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.

If you're looking for a coffee experience that brings a wide range of flavors and truly breaks the…read moremold, you have to try River Phin Coffee. I first discovered them at the San Francisco Coffee Festival, and it's been my go-to ever since. The founder, Vy, is an incredible force in the industry--she's a Certified Coffee Quality Grader, one of only 400 in the U.S.! What makes her coffee so unique are the innovative fermentation methods. We're talking next-level stuff, like placing bananas right in the fermentation vat to develop flavors you won't find anywhere else. Here are my top three favorites on my regular order: 1. Diego Bermudez Pistachio Cake: Features pistachio cream, followed by warming notes of cinnamon and cardamom. 2. 96B Project Liberica - Quảng Trị, Vietnam: A rare find that brings the unique flavors of Vietnam to your morning pour-over. 3. Pink Borbon Banana Milk Cake: This is where that innovative banana fermentation really shines. Vy offers a wide range of exotic beans from Vietnam, Thailand, Colombia, and beyond. Support a master of her craft and upgrade your home brewing!

Delicious coffee at Foster City Farmers market! It seems to be available weekly and they a variety…read moreof Fall specialty drinks to choose from! I went with Black Sesame with oatmilk this time- it was so balanced and delicious! Also didnt make my stomach hurt. My partner got the pumpkin spice regular milk- it is made with real pumpkin! And it was also so delicious! The other best seller is Bee Pollen and they have various vietnamese coffees. I love how they have grandma still working in the back. Quality coffee made with love! Def recommend.

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.

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.

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!

The lattes here are so good that we decided this would be our coffee shop for the rest of the trip…read more My husband ordered a miso caramel, I ordered the sesame latte, and my sister got a cold brew. The two lattes came in identical-looking containers, but you could taste the difference in each, which isn't always the case. The miso was salty and sweet with an earthy flavor. Nothing was too sweet, and everything was exquisite and unique. Very much worth going out of the way for. Even the baristas were friendly. My sister ended up talking to one of the guys behind the counter about the shop's cold brew process for quite a while. One of my favorite coffee shops I've ever been to, period. Not just the best in the area. Find a better place? Ya can't.

I come here on the weekends after swim class for lunch. I love the avocado on toast with Lox,…read morethe green tonic shake (very healthy) and quesadilla. They are only open until 3pm on weekends and 4pm on weekdays.

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.

We stopped by Sama Coffee Shop for a coffee and a quick dessert while we were in the area. It's a…read morecharming Turkish-style café with a nice selection of coffee drinks, creative lattes, teas, pastries, and desserts. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a good place to sit for a bit and enjoy a drink and something sweet. Overall, I would say our experience was fine. The coffee and dessert were good, but nothing really stood out enough that I would make a special trip from the South Bay to San Mateo just to come here. That said, if you're already in the area and looking for a casual coffee spot with some Turkish-inspired treats and a relaxed atmosphere, it's definitely worth stopping by.

Call and order ahead, so they will have your sandwich waiting. We always go for breakfast, and get…read moretheir croissant sandwiches and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. They are very flaky, so it's a good idea to eat sitting down and not while driving. The only thing I miss is their spam as an option: it hasn't been on the menu for a long time, and they keep saying they will get it back, but it's been over six months since they said that. Please bring back the spam!

This is a review for a pickup with Too Good to Go. Parking was easy. Not too busy inside. Staff…read moregreeted me and I mentioned my pickup. They quickly put together a selection of pastry and bread varieties for me in a nice box. Very nice. It's a small shop with limited seating inside and outside. I enjoyed all the options by my favorite would have to be the Guava Cheese. I will be back again.

bit of a line Saturday morning, but it moves fast. Very cute vibes, lots of families. We ordered…read moremilk bread, kouign amann, a ham and cheese croissant, an everything bowl, and a pistachio/raspberry croissant. Nothing missed, but I loved the pistachio/raspberry croissant the most. It was tangy and not too sweet, which can be the case for many raspberry and pistachio pastries. Rarer still is when both flavors come through and don't overpower each other. The only thing that I didn't love was the coffee but it's hard to be a barista and a pastry chef. I didn't come for coffee so I'm not going to knock them for it.

Went there on a Sunday morning, no long wait, hardly 5-7 minutes and we were in. Tried the Almond…read morecroissant, Chocolate and Hazelnut croissant, Everything Croissant bowl and Seasonal Danish (Tomato & Cheese). Everything was fresh and tasted good. Not overly sweet but rightly flavored. Missed the Raspberry Pistachio croissant as they ran out. They have a small space in the back, nice and cozy. Must try it if you're in the area.

Traveling Asians who stay at this hotel and plan on having BREAKFAST: there is a Congee Bar!!! Juk…read moreBar!!! Rice Porridge!! Boiled Rice!!! 粥, Cháo, 죽, , お粥, lugaw The congee bar has all the basic items from pickled mustard, Chinese donut, salted duck egg, floss in pork or fish, peanuts, green onions, chili crisp oil and next just visit the egg station for a sunny side up egg and of course grab some bacon. Beyond the congee bar, the fresh fruit is top notch. The hot items include bacon, sausage, potatoes, egg Benedict, chilaquiles, French toast, fresh waffle station, cereal bar and toast station. The breakfast buffet comes with typical morning drinks like OJ, coffee, hot chocolate and various juices.

It's been about a year since I last had Sunday brunch here, and it was good back then. Wow, how…read morethings have changed. This visit was a huge disappointment. The food was terrible, and I completely understood why another guest said she wanted her money back. Most of the buffet featured Asian-inspired dishes with unusual flavors that just weren't appealing. They even had kimchi fried rice but no plain rice, which was surprising. The only items I enjoyed were the crab, shrimp, and fresh fruit. To make matters worse, our mimosas were served warm. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this place based on my recent experience. I was really looking forward to coming back, but I left very disappointed.