Spectra Coffee

Spectra Coffee

5353 Almaden Expy #52, San Jose, CA 95118, United States

+1 408-913-8965

Coffee shop
(319)
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About This Place

Located in the bustling Almaden Expressway corridor of San Jose, Spectra Coffee is a charming coffee shop that effortlessly blends expertly crafted beverages with a thoughtfully curated menu of sweet and savory delights. This cozy yet lively spot is a haven for coffee aficionados and food lovers seeking both quality and creativity in their café experience.

Spectra Coffee’s extensive beverage menu is a celebration of artistry and flavor. From classic staples like the impeccably prepared Gibraltar coffee—a must-try according to many patrons—to innovative specialty drinks such as the Snickerdoodle Latte, fragrant Rose Latte, or the refreshing Iced Matcha Latte with Oat Milk, each sip delivers a rich, nuanced experience. Particularly notable is their Creamy Mint Coffee, which combines smooth espresso with invigorating mint for a refreshingly unique cup. For tea lovers, there’s the exquisite Karl The Fog Latte, infused with organic Earl Grey and signature housemade vanilla syrup, making every visit a journey through intriguing flavor profiles.

The food menu, equally impressive, features standout items that invite customers to linger a little longer. The Pandan Waffle is a fragrant, slightly sweet treat that delightfully contrasts with the buttery crispness of their Butter or Chocolate Croissants. Nutella Toast and hearty Banh Mi Sandwiches showcase the café's flair for combining comforting tastes with fresh, vibrant ingredients. The quiches—especially the mushroom and spinach variety—have earned enthusiastic praise for their rich, perfectly balanced filling encased in flaky, golden crusts. Lighter options like Avocado Toast with everything seasoning and the refreshing Persimmon Toast topped with mascarpone and pumpkin seeds provide a sophisticated yet wholesome bite.

Customers frequently highlight the intimate and inviting atmosphere of Spectra Coffee. Though it’s a cozy space that can get busy during peak hours, there’s ample seating inside and a few outdoor spots where visitors can soak up the lively street vibe. Despite its popularity, the staff remain warm and attentive, with frequent mentions of personalized recommendations and patient service that make guests feel truly welcomed.

Real customer experiences speak volumes about the appeal of Spectra Coffee. Deepti Savanur describes it as a “wonderful coffee place” praised for delicious waffles and sourdough toasts, along with a vegetarian-friendly menu and plenty of parking—a rare win in the Bay Area. Valeria Benjamin recommends the rose latte crafted with subtle yet bold espresso notes and raves about the chocolate croissant and quiches. A. Sharma calls Spectra their go-to spot for everything from the pandan waffle to the creamy mint coffee and quiches, appreciating the reasonable pricing for such exceptional quality.

Spectra Coffee is not just a pit stop for caffeine—it’s a carefully crafted experience where the love of coffee meets culinary artistry. Whether you’re craving a velvety mocha, a zesty banh mi, or a fragrant twist on your latte, this café delivers with a distinct personality that leaves a lasting impression. For those passionate about exploring innovative flavors paired with familiar comfort, Spectra Coffee stands out as an essential destination in San Jose’s vibrant coffee scene.

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great coffee Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast Solo dining Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly LGBTQ+ friendly Transgender safe space University students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Thursday
    09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sunday
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • deepti savanur
    1 month ago

    Wonderful coffee place. It's a small space and gets crowded so plan ahead. Their waffles and sourdough toasts tastes awesome. Gibraltar coffee it's a must try. Plenty of parking outside. Vegetarian friendly.

  • Suman Hazra
    1 month ago

    It’s surrounded by a lot of different stores, so it is always quite busy. But they do have plenty of seats both inside the cafe as well as couple outside, so you might be able to find a seat. Disappointed with their selection. They did not have any sugar-free syrup or any cold brew. Got the iced coffee, and it was pretty good. The quality of coffee itself was pretty good. Prices are a bit steep and paying more than five dollars for a iced Coffee seems high.

  • Jen Sharif
    2 month ago

    Spectra Coffee has some of the best food I’ve had at a café. Thank you Bryan for your patience and recommendations. The mushroom and spinach quiche was honestly the best quiche I’ve ever tasted—highly recommend. I ordered the banana cream latte, which was very subtle in flavor; adding caramel made it sweeter to my liking. My husband enjoyed his mocha, which had a strong, rich chocolate flavor. The cashier mentioned they use Ghirardelli chocolate sourced from the San Francisco factory. We did ask for hazelnut flavoring, but they didn’t have it available. His yogurt parfait was also delicious—fresh ingredients and lightly sweetened with honey. The only downsides were the long wait and difficulty finding a table, but it was an extremely busy Saturday around 10:30 AM. Despite the crowds, I’d definitely come back for the food and to try their rose or mint latte next time. I did want to mention the staff were working very hard to get through orders and were super kind and helpful. It was a very pleasant experience overall.

  • Valerie Benjamin
    3 month ago

    I had the rose latte. As someone who loves espresso forward drinks, it was delicious with subtle hints of rose. The mint coffee that my husband got was also very good. Pastry wise, the chocolate croissant and both quiches (spinach & mushroom and ham & swiss) were tasty.

  • A. Sharma
    3 month ago

    We love Spectra. From the coffees to banana bread to toasts to quiche every single item is just delicious. We love their Pandan waffle. We also love their creamy mint coffee along with the sausage and mushroom quiche. For the food the price is very reasonable for Bay Area and this is our go to place.

  • طارق بن عزيز
    3 month ago

    The espresso here is good and enjoyable. They serve it with a spoon and a glass of sparkling water, which definitely enhances the coffee-tasting experience. However, there’s no tray to carry both cups together, and there’s little attention to presentation. When I asked for a tray, they said yes but never actually brought one. With a bit more care for presentation and the overall espresso experience, this could easily become one of those memorable spots.

  • Jagadeesh Rahul
    4 month ago

    A great place to grab coffee and spend time with friends. The ambience was cozy and their service was amicable but a bit slow as there are only 2 barista and you have to wait 10 mins. We got the rose latte and it was amazing. I got light iced and minimal sugar version. It was fresh, refreshing and with mild hint of rose flavor. Overall I loved their flavor and they also have good bakery options. I look forward to comeback and taste more in their menu.

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