The cooking has really seemed to get better here over the last 3 months. Really happy with the progress. I also discovered that this is a pretty cool place to have dinner and get some work done! Keep it going cafe trieste! read more

Caffe Chiave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Nice neighborhood cafe. Came here to pass the time as I was locked out of my brother's apartment. Live jazz on Friday night, with a pretty decent quartet. I had their pizza special and a pint of speckled hen beer. The pizza was surprisingly good for a neighborhood cafe. Prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, arugula dressed with lemon vinaigrette and lots of garlic. It was a "white" pizza, no tomato sauce, and light on the fontina cheese. The thin crust was a little chewier than I usually enjoy, but still, not bad. Note to pizziaolo: leave that bad boy in there for another 3-5 minutes for some char! pint $4+ pizza special $9+ music FREE read more

I don't usually write reviews but because I am so angry, I think this is the best place to channel my anger. I like everything about this place, pastry is great, coffee and tea is good as well. But the person behind the counter is one I cannot stand. He was rude and condescending! Sorry folks but this guy better change his attitude or I will change my cafe on Friday nights read more

Location is great but service is not. I've been here several times to study and they can't even provide WiFi for buying customers? That's not why I gave them two stars. The last time I went, I ordered a simple spaghetti and meatballs dish because I was suddenly craving pasta. Should be simple enough but the sauce was way too watery. My friend ordered a sandwich and they forgot all about her dish. After asking the waiter multiple times about her order, they still managed to forget about her. We ended up demanding our money back and they promised her a free sandwich if we waited for 5 minutes. Which never came. On a positive note, the Americano is delicious and strong, definitely worth trying but I'm not sure if I'll be returning any time soon. read more

"Sorry guys we are closed" We closed early, due to manager's decision" Next time I'll go to another coffee shop, one that it's closing hours are a bit more reliable. Avoid this Trieste location! Everyone seems to be in a bad mood all the time. read more

I am in love. I think it could be serious. I started my professional coffee drinking career (ok, I don't get paid to do it, but it's all about the attitude, right?) about nine years ago, and throughout that time I have enjoyed the ambiance, flavor and service of many a cafe. Happy to report that Trieste is in the upper echelon of great coffee joints. Here's my criteria: - Coffee quality must be extremely high. I use the latte test. If they don't do lattes well, then I am usually doubtful of other drinks being up to par. My latte at Trieste was the perfect level of acidity, smoothness and absolutely perfect foam. It's all about the foam! Thick and rich, not bubbly and flat. A+ - Servers must be on their game. These folks were open on New Year's Day, so mad props for serving the coffee-starved public on one of the biggest hangover days of the year! They were swift, accommodating and very warm, even though they had to let people know they were closing early. - Ample space for sitting and good people watching. If there are all walks of life enjoying a cafe, you know it's good one. If it's attractive to a wide range of attitudes, budgets and mindsets, not only is that a sign of a good business, but also a more enjoyable environment for everyone. - Good location. I don't need to elaborate, but this neighborhood has a lot going on and Trieste is centrally located within it. My only beef with Trieste is that the tables seem a touch squished, but in light of their popularity, I think they do exceedingly well at keeping the customers cozy without cramping them and provide a decent amount of seating in doing so. Nothing more frustrating than not being able to really enjoy your coffee in house - that is part and parcel with the experience. You have to work with whatcha got, and they do. I'm sure there will be many subsequent ventures here now that I've had that love at first sip experience :) read more

Caffe Trieste. I kinda really like this place. Great vibe, great food, a beer and wine selection, and a parking lot off of busy Piedmont Ave. I'll admit, I've only been here twice in my life, but when presented with the painful dilemma of WHERE TO EAT??? my friend and I quickly glanced at each other and telepathically chose Cafe Trieste because of our previous experience. We were in the area and it's a perfect spot on a casual, warm, bright, and lazy Sunday. I've had the Chicken Panini, part of my friend's Turkey Panini (both around $9), and on a separate occasion one of my weaknesses, the breakfast bagel sandwich ($5.50). Overall, this place has a nice variety of food and beverage options that should please anyone: plenty of breakfast items (eggs, bagels, pastries, muffins), salads, quiche, soup, paninis, pizza, lasagna, pasta, beer, and wine. You can really come here for any meal of the day. BONUS: there's a solid happy hour where you couple a meal item (panini, pizza, pasta) with a beer/wine for a discounted rate. I'll be back. Multiple times. read more

Go around back of the building to the parking lot side with your pup for patio seating. They have water bowls and loads of tables under a covered roof (great if rainy), but there is no heat, if its cold. Downside is that they will not take orders from the window and you still have to go inside and wait in line to order. I recommend any dessert and the sandwiches, soups, and entrees are all fine. I normally get a pot of tea to sit outside. They give you a bag and will refill the hot water free if you need it - so a great deal. read more

There are a few Trieste locations, but this one has my heart. There is a lot of space, indoor and out, to allow you to sit and enjoy your latte. They make their drinks strong, and are reasonably priced. Take that, Starbucks! Not only do they have awesome coffee, but they also have beer on tap and a great menu. I tried the spaghetti and meatballs with an Anchor Steam last time I was there, and NOM! They have beautiful pastries, and have the place covered with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My only complaint is that if there is no music playing, the place seems a little sterile, and the acoustics allow for pretty much everyone in the place to hear what you are saying. I came here a few Fridays ago and they had a live jazz band, so that was a plus. read more

The only reason this place gets 4 stars instead of 5 is that to use the restroom you have to go next door, and they have no wifi. Other than that, the tiramisu and other desserts are exceptional! Food and coffee are good as well. Staff is friendly and it's a nice atmosphere. Went there quite a few times during my visit to the Piedmont area and I highly recommend! read more

I was well pleased with the service! I have been coming in alot of Friday nights. I like how there is music each Friday, especially Opus Oakland! Thank you to the server, Morgan who was very attentive and so sweet and made sure everything was ok! I'll definitely be coming back! GO MORGAN! read more

Caffe Chiave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ordered a chicken Caesar salad. The lettuce is yellow and white with very few green pieces. Dry chicken breast with bare minimal seasoning and no salt, also enough dressing provided nor a fork--had to ask. This is pitiful. read more

Caffe Chiave - Out of line. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I like this place, stopped in after visiting my momz. Enjoyed a very well priced breakfast, eggs over easy, home fries, chicken apple sausage, all cooked and seasoned perfectly. I topped it of with a cup of joe. All for a lill bit over a $10 spot. Music was great, surroundings are homy & comforting. I will be coming back! read more

That place sucks. Tasted like they used pickled veggies from T.J. Max on the Panini I got. The pastries, which are impossible to screw up, were good. No wifi. read more

While living in the neighborhood for 2 weeks, I had a quick brekkie here before running off to work. I ordered a english muffin with eagg, ham, and cheese. I was surprised at the wait and ended up only having time to eat half before I had to go. But it was freshly prepared and tasted fine. I did like the atmosphere. read more

I graduated from UCB about two years ago and moved out of the area. I still dream about Cafe Trieste. Whether it's a pajama-clad 11pm coffee trip with a friend or an after-exam salad and beer, this place rocks. Would I consider a trip to the Bay Area just for a Cafe Trieste experience? Probably. read more

Plus: Nice people, easy parking in lot attached behind (free after hours), delicious pizza, quality expresso, patio seating front and back gets sun and shade. Minus: No dedicated internet (should have read yelp reviews first, oops), bathroom next door. Oh man I'm sooo full. Glad I have another hour and a half to work before it closes at 10 pm. read more

A little too loud to do any homework or studying but none the less a great cafe. I loved to get breakfast here (theres not many good breakfast places on Piedmont). They were fast, good homefries and good coffee! read more

Finally! A place in the East Bay with all-day breakfast you can write home about. Other places if you order breakfast late you risk burnt eggs from an inexperienced cook ... these over-easy eggs were melt-in-your-mouth succulent. The home fries were perfectly spiced, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice was divine! Even the house coffee defies boredom ... its sharp kick and full-bodied flavor let me know I was dining at an establishment that doesn't just strive for European flair but matches its word with deed. I'll be back for sure! Oh, and that Da Vinci Chianti of theirs I haven't seen since leaving the East Coast ... read more

Terrible customer service! The lost art of customer service! No smiles, no hello's, no thank you from any member of the staff, but upon paying by credit card, you offered to pay a tip! Oh yeah, the "tip jar" hovers under you request for a coffee and or food. It gets better...on the wall, posted right smack in the middle, is a sign that states " Please help keep our restaurant clean by busing your own table"- I was surprise to see that there wasn't a tip jar underneath that sign...there's more, once you bus your table, there is another reminder by the garbage can to take your dish back to the counter/bar...again, I'm surprise I didn't see a tip jar next to that reminder too. Hummm. So far, I'd say that this place has an interesting strategy for bring back customer service. NOT! And the coffee was not that good! Being the conscious person that I am, I always make a call or give a heads up to management first. But! When I called, I was told that the manager was "around somewhere", and the person on the phone didn't know where. This person on the phone was to busy to take a message, and asked could I just call back later...hummmm Bottom-line- Avoid! ...walk across the street to one of several coffee shops willing to give a smile, and a thank you for your patronage. read more

Great coffee and pastries. Cool little spot kill time, have an interview, read the paper, get some work done, or just hang out. read more

Caffe Chiave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Paninis and chicken sandwiches! Just go in and get one plus free WiFi! Parking can get tricky so it might be worth parking west and walking for a few blocks and some peace of mind read more

The following review is for breakfast only. In my experience, this is one of two 5 star rated brekkie spots in oakland/piedmont/temescal/berkeley area. They consistently have perfectly fluffy and delicious scrambled eggs, not runny, or cheesy, or of weird consistency, just perfectly scrambled. They understand how to poach medium, fry eggs medium, and whatever other way you like your eggs, they cook them perfectly. Same goes for the bacon. Just crispy enough. And thick slice, none of that piddly our chef's must eat the good bacon but here is what we have left, just big perfectly crispy bacon. Whatever chicken apple sausage they get is delicious. And the Meatballs (weird as a breakfast item, I know) make for a profound culinary experience. All for under $10. It's our go to when we want a quick and expertly conceived breakfast. read more

I'm upgrading my review to 4 stars. Reasons are: 1) This is really the only place on Piedmont Ave. that I can stop by for dessert. Other cafes have pastries and cookies but not an amazing assortment of tiramisu, cakes, tarts, and canoli. 2) Delicious genmai cha and less expensive than the tea place down the street. read more

Perfect place to get work done, eat a delicious meal, drink great coffee--ALL IN ONE! I live in the area and this is where I always grab some coffee. It's never failed me. As far as food, they have amazing breakfast pastries along AND breakfast platters! But they have more than that: salads, pizzas, pastas, etc! They even offer great dinner deals such as dine for 2: which comes with salad, beer/wine, and your choice of pizza or pasta all for $20! How good is that? Definitely recommend this place for their great food that they serve all day and the ambiance is a great place to get some work done since they offer free wifi! read more

I came here to have breakfast after a run a couple Saturdays ago. I was starving so I was ready to grub! I walked in and the line was all the way to the other entrance, but I got in line anyways because I had some time to kill. The line moved pretty quickly! The girl taking orders at the register was really friendly and quick. I paid about $12.50 for a breakfast sandwich, latte, and fresh squeezed orange juice. The latte was pretty good. The small size came in a neat little glass. I like my coffee SUPER strong and this one was just OK. The oj was delicious. Super sweet and not too much pulp, just the way i like it! The sandwich was super yum! I chose to get an egg, cheese, and sausage patty on an english muffin. It was a little on the smaller side but that may have been because I was starving. The flavor was great and there was a lot of melted cheese on it! I'll definitely be back to try more stuff. They had a lot of good looking pastries and the lunch menu looked fantastic! read more

With the rebranding, Caffe Chiave has become one of my new favorite spots on Piedmont. The baristas are nice, the service is quick, the coffee is strong, and the food is delicious. They have some seating outside and it's one of my favorite places to study on Piedmont. I love that at night it stays a mix of cafe and cute dinner spot with live music on some nights. And they have a great couples deal with appetizer (salad/soup) + pizza/pasta that's quite affordable. All of the desserts in the case always look amazing, although I haven't tried them (yet!) read more

I used to frequent the one in San Jose, and even though it was pricey for a cafe, they had free Internet, a comfy couch, and good music (a resident accordion and piano player).... This one has NO Internet, no comfy tables, and it's expensive... I guess it was designed for that chatty, 50 something, intellectual crowd. I'm not a fan of supporting the bigger coffee chain, but you're better off at peet's across the street. The house coffee may taste better and be warmer there too. read more

Pros I like the service people at the counter and in the kitchen. They are very friendly and do their best to get your order on time. Cons I am not sure if the owner but acts like it. There is an old guy who is very much at the cash machine. Whenever he is there, he is making the employees nervous of him keeping an eye/watching and spying on them. He needs to have a trust on his employees and refrain from making a wrong move that disappoints customers who are there to relax after day of work/week end. read more

Came here on a Monday morning for breakfast and do some work on laptop, had an ok experience. Servers were not particularly friendly or talkative to everyone, and there is a one-hour wifi etiquette posted at the door, to discourage people from staying for longer than one hour during peak hours, which are 9-3pm and some other nights. Also, you are asked to bus your own table, which is alright. The breakfast was good, had a vegi quiche with side salad and soy cap. Anyhow, I was able to stay on the wifi for over an hour without being kicked off. read more

I lived in the area for five years, and I've been to Caffe Trieste many times for all kinds of occasions. I have to say, it's one of the most versatile places I've been to. I've had a beer and watched Sunday football here. I had a nice writing session while sipping coffee here. I came for weekend lunches and paninis. Sometimes I just come for a quick italian soda. Seriously, you're not limited to what you can go to Caffe Trieste for. I don't live in Piedmont anymore, but I do miss Caffe Trieste as it was my go to spot for something quick or something relaxing. read more

1 star for the Americano 2nd star for the kitchen having a mix up & us getting away with free food Had a veggie panini (which was okay), Italian chili, Americano, & chai latte. The veggie panini wasn't all that great and the cheese they used really overpowered the sandwich. The Italian chili was very hearty lots of beans, but was sort of bland. The Americano was good, and the chai latte was from a box made with steamed milk. The total came to $20, which isn't too bad. Next time I'll try a latte and one of their pastries or something. read more

I just love this place, a great one to read or work. Their Mocha are the best in the bay, also the Napoleon cake is amazing one, i recommend you to try it. read more

I'm giving this place only 3 stars because of the inconsistencies. The food here is usually quite good, but not always. If I'm paying $10 and up for my breakfast/lunch here, I want to know that it will be as good as last time, and again next time. The baristas really do they're best to be helpful and friendly and quick, but there really should be another person helping at the resgister at all times. If there is a huge line of customers waiting to be helped and there is only one person who's making drinks AND is the cashier, this is a guaranteed deterrent and I will go somewhere else. read more

The food and pastries are basically the same as when it was Caffee Trieste, with an expanded menu. That's probably the best thing about this place. The drinks are meh, the attitude of the barista (weekday eves), not so good. I miss Caffee Trieste!!! read more

So-so coffee, brusque service. There are definitely better options both for coffee and for good eats on this street brimming with options. read more

Caffe Chiave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is a good go-to place if you want a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, an above-average pastry, an espresso drink, or a pint of beer. They are really your European-style, all-day service type of place. You can go in during the morning rush for coffee, you can go for lunch, or you can go meet people for dinner. They also have live music occasionally (not sure how often). This is the third location of theirs I've been to (out of five, I believe). None of them have disappointed. As for the pasta dish, specifically: usually cooked to perfection. The sauce and the meatballs are excellent, and the pasta is of above-par quality. They serve it topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh bread. The taste is nothing spectacular, but it's still quite good and very filling. Plus, the price is right. read more

If anyone appreciates quality coffee drinks, I think the picture I took of my iced cappuccino would be sufficient in leu of my review. First off, most places won't even offer the option for an iced cappuccino, let alone have one with this kind of awesome foam. Great coffee and made just right. I came on a Sunday at 4 and the place was packed. There were only a couple tables available. I took home an oatmeal cookie which was alright, but the great coffee, efficient staff, and affordability ($4 even for drink & cookie) makes me a definite fan of this place. I shall return. read more

Caffe Chiave - Iced cappuccino...Heaven - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Piedmont ave really is a hidden gem in Oakland. Ok, maybe it's not that hidden to people in the know but between Rockridge, Temescal and Pied Ave, the latter gets a lot less mention. It's a shame because there are some great places here. Caffe Trieste is a prime example. It's a nice cafe with good coffee/espresso, pastries and sandwiches. The service was diligent and pleasant. Best of all I found a seat pretty quickly. One suggestion I'd have is to get some fans for the hot days. I went in around 11 and it was a little stifling but then things cooled down. read more

Although being very very busy and crowded, I can't seem to stay away from this place. Food is solid. At times the coffee service can slow down the register - I hope they work that issue out as I once stood in line for nearly 10 minutes while watching a barista make someone's coffee, only for it to be made incorrectly and then watch him start over. read more