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Apple Fritter

4.2 (1.9k reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Order Apple Fritter Takeout or Delivery

Apple Fritter Photos

Business Info

APPLE FRITTER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Casual
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Apple Fritter

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Reviews With Photos

Selina G.

Great brunch spot with lots of seating! Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly. Parking can be a little tough, but if you wait in the lot long enough, a spot usually clears up. They have a lot of fun drink options and are known for their fritters, although I didn't get one this time. I went with the chorizo breakfast burrito instead, which was huge! Not spicy and filled with a a nice texture from the hashbrowns and eggs. Really generous portions, filling, and delicious. Great spot if you are around the area

VB L.

I'm a little surprised that I never wrote a review for Apple Fritter. I've been eating here since they turned my favorite Taco Bell into this quaint and delicious local eatery. When they first opened for a few hours a day, the locals couldn't get enough of the homemade food and quirky atmosphere. Now, it's a San Mateo staple. Whether you're craving squishy doughnuts or a juicy burger, Apple Fritter delivers. Their wall of doughnuts as you enter from the parking lot is a tempting way to stir up your appetite. Counter service is always fast and friendly. Just pick up a menu while drooling over the doughnuts and whenever you're ready to order, someone is ready to take it. Seating is both inside and out, but sitting inside gives you the pleasure of looking at all of the fun oddities on the walls and ceiling. The food is amazing, the decor eclectic and the service cordial. Just check the hours before heading over. They cater to their hardworking employees as much as the customers, so hours are limited.

Spicy Hash
Rigel A.

This was my first time here. We decided to do a weekday brunch out on the patio since it was a nice day. The portion sizes were good enough for us. The service was pretty quick since it wasn't as busy. The food was delicious. We also ordered a few donuts. We really enjoyed the original apple fritter, banana flavored fritter, and my fav was the blueberry lemon cake donut. It was really refreshing and sweet. I would definitely go back and try more dishes and donuts.

Julie B.

Apple Fritter is such a whimsical brunch vibe! Their donuts are fresh, and the apple fritter itself is well portioned and sweet. Some favorites included their ultimate pancakes, granola parfait and egg scramble, but the coffee is delightful. I preferred the cocoa puff cold brew over the carbonated coffee (vietnamese coffee with sparkling water). They have a private parking lot and offer both indoor or outdoor patio seating. The staff is friendly and will take care of clearing tables afterwards.

Maple Cake Donut
Jodi C.

We visited Apple Fritter on Easter Sunday on a whim, and it was SO WELL WORTH IT! This stop was about halfway between SF and where we were staying in Cupertino, so it was perfect before our long SF exploration day! We stood in line to order for about 20 min, and everyone told us it was worth waiting on! It turned out to be VERY true! The food was out of this world, the donuts were SUPER yummy and we the service was wonderful! I can only speak for my plate, but I ordered the "Amazing Breakfast Sandwich" and it was DELICIOUS!!! Let me break it down for you: 1. The bread was sourdough - but it was SO MOIST and SQUISHY! Unlike your harder, toastier sourdough bread. 2. the turkey bacon and cheese were tasty and hearty on this sandwich 3. the arugula was fresh and added a clean taste to the bite 4. The garlic aioli was the PERFECT sauce to go on this sandwich. It gave it the aromatic flavor it needed! (I took off the fresh tomato due to allergy!) I still think about this sandwich!!! The hashbrowns were good, they were a solid choice. They make it on the crunchier side which I LOVE! Pictured there are the cinnamon bun and the maple cake donut, which both were SO GOOD - especially the cinnamon bun. The bun was a perfect balance of the cinnamon, glaze, brown sugar and dough. The maple donut was comparable to some of my favorites! The donut dough was not my favorite, but the maple glaze made up for it! I topped off my meal with an iced tea! :) I want to go back to San Francisco JUST for this breakfast again! Highly!!! Recommend!!!

Order at the counter as you enter with seats inside as well as outside
Michael F.

Tried this charming breakfast, brunch place for the first. Never knew a restaurant like this was right off Fashion Island Blvd near 92 exit. The Awesome Breakfast sandwich with choice of protein, bread and a side for $16.25. I chose cheesesteak, multi grain and hash browns. The dish was very filling. Will likely come back to try a few other dishes in the future!

mikey d.

I recently stopped by Apple Fritter in San Mateo and tried the Naughty Burrito to go along with the Brunchurrito, which I ate there. Both burritos were satisfying and definitely worth trying. The restaurant has an open layout with plenty of parking, making it easy to stop by. It's located next to a car mechanic shop, and I liked that they had old-school Pokémon playing on the TV--it added a fun nostalgic vibe while I was eating. Customer service was acceptable, but nothing really stood out. It's more of a self-service experience, so if you want water or anything else, you'll need to get up and grab it yourself. It would've been nice if someone checked in once or twice. One thing that did confuse me happened on a different visit. I arrived around 1:50 p.m. hoping to order food to go, but the gentleman locked the door and told me they were no longer taking orders. If you close at 2 i dont see how you were closed already. It was a little odd since there were still plenty of customers inside eating. I understand kitchens have closing times, but it would've been helpful if the hours or last call for food were clearer. Overall, it's a solid spot for a good breakfast burrito with a laid-back atmosphere. Despite that one experience, I'd still come back and recommend giving it a try.

Sue L.

My husband found this place online, so we decided to stop by for breakfast on his birthday. He is a big fan of breakfast burritos so of course we ordered a Naughty Burrito to share. He picked the chicken apple sausage for the protein and also added bacon (+$3.00). The other ingredients including the hash brown and cheddar paired well with the chipotle mayo. They even grilled the tortilla and made it crispy just the way he liked it. Couldn't leave without also ordering the apple fritter and old fashion! Since it was on a Monday, there were only a few customers. I liked that they have both indoor and outdoor seating available. It's located in an industrial area so it was quiet and peaceful. Would definitely recommend stopping by if you're into breakfast burritos/sandwiches and donuts!!

menu
Cat M.

came here on a sunday at noon and it was pretty busy. there's a small parking lot but it fills up quick. there was a line out the door to order (you order, they give you a number stand and you sit wherever you like). it took about 20 minutes in line to place our orders, and then another 15 for the food to come out. food was okay, a bit flavorless but portion sizes were generous. we wanted to try the apple fritter but they ran out :(

Where's the APLLE FRITER?!!!
Dan S.

So I go to an establishment called "APPLE FRITTER" .. and there are 0 APPLE FRITTERS. -2 stars especially since I walked there from San Mateo event center with fritters permeating my mind and activating my salivary glands. Seriously and kinda ridiculously disappointed by this. Other than that..great ambience, whimsical decor, friendly staff. I want to minus another star for the Line wait, it is so slowwwwww. Empty seats and 30 min line to order is ridiculous.

Ryan Fitzpatrick playing tater tot pong
Lynnelle E.

I think like everyone else found this place while searching for a good brunch place to go to. Parking wasn't too bad, I think turnover was pretty good. As people were leaving, more people came to park. The line can get long at times but moves pretty fast. Drinks: Dragon fruit mimosa - I'm not a mimosa fan, but this was refreshing. I highly recommend if you want something nice and light. Horchata freeze - so creamy and very cinnamony. You can really taste the cinnamon throughout the drink. Iced salted caramel latte - it was good but nothing that really stood out. Probably will not be getting again. Food: 1. Chorizo breakfast tacos with tater tots - huge portion and so tasty. The chorizo and egg with chipotle sauce, salsa, and cheese was a perfect balance. The chipotle sauce had a nice kick, and I liked that the egg and chorizo were not greasy. Tater tots were crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. 2. Churros and cream french toast - I could not get enough of this no matter how full I was. I liked that it had actual churros in it and not just like a cinnamon and sugar topping. The French toast was nice and crunchy, not super eggy and soggy. I liked that they had the syrup on the side. 3. Spicy hash - the spicy hash was really good, and jalapenos were a nice touch to make it more spicy. hash browns were well cooked, and cheese was perfectly melted. appreciated the chipotle sauce on the side. 4. Wild thang burger - The burger was juicy, and the onion ring in it was crunchy. There was a good amount of bbq sauce and jalapeños and the fries were crispy 5. Original breakfast plate with chicken pineapple sausage - classic and simple. The chicken and pineapple sausage had a nice snap to it and not salty. Donuts - we ordered a bunch to go. We got blueberry, raspberry, and banana fritters. It was super crunchy but to be honest, I sampled all of them but couldn't tell a difference. I was kind of disappointed, considering it's called apple fritter. Fruity pebbles donut was tasty but didn't care for the cookie crisp donut. I feel like it was a totally different cereal. Overall, all the food was amazing and I would love to come back to try the other items they have.

Naughty Burrito
Alicia S.

I was super impressed with this breakfast/ brunch spot. The food was delicious and I was especially blown away by the coffee. I got the iced cinnamon latte and the hazelnut vanilla latte. Both amazing! The service was quick and easy. The inside was well decorated and nice available seating. They also had donuts which were delicious!

Cheesesteak Sandwich
Rini R.

One of the best places for sandwiches if you are craving for one . They also sell a variety of donuts and I have never been disappointed. Very reasonably priced and the service is quick and the staff is friendly . They have indoor as well as outdoor seating area . They get a lot of office crowd if you go during lunch hours . Some parking is available but I always walk so I never needed one . My favorite is cheese steak sandwich with grilled pineapple and jalapeños. They close at 2 so if you go too close to their closing time you may need to get a to go .

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One of the best local spots around. Main reason y I go back? To satisfy my sweet tooth. Donuts n fritters ‍ diabetes speedrun 10/10

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Apple Fritter Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Apple Fritter

Do we need tomake reservations?

No you cannot

What's the cost of a dozen donuts on average?

Donuts run about $2-3 each. Fritter is $4.50. From the ordering website as of April 2022 Assorted… 

Are you donuts dairy free?

Do they take reservations for brunch or not on Weekend?

Hi Shikha, Apple Fritter doesn't take reservations.

Are they still open 8-2 pm? hard to know what to rely on, and nobody answers the phone, vm full and there's nothing on the voicemail greeting that says anything about their open hours.

Yes they're open. They're pretty short staffed it seemed like the last time I visited. You're right they don't answer the phone. Both times that I went during covid I had to order there in person and wait around 20 mins or so.

Are they selling donuts again? During the first few months of shelter in place order they weren't. Thanks!

Yes I recently had the fruity pebbles

How big are the burgers? 6oz? 4oz? 1/3lb?? Nothing on the menu lets me know what to expect.

About 6 oz

I'm looking to bring a vegan friend here who will be visiting from out of town so that she can try garlic fries! Are the fries here Vegan-friendly, as in, no animal products are fried in the same oil?

No we are sorry we don’t serve vegan fries. Unfortunately we do cook some animal products in the same oil. Thank you for your inquiry.

What time do they have the donuts until?

Apple fritters run out early. Best to go before 11 to guarantee different flavors. Regular donuts are there usually all day.

View All 11 Questions

Kaizen & Coffee - $9 single origin pour over & iced black sesame latte

Kaizen & Coffee

4.5(751 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

A long overdue review for my favorite coffee shop ever!…read more I go here religiously (literally any time I have a day off!) and get the same iced matcha order every single time, and it's always such a comfort to see the same friendly, welcoming faces behind the counter. They have great indoor seating if you want to hang out for a bit too. The strawberry matcha specialty chocolate is hands down my absolute favorite treat, and I make sure to snag one every single time they have it in stock. Parking can definitely be tricky, and you might have to circle around a couple of times on busier days, especially over the weekend. But just know it's so worth it!

Location: Busy street with limited parking. Wait time:…read moreClose to lunch and waited at least 10 minutes in line.Plan on another 10+ minutes wait after ordering. Watch Potential: You get a chance to see them in their crafting of drinks, food and how they team. I saw a lovely carafe of hot tea with loose leaf tea steeping while I was waiting for my order. Store: They have a unique variety of coffee available on the shelf as well as some Kaizeon chocolate bars, coffee making supplies like canisters and scale. Ambiance: Music is playing, chatter of conversation and keyboarding with people working while here. Wi-Fi: They offer free connections for customers while in the vicinity. Drink: Black Sesame Matcha - Iced First and most importantly, the taste of the matcha was very smooth, not chalky not too strong. The black sesame balanced it out perfectly. It did not turn watery. I customized with oat milk and half of the sweetener (their house made syrup). I ordered cold foam but they were out so I was credited. Once I receive my drink I was on my way sipping happily. Very good quality!

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Kaizen & Coffee - Tees and Coffee

Tees and Coffee

Kaizen & Coffee - Busy morning

Busy morning

Kaizen & Coffee - Recommended per our barista. This Coco Hazelnut Croissant, which is winning!

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Recommended per our barista. This Coco Hazelnut Croissant, which is winning!

Cafe Kazka - Chicken corn cheese pasta

Cafe Kazka

4.2(157 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$

cafe kazka is such a hidden gem in foster city! my friend and I came to check it out for lunch…read moreafter hearing it was a hong kong-style cafe, and were not disappointed at all. first, the cafe is so cute and also spotless- I could've stayed all day just reading or doing work. there was lots of outdoor seating overlooking the water which was so nice! I got an iced HK style coffee + milk tea which I've never had before but was so delicious. I'd definitely come back to try the other fruity drinks too! we ordered the tom yum noodles, preserved vegetables & pork noodle soup, salt & pepper fries, and the HK style french toast with peanut butter. the french toast was our favorite- it was fluffy and chewy and was just like the HK classic. the noodle dishes were both so hearty and flavorful too, and the portions were a good size. it did take a bit long for everything to come out, but it did seem like there was only one person working and she was very kind and accommodating when we had questions about our order. we didn't mind at all, especially sitting outside and enjoying the view! overall, I'll for sure be back for the drinks and to try some other HK style street food.

We stopped by this cafe for breakfast a couple of days ago after a long walk around Foster City,…read moreand unfortunately, we left with very mixed feelings. We ordered two breakfasts, and I have absolutely no complaints about the food. Everything was fresh and tasty, with fresh vegetables and berries, and overall the breakfast itself was very enjoyable. The coffee, however, was a completely different story. It was honestly terrible. Both the cup and the coffee itself had a strong plastic smell and taste, which made it almost impossible to drink. I took one sip and couldn't finish it. Unfortunately, the coffee really ruined the overall breakfast experience for me. If you're going to serve coffee to customers, I really think the quality needs to be improved significantly, whether that means using better equipment, better cups, or having someone who actually knows how to prepare good coffee. Another downside was the lack of personal interaction. Almost everything is handled through an AI/self-service terminal, with very little communication with the staff. For a new cafe, I personally think that takes away a lot from the experience. Hospitality and human interaction still matter, especially in a place where people come to relax and enjoy breakfast. The food was good, but considering the coffee quality and the overall service experience, would I come back? Unfortunately, no.

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Cafe Kazka - Inside

Inside

Cafe Kazka - Duck breast rice

Duck breast rice

Cafe Kazka - Fried fish siu mai

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Fried fish siu mai

Penelope's Coffee And Tea

Penelope's Coffee And Tea

4.2(490 reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

Penelope's Coffee & Tea is what happens when a neighborhood café decides that coffee should have a…read morepersonality. The atmosphere is effortlessly civilized: bright, relaxed, and sufficiently comfortable to encourage lingering without descending into the laptop-induced paralysis of so many contemporary cafés. The patio is particularly appealing, with sunlight, greenery, and the sort of unhurried ambiance that makes you suddenly believe you have nowhere else to be. The coffee is superb. Greek coffee is bold and concentrated, while the specialty drinks display an almost suspiciously effective command of sweetness, spice, and texture. The womelette, an omelet cooked in a waffle iron, is wonderfully absurd and genuinely delicious, which is a rare combination in breakfast cuisine. Service is warm and personal, and the staff contributes substantially to the café's neighborhood character. Prices are not bargain-basement, but they feel entirely defensible given the quality and portions. Penelope's isn't merely a coffee shop. It is a small, caffeinated argument for slowing down.

Penelope's Coffee and Tea is a warm, family-run Greek café in Foster City known for creative…read moreartisan drinks and unique breakfast fusion dishes. They have a wide selection of coffee/tea drinks as well as pastries and breakfast. We came early morning to grab some coffee and light breakfast. I had a hot Latte and a veggie egg sandwich breakfast. Both were bloody amazing!! I tell you the latte is so smooth, crisp and perfectly made to my liking. Now the breakfast sandwich was small but tasty. Service was spot on. The vibe was relaxing. Indoor and outdoor seats are available. Overall, this is a great coffee shop.

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Penelope's Coffee And Tea - That morning vibe.

That morning vibe.

Penelope's Coffee And Tea - Bacon Womelette wit some OJ hits hard

Bacon Womelette wit some OJ hits hard

Penelope's Coffee And Tea - Hot Wild Berry Latte

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Hot Wild Berry Latte

Sama Coffee Shop - Gold Digger Latte

Sama Coffee Shop

4.1(456 reviews)
1.6 mi
•$$

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Sama…read morehits the sweet spot of delicious drinks, good space to work, and decent surrounding parking options. The Rose Cardamom Honey Latte surprised me because I LOVED IT. It reminded me of a Vietnamese coffee in terms of coffee strength but balanced by sweetness. I was scared it would be too sweet or one flavor would be overpowered, but you can taste everything and the latte is very well balanced. My drink came out super fast after ordering at the register, and the decor is super aesthetic. Lots of good seating options and there are outlets for studying or working.

Sama Coffee Shop in San Mateo understands that a café can be more than a place to consume coffee;…read moreit can be an exercise in atmosphere and appetite. The room is quietly elegant, its Middle Eastern influences expressed through considered décor rather than theatrical excess. There is an appealing sense of decorum here; a place designed to encourage lingering rather than turnover. The coffee is similarly assured. Turkish coffee possesses the requisite depth and bitterness, while the rose-cardamom-honey latte introduces floral sweetness and spice with admirable restraint. The pastries and sweets--particularly the baklava and kunafeh--provide a luxurious counterpoint without descending entirely into confectionery excess. At roughly $10-$20 per person, Sama occupies a sensible price point for an experience that feels considerably more considered than the average neighborhood coffee shop. Sama is, ultimately, a café with a point of view and that is increasingly rare. The service was designed to provide you with a feeling that you're like a beloved family member. Eager to answer all questions asked and make you feel like you're at home.

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Sama Coffee Shop - Rose Cardamom Honey Burma

Rose Cardamom Honey Burma

Sama Coffee Shop - Rose Cardamom Honey Latte and her Biscoff Cloud by her side

Rose Cardamom Honey Latte and her Biscoff Cloud by her side

Sama Coffee Shop - Interior

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Interior

Little Late Bird

Little Late Bird

4.2(97 reviews)
0.6 mi

I've been here a number of times, they're located in a business complex, but they're also open on…read morethe weekends so we pop in here and there for coffee or a snack. We've tried a good number of things on the menu and the main thing for me is that even though the prices are not steep, the food portions are quite small. Even the bagels are not standard-sized bagels, they're smaller and feel more like a mini bagel. Whenever I order any rice dish, I'm never full. Taste is average at best across everything I've tried. So even though it's not expensive, it doesn't feel quite worth it. The drinks are good, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried. The space is pretty big and open, good for working or hanging out and the staff is usually friendly. The only time I've had a negative experience with service was with the owner or manager (not sure), she was a bit rude and stand-offish.

Visit July 2026:…read more Hmmm....I really wanted to like this place more. It's cute. It's clean. They are friendly. It's a good vibe. But dang it....I paid nearly $11 for a Good Morning Burrito (ham, eggs, tots, a ton of cheese) that was only the length of my iPhone 14. Great taste but I was hungry still. Plus I wish it had come with some sort of salsa. There was a hot sauce bottle, bulk size, that was almost empty so I said meh. A homemade salsa would be a nice touch. My daughter got a vegetarian omlette which was basically a mushroom omlette. That seemed a good size but basic mushrooms and they had a side of spinach with some sort of dressing which I was sure was just mayo. There were a sad four tots on the side. She didn't like her matcha latte and my Vietnamese coffee lacked kick. They are well situated to serve the area and clearly have regular business. For that younger tech crowd across at Sony this seemed like a spot for them to pound away at their laptops while drinking boba and listening to lo-fi jazz.

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Little Late Bird - Environment

Environment

Little Late Bird - Bulgogi Sandwich & Flat White (oat milk)

Bulgogi Sandwich & Flat White (oat milk)

Little Late Bird - Banana latte, lavender latte and Nutella croffle

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Banana latte, lavender latte and Nutella croffle

Blue Bottle Coffee - San Mateo - My Craft Matcha

Blue Bottle Coffee - San Mateo

3.7(327 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Blue Bottle Coffee in San Mateo deserves a special shoutout for the excellent service I received…read morefrom Cameron. He greeted me promptly in such a warm, friendly way and was genuinely helpful throughout the visit. It was honestly one of the best customer service encounters I've had anywhere recently, especially in a coffee shop. Great coffee is always appreciated, but great service like this really stands out. Cameron made the experience feel welcoming and memorable. Highly recommend this location, for both service and cleanliness/atmosphere.

Save yourself the headache and skip this spot on a Friday unless you're walking over from the…read morenearby offices. Parking: Absolute nightmare. Finding a spot anywhere near the building took forever. The Wait: Waited 15 minutes just to order, only to be told it would be another 15 to 20 minutes for the drinks to actually be made. The Vibe & Pace: I'm usually pretty patient with long lines, but watching the staff work was painful. Zero urgency, moving in slow motion while a huge crowd waited. You could literally feel the shared frustration in the room and everyone around me was checking their watches with the exact same annoyed expression. The coffee at Blue Bottle is always solid, but the bottlenecking from app/delivery orders combined with a staff that refuses to pick up the pace makes this location a skip. Definitely wouldn't go out of my way to come back here.

Photos
Blue Bottle Coffee - San Mateo - Side interior view

Side interior view

Blue Bottle Coffee - San Mateo - Their Scone. Really like this.

Their Scone. Really like this.

Blue Bottle Coffee - San Mateo - Inside

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Inside

Ceré Tea - Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)

Ceré Tea

4.5(173 reviews)
3.5 mi
•$$

I was eating next door on a Sunday afternoon and saw lots of people going in and coming out with…read moredelicious looking matcha drinks. I watched their reactions when taking the first sip, it was a lot of head nodding and thumbs upping to their friends so I felt like I had to go in and try for myself. Went in and ordered an earl gray matcha and my partner ordered a passion mango tea w boba. The matcha & the passion fruit was so good! The boba was chewy and sweet. I would definitely recommend coming and trying! I really wanted to try their strawberry matcha but I'm always so skeptical (I have trust issues w bad strawb matchas) but the earl gray was good, so maybe I'll try next visit. The interior was nice, menu was straight forward on the wall and on the check out table -- only thing is the description of the drinks weren't shown on the menus until you're on the self check out kiosk. I was curious about the sunny side up matcha thinking it was made with real egg yolk (which I thought kinda weird?) but the kiosk said that it was mango. You didn't really talk to staff at all & the drinks came out pretty fast! Would come back again.

$7.25 for the Osmanthus Matcha Latte. Matcha is pre made in batches. For an expensive price point,…read moreI would expect it to be freshly hand whisked. This drink is described as matcha, milk, and Osmanthus Syrup. I didn't taste any of the syrup, the drink wasn't sweet at all, which isn't bad but I paid extra for the flavored latte rather than plain and it just tasted like plain matcha. It did have some flower leaves in it though? Which was unexpected as I would think a syrup would have been strained. You also don't interact with anyone here, you order on an iPad. The table I sat to wait at was dirty.

Photos
Ceré Tea - Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)

Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)

Ceré Tea - Hojicha Einspanner

Hojicha Einspanner

Ceré Tea - Sunny Side Up Matcha

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Sunny Side Up Matcha

Apple Fritter - burgers - Updated October 2026

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