Cafe Big Mug — Restaurant in Santa Clara

Cafe Big Mug is an absolute gem in San Jose—cozy vibes, modern aesthetic, and a menu that hits all the sweet spots (literally and figuratively). I stopped by recently and was seriously impressed with both the drinks and the desserts.

I ordered a mocha latte, matcha latte, and strawberry latte, and let me tell you—they were as beautiful as they were delicious. Each drink had its own unique flavor profile: the mocha was rich and chocolatey, the matcha was earthy and smooth without being too bitter, and the strawberry latte was perfectly sweet and creamy, with real fruit flavor.

For food, I tried the Nutella banana toast and honey bread toast—both were next-level good. The Nutella banana combo was warm and indulgent, and the honey bread toast? Fluffy, golden, and just the right amount of crispy on the edges. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this place will absolutely deliver.

The cafe is also super aesthetic—a great spot to chill, study, or catch up with friends. Service was friendly and fast even though it got a little busy during peak hours.

Also, if you're curious to see the vibes and what I had, check out my video on TikTok at @kingrodism—I post foodie finds and travel gems all around the Bay and beyond.

Highly recommend Big Mug for anyone looking to treat themselves. Can’t wait to come back...

In yet another chapter of The Search for a Decent Place to Work, your dear protagonist tries Cafe Big Mug on Stevens Creek.

This place used to be a different cafe, one stuck in the 90's. Bright light. Cheap coffee. No music, no speakers. Nothing special. Perfect for working, imo. But I'm old and awnry and grew up in a world without internet.

Big Mug isn't bad but that's as good as it gets. I didn't order food or a fancy drink, so maybe they're great in that area. I once ordered regular drip coffee at the El Camino location, and that took 15 minutes to prepare (also $5).

To avoid the wait, I just ordered Darjeeling black tea. For $5 I got tea flavored water. No joke, the barista took out the tea bag before she gave it to me. I paid $5 for water and a tea bag in the trash. Funny enough, there's a plethora of tea pots on a self. She could have given me one of those and let me take out my own tea bag when I was good and ready.

The music isn't offensive, but too loud. If I wanted music I'd plug in my headphones.

Your old, crotchety protagonist's search for a decent place to work...

Cafe Big Mug is a decent cafe but not particularly standout versus its competitors. To start with the drinks, they have usually been fine. The default espresso seems to lean acidic or lighter roast. The one highlight is the Mont Blanc, which I believe is cold brew with a sweet cream foam topping. The combination works well and is more refreshing than you might expect. As far as food, I've tried a few toasts, which are also fine but maybe overpriced for what you're getting.

I usually order to-go but I've dined in a few times. The interior is spacious with a decent amount of seating. There's free Wi-Fi so it's not bad for working in. They had a website but it was shut down in August, to be replaced with a set of mobile apps that still don't seem available as of writing. IMO removing the website-based online ordering is a mistake, because there is more consumer friction in downloading an app for just one cafe. (You can still order with DoorDash but you're subject to other fees or weirdness of...