This is my first time ever going to this particular coffee shop and in all honesty I only came over here because the pastry shop I wanted to have one shot did not have any indoor seating! Nor do they have outdoor seating! Lol spatial problems?! Oh well! Anyways, this place had a number of tables inside as well as outside, and there was a younger gentleman as the cashier as a Lady barista with amazing tattoos, was assisting him!! Hee In all honesty, I was rather surprised when I was speaking to the young gentleman because he was quite honest about having not tried the pumpkin chocolate chip coffee cake. He turned to the Lady barista and she said she was quite honest and said she did not like pumpkin, but had tried it and it tasted too much like pumpkin for her. Lol I love pumpkin and don't like chocolate!! So she told me I would probably love the coffee cake!! She was right!!! It was around lunchtime, so I figured I would also get a chicken empanada, and I was so surprised when I placed my order for a regular cup of coffee, pumpkin, coffee cake, and a chicken empanada that the younger gentleman brought it right out to me at my table!! Most coffee houses I go to just yell my name or ticket number! Lol but the sincerity behind remembering who ordered which item specially, since I gave no name, gave me a feeling of special or personable gratitude feeling!! As if they were really trying to get to know each individual Customer!! As I sat and watched part of the soccer game, I noticed a number of patrons were also smiling and cheering on the game, but quietly amongst themselves at each individual table! Still polite and coffeehouse, appropriate, as I was able to do my own work at my table and enjoy my lunch! Overall, I sat here for about two hours, and I noticed how both barista and cashier were younger maybe college age people and they spoke to each individual customer!! I heard a customer greet the barista by name, Jonathan, and I missed the barista's name, but she had a number of beautiful tattoos!! I was rather surprised since they spoke to each customer with such sincerity!! There's definitely a different type of Customerservice at this adorable little shop!! This was my first time ever coming here, and I basically swung by because they said they had gluten-free items and I'm trying to be better in my own lifestyle! I loved the pumpkin coffee cake, my cup of coffee as well as the empanada!! You made a true fan out of me! I will definitely be back here again and again!! read more

See all

This is a wonderful family owned coffee shop! Indoor and outdoor seating, excellent service, great coffee and breakfast treats! I've been going here for years. Frankly I really try to support places like this instead of the big coffee chains. As far as I know 3 Bees is the only family owned coffee house in our neighborhood. read more

First time here; The dark coffee is smooth and not bitter. The chocolate croissant is buttery and nice chocolate is rich. read more

The line went pretty quick, one cashier and one barista in an interesting oldish style building. I had my favorite double espresso con panna. Espresso was not overly bitter and it had just enough whip cream. No seating available inside or outside on a Sunday at 3 pm. They had Turkish delight so I'll be back to try it next time time I'm in the area read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Double Espresso Con Panna at 3 Bees Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

The owner is very welcoming! Paid parking is metered. Limited parking spots. Have to go round and round sometimes but this time we got lucky. We love their Matcha Latte'! High grade and I was able to request the level of sweetness in it. Grateful to find a humble clean spot to homeschool my daughter in. We needed break from the norm. We drove all the way from the East Bay to visit this place. read more

Hands-down my favorite coffee shop anywhere! Rafat and his staff are so warm and friendly. Their coffee is consistently delicious and the pastries always fresh. They offer a variety of snacks and delicious treats, with plenty of tables & chairs inside and outside. Support local businesses as often as you can! read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Americano with Almond Milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I can't seem to stay away from Three Bees. I started working hybrid remote last year and have been spending more time downtown. While it's nice to explore new spots, I keep returning here as a reliable favorite. The owner has been incredibly kind every time we've interacted. I remember he had used the simple tactic of calling me by my name (whether he'd remembered or I wore a name tag from work), which was such a nice personal touch the first few times I'd come in. It's nice whenever we see him around, and the rest of the staff are also friendly and chat with my partner and I whenever we stop in. You can tell it's a favorite spot for many more in the community as there is always someone sitting reading a newspaper, and a group chatting at a table (or folk like myself who talk to others in line or at the counter). There's never a real wait for the order to come out but I always pause to enjoy the music and have to find whatever song was playing. I also deeply admire the rotating art on the walls (perhaps from local artists?). It is always a peaceful energy with authentic community that you won't find at any chain nearby. The menu itself is impressive between food and drinks with everything being very reasonably priced. I love getting an iced latte and also indulging in a gluten free treat every now and then. It is 100% worth it to come stop by, grab some fuel and support this wonderful business. Maybe you'll become a regular too. read more

Best coffee in San Mateo. The drinks are made the way they should be and you get that old school coffee shop experience--for the same price!

One of the best coffee in san mateo the owner is very friendly and welcoming i highly recommend it , very nice atmosphere for ladies gathering and hang out read more

Came here for a quick stop and quiet place to work. It's an old building so don't expect modern decor or furniture, but they make the best of it and have everything you need. Order from kiosk, so I got a breakfast burrito, camomile tea and fresh squeezed orange juice. Burrito is heated up so don't expect much but for this little quaint cafe, it does the job to quench your thirst. Drinks both served in larger than expected containers. Service is fast and accommodating. Given the namesake, I was, however, expecting honey packets or honey jars somewhere. That's all... read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Breakfast burrito with orange juice and camomile tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Loved my experience at Three Bees Coffee House, the delicious vanilla latte and my interaction with Rafat the owner. As a supporter of small business, it was easy to be a fan of Three Bees. Not only were their drinks tasty, I can also appreciate the hard work he has put in over the past 20 years since he opened the business. This will now be my go to place for coffee, open 7 days a week. Check out the Three Bees Coffee House for tasty beverages and to support small business in San Mateo. read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Rafat, thank you for a great experience and delicious vanilla latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I want to support local coffee houses but my latte was so bad I ended up throwing it away. It was extremely bitter and tasted like old espresso grounds. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this place too. 3 stars because I'm being generous, but I won't be back. read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Don't forget to check in on Yelp to get 20% off when you spend $5.00 or more. ( We forgot to check in. We saw the deal after we left the cafe) This cute little mom and pop coffee shop is located right in the heart of downtown San Mateo. They have indoor and outdoor seating. There are metered parking spots right outside of this establishment. There's also a parking garage close by. We were greeted by the friendly owner upon entering the cafe. We ordered the caramel macchiato and the chai tea with almond milk. The caramel macchiato is flavorful and it wasn't too sweet, which we really liked. The chai tea with almond milk was so sweet that we couldn't taste the chai. It was like drinking hot almond milk. The was the worst chai tea that we ever had. We were disappointed with this beverage. This cafe had a great variety of baked goods for sale. The Turkish delights, banana bread, and the lemon bread looked really good. We'll be back to try their other beverages and baked goods. read more

See all

I had iced matcha with oat milk today. It was amazing and refreshing. Loved the atmosphere there, cozy and relaxing. We will definitely try it again. The service was great too. read more

We happened to walk around San Mateo downtown on weekend and this cafe beckoned us! It is a very cozy little spot with good coffee, a steady stream of tidbits for breakfast or snack. There are interesting teas as well as iced drinks. Looking around I see more people conversing with each other than looking into their phones. That in itself was what welcomed me to this little shop. Come with a friend or your family, have a coffee and a scone and have a chat!! I will be back. read more

It's a chill, no frills cafe with fair prices. Clean bathroom, good wifi, and the owner was very kind. I got lots of work done over the ~3 hours I was there. Ordered the chicken panini + ice chai with oat milk. Solid panini that was warm and crispy; the bread wasn't overly buttery, and the pesto was great. Would go back and would recommend. read more

Three Bees Coffee House offers affordable drinks with good service. The staff were friendly, and the overall experience was pleasant and relaxed. It's a nice spot to stop by for a quick coffee. read more

My daily morning go to spot for my iced coffee. The owners are super sweet and service is always great. Cute cafe old school vibes.

This coffee shop is very homey. I felt like everyone was family and it's thanks to the customer service and locals who were very friendly. They don't have oatmilk but their soymilk latte hit different, so I can't complain! If I lived in the area, I would always be here. read more

See all

Updating because I returned recently after going vegan: they have an OUTSTANDING vegan/plant based menu! The tofu scramble burrito was delicious and there are lots of pastry options. The staff are so nice and quick! read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Oat milk Latte, so cute! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Cool shop, great coffee, kind people. Would like to see some more pastries be offered

Good find while in 101 to San Jose. Very cozy place, with good outdoor seating. We had iced cappuccino and hot latte, and both were good. I usually prefer peets but this better. Its just opposite to peets shop but glad i went here. read more

I came here for my free bday drink and it was excellent. I come here for the excellent vanilla lattes and they never let me down. The service , the environment, and the coffee is best around. read more

"There are some movies that I would like to forget, for the rest of my life. But even those movies teach me things..." - Antonio Banderas I admit the name seduced this honey bee. Three Bees Coffee House located on 3rd in San Mateo. Maybe it's just the Antonio "Nasonex Bee Commercial" Banderas in me? My expectations were somewhat high buzzing in. However, this honey bee was not impressed. Hey at least I tried. Umm. First, I'm not sure why I expected so much more or at the very least a better menu, but in fairness it's okay if you're up for fridged "hot foods" heated up via micro, or a handful of pastries sitting under a glass. I guess it's just the Parisian in me that y'know, yet in all honesty I'm really not that picky. Oh well. The name of Three Bees Coffee House is cute and kudos goes to the staff for being bee friendly. It's a fun spot with constant foot traffic, but that's where it ends. The menu is limited - not even a simple breakfast croissant :( Eh, at least there's coffee. So I peruse the menu and really see nothing exciting but I need something to wake up my insect brain, as suddenly there's three humans standing behind me as I decide. I quickly scan the fridge and choose an Empanada. I quickly peek at the small selection of pastries and choose the lone Chocolate Croissant. French Roast coffee my drink of choice. I'm fading... I immediately notice my Empanada being popped into the microwave. Hmm. I mean wouldn't it be world's better if a toaster oven or air fryer was used? Or if using a micro how about using that reflective thingie that keeps the crust crisp. Am I making sense? Or am I speaking in bee language? In the end, I wouldn't make an effort to fly here. It's nothing more than a standard coffee shop with nada much on the menu. There is a 20% off check-in offer that I was too sad to redeem. Three Bees Coffee House wasn't exactly bad, just didn't live up to my queen bee standard. I do wish them luck, but this honey bee will be getting his pollen elsewhere. read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Empanada, Chocolat' Croissant, French Roast. Just okay. However my Zen Tea from Tazo hit the spot. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Such a cute spot in San Mateo!! Their piroshkis and empanadas were the perfect and tasty snack for my daughter and I. We paired them with an iced Mocha and their iced Matcha latte. read more

Came for an iced mocha in the morning and enjoyed every sip of it. Staff was amicable and quick service. The al fresco (outdoor seating) is a great touch and adds to the vibe (B street recently closed for pedestrian mall activity). The ambiance is fantastic inside and out. Paid street parking nearby. read more

See all

Skip Peet's and Philz - you must show this spot some love. Such a cozy and lovely coffee shop. They have a lot of yummy pastries, cookies and sandwiches to choose from along with a delicious espresso. The look and feel of this shop is very homey. You can find several folks working here, reading and overall enjoying their cup of joe. It's quiet but with a touch of pleasant jams. Looks like a neighborhood favorite. It's extremely close to Caltrain and in the heart of downtown. Kind customer service and lots of gift ideas! (Holidays) read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Espresso and Peruvian cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Three bees coffee is so sweet; it is a very cosy coffee shop. It's very lovely and has been open for many years. The owner makes an incredible cup of coffee that can't be beat. The caramel macchiato is the best I've ever had, that I usually end up going with this now. I still love their lattes too. The milk foam is insane in all of their espresso-based drinks. It is delicious. Such height of foam, standing tall! Their coffee is strong and subtly sweet, it's a really good balance. They have also started up a loyalty program with Five stars which is neat. Bagel with cream cheese is no frills and delicious- toasted bagel with a slice of cream cheese in a rectangular block shape. It's good. Bagels are chewy and they sell out rather quickly. read more

See all

Best coffee shop around! The vibe is cozy and welcoming. Rafat is wonderful--kind, helpful, and dedicated to maintaining quality coffee and food. This place has so many regulars--evidence of consistent quality and a welcoming environment and staff. 5 stars!!! read more

We are regulars here. Excellent coffee, friendly and not crazy busy. Apparently the only non-chain family owned coffee place remaining in San Mateo. Space outside. Reasonably pet friendly as well. read more

Parked my car here to run an errand and came back and smelled the coffee - jumped inside and ordered a double espresso - ristretto (short pulls) - also grabbed a sliced of chocolate chip bread becasue it is wrapped in Saran Wrap and for some reason chocolate things wrapped in Saran Wrap remind me of good times lol - got back to the car in the pouring rain, turned on the car, and cracked open the cup and saw that the volume was perfect, crema on top intact, and the smell was lovely. I turned off the car. I sat in the car and smelled my lovely doppio ristretto beauty for a minute before I sucked it down in total pleasure and happiness! I sat there for another minute just enjoying the flavor and warmth inside my mouth in my cozy car in the pouring rain. Happiness. For this, 5 stars. Oh the chocolate loaf with chips - it was good and not too sweet - I ate it later so I could preserve the aftertaste of the perfect espresso as I drove. Definitely will return read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Doppio ristretto espresso Perfection - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Very good lattes! I was glad they had a variety of sugar free flavors too. The staff were friendly and we enjoyed sitting on the stools by the window. Our bagels were perfectly toasted. I like the relaxed vibe and music. read more

Super good coffee, very tasty and smooth. And very friendly staff that is generous and kind

Excellent cafe & ambience, a local gem downtown with an outdoor parklet Food options include baked goods, fruit, some breakfast items. All dairy free milks available. Service is very quick--expect espresso drinks in under 3 minutes read more

Three Bees Coffee House - Cappuccino with a view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Coffee is great. Service is fast and welcoming. Definitely a good quick stop on the way to start your day.

Located of 3rd ave in San Mateo. This cafe has that old school traditional vibe. Nothing fancy. No flavor gimmicks. What this place provides is the best Italian coffee and espresso is San Mateo! This place is a nice cozy cafe nestled with downtown San Mateo. Beside coffee and espresso, they also pastries, a few selection of wraps, and really great panini sandwiches. This cafe offers a really downtempo vibe. A nice relaxing vibe that will allow to finish a crossword puzzle. Their walls are filled with art from local artist, which is constantly on rotation. The customer service was great and made me feel at home. This is a must coffee shop stop, when in San Mateo. read more

See all

Friendly service and the best espresso in San Mateo county. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, The samosa is also consistently good.

Do you remember when Ginger, Mary Ann, and Mrs. Howell formed a girl group on "Gilligan's Island" to get a British rock n' roll band to help save the castaways? You don't? How old are you anyway? Well, the group's name was The Honey Bees, but hell, I just figured they must have opened this shop fifty years later (video: http://bit.ly/2x8wxKG). OK, so I didn't think it through, but I'm glad this shop is in the middle of downtown because there aren't many indie coffee shops in the immediate area. This unassuming spot felt like an old shoe appropriately broken in for maximum comfort. I had a medium $3.95 Latte that just hit the spot (photo: http://bit.ly/2MnlsuT). Let The Honey Bees rock on and the Three Bees serve comforting caffeine. LATTE - 4 stars...smooth and soothing AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...relaxing if a bit crowded with cafe tables SERVICE - 4 stars...quietly efficient TOTAL - 4 stars...the return of The Honey Bees RELATED - Looking for dining options in San Mateo? Here's a collection of places on the peninsula that I've tried and reviewed: bit.ly/2KWj9yk read more

See all

Very cozy coffee house with good coffee and treats. The owner is a very nice gentleman.

We came here for an affogato. It was good yet the ice cream was frozen and not so fresh. The Couple who own the place were super cute!