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Caffe del Doge

4 star rating
based on 150 reviews

Categories: Coffee & Tea, Italian  [Edit]

419 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 323-3600
  • Hours:
    Mon-Thu 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
    Fri-Sat 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
    Sun 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
  • Price Range: $
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: No
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: No
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: Free
  • Good for: Breakfast, Late Night
  • Alcohol: None
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150 Reviews for Caffe del Doge

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Photo of Mia S.

 

5

54

Mia S.

Belmont, CA

4 star rating
08/15/2008

I love coming here to just chat with friends and study. This place has some great tiramisu. My favorite spot is to sit upstairs and use their free internet. The number out outlets upstairs is limited. Weekends can get really busy, but weekdays are fine. I've never had hot chocolate like theirs before. It's thick and requires a spoon. If you've never been before, i would recommend asking how thick something is before you order it, you may be getting something really chocolatey and thick. This ain't yo local starbucks!

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Elite '08

509

510

wanugee N.

Pleasant Hill, CA

5 star rating
08/22/2008

This is a great espresso place, much more reminiscent of the likes in Italy than the formula Americana at Starbucks.

In Italy, there are many Bars, which are little shops that serve espresso in demi cups at a counter, where you stand and drink (there are rarely chairs.) You go there in the morning, get your espresso, order you pack of Tobachi for the day, grab todays paper or magazine, and sip for a few minutes before getting on your moped scooter or Renault to get to work.
(American style "bars" like a cocktail lounge are usually marked "American Bar").

The Italian feeling terra cota wall paint, the classic espresso machine, gourmet Italian coffees, transports you a bit to Italy. The sidewalk tables helps, and the window seats are like Italian North Beach on Columbus or Grant Avenue in SF. The upstairs loft seating in the rear is where regulars hang out, talk politics or check their email.

I really like this place and will go there again over the other wannabees. University Avenue Starbucks, see ya!

PS - service is deliberate, not hurried. But so are the places in Italy!

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Photo of Noelle W.

Elite '08

211

172

Noelle W.

San Jose, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 07/30/2008

The World According to Noelle
~Allergic Girl's Guide to Life~
Issue Update

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing
We're just one big family
It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Song dedication to my favorite Coffee Shop in California:
Jason Mraz, I'm Yours
http://www.youtube.com...

We ended our evening here.

There was an EXTREMELY long line for coffee. The coffee here is smooth and HEAVENLY. It rocks the yum to the oooh scale its that good. My usual order: Soy Latte with whipped cream. Staff is friendly, place is almost always busy. If you want the BEST cup of coffee this is the place to go. On our way back to the car, I gave a homeless man my soy latte and our leftovers. A mark of a good friend, someone who does not complain when Noe gives away our food to a homeless person. So I only had one sip of my favorite drink- who cares when someone was the recipient of two meals and a hot coffee drink. Kindness rules, remember to pay it forward.

Noelle's Notes:
BEST coffee in Northern California

Noelle's Notes:
Wonderful summer evening with my friend!
Love being the passenger not driver.
Feel asleep in the car to on our  way home to
Alicia Key's song: http://youtube.com/wat...

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating 01/31/2008

    They made my favorite drink, a soy vanilla latte with whipped cream perfectly. You could taste the… Read more »

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0

2

Jeff F.

Menlo Park, CA

5 star rating
08/12/2008

This could very well be the best espresso in the Bay Area! The secret is the coffee beans flown in from Italy and the E61 grouphead they use. (If you don't know what an E61 is, go to www.greatinfusions.com for a coffeegeek lesson.). The Italian ambiance is very authentic too, and they have great lounge/chillout music on most of the time. I don't agree with the folks who say the staff are snobbish or arrogant. They are just Italians or gormless wannabe Italians and if you tell 'em what you want they will do it.

The only drawback is the crowds. It an be really hard to get a table. They have to get tough on some of those Stanford students who sit there all day with one cup of coffee--I think they should try out a time limit for customers and eject them after 60 minutes (radical thought!). Or knock the wall through and double the size of the place. That's what the original Doge would have done! Or he might have tied an anchor to their necks and thrown them in the canal....

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0

1

dg a.

Palo Alto, CA

1 star rating
08/30/2008

I was a regular for about a month and generally liked the atmosphere but the current owner is a very mean and unpleasant lady. Even though i spend an average of $5-$10 whenever i go there, she confronted me one day when i bought a pastry there but had a drink with me from elsewhere. She told me to leave, that 'i am not a client' and 'she doesnt care to hear any explanations'. She never smiles and often bugs customers ...almost like a tyrant.
i would never go there again. besides the wifi is not reliable like the other cafes on the block. sometimes the wifi simply doesnt work at all.

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2

45

Jeff C.

Naperville, IL

1 star rating
08/07/2008

If you love the bitter air of the most snob-ish crew in town, head straight to Caffe del Doge.  

WOW - I couldn't believe the look they gave us when we said we needed the coffee to go.  They took the mug that had been filled with coffee and nonchalantly poured/spilled it into a paper cup, spilling at least a couple ounces of coffee on the ground.

I just don't get it, and I can't understand the condescending staff.  Here's a thought:  You work in a COFFEE SHOP - lighten up!

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12

45

Kyu K.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
07/30/2008

So maybe it should only get 4.5 stars if you're really talking "as good as it gets," but as far I'm concerned, it IS the best real coffee and espresso in Palo Alto. In fact, I made sure I visited at least twice before yelping it for consistency sake and it was consistent, if not even better with each subsequent visit.

After several trips to Seattle, I learned the true staple espresso drink is a dbl capp. I have never been a fan of double cappuccinos after trying too many burnt, bitter, way too sweet ones, but the one at Cafe del Doge was actually very good and right to taste. When I feel like going back to my girlie drinks, their iced mocha is legit and you can get it chilled without the ice in your cup... awesome.

There is no wi-fi on the weekends and even on weekdays it's prone to go down but the atmosphere is quite nice and features a mezzanine.

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11

76

avalon e.

Sunnyvale, CA

2 star rating
06/27/2008

Excuse the overly-quoted Forrest Gump but this sure is the case with Caffe del Doge but with a slight variation:

"Your Mocha is like a cup of chocolate.  You never know whatcha gonna get."

On this lovely Friday night the 4 of us stopped by for coffee:

"We'd like a mocha, a chocolate mousse, a thick hot chocolate, and a decaf."

First a small cup of hot whipped chocolate pudding-like substance appeared on the counter.

"Is that the mousse?" I thought, "Can't be.  The mousse should be chilled."  

"Is this the hot chocolate?  I don't think it's quite what we wanted."
My friend was bold enough to ask.
The BAR-rister came over, gave us a weird look, and instructed the BAR-rist-ress (is there such a word?) to pour that creamy substance into a martini glass and re-serve it.

"Well this is what you ordered.  The next time you order a "______" instead of "_______" (sorry but forgive my listening skills I could not catch the exotic Italian term for hot chocolate)

Alright, lesson learnt.  Not the end of the world we think.

Next comes the "mocha" which bears no hint of coffee but rather if our sense of smell is accurate, THAT'S HOT CHOCOLATE.

We brought the drinks/dessert upstairs and we all wonder if this is truly "Italian" or rather some joke played on customers.

The "mocha" seriously has no coffee in it.  Unless all four of us are taste-challenged.  It's just plain hot chocolate.

The "hot chocolate" is simply heated chocolate powder whipped into a pudding-like consistency.  We wonder if the transfer from the regular cup to the Martini glass made any difference.  It's simply undrinkable from a consistency standpoint, at least to us laymen who obviously have never had the privilege to travel to Italy.  Do we attack it with a straw?  A spoon?  Do we lick it, or dip our fingers in it?

My chocolate mousse... well,  It's got a funny texture to it.  Something I cant quite describe.  Do I like it?  Not really.

Is that what authentic Italian beverage / desserts are about?
Or is it some trick of exquisiteness that some wise entrepreneur is playing on the uber savvy and sophisticated Palo Alto crowd?
I won't know until I get a chance to goto Italy myself and sample enough upscale downscale caffe's to pass judgement.

Love the decor, love the atmosphere.  Not a fan of the service and the products.  I might go there again but next time I'll practice Italian beforehand or stick with regular coffee (do they even have that for the unsophisticated masses?)

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1

24

George K.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
07/27/2008

The coffee gets 5 stars. I see a lot of people recapping their horror stories about how they wanted a hot chocolate and got something else, or how the barista wouldn't pump coffee into a Camelback carrier.

Don't come in expecting the goofy crap you've been getting at 7-11, okay? Look at the menu, ask questions and order something that you think you might like. I can guarantee you if you order a cappuccino, espresso, or a french press coffee, it will be good.

If you order one of their insane things that has a name you can't understand and comes with gold leaf, well, you asked for it. I don't know what the hell those things are and I don't order them.

What isn't great about this place?

--usually too crowded on weekends and the crowd can be a little bit much on the pretension meter.

--expensive

--not enough room to walk by the counter when there is a line of people. This is crazy. Sometimes I want to pop someone in the nose when I have to ask 4 people in a row to let me by. I could be skinnier.

--carpeting going upstairs is and has been for some time filthy. Ugh.

--speaking of the upstairs, it's hot as hell in the summer.

--they turn off the free wireless on weekends. I spoke about this with another customer this morning and we assume that it's done to increase table turnover. What could be more annoying than a nerd taking up a whole table with a laptop drinking one coffee for 4 hours? I'll tell you what--gold-dripping eurotrash with whiney kids that scream and bump my laptop every 5 minutes! Restore the wireless and get rid of the brats!

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1

7

livingwell B.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
07/27/2008

Yum...like lick the bottom of the glass yum. I tend to stay away for the hyper chocolate, whip cream laden drinks so I get it straight up here, like my booze -- no frills.

Drink this with one of those chocolate "cuban" bars and life is good. If you can score an outside, it's a good spot to watch the Palo Altonians as they stride along in their shorts and crew shirts.

This made me crave my old standards of coffee which isn't available out here in California (Daz Bog)...*sad face* but it's all good...we all must move on, and sometimes we find something just as good.

It's pricey, so it's not for those on a tight budget. This is an occasional treat for the grad student and daily staple for the more abundant.

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0

2

Eugene V.

Mountain View, CA

5 star rating
07/24/2008

This is the absolute best coffee place in the bay area.  Extremely authentic Venetian atmosphere.  The coffee is out of this world.  They do amazing artistic endeavors with the crema of the espresso & lattes. The food is great - little "tramezzini" with all kinds of good stuff.  The mozzarella di bufala salad is to die for.  Also they are really wonderful people, friendly and so nice.

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0

5

Cyndy A.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
08/09/2008

Hands down the best coffee in Palo Alto. The whole place just feels Italian. And the chocolate croissants are excellent.

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40

21

Gloria L.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
06/08/2008

Since I just wrote a review on Coupa Cafe, now I feel obliged to do the same for Caffe del Doge. Not that they're similar in any way. But these are absolutely the two best cafes in Palo Alto.

del Doge in 1 word: CoffeeeeeeeChocolateWheeeeeeeeee.

If you're wondering why they have 3 sets of 2 flavors (chocolate and espresso), each set varies the thickness of the drink. At the thickest, it's a mousse (served nicely in a martini glass); at its thinnest, it's a liquid drink. Otherwise the flavors are identical. And all are delicious, though I favor the solid chocolate mousse.

The Caffe y Cioccolata is amazing. It's this coffee-chocolate-steamed milk-spices-more chocolate concoction topped off with whipped cream. The first time I ordered it, silly me said no whipped cream, please, since I hate that Cool Whip / oversweetened pressurized can crap. But I should have expected more from del Doge (and the $6 price tag). Here you get the real stuff: heavy whipping cream swirled into a light, fluffy bouffant of wonderful whipped cream. It's almost as good as when I make it. You fold the floating cream into the denser rest of the drink, making this incredibly rich, yet light, delicious thing. And then before you know it, the glass is gone.

Like Coupa, I come here less now. Partly because it's super crowded and impossible to get seated. Also because for the price of a drink, I could get a whole filing meal from Pluto's across the street.

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7

42

Simone M.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
06/26/2008

I can't even tell you how good the Stella Glaciale is. I think that's what it's called, anyway. It's the caffe freddo that's infused with star anise. I mean, I seriously felt like I was drinking red wine, that's how deep and rich the flavors were. Except the red wine had caffeine in it, guys. Holy smokes.

One star dinged because it wasn't cheap, hoo boy, and the service was pretty slow (understandable, they take good care with their drinks and all and I appreciated the attention lavished on my own drink, but it was harsh to wait in line for so long regardless)...but if you like anise and you like espresso, this may well be the most amazing drink you have ever had. Ever.

I've only been here once because I'm scared to go back...I don't want six-dollar coffee drinks to become a habit.

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1

119

Alex C.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
06/26/2008

I haven't learned to appreciate the coffee here all that much, which begs the question, why do I like it? I don't know. I think the place is a cute little coffee shop in Palo Alto, mostly quiet. It's a good place to hang out and read a book, even though the seats are uncomfortable and the tables are small. Yikes, then why do I want to hang out and sit there then? I don't know either.

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Elite '08

22

63

Madeleine K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
06/05/2008

My new guy took me here today at his friend's suggestion; it was a quick stop before meeting his 2 best friends for lunch at Google(!!).

I had an interesting hot chocolate with espresso in it: a little too thick for my taste, it was really more the consistency of a ganache, or an unchilled pudding. It was tasty though, and dipping my half of the plain croissant in it made up for the fact that my guy didn't want to split a chocolate one!

The cashier was friendly too- even though my guy is an admittedly finicky eater, and made a bit of a fuss over his cocoa.

I'd try it again for sure if I lived in the hood!

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14

31

Manny H.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
06/13/2008

Coffee @ Del Doge can be pricey, but they brew some of the best cappuccinos you can get in downtown Palo Alto. Like most places in the area, space is at a prime, but you can still sit down and have a good one-on-one talk w/o much problem. Sitting for extended periods (specially upstairs) can be quite challenging and certainly not recommendable if you are coming with your 4-year old. :)

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Elite '08

15

89

Jean A.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
04/04/2008

I really like their coffee here.  It's very smooth.  Though I remember the first time I was here, I was forewarned about how strong it was.  (I had 4 hours of sleep that night - it was a school night.)

The last time I was there I tried their hot chocolate infused with ginger upon recommendation of the cashier.  It's very thick, you need a spoon to drink it towards the end and unfortunately in no way did I pick up on the hint of ginger.  Guess I should've tried the anise, though I am not a big fan of licorice.  

Their prices are a bit steep.  (I.e. my hot chocolate was $6)  Though they are in no way pretentious - the cashiers have always been very friendly.  Though, their internet here sucks!  It does get quite crowded after work and it is a pretty narrow space so finding a table for 4 can be difficult if you want to sit in the loft area (the seats down below are near the door and it gets cold when people keep coming in and out).  Though on nice days, they do have outdoor seating and it's a great place to people watch.  The ambiance is very European.  The last time I was here, I walked to the bathroom and heard groups of people conversing in French, Spanish, and Italian.

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20

74

Matt C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
05/01/2008

Definitely the best coffee shop in Palo Alto and ranks up there with the best that the bay area has to offer. I would actually say that this one coffee shop has kept me living in Palo Alto at least a couple months longer than I should have simply because it is so out of this world.

Here's what you need to know:
-Not a quick place to grab a cup of coffee.
-Mind blowing cappuccino. (Even a double please)
-The ambiance is great and definitely multicultural.
-The people that work there have just the right amount of attitude.
-You can sit outside.

Things that might tarnish the shine:
-Sometimes when they are busy the incredible milk pours become less beautiful.
-Lines get long.
-Expensive.
-The coffee bar is right in the narrowest points of the shop and people chilling there occasionally cause a bit of a log jam.

All in all, consider yourself luck to be able to go to this local gem.

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16

156

shawn g.

Palo Alto, CA

1 star rating
04/18/2008

This is by far the worst coffee experience I've had in the entire bay area.  I walked in with two travel mugs and asked for a decaf coffee and a decaf latte.  From the look I received from the woman behind the counter when i offered the mugs, you would have thought I had leprosy.  I was offered an americano instead of a coffee, but was charged extra for a double shot in a 16 oz , and they only gave the 16 oz latte a single shot.  the latte was brown milk, and i dumped the americano in the street as i crossed to peet's to get a decent cup of coffee.  $8 for two undrinkable drinks, no thanks, Caffe del DON'T.

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11

61

Christina L.

San Jose, CA

5 star rating
04/22/2008

I really like the ambiance of this place, very European. Yes, it can be hard to find a table if you come after work, but once you do...it's great place to watch the eclectic crowd that Palo Alto has to offer.

This definitely isn't a place to grab a cup of coffee on the go...it's a sit down and enjoy the company you are with and the strong hot chocolate or espresso drink you ordered.  It's also a good place to do some work and have study groups, definitely has more seating that the Starbucks up the street.  It isn't cheap, but every once in a while, i think it's worth it...it's a little taste of Italy.  And I love the designs they make on the foam of some of the drinks...:)

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135

226

Brandon M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/19/2008

Brightly painted walls and people with laptops got my first attention. Free wifi?  Coffee was good but not wow good, the Americano... same, the pastries, kinda European, which doesn't really do it for me, just means expensive and different and not really wow like.

Given a star off for spotty  weak internet and for almost making me drop a pretty candy bar when I turned it over and it read $10.00... and I don't scare by high prices easily!  I seem to do a lot of editing and sending files on the road here so four star is not bad.

San Francisco, Bay Area Photographer
BJ Martin Photography
http://bjmartinphotogr...

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141

233

jill j.

Mill Valley, CA

4 star rating
03/10/2008

"There's no place like home.  There's no place like home."  

Although my shoes were Keen mary-janes, not red sequined numbers, Caffe del Doge still transports me home.  I reminisce about chilly early mornings at Torrefazione (the former inhabitant of the space) over a delicious and artfully-presented pot of tea and some sweet nibblies ... all for $5.

I watch the harried foreign entrepreneurs scuttle out of the VC office across the street.  I eavesdrop on the German couple discussing vacation dreams on one side of me and the high-tech law/finance interview on the other side of me.  I remember what it feels like to be interested in the conversations of my cafe partners.  I finish my tea and drive back to the new town I now call home.  But I can't wait to return to Caffe del Doge for another tasty hot beverage and another trip down memory lane.

P.S.  Just say no to Starbucks.

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0

5

Martha W.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
08/18/2008

Hands down, the best tasting espresso in Palo Alto.  Nice service and the cookies are a plus.

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81

Rachel s.

Los Altos, CA

4 star rating
02/20/2008

This is an edit:
What's the deal-io? Firmly in the tech era, basin of silicon valley.. and i can't get no wireless?? This has become a pattern! I want to love this cafe, with reckless abandon even, like cranking my wagon on Alma in a five-point turn just thinking of deep black tea and good times that might be had. But without wireless, how can i justify coming all the way to battle busy parking on University for an epic cup of tea? Please, oh please, bring back the possibility of pretending i've come here to do work!
-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

I thought it worth mentioning that I will drive miles just to have a pot of their Pu-er tea.. This is sayin' something for a place that specializes in coffee to also have a very unique selection of tea. Yum.. My study buddy black tea and a nice perch to watch the world strollin' by. The wireless has been a bit spotty of late though, which could reduce stars if i find it is a pattern.

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2

16

vladimir p.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
02/24/2008

I'm a coffee hound who's chased the perfect cup of joe across the whole of US of A and many parts of Europe. I avoid Starbucks like the plague because what they peddle is an insult to decent coffee. Caffe del Doge takes pride in their authenticity and more than live up to the hype. Their latte and espresso are superlative. The coffee is flavorful and strong and perfectly balanced with rich, foamy milk. Their European-style cookies are indeed European and there is something to be said for the fact that your Italian cup of coffee is made by real Italians. The place is casually elegant and is equally suitable for a romantic evening and for a cozy study nook. The prices are not outrageous so long as you don't go for the packaged goods on their shelves. As a delightful break from coffee, try their extra rich hot chocolate and feel like a kid again.

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6

Annie F.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
07/15/2008

I pass this place every day on my way to the Apple store. It's a great place to grab some real Palo Alto Italian Coffee drinks. I love sitting on the bar tables and people watching everyone on University Ave.

Also a great place to see some really cool dogs being walked by their owners!

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Elite '08

137

198

Beau G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
01/31/2008

Perfect for University Ave in Palo Alto, this place takes raises coffee to luxury status.  

The menu board is a bit confusing so I semi-randomly picked one of their specialty drinks to see what I would get.   I got a drink in a frickin' martini glass!   It had chocolate smeared along the inside, foamed milk topped with hazelnuts and a shot of espresso at the bottom.   It was quite yummy, if not the most filling drink ever.  

Lots of folks are here with their laptops, Blackberries, and textbooks.  It seems like a good place to set up shop for a couple hours.

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29

113

Annie W.

Saratoga, CA

5 star rating
03/08/2008

This place is super quaint and classy but not pretentious. The lady behind the counter was very nice in explaining their various specialties. I had several "moments" where I felt like I had been transported back to Italy--and no wonder since I later found out that this is a small international chain with origins in Venezia!

I got the thick hot chocolate (the kind where you need to eat with a spoon!) and my sister got the ginger-flavored hot chocolate. We were in heaven. Quite a treat.

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Patrick B.

Mountain View, CA

5 star rating
02/16/2008

Wow.  Get the flavored hot chocolate.  It is so thick and creamy and delicious.  My favorite flavor is the cardamom.

Please.  Drink it.

(also they have a couple awesome italian beers!)

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Melanie C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
02/29/2008

Traditional espresso drinks.
Shwanky espresso drinks in martini glasses.
Sweet & savory nibbles Italian-style (mm tuna & artichoke tea sandwich).
Euros at the front sidewalk tables speaking Italian.
Other Euros sitting inside downstairs.
Biz meetings and laptops connected to free wifi upstairs overlooking the ground floor.

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David P.

San Carlos, CA

4 star rating
02/27/2008

Classy little coffee shop on University Ave. Warm, relaxing environment for me to take a break during the work day AND catch up on work with the free WiFi access.

I started off with a latte and cookie plate. Hit the spot. Cookies were delicate and not too sweet. Getting back to work on my laptop, I took the plunge with a specialty tea from Samovar. I've never been a big tea drinker but their presentation and the ambiance shouted out to me to give it a try. I was glad I did.

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Liz L.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
02/26/2008

Is it wrong to yelp a place you're currently sitting in?  Well, hopefully not because I'm here in Caffe del Doge. =)

The first word that comes to mind is sweet.  It's a sweet little unpretentious cafe on University Ave.  There are tables and an upstairs for the studious.  I haven't had the coffee, but my friend and I shared a creamy delicious and not too rummy tiramisu.  Her spoon was dirty.  That's the extent of my complaints.

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Kathy M.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
02/23/2008

Best espresso in town...When I fist went here, I wasn't sure what to order...the menu is a bit confusing.  I ended up going with a cappuccino and a croissant and it was sooooo good I haven't changed my order since.  (Minus the croissant.. I wish I could order it every time I go).

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Leme L.

Menlo Park, CA

5 star rating
01/17/2008

Once I decided to have high standards in everything I ate, bought, and did, life suddenly became easier, prettier, and more fun.

Caffe del Doge makes the list.  I come here for a cappuccino (always to stay, never to go, because paper cups are ugly and taste gross) whenever I have had an encounter with bad taste and need to cleanse my palate.  I also come here for a cappuccino whenever I am looking forward to something fun and want ten minutes of delicious, invigorating me time beforehand.

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Christina H.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
05/17/2008

Drinking their cappuccino and eating one of their croissants with a smear of jam brought me back to Italy.  This place does a good job of creating that Italian cafe feel.  The decor and service, however, are not as inviting as one would desire in a place where you're meant to relax and lounge with friends.  So if you're looking to get good coffee and a light snack by yourself and your computer (they have wireless) this would be the place!

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Kristin O.

Cupertino, CA

5 star rating
02/27/2008

I don't drink coffee, but I do drink and eat hot chocolate!  Their hot chocolate is divine.  It's perfect to share a not extra thick hot chocolate with another friend -- make it intimate with close friends or a lover.  Everyone will have a delicious time.

The whole place just feels like an upscale Italian coffee shop with all the waitresses, ingredients, and equiptment imported from Italy :)

It has a nice place on the second floor for studying or small group settings.  It's also nice to sit on the first floor by the windows and watch Palo Alto pass you by while enjoying your delicious Italian beverage.

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Travis D.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
01/19/2008

My girlfriend and i call the place the dojo. Im not really sure how we came to this name, i guess its a play on 'Doge', but we frequently refer to it as the dojo and our friends have no idea what we're talking about.

Now down to business: You can't comment on this place without talking about Coupa cafe, the other top notch coffee shop in Palo Alto. Coupa is the yin to the Doge's yang, and i love both, but for very different reasons.

Doge is distinctly European. You hear just as much Italian being spoken (and misc. other languages) as English. They have a bunch of different drinks that are all great. I like that they have a bunch of different kinds of espresso to choose from. It and coupa are tied for the best cappuccino i've ever had. This place is that good.

Watch out, the Italian take on hot chocolate is dangerous. Lying somewhere between hot chocolate, heated high quality chocolate pudding, and the chocolate sauce that the spanish eat with churros.

My only complaint is that the service can be spotty. I find that when there are guys behind the counter they are normally happy to give their opinion about what new drink my girlfriend and i should try. They are friendly and seem to be genuinely excited that we stopped by. On the other hand when the women are behind the counter, they seem to dismiss us because i don't grease my hair, talk with a funny accent, and wear goofy expensive clothes. Oh well, they still make up some delicious food and drink.

If i've been out on my bike or am just generally feeling the whole european thing, or my girlfriend wants to reminisce about her semester spent in a small Northern Italian town, we go to the Doge.

When i feel like wearing flip flops and a fleece pull over, or like i belong in the cast of "friends", we go to Coupa. Both are fantastic.

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Kenny J.

San Jose, CA

4 star rating
02/19/2008

I've been here a few times and love their espresso. The quality is fairly consistent, always with very rich crema and no bitterness. I was at Stanford earlier for an appointment and I stopped by for a doppio on my way home. Perfect.

The espresso bar is downstairs and there is an upstairs with much more seating. There was a display case with some sandwiches and pastries, as well as tiramisu and other desserts. Not a terribly good selection of pastries though, so I passed.

A friend told me about this place years ago, and how they flew in baristas from Italy to help with the opening and training of the staff. Being a espresso junkie, of course I can check it out. I wish it was closer to where I live/work, maybe they'll open a South Bay location someday.

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Geoff D.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
11/12/2007

I've got a new favorite cafe in Palo Alto.

The coffee, serving style and several staff members here are authentically Italian... or at least as authentically Italian as I can deduce from having tourist-ed there a few times.  :-)  In any event, the coffee is good and the staff get annoyed if you try to take it "to go" (the paper cup and time, as we should all should know, are enemies of good espresso).

In addition to having sipped a couple of coffees at Caffe del Doge, I spent an afternoon working here last week, during which I enjoyed a terrific turkey panini and 3-4 hours of fast & uninterrupted wi-fi access.

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