50 Best Cafes in Oakland

“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.“

“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!“

“Cool, versatile spot — serve wine, tea & coffee so perfect Friday spot ;-) Sometimes get a bit loud if you’re really trying to focus on work.

They even carry Blue Willow tea, a quality, local brand based in Berkeley. Check out their stuff.“

“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.“

“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!“

“First time having Ethiopian food, and wow am I dying to try some more. Got the vegetable platter that came with injera (sour fermented flatbread) and it was not only plentiful, but also healthy and full of flavor! If I was from this area I’d come to this place every week. Very nice staff as well.“

“Absolutely loved this place. You can tell right away how much care goes into everything, from the food presentation to the quality of the ingredients. It’s a small family-run spot: the lady at the counter is super warm and friendly, and her mom’s in the kitchen. It honestly feels special getting food that’s made with that kind of love.

The coffee and hot drinks are amazing — I got a matcha, and even though it took a bit longer, she apologized and it ended up being one of the best matchas I’ve ever had.

The space is beautiful too, full of plants and calm energy, both inside and outside. Everything’s spotless, including the bathroom. You can really relax here. Highly recommend.“

“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!!“

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

“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!!“

“This was a great find for a quiet Saturday morning breakfast spot! We were looking for pancakes but also enjoyed their chilaquiles. The games were a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed a round of mancala. The coffee was delicious and my sons enjoyed the fresh fruit on top of the pancakes! Reasonable prices and they also have WiFi available! Decent location on the corner but we had to park a couple blocks away.“

“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 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.“

“#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.“

“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“

“I found this place looking for a place to comfortably eat and work after an appt at the govt building.

FRESH and super tasty salad at reasonable cost and filling portion. I added the happy hour special octopus fritter. SOOOOOO good! I had to exclaim out loud how much I enjoyed the meal.

Super friendly and down to earth folks that deserve your business!“

“There’s a similar café featuring asian flavors in the city that this place knocks out of the water - I got a coconut pandan latte that was strong while having the coconut and pa dan flavors shine through. The service was sweet and fast despite me coming in near closing (lol). The cafe has plenty of seating & seems like a good place to work (saw many groups hustling away on their laptops - didn’t look to closely to see if there were outlets)“

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

“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!!“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“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“

“Best food and gift shop!🤗🤩“

“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.“

“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).“

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

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“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 !“

“My friends and I have visited The Crêpe Pan, Oakland, on the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Linda Avenue. for a girls night a few times. Everything that we chose on the menu was absolutely delicious. We have tried several of their savory and sweet crêpes as well as eggs, Benedict and salads. Very delicious gourmet foods that we very much enjoy. They have a variety of menu items that are all delicious, well-made, and healthy options. The service at the crêpe pan is phenomenal, the staff are very friendly, polite, accommodating, and catering to the needs of their customers. We had the wonderful opportunity to connect with the owner, Joseph as well. On a regular basis, both Joseph and his wife Mai are on the restaurant floor helping and make friendly connections and smiles with their customers. We love the location, customer service and delicious foods. Thank you so much for all that you do for our Oakland community, Joseph, Mai and staff. We will definitely continue to visit you for girls nights and date nights. ❤️😊“

“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 :)“

“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!“

“I saw the ratings and didn't know what to expect. Brought my family here to avoid the Berkely Parents' Weekend crowds. I was so pleasantly surprised the quality of the food and service. The roti is so fresh - perfectly crispy and chewy. The spices on the food and house coconut dipping sauce offered so much flavor - we were all blown away. Our kids loved the Thai Tea. Accomodates vegan taste buds and all other dietary preferences.“