ZombieRunner Coffee — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Best coffee in Palo Alto?

Zombie Runner has been in Palo Alto for at least a decade now and has always been one of my favorite places for espresso drinks (usually lattes) but I hadn’t been ordering out recently…

But after returning from a long Spain trip this summer where I had multiple espressos drinks daily, my brewed at home coffee didn’t cut it any longer. So I began to frequent the local shops - Cal Ave, University Ave, and surrounds, from small shops (Coupa (2), Farmhouse, Verve) to big and medium chains (Joes, Peets, Starbucks (3)). This spot which has high ceilings and was completely empty when I visited, has got tables and probably WiFi, makes as good of drinks as the Zombie Runner on California Ave.

The fact that it is so close to Starbucks is a god send. If you go to Starbucks you should drive/walk/bike just one block further and get a much better drink. Heck if you are in Palo Alto and you want coffee find a Zombie Runner.

Really good, floral, delicious, amazing sensuous foam every time. Zombie is best in Palo Alto, along with Coupa, for my money.

And check out the freshness of these beans, roasted just 3 days ago! I can’t wait to give these to my kids so they can make me some after-school drinks at home.

Some other coffee related items for sale; no running shoes for sale at this location.

Next, I’m eager to test out their WiFi and sit...

The place is small, not crowded and generic styled. The music was loud to my taste but this is my personal preference. The problem is that I didn't like the coffee. The cappuccino had a burnt scent, like the machine hadn't been properly cleaned or beans were not of a good quality. You can expect that from an overcrowded Starbucks on a busy day but not from a place that had 2 more customers that day. $5+ for 8 oz for the drink of such quality I think was too much. Next time I'd better save my money and...

Delicious coffee. Outstanding mouth feel and smoothness with good to excellent flavor in both the Americano and the drip (really an automated pourover). Top 10% of coffee shops I've sampled. Servers on a busy Saturday morning were patient and delightful.

Parking was less than abundant. And the decor felt more Subway than social. But this will be my go to spot whenever I'm...