Ranked 3rd best city for “coffee fanatics” by SmartAsset, Oakland is a city bursting with unique cafes that serve amazing coffee. Whether you are the “grab a cup and go” type or a coffee connoisseur, there’s no shortage of coffee shops that cater to the experience you desire.
The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room is an open-source coffee education facility and coffee bar that gives coffee lovers the opportunity to become more connected with their cup. Its parent company, Royal Coffee, has been an importer of high-quality green coffee beans since 1978.
The Crown was conceived as a way to bridge the gap between the coffee drinker and the broader coffee community. This is done by offering a variety of educational courses for people at all skill levels. From executing the perfect pour-over to barista certification courses, this facility provides fun and interesting learning experiences for everybody.
Have you ever wanted to learn about coffee from the producer’s perspective? Or, would you like to learn more about the day-to-day operations of a green coffee bean buyer? Come to one of The Crown’s lectures for a rare opportunity to talk to the individuals that make it possible for you to enjoy your daily cup of coffee.
Along with coffee education events, The Crown hosts a variety of community events and local brunch pop-ups. Check out their events calendar to see what’s coming up! Not sure where to start? Come in for a free coffee tasting any Friday between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Of course, you are always welcome to stop by during regular business hours for a great cup of coffee! This one-of-a-kind coffee facility is located at 2523 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 and is open Tuesday through Saturday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Red Bay Coffee Public Roastery is a coffee roasting and packaging facility that doubles as a café and community space. The facility is located in the Fruitvale district, where specialty coffee shops are few and far between. Their highly-trained baristas serve beautiful and delicious coffee drinks. Whether you like a black cup of coffee or want something exotic, like their candied yam latte, your taste buds are sure to be jumping with joy after every sip.
As a minority-owned business, Red Bay Coffee aims to make specialty coffee more inclusive by offering great coffee to communities that are generally not exposed to specialty coffee, providing an attractive space to enjoy ones beverage, and giving them the opportunity to see women and people of color with positions of power within the coffee industry.
What sets this space apart from others is the open production facility. Customers are welcome to walk around the facility while enjoying their beverages and are encouraged to have conversations with the staff to learn more about the coffee industry.
The roasting machine is set up right in the middle of the space so customers can watch the process and ask questions. The head roaster, Karla, roasts six days a week, so there is always an opportunity to learn about the roasting process.
The space also hosts a variety of events that cater to marginalized communities. These events aim to empower the underrepresented by giving them a safe entertainment and education space. Check out upcoming events on their website.
You can visit their beautiful space, located at 3098 East 10th Street, Oakland, CA 94601, weekdays from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and weekends from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
RAWR Coffee Bar at Cat Town offers a unique blend of two of America’s favorite things: coffee and cats! If you are a cat lover, you can’t miss this awesome experience. Located in the Broadway-Valdez district, RAWR serves Highwire coffee and a variety of pastries that cater to several diet restrictions. They are also a purrveor of premium raw cat food, treats, and accessories.
The best part about this awesome coffee shop is that it is the entry point to Cat Town, Oakland’s only cat café! Here, visitors can make a one hour reservation to hang and play with several free-roaming adoptable cats!
By visiting Cat Town, you are helping to socialize these cats to make them more adoptable. Imagine sipping on a tasty latte while giving your new feline friend tummy scratches. Feel the light rumble of his or her gentle purr on your lap while biting into a light and buttery scone. What could be better than that? Don’t forget to purchase cat treats for $1 at the register!
Want to make this a daily experience in your loving home? Visit the adoption center to inquire about how you can give one of these guys a forever home. While reservations are not necessary, they are strongly suggested. Entry into Cat Town is $10 for adults and children.
The coffee bar is open Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cat Town is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. They are located at 2869 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611.
Café Monte Sion is a lovely café located in deep East Oakland’s San Leandro district. As the only independently owned coffee shop in this neighborhood, Café Monte Sion offers a much needed place for East Oaklanders to grab a quality cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast or lunch.
Service at Café Monte Sion is always fast and friendly. The owner, Alma is extremely kind hearted. She treats every customer like family. Come in before heading to the Oakland International Airport to catch up on some work while you sip on some coffee. While there, indulge in their strawberry waffles. They are a customer favorite for a reason!
The café is located at 888 98th Avenue Suite #105, Oakland, CA, 94603. They are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Sweet Maria’s Coffee Warehouse is the hands-on coffee lover’s dream. Here, you can purchase quality green coffee beans from all around the world to roast at your own home. They offer over 60 varieties at any time and take great measures to ensure that the beans you purchase meet the highest standards.
Are you just getting into the roasting game? You’re in luck! Not only do they offer wholesale green coffee beans to roasting hobbyists, but they also carry all of the supplies necessary to get started! From stove-top roasting supplies to educational reading materials, you’ll leave Sweet Maria’s with all the tools you need to become a great home-roaster.
Now that you’ve roasted your green coffee beans, it’s time to get brewing! Visit Sweet Maria’s retail space for a great selection of supplies including grinders, coffee brewers, and filters. You can also purchase espresso equipment!
Stop into their West Oakland shop any weekday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm or order online. Orders made online can be picked up the next day at their retail store and warehouse location at 2823 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA 94608.
Learn about all of the wonderful coffee experiences in your neighborhood at ShopOaklandNow.org!
