial flavor. The matcha was smooth and earthy. I'm a fan of their lattes and would come back for more! Academic Coffee is a must if you like caffeine. They have a couple of locations in San Jose. Drinks are consistent, although pricey. This location is off S 2nd St. with street parking around.

    Iced Banana Cream Espresso Latte (~$8) & Iced Pistakio Cream Espresso Latte (~$8)
    Aya E.

    Ordered: Iced Banana Cream Espresso Latte (~$8) Iced Pistakio Cream Espresso Latte (~$8): salted Pistakio cream top with quinoa puffs in an espresso latte Stan's Yeasted Glazed Donut (~$4) Aya's take: Academic Coffee is doing specialty coffee drinks right! As soon as I saw the Iced Banana Cream Espresso Latte, I knew I had to have it. The banana cream tasted like they used fresh bananas (not artificial), creamy & fluffy, and not overly sweet yet balances out the latte even more once it's fully mixed. The Iced Pistakio Cream Espresso Latte was nutty, creamy, and balanced. Both cream tops were excellent and you probably can't go wrong with any variation of latte & cream top. We got Stan's Yeasted Glazed Donut for a quick snack and it was beyond airy, light, and fluffy. My only complaint was the cashier lacked basic hospitality & customer service you would expect. Good try, nonetheless!

    Outside
    Quoc H.

    Parking: Street parking only. Limited residential free spots. Interior: Very limited seating. Ok to study if you are able to get a spot but not good for large groups unless you hang outside. Wait Time: None to order. about 5-10min for drinks Items Order: 7/10 Pandan Matcha $7.25 - Not on menu but you can ask for it. Pandan flavor was super light and needed to ask for more. Also sweetness was about a 15-20% so I also needed adjusting for higher. 7/10 Pandan Latte $6.25 - Same as above for pandan comments. Coffee was just average. Light in flavor.

    Retail prices
    Nicole P.

    Five stars for the iced espresso banana latte, it was absolutely perfect. The cream is not too sweet and has a really fresh banana flavor. I was excited to try their Pistakio specials, but these didn't quite hit the mark for me. I got both hot and iced. The hot version didn't blend well with the Pistakio cream, making the texture a bit unpleasant (5/10). The iced version was much more enjoyable (7/10). TL;DR iced espresso banana latte - 10/10 hot pistakio cream latte - 5/10 iced pistakio cream latte - 7/10

    Josh A.

    MATCHAFOO back with another weekend warrior review... fsh fsh . Stopped by Academics Coffee for my weekend matcha treat. Right away the place had super chill vibes and a really dope atmosphere. They also had some pretty sick merch which was cool to see. I ordered the strawberry matcha, and let me tell you this place is officially #1 on my matcha hunt so far. The matcha flavor was strong, thick, and really smooth, and the strawberry flavor actually came through which was fire. Some places barely taste like strawberry, but this one definitely delivered. My girlfriend ordered the iced banana cream latte, and that cold foam was fire. Great coffee flavor and super smooth. Service was pretty quick too, especially considering how busy they were. But wait... that's not all. The donuts they sell are from Stan's Donuts and if you know, you know . I'll definitely be making my way back here ASAP.

    Rose L.

    Great! Got the hojicha latte with no sweetness and it hit the spot. Be sure to stir as all the concentrate drops to the bottom. Otherwise the Pandan was yummy too and we had a great pick me up midday. The line wasn't too long at 1pm, and the wait was about 10min for two drinks which isn't bad. Cute trinkets to look at and collect from inside. I traded some one piece cards for some pkmn ones.

    Radhika K.

    I really enjoyed the banana matcha here, although next time I would probably reduce the sugar level. I thought the pastries were alright, we wanted to try a variety and most of the popular pastries were gone by the time we got there, I recommend going earlier in the day. The line was also incredibly long and the parking was limited. Overall great, but make sure to go at an off-time.

    Pastries.
    Isabel L.

    Friends have been raving about Academic Coffee and they weren't wrong. I got two drinks when I went, I tried their latte and matcha latte. They were both great but I'd say I really prefer the matcha over their coffee. I'm glad they offer non-dairy milk as options. The workers were really friendly and they seem to enjoy their job. This location is in downtown but doesn't feel like it's downtown since it's a bit on the end of downtown. I think that's great so it doesn't feel too chaotic. I'd definitely come back to try other drinks. There aren't much chairs to sit at, you have to really claim them once they're free.

    strawberry matcha
    Tiffany C.

    I want to preface that I make my own matcha at home using first harvest matcha so my standards for matcha are very high. Not only do I pay attention to the consistency of the matcha but also the flavor profile. Academic is the only coffee shop I've been to in the Bay Area that has lived up to those standards. I ended up ordering the strawberry matcha which I felt like was a perfect balance - it wasn't too sweet, had good strawberry flavor but you also could still taste the matcha. It wasn't watered down or grainy at all. The only downside is, because of the location, a lot of college students visit so the line was long and I had to wait 40 min for my matcha. But I'm glad I got to try their matcha and this is the one place I know that will always get it right.

    pandan latte and banana cream matcha
    Shivangi K.

    Love! The hype over this place makes so much sense -- their drinks were delicious (both coffee & matcha). My friend and I ordered the pandan latte and banana cream matcha since they seemed to be the most popular drinks. The pandan latte was one of my favorite of all time! It was the perfect amount of sweetness and the pandan flavor was prominent. No notes. The infamous banana cream matcha is probably every banana lovers dream! I am not a huge banana matcha / coffee person so I just tried some from my friend, but it tasted solid! Only street parking available, inside is super packed but they have some outdoor space which is nice! Long line to order at the counter, but it moves fast. Drinks take longer tho -- I was given a 20min estimate on a busy-ish day which worked for me but glad they gave the heads up when we ordered :)

    banana matcha
    Simrah A.

    I got the banana matcha and it was really good!The banana cream top was delicious- the perfect amount of sweetness and a great banana flavor. The matcha itself was amazing as well and managed to shine through the banana cream top, which I appreciated. The space is pretty small inside, with some seating. It's alright to do work at, but wouldn't necessarily recommend because of the limited seats and lack of outlets. There's seating right outside too though. It's a good spot to pick up a drink and stay for a bit though! My friend recommended this as I was visiting from out of town- I'm glad I tried it!

    Matcha Latte with Pandan Syrup, Banana Matcha Latte
    olivia z.

    This was a solid matcha spot! I discovered this matcha place through urmomashley on YouTube! The matcha was strong and a beautiful green color as you can tell from the picture. I got the banana matcha, and the cream top was light and creamy. There was definitely a real banana flavor in the cream, but not too banana-y. My boyfriend was really looking forward to trying the guava matcha latte, but they were not selling it at the time. Overall, I loved this place and I would definitely come back to try the other matcha and hojicha drinks!

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    Page 1 of 26

    Academic Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Academic Coffee

    Is there a way to mobile order?

    Hi, I noticed that the Banana flavored drinks aren't on the menu anymore, will it be brought back?

    They're seasonal, so they may come back later in the year or next year

    Where are the croissants from?

    They're from Sunday Bakeshop!

    Do you guys serve food still or just pastries?

    We only have pastries at our cafe.

    Is there wifi?

    Yes!

    Is there parking on the back of the building?

    No there is only street parking. The lot next to the building belongs to the hotel.

    Will the Habanero Honey Latte ever make a comeback? It was delicious and is very much missed!

    We're working on it! Follow our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/academiccoffeeco/ for more updates

    Will the orange dream latte make a reappearance anytime soon?

    Yes! We'll see it later this summer!

    When do you normally have caneles and how much are they? I would rather give custom to a local business than have to spend a 50 min (most likely an hour) round trip driving and gas to Los Gatos.

    Hi thanks for reaching out. We no longer offer caneles on the menu.

    Do you have any seasonal drinks?

    Yes! Check out www.academicpantry.com for our latest seasonal specials.

    Can you guys put matcha in one of your growlers?

    Not at the moment, but we'll consider it. We encourage people to drink our matcha the same day for best flavor.

    Hi Frank, What's the current seating situation?

    Hi we've got a nice outdoor patio with about 4 tables. We also have a parklet with an additional 6 tables.

    Are you accepting cash or just card?

    Just card at this time.

    I love your cookies! Miso Sesame is my favorite, but I also enjoy the Choco Chip. What is your…

    Our Baker was on a break but she's back and cookies will be available again starting this weekend! We miss them too!

    Can we bring our own travel mug?

    Absolutely! You get a discount for bringing your own cup.

    Is this place really dog friendly? I did not see any outdoor seating in the pictures. Can we bring small dogs inside?

    We've got a large patio with 9 tables outside. Dogs are welcome in the patio but unfortunately health codes do not allow dogs inside unless they are a service animal.

    Are they open Christmas Eve?

    Yes we are open 7am-2pm on Christmas Eve.

    What kind of pastries do you guys still serve?

    We serve mochi donuts and custard cakes from Third Culture Bakery. Plain croissants, almond croissants, and ham & cheese croissants from Alexander’s Patisserie. We also serve cookies, madeleines and canales from Stained Wheat.

    Does this place still serve the matcha croissant?

    Sorry we no longer have the matcha croissant but we have a matcha mochi donut and a matcha cake.

    Is this a good place to study at night?

    We think so! We close at 7pm but it’s pretty quiet between 5-7pm.

    View All 22 Questions

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    CA Bakehouse

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.5 miEast San Jose
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    CA Bakehouse still is popular. There were regulars lining-up at 1pm to order products by the door…read more Customers still weren't allowed inside the bakery area. One queue was for online orders (recommended by the bakehouse) and the other was manned by an attendant with a tablet and a printed menu. Parking wasn't a hassle this time as there were plenty of spots. Add the fact that we were now familiar with Vietnam Town. We got our usuals with choux (Kaya and Ube), Pandan-Coconut Milk Bread and Banh Bo (honeycomb cake). The mention worthy Guava filled Mochi Cake was so good! A yummy tip that elevates this baked good was when I toasted it (4 minutes) in an airfryer. The crunchy surface with the chewy mochi texture plus the sweet guava stuffing was the perfect ratio I was looking for in a dessert pastry. Can't wait to go back and have more of the guava filled goodness!

    Finally got to try this place! A pro tip is to order online and come for pick up. It was a little…read morebusy when we arrived but we didn't have to wait too long. We ordered the bánh bò (honeycomb cake), guava filled mochi cake, and espresso cookie. I absolutely loved the bánh bò. It was soft, bouncy, and flavorful, as it should be. I would definitely get this again. The guava filled mochi cake was okay. I sort of wish the guava filling was spread around the more. I would not recommend the espresso cookie. It was an odd combination of flavors. It wasn't burnt but tasted like it/bitter and heavy on the butter. I would come back for the bánh bò for sure though!

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    CA Bakehouse - Kaya Croissant - Buttery layered croissant with fresh pandan custard

    Kaya Croissant - Buttery layered croissant with fresh pandan custard

    CA Bakehouse - Inside the bakery!

    Inside the bakery!

    CA Bakehouse - Kaya choux

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    Marvel Cake - Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, lookwise great taste

    Marvel Cake

    4.4(966 reviews)
    6.1 miWest San Jose
    $$

    My wife mentioned this place since she sees it on her IG account so we decided to try it this…read moreFriday!! It is located next to the grocery store Nobhill and there are quick 20min parking in front of the store. We were greeted right when we entered the door and looked at the delicious treats to eat. There is the main seating area and another area in the back to sit down along with sitting outside. It felt upscale and nice. The sign in front of the store had some drink specials and I got a strawberry/matcha drink I think it was called Rose. I asked what was good here and the cashier said the mini almond pastries and other treats in the front. The mini almond pastry was really good and also got a crème brûlée which was really good as well. I would come back again and try their hot teas next time. Delicious treats. Good upscale vice a nice place to catch up with friends!!!

    I accidentally spotted this place after visiting a friend in Saratoga and decided to check it out…read more I'm glad I did! The elegant aesthetics and relaxing ambiance equals their vast array of luxuriously exquisite looking and divinely tasting desserts and pastries. Staff were patient and helpful. I bought a variety to take out and all of them tasted exceptional and worth their price.

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    Marvel Cake - The most delectable chocolate cake with bavarian cream filling. Love it to slices!

    The most delectable chocolate cake with bavarian cream filling. Love it to slices!

    Marvel Cake - Pistachio spiral croissant

    Pistachio spiral croissant

    Marvel Cake - Pistachio Spiral Crossiant

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    Croissante - Croissante Tray

    Croissante

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    The food and environment makes you feel like you are in Western Europe. If you want authentic…read moreEuropean cuisine then this is your next favorite coffee cafe and bakery. It's a bit pricey but worth it. You get what you pay for.

    I come up to this bakery once a month, and I love the 48 hour preorder option. I highly recommend…read moreit for people who don't want to deal with the line that understandably goes out the door. The food is worth the wait. Don't sleep on the black pepper sausage danish: the croissant dough is crisp and flaky, and doesn't get soggy when baked around the sausage. It's comparable in execution to the Croissant Hot Dog served at Dominique Ansel Las Vegas (in Caesar's Palace), but at a way more accessible price point. Which isn't to say this place is cheap; like many artisanal bakeries in California, it comes with a premium price tag, but at least it's not Dominique Ansel pricy. Croissante's croissant dough baked goods (viennoiserie) is pun-intended "proof" that you get what you pay for. The dining space is limited and lively. Conversing is a little tough, but if you just need a place to sit while eating, it's just right. Extra special shout out this time to Dill who had informed me the fried chicken dishes today would be an hour and a half wait. After deciding there wasn't anything I wanted more than the Fried Chicken and Spiced Croffle (croissant dough baked in a waffle iron) and was happy to wait, they were nice enough to check in with the kitchen and see if it could be made sooner than that. I didn't expect to be accommodated, so I was happy they were able to do that. You get two chicken thighs and croffles per order. It's enough for two light eaters to share.

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    Croissante - Indoor dining option

    Indoor dining option

    Croissante - French onion soup- too salty

    French onion soup- too salty

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    Pastelaria Adega - Blueberry Pastéis de Nata aka Portuguese Egg Tart ($4/ea or $21/6)

    Pastelaria Adega

    3.9(565 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$

    Finally got to try them. Unfortunately no malasadas until 1.5 hr later. Was given the option to…read morepre-order. Apparently you can call to preorder too ? Got the tarts and wow very flaky !! The lamination and butter was spot on. The filling was just a touch too sweet for us. Had the original and the apple cinnamon. Didn't except the apple to be a fave, but it was. Think of an elevated apple pie or even an elevated McDonald's apple pie. Don't skip out, try it ! Also had the coconut brioche, very light but not much coconut flavor. I would come again if in the mood !

    I wanted to like this place, but I just don't see the hype…read more The pastries were stale and lacked flavor. Even the malasadas were underwhelming and if you think they are similar to Leonard's, then this does not come close. For the Portuguese tarts, they were served a bit cold. I'd recommend reheating them. The crust was so oily it seeped through the napkin and the filling was overly sweet. I took one bite and couldn't finish it. Overall, the texture and flavor didn't meet expectations. Service was decent but the staff were not friendly. This was a bit of a letdown. If you can, I'd suggest driving or taking the train to SF for this better spot, Holy Nata. It was so much better.

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    Pastelaria Adega - Espresso to go!

    Espresso to go!

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    Strawberry Pastéis de Nata aka Portuguese Egg Tart ($4/ea or $21/6)

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    Passionfruit Pastéis de Nata aka Portuguese Egg Tart ($4/ea or $21/6)

    Milk Belly Bakery - Japanese MILK BREAD

    Milk Belly Bakery

    4.5(381 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    This place is cute as hell and the staff is super kind. We had a variety of the sandwiches and was…read moresurprised that the 4yo loved the lemongrass chicken the most! Bread is soooooft and drinks are amazing! 10/10 recommended and don't skip the potato tostones (smashed potatoes with so much flavor).

    I like the typical shokupan you can find in Japan (I guess they're called milk bread in US) so I've…read morebeen wanting to check this place out and I finally got a chance to try it out. I got the longanisa sando. The bread was just like the typical shokupan you can find in japan. Fluffy, with a hint of sweetness. The sando's meat worked very well with the sandwich. The egg was a very nice combination too. My only complaint is that the egg could've also been fluffier, more soft and raw where egg here was pretty hard and firm. Also, it would've been good to have egg flavored with dashi or more butter, but that's all just my personal preference. The cheese really bind the meat and the egg well. What I have to mention is the habanero sauce (Or I think it was? You can see in the pic the label was kinda washed out so I'm not sure exactly what the sauce was). Perfect amount of spicy kick and a sweetness combined. Using the sauce really took up the sandwich by a notch but it might not be for everyone since it is rather spicy. The staff were very friendly and the inside had a good chill vibe with good back ground music. I'd definitely want to be back to try out more!

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    Academic Coffee - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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