Caffe del Doge
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Good for: Late Night
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
49 reviews
Palo Alto, CA
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133 Reviews for Caffe del Doge
I really like the ambiance of this place, very European. Yes, it can be hard to find a table if you come after work, but once you do...it's great place to watch the eclectic crowd that Palo Alto has to offer.
This definitely isn't a place to grab a cup of coffee on the go...it's a sit down and enjoy the company you are with and the strong hot chocolate or espresso drink you ordered. It's also a good place to do some work and have study groups, definitely has more seating that the Starbucks up the street. It isn't cheap, but every once in a while, i think it's worth it...it's a little taste of Italy. And I love the designs they make on the foam of some of the drinks...:)
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Definitely the best coffee shop in Palo Alto and ranks up there with the best that the bay area has to offer. I would actually say that this one coffee shop has kept me living in Palo Alto at least a couple months longer than I should have simply because it is so out of this world.
Here's what you need to know:
-Not a quick place to grab a cup of coffee.
-Mind blowing cappuccino. (Even a double please)
-The ambiance is great and definitely multicultural.
-The people that work there have just the right amount of attitude.
-You can sit outside.
Things that might tarnish the shine:
-Sometimes when they are busy the incredible milk pours become less beautiful.
-Lines get long.
-Expensive.
-The coffee bar is right in the narrowest points of the shop and people chilling there occasionally cause a bit of a log jam.
All in all, consider yourself luck to be able to go to this local gem.
This is by far the worst coffee experience I've had in the entire bay area. I walked in with two travel mugs and asked for a decaf coffee and a decaf latte. From the look I received from the woman behind the counter when i offered the mugs, you would have thought I had leprosy. I was offered an americano instead of a coffee, but was charged extra for a double shot in a 16 oz , and they only gave the 16 oz latte a single shot. the latte was brown milk, and i dumped the americano in the street as i crossed to peet's to get a decent cup of coffee. $8 for two undrinkable drinks, no thanks, Caffe del DON'T.
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This is the most amazing place ever. It makes it really hard to come to Palo Alto because I usually drive all the way from Los Gatos for Fraiche and I can only handle so many indulgences in one night.
The ambiance is terrific. It reminds me of some small cafe in Italy; narrow, hip music, GREAT coffee. I like the espresso hot chocolate...Robusto something or other...so many decadent things on their menu. And their rolini pastries (pistachio and vanilla are really yum) go great for dipping into your thick, coffee concoction of wonderfulness.
They have wine tasting, but I'm too obsessed with the chocolate coffee creations to even go there and they serve champagne as well.
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I really like their coffee here. It's very smooth. Though I remember the first time I was here, I was forewarned about how strong it was. (I had 4 hours of sleep that night - it was a school night.)
The last time I was there I tried their hot chocolate infused with ginger upon recommendation of the cashier. It's very thick, you need a spoon to drink it towards the end and unfortunately in no way did I pick up on the hint of ginger. Guess I should've tried the anise, though I am not a big fan of licorice.
Their prices are a bit steep. (I.e. my hot chocolate was $6) Though they are in no way pretentious - the cashiers have always been very friendly. Though, their internet here sucks! It does get quite crowded after work and it is a pretty narrow space so finding a table for 4 can be difficult if you want to sit in the loft area (the seats down below are near the door and it gets cold when people keep coming in and out). Though on nice days, they do have outdoor seating and it's a great place to people watch. The ambiance is very European. The last time I was here, I walked to the bathroom and heard groups of people conversing in French, Spanish, and Italian.
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Brightly painted walls and people with laptops got my first attention. Free wifi? Coffee was good but not wow good, the Americano... same, the pastries, kinda European, which doesn't really do it for me, just means expensive and different and not really wow like.
Given a star off for spotty weak internet and for almost making me drop a pretty candy bar when I turned it over and it read $10.00... and I don't scare by high prices easily! I seem to do a lot of editing and sending files on the road here so four star is not bad.
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This place is super quaint and classy but not pretentious. The lady behind the counter was very nice in explaining their various specialties. I had several "moments" where I felt like I had been transported back to Italy--and no wonder since I later found out that this is a small international chain with origins in Venezia!
I got the thick hot chocolate (the kind where you need to eat with a spoon!) and my sister got the ginger-flavored hot chocolate. We were in heaven. Quite a treat.
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"There's no place like home. There's no place like home."
Although my shoes were Keen mary-janes, not red sequined numbers, Caffe del Doge still transports me home. I reminisce about chilly early mornings at Torrefazione (the former inhabitant of the space) over a delicious and artfully-presented pot of tea and some sweet nibblies ... all for $5.
I watch the harried foreign entrepreneurs scuttle out of the VC office across the street. I eavesdrop on the German couple discussing vacation dreams on one side of me and the high-tech law/finance interview on the other side of me. I remember what it feels like to be interested in the conversations of my cafe partners. I finish my tea and drive back to the new town I now call home. But I can't wait to return to Caffe del Doge for another tasty hot beverage and another trip down memory lane.
P.S. Just say no to Starbucks.
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I'm a coffee hound who's chased the perfect cup of joe across the whole of US of A and many parts of Europe. I avoid Starbucks like the plague because what they peddle is an insult to decent coffee. Caffe del Doge takes pride in their authenticity and more than live up to the hype. Their latte and espresso are superlative. The coffee is flavorful and strong and perfectly balanced with rich, foamy milk. Their European-style cookies are indeed European and there is something to be said for the fact that your Italian cup of coffee is made by real Italians. The place is casually elegant and is equally suitable for a romantic evening and for a cozy study nook. The prices are not outrageous so long as you don't go for the packaged goods on their shelves. As a delightful break from coffee, try their extra rich hot chocolate and feel like a kid again.
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Traditional espresso drinks.
Shwanky espresso drinks in martini glasses.
Sweet & savory nibbles Italian-style (mm tuna & artichoke tea sandwich).
Euros at the front sidewalk tables speaking Italian.
Other Euros sitting inside downstairs.
Biz meetings and laptops connected to free wifi upstairs overlooking the ground floor.
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This is an edit:
What's the deal-io? Firmly in the tech era, basin of silicon valley.. and i can't get no wireless?? This has become a pattern! I want to love this cafe, with reckless abandon even, like cranking my wagon on Alma in a five-point turn just thinking of deep black tea and good times that might be had. But without wireless, how can i justify coming all the way to battle busy parking on University for an epic cup of tea? Please, oh please, bring back the possibility of pretending i've come here to do work!
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I thought it worth mentioning that I will drive miles just to have a pot of their Pu-er tea.. This is sayin' something for a place that specializes in coffee to also have a very unique selection of tea. Yum.. My study buddy black tea and a nice perch to watch the world strollin' by. The wireless has been a bit spotty of late though, which could reduce stars if i find it is a pattern.
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Wow. Get the flavored hot chocolate. It is so thick and creamy and delicious. My favorite flavor is the cardamom.
Please. Drink it.
(also they have a couple awesome italian beers!)
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Best espresso in town...When I fist went here, I wasn't sure what to order...the menu is a bit confusing. I ended up going with a cappuccino and a croissant and it was sooooo good I haven't changed my order since. (Minus the croissant.. I wish I could order it every time I go).
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Classy little coffee shop on University Ave. Warm, relaxing environment for me to take a break during the work day AND catch up on work with the free WiFi access.
I started off with a latte and cookie plate. Hit the spot. Cookies were delicate and not too sweet. Getting back to work on my laptop, I took the plunge with a specialty tea from Samovar. I've never been a big tea drinker but their presentation and the ambiance shouted out to me to give it a try. I was glad I did.
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I haven't had the chance to really "hang out" here. I usually go with my co-worker and grab my latte and go. I do like the way they top off a cresent leaf pattern on my latte. I'm going to do myhomework and meet my girlfriend here after work and see how I like it here- the atmosphere.... I didn't pay attention to the price of my order, because i think Starbucks is expensive, but for a nice latte with a cute design is worth the $2 , so with that said. to be continued on my thoughts about this place ;)
Perfect for University Ave in Palo Alto, this place takes raises coffee to luxury status.
The menu board is a bit confusing so I semi-randomly picked one of their specialty drinks to see what I would get. I got a drink in a frickin' martini glass! It had chocolate smeared along the inside, foamed milk topped with hazelnuts and a shot of espresso at the bottom. It was quite yummy, if not the most filling drink ever.
Lots of folks are here with their laptops, Blackberries, and textbooks. It seems like a good place to set up shop for a couple hours.
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Is it wrong to yelp a place you're currently sitting in? Well, hopefully not because I'm here in Caffe del Doge. =)
The first word that comes to mind is sweet. It's a sweet little unpretentious cafe on University Ave. There are tables and an upstairs for the studious. I haven't had the coffee, but my friend and I shared a creamy delicious and not too rummy tiramisu. Her spoon was dirty. That's the extent of my complaints.
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I don't drink coffee, but I do drink and eat hot chocolate! Their hot chocolate is divine. It's perfect to share a not extra thick hot chocolate with another friend -- make it intimate with close friends or a lover. Everyone will have a delicious time.
The whole place just feels like an upscale Italian coffee shop with all the waitresses, ingredients, and equiptment imported from Italy :)
It has a nice place on the second floor for studying or small group settings. It's also nice to sit on the first floor by the windows and watch Palo Alto pass you by while enjoying your delicious Italian beverage.
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Once I decided to have high standards in everything I ate, bought, and did, life suddenly became easier, prettier, and more fun.
Caffe del Doge makes the list. I come here for a cappuccino (always to stay, never to go, because paper cups are ugly and taste gross) whenever I have had an encounter with bad taste and need to cleanse my palate. I also come here for a cappuccino whenever I am looking forward to something fun and want ten minutes of delicious, invigorating me time beforehand.
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My girlfriend and i call the place the dojo. Im not really sure how we came to this name, i guess its a play on 'Doge', but we frequently refer to it as the dojo and our friends have no idea what we're talking about.
Now down to business: You can't comment on this place without talking about Coupa cafe, the other top notch coffee shop in Palo Alto. Coupa is the yin to the Doge's yang, and i love both, but for very different reasons.
Doge is distinctly European. You hear just as much Italian being spoken (and misc. other languages) as English. They have a bunch of different drinks that are all great. I like that they have a bunch of different kinds of espresso to choose from. It and coupa are tied for the best cappuccino i've ever had. This place is that good.
Watch out, the Italian take on hot chocolate is dangerous. Lying somewhere between hot chocolate, heated high quality chocolate pudding, and the chocolate sauce that the spanish eat with churros.
My only complaint is that the service can be spotty. I find that when there are guys behind the counter they are normally happy to give their opinion about what new drink my girlfriend and i should try. They are friendly and seem to be genuinely excited that we stopped by. On the other hand when the women are behind the counter, they seem to dismiss us because i don't grease my hair, talk with a funny accent, and wear goofy expensive clothes. Oh well, they still make up some delicious food and drink.
If i've been out on my bike or am just generally feeling the whole european thing, or my girlfriend wants to reminisce about her semester spent in a small Northern Italian town, we go to the Doge.
When i feel like wearing flip flops and a fleece pull over, or like i belong in the cast of "friends", we go to Coupa. Both are fantastic.
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They made my favorite drink, a soy vanilla latte with whipped cream perfectly. You could taste the quality in their coffee drinks, the roast is not burned but it has such a smooth taste. Normally, I'm here grabbing a cup of coffee before watching a movie at the Stanford theater. Next time I will try the pastries. Hands down, this is my most favorite place ever for coffee!
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This cafe is in a good location and the coffee is OK.
The food selection is very difficult to work out what is on offer so I ended up with a very small sandwich on dry bread - not great at all.
By the looks of the other reviews, stick to the hot chocolate!
I've been here a few times and love their espresso. The quality is fairly consistent, always with very rich crema and no bitterness. I was at Stanford earlier for an appointment and I stopped by for a doppio on my way home. Perfect.
The espresso bar is downstairs and there is an upstairs with much more seating. There was a display case with some sandwiches and pastries, as well as tiramisu and other desserts. Not a terribly good selection of pastries though, so I passed.
A friend told me about this place years ago, and how they flew in baristas from Italy to help with the opening and training of the staff. Being a espresso junkie, of course I can check it out. I wish it was closer to where I live/work, maybe they'll open a South Bay location someday.
I am _very_ picky about coffee, as most former baristas would be.
This place is the best in the bay area, or at least that's what I would have said 6 months ago. I am used to their very professional baristas with Italian accents and incredible attention to detail. I love to watch them at work.
Unfortunately, what I got last visit was two sloppy locals (probably students they had trained). The result was still better than most places, but I was definitely disappointed, the bar has dropped.
I'd give 5 stars if they train up the new baristas to their previously high standard.
Update: After being away for 6 months, I've been back to Caffe del Doge a couple of times now, and I have to agree with a previous reviewer, there seems to be huge variability in the skill of the baristas. I really hope they sort out their quality/hiring/training issues!
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It's all about the hot chocolate....like the old fashioned (not instant) kind from a box that you'd cook and then it would have to cool in the frig before it was ready to eat...only it's hot and just that thickness.
Perfect on a cold winter day! The only thing is that the staff turns over so often that consistency is not there. I go back and forth between the one that costs $3.50 and the one that costs $4.00. The first will sometimes be just right and then next time like a hot Nestle Quik. Come on!
Then I'll try the $4.00 one and it's waay too thick and sets and hardens and the next time it's just right. It's maddening, but still when it's right it's sooo right.
Forget the coffee. It's probably fine or maybe even wonderful, but for me it's all about that amazing hot chocolate. As you may have guessed, the first time (the one that hooked me) it was perfection!
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I can't argue: this place has the best cappuccinos this side of Venice and perhaps the best, flakey croissants. BUT... and here are the issues:
1. They need a busser to clean the tables and the floors, and the seats more often and faster. I have been there five to ten times and have to do it myself each and every time.
2. The menu board is as confusing as a woman's closet. It has lots of stuff on it but who the hell understands what it is! And it's hard to read. Just like a woman, too. :-)
3. They have a wireless cafe. Right, except that you can't get online except for every 15 minutes for some reason. Ask someone and they say they dunno.
But the place has cache. It has that feel of a cafe in Italia. Even pretty and smart people. Probably not as picky as me... And more importantly, it feels good to be there, sticky tables and all.
Bon Apetito!
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They have specialty coffee drinks here with unique formulations and interesting names, but I'm not sure you get what you pay for. I've had the Giacometto, which was okay, but it looked a lot better than it tasted. Other drinks have exotic ingredients like ginger.
The interior is designed very nice, and is a good place to sit and chill for a little bit. I think whether you like it or not really depends on taste - some people will really like it, for others it's a novelty.
I went in to this place last weekend with high hopes based on comments from my wife and from Yelpers.
As is typical when I go to a new coffee shop I ordered a single espresso. The espresso roast was an Italian-style arabica-robusta blend which I really liked, but the shot was bitter and the crema was thin-to-nonexistent. Disappointed, I winced and then drowned it in sugar.
I'd imagine there's someone who works here who can make a decent espresso given the good feedback and the quality of the coffee and the equipment. Unfortunately I didn't find them!
I've got a new favorite cafe in Palo Alto.
The coffee, serving style and several staff members here are authentically Italian... or at least as authentically Italian as I can deduce from having tourist-ed there a few times. :-) In any event, the coffee is good and the staff get annoyed if you try to take it "to go" (the paper cup and time, as we should all should know, are enemies of good espresso).
In addition to having sipped a couple of coffees at Caffe del Doge, I spent an afternoon working here last week, during which I enjoyed a terrific turkey panini and 3-4 hours of fast & uninterrupted wi-fi access.
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I waited a half hour here to meet up with someone for a business meeting. He was late. I got an iced tea because it was the afternoon.
I sat near the front. It was around 4pm in the summer time. The seating is very cramped and uncomfortable. No room for a laptop and a drink. I think the tables seemed a little high. Very odd.
Very weird layout. This place needs more space.
I've been here several times, giving them the benifit
of the doubt. .. after all they spent a lot of money
on the design of the place.
But I don't get it.
Their idea of hot chocolate is
something that nearly has the thickness
of pudding, just aweful. Yucch.
And not that exceptional tasting at that.
Imagine drinking chocolate syrup straight.
If you have something that different
from what most of us would classify
as hot chocolate, then there should be a warning.
Nothing worse than expecting hot chocolate with
normal consistancy and perhaps some whipped cream
and getting a very rich syrup that nearly gagged me.
For my taste, the peach tort was way too sweet.
It's just unnecessary to have that much sugar.
I couldn't eat it. I gave it to my friend.
My visit before that I ordered a regular coffee
which was served luke warm.
Had to ask for Splenda (I'm diabetic)
Half and half was empty, and then after
they refilled the container with ICE cold
milk my coffee was cold. Not very
satisfying. I couldn't get the servers
attention to try and remedy the situation
so I just left.
The coffee did have a distinctive flavor which
if it was hot would have been very passable,
albeit a bit over priced.
The place before, Torre Fazione(sp?)
was WAY MUCH BETTER. IMHO.
It was more comfortable than this place.
Not near as stuffy. and more comfortable
to bring a laptop. Had a nice community
spirit and an attitude of very friendly service.
Not to mention the best Chai.
This place didn't even have Chai.
The service was very perfunctory.
Seemed they could care less if I was a customer.
So I won't be going back soon.
It seems to be yet another tourist trap.
Too bad because I love the location,
and I really wanted to like this place.
If you are looking for any kind of "special" coffee - lowfat chai latte, caramel machiatto, mochespresso crapparino - then just go across the street to Starbucks. But, if you want excellent espresso, or espresso based drinks, this is a great spot.
Baristas know their stuff - pull good short shots, the espresso is sweet, not bitter. Nice selection of sweet treats to go with your coffee (or tea). A handful of nice gift items as well... mostly imported from Italy.
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Love.
The first time I was here, I ordered one of the crazy espresso concoctions that is ridiculously expensive ($4? for a small shot of espresso, chocolate shavings, and whipped creme albeit beautifully presented in a shot glass). It was also extremely potent, and it took me about 5 hours to polish it off. Major caffeine intake. A plus for me, since I usually go here to essay and need the caffeine to prevent myself from falling asleep while writing/reading.
The 5 times I've gone thereafter, I've simply gotten the thick espresso-based hot chocolate which is actually more caffeinated than the mocha (my regular order elsewhere) which I feel is a better deal than a mocha since it has 2 shots of espresso rather than 1 (I asked the girl behind the counter once which could keep me up longer.) I usually have to get a lot of water to balance out the chocolate, which I eat with a spoon.
It's good, it's think, it congeals at the top when it sits for a while but since it's espresso based, it's all good and still yummy even 9 hours after it was made. Yes, I have spent 9 hours in a row here. My last time here, I fell asleep for an hour (I was there from 2-closing) while doing some especially boring reading. No one stole my stuff, so that was great (though this is PA). I also do love listening to the wide variety of conversations I hear here, very interesting. They also seem to replay Casanova the movie over and over again on the TV they have above the door. I always sit up top, preferably near the rail so I can cozy up and settle down to a lot of work. The wi-fi was spotty and didn't work in the afternoon but was fine at night (I wonder why). Once, a friend and I were there late and actually didn't leave until an hour after closing since they didn't kick us (or anyone else) out while they cleaned. Great service, very attentive (although once I asked if I could use my discover card and the guy laughed at me. Sad. That day, I went to Satura for coffee and a yummy maple cream puff).
I wish they would clear the tables more often though, the guy like comes every 2-3 hours. I often just move stuff myself to the desk with napkins in the center and propped up against the stairway. And once they charged me twice for one drink. But they fixed that, and I still love Caffe del Doge. (Not sure how much they love me, taking up space for 9 hours....)
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I did not have coffee here, just a chocolate milk pudding thing eaten with a spoon, which was good.
I was really wowed with the place though. It's got a great feeling to it. It's probably like a real Italian cafe, but I can't say since I've never been. Unfortunately, it's really tight right at the cashier, so there are folks squeezing by all the time. In general, it's a tight fit everywhere. If it gets busy, I can see things going nuts, but it was chill while I was there, just a few people Wi-Fi-ing.
I'm definitely coming back for some coffee next time.
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This is a nifty cafe. I'm a chai kind of girl -- and sadly this place doesn't serve chai! However it does serve tea and coffee and appears to specialize in espresso. I love tea -- and the tea here is served in a cute ceramic pot and mug set on a what-looks-like-bamboo tray. This lasts a couple mugs worth and was $4.00. My friend's coffee was only $1.50 and he said the taste was the standard good (I'm not a coffee drinker, can't say).
The specialized coffees and espresso might be the thing to get, but my tea was great, free wi-fi works well and I have an electrical outlet (there are enough in here for a couple handfuls worth of folk).
I docked a star for the staff getting annoyed when I asked a question (I'm clearly new, but they acted nice after I ordered) and for the fact that my barstool needed a booster cushion ;).
Ambiance has a lot of personality -- warm colors, cool lighting, nice photography, plenty of seating to stop in alone or with a friend (or a date -- fun second-level seating in the back). This place looks "European" :) while the music choice is unexpected but fun: electronic, Sade, Ace of Base, ambient and George Michael all in the past couple hours.
I just saw people giving "la bise" -- this place is authentic after all ;).
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If you're jonesing for a real espresso - like the one you remember on your last trip to Italy, where it seems anywhere you order a coffee you get a shot of rich, creamy, dense coffee - then this is the place. You can even take your shot standing up, though its a bit cramped.
A real Italian coffee shop. With real Italian people working there (sometimes). And real Italian coffee, real Italian ceramics (sometimes), and real Italian service (for better or worse).
Caffe del Dogge is one of about 10 coffee shops on University Ave. For authenticity and quality, this place ranks at the top. The coffee and coffee-drinks are all made well, and those making them take their time. Top quality ingredients, authentic tastes (almost absolutely nothing here is sweet).
Bonus points for the following:
1. Iced decaf americano (the guy told me "I'm in the mood to French Press it - will you wait 5 min?)
2. They are now open until 11pm.
3. I have actually heard authentic Party Ben mash-ups on the stereo system here - a first for me in public outside of a mash-up club.
And of course, free wireless internet at well!
Used to work here as a Barista in College. It's one of my favorite places to drop by and grab an espresso (ask for the Nero -- it's better and the same price). A cappuccino is a failsafe drink, though it's highly variable depending on who's working. You can't go wrong with any of the chocolate dessert drinks - the Caff Pedrocchi is my favorite. I wouldn't go if you're busy, the line is usually pretty long and the take out experience is mediocre (on purpose). However, if you're looking to chat it up with the owner or any one of the friendly baristi behind the bar, it's a great experience.
I didn't actually get anything here, just walked in to see if there was a table free, but this place has an authentic italian feel. i heard people speaking actual italian, that's why. there is a pretty creepy close-up picture of salami which grossed me out a little, but the place looked cool. i will be back. go there if you like to sit and talk in a cool environment, or work on your laptop. i saw a lot of laptops there.
The people that have rated this place less than 4 stars really are the people that would like to go to Starbucks or Peets.
If you want a real coffee, the way it's supposed to be, you cannot beat Cafe Del Doge. Try it, and if you dont like it, don't worry because you can go to starbucks just up the street, and I'll be happy because its one less person in line at Cafe Del Doge.
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