50 Best Cafes in Oakland

“My fiancé and I came here for a rare morning coffee date, a perfect pause in our busy lives as parents. Parking was easy and free just around the corner. We grabbed a sunny table outside, soaking in the morning light and each other’s company, while sipping lattes topped with delightful foam art. Warm, bright, and full of life, the Mother Tongue was inviting and cheerful, with wonderfully friendly staff. It was a lovely, and simple, a great and sweet experience.“

“Four of us tried out Cairo Station for the first time before the Patti Smith show at the Fox. We all agreed the food tastes great, the portions are big, and the place is very cool with Egyptian jazz setting the vibe. Very friendly, a great find. We will be back!“

“Good coffee, good food, and a great focus on the community- with plentiful seating and great ambiance. All around, a fantastic place to get some work done or socialize, with one other feature I've never encountered in other cafes or restaurants: a bathroom with a full BIDET. A truly unparalleled luxury. Spend your time and money here.“

“Great atmosphere, extremely friendly, and delicious food. Shout out to the strawberry lavender matcha latte, very tasty. Just the right portions, didn’t leave hungry but didn’t over eat. Vegetarian friendly with substitutes. Some of the most refreshing water I’ve had.“

“Had my first Ethiopian breakfast! It was really delicious and I got some guidance about how to eat it. Got decaf spiced tea and my daughter who can’t have dairy got an oat milk with honey. And there’s a cozy rocking chair. Such a lovely neighborhood place.“

“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!“

“Amazing service and amazing ambiance. The rolls are HUGE and delicious. They are also beautiful and vibrantly colored with the different types of rice wraps. The atmosphere is something straight out of a lo-fi music video…“

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

“I love that my work allows me to travel the bay and find awesome little lunch spots like this. I was met by extremely friendly staff who explained their menu a bit and also that they had been open for almost 3 years. I ordered a pancake breakfast and decided to try the cinnamon coffee which was wonderful change of pace for me. This would totally be a go to spot if I ever have business around here again. The neighbors are very lucky to have a wonderful Cafe like this nearby.“

“Best breakfast burrito in the east bay. We live in Berkeley now and literally travel here sometimes we love it so much. I get the veggie breakfast burrito add sausage. Also love the chicken club sandwich and veggie sandwich. This place is so good for how unassuming it is!!“

“Love, love, loooove this cafe! Nomad is everything that you could ever want in a local neighborhood cafe! They’ve got delicious drinks, incredible food, outstanding service, great vibes, and they know their customers. I’ve been coming here for quite sometime now and I’ve never had a bad experience here.

My ultimate fave: Enjoying their chai latte and a pork chop banh mi on the patio. This combo is a win-win for me every single time. Recently, I’ve branched out of my norm and have become obsessed with their matcha latte and other banh mi’s as well. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything that you try here. It’s always gonna be the bomb.com!

What really seals the deal for me is the excellent customer service. The staff is so sweet and efficient. The owner Bee is an absolute gem! That fact that he remembers me and goes out of his way to say hi even when he’s busy working is truly an honor. I’m writing this review as I’m sitting here on the patio having lunch because I’m just so impressed.

Thank you to Bee and the wonderful staff of Nomad Cafe who make coming here so enjoyable! The neighborhood (and I) truly appreciate you all!“

“Great local and family owned coffee shop. It's small but we appreciated the space and the wonderful service very friendly and she made our breakfast sandwiches to order. They take cash, Venmo, and Zelle just a heads up but that wasn't an issue for us. Would highly recommend to anyone.“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“The delightfully friendly staff serve up truly delicious caffeinated concoctions...a wonderful way to start the day.“

“First time here! I was driving in the neighborhood looking for a quick breakfast spot with a friend and came across this cafe.

We weren't that hungry, but definitely wanted some carbs. The avo toast with an egg was the perfect combo of tasty and healthy, while my friend got a bagel with schmear.

Coffee was solid, mocha was to my preference for sweetness. Lil outdoor seating as well as some fun indoor spots.

The person working the counter was pleasant and efficient. Definitely a spot to hit up when I don't quite feel like making something at home, but I'm in the mood for a quick bite in the neighborhood.

Street parking is always pretty easy as well, which is great.“

“We came to Town Fare for the first time after finding out about the restaurant from the Bay Area KQED check please show. We were thrilled to try their chicken sandwich which came with breast meat and some coleslaw. The meat was very tender, cooked to perfection, the coleslaw had really nice flavors, and the buns were good too. The mac and cheese was also very good; the cheese had good flavor. The restaurant has a very open, clean, organic modern atmosphere. Many seating options inside and outside. The staff were nice. They have street parking around the museum and a museum parking garage. 10/10 Recommend.“

“Idk I know people love this place, I just don’t really get kava. If you’re like me and hate the taste there’s tons of cocktails that drown out the taste. The vibe is interesting, from the outside it looks super cool but to be honest all the furniture is kinda cheap not super comfy and the crowd just really isn’t my vibe. I kind of get a weird vibe while I’m there. This place by no means is bad, it’s just not my cup of tea.“

“Customer service is always welcoming, if you're social there's always a good conversation waiting or if you want to work with headphones on that's an option. The coffee or tea is great along with good food choices.“

“Traveled all over this year, but this is one of my all time favorite coffee shop finds. Solid food, good vibes, excellent coffee, and a barista who is one of the sweetest, most charming souls to ever serve me cardamom and hot bean water. Cannot wait to go back.“

“The classes are fun and energetic, the staff super nice, and I love getting to grab a healthy snack after class!“

“I can't begin to describe the love I have for this place. I don't think I can ever leave Oakland because that would mean no house of phin 🥺

Always the nicest workers, awesome vibes. Thanks for always making each visit a treat <3“

“OMG, I think my sister and I just found our new favorite place! My sister was the one who discovered it, and the menu instantly caught our attention, so we had to try their drinks. We both ordered the Pandan Cream Cheese Thai Tea and were completely mind-blown by how delicious it was. I’ll admit, I struggled to choose because everything of their drinks and food looked so good. We were definitely not disappointed, and honestly, the drink might have been the star of our little fridate hangout!

If you’re in the area, please give this place a try. Not only are the drinks amazing, but the interior is super cozy too. It’s a great spot to chill, work on your laptop, read a book, or just hang out. We’ll definitely be coming back to try more from their menu!“

“Great atmosphere. Clean and pleasant. Great place to have meetings and/or study. Really comfortable booths and open seating. Plugs at tables. Great selection of foods and drinks. Had a green iced tea and a black iced green tea that were great. Breakfast sandwich was wonderful too. Not greasy or heavy but it was a large portion.“

“Everything about this place, from the ownership to the food to the ambience to the friendly staff, is 5-star. I highly recommend Cafe 15 ;-)“

“I used to come here at least once a week to work/read before I moved out of Oakland. Came back here today after many years and was pleasantly surprised to see it being run by the same owners fostering the same amazing vibe.

The food is fresh and clean, the service is compassionate and kind, the atmosphere is relaxing and inviting.

Support this lovely, local, and family-owned business!!“

“Their drinks are fantastic, the food is delightful and the vibe of this place is one of the best in the Bay.“

“Absolutely my favorite little coffee shop. It’s ran by the most lovely brown mamas who’s loving energy radiates into everything they do. Super queer friendly and the most amazing Chipotle Sandwich and Cafe de olla around.“

“great location downtown Oakland. price is good. Food is good.“

“Such a gem in the neighborhood. I eat at Plenty for lunch as often as I can! The food is healthy, delicious, affordable and has a local vibe all the way around. The person who is always at the register is so friendly, nice and happy it's contagious I would go back just for that.“

“I walked in, I was welcomed by the warm and cozy atmosphere that instantly made me feel at home. The space is inviting, with a charm that reflects Filipino hospitality—genuine, friendly, and full of heart. The owner and staff greet you like family, and the vibe is perfect whether you’re meeting a friend or just enjoying a quiet coffee break. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer.“

“Shapeshifters is a great place for seeing artistic ideas, either to give or to get and the beer isn't bad either. Come out and support local artists they'll be glad you did and so will you.“

“This place was a two minute walk from the Marriott where I was staying, and I ordered a custom egg, bacon, and cheese croissant.

Staff was friendly, food came out fast, fresh, and delicious. With bottled tea and tip, it came out to $15-- much less than the hotel.

If I have any complaint, its that I would have rather had one folded piece of scrambled egg so it didn't fall out of the sandwich. No harm, it tasted just as good out of the croissant as in it.“

“Stopped by for a bite after a facial in the area. It was pretty busy with limited seating available around 10.30am. I had a cortado and breakfast sandwich. They have a ton of pastries and I picked up some banana bread for later. Food and service was solid. I will definitely stop by again when I’m back in the area.“

“I have been here a number of times and every visit just gets better and better. Their coffee is the best you can find in the area. Their lunch specials are all amazing, especially the beef with injera. It's the perfect amount of food for a great price, and the staff is so friendly.“

“This is hands down my favorite coffee shop! The coffee here is consistently amazing. You can taste the care and quality in every cup. The owner goes above and beyond with customer service and truly cares about the coffee he serves. You can tell he takes pride in every detail, from the beans to the presentation. It’s rare to find a place that feels this personal and welcoming. Highly recommend to any true coffee lover!“

“One of my favorite places“

“I live right next door to this place and passed by it a million times before deciding to stop in one day. Truly one of my favorite places to grab breakfast when I’m working from home. The chicken omelette is probably the most underrated dish here - packed with freshly chopped veggies, pan grilled chicken and cheese, wrapped in a generous amount of perfectly fluffy whole eggs. Like others have stated, it does take some time since the owner runs the entire place alone (so make sure you’re not in a rush) but trust me when I say it is worth the wait. The potatoes that come with it are good but I usually substitute for a side salad to get my veggies in, resulting in a high protein and low carb breakfast that fuels me all day. Despite getting the same dish for years at this point, she always finds a way to keep things interesting by changing the seasoning in the chicken or salad. The coffee is good too, I usually get iced coffee or an americano. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area and have some time & patience for a delicious nutritious breakfast.“

“Best food and gift shop!🤗🤩“

“Great place to go to grab something to eat. Either solo or with company. Very nice service and the food was outstanding! I got the breakfast burrito! They have parking in the back of the restaurant so you don't have to pay for meterd parking (if you don't want too).“

“Discover Community Cafe is a special place in Oakland that champions local products in their menu. They host regular community events - the monthly comedy open mic and Friday open mics are my favorite regular events. Their menu is seasonal and I love how the menu changes with what is available in the season. The mocktails and their locally blended teas are my favorite! I enjoy their seasonal soups and love their fun creative sandwiches ☺“

“It is close to Ashby Bart Station. They have all kinds of sweets and drinks too. I like the decorations too.“

“the place is very nice plus the view across the street is like a gigantic mirror ! you should see it for yourself !!! it really is something to look at while having your coffee.... it is spectacular !!!! and of course, the staff were super sweet !“

“Best coffee in NorCal, amazing staff. We love coming out to Oakland just for this coffee.“

“Such a great vibe, beautiful local space, SUPER coffee and pastries, amazing service. Do yourself a favor and go if you are community minded and kind and love coffee and pastries.“

“I wanted to take a moment to highly recommend Shalom Fast Food for anyone looking for the best breakfast and exceptional service in the area. Having experienced their offerings firsthand, I can confidently say that their food quality and customer service stand out above the rest. If you’re considering a place to enjoy a memorable breakfast, Shalom Fast Food is an excellent choice. Please feel free to reach out if you would like more information or a personal recommendation.“

“This is truly a neighborhood establishment. The people who work here are super kind and seems to greet and know everyone who walks through the door. The man who works there offered me free refills and added a complimentary espresso shot in my ice coffee. Really warm and sweet vibes here :)“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“Ordered breakfast for my team of 40 and it was a hit! Everyone loved the breakfast burritos. The fruit was cut fresh and delicious. They even made a special order of vegan options for my team as well. Everyone could not stop asking where we ordered from. Highly recommend. Flavorful food, good portions, and great pricing. I can't thank Khalil enough for great service and food!

Vegetarian options: They had vegetarian and and vegan options.“

“Absolutely adorable place. Really good staff, coffee and seating. The pastries looked good but I didn't try them They had a cute pop up with nice looking food.
Highly recommend for a local spot and to support local spots!
The ambiance is great with high ceilings and a good amount of seating! I love sitting at the bar!“

“Cute little coffee shop. This used to be the Cro Cafe but now they are under new management. It seems like their hours are expanded from before and they have more items on the menu! Matcha isn't listed on the menu but I guess you can still order it“