Palo Alto Coffee Shops

Douce France is a quaint French bakery and pastry shop in the Town and Country Village in Palo Alto, established in 1981 and quickly becoming a place to stop by for a good coffee and perfect French croissants or tartelettes. Two French friends from Alsace brought with them some cherished grandmother’s recipes and now Palo Alto can enjoy true French delights. The shop is small and charming, with typical bistro tables inside and outside. The best décor is provided by the display case that greets clients as they come in, filled with cakes, pastries, tarts, pies, quiches and much more of all colors, shapes and forms. It is a nice place to sit with a cup of coffee or tea and a plate of pastries, salad, sandwich, crepe or soup and check your facebook or do a bit of work on your laptop.

855 El Camino Real #104, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Phone: 650-322-3601

Located in downtown Palo Alto, Bistro Maxine is a charming tiny French bistro where locals can enjoy authentic French atmosphere and perfectly prepared crepes. Open in 2006, Bistro Maxine is small and narrow, with typical long tufted banquette along the wall and small round bistro tables. There are a few tables outside as well, with rattan chairs imported from France. The batter for their crepes comes from France and it also comes in its original version as Galette au Sarasin made with buckwheat batter. Bistro Maxine also serves a range of espresso drinks, served in the traditional Parisian bowl, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, paninis and soups.

548 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Phone: 650-323-1815

Cafe Venetia brings an authentic European cafe experience to Palo Alto. It is a charming two-level bistro deeply rooted in the café culture of Venice, Italy, where caffè-bars have always been and still are neighborhood gathering spots. Café Venetia imports roasted coffee directly from a Northern Italian roaster. They serve traditional Italian cappuccinos, rich cioccolata in tazza, and a selection of fragrant loose-leaf teas. Customers can enjoy a variety of pastries and desserts to compliment their drink, as well as snacks and sandwiches. For the aperitivo or cocktail hour, they serve prosecco and other fine Italian wine by the glass and bottle. There are plenty of tables outside and lively atmosphere spills out every afternoon.

419 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Phone: 650-323-3600

Pop Tea Bar is a tiny, unpretentious, lively and very popular olive-colored shop on Palo Alto’s Cambridge Avenue, with a few tables and chairs inside and a few more outside on the patio. There are almost always people waiting in line to get their favorite beverage. Pop Tea Bar sells Taiwanese-style pearl milk tea and boba. As the big sign on the wall describes, they offer more than 30 teas and tea drinks with possible combinations according to customer’s desires. The store specializes in “popping boba,” or boba with juice that “pops” when chewed. Their teas are made with natural ingredients and natural sugar. Their toppings are homemade. Some of the favorite combinations are Mango Green Milk tea, Peach Fruit Green tea and Classic Black Milk tea. Pop Tea offers both tea and boba. You can add pudding, red beans, three types of jelly and fresh fruit.

456 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Phone: 650-473-6511

ZoomCaffe was born out of the desire to provide a comfortable, tranquil oasis where patients, their families, and the hard-working medical staff in a number of California hospitals can enjoy delicious beverages and food. From Coffee Truck to a number of cafes, ZoomCaffe provides an oasis of calmness, food and drinks where it is needed most, becoming a part of the healing process. The menu includes a range of hot and cold coffee beverages, teas and juices, sandwiches, salads and pastries with something new being added all the time. The menu at each spot is designed to fit the needs of patients, caregivers and staff of the clinics where they’re located.