I like it here, it's very large and there is seating outside and inside, very spacious. It's got a historical vibe, made to look modern. You can order from the counter or at a kiosk. The service was fast, and correct. We enjoyed the coffees and food we ordered. I would say it's pricey, so I'll come back sporadically, but I will be back. read more

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Don't get me wrong, the place looks so cool and nice to study and hangout with friends, but honestly that's about it. Drinks wise I got the Honey Date Latte and the Mango Matcha Latte. They were both recommended by the worker so I gave it a shot. At the end, the price to taste ratio was not worth it what so ever. The mango matcha just tasted like mango juice, and the honey date latte was mediocre at best. I honestly enjoy coming here to study, but drinks are not worth it so far. I'll give them a chance again for drinks, but my best recommendation is to work on their recipe to make it more tastier and enjoyable to drink. read more

Playback Coffee - MANGO MATCHA LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I don't know about their coffee, but their matcha drinks were genuinely the worst matcha I've ever tried, even Starbucks matcha would be better than this. My friend and I both ordered the guava & mango matcha, after seeing good reviews on social media. I am confused how it's possible for a matcha latte to taste so watery, especially knowing and seeing that it was made with oat milk. There was no matcha flavor at all, and had no hint of creaminess that indicates it being an obvious latte. The mango/guava purées tasted artificial too. Seeing this other reviews here, I don't know if I was just unlucky at the time, but I won't be coming back here. read more

Great space, good coffee and tasty pastries. I have come in a few times. Love that they offer decaf (which surprises me that other coffee places do not!). Their decaf vanilla latte was great. read more

Playback Coffee - VANILLA LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Ordered a Matcha here as I was exploring the area. Matcha was good. The decor is super cute. It's a vinyl-inspired specialty coffee shop located in downtown San Jose's San Pedro Square Market.staff were friendly. Street parking. read more

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This is the most spacious coffee shop I've seen! We came early in the morning so it was pretty empty but I can see it being a popular spot once the day goes on. They have a great location near San Pedro Square. We found parking in a garage about a block away and the first 90 minutes is free, so you don't have to stress about paying for parking just to grab some coffee. They have a kiosk to order outside but you can also order inside at the counter. The Guava Matcha latte is off of their signature menu and it did not disappoint! Very generous amount of guava but it wasn't overpowering and I could still taste that quality matcha tea. Mix it before enjoying to get the full flavor profile! read more

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Had to swing by to support my girl @wsgoodshell at the recent run it back event! Got to listen to some sick beats & enjoy a latte!! It was a fun event (even though I didn't run ) Love the matchas and lattes here!! The specialty drinks are so fun and tasty. The last two times I've been, I have not had any issues finding parking, which is nice when you are checking out a downtown spot. The coffee shop has alot of seating & tables to work study/work but also has such a fun vibe if you are looking for a place to catch up with a friend. read more

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Coffee was very good. Service was quick. The upsetting part about this place is the girl who is on the line making the food had her hair complete down. Which instantly made me not want to eat any food from here. Very off putting. read more

Playback Coffee - CORN POPS LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Playback coffee is always my go to spot if I need to go study or get work done. They are located in San Pedro Square so they have large tables with outlets. It can get busy so if you can't work in a noisy environment, this might not be it for you. I love their fun drink options, and they have both good coffee and matcha. They have a self serve kiosk or you can order with a barista, but they are always quick and consistent with drinks! read more

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Sweet spot for coffee and a chill session. Loved that they served my coffee in an actual glass coffee cup and my bagel was delicious too. read more

Playback Coffee - Lox with avocado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here to try their coffee and I actually enjoyed their matcha more than coffee! They had plenty tables and chairs in the indoor and outdoor space and we enjoyed sitting outside cause weather was great and we had our dogs :) We didn't struggle finding street parking but you have to pay for parking if you are staying and enjoying coffee or food there! Service was pretty good and fast. If you put your number when ordering, you will get a notification when it's ready! read more

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My first time visiting since it became Playback because we wanted to try the USA latte during the peak of the World Cup! The USA latte is a red velvet latte and it's decent. The guava matcha latte on rec from the barista, and it's fine... made with Kern guava. It's no Academic guava matcha latte thats for sure. With so many coffee shops in dtsj not sure I'll be back anytime soon... unfortunately it didn't stand out to me. read more

Playback Coffee - Guava matcha latte and USA latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Mango Matcha: 2/5 The mango matcha fell flat unfortunately. I watched the barista make this drink and did not have high expectations. The majority of cup was filled with Goya or Jumex mango juice (as you can imagine, the flavor was totally overtaken by the artificial juice flavor), followed by some syrup, oat milk, and premixed matcha from a squeeze bottle... for $8.50, it just didn't taste fresh or good quality. I tried my friend's pistachio latte which was better, but I don't think I would recommend/return for the drinks. Vibe and Service: 4.5/5 I would, however, return for the ambiance and how easy it is to grab food from the variety of stalls. Came to study/work with some friends and there was plenty of seating with outlets in the coffee shop itself and the adjacent food hall area if you don't mind a more bustling environment; plenty of people were doing the same. The cafe scene in SJ is strong if you like to get out of the house to get some work done alone or with friends, and this spot is a solid choice for that. read more

Playback Coffee - Mango matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Playback Coffee definitely has a vibe. It gets pretty busy, and there's something nice about being surrounded by people--it's a good spot if you want to feel a little less stuck in your routine and just soak in that lively, everyday energy. Service-wise, no complaints at all. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, which I appreciated. That said... the drinks were a letdown. I ordered the pistachio matcha, and it was honestly not great. It tasted overly sweet with a very artificial pistachio flavor, and the matcha itself didn't taste authentic either--more like a flavored drink than real matcha. For the price they're charging (which is definitely on the higher end for matcha), I expected much better quality. My husband got a black coffee and wasn't impressed either--he said the flavor was pretty underwhelming. Overall, nice atmosphere and good service, but I'd probably come back for the space, not the drinks. read more

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The ambiance is top tier. There's a lot of seating and tables, low music playing in the background. The design is super cute. I ordered a teddy graham latte (regular sweet, iced) and it was so delicious!! In addition, I also order the Ferrero rocher latte and it was just as delicious, especially if you're looking for something on the sweeter side! There was options for pastries. However, I did not partake. I did order bagels and they were good. There is a kiosk for self-service and an option to order with the cashier. I did go on Saturday morning which was fairly busy. However, there was still a lot of seating options and the drinks and bagels came out quickly. Overall, will definitely be returning! read more

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I had really high hopes of this place after seeing it on insta with the fun vinyl atmosphere and sharing the same owner as Academic Coffee. Nevertheless, the spaciousness and amount of seating here with outlets make it hard for people not to come by here. It's also right across from the parking garage. But, let's play it back... At a glance, their menu has a great amount of options considering they have hojicha and matcha in addition to coffee. There's even fun pastries, including a Dubai chocolate croissant and pistachio! It is really expensive though. The base price of a latte was already $8-$9. We ordered the specials: Hojicha Latte and Pistachio Latte. The Hojicha latte came with chocolate cold foam, which sounded yummy considering the nuttiness from the roasted green tea flavor could complement that richness. However...it was extremely watery. We could only taste the foam. My sister had to ask the barista to kindly add more syrup, but the barista was kind enough to remake it altogether and that Hojicha flavor decided to pop in! Not sure if they didn't put enough Hojicha powder at first, but we really appreciate the great service. This does tell us that their drinks might not be as consistent --- just as a note. The Pistachio Latte came with sprinkles of pistachio and vanilla cold foam. Now THIS was delicious. Great coffee flavor ratio to that pistachio syrup, which didn't taste artificial at all. Loved a good crunch. Seems like they won't mess up a cup of coffee here, but have yet to try their matcha. Just not sure about that base price point. Enjoyed sitting here in their sofa chairs though and their location being inside the San Pedro Market Square. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while now, and I'm sooo happy I did!! It is such a vibe!! I went on a Sunday around 11 and there was a little line as well as lots of people sitting, drinking, chilling , working, etc. such a big space though. Located in the same area of the Three Sisters Bar, I almost felt like getting a drink too lol such a good atmosphere! There was even a band setting up, I feel like they played around noonish. There's a cute little outside area too with lots of seating in a covered area where I sat and ate my goodies. I went twice in one trip to San Pedro Market. The first time I got a pistachio latte with vanilla cream cold foam and it was SO GOOD!!! Not too sweet at all, it was pure perfection!!! I also got a Spinach Artichoke croissant and Olive Oil Lemon cake, both were so incredible. This area is so fun bc there's so much to visit so I went and got a pizza then came back for a cold brew & another slice of the olive oil lemon pound cake. One thing I appreciate is I was asked if I wanted the end or the middle slice of the cake & just found that to be such good costumer service, it's always in the details! The cashier was so nice too, my orders were always made super quickly. There's a place off to the side for lids , water & napkins which was nice. There was also a tablet for ordering but most people ordered at the counter. Also when I went back on the second visit , the spinach artichoke croissant was gone so I feel like that's a popular one I would get if you see it! read more

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I am normally an espresso guy, and I've been on the search for the perfect Bay Area espresso however this was a bit later in the afternoon so I opted for something different. Playback is in San Pedro market, sharing space with a bar that is completely emptied during the day. This means that there is ample seating both indoors and outdoors, including enclose outdoor patio for the cold and rainy days. The seating includes plenty of high tops, tables, and lounging spaces. Today I opted for one of the outdoor high tops in the shade. They have plenty of staff on hand to take and process your order quickly. The staff was friendly and professional, and my drink came out pretty quickly. I went for a lavender latte with regular milk. The temperature was perfect and the lavender was perfect kind of sweetness and flavor, without being too sweet or sugary. They still have some pastries in the cabinet, I didn't ask where they're from but I will do some next time. Of course, there are a lot of food options at the market even during the middle of the day. Overall, this is a great place to come whether you're meeting somebody and want to peruse the market, want to sit and chill or get some work done on your own, or even if you just want to people watch. read more

Playback Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Really vibey and spacious coffee shop in downtown SJ! It was pretty crowded on a Saturday afternoon so it took awhile for our orders to come out. There's tons of seating both inside and outside. The matcha drinks were pretty good, but I feel like you have to get extra matcha if you really want the flavor to come through, which is an extra cost. Overall, bit on the pricy side but I love the variety of drinks and food options they have. The salmon lox bagel was also delicious! Will definitely come back to try some of the other drinks! read more

Playback Coffee - Guava matcha latte and dirty matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Came here at night and was craving a drink. I was able to grab a drink about 20 minutes from closing. The employee who took and made my order was very kind. Guava Matcha (3/5); This was definitely not the best guava matcha I've had. I thought the matcha did not blend very well with the guava and created this awkward taste. Not sure if I would come back here, but maybe for coffee next time. read more

Playback Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

great spot for the local students to grab a drink and study, as well for anyone looking for coffee. But their concept of matcha lattes is just not good. There is not matcha flavor at all. The flavor is overpowered by the choice of dairy you get, which I got oatmilk, and i saw which brand and its the Oatly Barista Edition, which is super thick, which nothing wrong with the choice, but it is such a powerful oatmilk, that at least the flavors of matcha should over compensate for. So i got their seasonal berry latte, and I was excited for the berry flavor, but also that was very mild. Their guava matcha at least you can taste the guava juice, but even then that drink lacked the matcha profile. I do think that they could improve in not masking the flavor of the matcha. Just maybe I will stick to coffees if I come back. read more

Playback Coffee - Berry in Love Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

This place has been my girlfriend's go to for coffee ever since we discovered it. I'm pretty new to the matcha game, but lately I've become a MATCHAFOO and let me tell you, this spot is easily top two on my recent matcha journey. The strawberry cold foam they put on the matcha is super flavorful and not watery like most cold foams. The matcha itself is solid overall. Amazing place to come check out service is quick and on point, and the vibes are super chill and laid back. I'll definitely be coming back for the matcha, and my girlfriend for her weekend coffee fix. read more

Playback Coffee - Berry matcha latte teddy graham coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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First thing I wanted to point out about Playback Coffee was the decor and ambience of the place. It is a very nice place to sit to vibe or do some work on your laptop. I believe this is the same owner as Academic Coffee and you can definitely see the resemblance with their menu. I would say Playback Coffee offers more unique drinks compared to Academic. The one thing I would say is the price is a bit high for the size/type of drink. Each of drink came out to about $10, which is very pricey. Seasonal Hojicha Latte (4.5/5): Very good Hojicha latte topped with a chocolate cream. The chocolate cream made the drink creamy and added a chocolate-y aftertaste to the Hojicha. Ferrero Rocher Latte (4.5/5): Somewhat strong coffee taste with Ferrero Rocher bits on top. The bits added a nicer nutty chocolate flavor to the drink which paired nicely with the latte. read more

Playback Coffee - Seasonal Hojicha Latte (Left), Ferrero Rocher Latte (Right) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I love the vibes of this place. I'd love to come in and do some work/studying but it can be difficult to find parking. Metered or garage parking nearby though. I got the ferrero rocher latte. It's yummy for sure but pretty pricey for $10. read more

Playback Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here on a Saturday morning to get some nice coffee. Really liked the decor inside with all the vinyl player and pastries they had on display. Teddy Graham Latte (3.5/5) : The whip cream on topped was very delicious and felt house made. The coffee itself tasted great and wasn't too sweet at all. A problem that was found later was the durability of the cup as it broke and spilled over me everywhere Next time, I will potentially try other drinks and the pastry they have to offer there. read more

Playback Coffee - Teddy Graham Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Now that was worth hitting the repeat button. Playback Coffee is the current cafe of the San Pedro Square Market that basically holds court over its own wing when the nearby bar is closed. I decided to stop by today to start my morning before a matinee San Jose Sharks game. As you might anticipate (although I didn't), it was really crowded with people waiting both to order and to pick up. Fortunately, I found a QR code for online ordering and got on that straight away. Even better, they completed my order in 9 minutes, way faster than the promised 30+ min. And since I was on their online ordering system, I noticed an item not listed on the printed menu: the 1&1 ($6.50). It's a double espresso split into a ristretto (just espresso) and machiatto. This was my first time trying it, so just trying it felt cool. The ristretto read much more acidic than I'm used to, but the machiatto was creamy and surprisingly smooth in flavor. A water dispenser was also available near their corner so I could cleanse my palate a bit. I would definitely visit Playback again if I were to go downtown in the morning. They got my day off to a great start and seemed to be knowledgeable and efficient. read more

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3.5 STARS Ahh the power of social media. From the owner of Academic Coffee, Playback Coffee is the most hyped up cafe in Man Jose (San Pedro Square). A vinyl cafe with DJs spinning? This geriatric millennial is ready! On the Saturday we visited, there was no DJ. There was vinyl spinning for "show" and a random playlist. I was expecting r&b, hip hop, maybe even edm but not Britney Spears. Checked their IG afterwards and it looks like they have DJs maybe once a month (if that). Ok, but how are their drinks? Sorry, I think Playback's (and Academic's) drinks are hella overhyped. IMHO, the quality is not commensurate with their prices. They charge $2.50 for a cream top while nearly every tea shop in the bay charges $1. * Seasonal Iced Maple Pumpkin Spiced Latte ($8) - Request decaf Legit tastes like a watered down latte sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon. No maple pumpkin flavor. * Matcha Latte w/ extra shot of matcha ($9) Didn't care for the matcha at Academic Coffee (bland) but....now I know, the key is to add an extra shot! But, then you're paying $9 for a matcha latte you can get at Voyager for $6.30. The best part of Playback? It's spacious with plushy lounge chairs...big booty/bbl approved. And with the free WiFi and outlets, no wonder SJSU students camp here for hours (hard to score a seat). Not to mention a full bar is just steps away. Start with espresso shots and end with tequila shots! read more

Playback Coffee - Decaf Iced Maple Spice Latte ($8) + Matcha Latte w/ extra shot ($9) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I ordered the peach matcha and it was way too sweet, I couldn't drink it so I ordered something else. I did appreciate that they were willing to make me something else. However, the dirty chai was also not drinkable and watery so unfortunately will not be going back read more

Playback Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I love Cafe academia as much as I love playback!! They're cool, retro vibe and good beats always are welcoming and upbeat!! Especially who was happy to see they were a full pastry case at 11:30 AM since I was in dire need of a morning suite with my coffee well, guava Matcha latte!! Guava Matcha latte; it was perfectly mixed with a heavy, bitter, sweet Matcha, and I'm sad. I didn't mix it sooner, the guava was a little sweet on its own, but once I mixed it with the Matcha, it was a perfect pairing!! I also loved the three pastries I forgot their names, but they were delicious!! The barista that served me was very sweet and helpful with my drink choice. I never got their name, but they were very helpful and the other barista all seem to joke around and sing along with the music so it seemed like a good work environment for them! The area in San Pedro market just created a new outdoor seating area with a glass fixture around it. Which will be nice for when it rains and still being able to go out and work on your laptop in the rain. I will definitely be back here! Oh, and the parking garage across the street is free for the first 90 minutes! read more

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A great place to wfh, but it is on the pricey side! Playback is a cafe located right in the San Pedro Square area. Parking is close, but you will need to pay after 90 minutes (which can get pricey if you plant there). I want to call out that the decor of Playbook has not changed much from that of Voyager's resident there. The only big difference is the vinyl that you get your drinks out of (which is a small change). When you get to Playback, there is a kiosk located near the front entry to order drinks. While this is convenient and typical for drink places, I do think it removes the homey feel to cafes that you get when you can interact with their baristas, and the layer of community is a bit disconnected. While I was there, I ordered the Teddy Graham latte to try out since it seemed like one of their staple drinks when I did my research. The drink itself was good, toasted, with a nice subtle graham flavor. I would say though for $9 per drink, it was overpriced. Overall, to be honest, this is a good area to work, and study with friends, I would come back here for this alone. I would think of the extra drink cost as work from home fee/tax. :) read more

I was excited to finally try this place out and was in the area by chance on a Friday night. I grabbed a burger at San Pedro market but made room for a coffee after! It was near closing time so it wasn't too busy so I was able to take my time deciding on what I wanted. I usually like to try their unique drinks especially since it's my first time and the nice barista recommended their Teddy graham latte with oatmilk and i asked to make it less sweet. My friend ordered the charcoal latte and thought it had a unique taste. My drink came out very quickly and was very cute! The drink was delicious. I might add an extra shot next time as I like my coffee a smidge on the stronger side. I definitely want to try their tiramisu coffee next time. There is also plenty of seating that is shared with the bat next door and an outdoor patio so plenty of places to sit as well. I recommend! read more

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We came here on the weekend and there is a lot of seating with the outdoor patio area too! The inside was cute and decorated nicely. My boyfriend for the ferrero rocher latte less sweetened and it was perfect, especially if you don't like super sweet! The mango matcha was good but very mango pireee forward, still delicious overall! read more

Playback Coffee - Christmas Decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Was recommended to try this place out. Going to the front, there is a kiosk where you can order by yourself or go inside and order with someone. Went here on a Sunday and it was crowded, keep in mind they are in San Pedro so seating might be a little challenging on a weekend. My friends and I all ordered the Teddy Graham Latte, and it was a delicious coffee. I did like their system though where they will text you when your drink is ready so you don't need to be waiting in the crowd for your drink. I will definitely try this place again! :) read more

Playback Coffee - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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been wanting to try the matcha here bc i always see videos about this place raving about their matcha maybe i got a bad one but my manga matcha was giving nothing sadly. giving grass. only saving grace was the mango syrup read more

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Awesome new coffee spot from the team behind Academic Coffee, taking over the space previously used by Voyager. Really cool theming with the On Air sign, turntables, etc. Lots of seating as it's inside San Pedro Square Market. I had one of their seasonal specials which was a decadent Ferro Rocher Latte. It wasn't cheap but I imagine the rent here must be pretty high! Plus it was a quality drink. Fast and efficient service. read more

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Not worth the hype, wow... I ordered the maple spiced latte and did not taste any maple flavor; maple has a fairly strong flavor profile too, so this was really disappointing. The coffee itself was ok, but we have so many other options for better coffee. My friend also ordered the maple latte and was underwhelmed. This cafe has received so much hype due to being affiliated with Academic Coffee, but this drink was a miss. Don't think I'd bother coming back to give anything else a try. They took over Voyager's location, so it's almost the exact same interior. Service was quick. read more

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The pistachio vanilla latte is so tasty and very photogenic! I love how big the cafe is and the decor & ambiance of it. There is a cashier as well as a kiosk to order yourself, so we did not have to stand in line. Not sure if there is a live band here every Sunday but there was one this Sunday when I went, would come back! read more

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September 14, 2026 -- 4:34 PM came to Playback Coffee expecting a higher level of attention to the coffee, especially given the care and quality that goes into specialty coffee beans. Unfortunately, my experience left me disappointed. I ordered a flat white, which is a fairly standard espresso-based drink. What concerned me was the preparation process. The person who initially took my order pulled my espresso shots and then left them sitting for approximately five minutes while the barista prepared the milk. By the time the milk was ready, the espresso had already been sitting there. For a flat white, the espresso and steamed milk are meant to come together as part of one cohesive drink. A traditional flat white is generally a smaller milk drink with a strong espresso presence and silky, finely textured microfoam. While recipes vary from shop to shop, freshness and proper timing are fundamental to serving a quality espresso beverage. (Perfect Daily Grind⁠) When the barista was about to pour the milk into the old shots, I stopped her and asked, "Wait--you're going to use those shots? Could you please pull new ones?" She agreed and made me a new drink. What bothered me almost as much as the original mistake was that there was no apology or recognition that anything had gone wrong. That made me question whether the staff had received adequate training in espresso preparation and milk-based drinks. I also noticed a significant difference in the level of attention being given to another customer. The barista appeared very engaged with that customer, including giving recommendations about places to eat, while my drink seemed to receive considerably less care. I obviously can't speak to their relationship, but as a customer, the difference in attention was noticeable and left me feeling that the level of service depended on who you were. And that's really the biggest issue for me: consistency and care. If a coffee shop is going to invest in quality beans and position itself as a specialty coffee destination, the preparation should reflect that investment. Good beans can only go so far if the espresso and milk aren't handled properly. I'm not saying this to be overly critical. I genuinely enjoy good coffee and want local coffee shops to succeed. But based on this experience, I would say the baristas need more training--not just in customer service, but in espresso extraction, milk texturing, and the fundamentals of preparing milk-based drinks. At this point, I didn't feel that my experience was meaningfully better than what I could get at a large chain. That's disappointing because I came here expecting more. Great beans deserve great preparation. I hope Playback takes this as constructive feedback and invests more in barista training and consistency. read more

Been wanting to check this place out and the service did not disappoint. Came here to work and taste their delicious coffee and treats. I had their ferrero rocher chocolate iced latte and the spinach, artichoke and escarole pastry. First the latte was on point. It the right amount of ferrero rocher topping and I couldn't even taste the coffee flavor. Definitely something I would return for. Their pastry was warmed and flaky with a good amount of crunch with each bite. the combination of flavors were proportionate. Not sure this is something many would enjoy but something's are worth the price. The ambiance was chill. Plenty of seating and different types of seats to choose from. read more

Playback Coffee - ferrero rocher chocolate latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

This place is super cozy and a great place to wfh with multiple areas to sit or charge your laptop. The matcha is yummy but definitely not super sweet, they have options to add a flavor to it. The spinach pastry was to die for and the lox bagel was delicious!! Service is relatively quick granted it's always busy. read more

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