50 Best Cafes near San Lorenzo

“Brewja Coffee ?There was a good vibe when entering Brewja Coffee just after 9am on Friday 5/3/24. The three swing chairs by the door were occupied, and the customers seem to be enjoying themselves immensely! They continue laughing and talking on the swings for our entire visit. Maybe next time I can get a spin. When we went to pick up our preorder at the counter I ask an employee if they could top off my Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate ? I said it wasn’t a full cup. * I was wrong. The employee did not get upset or rude. Quite the opposite, she was super friendly and quick to remake both our drinks. Then she brought the freshly made drinks with out lids and full to the top with I believe their in house made Whipped Cream. She was beaming with joy and pride when bringing our new drinks to us. We both genuinely thanked her! Come to find out she was the owner! With that bit of news the both of us delighted in listening to Bree share her journey on how she got her business up and running. She also explained the reason why our original drinks didn’t look full. The whipped cream had melted away. I definitely felt a bit crummy for saying I was deprived of a full cup. I apologized for having her remake our order over. Bree was absolutely understanding and received our apologies with hugs. The two meals and pastries that were freshly made in house along with our drinks were so delicious! With this outstanding service and quality of food we look forward to eating here many more times! - **the pic. Bree, on the right, owner of “Brewja Coffee” and myself, Melahrey (with my Christmas pj shirt) after having a fabulous experience in “Brewja Coffee” !Parking: We parked right in front of Brewja coffee.“

“Went here today for a late brunch and it was absolutely delicious. Had the Ethiopian Breakfast combo and it came with a variety of different items, all delicious. The iced latte was also amazing. It was a tad bit pricey, but it was good quality and good portions.Will definitely make a visit back here soon and try their lunch options.“

“I would highly recommend the black sesame with coconut filling birthday cake. It is so yummy and not sweet. Great and friendly customer service. I have ordered the same birthday cake two months in a row. This will be my Go To place for getting birthday cakes. Please support our local restaurants.“

“I live a block away from this restaurant and never knew it was open, passing by it looked dark inside (even with the flag outfront that said open). With a friend visiting from out of town searching for breakfast on Google, Google said it was open and we decided to give it a try and I'm glad we did. The food was great and made with care, the staff was helpful and friendly. I will definitely be back.“

“I cannot believe I never knew about this cafe when I lived nearby. Just discovered it today and will definitely be back! The BLT and Chipotle Chicken sandwiches were delicious & filling - generous portions of crispy bacon, lots of spring mix to be healthy and the French bread was beautifully warm and toasted. Limonada mineral just like we had in Mexico, and the Cafe de olla is a must try! The ladies were super sweet and gave us a sample of their chia pudding which was also delicious and I’ll be ordering a bowl for breakfast next time I come. This place is easy to miss as it doesn’t look like much from the front and the interior is small, but then there is a nice back patio with about 10 tables of various sizes including a huge communal table that can seat about ten people. The decor transported me back to our visits to Mexico. Love love love!Dietary restrictions: Has non dairy options for their espresso drinks“

“Found this brand new little gem Cafe Cordoba in Oakland today. I'm a lifelong restaurant owner which makes it hard to please me. This place is amazing. Family owned and operated. I had the big tacos with carne asada. They were absolutely sell. I'll be back time and time again. We need more small business owners like this one. Bravo!“

“This wonderful place is my other office. It's cute and cozy, has strong wifi, the staff is super friendly, and the food is delicious. It's not cheap, but they use lots of fresh, healthy ingredients and it's beautifully presented. I've recently had the winter lentil salad, the French grilled cheese, and the tomato bisque. Yum.“

“Cozy ice cream shop and cafe! Guava ice cream with hint of chilly was nice. Gulab jamun sundae was delicious - topped with dried rose petals and pistachios. Samosas were just fine. Felt expensive for the portions and quality.They have some inside seating and ample space outside as well.Parking: Street side parking“

“Wanted to give this local coffee shop a try. Located on a very busy street, it was nice that they had a small parking lot located next door. Once inside, the coffee shop is pretty small and gives off homey vibes. It took sometime for them to get to us but you can tell the coffee is made with care. Ordered the Mexican hot chocolate mocha. 10/10. It wasn't too sweet or too coffee tasting. It was a perfect balance. I will be coming back to get it again!“

“If you want good food....and want something different but extremely flavorful, go to Ancestor's Cafe. I had the Pan Con Chicharton sandwich for breakfast and was awesome. Packed with flavor, messy, inexpensive and really good!No indoor seating, but they have some table outside under a canopy.Wish I took photos of the food.“

“This is a very nice and convenient cafe to go to at Centerville Train Station. They serve American and Filipino food here. This is actually my second time coming here and noticed that they have Lamb Tocino, which is quite unheard and probably rarely eaten.The wait was long because there are some issues in the kitchen, but I’ll let that slide. The staff are friendly when people got here and are apologetic due to problems at the backend.I also like how the place is decorated trying to match the theme of trains and other transportations. It is small for a dining area, but it’s worth relaxing and coming here.“

“Rumi is as good as it gets around here. Coffees are great and the food is great. My family lives coming here too. I brought my cousins here and they loved it as well. My kids love the smoothies. Smaller place, but all of the patrons are deep in their converatiin and enjoying their time at Cafe Rumi. I hope to come here for years to come.“

“Not only does the owner, Jerry, make a mean sandwich, but he's also incredibly kind & generous. He makes his customers immediately feel part of the warm community he's created. The physical cafe isn't particularly cozy, but Jerry & his friendly staff are all the ambience you need!Vegetarian options: Veggie panini is DELICIOUS! Even my meat-adoring husband wanted my sandwich.Parking: Although it's a very busy area, I found metered parking a few feet from the door both times I visited.“

“My first Kava experience didn’t disappoint! Upon learning this was my first time trying Kava, the barista offered us a ceremony to try it first and explained the origin and types of Kava to me.Tried the Colada and warm special Kava. Def a fun experience that’s quintessential Berkeley / Oakland. Check them out if you are in the area.“

“I attended a celebration for the volunteers at the “white elephant sale”.Champagne and small bites were carefully displayed. I want to experience more. Atmosphere and food delights.Vegetarian options: Salads, sandwiches, desertsDietary restrictions: Vegetarian, fish, deserts were to die for. Plenty of helpful and polite service. Layout was spaced comfortably and lines went fast.Wheelchair accessibility: Lots of beautiful garden space and options for seating at different levels“

“Cafe 4 has such great views and space to work. I often work from home so I lose out on the sense of community vibe. I go to Cafe 4 to work on my laptop and grab my cup of dark mocha or vanilla chai. It's nice to see the view and chit chat with other folks working or just chilling at the cafe. During the holidays the three crosses church have a Christmas event for the month of December with local food trucks, shops, ice skating, and a train (free!). We go multiple times and stop by the cafe for warm drinks and their amazing fresh ginger bread cookies. It feels magical with their Christmas decor and we just love coming back.“

“Possibly my favorite cafe in Oakland, good enough to be worth walking ~20 minutes from the lake to visit weekly.Can recommend the great ($4.00) cold brew, empanadas (solid vegetarian food options available), as well as the Original Pattern Brewing taps they have. Cold brew, tastey bites, and beer in a quiet residential neighborhood? That hits all the marks.The building is quite adorable with a small, hip interior and a SPACIOUS, dog-friendly outdoor seating area with shade and privacy from the street. Don't be put-off by its relative proximity to East Oakland -- this is a safe location if that is a concern.You may not have many reasons to be in the area, but if you're trying to check out the locals-only cafe scene in Oakland, this place is perfect.I've probably come here 20 times and every staff member has been incredibly kind, as well.“

“I was getting over a cold and needed some chicken soup. This hit the spot 10000%. Their ginger scallion sauce is amazing. I prefer to get the boneless chicken and the regular size is plenty for a typical appetite. Cash only! Street parking can be a little tricky at times, but I've always found a spot within 5-10 min.“

“This is not the place to come with a laptop or friends and chill. The table layout should make that obvious before you enter.It is a place to taste coffee.A good thing to get is the Espresso Flight (pictured): for $11, it's a great taste journey.I usually go to cafes to work on stuff, and therefore this is not a place I will be visiting regularly, but I highly recommend it if you are searching for a coffee experience. Great staff, great space, great coffee.“

“There was a small wait to get in but it was worth it. The food was great, the coffee was awesome and everyone was friendly. Definitely glad we stopped in and would come back if we're ever in the area again. Very much you're all-American-classic-diner.“

“Small dining area, but with good energy and a big menu. We got the loaded potatoes and the veggie wrap. The veggie wrap was well seasoned and very filling. The potatoes were cooked well and the salsa was delicious. Generous portions. The cashier was busy but service still came with a smile. You could tell they are involved in their community as many locals came in while we were dining.“

“I am so grateful for the food and love that I am experiencing today.Vegetarian options: I saw others order some amazing things, and the coffee and scones were great, fresh, and delicious ( not bland and hard).Kid-friendliness: There is outdoor seating that overlook the boats and the view is soothing ? ✨️“

“Really enjoying going to this local coffee shop in Alameda. The staff are the main factor as to why I choose Highwire Coffee. They are super friendly and welcoming. The only down side is I tend to always show up for a bag of coffee when they are out. I personally prefer light roast coffee which they have and recently learned that they get their shipment of coffee bags on Tuesday around 1pm (fyi). Can’t say anything about their espresso drink as I have yet to order one but worth stopping by and trying and experiencing such friendly coffee staff.“

“The line was very long, it took us 1 hour and 15 minutes from standing outside until we got our order. One suggestion, the cashier should just concentrate on ringing up customers instead of helping with stocking up the display especially when the line outside is very long other than that the Ube pastries and halo halo are Yummy“

“Their Chole bhature are the best in the whole Bay Area. Try it once and you can tell the difference. I have ordered it many times and will continue to do so but I have tried their other food items which were just ok. Their naans needs improvement. Not sure what happened but when I took them home and tried to eat them, they were basically stretchy and unchewable. I hope they fix this problem. When eaten in the store, they are very good.“

“Was in the neighborhood & got hungry. Was heading 2 Sonic's & Seen Amy's grill & decided 2 give it a try. I ordered a breakfast sausage sandwich & blueberry waffles. I just finished the food now & it was great! ? would def recommend & will be back again! Thank you! #HazyJavi on all music apps!“

“One of my new favorite spots! Very cute bakery with lots of dietary restriction friendly options. We came here on a Saturday morning and were able to get parking in the small lot in front. We were immediately greeted when we entered and saw so many delicious options! Everything from gluten free to dairy free to both. My absolute favorite is the chocolate cupcake. A very moist cake with creamy decadent frosting. All in all, very delicious and I can't wait to try more! As a side note, I appreciate that they don't let outside food in. This enables a very dietary friendly environment.“

“Beautiful decor. Cozy feel and ambiance.. I love how comfortable the atmosphere and very welcoming the sitting area.. where you can sit down and chat with your friends while you have coffee. The merchandise is great quality and affordable. The staff were nice and friendly. I highly recommend visiting for a lazy afternoon coffee with friends.“

“What a lovely place! Good food, good prices. Came late on a Wednesday morning and they had a constant stream of people...some were obviously regular customers. Totally would come here again. Recommend bringing cash just in case their credit card machine isn't working.“

“I've been coming here for years !! It's a good comfort spot for a simple but delish breakfast . I'm really just obsessed with their waffles . Service is always quick . Sometimes on a busy day there will be a wait for lunch rush. Everyone is so friendly“

“Nice spot, nice music, really good oat latte. Not the same food selection as pre Covid ( no breakfast toasts) but nice pastries. I entered wedged between 12 fire fighters and was surprised to get my latte in about 2 mins. Only two workers, very efficient. Still found a place to “

“An in and out situation. A guy who works there is super cool. The drinks are awkward great. Been going to multiple locations for years. Glad to see this location. No cash location due to robbery. Small batch of pastries. Quality of coffee better than Starbucks. The space is tight inside but worth the stop. The Candied Yam drinks are great!“

“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!!“

“Their flat white was exceptional - rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced. The breakfast menu offered a great variety of tasty options.One note: parking can be a challenge.Update: There's a parking lot right next to the cafe, it's free on weekends ?“

“This place is great, they got nice coffee and really good empanadas, The staff is friendly and service is fast. A must try if you are in the area. They offer non-dairy alternatives for your drinks. Parking can be challenging, but that's almost expected since it's next to trader Joe's.“

“The food was delicious, I am recently plant based and ordered a panini and didn't want any cheese, the server was awesome and knowledgeable without me even asking and offered excellent substitutions! She also made me a delicious oat milk vanilla latte that I savored til the last drop. I will definitely come back to this hidden gem. The atmosphere was clean and refreshing and I was not worried one moment about the cleanliness of this place it was refreshing to visit a business that was clean and pleasant. I received excellent customer service as well. Thank you and I almost forgot the music was so good it inspired me to continue learning Spanish I should have gotten the play list!!“

“David and Lake Chabot are phenomenal! 1000% recommend. Took my ailing father out on a pontoon ride to celebrate his birthday, from parking to renting, and docking. Felt very taken care of and grateful for the kindness and patience. Definitely will be back!“

“Fresh donuts, hot brekkie sandwiches, coffee, juices and even boba sold here. If you're in a hurry and want a hot breakfast sandwich, call it in. When i go in to order it usually takes them 10 minutes to make, maybe 8. Great service always. It's family owned, so go support them. They have reasonable prices.“

“Some interesting options for food and drink at this cafe. Chaga chai latte anyone?Good location in busy commercial district on MacArthur. Parking may be a little bit tricky.Overall, the place is a little bit dark, reminds me of a regular pub open during daylight hours ? Good amount of seating with Wi-Fi and power.“

“We are not from the area and the hotel we stayed at didn’t have breakfast or coffee.. I looked up breakfast near me and this place popped up. We decided to try it. Everything seems very reasonably priced. My husband had the Lox bagel and said it was amazing. And I ordered an iced white mocha and I have to say I think it’s better than Starbucks! I wish we had one of these back where I’m from I’d be here almost everyday if I could!“

“V&J Fusion is where it's at! This Oakland homey local eatery has friendly service and is dishing out some classic authentic Vietnamese dishes. I don't know anywhere else that makes Bum Mam and let me tell you this places makes it right! The broth is light, sweet, and savory topped with assorted proteins such as their homemade crispy pork belly. To compliment the noodles we got banh mi as an appetizer and yes we asked them cut it 3 ways because the whole fam wanted to try it. The bread was crisp yet soft and loaded with meat. To tie the whole meal together we got some crispy chicken wings with the perfect sauce: fish sauce. This hole in the wall restaurant is a gem. Glad I found this place!“

“Got it, let's revise it:I've always walked past this place in the mornings and that fresh bread smell is just irresistible! Finally decided to give their sandwiches a try - the drippy Italian was a standout, especially the sauce. For breakfast, I opted for their bacon, egg white avocado croissant, and it was incredibly filling. This spot is definitely solid for sandwiches and pastries! They have seasonal flavors and their seasonal drinks are absolutely delicious too.“

“Love these people. great seating area, great sandwiches, everything they have on the menu is good. Affordable. If I ever leave my current company even if im not in oakland anymore I'm still gonna come back here. They remember your name“

“Great drip coffee! I wish I had asked what beans they used. My stomach is sensitive so I don’t drink coffee often but this 12 oz drip I got was so flavorful! Also some very tasty pastries, my friend and I got the caramelized onion and mushroom croissant and I definitely want to try the guava one the next time I go. Friendly service and a cute neighborhood spot. Not really a sit down space, but they do have outdoor seating for people to use while they wait or if it’s just two of you. Great place to grab coffee and a bite and then take a little walk by the lake.“

“The place is operated by the owner it seems. We had a Cappuccino and Machiatto, a California Breakfast Sandwich and a Lemon Bar. All was good and fresh! Service was also fast! We spent $20.I just wish the place had some music or something to make it more appealing. Inside it has two (or 3) small tables with two chairs and some stools by the window.Nice selection of juices, coffees and sandwiches.“

“The owner's vibes is infectious and bright. I can see people wanting to come in just to get a piece of that energy radiating off. I ordered an ice mocha and slice of pound cake. I don't usually even eat breakfast. All the customers were very polite and neighborly. A very local business vibe in this big city. Coffee and cake were good! Note..sizes are medium, large, and extra large. There's also an abundance of candies and treats, baklava, bagels, pastries...“

“Always great food. I got the salmon Benedict with the hollandaise on the side. If you’re not watching calories - drench it in hollandaise. I think that was the best version of that sauce I’ve ever had.I haven’t had the chai at this location. I know they make their own. I’ve never been satisfied with it (not strong enough for me). The rest of the menu is pure gold. Platinum even.“

“Hornitos are very good but outside the restaurant there is a woman who sells tamales and the other day I went to buy tamales and pupusas and I told the woman to give me salsa and curtido because that's what pupusas carry and first she told me they were $18:00 dollars and once I was there and I asked the woman to give me what the pupusas contain, she charged me $3:00 dollars more because I had asked for the sauce and curtido, but at no time did she tell me that she was going to charge me extra until that he had already put them in the bag ?️ and he told me that everywhere they were already charging me separately for everything and I told him that that was not true because I buy pupusas in several places and that nowhere did they charge me extra because that is with what goes with that meal.“

“Oak Cali Cafe is a block from the area's tennis courts. 2 inside dining rooms & a covered outside patio provides lotsa seating. Modest decor on walls. Offerings: brunch, bagels, sides, sandwiches, pastries, ethiopian food, covfefe. Ordered at counter, paid, food brought to table. Eats: ethiopian breakfast (14.56) -scrambled eggs done perfectly with tomatos, peppers, fir-fir (crushed ingera mixed with spicy sauce) tasty, slightly spicy, kin che (cracked wheat with spicy sauce, Ethiopian clarified butter) -all made to order. Very fulfilling. Dripped covfefe (3.38) -strong, fragrant brew sans creamer, sugar. Smooth, easy sipping. Leftovers: -outer room baked in sun. Too "hot" for my comfort. -berbere chili sauce wasn't evident. Probably only a trace. Can really burn when it's abundant. -quick, courteous service.“

“Great food plus they're great with substitutions plus nice sized portions. Love back patio plus lots of greenery. Nice atmosphere. Staff is great as well.Dietary restrictions: Very good with dietary restrictionsKid-friendliness: Good with kidsWheelchair accessibility: Yes, definitely“