Cute cafe shop that's always busy, seem to be a local favorite. They always have interesting rotating sweet and savory pastries, toasts, salads and yogurt bowl. No charge for alternative milk, and I enjoyed the cortado
Jason Edwin
Such a disappointment. Paid $30 for 2 pour overs and they were so so underwhelming and very poorly extracted. Barista knew nothing about the coffees they were serving, I asked multiple times. Told staff about the pour overs and they really didn’t offer any solutions. Very bummed because this place has so much hype and such an incredible bag selection of coffees from roasters all over the world. I’ll be back to buy a bag but such a sad cafe experience. Staff was so unpleasant, we need to be done with this pretentious and rude BS in the coffee industry please.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Charlie Elliott
This is so good it ain't normal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B.
i come here every time I'm in Oakland. The food is consistently great and the coffee is too. The staff is also lovely.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gal Gavish
Coffee was good. Pastry was a bit too greasy
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
ACACIA SHYR
Delicious babaganoush toast! Also maybe the best scone I've ever had. Great place to study or work if you have a full charge. No outlet and music is a bit loud, but there's free wifi and bathroom. Minimal indoor seating. It's a bit expensive but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sweet Scone
Vineet Sinha
Very limited sitting inside, but lots of outside seating on the corner of Miles and College Ave.
For highly discerning mocha connoisseurs, the mocha here will rank about a 4/5. For the rest of humanity, this is a 4.7/5 mocha. You’ll be satisfied either way.
Going to try their egg and biscuit next, which is only really available before 11 AM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Matt
Potentially the best coffee shop in the entire Bay area. They're serving some of the highest quality beans you can find. If you are into specialty coffee there is simply not a better place to go. The pricees can be high but they match the high quality and are completely valid. It's amazing to see people complain about an extra dollar for oat milk, etc. I imagine these same people have no issue dropping 18 bucks on a glass from a $13 a bottle of grocery store wine at dinner. This place is a gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phoebe Montalvo
Exceptional coffee and delicious food options, friendly staff and a great spot to hang out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samir Jain
Amazing mocha.
But no gluten free bread for their toasts is a bummer.
Been coming to Ain’t Normal Cafe for some time now mostly for matcha powder and the occasional latte.
After an incredibly unsavory interaction with the owner I decided I won’t be returning. While ordering my matcha latte the owner rudely proceeded to tell me no outside food allowed. I had shopped for some lunch at Market Hall Foods (which I love btw) but had no intention on eating it at their cafe.
It wasn’t exactly what the owner said but more so how he said it as if he was putting me in my place or policing me.
He’s not a friendly or pleasant individual and his presence definitely puts a damper on the cafes vibe whenever I’ve interacted with him.
Just don’t feel good seeing the owner, the service sucks and I don’t like spending my money here any longer.
TLDR: You can't get a better espresso beverage experience in the East Bay.
Consistently excellent espresso drinks made by expert baristas. Very friendly and professional staff as well. I like to think of this place as the edgier version of Bartavelle (RIP).
Indoor seating is limited but there is a nice standing espresso bar looking out onto College Avenue. If you have 5 minutes it's a great way to enjoy your drink in a proper ceramic mug.
Ample south facing outdoor seating is unusual for the neighborhood, but keep in mind this is an urban setting with freeway and street noise. I personally enjoy the energy of it, but well, you know, that just like my opinion man.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dillon Merenich
I spent $4 on a large coffee that tastes like bitter piss water and the lid does not contain the coffee so i ended up having a nice cuff full of pissy bean water.
Cute cafe shop that's always busy, seem to be a local favorite. They always have interesting rotating sweet and savory pastries, toasts, salads and yogurt bowl. No charge for alternative milk, and I enjoyed the cortado
Such a disappointment. Paid $30 for 2 pour overs and they were so so underwhelming and very poorly extracted. Barista knew nothing about the coffees they were serving, I asked multiple times. Told staff about the pour overs and they really didn’t offer any solutions. Very bummed because this place has so much hype and such an incredible bag selection of coffees from roasters all over the world. I’ll be back to buy a bag but such a sad cafe experience. Staff was so unpleasant, we need to be done with this pretentious and rude BS in the coffee industry please.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
This is so good it ain't normal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i come here every time I'm in Oakland. The food is consistently great and the coffee is too. The staff is also lovely.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee was good. Pastry was a bit too greasy
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Delicious babaganoush toast! Also maybe the best scone I've ever had. Great place to study or work if you have a full charge. No outlet and music is a bit loud, but there's free wifi and bathroom. Minimal indoor seating. It's a bit expensive but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sweet Scone
Very limited sitting inside, but lots of outside seating on the corner of Miles and College Ave.
For highly discerning mocha connoisseurs, the mocha here will rank about a 4/5. For the rest of humanity, this is a 4.7/5 mocha. You’ll be satisfied either way.
Going to try their egg and biscuit next, which is only really available before 11 AM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Potentially the best coffee shop in the entire Bay area. They're serving some of the highest quality beans you can find. If you are into specialty coffee there is simply not a better place to go. The pricees can be high but they match the high quality and are completely valid. It's amazing to see people complain about an extra dollar for oat milk, etc. I imagine these same people have no issue dropping 18 bucks on a glass from a $13 a bottle of grocery store wine at dinner. This place is a gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional coffee and delicious food options, friendly staff and a great spot to hang out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing mocha.
But no gluten free bread for their toasts is a bummer.
Restaurantji Recommends
Been coming to Ain’t Normal Cafe for some time now mostly for matcha powder and the occasional latte.
After an incredibly unsavory interaction with the owner I decided I won’t be returning. While ordering my matcha latte the owner rudely proceeded to tell me no outside food allowed. I had shopped for some lunch at Market Hall Foods (which I love btw) but had no intention on eating it at their cafe.
It wasn’t exactly what the owner said but more so how he said it as if he was putting me in my place or policing me.
He’s not a friendly or pleasant individual and his presence definitely puts a damper on the cafes vibe whenever I’ve interacted with him.
Just don’t feel good seeing the owner, the service sucks and I don’t like spending my money here any longer.
Great coffee & pastries
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Savory Scone, Sweet Scone, Avocado Toast, Savory Puff
TLDR: You can't get a better espresso beverage experience in the East Bay.
Consistently excellent espresso drinks made by expert baristas. Very friendly and professional staff as well. I like to think of this place as the edgier version of Bartavelle (RIP).
Indoor seating is limited but there is a nice standing espresso bar looking out onto College Avenue. If you have 5 minutes it's a great way to enjoy your drink in a proper ceramic mug.
Ample south facing outdoor seating is unusual for the neighborhood, but keep in mind this is an urban setting with freeway and street noise. I personally enjoy the energy of it, but well, you know, that just like my opinion man.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I spent $4 on a large coffee that tastes like bitter piss water and the lid does not contain the coffee so i ended up having a nice cuff full of pissy bean water.
Really nice coffee but pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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