Caffeine with my best friend! She recommended we check out Cole Coffee for their specials. I've driven and walked past countless times, yet had never been, so we were both very excited! The cafe is a community watering hole. A mix of neighbors hanging out, students and working folks on their computers, families dropping by--just a steady flow of customers. The cafe isn't too big. There are tables inside for pairs, as well as some outdoor dining--definitely a cozy neighborhood charm to it. To drink, I opted for one of their specials. I got an Iced Maple Chai with Soy Milk. The drink was on the sweeter side, with barely any chai flavor. It also didn't come with any peculiar ice. My friend got her own drink and noted it was pretty intense, with minimal seasonal flavoring. I guess we were expecting a bit more from a popular spot! Cole Coffee is a neighborhood favorite. Find them on the corner of 63rd with residential street parking. Glad my best friend and I could go, but not sure if I'll be back! read more

Cole Coffee - Maple Chai (Soy Milk) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Cute coffee spot I thought I'd try. I ordered an iced coffee and it was good -- the iced coffee they had was a dark roast but i usually like medium roasts so I was apprehensive about ordering but got it anyways. Coffee was super yummy and the place was really cute and busy. The staff was also really nice. Perfect spot to hang out with a friend or do some work/ studying read more

Cole Coffee - Iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I tried coming by once before and they were closed so I'm so glad to try again today! Balances foot traffic for midday, not a long wait for my drink, and pleasant vibes all around. The cashier was sweet making conversation with an older gentleman in the establishment and smiling to everyone. I was stuck between two drinks and asked for his recommendation and he was happy to give it. I got the horchata latte iced - good rec! I am someone who likes sweeter drinks though so I'm grateful they have sweeteners at the end of the bar (medium-strong drink imo). Cozy seating inside and a small table outside. Quiet ambiance good for working or catching up with a friend. read more

See all

I got an espresso. Good layer of crema but pretty thin body. It was a dark roast and tasted quite bitter. It would be interesting if they served one of the lighter roasts for their espresso but it seems they only use those for pour over. read more

Cole Coffee - Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

A sweet little coffee shop nestled on the corner of College. Always busy with locals, they serve up all the types of coffee, Boichik Bagels, pastries and a few more substantial items. I haven't tried the food, but the coffee is solid and service was nice. I only had a cortado with non fat milk, but it wasn't bitter, and was smooth enough. Not a ton of flavor, but enjoyable. The spot has great natural light and enough seating, both table and bar seating, along with a few small tables outside. Overall, a solid little coffee shop. It's basic, but a great place to convene and enjoy this sweet little neighborhood. For my limited visits, it's a five star coffee stop. read more

Came here on a Friday morning for breakfast with my mentee. It's a casual spot where you order at the counter and pick up your food when they call your name. Service was quick and the menu is basic. I got the strawberry matcha, which is a summer special. It looked really pretty but didn't taste amazing; it was bland and could have used more sweetness. We ordered the poached eggs and toast, which was not good. Eggs were overcooked and more on the well done side. We also got the ham and Gruyère cheese sandwich, which was much tastier. The combo of fig jam with the saltiness of the ham, creaminess of the cheese, and crunchiness of the bread was great. Prices were affordable and some of the food was definitely better than others. You can give this place a try if you're looking for a morning spot to enjoy chill vibes. read more

See all

VEGAN REVIEW Surprising number of vegan food options, both sweet and savory! Solid coffee shop choice in Rockridge read more

3.5 that I'll round up to a four. Cute signage and it just felt like the neighborhood coffee shop where you could pop in for your morning joe. I was glad they had light breakfast options since I was hungry. The special that day was a savory waffle which I enjoyed. There's not a ton of seating inside and the line felt a bit slow. Other than that the vibes were right for a morning breakfast on my stroll through the Berkeley neighborhood. read more

Cole Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Lots of love for this institution! And thank you for continuing to offer soy milk!! it's an amazing place for the neighborhood, but I implore the management, either train your baristas to make a matcha latte or take it off of the menu. I just had terrible, chunky, globby matcha latte that was simply made incorrectly. I didn't go back to the barista because she just doesn't know how to make one. (The staff was so nice and lovely!) Thank you! read more

How the heck are you guys going to fill my coffee 3/4 of the way? Not like I needed extra cream or nothing read more

Cole Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

We stopped by Cole Coffee after lunch for afternoon pick-me-ups. My wife, who's the real coffee connoisseur between us, thought this place was just okay (three stars). I liked it, but I didn't feel strongly about it unlike other cafes. My wife thought her Americano and my latte were too sweet. She thought the flavor shots of vanilla, in both drinks, drowned out all the coffee flavor. I agreed with her, but it didn't bother me as much as I prefer my coffee drinks on the sweeter and creamier side. I had a hot vanilla latte with oat milk ($5.60 total). My wife had a vanilla Americano with oat milk ($4.00 total). I could be wrong, but I think my serving size was 16 ounces and hers was 12. I thought both drinks tasted fine. For me, the latte served its purpose at the time. Service was good. According to the storefront sign and menus I saw in-store, Cole Coffee has been around since 2005. I read they replaced Royal Coffee. They have a cute corner spot at College Ave and 63rd St in the Rockridge neighborhood of North Oakland. This particular stretch of College Ave is filled with restaurants and retail. It's a nice area. The cafe's sidewalk seating, with its small tables and chairs, adds to the neighborhood's charm and appeal. Overall, I think the cafe has a neat retro feel to it. Cole Coffee serves breakfast food, salads, and sandwiches. For delicious pastries to go with your coffee here, I recommend La Farine just a few doors down: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-farine-oakland-2 I asked an employee if Cole Coffee has guest Wi-Fi. They said no and to use Safeway's Wi-Fi across the street. read more

See all

Cute cafe front, the glass windows, signage, and corner spot pulled me in to check them out real quick. I wasn't looking for a drink per say, but because I was in the area, I thought why not? There were a few people in line / ordering prior before I stepped inside. I was advised that they were closing the interior in 5-10 minutes and whatever I was going to have needed to be enjoyed outside. That was fine since I just wanted something small. I ordered the cafecito which was a tiny cup of espresso with milk. Not bad, but not memorable enough for me to want to go back for it again. If you have time, there are food options and other drinks. I would say grabbing a table around the corner side street is nice. The service was quick and staff was very nice and accommodating with the order. Would maybe give this place another go some other time if I am in the area. read more

See all

I ordered an avocado toast with a poached egg for I believe $11-12. Tell me why it was a "make it yourself" avocado toast with a piece of toast and an avocado and egg on the side of the toast. I'd be lying if I didn't say I jaw dropped this is the first time an avocado toast was served this way. To make it worst, my "horchata" latte was literally a latte with cinnamon powder. Each sip I took I had cinnamon powder to crunch in between my teeth. I believe their lattes are also unreasonably priced so beware of that (e.g., $7-8). If you don't know: the recipe for a latte is milk and espresso; so if I wanted a bland cinnamon coffee, I could've made it at home. This place was a let down and for the price you pay, the food and drink I got was an absolute joke. (They also don't reply to yelp reviews so if that doesn't tell people what kind of business they are). read more

Pretty good coffee for your average price around the bay. I got a horchata cold brew. At the time they were out of regular horchata so I opted for the oat alternative; not bad! Overall a good place to get some work done and a plus that it stay open later into the afternoon. A tasty pick me up in the afternoon worth a return visit. read more

Cole Coffee - oat horchata cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Decided to try a different coffee shop as my favorite place is closed on Sundays and I ended up here. There's about 15-20 seats inside with about the same number of seats outside. There is a cozy atmosphere with some sofa chairs available. Around the corner is, I believe, a a small stand where you can buy the beans. I ordered a Mexican Mocha and it took a while for the drink to be made (~10+ min). Although, if you order a Pourover, that's pretty much ready within seconds. It was Cal's Homecoming and Parent weekend which may have explained the wait because it was busy, however, I noticed there was never a single dedicated person on drinks. The employees just floated between drinks and the register. Since they have around 21 different Pourovers, I'm assuming that's typically the best thing to get. As for the Mexican Mocha, it's not too sweet but as I was drinking it, comparing it to all the other Mexican Mochas I have consumed, I realized that there isn't really any chocolate in it. I didn't taste the mocha part. It definitely has some spices in it, but the chocolate was minimal of any which explains the sweetness aspect. Therefore, the coffee that I got, fell short of my expectations for what a Mexican Mocha should taste like. Service is good, but when my drink was called and I walked up almost immediately, the employee (who didn't take my order) was looking at the other side of the room and it felt like she was going to give my order to someone else. There's a lot of posted signs that say no outside food or drinks, and on the menu, there's an option to add a flavored syrup to drinks but there's not an actual list of the available flavors. The prices are very reasonable as they aren't charging an arm and a leg. Overall, it's alright coffee and maybe I'll return. read more

Stopped in for a matcha latte and light breakfast this weekend. I brought my own mug/canteen and they were able to happily use it for my order. I tried the single poached egg and toast and the egg came out nicely - with the right amount of runniness in the yolk and a cooked egg white that was not overdone. I topped the egg with a bit of Tapatio chili sauce and finished one slice of toast with it. The other slice I spread the accompanied strawberry jam and butter on top for a nice sweet finish to my breakfast. Cafe was crowded and many people had their dogs with them leashed to the outdoor patio/cafe seating. Inside seating is cozy yet enough for about 14 people to sit and enjoy their drink and snack. read more

See all

i love going there! staff is awesome, food is beyond delicious and the tea are top tier, haven't had any of their coffee yet but the quality of their teas tell me everything i need to know love the color scheme, the selection of furniture, music and the natural light! read more

Cole Coffee - bagel with cream cheese and spinach and london fog tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

My favorite coffee in the bay area! Unbeatable flavor and richness. Cole beans (takeout window) around the corner is a little better than the sit down store front's coffee in my opinion, maybe based on the skill of the baristas. read more

Great place for a mid-day stop to refuel or take a beat from your to-do list. I got a pour over and the flavor was so good, I preferred it over the latte I got the first time. The bagel was middling, under toasted, and a little bland for me, and I don't think I will be getting another one for the price point. read more

Cole Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Good neighborhood joint within walking distance of my place. I like that you line up and pick up outside, which is great for COVID times. I think the coffee is good - it doesn't blow me away but it's not outrageously priced. The folks who work here are friendly. It's a busy place, so I'd suggest that they write our names on the cup so that pickup is clear. I have to listen closely for my drink to be called and mentally note who was ahead of me because one time someone tried to grab my cappuccino. To address something I saw in another review - I yesterday observed that the barista did not wear gloves and would hand over lids. Today the barista did wear gloves. I'm actually not sure if it makes a difference since they theoretically wash their hands, but just a note for those who care about this detail. read more

Cole Coffee - Ordering and pickup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Good coffee shop! I was in the area and looking for my afternoon coffee and found this place. There are a few other chain coffee shops nearby, but I like supporting and trying independent places when possible. I liked the coffee and would go back. The inside was closed and I would have liked to stay for a while indoors. Maybe next time. read more

Cole Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Found this coffee shop after attending a Yelp Event nearby. The lattes are affordable and I love the decorations. Downside was they ran out of oatmilk when I ordered. Otherwise the staff was friendly. read more

This is my go-to neighborhood coffee shop. The quality of the coffee and the people that work there do not go unnoticed. I have tried several things on the espresso menu and usually rotate my order from the cold brew, americano, cappuccino, or latte. Nothing has ever disappointed! The hours are a little funky here and always changing but just check online for the most updated! The interior cafe has different hours than the walk up ordering but I love being able to sit inside and get a little work done at the cafe. It has a homey atmosphere and people are friendly. read more

It was my regular spot years back. I decided to revisit it. The new interior is great. I ordered the simplest thing on the menu - poached eggs, toast and jam. One of the poached eggs was broken (I now pray to god it wasn't dropped on the floor) and I got my coffee order after finishing breakfast. The four people behind the counter forgot to make it and needed to be reminded of what I ordered. It's no big deal at the moment. But when you think of it... where did simple competence go? I mean, the money I paid was real. Generated by real effort. It's so sad it doesn't buy you the simplest of pleasures. read more

Cole coffee is your regular neighborhood brakfast/lunch spot with a simple food and drink menu. There is a good amount of seating inside and around the establishment on the sidewalk. I likely wouldn't return as I prefer the quality from standalone coffee shops, but it remains a solid meetup spot! read more

Cole Coffee - Lattes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

They have the best chai in town, even better than Asha. Decent pricing is also a plus! I also hear good things about the mocha. That said, their decaf is overly bitter and when I ordered a cafe au lait today, I got a coffee with about a centimeter of milk in it. That is not a cafe au lait! I pointed out to the barista after she filled the cup almost to the top with coffee that I ordered an au lait and she said, "I know." I guess she doesn't know what an au lait is. read more

We love Cole Coffee! My friends and my partner and I hang out, chat, and work here all the time. Their coffee and teas are excellent, the poached eggs and toast are a fave for all of us, and the baristas are always wonderful. My one quibble: something they use to clean the tables makes the tabletops sticky! It doesn't bother me that much because I know it's clean, but it's a little weird when your book or laptop sticks to the table and you have to essentially peel it off... Don't get me wrong, though, Cole is the best. I also love all the regulars who hang out in front. A classic neighborhood spot! read more

I'm a regular here and it's the best coffee option in the area in my opinion. That being said, the area is not particularly strong in coffee terms. I would avoid their drip coffee, the americano espresso is better. I usually have teas instead read more

I've always been a fan of Philz which is considered to be a "millennial" coffee chain. Cole Coffee sits right across from the Oakland location of Philz so I'll always order from Philz and see Cole Coffee as an alternative. I finally got myself to try it today. Usually their main cafe is open but since Covid, they have changed it up and sell coffee beans and quick espresso/coffee drinks on the side. I asked the cashier what he recommends for coffee since it was my first time and he replied the Guatemalan one. When I asked for this as a drip coffee, he realized that I was ordering only a cup of coffee and not a pound bag. So, he told me that they actually only have the Colombian roast. I got a medium size around 16 ounces for about $2.50 - pretty standard. The cup of coffee came out immediately to the right. I wish the person making coffee would wear gloves though because she asked if I would like a sleeve and lid and I noticed she wasn't wearing gloves. The coffee at first tasted a bit floral to the tongue... almost like perfume. But then the dark roast hits you and comes off even a bit too acidic for my palette. Maybe I got the wrong drink, but just didn't sit well with me. I would love to see them have more coffee selections post-COVID and I would give other things a try. Compared to philz, definitely less "hipster" and more of your usual coffee or espresso drinks for the days you just want a classic cup of coffee. read more

Cole Coffee - Menu (December 2020) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

This place has become our go-to coffee shop in Oakland. I love the Horchata Latte and my husband loves their iced brew. Food is equally delicious and location is superb. Ambiance is fun and so are their staff. Highly recommend. read more

I used to love going here when I lived in Oakland. Excellent coffee, very strong. They sell very strong coffee in bags as well. Best coffee around! read more

This is my favorite coffee shop on College Avenue. Its where I have spent many mornings enjoying the vibrant energy of the neighborhood. I'd sit outdoors usually with their hot cup of coffee (at times a hot green tea), along with my smuggled in pastry from La Farine. Pro breakfast tip: 1) Stop by La Farine to get a morning bun 2) Go to Cole's Coffee to get a cup of coffee (I'd say a cortado) 3) Sit outdoors (in part to enjoy fresh air and in part because Cole Coffee has posting indoors that says 'no food from outside please') 4) Tear a piece of your morning bun and dip it into the hot cup of strong, bold coffee 5) Enjoy your morning with a mindful meditation, people watching, or chilling with friends What a great way to start the day! read more

This has been my favorite coffee spot for 20 years. First as Royal, then as Cole when it changed hands (I believe the manager bought it). The coffee is almost entirely dark roast, which I love; I is nearly impossible to get at most places that now seem to cater exclusively to bitter light roasts. Or sweet drinks. On top of the coffee, it is a nice place to sit for breakfast and the people are great. read more

Ordered 2 coffees and 1 latte. The coffee tasted briny, burnt, and old. Worse than gas station coffee for sure. The latte was terrible, again burnt, cold, no foam and really sweet. Would not recommend read more

It's alright. Their prices are a little off (I ordered the matcha latte which was $4 but I was charged $4.75). They weren't very happy to hear me asking why. It wasn't a pleasant experience. Other than the unpleasant customer experience, the matcha was lumpy and definitely not fresh. It tasted pretty old. The coffee was alright. It wasn't the best but I gave them two stars because it wasn't the worst but it wasn't the best. read more

Cole Coffee - I tried to mix in the clumps as best as I could but loosening the clumps made it taste like coffee grains instead of matcha... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

OMG that latte is strong! They are definitely not stingy. The barista heard me ask the cashier if they have any specialty drinks (like lavender, for example) and offered to make me a lavender latte if I wanted even though it wasn't on the menu... yet (at the time). I was grateful and touched! Love the artwork from a local photographer on the hunt for the remaining phone booths in America. read more

The coffee and service is good more importantly the furniture is upholstered. Most coffee places are like study halls. Cole feels like home. They do close at 2 pm, so please plan around that. read more

I visited with my friends on the last morning of my trip to the bay. We had just walked in from Boichik bagels (I treated them to breakfast to thank them for hosting me) then we ordered our coffees separately. Normally I would've been happy to pay for all of our drinks together, but I was about to drive back to LA, and I realized I should probably save my money for gas. I mentioned this to my friends at the counter and they had no problem paying separately. Then when we sat down, my friend mentioned that the baristas had been talking negatively about us paying separately. I suppose they were annoyed about us not all ordering as a group. That sort of ticked me off. They seemed nice enough while we placed our order, and there was no line at all, so I don't understand what the issue was. We tipped, we were fast, and our orders weren't complicated. Knowing that the baristas felt the need to talk about us negatively gave the coffee an especially bitter taste. I work minimum wage too, and if people need to order separately, I don't question why. My friends liked their coffee, at least. read more

Love Cole! Freshly roasted beans to buy or have them grind and drop - quite a few choices of SS or blends. Also, a little secret to get a Boishik Bagel fast - order it at Cole with whatever you want on it! read more

After seeing this place listed in one of the top 10 coffee shops in Berkeley, I decided I had to try it out considering I saw it all the time on the drive down College Ave. This place is usually packed in the morning, so I decided to come in the afternoon. I made the right decision as the place was pretty empty on a Friday afternoon. The venue inside is pretty small with only 3 tables but there is a variety of seating outside and around the corner. I ordered a mocha with whip cream and it I actually really enjoyed it. It reminded me more of a hot chocolate because it was my first time getting whip cream with my coffee. My friend got some drip coffee and he really enjoyed it, saying it had a really unique taste. I'm glad I finally got to check out this place but I would recommend people just grab and go if they want coffee here in the morning. read more

Cole Coffee - Mocha with whip cream - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California