Just another Oaklander who loves Cole Coffee, NBD! I work right down the street from this spot and it's always bustling with neighborhood folks, out of towners, and a ton of cute dogs! It's your typical coffee spot, but has a ton of different seasonal specials and surprisingly gourmet sandwich offerings. The orders come out fairly fast, and everyone working there is pleasant. It's a nice local alternative to the other commercial spots nearby like Philz, Starbucks, and Peets. read more

Cole Coffee - Turkey pesto sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Cute cafe, decent coffee. They don't have wifi, and they don't clearly advertise this. I only found out after already paying for my coffee, and had I known, I would've gone elsewhere as I'd only come to a cafe to get work done. I think it's an expectation these days that cafes have wifi, so if you're not operating within those norms, I feel like it should be made obvious (eg put up a sign next to the ordering area) read more

Service was friendly, but the drip coffee tastes like diesel. Not sure how they got it so concentrated and strong but woof, it needs to be toned down. I say this as someone who enjoys a stronger cup of drip coffee. read more

The owner Mike I've known since I was a customer in the 2000s. I love that they have dark roast espresso still, that light crap so many places serve is bitter and yucky..anyway the poached eggs were a fave in the early 2000s and they still have them to this day, back when it was Royal Coffee with the metal robot to the left of the door, haha read more

During my first full week at my new job, my boss and I walked from a meeting a few blocks away to Cole Coffee. I had met a friend there once before but I don't think I had ordered. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'll get a chai latte or hot chocolate when the occasion arises. This time I ordered the hot cocoa. It had a nice presentation but was not mixed well (you can see it in the photo I took after the liquid was gone) and was not served with a spoon for me to mix. The taste was mediocre. That night, I was at doña in Oakland and was blown away by the Mexican hot chocolate. I'm glad I went for it instead of settling! read more

Cole Coffee - Sadly, the hot cocoa was not mixed well. - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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First time customer, so happy to find this coffee house. So many other shops (Peet's) has changed to auto expresso machines damaging the quality of expresso drinks. This however was the real deal; the skilled barista took his time, the difference was clear. I had an iced oatmilk latte, perfection, best ever. read more

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). 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

Nice seating, inside and outside, with an airy vibe. The food options seem a little limited, and they didn't have a decaf option for the drink I wanted. They seem nice. They mixed up our drink order, but were happy to give us the right order. The biggest gripe I had is that they didn't wrap my sandwich well for takeout, so it started falling apart when I tried to take it out of the bag read more

Stopped by here to try the horchata latte, it was good, wish it was a bit sweeter though. Service was good, would recommend if you're in the neighborhood and want to support a local business. read more

Warm service and personal vibes. In addition to that, there are over 20 blends you can request for a pour over coffee. Their food is awesome - got the savory and sweet waffles and they were delicious. Such a great coffee shop and so much more "warm," "personalized," and "high quality" compared to the not to be named chain across the street! read more

Cute place! We stumbled upon this coffee shop after grabbing bagels close by. We got a cold brew and mocha. Both were pretty good, the ambiance was cute, loved the street side seating and the service was good. read more

Cole Coffee - Cold brew and mocha - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

I am always on a lookout for pour over coffee. It just comes out so much better than others! That's how I stumbled upon Cole Coffee. They have a sit down cafe as well as a 20+ bean collection that they can brew or you can take home. The single origin Ethiopian I tried was really bright and I will probably get some beans from them the next time too! read more

Very busy on Christmas day. I was passing by when going to boichik. I came out of my curiosity. They had a simple menu with simple in house syrups. I had their mexican mocha iced and matcha latte. They have simple syrup on the counter so you can adjust the sweetness if needed. Street parking available. read more

Cole Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Why have I not had Cole Coffee before?!? I've been walking past this place for years, but either when they are closed or I am already late for work. Finally made the journey to College ave on a leisurely Saturday morning, and decided to grab a bag to brew at home. Best decision ever! The dark roast beans make for am incredibly smooth and easy drinking coffee. That plus their extra sturdy coffee mug (see pic) make me feel like I'm stooled up in an old school diner rather than back at my kitchen table for the thousandth time this year Will definitely be working Cole Coffee into my regular rotation! read more

Cole Coffee - Guatemalan Nuevo Bulaj Organic Fair Trade Whole bean coffee - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

On a street where there are three coffee places to go to with name brands, this was the right choice for me. With a bit of time to kill, I chose to have a light breakfast and a Mexican Mocha. It was exactly what I needed. The coffee was excellent not too heavy on the cinnamon. I ordered two poached eggs and toast and it was perfectly cooked and the French bread toast was served with butter and a side of jam. Price was good at $7.95 for the plate. I sat at the counter on a bright spring day and watched the people on the busy street as I enjoyed my meal. Food - check Atmosphere - check Service - check Definitely will return. read more

Cole Coffee - Mexican Mocha - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

My favorite neighborhood coffee shop. They have a sit down cafe and a walk up ordering option for pour over coffees, tea, and espresso drinks. Service is friendly and quick and its a gathering place for locals. On the weekends they have the option of Egg Boichik bagel sandwiches which is my go-to for a leisurely morning. read more

This is the gold standard for dark roast pour over coffee. Better than Philz in my opinion.

The gold standard. The best coffee experience in recent memory with a simple pour over followed by a Mexican style cafe mocha. read more

Cole Coffee - Mexican style cafe mocha could qualify as a dessert. - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Sometimes it helps to visit a place a few times before making a final decision about how you feel about it. Cole Coffee is the perfect example of this! It has certainly grown on me over the past few years, and its' recent reopening has prompted me to frequent this location even more. I always try to preface my coffee shop reviews by stating that I do NOT drink coffee. So, if you're looking for a review on the coffee itself, this review may not be helpful for you. However, I am an avid lover of tea and hot cocoa... and of course good food! I'm happy to report that Cole Coffee has some great non-coffee options on their menu as well! Let's talk about their delicious breakfast items aka a carboholic's dream! They have lots of delicious baked pastries and lunch sandwiches available. They also have a few salads on the menu if you're into that kind of thing. I've had the pleasure of having their avocado toast and breakfast bruschetta, both of which were extremely delicious! Those who know me probably know of my avocado addition. Their avocado toast definitely satisfied my avocado cravings! Their toast is thick and crisp and topped with fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado, and light seasoning. Their breakfast bruschetta is a real winner as well! It's comprised of bruschetta toast, sliced hardboiled eggs, tomato, arugula, olive oil and spices. It' sounds simple but tastes amazing! I would have never thought to put this combo together but all of the elements pair extremely well together. Aaaand, now onto the drinks. I've had their hot chai latte, hot cocoa, and fresh squeezed lemonade. I absolutely adored their hot cocoa! It's rich, sweet, creamy, and topped with a heaping amount of whipped cream at your request. The chai latte lacked in flavor and spice and while the lemonade did appear to be fresh squeezed, it was a bit too tart for my taste. I'm willing to come back to give their Chai latte another try since I'm obsessed with Chai's. I love the urban décor and relaxed feel of their shop. On any given day, you are bound to spot tons of people sitting outside in front of the shop while enjoying their hot beverages. This place always seems to be busy and even more so since the renovations took place. Service is excellent and the staff here has been consistently courteous during every single visit. There are so many coffee shops located on this block, but Cole Coffee has staked its' claim and it isn't going anywhere. Glad to have them as another great option on College Ave. read more

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Completely confused why there is 2 listings for Cole Coffee? I need to do some research. I've always passed Cole Coffee, but haven't popped in until recently and their remodel is fantastic: bright, modern, aesthetically pleasing. They have all your coffee staples and they serve up a nice menu variety of various pastries like donuts, croissants and kouign amanns to breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches and petit salads. My egg salad sandwich ($6) was on the smaller side, but it was a delicious snack. Yes, I do call it more of a snack than meal, as it wasn't quite large enough for lunch (at least for this hungry gal). Fresh egg salad atop perfectly toasted, crusty delicious bread. My medium mocha was perfectly made and extremely rich. The coffee shop was packed with people reading their papers, browsing the internet and working, with ample seating both small tables and bar areas. Definitely a great spot for working solo as there are no large tables, just enough space for 1 computer/2 bodies. I really like the vibe and definitely will pop in more often! read more

Cole Coffee - Egg salad sandwhich - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Great little cafe with drip coffee thats looks and smells delish. With some menu items for eating. Like the generous spinach salad with lots of walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. Limited seating inside but outside there are some additional tables so you can enjoy the view and sip on your drink. Friendly staff and a non franchise coffee shop that I am all for. In downtown Rockridge with lots of people coming and going. Parking can be tough at times. read more

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Cole Coffee has been doing pour over (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=-Se6dWm-MzePOlam4pAA3Q) before it was a "thing" and like Philz, across the street, you can choose from their selection of beans to customize your cup beyond "dark or medium roast". I liked the vintage / old school furnishings of the pre-remodel, but as part of the remodel they did get to expand into the salon (?) next door, doubling their cafe storefront (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=zgyAJhs8dOQdw2GPzL8Jfw) I usually stop in for a coffee refill on weekends (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=9dicYMApmLi39RSf4yngHA), and occasionally partake of the food from their concise menu of breakfast (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=H9T2NUTHURZXu_8CXaQeuA) and lunch items (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=Jeax2lSwAodFXIIqL2ypag). They also have a small selection of pastries and baked good including Pepples Vegan donuts (right dome https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=-Se6dWm-MzePOlam4pAA3Q) Not a bunch of housemade stuff, but quality local purveyors including Strauss Organic Yogurt, Nuthouse! Granola Company (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=B4Is4YiAuC_fuVGosP6_Mw), and Diestel Turkey (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cole-coffee-oakland-2?select=r62EvcZ9pJ1yr3SqUryYew) **Shop Local** read more

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Cute coffee shop right on College Avenue in Rockridge. The main coffee shop is closed during COVID, but you can order from a window right around the corner. The line is clearly marked with spots 6 feet apart to encourage social distancing. I ordered an ice chai latte and chocolate chip banana bread. The chai had great flavor and wasn't overly spiced. The banana bread was a little dry, but the chocolate chips were plentiful so I'm not complaining :) This place was hopping mid afternoon on a weekday. It's clearly a popular spot! The baristas were very friendly and kind. Next time I'll try out their famous pour-over coffee. read more

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This location recently opened up and you MUST visit. I heard from a local that Cole is an old established coffee go to and I was so excited to try it. Worth it completely. The coffee shop has a very minimalist interior with a cool marble counter and all wood interior. They have seating inside and outside along with some high tables too to cater to all users. The store space looks bigger due to the glass store front allowing a lot of natural light inside. The menu covered a very good range of coffee types introducing some very unique roasts. I wanted to try the Viennese roast and the Ethiopian Sidamo was recommend to me. ($3.50) Wow !! 10/10. It was a fantastic cup full of flavour and a nutty undertone. I just loved it. They use the drip coffee method to make the cups by order which is very cool too! This made me excited to try other roasts, some that I never heard of ! (The only critique I have is the milk station being a bit of a mess and visually ruining the look of the main counter. I wish they would relocate it or tidy it up to match their lovely aesthetic.) They also have a food menu which I would be keen to try next time and write about. The prices seem very attractive for the location which is a bonus! The staff was very friendly and helpful. Lines can form outside but they always have a smile on their face. Note: To use the bathroom the key must be requested at the register. If you love coffee like I do this place should be on your list for sure. I highly recommend this coffee shop to all and it's absolutely my new fav spot!! :) read more

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My friend asked me to walk over to this coffee shop so that she can get coffee. I was hungry and it's hard to find eggs in this area for breakfast so I joined her, curious if they might have breakfast offerings. I was excited to see that they had eggs on the menu. I was even more excited to see that the eggs were poached ... famously! After a (not exaggerating) 20 minute wait for my poached eggs, to go, I received them and walked back to my office. my office is only two minutes away. I was super disappointed to open the box to see hard eggs. You do not buy poached eggs do you have the yoke hard inside. Do you? Really sad. Now I still have nowhere to go to get eggs in the morning Update! I'm an idiot because I tried again. I really wanted poached eggs this morning so I reluctantly went back to this coffee shop. There are no other places that make eggs in the area. First, I went ahead and ordered a coffee because I thought the special and made coffee sounded interesting. The woman cashier rang me up and told me the price for my eggs and coffee. I thought it didn't seem like the right price but went on my way after she assured me it was. Standing around waiting for my egg order I asked the barista why I didn't receive the handmade coffee? I had received coffee out of the pump at the side of the cashier. The barista said that there is a menu for the special coffee. Well, I didn't know that. And no one asked me if I wanted that kind of coffee! I was able to replace my drip coffee with the hand made coffee at no charge. I then received my eggs and went back to my office. Once again the eggs were completely over done and in addition the toast was hard not as in overcooked but stale. This place sucks. I will never be back. read more

Cole Coffee - "Famous" poached eggs :( - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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Cole is a great neighborhood cafe with quality coffee, squishy red chairs, & outdoor seating. While saying this may be a faux pax (since I'm sure they want you to buy THEIR scones), it doesn't hurt that they're less than a block from La Farine! Saturday mornings here are lovely. You can sit outside and watch the hustle and bustle of College Ave, or, even better, pick a table along 63rd street for some shady peace and quiet. There are actually two establishments here unified by their name and location; the cafe on College has individual, custom-dripped cups of coffee and a wider menu selection (pastries, yogurt & granola, eggs, a few sandwiches), while the cafe on 63rd - which has a separate entrance and is not physically connected - has ready brewed pots that are better for the To Go crowd. I've been to both and both are good. In fact, you can get a custom drip cup for the requisite $2.50 if you've got time to spare, and go 'round back for a ready-made $1.00 refill to go. It's a good gig. Viva la weekend!! read more

Cole Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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Cole coffee serves drop coffee and regular coffee. You can also get breakfast here. The ladies behind the counter are friendly and the service is fast. I love the poached eggs with toast at $3.25 you can't beat that price. Highly recommend the Colombian medium drip $2.75. Pros: Centrally located Outdoors seating Reasonable prices Delicious Cons: Parking situation can be a pain It's always busy-good luck scoring a table Ocho dos mil quinc read more

Skip Philz across the street (unless you're getting a mint mojito...) and go to Cole's! I came here on a recommendation of a Trader Joe's cashier, who told me Cole Coffee was the best coffee he's had in East Bay after seeing my Philz cup and told me to check this place out. The ambiance here is amazing. The place is a bit small, but it has lots of natural light and seating despite the size. They offer seating both indoors and outdoors - I'd recommend taking your coffee outside and people-watching on College Ave. In the future, I definitely see myself coming here to study and do readings for a few hours, despite the lack of WiFi (I'm guessing some people may connect to Safeway or Philz WiFi?) My barista was helpful and attentive when I went. I ordered a small iced black coffee and a croissant and was pleasantly surprised that combined they were only $5! My croissant was a bit dry and stiff, so if you order a pastry late in the afternoon like I did, ask for it to be warmed up. The coffee here was truly the star of the show, however - Cole's coffee is incredibly smooth and strong. No overbrewing or overwhelming acidity here that requires putting in a bunch of milk and sugar. read more

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First time! The chocolate chip banana bread was good. Sort of the hipster version of Philz.

I moved to Oakland from Seattle about 9 years ago. I'm used to Seattle coffee - strong, dark, flavorful and baristas that know a cappuccino always comes in a small cup. After trying a lot of crappy, light roast "third wave" coffee in Oakland, I found Cole and was elated that they make coffee that you can TASTE. It's strong and flavorful. I went today to get a cappuccino and sat in the sun between Philz and Safeway. Made me sad to see all those folks at Philz not knowing they are missing out by not getting some Cole coffee! Anyway, if you're looking for strong and dark roast coffee, make your way to Cole! There's literally no other coffee shop in Oakland that has dark roast coffee. And don't tell me Peet's because their coffee is disgusting. read more

This place makes great lattes and sandwiches! I loved my chai latte because it was a little extra foamy which I really like. I also got a turkey and Swiss sandwich that came on delicious crunchy bread. In the past I have tried their egg salad sandwich and lemonade and really enjoyed both. This is a slightly quieter cafe so it makes for a great place to hang out or study. This is one of my go to spots when I want to read and enjoy some good food and drinks. read more

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The coffee is great. And the staff is always friendly and nice. The coffee options are always tasty.

Went during the pandemic and was so nice to still have their great coffee, service and food during those times, even though the inside was closed , was happy ! read more

Solid coffee shop. The place itself does not have its own WiFi so they tell you to use the Philz coffee WiFi across the street which I guess doesn't really matter because it works just fine. There are outlets in some spots if you need to charge. The interior is spacey and has lots of natural light. There are two clean restrooms with keys. There are some cute seats by the windows and tables both indoors and out. The whipped cream is homemade and thick so that was good. I got the hot chocolate which was pretty good. Never had their food but they do have sandwiches salads and breakfast toasts. I saw other people get their breakfast toasts which looks good. Service is not the quickest but the quality here is good. read more

Cole Coffee - Large hot chocolate with whipped cream asked on the wide - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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Best coffee in California. Years ago and before the larger cafe space was opened, I worked a swing and graveyard shift in the trucking business. I'd fill my Thermos at the coffee shop or brew my own with Cole ( then Royal) Coffee. Good and rich on cold Oakland harbor nights. Don't be fooled by chains. This is great November Juliet ( it's a Marine Corps term for coffee). ! read more

I like that Coles carries McLaughlin Coffees, which are truly highest quality locally roasted bean. Unfortunately this last time @ Coles I ordered a half pound of the Organic Fair Trade Sumatra & I realized once home that the person gave me something entirely different -- a much lighter and bland bean. I'm unhappy that I shelled out $$$ for a premium organic fair trade & delicious coffee and instead came home with what might as well be a basic supermarket blend. From now on I'll just order direct from McLaughlinCoffee.com so I know I'll get the real delicious deal! read more

5 regular roasts and 1 decaffeinated roast consisting of 24 varieties. Coffees by custom drip cup or pot, press pot and café au lait and espressos. Breakfast and lunch items. When in the area, I need to stop by Cole for a cup of freshly dripped coffee. Cole epitomizes the definition of a neighborhood café. You can enjoy your coffee inside sitting inside or choose from the larger seating area outside for some people watching. Due to its popularity and time of day, especially on weekend mornings, it might be difficult to score a seat. Cole offers 5 regular roasts: medium, Viennese, French, Fair-Trade/Organic French, Italian and Decaffeinated French roasts in 24 different varieties. After ordering your choice of bean, they will grind it and then drip it right in front of you. Grab your cup and head to the back for your creams and sugars and enjoys your cup of heavenly delight. Nice neighborhood café serving great coffee, but it has limited food offerings of eggs, toast, yogurt and pastry items for breakfast and sandwich selections for lunch and no free Wi-Fi for those wanted to be connected. read more

Cole Coffee gets 5 stars for doing individualized drip coffee years before anyone else. not just any drip. 18 choices/countries available.. drips: -barrista weighs coffee beans, grinds it, and brews it. -lists describes taste characteristics of coffee -barrista offers advice, background brew: costa rica brew/ (2.75) -smooth but not so bold... read more

Had the Americano with 2 shots. It was strong and bold. Personally, I did like it. Would visit again if I am in the area.

I *think* this place is intended to be the old school, unpretentious neighborhood coffee shop, except they're so into their status as old school, unpretentious neighborhood coffee shop that they've become the snobbiest place around. We went to check it out one morning a few weeks after moving to Rockridge, because, again, it was the old school neighborhood spot! Plus the line out the door I had been seeing on most days was definitely a good sign. We went on a Sunday morning, which was predictably busy. I went to place our order (soy latte, Americano, and two orders of the single poached egg with toast) to an employee who wanted to do literally anything other than take my order. No greeting, no eye contact, nothing. That in and of itself is fine, except she then proceeded to yell "almond latte!" back to the barista, so I had to awkwardly remind her I ordered a soy latte. I got a lot of attitude for that correction, but I'll live, as long as I don't have to drink a gross latte in which the almond milk has broken apart. Anyway, I wait for our drinks, and when they call our order, what do I have if not an ALMOND LATTE! Beyond annoying. And again, beyond forgivable -- but less so when you're an asshole throughout the ordering process. I'm giving them three stars because once I got the right drinks and our food came, everything tasted good. The vibe is nice and the pastries looked like they have potential too. But come on -- tell your employees to be a little bit nicer, and stop judging people just because they love Philz across the street. read more