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Coffee & Water Lab

4.3 (767 reviews)
Closed 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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COFFEE & WATER LAB ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for working

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Recommended Reviews - Coffee & Water Lab

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Menu
Michelle H.

Ambiance: nice, well lit place with a a few tables to study and chat. However, seats are limited, so hit or miss if you can snag one. Also some outdoor seating. Mellow, cafe-like music to fit the setting. Service: service could have been a bit better. I wasn't greeted and felt like I had to flag the worker down to take my order at the counter. He was also very soft spoken and seemed disinterested. Drink: - Honey pandan latte: 5/5 would get again. Had a distinct pandan flavor without feeling artificial. Was surprised it wasn't hidden away by the espresso. You are able to customize your milk preference and espresso level (light, medium, dark). Warning that iced drinks cost a bit more. Togo cups cups in a nice, durable feeling plastic(?) container

Chinese sausage breakfast burrito
Kelsey S.

I've been coming here for a while and decided to give this place an official review. People are always working here. I think it's because it's spacious and has good lighting. Even when it's busy, the service is pretty quick. The workers here are always super friendly. I don't think I've ever had a negative customer service experience here. They have a solid base menu and unique seasonal drinks. From their regular menu, I usually order one of their cold brews. I ordered the maple cream cold brew this time around. It had a nice maple syrup taste and was perfectly sweet. My fiance ordered the banana bourbon latte. We both really liked it. We always look forward to their seasonal drinks. I ordered the Chinese sausage breakfast burrito, which I had been meaning to try for a while. It was tasty, but a little small for 8 dollars. I still liked it, it's just not something to split between two people (which my fiance and I planned to do haha) Definitely check this place out!

Latte and Tomato Ricotta Toast
Melinda K.

I decided to stop by this aesthetic cafe after seeing it on Instagram two years ago. This place was packed after 10 am. The barista was patient to let me decide what to order since this was my first time. Eggnog Latte- not too sweet with a good cinnamon and nutmeg flavor. Tomato Ricotta Toast- savory goodness, and the Shokupan bread was soft. Overall, the service was friendly, the cafe had spacious seating, and a mini apparel section. The outlets are conveniently located under the seat. I had difficulty concentrating on reading since there was a group of people chatting at the next table and a music playlist in the background. I should bring my headphones next time. I would come back to try their Asian-inspired lattes and dessert toasts.

Eddy G.

We got a couple of seasonal flavored lattes, and they were both really delicious and flavorful. The parking lot was a nightmare, but that has more to do with the whole shopping complex than this coffee shop. Other than that, the experience was nice!

Inside
Haley T.

Been here a handful of times and I'd say it's a solid choice for coffee. You can tell they take pride in the quality of the ingredients they source. My iced Madagascar latte was HUGE! I've also tried some of their more fun seasonal drinks like Honey Pandan Latte which was very sweet. Liked that you could pick your roast type in your espresso drinks. Whenever I've come, this place is always busy. It tends to be people working and/or studying inside, but they have outdoor seating. Overall would recommend trying!

Isaiah G.

I was in the area found this place on yelp and decided to try it. It's in a very busy shopping center. The earlier you go the better. I came here early on a Saturday 8:30 and this place was packed. There's a lot of tables but the place is small. So after you order it gets a little complicated where to stand. They called our order and I noticed they have clear lids. I've never seen that and absolutely loved it. The girl who was doing the coffee art wow amazing! The coffee was strong so they use good beans and the taste was good. Overall really good coffee.

Madagascar Latte
Jennifer S.

Drink: If I come here I would definitely consider getting the Madagascar latte again! I got it with almond milk with less sweetness. Ambiance: While the coffee is good, I often don't come here because of the loud echos and lack of seating.

Vietnamese Nitro CB Float
Arnel E.

Came here for coffee and carbs on a Friday morning upon the recommendation of my daughter and son-in-law. We sat outside as this coffeeshop was packed and we didn't want to rub elbows with the other customers. I wanted to get the Honey Black Sesame Latte but the disinterested cashier said it was unavailable and suggested in a mumbled tone, a cappuccino. One star deducted. After begrudgingly saying yes, I was thankful that he allowed me to order the rest of what was on my list of dine-ins and to-gos. I guess my wife liked the Blueberry Mascarpone toast and Vietnamese Nitro Cold Brew Float as she finished hers before I was done with my overcooked Ham & Swiss Cheese toast. Another star taken out. The cappuccino was decent though. The Madagascar Latte and Toasted Caramel Latte we took home brought no complaints from the daughter and SIL as well. I was told that I could've requested specific roasts which got me all excited at this coffeeshop, but that one crew member spoiled it all for me. I don't see myself returning here. There's just to many good cafes in San Jose with pleasant cashiers.

Pumpkin cream top over Cold Brew Coffee
Sofy Y.

This is a special lil spot. Their hours are really convenient since they open early and close later than plenty of coffee shops. They have a wide variety of beans from different locations and really knowledgeable baristas. Pastries are fresh (most of the time) and the wraps are made fresh to order. Everything is reasonably priced. Only thing I could say is there's too many signs and options and it can get overwhelming. Loved their pumpkin cream top over cold brew. Can really taste that they use fresh and more whole ingredients. This spot is not a home run for me, since the first time I went my pastry was stale, and the tables are so extremely jam packed in there hard for a variety of body sizes to be comfortable and it feels cramped. Otherwise definitely a go to

Vietnamese Nitro Cold Brew
Tammy N.

The interior of this location is really cool with lots of coffee tools and fresh roasting stations. You can tell they are very into the process. I found the nitro drink a little bit sour for my taste, but the honey sesame was more balanced. I'd try one of their classics next time. There is outdoor seating - a couple of tables out in front which is great. The parking lot is in a popular grocery/food area so it's large but can get busy!

Honey Gingerbread Latte
Mimi L.

Such a great coffee shop! Tried the honey gingerbread latte off of their holiday menu-- got it iced with oatmilk. Hands down the best gingerbread latte I've had! You can really taste the gingerbread and all the cozy holiday spices. A lot of other shops that offer a gingerbread drink leave me wanting more. I'm already thinking of my next visit back. Limited indoor and outdoor seating, especially during peak morning times, so be mindful! Also, this is located in the strawberry plaza which is notorious for always being super packed and hard to find parking.

Joyce M.

I love the avocado toast but please put it back on DoorDash I called just now and they said it was on there from their end but it's not showing up :( The blueberry mascarpone is also good but please put back the avocado toast uppppp

Avocado Toast
Jenny B.

I've been on the hunt for a coffee shop to read, write, and relax and I think Coffee & Water Lab has definitely made the list of places I'd stay in. Patrons were welcomed throughout the 2 hours I've been here and the staff are all efficient baristas. I had asked one of them for their recommendation and it was a great recommendation at that. (He recommend the honey lavender latter - which many other patrons ordered too) Their avocado toast was delicious, the bread nice and soft but still toasty and had many flavors to it as well. The vibe of the shop is good for studying, catching up with friends, or just simply for a quick pick me up. I recommend this cafe if you're in the area!

Blueberry Mascarpone ($6.99)

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20 days ago

I got the bourbon banana latte, coffee is huge, it's one size similar to Starbucks venti, it tasted ok, not too sweet, strong enough

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Coffee & Water Lab Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Coffee & Water Lab

On a Monday morning , when is it the busiest?

It's usually busiest between 8:30 and 10:30 AM. Thank you!

Are there plant milk options & vegan food options?

There is plant milk (oat) and I believe there are some vegan options, including a pretzel.

Does a bag of beans purchase come with a feee drink?

The promotion that we currently offer is buy one bag of beans and get the second bag 50% off! We believe it's a even better deal than a free drink 🙂. Please come by to check out our wide selection of single origin beans!

Is Alkaline water FDA approved?

FDA does not approve water products. However, our Alkaline Water Machines are NSF certified for Food Service usage and approved by the health department. Thank you for your question.

Do you have decaf espresso?

Hi Lauren, Yes, we have decaf espresso. In fact, we roast organic, Swiss-Water processed decaf right in the store so it's always fresh.… Read more

Do you accept reusable containers?

Yes we do! Thank you for asking.

Are you open yet? I see on Yelp it says you are "open." Anxious to come by:)

Hi Karmen, Thank you so much for reaching out! We are excited to say that our soft opening will happen around end of April/early May. We will keep everyone posted here as… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Moonwake Coffee Roasters

Moonwake Coffee Roasters

4.5(390 reviews)
1.3 miWest San Jose
$

Came here with a friend in the late afternoon to catch up 2 hours before closing. The store was…read morePACKED. There was a mix of people studying, working, and chatting with friends; it's a very lively community spot. Despite how chaotic it was, the space was generally clean and the service was great. The cashier made sure to get our names and address us by them. The decor is beautiful, feeling intentionally designed. I thought it was really cool that they have a slow coffee bar area specifically for pour overs (I think) where tech isn't allowed, so people are just supposed to sit and enjoy their coffee. I've never seen that before in a coffee shop. The menu is extensive. Since it was later in the day, the baked goods were half off, which was a nice surprise. I got a blueberry latte and an Asian fusion focaccia bread. Blueberry latte - I liked this! The blueberry flavor was subtle and not overly sweet or artificial tasting. It added a light fruity note to the coffee without overpowering it. Fusion focaccia bread - This was tasty, but I felt the original price was steep ($12). My piece was around 6" x 3". The shiitake mushroom flavor was strong and I loved the addition of scallions and Chinese sausage sprinkled throughout the bread. Overall, this is such a cool addition to coffee culture in the South Bay. It feels like shop from a big city like SF, NYC, or Chicago instead of little ol' SJ. The ambiance and options are solid, and it has a vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. You can be a casual coffee drinker or a coffee snob and it will be a satisfying experience.

There was a line when I went, but the food/drinks rolled out in a timely manner. Solid spot for…read morecoffee and unique fusion pastries! - BlackBerry toasted coconut latte hot : Not my fav combo. Taste like sour coffee with coconut shavings. - Cardamom orange latte hot: Surprisingly good like a creamy orange coffee. - Egg sando: I like the added trout caviar, adds a nice pop of color and flavor. - Shio pan: Very good crispy outside and soft inside. I will say the black salt on the top was a lil strong. I didn't realize and took one huge bite of salt and ended up having to scrape some off the rest of the bread - Gochujang corn cheese scallion focaccia: Very big, generous slice. I would like more corn cheese throughout the bread. Good service, nice space with seating, but can get busy. Please do clean up after yourself if you decided to sit.

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Moonwake Coffee Roasters
Moonwake Coffee Roasters - Pour over

Pour over

Moonwake Coffee Roasters

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Academic Coffee - Stan's Yeasted Glazed Donut (~$4)

Academic Coffee

4.4(1k reviews)
5.2 miDowntown
$$

While visiting San Jose, I came across this coffee shop and I'm really glad I did. The coffee…read morequality was excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the pastries were absolutely delicious. The shop itself is a bit small, so it may not be the easiest place to study for long periods, but it has a great atmosphere, good vibes, and a very welcoming environment. The outdoor seating was a huge plus, especially with nice weather -- it's the perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy your coffee. Parking in the area can be a little tricky and it is paid parking, but that's pretty common for most downtown areas. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this coffee shop to anyone looking for quality coffee and a nice atmosphere.

I tried the banana matcha since everyone was raving about it and it honestly failed to meet my…read moreexpectations. The matcha flavor was subtle, very faint and not as strong as I'd like. The banana cream felt lacking as well. Even after mixing the cream top with the matcha, it felt unsatisfying and not enough banana flavor. I do like how the overall drink isn't overly sweet and the texture of the cream was nice. It was fairly crowded on a Thursday morning but the line to order moves quick. My drink took about 15 minutes to come out. Maybe it was just an off day? But I had higher expectations for their banana cream matcha.

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Academic Coffee - Banana Matcha Latte

Banana Matcha Latte

Academic Coffee - Guava Matcha

Guava Matcha

Academic Coffee - Guava matcha

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Guava matcha

Chromatic Coffee - Chocolate chip cookie

Chromatic Coffee

4.3(460 reviews)
3.8 miDowntown
$

I've been coming here with my pup a few times a week for a little over two months now, and it's…read morequietly become my default "get things done" spot. The place has this worn-in, artistic, slightly scruffy charm.. idk if I'm describing it right. It's like... the kind of hangout where people come for a quick catchup each other but end up drifting in and out of nice, long conversations. Like.. the morning version of going out for drinks. Instead of cocktails, it's cappuccinos and spearmint lavender tea. same energy. Nothing feels overly polished, which is exactly why it feels comfortable. The music is one of my favorite parts. Very eclectic in the best way! I'm very particular with music and have an inside joke with my wife about hijacking the Bluetooth at certain places to play some "actual music" but damn. Find myself removing my headphones to listen to what they have playing. Sometimes I feel like I'm inside an NPR segment. Lol The coffee and tea have been consistently tasty. Great espresso, tasty tea options, and no one rushes you out. just gentle background life happening around you. Another shoutout to the staff. Literally EVERYONE has been amazing and they're always in such great moods. In return, all the customers are super friendly too. Love it :)

I used to absolutely love Chromatic Coffee. Unfortunately, as they've grown, the experience has…read morereally declined--especially in service. The baristas seem poorly trained, and they don't have a solid process anymore. They've expanded their space, but that just makes the wait and confusion worse. I recently was in their new space and ordered two simple cold brews--no modifications. Where they used to pour it straight from the tap, now they treat it like a latte--and everything takes forever. If you want to linger in their aesthetic (albeit chilly) space, maybe that's fine. But if you just want takeaway coffee, be prepared to invest 20-30 minutes. It's no longer the quick, quality stop it once was.

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Chromatic Coffee - Found the entrance

Found the entrance

Chromatic Coffee - Mango raspberry pastry

Mango raspberry pastry

Chromatic Coffee - Entrance

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Entrance

Coffee & Water Lab - coffee - Updated May 2026

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