Academic Coffee

Ann Pham 2 months ago

Welcome to my favorite matcha spot in San Jose! Their banana matcha is hands down my favorite drink here, and it’s the one I always recommend. The banana flavor is perfectly balanced with the matcha, making it creamy, refreshing, and not overly sweet. I also tried the guava matcha, but it didn’t stand out as much, so I’d definitely stick with the banana matcha. They also have a great selection of breakfast pastries that pair perfectly with your drink, plus free wifi if you want to work or study. The store is a bit small but cozy and super cute. Just be prepared for a line on weekends, it may get busy, but it’s absolutely worth the wait!

Peter P 3 months ago

Don’t really understand the hype, but maybe because i don’t really like flavored matchas. The basic matcha latte seems to be very lacking in matcha flavor and mostly oat milk. i really like how they flavor both the drink and cream top for the flavored matchas. they have a really cute outdoor seating area

Ronie Vega 6 months ago

A banana flavor that does not rely on imitation banana is surprisingly hard to find. Good thing Academic Coffee knows what's up. The iced latte with banana cold foam was such a great cup, and the pastries were incredible. I highly recommend the buttermilk donut which was somehow crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. Overall, it's a great shop with great banana drinks and outstanding baked goods. Can't wait to go back and try some new things!

Vivian Anne 8 months ago

I visited Academic on a Saturday morning around 9 AM. There was a line but it moved quickly. There is a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating and they are dog friendly. I had the matcha banana latte and loved it. I could definitely taste the matcha - it seemed like a high quality matcha powder and was not bitter. The banana cream tasted so good! It tasted like it was made with real bananas and not extract. I would definitely come back for the matcha banana latte and to try their other matcha drinks.

Mo Alziq 8 months ago

Academic Coffee in downtown San Jose is a great stop if you’re looking for quality coffee and excellent pastries. The pastries were especially good, fresh, flavorful, and clearly well made. You can tell a lot of care goes into the ingredients and the overall product. The coffee itself was generally very good, though it did have a slightly fermented flavor profile that may appeal to some but wasn’t quite my personal preference. That said, it seems like many regulars really enjoy it, and the shop clearly has a strong and loyal clientele. The main downside is the size of the space. It’s very small, with no tables and almost no room to wait. Most people are standing around for their orders, and if you grab something to eat on site, there’s unfortunately nowhere to sit. They also don’t offer a way to heat pastries, which felt like a missed opportunity given how good they are. It feels like the shop is intentionally designed for quick in-and-out service, which I can understand for a busy coffee spot. Still, a bit more attention to hospitality and customer comfort, however limited the space, would really elevate the experience. Overall, a solid coffee shop with great pastries and a strong