50 Best Cafes near Albany

“I eat lunch here regularly and find the service to be consistently friendly and attentive. The food is fresh and tasty— I usually have one of their generous banh mi sandwiches. The atmosphere is warm and the other customers seem happy to be there. And it’s a great vantage point for watching the Solano Avenue street scene.“

“Eunice Gourmet Café is a hidden gem! The coffee was amazing. I tried The Ash sandwich and was completely blown away fresh ingredients, perfect flavors, and honestly one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. I’m more than willing to drive the extra distance just to have it again!

The owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. If you’re looking for amazing food and a warm, inviting atmosphere, don’t miss out on Eunice Gourmet Café. Highly recommend!!“

“This place AMAZING. The food is fresh and delicious. It’s a cozy place to get a bite and treats, not to mention the warm owners who are an adorable mother and daughter team! Highly recommend checking this place out — so excited for their new toasts!“

“Delicious food and awesome service 😊“

“It's a little shed in a parking lot with seating nearby. I can't get over the horchata latte, treat yourself. The baked goods from Acme are exceptional as expected. Can't believe I didn't know this place before. For a drive-up, we didn't feel rushed.“

“This is the only coffee shop in Albany that’s open before 8am. For that reason, I really appreciate them and will come back. Don’t expect a craft latte here , however. The milk is over frothed, temperature brought up too high, and there’s simply too many choices on the menu for anything to be perfected here. However, for a quick coffee before an early morning job this place hits the spot. The service was friendly and they opened right on time. A great little neighborhood coffee spot.“

“I love this place. This is my second time eating at this cafe. I got the beef empanada and peanut butter Acai. The drip over coffee was strong (which is what I was looking for). There are many other things I hope to try on the menu in the future.“

“Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans.

What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story.

The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.“

“Cafe de Olla is an attractive, warm and friendly restaurant. The food and drink are delicious. I love their fermented pineapple juice and Tlayudas. Check it out!“

“Had a great experience at Maison Nico today! I ordered a Pain au Chocolat and matcha, and both exceeded my expectations. The Pain au Chocolat was beautifully made - so light and delicate with those perfect flaky, crispy layers on top that you expect from a well-crafted pastry.
What really stood out was their matcha. Finally found a place that serves it the proper way - no added sugar at all! It's refreshing to taste the pure, earthy flavor of quality matcha instead of the overly sweet versions you get at most cafes.
I was fortunate to walk in without a line, but within several minutes there was a steady stream of customers forming a queue. That's always a good sign that locals know this place is worth the wait. The quality of their pastries and attention to authentic preparation definitely shows. Will be back to try more items!“

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“Solid burrito, nothing special. I had the OG, I felt it lacked a distinct flavor. The tots are a great addition. If you live in the area, definitely a place to check out, but not worth it to travel to and wait in the 30+ min line that is there at 1030am“

“One65 was an amazing discovery on our trip to San Francisco. Having spent the first half of our life in Montréal, Québec, Canada where it was hard to find a bad restaurant, we were absolutely amazed by this Bistro which looks more like a high end dining experience. The menu online & the photos attracted us to this location but we were amazed by the well timed service, the crisp white tablecloths, the table setting and the pleasant and calm atmosphere. My choices of charcuterie platter was perfectly sized; the chicken & the pork rillettes where a wonderful surprise. My husband had an onion tart with the crust as perfect as they get & which I envied. He loved his halibut, moist and tender and I raved over my grilled half lobster, so tender that I found myself munching on the shell parts as well. My bread pudding was not of overwhelming size & perfectly flavored. Don chose the Affogato (scoop of vanilla gelato « drowned » with a shot of hot espresso). We wanted to go back today but they are closed on Sundays.?“

“Amazing burritos. Bomb.com“

“Sandwiches are fantastic! Generous portions of fresh ingredients made to order. Fully stocked pastry case with classic and specialty treats! Friendly staff, great vibe,, totally affordable menu. LOVE!“

“Petit Cafe is a hidden gem! The warm ambiance, delightful pastries, and rich coffee make it the perfect spot to unwind. The staff are friendly, and every visit feels like a little escape from the hustle and bustle. Highly recommend!“

“5/5! Would come back again and smile about it :) great atmosphere, friendly staff, plants aplenty, yummy food, and even a little corner with trinkets for purchase. I got the veggie sandwich and would recommend! I tried the yuzu latte as well but don’t think it’s a good choice- if you love yuzu, find a yuzu lemonade or a drink where it’s not mixed with coffee. I was hoping it’d be a light drink to highlight the yuzu but it pretty much just tasted like coffee with a hint of yuzu (you’ll really need to stir up the drink to taste even that hint). I think it was a cool idea to include a trendy flavor in a latte but it doesn’t let the yuzu shine. It wasn’t bad but I just don’t think it was the best use of yuzu. I’d recommend a different drink.

Good work/study place! I’m always on the lookout for growing my list of the best spots in the city to work/study. This place is a medium sized cafe- not too cramped but not large. A fair amount of seating with good lighting, wifi, and outlets. Bathroom open without key needed.“

“I have worked around the corner from Bench for years. I only recently got into coffee and so I've tried pretty much ever coffee shop in the near vicinity and this is by far the best latte in the area. Don't forget there is an upstairs seating area with a table and chairs.

The only thing that I would prefer is to have a couple comfortable chairs upstairs. If I could sit in a cushy chair I'd be so happy! But it's comfortable enough to be my go to spot now!“

“🤯 Biscuits are better than Khanfectionary in the Mission. The jalapeño biscuit for the breakfast sandwich was delicious and comes with a nice arugula side salad.

🥚 We also had the huevos on crispy little tortillas. Very good, especially with the chipotle sauce on the side.

☕️ pour over coffe was also lovely

🥰 the owner stopped by our table to check on us and she is a delight. She spent about a decade in Berlin, Germany, and brings some international flair to the café menu, ambience, and playlist.

🤤 the everything biscuit, the apple pie biscuit, and the Matcha strawberry biscuit are also worth trying. I personally like the everything biscuit the best, but if you want something a bit more sweet go for the 🍎apple pie biscuit, and if you want a lot more sweet (think bear claw level sweet) then go for the Matcha strawberry option. You better grab a coffee with that one though ‘cause it is SWEET.

🛋️ the place has eclectic seating, with a couple of couches a few two top tables and a few four top tables. Great to pop in on your own, or with a few friends.“

“Delicious sandwiches and great coffee!
I stopped by Stable Cafe while visiting San Francisco and was seriously impressed. I had the Turkey Avocado sandwich — fresh, flavorful, and definitely a must try. The coffee was also excellent, rich and smooth. The space is cozy and the staff were welcoming. Not sure when I’ll be back in the city, but this spot was a highlight of my trip.

Make sure to try the toast and plum jam. The jam is made from the trees in their garden, such a special touch and absolutely delicious.“

“Food experience: 4/5
Service and

Beautiful Palestinian cafe. They offer halal chicken sandwiches and I only wish they would offer halal turkey and beef. But the quality of the chicken in the sandwiches is tasty. The cafe drinks are really special and highly recommend it. And the simplicity of their croissant flavors like the zataar and cheese croissant is really tasty. They have lots of Kunafa style desserts here too.“

“Went to this place because it was close to the place I was staying at while on a weekend trip and it turned out to be one of the coziest little cafes with the sweetest workers and best service. The food was great and coffee and hot chocolate were too. If I'm back in this area anytime soon I'll definitely go back.“

“I saw someome make a TikTok about this place and immediately knew I had to add that to my list. I headed out to Berkeley on a Friday morning to try it out and I bought a friend who isnt a big fan of Thai and or Asian food. I was thankful to experience this style of northern Thai cuisine I believe the order Tanzie referred to it as. The hospitality and service was above average. I enjoyed all of my food and so did my friend. The pork jowl was agreed to be are favorite out of the all the dishes we tried. Very juicy , flavorful and just all around deliscious topped off with that crispy fried garlic. The brown rice over that soft scrambled "lava egg" was to die for paired with the savory tomato based minced pork that I ordered extra spicy of course. The star of the show that me and my friend both agreed on had to be the "prik nam pla" which I would describe as a sweet and spicy vinegar or fish sauce based dipping sauce accompanied by a nice punch of spice from the thai chili peppers. I dont have any complaints whatsoever and I will definitely be back.“

“A real local spot near Union Square. Eric and his family have made a great place for grabbing breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee. Great prices, and many locals come here that you can meet and chat with. My goto place for lunch, morning coffee, and small bites to eat. Also, the Vietnamese sandwiches are the best I've had in the city.“

“Love this place! Great people, great food, and great coffee. We come here every visit to SF“

“I loved this place, their sandwiches are huge and quality far exceeds the price, making it as worthy as it gets for lunch. Everyone was sweet and serviceable, loved this place, will continue to go pretty often! Had the Goodfella, delicious.“

“San Francisco’s most hidden gem“

“Great facility and staff for hands-on culinary skills learning.“

“Wow, don't miss this unassuming little gem. The veggie burger 🍔 was superb and he was happy to make it a lettuce wrap. Wifi too! I'd go out of my way to come here again - note that you have to go into the large building to see the entrance. My small complaint is that my cappuccino defaulted to a paper cup for my in house order, but I'll just specify next time. Highly recommended.“

“Best coffee ☕️ and the best service“

“اكل حلال اسعار في متناول اليد تعامل قمة في الذوق“

“Friendly Staff! Great food!“

“Cool drinks, yummy baked goods, awesome staff, sweet vibe. A real neighborhood joint with lots of great choices, including not just bona fide Vietnamese phin coffee, but also vegan and caffeine-free options. They also have boba, pudding, and jelly add-ins, with coconut, pandan, ube, and black sesame items. Just do it :)“

“Local, family owned & operated new coffee shop with delicious coffees - alt milk options available (almond, soy, oat) chai & matcha lattes, tea, pastries and more focusing on the individual experience and quality served in a welcoming and friendly environment. Just hop in Varney Alley off of 3rd near the Shell gas; you won’t be disappointed!“

“Food is delicious. I got the vegetarian combo {$17.50} (not pictured is a side of injera) and I had enough leftovers for dinner. Honey oat lavender latte {$6.75}is really good too. The employee who served me was very nice. I asked about the spice levels for a dish and she gave me a sample so I could decide if I wanted to order it in full. 🙂 I look forward to coming back.“

“Genuine 10/10 hidden gem. I don’t say this lightly. Best soba I’ve had outside of Japan. Best value in SF hands down. And this close to Fidi? Absolutely insane. I don’t even want to write this review because I want to gatekeep this place for myself, but the cute couple running it was so kind I couldn’t help but want to show some support.“

“This place has amazing empanadas and good prices. Also the guy running it, I'm assuming the owner, is super friendly and made my first time going there all the more memorable! We also tried several different empanadas and would recommend every single one.“

“You can’t beat home cooking in San Francisco like this guy. It’s simple and amazing. The owner “V” demonstrates compassion on levels that are barely noticeable anymore in the public eye.

He usually has one employee/helper. And it’s an Asian woman in the back.

He’s located in the HSBC bank building directly across the transamerica pyramid.“

“100%recomendado lo mejor el café ☕️ super rico 😋 👌 lo mejor muy bonito el lugar“

“The most welcoming place ever!“

“Kudos to the crew at Thornhill Cafe. Thank you for always taking good care of me. I love your green smoothies. They're refreshing and just make you feel good and your breakfast bagels are awesome. It's my favorite place to stop when I'm working in the hills of Oakland. Doesn't seem to matter how many people are in there. You still get us in and out in no time. You're the best!!“

“Café Córdoba is hands down my favorite coffee spot in Oakland! It’s this small, family-owned place that just feels like home every time I walk in. The people who work there are super sweet, and you can tell they genuinely care about their customers. The coffee? Always amazing—rich and flavorful, just how I like it. There’s something special about the vibe here, like you’re part of their family. Whether I’m grabbing a quick coffee or hanging out for a bit, I always feel welcome. It’s definitely a little gem in Oakland that I can’t get enough of!“

“Wonderful neighborhood coffee shop! If Cheers was a coffee shop, then it’s where everybody knows your name and they are happy that you came. They offer superb coffees and tea - by the cup or in bulk! Sweet and savory treats abound and fun merchandise make this the ultimate daily stop!“

“We stumbled upon this little nook accidentally. It is located in an industrial area and we were very impressed by the food and the service. The space they have created was surprisingly charming. We had coffee, breakfast sandwiches, salad and pastries...all fresh and very tasty!“

“I love Kinfolk! It’s such a community base space and it feels like it based upon the seating arrangements and the large options for comfortable places to work/get coffee! I got the hot chocolate, which was good, nothing special though! I mainly enjoy this space because it feels so justice and community oriented :) the staff are always very friendly and I love the artwork up!!!“

“Apple fritter size is huge and generous. It is nice.

I also bought matcha green tea latte, there is no “no sugar” option, but it is not too sweet, still taste nice to my liking :)

Price is affordable in SF“

“Five bright stars, Lissa darling!“

“The best bahn mi I’ve had in the east bay!!! Fresh veggies, amazing flavor, hella vegetarian options!!! Also loooove the mint matcha. My partner is a big fan of the smoothies, particularly the almond butter one. The staff here are always so welcoming and kind. The vibes are great for a quick bite or to hang out and get some work done. Love this place.“

“Good food and excellent service! I highly recommend their coffee drinks. Also, the fresh squeezed OJ is such a treat. I am sure their non-brunch items are good but I am still obsessed with their breakfast items.“

“I had the elephant chai and it was delicious service was good, the peace looked funky, pricing was ok Unfortunately it looked like there was maintenance or renovation work being done and I was there at an odd time, but generally it looks like it could be quite pillar and cool.“