50 Best Cafes in Oakland

“to be Black, supa queer in this hood, this space is appreciated! to be able to pull up for a latte, donut, breakfast sando or a fancy cocktail WITH my spouse, and kid in tow- always feels welcoming.
did i mention the coffee is fire?“

“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!!“

“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!!!“

“Went on a little date with my lady to this place. We saw it on Bay Areas Check Please. The fried chicken sammich caught our eyes. Went on at about 2,….maybe? Was busy but was seated fairly quickly. We check out the menu while in line so knew what we were gettin. Noah, I believe, was the waiter fella(the reason I didn’t give that fifth star was cause after he took our order, we didn’t see him again). He was food came out not soon after we ordered. Hella quick. I got the chicken(breast/wing) and waffle with sweet potato butter. FIRE!!!. My lady got the chicken sandwich. MORE FIRE! To wash it down I got the brown sugar lemonade. JOHN BLAZE FIRE!!! Also there was a live dj spinnin on the 1’s and 2’s. Kind of a neo soulish vibe. Overall, it’s a dope spot. Nah’mean?!?! Forgot to mention that we shared the shrimp ‘n grits. My lady loved it. Once I dabbed a bit of Chrystal’s hot sauce on it, it became……FIRE!“

“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 !“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“Easy to recommend despite the price floor, can't imagine spending under twenty for the basics of eggs and toast here after tax and tip which does fit California but not quite the high crime rate risks of this area. Will hope these great people can stick it out, we were taken care of quickly and had no issues from the attentive staff. Took to a good selection, pancakes, French toast, egg scramble, and avocado toast, showed up timely and looking too ripe for the grams. I noticed my crispy thick bread upholding big standards for bakeries. Delicious and savory, the others had no complaints either unless it's four dollar for a biscuit? That must be the inflation I keep hearing about! I suppose we hitting above our weight zone for the morning but it felt right to treat ourselves to first class. It's a splendid space and open wood, big windows, and lots of texture gives clean easy going vibes for a fun atmosphere. Parking wasn't too bad for a late Saturday morning but can bet it's not the easiest normally.“

“My loves. Scrambled egg shrimp. Assorted meats over fried rice. Salt pepper wings. Swiss wings“

“The BEST coffee I've ever had outside of Italy. A variety of rich, complex, nuanced roasts, plus a strong freshly brewed cup in-store. I have loved and been loyal to them since 1988 (formerly Royal, where the kind owner Michael was a baristo)“

“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!“

“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.“

“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 :)“

“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.“

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

“Walkable Great eats Lululemon next door“

“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!“

“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.“

“First time here today with my son. I had an English Muffin with egg, cheese and sausage. I was pleasently surprised with the portion size and felt it was a great deal for the price. My son 11 yr old had a breakfast burrito and could barely finish it and he's a big eater. Friendly staff, good prices, big portions of tasty food, pretty sure I'm going to spending some more time here soon!“

“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.“

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

“One of my favorite places“

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

“Thank goodness amazing Yellow Door came on the scene in Montclair. Efficient, healthy & delicious are just a few ways to describe this delicious eatery. Kale Chicken Caesar, Miso Chicken Bowl, the Breakfast Sandwich are just a few of our families faves. Don’t miss this local gem!“

“Love coming here! The drinks are always so well made and delicious. Staff are kind and were able to let me know things I could have based on my allergies. I also love visiting the little shop of locally made goods from clothes, herbal medicines, and more! 10/10 would recommend ✨“

“Yesterday was our first time here. Staff was friendly & helpful. Ordered a chicken rice plate, shrimp rice plate and a Gyro. All of it was tasty. We all agreed we would gladly eat here again. We sat on the street, watching the world go by while shoveling in the delishness. Affordable & we paid with card. Could use some fresh paint & some deep cleaning though. Bathroom needs a gut job reno.“

“Delicious, friendly and affordable“

“Lovely neighborhood cafe with a sunny back patio garden! Service is wonderful. Their wraps are so delicious and great portion to share. Both the sauce options (peanut + spicy cilantro) are delicious. Friends have raved about the thai tea croissant!“

“The Spiced Apple Kombucha was fun!

I walked in on a Friday about noon and there were only 4 other guys in there. The worker behind the bar was talking to someone sitting at the bar. Another guy sitting at the bar seemed to working.

There was plenty of open seating. The space was clean and a whole vibe. The fourth guy was on the couch on his laptop.

I wanted to see if they sold snacks and I didn't see any but the kombucha on the menu caught my eye. The guy behind the computer ran through a simple explanation of what they had on tap and I settled for the spiced apple because it had CBD. I was not disappointed. I look forward to stopping by and checking some other things out.

I'd easily recommend this to others to check out 👍🏽“

“Stopped in for lunch and got the Caesar salad with chicken & Vietnamese iced coffee. Salad was ginormous & both were delicious. Staff were all super friendly and engaging. The space was cute & airy with lots of seating. Will be back!“

“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.“

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

“The espresso drinks here are delicious and very lovingly crafted. Great pastries too. The rose tea was a little too perfume-y for me but everything else I've tried has been high quality. Nice calm atmosphere for working or reading as well.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“What a hidden gem! The BEST gluten free baked goods in the Bay Area (better than Mariposa!). A small kiosk at the back of 3601 Broadway, the old Kaiser bldg, free parking in lot off 38tg and lots of street parking along MacArthur/residential. There’s no indoor seating but a really lovely and large outdoor garden with ample seating. The staff and owner are really special people.“

“Awesome place for a cup of coffee. Love the area and very friendly customer service.“

“I love this welcoming space! The coffees and smoothies are delicious and the new addition of fresh sushi rolls made in-house every day is great! Lots of regulars pop in because they know!
Prices are good too. It's a great place to meet up with friends after a walk around the lake or shopping, and weekdays it's a nice calm space for work meetings and coffee.
It's easy to walk past it so look for it next time you're on Grand by the gym, or Kume spa!“

“This is the only place I go for lunch by my job. The staff are friendly and everything tastes good...everything. My recommendation would be the breakfast burrito in the Morning and the and the egg salad sandwich or Salami Sandwhich for lunch.“

“I’m touring a condo in Oakland for a client making an offer and I stop for a quick bite at a tiny sandwich place next to the Grand Lake Theater. OMG, Unbelievable sandwiches, smoked meats, homemade pickles, peppers🫑 and memorable pulled pork, etc. I hang out for a few minutes while Jerry makes my Cuban sandwich, and he has me try their smoked bacon, homemade meatballs, and more. Jerry’s the best and I love this place. Can’t wait to tell my client about it!! Check out Modigliani Cafe, next to the Grand Lake Theater. #modigliani #localbusiness #Oakland #localgem #restaurant #sandwich #grandlakedistrict #holeinthewall #localjoint #bayareafoodie #pamparkerproperties #realtor®“

“Best food and gift shop!🤗🤩“

“All fresh ingredients are so good.Noce Customer Service #BLM“

“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 love this place. Owner is very friendly and generous. I love the cappuccino and bagels with various toppings . Tuna melt is to die for! Mostly does take out so seating is never a problem and always comfy. Chill music. Also, very reasonably priced.“

“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 :)“

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

“Hornitos are very good but outside the restaurant there is a woman who sells tamales and the other day I went to buy tamales and pupusas and I told the woman to give me salsa and curtido because that's what pupusas carry and first she told me they were $18:00 dollars and once I was there and I asked the woman to give me what the pupusas contain, she charged me $3:00 dollars more because I had asked for the sauce and curtido, but at no time did she tell me that she was going to charge me extra until that he had already put them in the bag ?️ and he told me that everywhere they were already charging me separately for everything and I told him that that was not true because I buy pupusas in several places and that nowhere did they charge me extra because that is with what goes with that meal.“