Great Bear Coffee Roasting

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.

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 🪴

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!