Blue Bottle

I don’t know if I went here for the coffee or the view, but neither disappointed.
Not an ideal place to do work if your laptop is low on battery.

My favorite place on University Ave to work and relax.
This café is dog friendly, spacious, and sunny. I’m always on the look out for calm places to work and enjoy the sun/​fresh air. There are plenty of tables and/​or seats to churn out a few hours’ work. I often bring my dog with me, and he has plenty of room to sunbathe while I work. The only issue is that if you do decide to sit outside, there are no outlets.
As for beverages, my favorite by far for a warm day in Palo Alto is the cold New Orleans brew. The taste has a bit of chicory and its very creamy. If you’re a fan of high quality coffee, definitely try this brew.
All in all, I’ll definitely be back for many more afternoons, and next on my list to try is the chilled overnight oats.

Go figure the nicest Blue Bottle in the area is in Palo Alto. Sooooo nice. The courtyard area is large and beautiful. I also love that there’s lots of shaded area and umbrellas because I don’t like sitting in the sun. It also helps with computer glare.
The inside area is large with lots of tables and a computer bar. At first, I was worried at how long the line was but it moved quickly and I got my New Orleans iced coffee quickly. As always with Blue Bottle, it was a solid cup of joe.
This place is great for studying, meeting a friend, grabbing coffee before heading to the quieter attached workspace and people watching. The only downside is spotty Wifi, hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

I wouldn’t consider myself to be a coffee-​enthusiast, but this place really gets me. I have a friend who has brewed Blue Bottle and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I finally got to visit the University Ave. location of Blue Bottle recently and it was amazing! It’s a lot bigger than the location in San Francisco at the Ferry Building Marketplace, which I’d consider a mini-​bar, really. The place is really beautiful and eye-​catching — from the outside, you wouldn’t really think much of it, but take a step inside, and you’ll be surprised.
There is an open, outdoor patio area that’s good for pets especially on a nice, sunny day (I noticed a lot of dogs on the day I visited) or you can go inside, where there are two areas for enjoyment. The ambiance is great inside and although I wouldn’t exactly call it upscale, I would consider Blue Bottle somewhat elegant. This is based on the design and decoration, which is again, beautiful. One half of the area is free seating, while the other is paid (I think there’s a fee per/​hour) and many people can be seen doing work & in business meetings.
I ordered Belgian Waffles, yogurt & granola, and an affogato, which was to die for! Everything was delicious and I enjoyed having a late brunch here despite it being super crowded due to the popularity on a weekend. Planning to make a trip back here during the summer, don’t know when, but I know it will be something to look forward to!

CliffsNotes:
+ This plaza is kind of a babe.
+ Blue Bottle makes a damn good cuppa joe.
+ I understand the New Orleans-​style iced coffee (made here with roasted chicory, cane sugar, and milk) is obviously a cold beverage… I don’t understand why they can’t make the drink hot. If you have all the ingredients, it seems like it should be possible… but apparently it is not and while I was fully prepared for them to tell me no, the shortness in the interaction after that was not enjoyable.
+ It’s cool to be a coffee nerd, kinda lame to be a coffee snob.

Lives up to the hype for coffee and ambiance. Ridiculously slow lineup (not even that long… maybe a dozen people and it went for 20+ minutes). Price is in line with what one would expect in SF, but too high regardless. Limited seating. Parking available out back.

Love. BLue bottle and this place too.
I love cuppchino here and coffee beans. I tried this bean, stumpton in Portland and cromatic. I like this bean the best. Smell really good and fresh.
I usually use patio and enjoy cuppchino here. So aromatic and deep taste.
It’s in university ave so I always go here after lunch at sushito or Miami burger.

One of my fave coffee places. They are always consistent. I didn’t get to try all their food items but the waffle is great and the bacon scone. The lines are long most peak times so sometimes it may not be a quick pick up place.

I’ve always been a fan of Blue Bottle. Deep and rich flavor profiles that dance on your tongue. The interior design is beautiful, with amazing balance of natural light and space. Really rustic feel yet still had the vibe of clean-​cut modernism. We both got the New Orleans which was sweet, milky, smooth and rustic.
This is a great place to hangout and relax, and study as well. Really photogenic too!

This is one of the best places to have a cup of coffee in Palo Alto. The coffee is consistently good, however the smoothness and consistency vary. It’s Blue Bottle, so even though the coffee changes, you know it’ll be good anyway. I like to people watch, and have thoroughly enjoyed Palo Alto’s daytime fashion and pitch show here. The vibe has a giddiness to it, and no matter who you talk to, you can virtually be guaranteed an interesting conversation.

My colleagues come here almost every day but I’ve always resisted because I don’t like paying $ 4 for a cup of coffee. But I happened to be here the other day to purchase a gift card for someone and thought that I would give this place a try myself. So I ordered a latte to go.
1) It’s really cool that the barista will pour it right in front of you so you get to watch them make the foam art at the end
2) The latte was delicious
Coupled with the fact that this place is paired with the Hana House workspace (which is completely awesome by itself), I give this place two thumbs up as a unique place to come and study, get some work done, or just to chat with some friends.

Good café, nice coffee, free internet, nice seating area.
The service is fast and quick.

Free samples! So this place is located in the walkway of another venue so it’s small. However the size doesn’t mask the deliciousness of blue bottle coffee!
I got the New Orleans cold brew which comes with milk and sweetener. It was delicious to say the least. At $ 4 a pop, it’s definitely more worth it to get it from the tap rather than the milk carton sized bottles.
The cashier/​barista was really nice and was trying to make conversation with me. Sorry I didn’t catch a lot of it so I just kinda smiled and nodded my head (lol oops). But other than that, it was very enjoyable and the entire transaction went by very quickly.

I’m not a coffee snob by any means and this particular review will probably make me sound like an utter coffee #n00b but I just don’t get it!!!
BB is located in an old converted theater right next to Sushritto & Umami Burger. You’ll probably miss it walking by because you have to walk all the way in past the outdoor terrace to the front of the entrance.
I think people like Blue Bottle because its quintessential San Francisco and people generally are obsessed with the city. But to me, it’s just generic coffee with no fixings.
Maybe I’m Team Burbs and don’t really care for all things SF but this coffee didn’t seem to live up to the hype. This is the second time I’ve gotten the notorious New Orleans iced coffee with cream, and cane sugar. The first time was at the Ferry Building. Yep, still tastes like Keurig Coffee to me: plain. At $ 4 a pop, I’m not sure if I was expecting an absolute explosion in my mouth or whatever but this definitely does not satisfy my coffee cravings nor does it light my world on fire.
I haven’t given the other options a try yet but I’m sure I’ll give this place another chance because the outside seating and ambiance is absolutely darling! It’s an old converted theatre and is perfect for marinating in the sun. I think I’ll give their lattes a try next time but I’m not going in with the same expectations as the first two rounds. No coffee shops on Yuppy University have yet to impress me aside from Coupa Café! (Tiger Spice Chai, ya’ll!)
Again, caveat. I’m by no means a coffee expert because to me this just tastes like plain iced coffee with no embellishments.
They also have roast and ground coffee bags for sale near the entrance and a souvenir mug for $ 25 if you’ve got a hankering for BB to go.

Ok, this location is pretty amazing. Just be aware that if you’re planning to work here, there may be a fee involved (if you want to work inside the Hanahaus). They do offer free seating in a portion of the café as well as in their courtyard. The courtyard is really pretty and relaxing. Just keep in mind that there aren’t any outlets out there (at least I couldn’t find any). But there is Wifi and plenty of seating.
From the street, it’s a little hard to tell that Blue Bottle is inside. But it’s the Blue Bottle you know and love. Great coffee as well as some food options. I tried the ham tartine! It was great, but a little on the salty side so just keep that in mind. The atmosphere of this Blue Bottle is great though, definitely a favorite spot for me in Downtown Palo Alto!

I’m super happy to see this business become so well established. I am currently stuck with their New Orleans iced coffee. It’s sweet, creamy, and rich. It definitely kinda reminds me of Philz Mint Mojito. One of my favorite thing about this spot is probably going to be their décor. I’m a sucker for good coffee and nice décor. They also have a nice work space if you want something more spacious. I haven’t tried any of their food yet, which is something I’m planning to do next time I come here to study.
Conclusion: Overall, great place to get work done or grab some coffee while you’re in Palo Alto. I would highly recommend anyone to come visit Blue Bottle.

Coffee is good. It’s blue bottle.
Chilly and very slow. Long lines, do not move fast.
Takes forever to get your coffee. Feels like the baristas are annoyed that your waiting there.
Sometimes the wait can be over 20 minutes from time of order until you get your drink.
But it is blue bottle…

Super unimpressed with their coffee. I’ve been wanting to try this place for months because I heard such great things about their coffee. I was really excited at first to try this place out.
I ordered an ice latte and my boyfriend and I both agreed that their coffee taste just like any other latte you can get. Am I missing something here? A secret menu of some sorts for their coffee? I think Philz Coffee is better than this place.

I have to say that this is probably the most beautiful coffee shop that I’ve ever been to! I like the architect and courtyard of the building. There are plenty of seats inside and outside! Perfect for studying or meeting up with someone.
The café latte was good (although I’m not a much of a coffee critic), but pricey. They call you by your name to pick up. The waiting time can be long since this is a popular place.

Coffee and espresso are consistently perfect. Coming from a person who almost exclusively drinks coffee over water, this is an ultimate compliment. The staff is friendly, young, and upbeat. There are tons of cute coffee fanatic accessories for purchase, and fresh beans available to take home. I always purchase beans to take home for espresso and coffee, and though many complain about the blue bottle price tag, I have to say that is worth it.

My favorite coffee shop in Palo Alto, this is where the old Borders bookstore used to be, they kept the courtyard and made it pretty with the string lights.
Perfect for summer nights and winter mornings!

I think this ranks on my top 10 favorite coffee shops ever! The outside patio is super cute and not to mention the coffee was phenomenal. I had always heard blue bottle was the place to go, and now I see why. If you want real coffee and good coffee then just go here and don’t think twice.

I love this location. I love the coffee. Such a great café atmosphere. I love the New Orleans iced coffee. It’s strong. It’s tasty. No burnt flavor. I’ve tried the affogato as well which comes with two generous scoops of Humphrey Slocombe ice cream. Really really delicious. This is a great place to come on a sunny day. Sit outside by the fountain, enjoy the sun, and have nice conversations with good company. It is also a cozy place to come on a rainy day as well. Indoor seating although packed, is quite cozy. You kind of feel like you’re at a chic library but maybe that’s because I know that prior to Blue Bottle coffee and Hana Haus, the space used to house books — books from Borders bookstore that had gone out of business awhile back. It’s an interesting atmosphere, the space filled with Palo Alto locals, Stanford students, and entrepreneurs.

I’ve been hearing so many good things about Blue Bottle so I most definitely had to go check it out myself!
It’s located in Downtown Palo Alto next to the Sushiritto! Parking is hard to find so you might have to scour the streets for a bit.
The little plaza itself is super cute with the patio tables and the fountain. The coffee itself is absolutely amazing. I forgot what I ordered but it is the iced coffee. I added the simple syrup from the little corner behind the line and it was perfect. I’ll most definitely come back for the amazing coffee if I’m ever in the area.

Good coffee? No doubt. Cool atmosphere and décor? Yep. Expensive? Yes. Do I understand the hype and was it worth waiting 15 minutes for my cup of coffee? No.
I don’t see myself returning anytime soon, mostly because of the long wait and the terrible parking around the shop (which adds to the wait and inconvenience).
Good job on the coffee! Good job on having a booming business!

I am not a big fan of their almond milk lattes or cappuccinos (they just aren’t as good as sightglass in the city!) but their granola and yogurt is the bomb! It comes (if you get it to go) in its own mason jar, which is adorable and it was a good size for the price! I think I’ll stick to coffee though!

Blue Bottle (especially this location) has an awesome vibe which is why I wish I loved their coffee more. Or at least could justify the $ 6 price tag :(. I get my coffee with almond milk — same as the $ 4 coffee I get at Philz, which I like more + actually consider worth the extra buck over Starbucks. I do think Blue Bottle coffee is a little overrated but their specialty drinks and menu items may be worth a try.
Not to mention, HanaHaus is SUPER cute! I love their outdoor space with the fairy lights — definitely recommend at least stopping by on a warm day if you’re in the area!

Well… I am big on coffee and have had excellent coffee in many parts of the world. On two occasions I’ve had a not so pleasant experience with these kind of wanna-​be-​fancy-​but-​still-​hip (ster) coffee places — this being one of them.
Prices higher than at other places (+$ 1 for almond milk also twice as much than everywhere else) and coffee not as good as it could/​should be. Only one size option for almost all drinks isn’t helpful either…
Biggest let down though was the taste of the coffee! You could taste the crema and the body of the coffee was solid (bold) but it had a sour acidy side taste. That completely ruined the coffee for me! I like when a coffee is more aromatic without being bitter, but this sour note just didn’t go well. And for $ 5.50 for a small latte with almond milk I have much higher expectations…
So, dear blue bottle baristas: maybe it’s time for more and better classes on the right bean selection, roasting and grinding processes and water temperature. Because something simply isn’t right with what you’re doing!

In Palo Alto and looking for a good café? Look no further…
The place is beautiful inside and outside (with a cute fountain). The menu isn’t extensive, but the quality of their items is undeniable.
I don’t drink coffee, and when I came here I already hit my 2pm limit to drink tea (my usual caffeine choice) so I went with the hot chocolate. I’m a self declared hot chocolate snob and am usually disappointed by what I order. But I have to say Blue Bottle does their hot chocolate really well. If you love dark, rich hot chocolate than you will LOVE this. Because of the quality of the chocolate I probably had a good amount of caffeine that I was probably trying to avoid. Anyway, it was Christmas Eve and I had more errands to run so it was fine… And definitely worth it.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I keep hearing about this place and how good the coffee is. Unfortunately when I finally decided to check this place, it was after 3pm (which is when I stop drinking caffeine just in case I can’t fall asleep) so I got a hot chocolate instead. I don’t know why no one really talks about the hot chocolate — it’s amazing! They make it with TCHO chocolate and it’s pretty much like liquid chocolate. It’s super smooth and creamy and chocolate-​y.
Overall, I might come back to try their coffee next time, but I’m definitely a huge fan of their hot chocolate at the moment. Also, the place that they are located in is super nice. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and you can even reserve a table in advance if you want (for a price of course). Good location to chill or to work.

Inside an old converted movie theatre, this is a popular place for hipsters, Stanford students, and entrepreneurs, which makes for some interesting people-​watching. Their wait time is longer than most other Blue Bottles though. But other than that, great coffee as always!
Sit in the beautiful outdoor seating area, especially at night when the fairy lights above are lit up and you can eavesdrop on the table nearby you discuss VC funding and tech culture while pretending to be enamored by the fountain.

Looking for good coffee in Palo Alto?
I have visited this place four times in the last two weeks… and I think this is definitely the best destination in Palo Alto for coffee. It has the real hallmark of the Blue Bottle quality and it is so consistent in its standard. This venue has a most convivial atmosphere, whether you choose to sit inside or out and you can comfortably work, collaborate, read or reflect.
A lovely place to enjoy good coffee and they have nice light bites too, like the pumpkin tea cake.

Not sure why I had not written a review before!
Came here the first week it opened, because it was hyped up, of course. But… it lived up to its hype! I am SO glad there is a Blue Bottle closer than Oakland! Walking in, you’re greeted by a quaint little courtyard (that can get rather busy during weekends & days with good weather!). The Spanish-​like architecture is breathtaking as it immediately makes you feel at ease and offers a very home-​y feel.
I have yet to try the pastries… must make a mental note of that.
Came here for brunch with my boyfriend this morning. And sure, it was expensive, but it was also DELICIOUS. I ended up with the «Fennel & Arugula Salad» which is not a breakfast item I realized– but since I am not the biggest fan of breakfast, this was perfect for me. It was light, but kept me full for the rest of the day (okay, I lied. I ate the salad around 10 am, it’s 4 pm now…) boyfriend got the «Blue Bottle Breakfast Sandwich» which he thoroughly enjoyed and we shared the «Roasted Potatoes.» I fell in love with the roasted potatoes, I think next time, I will order a side of roasted potatoes just for the heck of it. The way they were seasoned and cooked was PERFECT. They were also served with a garlic aioli. Hats off to the fabulous pairing.

After being burned out on Philz Coffee there were all these rumors the Blue Bottle would be coming to Palo Alto that did not pan out.
It was when I took a neighbor to get her hearing aids checked and to my surprise I saw Blue Bottle on the marquee of the old Varsity Theater!
When I got home I looked up on Unilocal and was shocked to find it had been open since March and somehow I did not know about it.
I made a sojourn to try it as I had waited so long.
There is almost hidden parking lot H behind Blue Bottle that seems to be open since they appear to be working on the buildings next door. This was very convenient.
I strolled in the back door and peered around and found where to order the coffee. With record heat I chose the Cold Brew which was better than mine!
I made a second trip for the hot coffee pour over which was great as well!
Great Coffee in unique setting.
Highly recommend and plan on returning soon!

NOLA is the best!
This blue bottle location just recently opened and has some great ambiance. The blue bottle here transformed an old movie theater into a new hip café. This location has 2 ordering stations, one outside the courtyard and one inside the actual building. Lines here were not that long and there are plenty of study spaces as well as places to lounge. They have an exclusive room for the techies around the area that must be reserved or some shit.
Anyways, my experience here was good although the barista making my NOLA did not follow my request to have less ice. Blue bottle has these giant cubes of ice that they put in their drinks and its extremely annoying sometimes cause you cant even put your straw through the go to cups. I requested less ice and my request was ignored. I was very close to sending 3 of my NOLA’s back but my friend told me to leave it. The barista also broke something off the coffee machine and delayed my order as well.

I don’t always drink coffee, but when I do, it better be good. And Blue Bottle delivers just that: Good coffee. One whiff of their coffee and all safe laboratory practices go out the window. My nose practically dives into the coffee to get a better smell. I normally drink my coffee black and I don’t doubt that Blue Bottle’s coffee is spectacular no matter how you prefer your coffee, but I decided to get the New Orleans and it was a slow dance in my mouth. Everything about it was so balanced that I was very tempted to simply chug the entire cup.
Right. After a short 5 minutes, my cup was finished. Oops, I could order another but I’d be jumping off walls. Blue Bottle sizes are generally smaller and a little pricier than most coffee shops. It can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how intimate you are with coffee. For me, the occasional coffee drinker, it’s fine. For you, the dependent coffee drinker, good luck.
Now, if you venture deeper into Blue Bottle, you’ll see that there’s a huge study space that requires reservations. But there is still the nice courtyard and hallway to relax and study in if you don’t want to reserve a study spot.
All in all, Blue Bottle is situated in a beautiful building and provides wonderful coffee.