I stopped by 85°C Bakery and picked up a Sea Salt Caramel Coffee, Milk Bread, and Lemon Muffins. The coffee was perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and a nice touch of saltiness. The Milk Bread was super soft and fresh, and the Lemon Muffins had a light, zesty flavor that wasn’t overly sweet. It was definitely crowded when I visited, but honestly, that just showed how popular the place is—and the service still moved quickly. Overall, a great experience, and I’ll definitely be back to try more!
Sep 27 · rachana karriBAKERY PROFILE
85°C Bakery Cafe - Waterford
★ 4.01,033 recorded reviews$10–20
541 W Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95136, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 541 W Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95136, USA
- Phone
- (408) 265-8585
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 1,033 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- Monday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Tuesday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Thursday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Friday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Sunday8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
About and visit notes
The South Bay food scene is incredibly dynamic, and for those in San Jose and the surrounding areas, the 85°C Bakery Cafe - Waterford has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination. More than just a traditional bakery, this location operates as a multifaceted culinary spot, combining the appeal of a high-quality Bakery with a modern Cafe, a vibrant Coffee shop, a diverse Dessert shop, and a casual Restaurant environment. This unique concept, rooted in the spirit of Taiwanese-style baking and beverage artistry, offers an unparalleled selection of both sweet and savory items alongside an inventive drink menu. This extensive article is designed to provide local California users with all the essential details about this popular establishment, from its accessible location on West Capitol Expressway to the wide array of fresh breads, specialty cakes, and signature Sea Salt beverages that draw in crowds daily.
The name 85°C refers to the optimal temperature at which coffee should be served, symbolizing the bakery’s commitment to quality and perfection in all its offerings. The San Jose location at Waterford Plaza lives up to this standard by consistently providing freshly baked goods throughout the day. Customers appreciate the self-serve model for bread, allowing them to browse and select from dozens of choices, all baked with care and attention. Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast on the go, a decadent whole cake for a celebration, or a relaxing afternoon break with a specialized latte, this San Jose spot delivers a superior experience that marries affordability with premium taste and freshness, making it a cornerstone of the local community.
Location and Accessibility
Conveniently situated to serve the greater San Jose community, particularly those in the South Bay, the 85°C Bakery Cafe is easy to find and highly accessible. The bakery’s address is:
541 W Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95136, USA
Located off a major thoroughfare, the Waterford location makes it a simple stop for both daily commuters and local residents. Accessibility is a key feature of this location, ensuring a comfortable experience for all visitors. The premises include a Wheelchair accessible entrance, making the entire bakery floor navigable. For those arriving by car, the location boasts a Free parking lot as well as Free street parking, which is a significant amenity in the busy South Bay area. Further enhancing the convenience and inclusive nature of the establishment, they also provide a designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot and a fully compliant Wheelchair accessible restroom. The focus on providing a seamless experience, from parking to accessing the amenities like the Restroom, makes this a stress-free choice for a Quick visit at any time of the day. This attention to detail reflects a professional commitment to serving the entire California community.
Services Offered
The 85°C Bakery Cafe in San Jose provides a comprehensive suite of service options tailored to modern California lifestyles, catering to customers whether they prefer to dine in, take out, or receive their orders at home. The wide array of convenient services ensures a smooth and flexible experience for every customer.
Available services and payment options include:
In-Store Shopping: Customers can enjoy the signature experience of browsing the extensive displays of fresh bread and pastries, selecting their own items with tongs and trays, and then enjoying them on-site. The environment is designed for a pleasant and efficient Quick visit.
Takeout and In-Store Pickup: For those in a hurry, the bakery facilitates quick service for both pre-ordered items via In-store pickup and immediate purchases for Takeout, ensuring you can grab your favorite items and be on your way quickly.
Delivery: The option for Delivery service allows South Bay residents to enjoy the full range of breads, cakes, and specialty drinks without having to leave their home or office, providing ultimate convenience.
Diverse Dining Options: The cafe serves as an excellent spot for Breakfast, offering a wide range of pastries, breads, and coffee options to start the day right.
Payment Flexibility: To ensure easy transactions, the location accepts major Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments, keeping up with convenient payment standards.
Accessibility and Amenities: The presence of a clean Restroom and full Wheelchair accessible features, including the entrance, parking, and restroom, demonstrates a strong commitment to customer comfort and inclusivity.
These robust service options, combined with the multiple dining and quick-visit planning features, make the 85°C Bakery Cafe a highly efficient and accommodating choice for bakery and cafe needs in the San Jose area.
Features / Highlights
What truly sets this San Jose bakery apart is the sheer variety and quality of its menu, encompassing both savory and sweet items across multiple product categories. The unique offerings, particularly the innovative beverages and freshly baked breads, are major draw cards.
Key features and menu highlights include:
The Famous Sea Salt Series: A signature offering and a must-try for new visitors. The Sea Salt Coffee ICED MEDIUM ($5.30) and the Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea ICED MEDIUM ($5.20) feature a unique, slightly salted cream cap that perfectly balances the rich or aromatic base, creating a balanced and addictive flavor profile. The menu also includes specialty variations like the Sea Salt Caramel Coffee and Sea Salt Matcha Latte.
Highly-Regarded Bread Selection: The bakery is renowned for its fresh, soft, and unique Taiwanese-style breads. The TOP 10 BREADS feature perennial favorites like the super soft Milk Pudding ($2.30), the savory Pork Sung Bun ($2.90), and the aromatic Garlic Cheese ($2.70), providing exceptional variety for an everyday snack or light meal. The customer-cited Milk Bread is praised for being "super soft and fresh."
Extensive Cake and Dessert Menu: For celebrations or personal treats, the bakery offers a full range of large 8" CAKE options, including the creamy Macchiato Cream 8" ($44.00) and the colorful Ube Cream Cake 8" ($42.90). Additionally, there is a substantial selection of individual CAKE SLICES such as the Blueberry Cheesecake Slice ($4.50), Classic Tiramisu Slice ($4.50), and the tropical Mango Brulee Slice ($4.60).
Specialty Beverages and Teas: Beyond coffee, the menu includes a vast selection of FRESH TEAS (like Red Grapefruit Green Tea), traditional MILK TEAS (including Boba Milk Tea and Thai Tea), and unique BLENDED DRINKS like the Mango Coconut Smoothie. Innovative SPECIALTIES such as the Tiger Boba Latte and Yuzu Lavender Bubbly further demonstrate the depth of their drink menu.
Savory and Sweet Rolls: The menu also includes classic and unique roll items like the savory Egg Tart Box (2) ($4.90), the fluffy Chocolate Spong ($3.90), and various muffins, including the customer-approved, zesty Lemon Muffins.
Customer Volume as a Quality Indicator: The high popularity of the location is evidenced by customer remarks noting that the bakery is often crowded, which they interpret positively as a sign of quality and freshness. Despite the crowds, the service is described as moving quickly, a testament to the staff's efficiency.
This incredible breadth of product—from bread and pastries to whole cakes, coffee, and unique teas—establishes the 85°C Bakery Cafe as a full-service bakery and cafe powerhouse in the San Jose region.
Contact Information
For local users planning a visit to the Waterford location, or needing to call ahead for a large cake order or general inquiry, here is the essential contact information:
Address:
541 W Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95136, USA
Phone Numbers:
Primary Phone: (408) 265-8585
Mobile Phone: +1 408-265-8585
With easy access to their phone lines, local South Bay residents can quickly confirm business hours or get details on specialty cake availability, ensuring a well-planned visit to this popular San Jose spot.
What is Worth Choosing
When visiting the 85°C Bakery Cafe - Waterford, certain items and overall characteristics make this destination particularly worthwhile for California users seeking a high-quality yet affordable treat. The primary draw is the fusion of a high-volume, continuously-fresh bakery with an innovative cafe. This combination ensures a dynamic and exciting experience where new items are always available, and the core offerings are consistently of high quality.
Based on customer experiences, a visit here should include the Sea Salt Caramel Coffee (or any item from the Sea Salt Series). Patrons describe the coffee as "perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and a nice touch of saltiness," underscoring the bakery’s mastery of this unique flavor profile. Pair this with a piece of the Milk Bread—praised for being "super soft and fresh"—for an ideal afternoon snack. Alternatively, the zesty Lemon Muffins are noted for their "light, zesty flavor that wasn’t overly sweet," making them a perfect companion to any of the specialty teas like the Passion Fruit Green Tea or the Red Grapefruit Green Tea.
For larger needs, the extensive and beautiful selection of CAKE SLICES provides a daily-accessible, high-end dessert experience at an affordable price, offering flavors like Tiramisu Cheesecake Slice and Deluxe Strawberry Slice. Even a critical review noted that despite a slightly dry cake layer, the overall taste was "decent" for a "very affordable cake," emphasizing the value and taste delivered across the menu. Finally, the convenience of multiple services, including Delivery and abundant Free parking, confirms this San Jose location as a highly practical and delicious choice for any bakery or cafe need in the South Bay.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- In-store shopping
- Takeout
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
coffee 51boba 16savory 10birthday 9taro 8bun 8garlic 6egg tart 5brioche 5flavor 5
Got this coffee cream cake. The cream is very creamy and mild coffee flavor. Both are perfect match to the strawberry which is juicy and a bit sour. Unfortunately, the cake is a little dry. Overall, as a very affordable cake, the taste is decant.
Jul 23 · YI WANGThe treats I got looked so good but didn’t have any flavor to them, almost like the food was just for show. So I was very disappointed but the service was nice and fast. The blueberry cheesecake was ok but the Black Forest cake, chocolate buns and tiramisu had no flavor at all (very watered down).
Oct 5 · Jerica XOGreat bakery that has interesting and fresh items. The items do run out pretty quickly, so you may not always get what you want. Everything is also very reasonably priced and is self-serve. Perfect place to have that dessert after a meal at one one of the many nearby options.
Oct 22 · Monkeyboi ReviewsVery decent mango cake, not too sweet as other places 👍
Aug 11 · Hien TNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
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This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.