Ralph Lauren Co. is most known for its polo shirts, and maybe you’ve seen its fragrances, but have you ever considered its coffee?
The company wants you to, which is why it opened the first Northern California location of Ralph’s Coffee on April 16 in the Stanford Shopping Center, connected to the new Ralph Lauren store.
Ralph Lauren Co. created Ralph’s Coffee in 2014. According to its website, the cafe’s purpose is to serve as a relaxing community space. The interior of Ralph’s Coffee reflects the elegant, preppy American aesthetic of the designer brand with a dark green and white palette, featuring vintage, retro furniture and a standout mosaic flooring.
According to Manager Zanda Robinson, Ralph’s Coffee aims to create “more than” a traditional café experience and serves more than just a cup of coffee.
“We’re not necessarily selling coffee here,” Robinson said. “We’re selling an experience; it should be more than transactional. You walk in, and you see all these beautiful things, and you see all these beautiful spaces, and then you get personal help.”
Although it has a welcoming atmosphere, the café is not the right place for those looking to study or work, as Ralph’s Coffee has a rule prohibiting laptops in its space.
Beyond serving drinks, Ralph’s Coffee brings a one-of-a-kind retro charm to the store, helping it stand out compared to other nearby designer fashion brands.
According to Robinson, the shop’s aesthetic was intentionally designed to align with the company’s fashion identity.
“We want it [Ralph’s Coffee] to be as luxurious as our clothing,” Robinson said. “Of course, coffee is going to increase foot traffic, but we also want people to feel like they’re getting luxury coffee.”
To maintain consistency across the brand, Robinson said that the sourced ingredients are the same across all stores.
“We are very meticulous with what we provide, and we align with all the Ralph’s Coffee [locations],” Robinson said. “If you go to Ralph’s Coffee in New York or Chicago, you are still getting the same ingredients [as Palo Alto] for the most part.”
We waited 10 minutes for our order before sitting down for an afternoon pick-me-up. Here’s what we thought:
Salted Honey Cream Top Latte ($9.50) – 8/10
This drink was a little on the sweeter side, but the soft, airy cold foam added a mild honey flavor that paired well with the latte underneath. The rich espresso and whole milk created a smooth, balanced base, making it an enjoyable and well-crafted drink overall. While the sweetness may not appeal to those who prefer stronger coffee flavors, the drink still felt comforting and satisfying without becoming overwhelming.
Hot Chocolate ($7) – 7/10
This drink featured a deep, rich chocolate flavor combined with whole milk for a creamy texture. Unlike many overly sugary hot chocolates, this Ralph Coffee’s take was not very sweet, allowing the richness of the chocolate to stand out more prominently. Its velvety consistency made the drink feel more refined and indulgent.
Affogato ($9.50) – 8/10
This frozen treat comes with vanilla soft serve ice cream and a shot of espresso served on the side to be poured on top. The bitter, roasted espresso balanced the cool and creamy sweetness of the ice cream, creating a simple yet delightful dessert. As the espresso melted into the soft serve, the texture became even smoother and more flavorful with each bite.
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy coffee shop or if you’re shopping nearby and need a little energy boost, Ralph’s Coffee is the place. Although the prices are slightly higher than those of other cafés, the difference is made up for in a luxurious experience.
