As a part-time barista and coffee enthusiast, trying different coffee spots in the South Bay has been a passion of mine and being from West San José, I can attest to the variety provided in the area.
I surveyed a wide selection of coffee shops, including Philz Coffee, Voltaire Coffee Roasters, Voyager Craft Coffee, Nirvana Soul, Academic Coffee, Con Azucar Café, Hannah Coffee, Moonwake Coffee Roasters, Coffee & Water Lab — these five made it to the top:
Moonwake Coffee Roasters
Address: 1412 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 (7.7 miles from SJSU)
Moonwake Coffee Roasters started out of a Tesla Cybertruck at the Cupertino Farmers’ Market, brewing up coffee that they started selling in 2022, according to a May 21, 2024 KRON 4 article.
On Oct. 19, 2024, Moonwake had their official grand opening in West San José after doing pop-ups and progressing through different espresso machines over the years.
They sell specialty coffee, roasting single-origin, small-batch beans and have outstanding drinks, including the creamy and floral forward Cardamom Orange Latte and rich Milo Mocha.
In addition to coffee, if you are craving a bite to eat, Moonwake sells Neighbor Bakehouse goods that are to die for.
Its croissants are flaky and crisp and large enough to power you through your morning. For traditionalists, the shop has affordable drip coffee served in the morning, as well as cappuccinos and cortados.
Students at SJSU may be hesitant to travel 7.7 miles from campus to purchase a $7 specialty latte, but the environment of the shop, which features plants and an open space design, and the variety of sustainably sourced coffee are worth a visit.
Academic Coffee
Address: 499 South Second St., San Jose, CA 95113 (0.5 miles from SJSU)
Just a short walk from campus, Academic Coffee was founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Frank Nguyen, providing a community space centered around not only coffee but also being a neighborhood hub, according to the “About Us” section of their website.
Academic Coffee’s menu is simple but versatile, with flavored lattes like the Pandan Latte and my personal favorite, the Piloncillo Latte, combining flavors inspired by Asian and Latino communities in San José. Its house-made banana cream is also a notable favorite among customers.
Voltaire Coffee Roasters
Address: 360 South Market St. #80, San Jose, CA 95113 (0.5 miles from SJSU)
Voltaire Coffee Roasters is nestled in a corner on Market Street, less than a mile walk from campus, roasting in-house fair trade beans and crafting specialty coffee.
They named themselves after French philosopher Voltaire, who was rumored to drink up to 50 cups of coffee every day. Voltaire Coffee Roasters offers unmatched choices on their menu such as a Dutch Americano, Spanish Latte and my preferred seasonal drink, the Cassia Latte.
The Cassia Latte has a cassia tea flavor but is not too overpowering to underwhelm the espresso base.
I also tried an iced single-origin coffee, their Kenya AA, which was bursting with notes and a flavorful body. Don’t miss out on this small but mighty shop that’s perfect for on-the-go quality coffee and versatile food options.
Coffee & Water Lab
Address: 603 Saratoga Ave. #40, San Jose, CA 95129 (6.4 miles from SJSU)
Coffee & Water Lab, the first alkaline water cafe in the Bay Area, is an Asian-owned small coffee shop focused on its environmental impact and water quality provided to customers.
While more on the expensive side, you can be assured that your single-origin coffee is roasted with precision and carefully crafted via innovative technology and exciting flavors.
For vanilla latte fans, their Madagascar Latte is superbly made with homemade Madagascar vanilla syrup.
Recommended by a barista when I visited, the Honey Black Sesame Latte does not disappoint with imported Japanese black sesame paste, wildflower honey and special reserve espresso that doesn’t have the grainy texture you would expect with black sesame.
Because of the price and location of Coffee & Water Lab, I would prefer the aforementioned coffee shops if you are looking for a quick energy boost. However, this distinctive cafe is still worth checking out if you have some spare change and time to travel west.
Philz Coffee - San José
Address: 118 Paseo de San Antonio Walk, San José, CA 95112 (0.4 miles from SJSU)
San Francisco-based Philz Coffee has an independently owned shop just a few hundred feet from campus that not only serves as a coffee joint but also a place to build community.
Their delicious pour-over coffees, including the Tesora and the cold brew Philtered Soul, are the most refreshing quick pick-me-up you can get close to campus.
They are open early in the morning and late into the evening, and students can meet up with friends and see local event flyers around the store.
Unfortunately, Philz tends to only offer the same drinks with one seasonal drink every quarter and many of their teas and sandwiches are lackluster in flavor.
Philz Coffee San José also hosts open mic nights and community events on the weekends, making it a stellar option for students to get their coffee fix.
