I come here regularly and it's honestly one of my favorite spots for coffee and food. Everything is usually great, which is why today's experience stood out in a disappointing way. I ordered a 16 oz (large) coffee, but was served a 12 oz. When it was brought to our table, I politely asked about the size since it looked smaller than what I usually get. The barista told me it was 12 oz and mentioned it might just be a different cup, then walked away without really addressing the concern. I checked my receipt and confirmed I was charged for a 16 oz. I went back to the counter and explained that I simply wanted the correct size. Initially, I was told I would need to pay more, which was frustrating. After explaining again, she finally offered to remake it. For clarity, the drink hadn't been touched at all--I returned it exactly as it was. I really like this place and will continue to support it, but I hope the team can improve on order accuracy and customer service, especially when concerns are raised politely. A little more attentiveness and willingness to resolve issues would go a long way. read more

Coffee shop located in the heart of Downtown Pleasanton. I'm not sure this place took over another business at some point because the space is really large. It also has an old-timey study or library or at least a literary vibe to this place. There's multiple rooms, including a stage in the back room. I think they have events here. Service is friendly and they have classic drinks as well as some festive ones. I was here on St. Patrick's Day so I got something festive even though it was overly sugary lol. I ordered the Lucky Charms White Mocha. It was tasty, but definitely a drink I wouldn't be able to order on the regular. I was able to set up my computer and one of the side rooms and get some work done. This place seems to be a very popular place for studying and doing some work. Just a great place in a great area. They have a large lot and there's also plenty of street parking in the area, especially during the day. read more

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stumbled upon Inklings Coffee & Tea randomly. after a quick yelp search for coffee in the area, and high ratings, we knew we needed to give this spot a try! DRINKS we order one of the spring menu items, the banana bread latte and a regular bevy, nitro cold brew with some vanilla! their syrups are the real frickin deal! no banana laffy taffy flavoring up in here. i felt like i was drinking banana bread in liquid form *insert drool emoji*. the nitro was fabulous and the vanilla was a great touch to an already yummy classic! FOOD we ordered the sun dried tomato pesto sandwich and the steak and egg sandwich! the pesto sandwich had a fantastic flavor with the pesto. it wasn't overwhelming with flavor and paired well with the turkey sausage, eggs, and arugula! the steak and egg sandwich was great too! would've loved more flavor from the garlic aioli but the chimichurri and caramelized onions were the perfect addition to the steak and eggs.. yum! SERVICE everyone was super friendly! from ordering, to delivering our food -- very kind staff! PARKING there is a huge (free) lot adjacent to the coffee shop, as well as (free) street parking. AMBIANCE it is decorated SO cute inside. the decor is a book lovers DREAM. there's a full library of old books displayed on one of the walls. book posters and prints all throughout the coffee shop. LOVED it. looking forward to my next visit when i'm in town again! read more

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Peet's Coffee or Inklings? I go to Peet's when there isn't a local coffee shop to support or like. So I went to try Inklings! Apparently I've been here before and don't remember. I try the americanos black to see how I like their beans first usually! But I wanted to try their cold brew today because I needed extra caffeine for the drive back home. The cold brew was more acidic than I would like, that is usually the problem for me, but it was smooth and not bitter. My friend always gets iced coffee with milk and she liked it. There are two other rooms off to the side for seating which I love. This place is huge! It reminds me of a coffee shop in my area called Fourscore. I would come back to try their Americanos next. Staff was also very nice and lots of merchandise to buy. read more

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This place was so good that I went twice in the same day. It was a Sunday so only half of the place was open seating wise. I hear there are more seating the other days. The place is adorable and felt like an old bookshop with modern twist. Delicious drinks: I got a lavender latte the first time and then a decaf cappuccino. Both were very good and they have a water hydration station as needed. Bathrooms were clean and the staff was nice. I could see this being my local place. Such a good vibe. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Lavender latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Inklings has always been peak cozy library vibe (minus the silence :P). You've got the armchairs, the nooks, floor to ceiling bookcases (!!!), the soft glow from the windows. I love how much more merch they have that customers can actually fangirl over (I myself have a mug with their pretty lantern logo), the outdoor seating area under the shade, and even the extended space for larger groups/quieter studying that's a hallway away from the main area. Can you tell I come here a lot? I have always had excellent service here, even when lines get long during the afternoons. They have a happy hour deal Mon-Thurs 2-4pm for $2 coffee or tea. I love that they also offer a Cafe Sospeso ($4.25) that you can tack onto your order to gift a hot drink for someone who needs it. I don't have a go-to order since I usually try their seasonal options, and there is always one to your taste. I have gotten flavored drinks before that would have benefitted from a stir first since the add-ons often sink to the bottom (just a general PSA). It's my favorite spot downtown to meet someone or unwind solo! read more

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I ordered their Lucky Charms White Mocha and was told it tastes like cereal milk, but when I tasted it, there was a strong taste of almond. It did not taste like lucky charms or cereal milk at all! I didn't taste the white mocha either. I was very confused and asked the barista if there was a mistake on my order or if it's supposed to taste like almond. She said it is supposed to taste like almond and how she doesn't like it either. She then offered to make me a new drink instead, which I appreciated a lot. So I opted for a lavender latte instead, that was my second choice since I love floral drinks. The lavender latte was good! It had a strong lavender flavor, which is what I like. Other than the drinks, I love the vibes of this place! There's so much seating and tables and different rooms to do work in. There's a lot food seating outdoors too. If I lived around here, I'd come here everyday to do my work. read more

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Extra star to Inklings for the ambience. The coffee shop itself is so cute. It reminds me of the coffee shops on tv in the 90's. There's tons of built in bookshelves with cute trinkets all around. There's multiple rooms you can choose from to gather with your friends, study, or work. They played really good music as well. Do keep in mind their lattes are on the pricier side. And unfortunately, I waited longer than expected for my order. I ordered a seasonal drink - cookie butter latte. They sat a biscoff cookie on top of the lid, which I thought was... interesting. But everyone is nice and it's in a convenient location. read more

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I always have a lovely experience here. Plentiful seating both indoor and outdoor, house made syrups, light music in the background--really nice vibe overall. Defo a go-to spot to meet with friends. Got the earl grey latte and really enjoyed it! Was actually perfect because I was originally debating between a London fog and a latte. Could really taste both the tea and coffee. Can't wait to see what new syrups pop up on their menu the next time I pop in read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Earl grey latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Service was great even line was long. Plenty of room to sit at. Latte and cappuccino tasted good. Plenty of parking spots. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Cute place! The croissants here are the fluffiest and the coffee here is good. The service was great. Cute little coffee shop to catch up with friends :) read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I got the tiramisu latte this time and I really enjoyed it. The coffee is a bit on the pricier side, so I likely wouldn't come here just to pick up coffee to go. I would, however, come back for coffee if I had work to get done at the same time. They have plenty of tables and multiple rooms. I enjoy the lighting in the two front rooms a bit more than the brighter lighting in the back room, but appreciate the amount of seating available. It does tend to get crowded on the weekends (I've never been on a weekday), but there were tables available even if they may not have been in my preferred area. I've come in the past and gotten their cold brew. It was way too acidic and bitter for my taste, but I very much am glad I gave it another chance. Overall a cute cafe that I would not be opposed to coming to again, especially if I have work to do. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Tiramisu Latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Situated in the heart of downtown Pleasanton, this is my new favorite cafe!!! Especially for studying. I went here twice in one week and will become a regular here. The drinks are great, the food is good, and the service?? Spectacular! A current season special that I really enjoyed was the spiced cider. The ham and cheese croissant melted in my mouth with a perfect buttery crisp on the outside. Everyone was so kind, friendly, and helpful. The aesthetic is perfect! Love the cozy library/cafe vibes. They are prominent within the local community as shown by their commitment and involvement with local vendors, organizations, and events. There are so many tables and seats available, multiple rooms to choose from with varying atmospheres. I love the big back room with the large tables, bright lights, and outlets. They actually host events there but I haven't attended any yet. High speed WIFI?! Wow. (I was surprised at how many cafes I've been to that don't have working WIFI...) There are also lots of tables and chairs outside as well. Restrooms are clean. Large free parking lot available for Inklings customers. The only regret you will have coming here is that you will want to keep coming back!! read more

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Came here to get my fall/winter latte fix. We came on a Saturday and the line was long but was moving quickly. After about 10 minutes it was our turn. The person at the front was helpful in choosing between 2 lattes, we ended up going with the gingerbread latte and the gluten free pumpkin cupcake. It was a bit of a wait to get our drink given how busy they were so we sat down in their bigger room. After about 15 minutes, our name was called. At first glance, the presentation of the drink was very pretty and well done. The drink itself didn't have much flavor and tasted like warm milk with some spice. I do agree with the other reviews that over time the flavor and quality has changed (I have been coming here for the last 8 years). In any case, we were a bit disappointed. The cupcake though was absolutely delicious! The pumpkin flavors shone through and the texture was moist. We would definitely come back for those! read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Holiday menu 2025 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Staff and Service: - Order at the register and they ask if you want to wait for your order or have it delivered to your table - The cashier working when I went was very nice and helpful Miscellaneous: - Lots of parking available via a parking lot specifically for Inklings - This cafe is quite large - there is outdoor seating, indoor seating near the register, and then another lounge to the side - I chose to work outside as the music inside was pretty loud. Outside was nice (would have loved some fans out there, but that's just me being picky), but randomly got quite loud as music started playing loudly - Password-protected wifi available I ordered an ice matcha latte with a pump of vanilla for a bit of sweetness. This was tasty. For anyone needing food, they have bakery treats, breakfast, and lunch available to order read more

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I've been here twice over the past couple of months. Boy is it hopping on a Saturday morning. If you want a table come early! I had lattes both times. I think one was coconut. They serve you in house drinks in giant mugs. They have a good selection of pastries. They looked delicious but my splurge was the coffee. I highly recommend them. read more

I have to say, the space is cute but the service is five stars all the way! The shift lead, Kayla, was incredibly helpful as I navigated indecision on the menu and then took my overly complicated matcha order and gave some tips to make it even better-- I came for the cute vibes and I'll be back for the outstanding customer service! read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

First things first, they are located right next to a church and I came on a Sunday and I almost missed the front door and walked straight into the church. But needless to say, they had great music playing outside. Ok now, I went here because the ratings looked good and they said the coffee was strong. And they didn't disappoint. The coffees were strong and I loved it. It was exactly what I needed that morning. I ordered online because they say the line is always long. And it definitely was when I walked in. It did take a little long for me to get my drinks but I was so amazed by all the decor that waiting wasn't that huge of an issue. But for ordering all iced coffees and cold brews, I did wish it went a bit faster since those are on tap and already brewed. The baristas were kind and as soon as they noticed me waiting, my drinks were made almost immediately after. Good service and great products definitely warrant a return to this place. read more

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I came to buy a gift card for my friend. The staff was helpful and friendly. There's additional seating in the back with a stage, and you can tell it's unofficially a quiet space, everyone there was quietly working on their laptops or phones. Everything was fine until a couple of women walked in with an extra large dog and were having a loud conversation. It was clearly not a service animal. I don't want a dog near me while I'm enjoying my coffee, and this felt like people taking advantage of the rules. I don't understand why they couldn't just go outside with their dog. Because of that, we decided to get up and leave. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Gift card - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I got the iced caramel bourbon latte and vegetarian flatbread! The latte had a unique taste, and it reminded me of Yemeni's coffee not a normal caramel latte. The flatbread was very simple, but pretty good. Service was fast and the interior was a perfect mix of book shop/bar/coffee shop. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Iced caramel bourbon latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Not my first time at Inklings, and I always enjoy coming back. The cappuccino was pretty good this visit. I love the LOTR-inspired decor--such a fun touch and it really adds to the atmosphere. It does get busy, though. Even with plenty of seating, finding a table can still be tricky when the place is packed. Overall, a solid spot in Pleasanton for coffee and cozy fandom vibes. read more

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Located downtown Main St, is Inklings Coffee and Tea. When you enter this old brick building, you're greeted and you notice it looks like a converted nightclub. Dark and modern. I ordered the S'mores Mocha, legit. Creamy, chocolatey, sweetness, with graham cracker coming through the finish. Silky texture covers the mouth. Bomb! *Overall, good, but does take some time to get your coffee* read more

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A very neat cafe located in downtown Pleasanton! They have their own dedicated parking lot, which is very convenient. The inside is very spacious and there are multiple rooms with different vibe, quiet ish study room, discussion/chat room. Their spring menu was creative. I got the iced berry bloom latte, but I couldn't really taste the blackberry flavor that much (??). It's a nice place for studying or getting work done. read more

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It's busy. Great decor. Good coffee and tea selections. Too hot! Energetic staff. Helpful to answer questions. They get slammed Saturday AM so be patient. I'm glad they're serving breakfast sands now. Wish there was an egg & veggie sandwich and a vegetarian option. read more

While in town for work, I came across this charming, exquisite coffee shop. It's located in beautiful Old Town Pleasanton. The inside is so quaint and cozy. It's so spacious, big enough to do group projects. I loved the extra room past the serving section, it's extra private. The staff was amazing, they made me feel like one of their usuals, even-though my order was not easy or simple (big thanks ladies). The iced expresso, caramel bourbon and cold foam were smooth, velvety, creamy, and rich in flavor. I'm looking forward to coming back before I leave town. read more

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The Mrs. and I stopped by Inklings on one of our days off for some midday coffee. We were pleasantly surprised to see the August offerings: two serial themed lattes! Although I usually order a pour over, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of them. So we got one of each! Good thing there were two of us. To be honest, they don't really taste that much like the cereal, but maybe more like the cereal flavor infused milk left over at the bottom of the cereal once you finish consuming it? but nonetheless both were quite delicious. Obviously, they look good in pictures. A nice enjoyable afternoon at Inklings again. Also a note, apparently they have two new sandwiches: a steak sandwich and an "adult" three-grilled cheese . What's so not adult about a regular grilled cheese? read more

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Absolutely disappointing service. After waiting in line for half an hour, the person taking the order was completely confused. They forgot to add my sandwich to the order, and after 40 minutes, it turned out they had only charged me for a coffee I didn't even want (they charged a hot coffee instead of an iced coffee). Extremely disorganized and frustrating service! read more

Inkling is located in downtown Pleasanton with a huge parking lot designated for their patrons. It's a good size coffee shop with lots of seatings. They have tables to the left and right of the barista counter, which were all taken. While waiting for my coffee I realized there was a small room towards the back where there were more tables with books on the shelves. They also have tables outside. I came at 930am on a Sunday and it was quite packed with constant ppl coming in the whole time I was there. I ordered the spiced fig latte off of their seasonal coffee menu and a goat cheese pretzel. I was happy with my latte which had a hint of fig and a perfect balance of sweetness and milk ratio. The pretzel was okay, nothing special or worth getting again. Definitely would come back. read more

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Located in downtown Pleasanton. The café always seems busy, especially with college grads and office meetup crowds, but the coffee quality hasn't been consistent. Baristas appear to change frequently and feel undertrained at times - unfortunately, the cappuccino doesn't quite meet the bar. With better training and a focus on consistency, this place could be much stronger, especially given how popular it already is. read more

Stopped here with my friend to get coffee and Matcha before a road trip. She got coffee and said it was great however I asked for an iced Matcha latte and this is what I got. It was mostly milk, and the Matcha color did not exceed my Matcha standards as someone who is well-versed in Matcha. You can see below this is not the ideal Matcha color. I tried it and it also was the worst thing I've ever put in my mouth. Since my friend liked her coffee, I'd still say get your coffee But don't order a Matcha latte. In my opinion, if you don't know how to make a Matcha latte then don't have it on your menu and stick with coffee but don't serve people whatever this is... read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I came here on a Saturday morning because I felt like I wanted to explore Pleasanton's coffee culture. As soon as I walked in there was a good energy from the staff and patrons. The decor was beautiful. I love the whole book study speak easy vibe. I absolutely loved the books and the manual typewriter. Service was fast and since I was alone I decided to dine in and soak in the atmosphere. I ordered a cookie and cream latte and a morning bun. As I sat down I picked up a book and started reading and a few moments later my order arrived. The coffee itself left a bit to be desired. It felt a bit too heavy on milk. The cookie crumble and whip on top did help with the flavor profile but I just wish there was a stronger hint of coffee. The morning bun was exceptional. Warm, flakey, sugary and pretty messy in a good way. The staff was kind and efficient. I didn't feel rushed even though they were all really busy. I did witness one of the staff on their way to drop off an order and the pastry bag they were holding fell to the ground. This happened in a hallway where no one else saw and I'm pretty sure they didn't know I saw it. They turned around and threw it away and went to get a replacement. This gave me great confidence in the staff here. It's what you do when no one is looking is what matters in the food industry. I also love the pay it forward system they have. I will come back to try their other offerings when I get a chance. read more

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I haven't been to that many coffee shops in norcal, but this cafe was recommended to me by my friend since she likes their seasonal drinks. When we went to the cafe, there was plenty of parking :) There is also an abundant amount of seating, from outside to inside. When we entered the cafe, it was a nice and cozy atmosphere. My friend ordered the Toasted Honey Coconut Latte and I got the S'morres Latte. First of all, very creative drinks! I really enjoyed both of them a lot and would go back to get again :) I only took a picture of mine, but the presentation with the marshmallow also gave it another point. For service, the main cashier was very placid and monotone. It also took a bit of time to get our orders, but I think that's just because there were only 2 people working the drinks. I'd go again! I'd like to see their other seasonal drinks as well. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Summer seasonal: S'morres Latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I got an espresso and Italian macchiato. Both were solid. Espresso (3/5): espresso of the day was an Ethiopian washed medium roast -- good flavors coming through. I tasted fruity undertones. Low acidity and not bitter or burnt, but it lacked body/crema, which held it back from being a standout shot. Macchiato (3/5): The oat milk didn't overpower the espresso, which I appreciated. Just needed a stronger base to really shine. Barista said they rotate beans, so I'd be curious to try a different roast if I came back. read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Espresso served with sparkling water and an Italian macchiato with oat milk. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I really wanted to like Inklings Coffee & Tea because the interior is beautiful and the staff are friendly and work really hard. This review is more about the chai I had and not so much about the staff or establishment. On a Saturday afternoon, Inklings was bustling with a long line. Given the people lining up, I was excited to give this place a try. The interior is fun and they have all sorts of merchandise and other little goodies and treats. I'm a sucker for pumpkin spice and all things fall so I was excited to see their special seasonal autumn menu. I ordered an iced chai latte with pumpkin spice cold foam. There was a long line to get your drink, and in total I ended up waiting 30 minutes for my drink. I didn't mind the wait since I was eagerly excited for the drink itself. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by what I received. The chai they use here is pre-mixed/boxed, which is fine other than that I couldn't really taste chai in my drink. It wasn't very strong or aromatic. What made me more disappointed was the pumpkin spice cold foam. I saw them whip it up with their house made pumpkin spice syrup. I saw them pour quite a bit of syrup so I anticipated this cold foam to have a strong flavor. They didn't sprinkle the top with cinnamon, but I decided it was okay as long as the cold foam carried the spice. My first sip, I only tasted pure cream. I asked for some cinnamon and that helped a tad, but my drink tasted like milk/dairy with the lightest pumpkin aftertaste. It did not feel worth the 30 minutes and sadly, not worth returning for the chai. The matcha and coffee looked better, so maybe that'll be a redeeming factor. But the chai is a no go. The staff are really friendly and sweet here and you can tell they work really hard. I'd consider returning to try something different perhaps on a day less crowded and busy. read more

I come here to study from time to time when I am in the area, but today was really disappointing. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and specifically requested no steak. When I received it and took a bite, I realized there was meat in it. I asked the baristas if it was steak and they confirmed it and said they would remake it. This was not a small mistake. I have not eaten red meat for over 20 years for cultural and health reasons. I explained that this was unacceptable, and the response I got was concerning. One of the baristas just stared blankly, and then I later saw him laughing about the situation with another staff member. This shows a lack of care and professionalism. I do not usually write negative reviews, but this experience was frustrating enough that I will not be coming back. On the bright side, the coffee is always good :) read more

My friend actually found this place on chatgpt looking up bougie cafes but I fell in love. We study a lot and look for comfortable places with good charging ports and this place definitely checks out. I think what makes it top tier is the drinks are SOO good, they have SO MUCH SEATING; 3 indoor rooms, "the vault room" a quiet room, outside with umbrellas. I've only got the Amethyst Lemonade which taste like an earthy blueberry lemonade very refreshing on these hot days. I often crave this as it's not too sour and not too sweet! I also love that they close at 7 on some days! The first time I came one of the nice ladies ringing me up was so nice it was almost sickening! I loved it. my second time here and I will be back read more

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I dropped by before meeting with friends for happy hour and it is one of the coziest & cutest cafe's I've been to in a really long time. The space is currently full of holiday spirit with Christmas songs playing and decor up, I was even lucky to be served by their barista dressed as Santa -- who seems to bring such good energy to the area & team. He made my Peppermint Bark Latte (with Oat Milk) which was really good, I actually finished it pretty fast as someone who is a pretty slow coffee drinker. In terms of the size of the space, it is very spacious with a second larger room available -- mostly occupied by students doing homework. Definitely a cool space if you need to get away from the noise or music. I really liked how safe and comfortable the cafe felt for folks of all ages. My few words to describe this place is: Cozy community cafe read more

I had the most delicious blueberry latte drink here (see photo!) so my recent visit confirmed Inkling is consistent with serving uniquely tasty beverages! I absolutely love the decor here too. Lots of furniture and space to spread out and work. There are high ceilings. It has a University atmosphere. [A suggestion to management: please make sure the chalkboard descriptions of your seasonal beverages have all the main ingredients. I asked the staff at the counter about a fruit and honey one and they responded with "fruit" and "honey". It was like a comedic skit. I repeated, "It's just fruit and honey?" Then they said, "Oh, and espresso!" I was stunned they almost left that out (and that it was left off the menu) because I would have thought that was a fruity tea drink and would have been very surprised! Haha] read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

What a little gem in Pleasanton! The lattes are absolutely delicious - we got the lavender and the caramel bourbon. The service is super attentive. They have a decent amount of seating and the little nook is the back room is absolutely adorable. The lattes were lukewarm despite asking for extra hot, wish they'd fix that since it is a coffee shop :) read more

Inklings Coffee & Tea - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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I came here to work. The drink options are not very interesting and it cost ~$7 for a simple iced latte with no caramel bourbon flavor. The other items on the menu have 0 description of what's inside the drink - apparently the items under the "crafted coffee creations" are actually teas instead of coffees which really confused me. Oh well, this place is at least very aesthetic and has cool interior decorations and plenty of tables indoors and outdoors for working. There aren't enough charging spots, but at least the wifi is decent. read more

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