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    Alem's Coffee

    4.5 (167 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Alem's Coffee Takeout or Delivery

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    ALEM'S COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Alem's Coffee

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    Kicha fit fit and mocha
    Sydney J.

    I decided to give Alem's a try since they are just across from the DMV where the Temescal farmers marekt is held. Kicha fit fit: A little spicy, but the clarified butter helps offset this. I like that the texture is more on the firm side. It reminds me of stuffing with the texture and savory flavor profile, except a little spicier. Mocha: This was pretty good, I can definitely taste the chocolate and the coffee is not too bitter. Definitely stands out compared to other Eritrean restaurants because of its menu items, many of which are either smaller bites or more breakfast/brunch types of entrees which I haven't found at other restaurants I've been to.

    Fata and Tibsy Sga
    Miguel O.

    Had the Fata and the Tibsy Sga and I all I can say is amazing. The Fata was made on the spot and was crunchy and chewy at times with a since savory spice to it. The tibsy was tender and well seasoned, a little less spicy than the Fata. Very well balanced meals.

    Tibs/injera
    Bob A.

    Food was great, service is really attentive. It has an ethnically Eritrean ma/pa hole in the wall feel. I think they cater more to breakfast so you won't get the big injera platters but they do have one person equivalents of that as well as simpler bread + soup/stew type meals, as well as coffee

    Shihan ful
    Vanessa S.

    I was at the dmv taking care of my registration. Enjoying the wonderful 4 hr wait . I hadn't eaten breakfast and it was past lunchtime.So I decided to go grab a snack nearby. I see a coffee shop across the street. Perfect! Little did I know I stumbled upon a hidden gem. Mind you I have only eaten African food once in my life prior to this. I have been craving it all of my life (hence being part Egyptian and Ghanaian) . Oh what a feeling to eat "your" food for the second time in your life! When I tell you my mouth, brain and tummy all did a happy dance! Very simple ingredients. So fresh so delicious and a very humble place, but it felt like I was eating home at home. Love love love this! Will be coming back very soon with my daughters. Also the staff were very friendly and kind. I can't wait to try something new on the menu. I had the Shihan flu! Sooo good!

    Ribs
    Amy L.

    This is probably better for a coffee shop or a quick bite to eat, since their food menu wasn't very expansive. We got the tibsy and ful. The tibsy was on the blander side, at least compared to other Eritrean or Ethiopian restaurants. The ful was a bit better but also fell a bit flat as it was served closer to room temperature. I also was a bit disappointed in the lack of side options. I'm used to getting cabbage, spinach, lentils, and potatoes as sides for Ethiopian dishes. I would come back if I lived in the area, but since I don't live nearby, I would rather check out other Ethiopian or Eritrean options in the east bay

    Iced Ethiopian coffee
    Steph G.

    My kid came here as a freshman when she started Berkeley and we've made one last visit on her last day in the city after she graduated. It was very sentimental for us. She wanted to show me this place for a very long time. We opted to share the lamb stew. I think it's called the Tibsy. Now, bring your patience because it does appear that everything is cooked to order. Once it was ready, the lamb stew was served on top of injera bread. Although this dish is meant to be eaten with your hands, I opted to have a spoon. My kid did eat it with her hands. I enjoyed it better when the meat was soaking on the bread and I eat it that way the sour balance of the bread balances out the meat stew. Before we left, I got an iced Ethiopian coffee that would knock your socks off. Just cool, casual vibes here with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. Street parking available.

    Shihan Ful
    Maian T.

    One of those places that took me waaaaaaay way way too long to visit after passing it by so many times and knowing it's been there so long - since 1999 - iconic. For $14 the Shihan Ful comes with two large perfectly toasted baguettes and a nicely spiced, fava bean stew and two lemon wedges. Do not deny yourself the sensory pleasure of cracking open toasty bread, inhaling the yeasty vapor and enjoying the crackly crunch and creamy bean combo. The vibes of this place are so nice. Friendly people, kids playing, people chatting and playing games outside. I swapped tables with someone who needed a wall charger and she told me you can order a coffee brewed with tea water, which I will definitely have to try next time. I hope this place remains an institution for years to come.

    Tibsy/Tsebhi Sga
    Allyson U.

    A friend and I came here ahead of a rainy afternoon. We walked in and were greeted with a DELICIOUS smell that made us giddy with anticipation. We walked up to the cashier to order and the staff person was so patient. My friend and I ordered the Shihan Ful and Tibsey. Given how busy it was, we opted to sit outside (yes, it was chilly). There was another staff person there who helped guided us to a table where we would be dry if it rained. They also asked us if we wanted coffee. We declined, but they came back around and brought us cinnamon tea, which was really sweet and helped keep us warm as we waited for our food. The food took about 10 minutes to come out and we were so excited once it arrived. I had the Shihan Ful and it was so tasty. A nice mix of savory spices and chopped up veggies and beans. The bread (I believe Semifreddi's) was great and perfect for wiping up the beans. My friend also enjoyed her meal and had enough for another meal. Overall, I am pleased with the service and food. I look forward to returning to try the other dishes.

    Inside the restaurant

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    1 year ago

    Friendly server and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating plus good coffee and food equals a great little cafe.

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    1 year ago

    I just come for the ful which is delicious and comes with awesome fresh bread. I can't comment on the coffee

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    Cafe Colucci - Injera (wheat combo)

    Cafe Colucci

    4.2(1.4k reviews)
    1.3 miNorth Oakland
    $$

    So many vibes. I've been here but it's been a long time. In fact it was in their old location. Met…read moreup with some friends. They are vegetarian and we eat meat. So 3 of us ordered 2 meat dishes and they 3, ordered vegetarian dishes. We also ordered samoses (2 orders) and 2 lattes, and 2 baklava. Oh, they also ordered the stuffed jalapeño dish, which surprise was hot. All the food was delicious, even the two teenagers with us liked the food. It's got a good vibe inside and despite there being a pretty constant line we were seated within 15 mins. I would absolutely go back. Also - order the coffee, was hit with wonderful flavors served in this awesome ceramic mug.

    My first time trying Ethiopian food and I LOVED IT!!…read more The dishes are FULL of flavor! This family run cafe has been serving up East African cuisine in Oakland since 1991! Each dish was loaded with spices and I'm going to say it again, soooo much flavor. To be honest, we had no idea what to order or where to even start, so we got the sampler that our server recommended and it was soooo good. It was also a fun experience because we got to eat with our hands lol. If you're like us and completely clueless, go with the meat sampler because for $23, you get a HUGE portion and then can figure out which items are your favorites for next time. What we ordered: Meat Sampler ($23) * Doro Wot - spicy, slow simmered chicken stew * Doro Alicha - chicken stew in turmeric-based sauce * Sega Alicha - spicy beef stew * Minchet Wot - minced beef stew * Gomen - stewed collard greens We also got their Sambussas (half lentil and half beef), which were similar to samosas. Both their mocktails and cocktails were really well made too. I loved how they incorporated spices into the drink too, which was pretty unique.  So if you're looking for a fun date night or just to try something new, definitely bookmark this place!

    Photos
    Cafe Colucci - The outdoor table decorated for a private party

    The outdoor table decorated for a private party

    Cafe Colucci - Vegan Combination Platter (VG) & Meat Combination Platter

    Vegan Combination Platter (VG) & Meat Combination Platter

    Cafe Colucci - Tej and a lemonade mocktail

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    Tej and a lemonade mocktail

    Barcote Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat & Veggie Ultimate Combo

    Barcote Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.4(516 reviews)
    0.7 miRockridge, North Oakland
    $$

    If you like variety on a plate and communal gathering this can be a spot. I like variety so my…read morebrother and I went for the vegetarian and meat combo platter. You get a little bit of everything more or less and you get injera bread with it, all meal comes with injera which is amazing. The presentation is eye appealing. Colour is there. You get a bed of a large round of injera and you get all your goods there. My favourite was the yellow lentils and the cabbage-carrot-potato vegetable in turmeric I think. Service was direct nothing special. I heard we can get unlimited bread but a basket of just 1 round was more than enough for 2 people. Ambiance is nice. There's incense and a lot of colourful art. Nice patio for the summer time. I think this is a nice place for an intro to Ethiopian food. It's also in the Michelin world, maybe that can say something. AC transit bus 6 and 22 come near here

    We got the combo plate with the meat and veggies…read more I really dont know the names of what we had but I felt the meats were too spicy and some of the veggies, especially the Grey ones on the side weren't my type of flavor. I'm so used to Walia in San Jose so maybe I compare that flavor profile to other Ethiopian restaurants. Service was very hard to come by, we had to flag the waitress for every thing from napkins to more water and we we're literally the only table there. Lukewarm water also, and again waiting for the check. This was not the best experience for me or my friend for either the food or service. Barely 3 stars.

    Photos
    Barcote Ethiopian Restaurant - Back room

    Back room

    Barcote Ethiopian Restaurant - Injera

    Injera

    Barcote Ethiopian Restaurant - Inside

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    Inside

    Alem's Coffee - coffee - Updated May 2026

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