Have come here a few times. I always order the egg with onion bagel. It was delicious...crispy but not dry bagel with steaming hot scrambled egg. Hit the spot. Will come back again.
Courtney Struthers
I don’t usually write reviews but this place is a little gem. Plenty of window seating facing the corner of lake Merritt, love the music, the service, the menu. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer Roberts
I love this place. Relaxed, good food and coffee. The breakfast burrito and the chicken pesto sandwich are delightful!Kid-friendliness: They’re very kind to our kiddo!
Look, these hardworking people just need some support- they don 't take cash at this place because some ne'erdowells STOLE THEIR FRICKIN' CASH REGISTER!!! Please support Oakland and these nice people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tuna Salad
Jyotsna D.
I had a bagel and my dad had a veggie omelette. The bagel was just egg and cheese, but it really hit the spot. The egg was the perfect texture. The veggie omelette was made really well, they don't skimp on anything. I had a café latte as well, it was exactly what I wanted, nothing indulgent just good hot coffee. I'm told the coconut soda is not bad either. This isn't a quick spot, but the food is worth the wait (about 10-15 mins depending on your order). If you're seated the food is brought to your table. My family asked a lot of questions, but the cook/waitress handled it nicely.
Dr. Tehea Robie
Great food, great vibes, great view. This place is a classic and the owner is incredible. All the stars! All the praises.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Z.
Just walking by and decided to grad a bite.... One word DELICIOUS. Simple and to the point soup was amazing. .. . And the drinks are artistic and full of character. Server was pleasant and polite.
Brittany S.
I would like to begin by saying that I am an avid learner and am always studying. I am a loyal customer to the establishments that I choose and ALWAYS make purchases each time. With this, I enjoy giving business to cafes while I work and I especially like to support small/local/minority owned businesses as I do so. I live by Lake Merritt and was having a day of studying. I bought a plate of fruit with me on my journey and as I was on my way back home, I realized this cafe was still open for about an hour so I was going to purchase food and drinks from this place, sit down, and complete a project. Parking is not the best in this area so I found a spot at a pretty hefty distance. As I entered the establishment, I sat my belongings at table and I instantly turned towards the counter where I was planning to go make my purchase. The woman behind the counter was already staring me down before I started walking. I got to the counter and she immediately says, "you can't bring food in here" to which I replied, "I'm sorry. It's my first time here and I didn't know. I wanted to make a purchase and I won't eat the fruit, but my parking space is really far and I also have quite a bit to carry". Her response was that I need to understand that I am teaching other people that they can bring food in the place with an attitude. I was immediately turned off from the place and will not be planning to spend money here. The issue is not in the fact that I could nit bring food, but more so about the treatment given to a new and interested customer that genuinely wanted to support a local business.
Deborah C.
I am very puzzled by this place and cannot recommend anyone try going there. I saw it on Yelp, and as it is close to my volunteer job, I walked over to give it a try. Seemed nice and airy, nice African music playing, not crowded, and started to think this could be my new lunch spot. After I waited a minute or two to see if someone would come take my order, a woman in the kitchen area preparing something turned around and saw me, and said she was busy working. I waited a moment, trying to understand what she meant--busy but going to help me in a moment?--and then she looks at me in an irritated way and said she is working. Basically, the message was "why are you bothering me, go away." I said "so you aren't going to take my order?" and then walked out. They could have had a regular customer, but now I will never come back here. My suggestion for this place is to close and lock the doors if you do not want customers.
Annie L.
Delicious breakfast burritos and coffee yum!!! Sweet kind service. Highly recommend and perfect to take to the lake for a beautiful view!
The breakfast burrito was wonderfully spiced and filling. Deep flavor and fresh ingredients.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Martin
Sera is truly a gem and I look at her like family given the relationship I've established with this place over the years. One of my favorite cafés anywhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diana R.
I absolutely adore this place and the food the Ethiopian nice lady cooks. You can hang out in here for work or meet with friends, the ambient is always very welcoming. Another plus is that it's across the street from Lake Merritt. Great coffee and amazing sandwiches- please try the chicken pesto sandwich. It will probably be the best chicken pesto sandwich you've ever had.
Tim Heath, DC
Lovely staff, good and drinks.Space is a bit disorganized and falling
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brooke M.
Potatoes are perfect. Ketchup is untouched. The lady is so nice. Couscous is perfect. Eggs are bomb.com. Skip that hipster shit across the street and eat here like we did- you won't be disappointed
Have come here a few times. I always order the egg with onion bagel. It was delicious...crispy but not dry bagel with steaming hot scrambled egg. Hit the spot. Will come back again.
I don’t usually write reviews but this place is a little gem. Plenty of window seating facing the corner of lake Merritt, love the music, the service, the menu. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place. Relaxed, good food and coffee. The breakfast burrito and the chicken pesto sandwich are delightful!Kid-friendliness: They’re very kind to our kiddo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito, Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Ethiopian Breakfast, Bagel w Cream Cheese
Look, these hardworking people just need some support- they don 't take cash at this place because some ne'erdowells STOLE THEIR FRICKIN' CASH REGISTER!!! Please support Oakland and these nice people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tuna Salad
I had a bagel and my dad had a veggie omelette. The bagel was just egg and cheese, but it really hit the spot. The egg was the perfect texture. The veggie omelette was made really well, they don't skimp on anything. I had a café latte as well, it was exactly what I wanted, nothing indulgent just good hot coffee. I'm told the coconut soda is not bad either. This isn't a quick spot, but the food is worth the wait (about 10-15 mins depending on your order). If you're seated the food is brought to your table. My family asked a lot of questions, but the cook/waitress handled it nicely.
Great food, great vibes, great view. This place is a classic and the owner is incredible. All the stars! All the praises.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just walking by and decided to grad a bite.... One word DELICIOUS. Simple and to the point soup was amazing. .. . And the drinks are artistic and full of character. Server was pleasant and polite.
I would like to begin by saying that I am an avid learner and am always studying. I am a loyal customer to the establishments that I choose and ALWAYS make purchases each time. With this, I enjoy giving business to cafes while I work and I especially like to support small/local/minority owned businesses as I do so. I live by Lake Merritt and was having a day of studying. I bought a plate of fruit with me on my journey and as I was on my way back home, I realized this cafe was still open for about an hour so I was going to purchase food and drinks from this place, sit down, and complete a project. Parking is not the best in this area so I found a spot at a pretty hefty distance. As I entered the establishment, I sat my belongings at table and I instantly turned towards the counter where I was planning to go make my purchase. The woman behind the counter was already staring me down before I started walking. I got to the counter and she immediately says, "you can't bring food in here" to which I replied, "I'm sorry. It's my first time here and I didn't know. I wanted to make a purchase and I won't eat the fruit, but my parking space is really far and I also have quite a bit to carry". Her response was that I need to understand that I am teaching other people that they can bring food in the place with an attitude. I was immediately turned off from the place and will not be planning to spend money here. The issue is not in the fact that I could nit bring food, but more so about the treatment given to a new and interested customer that genuinely wanted to support a local business.
I am very puzzled by this place and cannot recommend anyone try going there. I saw it on Yelp, and as it is close to my volunteer job, I walked over to give it a try. Seemed nice and airy, nice African music playing, not crowded, and started to think this could be my new lunch spot. After I waited a minute or two to see if someone would come take my order, a woman in the kitchen area preparing something turned around and saw me, and said she was busy working. I waited a moment, trying to understand what she meant--busy but going to help me in a moment?--and then she looks at me in an irritated way and said she is working. Basically, the message was "why are you bothering me, go away." I said "so you aren't going to take my order?" and then walked out. They could have had a regular customer, but now I will never come back here. My suggestion for this place is to close and lock the doors if you do not want customers.
Delicious breakfast burritos and coffee yum!!! Sweet kind service. Highly recommend and perfect to take to the lake for a beautiful view!
Restaurantji Recommends
The breakfast burrito was wonderfully spiced and filling. Deep flavor and fresh ingredients.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sera is truly a gem and I look at her like family given the relationship I've established with this place over the years. One of my favorite cafés anywhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I absolutely adore this place and the food the Ethiopian nice lady cooks. You can hang out in here for work or meet with friends, the ambient is always very welcoming. Another plus is that it's across the street from Lake Merritt. Great coffee and amazing sandwiches- please try the chicken pesto sandwich. It will probably be the best chicken pesto sandwich you've ever had.
Lovely staff, good and drinks.Space is a bit disorganized and falling
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Potatoes are perfect. Ketchup is untouched. The lady is so nice. Couscous is perfect. Eggs are bomb.com. Skip that hipster shit across the street and eat here like we did- you won't be disappointed