Brief Summary: - Located near the BART station - Unique coffee, tastes like there is noticeable fruit notes - Coffee is not sour - Interior and exterior seats available - Simple and super tasty dishes that are perfect for breakfast or brunch What I loved most about this cafe is the food dishes, so I'll start here first. When I go into a cafe, dishes usually include sandwiches, baked sweets, pancakes or waffles. But there are times when I look at the menu and I'm trying to wake up, so I want a simpler menu. Here, they have the toast with butter. Yes, this is the perfect dish for the moment that I tend to have when choosing the first meal of the day. I also love their other menu, which is the toast with a canned fish. The cafe also sells these alongside coffee beans. The toast is sliced thick with a generous smear of butter. The toast surface has a golden shine from the melted butter. Every bite has a juicy butter taste. On the side of toast is a side of a beautiful semi-boiled egg with a runny yolk -- my favorite type of way to eat yolks. Next time, when I visit here, I will definitely try the canned fish and eat that for breakfast. That is another good breakfast menu I would love to have and try with a cup of coffee. read more

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I've been here a handful of times over the years, usually for a meeting or because I desperately needed caffeine before entering Trader Joe's. I'll give it to you straight. The good: Their vanilla latte is genuinely good. Flavorful, balanced, and not overly sweet. The food is decent too. The bad: Why is a vanilla latte pushing $7 these days and still arriving nowhere near the top of the cup? When I asked about it, I was told it's just one ice cube short of the normal volume. But consistently? Maybe that's what they mean by Ain't Normal. My bigger issue is the service. Maybe I've caught them on off days, but the staff has consistently come off with a bit of attitude. Nobody needs a parade when they order coffee, but a little warmth goes a long way, especially when you're charging specialty coffee prices. At the end of the day, the coffee is good enough that I've come back more than once. I just wish the cups were fuller and the customer service matched the quality of the drinks. read more

vanilla oat milk latte - pretty okay, nothing amazing. wouldn't stand in line for it. this was my 3rd coffee shop in the 3 days i was here and it was the most normal. came at 10:45am on a saturday morning. it wasn't even a long line (maybe 4 parties in front of me) but i could not tell you why it took forever for me to order and get my drink. i walked out at 11:15. i'd choose chocolate dragon 100x over this place and high wire read more

This coffee shop is a cute gem in the Rockridge area, with a bustling patio and quiet inside. There are definitely places to sit and get some work done but they are limited so you will need to get there early or wait around for a spot to open up. The patio is great for catching up with friends, soaking up sun, or enjoying a nice cup of coffee. My favorite thing about this place is their vanilla syrup and coffee. Today I tried their matcha and unfortunately it's more on the milky side but a plus is that they use marakuyu koyaemen Isuzu which is my favorite. If you ask for it maybe try a double shot for extra matcha taste and definitely ask for the vanilla bay syrup. I want to go back and try their espresso tonic. Service is great, they make sure to double check your order and the baristas are kind. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Matcha latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Was in the area and was craving to try something new. Stopped by here and they have a couple spots outside and a small space inside to stand around while you wait for you order. Ordered - Latte - was very good, you can taste the espresso - Turkey baguette sandwich from their display - $14 which was waaaaay too much, but it was very delicious They have some random items that you can purchase - from different kinds of wine, coffee beans, and oddly enough - sardines! Overall great flavor, but overpriced for what it is. read more

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I had a decaf cappuccino and a buttermilk biscuit. We managed to snag a table indoors at 9:30 AM, and then later we moved outdoors when someone at a neighboring table started sneezing. The cappuccino was good, the biscuit was too, but the real selling point of this place is sitting outdoors on a sunny day. Hallelujah. Would definitely go back, but I've never seen it not busy there. read more

Great bites, better coffee from roasters all over the world. These bites are worth the trip even if you aren't a coffee drinker. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Trout toast. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Really good coffee! I got a latte with one of their house-made syrups. They patiently explained each syrup to me, and I chose the Papplin, which has a Japanese nut flavor. It was delicious. There was an unhoused person behind me in line, and the staff treated them with so much kindness and respect. I really appreciated seeing that interaction. Kudos to the them for creating such a welcoming environment! read more

very yummy and fast service, the ambiance is chill you're able to eat outside or be inside standing only. The man at the register recommended to put sweet syrup in matcha since they keep it pretty earthy lol it was delicious! definitely recommend if you want something quick and simple read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Lox bagel and iced matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

The coffee and pastries here are so good! Beware, it gets packed and pastries sell out quick. They have a few tables inside and a decent amount of seating outside that is dog friendly. Love to people & dog watch here. My only complaint is the pastries and food are quite expensive starting at $7+. The music can also be really obnoxious too. I came on a Friday morning around 8:30AM and heavy metal was blasting inside. I opted to sit outside on the patio even though it was quite cold out. read more

THE GRITSSSS. phenomenal. stunning. so warm and comforting. would def come back for those. the coffee and syrup was a bit weak and lacking flavor, but my friend said it was better last time so maybe we came on an off day! read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Pandan latte and honey orange blossom latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great iced coffee. Nice outdoor seating area (if under the highway and BART, but that also means it is conveniently located). I've always had great service but could see friction for some. Some laptop action indoors at 2-top tables. The scones are really what bring me in... the right texture and crumble, and usually a compelling mix of sweet and savory scones on offer. Have yet to make it to the sandwiches, but they do look nice. read more

Solid latte! The size and quality of the coffee is totally worth the price. House made vanilla bay syrup made for a delectable latte. Totally recommend! Cute sticker too. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Vanilla bay latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Well, the mocha was certainly much better! Creamy, and the chocolate is a nice balance.

The citrus olive oil is quite good. The coffee is alright. Friendly, and attentive folks behind the counter. Nice little corner cafe with tons of seating outside, and some small tables indoors. read more

I got the standard espresso and their specialty espresso (+$2 upcharge). Both were very good. The specialty was a darker roast, smooth, not bitter or acidic, and had good chocolate and nutty flavor coming through (5/5). Their standard blend was a lighter roast, slightly more acidic (4/5). Would definitely come back. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Standard espresso (left), and specialty espresso with sparkling water - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I wanted to come here because I saw the line flowing out the door and I heard great things about it. But when I ordered an iced latte with lavender syrup, all I could taste was 90% milk and a splash of coffee. The lavender was so subtle that I forgot that I was drinking a lavender latte. I was in a rush that I couldn't ask them for adjustments, unfortunately, so I had to leave with very mediocre coffee. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Milk with a splash of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

A lovely cafe that serves both coffee and wine, as well as some food options as well. They have a few tables outside for you to enjoy. My main reason for going is the coffee. When you first walk in you'll notice they have a wide selection of beans. I ordered a pour over, and then pursued their selection. I ended up getting a couple bags of DAK coffee which were good. I would suggest any coffee lover to swing by and check out their selection. Baristas are very friendly and coffee is great! read more

long line and a ton of options but the vibes are very cool. Wide variety of food options but nothing TOO crazy- mostly toasts and such. They also have wine, but it was 9am and we have a toddler. I got the espresso tonic which is really good and a little different, but the tonic is little too sweet for my tastes. I wonder how it would be with club soda instead. In any case, great coffee place in a cool area! read more

Cute cafe right next to the Rockridge BART. Very full with tables outside to enjoy the sunshine. I got the cold brew. Was pricey at $7 and sour (under extracted), which was disappointing. I'd maybe come back to try one of their other menu options instead. read more

$6.00 Coffee tasted strange. It's very floral and not strong. The whole menu is very expensive so I went in expecting the best. I couldn't afford a pastry as well because... they are $7. For folks who seem to want to portray a Oakland-supportive vibe I can't see how this place is for anyone but the rich. Service is hipster-slow and seemingly insular. Didn't feel the friendly welcoming vibes this time. Maybe their proximity to BART is holding them up. read more

I come here so often! I love the unique but yummy menu items. The area is so beautiful and the patrons seem to all be friendly professionals. I think it is one of my favorite go to spots, and I will definitely continue to come here. read more

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I absolutely LOVE this place. It's my favorite cafe on the College strip. Their food is FIRE. Let me just get straight into it, their Grits though? Chefs kiss. With an added jammy egg, is it worth it? I do declare. Cappuccinos and Lattes always on point, they have pretty good baked goods here and lunch sammies that look so good. Beware for there are lines alot of the time that spiral out into the block, and while I usually abhor that type of thing, SOMETIMES just sometimes I will wait in the line for my grits if the morning calls for such. The service here is a mixed lot but nonetheless prompt, you get the counter people who couldn't be bothered and then you get the cool ones who ask what you're reading if they see your book. It doesn't really bother me, working at a cafe is hard work and also, these in my opinion, are essential workers because it is essential for me to get coffee in the mornings and they are the ones slinging my juice! Visit this place and try the food. Ain't normal and I'm always in the mood! (Whatever you do, do not get a matcha here though, they do NOT know how to make matcha to save their lives.) read more

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My latte had coffee grounds in it which was a big bummer for how much they charge. At least the latte tasted okay, partially due to the perfect milk foam texture. However, I've been giving this business the benefit of the doubt after some recent, less than mediocre experiences and it was very disappointing to get a mouthful of bitter grounds. I regret tipping :( read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Met a friend for coffee and small bites on a Sunday around 11am. It was very busy. There's a lot of tables outside for outdoor seating with just a few tables inside. We ordered an iced vanilla matcha latte and a dirty chai latte. We also got the fruit and cheese plate and the meat plate, as well as a quiche to share. All very good and love the location. Super cute cafe. read more

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iced chai is kind of bland but they have air conditioning which is a godsend. standard order at counter service, shop is packed with goodies for sale like sardines and coffee ware. would've sat down but it was too crowded read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - iced chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

They charge extra $1.75 for half-caf.!!! That most definitely Ain't Normal. Penalizing people who are sensitive to caffeine or are trying to wean themselves from caffeine dependency but still want so enjoy coffee sometimes. Is it really that much more work to scoop some decaf to mix with regular espresso?! Most cafés don't charge extra for half-caf, and the ones that do charge a maximum of $1 extra. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Extra $1.75 for half-caf espresso. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Had high expectations for this place but I paid $8 my matcha that didn't fill the cup, and mostly milk in both drinks. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - iced latte, iced matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

The coffee was great! I ordered a cappuccino and was impressed by the strength and smoothness of the coffee. I also enjoyed the fact that this establishment has a wide variety of coffee beans, teas, coffeemakers, and cafè-themed attire to choose from; all from local vendors. The service was not great. The barista/cashier who assisted me was quite abrupt. However, we all have bad days. I would still return! read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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So many options. Best scone I've had in a year? Tons of variety on the coffee and food front. Come here for retail coffee to find rare and unique sources and roasts. Just enough space to enjoy a quick bite. Not a place to do any focus work or work. Loud. Social. Small. No dedicated parking. Has restroom. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Savory scone. Incredibly crispy flakey! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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I'm sure this place has good other treats and coffeee... matcha latter was not it. Tastes like straight milk, barely any matcha flavor in it. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

The people who work here are rude and arrogant. The product is just fine. Hire better.

I usually give places a couple chances before writing a one star review, unfortunately this place disappointed enough to go ahead and write one after just a single visit. The employee working the front wasn't in a great mood and wasn't doing a great job of making people feel welcome. No biggie everyone has an off day but for the sake of this experience I'm including everything. Ordered a decaf vanilla latte with regular milk and it came out to $8. Listen I understand, I live in the Bay Area and I love it but this is a bit too much for the quality and size. To top it off it barely tasted of vanilla so I asked the barista for some more vanilla syrup and they gave me a literal 3 drops of what was left in their already empty bottle. Left me thinking "really?" Awful awful awful. I'm sure other people love it here and maybe I had a one off experience but it's enough to not come back. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I stopped in for coffee and a scone, walked out with an amazing bottle of wine and caviar for my dinner party.

Great place. Nice outdoor seating area. Some indoor seating but limited. Service was great and my espresso was perfect. The sign on the door said they served sandwiches starting at 8 am but I was there at 8:30 and they said they hadn't sliced the meat yet so couldn't sell me one. So, minus one star for not having the product but star added back because they slice their own meat. I'll be back. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Fantastic espresso machiato. Get that Dutch Bros crap out of here. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

One of the few cafes in Oakland that gets everything right. Sunny place to sit, close to the train, excellent curating of the coffee they serve and hospitality focused baristas to execute their drinks. They also have a great selection of natural wines to be enjoyed on site or taken to go. What's not to like? read more

This is a two-star review because I do think they make good espresso drinks and the selection of beans is outstanding. I also love the outdoor seating and I genuinely want this cafe to thrive. What I would strongly suggest to the owners is to offer a free espresso or coffee for every bag of of beans purchased. This is not too much to ask especially when the mark-up is averaging 15-20% of what you can get directly from the roasters. This is standard practice for many other cafes in the neighborhood. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

This is a small coffee shop with not much seating inside, but an outdoor space for people to sit in. It was particularly interesting with all the tin fish and wine. They served us quickly and the coffee was good. The staff was really friendly. Now I have to go on about how much I love the avocado toast. The sourdough was so yummy and the balance of vinegar and lemon juice with the salt delicious. It was also very filling. My only complaint is that our Matcha wasn't super mixed well. But when we brought the drink to them and asked for them to adjust it, they were more than happy to. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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We tried several delicious pastries, including savory tomato with pesto, chives with cheddar scones, and the breakfast egg biscuit. My favorite is the grits with chorizo! The place is busy around 8:30 AM, with locals getting their coffee, but the service is fast. I'm returning for more grits ! Forgot to take photos of the other pastries and grits. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Savory Tomatoes with Pesto - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

There's a reason why there is a line out the door at certain times of the day. Luckily, I got there close to opening, which meant that I didn't have to wait in any lines. I ended up getting an egg sandwich and a latte. Of note, if you end up eating inside, they have reusable mugs. The egg sandwich was only okay I think it was around $8 for a biscuit with an egg and very heavy on the aioli. It was a decent sandwich but I think I'm would have gotten food elsewhere. I didn't have a chance to try any of the pastries so those might be my next try. In regards to the coffee it was very solid. A good mixture of the creamy milk and the slightly bitter espresso. Didn't seem like it was too foamy and no beverage but just enough that it was satisfying. Overall, a place to grab my morning latte if I ever happen to be in the area again. read more

Ain't Normal Cafe - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California