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Place is lovely its great for studying and the iced matcha is my favorite, definitely recommend:)
This is the best matcha in merced. wish they had a location in turlock. the ambiance of the cafe is very pleasing
Tried a seasonal drink. It was unique and worth an occasional splurge. Pricier than other places I've been, but I'm hoping that's due to purchasing fair trade beans and using overall high quality products. I wasn't there long enough to know what sort of beans the used. The vibe of the location was nice. A place that somebody could easily relax and work for a couple of hours.
This place is one of a kind. So much space to work, chill, vibe, hang out. They offer events and plenty of coffee tasting experiences! My husband has attending two of the cupping classes and they were such a delightful experience. The owner has done such a great job!
I was so impressed with this spot! I was in the area and looked up a café near me and was immediately drawn to how modern & unique the space seemed to look. There was tons of seating for studying/working, brunching, and gathering. I loved how spacious the whole place felt. I also absolutely loved my soft scramble toast - it was so perfectly seasoned & the eggs were so fluffy. My iced matcha latte was pretty good as well. I will definitely visit again if ever in the area!
Stopped in Merced to get some coffee from a different shop but they were closed. I looked up if there were other local shops and came across Asip. Glad that I did! Super cute, modern aesthetic look. It has a lot of seating! Inside, outside patio, and the other room as well. It seems they may host events in that room. They had a summer series of drinks, which I ordered the apple pie matcha and it was delicious. I was stuck between that one and their strawberry matcha. I asked the barista which one she recommended and she said it was too hard to choose. I went with the apple pie matcha because it was seasonal. My mom ordered a cappuccino and a pastry, which the pastries are made locally. Whenever I visit north cal, I will now drive the 99 just to stop here!
What a find. In the Downton Merced you'll find Sensory Coffee. It's a huge restaurant that has a super modern feel. Staff is warms and welcoming. They are super helpful and made a great recommendations. I suggest to try their monkey coffee. So good.
The Sensory Lab by ASIP is definitely one of the newer and more aesthetic spots in downtown Merced. As soon as you walk in, you can tell a lot of thought went into the space. It's clean, softly lit, and has a minimalist mix of stone and wood that gives it a calm, modern vibe. There's plenty of seating inside and a nice outdoor area in the back that's perfect for hanging out or catching up with friends. We tried two drinks. - The Ichigo Matcha, made with Uji matcha, strawberry purée, and oat milk, was on the sweeter side, so I'd probably ask for less sugar next time. The strawberry flavor really stands out, but it does slightly overpower the matcha. Still a solid choice if you like dessert-style drinks. - The Emerald Sky, with Uji matcha, rose, pistachio, sweet foam, and oat milk, was the clear winner. You get the rich umami from the matcha balanced with floral rose notes and a pistachio finish that ties it all together. It's smooth, layered, and really flavorful. Service was friendly, and the drinks came out quickly. The whole place feels intentional and well-curated, definitely one of the standouts in Merced's growing café scene. I'll be back to try their coffee next time.
4 baristas behind the counter and not a single customer acknowledgement when walking in, but was quick to text a group chat and talk amongst themselves. Not only did I have a bad experience when the barista taking my order asked the other barista if he wanted to make the order and his response was no because it takes to long to make so I order a cappaccuni to be on the safe side, but witnessing a group have a bad experience made the whole situation even worse. They ordered a matcha of some kind and evidently it was too sweet. After asking if it was possible to remake the drink less sweet they were told no, and left the drink completely full in the dish bin and left. So matchas are super sweet I guess for anyone wondering. Wanted the avocado toast but decided against it after seeing someone else with it. Basic as can be grocery store bought sourdough that no one is missing out on. I was hoping for a thick brown butter pan toasted slice of sourdough craft by someone local if the toppings are that simple. But hey.. went there for a coffee, and got one, and it was okay.
Love their setup! It's an open space with ample seatings/workspace. Perfect for studying or catching up with friends. Seems like this place doubles up as an art exhibit too. Didn't get a chance to see their outdoor seating but it's available as well. The staff are very friendly. We were comfortable asking questions about the drinks. Highly recommend their honey labendar latte. We also got their campfire latte (Mexican spiced drink).
The vibe is very calm and minimalist. Comfy couches and local art. I had the Golden Monkey, hot with oat milk. I really enjoyed it - it reminded me of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream, but a warm comforting version. The barista was very kind and friendly.
Great ambiance especially if you're a student and the drink was amazing! Customer service was also great overall great shop.
I got the matte black (charcoal latte). it wasn't overbearingly sweet and had an earthy taste to it. I wish the coffee flavor was stronger but still a very enjoyable drink. also tried their signature new zealand latte and golden monkey. the new zealand latte was a butterscotch espresso latte with the yummiest salty caramel cream top. the salty cream was really good but after the first few sips the drink got too sweet. same for the golden monkey, a salted caramel banana latte. it was a great first sip, but over time it just became too sweet for me and I started tasting a bit of artificial banana flavoring. the barista was nice and accommodating. we came 10 minutes before closing and I was indecisive with ordering, but they were super patient and kind. cafe was very spacious and open with a modern, chill vibe. a lot of people were there working, making use of the ample amount of chairs and tables they provided. it was a great pit stop on the way home, wish I could frequent more.
6 months ago
Stopped by here on our way to the Bay Area. This is the cutest shop for times you may want to study or work on some things, the other side of the shop has beautiful art pieces. We got the Golden Money and Honey Lavender Latte, both were really good and the service was great. It's a little bit on a pricey side but was a great treat. read more
22 days ago
Place is lovely its great for studying and the iced matcha is my favorite, definitely recommend:) read more
1 month ago
This is the best matcha in merced. wish they had a location in turlock. the ambiance of the cafe is very pleasing read more
Tried a seasonal drink. It was unique and worth an occasional splurge. Pricier than other places I've been, but I'm hoping that's due to purchasing fair trade beans and using overall high quality products. I wasn't there long enough to know what sort of beans the used. The vibe of the location was nice. A place that somebody could easily relax and work for a couple of hours. read more
11 months ago
This place is one of a kind. So much space to work, chill, vibe, hang out. They offer events and plenty of coffee tasting experiences! My husband has attending two of the cupping classes and they were such a delightful experience. The owner has done such a great job! read more
9 months ago
I was so impressed with this spot! I was in the area and looked up a café near me and was immediately drawn to how modern & unique the space seemed to look. There was tons of seating for studying/working, brunching, and gathering. I loved how spacious the whole place felt. I also absolutely loved my soft scramble toast - it was so perfectly seasoned & the eggs were so fluffy. My iced matcha latte was pretty good as well. I will definitely visit again if ever in the area! read more
Stopped in Merced to get some coffee from a different shop but they were closed. I looked up if there were other local shops and came across Asip. Glad that I did! Super cute, modern aesthetic look. It has a lot of seating! Inside, outside patio, and the other room as well. It seems they may host events in that room. They had a summer series of drinks, which I ordered the apple pie matcha and it was delicious. I was stuck between that one and their strawberry matcha. I asked the barista which one she recommended and she said it was too hard to choose. I went with the apple pie matcha because it was seasonal. My mom ordered a cappuccino and a pastry, which the pastries are made locally. Whenever I visit north cal, I will now drive the 99 just to stop here! read more
What a find. In the Downton Merced you'll find Sensory Coffee. It's a huge restaurant that has a super modern feel. Staff is warms and welcoming. They are super helpful and made a great recommendations. I suggest to try their monkey coffee. So good. read more
11 months ago
The Sensory Lab by ASIP is definitely one of the newer and more aesthetic spots in downtown Merced. As soon as you walk in, you can tell a lot of thought went into the space. It's clean, softly lit, and has a minimalist mix of stone and wood that gives it a calm, modern vibe. There's plenty of seating inside and a nice outdoor area in the back that's perfect for hanging out or catching up with friends. We tried two drinks. - The Ichigo Matcha, made with Uji matcha, strawberry purée, and oat milk, was on the sweeter side, so I'd probably ask for less sugar next time. The strawberry flavor really stands out, but it does slightly overpower the matcha. Still a solid choice if you like dessert-style drinks. - The Emerald Sky, with Uji matcha, rose, pistachio, sweet foam, and oat milk, was the clear winner. You get the rich umami from the matcha balanced with floral rose notes and a pistachio finish that ties it all together. It's smooth, layered, and really flavorful. Service was friendly, and the drinks came out quickly. The whole place feels intentional and well-curated, definitely one of the standouts in Merced's growing café scene. I'll be back to try their coffee next time. read more
2 months ago
4 baristas behind the counter and not a single customer acknowledgement when walking in, but was quick to text a group chat and talk amongst themselves. Not only did I have a bad experience when the barista taking my order asked the other barista if he wanted to make the order and his response was no because it takes to long to make so I order a cappaccuni to be on the safe side, but witnessing a group have a bad experience made the whole situation even worse. They ordered a matcha of some kind and evidently it was too sweet. After asking if it was possible to remake the drink less sweet they were told no, and left the drink completely full in the dish bin and left. So matchas are super sweet I guess for anyone wondering. Wanted the avocado toast but decided against it after seeing someone else with it. Basic as can be grocery store bought sourdough that no one is missing out on. I was hoping for a thick brown butter pan toasted slice of sourdough craft by someone local if the toppings are that simple. But hey.. went there for a coffee, and got one, and it was okay. read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
4 months ago
Love their setup! It's an open space with ample seatings/workspace. Perfect for studying or catching up with friends. Seems like this place doubles up as an art exhibit too. Didn't get a chance to see their outdoor seating but it's available as well. The staff are very friendly. We were comfortable asking questions about the drinks. Highly recommend their honey labendar latte. We also got their campfire latte (Mexican spiced drink). read more
2 years ago
The vibe is very calm and minimalist. Comfy couches and local art. I had the Golden Monkey, hot with oat milk. I really enjoyed it - it reminded me of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream, but a warm comforting version. The barista was very kind and friendly. read more
7 months ago
Great ambiance especially if you're a student and the drink was amazing! Customer service was also great overall great shop. read more
3 months ago
4 months ago
I got the matte black (charcoal latte). it wasn't overbearingly sweet and had an earthy taste to it. I wish the coffee flavor was stronger but still a very enjoyable drink. also tried their signature new zealand latte and golden monkey. the new zealand latte was a butterscotch espresso latte with the yummiest salty caramel cream top. the salty cream was really good but after the first few sips the drink got too sweet. same for the golden monkey, a salted caramel banana latte. it was a great first sip, but over time it just became too sweet for me and I started tasting a bit of artificial banana flavoring. the barista was nice and accommodating. we came 10 minutes before closing and I was indecisive with ordering, but they were super patient and kind. cafe was very spacious and open with a modern, chill vibe. a lot of people were there working, making use of the ample amount of chairs and tables they provided. it was a great pit stop on the way home, wish I could frequent more. read more
1 year ago
A find in Merced. It was an out of the way location. For some reason maps had me walking through neighborhoods I wasn't familiar with and then it became apparent that it was on Main Street. I should have ignored the walking directions and just stayed on Main. This place has alot of charm and interesting pods of instant or instant brew. The coffee drinks and non coffee drinks were excellent. Food was excellent too! read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Interesting coffee spot. They also offer teas and food. I got a London fog and it was pretty good. It took nearly 10 minutes though. The art is cool. read more
The sensory lab got a huge upgrade! It was already such a cute spot, but they have since extended it to be able to seat more people and they now have more food options. In addition to their cafe and baked goods they now have toast and egg sandwiches as well. This is a local gem for sure! read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
1 year ago
I'm willing to drive an hour for this place! As a Fresno native, Merced is a bit of a drive for me, but when I want to treat myself to a wonderful study experience, I happily make the excursion here. I've reviewed this place before, but I want to reaffirm my position as an avid fan. If this place were closer to me, it would be the #1 coffee shop I would frequent. With incredibly soothing jazz playing in this coffee shop, along with its tasteful minimalism, this is by far the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shop I've ever been to. The vibes are truly incredible. I feel cool just sitting in here, LOL! Prior reviews mentioned that there was only one outlet. However, this must have changed because now there are multiple outlets accessible all around the coffee shop for those to use while studying. Beyond aesthetics, this place serves great drinks. It checks off all the boxes in terms of both drinks and interior. I can tell that the owner and baristas here put a lot of care into their drinks, and it's such a pleasant thing to see. For this particular visit, I ordered: 〰 Coco Loco w/ Matcha Cream (10/10): An incredibly refreshing take on matcha. Coconut water with a lovely matcha soft top. It has a flavor that is reminiscent of pandan (a grassy vanilla and coconut) to me, which is delightful. I finished this drink so fast! 〰 Golden Monkey (9/10): A delicious coffee treat that incorporates salted caramel, banana and Oreo crumble - this is a solid coffee drink if you prefer sweeter coffees! 〰 Matte Black (9/10): A coffee drink unlike any I've had before! It is coffee drink with activated charcoal, coconut, and chocolate! If you wanna switch up your typical coffee order and go outside of the box, this is a great option. 〰 Rose latte (9/10): Coffee with housemade rose syrup? Can't go wrong with that! Parking was super accessible, with free parking along the street and a parking lot beside the building! FYI - you won't find their menu on their website, but they serve all the coffee classics, as well as matcha! They have special seasonal drinks that they rotate through, and you can stay updated via their Instagram (@asipcoffeeco) for more info! read more
3 years ago
Honestly, love ASIP coffee, I've tried a multitude of their savory drinks and everything from the plain black coffee to the specialty drinks are top notch. I remember when ASIP was next to the movie theater which is a prime spot but this location seems spacious and cozy, love the interior, great for small study sessions. read more
2 years ago
First time here and was pleasantly greeted to soft playing music. Prime spot if you want to get some homework done. Completely valid date spot if you're a college student. The service here is dictionary perfect. I got a specialty drink and it came out speedy (less than 2 mins). I nearly halved my drink and the barista gently comes behind me with a new cup. To my surprise she forgot an ingredient. What's better than free coffee . Service like this is nonexistent in places like Starbucks where mistakes are pushed to the side. read more
10 months ago
Coffee and service was good but I don't know about the avocado toast presentation. Ambiance is still there but don't expect music when you're in there. read more
10 months ago
11 months ago
1 year ago
11 months ago
Immediately upon entering the store, I was meant with a sense of welcoming and peace. There were quite a bit of people both studying and just hanging around, but nothing too chaotic. I could definitely see myself coming here daily to study while enjoying the ambiance of the cafe. I was met with the loveliest barista, Idaleen, who guided me through the menu as it was my first time ordering. Although they have a WIDE variety of drinks on the menu, I decided to go with one of my favorites, a white mocha. I had heard great things about this coffee before but omg, it truly is amazing. It definitely wasn't as sweet as i expected (which was perfect for me personally) but the taste of white mocha still shines through. and the coffee felt very smooth and balanced out the sweetness quite well! One of the best white mochas i've ever had I would say. A true 9.5 out of 10. The best part of the latte was that it was foamed to PERFECTION. perfect amount of foam and perfect warm temperature. would HIGHLY recommend to check out if you're in the area !! (also the cute sticker on the cup is such a plus!) read more
1 year ago
The best coffee place you can find in Merced, CA, The vibe, the decor, the atmosphere, the friendly staff are Amazing! read more
2 years ago
First time coming to this cafe and loved it!!! We ordered the Mexican hot chocolate and iced matcha latte which were both 10/10. The barista recommended we added white chocolate mocha to sweeten the matcha latte and it was so delicious! Great place to go and study or chit chat with a friend, lots of places to sit and work with great music too. This place reminded me a lot of the coffee shops I would go to in LA -- but a lot more study space! Will hopefully be coming back soon :) read more
11 months ago
A Merced staple. It was a shame when they closed their downtown location but to my surprised they opened up the Sensory Lab up the street *tears of joy* A hipster threw up in there and made a gorgeous coffee shop. The minimalistic decor and the way the sun shines through, ugh, this location is freaking stunning! A good spot to get some work done or just catch up with friends, it's quiet and relaxing.The best part of all, they have a parking lot off to the side!!! Perks of not being in the center of downtown. Staff is super friendly and the coffee is damn good. Typically, I swing by for an iced coffee with extra ice during lunch for a quick pick me up. It consistently has a smooth flavor. When I'm craving something sweet, I'll go for the campfire latte with oat milk (not sure if this is seasonal or not). They also sell their cold brew by the jug. Don't sleep on Asip. read more
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More info about The Sensory Lab
847 W Main St
Merced, CA 95340
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(209) 349-8264
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http://www.asipcoffee.us
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Ask the Community - The Sensory Lab
Do they serve any food?
They have pastries. Eventually they'll be opening up the other side, and it'll be a restaurant.
