Pistachio latte with pistachio cream top ($8.50) at Dr.ink, a San Jose-based cafe soon expanding to Cupertino. Courtesy Dr.ink.
A San Jose cafe known for its craft coffee, tea and other beverages is expanding to Cupertino.
Dr.ink, pronounced “Doctor Ink,” is expected to soft open Nov. 24 in the former space of boba shop Tpumps. Established in 2021 by husband and wife Derek Zhao and Serena Yang, the cafe aims to not just focus on coffee, but drinks in general.
“I think what really makes us different is the creativity, the storytelling, because … each drink feels like a small creative project,” Yang said.
From left, Dr.ink’s pistachio latte, osmanthus latte and pumpkin latte, all of which are current seasonal drinks ($7.75-$8.50). Courtesy Dr.ink.
From left, Dr.ink’s butterscotch latte and caramel latte; the latter is a former seasonal drink. Courtesy Dr.ink.
In addition to classic coffee shop finds such as cortados and cappuccinos, Dr.ink offers seasonal items, crafted coffee-based drinks, tea-based drinks, “creations” (elevated tea and noncaffeinated drinks) and sparkling options. Coffee beans are from Onyx Coffee Lab, a roaster based in Arkansas, and pastries are from The Midwife and the Baker in Mountain View.
Yang’s top two recommendations are the black sesame latte and the butterscotch latte, featuring cream tops in their respective flavors ($6.50-$7.50). Yang, who lived in China until she was 12 years old, said the black sesame latte is inspired by Asian desserts. The butterscotch latte was inspired by the butterbeer served at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, she said.
The interior of Dr.ink’s new cafe in Cupertino. Courtesy Dr.ink.
Dr.ink’s new cafe in Cupertino features a warmer ambiance than its San Jose location. Courtesy Dr.ink.
Current seasonal items include an osmanthus latte made with osmanthus honey and fermented rice, a pistachio latte featuring a pistachio cream top, and a golden oolong tea infused with coconut and topped with a hojicha cream top ($7.75-$8).
Yang described the ambiance of Dr.ink’s new Cupertino location as warmer than its San Jose location, with walls painted similar to a milk tea color and ample natural lighting. Eight small round tables are available for those looking to dine-in.
Dr.ink offers rotating seasonal drinks, including these guava matcha lattes, which are no longer available. Courtesy Dr.ink.
Zhao and Yang came up with the idea for Dr.ink after returning from a year of various travels, which they took after selling a previous restaurant. Zhao held a longtime passion for coffee and its various brewing methods while Yang wanted to express her creativity, focusing on design and experience.
The expansion to Cupertino comes after demand from customers to open outside of San Jose while still being close enough for Zhao and Yang, who are San Jose residents, to stay deeply involved, she said.
“We hope Dr. Ink becomes a calm, creative space to enjoy good coffee, connect, and slow down — even just for a few minutes in the day,” Yang wrote in an email.
Hoji-Oolong is a current seasonal drink at Dr.ink, topping a coconut-infused golden oolong with a hojicha cream top ($8). Courtesy Dr.ink.
Dr.ink is the latest in a slew of craft coffee shops opening nearby. Pour Decisions Craft, also from San Jose, is opening Saturday in Mountain View, and Phin Cafe, which has two San Jose locations, opened Friday in Campbell. In downtown Palo Alto, Yummy Future and Goodthing Coffee both recently opened.
Dr.ink, 19959 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino; 408-703-3227, Instagram: @dr.ink_sj. Beginning Nov. 24, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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