Lovely place to grab a coffee and a snack. Staff is super friendly and food and drinks are tasty! We'll definitely be back. read more

Lovely spot to grab food before the library opens. Friendly service and wonderful seating outside with outside heaters. Very little seating inside. Cute table outside that is kids size. Chocolate Croissant was yummy. Crosdiant egg sandwich was also yummy. The coffee wasn't bad. Thank you! read more

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Stumbled upon Ada's Cafe under pure happenstance. The original plan was to go to a newly opened coffee shop in Mountain View with horrible parking infrastructure (IYKYK) but after seeing the crowd, we pivoted to the next closest place... which happened to be Ada's. Best. Decision. Ever. We opted for a Butternut Squash Bomb sandwich and a Banana Bread for my toddler. The Banana Bread was delicious-- sweet, but not too sweet. And there were crunchy little quinoa (?) pieces in there. Definitely broke up the monotony of the moist texture. Butternut Squash Bomb sandwich hit the spot! 15/10. It was a warm sandwich on a croissant with savory caramelized onion with sweet roasted butternut squash that was just P E R F E C T. I will definitely be dreaming about this sandwich for the near future. Now... the sandwich was so perfect, we had to get another sandwich :P Settled on the weekly special, which was a Greek Goddess Chicken Sandwich. IMO, it would have been chef's kiss perfect if it was served on a croissant-- but that's just me. The ambiance of this cafe is soooo cute. Nestled right outside of the Palo Alto library, there were rocking chairs, kid tables, regular tables, and even blankets to borrow. All in all, I have a good reason to go to Palo Alto now :) read more

As always a great visit all around. It's an unseasonably chilly day and their heaters are set up as well as their blanket basket. I stopped by for an espresso, while wrestling with the question of should I have a morning treat or not. Well, Kathleen and the team at Ada's answered that for me with their two-bite mini brownie. It paired perfectly with my espresso and I'm sure it will pair wonderfully with your beverage of choice;) read more

Ada's Cafe - A perfect two-bite treat - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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After reading the owner's response, I've decided to update my review and lower my rating. In my original review, I mentioned that I appreciated the warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and the business's commitment to social responsibility. But honestly, the owner's defensive and aggressive attitude completely ruined that positive impression. The sandwich was exactly as described, and I simply didn't like it. That's it. There was nothing wrong with it--I just didn't enjoy it. So why would I go to the counter and ask for sauces to change the taste? This is the sandwich you made, and I didn't like it. If I wanted to adjust my food to my preference, I would've just made it at home. The whole point of eating out is to enjoy a meal as it's served, not to fix it myself. I originally gave this place 3 stars because I liked the atmosphere and appreciated the effort of the employees. If I were rating based only on the food, it would've been 1 star. But after seeing how the owner reacts to customer feedback, I realized the overall experience wasn't worth 3 stars. A good business isn't just about the food--it's about how it treats its customers. Instead of taking criticism with an open mind, the owner got defensive and dismissive. It's a shame because the staff was actually really nice, but the owner's response completely changed my view. At the end of the day, my rating isn't just about the food, it's about the whole experience. read more

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Wow, I wish I had ventured here earlier! Ada's has excellent ambiance -- a wide variety of indoor and outdoor seating for any preference (rocking chairs, kiddie tables, umbrella-shaded outdoor tables, cozy pillowed reading nooks). This seems like the ideal place to work or cuddle up with a good book (apropos given their proximity to the library). Cute touches (quotes, little succulent pots on tables) -- you can tell this place is a labor of love. We didn't try any of the baked goods or lunch items this time, but they looked very good and reflected an impressive variety of options. Iced latte was dark and strong -- I'd place the style here as more "2nd wave" (think 90s cafe culture) than "3rd wave" lighter roasted hipster coffee. Looking forward to coming back! read more

Very cozy place that also imploys people with developmental differences. Very good food, cups and mugs for here. Very good vibe environment! And the library is next door. read more

Ada's Cafe - Mocha and blueberry scone. Ask "for here" and you'll get a warm scone with a lot of blueberries and side of creme fresh and jam. - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We came here for brunch on a weekend, and it immediately felt like a sweet neighborhood secret. The place has that home-based café charm. Everything we tried tasted like comforting, home-cooked food. Nothing fancy but we feel taken care of. It was also a pleasure to contribute to the community and peek into the library next door. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I love this gem! It's my safe space. I've been coming here for years when I want to get work done, and when I just feel like I need to have nice people around me. The team here has seen me at my best and my worst, and at all times, have been geniounily intersted, and made me feel welcome without judgement. The space itself is cozy and sweet, and the scones are so good! read more

Always a great place to relax, have a cup of latte, eat a quiche, and/or to have a meet-up with friends. The family who runs the cafe are the nicest, most wonderful people and I am happy to support their mission and to enjoy their services. Thank you! read more

Coffee is great. Environment is very cute and festive. Service is exceptional. I grabbed a Chai Tea Latte from Ada's and brought it into the library 1 building over. I sat down in the upstairs, back corner and the gentleman that made my coffee had forgot to put the espresso into the drink. He walked from Ada's to the library, upstairs, and found me to give me the correct drink. I have never had someone go so above and beyond to rectify their mistake. That's top notch service to me! I'll be coming back! read more

Ada's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I was excited to try Ada's Cafe. My colleague and I had spent the previous night in a hotel not too far away, and I had done some research to find a good spot to grab breakfast before our meetings began. The staff was friendly: Charlie took my order while a slightly older gentleman made drinks. The online menu mentions smoothies, which was a big draw for me. I asked for the Green Smoothie of the Day and was told that Ada's does not have a blender. I was surprised and a bit disappointed, as I had chosen Ada's in part to start my day on a healthy note. Instead, I chose the Chai Latte. Looking back at the online menu, it shows a large is $5.5; I was charged $6.5. I don't remember if the correct price was posted at Ada's. My colleague wanted the croissant egg sandwich with no tomatoes or lettuce and with the aioli on the side. Charlie repeated that back to me...but the sandwich came with all three of those things on it. Thankfully, my colleague is not allergic - he just does not like them. When I chose the chocolate chip toffee scone, Charlie told me it comes with chocolate cream cheese. "Sounds great!" I replied. Sadly, there was no chocolate cream cheese in the bag. Would I give Ada's another chance? Absolutely. I do hope they update the online menu sooner than later, though. read more

Adorable little cafe nestled into the Palo Alto community center and library! They do $5 tomato plants, or you get a free one if you spend $25+. I appreciate that they make it clear that you can do work there, but just buy something every 2 hours. The tables are kept clean with fresh flowers as a nice touch! The vegetarian croissant sandwich was delicious (but $12), and 12oz latte is $5.50. read more

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If y'all don't know about Ada's, y'all should -- because they got one of the BEST coffees around town. They are locally sourced and get the most organic beans, and make the BEST pastries. And best of all, they are a 501(c)3 non-profit social enterprise running in the heart of Palo Alto. I work at Cubberley not far from Ada's, so I have been coming by often and supporting. A big shout out goes to Kathleen, the owner and founder of Ada's Cafe -- she's absolutely humble and very caring at every customer. She goes above and beyond in support of not only the neurodivergent community, but also for the communities in need in Palo Alto. I ordered a 16oz latte with whole milk on a Friday -- and they honestly served it with SO much love and so much belonging. It truly felt like I was at home, but 10x better. The beans had flavor, and the whole milk wasn't overly saturated. I also appreciated how much love and consideration they put in the croissant sandwich as well, because the ingredients were fresh and not too sweet or too salty at all. It is located next to the Palo Alto Library, and they do close early at 4pm. There is limited indoor seating, but there is a variety of things you can choose from. I would definitely recommend supporting a local business like Ada's and having your bestie brunch dates here too. read more

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Personally I have not gone to this place, but my coworker brought me some pastries and they are to die for, I have been in a strict diet but pastries are my weakness so I will consider it as my cheat day well only to make space for the pastries, since she could not made any decision going to Ada's she brought 3 different ones and I am glad she did, she got blueberry scone, cinnamon roll and blueberry muffin. Blueberry Scone: The moment it hit my mouth I was speechless Oh!! My!!! The last time I had something so amazing don't quite remember, but this one hit the spot and I slow down to leave the last piece for last. Blueberry nut muffin: Not as quite as the Scone but I am a pecan kind of person and I love muffins so this pastry was great not as amazing as the first one but tbh the scone takes 1st place. Cinnamon Roll: I am not a cinnamon kind of gal but this sure surprised me, the first bite was out of this world specially with the cream on the side, I always imagined it super sweet but no on the contrary it was easy to eat and no remorse while eating it. Now this was an exceptional experience with these 3 pastries but I need to visit this place in person so I can try other ones that I bet are as good as these ones. If this pastries are amazing I can just imagine eating them at the spot right from the oven and in a homie feeling, I will definitely try to visit this place very soon. But for now I will enjoy them, thank you for the hands that prepare them you guys are amazing read more

Ada's Cafe - Half of blueberry scone, nut blueberry muffin and cinnamon roll - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I went on a wednesday afternoon for a WFH lunch and inside felt very cozy. Not much seating inside but there was more available right ohtside the cafe. Very kind and warming employees. The empanada was warmed up and tasted great with their chimichuri sauce. read more

Ada's Cafe - chai latte - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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The ham and cheese biscuit was chock full of ham! The service was excellent and the ambiance was welcoming and inclusive. Highly recommend! read more

Ada's Cafe - Love the sentiment- made my day. - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Ada's Cafe is not just any cafe. It's a nonprofit dedicated to hiring, training, and empowering employees with disabilities. Thank you for this! It truly fosters a sense of community and warmth, something the Bay Area desperately needs, where too often, many of us are glued to our screens. But Ada's is different. It's a place to connect, interact, and actually look people in the face and smile. To have fun, spontaneous conversations with strangers or simply enjoy a quiet moment with a book. I stopped by on a Sunday morning, and the experience was nothing short of magical. It was my first time here, and I ordered a hot chocolate along with the apple slipper ~ SO GOOD, Y'ALL. The blueberry scones get rave reviews too, though I haven't tried them yet. I found a cozy corner inside and enjoyed some top-tier people-watching: families, groups of techies, even a little kid running out the door with a parent chasing after them into the parking lot. It was lively but never overwhelming, just the right balance of energy and warmth. As I sipped my drink, my boyfriend wandered over to the library next door, checked out a book, and then joined me inside. We shared the apple slipper, though "shared" might be a stretch because he, a self-proclaimed non-fan of sweets and apple pie-esque desserts, devoured most of it! XD After our lovely morning at the cafe, we took a stroll around Mitchell Park. A perfect way to spend a weekend morning. read more

Ada's Cafe - Apple Slipper and Hot Cocoa - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

As a student who's been wanting to find a homey and cozy cafe for studying here in this industrial silicone valley, Ada's cafe is like a warm hug! The ambiance is warm and inviting, almost like you're at home and their staff and coffee is delightful! What a gem :) read more

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Stumbled across this wonderful nonprofit café that trains, hires, and empowers adults with varying abilities and challenges. The food is delicious and the inside is cozy and welcoming. The staff are friendly and inviting. Service is fast and there's additional seating outside. There are many more cafés in the peninsula that charge far higher prices without the socially-driven mission that Ada Café has. If you want to support a locally-owned small business that actually invests back into the people living in the local community, make sure you check out Ada's! I recommend the blueberry scone with whipped butter and jam on the side ($6), as well as the breakfast croissant ($12). I will definitely come back! read more

Ada's Cafe - Blueberry scone with whipped butter and jam (Awards Wining Scones) - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Well managed place Has sandwiches and scone Coffee was good, will visit again Place has very positive vibes about it read more

Blatant discrimination if you're not elderly or disabled! I was just waiting in line for my coffee when the owner and a senior customer yelled at me for simply standing near a table supposedly reserved for people with disabilities. I wasn't even trying to sit down - just waiting in line. The hostility was shocking. On top of that, the baked goods look disgusting like they came straight out of the freezer. I felt completely unwelcome and targeted. Never coming back. read more

Tried the matcha and chicken empanada. The empanada was pretty good I really liked the chimichurri sauce.

Great non-profit coffee shop attached to the Mitchell Park library features, - tall seats in the front - WiFi - restroom in the library Cons - closes early Wifi SSID: Ada's Guest Wifi pass: goodfood read more

Excellent cozy cafe with delicious sandwiches, savory and sweet baked goods and drinks. Quick, friendly service, very clean and my empanada with the fresh chimichurri sauce was so delicious that my husband and I had to buy a couple more to take home! We also very much appreciate that this is a café that supports employment for those with disabilities. We will be back! read more

Ada's Cafe - Chicken and mushroom empanadas with chimichurri sauce! - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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A great little cafe that supports employing adults with special needs- WIN! Please support this amazing non profit. read more

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This is a cute but small cafe in the Mitchell Park Library complex. Don't look for a large sign by the road pointing you to it - trust the address and your GPS. I'll be completely honest: the pastries here aren't the best that I've had. The apple slipper is just okay and the cinnamon rolls a just a little on the dry side. The morning bun is quite good, however. Our coffees were good but could have been a little hotter. I still give this place 5 stars for its mission - employing and empowering persons with disabilities. I wasn't aware of this before my first visit, but upon entering and interacting with the friendly and attentive folks behind the counter I realized that this place has a higher purpose. There is limited seating indoors but several tables set up outside. Parking can be a challenge especially if you come by on a weekend, as the lot fills up with park user and library patrons. But it is worth the effort. read more

I stop by the public library on Middlefield road pretty often but this was my first time ever trying something at the cafe, and I'm glad I did! This is a dainty small coffee shop just outside of the library. You have the option to either get your order to-go or for here. I got my order for here, meaning the designated seating tables outside of the cafe. I wasn't initially expecting much, but I appreciated the set up. My empanada orders each came with a small tangerine and a dipping sauce! It was a really nice addition. I didn't realize they had weekly specials, it was much for appealing to me compared to the regular menu. If I was at the library again and wanted to grab a quick bite, this is the place to be. read more

Ada's Cafe - Weekly specials menu - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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What a great spot for a great cup of coffee and a little something to eat. Its wonderful to know that the money you pay also goes to a good cause. read more

I LOVE this place. It is my happy spot for coffee and a pastry. I stop by at least 2 times/week. I have tried almost everything on the menu, so see my favorites below. My favorite selections among the pastries are the scones or the apple, blueberry streusel muffin. I don't normally order scones from bakeries, but Ada's has achieved the best balance of fresh fruit and moistness. If eating in, be sure to get a side of homemade jam and whipped cream. If you get the chocolate chip scone, get the side of whipped chocolate cream cheese (included in the price). You won't regret it! My teenagers prefer the cookies. Their favorites are the snickerdoodle and the chocolate peanut butter kiss cookies. For sandwiches/lunch - I recently had the BEST sandwich ever. It was an egg salad sandwich with havarti cheese on a soft pretzel roll. I wanted to write this review to lobby that the sandwich becomes a regular menu item. If that is not available, I recommend the quiche. The people are also what have me returning again and again. If I have a bad day at work, my stop at Ada's and a smile from the staff helps right the ship. The space inside Ada's is small, but there is plenty of seating outside. I usually don't have trouble finding a seat inside, but happy to overflow outside, if needed. Outside seating is more comfortable for conversations and meeting friends. For those visiting from out of town, don't be surprised by the prices. The food is high quality and the Palo Alto rents are insane. If nothing else, support this business which is purpose-driven and works hard to support the community and also employs those with developmental delays. I almost don't want to share this place -but love to see good people being given the kudos they deserve. read more

Ada's Cafe - Yum! coffee - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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This is a cafe located right next to the library outside Palo Alto magical playground. With regards to food, I ordered a delicious mocha which had the right amount of chocolate and caffeine. Our servers were super friendly although the place was a tad crowded on a weekend afternoon read more

Ada's Cafe - Mocha - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

The cause, the location in front of the library and the park, the community...what's not to love? Wonderful Wendy is wonderful.

Back at Ada's for the excellent cappuccino, delicious egg croissant sandwich, and friendly, attentive service. Wonderful find in a quiet center next to the park and library. read more

Ada's Cafe - Back at Ada's for an excellent cappuccino, the delicious croissant egg sandwich, and friendly service. - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Kathleen is an angel. She and her staff welcomes patrons with a bright smile and a true spirit of community. My friends and I visit every Wednesday morning and have done so for years. Always a highlight in my week. If you live in Palo Alto, come and support Ada's cafe. Its next to the Mitchell Park library. It's fabulous. read more

Love coming here when studying at Michelle Park Library! They have yummy pastries and drinks, my favorite being the apple pastry and cinnamon roll. Not to mention their impactful mission and quick service. The prices are quite high but the ambiance is worth it. read more

Ada's Cafe - blueberry cobbler muffin - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Located next to the community center and library, this is a lovely spot for coffee or a pastry. My friend and I stopped by Ada's cafe for an afternoon coffee as we made our way back to Palo Alto. I ordered a golden turmeric latte with almond milk while he ordered a macchiato. Both tasted great! There were also lots of pastries available, but none that were gluten free, from what I saw. I love that they employ people with disabilities and give back to the community. It's small inside, so it's standing room only, but there are a couple seats outside around the library where you can sit. Overall, it's a lovely little coffee shop. I like supporting these small businesses, and if I were in the area again, I'd definitely come by here again. read more

Ada's Cafe - the entrance to the cafe - Cafes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I've always loved Ada's cafe for their mission. God bless the staff! Their food is excellent and the cafe is so cute! read more

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Honestly a bit underwhelming! Coffee was fine so were the baked goods. Service was friendly enough but they made us wait outside but... didn't request the same for others... ‍ read more

What a wonderful surprise to find this gem of a café and in such a convenient place next to the Mitchell Park library. My friend and I were looking for a cozy place for a leisurely chat with a great cup of coffee and pastry. I found this place on YELP and the reviews as well as the description on Ada's Café website said it all. Speaking with the owner Kathleen Foley-Hughes was an honor and inspiration. The minute I witnessed her interacting with her employees and the smiles on their faces told an amazing story. Best of all, the business is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Especially as we begin the holiday season it was delightful and inspirational for my friend and I, for a brief time, to feel a part of this amazing camaraderie. Not to mention the coffee was superb and the pastries out of this world fresh and scrumptious. Certainly, I look forward to coming here again and again. Thank you, Kathleen for your heartfelt dedication and inspiration. Most of all, thank you for your amazing baking talents. read more

Coffee here is okay. We've stopped by a few times after visiting the library next door or Magical Bridge playground with our toddler and we're never blown away by the coffee or food. They're the only food and beverage option really so they stay quite busy - but if I had to choose I probably wouldn't opt for the coffee here. read more