50 Best Cafes near San Leandro

“It's basically a storefront at a small business park that serves Mediterranean food and a few American-style items too. The food is fresh and flavorful. However, there is no indoor seating, so it's either a take-out option or there are a few tables and chairs available under a sun sail in the parking lot.“

“Good stuff, love nondairy options!“

“I was there on 3/24/2020, during the morning senior hours. I WAS BLOWN AWAY AND SO HAPPY, SO IMPRESSED WITH SAFEWAY'S CLEAN AND ORGANIZED STORE. Great job Safeway, I normally shop with you anyway, from now on, NOBODY BUT SAFEWAY WILL GET MY BUSINESS!!“

“8-Twelve is a true neighborhood gem. It is the kind of place where kids can grab a snack and a fun drink for a reasonable price, and then just relax after school. Even though it is not as close to the middle or high school as some of the other hangouts, it has become one of our favorites.

I appreciate that it has lasted the test of time and I hope it continues to thrive. One of the best parts is that they offer non-caffeinated tea drinks for the kids, which is rare and so thoughtful.

8-Twelve has that welcoming vibe that makes it feel like part of the community.“

“This is our go-to for breakfast. Good ingredients that are fresh (who sources their eggs??? They’re always so good!), good cooking, and that classic diner experience. We look forward to slow weekends and days off when we can go in and grab breakfast. It’s the kind of place you go to for five or six years before realizing you’ve been going for years.“

“went here the other day for lunch (for the 1st time ever). due to a coworker introducing me to your DELICIOUS sandwiches, you are going to see A LOT MORE!!! Thank you very much! and my one and only recommendation, PLEASE COME AND TRY & SUPPORT! This deli is the real deal & so AMAZING & DELICIOUS! Lastly, the family/ customer service is GREAT!! Thank you again! ✌🏽 ❤ 🥪 😋“

“Best blind ice triple mocha..yummy to my tummy!!! And really enjoyed the event tonight...beautiful atmosphere❤“

“Chicken and waffles ? ? on point as always. I think I’ll try dinner next time.“

“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.“

“I do love the breakfast here. The polenta with greens is my standard order. The green shakshuka really is greener than you were expecting. If you come as a party you can sample the various different kinds of hummus. Haven't been disappointed by anything on the menu.“

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“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.“

“​This was my second time dining here, and it completely solidified this restaurant as one of my absolute favorites. I would easily eat here every single week if I lived closer!
​During this visit, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the owner. She is incredibly smart, passionate, and empathetic, and it truly shows in every aspect of the restaurant. I love the way she pours her love for her hometown into the menu and remains unapologetically authentic to her roots.
​That dedication translates perfectly into the food—every dish feels personal, deeply flavorful, and genuinely authentic. It is rare to find a place that hits the perfect balance of amazing hospitality and outstanding, uncompromising regional flavors.
​If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. It is a true gem!“

“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.“

“The best place ever. Love them ❤️ 💕“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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…“

“Had a wonderful experience at EL TINY CAFE. The café had a cozy, welcoming vibe, and the coffee and food were fresh and flavorful. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for a relaxed and charming coffee stop!“

“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“

“This little shop just outside the Emeryville station has the biggest croissants I’ve ever seen… literally the size of my head before it was squished. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich was absolutely delicious.. The guy who runs it was very friendly and did not get upset with all my questions. For the massive sandwich which fed two people as well as a medium cappuccino, my total was just over $15. Not a bad deal, considering I’m in California.“

“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.“

“I order my Highwire Coffee online, being that I live in Nevada City. While I love my local Foxhound Coffee, I found that Highwire's 'Bauhaus' coffee is beyond exceptional and I have to have both Bauhaus and my local coffee in order to function properly!😍☕️“

“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!“

“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!!“

“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 !“

“I've been coming for breakfast and lunch every other week for the past several months. The food is tasty and prepared with care, and the service is very good. The bagel with lox is generously portioned with plenty of capers and onions. The breakfast burrito is tasty and very balanced between the chorizo and other ingrediets. All the sandwiches have a great balance of ingredients, are generous, but not oversized. The house coffees are nice blends. What I mean by prepared with care is that nothing is greasy or over salty, meaning it is purposely prepared and assembled carefully, and ingredients chosen and the dish seasoned with attention so the end result is great. Take the breakfast burrito, for example - most places, there would be grease and juices dripping out, but Ruby's is very clean and tasty - you can eat with one hand without worrying it will drip onto your arm.“

“very excellent coffee ☕☕☕👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 recommended to anyone.“

“As a huge fans of acai bowl or any smoothie bowls, I really recommend this place. Among smoothie bowl places that i’ve been visited in Bay Area, this place has one of the most aesthetically pleasing bowls. The price is a bit higher compare to other smoothie bowl places, but it is worth it since they offer great variety of topping. The taste and the texture are okay. For me, I have anothe smoothie bowl place that I like more than this place in term of the taste, however, aesthetically-wise this palm-acai cafe is the winner“

“The staff is absolutely nice and professional. The vibes in side are great. I ordered a iced strawberry matcha and it was delicious! I just hate the neighborhood that it is in. If only we can pick up that little shop and place it in a better neighborhood. But everything else was superb.“

“Great view of Coast Guard island !“

“As fate would have it, we discovered this gem of a find after our usual Persian Restaurant suddenly relocated.

This cafe is much more than a cafe. It’s a full service restaurant with bar and a Middle Eastern market next door.

Based on our experience with Persian food in Paris, New York and Singapore, we rate the quality high and owner’s hospitality very high!

Most dishes were 5/5. The shank could have been less cooked, but it was still delicious!

Our Oakland relatives will go back again soon!

Say hi to “Amir!“

“This is a hidden gem! Vy’s homemade lemongrass tofu banh mi are the best banh mi in the bay! I’ve never had such good tofu banh mi, including in my travels throughout Vietnam! After I tasted her banh mi, I immediately returned to buy another. I even brought my family here when they visited from out of town.

Vy and her father are also kind, friendly, and welcoming. Truly amazing service and great prices. Their thai tea boba and their special happy hour deal is great.

TLDR: this spot is my new favorite and is a must try!“

“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.“

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

“Mey Café is truly one of Berkeley's hidden gems! The date latte is unlike anything I've had before, rich, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. Their pastries are all fantastic, but my personal favorites are the blueberry scone and the tiramisu. Everything is made fresh by the wonderful owner, Sanaz, and you can really taste the care and quality in every bite.
The atmosphere is warm, vibrant, and incredibly welcoming. They even have a cozy little corner filled with cute toys and books to keep kids happily entertained while parents enjoy their coffee. Such a thoughtful touch. Wednesday story time is absolutely adorable.
Friendly people, amazing food, and a space that truly feels like a community. I can't recommend Mey Café enough!“

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

“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 ;-)“

“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.“

“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 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!“

“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 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®“

“great atmosphere and a very relaxing place to get some work done or fellowship. Very accepting of everyone No judgment just great ambiance.“

“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“

“The BEST homemade empanadas with a variety of flavors - the new poblano mole is to DIE for and they said a new birria flavor is coming soon! The staff is so nice and makes you feel like family as soon as you walk in - they also make pastries and fresh smoothies/juices that are delightful (no added sugars, super refreshing!) It's a small, cozy shop with outdoor and window seating right next to the stanford hospital so it's convenient for me. Will always come here when i'm in the area and get a dozen to take home for the week!“

“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.“