Latte with oat milk was good but slightly overpriced. $6.25 (not including tip) is a bit expensive, even for SF. Ham & cheese croissant was okay--not fresh since I got it at noon--but it was generously portioned and filling (and more reasonably priced there!). Service was great and very friendly. 5 stars for the top-notch service. Wifi was fine for regular website surfing but not fast enough for video quality (video kept freezing). Plenty of tables and chairs outside but more limited seating inside (with a couple electrical outlets in the back). read more

Awesomeness. Wine and quality snacks at Hals... Coffee in the mornin' and wine in the evenin'. Perfect read more

Excellent coffee & service. Very calm atmosphere with a clean esthetic. In addition to coffee they have a small selection of pastries. It's not a short walk from my house but I still make the trek down here because their coffee is delicious. It's strong, smooth, and mixed with steamed milk creates liquid velvet. The quality of the coffee reminds me of the coffee shops in my old neighborhoods of Echo Park and Silverlake down in L.A. Those coffee houses compete for the hipster clientele that takes coffee very seriously and they expect only the very best. That's Hal's Office- the best! read more

Hal's Office - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

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I am such a fan of Hal's Office's tasty mint tea! Stopping in during one of our Solano strolls we picked up an iced mint tea and it was love at first sip. The iced tea was steeped, prepared, and kept so well that while it wasn't made on demand, the mint flavor really sang. I love iced tea and unfortunately sometimes you can get muddled flavors or odd tastes if the tea isn't made fresh that day, or has sat overnight. No such thing at Hal's - every time we drop by the tea is refreshing and tastes amazing! I'm so glad we found Hal's Office and we'll continue to go back for their excellent iced tea! read more

There are a few cute coffee shop options along this stretch of Solano, and Hal's is my favorite. All of the drinks I've had (chai lattes, regular lattes) have been great and with friendly service. Pre-Covid, they had limited indoor seating and now they have no indoor seating. There is a parklet in front of Hal's and the neighboring frozen yogurt shop which generally has space but can be busy on weekend days. Due to the pandemic, there are additional tables and chairs to provide more seating. Definitely not a cafe at which to work and also no restrooms. read more

Great wine bar! First time stepping in. Great customer service and great set up inside and outdoor seating as well. They have music playing that is mellow. Definitely check this wine bar out! read more

I just came in today to order a Chai. My usual. The server female in a blue sweater with a Bobish hair cut.. brought out the coffee for one of the customers sitting outside. I wondered if she would do the same for me, also sitting outside. Alas, She did not. Instead, she yelled at the top of her lungs behind the counter ALMOND CHAI!!. she was incredibly unpleasant and I feel she did this to me because of my skin color. I frequent this shop and was exhausted today with school work and tried to have a small moment of relaxation in the sun.. It would have been great had she extended to me the same courtesy the other customer. . I teach at a local school and was incredibly dismayed by my experience this afternoon. Overall the Chai is great. The cups are too small 6.50 for that size and the service from that woman has deterred me from possiby returning. Great job. read more

I was in the area to pick up some pastries from a pop up and decided to stop by at Hal's to get some coffee. We tried the cafe latte with almond milk and it was delicious! Great service, beautiful presentation and coffee cup, and cute shop and area. There are some tables and chairs outside to enjoy the goodies. Parking is street parking and free. I can usually find a spot, if none is available you can usually find parking in the residential area. read more

Hal's Office - Cafe latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

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AMAZING, adorable and deliciously unassuming coffee shop by day which turns into an epic, crime-fighting superhero of a wine bar by night! Great selection of charcuteries and snacks and wines (which they apparently source directly from the producers! They also have a great ORANGE wine). Nice outdoor seating with blankets and heaters for the summer, plus good indoor spots for the colder months! Friendly, lovely owners and staff. *insert heart hands emoji* read more

Hal's Office - Chenin blanc sparkling wine (delish!) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

I absolutely love this place. Only place in the area open late with delicious wine, food, live music and a beautiful parklet to enjoy it all. The staff and owners are so friendly and welcoming. Fun for all ages. I love to come with my husband to get a glass of wine and enjoy the music while the kids enjoy froyo from As You Wish directly next door. read more

Hal's Office - Charcuterie Board and sparkling wine - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

It's a tiny spot on the Albany end of Solano Avenue where surprisingly coffee choices are few, yet between this spot and Highwire Coffee which serves its caffeine from a trailer in the Flowerland Nursery, there is a stylishly retro-hip vibe about these cafes, both of which get their roasted beans from Emeryville. Hal's gets theirs from Counter Culture whose beans reflect all the politically correct adjectives - sustainable, organic, local roasting. Personally I love the genesis of the place as it was previously the notary and real estate office of Hal Hoffman, and his original shingle appears to be used as the shop's signage (photo: http://bit.ly/2GJRoYR). Who is Hal Hoffman, you may ask? I haven't a clue, but he must be a beloved local businessman to warrant this kind of tribute. The sleek cafe itself consists of a couple of tables for two inside along with some counter seating and a larger table in the back. There are also tables out on the sidewalk which appears to draw the slower caffeine sippers. Jamie W. and I came in here after a satisfying New Year's Day lunch at Akemi up the street. We were in the mood for Lattes and ordered a couple for $4.50 (photo: http://bit.ly/2FKJygg). Very smooth, very rich, and the flavor bloomed nicely with every sip. We didn't see any baked goods which we considered a blessing since we didn't need the temptation. That may have something to do with owners Bonnee and Abraham Elterman who own the froyo shop next door. Perhaps they see a more natural throughput between a froyo and a cup of joe. COFFEE - 4 stars...those Counter Culture beans are definitely not counter flavor AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a maximum use of a small space nicely presented with just enough room to accommodate young moms with their baby strollers SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough with a focus on regulars TOTAL - 4 stars...don't expect to get anything notarized at Hal's Office read more

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This place is definitely poppin'. I came here on a Saturday morning, and this coffee shop was never empty. People constantly trickling in and out. They have tables, outlets, and wifi, so it's a great place to get some work done. The indoor seating area is quaint and not the biggest, but there is plenty of room at their outdoor patio in front of the store. As I was leaving (around noon-ish), there was a lot of commotion outside with live music! Definitely a bustling place. :) read more

Hal's Office - 02.25.18 almond croissant + iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

I could've easily written a very positive review before this happened but I feel even more obligated to now: the baristas here are so kind. In my clumsy morning fog, I dropped and broke one of their cups and saucers. They were extremely gracious about it. The coffee is also incredible at Hal's. Try their homemade lavender syrup! I'm not much of a pastry person but did taste test them since I was hungry after my workout and I can say that the pastries here are top notch in quality. I found this place accidentally because I had gone to another coffee shop in Albany to be told they didn't have wifi (nor indoor seating for that matter.) I am pleased to say that Hal's had both! read more

Hal's Office - Vegan pumpkin bread, empanada and lavender oat cappuccino. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

Hal's Office was once an originary office. it retains the name but pushes caffeine instead of paper now. offerings: coffee, tea, pastries, wifi brew: counter culture (L. 3.50) -hailing from the carolinas, it radiates smoothness without the boldness of coastal beans. drips: -parklet in front for seating was well as some seats within shop. read more

Stopped by after running errands for an afternoon pick me up, coffee was good and service was good. Can't ask for me, as there was no line (mornings are busier), I was in and out. There are pastries to purchase (but as I already had lunch I was good) and though there is small indoor seating, there is spacious outside seating to relax with a cup. read more

Cute shop! The people who work here are great. Pleasant experience getting coffee here. Great parklet (tables + seating) right outside cafe to enjoy the coffee and treats from this place. We came a little late in the afternoon, so there was a smaller selection of pastries available, but I'm not disappointed! The small selection made me venture off to get scones (not something I typically buy), and I didn't regret it! Very delightful flavor-- paired perfectly with the coffee. read more

Hal's Office - Scones + cappuccino + espressos on the parklet outside the cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

Lovely natural wine bar with a great parklet. We had a fabulous chenin blanc and a delicious charcuterie board. There was even live music.

Loved this local little coffeeshop! Came here to get a little bit of work done and the baristas were super sweet. Ordered a cold brew with an espresso shot. After sitting down and beginning work, I didn't get my coffee for a bit so I asked if they forgot about me. They did, but they were super apologetic about it and even offered a free baked good -- hospitality and service at its finest. The staff there really went above and beyond to apologize for forgetting the order and made me feel very valued as a customer. The coffee was delicious too and the cold brew was super smooth. The space is small, but I was able to find a seat to get some work done. I would definitely come back if I was in the area! read more

I was killing some time before an appointment, and I wandered into Hal's. I ordered my go to drink, a dirty chai, with two shots of espresso. Chai lattes can vary widely, so I keep my expectations at a new place low. The drink they gave me was about my Platonic ideal of a dirty chai. The chai was peppery enough to leave a tingle on the roof of my mouth, but not overwhelming. The espresso balanced the sweetness with the perfect amount of bitterness, but didn't mask the flavor of the chai. If I lived nearby I'd be back tomorrow morning. And the day after that. And the day after that... read more

Nice space and little bench area shared with the yogurt shop nextdoor. Staff was pretty lukewarm in terms of greeting which seemed strange and was off putting. Iced latte was on the most expensive end of the spectrum, it was good with a nice chocolate flavor, but not outstanding or anything to go out of one's way for. I didn't see a menu with prices, and the menu didn't list an iced latte at all, but it didn't seem to be an issue when I asked if they could make one. They have a glass case with labels for baked goods but we're totally out by mid-afternoon; the signs suggest they serve granola with fruit; yogurt; empanadas. read more

Small shop but plenty of parking (might need to walk a few blocks depending on the time of day). No issues with the service or options. Got a few croissants (chocolate and a savory) and a latte. Pastries would have been better warmed but don't think places nowadays are doing that so no points against for that reason. Definitely would recommend the savory croissant over the chocolate one. The chocolate one wasn't very flaky or have too much flavor to it. The latte wasnt anything special. Wouldn't say it was bad but far from the best I've had. If you're not a fan of bitter coffee drinks then it would be for you. More of a milk flavor than coffee/espresso. Might check back if I'm in the area read more

The cutest wine bar ever, especially when they have music outside. Such a good vibe and great wines. Five stars for service too.

I am so thrilled that this cafe has opened right in my neighborhood! Many a time, I've strolled the avenue, looking for a serious latte and if you span the entire length of the street, the options are shockingly few and far in between. Hal's fills the void and then some: paying tribute to the notary Hal Hoffman owned for decades, this is a cozy, comfortable and sleek spot. Beautifully designed with minimalist art pieces like the painting of a birds-eye-view of coffee cups, and set a touch off the street behind a few potted plants to give it a quieter feel. The coffee was perfect: temperature, balance of acidity, roast had notes of rich chocolate without being sweet, and a tasty aftertaste. I am not only excited to come back but excited for all my fellow coffee-desperate parents who are taking their kids for frozen yogurt anyway but now can get themselves an 'adult beverage' next door. read more

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Came here on a Saturday afternoon & got an almond milk cappuccino, strawberry kouginn amann, & corn empanada. All were so good! This place is so cute with indoor and outdoor seating. Great service. Really nice location... near a lot of cute shops & restaurants! Will def come back! read more

This place has a cozy feel to it, the decor is nice, and I feel like they utilize the space really well. The staff is friendly and there's plenty of street parking around the area. Great place to get work done but it is small so seats are limited. There's also seats outside. ~~~ We got the iced latte, hot latte, and cold drip coffee. Cold drip was really good, the iced latte wasn't anything special but it was a good cup of coffee, only thing that would've made it better was maybe a slightly stronger coffee taste, but still good. The cafe latte was about average, not special either but still a reliable cup. We also got this cake like dessert, don't know the name of it, but it tasted like vanilla and was yummy. read more

Hal's Office - Café Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

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Very solid cafe and refer it to anyone nearby! Plus close to the post office so make a stop after a USPS visit. Food: B Got a hot almond milk latte and a couple pretzels. They came out quickly and very solid. Overall, tasted great and enjoyed them all. Staff: A No issues. They were courteous and professional and very quick in service! Price: B- I will say they are a little pricier based on the size of coffee and size of their normal pretzels ($4/pretzel for an extended hand size). Overall: B I did enjoy my food experience from this cafe and will come back whenever I can manage a visit to the USPS facility. read more

What I drank: Watermelon shrub soda Visit date: September 9, 2018 First time? No. I've been to Hal's a couple of times now. It's nice when you can sit and sip your beverages in the cafe and people watch. Today was Solano Stroll day so we took our beverages to go. It was warm out so Hubby had the lemonade and I the watermelon shrub soda. The shrub soda had more of a hint of watermelon; it wasn't overly sweet. And the vinegar flavor wasn't overpowering as it can be with some shrubs. Delightful! I've had their iced chai in the past, but sometimes I wish I was a coffee drinker so I can try all the coffee beverages. There's seating inside and out. They've got a friendly chill vibe. And there's usually a selection of Firebrand pastries. Yum! read more

Hal's Office - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

Great coffee but there are cheaper choices that are not a chain less than a 3 min walk away.

I have a Cappuccino love. It is there in my heart with potatoes and bread. Anyway, the asian gal from Orange County makes cappuccino with oat milk in the thick creamy way that pierces. (EXCUUUUSE! Me for becoming lactose flatulent poopy. It will happen to you soon enough) And they carry starter bakery pretzels which I like too. They should offer mustard for the pretzels, maybe. Always on the search for cappuccino. read more

Friendly wine bar with delicious tins of fish, cheese plates, and charcuterie and huge outdoor Parklet. read more

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Have been to Hal's Office on Solano Ave about a million times with my wife. We love the great quality of coffee and also the barista's expertise, which indeed makes a difference. Their empanadas and quiches are also delicious. It'd be awesome if they opened until a little later into the early evening. This is one of the best cafes in the East Bay in my opinion. read more

The people who work there are friendly. The coffee is consistently good, and they have a variety of pastries, though rarely any gluten free options. There are a lot of coffee shops on solano and this is my preferred option. read more

Solid latte. Solid service. Love their COVID-friendly set-up :) read more

Ordered the lavender latte with oat-milk I wasn't able to taste any coffee but at least I got enjoy the oat milk yum. The service was excellent unfortunately the dog outside kept barking at itself. read more

Hal's Office - Oak milk Lavender Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

Nice people, nice atmosphere, and my matcha latte was great. Baristas and baristas were all very friendly, and there was a nice selection of pastries. read more

I was in the area on Superbowl Sunday and since I'm hardly ever in Albany, I decided to take advantage and grab some coffee. I came into Hal's after having lunch and was surprised to see the amount of people working on their laptops. It's not a big space so it seems like it can get small quick, but it's so charming. I see why there were a number of people in there. I ordered a mocha (like I do at a cafe I haven't been to yet) with oat milk. I didn't have to wait long for it and it was delicious. I loved it. I want to make it a point to come back here because it's a really nice spot with a nice staff and great coffee. read more

Hal's Office - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

Hal's nails it with the truly cozy, friendly, bustling neighborhood coffeeshop vibe. It's seriously the size of a shoebox, which adds to the liveliness, and somehow I always manage to grab one of the 12 or so seats inside. There's tables outside too. Their house-made chai is something. Spicy and strong. It always smells like cardamom when I walk through the door (a good sign for chai fans). A dirty chai is $6 ($7 with a tip), so not an everyday treat for me. Drip coffee is a mere $2, and they use Counter Culture beans. There's always great converstions going on, people working, reading, musing, cute dogs, cute kids, chatty baristas, etc. Hal's reminds me of what old-fashioned community feels like. read more

Hal's Office - Drop coffee and pretzel in the morn - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, California

I've tried this coffee shop 4-5 times recently in the mornings. The coffee is OK, but the large coffee seems really small (I later realized nearby shops also serve a 12oz large). The swiss chard empanada is warm and delicious, and is what kept me coming back, but at $13 after tax & tip, I need to exercise some discipline and make that coffee at home again. Special treat territory only. read more

The only cafe on Solano with decent amount of outdoor seating. Coffee is just ok, that's why I have to knock off one star

This is an adorable coffee shop with fresh pastries. We had a delicious Kouign Aman with and the croissants were superb! We love the owner was working the register and greeted us and took our order. We got two delicious mochas to go. The line can get fairly long so best to come early. read more