Huge Bubble Tea Fan, they do a great job and always have great service!

As many of you know, in June 2016 Yelp.com placed my account on Reviewer Probation and forcefully removed several of my most controversial restaurant reviews. I will not go into the specific terms of their decision, as this is neither the time nor the place. This is a review of Panache Caffe, a local coffee shop located in my hometown of Lafayette, CA. I will only preface my review by saying that Yelp did what they had to do to maintain their vision of the platform. I begrudgingly respect their decision. When I started writing online reviews, I did so with the understanding that I would make powerful enemies. I just didn't realize how far Yelp's secret police of so-called "community organizers" would go to enforce their pro-corporation view of online reviews. Yelp is not a platform for the truth; it is not a place where the first amendment has any bearing. Following the incident in June, I unofficially resigned from my position as an online Yelp reviewer. This was a difficult decision for me. Uninstalling the Yelp app from my phone was tantamount to uninstalling a part of myself. It was as if I had uninstalled my finger or uninstalled my face. I think we can all agree that something was lost on that day. Were it possible, I would have uninstalled my heart. Perhaps this was the moment when we, as a community of internet reviewers and readers of reviews, lost our innocence. Again, it is not my place to say, this is 100% a review of Panache Caffe, a great place to have a pastry or a delicious bubble tea. Still, I have to agree with the numerous commenters and journalists who privately emailed me saying that my probation marked the end of the Golden Age of Online Reviews. I would like to take this moment to thank you all for your support. It has meant the world to me in a difficult time. Were that your words of support were bubbles in my bubble tea. What a delicious drink that would be. Such a drink would be well worth the price ($3.50 for regular, $4.50 for large). This was a dark period in my life. A philosopher once wrote that "the unexamined life is not worth living" (pp. 37, Socrates, 1987). Since I left Yelp, I have begun to wonder if "the unexamined meal is not worth eating". What is the point of friendly service, affordable prices, and ample parking if you cannot share it with the people you care about most? I have eaten meals since I left Yelp, but I would not say that I have truly "dined out." But at the same time, there was something liberating about returning to life as a non-reviewer. There were fewer highs and lows, but I felt something that I hadn't felt in a long time. Could I call this feeling peace? Let me tell you a story: In the early 2000s, I was just starting out as an online restaurant reviewer. Again, I must stress that this is a review of Panache Caffe, but my anecdote is necessary for me to provide you with context to evaluate my experience as a patron of Panache's East-West fusion of café culture. But anyway, this was early 2002: It was the night before a big review - there was a little mom-and-pop noodle house down the street and the early reviews were mixed. Previous reviewers had seen undeniable talent in the kitchen, but there were doubts about the service and possible health code violations. That night, I knew my review could make or break the noodle house. I couldn't sleep - the fear of assigning this noodle house too many (or too few) stars was overwhelming. Part of me wanted to run away from it all. Live a quiet life, start a family. But in the end, I faced my destiny and assigned the noodle house the fate it deserved, a disappointing 2 stars. What I'm trying to say is that it was a relief to not be responsible. After I left Yelp, I could go out for dinner without being known as the restaurant judge, restaurant jury, and restaurant executioner. The restaurantcutioner, as waiters would call me behind closed doors. I was happy, and I thought that would be enough. But then came Panache. What was it that drew me back in to the life of online reviewing? I cannot say exactly. Perhaps it was the reasonable price point, or the comfortable environment where I could read and set up my laptop. Perhaps it was my mild disappointment at the lack power outlets. No one can say for sure. All I can say is that I stared into my bubble tea and observed the dark orbs of bubbly flavor floating in the shadows. In that moment, I knew my work was not yet done: Nice café, would recommend. Children and dogs unwelcome. Convenient access to two PokéStops, and the baristas often place lures. read more

Very cute, comfortable, and affordable. Great tasting cappuccino with a very cute design in the foam. Not too crowded or loud - a great place to study. read more

Service was really good and fast! The milk tea was great and the boba was cooked to perfection! love it!

your business is a1 cus it's the perfect spot to drink boba and shit talk. Me and my friend Ashley went there and it was great cus no one from campo goes there bc it's in Lafayette so we could shit talk to our hearts content without anyone hearing us, except for some kindly seniors who didn't even glare at me when I was loud. in the moraga Starbucks you can't go one foot without seeing about 19 people you know and feeling obliged to say hi to every single one so you don't seem like a bitch when you are just trying to get your beverage and get out of there jesus!! Anyway don't get me wrong we are very nice ppl but we talk shit just like everyone else don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about and if you say you don't you are boring and probably lying. they are also the only place in laf that sells boba bc we are uncultured redneck swine apparently. How could you only have one business that sells boba? Step it up Lafayette. in conclusion panache is is a sultry establishment that i am proud to say I frequent read more

Wonderful place, great boba teas, love the people. Great energy to work or meet a friend.

My favorite cafe to go to for studying, really nice and peaceful environment. Serves great drinks and little snacks. Very friendly workers and a great local cafe to go to when you feel like getting work done or if you want to hang out with your friends for a drink. read more

I came here to kill time and study between class and work. It's cute, quiet, and has plenty of tables to sit down at and a booth as well. They have bubble teas and regular coffee drinks. I came in the afternoon so the pastry selection wasn't too good but I'm sure there are more choices in the morning. I had an almond croissant which was ok and a latte which was pretty good. Overall it's a nicer vibe than starbucks and I'm definitely going to come back and try some other things on the menu. read more

This cafe is a great place to relax and have a nice drink. There is a variety of things to choose from and it is a great place to get work done or just have time to kick back and enjoy your drink read more

Super cool workers, very competent and hard working drink makers. Not to mention the girls are 1's.

We gave this caffe three try's, as we wanted to find a good spot in the area. But, each time was a disappointment. If you don't mind strip malls, and self-serve car wash grade coffee, you'll think this place is fine. But for many who live in the East Bay, we value quality coffee, served and made to order not in a huge thermos. That was their first strike. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese, and they handed me a bag with the toasted bagel and the airport style cream cheese miniature serving. When you go to an independent cafe, you think that maybe they would spread the cream cheese on and serve it on a plate? The final time I visited, I ordered a pastry and after one bite, asked if it was yesterday's pastry. The cashier sheepishly nodded. Day old pastry, at full price? Even in LaMorinda, this is a sorry excuse for a cafe. Go to Homemade kitchen in Moraga, go to Peets even and sit in the back patio/square...sadly Panache is not worth visiting. read more

Cute coffee stop with nice bakery selection! Good coffee, fast and friendly service! I suggest the regular coffee with a blueberry scone which was like a soft blueberry biscuit -ask to warm it up! You won't be dissatisfied! read more

My only visit was met with disappointment. I wad so excited that Lafayette has a boba place!! Who would have ever guessed it? Only to get a Jasmin milk tea boba with nothing sweet in it whatsoever. Maybe that's the new trend and I'm outta the loop, but rather than take the time to add my own simple syrup, I wish they'd just done it for me. That and the boba wasn't as soft as it should have been. Not quite soft boba, not going back again. read more

I stopped by here the other day for coffee and I got a double caramel macchiato. It was delicious and had a good amount of coffee flavor. The lady who took my order was really friendly. I agree with another one of the reviewer that the drink almost has the same standard like peets. If Im ever in town, I will stop by again. read more

this.place.is.the.best. You will not find better bubble tea anywhere else-I am a daily customer and I am addicted. They have so many flavors and the boba is cooked to perfection. The cafe is conveniently located in Lafayette with plenty of parking. The employees are all friendly and the shop is very cute! If you want to try some fun drinks or get the regular old coffee, come here and support local. You won't regret it! read more

Great place for study. free wifi, six power outlets, light music. if only it opens till midnight

Favorite study spot in Lafayette. Free wifi, good coffee, quiet atmosphere, plenty of open tables. And they have boba!

Great little cafe in downtown Lafayette. We all had the chai milk tea and it was yummy. Would be nice to use more choices in terms of food. Great quiet atmosphere. Will definitely try this again! read more

The chai tea is home brewed and absolutely amazing! This is my go to place for a chai tea latte and they do blended too!

only decent boba place in lafayette nice owner boba is acceptable read more

My favorite cafe! They make amazing cafe au laits, the owner is super sweet and so are all the girls working there. I wish they were open later but their coffee tastes soo good, not the trash at Starf*cks or other chains. read more

This is a terrific coffee- and tea-house. The coffees, teas and bubble teas are all excellent, as are the bagels, croissants and cakes. I usually order something that's wonderful but that's not exactly on the menu: a boba tea made with jasmine tea, fruit syrup (I choose mango), ice and tapioca pearls--no milk or "puree". The most wonderful drink in the world, and the only place in the area that serves it. Highly recommended! read more

This place has surprisingly good bubble tea. There are a couple of places in the Bay Area that make better bubble tea, but I don't have to leave the County to get to Panache Caffe, and that is why I'm giving it equal stars to Asha Tea House in Berkeley and Boba Guys in San Francisco. Plus, the wait is rarely long, and it is a nice and quite place to sit and having a hot drink. read more

Best lattes in the area!!!! Their espresso never taste burnt or watered down. I used to be a barista myself. I am EXTREMELY particular with my espresso shots and the way my milk is steamed. This cafe definitely trained all the baristas right! LOVE LOVE LOVE the way they make foam! Extra light and fluffy. read more

The only thing I've ever gotten here is the boba - and it's... not good. Every time I've gotten it, it's been extremely weak and watery with barely any tea flavor, barely any sweetener (I always have to add my own), and boba that always tastes waaaay too squishy, like they just soaked it for far too long. And yet... I still reluctantly give them three stars, because I'm THAT desperate for a milk tea place in Lafayette, and they let you add soy milk to your milk tea instead of cow milk! Seems like such a small thing, but aside from one or two other places I've found in the Bay Area, most of the traditional boba places don't let you substitute in non-dairy milks, or they have some non-dairy creamer stuff that's super nasty for you (and still has all the carcinogenic dairy crap in it anyway). So... three stars for the fact that I can drink it without feeling ill afterward! Gross or no, I'll probably keep going back, hoping that they'll magically improve, or that enough people will complain that management will feel compelled to put some higher quality jasmine tea and honey in their drinks! read more