The Best Coffee Shops in San Jose California 2024
Looking for the best cup of joe in San Jose? As a local coffee fanatic, allow me to take you on a caffeinated tour of my favorite coffee shops in the heart of Silicon Valley. From hip warehouse roasters to old-school institutions, San Jose’s coffee scene has something to satisfy all taste buds. In this article, we’ll hit up local favorites, uncover hidden gems, and dive into what makes their brews so good. Grab your reusable mug and let’s chat about the best coffee in San Jose California!
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1. Voyager Craft Coffee
First stop – Voyager Craft Coffee in the San Pedro Square neighborhood. The minimalist space and focus on quality roasts make this a go-to for San Jose’s coffee snobs. But don’t let the serious baristas intimidate you – the welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for coffee lovers of all levels.
The Tokyo Latte combines espresso, milk, house-made vanilla, cherry blossom water, and brown sugar for a harmonious flavor blend. The Matcha Blondie, made with butter, white chocolate, matcha powder, and black sesame, is a moist and flavorful treat. Voyager takes great pride in their roasting capabilities, using beans sourced through direct trade relationships.
Voyager is a good place to grab a bite to eat. They are known for their avocado toast with a lemon-infused oil. They also serve danishes, croissants and scones. Voyager Craft Coffee also sells roasted beans starting at $14 per bag.
The interior is very spacious – Voyager shares a seating area with Three Sisters (cocktail bar, not open in the mornings). They have lots of seating and it’s perfect if you need to work for the afternoon!
Address: 87 N San Pedro St San Jose, CA 95110
2. Chromatic Coffee
For those looking for a vibrant space to match their morning brew, head to Chromatic Coffee north of the historic Willow Glen neighborhood. Nestled in a warehouse building where they roast their coffee beans and serve the wholesome cup of coffee, Chromatic creates an energizing backdrop for quality coffee and locally sourced pastries.
While you’ll certainly find your usual suspects like lattes and cappuccinos, don’t miss out on their specialty drinks menu. Popular choices include the banana latte and the dark mocha latte.
The food offerings are mostly pastries, like croissants, hand pies, and banana bread from Sweetdragon Bakery. You can tell the baristas genuinely love their work and the community here. Chromatic is an uplifting neighborhood spot.
Address: 460 Lincoln Ave Ste 10 San Jose, CA 95126
3. Voltaire Coffee Roasters
Nearby in the SoFA arts district, you’ll find coffee and a nice staff at Voltaire Coffee Roasters. Beyond the laidback vibe, the key draw is their small batch roasting using an incredible range of beans from Central and South America.
Try the iced matcha latte and a cafe au lait. Both were delicious! They do offer milk alternatives and sugar-free syrups. Friendly baristas are eager to chat about the rotating roasts and make spot-on recommendations. Their pastry case holds items like cookies, banana bread and croissants.
It is pretty small but there are seats and outlets if you want to work/study here. For the ultimate hip coffee experience in San Jose, this is your stop.
Address: 360 S Market St Ste 80 San Jose, CA 95113
4. Philz Coffee
Now let’s talk about an icon – Philz Coffee. With numerous locations around the Bay Area, local chain Philz has a cult following for its unique blends and laidback vibes. The San Jose shops embody the brand’s quirky personality and focus on creating that perfect custom cup of coffee.
At Philz, you choose your beans, brew method, and strength. The mint mojito or their ecstatic iced coffee is a refreshing treat on hot days. Their pastry case is filled with freshly made croissants, various flavors of Kouign-Amann, and even a Philz coffee-flavored donut!
Pro tip: ask for your drink “Philz style” with a splash of half & half to perfectly mellow the flavors.
Part of the charm is the little rituals Philz has created around the coffee experience. Baristas keep a good pace even during a big rush. Expect fantastic people watching at their downtown spot.
Address: 118 Paseo De San Antonio Walk San Jose, CA 95112
5. Nirvana Soul
If a cozy, neighborhood feel is your coffee kryptonite, make your way to Nirvana Soul off South First St in Downtown San Jose. Beans are sourced from female coffee growers around the world, staying true to their name.
The aroma of their dark roast coffees immediately relaxes you. I like to set up with my laptop on the patio, order a nitro cold brew or chai tea, and soak up the sun. Inside is even more charming, with bright pink accents and local art adorning the walls.
You’ll see folks catching up over lattes, students cranking out homework, and coffee fans debating tasting notes. Nirvana Soul feels like a little home away from home.
Nirvana Soul has a bunch of non-dairy milk options and my personal favorite is the macadamia nut milk. Their Golden waffles are nice albeit simply fresh and fluffy waffles served with syrup and butter. Their chocolate chip cookies are pretty good also. We never leave without getting a Churro Waffle to go!
The inside seating is limited to a few tables, mostly in a half-loft above the counter area. They do have 2-3 tables outside and there is often a line as this is one of the most popular San Jose coffee shops.
Address: 315 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113
6. Con Azucar
For those downtown and looking for an Instagram-friendly coffee place, check out Con Azucar on East Santa Clara Street! From espresso drinks to Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce), you’ll get your fix fast. They have some really unique menu options like the marzipan iced latte. I also tried the matcha horchata which was good as well.
They also sell ham tortas and huge conchas- a sweet bread with sugar on top.
With plentiful seating and outlets, it’s an ideal spot to caffeinate while crushing your to-do list.
Be aware that parking is limited and the seating inside and outside is small.
Address: 101 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
7. Spectra Coffee Roasters & Cafe
Those near South San Jose have a neighborhood favorite – Spectra Coffee Roasters & Cafe. The small-but-mighty menu has something for all levels of coffee obsession, like vanilla lattes, orange blossom latte, as well as their turmeric and rose lattes. Spectra mostly serves Sightglass coffee beans in their drinks.
I like to pair a banana oat latte with one of their massive waffles. There is limited seating inside, and a few tables outside for those wanting space to enjoy their cup of coffee. This is one of the best coffee shops in San Jose because of its unique latte options and friendly staff.
Spectra offers a pleasant respite from the surrounding bustling retail stores. They’ve earned a loyal following in the neighborhood plus they have a great Instagram wall for photos!
Spectra Coffee is located in a very busy shopping plaza that shares a parking lot with Costco and Trader Joe’s.
Address: 5353 Almaden Expy #52, San Jose, CA 95118
8. Peet’s Coffee
Further south in Willow Glen, you’ll find a classic coffee chain at Peet’s Coffee. The aromatic smell of freshly roasted beans smacks you in the face upon entering. Peet’s offers specialty drinks along with daily brews like Baridi Blend with hints of berry and chocolate.
The Willow Glen location has ample indoor and outdoor seating for unwinding over your morning Joe.
As an OG Bay Area coffee purveyor, Peet’s still holds up with quality beans and that signature dark roast flavor profile. You’ll find comfortable, casual vibes sipping your lattes and cappuccinos.
Address: 1140 Lincoln Ave Ste C San Jose, CA 95125
9. Hannah Coffee
Hannah Coffee is a woman-owned coffee shop located in Downtown San Jose. They serve a variety of specialty coffee and espresso drinks made with freshly roasted coffee beans.
The menu features espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, as well as lemonades, frozen coffee drinks, and more. Some of their popular drinks include the Hazlenut Latte and the Iced Chai Tea Latte. They serve bagel sandwiches, pastries, and red velvet cupcakes which are delicious!
Parking can be tricky with the bustling location. There is street parking along nearby side streets and a small Surface lot behind the shop. Hannah Coffee has limited indoor seating as well as a few bistro tables outside.
The vibe is modern and sleek, with an open layout to view the roasting operation in the back. It’s a popular neighborhood spot for catching up over pastries.
Address: 754 The Alameda Ste 80 San Jose, CA 95126
10. Roy’s Station
Roy’s Station Coffee & Teas is a neighborhood favorite located in San Jose’s historic Japantown district. This local coffee shop and eatery serves up fresh coffee drinks using their house-roasted beans along with made-to-order breakfasts and lunches.
The coffee menu features drip coffee, espresso beverages, batch brews, pour-overs, and unique specialty lattes. Roy’s Station roasts coffee in-house using ethically sourced beans with varied origin profiles. Their skilled baristas can recommend the perfect roast for your tastes.
Roy’s Station has street parking available nearby. The atmosphere is casual and eclectic, with a mix of seating options. It’s popular with locals who stop by for quality house-roasted brews and freshly made sandwiches.
With its on-site roasting and relaxed vibe, Roy’s Station Coffee & Teas is a great cafe for excellent artisan coffee in the heart of San Jose’s Japantown.
Address: 197 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112
11. Crema Coffee Roasting Co.
A quick zip-up 85 North brings us to Crema Coffee Roasting Company in San Jose near Alameda. The lounge-like space filled with wood and warm tones oozes hygge. Beyond their clean, balanced roasts, Crema is known for exceptional espresso – their machines are dialed in perfectly. It is a quiet place with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors and has a great selection of coffees, pastries, and sandwiches.
From silky red velvet lattes to refreshing iced mochas, the baristas consistently serve quality cups of coffee. When you see locals hunkered down with laptops for hours sipping espresso, you know this place is doing something right. Alameda locals swear by Crema as their go-to coffee shop.
Address: 1202 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
12. Moonbeans Coffee
Moon Bean Coffee is a cozy neighborhood café located in South San Jose near Kaiser Hospital. They serve up a range of specialty coffee drinks using locally roasted beans, along with breakfast items and lunch sandwiches.
The coffee menu includes espresso drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, as well as batch brew coffee and pour-over options. Favorite specialty drinks include the Moon Latte with vanilla and honey and the Mexican Mocha with chili pepper flakes.
Moon Bean has a large parking lot in front of the café, as well as street parking on the surrounding residential roads. The parking is ample enough for popping in to grab a coffee drink or a small bite to eat.
The atmosphere is relaxing and casual, with some indoor and outdoor seating. Pets are not allowed inside, but there is a nice large shady patio with seating.
Locals often bring their laptops to get work done while enjoying Moon Bean’s great coffee and free WiFi. It’s a great place and a welcoming neighborhood coffee house to sip exceptional coffee in South San Jose.
Address: 6219 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95119
