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    Academic Coffee

    4.2 (360 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Academic Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    ACADEMIC COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Academic Coffee

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ann N.

    My daughter likes their matcha. When we are in town, we usually have to go downtown to pick it up. Glad this location opened. Parking right behind the shop is very limited. Some spaces on the street but plenty across the street. For a Saturday late morning, it was not that long of a line. We got to the front and really like the cashier. He's so knowledgeable about the drinks. Provided a bunch of stickers for us to take which I did grab 2. And was just nice and pleasant. There were 2 small bench inside for you to wait for your drinks. But they are pretty quick I'm making the drinks. Enjoyed their espresso banana iced drink. They have a small room on the side that you can chill or meet up friends. In front, plenty of outside seatings to enjoy your drink. Great service and drinks.

    Raymond B.

    The service was really fast here! We ordered 4 drinks, the Madagascar latte, matcha banana cream, melon matcha & guava matcha and everyone was very pleased with their drinks! All high quality drinks! Looking forward to coming back to try more drinks again

    Very unique! Doesn't taste artificial and no lingering aftertaste| Melon Matcha
    Andrea A.

    This is the go-to place for matcha in the area! I like that they offer creative flavor combinations you don't find at most matcha shops. It's tucked away in a park area that almost looks like a rec room and sits in front of an apartment complex, so it's easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Parking is also very limited, so I usually end up parking in the neighboring streets or getting dropped off. The times I've visited, the line has been manageable and the wait hasn't been too long. I usually take it to-go, but there are tables inside and outside where some people hang out and/or do work. When I first visited last year, I tried their seasonal melon matcha for the first time, and I was so happy to see they brought it back for a limited time. I was skeptical at first, but it ended up being one of my favorites! It's not overly sweet and doesn't leave a lingering aftertaste. I actually prefer it without the matcha cream top, so you can taste more of the melon. I've also tried the guava matcha, but I thought the guava overpowered the matcha, and the cream top made it a little too thick for my liking. I've also tried the banana matcha latte that went viral. It's good, but nothing particularly memorable. Overall, the matcha here has been consistently solid and is definitely worth trying. Just be prepared for the rough parking situation.

    No ice
    Eunice T.

    "Guava matcha" attracted me to this location. The drink was definitely unique. I do remember liking the cream. The matcha part wasn't very memorable though. The coffee my husband originally wanted was out when we got there, so he just got an Americano. There's parking available/reserved for cafe customers in the lot behind the entrance, but it might be tricky to find space if they're busy.

    Banana Matcha - Yes it has bread crumbs. Yes it was good.
    Alesia D.

    Street parking only. Small - cozy seating inside, they have seating outside as well (no tables) Not great for groups in my opinion. But the inside was actually pretty quiet. I ordered the Banana Matcha. The soft top with bread crumbs is the star. The matcha itself was okay but mixed with the top, it really pulled it together. The size is perfect. I had a 10 minute walk back to my hotel and still had half left. There was a few people ahead of me and I spent 10 minutes IF THAT waiting. So id say fast service. If im ever back in the area id try their lattes. Get there early if you want pastries. Its located on the corner of a busy street so try to turn into the closest side street. Its downtown so there's a lot of one-way turns

    Banana Cream Matcha, Guava Matcha, Banana Cream Latte
    Leah Y.

    I really liked this cafe! They have a small, but well crafted and unique drink menu. I love the fun drinks they have available! I tried the guava matcha and it was really good! The matcha on its own was slightly grassy for my taste, but mixed with the guava cream was really delicious. The flavor came through really well and was perfectly sweet. So far this is one of my favorite matchas in San Jose. They don't really have a food menu here, but there are some pastries that look pretty good. I can't vouch for how they taste however. The drinks came out super quickly and the servers were really sweet! I also really liked how we could take the drinks outside to the large seating area and enjoy the drinks, but there is also some indoor seating. Parking might be a little annoying but there are some spots out front of this location. Overall I really liked this spot and I definitely want to come back to try some of their other unique drinks!

    Emily M.

    I was excited to academic coffee as I've heard many great reviews. Parking was easy to find on a near by street. For drinks I ordered the Pandan coffee but it mainly just taste like coffee with no Pandan flavor.

    Annie Y.

    There's a small parking lot in the back; otherwise, you can find street parking about a block away and walk a few minutes. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered the Piloncillo Latte, and it was rich, creamy, and good. Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Small parking lot in the back - Indoor and outdoor seating available - Accept Apple Pay

    Brenda L.

    I've been wanting to try Academic for the longest time but always found myself delaying my visit because of the comments I've heard about their parking lot lol. (They were right... the parking lot does suck!) If you're lucky enough to come at a quieter time and are able to snag a spot, I definitely think it'd be worth the visit! I ordered the guava matcha. As someone who isn't necessarily the biggest fan of matcha, I actually thought the drink was solid. The matcha had a lot of depth and the guava flavor was STRONG. My drink came out only a few minutes after I ordered; they're super quick to make drinks here, which is appreciated! They have a few seats inside the cafe and some outdoor seating if you plan on staying and hanging out. It is quite expensive here though - my matcha ended up being closer to $10. Not sure if I'd go out of my way to come again given how busy it typically gets but was definitely worth a try!

    Banana matcha and guava matcha
    Clare K.

    I've heard my friends raving about the Banana Matcha for a minute, so we decided to try! We went to their second location? Huge plus that it's right next to the park. It was super convenient if you're out walking your dogs like we were. I'm usually a fan of their Pandan, but I think I have a new favorite. The banana cream and Guava cream paired with matcha is a total game changer. You can tell they aren't using cheap ingredients; the matcha is high quality and the cream is actually thick and rich (hopefully its from real fruits haha) which makes such a difference for a latte. It's definitely on the pricier side( about $9 per drink if you want to substitute with other milk), but for the quality and the vibes, it's 100% worth it. Service was fast and great! Plenty seating indoor and outdoor but parking spaces were limited.

    Melissa G.

    Their pistachio specials from the last couple months were very good. However, it appears they've moved into guava season. I like this coffee shop, I've been coming here and especially the San Jose location for a long time. I appreciate consistency in my coffee shops and to be honest, academic seems to be losing the plot. Today I ordered one basic drink and one specialty- a vanilla latte and the guava matcha drink; both were just mid. The guava matcha is beautiful aesthetically, but the guava was way too overpowering, you couldn't taste the matcha. Also no oven to heat up the pastries. I still like their alum rock beans and purchase them regularly. They used to give you a drip coffee or espresso shot with purchase but I guess not anymore. Overall this spot appears to be leaning towards style over substance, but I hope they don't go that route. This review is a 3.5 but I rounded up because of the pistacho specials from the last couple months were very good.

    Guava matcha
    Faith S.

    Definitely a solid matcha spot! Well known for their banana cream matcha, I opted for the guava matcha because I love tropical flavors. I loved how they pack the cream tops onto the drinks, and the vibrant guava hue was definitely very aesthetically pleasing. In terms of taste, the matcha is quite good. However, I found that their matcha in general is on the thicker side, which it gives the drink an overall thicker texture. If you like your matcha on the more runny side, I would suggest getting a drink without the cream top to minimize that thick texture. However, I really liked it overall and if you're a student at San Jose State, they also have a location close by that you can walk to and study at.

    Banana matcha
    Maddie W.

    When I think of academic, the one drink that's unbeatable is their banana matcha. I keep ordering it at other coffeeshops hoping for a similar one, but it's not the same!! The banana flavor truly shines and everyone I've brought here loves it and is converted. It really does taste like a banana cream pie and matcha in the best way possible. Their pandan latte is also solid! I've yet to explore more of their drinks, but heard good things about their seasonal red bean latte. Their double chocolate chip cookie is to die for. Truly such a wonderful spot!! It's a smaller space, but there's decent amount of outdoor seating. Parking is meh, it's mostly street parking and very limited spots behind the building. The driveway feels illegal with how steep it is. Be careful if your car is low!

    Double Matcha Latte & Hojicha Latte

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    Quick service, pretty good coffee. Parking sucks. They need a bigger parking lot. Close to Westfield Valley Fair

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    Page 1 of 9

    Academic Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Academic Coffee

    What's the phone numbers of the SJ & Santa Clara Coffee shops? Also, where exactly (land mark) is the Santa Clara shop next to? We had a hard time finding it, & despite Gps,…

    Hi Shirl! I'm not sure what the phone number is to this Santa Clara location but I can tell you that it's located on the same side of the old strip mall that has the Shoe Cobbler in the corner located on Dorcich Street. It's just a little further… 

    Are they still serving guava matcha latte?

    Yes we are still serving it!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Cafe Big Mug - Mint au lait (before it was mixed)

    Cafe Big Mug

    3.9(252 reviews)
    1.0 miWest San Jose
    $$

    Came here as a result of my regular place in Santa Clara being closed. There was a decent amount of…read moreparking (though it was quite early in the morning so that might be affecting it) and the space inside is relatively big with a lot of seating. There is a kiosk for ordering, as well as paper menus on display for you to look at, topped off with what appears to be a photobooth on the side that you can take pictures inside of for fun. I decided to get the Lavendula Latte, which the barista delivered to my table. I had forgotten to adjust the sweetness (though thinking now I can't remember if there was an option for that) but the drink had a nice balance of sweetness. Only complaint I have is that the menus lacks photos (not sure if it's lag or if there genuinely are no photos), but I'd say that the drink looks okay. You also have to use McDonalds wifi if you want to do work here, but the wifi's free and seems to be working fine so I'm not sure if that's really a negative. Overall, a nice place to work at with friendly service. I might consider coming back here again if I happen to end up in the area.

    Stopped by here with two friends while we were waiting for our table at a brunch spot down the…read morestreet. I was surprised to see Big Mug as I didn't know they had other locations besides the one in the plaza near El Camino Real. There was plenty of seating available. The service was quick and friendly, and the environment was cozy for the rainy day. The space is clean. There are cute items sold in the front near the cash register from local vendors. We got two tiramisu lattes. I liked how they weren't that sweet. It felt like a nice treat that didn't weigh me down. It was a good coffee run to have before eating brunch. I liked how the menu is extensive and there is something for just about anybody. We saw a photo booth inside, but didn't use it. Overall, I think this location is tranquil compared to the other Big Mug, and their offerings are hard to beat in terms of variety. I recommend going here for your caffeine fix!

    Photos
    Cafe Big Mug - Lovely spot to come and have a good cup of coffee! Really, quiet and calm ambience.

    Lovely spot to come and have a good cup of coffee! Really, quiet and calm ambience.

    Cafe Big Mug - Pour over station

    Pour over station

    Cafe Big Mug - Iced Americano!

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    Iced Americano!

    Croissante - Croissante Tray

    Croissante

    4.1(1.2k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Great baked goods, great breakfast offerings, great coffee, very pleasant decor. For a breakfast…read moreexperience, it is quite up there. We heard of this place for a while and decided to try it out with some visitors. The baked counter has intimidating large selection, our eyes wanted to order everything. We ended up with some french style baked items and a croissant tray. Of course also coffee. Everything was particularly made and delicious. We then went back to buy two big bags more to go home.

    Arrived this morning around 11am and line was long out the door. Most of the pastries were out at…read morethis time, i would come closer to 12pm for the pastry refresh. They still had the croissant cube i like and tried the matcha croissant to try something new. Also ordered off their hot brunch menu, the smoked salmon avocado toast w side salad and the burrata avocado toast but partner doesnt like cheese so ordered without it, comes with side salad. Also ordered an Americano and a Banana cream latte with almond milk. Thankfully there were plenty of seating as the first half morning rush already left, but by 12pm seating became sparse. The matcha croissant outside is white chocolate with matcha powder i believe, very sweet, not a huge fan of white chocolate. Inside there is chocolate which is nice, it's a nice crossiant tho and the signs say they use french butter and chocolate. The crossiant cube was delicious as always. The coffee was okay,,, the banana cream latte is better after all the cream as mixed into the espresso. I enjoyed my smoked salmon avocado toast, they give u plenty of smoked salmon and salad, the huge tomatoes on the burrato avocado toast is very tasty, they sprinkles olive oil and pepper on top i believe. Overall pretty nice brunch everything was just under $80 which is a bit steep for brunch but this place really has the most variety pastries in one place and tho coffee isn't the best but at least they have the option as well.

    Photos
    Croissante - Indoor dining option

    Indoor dining option

    Croissante - French onion soup- too salty

    French onion soup- too salty

    Croissante - French Toast

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    French Toast

    STARDUST Coffee House - Iced Pistachio Matcha & Peanut Butter Passion Toast

    STARDUST Coffee House

    4.3(332 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Free parking

    We got there at 9 am on a Sat morning. Ordered a cortado, latte, acai bowl, and cinnamon roll…read more Everything came out fast and on point, so we made the mistake of ordering a BAE later (at 9:20 am). BIG mistake. A simple sandwich order at 9:20 is not ready until 9:45. Lesson learned, come at opening time and order all at once. Cortado & latte, 5/5. Hot, smooth, strong. Orchid acai bowl ($14, sub in mango for mulberry, add coconut dust): 5/5. so good. Palmetto superfoods is my go-to in the SJ area for acai bowls, this was better despite not as many topping options. Their bases are smoother and creamier, no ice crystals here. Also liked that the fruit was chopped smaller. BAE sandwich ($12): 4/5. good, but definitely not worth a 25 min wait. Textures, freshness were great, but it was missing salt/pepper & spices. The sauce helped, but still underwhelming given how good it looks. Recommend having salt & pepper packets & a bottle of hot sauce available to customers. Cinnamon roll ($5.75): as a cinnamon roll, 3/5. As a morning bun type thing, 4.5/5. This is a case of mistaken identity. It's got a slight crunch, light sweetness, fluffy (not dense). When I order a cinnamon roll, I'm more expecting decadent dessert-for-breakfast laden with sugar & butter, yknow? Loved their dining area, loved how beautifully presented all items were, loved how everything was served at optimal temperature (hot espresso, thoroughly warmed pastry, etc), loved the variety of menu items (I can get an acai bowl and bf can get a sandwich or pastry). Will definitely return at 9 am sharp on weekends, and not order anything after about 9:10!

    Found a new coffee spot near Campbell and had to give it a shot!…read more What immediately caught my attention was the variety of drinks they offer. We're talking ube coffee, avocado coffee, banana condensed milk coffee, plus a whole lineup of matcha drinks. Definitely more creative than your typical neighborhood coffee shop! I went with the ube coffee with almond milk. The ube base was a little too sweet for my taste, but once everything was mixed together, the overall sweetness actually balanced out pretty nicely. The espresso also packs a punch -- you get 2 shots with your coffee order, so no complaints there. ‍ The ambience is definitely a highlight. The space is super cute and spacious, and they even have this mini staircase seating area that would be perfect for hanging out with friends. It also has plenty of room for a work-from-café situation The only downside was the service, which felt a bit slow for my liking. That said, they did give customers a heads-up that half of their espresso machine was under maintenance, so I'll give them some grace on that one! Overall: 3.5/5 Giving them an extra +0.5 just for the ambience because the space is genuinely adorable. I'd definitely come back to try their pastries and açaí bowl next time!

    Photos
    STARDUST Coffee House - Soft opening 8am-4pm everyday!

    Soft opening 8am-4pm everyday!

    STARDUST Coffee House - Entrance

    Entrance

    STARDUST Coffee House - Iced Taro Ubé Latte. Robust espresso flavor. Customers' favorite.

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    Iced Taro Ubé Latte. Robust espresso flavor. Customers' favorite.

    Coffeebar - Inside coffee station

    Coffeebar

    4.0(117 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    I really like this place, tucked away on the ground floor of an apartment building, near the train…read moretracks by Lawrence & Reed. You won't accidentally stumble upon it unless you make an effort to seek it out. Despite this, it seems to be well known by locals and the seating area gets full at times. There is plenty of seating inside, and some outside. Outlets can be found it some tables. It's a good place to work with your laptop. It's mostly tables for 2. There's a larger communal table, and some counter seating. Parking can be difficult. There's a small area in the parking garage for "guest" parking. It's almost always full and you will depend on luck to find one spot there or arrive in time when someone is leaving their spot. There is no parking on most of the surrounding streets, except for the small section of the road that curves underneath Lawrence. And that part is often full of parked cars. It can be frustrating and this parking situation will easily drive away customers to find somewhere else with easier parking. If you're fortunate enough to get parking, you will find that Coffeebar offers a decent coffee menu, baked goods, and some food if you need more than a snack. The people working behind the counter have all been very friendly and helpful. Their Chocolate Croissant is HUGE!!! They'll ask if you want it warmed up. Definitely do this. It is delicious slightly warmed up. I have tried their Iced Chai Latte, which was just OK. It lacked the spice I was expected from a chai, and felt a bit too milky. I prefer their Iced Caramel Latte, which is much better than the Chai. Next time I will try their Mocha.

    Only one tall seat; wish there were more tall seats which is healthier :(…read more Pros - nice and clean restroom, gives it an upscale vibe - They are nice enough to give you free refills when you have your own cup - Cal-train station is nearby WiFi SSID: "@Coffeebar Guest WiFi"

    Photos
    Coffeebar - Inside

    Inside

    Coffeebar
    Coffeebar - Time to check this place out

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    Time to check this place out

    Academic Coffee - Banana matcha

    Academic Coffee

    4.3(1k reviews)
    3.7 miDowntown
    $$

    My favorite coffee shop in San Jose. I look forward to going every time. All their drinks are…read moreexcellent. I started with the vanilla bean latte with oat milk. Good hot or iced. Occasionally burnt espresso but I love them too much to mind. I am a matcha snob to say the LEAST. Hands down best coffee shop matcha in the Bay Area. The classic iced matcha latte with honey is grassy and earthy and creamy and a little sweet. The iced banana pudding matcha latte had people lined up around the corner for months when it came out. It is deliciously worth the wait. Best banana cold foam in my opinion because it's made with actual bananas instead of flavoring so it's much more mellow. The double matcha they had for awhile is also awesome. Banana cold foam also goes great on an espresso latte. Now they let you add whichever cold foam you like to whatever drink which is great. Basically you can't go wrong. They are always changing up the menu for the new season and have lots of unique drinks on their menu. Not much seating inside at this location. The winchester Blvd one has more if that's what you're looking for. Their pastries are also all yummy and they sell their matcha powder for $60 for 100g which is a GREAT price for a great matcha. I would've gate kept this place but everyone already knows about it so I HAVE to show them the love they deserve!!

    Wanted a matcha and a friend recommended this place! Known for their Banana Cream Matcha latte…read more Came here abt 2:30pm on a Friday and it was a full house. There is a bench-like tables with stools and 3 yellow tables for seating. There was limited street parking. Quick and friendly service - basic "what can I get you?" and no convo. I liked the hojicha the most but all drinks were good. Banana matcha was creamy and sweet. Vanilla cold brew was yummy and vanilla was not too overpowering. Would come again to try their pastries, they were allllll out. Order: 1 Matcha Banana Cream $8.50 1 Hojicha Banana Cream $8.50 1 Madagascar Vanilla Cold Brew $5.50

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

    Stan's Yeasted Glazed Donut (~$4)

    Academic Coffee - Guava Matcha

    Guava Matcha

    Academic Coffee - Banana Matcha Latte

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    Banana Matcha Latte

    Academic Coffee - coffee - Updated September 2026

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