ZombieRunner

After coming in for their great coffee on occasion, I decided to replace my running shoes as well.
Not only was the woman (named Alex I believe) very helpful and knowledgeable, but she was great about listening to my past issues with running shoes. Being someone who has dealt with many running injuries, she pointed me to the perfect pair I love.
Only very minor issue is it’s difficult to come in some days and expect to get help right away with their running shoe selection after 5pm. Because their customer service takes a while, expect to wait a bit
Great store, great people, and great business!

I’d have to say the zombie chai is the spiciest of all the ones I’ve had before. I am addicted. It has cardamon and ginger, 2 ingredients I love and when you marry those together in my mouth it’s one explosion of perfectly balanced flavors I can’t get over. And that twinge of sweetness that they add in certainly helps. I was almost tempted to buy a bag to brew at home. I can totally understand why there are people who would come here to buy their coffee. I love their assortment of Dutch licorice, caramels and chocolates as well.

Can’t say enough good things about this business, and its owners! I“ve been there dozens of times over the past few years for amazing coffee/​espresso (seriously, their espresso is among the best I’ve every had) and to buy shoes, but the very first time I went in, the super helpful co-​owner Gillian actually advised me not to purchase the shoes I went in for, and recommended a different make/​model that were exactly what I needed, and considerable cheaoer than the pair I initially intended to purchase. The shoes (made by Terra Plana w /​vivo soles) have lasted for years and are the best hiking shoes I’ve ever owned! On top of this, all the employees I’ve chatted with over the years have been genuinely helpful/personable…crystal clear that they are really behind the business instead of their employment being «just a job».
What prompted me to write this review (which I should have done years ago) was a (nother) great experience in there this week, which included the purchase of some wonderful soap wrapped in a felt-​like wool that shrinks as the bar shrinks… amazing, and will be hard to go back to non-​wrapped soap now!
Keep it up Zombies… you guys rock!

I thought this was the most random place to have a coffee shop. ZombieRunner is in a running store, definitely unique because you can shop for running gear while waiting for your drink to be made! I ordered a soy latte and it was strong and delicious! Great place to grab some caffeine if you are on the go!

Fantastic cold brewed coffee!

Great cup of coffee found in a running store. Really odd but really great coffee. The hazel nut latte was hot and delicious and better than Starbucks.

My first time here for a coffee fix. Not only do they have coffee but they have tcho drinking chocolate with different flavor add-​ons (spicy, orange, coconut, lemon, mint). My hubby got stunning chocolate with milk and it was rich and tasty. I got the mocha which I liked for not being too too sweet but would have liked just a tad more cocoa flavor. FYI, the mocha uses guittard of you were curious.

Tried the iced green tea latte — very good and not too sweet.
I checked out their menu and their $ 2 espressos will make me a repeat customer.
Be sure to go right into the store. The coffee cart is towards the back.
They also sell high quality loose leaf tea too :)

The day finally arrived… my favorite Jack Purcell’s needed replacing. At my sons recommendation, we met at Zombie Runner this afternoon. After I settled down with an excellent ice coffee, I was ready.
Alex did a superb job of picking out a selection of appropriate shoes. I selected one pair but after watching me walk around in them, he went to the back and found the most beautiful running shoes in the world! Somehow he selected my favorite color and they fit like little puffy clouds. PERFECT!!!
I have been in a number of times for coffee and to keep family members company. This was my first experience being fitted and going through the ZR process. I could not be happier. I LOVE these shoes!!! They look very much like my Nike Tiffany sneakers that I only put on to admire.
Thank you Alex!!!
Highly recommend!!!

Came here with high expectations based on a number of recommendations and many good reviews, but was a bit disappointed with the service (for coffee).
The cashier was blunt verging on rude. He had an unwelcoming and impatient attitude, acting as though my order wasn’t worth his time. I asked if they had almond milk and he responded as though I had insulted him (they don’t have almond milk but I wasn’t going to hold that against them). I’m glad I took the time to look around their shop, but I will not be returning based on this experience.
The coffee was well made, they even topped it off with some latte artwork. Had they treated me more kindly I could see myself being a regular here.
The shop itself is cute, and is worth visiting. They have a wide selection of running equipment, unique candies/​snacks, and coffee.

This place has delicious spicy chai. They also have great artists working here. The pig and dog they make in the foam of a mocha is amazing. Ive never seen this kind of detail!

I feel like I’ve had ZombieRunner on my Unilocal bookmarks list for the past 3 years and only today when I was walking down Cal Ave after lunch did I randomly see it and think OMG I HAVE TO FINALLY GO IN ALREADY.
This little Cal Ave shop does two very distinct things:
1) Has TONS of running shoes and accessories
2) Has a coffee shop
For the running section, I’d give it a ⁵⁄₅. They have a great selection of shoes, the shoe drops are very clearly labeled on all of them, they let you run in them before buying, they have very knowledgable staff, yada yada. it’s the makings of an awesome running shop.
For the coffee shop I was a little underwhelmed. I’d give it a ³⁄₅. Got their chai and one of their iced coffees and both were very meh. Service was less than friendly (they had a long line, so I get it). I did steal a sip of my friend’s green tea latte and that was pretty delicious, so I’d probably get that if I were absolutely dying for coffee the next time I stumble in there for running supplies.
All in all, great running shop, average coffee place. Really cool concept, all in all!

Belated review.
I’ve never had a bad experience at zombie runner. I’ve come in twice to get suggestions for running shoes and I’ve loved both pairs of shoes they’ve sold me on. The first pair was a couple years ago when I started running. I had been in before for their amazingly beautiful lattes but I signed up for my first half marathon and figured running in cheap «athletic» shoes wasn’t going to cut it.
They had me do the normal light jog & walk away and coming back, measured my feet and looked at how I stood to give me suggestions on shoes. I enjoyed how much thought they put in choosing the shoes and took my thoughts seriously. Even when I said I wanted a shoe that was «prettier.»
Since my running style changed and the old style of shoes I had were giving me huge & painful blisters, I went in more recently this time armed with more knowledge of running, technique and brands. I could definitely tell that the people working there knew what they were talking about and gave great suggestions since I was open to try anything.
I’m still getting used to the shoes I ended up choosing this time around but I’m still super happy with my choice.

First time coming I’ve heard wonderful things about the café and it is/​was wonder service.
Also wonderful presentation. I ordered the Turkish cappuccino which is an espresso with chai. Very fragrant and caffeinated

Come here for shoes, or come for coffee, either way you’re gonna leave with a little pep in your step!
You really cannot beat their micro-​roasts. They are able to control the quality so much better than the chainy coffee places that are on every corner which is amazing because they are able to coax the flavors out of the beans so well. No burned ashy flavors here!
Grab a coffee, cappuccino or latte to go when you’re in the neighborhood, you won’t be disappointed!

Love these guys! Solid advice and set me up with another great pair of running shoes. I was apprehensive about switching brands, giving up Brooks for New Balance, but this was a good change for my feet. Today, I am breaking in my new running shoes and things are going great!

Came by for an iced mocha the other day and it was mediocre. The coffee shop is located inside the ZombieRunner athletic shoe store.
The mocha was rather bland. It wasn’t sweet at all. The espresso was okay. It came in a smaller cup too.
$ 4 for a mocha.
No restrooms either.

If you walk in thinking, «Oops this isn’t it, I’m in a shoe store,» don’t turn around – you’re in the right place. Think about it, how are you going to run away from zombies unless you have sneaks and a latte in your hand?
A quirky fun store/​café. Not quite the chill hangout café. Grab your drink to go and peruse the stores on California Ave. You could sit at the couple of benches in the store, but this is definitely not a hang out for hours doing work kind of spot. You gotta keep those feet moving. How else are you going to outrun those zombies?

I’ve always thought it was kind of random having a running store and a coffee shop inside. But somehow the two things really compliment each other and I am not quite sure what it is. I typically go for the coffee because I am definitely not the running type. But it’s really cool how they combined the two together.
First off, the location is great. It’s in one of the most visited part in Palo Alto because of the food and shops around. But parking does get difficult during peak hours, like lunch and dinner.
Onto the store, it’s pretty much all running gear right when you get in and you have to walk towards the back for the coffee kiosk. I’ve been here multiple times and you’re usually greeted by a staff in the front by the cashier for the running gear part of the store. They’re very friendly and nice and I think they do know that a lot of people come for the coffee, like myself.
But this review is really for the coffee. The baristas are so friendly and they’re very knowledgable in terms of the coffee. I needed some suggestions and recommendation for the coffee beans and they definitely went out of their way to help me choose. They’re very attentive for such a small place, too. They’re very professional as well. I felt like having something sweeter today so I got the mocha to satisfy my craving. It’s so delicious! It’s so chocolate-​y and it compliments so well with the coffee. I really like how smooth it is. It’s not too sweet and you can still taste the coffee! People do say that it’s expensive and I do agree. But this is a local business, so it’s pretty much self-​explanatory. I definitely it’s so worth your money!
It’s a little further from where I am and i pretty much have to cross the bridge to get there. But I think it’s so worth it! It’s one of the best coffee places I’ve been to around the bay. I definitely recommend this place for you coffee lovers. I will be back!

Forget «brains, brains,» I need «coffee, coffee,» oh and maybe a new pair of running shoes.
Walking into this small shop I was warmly greeted as I strolled by the cashier looking for the coffee bar. It would have helped if I actually looked up at the large sign above that said «Coffee.»
I felt like a moron for not noticing it, and wandering to the left (the show side) instead.
Right is the way to the coffee.
I was hear to try their highly rated iced latte ($ 3.50).
Good, solid, not too bitter latte.
Good service.
Couldn’t find any cool running shoes though.
But coffee and running is a great combination.