50 Best Coffee Shops in Oakland

“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 !“

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

“AMAZING. Loved the service and coffee. I ordered the Sampaguita latte with whole milk and it was the perfect blend of not too sweet, not too bitter, and balanced coffee-milk ratio. I find a lot of lattes to be too light on the espresso but they have nailed it. My latte was fragrant and bright with almost chocolatey notes after the initial floral scent.“

“Came in for brunch and had the foul here...was BOMB!! As an Eritrean who did not normally care for foul I have had my mind changed completely after eating here. Go support this local family business. Good vibes good food and good people 👌🏾😋“

“The chai and Danish at Mohka House are absolutely incredible. It’s not even just about how blessed we are to have this kind of authentic cultural influence right here in Oakland—it’s the kind of spot where the customer service makes the experience just as special. The staff are down-to-earth and genuinely family-friendly, the kind of people who make you feel at home the moment you walk in.

If you haven’t been yet, you’re truly missing out on one of the most special places you can treat yourself or bring a loved one. A real gem💎“

“I’m highly recommend it ..I’m here every day“

“A go to spot to journal and read! Reasonable limits around laptop use to keep the vibes cozy and prevent people from hogging the few tables that are there. A huge delectable luxurious variety of chocolates. Be ready to invest in quality! Lovely lovely workers, easy to converse with, kind and warm hearted.“

“Awesome place to shop! My “go to” produce market for incredibly fresh produce, fruits and dry goods. Great meat and fish market. Superb bakery. Excellent wine shop, And Market Hall pasta shop/main market is simply amazing in SO many ways. Plus, super easy parking and good hours ... important to me and a for real plus. Love this place!!!“

“This was my first time going, but I found this cafe to have a perfect atmosphere. I have only tried their variety of matcha/coffees, but the food looked pretty good as well. Customer service was great too, very kind and friendly, definitely will come back.“

“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!!“

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

“I visit this bakery every time I visit Oakland from Compton. The tahini date latte is my go-to joint. This time I had some homemade savory scone from heaven. But what I like best about the cafe is the spirit of kindness and community they provide for humanity. They simply want justice to win for everybody. I’m in. ✊🏾❤️✨“

“I never write reviews; I adore this place. Excellent craft coffee, cute little store front, and the energy of the whole place and the woman who runs it always puts me in such a good mood to start the day. If you aren’t sure if you’ve had striking, interesting, and well brewed coffee, get a natural roast for pour over with no milk or sugar (but be prepared for something different than you’re used to)“

“So excited to have another coffee shop in the area that isn’t Starbucks. I got the seasonal pumpkin spice iced latte and it’s delicious—i was worried it might be too sweet but it’s perfectly balanced and strong!!!! excited to have this in the neighborhood :)“

“This place is the best: Great bagel sammies and smoothies, and quick and friendly staff! We hit up Lucia's to kick off our day trips with a quick bite on the road, before a day out on the Bay, and for those crucial morning-after pit stops to bring us back to life.“

“Having Good Vibes so close to my apartment has been a such an amazing plus for the neighborhood and me. The coffees and Matcha are top quality and perfectly served with a brilliant and friendly style of service. I feel like I'm having the perfect beverage sitting in the comfort of my own home.

It is what I have come to expect from a perfect neighborhood cafe!!“

“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)“

“Lots of natural light and nice decorations. The big thing for me is that the seating is actually comfortable!! So many cafes have awful hard chairs. This is cafe I actually want to spend time in. The staff are great and I enjoyed my food and drink.“

“Great pastries and coffee!“

“Exceptional multiroaster with a great rotating selection and highly skilled baristas.“

“♿️Cafe has a wheelchair accessible seating, entrance and toilet. Seating available outside in front of the cafe, in the cafe and in the back patio .

Wonderful family run cafe. Popular with many Glenview elementary families in the mornings before school. Excellent selection of coffees, teas and breakfast pastries and bagels. Great to sit inside or outside. And nice spot to get some work done. Customer service is personal and so kind. As we are regulars, they recognize our son, and they always say hello to him.

Parking: Street parking on Park Blvd varies. Sometimes easy to get a spot in the morning if needed, sometimes a bit challenging later in the day.

Kid-friendliness: Very welcoming

Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, seating and restroom“

“OMG!!! Time stopped as I bit into a donut savant cronut for the very first time. I live in N. Sacramento but I am fantasizing about the next trip to #oakland. You people are truly doing god’s work here. Carry on😋😘🙏🏿❤️“

“I found this gem on my way to Vallejo and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! This has an Oakland vibe, the smoothie was all organic, the açai bowl was fresh, and I could tell they probably source their ingredients locally. I loved the music as well! Finally, the shop itself had a cozy vibe. Love this place and will be back!“

“Ten of us in Oakland for a wedding just descended on this suggested cafe for breakfast. A family member who’d lived in Oakland recommended it. She was right to. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was prompt, had a wonderful attitude and a genuine personality. Our breakfast orders were varied, came out accurate and all of us enjoyed a great 40 mins or so. Parking was easy and pretty much right out front. Definitely recommend the Coffee Mill for a no frills authentic breakfast experience where you feel welcome.“

“Great selection very fast shipping secure packaging and nice people“

“Good croissant sandwiches. Yum Yum“

“5 Stars because it's right across the street from the IRS. Whether you leave that building happy or sad, both attitudes could use a cold brew and a croissant -- both of which were good.This cafe is exactly what you need, exactly where you need it.Considered dropping it to 4 stars for not providing the opportunity to get drunk if that's what you needed after the an IRS meeting instead.“

“This coffee shop is so beautiful! I love the gold accents and decorations! The staff was nice and the coffee is even better! They have coffee flavors I’ve never had before but enjoyed! And they also have cakes and different delicious treats! I definitely want to come back and try other drinks and snacks I just wish they had a parking lot!“

“I got a vanilla matcha, pretty tasty. Cafe opens up into an atrium which was a bright and quiet place to work, super perfect for what I needed. The wifi worked well (I didn't realize, but was still here after they closed and the wifi was working) and bathrooms were clean.“

“great tasting coffee with robust flavors, very satisfied, going to be a regular customer now that our search for a good coffee is over✌💖🙏✊“

“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.“

“Great service Clean Food was amazing“

“Family owned cafe that is very much part of its community. Regulars and the owners greeted each other by first name. Close to Montclair Park so it's popular after paddle sports or softball. Very popular with cyclists too - nine were outside when we are there.“

“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 :)“

“Got the salmon scramble with sriracha <3 was so good and the place is very clean and the staff are so welcoming“

“Really good coffees and pastries. They need one more person at peak times. Glad it’s gotten popular w all the dog folks.“

“My favorite Easy Bay cafes for working during lockdown - #1, Hudson Bay One of the things I miss the most during lockdown is having a place to get coffee and work for a while – yes, I know I’m not alone there ;) So I’m going to share my very favorite places to work during lockdown – i.e., cafes that have a fair amount of outdoor seating (and preferably decent Wi-Fi coverage too). The Hudson Bay café was a fairly regular haunt for me during normal times, and during lockdown it’s running pretty well with lots of safety precautions: Perspex screens, sanitizer, and a window counter if you don’t want to walk inside. Staff members were super-friendly as usual and there’s always good music playing (it’s faint outside, so I could just barely hear The Smiths and The Weeknd drifting out through the side door). One thing to note is that the prices are very reasonable – my veggie burrito cost an amazing $7 (or maybe $7.50) – and it had guac in there too! And it was big! I also had an oat milk latte and a slice of pound cake and the whole tab was around $14. For comparison, I paid the same amount at another place this week for a coffee, cookie and plain croissant. Lockdown Stats: • Seating: There are about 6 tables outside and chances are reasonable that you’ll get a spot. If you’re stuck without a seat you can hang out on a bench outside the library across the street. • Bathroom: Another good thing about going to Hudson Bay to drink a lot of coffee – the bathroom is open! It’s surprising how many cafés have no bathroom availability after selling you a big old cup of diuretic! • Hours: Note that they close at 5 pm at the moment, not 6, but they’ll let you linger till maybe 5:30. • Weather: Hudson St. faces southwest, so it’s often pretty warm, even around closing time! • Budget: As mentioned above, Hudson Bay is one of the cheapest places around (esp. on College Ave.) to get lunch. I’m also giving the Hudson Bay Café 4/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on this: • Very longstanding independent café and community gathering spot. • Coffee beans come from McLaughlin roasters in Emeryville - another East Bay staple. • Some of McLaughlin’s coffee varieties are organic and most are bought directly from cooperatives or family farms that support communities. • It kind of goes without saying that plant-based milks are available – and raw turbinado sugar too. • The menu is a bit more traditional but there are a few veggie and vegan options. I think they’ll also make veggie/vegan mods to a menu item, if you ask, since everything is cooked to order. • There’s not a lot of info available about Hudson Bay’s sourcing of ingredients – my feeling is that the owners want to keep things as unpretentious as possible. Since it’s lockdown I’m not going to bust their balls over it :D • Waste is minimized pretty well, even during lockdown when most places are loading on the plastic. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, please check out the Green Stars Project.“

“If you're a tea-a-holic or simply in the mood for some truly great tea this is the place for you. All the variety you could ask for and then some and the nicest welcoming owner who is happy to share her without a doubt professional experience and knowledge of tea and everything related to it. And did I mention the ambiance? Classical music, lovely decor and absolutely a delightful experience overall. We had a wonderful time, thank you "Sophie's Cuppa Tea".“

“I’m not a coffee maven, but the tea and sweets were excellent. (My friends who appreciate good coffee say that it’s excellent as well.) Good service, even in the face of an exacting clientele.“

“The cutest spot and dog friendly! Their specialty drinks are great, and they have a really nice collection of pour over coffees from Korea.

Their baked goods sometimes run out, so recommend going earlier for more selection“

“Great pastries and coffee!“

“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.“

“Stepping into Marin's Kitchen and Coffee is an elegant experience. The premium coffee and delicious breakfast are exceptional, especially given the great prices. A truly great establishment I love visiting every time. Definitely give them a visit. You will be hooked; the customer service is always fantastic.“

“Based solely on the experience of purchasing an espresso, the service went well as intended with any type of service from a traditional cafe. While the espresso itself is up to the standard where it doesn’t shine by itself (judging only on my own intuition as someone who casually consumes coffee), the gimmick more than makes up for it in a time where such thing is yet to be the norm or at least be less uncommon. As for the atmosphere, the future spaceship theme is apparent but can give off feelings of uncanniness and may be misinterpreted as dystopian; from there, incorporating some elements that goes easy on the mind. As a bonus, the store manager himself was polite and easygoing with how the cafe came to be.“

“Great tasting coffee and vibes from this little coffee shop! The customer service is spectacular and there is a nice little seating area to stop and have a chat or work a bit. The food also looks great which I have yet to try but one day may grab a pastry. Highly recommend the burnt cinnamon latte or iced blackstrap latte. Delish!!“

“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!“

“Been coming here for over two decades and the best authentic food hands down ?? Amazing breakfast dishes and worth every penny. Glad it’s still around because Mr. G’s used to be the spot too before they closed. But you will be satisfied with Luis and his family. Great and nice people. Cooked from their heart and soul. I still visit when I am visiting my old hometown. Hard to find places like this where I live now.“

“Stumbled on this place when working across the street servicing a customer's equipment and needed to grab lunch nearby. Had the best turkey and swiss deli sandwich of my life, not kidding. Now, every time I drive by the place I salivate. Had the chance to stop by there again today, one year later, and the turkey and swiss sandwich was even better! Fresh high quality bread, turkey, swiss cheese, tomato, red onion, lettuce, and some kind of special sauce. Incredibly delicious and a very rare find!“

“Avotoasty has amazing coffee and fast internet!“

“Quick friendly customer service! My iced mocha was bomb!“