50 Best Cafes in Oakland

“A great place to go work when you have a lot to get done. More outside spots than inside so its better on a sunny day. Its open late which is great. Never issues with the wifi bht limited charging spots.
Drinks are very yummy.
No designated parking so you will have to drive around for a spot.“

“Amazing hole in wall. Very pleasant individuals explaing their menu. The coffee is very good; Honey Laveneder latte seems to he their signature and it doesn't disappoint. From the menu we tried the Avocado Toast and Ful plate. Both items were tasty and it was enough to share between two. The Ful came with warm bread, possibly freshly baked. It was an enjoyable experience. Definitely worth the visit and a must try.“

“I would have given the food five stars, but unfortunately, my chicken curry patty was still cold in the center. The first few bites were warm and delicious, so I’d just recommend the staff heating the patties a little longer. Coffee and atmosphere were all great! I’ll definitely give them another try.“

“Really great spot for some Egyptian food. The restaurant is tiny and has an authentic feel to it but is fine for take way for very small group dining. We tried the shawarma and it was amazing. One of the best shawarma I've ever had. Very unique. The sauces and the veggies really make it but the chicken itself is very tasty too.“

“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!“

“Inviting, vibrant, and warm, Charlie May is a great spot to grab a cold brew, hibiscus tea, and/or delicious baked good! The owners are true Town folks who provide space for great local caterers, artisans, and dog lovers alike. This spot may be off the beaten path, but I assure you, it’s a gem worth the trek!“

“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…“

“Beautiful atmosphere, cultural aesthetics, and a clean, simple setup. The Ethiopian combo was amazing; slightly on the spicy side, but absolutely delicious! We also enjoyed the coffee ceremony, which came with popcorn and such a beautiful presentation.

Definitely recommend this spot for a laid-back Sunday brunch or whenever you’re craving Ethiopian food in the morning. 10/10! will definitely be back! ❤“

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

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

“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 breakfast sandwich in the area, and best prices too!!
Today’s special was chorizo and I was thrilled they let me add chorizo as the meat option to the breakfast croissant.
This was the best tasting breakfast sandwich, truly cooked and assembled to perfection, and the service is friendliest in the town for sure. Thanks Dimond cafe!!“

“This place is phenomenal, not only is the coffee exceptional, the staff is so warm and inviting. Visiting from out of state, I’m sad that I’m leaving because the two interactions that I had made me really want to become a regular here. I’ll be back house of phin!!! I’ll wear your merch with pride :) and if you want to expand to the east, I’ll be your guy LOL“

“Dawit is the best! Truly a great guy and great coffee, I enjoy our conversations and always come back. I enjoy the habesha coffee, it reminds me of my family back home in Sudan and the same spices we use. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.“

“​⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best local spot in Oakland!
​Honestly one of my favorite coffee spots in town. The people working here are super friendly and make you feel welcome the second you walk in.
​The iced coffee and lattes are always on point, and the breakfast sandwiches are amazing. Everything is super fresh and made right there. Super clean, great vibe, and just a top-tier neighborhood gem. Definitely check them out if you’re nearby!“

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

“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.“

“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 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.“

“I come to this place often to work in the morning and it's great. The staff are really nice and the coffee is great! I haven't tried the food because I rarely eat breakfast, but people seem to enjoy what they offer. If you are looking for a place to do work and enjoy food or drink, I recommend this place!“

“Town Fare is excellent. Just ate here at their last Sunday brunch which happens monthly. It was buffet style. Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits were superlative. The location in the Oakland Museum is super stylish and classic. This restaurant needs to be supported.“

“I mean what more can you ask for.

Brioche was perfectly toasted.

Sausage was juicy and delicious.

Sauce was creamy and tangy.

Egg were well seasoned and very tender.

All for less than $10

What a gem.

Bonus the iced late was smackin'“

“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®“

“I wanted to try everything here! Had breakfast pastries, miso chicken bowl, desserts, and lattes and mochas on numerous occasions during my trip to the area. All were wonderful and tasted homemade. Egg tart was so smooth, flavorful, and not rubbery. I want to know their secret to this! My other favorite item is the walnut chocolate chip cookie. Omg so decadent!“

“Awesome chill space to catch up with someone. All kinds of flavors so you don’t even have to like kava to find something you like. Melo Colada was heavy on sweet/colada and I loved it. Melo Chai and Cream were also delicious. Go for happy hour 3-6pm I believe for $2 off drinks“

“We never had Ethiopian food before, I don't even know how to order.
After the owner kindly suggested the most popular items, we tried the lamb & the fish, and I was blown away.
Price-wise, it's inexpensive and delicious.
Love the decor here, it's comfy and neat, you can even work here with the music and the delicious coffee or specialty healthy tea called Renaissance ( love the name).
Glad I get to try this restaurant even though I just curiously walked by.“

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

“One of my favorite places“

“📚My neighborhood spot when I want to read and study with good food and drinks beside me.

😊Friendly staff.

😋Savory yumminess and black sesame latte, just WOW!! Garlic noodles and salmon with a spicy tangy sauce on the side.“

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

“great food & atmosphere! 5 stars!!“

“I went to HM because i was procrastinating and sure enough when I got there I ran into my friend, Kico! I love Kico and he was eating a turkey and egg breakfast sando, which he seemed to love. We chatted for a while- HM is a great place to chat. I got a cold brew and it was great. I love Hasta Muerte!“

“Incredible experience. The staff were genuinely kind and humble, which made everything feel even more special. You can tell they really care about what they do—the coffee was expertly made, and the sushi was some of the freshest and most flavorful I’ve had. Truly impressed. Highly recommend.“

“So good, really enjoyed the chicken wrap and that almond croissant 🥐❤️‍🔥 Croissant is unbelievably good ( and I mean it, as I lived in Paris and I do know the real thing taste ) So now it’s my « To go » favorite place to grab food for lunch !“

“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.“

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

“This hidden gem in downtown Oakland is everything you hope for in a true mom-and-pop restaurant—and more. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with genuine warmth that makes you feel like part of the community.

The lunches are simply outstanding: hearty, nourishing, and clearly made with care. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared and satisfying without being heavy.

What really sets this place apart, though, is the heart behind it. The owners are incredibly friendly and take the time to connect with their customers, creating a welcoming space that goes beyond just great food. It’s the kind of place that brings people together and makes downtown Oakland feel like a neighborhood.

I can’t recommend it highly enough!“

“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.“

“A fantastic addition to the neighborhood and a model for a community oriented business in West Oakland! The cafe is a
chill space for coffee and treats, and the restaurant, open most evenings, offers delicious comfort food at reasonable prices.“

“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.“

“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.“

“I love this place so much, great place to chill or work. Their Salvadoran horchata latte is so addictive (I have ordered nothing but it since I first went there), and if you happen to be there when Azukar has their food I highly recommend it!! Their wraps and empanadas are so flavorful and incredibly unique.“

“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).“

“Best food and gift shop!🤗🤩“

“I started going here like 4 months ago and I cannot stop coming back their sandwiches are so fresh and they have the softest rolls. I don't know what they put on it but it is very delicious and flavorful. Their service is very fast I go there all my lunch break and it doesn't take longer than 5 minutes. The staff is also very polite.“

“This is a wonderful cafe with a pleasant staff and great food/drinks. Our twins come to Kaiser for speech therapy and they are always so excited to visit the cafe. The staff there is so cool and they are so sweet to our boys, always there with a welcoming smile and great vibes. I love how they take the time to chat with our family and they are always so patient with our twins when they are ordering (some days they don’t know what they want!) The cafe has fresh coffee (I like the Café Carmelita, so good!) delicious bagels, fresh fruit, ect. My Husband loves their cinnamon roll, it’s pretty big! They also have the best croissants and pockets. We love to support Panama Cafe. They are the epitome of what we all love about small businesses : genuine people that actually want connections with their customers, who also have great food/service. Take the time to visit them!“

“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.“

“My daughter and I enjoyed sharing the pork Banh Mi sandwich, which was absolutely delicious! We also got the honey lemon jasmine tea and the banana matcha drink. The service was excellent, and we would definitely return if we're in the area.“

“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 :)“