I always love this place!! Free wifi, tons of plugs for your laptops and just overall great atmosphere. I love the fact that they're open till late and the hot chocolate and tiramisu is delicious. Good drinks, good food, and free wifi? What more could you ask for? I love it here because it's a great place to chat with friends, cute first date, or a great place to do homework/study. I always bump into people I know here so it's definitely the IT place. Local cafes are way more fun than commercial chain cafes like starbucks and peets. read more

A great place to meet a client, conduct an interview, or punch out a blog. They stay open late, offering you a non-alcoholic haven in an otherwise drenched DT Walnut Creek. Their product offerings are standard, but the scene and staff more than make it worth a visit. I suggest parking in the Locust Street garage. read more

I've been going to La Scala for years and have always been pleased with the level of service the staff provides and their friendly attitudes. I know a few of the staff members by name and always enjoy a quick chat with them when the line isn't piling up. No, their coffee and food isn't "gourmet", but it is tastey and reasonably priced for the amount served. I particularly enjoy their Tosca and Italian Sausage pizzas and their tomato soup is AWESOME! I also love their Chicken Ceasar salad and their Roasted Chicken Salad with avocado, walnuts, tomato and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Their drink selection is pretty wide and will appeal to a variety of crowds. Plenty of espresso-based beverages (for the morning/paper-writing crowd) along with sangria, a few wines, apertifs and beers (for those looking to avoid the bars but want a little something) and every flavor of italian soda you could dream of (for anyone who is thirsty!). The desserts to choose from are pretty varied as well. I highly recommend their tiramisu, cream puffs, and gelato...they have excellent gelato! Food and service, aside, the atmosphere of La Scala is really the main draw for most who come there. I mean, let's face it, there are a LOT of places where you can get coffee in Walnut Creek (Starbucks, Peet's, Saxby's, just to name a few) and even more places where you can get food. It is the communal ambiance of La Scala that attracts people. Even if you're not looking to chat with anyone, just being in a stimulating environment makes one feel more connected (and not in the way Myspace makes you feel "connected"). I feel La Scala adds a dynamic to the area that is healthy and symbiotic to the downtown culture of Walnut Creek, without being an uppity shopping mall. For this reason alone, I'm sure I'm always going to be a patron of La Scala for years to come. read more

I am really torn on how to review this place. I used to go here a lot in high school because it was the only place that was open "late" and we all thought we were hot shit sitting out on the patio. However i went a few weeks ago and realized its really not as cool as i thought. Now to mention, my brother(who is in high school) was there. WEIRD!!! We sat on the patio and were slightly annoyed by all the high schoolers on their sidekicks, throwing shit in the fountain and being loud. Times have changed from when I used to go there I guess. Ive decided that when i go back, and i will( i spent all my high school years there) it will be during the day. The coffee is actually pretty good and they have a great assortment of food. read more

Wow, how have I not yet reviewed La Scala? This place provides amusing mania mixed with peaceful moments, depending on when you go. It was often my go-to cafe when I was going to school out past Ye Olde Caldecott Tunnel, and they haven't failed me yet. I like their chicken salad with the raspberry vinaigrette dressing -- healthy and yummy, if a bit expensive. The service ranges from sweet to Euro-trash. The bathrooms are passable. But ooh la la! The best part: the aged owner who is like the hero of every teeny-bopper who walks in the place. Come in around 8 pm or later, and you'll see what I mean. Amusement for hours! read more

Caffe La Scala, one of the few places in Walnut Creek that stays open late. This is my usual place to go to for after dinner desserts and coffee. Their desserts are quite good! So far I've tried the chocolate cake, the napoleon, the chocolate souffle and the tirumisu. All are very good and pretty cheap too (~$5 or so). I've also tried their salads and they're pretty good as well. On a warmer day, we like to sit outside in the patio by the fountain. If you're a smoker (which I am not), you can do that there too. I must warn you though that the inside seating area gets really packed with usuals who just sit around the use the internet. read more

I came here once to study on a Sunday. Seems like a lot of people do that. Chances are that'll be the only reason I go, too. It was quite crowded and we were lucky to find a table close to outlets. As other reviewers said, there are outlets ALL along the walls -- but that means the tables in the middle are deprived. The wifi also cut out once for about two minutes during my online quiz, but it didn't hurt me too much... however, I can see how it might be frustrating if it happens pretty often. The coffee was good (I had an Americano), but not too strong -- though, I should try different varieties next time and compare. I also had one of their big peanut butter chocolate chip cookies since they have a surcharge for credit card transactions under $10. Was it worth it? Barely, if only to avoid a useless charge. The fact that it's open late for a cafe in the East Bay suburbs earns it an extra star. Chances are I'll be back once or twice more only for late-night studying. read more

My new favorite coffee spot! The skinny vanilla latte is to die for!! I love the atmosphere of this place. You walk in and see like 10 dudes with headphones on/plugged into their laptops along the back wall...so Im assuming they offer wi-fi. Seriously....you'll see these guys! They're there every time I go! lol I love that I can get wine or a glass of bubbly if Im not in the mood for coffee. The front counter case is stocked with deserts that will easily send 5 pounds to your thighs...but they're really pretty to look at and they smell...ohhh so fabulous. Super friendly staff and the place attracts a cool crowd. Starbucks, Schmarbucks!! Caffe La Scala is where its at! read more

I used to go to Caffe La Scala at least twice a week in junior college (DVC represent!) but after they disallowed smoking hookah on the patio and I left the area for a 4-year college I wasn't able to visit this place as often. The other day I went in for a cappuccino and a cannoli - and they are still just as good as I remember! There were a creepy number of people studying and using laptops at night so you might have a hard time finding a table at certain times of the day or near finals week. read more

Great place to work/study/catch up with friends or go on a date. Plenty of small tables and outlets along the wall for those that are in need of a charge. Love it that they offer coffee, beer and wine so you have a variety of selections. Small breakfast options, simple menu for your basic lunch and some desserts/bakeries. Not exceptional but good cappuccino. Read a lot of complaints about their staff but I never encountered it here. Had a sweet barista that was running the show by herself. FYI-usage of credit card must be over $5. read more

A place for semi-bohemian, wanting to look smart people to hang out and act like they're too cool in a desperate attempt to meet people. It's generally a meat market in disguise. If you wanna cup a joe or something to satisfy your appetite and you happen to be walking by this place, then by all means, go on in. But don't show up with a controversial book in hand hoping to strike up some kind of intelligible conversation, because you're not going to find anyone with real life experience here. read more

Love this place! Free WIFI, great hangout spot for college students or anyone looking to relax and get away for a bit. The coffee is good, the desserts amazing, and the soups comforting. I love chilling out here with friends or by myself. There is a cute courtyard in back of the coffee house where you can smoke or chill out at their outdoor tables. FYI: If your order is under $5 and you choose to use your credit card, they tack on an extra $.50 to your bill. read more

Lots of coffee choices. This is NOT $Bux. Great seating and good coffee. I recommend it, especially after a dinner.

Oh look. Hipster HQ deep in the heart of Walnut Creek. I love La Scala. Lots of seating both indoor and outdoor, a good number of outlets for your laptop (you have to sit hear the windows), ok wi-fi (it can be persnickity but generally reliable) and the food is pretty good for a cafe. I don't drink lattes or mochas, so it's great that their black coffee is strong and fresh. Last but not least, you can get a beer or glass of bubbly to finish off your stay before heading home. Perfect place to study or meet up with friends, though it can get a little loud inside in the evenings. But as the weather warms up you can always just head outside to the courtyard. read more

Employs young people with a job and good people skills. Can get busy and outlets are not always available. Excellent drink, food, dessert, WiFi and late hours. read more

Let's just state the simple, unadorned truth: this part of the East Bay NEEDS La Scala. Rather than the same-old, same-old coffee chains that proliferate the area, I want a place that is original and unique, a place with some authentic cafe culture--which is where La Scala comes in. One thing I miss about living in an urban or cosmopolitan city is the independently-owned cafe at the corner that I can walk to and sit at for hours. It's the place where you can catch up with a friend, sit alone with a book or journal, or daydream while watching the world go by. It's a place where you go to be amongst the people--to see and be seen--but to be part of the masses without standing out. My general experience with the these kinds of cafes is that the coffee is usually pretty terrible. Not so at La Scala. I liked my cafe au lait made with foamed milk just fine. I also liked my tea, even though that just requires a tea bag and hot water. Other pluses: ample seating inside that encourages lingering, a huge courtyard out back, late hours, friendly staff, slightly artsy vibe, and a menu that includes wine and beer. I knocked off one star because I found the food pretty lackluster. I had an overly-sweet macaroon and tried my friend's overly-sweet and overly-gooey cannoli, and watched her eat a very pale chicken sandwich. Cafes CAN have good food, even though I understand it may not be their primary focus. This might sound a little bit sarcastic, a little bit flowery, but La Scala is a bright, shiny star in the midst of general suburban ennui. read more

There are things open later than 10pm in Walnut Creek. After coming back from Tahoe and having a late dinner, we needed to get some caffeine for the rest of the trip home. It started pouring and luckily got a parking spot just a half block away. Walking in on Sunday night the place is packed at 11pm! Lots of people on laptops studying. Got some chai lattes to go. They're a bit on the sweet side but they did the trick. Glad to know there's a late night joint in suburbia read more

This is exactly how a coffee shop should be. There's a nice atmosphere, free wifi, plugs along the walls for your laptop, the food and drinks are pretty good, and they open until 1am on weekdays and 12 on weekends; perfect for cramming last minute papers and studying. The only issue is if you want to find a place to plug in your computer you may want to come early because those spots get taken pretty quickly. But that's a minor inconvenience that barely makes coming to la scala a chore. read more

A nice European coffee joint. Free WiFi with a purchase so it's a great place to get work done as there are many outlets lining up the walls. The food is pretty good to, and the espressos are solid. They also serve wine and beer. The main draw of this place is the work place though as it seems to be a popular place to get work done read more

Lots of seating, hi-speed internet, wide-open outside spaces, good organic coffee and open 'til midnight or 1 AM. It's not like there's anywhere else in Walnut Creek that can boast those credentials. Oh yeah, and the fare is Mediterranean delights. One weird thing: they stop serving coffee after 9 PM. Come ON, man. Otherwise the place rocks well. I'd give them a 4 but I'm annoyed because they charged me $1.75 for water. read more

One of the things I miss about living in a college town is studying/socializing in a cafe late in the evening. However, that's why Caffe La Scala exists. Each time I come is the escape boredom of being cooped up at home late at night. I enjoy the studious vibe. There are always so many people on laptops writing the next great screenplay or having quiet conversations with friends. The desserts are bomb - so rich and satisfying. I love the hazelnut gelato and must return to try the affogato! read more

Cute place. We stopped here after the theater for some evening coffee and dessert. Few dessert options at this time of night (10pm). No drip coffee available at this time as well. Nice tasting coffee and I'm told the oatmeal cookie was tasty. read more

From other reviews, this cafe may be a pickup spot, but I can't review on that, because I was there on a Sunday afternoon last weekend, and the crowd was made up of more work/study folks and families that young kids flirting. This place has a really nice vibe to it, with a lovely outdoor area near a fountain. I didn't have anythiing to eat, but the food looked great, and the pastries and cookies all looked fresh, which is a nice bonus. I'd definitely go back based on the nice atmosphere, friendly service, and freshly brewed coffee that my husband enjoyed alone. read more

I'm a regular. Why: Chai tea. Cannoli. Their playlist is amazing (they played Death Cab three times in a row). Great place to either study, talk, or play board games because you're a nerd and that's all you have to do on a Friday night (speaking about myself). Probably the best overall establishment on the Walnut Creek row of bars and late-night cafes. read more

This place is a great place to work away from the office. Friendly people, free wifi, decent food/coffee. Staff is great, and there are a lot of other "remoties" there... good networking read more

good music, cozy vibe, lots of outlets, wifi is kind of slow, but La Scala is a great place to get work done with some friends. Their menu is pretty delicious, albeit a bit pricey. There are a lot of foreigners who come here to grab coffee and catch up, or rest their weary feet from shopping all day, which makes it fun to eavesdrop and imagine what they are talking about :) tip: Park in the nearby structure for $3 flat rate if you plan to be here more than 2 hours. read more

I love hanging out here and reading the paper with my decaf cap. All the necessary things are here: Good coffee - Check Tattooed Baristas - Check Eclectic clientele - check Tasty treats - check Power outlets - check read more

Good food, decent prices, free wifi, wall to wall outlets, great bustling atmosphere. Chairs are uncomfortable, and you'll notice, even during the busiest time, the table in the corner is "reserved" - turns out its the owners table for anytime or day. mmmm read more

My new favorite place to work on the computer and have lunch. Apple and Brie sandwich is amazing. Try getting the Chicken and tomato mozzarella sandwich with prosciutto instead of chicken. Great coffee. read more

Do you want a European style coffee shop? Then Cafe La Scala is the pace for you. I've been here at least a half dozen times and they are consistently polite and make my drinks quickly. I have ordered cappuccinos and lattes and both met my expectations with a nice dark roast flavor. The main room is quite large and can accommodate large groups. They offer food too, but I've never tried it. read more

Came here with my friend and we pigged out and literally split EVERYTHING. NOMS. Affogato. Espresso + Gelato. Essentially that was what it was but it was yum!!! The espresso is super hot though so the gelato does melt into it, but it is uber yummy and delicious! Chicken Pesto Panini. With Salad. This was really good. I really liked the bread and the pesto sauce a lot. It is on the messier side though so be prepared with tons of napkins. I wish the chicken was sliced more thick though since I prefer more meat in each bite, this was 1-ply away from cold cut chicken breast thickness. Proscuitto, Mozzarella, Tomato Panini. With Salad. Om nom nom. I love me some fatty proscuitto AKA the best part of the pig! So I loved this sandwich. The salad I thought was alright, nothing to write home about, I actually didn't even end up finishing it because I was too full. Tiramisu. Hands down one of the best tiramisus I've ever had. It's definitely better than the ones I've been making on my own at home because it's thicker and creamier. And at only $5, in comparison to my other fav tiramisu place, Postino, I'd be down to eat it again here. Major plus: the slices are pretty big. read more

La Scala offers a great late night hangout location for downtown Walnut Creek. There was a good mixture of people working on laptops, people playing board games, people reading magazines, and smokers bonding over a butt. The interior has a cozy, "cafe"-feel to it, yet it's still spacious. There's also plenty of outdoor space in the back quad, and a few tables out in front. Closes late night. read more

First timer! I came here with a friend of mine, we were in the area late night and wanted something sweet. So glad this place is open until midnight :) We were kind of bummed that the coffee stops brewing at 9pm (although, who really needs coffee at 9pm). Being quite late at night, we expected this place to be a little bit less crowded. The entire place was filled with people with their laptops out; we were fortunate enough to have gotten a seat. The way the place is set up there are a bunch of small round tables in the middle of this cafe. I felt as if it was so crowded that if i got up from my seat i may have knocked someones drink or laptop over. Other than the space and setup of this cafe, i think this place has very lovely customer service and dessert/drinks! Whether you would like a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of wine, stop by! read more

You deserve 6 stars, la scala. I've been coming here for about... 4 years now? Some years more often than others but I feel very at home here. This was my study place, my hang out in the afternoon place, my place to go to in walnut creek that is actually open until an A.M. time during the weekdays, unlike most places in the area. The food here is good for the price, but I've never had tomato soup as good as it is here. I absolutely love the tomato soup. I could have it all day... to an extent, but its that good! I also usually get their chai latte, they make it better than any coffee shop I've been to. I do like how they have an outdoor place to sit down, especially during the summer time, and they have a fountain there as well. One thing I do have to warn you though: when it gets to 8pm and beyond on ANY day of the week, be prepared not to see a single empty seat. Oh, and free internet: an extra star! Have the people there are usuall staring at a laptop screen read more

Free wifi, great hours, plethora of outlets, outside table are nice when no people with cancer sticks, great food (quiche or tomato soups were my staples)... I pretty much lived here during a lot of med school, and wouldn't change that fact! There are times when a ton of high school kids come in, but usually they aren't too much a bother. Really the only time is when you need to find seating (if you're not already there) or if they REAK of smoke. read more

This place used to be my lil coffee shop until my twin brother took it over when he moved significantly closer to it. Its a trendy lil hotspot open late with delicious handcrafted coffee beverages and other things like soups and paninis. Inside: Euro-feeling wooden table/chairs and old posters; outside: airy patio area with a little fountain type thing in the middle. You used to be able to smoke outside which actually first attracted me to this place. They had ashtrays and the hipsters would bring their guitars and laptops. This has since ceased to be a smoking area. The patio walls are lined with no smoking signs and the ashtrays are long gone. I don't know if I'll be coming here as often because of it. I might have to move to Europe or Spain. La Scala, you used to be my getaway. Now I feel like you don't want my kind hanging around anymore. Also, word to the staff or management: your delicious cakes/pastries you have by the register are very good. They however look more appetizing and accessible when they aren't always wrapped in cellophane during the business day. I feel like asking for a slice of tiramisu would be too much trouble for you to unwrap and then wrap back up. read more

I recently took my GMAT and after studying at the library for 4 hours I would need a break. What a welcome break La Scala was. If you don't go on a weekend evening or closer to finals/midterms it's really easy to find a seat and it's generally quiet with a regular flow of customers. The espresso drinks hit the spot and the food and desserts are great brain fuel. They offer free wifi. The crowd it attracts really varies in age ranges and purposes (I have seen 60+ travel group meeting, a woman selling Mary Kay supplies, a job interview, a busienss conference call, a mother/daughter foursome, but mainly students - esp. towards the evening the students seem to come). Because of the eclectic mix it doesn't put on any airs. Parking can be difficult, especially after 430. read more

All of the employees are very friendly and pretty accommodating. I love the outdoor seating, the weather is usually pretty nice. It tends to get very noisy inside so if you like privacy or enjoy serenity I would definitely sit outside. The food and drinks are good but I must say the Tiramisu is out of this world!! I was told that they make it there and it's probably the best year Tiramisu that I've ever had. I'm regretting not getting a piece every single time that I've been here. I think I'll be leaving with a piece every single time I come back. They are open late I think until 1 AM and they also serve alcoholic beverages which is really nice if you want some where to go late-night that doesn't involve DJ's and cocktail dresses or if you need a late night study sesh. read more

Caffe La Scala - Must try. I should have just bought the whole tray (yes, it's that good.) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

If you feel like you've been lacking on any cultural interaction, visit La Scala, where the Europeans outnumber the Americans. This place is very busy so its hard to find a seat, especially with the students who take up more than one table for all of their wok. If you do choose to sit outside, unfortunately there are a lot of smokers, so be prepared to indulge yourself in some second hand smoke. read more

I've been to Caffe La Scala many times; the most recent (June 26th @ 4:30pm) was not enjoyable... not one bit, and I won't be back. My friend and I wanted to eat some snacks (purchased at La Scala) and to work on a quick project (with our laptops). Within 30 seconds of sitting down, one of the workers asked us to throw out our current Iced Coffee which at that point, consisted of just ice. We let her know that we were here to purchase more drinks and snacks. Her reply, "I just get all figgity when I see drinks from outside." After purchasing two cookies and an iced coffee (here at La Scala), we were approached by the "manager" who rudely said "no cups from outside stores." I tried to explain it was only ice and we had already made several purchases from the bar. My friend said, "would you feel better if we dumped the ice into the cup you gave us?" Bottom line is, horrible customer service, and we felt unwanted and disrespected. Look, I understand we all need to make money, but not like this... read more