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    Academic Coffee

    4.2 (356 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Academic Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    ACADEMIC COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Academic Coffee

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    Guava matcha
    Faith S.

    Definitely a solid matcha spot! Well known for their banana cream matcha, I opted for the guava matcha because I love tropical flavors. I loved how they pack the cream tops onto the drinks, and the vibrant guava hue was definitely very aesthetically pleasing. In terms of taste, the matcha is quite good. However, I found that their matcha in general is on the thicker side, which it gives the drink an overall thicker texture. If you like your matcha on the more runny side, I would suggest getting a drink without the cream top to minimize that thick texture. However, I really liked it overall and if you're a student at San Jose State, they also have a location close by that you can walk to and study at.

    Very unique! Doesn't taste artificial and no lingering aftertaste| Melon Matcha
    Andrea A.

    This is the go-to place for matcha in the area! I like that they offer creative flavor combinations you don't find at most matcha shops. It's tucked away in a park area that almost looks like a rec room and sits in front of an apartment complex, so it's easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Parking is also very limited, so I usually end up parking in the neighboring streets or getting dropped off. The times I've visited, the line has been manageable and the wait hasn't been too long. I usually take it to-go, but there are tables inside and outside where some people hang out and/or do work. When I first visited last year, I tried their seasonal melon matcha for the first time, and I was so happy to see they brought it back for a limited time. I was skeptical at first, but it ended up being one of my favorites! It's not overly sweet and doesn't leave a lingering aftertaste. I actually prefer it without the matcha cream top, so you can taste more of the melon. I've also tried the guava matcha, but I thought the guava overpowered the matcha, and the cream top made it a little too thick for my liking. I've also tried the banana matcha latte that went viral. It's good, but nothing particularly memorable. Overall, the matcha here has been consistently solid and is definitely worth trying. Just be prepared for the rough parking situation.

    No ice
    Eunice T.

    "Guava matcha" attracted me to this location. The drink was definitely unique. I do remember liking the cream. The matcha part wasn't very memorable though. The coffee my husband originally wanted was out when we got there, so he just got an Americano. There's parking available/reserved for cafe customers in the lot behind the entrance, but it might be tricky to find space if they're busy.

    Emily M.

    I was excited to academic coffee as I've heard many great reviews. Parking was easy to find on a near by street. For drinks I ordered the Pandan coffee but it mainly just taste like coffee with no Pandan flavor.

    Banana Matcha - Yes it has bread crumbs. Yes it was good.
    Alesia D.

    Street parking only. Small - cozy seating inside, they have seating outside as well (no tables) Not great for groups in my opinion. But the inside was actually pretty quiet. I ordered the Banana Matcha. The soft top with bread crumbs is the star. The matcha itself was okay but mixed with the top, it really pulled it together. The size is perfect. I had a 10 minute walk back to my hotel and still had half left. There was a few people ahead of me and I spent 10 minutes IF THAT waiting. So id say fast service. If im ever back in the area id try their lattes. Get there early if you want pastries. Its located on the corner of a busy street so try to turn into the closest side street. Its downtown so there's a lot of one-way turns

    Banana Cream Matcha, Guava Matcha, Banana Cream Latte
    Leah Y.

    I really liked this cafe! They have a small, but well crafted and unique drink menu. I love the fun drinks they have available! I tried the guava matcha and it was really good! The matcha on its own was slightly grassy for my taste, but mixed with the guava cream was really delicious. The flavor came through really well and was perfectly sweet. So far this is one of my favorite matchas in San Jose. They don't really have a food menu here, but there are some pastries that look pretty good. I can't vouch for how they taste however. The drinks came out super quickly and the servers were really sweet! I also really liked how we could take the drinks outside to the large seating area and enjoy the drinks, but there is also some indoor seating. Parking might be a little annoying but there are some spots out front of this location. Overall I really liked this spot and I definitely want to come back to try some of their other unique drinks!

    Annie Y.

    There's a small parking lot in the back; otherwise, you can find street parking about a block away and walk a few minutes. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered the Piloncillo Latte, and it was rich, creamy, and good. Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Small parking lot in the back - Indoor and outdoor seating available - Accept Apple Pay

    Brenda L.

    I've been wanting to try Academic for the longest time but always found myself delaying my visit because of the comments I've heard about their parking lot lol. (They were right... the parking lot does suck!) If you're lucky enough to come at a quieter time and are able to snag a spot, I definitely think it'd be worth the visit! I ordered the guava matcha. As someone who isn't necessarily the biggest fan of matcha, I actually thought the drink was solid. The matcha had a lot of depth and the guava flavor was STRONG. My drink came out only a few minutes after I ordered; they're super quick to make drinks here, which is appreciated! They have a few seats inside the cafe and some outdoor seating if you plan on staying and hanging out. It is quite expensive here though - my matcha ended up being closer to $10. Not sure if I'd go out of my way to come again given how busy it typically gets but was definitely worth a try!

    Banana matcha and guava matcha
    Clare K.

    I've heard my friends raving about the Banana Matcha for a minute, so we decided to try! We went to their second location? Huge plus that it's right next to the park. It was super convenient if you're out walking your dogs like we were. I'm usually a fan of their Pandan, but I think I have a new favorite. The banana cream and Guava cream paired with matcha is a total game changer. You can tell they aren't using cheap ingredients; the matcha is high quality and the cream is actually thick and rich (hopefully its from real fruits haha) which makes such a difference for a latte. It's definitely on the pricier side( about $9 per drink if you want to substitute with other milk), but for the quality and the vibes, it's 100% worth it. Service was fast and great! Plenty seating indoor and outdoor but parking spaces were limited.

    Melissa G.

    Their pistachio specials from the last couple months were very good. However, it appears they've moved into guava season. I like this coffee shop, I've been coming here and especially the San Jose location for a long time. I appreciate consistency in my coffee shops and to be honest, academic seems to be losing the plot. Today I ordered one basic drink and one specialty- a vanilla latte and the guava matcha drink; both were just mid. The guava matcha is beautiful aesthetically, but the guava was way too overpowering, you couldn't taste the matcha. Also no oven to heat up the pastries. I still like their alum rock beans and purchase them regularly. They used to give you a drip coffee or espresso shot with purchase but I guess not anymore. Overall this spot appears to be leaning towards style over substance, but I hope they don't go that route. This review is a 3.5 but I rounded up because of the pistacho specials from the last couple months were very good.

    Banana matcha
    Maddie W.

    When I think of academic, the one drink that's unbeatable is their banana matcha. I keep ordering it at other coffeeshops hoping for a similar one, but it's not the same!! The banana flavor truly shines and everyone I've brought here loves it and is converted. It really does taste like a banana cream pie and matcha in the best way possible. Their pandan latte is also solid! I've yet to explore more of their drinks, but heard good things about their seasonal red bean latte. Their double chocolate chip cookie is to die for. Truly such a wonderful spot!! It's a smaller space, but there's decent amount of outdoor seating. Parking is meh, it's mostly street parking and very limited spots behind the building. The driveway feels illegal with how steep it is. Be careful if your car is low!

    Banana Matcha & Strawberry Matcha
    Andre M.

    Academic has been in my coffee/matcha rotation for a while now and does not disappoint. Between their coffee or matcha, both are a great choice at either location. Service is always very kind, and I would say that this location is more for socializing than studying.

    Double Matcha Latte & Hojicha Latte
    Kiana L.

    Went to Academic Coffee to celebrate our birthday morning since it's one of my cousin's favorite matcha spots, and honestly, it made for the perfect start to the day. The café itself is small but clean, with a simple and relaxed vibe. The staff seemed really nice, which made the experience feel easy and welcoming. We ordered the double matcha latte and a hojicha latte, and I can definitely see why this is one of my cousin's favorite spots. The matcha was strong, smooth, and well balanced, especially with the double scoop, giving it a richer flavor without being too bitter. The hojicha latte had a nice roasted, nutty taste that felt really comforting and not overly sweet. It's one of those places where you can tell they care about the quality of the tea, and it really shows in the drinks. Overall, it was a great way to start our birthday, and I'd definitely come back again for a solid matcha fix.

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    17 days ago

    Quick service, pretty good coffee. Parking sucks. They need a bigger parking lot. Close to Westfield Valley Fair

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    Academic Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Academic Coffee

    What's the phone numbers of the SJ & Santa Clara Coffee shops? Also, where exactly (land mark) is the Santa Clara shop next to? We had a hard time finding it, & despite Gps,…

    Hi Shirl! I'm not sure what the phone number is to this Santa Clara location but I can tell you that it's located on the same side of the old strip mall that has the Shoe Cobbler in the corner located on Dorcich Street. It's just a little further… 

    Are they still serving guava matcha latte?

    Yes we are still serving it!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    One of my favorite spots for bingsu in Santa Clara! The location is much bigger than it looks from…read morethe outside, with plenty of seating inside. Ordering is also super easy with their touchscreen kiosks, which I always appreciate. The texture and flavor of their bingsu are on point. The ice is incredibly soft and fluffy with that melt-in-your-mouth consistency you want from a good bingsu. I ordered the mango, and every component was great--the mango was fresh, the toppings complemented everything well, and there was a good balance of fruit and sweetness without being overwhelming. My only small complaint is that I usually love getting both strawberry and mango bingsu, but they don't offer split flavors. Ordering two separate bingsu is just way too much, so I wish there were an option to do half and half. That minor gripe aside, the quality of the bingsu itself easily makes this a 5/5 for me. Great texture, fresh toppings, plenty of seating, and an easy ordering process. Definitely a spot I'd happily come back to whenever I'm craving bingsu!

    Sulbing is a pretty solid spot for bingsoo, though I don't think it'll be my go-to. It's tucked…read moreinto one of those plazas lining El Camino Real, and the parking is pretty limited. Not only does it get really busy after work hours, many parking spots are reserved for other businesses. It's also usually crowded inside, making snagging a seat a bit hard. It's a popular spot, and I can see why--the menu features many different bingsoo options alongside other desserts, and they're all very beautiful and cute. There's also free WiFi and bathroom access. I will note that they don't seem particularly diligent about cleaning up between customers. You pick your own seats, and when I finally found a table, there was food residue visible on the tabletop. Their prices are a little higher than some other spots in SJ (ranging from ~$13 to $19 pre-tax), and I don't think the quality of the bingsoo is noticeably better to justify the price. I tried a pricier one (the premium strawberry), and found it to be quite good, but not $20 good. Plus, some aspects seem designed more for pictures than for eating. The little cheesecake slice is a bit hard because it's cold and difficult to eat with the shaved ice. That said, their bingsoo does taste good! The fruit tasted fresh and sweet, and the portion was enough for me to share with my partner. I wish the condensed milk was provided on the side instead of already poured on top, but I didn't mind the amount they gave. I may not be back immediately in the future, but I wouldn't mind visiting again. I would probably stick to the lower-priced options myself, though. If you visit, do keep in mind that it's usually really busy--your order probably will take a minute, and whether that's worth it or not is up to you.

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    Rocko's Ice Cream Tacos

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    4.3
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    They have a good variety of ice cream flavors to choose from! I believe they use Straus as their…read morebase so the quality is there. I chose to do a DIY regular taco with s'mores ice cream, peanut butter dip, and oreo toppings. The flavors mixed so well together! None of it was overpowering the other, so you're able to enjoy each bite and not feel overloaded by the end. They freeze dry the taco as well so it doesn't melt right away once it hits your hands. This is the perfect place to grab a sweet treat on any occasion! BIG heads up though, it can get extremely busy especially on a weekend (was here on a Sunday evening). I think we went on a day where they might've been short a few people, but we did wait over an hour for our order. From my observations there is a process for the tacos. They have to mold the ice cream in, then keep it in the freezer for a few minutes for it to hold its shape, and customize it after. If you're willing to wait that long for ice cream then I'd say this place is definitely worth it.

    My wife's pregnancy cravings brought us in, and she absolutely loved it! She's both gluten-free and…read morevegan, so the fact that they don't skimp on flavor or quality for dietary restrictions is fantastic--superb job on that end. I can't remember the exact flavor I ordered, but it was a bit too sweet for my taste (I might just need to cut it with something lighter next time). Either way, we'll definitely be back! Also great job to the staff handling the rush that came after us

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    Croissante

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    4.1
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    When we're in the area, this is our go to stop for pastries! Everything tastes as good as it looks!…read moreDuring this visit my son ordered a triple chocolate croissant and I got a ham & cheese croissant with a banana latte! These were perfect snacks for a park day, along with an hour bike ride! The service was great & although there was a line (thankfully not out the door this time), the wait wasn't too long and the workers work very efficiently & smoothly! There is tons of parking & again- the pastries are on point- not too buttery and they're flaky & moist! Will definitely be back!

    3.5 stars! Look, it…read moretastes good. If that's all you need to know, definitely check it out. They're good with flavor. Unfortunately the quality seems inconsistent. Pastries and breads are often not uniform in size. Pastries that come out smaller or torn, damaged still get selected to be sold to customers instead of seen as a quality defect and pulled. In comparison to premium bakeries in SF, Palo Alto, or even Los Gatos, this was disappointing. I would think it would be better to pull the one or two pastries in that tray. Heck, even Paris Baguette would pull whole trays if it didn't fit their quality standard. (But I don't know if that's still true haha.) Given its premium pricing of $8-15 a pastry, I would expect all the qualities that would justify it. They are a step above bakeries who have frozen products, but do not hit the level of premium in quality of pastry. The prices they had in the beginning were fair, but with the recent increase along with those issues, I'm sad to rate it lower.

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    Choc Cookies

    Choc Cookies

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    Easily one of the best cookie shops in the Bay Area with long hours perfect for satiating a mid-day…read moreor late night craving. I've returned more than five times because these cookies are one of the best things to bring to events. The rotating cookie flavors and regulars are all delicious with the perfect softness and chewy texture, and I'm guilty of eating all of the cookies in the same day. My favorite so far is their cookies and cream flavor, but I always enjoy their weekly flavors. The option to buy day-old cookies for less is much appreciated, and you can't even tell they were baked the previous day. Staff is super friendly and helpful :) I recommend signing up for their text updates for promotions and weekly flavor updates!

    I've ordered from Choc cookies a handful of times whenever I'm craving a thick, gooey cookie. I…read morerecently came in for their Tuesday special, which is a 4-pack of chocolate chip cookies for $12. Honestly, such a steal considering how big these cookies are! The chocolate chip cookies are similar to Levain's since it's a thick and gooey cookie loaded with lots of chocolate chips. They only sell their cookies in packs of 4, and they also have milk in their little fridge. Since I can't eat all the cookies in one sitting, I like to freeze the rest and preheat them in the oven for that freshly baked cookie vibe. They're tucked away in an unassuming little building behind a gas station, but there's ample parking.

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    Perfectly baked - nice crust, not too fudgy not too cakey, perfect melt on the choc chips.
    Perfectly baked - nice crust, not too fudgy not too cakey, perfect melt on the choc chips.
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    I had ordered my dad's birthday cake from here back in 2024 (salted yolk/pork sung/matcha mix…read morecake), and it was absolutely delicious! This time I decided to stop by here after dinner, my first time sitting down here and ordering. The inside is very clean, modern, and Pinterest-like. They added more decorations and seating from 2 years ago, making the inside more aesthetic. whaT's More always has unique Asian flavors, like durian, earl grey, pandan, red bean, and oolong. The cakes are not too sweet, so definitely Asian parent approved haha! Unfortunately, when we came around 6:30pm, they were sold out of most flavors - so would definitely recommend coming earlier or just ordering online earlier in the morning for pickup. We got the sesame dark chocolate crepe cake. When you eat in the store, the owner provides you with free cups of tea, which are really great for washing down the cake. The chocolate was super rich, and they did not skimp out on the flavor - super chocolatey. The sesame added such a fun earthy and nutty flavor - I thoroughly enjoyed it! The cake is on the slightly denser side, so was super filling. While on the pricier side, the flavors are super unique and the craft that goes into crepe cakes is commendable. I will be ordering my next cake from here again!

    Best mochi in South Bay. Not only is the ratio of cream and mango/durian good but it's fresh. The…read moreactual mochi is not too thick or too chewy and has the right amount of powder on it. $14 is a bit much but compared to other places that Ive tried, this one takes the crown. The strawberry crepe cake was good. The strawberries are fresh and a bit tangy so it wasn't too sweet. I thought the creme brule sample i had was better. I'll come back to try other flavors. *i came around 4 and a lot of things were gone, i suggest coming early!

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    My daughter woke up craving mochi donuts…read more Saturday afternoon around 3pm. Friendly service! The yums were ready in less than 5min. We got half a dozen of nearly all the flavors and they did not disappoint. Ube, black sesame, cookies n cream, matcha, glazed, and dark chocolate (tasted more like milk chocolate though). Soft, chewy, warm, and the glaze was the perfect amount of sweetness for the Asian palate, which is to say: NOT TOO SWEET; the highest compliment, of course. They also have poke here, which I may try next time. And while you're waiting for the glaze dipper to do their magic, there is a fun 10-second buzzer game to try your luck for a freebie mochi!!! We did not win. 9.84 seconds was our best attempt. :( but our mochi cheered us up :)

    My company catered MoDo Hawaii for the week, and I was excited to finally give them a try. I…read moreordered the Shoyu Poke Bowl along with the Churro Mochi Donut. While there wasn't an option to customize the poke bowl with additional toppings like some other poke places offer, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portion of salmon. The fish was fresh, flavorful, and definitely the highlight of the bowl. To finish off the meal, I had the Churro Mochi Donut, and it did not disappoint. It had a crispy exterior with a soft, chewy mochi center, coated with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. It was the perfect sweet treat after the savory poke bowl. Overall, the meal was satisfying, the portions were generous, and I would happily order from MoDo Hawaii again whenever I'm craving fresh poke and a delicious dessert.

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    Academic Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026

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