50 Best Coffee Shops in Oakland

“Love this little shop! So convenient and they always have fun seasonal flavors like basil syrup. I normally do some sort of matcha and theirs is one of the best in the area. Made properly and with customizable sweetness. The baristas here are always super friendly and quick as well!“

“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 !“

“Great cafe with unique Yemeni blends. Easy going atmosphere for people wanting to connect but also a few who are just working. Staff were friendly and happy to discuss the history behind the various coffees or teas they offered. Great vibe, great place.“

“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 👌🏾😋“

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

“Very nice and cute little Ethiopian cafe. I definitely need to bring a friend or two with me to do the coffee ceremony!!! But from what I experienced with the veggie plate, pretty good run of the mill Ethiopian food. Lots of people hanging out and having a sip of coffee or other drinks.“

“Lovely cafe and excellent chocolate shop. I love coming here with my friends or to buy fancy gifts. I love that working on your computer while at the cafe is restricted to weekdays only to encourage a more social atmosphere over the weekend. There is some but limited indoor and outdoor seating. My only complaint is that the prices aren't listed on the chocolates for sale.“

“We love this little shop. Cute space for sitting and working, and the shaken espresso is the best espresso drink I’ve ever had. It’s what I am asking for every time I ask for something flavored to be half or a quarter sweet: perfect deep coffee flavor with out being bitter.“

“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😋😘🙏🏿❤️“

“Heading over to Forma Bakery on a weekday morning is a breeze. Arriving right at the 8:00 AM opening window means you can walk straight to the counter with no wait at all. For parking, there is a generous patch of free street parking available just around the corner about a block away, though the immediate storefront strip also offers standard metered street parking options if you want to pull up closer.

The setup inside is wonderful. They feature a great selection of morning goods, all displayed beautifully, which makes scanning the options and making your precise selections incredibly easy. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the service is quick. Plus, they package everything perfectly with zero damage: the heavy Blue Corn Sourdough loaf was placed flat on the bottom of a large paper bag, while the fragile, individually bagged pastries were gently layered on top to keep them from getting crushed.

If you want to eat right there, they have some nice outdoor sidewalk seating, which gives the place a great, community-forward neighborhood atmosphere along Telegraph Avenue.

Traditional Butter Croissant: Where so many other bakeries have failed, Forma has it down. I could smell the rich butter before I even bit into it. A proper croissant requires the correct kind of butter and baking techniques, and this one delivered. It had the exact shattering flake effect you want on the outside and tasted absolutely phenomenal.

Chocolate Concha: This is the best concha I have ever had. It has a real, deep cocoa flavor, and both the texture and flavor are incredibly hard to beat.

Flan Croissant with Strawberry & Rhubarb: This was the absolute favorite of everything I bought. The contrast between the crisp, flaky pastry base and the smooth vanilla flan custard layered over the tart strawberry and rhubarb is incredible. It’s an absolute must-order item.

Passion Fruit Morning Bun with Earl Grey Sugar: This was a really pleasant surprise. I wasn't entirely sure how it would taste, but the flavor combination is fantastic. The light, bright flavor of the passion fruit perfectly balances out the sweet crunch of the Earl Grey sugar coating. My only small wish is that there was a bit more substance to the center of the bun, but the flavor and textures are totally there.

In fact, everything I purchased tasted really good. Every single pastry had the perfect crunch and flavor. Forma has firmly established itself as a top-tier bakery in the East Bay, and I highly recommend checking it out.“

“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.“

“What a truly wonderful experience. My husband and I stumbled upon Im Moment Kaffee by total coincidence on our way to a Ballers game, and it is a total gem. The owner is such a warm, kind soul—she was so incredibly patient and sweet while my toddler ordered. The atmosphere is amazing, filled with great music and a welcoming vibe. You can taste the care in their food and drinks; the breakfast sandwiches are made in-house, and the coffee is incredible and deeply rooted in culture. They even went above and beyond to make me an off-menu iced cardamom latte, which was absolute perfection.“

“I like to sit at the sidewalk tables in the morning with the sun shining and I always enjoy the friendly banter w staff. Try the Wu Wei tea! Wu Wei. You could look it up :) And the cortado! Peace.“

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

“Really really enjoyed the Veggie Combo plate at Desta. The greens were fresh and the lentils were extremely flavorful. The other sides were unique and delicious as well. Bursting with flavor and hearty. Awesome meal and will definitely be back. Wish they were open for dinner but will visit for lunch on a weekend again soon.“

“sourdough croissants, the corn cherry and oat scones, sundry shortbread flavours that are always exquisite...and today, a new treat, a lil pizza" bakers special" with kale and mojo and crust texture inexplicable, beyond magic. ✨👍🏽✨“

“This place has been open for a whole year and I'm just now visiting! I ordered the bananas foster latte, hot per Lena's recommendation and it was so good. They have a bunch more yummy flavors and I look forward to coming back to try more. They have food options here as well, a beautiful spacious interior with plenty of seating, and lots of community flyers and events up. Really nice place to work or just kick it. RnB music bumping too. Thank you Soul Blends!“

“Vegan Donut Gelato is PHENOMENAL! My wife and I loved our brief stop this week. The donuts are massive and well worth the price. Friendly service and the woman who served us was great. Highly recommended!“

“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 frequently visit Golden Outside since I work nearby and I adore this little cafe! Sheri(Sherry?) is amazing and very knowledgable about all of the plants she keeps and sells in the shop, and the coffee is delicious. They alternate bakeries which is really fun, since every day there might be something totally different. The teas are also excellent, amazing chai. I love the care and attention they put into everything, if you're in need of a pick me up and a plant in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood in Oakland I highly recommend stopping by!“

“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.“

“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!!!“

“It's a wonderful place. I didn't like the dish that I ordered, but the chef came out and asked who was the taste of my dish and I told her I didn't like, and she offered to me another dish, she brought me a vegetarian dish, 😅 It was so delicious. I love it, ❤ great place.“

“Great service Clean Food was amazing“

“A wonderful vibe here with good energy from both the staff and patrons. The atmosphere is exceptional, with beautiful art, plush comfy seating options and a really terrific community bulletin board with so much of the best kinds of offerings and requests from the Oakland community. I always spend a while perusing it, just for the joy it gives me.“

“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!“

“A coffee shop next to a hospital wouldn’t have to be good. Indeed, you’d expect it not to be. But this coffee shop is excellent! Perfectly toasted soft bagel with many options for spreads, and a delicious banana milk latte. Wow!“

“♿️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“

“It was a long day that was about to turn into a long night. My expectations for a drive-through cafe were honestly not very high. But an excursion to Lucia might have been just what I needed. I got a salmon combo bagel that tasted like it just came out of a New York bagel shop. The light frappes are nice and that they are not too sweet but a lovely summer treat.“

“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 :)“

“Nice small coffee shop, the coffee is quite good. They can improve their hours, my only gripe is that they don't open till 8 which makes it hard to get coffee from them in the morning. Overall the coffee is good, I have been there a few times“

“Nice neighborhood no-frills cafe serving some standard options with a Vietnamese food / drink menu.

Ordered Vietnamese iced coffee, as one always should when available, and a croissant. Both delicious. Croissant large and buttery.

The prices are fair and the atmosphere is very pleasant and the spirit of Oakland.

Will definitely return to try vegetarian bahn mi.“

“Just moved in a block away and feel SO blessed that Delah is my neighborhood coffee house. 🫶

The shop is beautiful, has a BOMB(!!!) cakes & sweets case, and both times I’ve gone in everyone was so kind — and also helpful in picking out a delish treat. 🍰“

“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!“

“Great pastries and coffee!“

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

“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.“

“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)“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“I went in here to get an iced coffee and I saw the donuts - I really wanted the Maple cronut but I always get that when I get grown nuts. But then I saw the bear claw. I love the shape cuz it definitely looks more like a bear claw than I normally see them. Subpar donut shops. Oh my God, it is a vast bear clock I've ever had in my life. I couldn't even get to the Apple filling because the crunch and the exterior. The crust was the journey into the Apple goodness and it was so moist inside but still had that texture, Hugging that Apple for your life waiting for someone like me to gobble it up. To grow up the counter was super friendly and I asked her what's in her coffee cuz she was smiling the whole time. She was adorable. But the Asian guy next to her also working on her was hot as heck. ;) I'll definitely come out here just for the donuts and next time I'll try the cronuts they offer. This is the best. Don't stop and all the bait are at and I've been here since 1996. ❤“

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

“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 breakfast biscuit is sooo fluffy and delicious. I decided to order one day after looking for a restaurant that had beef bacon, so glad I did. It’s very filling and enjoyable.

I just had it for the second time today and it was still so good.“

“Good croissant sandwiches. Yum Yum“

“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.“

“I am a regular at this local and family-owned business, and I will say that this place DOES not disappoint.
Located right off of Foothill, it's at a prime location where you won't miss it -- because the coffee shop is right on an intersection.

The first time I went here, I was immediately blown away by the smell of the cafe de olla. As you can imagine, having a craving for it would have instantly brought me to it -- and it did. The owner, Sal, is always so welcoming each time. There's something about the coffee shop with the art and her energy. Their cafecito is one of the best in Oakland. She'll even ask if you want milk and sugar in your cafe de olla (when some cafecito places don't). Not just that, they also make the different pastries and arroz con leche from the kitchen (and from local sources as well).
They also make tamales as well -- from what I've heard! And their chilaquiles are also the BEST as well.

I would give this place a try when y'all have the chance!“