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About Ada's Cafe
Ada's Cafe is a nonprofit cafe in south Palo Alto with a clear purpose beyond coffee. It is a 501(c)(3) social enterprise that provides jobs and training for people with developmental disabilities, neurodivergent people and others who face barriers to employment. The cafe sums up its approach with the line "Where Good Food and Community Meet." Its address, 3700 Middlefield Road, is the building shared by the Mitchell Park Library and the Mitchell Park Community Center.
The founder and executive director is Kathleen Foley-Hughes, a chef and mother whose twin children have disabilities. The cafe's website traces the idea back to a cafe she started at her son's middle school, where students with special needs learned baking and life skills. She later ran a similar cafe at his high school, staffed by special education students working alongside their peers. Charlie Hughes is listed as co-founder and lead barista.
The name carries two meanings. Ada was the grandmother of Kathleen's childhood friend. Her kitchen was a gathering spot for kids in the neighborhood. ADA also refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark law passed in 1990.
How the cafe works
Ada's describes its values as three C's. Community means building a welcoming place where neighbors connect. Compassionate employment means work programs shaped around each employee's needs. Commercial success matters too, because a busy, well-run cafe keeps the mission going and challenges low expectations about what people with disabilities can do. The team page lists more than two dozen people, from the founders to baristas and kitchen staff.
Because Ada's is a nonprofit, it also relies on donations, which are tax-deductible. The website has a donation page and publishes an annual update. The homepage also posts community events, such as World Cup viewings and a stargazing night, so check it for what is coming up.
What is on the menu
The 2026 menu covers pastries, breakfast and lunch. Baked goods include an apple slipper, a cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, plain, chocolate and almond croissants, a morning bun, scones, muffins, cookies and banana bread. There is a pie of the day and Straus Creamery soft serve in vanilla, chocolate or swirl. The menu lists gluten-free and vegan options among the sweets.
Breakfast runs from a croissant egg sandwich and a breakfast burrito with black beans and butternut squash to brioche French toast, quiche Lorraine, biscuits and vegetarian frittata muffins with housemade salsa. Lunch centers on sandwiches with names like the Wonderful Wendy and the Butternut Squash Bomb, plus a ham and brie croissant, a vegetarian Alpine sandwich and grilled cheese. Empanadas, a greens and grain bowl and soup or chili round it out. If you eat in, the cafe adds a side salad to your meal. The menu notes that many items contain wheat, dairy, nuts, cocoa or eggs.
The drink side features coffee from Moksha Roasting. Expect espresso drinks, cold brew, chai, a London Fog, matcha and a turmeric golden vanilla latte. There is also an affogato made with the soft serve and a mushroom latte. Milk options include oat, almond, soy and coconut at no extra charge.
Who it suits
Ada's works for a weekday breakfast, a lunch break or a coffee before or after a library visit. Families heading to the park can pick up pastries or soft serve. It also suits anyone who wants their spending to support a local mission. Monday is the one day the cafe does not list hours, so plan around that.
Tips for visiting
The cafe opens at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 9 a.m. on Sunday, closing at 5 p.m. each of those days. Ask at the counter about breakfast specials and weekly sandwich specials, which the menu does not list in full. If you plan a longer outing, our Mitchell Park guide covers the park and its Magical Bridge Playground, which sit beside the library building. Our Palo Alto libraries guide explains branch hours and services. For more cafes around town, see our coffee guide. For family ideas, see Palo Alto with kids.
Location and getting there
Ada's Cafe is at 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, in the Charleston area of Palo Alto. Our Charleston guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 1.1 miles away. That is roughly a 27 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Saturday | 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Sunday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- Ellen Thacher Children's Center, service business, 0.2 mi
- Great Clips, salon or spa, 0.2 mi
- Charleston Cleaners, service business, 0.2 mi
- Pet Food Express, shop, 0.3 mi
- Mountain Mike's, restaurant, 0.3 mi
- Mitchell Park Library, under 0.1 mi
- Mitchell Park and Magical Bridge, 0.1 mi
- Ramos Park, 0.4 mi
Other cafes and coffee shops nearby: Peet's Coffee Middlefield Road (0.2 mi); Starbucks 3885 El Camino Real (1.0 mi); Palo Alto Cafe (1.2 mi); Teaspoon (1.2 mi). Browse the full cafes and coffee shops list.
Before you go
- Weekday mornings bring a rush of commuters and students, so expect a line between about 8 and 9:30 a.m.
- Some cafes limit laptop use at busy times or have few outlets. Ask before settling in for a long work session.
- Hours often change with the school calendar and holidays. Check the cafe's site or map listing before a special trip.
About this listing
Checked October 29, 2026 against Ada's Cafe official website; About Ada's Cafe; Ada's Cafe menu; Ada's Cafe team. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ada's Cafe in Palo Alto?
Ada's Cafe is at 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, in the Charleston area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 1.1 miles away.
What is Ada's Cafe's mission?
Ada's Cafe is a nonprofit social enterprise. It says it provides employment and training for people with developmental disabilities, neurodivergent people and others who face barriers to work. Sales and donations support that program.
Who is Ada's Cafe named after?
The name has two meanings, according to the cafe. Ada was the grandmother of founder Kathleen's childhood friend, whose kitchen was a gathering place for neighborhood kids. ADA also stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Does Ada's Cafe have plant-based milk?
Yes. The 2026 drink menu lists oat, almond, soy and coconut milk and says there is no upcharge for plant-based milk. The food menu also lists gluten-free and vegan options among its baked goods.
What are Ada's Cafe's hours?
Monday: Closed; Tuesday to Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..