Bao Bao Kitchen

4.7 (23 reviews)

Vietnamese, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea

Closed • Closed

Updated a few days ago

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Bao Bao Kitchen - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Bao Bao Kitchen - Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi (Bao Bao's Signature) - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Bao Bao Kitchen - Shrimp Spring Rolls! - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Reviews With Photos

Patricia M.

Super friendly & fast service and answered all my questions. I've been on this strawberry matcha kick lately and found this place nearby my house. Not an actual restaurant but still great quality.

Crispy Pork Belly with Rice Vermicelli Sheets

Steve D.

"Bao Bao Kitchen" is a home-based kitchen operating in East Oakland, that serves Vietnamese foods and specialities. I first learned about this place on Doordash, and then read the great reviews on Yelp. All the stellar reviews talked about the great food, but nothing about the actual restaurant. The Doordash pickup address pointed to a residential area in East Oakland. So I placed an order on Doordash (for delivery) to see if the food was legit. My first order was "Crispy Pork Belly w/ Rice Sheets," and " 4-pc Eggrolls." OMG, the Eggrolls were absolutely delicious. I could eat a dozen Eggrolls or more! All the foods and ingredients are super fresh. I was super impressed by the freshness of the crispy pork belly. The meat was juicy and moist. The skin was crispy and crunchy. The food came in nice looking packaging with scan QR codes for direct ordering. Later I received an email from Bao Bao Kitchen thanking me for my order, and hoped I would order again soon. I asked where or what this restaurant is, and the reply was that she was a home chef. So on a rainy Saturday, I decided to solve this mystery. I used the QR code to order directly from the restaurant and go pickup my order. You place an order, pay, and then select a pickup time. I used Zelle to pay, and I received the pickup address. The online menu is different than Doordash. The prices are a bit lower, and you can order larger amounts and party trays. I ordered: (Total $35, no tax) - Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp, $16 - Shrimp Spring Rolls, 2 x $2.00 ea - Eggrolls, 10 x $1.50 ea - Pork Skewers- Sold Out, so add more egg rolls How was the food? - Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp, Grade (4/5): Lots of garlicky noodles, but shrimp were a bit too salty. Enough for two servings, not very big for $16. - Eggrolls, Grade (5/5), I love the eggrolls. Crispy and fresh. - Shrimp Spring Rolls, Grade (3/5) They looked great, but I didn't like the flavor. They're salad rolls with shrimp, served with peanut sauce and crushed peanuts. The minty taste made me feel sick. Service, Grade (5/5): arrived early at the address given, called the phone number, and a friendly young lady came out with my order. Later received a thank you email, and copy of the final receipt. Would I order again? Yes

Clayton T.

Oh my goodness, if there was ever a literal gem hidden in the wall, this is it! You text the number to see the menu, make your order, pay and then pick up the food from a really nice woman. The result is some fresh, homemade authentic Vietnamese food at a very reasonable price! The crispy shrimp&pork eggrolls come with some sweet and sour sauce. This was ok, i like the crunch! Springrolls are filled with beansprouts, mint, lettuce snd vermicelli with 3 shrimp. super fresh - the peanut sauce they come with is delicious! Their garlic noodles have such an intense aroma and flavor Banh Mis are $7.50 each and filled with everything you want: a crispy, fresh french baguette; pickled vegetables, sauces and I love the smokiness of the grilled meat. 100% recommend you get these! My favorite was definitely the crispy pork belly banh mi! That crispy skin and tender meat is too good. Definitely will coming back here again!

Sooo good ! I had been craving these and decided to look for somewhere new. They are home based so make sure to call or text the number when you arrive. The fish sauce was hella bomb !

First of all, they're VERY well priced. I door dashed my food from here. Everything came warm and still edible. I love that they gave the option to put the ice on the side for my delivered viet coffee. The bread for the bahn mi was soft. I got the grilled pork all the ratios were fantastic! The egg rolls were great as well as the spring rolls! They give enough sauce also they're not greedy with the sauce. (Sorry I started eating before I took the photos obviously) LOL. BUT IT WAS SOOO GOOD AND SO REASONABLY PRICED

Irvin A.

Bao Bao Kitchen has nothing but good food! I highly recommend the Sushi Bake and Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi!

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Tou X.

202

18

11

2 months ago

Took a chance while out fielding for work. This was exactly what I was looking for! Delicious food, delicious drink, delicious sandwich!! I'm worried about when people find her spot. She's going to need a bigger place. Definitely will be back when I'm in the area. read more

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Business owner information

Jessica N.

You’re too kind. Thank you! We loved having you and we’ll save a…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

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Martha R.

0

13

5

5 months ago

All I have to say is that the food was amazing, the chicken was soft, juicy and tender. The spring rolls so fresh and filling. I will Definitely order again. I love places that offer fresh authentic food. read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - Spring Veggie Eggrolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Grilled Chicken Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Business owner information

Jessica N.

This is so kind. Thank you.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

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Tri P.

53

2

25 days ago

I was so surprised about this food I was only looking at DoorDash and see which ones the closest and I saw this kitchen and I was really craving for some tofu spring roll and also tried their Ube Saigon coffee, which let me tell you is mind blowing it was so good. It's not like those big chain coffee places it's really unique and you could tell how much effort they put into packing and how it actually looks as well so I would say that this place is a really nice place to try and I would probably keep going back and ordering for more!the service is really good too really fast highly recommend!! read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - The Fresh Bundle Shrimp Spring Rolls Tofu Springrolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Dominic V.

Elite 26

22

181

352

11 months ago

I ordered over yelp and had it delivered so I can only speak on food and nothing about the location itself. I got their summer special: your choice Vietnamese sandwich and choice of drink for $14. I got the crispy pork belly sandwich and Vietnamese iced coffee even though it was 6PM. I loved the pork belly sandwich; the pork was juicy and there was a thin layer of fat with a crispy edge like Lechon that added an extra crunch. The bread itself wasn't as crunchy and fresh as I would have liked, but I looked past it as it was towards the end of the night and the bread had to travel in a bag before I was able to eat it. I popped it in the air fryer for a quick minute to toast the sandwich up to warm and it was good as new. The Vietnamese coffee was sweet and strong. I shouldn't have picked it for dinner but I couldn't help myself, I'm a coffee addict. I was pretty much up all night. I recommend this combo, but next time I'll give their grilled chicken a try. Will be back soon. read more

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Apologize for the bread not being as fresh, but we glad that the air…

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Robert D.

1

19

5

3 months ago

Good food. It's pickup only and the business is operated it of her apartment. Go support her

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Thank you so much for the kind words and for the support.

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NO TO Weatherford S.

0

23

15

3 months ago

Expensive food. Operating in apartment. I'll stick with cam huong. Can't believe people are paying these outrageous price for mediocre food

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Looks like you also gave another Vietnamese restaurant a 1-star…

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Matthias M.

29

40

9

4 months ago

Great food, easy to order and pickup, well packaged. Their Bahn Mi sandos are top notch, generous and well composed. A limited menu that focuses on fewer items with great results. The fried rice with shrimp and Chinese sausage is on point. Regrettably I have never ordered early enough to score their signature crispy pork belly Bahn Mi, it sells out by end of lunch. This is. Is a go to for grab and go. read more

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Alexa W.

Elite 26

233

462

866

1 year ago

I love unconventional places with authentic cuisine. This is very much it! I ordered pickup through Yelp/Grubhub (they don't have their exact house/apartment number on the order, so I hung out where I thought would be a good spot on E17th - next to the church - and called them them at pickup time. The kitchen is run by a very sweet couple. They come out with the food impeccably packed up right after you call. I got summer rolls and stir fried macaroni to comfort my cravings and both hit the spot. I heard they are great for catering size orders, so will do a bigger order for a party next time! read more

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We can't wait to help…

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 3

Oh no 0

Rae W.

0

34

22

3 months ago

Every time I order Bao Bao, I have to say bow bow bow bow because the food is sooooo good! Crispy pork belly banh mi, fresh spring roll and the marble Vietnamese iced coffee or the regular one. Everything is yummy and fresh. I also like the sushi bakes because my nephew really likes sushi bake so when he comes over, I order this so we can feast. You should be called Wow Wow kitchen read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

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Patricia M.

47

28

98

11 months ago

Super friendly & fast service and answered all my questions. I've been on this strawberry matcha kick lately and found this place nearby my house. Not an actual restaurant but still great quality. read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - Strawberry Matcha - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Thank you.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

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Oh no 0

Steve D.

Elite 26 All-Star

1013

2235

18732

2 years ago

"Bao Bao Kitchen" is a home-based kitchen operating in East Oakland, that serves Vietnamese foods and specialities. I first learned about this place on Doordash, and then read the great reviews on Yelp. All the stellar reviews talked about the great food, but nothing about the actual restaurant. The Doordash pickup address pointed to a residential area in East Oakland. So I placed an order on Doordash (for delivery) to see if the food was legit. My first order was "Crispy Pork Belly w/ Rice Sheets," and " 4-pc Eggrolls." OMG, the Eggrolls were absolutely delicious. I could eat a dozen Eggrolls or more! All the foods and ingredients are super fresh. I was super impressed by the freshness of the crispy pork belly. The meat was juicy and moist. The skin was crispy and crunchy. The food came in nice looking packaging with scan QR codes for direct ordering. Later I received an email from Bao Bao Kitchen thanking me for my order, and hoped I would order again soon. I asked where or what this restaurant is, and the reply was that she was a home chef. So on a rainy Saturday, I decided to solve this mystery. I used the QR code to order directly from the restaurant and go pickup my order. You place an order, pay, and then select a pickup time. I used Zelle to pay, and I received the pickup address. The online menu is different than Doordash. The prices are a bit lower, and you can order larger amounts and party trays. I ordered: (Total $35, no tax) - Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp, $16 - Shrimp Spring Rolls, 2 x $2.00 ea - Eggrolls, 10 x $1.50 ea - Pork Skewers- Sold Out, so add more egg rolls How was the food? - Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp, Grade (4/5): Lots of garlicky noodles, but shrimp were a bit too salty. Enough for two servings, not very big for $16. - Eggrolls, Grade (5/5), I love the eggrolls. Crispy and fresh. - Shrimp Spring Rolls, Grade (3/5) They looked great, but I didn't like the flavor. They're salad rolls with shrimp, served with peanut sauce and crushed peanuts. The minty taste made me feel sick. Service, Grade (5/5): arrived early at the address given, called the phone number, and a friendly young lady came out with my order. Later received a thank you email, and copy of the final receipt. Would I order again? Yes read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - Crispy Pork Belly with Rice Vermicelli Sheets - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Eggrolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - My order as packed - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Fresh and crispy eggrolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Shrimp Rolls, with Peanut sauce - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Shrimp Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bao Bao Kitchen - Garlic Noodles with Shrimp - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Business owner information

Jessica N.

I'm grateful that you took the time to share your experience with me.…

Helpful 18

Thanks 3

Love this 20

Oh no 0

Clayton T.

5

51

110

2 years ago

Oh my goodness, if there was ever a literal gem hidden in the wall, this is it! You text the number to see the menu, make your order, pay and then pick up the food from a really nice woman. The result is some fresh, homemade authentic Vietnamese food at a very reasonable price! The crispy shrimp&pork eggrolls come with some sweet and sour sauce. This was ok, i like the crunch! Springrolls are filled with beansprouts, mint, lettuce snd vermicelli with 3 shrimp. super fresh - the peanut sauce they come with is delicious! Their garlic noodles have such an intense aroma and flavor Banh Mis are $7.50 each and filled with everything you want: a crispy, fresh french baguette; pickled vegetables, sauces and I love the smokiness of the grilled meat. 100% recommend you get these! My favorite was definitely the crispy pork belly banh mi! That crispy skin and tender meat is too good. Definitely will coming back here again! read more

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Business owner information

Jessica N.

Hi,…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Iliana C.

26

7

6

10 months ago

Pork belly Bahn mi was delicious! Vietnamese coffee was STRONG! Would order again. Keep in mind this is not a restaurant, they will text you on order to pick up! read more

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Appreciate your order and hope to see you again soon. Thank you so…

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

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Oh no 0

Alana a.

0

8

8 months ago

Sooo good ! I had been craving these and decided to look for somewhere new. They are home based so make sure to call or text the number when you arrive. The fish sauce was hella bomb ! read more

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Thank you !

Helpful 0

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Mari B.

0

3

5

1 year ago

First of all, they're VERY well priced. I door dashed my food from here. Everything came warm and still edible. I love that they gave the option to put the ice on the side for my delivered viet coffee. The bread for the bahn mi was soft. I got the grilled pork all the ratios were fantastic! The egg rolls were great as well as the spring rolls! They give enough sauce also they're not greedy with the sauce. (Sorry I started eating before I took the photos obviously) LOL. BUT IT WAS SOOO GOOD AND SO REASONABLY PRICED read more

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Helpful 0

Thanks 1

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Alisa G.

Elite 26

263

221

265

2 years ago

I ordered here a few times for my company's lunch and this place did a fantastic job on preparing the food. Not only it was last minute rush order but she was more than happy to take my order. I am so grateful because we're sick of ordering pizzas and sandwiches for lunch. There needs to be a change! She was so nice in person and the food was so good! Everyone loved the egg rolls, crispy pork, the skewers and also the sugarcane shrimp. You can tell the food with made with care and the presentation was great! The price is super reasonable and the portion is generous. If you love homemade Vietnamese food then I highly recommend you to give her a try. Also, always double the amount of egg rolls you want to order. It was gone before I could even get my hands on them! read more

Business owner information

Jessica N.

Thank you so much. We really appreciate you being a customer and…

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

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Rah E.

1

27

1

2 years ago

Great tasty food. Fast service. Friendly people Everything I ordered was top notch

Business owner information

Jessica N.

We're grateful for customers like you. Thanks for sharing your kind…

Helpful 0

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Irvin A.

6

7

11

3 years ago

Bao Bao Kitchen has nothing but good food! I highly recommend the Sushi Bake and Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi! read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - Sushi Bake - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Jessica S.

0

4

2

3 years ago

We ordered a very large order for my daughters birthday party. It was a hit! The food was fresh, delicious, and packaged perfectly. Pick-up was easy and perfectly timed. We will definitely order again in the future. Highly recommend! read more

Bao Bao Kitchen - The pork belly was awesome! - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Dang T.

43

71

15

3 years ago

I've been buying lunches from bao bao kitchen for sometimes now and it is delicious. Her Vietnamese home food menu is made fresh daily and includes a soup, an entree, and a side viggies dish. But I like her Vietnamese coffee the most. read more

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Kelly H.

194

8

4

3 years ago

I had to order a tray of shrimp/pork and shrimp spring rolls! After hearing great things from a friend, I had to give Bao Bao Kitchen a try and I am glad she told me! Definitely ordering from them again. It was gone before everyone else could try one! Fresh ingredients, awesome communication, and yummy food. Thank you again! Love, love, love the food! read more

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Kate M.

0

24

0

3 years ago

Sushi bake is bomb and Bahn Mi is fire. Support local businesses. Can't go wrong here.

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Jasmeen C.

1

7

0

3 years ago

Bao Bao Kitchen's food is amazing, sushi bake is delicious and so are the banh mi sandwiches! I enjoy to buy food from them, always made fresh and with love! read more

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More info about Bao Bao Kitchen

2284 E 17th St
Oakland, CA 94606
East Oakland
Directions
(510) 646-3727
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.baobaokitchenoakland.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Bao Bao Kitchen open?

Bao Bao Kitchen opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Bao Bao Kitchen close?

Bao Bao Kitchen closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Bao Bao Kitchen is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 8:00 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Bao Bao Kitchen take Bitcoin?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not take Bitcoin.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen take credit cards?

Yes, Bao Bao Kitchen takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have catering options?

Yes, Bao Bao Kitchen does have catering options.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have a drive thru?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have a drive thru.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have a happy hour?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have a happy hour.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen serve alcohol?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Bao Bao Kitchen allow dogs?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not allow dogs.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have TVs?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have bike parking?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have bike parking.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have outdoor seating?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have parking?

Yes, Bao Bao Kitchen has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Bao Bao Kitchen wheelchair accessible?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen is not wheelchair accessible.

Does Bao Bao Kitchen have free WiFi?

No, Bao Bao Kitchen does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Customer's favorite: sushi baked, springrolls, garlic noodles, eggrolls, crispy pork belly banh mi.

History

Established in 2020.

Bao Bao Kitchen started small, in 2020, located in Oakland Bay Area, by E 17th Street. It's fantastic that we can share our food out of our kitchen with the community. We would love to see our guests enjoy the food with a big smile right front of our door. Our food is made by order, individual orders, or party tray.

Meet the Business Owner: Jessica N.

Hi. I'm Jessica, a small business owner passionate about sharing delicious, healthy food with my community. As a mom of two, my kids inspire me to create a space where everyone can enjoy amazing meals without worrying about their dietary needs (NF, GF, Vegetarian). My business is all about serving fresh, flavorful food that brings people together. Thanks for supporting my dream – I'm thrilled to share it with you.

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I run a couple of times a week in the area, I'll usually go into Safeway for some post run fuel…read more Decided to come in here and try an iced latte. I came in around 8:30, a few tables outside had people drinking their coffees and eating breakfast. When I walked in, only one guy was waiting for his order. There was only one person working. The service was not good. I stood at the order counter for 5 minutes, I looked at the lady, she looked at me, and didn't offer a high I'll be right with you. I understand she was the only one preparing coffee and food. I'm not trying to complain about the wait, but the lack of acknowledging a customer to say it will take some time. I finally ordered an iced latte. I do think they have some creative drinks, but I know they are usually too sweet and I just opt for a plain iced latte instead. It was an ok latte, nothing amazing. They have a bulletin board for people to post their flyers or business cards. There was a card on the board that said A.W.A.R - All woke are retards. I'm sure that's not the view of the establishment. I do think they need to screen the board from time to time.

Cute grab and go coffee shop/café. Reasonable prices for…read morecoffee and food - the bagels and breakfast sandwiches are great too. Sometimes during the week, they also have almond croissants, mochi muffins, and donuts as well. Small seating area inside with larger outdoor patio seating. Perfect place to bring the dog when you're getting your morning cup of Joe.

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This place is yummy! They have good brunch food. Korean fusion. Their coffees are yummy too i like…read moretheir tiramisu latte & my boyfriend gets their Einspänner. I'm so glad their got bigger cups because their small is tiny & i would finish my drink so quick. The first few times i went their wait used to be long but more recently they seem to be quick. They are also dog friendly they have the outside seating.

Came for a Saturday brunch, and it was busy but there was still a decent amount of seating. You can…read moreorder at the kiosk or at the counter then sit down at a table of your choosing. There were other groups getting lunch, sitting at the bar, and studying/working on their laptops with a drink. I've tried a few drinks here, they have all impressed me. I'd most likely come back for the drinks, not the food. It's a cute spot to work from or hunker down with a book at. Matcha Einspanner (5/5) - Delicious! Lavendar Latte (5/5) - Delicious! Been enjoying lavendar lately, this was lovely. Bulgogi Sandwich (1/5) - I did not enjoy this unfortunately. The bread soaked up the sauce & I am not a fan of wet bread. The sauce coating the bulgogi was not very fitting. It tasted like a thousand island sauce or burger sauce. It was different than what I expected.

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Friendly owner of the tea shop gave great suggestions to my order. Ambiance was homey and…read morecomforting. One side was a wall of loose leaf teas to go and other side is the kitchen. Lots of plants and cottage vibes. I went with Honey Lemon Ginger Hot Tea and Baked Eggs. Eggs took 15mins to bake. Highly recommend!

earned a star for: 1. good variety of food and drink…read more2. easy order for catering 3. quick pick up 4. indoor and outdoor seating hard to find parking so if you're within walking distance, highly recommend.

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I love this cafe! They have some of the best prices in Alameda and the service is great. They…read morealways have fun specialty drinks and fun decor. Very local community feel, they really know their customers.

Cute little indy coffee shop nestled in an older shopping strip. Place has counter seating for…read moreabout 6 peeps, but if the place gets busy(easy to happen) and if you eat there, people waiting in line will be directly over your head. Just fyi. Mint Iced Vietnamese Coffee ($6ish/5*). Tried this during the last holidays and it was fantastic. I already love Vietnamese coffee and this had a soft cream on top with grated mint candy. So festive and just hit for that season. Wonder if they can do it all year round? Smoked Salmon Bagel ($9.50/4*) Nice toasty smaller bagel with all the usuals of soft lox n cream cheese, capers and red onions. Loved the compact size as it didn't put a lead weight in my gut in the AM hours. The bagel crust tho is kinda hard and brittle, almost crouton hard which I thought was strange. But the interior was indeed soft yet chewy. Iced Cold Brew ($4/4*) Pretty smooth. I only asked for a kiss of cream and it was just right. I prefer a more robust roast finish but still quite serviceable. I liked how the owner knew a lot of the customers by name. Since I'm not a reg, I actually was the only one who didn't get called by name on a weekday morning. Love the small town vibe and even tho not a reg, I'd still hit this up if in the neighborhood.

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Highwire Coffee Roasters

Yummmmm! Friendly staff, low-key vibe & all around amazing experience for my first time here. I had…read morea dirty matcha (made deliciously) with almond croissant (perfect amount of crisp to it) and both were divine! I would highly recommend if you are walking this beautiful neighborhood and want to stop for a quick bite and a drink to enjoy. Sit down and people watch for a few, you deserve it ;) Mahalo you folks, I will dolphinately be back! xo Kelso

I really enjoy their coffee. It's a great little spot (when I saw little it is very small inside,…read moreso much so that only a handful of people can be inside). Average price for a good cup of coffee. I appreciate that their menu is simple (plus seasonal items). Always good just very small inside, so one might even have to stand outside while they wait for their order.

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I'm usually very particular about matcha since I've perfected my own recipe to suit my personal…read moretaste, but I have to say I really enjoyed their Earl Grey Matcha from the seasonal menu. It wasn't overly sweet and still maintained that earthy matcha flavor that many places tend to lose when they jump on the matcha trend. My husband ordered the Vanilla Bean Caramel Latte, also from the seasonal menu, and loved it so much that he said this is now his favorite coffee spot. Safe to say, whenever we're back in town, we'll definitely be returning!

I got an espresso. It was a medium roast, their signature blend…read more It had great creamy texture and a good layer of crema. Bitterness overpowered the shot but I tasted some promising fruity notes. 2.5/5 Would come back to try pour over.

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My review of their Mexican Hot Chocolate still stands. The BEST one in the Bay Area, hands down!…read more The employees/baristas are the sweetest. I have written books, worked on my business, made friends, AND met a beautiful person I'm dating there. Can't beat that! RUN, do not walk, to this magical spot on the isle of Alameda.

One of our favorite places in Alameda! Their coffee is great, food is surprisingly good for a cafe,…read moreand the atmosphere is cozy. I love spending a Friday morning or Saturday afternoon there. We often go to sit and chat, work, or eat lunch. I love that they have the Okapi reusable to-go cups. We often use their coffee catering service with the Okapi reusable cups, which people love.

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Breakfast sandwich (croissant & turkey) with The Gold Coast smoothie on the side

Beanery

Good coffee and tons of pastries. Came here for coffee, and a warmed ham and cheese croissant but…read morethey have delicious sandwiches too. Quick efficient service. Quiet on a Wednesday morning, lots of seats available. Great place to meet a friend.

Good food and good coffee. First time coming here this morning and sure it will not be our last…read more Love it!

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Menu

California veggie panini

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Inside

Lazybird Coffee

The only downside of this place is that it's a bit far from where I live...or maybe that's a good…read morething for my wallet. I absolutely LOVE Lazybird and I've loved everything I've tried here! Their lattes are great and their egg salad toast and avo toast is divine. The line can get a bit long, so plan ahead! The baristas are all super friendly and fast but the place is small so you're lucky if you can nab a table.

Still love the pandan latte and they really expanded their food menu. And they now have…read morecompostable lids! But there is a lack of transparency with their extras on their drinks. My milk alternative and extra shots + tip ended up being close to $12, when my normal hipster place is almost $9. I get they make their syrup in house, but ouch. And that 20+ min wait just to order is painful. Will time it better in the future and keep this as a spot as a backup to the backup due to the inconvenience, high prices, proximity to home and tight seating options.

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White Chocolate Matcha (Oat Milk)

Front window

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SIGNAL Coffee Roasters

4.6

(84 reviews)

1.6 mi

Visited Signal today and Alex and James were so gracious to accommodate my caffeine needs at the…read moreend of their day! They were both exceptionally kind to someone they've never met before, and made me feel like a regular/recurring patron. Thank you Alex and James!

Great coffee and amazing cinemon buns. The location on Webster has a wonderful patio out back…read more Central location is perfect for when you're on the go, but they do have a few seats and tables outfornt .

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Large dulce de latte (L) + large black sesame latte (R)

Ube Lemonade Seasonal Summer Drink

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SIGNAL Coffee in your morning cup.

Olivia Coffee & Flower

woot woot, I am reviewer #100 :))…read more Straight up, parking sucks, it's by a large hospital so no surprise there. But once you've circled around multiple times (unless you get lucky), your stress levels will subside looking at cute cartoons of the owner's sheepdog Gurumi. She even showed me real life photos of him and his hair tied back because it was so long it covered his eyes. This dog also reminded me of Max from the Little Mermaid. Anyway, what a cute logo for the coffee shop! Sunlit windows are my favorite spots in any cafe, so I found a bench by the window inside and waited patiently for my hojicha latte with oat milk ($8). I wanted to try the savory pastries but they had run out. I chilled for maybe 30min enjoying my hojicha. I liked their hojicha but tbh there hasn't been a hojicha I didn't like. I think roasted teas have just the right amount of savoriness. FUN FACT: I learned recently that hojicha lattes have more caffeine than loose leaf teas because lattes use crushed whole leaf powder, so you're consuming the whole leaf rather than steeped tea leaves. If only I worked nearby, I would be a frequent customer. But because it's a ways away from me, I'll stop by on occasion.

The service was amazing, everyone was nice and welcoming! The vibe and interior of the cafe was so…read morecute and I really love the mascot :) I got the Vanilla Cream Iced Latte (oat & nightfall (dark roast I think)) And my friends got the Banana Matcha Iced Latte and a chocolate imperial. I personally don't enjoy sweets so I thought the chocolate imperial was a little bit too sweet for me, but the garnish and preparation of the sweet was so cute! Their drink presentation was really pretty! The vanilla cream iced latte was really good, it had the perfect amount of bitter and I liked the roast that they used!

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Not really a spot to do work or read a book

Pistachio croissant

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Matcha coconut cloud

Persian Nights Restaurant

The chicken and rice are awesome. Chicken was juicy and so flavorful…read more Yogurt and chive appetizer was great. The waitress recommended it and it was way better than I was anticipating. Tachin was something completely different. So many different flavors and textures. Great change up. Wouldn't be my go to. But once in a while I could enjoy it.

We walked in and tried to get a table for 2. And the owner asked us if we had reservations. But…read morethere was plenty of seating inside and outside. Funny part is, no one walked in after us. We were then seated, the first girl asked if we wanted anything to drink which we did but we never got our drinks til another waitress came and asked us 20mins later. We told her we were ready to order and we had to wait another 10mins for another waiter to order. We got the chive/shallot yogurt, lollipop lamb chops, Koobideh and Joojeh Kabob. The kabeb dishes came with grilled tomato, grilled pepper, rice with tadig on top. They also make this pink butter to put on the rice. Food is good and everything was seasoned well and not over cooked. I want to give this place a try again but they need to work on their customer service. They catered more to other tables and we didn't even get offered the dessert menu like the other tables around us. Also, we had to ask for the check and no one even came to check if we were ready to pay we had to go up there.

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Outdoor seating

Dessert saffron rice pudding & rosewater

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Ruby King Bakery

The BEST BBQ Pork Buns and Custard Egg Tarts!…read more I was at Ruby King Bakery at 2pm on Monday, and was able to buy some plump BBQ Pork Buns and the best Egg Tarts! Customer service was great! Big time suggestive selling! The young lady behind the counter said someone did a survey, and their egg tarts are the BEST in Oakland Chinatown. You have to come try them yourself!

We stopped by to grab ham & egg buns and a pork floss & green onion bun to eat later. Ham & egg…read morebuns are our favorite Chinese bakery items to eat and these were so nice and fluffy! The pork floss bun was yummy as well and overall a super nice local spot for traditional bakery items. It seems like egg tarts are one of their popular items and while I didn't get a chance to try the here I'll definitely back to pick some up next time!

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Homeroom

Homeroom is a popular Mac and Cheese spot. It was indeed, yummy as anticipated. They have a few…read moreoptions on the menu that elevate the classic food. It was filling. Thank you to our server, Anthony.

TLDR: 50 minute wait between sitting down to getting your food. Don't visit thinking this is a…read morequick drop by kind of place. While this visit was in between the lunch and dinner rush, unfortunately I think they are understaffed because at the time we sat down there was only 1 person who was busing tables and taking orders. As a result, it took a while for them to be able to stop by our table and provide water, take our order, etc. There was quite a long wait between sitting down to ordering to actually receiving our food. By the time we had actually received our food, almost an hour had passed. While we were waiting, a few other servers eventually joined, but service was still pretty bare for us and we never received refills on water or plates to eat off of when we received our food. I understand that staffing and a backup in the kitchen are out of the staff's control, but it would've definitely helped for us to know in advance how long to expect to wait to align our expectations and arrange our plans for the day. Would advise giving customers a quick heads up/warning because that on its own would've made a big difference. As for the actual food, we ordered the mac trio with elote mac, chicken pot pie mac, and kogi short rib mac (for an extra fee). The elote mac was the best and most flavorful, the short rib mac was okay but not amazing or worth the extra money, and the chicken pot pie mac was very bland/flavorless and didn't have much chicken in it. The food didn't feel like it warranted the wait time and because of that I would not return.

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Mexican Chorizo Mac & Elote Mac | @allthenummies

Pizza Mac

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Fentons Creamery

My family and I have been going to Fenton's for 50+ years. We love the food, especially the ice…read morecream but going there last evening we realized that it's gotten way too expensive! $12.75 for one scoop!!! We planned to get a burger or Philly cheesesteak sandwich but $19 is way too expensive! It is impossible to have a conversation because the acoustics are terrible. Unfortunately, I won't be going back anytime soon!

Such a cute atmosphere! I've been coming here for years and somehow haven't written a review until…read morenow. There is usually a line at the counter. I like to ask to be seated- it's usually faster! I was sat right away on a Saturday around 4pm. Ordered a brownie sundae. It's definitely a lot to share. Between 2 adults we couldn't finish it. It was so good! I've always had positive interactions with staff here.

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Me Va Con Vietnamese Kitchen

Mini Pancakes Bahn Khot -- super fresh, fragrant and flavorful. I love the basil and mint that came…read morewith the roll. Every mouthful had a nice hint of buttery flavor from the pancake and then a hint of freshness from the veggies. Spicy Shaken Beef Pho -- flavorful beef broth, perfect amount of saltiness, lots of fresh beef slices. Super filling and warm! The food was delicious and fresh! Would come back and try their other dishes, their standard pho was yummy and flavorful!

We were in the area figuring out where to eat when a lady eating Bánh Khọt in the her freakin' car…read morecame up on my feed. Eating anything with nước chấm in the car is diabolical. With my luck, my car would smell like hello kitty for weeks. Anyhow, I found Mẹ Và Con on yelp, a mother-daughter owned resto that opened in 2024. They serve bánh khọt and have outdoor seating so we headed over. Thankfully, we arrived before the Sunday dinner rush (~5:45 pm) and before the parking lot was filled. Rezzies are accepted (via phone). M E N U Viet Cuisine with some elevated, modern twists (no specific regional specialty). Smaller menu than your typical hole-in-the-wall with 25-30 items including AZN fusion items like shrimp ceviche, kimchi pasta and tom yum pasta. Beer, wine, and soju cocktails available. F O O D * Bò Tái Chanh: Beef Carpaccio w/ Thai basil, fried shallot, house tangerine sauce ($18): https://tinyurl.com/nhcn9kxw - Served at dinner only Fresh, tender slices of beef carpaccio with a sweetness from the tangerine sauce and white onions. I appreciate their twist (tangerine sauce instead of nước chấm) but it was too one note for me...IMO, it needed acid and herbs. Plus, I miss the texture of peanuts. * Bánh Khọt: Viet Mini Pancakes w/ shrimp, coconut milk batter, herbs, pickles ($24): https://tinyurl.com/34nx7sat - Served at dinner only Fav dish of the night, the savory bánh khọt was delicately crispy and slightly custardy in the center with a snappy shrimp drizzled with fragrant scallion oil. It came with romaine, mint, and perilla leaves neatly layered for easy wrapping. The lettuce was a bit soft and soggy tho, and I think they forgot the pickled veggies. Served with a tiny portion of tangy sweet nước chấm. * Bò Lúc Lắc: Shaking Beef w/ soy, garlic, onion, cherry tomato, arugula ($26): https://tinyurl.com/3rkpukct Meltingly tender cubes of filet mignon but light on the seasoning and aromatics so it was bland. Also, was hoping for more smoky wok hei flavor. * Thịt Kho Tàu: Braised Pork Belly w/ hard boiled eggs, rice ($21): https://tinyurl.com/mr2evryw - Includes bowl of rice A traditional dish served during Lunar New Year, it symbolizes prosperity, warmth, and stability. Chunks of pork belly are caramelized in sugar and braised in coconut soda and fish sauce - rich, savory with a good ratio of lean meat to fat (4 pieces). Wish they used more braising liquid when warming up, as some pieces were a bit dry. S E R V I C E Warm, friendly hospitality. Food does take awhile tho...our first dish took about 30 minutes to arrive. A M B I A N C E Casual, no-frills indoor area with about 10-12 tables. Cute covered patio in the parking lot with 5 tables and fairy lights. Overall, Mẹ Và Con is a great place to introduce people that are new to Viet cuisine and/or you're looking for Viet dishes with different twist.

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Counter

Bò Tái Chanh: Beef Carpaccio w/ Thai basil, fried shallot, house tangerine sauce ($18)

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Mini pancakes

Tierra Mia Coffee

Got an iced horchata latte and loved it! Also got an almond croissant which was a bit mushy, but…read morenot too bad! Also got banana bread which was also okay. Good space that has plenty of seating. Staff were pleasant. Not sure if they had wifi though!

Tierra Mia Coffee is a wonderful cafe with delicious drinks and pastries that bring the community…read moretogether. As I came on a Saturday afternoon, it was pretty busy and bustling. The baristas and workers have a great system in place to keep moving orders along. There is plenty of seating inside, but it does get pretty cramped with the large crowd rush. I decided to try the mazapan peanut frappe as I love mazapan and was intrigued by how it would taste in a drink. I was pleasantly surprised by how creamy and sweet it was! The peanut gives a slight salty and nutty flavor profile to the drink. I really enjoyed it! Overall, I would love to come back and try more of their drinks!

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