Royal Ground Coffee

The coffee here was great. Ordered a mocha and definitely tasted fresh and not as sweet as normal coffee places like Starbucks or Peets. Also ordered the Turkey Sandwich with all the fixings. The sandwich was so good on a croissant bun and panini pressed. Will definitely come back here again.

I’m looking for my new coffee hang out. I read the reviews of several, was drawn to the description of their large windows and also curious about whether the reviewer who wrote about the owner systematically ripping people off at the cash register (not discounting for the bring-​your-​own-​cup discount and charging the price for food items with additions like eggs or cheese when it was ordered without eggs or cheese, etc.) — whether he was paranoid, or would a business actually do that. So I went, with my cup in hand. I asked for a coffee in my own cup from the lady at the counter. While she was getting it, the short Hispanic man who runs the place came to the register to ring me out. I told him I was getting a coffee in my own cup, that I had brought my own cup. He told me how much I owed — and quoted the price for using their cup. I asked whether that was the price including the bring-​your-​own-​cup discount. He acted like he’d forgotten, which is impossible since I had just said it twice two seconds earlier, and then he gave me the discounted price. Not only that, but I paid cash, and he put the cash into the tip jar instead of the cash register, presumably to avoid paying taxes on the sale. Systematic dishonesty leaves a bad taste in my coffee. I will definitely not be coming here again.

This Coffee house is excellent!
The best sandwiches in Marin!
It’s not often that the employees act like owners of the establishment and it shows,
In how you are treated and the quality of the food, staff and your overall experience here.
I highly recommend for breakfast or lunch!

Unilocal said they were closed today but they indeed were open (midday Tuesday).
Greeted by Friendly staff. Chill atmosphere. Multi lingual. Great fresh, soft bagels and delicious coffee.
However I ordered decaf and got the opposite!!! Kind of a big deal as i am very sensitive to caffeine! So be aware and order very clearly.

Amazing pastries. The pumpkin bread and the pumpkin cream cheese muffins an absolute delight! The horn blowing in the speaker making your foot tap and your shoulder bounce. Oh look at the variety of sandwich items. Yeah then there is this constant level of noise that allows you to carry on a conversation that everyone will hear the sound but no one will hear the words. The folks that run it? Oh for sure they are friendly for sure. But all of that has absolutely nothing to do with the one main reason you should come here and that is the fantastic coffee! Smooth and deep. Once you have had Royal Ground you will wonder why? Why you have not come here sooner!

No change from my first review except: watch out for the man — I believe owner — who will use every opportunity to overcharge you and then pretend he made a mistake.
For example, when something comes with cheese or no cheese, eggs or no eggs, etc., even if you say no eggs, or whatever, he’ll still charge you the full price. The difference is small and one’s usually not paying much attention, so he probably always gets away with it.
Same thing with coffee, when you have your own cup, he’ll «forget» to give you the your own coffee cup credit.
He’s done this to me so many times. He’s actually succeeded in cheating me once, but not again. Now that I know he does this, I always pay attention; he always does exactly the same thing trying to overcharge, I always correct him, he always pretends he forgot. .. or whatever.
Bottom line, he’s always looking to cheat you in any way he sees an opportunity. So pay attention.
Meanwhile, he’s ever sooooo friendly.
Gross!

This place gets 5 stars for service and deliciousness! I’ve been coming to this spot periodically for about a year now since I started my job and every time is a delight. The coffee and tea are reasonably priced and sometimes taste better than the Starbucks down the street.
Today I ordered a salad that wasn’t even on the menu. I asked if they could do a hybrid of two salads and the guy graciously said, «we can do anything you want». So I made a Chinese chicken bacon salad.

Staff was really nice, bit crowded but I guess every place here is crowded. Their prices were fair.
I miss Michigan

Best coffee in Marin. Also amazing friendly staff. Real coffee roaster in house. Wonderful aromas.
Len Tillem

Stopped here for lunch before a movie. Had a ham and cheese sandwich and an iced tea. Very pleasant service, fair prices, and the sandwich was fine.

Yumm. Came here on a late Friday morning around 11:30am. The place was moderately crowded but nice and quiet with people on their laptops mostly. We were greeted immediately by a cheerful, polite man.
I ordered a florentine (a thin, almond chocolate cookie) and was floored by how delicious it was. It tasted extremely fresh and caramelly. I got a small dark roast as well. My boyfriend got a small americano (all of their espresso drinks get 2 espresso shots standard). Both of our beverages were delicious. While I was scarfing down my cookie at a table, the man at the counter (Alejandro?) talked to my boyfriend about their espresso and offered to pull him long shots for his americano instead of standard. I thought that was very nice of him. They truly care about their coffee there, you can tell.
All of their pastries looked delicious, I had to stop myself from ordering a lemon bar also! I overheard one of the customers telling another that this place roasts their coffees with freshly ground beans daily. That’s always nice to hear. :)

I’m just in the area waiting to get my tires changed and I came here for a cup of coffee. The only thing better than the coffee was the friendly service! Not the superficial, please and thank you kind of friendly, but the genuine welcoming feeling.
Did I mention the house coffee was fantastic?

This is my first time here. I had a vegetarian sandwich and a caramel macchiato. Mayonnaise, mustard, tomato, onion, pickles, sprouts, lettuce and AVOCADO mmm so delicious. Love it

Everytime I come in here the staff is always nice and funny. The food is really good and there’s always a place to sit. I prefer coming here over Starbucks down the street.

Still loving this place. The only problem is that I’m going to have to go on a diet – Lenny and Chang (the owners) keep giving me free pastries! Royal Ground has updated their food offerings and the pastries are really, really good. Lenny gave us a florentine (like a thin toffee round dipped in chocolate) and it was the best I’ve ever had. In fact, I used to think I didn’t like florentines. The brownies are ridiculously fudgy and rich and – dare I say it – better than my grandmother’s recipe. The black tie cake, which I think is a favorite of Chang’s, is also good. Everything is baked locally, I believe. Royal Ground has also expanded their sandwich and salad menu. The breakfast sandwiches seem particularly popular. Wifi is free and the air conditioning is very comfortable. (Not all the cafes on this block are air conditioned).

Came here for a cup of espresso but the sandwich menu looked very appetizing so I could not resist. Needless to say, I left completely satisfied and full. They make a killer sandwich here, and their coffee is simply amazing. New favorite in heart of San Rafael. No more Starbucks for me.

Warm welcome, hot coffee, delicious pastries. How can you go wrong?
This family run business was a gift on a day when we struggled to find a spot where we could sit and use the WiFi before heading back to the home office.
We were welcomed, invited to be at home while we enjoyed our coffee and caught up on correspondence, and were charmed to watch the youngest member of the family being trained to offer great service to customers.
I feel like we’ve just spent an afternoon having coffee at the home of a good friend. Glad we stopped here.

I would say it was a lovely experience getting coffee here. I am a coffee addict and I am happy to say that the coffee is awesome, tasteful, and satisfying. The cashier was friendly and warm, the over all service was good and I am very happy with my cup of coffee.

Royal Ground Coffee didn’t disappoint with their service and coffee. consistent at all locales i’ve been to (except for s.f.)
menu: pastries, desserts, coffee.
brew: coffee (m, 2)
–robust, full bodied, nonacidic
–better than star…
drips:
–metered parking for san rafael, cheap.

Delicious hot coffee (for me to drink with soy milk)
Great customer service (eager to please with quickness, correctness, & friendliness)
Yummy quiche (vegetarian, and meaty)
Parking better than average 4^th Street (or maybe not)
Also… wifi, regulars, and fair pricing.