On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms, Music Venues
5237 Stevens Creek BlvdMon-Tue. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
"HOUSE MUSIC.... in San Jo? Finally Found It!!!! Can't believe I wasted all of that time at Blowfish Sushi- never again! Their dj's are…" read more »
I love Barefoot.
*Why* I love Barefoot is above all their coffee. They buy fair trade beans from farmers they know and want to support. They roast the beans with attention to detail and a bit of creativity, resulting in a cup that is never blah. They *know* coffee, they can figure out what you like based on your tastes, and they can show you how to brew your own outrageous cup.
I also love the ambiance. A combination of student, hippie, techno-geek, home office person, and neighborhood, BCR caters to all with delightful insouciance and upbeat cheer. Jazz is playing on the speakers, students are poring over books, Israelis are taking their regular coffee at a side table, a 9-year-old girl is playing chess with her father, and I'm browsing the Internet.
All of this is hidden away, like most of the Silicon Valley, in a nondescript storefront on a busy strip-mall boulevard. There *is* a life in Silicon Valley, and BCR is part of it. You do have to go looking.
It was just one simple cup of latte. The perfect espresso shot that left not even the slightest hint of bitterness or sourness. I took one sip and I was happy. It tasted good and looked pretty. What more can I ask for?
I couldn't care less about the hippie decor or the music. I would have liked it just as much even if I was alone sitting in the corner of an empty coffee shop in a deserted small town.
Took 1 star off this review because I wasn't alone. This place is pretty crowded even on a Wednesday night.
My Americano tasted like BBQ sauce and burnt sugar without me adding anything to it. That's a good thing, I promise. I know I've run into good stuff when I don't feel like adding cream/sugar.
Soy pastries...not for me but an interesting dash of Portland/SFmentality in this strip mall paradise. Same goes for the cute and friendly hipster baristas. Barefoot is out-of-place in a familiar way. I'll be back.
The atmosphere of Barefoot Coffee Roasters is very inviting. Not a rush, place your order and get out kind of place. This is a place that says come in and stay awhile while enjoying your treat or coffee. The seating is comfortable and the seating area is accompanied by an assortment of magazines, books, and games to enjoy at your leisure.
The added bonus is that the place is kept very clean. I was most impressed by the cleanliness of the restroom. I know it may seem like an odd comment, but I have been turned off by otherwise pleasant dining experiences after a trip to the restroom. Barefoot Coffee Roasters just offers a great experience all around and is definitely more than I would have expected from a coffee place or by passing by the store front.
The coffee here is delicious. I have hung out here on several occasions and the service has always been friendly. But the most important thing for me at a coffee house is good coffee and Barefoot fits the bill.
So I've made more than a few trips since and I'm sad to say my search for the next great coffee haunt continues.
I overheard that barista complaining about patrons who hang out at the cafe as if barefoot was their home office. While I can fully understood a coffee shops need to make money; a coffee shop's popularity is ultimately valued as a function of its contribution to the community. That person whom you so despise that parks all day in your coffee shop is the person that makes your place in the community unique. He/she gives your establishment a character and a familiarity that your patrons expect.
To wit, many of these 'home office bums' are actually out of work and just looking for an escape from the loneliness of their empty house. During these hard times, I'd urge the staff of Barefoot to be a bit more compassionate.
For the record, I am present gainfully employed and I am thankful for that.
I'm not sure I can add anything more colorful than what has already been said. I have a tendency to… Read more »
I debated about giving this place four or five stars and I have to say the extra star, although might not be for the coffee, would be for the unique nature of this place.
Ever since I started getting into coffee, I've been to many coffee houses that are not chain and non-Starbucks, Peets, etc. and have to say that for the most part they are very much the same. A niche crowd sits inside, sips on small cups of delicious espresso or plain latte with the full flavor of their delicious roasted coffee and is more of an enjoying relaxing environment.
Barefoot, however, really brings back what I believe to be the essence of the coffee house environment and ambiance which I have not seen anywhere else. They have creative names for their coffees and a large selection of non-coffee items like chai and hot chocolate (mmm!) and their creative "Whim of the Barista" is just absolutely fun! Regardless of how much of a coffee lover you are, having something made for you, and just for you, and having unique and interesting ingredients in it is just a really fun experience to go through. The Baristas are funny and like to, in good humor, entertain while they make your coffee. Furthermore, the decor of the place is very reminiscent of a local poetry reading bar and/or chill spot, except with fantastic coffee.
I'm coming back here for a home brew class, all their coffee classes are free! Awesome!
I mentioned in my original review that the seating was pretty limited - I'm yelping to let you guys know that I've been here several times since, and I've only been able to find a table to sit at ONCE. Also, when patrons come here, they seriously CAMP OUT. I know people can spend time at coffee shops for hours, but people seriously pitch tents over here. The customers also have the propensity to be really obnoxious and pseudointellectual... I can't tell you how many times I've seen some guy who hasn't showered in several days babbling on about Nietzsche in a megaphonic voice, chortling with his fellow philosopher-friends, being overly disruptive and inconsiderate to the other patrons.
Also, you can end up waiting over 10 minutes for your drink, which my friends and I have done, on a couple of occasions.
It's good stuff, but be prepared to wait for it...
I don't drink coffee, so I ordered their chai. First thing I noticed was the friendly staff. I… Read more »
Probably the BEST freaking coffee I've had in years.
Deliciousnesss.
At first I wasn't feeling the bitterness of the top of my beautifully designed latte, but after a couple of sips I was delighted.
It's addicting! I'll never go back to Starbucks or Petes again!
The only problem is some of the patrons that can be downright full of themselves. Seriously, save the pseudo-intellectual sh*t for someone who cares...kthxbai. :D
free wifi and good music= good place to study for sure!
my friend ordered the hot chocolate and said it was the BEST she'd ever had so i gotta come back to try that= ]
there are plenty of seats and plenty of parking. the place seems very cozy and welcoming. the workers are kinda friendly. i guess that's a hit or miss=P
the only thing was that the coffee was JUST okay and i feel like they jipped me on espresso..the portion seems really small as well and pricey. maybe i'm being biased cuz i'm not really a coffee fan but i can tell between good and bad coffee and i feel like it's just OKAY.
last but not least. omg the bathroom is SO ghetto. haha. it's painted really dark and urban and there are so many painted faces on the wall and it smells and the toilet doesn't flush occasionally. what the BEEP
all in all, i'll be coming back for sure but i'll try the hot chocolate and i will try and avoid the 1 restroom that they have!
Baristas with pure talent and organic fair trade coffee from one of the best coffee roasters on the planet-Barefoot. From Espresso to Whim of the Barista( this is an order the barista makes you from his own style and the ingredients are an eclectic mix of ingredients like say cayenne)-these guys make some excellent java. My personal favorite that I get time and time again-Dark Voodoo. It's like sex-but better with a jolt. This place is so chill. The ambiance is Bohemian and laid back. A nice place to people watch and enjoi some really good coffee.
When my best friend in Oakland comes down to San Jose to visit me, they always, always, always need to get his daily cappuccino or coffee at Barefoot. He has worked at coffee shops for years and is a true espresso and coffee connoisseur. So that should say something for Barefoot.
I am not a big coffee drinker, being so darned sensitive to caffeine. But the last two times I went I got decaf coffee. Well, first I got the Orange-Ginger Cubano ($4.50 or so) made with decaf coffee. A regular Cubano is where the espresso is packed with brown sugar before it is made, to give a sweet, well-blended espresso flavor. Now, I don't like citrus in sweet pastries (lemon bars and orange scones - bleh!) or in my coffee. But I got this because I wanted something special. And it was really good. I think they just used orange peel, because it didn't taste like that nasty orange extract or liqueur. There was just enough of a orange flavor, and the ginger was not overpowering. Overall a pretty good drink. The only thing I could complain about was the milk didn't seem to be frothed long enough. I like my espresso/coffee drinks to have a nice creamy, tiny-bubbled foamy head.
Today I went to Barefoot to do some homework and got a decaf coffee. For a $1.50, it was not bad. Added a little sugar, some cream, and it was good to go.
The atmosphere is nice. The baristas are mostly nerdy boys, with a few queer-looking girls working. The music can be a little weird (read: old-school videogame theme music, rock-style), and the vibe of the customers are a little *wah-wahh* But what can you expect, it's in a strip mall in a weird businessey area. Lots of fuddy-duddy nine-to-fivers.
Good coffee though.
Oh, yeah. And they have a kids menu. Pretty neat. Hot chocolate, decaf coffee drinks [Note: decaf still has caffeine in it! Small amounts of Caffeine + Chocolate + Children = Possible Chaos]
I just moved to Santa Clara a couple months ago. I love coffee and espresso; I kinda hate to go to starbucks but there is a drive-thru down the street from me. I don't really know of any conveniently located Peets' so this morning I came to Barefoot Coffee Roasters.
I ordered a Caffe Brule but found out I couldn't take it to go so the super nice woman taking my order suggested the cubano. The service is awesome here. I like the atmosphere; not busy and full of tension with people standing around waiting to get their triples and extra hot lattes. Great art; great espresso. I think it's my new fave. :)
When Barefoot first opened, it was the local dirty hippie cafe with the roaster in house. That was five years ago. They were on to something, and the word spread.
It became the coffee escape from Infinite Loop. Then they started selling in the grocery stores. Then they became the supplier of coffee at Google. Pretty soon, they had to move the roaster to a dedicated facility, they were so popular.
Today, Barefoot is probably the premier name in coffee anywhere south of San Francisco proper. Even in San Francisco, my favorite cafe gets their coffee from Barefoot. It's a badge of honor everywhere you go to see Barefoot's name on the door or the bag or the grinder.
And the cafe itself? After all this, still keeping it real. I heart you guys.
My favorite local haunt for coffee. I buy more beans there than beverages, but every free cup of… Read more »
I tried this place for the first time. I only order coffee. Not a specialty drink person. The coffee was good, but nothing extraordinary. I prefer Peet's coffee because its hotter and fresher.
My wife got a non-fat Dark Voodoo Mocha which was the best mocha I've ever tasted. I mean any mocha, not just non-fat. I was so impressed I questioned whether they got the order right and forgot to make it non-fat. Non-fat things don't taste that good. I'm sure she'll get the same thing next time, we'll see if it's as good.
I went and picked up the drinks. My wife asked me what it was like inside. My explanation, which I feel I nailed was, "if streetlight records sold coffee." They get extra points for the Flaming Lips playing in the background.
After months of being nudged by a friend to try it, I finally made it over to Barefoot Coffee Roasters. In fact, I'm writing this review from Barefoot while using their free WiFi.
I got a cup (and refill) of their regular brewed coffee -- wow, it is far superior to the coffee that I'm used to. This is not your watered down Starbucks creation. This is serious coffee for serious coffee drinkers. I feel a little like an impostor, since I'm not all that serious a coffee drinker. Shhh. Don't tell anyone! (Oh, and I can feel the caffeine coursing through my veins....)
Is the coffee better than other non-chain coffee shops in general? I need to try more options (including their espresso) before coming to any conclusions about that. If the regular drip coffee is any indication of the rest of their menu, I think Barefoot may fit right in with the best coffee shops in Seattle.
After ordering the coffee and a blueberry muffin (which was moist and tasty) from the friendly employee, I found a great little table in the corner right next to the bar and a power outlet. The atmosphere is mellow with people chatting, studying, working on laptops. I love that it's bright and open with tall ceilings and funky wall art.
I had to knock off a star because I would have really liked to have some fruit and/or yogurt or another healthier option, but their only food choices come in the form of pastries.
Overall, though, I've been having a pleasant time and don't feel rushed to give up my table.
Looking forward to my next visit.
Err I really have no idea what the fuss is about regarding this place. The coffee is sour. Hello heartburn. It's not to be confused with acidity, which is one of the important taste in coffee.
Also, the coffee has no aroma. It just tastes flat for me. In order to have a good cup of coffee, the bitterness have to be balanced with the strong sweet aroma of coffee. Oh yeah, they're expensive too!
Anyway, the only thing good about this place is the chocolate and the cute foam art they do.
Barefoot's the only place in the Silicon(e) Valley where i've seen another person with purple hair. That alone gives it some big ups...and yes, i spend a lot of time in the sunbaked silicon suburbia.
I always get the whim of the barista. They never fail to make me something special. If i'm not feeling the coffee, i get DETH!...the most rich and decadent hot chocolate ever.
They have yummy stuff from Satura to eat. I guess they have sandwiches but i've never had one. Their roasts are good and their beans are very reasonably priced.
One question, though: why must y'all close at 9? I know they roll up the sidewalks, but a cool place should be open later. I hate the lack of later coffee options in Santa Clara/San Jose. That's my only gripe.
the coffee menu is separated into different categories, one of which is the dessert type drinks! my favorite =) the staff is very helpful, since i was clueless on what to order but in the end i ordered a mocha ... it even came with awesome coffee art! my first =) the mocha was very rich, and delicious. there are many BIG tables to sit at and do work ... very quiet place. indoor and outdoor seatings
Dude. Try the cafe brulee or the orange ginger cubano. Awesome.
Also, giving out free pastries because the coffee shop would hate to throw them away? Awesome.
For local artists, there's a Wednesday night open mic - they're fun, and if you think it's too noisy, you can always enjoy your coffee outside.
Good group dynamic going on in this coffee shop, have talked with/become something of a regular here. They took away the blueberry muffins... apparently I was the only one who liked them. :(
They also have teance teas here now, as well as some pretty kickass mugs (they've upgraded from the cafeteria-style cups!). Also, they have coffee tastings every once in a while - haven't done one yet, but keep intending to do one...
They've changed around the coffeeshop, it's seems more spacious now, which is nice...
I think the one thing I'd like to see is Mighty Leaf Tea being served here, though I'm not sure if that tea-ery is organic, local, etc.
Also, when you get shakarado's here, tell them your preferences! I'd been too chickenshit to do that for a while, but then one day I got one with coconut, nuts, and something salty, and it was absolutely awful, so I've started giving them helpful suggestions - mine are: citrus is a plus, coconut a minus. :)
The whole premise of this coffeehouse is the organic, local, and natural. So the mochas taste like… Read more »
Here is the run-down (See my photos):
- bare espresso: it is bright and citrusy, if you like that flavor profile. I prefer a milder, more complex flavor.
- Caffe Brule: They make a cappuccino, sprinkle some sugar on top, and use the blow torch to make a brule topping. It looks great, but it doesn't add anything to the flavor, or overall drink experience. Brule topping is great for custard, but not for coffee drinks.
- Dark Voodoo: espresso, chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk. It is too sweet and not complex enough. For a drink that contains sweetened condensed milk, I much prefer the Vietnamese iced coffee at Vung Tau II in Milpitas.
- Orange-Ginger Cubano: Good, and better than your average flavored drink. They use powdered ginger and orange extract. I bet they could improve upon it if they made their own infused syrup using fresh ginger and orange (like cocktail mixology)
- Deth Chocolate: they use a mixture of Guittard cocao, Guittard Cocoa Rouge mix, plus a secret ingredient to add more acidity. The flavor is muted, as if the flavor wants to get through, but is hindered by the milk. It's also too one-dimensional. It is not nearly as good as the dark hot chocolate served at Schoggi in San Francisco.
Compared to other cafes, it does take longer to get your drink, but that's because of the higher level of artisan skill and quality control.
This place not only has awesome, delicious, and VERY gorgeous coffee it has great people and a comfortable aura to it.
The orange ginger cubano is very bold, sophisticated and very decadent. The ginger is just enough to leave that spicy tingle in the back of your throat. And, the orange zest livens up your taste buds, and helps brighten your day.
I love and adore this place. My brother and I meet here a lot. So, not only does it have a great feel to it, it has my brother some times. SO, i love it here
xoxoxox
Santa Cruz, CA threw up after a night of debauchery and this is the leftover..and I mean that in the nicest and most positive way possible. Before going to the thai restaurant next door I went in here
1. hippy smell== triple check
2. kick ass art work that is experimental -- quadruple check
3. bathroom with amazing art work and creepy black and white image of a girl staring RIGHT AT YOU when you take a leak== *gulps* check
4. Soy pastry.. THANK U SATURA!
5. Whole beans for purchase ohhh yes
6. Mismatched furniture and "for here" cups that don't look washed-- got'em too
7. socially awkward mix of various types of people.. YES
8. down to earth staff
This place made me feel right at home with some minor changes:
1. instead of privileged college kids talking about existentialism and maxist theory trying to sound intelligent.. you have computer software folks talking about the history of C++ and Java...
2. NEVER in Santa Cruz have I seen folks in a suit at any establishment
3. "Whim of the Barista" for 5 dollars.. that is awesome
4. staff talks about growing up in the suburbs versus locals who talk about how they hate college students ROFL
If I ever did decide for some weird reason to move back over the hill and joing the Silicon Valley I have rejected for the last 10 years since going to Santa Cruz... I could find some solace and comfort here...
I got some basic black loose leaf tee.. it was hot.... I listened to the C++ banter back and forth while reading a book and was amazed at the whole scene...
This is my favourite coffee shop in the world. Their coffee making is like an art.
If you not into coffee check their green tea selection.
i'm no expert at coffee but i'm really good at drinking it. lots of it. i breathe it. i live it. it's something i must have everyday. it's the only reason i wake up in the morning... ohk not the only reason. if you want me to be awake hand me a cup of joe and i'm yours. ohk.. i'm not that easy.
so why was i never brought to barefoot? i've been to the bay dozens and dozens of times. my sister knew about this place and she never once brought me here. we always went to starbucks. why!?
walking into barefoot you immediately feel a sense of enlightenment and before you know it, you become one with barefoot. ohk, just kidding. the baristas are super cool and they made me one of the best, creamiest, iced lattes. the last time i had a latte this good was probably back in April when i was in Rome having a lovely breakfast on the terrace over looking the city and st. peters basilica. in my book, that's one biggie to compete with.
my latte was so cold, just how i like it, and i actually enjoyed reading the paper outside even though the sun was beating the crap out of me. i noticed the herb garden in the front. i have no idea why it's there but it's kinda neat. one of the baristas came out to pick some stuff. i have yet to figure out why.
anyway, i like barefoot because it's full of colorful people and you can tell that here at barefoot they actually care about the quality and care of their coffee before it gets to you. they also offer coffee tasting classes. so cool! check out their website.
so now that i have discovered the amazing barefoot roaster i have another question. why are you there and why am i here?
I haven't had coffee in over 3 months for medical reasons, but as I start to get better I wanted my first taste in months to be something special. My coworkers have been raving about this coffeehouse for a long time, so I finally got to join them.
Since this was my very first coffee venture in a long time, I was very cautious and got a nonfat decaf latte. I usually get cappuccinos but I figured I'd play it safe and get the extra milk and decaf (wasn't sure how I'd react to caffeine after a long withdrawal). I gotta say it was soooo worth the wait, probably the best cup of coffee I've had to that point. I just savored every sip, and it was so creamy and good I completely forgot that it had fat-free milk and was decaf to boot.
My friend "sherry x." ordered the "whim of the barista" and hers was even better! The barista put in some herbs and salt (and pepper?) on it and it was just so awesome, like nothing I've ever tasted. If the order I had was the best cup of coffee I've had to that point, this blew it out of the water, it was definitely more of a culinary experience. Makes me want to put myself at the barista's mercy when I'm feeling more adventurous.
Also loved the ambiance and all the employees were very friendly. Will definitely make this a regular thing!
Sigh, I get more and more addicted to this place, I guess it's good for the local economy. This place can always bring me surprise and enjoyment!
Well, I went there this afternoon with my co-workers. I ordered "whim of the barista" . I was hesitated a bit in the beginning, since I don't know what the barista will put in. But they told me I can still tell the barista my preference. Nice! The thing I really like is, even it's their busy hour, and there were people waiting after me, but the barista still was very patient and making the drink with her full attention. (There was another barista came to help out the customer after me)
Guess what? the drink turns out great! The barista picked Kenya coffee, and puts some herb into it to bring out the flavor, alone with little salt and honey (Since I told her I don't want my drink to be too sweet, nor too chocolaty). The drink is creamy but not heavy, a little bit spicy, with a strong herb flavor (sounds odd for a coffee), and I cannot tell any bitter flavor at all. It's definitely one of the best coffee I had ever have. My only complain was, it's too small, and I want another one immediately! (just kidding, in the fact, I think the size is about right)
I will go back tomorrow.
Ever since I found this place 1 year ago, I came about once every 2 weeks. Never disappointed by… Read more »
I wish they had a 4.5 star because this place is fantastic, but I find perfection hard to meet!
It is *ridiculously* hard to find a decent coffee shop in the bay area. I don't kow what the deal is, but the coffee here SUCKS! Perhaps it was living in Seattle that ruined me, but when I have to revert to Starbucks as my stand-by, it's pretty pathetic.
Anyhow, enough about the sucky java in the Bay. This place serves up one of the few decent cups of drip and/or espresso in the area. Atmosphere is cool and they have interesting snack bites too. Try to weird looking but tasy caramelize french toast thingy...awesome!
One of my favorite places in the South Bay. Free wifi. Decent amount of seating inside and out. But, the place is usually packed and people are usually there working a long time. Great espresso drinks. My favorite drink there is the Cubano. They always have interesting work from independent artists on the walls.
i drink a lot of lattes, and as far as i'm concerned, barefoot coffee is the gold standard for lattes in the bay area. better than philz, better than blue bottle, better than martha's, etc. etc.
however, if you don't like a dark roast, don't go here. go to starbucks or seattle's best or wherever you think they do it right. this stuff is not for the faint of heart.
so it does take a little while to get your coffee... sometimes it's hard to get a seat... sometimes the rotating "art" exhibition sucks... but otherwise barefoot is pretty great.
sometimes i find myself fantasizing about coffee, and it's always that dark, incredibly rich latte from barefoot. honestly, i'm beginning to resent them for ruining my coffee-drinking experiences everywhere else i go.
The delicious roasts and talented baristas have spoiled me forever. The folks at Barefoot are very generous with their coffee know-how, and take a lot of pride in their work. Their lattes are my old stand-by, but I've thoroughly enjoyed every espresso beverage I've ever had there. I occasionally opt for the Whim of the Barista, which is kind of like Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" but with caffeine. They surprise you and make a custom espresso drink - never boring, always delicious. We also buy their roasts so we can keep the magic going at home. :-)
Bonus points: they use Straus Farm (a local creamery that makes extra delicious cow juice) barista milk, they carry sinfully delicious Satura cakes and pastries, and they offer classes to help you learn more about making and enjoying great coffee.
May not be for you if: you don't want to pay $4 for a latte (even if it's worth it!), you require a cafe that serves substantial foodstuffs in addition to tasty sweets, you need your coffee in a super-hurry (it's a labor of love, so it takes time), or you prefer to be the only one in the cafe (you sometimes need to wait for a table... it can get busy).
Dark Voodoo. OMG, the Dark Voodoo! Kill me now because it'll never get any better than this.
Disappointed.
Went there after a friend of mine told me it's the best on Peninsula with a great ambiance and I finally happen to be in the area.
Well, coffee is down right average american. Which means I don't drink this kind of coffee if I could help it. If cappuccino made me sick to my stomach, I hate to think what could happen if I ordered espresso. BTW, it did not looked even remotely like anything on the picture.
Deserts were all something in a plastic wrap. :(
Best: people. Public looked nice and interesting. I felt sorry for them to have to go to such average coffee place. I'm not local, so I still wondering where they are coming from. Definitely not all those car dealerships surrounding the place?
So they got this place a second star, but I'm not going back in here unless I'm starving and Safeway across the road is closed.
Definitely the best place for coffee in the South Bay. I work down here but I live in SF - so this is where I get my fix. I love the chill, lounge-all-day-if-you-want ambiance. I can't understand why some people complain about it - maybe they prefer the cookie cutter starbucks?! anyway, the espresso drinks are creative and delish (I really like the Orange Cubano). My fave non-espresso drinks are the Deth Chocolate (hits the spot for those choc-craving days) and the Chai.
Also, sure they take a while but that's how you know it's quality! If you've ever visited any of the good coffee places in the city, you'd know what I mean. It's ALWAYS worth the wait. Always.
I keep coming back because the folks who work here are just great. They're always friendly and it shows that they love what they do. Oh and I'm a sucker for milk foam art - I feel like it's the barista's way of telling me i'm special :)
Good coffee and plenty of tables to study. Exotic coffee mixes (ie. coffee with orange and ginger) make this coffee joint more unique than your locals Starbucks or Peets.
I seriously love The Boss; the aroma of the beans when you open the bag, and the aroma of the espresso while in the making and while in my cup is just amazing. The taste is just as great. Have as an espresso straight or steam up some milk; either way, you have yourself a great cup of coffee.
I really like their cold-brewed iced coffee, so when in the area, we come here. I like The Boss for… Read more »
This is, by far, the best coffee shop I have found anywhere. Comfortable and creative atmosphere, amazing espresso and their baristas really know what they're doing.
I would highly recommend trying the "Whim of the Barista" drink the first couple times you go. This drink is different every time since the barista gets to choose what he/she makes you...and it's never boring. It truly brings out the craft and creativity of the barista serving you.
After you get past the whim, be sure to try their daily reserve espresso. It's a bit more expensive than the standard espresso and usually has some great flavors.
If you're new to the coffee/espresso scene, talk to the baristas and ask questions. "What's your favorite bean?", "What's the proper way to sample coffee?", "How's your mother?"
UPDATE, interesting bean detail:
Best of all, Barefoot has a personal relationship will all of their coffee growers. This means that they are able to verify, first hand, that they coffee is shade grown and they also pay the growers a little more than market value for the beans.
Why is shade grown important? Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, after oil, and it is wreaking havoc on rain forests which are being clear cut to increase production. Fair trade coffee means shit compared to "Shade Grown". Always buy Shade Grown because it means that the coffee is grown under the shade of the natural tree canopies and does NOT destroy the surrounding forests (http://bit.ly/P6BSh). Fair trade is a good thing for the farmers, but shade grown is what is good for the environment.
From the outside, it looks like any other chain coffee shop, devoid of any charm, character, or pizazz. But once inside, it looks/feels almost like you've been transported to Rockridge or the Mission.
Nice, open, well decorated space and some fairly original takes on espresso concoctions. The owners and workers of this joint take their coffee roasting seriously, but still manage a carefree, come-as-you-are vibe. Cool.
Hard to believe that after living and working in the South Bay for 8+ years, I finally stumbled across this place by accident. WTF have I been doing for so long - oh yeah, living out of a suitcase and working my way into an early grave so The Man can get his big fat bonus!
Awesome, Awesome! Probably one of the best cup of coffee I've had in a long time. They serve coffee, no sugary syrups... just good ol' coffee. I had the "Whim of the Barista" (didn't ask what was in it, which I regretted..) and it was just perfect - creamy, and not too sweet.
I will be going back here frequently.
We walked in here and the staff greeted us straight away. I asked the cashier for 2 shots on ice and he said they recommended their premixed ice coffee. I asked why I couldn't I have just 2 shots on ice and he said something about the ice shocking the flavor of the coffee. OK fine..Then immediately after the nice Barista gave me a couple of samples but unfortunately both samples tasted SUPER SOUR!
As much as I wanted to love Barefoot Coffee (because I got caught up by the Yelpers' reviews and the rave about the foam art) , I can't down Sour coffee....boohoo but thanks to the BC Staff for trying...back to my search for 'great coffee' in the Sbay...*sigh*
Santa Clara, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Jose, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Jose, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Jose, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Jose, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
All the cool spots to chill/party at for, but not…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Here's a list of eateries where I visit with my…
Bean, Machine, Grinder, Barista. All have to be…
This is a list of all of the restaraunts that I…
I'm a coffee addict and I'm on the west coast.…
To study, to relax, to unwind - these are the…
Loading...
