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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
224 E 3rd AveMention Yelp and receive $ 1off any $5 purchase.Get $2 off any $10 Purchase.
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Mon-Thu. 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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In San Mateo, I have not had a better latte. The flavor was robust and the foam was perfect. It is a small cozy shop. I honestly don't know why people go to Pete's (which I have nothing against) across the street when they have this shop across the street.
Gluten free vegan cookies, tasty Chai/coffee drinks and free internet FTW!
Corporate chain Peets across the street only gives you 2 hrs of wifi access, cheap bastards!
Their chai is sweetened with honey, I need to remember to ask them to use agave nectar instead.
I used to adore this place. MUCH emphasis on "USED TO."
My writing buddy and I came often to plunk out articles on a somewhat regular basis. The free HIT-and-MISS wifi WAS a sorta-kinda perk. The caffeine decent, though NOT great. I think my buddy loved it because it was uber-sweetened.
The location is quite cramped. Which brings me to WHY it is I no longer am a patron.
One uber-early weekday morning, I chose to sit at one of the teeny-tiny tables against the wall. My scalding hot, steaming mocha within reach next to my precious MacBookPro. Where it should be.
BAM! Another patron chooses to squeeze past me in a space way too small for her well-endowed hips AND knocks my mocha ALL over my computer and my clothes.
The owner had a deer-caught-in-headlights look, didn't even offer to refund me the drink OR replace it. The woman fumbled around saying "I SAID I'M SORRY!!!" which just further infuriated me in my steely silence. What topped it all off, was a sweet little elderly couple that actually got down on rheumatoid-ridden and arthritic-affected hands and knees to help me salvage my clothes AND computer. Luckily, I had bought a flimsy keyboard cover, which kept any fluids from infiltrating my hardware. NOT so much for my outfit.
I don't know what pissed me OFF more --- the woman who kept justifying WHY I should forgive her for knocking over a burning hot mocha ALL over my outfit AND computer without offering to pay for the cleanup ***OR*** the weenie of an owner that just stood there gaping without lending a hand.
SO disappointing folks. Especially in this economy when SERVICE does make a difference in where I opt for my daily cuppa joe.
NOTE: I still have NOT been able to get the coffee stains out of my favorite grey jacket. The dry cleaning for my dress cost almost as much as what I paid for the dress. Did the woman OR the owner of the shop offer to help me out in any way? NOPE. Not at all. BEAN STREET folks. It's a few steps away, and the folks there have your back.
I used to go to Pete's, then I discovered Bean Street. There wasn't any seating at Bean Street one day, and my friends and I wanted to chill for a little while. We were going to just settle for Pete's when we stumbled upon Three Bees - what a treat! The chai I ordered was good and the service was excellent - the woman taking our order was very friendly, prompt, and even brought our drinks to our table - no need to wait around the counter. Not very spacious, but I've never had a problem finding a place to sit and relax.
The only downside is one that is shared with any downtown San Mateo place - parking can be a pain in the ass sometimes.
Great Coffee, Fantastic service. My wife and I often walk downtown for our morning cup before commuting to SF for work. By far my favorite place to grab coffee or a light breakfast.
Best little coffee house in town. Good, fresh pastries...awesome coffee, very nice owner! I won't give starbucks or even peets a nickel, this place rulez
The internet is free, but it's also very slow. There are outlets you can plug your laptop into.
They have a TV that just shows advertisements.
It's a very small place.
I asked what iced teas they had and the lady said "regular." I asked if that was a black tea and she said yes. The iced tea was from a pitcher and it was strangely cloudy. Really wasn't all too spectacular.
Unfortunately, I did not try any espresso drinks.
I do like the ambiance of the place. It's very cozy and relaxed, but sociable. There's a Pete's across the street, but I think I'd prefer to come here. I think one of the attractions to a place like this is that it's not a chain like Starbucks or Pete's.
Yummmm soy lattes! The people that work here are so nice and friendly. The inside of the cafe is a very warm, nice space, decorated with art from local artists. I always pop in here when we're in the area.
oh wow - that was good! I stopped here last saturday morning to try it out and I'm glad I did! I had a vanilla latte and it was perfect. It was the perfect mix of espresso, milk & vanilla flavor- not too bitter or overwhelming. I'm only sad that I had not discovered this cute little gem earlier.
Yeah I'm a coffee house fanatic. This place is cute, but a bit on the expensive side, even for a little mom and pop. I am here on a day where the temperature is 94 and I am dripping on my laptop (yes, I am yelping this inside the cafe). Yay for Free Wi-Fi but boo for no A/C. At least the fan are furiously spinning.
The menu is pretty standard but I am giving them 4 stars because they have artwork from local artists displayed on the walls. They also have more tables than Bean Street, which is a plus if it gets busy.
This place has the best free wifi in San Mateo. It's the spot for those who like to work from coffee shops. Have laptop will travel. The coffee's decent, the guy that's always in here is cool, they will bring your coffee to your table, and it's near tons of sushi places. That's hard to beat.
I'm writing this review from inside 3 bees. That has to be against yelp etiquette.
A great local-run coffee shop right across the street from Peets with great quality coffee and free wifi (though they do put a banner ad above all your web pages). Also some outlets available to charge your laptop.
It's not the most spacious place, but definitely worth going to over the typical chain establishment!
I like supporting local businesses and am always happy to see that so many of them last in downtown San Mateo despite the competition. It saddens me deeply to see a place close its doors if I walk or drive past.
So...about the coffee. Back in June 2008 I accidentally bought decaf jet fuel and the next day began a five-day caffeine withdrawal headache the likes I've never experienced. Take a standard migraine and have it for FIVE days and you've got the picture. I get migraines and even the medication I use didn't dull this puppy at all!
Soooooooooo....figuring that caffeine is deadly bad for Sparkely, I've been off of the stuff ever since (except for a monthly regular fountain Coke - just to live on the wild side a bit). Then I decided to stop buying coffee at Peet's/Starbucks as I seem to be too robotic each morning getting up to fix decaf (with cream and sugar) only to leave half of it in the cup. My logic kicked in realizing that I'm spending approximately $75 a month on this habit. I decided that I'd walk to one of the downtown San Mateo coffee houses (Peninsula Coffee Roasters, Three Bees, or Bean Street) if I absolutely HAD to have a cup of decaf. I'd get a walk, save money, and support these businesses.
That led me to Three Bees (finally...I'm making my point here) where I was helped by a very nice gal behind the counter and walked out with a good cup of coffee. I wish I'd put boiling water in my Thermos commuter mug as by the time I dumped out the hot water at home and walked over to Three Bees, it had gotten really cold, and coffee did the same. (My bad.) Also, I'm used to jet fuel strength coffee, and though their brew was very tasty, it is not at my usual freakish standard of strong.
Three Bees is a good place to go and I will definitely "bee" back.
:)
Three Bees Coffee House is a delightful little neighborhood gem. The service is amiable and attentive -unlike the unreceptive, aloof baristas at Pete's across the way.
Wait, wait! Don't automatically assume that I'm being one of those obnoxious advocates for "Local Small Businesses Or NOTHING!!". I am NOT against chain establishments in any way. There are both good and bad of each. Three Bees happens to be a great, nicely-run local small business. They make the most ambrosial chai lattes. Just enough sweetness and spice blended with the perfect amount of warm milk to soothe the soul in such disgustingly chilly winter weather.
I absolutely ADORE this place. The coffee is delicously addicting and the baristas are the sweetest. I used to come here every Sunday before I went to work to pick up my small coffee with steamed soy milk and a bagel. The baristas even knew my order after awhile!
They get bonus points for having vegan cookies too!
Came here to check out the artwork, since a friend of mine had her artwork displayed in there. For that they get props!!! local businesses supporting local artist! yell ya!
The coffee: I ordered a decaf single mocha. It was really good too! not overly strong, delish and gave me a little buzz. I will totally choose this place over a starbucks or peets anyday-but primarily because I'm ot typically a fan of the chain coffee. It's lacking that whole heart of coffee that 3 bees has!
If I lived in the area I would come more often. Yay! They have a huge selection of treats to sample too, so I will have to try them one day!
I live in Pleasanton, and was looking for a place to hang out and surf the net before a meeting in San Mateo. I found this place on Yelp and put it to the test! It's 1pm on a friday afternoon. Parking was a a mess! Lucky me though, I was able to nab a spot quickly (about 7 mins of circling). I ordered my Tuxedo Mocha with Whip, and they brought it out to me. $3.25 for a coffee, plus $1.00 to park.. not bad! The coffee is delicious! It's so much better than any Tux Mocha I've had at Starbucks. Added bonus.. no waiting for my drink.. they brought it right to me!. All in all.. I give this place a double thumbs up. One start loss for not having much outdoor seating.. If you are in the area, need free wifi, or want a great cup of coffee... this is the place! (yes, I am Yelping from the coffee shop) :-)
This is what I want in a neighborhood coffee shop... friendly, easy going, family owned (I think). They remember me when I go in, even though I don't live in the area (my eye doctor is next door).
I AM one of those obnoxious advocates for local businesses, BTW. I love Peets too, which is right across the street. But when in San Mateo, I go to Three Bees. You might spend $.25 more for a drink here, but supporting a small local business is priceless to me.
recently found this place after working in downtown for 10 years. great little place to chill on a lunch break. good service, great coffee and free wifi. cant beat it. totaly chill atmosphere, very welcoming and everyone respects eachother. everyone should ditch mainstream and support local coffee houses.
Cozy little spot to get a cuppa joe. I'd like to see more comfortable seating, because I'd hang longer if there was a booth to lounge in, but they just don't have the space.
The chai tea was solidly good, but not one that I would dream about.
Living on the peninsula makes it a little hard to find good coffee. When I first moved here I was crushed to see, at first glance, only Starbucks and Pete's. To my relief a quick Yelp search revealed this gem. 3 Bees is a sweet little shop, always quiet and comfortable.
Again ... one star off for no Gluten Free options, and the one pastry that I did try was meh. But their coffee ... YUM. I think I have tried the gamut from drip to mochas, and lattes, and I haven't been disappointed once. So if you are in downtown San Mateo, and you need a caffeine fix or just a quiet place to sit down, check out 3 Bees.
I'll dig most coffee shops that serve Torrefazione d'Italia coffee. Good stuff. Quaint little shop, nice staff - had a really good iced coffee here.
Good selection of teas and a decent drink list. I enjoy Starbucks coffee but I'd rather sit down and have a conversation with someone in a more unique setting and this is that kind of nice little coffee shop.
I went there on a Sunday morning with my friend, and it was a pretty nice experience overall. The lady behind the counter was really nice and sweet with a bright smile that'll help you get over your morning crankiness before coffee.
Like mentioned in other reviews, they have decent tasting different types of coffee with a nice atmosphere. Surprisingly they had a lot of cakes, breads, and other random food (such as burritos...).
I'm really a fan of this local coffee shop. The drinks are pretty good, the juice is refreshing and the food is tasty! The muffins are really good and the Mediterranean chicken wrap is layered with flavors and is super good hot. Also another favorite is a bagel with cream cheese and sun dried tomato... its SO good!
The blended mocha is good. It has real espresso and real Ghirardelli Frappe Classico powder. It was not too sweet. I would call it a grown up blended mocha. They have a decent number of seats in a small place sort of way. They have wifi and even a little PC at the front counter that you can use. Service was quick and courteous. I didn't see evidence that anything was organic or Fair Trade.
This is a decent coffee shop. It has a relatively small menu, which is good compared to those other coffee shops that have 30+ different coffees, making it hard to choose what to get. It's kinda small, but comfortable. It's a good place to chill, and it feels nicer than sitting in a chain coffee shop.
The food is pre-made though, and they microwave it before serving it.
Went there around closing time to work with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The owner was helpful, and when I offered my card to pay for my drink, he told me that normally there was a $10 minimum for card purchases but he'd ignore it for me (even though I protested that I would buy a lemon bar as well!)
My sugar-free vanilla latte was -delicious-, served in a pretty glass mug instead of a paper cup, which is always a treat.
WiFi is free, even though there are not many tables where you can sit with a laptop and enjoy it.
Will definitely be going again!
My co-worker and I drove to the downtown San Mateo area for our coffee breaks in the morning and later afternoon.
For coffee shops, there are the usual Peet's, and Starbucks among one of many chained coffee shops. But I support local businesses and decided to try someplace that is not corporate. It is within feasible walking distance from the CalTrain station. (Don't know which one)
At 10 am, we each had a 16 oz. cup of house-coffee. They use Torrefazione Coffee Company for everybody's coffee. A coffee company you don't find much in San Francisco. The hot and fresh coffee was so good in the cold morning, and exactly what the doctor ordered.
At 3pm, the same two enjoy this coffee shop so much that we came back and bought another booster-fuel for the home-stretch. I ordered the Caffe Latte with Vanilla. The $3.50 drink was very smooth and aromatic with the Vanilla syrup. I offered my co-worker something and he did accepted and ordered a drink normally ordered by a woman.
He ordered in a feminine tone: "Can I have a small Chai-Latte, please?"
I looked at him and said "What the F?"
His Chai Latte was also $3.50 and according to him, he loves the "silky" taste.
Well, I guess he loves his drink, and do I and this small coffee shop. We will be back tomorrow!
Cute little coffee shop. They've got a selection of sandwiches & snacks, and a great menu of coffee drinks. I had the Mexican Chocolate mocha, which was fantastic! Rich, creamy, with tons of cinnamon. They may not draw patterns in the foam, but I guarantee it'll taste good.
This coffee house is fantastic, small but makes up for the wonderful people that work there. It was a gorgeous warm day in San Mateo I wanted something cold so I decided for a Iced Nonfat Vanilla Latte; Wow, delicious! Nonfat anything at times can be not so great but they made my Iced Vanilla Latte just perfect:) Came back to work refreshed with lots of energy. Very friendly and they have great art too:)
Great coffee and service. Since Torrefazione Italia closed down in Palo Alto over a year ago, Three Bees is the only other place I know of that serves this kind of coffee and done very well.
Chocolate powder is used in their mochas (iced ones at least). You can ask for more chocolate and they squirt syrup on the insides of the cup walls, just like Barefoot in Santa Clara.
OH MY GOSH.. Rafat must be rolling his eyes! Hershey's? Come on.. that is ghiradhelli ALL THE WAY. Anyhoo... before I venture a moment's time chit chatting about this lovely little community shop... which has some of the most offbeat, cultured, and interesting group of wonderful people... a veritable melting pot: World travelers next to young mom's next to bike messengers....
... okay, I guess I will spend a moment talking about the shop first....
It is the type of place that gives you hope that the world can fall together in one place and have everyone get along. So many types of people from so many walks of life.... Sort of the cultural salad bowl, where the salad mixes... comingles.. comes together, retaining a bit of its own individual characteristics, but when they are all together - it becomes its own thing.... a unique blend of people and excitement for downtown San Mateo. If that analogy wasn't all over I don't know what was.
And talking about blend (completely accidental, yet what a lovely segue), lets talk about the joint across the street..... Peets.
Let's talk about Peets across the street, and how some friends make me go there, and I have consistently had the *worst* experiences *EVER* with coffee there. It is a fine chain, and great people work there... but the coffee beans are so devastatingly over-roasted, and the espresso is... like... undrinkable. Peet's makes an undrinkable espresso. It tastes like burnt rubber. So does their coffee.
Anyhoo... Three Bees has some of the best coffee... straight ahead delicious, complex, aromatic, without being overbearing or poorly tended to. The espresso machine has got to be one of the greatest in the bay area, and I have never seen a more consistent, delicious, foamy treat than the espresso that is poured off those spigots. I was a bar manager, as well as a barista at a younger age... I have seen what good coffee is, and this is it.
Fortuantely, beyond the fact that it is hands down the best coffee within 20 miles (I won't pick fights with the SF roasting crew), but the atmosphere, the owner... the people... all make it one of the most congenial, exciting, community oriented place that really has me looking forward to starting my work day, EVERY DAY.
And ask Rafat to make a Latte foam face for you. He does lots.. and they are always so cute.
By the way, the art direction is always fresh, skillful, and very interesting. Canvas in the city has the same vibe... hip, edgy art that never loses class or sophistication.
THREE CHEERS FOR THREE BEES!!!!!
Am currently addicted to soy lattes and they make a dang good one here. Last time I was here, they also had a duo playing live music. It's nice to see a local business providing a venue for musicians and artists.
Anyhoo, this is a decent coffeehouse to say the least.
I came here to study yesterday after having been stood up for dinner. At around 7pm, besides myself and the staff, the place was completely empty! Good spot for studying, for sure. They do have some portable a/c units that circulate cool air around pretty well. I had a falafel wrap with an iced chai. Not sure about the falafel wrap, it tasted like it had been sitting for a bit. Not bad, but not fresh. And the chai was just ok. They close at 9pm on weekday evenings, rather early compared to other spots. Three Bees close location to a parking garage makes for easy access (tip: after 6pm, the garage is free!).
I haven't been here for a while (cause I don't actually drink coffee much), but I felt that this place deserved another review. I love 3 Bees. When I first moved to the Bay Area I spent 2 weeks straight at 3 Bees. I work from home, but at the time I was in transition and needed somewhere with free internet. That's one of the great things about 3 Bees. It's one of the few places in San Mateo with free wireless. The wireless is fast (unlike the wirless at the new San Mateo library), so I was able to surf and skype at the same time.
I love this place because it's not a chain. It's got that nice local character. The place is smallish, but there's always a seat available. There's rarely a line of more than 2 people. It's just a much different experience than Peets and Starbucks.
What's best about the place are the customers and workers. As one of the other reviewers mentioned, this place is so cosmopolitan. I've heard Spanish, French and Arabic spoken frequently here. And I've heard other languages spoken that I don't even recognize. The people range from bike messanger types to fleece-wearing folks to business casual people. It's not really a foo-foo crowd. They probably go to Peets.
I'm not sure if I've actually had coffee hear. I tend to have tea. The muffins and such are decent, but this is really a beverage place, not a food place.
This is definitely my favorite cafe in San Mateo and maybe my favorite cafe anywhere.
Great quality coffee and a comfortable, non-chain atmosphere. They use Torrefazione beans, which are some of the best in the (mass) business. I've had a few cappuccinos and some regular coffee and I definitely prefer it over Petes across the street.
Another big advantage over Petes is that Three Bee's has free wireless internet - something not available across the street. Pete's is a lot larger and noisier if you're looking for that, but Three Bee's is a great place to work for the afternoon and have a good drink.
This is a perfectly nice, independent small coffeeshop in San Mateo. The latte is tasty and good with velvety steamed milk, nothing extraordinary or different about it, but just straight-ahead and well-done.
As another reviewer mentioned, Peet's Coffee is right across the street - their space is larger, a nice spot on the corner, and overall may be a more comfortable place for small groups to sit and chat. A couple of small groups in Three Bees would be a crowd... but, Three Bees is nice and friendly and I would easily go there again.
There's also an internet computer (just one computer) available if you need to jack in during your coffeebreak.
Yes yes yes for privately owned local coffee shops! Go away Starbucks! Go away Pete's! Bring back the great customer service and quirky people!
I've seen this place for years, but today was the first time I entered. The first thing I realized in this tiny location was the dark, sexy walls and work from artists from the Mission. Definitely felt a little more city-like, and not the suburbia San Mateo actually is.
I got a double mint mocha which was too sweet for my taste, but it wasn't so bad that I tossed it. They had cookies, other pastries, burritos, turnovers, and more food that enchanted me. Too bad I had lunch plans.
The service was good. I got a, "Did you go to Mills" from a classmate named Natasha. I didn't confirm that with her since it would have been me saying, "Hi, are you Natasha? My name is Natasia." Weird... Anyhow, the other lady didn't speak English well so we played a game of, "What? Can you say that again?" What are the rules? Well just that...
Check it out!
I like this coffee shop...lots of street parking,very friendly employees and most importantly consisently great lattes...
A nice little local shop situated right across from a Peet's. In the olden days, that would be what you'd call not-too-unfriendly competition, but I think these days it borders on ironic. I also find it amusing (for really no good reason whatsoever) that the paper cups they use at this cafe are the same ones we have at my workplace, the brick-red Solo cups with the "espresso cappuccino latte" graphics all over them.
Anyway, all that aside, the plain black coffee I had here was perfectly fine, and the little window-facing bar seating gave me a pleasant view of the sidewalk (not much going on, on a Saturday afternoon in San Mateo) as I banged away on my laptop. Oh, and speaking of which, they offer free wi-fi access here. When you first try to connect to their hotspot, you might get a log-in page, but apparently you can skip right past it and onto your favorite internet goodies. For me, that would be the Craigslist "misc for sale" list. Yeah, that's my story and I'm stickin' with it...
San Mateo, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Mateo, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Mateo, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Mateo, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
San Mateo, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
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