Great Bear Coffee

Amanda Seals

Years ago I stopped in and was memorized by the most buttery and delicious ollieberry pie topped with fresh made whipped cream. Grabbed a slice today and it was just as tasty.

Amber Grandprey-Shores

Cute coffee shop with kind staff and tasty drinks! The foam on the salted caramel toffee latte was absolutely perfect.

Meg Viola

Best coffee we had on our entire California road trip! Love that they support local artists as well. So cozy!

Esther J

Straight up black Americano is a 4.5 out of 5 for coffee. Great service and vibes. Lots of seating. Fun latte flavors as well. They also have lots of baked things like quiche and slices of cake.

jaimie strickland

Cute little coffee shop in the heart of downtown Los Gatos. Staff is super nice and helpful. Coffee is good. And there are always wheat free and vegan baked goods options!

Alan Feinberg

Brand new owner. Same Great Bear! After “The Bear” was sold a couple of months ago, I was worried that the new owner would change everything so that he could put his stamp on the place. Fortunately, he decided to keep the same unique character of the original shop while just making a few tweaks. The old bathroom has been updated, the walls have been freshly painted (but the clever trompe l'oeil murals are gone), the floors have been replaced, and there’s a large new outdoor seating area with colorful tables and chairs. He wisely kept the experienced baristas, including the longtime manager. Most importantly, his team still roasts the same high quality coffee beans on-site so you know you’ll always get a fresh cup. I had a chance to chat with the new owner, Abdy Mirzadegan, while he was grinding a pound of beans for me. He told me that he always wanted to own an independent coffeehouse like this and he was delighted to have the opportunity here in Los Gatos. Based on my recent experience, I’m glad that I can continue to recommend The Great Bear. After more than 30 years, it remains an ideal destination for coffee lovers who also want to support a small, family-owned, business. ORIGINAL REVIEW: 7/5/2022 In 1991, as corporate coffee chains began to dominate the landscape, an entrepreneur named Sue Ann Van Epps took a chance and opened an independent coffeehouse in the heart of downtown Los Gatos. The family has been roasting their own small batch selections on site ever since, and their little shop has built a loyal following of coffee aficionados just like me. I love black coffee and have learned to appreciate the quality of freshly ground beans. My personal favorite is “Eyes of the World”, a medium-bodied blend of Sumatran beans with just the right earthiness and very low acidity. It’s usually available by the cup and by the pound. They also offer sweet and savory food items from their Los Osos Cafe (Spanish for “the bears”), as well as custom-crafted espresso drinks, hot and cold teas, and other beverages. The shop has a casual, lived-in vibe with wood floors, exposed brick walls, and gently weathered furniture. It’s often hard to find a table, especially in the morning. Unfortunately there’s no outdoor patio. If you’re looking for the latest trendy Frappuccino or Alpachino, this isn’t the place for you. But if you want to enjoy a terrific cup of coffee while supporting one of the two independent coffeehouses in downtown Los Gatos, then make it a point to visit Great Bear Coffee. Get there soon — and go back often — because the town has recently issued the very first permit for a well known corporate chain to open a coffee shop in the heart of the historic business district. Shop local!

Bayan R

Good and strong drip coffee. Lively on a Friday morning full of people talking to each other. Nice background music, not too loud. Would have loved to stick around longer but I had a flight to catch.

W Taylor

Great, 90's-style coffee shop and roaster. Order one of the specials menu items. It will be full of milk and sugar and you will be glad that it is.

Sriram Sundararajan

Location: Located at the far end of downtown Los Gatos, this coffee shop is very easy to miss if you drive or even walk by. Free parking is available on the street and around the block. The storefront is nestled and hidden well by adjacent buildings so as you get closer, do look out for the signs. They have a great selection of coffee and snacks. I ordered the rose infused latte and was pleasantly surprised by the nice aroma of rose and the subtle yet appealing rose flavor. The drink was made well and absolutely recommend you try this if it's listed on the menu. They do have adequate space inside the store but also outside. The day was warm and pleasantly inviting to sit outside and tried it. You do have to put up with the noise from heavy vehicles passing through.

Minna Luu

this coffee shop is the definition of cute and cozy! i got the peppermint mocha which was one of the holiday specials recommended to me by one of the baristas and it tasted like holiday spirit :) loved how roomy the interior is and definitely a great study or remote work space. will have to come back and try their pastries and food.

Came here on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. Long line to order, but it felt worth the wait. The shop is very cute and right in a great downtown area. Super lively energy inside. They have a huge specials board plus a seasonal menu, which made ordering tempting. I got the blackberry pie latte and it was amazing. Coffee forward with great flavor. The blackberry pie note was subtle, not overpowering, and worked really well. Would definitely come back to try more.

The Chocolate Coffee Cream (or Triple C) is the most decadent chocolate shake you will ever taste. The real whipped cream is delicious and not too sweet. Oh the coffee is good too. They have a variety of flavoured syrups to choose from. I also enjoy the ever changing art they display on their walls.

I really loved coming to this place with one of my best girlfriends when we visited Los Gatos in October. The food and drinks were delicious!!!! Excellent costumer service. Peaceful atmosphere. I will DEFINITELY go back when we visit our old hometown again 🩷

I love the great bear . I find most of the other coffee shops in Los Gatos to be pretty snobby and impersonal. This is a place that makes you feel at home and that they like you. I know the owner. He’s a wonderful man. Staff is always super kind highly efficient there to please can’t say enough good stuff about the spot.

A well known café on the downtown Los Gatos strip with excellent indoor and outdoor atmosphere. Delicious drinks, bakery items, and light food. A delightful break from the chains! Try the Persian rose 🌹 latte.

A’Cora Berry

I really loved coming to this place with one of my best girlfriends when we visited Los Gatos in October. The food and drinks were delicious!!!! Excellent costumer service. Peaceful atmosphere. I will DEFINITELY go back when we visit our old hometown again 🩷

Steven Gasparovic

I love the great bear . I find most of the other coffee shops in Los Gatos to be pretty snobby and impersonal. This is a place that makes you feel at home and that they like you. I know the owner. He’s a wonderful man. Staff is always super kind highly efficient there to please can’t say enough good stuff about the spot.

Paul Yeatman

A well known café on the strip downtown Los Gatos with excellent indoor and outdoor atmosphere. Delicious drinks, bakery items, and light food. A delightful break from the chains! Try the Persian rose 🌹 latte.

I have lived in San Jose for 18 years, in Santa Clara and every weekend we go to different areas of the bay. One of my favorites is Los Gatos. After lunch we go to Great Bear Coffee to drink coffee or matcha, many times with lemon cake or pastries and work on the internet because the Wi-Fi is strong. In summer time we sit outside and always order the Famous Chocolate Coffee Cream, just delicious. The staff is young dynamic & friendly. The place is spacious and has tables for four people - my favorite in winter - and other larger ones for 8 people to share. It also has 4 tables outside and now in times of covid they added more space on the street. I highly recommend it for a break with something delicious to eat and a good coffee. 😄☕️ Update: We took our drinks for a picnic 🧺 happy to see they use Eco friendly paper hot cups 🪴

Cute little cafe in Los Gatos. I love the art here! Staff are friendly and quick! I always order the iced citrus black tea. A few vegan options for sweet treats. Sadly, I couldn’t find any dairy or gluten free treats there. A relaxed place to get work done or to meet someone for a coffee!

Cris Fleming

I have lived in San Jose for 18 years, in Santa Clara and every weekend we go to different areas of the bay. One of my favorites is Los Gatos. After lunch we go to Great Bear Coffee to drink coffee or matcha, many times with lemon cake or pastries and work on the internet because the Wi-Fi is strong. In summer time we sit outside and always order the Famous Chocolate Coffee Cream, just delicious. The staff is young dynamic & friendly. The place is spacious and has tables for four people - my favorite in winter - and other larger ones for 8 people to share. It also has 4 tables outside and now in times of covid they added more space on the street. I highly recommend it for a break with something delicious to eat and a good coffee. 😄☕️ Update: We took our drinks for a picnic 🧺 happy to see they use Eco friendly paper hot cups 🪴

Claire Bonnepart

Cute little cafe in Los Gatos. I love the art here! Staff are friendly and quick! I always order the iced citrus black tea. A few vegan options for sweet treats. Sadly, I couldn’t find any dairy or gluten free treats there. A relaxed place to get work done or to meet someone for a coffee!

Spacious indoor and outdoor areas. Good selection of drinks and pastries. Cons: A little chaotic inside: looking like a storage at the back and crowded counter. You may have to wait until you get a table. Hard to find a parking spot

Great coffee, great service but horrible internet. GB is my go to spot for getting some work done outside of my home office and I love the service and the atmosphere. The internet is unreliable. If you have to complete any urgent work or school task do NOT count on the internet working. They use Xfinity that has frequent disruptions in Los Gatos. When you walk in, look around and if you see lots of frustrated folks that means the WIFI is down. It’s not the employees fault it’s squarely on ownership. I would 100% recommend this place for anything else besides work that requires an internet connection. Hint: if it rained within the last 72 hours the internet is probably down.

Paul Styka

Great coffee, great service but horrible internet. GB is my go to spot for getting some work done outside of my home office and I love the service and the atmosphere. The internet is unreliable. If you have to complete any urgent work or school task do NOT count on the internet working. They use Xfinity that has frequent disruptions in Los Gatos. When you walk in, look around and if you see lots of frustrated folks that means the WIFI is down. It’s not the employees fault it’s squarely on ownership. I would 100% recommend this place for anything else besides work that requires an internet connection. Hint: if it rained within the last 72 hours the internet is probably down.

Neda Mandegaran

Spacious indoor and outdoor areas. Good selection of drinks and pastries. Cons: A little chaotic inside: looking like a storage at the back and crowded counter. You may have to wait until you get a table. Hard to find a parking spot

Daniel Thomason

Man, I really wanted to like this place. On the upside, the decor is cute and the person who served me was friendly. But the coffee was awful! We got two sips in and couldn't keep going - it was super bitter. It wasn't the ratio of coffee to milk, either: I got a single-shot cappuccino. Expected better from a roastery, too. Bottom line: if you're coming for pastries or a sweet drink it might be fine, but don't order a normal coffee.

Went in for a cup of coffee and some pastries since it’s open till 630, per Google. However, when I place my order, I was told it would have to be to go since they closed “five minutes” at ~6:05. Six more people proceeded to enter after me, which did not get this disclaimer , unclear why. I got a chai which, that with accordance with previous reviews, tasted watered down. I also got a cappuccino, which was great! Their chocolate cheesecake, did not have much flavor - just tasting like a block of sugar.

Atmosphere is poorly decorated and music is too loud. Staff misunderstood our order and my chai latte was incredibly weak and watered down. The worst chai latte I’ve ever had. We got a double shot of espresso as well, and it was also pretty weak. We should’ve gone to Starbucks instead.

Anais

Atmosphere is poorly decorated and music is too loud. Staff misunderstood our order and my chai latte was incredibly weak and watered down. The worst chai latte I’ve ever had. We got a double shot of espresso as well, and it was also pretty weak. We should’ve gone to Starbucks instead.