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Came in at 9am on a Wednesday and the vibe was not hype at all. Worker seems like either they are tired and don't want to work. No "hello" gesture or even a smile. They have a good selection of pastries. Ordered; Matcha banana cream- was good Matcha strawberry latte- was good Espresso banana cream - was good There's an outdoor seating which is nice.
3.5 stars rounding up Line gets super long lol banana cream can also sell out early Pandan Coffee was good but flavor subtle, definitely more coffee than pandan Matcha Vanilla-- good but standard Banana Matcha (tried in DTSJ)-- good but also standard, preference might just be at matcha cafes instead Will just stick to their Madagascar Vanilla if I'm nearby
I love all the different flavors they have -- the matcha and the coffee were equally good in my opinion. It's a cute indoor location near Valley Fair mall, with nice outdoor seating. Indoor seating is limited, and you'll have to find street parking, so that part can be challenging. Overall, I really enjoy the coffee.
I heard that Academic had a new seasonal melon matcha and decided to try it. They told me it was only around until the end of July and that it's honeydew flavored. I got the melon matcha with whole milk and the matcha cream top. I think I like their guava matcha more than the honeydew, but it was still good. It had a distinct honeydew flavor and the matcha itself was smooth. A friend of mine tried it and said it tasted like a lip smackers, which I think is a good way to describe it. I came on a Friday morning and it wasn't too busy. All the seats inside were taken but there were open tables outside. There's metered parking along Second and William street and it wasn't hard to find a spot. I love coming to academic and trying their new drinks, so I'll definitely be back.
I'm not a huge coffee/matcha person as caffine doesn't do much for me. I usually drink it for the flavor or 'dessert'. Their guava matcha - oh my god. SOOO good. Worth the 9 or 10 bucks it was. The pandan coffee tastes like your typical pandan. But man oh man, highly recommend. Service was quick. There's street parking.
I've heard so many good things about this shop's matcha, so I had to try it for myself. Maybe I ordered the wrong one, but unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed. I got the standard sweetened matcha with whole milk, and while it was decent, it tasted pretty thin and watery overall. Definitely a little underwhelming. That said, the shop was cute, the staff was friendly, and my drink came out really quickly!
Came around 8:30 am on a weekday and it wasn't too busy. Service was friendly and pretty quick. -Banana cream matcha (4/5): the banana cream was yummy and not overly sweet or artificial tasting, matcha was a good strength -Guava cream matcha (2/5): guava flavor was strong and fragrant but overpowered the matcha, I'm not the biggest fan of guava but wanted to try cause it was unique
Heard they're one of the best matchas in SJ! Wasn't too busy on a weekday morning around 8:30AM, we ordered and received our drinks quickly. Service was friendly Banana cream matcha (4/5): the banana cream was yummy and the matcha was strong and a good amount of sweetness Guava cream matcha (2/5): haven't seen a guava matcha before so it was interesting! The guava syrup and cream top was fragrant and strong, but completely overpowered the matcha
Always a solid choice for coffee or matcha in the Bay! I don't always like a strawberry matcha, but theirs is super yummy! The strawberry compote is fresh and sweet. It pairs perfectly with their earthy matcha. They also offer up a nice selection of sweet and savory baked goods if you're in the mood for a quick bite. You really can't go wrong! Also, a huge fan of their branding. Digging the new cup design!
Our drinks took 15-20 minutes to come out. The coffee shop is nice and has nice door seating. My friend and I ordered the Vanilla Latte + Pandan Latte, both of which were not filled up all the way. Also, they lacked the difference in taste and we couldn't tell apart the difference in orders. The Vietnamese iced coffee was horrible. It was so dark and bitter and left a really strange aftertaste. Though I will say the matcha guava was really good. The cream top tasted like fresh guava, and it complemented the matcha very well. That was the only redeeming drink here.
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.
It was hot in here! But despite the temp, I dug the vibe, both inside and out. There's limited seating inside with additional seating outside. My husband got a cold brew which he said was okay. I got their Piloncillo cinnamon latte which I thought was great! The baristas were nice. We commented on their fridge artwork and chit chatted about that with them a bit because my son thought it was cool since he's currently reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I'd recommend this place.
While visiting San Jose, I came across this coffee shop and I'm really glad I did. The coffee quality was excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the pastries were absolutely delicious. The shop itself is a bit small, so it may not be the easiest place to study for long periods, but it has a great atmosphere, good vibes, and a very welcoming environment. The outdoor seating was a huge plus, especially with nice weather -- it's the perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy your coffee. Parking in the area can be a little tricky and it is paid parking, but that's pretty common for most downtown areas. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this coffee shop to anyone looking for quality coffee and a nice atmosphere.
1 day ago
"Academic Coffee" located in the heart of San Jose's SoFA District (South First Area) has been offering some of the tastiest coffee, teas, and handcrafted espresso beverages dating back to the summer of 2017. Located directly at the corner of S. Second St and E. William St, this family owned-and-operated coffeeshop is in the heart of downtown. Parking here during any given day can be quite challenging; especially during the workweek as there are various offices around here as well as being in close proximity to San Jose State University. Business hours are 7am-4pm seven days a week. I came here during the morning of Friday 9/4/2026 at around 10:00am. Fortunately I was able to find a nearby parking spot but as a reminder, meters are everywhere. The exterior of the business showcases their business name complete with several planter boxes, colorful outdoor seating, and umbrellas to shield out the sun. The interior is small and quaint yet there is still ample seating for roughly two dozen customers. It is one of the smaller coffeeshops I have been to and can get quite loud. So if you're focused on studying or conducting a virtual meeting, this may not be the place for you. Since I was saving my appetite for breakfast somewhere else, I ended up ordering a drink. And to those that have been here highly praised their "Pandan Latte". This is Asias answer to a vanilla latte as they use sweetened pandan-infused extract to give it a very unique taste. I chose 2% milk and wanted to go with an iced version as it was a relatively warm summer morning. This place does offer many more unique offerings that include lattes made with banana cream. Piloncillo coffee (widely known as café de olla), and Madagascar flavors. Keep in mind that this place does not accept cash so make sure you have your cards ready to go and of course, they take Apple/Google Pay. I will say that my Pandan Latte was made to absolute perfection as they taste was not too sweet and not to bitter. The service was also above average as this small business had a very festive vibe to it. I also wanted to add that they sell a nice assortment of whole bean coffee, teas, and other various merchandise on their website, https://www.academiccoffee.com/ as well as in their brick-and-mortar stores. Furthermore, they opened a second location on Winchester Blvd/Forest Ave right near Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara. With excellent service, prime location, and delicious beverages, I am giving "Academic Coffee" in San Jose a perfect five-star rating. read more
Wanted a matcha and a friend recommended this place! Known for their Banana Cream Matcha latte. Came here abt 2:30pm on a Friday and it was a full house. There is a bench-like tables with stools and 3 yellow tables for seating. There was limited street parking. Quick and friendly service - basic "what can I get you?" and no convo. I liked the hojicha the most but all drinks were good. Banana matcha was creamy and sweet. Vanilla cold brew was yummy and vanilla was not too overpowering. Would come again to try their pastries, they were allllll out. Order: 1 Matcha Banana Cream $8.50 1 Hojicha Banana Cream $8.50 1 Madagascar Vanilla Cold Brew $5.50 read more
2 months ago
Came in at 9am on a Wednesday and the vibe was not hype at all. Worker seems like either they are tired and don't want to work. No "hello" gesture or even a smile. They have a good selection of pastries. Ordered; Matcha banana cream- was good Matcha strawberry latte- was good Espresso banana cream - was good There's an outdoor seating which is nice. read more
3.5 stars rounding up Line gets super long lol banana cream can also sell out early Pandan Coffee was good but flavor subtle, definitely more coffee than pandan Matcha Vanilla-- good but standard Banana Matcha (tried in DTSJ)-- good but also standard, preference might just be at matcha cafes instead Will just stick to their Madagascar Vanilla if I'm nearby read more
I love all the different flavors they have -- the matcha and the coffee were equally good in my opinion. It's a cute indoor location near Valley Fair mall, with nice outdoor seating. Indoor seating is limited, and you'll have to find street parking, so that part can be challenging. Overall, I really enjoy the coffee. read more
I heard that Academic had a new seasonal melon matcha and decided to try it. They told me it was only around until the end of July and that it's honeydew flavored. I got the melon matcha with whole milk and the matcha cream top. I think I like their guava matcha more than the honeydew, but it was still good. It had a distinct honeydew flavor and the matcha itself was smooth. A friend of mine tried it and said it tasted like a lip smackers, which I think is a good way to describe it. I came on a Friday morning and it wasn't too busy. All the seats inside were taken but there were open tables outside. There's metered parking along Second and William street and it wasn't hard to find a spot. I love coming to academic and trying their new drinks, so I'll definitely be back. read more
1 month ago
I'm not a huge coffee/matcha person as caffine doesn't do much for me. I usually drink it for the flavor or 'dessert'. Their guava matcha - oh my god. SOOO good. Worth the 9 or 10 bucks it was. The pandan coffee tastes like your typical pandan. But man oh man, highly recommend. Service was quick. There's street parking. read more
I've heard so many good things about this shop's matcha, so I had to try it for myself. Maybe I ordered the wrong one, but unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed. I got the standard sweetened matcha with whole milk, and while it was decent, it tasted pretty thin and watery overall. Definitely a little underwhelming. That said, the shop was cute, the staff was friendly, and my drink came out really quickly! read more
Came around 8:30 am on a weekday and it wasn't too busy. Service was friendly and pretty quick. -Banana cream matcha (4/5): the banana cream was yummy and not overly sweet or artificial tasting, matcha was a good strength -Guava cream matcha (2/5): guava flavor was strong and fragrant but overpowered the matcha, I'm not the biggest fan of guava but wanted to try cause it was unique read more
3 months ago
Heard they're one of the best matchas in SJ! Wasn't too busy on a weekday morning around 8:30AM, we ordered and received our drinks quickly. Service was friendly Banana cream matcha (4/5): the banana cream was yummy and the matcha was strong and a good amount of sweetness Guava cream matcha (2/5): haven't seen a guava matcha before so it was interesting! The guava syrup and cream top was fragrant and strong, but completely overpowered the matcha read more
6 months ago
Always a solid choice for coffee or matcha in the Bay! I don't always like a strawberry matcha, but theirs is super yummy! The strawberry compote is fresh and sweet. It pairs perfectly with their earthy matcha. They also offer up a nice selection of sweet and savory baked goods if you're in the mood for a quick bite. You really can't go wrong! Also, a huge fan of their branding. Digging the new cup design! read more
5 months ago
Our drinks took 15-20 minutes to come out. The coffee shop is nice and has nice door seating. My friend and I ordered the Vanilla Latte + Pandan Latte, both of which were not filled up all the way. Also, they lacked the difference in taste and we couldn't tell apart the difference in orders. The Vietnamese iced coffee was horrible. It was so dark and bitter and left a really strange aftertaste. Though I will say the matcha guava was really good. The cream top tasted like fresh guava, and it complemented the matcha very well. That was the only redeeming drink here. read more
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. read more
It was hot in here! But despite the temp, I dug the vibe, both inside and out. There's limited seating inside with additional seating outside. My husband got a cold brew which he said was okay. I got their Piloncillo cinnamon latte which I thought was great! The baristas were nice. We commented on their fridge artwork and chit chatted about that with them a bit because my son thought it was cool since he's currently reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I'd recommend this place. read more
While visiting San Jose, I came across this coffee shop and I'm really glad I did. The coffee quality was excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the pastries were absolutely delicious. The shop itself is a bit small, so it may not be the easiest place to study for long periods, but it has a great atmosphere, good vibes, and a very welcoming environment. The outdoor seating was a huge plus, especially with nice weather -- it's the perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy your coffee. Parking in the area can be a little tricky and it is paid parking, but that's pretty common for most downtown areas. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this coffee shop to anyone looking for quality coffee and a nice atmosphere. read more
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! read more
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! :-) read more
3 months ago
Super friendly staff, some of the best tasting banana cold foam I've had on a matcha! Small cafe but super cute and would definitely come back to hang out, super cozy. read more
2 months ago
Tasty as a whole with a very minor miss! First the location is a small but cute space, some inside and outside seating. I ordered a matcha tea and a banana cream matcha. Their matcha tea is tasty, nothing over the top but a solid quality matcha. The banana cream top was amazingly delicious, it had a very authentic banana pudding flavor, the issue I have I believe was the sweetener they used. Once I mixed and sipped the banana matcha I noticed a strange flavor that just didn't taste great with the overall drink but I can't quite place what it was but it just tasted like it didn't mesh with the flavor of the drink itself. I know the banana topper was good, I know their matcha is good, the only other factors were almond milk which is pretty mild and the sweetener which is why I assume that is what I wasn't liking. I would come back but would ask for completely unsweet to see if that makes a difference. read more
3 months ago
The cappuccino was very well-done! The foam was creamy with a nice layered pattern. It didn't disappoint. The service was responsive and quick. The ambiance had some decor, but they kept it simple. read more
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. read more
First time coming to Academic Coffee, and it definitely won't be my last. I came before work on a recommendation from a friend, and I'm so glad I did. I ordered the Banana Matcha Latte, and it was hands down the best matcha latte I've ever had. The flavor was perfectly balanced, smooth, and incredibly delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try more of their drinks. If this first visit is any indication, this place is a gem! read more
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 read more
3 months ago
When it comes to matcha, THEY KNOW BALL lol I don't know what took me this long to finally try Academic, but my only regret is not visiting sooner. It may actually be a strong contender to dethrone my current #1 matcha spot in South Bay I arrived with the full intention of trying their coveted banana matcha latte, but had to pivot to try their seasonal melon matcha latte once I saw it on the menu. Amazinggg flavor! The matcha was creamy, earthy, and just strong enough. The melon flavor was so well executed in this drink and you definitely taste the melon notes right away, which was delightful. It was refreshing and fruity without being overpowering. Best way I can describe it is like a honeydew Melona ice cream bar melted into a matcha latte. My friend got the double matcha guava latte with a guava cream top, which was delicious and tropical, but we both agreed that the melon matcha latte was the standout by far. I'm already planning when I can go back for it before they switch out their seasonal drinks! We came on a weekday afternoon, so there wasn't much of a line at all. It's a relatively small space for a coffee shop with limited seating/tables inside, but they have a cute little outdoor seating area with benches. I presume it would get pretty cramped on busy weekends, so I'd say it isn't really an ideal study cafe, but you could definitely make it work for a little solo study sesh and they have free wifi. There are metered parking spots along the street that I didn't have an issue finding nearby. Important note: they don't take cash. read more
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. read more
9 months ago
Expect a long line on weekends, but it moves fast. The drinks come out quickly after you order. I got the matcha banana latte which was whatever. Neither the matcha or banana cream top stood out. Don't think it's worth it to wait in line unless you're in the area and it's not busy. There's limited seating inside, and when there is a line it can get pretty noisy. It's not a great cafe to study or do work at unless you catch it at off peak hours. It is still worth a visit to try! read more
8 months ago
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. read more
Cute cafe with matcha and coffee! We tried the matcha drinks and they were both really good. The matcha is strong and the flavors of the fruit were balanced very well with the matcha; it did not block out the earthy flavor of the matcha. The guava tasted very fresh and not artificial at all. The melon tasted just like melona ice cream bar! I got half sugar and it was a good balance of sweetness for me. read more
3 months ago
Omg!!! I this this place outdid some of my favorite matcha places. I went in not expecting too much but was SO SO satisfied. My friend and I ordered the guava matcha (with cream) and strawberry matcha and both the drinks were delicious. Most places I do to I usually like only 1 drinks and not both that I get but both of them were extremely delicious. For the guava matcha, I was slightly disappointed and taken aback that they charge more for the guava cream but usually most places include it in the drink already but I def recommend getting it. It is definitely on the pricier side with my drink being close to $10 but it's sooo worth the try. The cream was so thick and creamy and their matcha is incredibly smooth. My friend got the strawberry matcha and that was so flavorful as well. Most times when I order starberry matcha the flavor is bland but hers was reallly good. It was a little hard to sip it through the straw though because of the syrup. The server there was extremely sweet as well. I didn't catch her name but I think she had an eyebrow piercing (?? Maybe??) but she was extremely helpful and made conversation. Loved the customer service. I also saw the workers who were making my drink take their time and care with it and measure everything properly with scales and everything which was great to see. And it's a cute small spot there which was so pretty. I RECOMMEND I need to go again once I get my money up tho read more
8 months ago
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 :) read more
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! read more
I love visiting Academic for their artisanal matcha, hojicha, and coffee drinks. It genuinely warms my heart to see a local business receive this much support and put this much care into their craft! We arrived at 3 PM on a Sunday- the process of being in line, ordering, and receiving our drinks took approximately 20-25 minutes. The weekend wait is no joke! Make sure you're not in a time crunch before coming. I ordered their banana matcha, and my friends got the seasonal cranberry strawberry matcha. I would highly recommend taking the lid off to mix these drinks to ensure that you are consuming a more uniform taste- my friends told me that their order erred on the more bitter side due to this oversight. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my banana matcha due to my aforementioned tip! The cream was thick and tasty, and the nutty taste of banana permeated my drink quite well. If I'd known that I had the option to adjust sugar and ice, I'd have selected a lighter choice for both. I would love to come back at an earlier time to try some of their baked goods. This is an excellent choice to get a caffeine fix in at. read more
Heard through the grapevine that Academic Coffee has the best matcha in the bay, particularly the banana matcha. Additionally, I have never tried banana matcha before, so, why not now? ***NO CASH USED*** OVERALL: Meh. Kind of a terrible location...downtown with scary folks, rough neighborhood, emptied stores, and paid parking. Plus, I didn't appreciate that when I said "less ice," the cup was 80% ice (and clearly per my drink label of "regular ice," I was talking to a wall). Super, super, super pricey ice. I gave it 4 stars because the service wasn't cool. ORDERED: Banana matcha latte $8.50 - alternative milk is an additional 50 cents - it really isn't that sweet (thankfully) - matcha is spectacularly smooth with no bitter, grainy aftertaste Pistachio berry croissant $6.50 - TONS of filling (not my cup of tea... I prefer lighter toppings ha), comprising of whole pistachios on top, pistachio crumbles and berry jam in the middle - tastes better warmed up in an oven/toaster/air fryer; otherwise it's super soggy SERVICE: Wasn't much help. Didn't care to listen or hear a word. Gave me a ton of ice when I just wanted a teeny bit. At least they didn't give me a hard time. Called your name as drinks are ready and called it a day. Took approximately 10 minutes. No heating options offered for baked goods (not made in house). AMBIANCE: Folks with their laptops and as a place to hang plus people watch. Indoor and outdoor seating. However more solo than groups as groups seem to quickly leave after drinks are made. Lots of people when I was there (around 11am on a Thursday) but not packed to the brim. Casual, modern clean decor. WiFi offered. Water offered with great quality plastic cups. Located in downtown SJ. I hear it's worth the trip (vs other locations) but meh... parallel parking behind a dumpster isn't my kind of vibe (thankfully I had folks car sitting for me). Paid parking except for Sundays. Would I come back? Not going to lie, I am tempted to try their coffee due to how smooth the matcha was but I wouldn't go solo especially as a female and no one to help me car sit (haha). To me, it's in the middle of a deserted downtown. read more
9 months ago
This small business really gets coffee and matcha right. I come all the way from Hayward to get my fix at least once a month to try their season flavors. I still dream about the guava matcha that was a perfect blend of fruity guava and smooth umami matcha. Note that drinks are on the sweeter side. It's raining today so I wanted a little pick me up, and luckily it wasn't too busy. I do feel like the quality of your drink will depend on how swarmed the location is. They're pretty consistent but I know a common feedback they get is lack of (usually when it's busy and bustling). Today I tried the strawberry/cranberry matcha latte! It was so yummy the strawberry and cranberry paired well, did not clash but if tart is not your thing I don't recommend. My mom got a honey matcha latte and she loved it. Said it was not too sweet and not bitter! I look forward to the next round of seasonal drinks. Ambiance is a little loud, people like to come and catch up with friends. Not a place to study limited seating, always busy to seating is mainly for people waiting for drinks. Lack of food options ;( Staff is very friendly and helpful. There's a tall gentlemen with green eyes who is always kind to us!! He's usually at the counter taking orders. read more
2 months ago
My go-to for my banana matcha cravings. The matcha isn't overpowering the banana and vice versa. read more
Decided to come to this spot to discover the hype around academic coffee. Its always on social media and other places . Low rating due to the latte not being that great Pros Service is fast considering the amount of orders they have to go through Interesting offerings and combinations Cons The matcha latte didn't taste that great compared to other places specializing in matcha latte Not alot of place to sit down. Mostly a grab and go place read more
My friends and I stopped by Academic Coffee to fuel up and get our caffeine fix before hitting up a crafts fair. The line was out the door and the cafe was popping! Things moved a bit slowly but we were in no hurry. We ordered our drinks and Savory pull apart bread was unique and delicious, just wish we had asked whether it could be warmed up. Drinks took a while bc it was so busy, but we got our pastries immediately, and we snacked on them while sitting on the benches outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun through the winter chill. We got a savory pull-apart bread and a pistachio croissant. Both were well-made and flavorful, but they definitely would have benefit from being heated up. We basically finished our pastries by the time our drinks were ready. I ordered the espresso banana latte and tried a sip of my friend's piloncillo latte. I've tried other banana cream drinks that weren't my style, but I liked my latte here. The coffee was smooth and paired well with the banana cream that did not taste artificial. The pilnocillo latte had a sweet, spiced taste that was also quite tasty. This is definitely not a spot I would recommend for folks in a hurry, but if you have an hour to spare, I would definitely recommend dropping by next time you are in San Jose, to try their delicious pastries and unique, well-made drinks. read more
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More info about Academic Coffee
499 S 2nd St
San Jose, CA 95113
SoFA, Downtown
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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
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.
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.
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.
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41 reviews that are not currently recommended
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