Il Piccolo Caffe: "Our friendly local italian coffee house is a must!" Burlingame Restaurant Tip by Lornabug

There are a million reasons to come here if you're stopping through or are resting up overnight at SFO. This is the place to get your cup o' joe, meet a friend, do some business (free wifi!), or socialize. While most cafes with a Starbucks accross the street eventually succumb to the pressure as business slows, Il Piccolo keeps going strong.

Italian themed with fountains, stove, stained glass windows, paintings and photos that will take you back to Tuscany and the roasts to guide your nose there, too. The espresso drinks are hand-made by pros who are super friendly and know everyone who comes in. On sunny days the windows open to the sidewalk seating and in the evenings sometimes there's a little live music. Fresh flowers always grace the tables, and there's a smoking area with benches and murals around the side. Plenty of sweets and treats as well as delicious breakfast plates ranging from bagels, eggs, fresh fruit, veggies, burritos, wraps, and, my fav, the best home-style oatmeal in the world with fresh fruit, raisins, and steamed milk. They also serve beer and wine for the afternoons. A selection of local papers will fill you in on what to do when you leave.

This is right on Broadway, the downtown that's the heart of Burlingame, with most shops having been here for decades, as opposed to the trendier Burlingame Ave just south where the Gap, etc. reside. Take the Burlingame Trolley from the bigger hotels by the airport for free to get here. (see my trolley tip)

Address: 1219 Broadway, Burlingame
Comparison: about average
Directions: On the south side of the street, between El Camino and California Ave.
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 5
Theme: Coffeehouse