Artisan coffee, Korean-inspired salted breads, and specialty drinks served steps from San Jose City Hall.
Tucked into the historic core at 76 E Santa Clara Street, The F1rst Take brings Seoul’s artisan bakery culture to Silicon Valley’s front door. Each morning our bakers pull trays of salted milk bread—crispy, golden crusts yielding to plush, butter-laced centers that regulars swear rival anything in Gangnam. Behind the counter, baristas craft seasonal drinks with house-made brown-sugar syrups and single-origin espresso pulled on a matte-black Slayer machine. The space itself is industrial-luxe: raw brick, matte black steel, and warm oak communal tables that fill with coders on deadlines and couples meeting for weekend cortados. Whether you’re craving an iced oat-milk brown-sugar latte or a warm loaf to take home, The F1rst Take delivers the first bite—and the first sip—that makes you want seconds.
Our espresso bar turns out silky cortados, velvety flat whites, and rotating single-origin pour-overs. Signature drinks include the fan-favorite Brown Sugar Oatmilk Latte and a honey-cinnamon cold brew finished with toasted marshmallow cold foam. The bakery case features daily batches of salted milk bread, black-sesame croissants, and matcha custard buns. Grab-and-go retail shelves stock whole-bean coffee roasted in small lots, house-made syrups, and bento-style lunch boxes for the weekday crowd. Need a meeting space? Reserve our rear nook table—seats six with outlets and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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Our Brown Sugar Oatmilk Latte does not include boba by default. If you’d like chewy tapioca pearls added, just ask—it’s an extra $1.
We have a bright front window bar and a cozy six-seat nook in the back—first come, first served. Large groups can reserve the nook by calling ahead.
Yes—free high-speed Wi-Fi and ample outlets along the communal tables make us a favorite among downtown freelancers and students.
Our salted milk bread and classic croissants contain gluten. We usually stock at least two gluten-free items daily; check the case tags or ask our staff.
We open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday to catch early risers headed to the nearby farmers’ market.
Absolutely. Call or DM us on Instagram 24 hours ahead for loaves, croissants, or assorted pastry boxes.