Outstanding and beautiful drinks, indoor/ outdoor space and the right friends can make this a very pleasant afternoon. My drink was very refreshing and fragrant. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up. Some mint on top and not overly sweet. I ordered something straight from the menu and it was just right as is. Indoor space with real leather couches and seating and some bar seating with views out to the boulevard. I spent some time here with a very close friend that I just didn't spend much time with in recent times. Covid and other reasons I suppose are to blame. Hours here could be a bit better but the general area is great with the BBQ and marketplace next door. Value seems good too. read more

Philz Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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Late review. My last visit here was the worst experience of any Philz locations. The person working at the order station is not personable and lacks customer service etiquette. Not a greeting or any kind of acknowledgement. To top it off, she had me repeat my simple order from their featured menu several times. It wasn't like it was loud indoors. And she made it seem like I was an inconvenience. How much more obviously rude can you be? Maybe she wasn't having a good day but she seemed fine chit chatting away with the fellow baristas afterwards. Not my type of Philz if workers here pick and choose who they want to service. Other than that, they have plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. I do like the spaciousness of their outdoor seating. Parking can sometimes be a nuisance even tho there's a parking lot available. Oh and their featured drinks tend to seem a little too sweet. I plan to stick with my philtered soul. Name says it all. But, not so sure if I'd frequent this location. read more

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Ok first of all I love Philz and have never had a problem until now. I went in and tried to order several different kinds of coffee and the person literally refused to let me customize my order. I wanted the pistachio spice without the spices and she then said "well then it wouldn't be a pistachio spice". So then I asked if I could just have the filtered soul with the pistachio syrup and she said "no we can't do that, maybe try the cashew drink cause it has pistachio". Ok sure since that's what she recommended, so asked if I could have it with regular milk instead. And so then she said "no sorry cashew is in the name so you can't change the milk". So I had to settle for a mocha tesora. I've never once had my customizations denied at any coffee place let alone been made feel stupid for even asking. Btw - the sign above her literally says "all drinks are customizable". I just don't get what the big deal was. Ok that's my rant. Thanks for reading. read more

Service was slow but they were nice and friendly. The scent of coffee when you walk in was so good. I ordered the ether which is one of their bold blends, made it creamy with light sweetness. I liked it. Daughter ordered the cold chai medium sweetness it was refreshing. read more

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This Philz Coffee is very convenient -- and usually is my go-to location as I work around the Castro Valley/San Lorenzo area. I was very excited for the opening of this Philz Coffee, as it has been quite long awaited by the community, and for commuters like me, who work either from the South Bay or the Valley. They make the drinks quick, and with precision -- and are very patient when it comes to the making of the drink. It's also very conveniently located, as it's right off the Main Street, which is Castro Valley Blvd. I really like the ambiance and the vibe of this Philz -- it's pretty hip, and still maintains the modernness of things. The only improvement I would give is the parking, but it's Castro Valley -- only one can do so much. I usually get my iced coffee rose from this location, and among the many times I've tried to pick up via online order, they almost make it fresh on the spot (which isn't a bad thing -- they make the drinks in real-time which I honestly really appreciate a lot)! I would definitely go back and support more, and even partner with them should a fundraiser idea arise. read more

Philz Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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I have never everrrr had a bad experience at Philz. The staff are so friendly and kind! It does tend to get busy in the morning and also during lunch time, so expect a wait if you're coming in during that time. Lots of outdoor and indoor seating. The vibe is awesome. Their baked items are pretty good as well, esp the kouign amann. I usually drink the mint mojito, but during the holidays they came out with Winter Bliss and that became my fave! I wish it wasn't exclusive to the season though cos it's sooo good. read more

I was a bit disappointed with my first visit to the Castro Valley Philz. Right off the bat, the interior is terribly designed. There is extremely limited seating, lots of open space, and a giant wall hiding the coffee bar/prep area. The employees were quite friendly and accommodating. When I asked about allergens they were enthusiastic about helping me find answers and showed me the syrup bottles so I could check for my allergens. They were amicable during the entire transaction. The price was ghastly. I paid $22 for two medium lattes. Despite there not having been a line or people waiting for drinks when we arrived, We waited over 15 minutes for our drinks. Other people arrived after us and received their coffees, and we continued to wait. The drinks tasted good. Not too sweet. Spiced nicely. But I wouldn't come back-- where would I sit? And it was a huge price tag compared to Peet's. read more

As far as Philz Coffee goes, this is probably the worst one I've been to. This location opened maybe a year or so ago, but already feels it needs a revamp and better training. Notice the other reviews here about massive delays and poor service at this location. - Very, very slow service for no line and with orders going out of order and no apologies for the wait (unlike at other Philz locations). Online orders seem to be the main priority and finished first -- even if no one is around to pick them up, while those in the store wait around. Not the overall amiable service you'd expect either. - Music particularly loud and distracting (and I typically am very ok with any music while in coffee shops). The music here feels mostly hard clubby or dependent on the specific, personal taste of a barista rather than considering overall crowd / customer experience and general interests. - Baristas at this location don't ask you if your drink is to your liking (unlike the expectation / norm for Philz). I realized this afterward when my husband and I got light cream and light sugar for our drinks, but both immediately tasted like extra cream and sugar (there were even extra specks of sugar all around the rim of my lid.) So much we got quite a sugar rush and crash. The drink was not like how it is at other Philz, as someone else mentioned in their review. So they really need to learn quality control. - Ample seating but not a particularly inviting or inspired space. Already feels dated. - A few cute shops in immediate proximity which is the only real reason to visit this location. - Relatively easy, free parking because there's a designated lot for the building. read more

Med Jacob's wonder bar hot creamy oat milk. Was done really well. Picked up in a reasonable time although kind of busy at 9am. Ordering was quick and drink was done well. Small place with an odd layout. Outside seating available and preferred since inside seating pretty full read more

A great place to study when you find a spot. Parking can be a little tricky bc of the bustling stores & eateries around, so be prepared to circle around to find parking. Orders: Carmel Banana Brew- not much of a banana flavor & I wasn't impressed so wouldn't order it again. The coffee was also very mild. Philtered Soul warm- I've ordered this many times with the description of Hazelnut flavor, maple & caramel. Despite, their offer to adjust it to my liking. It just wasn't how I've remembered it in the past, so i think I'll drive to another Philz unfortunately.p read more

PHILZ COFFEE IS BETTER THAN STARBUCKS! Philtered Soul or Honey Haze is my go to coffee choice here. Light and strong coffee with caramel/ honey note taste. Once your coffee is ready they ask you to taste it to make sure the coffee is to your liking. You can have them adjust it or leave it the way it is. Starbucks does not do that. So Yay Philz! Service is great and friendly workers. Plenty of space to sit on with outlets to plug in your gadgets. For work or for studying. Yes there is a bathroom in the facility. Bathroom is always plus... read more

Philz Coffee - Baristas making coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Great spot to enjoy some Philz coffee with that patented mint leaf while sitting in the outside patio! Always enjoy getting a bag of Philtered Soul coffee beans as well to go. Definitely a nice location with quick enough service and always good vibes here! read more

Great central location with a lot of free parking! It's always a GREAT morning seeing Katie C. at the register ready to take my order! She is super friendly, quick, and always offers outstanding customer service! Also, she's the one who told me I can order a HOT ECSTATIC! I never knew that! So thank you, thank you! My favorite drink from here is the COLD ECSTATIC, extra sweet and extra creamy! But on a cold day, now I know I can order my favorite drink hot. *NO CASH PAYMENTS. *PLENTY OF OUTLETS TO CHARGE ELECTRONICS. read more

Philz Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Came in for a quick black coffee and was unaware that you could make black coffee wrong. Plus, the price..... $6 , it's actually my own fault for coming in but a pathetic cup from this place was yet another reminder to never shop at any coffee place when they are all overpriced, but especially when you get the simplest task wrong (and probably not their fault, they just have no taste when it comes to good coffee). Never again. read more

Was waiting for my order for a while, went up to the counter and the pregnant women working was rude to me ... I wasn't rude when I came up to the counter so i don't know why I got that treatment. The food looked sloppily made read more

I've been a Philz fan since my college days at SJSU--there was a branch right across from campus, and I'd always find myself there between classes. Safe to say, it's been a longtime favorite. This Castro Valley location has become my go-to now, and while the drinks are consistently great, I'm knocking off one star because my mobile orders almost always take longer than the app estimates. The parking situation here doesn't help either, especially during peak times. That said, I keep coming back because the coffee speaks for itself. Tesora and Ether are my usual picks for a hot cup, but if I'm going iced, I'm all about the seasonal Blueberry Breeze or Sweet Harmony. I've also tried their new tea line--Berry Bloom (a blueberry-infused hibiscus tea) is pricey, but surprisingly refreshing on a warm day. All in all, solid drinks and friendly service--I just wish the order timing and parking were a bit smoother. read more

I like Philz when I'm in that part of CV. The drinks are more on the "creative" and sweet side than a Peets or Starbucks who tend to stick to the classics. I usually get the mocha. The ordering process is straightforward -- order at the counter or in the app. I do find wait times to be a bit long, but I suppose that is just a byproduct of the place being quite busy whenever I go (usually on weekends). Parking is difficult; you can try to gamble and get something in front (timed) or go around the back, which I find to be very tight as there's multiple businesses (Canyon's, etc) that share the space too. Either way, it's a nice treat when in the area. read more

This location had a great vibe. Compared to other locations this seemed more new, minimalist and modern. It's a very millennial / gen z environment, which I like. The staff is super hip and friendly. Coffee is always great at Philz. I always order the iced coffee rose. read more

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The Philz Coffee empire just keeps growing and growing, and in Castro Valley they may have settled in their most unique yet. Located in the heart of the tony hamlet that is Castro Valley, which is the quintessential suburban community in the east bay of the Bay Area, Philz Coffee is quickly proving that they are here to stay as they continue to expand their footprint beyond their origins in San Francisco. Taking over what was once a gas station, this location of Philz Coffee is inviting thanks to its overall uniqueness in both their interior and exterior design by keeping the exterior of their original gas station basically the same and fully remodeling their interior for an inviting convivial experience. Thanks to great service provided by a sterling quantity of staff, a group of friends and I enjoyed a recent visit on a warm spring weekend. Having been to other locations of Philz Coffee this was by far the easiest and most pleasant, as you can order online at their front counter or through a kiosk screen. What I appreciate most about Philz Coffee is that their menu is constantly evolving, especially regarding their seasonal menu which fits in just right with the weather outside. It also helps that their menu is featured on a laminated piece of paper in addition to being featured on flat panel television screens behind the counter. Since it was rather warm outside upon our visit, I knew I wanted something iced and in their Featured Creations section of their menu they had six handcrafted coffee drinks, five of which featured ice in them, at least that is how their menu displayed them with images next to their names. I ordered an iced version of their Gingersnap Coffee, which was a creamy coffee made with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove spices. At Philz Coffee, you are allowed to select whether you want your coffee drink hot or iced, how much of your designated cream or milk alternative you want in your drink, and the sweetness level. For my drink, I made sure to order it as creamy and sweet as possible. My friend just wanted a warm cup of coffee and our store associate suggested that they enjoy their Jacob's Wonderbar, which had flavors of dark chocolate, berry, and smoke. With two small sized beverages ordered, our bill would be $10.80, and at this location they are cashless, with no additional charges for use of credit cards. It wouldn't take too long for their staff to call our name for our order to be picked up, as we noticed a number of pre-orders being crafted with no immediate pickup in site. Once sipped, we realized how nicely the team at Philz Coffee crafts their coffee beverages as each was smooth and flavorful. Sitting outside in their outdoor patio which had a number of tables but no shade, while sipping our coffee drinks, made us appreciate what Philz Coffee has managed to create in a little under a quarter century. When owner Phil Jaber opened his first coffee shop in San Francisco's Mission District little did he know how large the empire that he would create. Years of learning, experimenting, and blending, with the goal of making a really good cup of coffee he has succeeded in turning a labor of love into a coffee shop with an almost cult-like following, and I for one, cannot wait to see where they wind up next, and how innovative they make their next location look! read more

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A couple months ago I wrote a review about the outdoor seating at Philz Coffee, and it was almost immediately corrected by Tamara A., the owner -- which I truly appreciated. I come here almost every weekend and usually order my coffee online. While I love the quality of the coffee and the convenience of ordering ahead, the assigned pickup times are often not accurate. It would be really helpful if there were a push notification when the order is actually ready. Overall, I enjoy coming here and appreciate how responsive management has been. Just this small improvement would make the experience even better. read more

We love Philz. My husband is the one that got me into Philz. Honey Haze has become my favorite. When my sister is in town she usually request Philz coffee over Starbucks coffee. The staff are super friendly and I love that they make you try your coffee before you leave the counter..if you don't like it, they will make modifications to make it better. I love that. There are plenty of chair for people waiting. read more

Philz Coffee - My fav honey haze - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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I've noticed better hospitality and friendliness of Philz over the last few months. I'm glad they finally have a rewards program that began a few months ago. If you haven't had the Tiramisu, it's sooo good. read more

Drinks are great! Service is awful!!! I usually order through DoorDash for pick up on my way to work. Doordash says pick is 15 minutes after ordering, great!! NOOOOO, actual pick up is 42 minutes after ordering!! And now I am late to work. I also think this place purposefully delays door dash orders!!! Scarcity model does not work when you see ppl who ordered after you got to the location get their drinks but your DoorDash order is still not ready! Will be notifying DoorDash of their behavior too. read more

Not your usual Peet's or Starbucks. Philz primarily offers varieties of pour over coffees with a selection of flavors, with variable sweetness and creaminess. Also a small selection of teas and baked goods for the folks who aren't coffee enthusiasts. In terms of service, it's very lukewarm -- they do inform you half the time that if your beverage isn't to your liking, they can adjust the sweetness or redo it, which is a nice touch. Often times you'll notice after ordering there's quite a lot of seats and none of them are truly available -- as many love to sit around and stay a while, on top of the roughly 20-25 minutes you'll be waiting for your drink. Mind you, this is on average, not during rush hour. The drink Philz is known for is their mint mojito iced coffee, which in theory sounded quite good to me, but I'm not quite convinced yet. Maybe it's an acquired taste. Just something about cream and mint doesn't bind well in my opinion. The two drinks I do bounce between are the gingersnap -- sweet creamy with cinnamon. Quite good if you're young at heart. Otherwise a plain Philtered Soul -- a medium blend with added hazelnut flavor, slight maple syrup notes. Both are pretty good. read more

Wow, I'm surprised by the overall rating here. I really like this location. I started going to Philz coffee many years ago when I lived in SF. I like their style of coffee and consider it a treat, especially the Tesora, with its subtle chocolate flavor. Since this location opened, the service is now faster. It should be known, it does take a bit more time to make these coffees properly. To me, it's worth it. I get medical care near by, and I always have a pleasant time relaxing in the abundant seating area with my coffee, and sometimes also their green chili burrito. This is a great addition to Castro Valley. read more

Been a long time customer of Philz, I usually enjoy dancing water and tiramisu coffees. At this location however, there's always excellent service. Freddy is always very attentive and helpful and livens up the atmosphere whenever I arrive to order coffee. Good coffee, excellent service! read more

good old reliable phiz, its a cute location with seating and parking. Service is as you would expect from philz, got my usual order and wasnt disappointed. Love phiz read more

Philz Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Went to Philz on a busy rainy day Saturday after shopping at Trader Joe's and had to wait a bit for my coffee. I ordered Jacobs wonderbar which has a hint of berry, dark chocolate and smoke. I mostly drink my coffee black and this dark roast coffee that was strong and delicious. read more

Everyone is extremely nice , courteous staff greet you. The coffee is great. Better app. point system . I come here on a daily basis. The sofa is nice and comfortable. The environment is 100% better than Starbucks across the street. Nice clientele no homeless or loud high school kids dirty tables and floors . Nice friendly manager. read more

always solid coffee here, good food. app order gets you the food/drinks fastest. smaller inside space, so not always guaranteed seating but when you can find a spot it's nice. usually consistently busy, but still a great cup of coffee read more

I wasn't too impressed with Philz Coffee. Not too many options. Mostly brew flavored coffee. read more

Philz Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Philz Coffee opened in the space that once hosted Smart Cleaners & Flying A's gas station. Lotsa seating inside & out. Back parking lot shared with Castro Valley Marketplace & BBQ spot. Waited in line 20 minutes to order, 10 minutes wait for 4 baristas to prep drinks. Service immaculate as drink has to be order as to kind, size, cream type, sugar level, iced or not. Barista lets one taste coffee before u can leave. Offerings: coffee blends (dark & bold, medium & balanced, light & bright), pastries, burritos.. Drink: Aromatic Arabic (5.30) med, hot, straight up-black -slightly sweet with toffee, bold flavor, smooth texture. Cedar & smoke notes very subtle, probably soothes the ruff notes of arabic blends. -tax included 4.5 stars service wait times needs to be improved. Most orders were for multiple drinks...may try the other dark & bold blend. Not a fan of adding creamer & sugar which are a signature feature of their blends.. read more

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Coffee is what's it all about. Up-scale coffee that delivers on the flavor. I go for the hot brew coffee blends! Teas are just as popular, because of their eunique blends and style. Their only negatives, popularity (crowd), no online or phone orders when busy at peak hours. And, the wait when they are busy. read more

I've been coming to this Philz a few times now, and they have not disappointed! I love that there's a 'how to order' section on the menu, and the baristas are fantastic--they give great recommendations and ask you to try your drink before you leave. Their sandwiches are delicious, though the portions are a bit on the smaller side. The pastry selection is large, and everything I've tried has been tasty! This is a great spot to study or get work done if you're looking for a busy but quiet environment. read more

I've been waiting for this location to open up for the longest time now that it's finally in my hometown! Instead of having to drive 20 minutes to San Ramon for my coffee, I can achieve a faster trip in 5 minutes. The parking situation is much nicer since I tend to park away from all the traffic in the Lucky's parking lot and just walk a block over. I have noticed a lot of negative reviews about how long drinks are taken to be made, but it's something to be expected in a new location. Order ahead of time for the next few months until they have everything sorted out and I believe they should be trained and caught up with the rest of the other locations. I've been ordering my usual mocha tessora which has had the same quality compared to San Ramon. My only complaint with the store which could be improved and is super nitpicky is the layout where you pay and how the line forms. When there are a lot of people crowding around waiting for their drink versus standing in line, it can get confusing with people piling up in a single area. Excited to see how this location develops over time and will keep coming back as long as the quality stays the same! read more

Philz Coffee - Small Mocha Tessora - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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Excited to hear that CV was getting a Philz in town! I didn't go to the grand opening, but I did drive by it and it looked packed. Really nice to see people flocked and hanging around the area. It made the area seem lively, fun, and cool - like it was a nice place to hang out and spend some time. The day I went, it was after lunch time I think... or it was around when people might take a late lunch. The place didn't look packed, even though there were a lot of people inside. No long line waiting to order, rather a long line or group of standbys waiting for their orders. Wait time for receiving your order does take a long time here - but I'm sure the staff will improve their stats over time. There are a lot of food options here, but I didn't get any food. Though, if I did... there were baked goods and hot food items. I had tried a breakfast burrito before from another location and it wasn't bad so I am assuming it's the same here. I noticed they had a seasonal drink advertised which sounded interesting, but I had to go with the Iced Mint Mojito - as is, creamy to test. It was good! The interior looks a little undone when looking at the bar, it looks like there should be a wall art mural behind there at the top. There is less seating inside as I had expected, maybe they will add more seating. Being that it's at the corner of the block, there is some outdoor seating available which I thought was nice to have. I would recommend trying to order ahead on the mobile app. I heard that could take a minute too, but it might be better than doing a walk-in if you're strapped on time. read more

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Love this new Philz in Castro valley. Staff is friendly and patience. Ambiance is super busy with lines unstoppable for the two hours we were there. At least everyone is in the spirit waiting for the perfect brew. The city's super good with the right amount of cafe and smell really fresh, dark, and heavy. Absolutely a wake up call. read more

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I love that a Philz opened in between city locations. Downside of it is that it's very busy. Not sure if it is because it just opened but waiting 15mins to order and then another 30mins for the drink is not something I will wanna wait for. So if you plan to get coffee here, expect an hour. We even tried to order through the app but it noted 1 hour pick up time. The worst part... they lost the ticket to make the coffee. Until we said something, they made it right away but waiting in hour just for coffee? I'll pass. Aside from the wait, drink was the same. Other locations don't take this long. read more

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I placed my order online at 11:50 am today, 11/15. Promised time was 12:10pm. I arrived at the store at 12:15 pm, order was not ready. I was told that it would take a few more minutes. Gladly waited, order was finally ready at 12:47pm. Really Philz? Had to wait over 30 minutes for my order? The app said my order was ready at 12:10 but that's definitely false. I don't mind knowing that my order will take longer but don't give me false information. To top it all off, both my drinks were not made as I've requested. read more

I think the staff is great. I'd skip ordering through the Philz website though. They don't seem to have it integrated well. I showed up at the time the website told me to. Didn't see my order in the ready area, waited, and ultimately had to have staff find the order. It was made almost instantly (which is great!) but then it sat there so long that they had moved it by the time I got there. Again, that was the time the website told me to. It was also made incorrectly....and not packaged well so it leaked. :-( read more