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.“

“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.“

“This place saved me & my two friends on our 11 pm post-concert food hunt. Got the Shawarma Arabic, Chicken Gyro, and Beef Shawarma plate. It was a 6/5 for all of us. Served with tzatziki and red chili flake oil + 2 banana peppers.... super flavorful, affordable, chill staff. Beyond worth it. Some cool Egyptian decorations. Only downside is sparse seating close to the door, but that's the norm for east bay. first eats in oakland!! loved it!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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’ve lived down the street from this place my whole life and I’ve never been here before. I just went in for the first time this morning. The owner was Very friendly and made my food exactly how I wanted it. I’ve been craving a chicken Caesar wrap for weeks and haven’t found one the way I like it and they did a perfect job. I can’t wait to come back with my family for breakfast.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Love this spot! Pressivo Cafe has great coffee and really good vibes. The drinks are always on point (the Habesha latte is a must), and the staff is super friendly. They also have tasty food, smoothies, and vegan options. Perfect place to stop by or hang out for a bit. Highly recommend! ☕️“

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

“It is a family run business that takes care of you and feeds you good food. I enjoy mango smoothy and basically they are good for you. I think they have 5 smoothy combination and some other things to. Great sandwiches and begals and lots of really nice teas. Love the coffee and coffee based drinks to.“

“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 ;-)“

“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'“

“Wonderful customer service from start to finish. Everyone was warm, attentive, and made me feel welcome right away. When I ordered my drink, they even asked if I wanted Valentine’s flowers added on top, which was such an adorable and thoughtful touch. I passed, but it made the experience feel personal and kind. My drink was excellent, and the level of care they showed made the whole visit memorable. I’ll happily be back. ❤️“

“Kava is a new thing for me. To be honest, I'm still not sure about the taste. But the culture here is amazing. I found myself having actually-delightful conversations with the folks around me, and my date and I really enjoyed being able to curl up on a convenient couch and chat just by ourselves, too. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and kind, and even gave us a few samples of things so we were able to follow along with our senses.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“One of my favorite places“

“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.“

“Nothing but love for this place. When I was house hunting in the area, I would stop here to grab a bite and talk to myself. How fortunate would it be if I can come here all the time?

That wish came true

I usually go for their mocha which has a little less weight than other mochas but it seems lighter so I guess I’ll take that as a win

All their baked items are amazing and you will definitely balloon if you eat them all every day lol.

But seriously I’ve never had a strawberry and cream scone until this morning and I ate it so fast I could not even take a photo to put it up here. I can never have a scone at Starbucks ever again.

They have a six dollar breakfast sandwich, which is an English muffin with eggs, cheese, and a home made spread. You can add bacon or sausage if you want, but I usually don’t.

At some point, I’ll stop filling up on breakfast and bakery items and leave enough space to try their sandwiches and soups which I hear is excellent“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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).“

“This coffee place is definitely a place where you wanna go, when there's not that much people. I love the modern and hip vibe of the building in itself -- the decor inside the place a really cozy yet light environment.

I love how active they are about giving back to the community. That to me shows a lot. They're also proudly Latina and women-owned too, so that in itself shows a lot.I walked in and got an horchata latte -- and needless to say, they were one of the best ones I've ever gotten. It tasted really silky, not too sweet, and the cinnamon taste wasn't overbearing. One thing to note - they are closed on Tuesdays, which is odd. I will not question that.

They are also a vibe as well -- great hospitality and they treat everybody who comes in like familia. Now THAT is how you run a local and small-owned business and have regular customers like me go back time by time.

I definitely will be back to support this establishment!“

“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 !“

“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.“

“The perfect atmosphere to settle in and finally get some much needed work done.
My latte was genuinely lovely! Smooth, balanced, and rich without being heavy. You could taste the care in every sip, and the milk was steamed to that silky perfection that makes a latte feel indulgent rather than routine. The latte art itself was so picturesque it almost felt wrong to disturb it. Delicate, precise, and quietly beautiful, like a small piece of art meant just for me. Alongside it, my tea was soothing and fragrant, grounding me even further into the moment. A spot you must try if you haven’t and a spot you definitely want to return to if you have.“

“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.“

“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 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.“

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

“I stumbled upon this coffee shop after spotting the sweetest little sign that read, “for serious coffee lovers.” As someone who very much identifies with that title, I knew I had to step inside.
I ordered a lightly sweetened rose vanilla latte (because if we’re being serious about coffee, we can still be romantic about it). While I waited, I noticed they brew with beans from Mother Tongue — one of my personal favorites — which immediately raised my expectations in the best way. And thankfully, the latte delivered. The flavor was beautifully balanced, floral without tasting like perfume, and the milk was frothed to silky perfection. They absolutely nailed the “lightly sweetened” request, which I genuinely appreciate.
That said, when a shop brands itself as being for serious coffee lovers, I do secretly hope for a little latte art magic moment. I have an espresso machine at home, so when I go out, I’m not just chasing flavor, I’m also chasing that tiny cup of artistry and I’ve got to say that may be the only thing that wasn’t up to my standards.
Still, the women working were warm, kind, and lovely to chat with while I waited, and that kind of hospitality always counts. Overall, a very solid cup from a spot that clearly cares about coffee and I’d happily return. ☕✨“