It was a lazy Sunday that called for a mini-adventure, so we decided to forgo our usual coffee shop to try this place out. We drove down Middlefield until we came to a tiny strip mall. Upon seeing the establishment, my husband exclaimed, "It looks pretty Jankie." I had to admit the location and lettering did make it look sub-par. We got out of the car and approached the coffee shop. A giant mammoth of a dog was blocking the front entrance. We skirted around it and entered the Clocktower (which, by the way, is just a regular building, boo). The Clocktower is warm and has a nice and quiet atmosphere (this is probably it's biggest draw). It wasn't crowded at all (that should have been a sign!). We ordered Americanos, a blueberry scone and a white chocolate biscotti. We parked ourselves on the couches and began to consume. The coffee was extremely weak. It was as though I was drinking hot water with a hint of coffee (and this is the reason two stars must be removed). Very disappointing for someone who enjoys very dark, rich, coffee. The biscotti was good, but the blueberry scone was just average. While eating we watched a number of dog owners approach and take seats outside. It appears the Clocktower is a mini dog-park of sorts. Upon the drive back my husband said, "that was a fun adventure, but now I feel like I need a cup of coffee." read more

My husband and I have been going to the Clocktower coffee shop for many years. It is one of our favorite coffee shops in the bay area. I used to be an avid Starbucks customer but when my husband introduced me to the Clocktower I stopped going anywhere else. The customer service is exceptional to the point that our coffees are ready for us minutes from the time we walk in to the coffee shop. I like their regular coffee, it has a great taste and is not bitter like you find at other coffee shops. The employees always remember our names and what our favorite drinks are. We probably stop by three times a week and even though we live in San Mateo on the weekends we sometimes make the drive to Sunnyvale just to get our coffee. My husband loves their white chocolate mocha; and will not have them anywhere else. The coffee shop itself is really cute with retail items you can purchase; it is fun to look around at the different items. You can also sit and enjoy your cup of coffee with a pastry or stop by for lunch to have a sandwich or salad. I highly recommend this coffee shop. read more

If your restroom is out of service, make it obvious so I don't order, sit down, and then have to find some other place to go pee. Also, if you are a coffee shop, providing seating, shouldn't the be some sort of law that requires you to have a restroom. I suspect the only reason yours isn't working is because it's the employee restroom that you share with customers. Bleh... I am not very happy right now, and neither is a nice asian lady that is also searching for a bathroom, as we speak. read more

This coffeeshop is just darling! It has a completely opposite feel from the Peets and Starbucks of the area, in that instead of having a industrial-modern feel, Clocktower goes for a grandma's attic, family-friendly, casual neighborhood-y vibe. Which is wonderful, in my opinion! It's great to have all kinds of coffeeshops close by. There are plenty of tables so you can work or chat with friends. It's also very quiet, which is a nice departure from the mainstream shops. Someone there has great taste, because they have an amazing selection of gifts! Whether it's a gorgeous hand lettered mug, vintage signs, fancy handmade soaps, photo frames, hilarious cards, or sets of kiddy markers and books, this place doubles as a Hallmark, but independently owned. Food and drink: nice selection of regular and gluten-free pastries; however they have nothing in sugar-free. :( I've tried drinks twice, thought they were ok, but didn't love or finish them. However, I was going for the fancy lattes with soy, and maybe this is a place that does plain drinks better.. I will give them another shot, and update this. Overall, a lovely spot -- support your local coffeeshop! read more

I've been going to this coffee shop for years and love it. SUPER friendly owner and staff - the owner remembers my name despite me not frequently going there! I LOVE their breakfast burritos - the ancho chile is my favorite! They have outdoor seating and often, dogs can be seen basking in the sun. read more

Pretty good coffee and a nice place to hang out. This is certainly on my list of places near me to grab a mocha and a bagel.

If you looking for a local coffee joint with a comfortable and cozy feel to it, you must check this place out. The roast their own coffee on a weekly basis and they make good drinks. Their employees are friendly and you don't get the snobby baristas you might find at other independent coffee shops. You can easily spend several hours at this place since it is comfy and they have free wi-fi access. Their pastries/snacks/bagels are tasty and usually fresh since they replace it everyday. They have plenty of places to sit down, so bring your laptop, book, newspaper and enjoy a nice cup of coffee in a warm and inviting place. read more

I love this coffee shop. I stopped by here before work every morning for 18 months until I recently moved. The staff is friendly and gets to know regulars... I didn't even have to order for the last year... they would just go to work as soon as I walked in the door. A great coffee shop... and the coffee ain't so bad either read more

This is a super indie alternative to Starbuck's. Their employees are very helpful, the coffee drinks and pastries are great, and the music is just soft enough for conversation inside (where it's pleasantly artsy) or outside on the patio. It's also a nice place to pick up a last-minute gift; they have some very interesting and eclectic items. read more

Sometimes I'll stop by here if I get to work a little early and need a pick me up for the day. Workers are always pretty cheerful and friendly, but their coffee is always pretty basic and is never hot when I order my drink hot. A couple times it was actually pretty cold or Luke warm and I've had to ask them if it could be hotter - which they're always willing to do - but I wish I didn't have to so many times. Overall, I come here for the convenience of it being so close to my work and the customer service, I just wish the product they serve was better. read more

Really good coffee and great alternative to Sbux or Peets if you work or live in the area. I often get their side of fresh fruit in the morning and it is always fresh, sweet and plentiful. Clocktower, I'm a fan :) read more

So glad I discovered this place on a recent trip to nearby Rogers Deli for bagels...the service was great/friendly, my Raspberry Mocha delicious, and the bonus was the cute stuff I found for gifts during my short wait for my coffee...I definitely want to come back here to hang out with my laptop sometime...it was a very 'feel good' experience... read more

I have traveled the world and I am a coffee lover. I was able to get a sneak peek behind the scenes at this awesome coffee shop and can say that Clocktower Roasting is top notch. It was Nice, Neat, Clean & organized and well taken care of. Then I tasted the coffee and I was not surprised that it was merely good but I was utterly impressed that is was absolutely delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this coffee anytime you are in the San Francisco San Jose Area. 5 STARS! read more

amazing, amazing, amazing! just a short walk from my house... and the coffee is just perfect. such a wonderful find! a hidden jewel in mountain view. read more

I just moved from Seattle to Mountain View and was looking forward to frequenting this place. But the coffee is poorly roasted and prepared. I really hope there is a shift in thinking about how the beans are roasted and how coffee is prepared. read more

I really enjoy every time I come here, which is a few times a week. They always remember how I like my drinks, even when I forget the proper order :-) The barista make good tasting drinks, is super friendly, and pretty quick. I have to disagree with a few of the other reviewers, I've always gotten great customer service. I love that they let me bring my dog and just hang for a bit on Sunday mornings. It's become a nice ritual. read more

Cute joint with okay coffee and pastry selection. Plenty of tables to work. However, the WIFI connection becomes extremely slow when everyone is connected. You can't even properly open a webpage.... read more

My cube buddy and I refer to this place as "Pseudo-Starbucks". Seriously, down to the straws, milk decanters and little thingy's for the nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. Coffee is good but I agree with others in that it's inconsistent. Best thing about this place? Free WiFi and you can usually find a spot to chill. read more

Chronically undependable internet. I used to like this place. I could be productive and get a snack. That is, until after about the 15th time I came I realized that 30% of my visits were either cut short because the internet drops out 20 minutes after my arrival (or didn't work from the start). The baristas are no help - its always the same reply; "no we can't restart the router because its behind locked doors." They should fix that. They advertise free Wi-Fi! Maybe they like spotty internet to keep away the people who stay forever. Either way, my $6 per visit will be going elsewhere. read more

***** In regards to the comment posted below this, it is pretty unprofessional for a business owner to feel the need to respond to a persons right to free speech. This post is in no way slanderous since it is based on my actual experience at this establishment, and note that I said "is not good" to be compared to corporate coffee shops like starbucks. My main issue with this place was the service. Nobody was friendly and that is not very good when there are coffee shops on almost every other corner now a days. The rest of the things are just minor and could easily be over looked, but employees should have top notch customer service regardless if the person is a regular or not. That is how you create repeat business, and I will not go back here for that reason. Enough said, now if you don't believe me than we all have the privilege to visit here during the hours of operation. Don't not go here because of my one review, because it is very true we all have different tastes and preferences. If you are like me, you won't enjoy the coffee. But if you like the really sweet drinks, with light coffee tastes than you might enjoy it. OK, so here is my bone to pick with this place. A) It looks like starbucks with a gift shop inside of it, B) the coffee itself is watery, and C) Service was very bland and not very friendly. Now when I say it looks like starbucks, I mean down to the T. The pastry case, the counters, the paint, and the uniforms remind me of starbucks which is not good because starbucks sucks. I really find it hard to believe that this is a coffee roasting company too because they have space for a roaster and they decided to put card racks and wierd cat and animal clocks all over the place. It is as if starbucks was purchased by my grandma or something. The coffee was too watery for my liking. I like coffee that has flavor to it and this coffee was just not that strong, sorry but thats just how I feel. The people there did not say hi, and did not seem approachable what so ever. They kept their conversations to themselves and did not seem to want to talk to anyone else which is weird considering the main aspect of the job is customer service. Now there are 2 things that I do not get about this place over all. There is plenty of space for additional seating but instead it is filled with gift shop like items tat have nothing to do with coffee at all, and that the space is not utilized to create an over all great atmosphere for the guests. I sense that the owner is more concerned with making a few additional bucks than trying to create a place that people would want to repeatedly visit, not a good business decision if you ask me but hey its not my shop. This place was dead when I was there though and it was in the morning when people would be drinking coffee. Location is funky, not within reasonable walking distance from the light rail, and the hours are focused more towards the businesses in the complex and not the community it serves. OH, just an FYI this place does not have a ton of parking. It is in the middle of a small cramped business complex where you will have to squeeze into a small spot. Maybe street parking is better, I dont know. If you are going to go somewhere with the same types of hours just go to the Specialties Bakery/Peetes around the corner, or downtown Mountain View. They both have better coffee and food selections, you can go to either your mom and pops or corporate joins, and your experience will be better over all most likely. I am sure that there are more things I could say about this place but this shop has no positive individuality and because of that and the reasons I have stated I only give this place 1 star. Too many better options in the same area, and much better experiences. read more

I have been going to the Clocktower ever since it opened about 8 years ago. What I appreciate the most is the environment. It is a true coffee shop where the locals like to hang out. Great coffee, the staff is very friendly, free Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor seating. What else can you ask for? Oh, they even have a little gift like shop in there with interesting items always being added. Well worth the visit. By the way, there are no clowns there. read more

I LOVE this place! I've visited many of the coffeeshops in Mountain View over the last 3 years of working in the area, but this is my favorite. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, the food is diverse and delicious and the coffee has been perfect every time. Clocktower is a perfect place to relax or work any time of the day. I live in Oakland, but occasionally find myself missing this place on days off. read more

I only go Clocktower coffee on Monday afternoons. There's a lady there who worked as a cashier and now works as a barista. I just want to say that she's has greeted me with a warm smile, a kind disposition, and, most importantly, she's treated me with respect every time I've been there. As a customer that's what keeps me coming back, and as such, it's what makes this place earn five stars. It also helps that she makes a delightful latte. read more

Great coffee! The staff is super friendly and never look at me weird when I ask for my large coffee with massive amounts of whip cream. Nikita is always smiley, even first thing in the morning! Also the cinnamon twists melt in your mouth. Amazing! read more

Other than the fact they have around ten analog clocks on the wall, all with pendulums swinging out of sync with each other, out of sync just enough to give you a headache, this is a decent coffee shop for being in a strip mall. The staff is always cheerful, and they have a fairly open indoor sitting area for your coffee sipping pleasure. read more

Awful coffee. When all the person has to do is push a button to make a latte then this is wrong. Just turn the machine around and turn it into a coin machine. No need for employees. 1 star for free wifi. read more

Love these guys. Used to be able to walk there before I moved. They know your name, their coffee and all their drinks are great, and best of all, you're supporting a small business. Comfortable place to sip your drink and read. Try the peach white mocha in the summer! read more

Came here the first time waiting to pick up a friend. Super friendly staff and nice service. Decent coffee and pastries (had

Meh. We picked up a pound of their whole bean Sumatra beans and honestly have to say that it wasnt that good. I make my coffee in a french press and usually prefer more of a darker roast. Cute place though with a gift shop inside where you can find knickknacks. read more

Love this little cafe nestled in Mountainview. It's nice and cozy and opens early in the AM. The coffee is delish and they have this area where you can buy little stuff. Am always excited to go to MTV from SJ for the coffee and service ! read more

Clocktower is a nice coffee shop, located near a lot of businesses in Mountain View. I find Clocktower to be a much more convenient trip than one to Starbucks not only because it is close, but because their Baristas tend to make their drinks quicker than the ones at Starbucks. My only complaint is that sometimes for the hot drinks they are not quite hot enough so I usually end up requesting that they make my drink extra hot. read more

I've been to Clocktower a few times when I'm in the area. I've had work meetings here. There's a lot of room inside and out. There's free wifi and little gifts that they sell. The staff is really friendly and they make the drinks really fast. read more

Atmosphere is great to get some studying in, but minus two stars for the flies that I saw flying around the condoment bar. Baristas are very nice, and the coffe itself is smooth, so I will probably return. They have free wifi and decent amoubt of seating. Also the little merchandise section is a great distraction while waitin for your drink. read more

I'm not enough of a coffee snob to say I won't go to Starbucks or another large chain coffee shop, but I really enjoy the atmosphere and the friendly people who work at Clocktower. I'm mostly a mocha/latte/other blended drink person, so I recommend their mochas (on ice is fantastic!). I also recommend the caramel freeze, which is similar to a frappuccino (but tastes so much better!). What really amazes me about Clocktower is the staff -- despite only having two or three people working at a time, my drink is nearly always finished before I can finish paying for it! This may be because the staff are so friendly and willing to chat with you when you come in, regardless of whether you're a regular or not. I know some people will go to a coffee shop just for coffee and maybe to relax or work in solitude, but the conversation with the employees is something that is hard to find in a busier chain coffee shop like Starbucks. This is a great place to hang out on your lunch hour or whenever, with friends or on your own. read more

I came upon this place while in Mountain View. I really liked my drink and thought it was a charming place. They have wifi and a lot of seating. The bathroom is for customers only and was clean. I received great service and my coffee was ready really quick. I would go back here if I was in the area and would choose it over a Starbucks or Pete's if they were nearby. read more

I just love Amber and Molly!! They deliver not only excellent drinks by wonderful customer service that always leaves me coming back. My favorite is the mocha shake! It's so good and Molly always makes my drink to perfection! read more

I nice alternative to Bucks or Peets. Rich flavorful coffee. A cool little neighborhood coffee bar. Great aussie cookies.

Great bathroom - clean and huge! The coffee is OK, but I'm more of a Rogers Donuts (closeby) kind of guy. Friendly staff. Inside smells like soap, which doesn't go well with coffee. Outside is nice, but for some reason I'm often hit up by the local beggar on the bike, so wouldn't leave anything unattended outside. read more

I usually frequent Clocktower 2-5 times a week for my coffee fix. I have been going here occasionally for about 8 years or so. Since my first experience my coffee tastes have transformed from Hi cal/Hi sugar mochas to more reasonable americanos. I have never really liked their drip coffees, but absolutely adore their americanos and the great service! They usually remember my drink even though I am not one of those everyday totally outgoing over the top individuals that you can never forget.... read more

Usually quiet and has reliable wifi to go along with homemade coffee that is good. One negative is that about two thirds of the tables are out of reach to an electrical outlet. read more