50 Best Coffee Shops in Oakland

“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.“

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

“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 !“

“We’ve got two pour over - Ethiopia and Rwanda. Both had a slightly acidic taste and delicious! The pastry, cinnamon bun, was so good. Soft and not overly sweet. Very tasty. It felt like European-style bread. Despite only two seats available, we still enjoyed our coffee on site. Staff was very friendly.“

“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 :)“

“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!!“

“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😋😘🙏🏿❤️“

“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!“

“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 👌🏾😋“

“Great little gem! We really enjoyed their veggie croissants. And concha is not to be missed as well. Looking forward to coming back!

Plenty of street parking available, there’s outdoor seats available as well. And they serve coffee.

And best thing is..no long line !“

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

“Major success story for overcoming issues in your life. I have nothing but respect for you there. I have been aware with you on your involvement with Survivor. I would like to this opportunity to show forgiveness for the antics and how you put Matthew Von Ertfelda down. There is no judgment here. I now know Survivor is only a tv show and the producers were the main culprits who pushed this feud triggered by a negative environment where it was hard to take care of yourselves. Have you in my prayers where you would be prudent on what you say about Matthew. I don’t want you suffer bad karma like what happened to Rob Cesternino in the All Stars season. All the best.“

“Cool, versatile spot — serve wine, tea & coffee so perfect Friday spot ;-) Sometimes get a bit loud if you’re really trying to focus on work.

They even carry Blue Willow tea, a quality, local brand based in Berkeley. Check out their stuff.“

“Loved my birthday dinner tonight! Portions small for the prices in our opinion. A scallops main dish with 3 scallops is small. Drinks were amazing, decor fabulous and great service. My son had to go eat more food afterwards as he was still hungry. Bigger portions would be good. Loved everything else! Great choices, appetizers, main dishes and creative drinks were delicious. Kind of surprised knowing they knew it was my birthday that they didn't offer me a birthday "something" to make it special. For these prices I would expect something.“

“Walkable Great eats Lululemon next door“

“I’ve been here twice and for the second time there was this homeless person who entered in and the smell was bad. As for the beverages, I ordered chocolate Mexicano both the times. Love it. It’s also a nice part if you wanna like work for a bit, but they strictly close at five.“

“Absolutely my favorite place to have coffee. Their cold brew has a lot of flavor, plenty of rich notes and doesn’t taste watered down, quite unlike some of the other places that serve cold brew as an afterthought. The staff is very knowledgeable and projects a sense of artistry when preparing coffee. My only complaint is their rather unassuming storefront. Unless one is familiar with the area and is deliberately looking for Blue Bottle, they don’t standout and attract attention. But if you do find them, you’re in for a nice treat.“

“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)“

“Coffee wonderful, space bright and airy.💙“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“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“

“First time here and loved it! The chicken wrap was so good. Staff were friendly and even gave us cheesecake while we waited — really nice of them. The space is cozy, perfect for hanging out. Food is fresh, drinks are not too sweet — just right. I’ll be back for sure!“

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

“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.“

“i love the chocolate dragon. one of the most special places in all of the Bay Area! great social and communal vibe on weekends (no laptops Fr-Sun) and great study vibes Tuesday-Thursday.

the bitersweet European drinking chocolate is my fave. thanks Choc Dragon we love you!!“

“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. ✊🏾❤️✨“

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

“Ordered the matcha and mocha, both were perfectly made. Delicious pastries as well!

The owner was so kind and a few regulars stopped by and you can tell they love the place.

Beautiful plants and nice atmosphere, will definitely be coming back!“

“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.“

“Great service Clean Food was amazing“

“♿️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“

“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.“

“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!!!“

“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!“

“Good croissant sandwiches. Yum Yum“

“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.“

“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 wandered in here randomly and am SO happy I stumbled upon this coffee shop! Vibes are immaculate and the coffee is even better ! While I was here, I was also able to chat with the owner. Not only was he super nice, but he knows his craft well ! I don’t know many owners who are willing to spend their valuable time chatting with their guests, so I felt honored! 10/10 recommend !!!“

“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.“

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

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Cool little spot. There's not many tables but great place to get coffee to go.

Parking: Only seen meter parking

Kid-friendliness: They have a small table for kids to play with magnets 🧲

Wheelchair accessibility: A wheelchair definitely fits in this place.“

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