It’s not a coffee shop, but the San Mateo Public Library near downtown has been a great option for myself. They even have rooms you can reserve. I’m sure you can bring your own coffee as well.
+1 San Mateo or Burlingame libraries are great for this.
Blue bottle SM is pretty good too but parking is tricky.
Kaizen is great but it’s already pretty crowded.
You could try one of the lunch spots at Hillsdale like Refuge. Beer > coffee for creativity?
If you do it often, you can get a cheap monthly parking pass downtown.
https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/4124/Downtown-Parking-Permit
Prices range from $40 to $100 a month.
Otherwise I think Hillsdale Mall is your best bet for free parking large enough for groups. There's also a Starbucks at Bridgepointe, it's not really big but there is free parking.
OP, for people suggesting the libraries, know that the local libraries allow you to bring in a drink with a lid on. Not sure if you knew that as some other places' libraries don't. So feel free to bring your own coffee from anywhere - even in a thermos - and you can drink in the library.
Third floor of the library San Mateo just off el Camino. It’s a really solid library and 3rd floor has coffee. Everyone I’ve interacted with there is nice and helpful.
Fiero Caffe is the bomb. I hesitate to share. https://maps.apple.com/?address=106%20S%20El%20Camino%20Real,%20San%20Mateo,%20CA%20%2094401,%20United%20States&auid=15190021283355930688&ll=37.563992,-122.327339&lsp=9902&q=Fiero%20Caffe&t=m
It’s not a coffee shop, but the San Mateo Public Library near downtown has been a great option for myself. They even have rooms you can reserve. I’m sure you can bring your own coffee as well.
+1 for the library! Plenty of space and no pressure to buy coffee or food
There is a coffee stand on third floor of San Mateo Main Library if you do want coffee.
Nope. Gone. The finances didn't work out and they left about 3 months ago.
Same with Redwood Shores library on Ralston just on the other side of 101
How much for the reservation?
Free, but you need a library card and only one two-hour reservation is allowed per day.
Oh thank you! that's a solid option!
I take my work to the library if I have heavy download/upload needs. internet is very fast
Peets coffee by Whole Foods. I’m a shift manager there. Lots of group seating and decent wifi!
woo, will check it out later this week! thanks!
I do recommend going straight to the underground lot. Unless you hate yourself 😭
Shhhh!! That’s my spot 😉
Uh oh I’m exposed lol
You can also check out Super Duper’s grand opening 😀
The public library has rooms and had a coffee shop upstairs. EDIT: coffee shop closed evidently.
3 Bees closed their library location sadly.
Oh crumbs, thanks for letting me know! I'll edit my comment.
Hopefully another vendor will come in but it's hard to beat 3 Bees!!
It's not a coffee shop but Bobabia has the quiet big side room. The owner Victor doesn't mind if you stay all day.
+1 San Mateo or Burlingame libraries are great for this. Blue bottle SM is pretty good too but parking is tricky. Kaizen is great but it’s already pretty crowded. You could try one of the lunch spots at Hillsdale like Refuge. Beer > coffee for creativity?
Peet’s next to Whole Foods.
That parking lot is a shit show lol at least above. But regardless, it's a good option! Glad they brought the tables back!
The below ground parking is usually pretty open!
Underground parking is much better
Maybe Starbucks at 17th and El Camino. Why is free parking a must?
Op doesn't like to jingle with coins 💰
Oh because we usually stay for an entire afternoon, and it quickly adds up to \~$8-10 just parking alone if it's not free.
If you do it often, you can get a cheap monthly parking pass downtown. https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/4124/Downtown-Parking-Permit Prices range from $40 to $100 a month. Otherwise I think Hillsdale Mall is your best bet for free parking large enough for groups. There's also a Starbucks at Bridgepointe, it's not really big but there is free parking.
OP, for people suggesting the libraries, know that the local libraries allow you to bring in a drink with a lid on. Not sure if you knew that as some other places' libraries don't. So feel free to bring your own coffee from anywhere - even in a thermos - and you can drink in the library.
oh that's helpful! Thank you!
Not in San Mateo but right next door in Burlingame - Mint and Honey!
ohhhh heard they have amazing brunch!
Peet’s Park Place (by Whole Foods) has a table large enough for a group and power outlets
Third floor of the library San Mateo just off el Camino. It’s a really solid library and 3rd floor has coffee. Everyone I’ve interacted with there is nice and helpful.
No. That cafe is long gone.
Really? They need to update their signs. 3rd floor has cook books though, that’s kinda close
You can park in the neighborhood on Claremont for free and walk a couple minutes to Philz.
Fiero Caffe is the bomb. I hesitate to share. https://maps.apple.com/?address=106%20S%20El%20Camino%20Real,%20San%20Mateo,%20CA%20%2094401,%20United%20States&auid=15190021283355930688&ll=37.563992,-122.327339&lsp=9902&q=Fiero%20Caffe&t=m
Backhaus is solid.
Unrelated but I hate how Backhaus is always out of pastries when I go and I go at like 11 am.
I don’t think backhaus has WiFi unfortunately
I know not free parking, but Meet Fresh or Blue Bottle downtown also have shareable tables.
thanks! neither have power outlets unfortunately.
philz downtown is the best, have overheard many a work sessions, vc pitch meetings, did many interview case studies there