I don't post many reviews--it has to be really good for me to take the time. For me, one of the signs of a great coffee shop is whether they know how to make--and actually execute--a proper cortado. Bidwell Perk absolutely nailed it. Everyone working there was genuinely friendly and provided excellent customer service. They clearly use high-quality beans, and as someone who drinks coffee black and is admittedly a bit of a coffee snob, that matters. I also grabbed a ginger snap cookie, and it was everything I hoped for: perfectly gingery without being overpowering, soft, and wonderfully chewy. We were only there briefly (mostly due to the prompt service) since we were just passing through on our way home, but if we'd had more time, I would've happily lingered and enjoyed the space. I'll definitely stop here again the next time I'm in the area. read more

Bidwell Perk - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

Love their matcha! Some of the best in Chico. It is always packed here but I live close by so I love walking over and getting a drink occasionally. Servers are always friendly and helpful when making drink suggestions. read more

Bidwell Perk - Seated at the bar playing a game - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

We loved this local favorite. The inside esthetics are delightful. The people are friendly. We ordered the Vanilla Chai hot with oat milk, a black coffee, a sparkling blackberry lemonade, and a maple leaf latte. Everything was delicious! read more

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One of Chico's best coffee spots -- hands down! Bidwell Perk has everything you want in a local café: great coffee, specialty teas, creative drinks, and an impressive menu. From fresh quiches and breakfast burritos to sliders, paninis, and salads, it's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack. The vibe is what really sets it apart. They have trivia nights, cribbage tables, and right now they're hosting Talent Week (July 21-25), where local performers show off their skills. I saw one amazing young woman perform an opera song -- she blew us all away. It's fun, energetic, and full of community. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff (even the new ones), and the owner is always around making sure things run smoothly. Highly recommend if you want great food, great drinks, and something a little extra. read more

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Dog friendly patio and outdoor area. The orange vanilla chai was delicious. Staff is friendly. Plenty of space to sit inside to chat or study. We always visit when we're in the neighborhood. read more

Always welcoming, a great venue for meeting and visiting with seating inside and outside, always excellent, personable service! Great drinks. read more

It's really cute but not that great. The staff is fine. The food is fine. The coffee is not great.

The food is very good. I had the orange vanilla chai, something I was not sure if I was going to like, and loved it. The staff was also really nice and helpful. The cafe itself is very cozy and comfortable. The sound of the music and people talking doesn't carry. I understand why so many people come here to work. The menu is a bit pricier than other places, but I would definitely come again. read more

The service was great! She was very helpful with the tea selection! The ambiance was just right and the place wasn't too crowded or loud. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves! read more

Really bad latte and mocha. Tastes like water downed milk with a touch of sugar. No espresso to be found

We had a cesar salad and coffee. Both were yummy but the maple leaf latte was particularly amazing!

5/5 for the location, food, service, and WiFi! While I was visiting Chico, I wanted to stop by a cafe for some coffee & WiFi so I could work remotely, and I'm glad I went here. I had the Bidwell Blend & The Continental while I was working and it was a great breakfast to start my morning! While I was ordering, I asked the barista what coffee she recommended, and she said that the Bidwell Blend was great. I didn't need any cream, and it was so smooth. It wasn't too bitter, and I loved the crisp smell, knowing it was gonna be a good cup of coffee. There were seats everywhere, and there was quite a good amount of people. It wasn't too noisy either, and I was able to get some work done. If I'm ever in the area for work, I'll definitely stop by here again! read more

Bidwell Perk - The Continental - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

This cafe is a must hang out spot. Fabulous coffee and tea options, delicious food choices, wine bar options later in the day, comfortable, eclectic surroundings--it's very well done. read more

I started going to Bidwell Perk over 20 years ago occasionally when visiting my son and his family. I loved it then and now that I live in Chico, I'm at the "Perk" at least twice a week for lunch. The food is wonderful, the staff so friendly, and the ambiance is homey and cozy. It's my favorite Chico hangout. read more

The Perk has been my go-to spot for 20 years now. Whether I'm meeting up with friends, needing a place outside the house to setup shop and get some work done, or just want to enjoy some coffee and read or get lost in my thoughts for a bit. I first started going to the Perk in 2004 when I was a high school senior and Shelly still owned the place. Over the years I've spent many hours and dollars at the establishment, I've had several friends who did the same as they wrote their grad school theses and dissertations, took meetings for work and generally networked with others who came in. Over all of those years I can say that the best thing about the Perk is it's consistency. You can rely on it to be itself. I'm usually not a "foofy" coffee drinker, but early on in my going there a friend convinced me to try the Godiva Mocha and now every once and while I like to indulge in what's basically a premium hot chocolate with some caffeine for good measure. But all of their drinks are great whether it's a basic black cup of Guatemalan roast or something fancier. Cold, hot, doesn't matter. The food works too, it may not be a full kitchen but that's not why most folks go to coffee shops anyway. There have been a lot of new coffee shops cropping up in Chico from Stoble to Day Camp and a few others, and while they're all kind of neat they've really given me a greater appreciation for the Perk. The Perk really has the best balance of features: good drink and food selection, comfortable and relaxed indoor atmosphere, pleasant patio to sit on year-round, free parking, free and accessible WiFi. read more

Bidwell Perk - a steaming cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

Super cute coffee shop that serves creative coffee drinks (Godiva, cherry blossom white mocha), in addition to pastries, sandwiches and salads. They weren't busy at 2pm on a Sunday, but there were still a good amount of people hanging out. It was a super hot day in Chico, so I opted to order a blended drink. The honey cream latte sounded super interesting, and they offered to make it into a blended drink for me! The Blended Honey Cream Latte (Medium, $5.55, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=IpVCJmF7KLWeB6zPMyXkmg&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg) was delicious, and they also don't charge for a switch to soy milk, which is rare to find these days! I loved that this wasn't too sweet, but had a subtle sweetness from the honey. I would definitely order this drink again. There were plenty of seats here and some power outlets available. Parking was easy to find, and there were a good number of shaded spots! They also have a sizable outdoor patio area to sit at. read more

Bidwell Perk - Blended Honey Cream Latte (Medium, $5.55)- 5/5 stars - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

I stopped in here when I was in Chico for the day. I was in desperate need for a coffee! The location is easy to find and there is a parking lot in the back. The space is cheerful, happy and large. Plenty of seating for lots of people. Their drink menu is full of unique concoctions! I ordered a cherry blossom white mocha and a coffee cake. The hot drink was served in a glass pint glass. This is my personal pet peeve - I do not like drinking hot coffee in glass. No biggie - that's just me. It's too hot to carry or hold... The drink was VERY sweet. Too sweet for me definitely. I only drank half of it. The coffee cake was really dry. I only ate half of that too. The flavor was okay. I'm in the middle on this one. If I go back, I would probably get something else to try and ask more questions before my order. read more

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Really cute spot, if you're looking for somewhere to sit for a while that feels peaceful and a little bit elegant, this is the place. The indoor area is spacious and clean with great light, outside patio is lovely as well and there's usually a fountain going which is nice to listen to. The coffee itself is a bit overpriced and not the greatest, just good enough to be enjoyable though. The chai is always nice, if a bit sweet. The veggie quiche is the only food I've ordered here but it was very good. Usually I choose this place if I want somewhere with a nice vibe, not necessarily for the quality of the coffee. Like I said, it's very charming/cute! read more

Bidwell Perk - Dirty chai and veggie quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

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Great spot. Picked up breakfast bagels and a latte here today and it feels like we only scratched the surface. Can't wait till covid restrictions are over. (But their social d was on point) Only boggle was that the parking looked like it could be brutal on a busy day read more

Great coffee, nice staff! Sometimes a little slow, but quality takes time. It's a nice reminder to slow down and enjoy :) good, simple breakfast options too. read more

Cute and cozy place to get some work done or meet friends - I got the signature orange drop cappuccino with a lemon croissant. Both were delicious! The cappuccino was a little thin on the body but flavored nicely. They have water on tap with cute honey jar cups, and cozy nooks and picture windows with a work bench so you can either daydream or get a bunch of work done. A workaholic's dream because you can enjoy yourself while also working your butt off! Will definitely be back when I'm in town. read more

Bidwell Perk - Signature Orange Drop Cappuccino with their lemon croissant - beautiful lemon curd inside the latter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

If you're looking for a quick cup of coffee, this is t the spot for you. It's more of a sit down experience and they don't seem to put walk in to go order ahead of the list. Also, there's no where to wait for your order. I was in the wan of kitchen staff and patrons everywhere i tried to stand. I order a Mexican mocha that was okay. There wasn't much Cacao, cinnamon or spice in it and it was really milky. I expect more out of small coffee shops, but this coffee wasn't much better than Starbucks. Maybe they execute better on other espresso drinks. I do have to give the barista credit for making a beautiful drink, though. Wish I had taken a photo. read more

The coffee is meh. The lattes taste watered down and like warm. I prefer it to be hotter. Honestly the only reason I would come here is because it is a Chico staple and want to support them. It is very old fashioned cafe spot vibes and the decor and offerings say that loudly. If you're a hipster or into single origin coffee this place isn't it for you and you can find better options in town. If you enjoy your Starbucks and Dutch bro's this place will do fine for you. Also no latte art in my cup so not a fan. read more

#fatjared say...cool location, nice inside feel, nice staff, ok coffee, A LOT of choices, and nothing to amazing to write home about. This was one of the first reviews I have done while still drinking my coffee. Doing a different shop every week is a fun way to experience a city you're about to leave. Coffee shops usually capture the essence of a city, IF they are run well! This place you can tell is run well. The staff is friendly, the inside is very cute with fun merchandise and a calm welcoming atmosphere. No one will bug you, and you can just chill. They have an outside area that is awesome and a little window to pick up your food. You can be a regular here and the staff will know your name! It speaks to the life of Chico. Small town, welcoming, cute, and simple! First big complaint is no cold brew AGAIN!! If you're a roasterie, or claim to be, you need to have that IMO. There's SO MANY OPTIONS! Some people will like that, but it has been proven that too many options is a bad thing. I like they have pastries and all that, but the choices drink wise, as you can see from photos I posted, are a bit daunting. They also keep 6 different roasts just in big metal containers, which means they aren't super fresh if you get from those! Now to the actual Iced Americano I had. It was good. A lighter roast, not an extremely bold flavor, but did get better as I continued to sip. More floral at the beginning, and became a bit nuttier as it finishes. The strength of the drink sank, which makes me think it was a bit rushed. An average americano, nothing too different about it. Overall, just average. The people and inside are def fun, but it's a local coffee shop that hasn't done much to try to get AHEAD! I liked it. You'll enjoy it if you come, but don't expect to be blown away! read more

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So this actually happened. Walked in, not so bright and early, to get a hot drink to start my day off right with.... Me: Can I get the apple cider please? Cashier: For here or to go? Me: To go. Cashier: Sorry, we can't do it 'to go' if you get it with rum. Me: I...don't want it with rum...? Cashier: Oh! So you just want the...apple cider???? Me: Yes.... *later* Barista: Do you want whipped cream? Me: Sure. By the way has anyone EVER gotten rum in their drink at 6:30 in the morning? Barista: Not yet! I gotta say, I'm a little offended that the cashier just assumed I wanted some hard alcohol in my drink before the sun was even up. read more

Coffee was delicious and hit the spot! Ordered a oat maple leaf latte 1/2 sweet and an extra shot and it was just perfect! The Americano was also good. Coffee wasn't acidic nor did it taste burnt. Staff was friendly, and nice little place to hang out. Reminded me of the coffee shops back home in LA but without the crowd read more

Great atmosphere, good coffee, but my "cowboy cookie" had to be from last week... I heard that the bagels are a better choice. The outdoor patio is really cute. I think I will try that next time. read more

Fine. Old school stuffy. Older lady stuffy. Scrambled egg salad as carb-free, but odd. Coffee was fine. Nice outdoor dining.

Espresso is much better than Starbucks, but that isn't saying much. $9 for oatmeal or granola and yogurt, almost $15 for all of their other food items, pretty pricey when there's no kitchen. Just to put it out there, seems like America fully embraces the "get as much money as you can" business models. What happened to restaurants pricing their food low enough so that working-class people can eat there everyday or every week? I know the pandemic made it more challenging but what happened to making profits off of volume of sales with good prices? read more

I love the atmosphere, it's super cute in here. The girls are all really nice and the coffee is really good. This is my first time here will definitely be coming back (probably very often). read more

Terrific coffee drinks and delicious quiche selections each day. I started with their honey cream latte and it was okay, but the next day discovered they were still serving their seasonal menu and switched to an eggnog latte with a quad shot. MUCH better selection. Got that for 2-3 days and then (cue sad face and tears) they ran out of eggnog for the season. Sigh. Went back to the honey cream and it just wasn't the same. I've got to figure out a good replacement. The quiche is so delectable I could eat that every single day. Whatever the vegetarian option is for the day: get it. A little firm, a little creamy/soft, the texture is decadent. I kept eyeing their lemon croissant, but never wanted to give up my quiche, so still haven't tried it. Maybe next week. read more

Drinks were super yummy staff were friendly the wait time was a bit but only bc they forgot i ordered and paid for two drinks not one, lol simple mistake stuff happens read more

Easy to get big coffee order to go. Friendly staff. Great location! Lively atmosphere with outdoor seating.

Unfortunately the three times I've been here haven't been pleasant experiences . First of all who serves hot coffee in glass cups ? That was odd ... like I got a white mocha was NOT expecting it to come out in a glass cup , that clearly was made for water , soft drinks ect . Not coffee .... They have this thing called mugs , try it sometime ! Second experience , I was looking at the pastries, and got cut in front of , the cashier definitely saw and didn't say a word all she did was look back at me , I was like wow , this guy needed his coffee more than I did ,she eventually apologized once I got to the registe, so I let it slide but yesterdays experience was beyond me .... The staff never said anything about bringing my dog in before ( I brought him along the other two times as well) but an entitled customer complained and they made me take him outside , (which I respected) but again prior I was never addressed about this matter . Secondly I get the whole service dog rule but had it been stated before it would have been different . No signs , indicating that rule either . Customers kept complaining and mind you the dog was outside by this time , and a customer came to my Friend and I and harassed us about our dog . Mind you we are the only Hispanics here at this time .... When I say white privilege is a thing here it definitely is . The fact they didn't speak to the customer making remarks towards us was insane . I never thought I would experience this especially at a high end coffee shop , but boy was I wrong . Unfortunately I will not be returning and you better believe my review is going on google as well . It cost zero dollars to be kind , we are all different shapes , sizes and colors but god teaches us to be kind to everyone regardless of race . Staff , and entitled customers definitely need a class or two on kindness ! And I will be damned if I'm made to feel any less than anyone because I'm a proud Mexican ! - Esmeralda read more

Good food, good spot, good help, and, thankfully, no loud music. There are even lots of places to park my bike. The Perk's the best.

Wow! What an awesome coffee shop and cafe! I can't believe I haven't been here until now. This place has everything I want. Good food, tasty coffee, lovely atmosphere, fast Wi-Fi, friendly staff, ample and comfortable s sting and decent prices. The music is also pretty decent for studying and working too: read more

Bidwell Perk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chico, California

Cozy, clean, and friendly service. Decent coffee, and a nice atmosphere for a coffee shop.

Always delicious and a great environment. I will go out of my way just to come in for the Caprese Small Plate. Yum!

What a gem! Bidwell Perks you have a beautiful place with an amazing menu! The quiche... is out standing... the coffee was fantastic.. if I'm not mistaken there were 4 options for just regular coffee... say whatttt. That rarely exists in most places, sadly. I think my favorite part besides the aesthetics... the employees. What a super awesome staff. Everyone was so happy and friendly. Towards the end of my meal I met the owner briefly and she was a very amazing person who was kind and friendly. This IS and will be my daily coffee hangout when I am in Chico! Thanks for the great experience Bidwell! read more

TLDR: Drinks are okay, food is tasty. There's also delicious mimosas. So, I've been here a few times. Nothing spectacular about their coffee & tea selection -- I feel it's the same as other places around town. However, they do serve yummy mimosas, which gives them an extra star alone. I've tried their scones & quiche -- both tasty, but there's no WOW factor. The location is kind of hard to get to and parking is cramped. Overall, a decent place to go. Definitely better than Starbucks or Peet's, but it's not one of my go-to coffee places around town. read more