The staff member, who had been there for some time, told me I had to pay ¢25 for a "FORK"! Mind you, I work near by, and I was practically an every day customer and gave tips constantly just because it's the reasonable thing to do for workers in the service industry like myself! I think it is justifiable that the staff should exercise a level of discretion and not penny pinch everything given that she seen that I was a paying customer almost everyday in the morning. I have never went back since. Furthermore, I have also shared my thoughts with my colleagues and some have had similar complaints about this establishment! DO BETTER POWDER FACE!!! read more

If you're looking for coffee on the run, or somewhere to study that's near public transit, this place might just be it for you! That's exactly how I was able to get to this place -- as it was steps away from the Fruitvale BART Station. I'd like to also say that this place probably has one of the best Vietnamese coffee places to date -- despite being in the Fruitvale neighborhood. I love how there's other vendors joining in on the Fruitvale Village hype, and I'm just really happy for this business overall. The other things that I got from this establishment were their croissants -- they have ones that tasted really good. The hospitality was immaculate, and they made their drinks in a fast and efficient matter. read more

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Found this place because of the beignets and will now recommend this spot because of it! The beignets come out piping hot fresh with a choice of either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar as the topping. Of course, I ordered the powdered sugar topping at an attempt to scratch my Disneyland beignet crave.. in all honesty I think these ones are leagues better. I also ordered their strawberry smoothie and it was good. Nothing memorable, just had an artificial fruit taste so do not expect fresh ingredients. My friend ordered a chai latte and a sausage breakfast sandwich and she enjoyed both of them! Powderface is located in the plaza adjacent to the Fruitvale station. There are plenty of other businesses to check out as well as plenty of parking due to Bart. Don't expect a quiet space to do any sort of work here because it is a busy hub for commuters and students. Plus I don't think there's wifi (based on a previous review) read more

Powderface - beignets and strawberry smoothie - A box of powdered sugar beignets and a pink strawberry smoothie with a straw are placed on a table at a cafe. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Cute cafe right off Fruitvale bart station. We came in at the end of the day but were quickly taken care of. Our beignets were made fresh and were hot and delicious! read more

Powderface - Beignets & double espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

We came here looking for a place to sit down and eat. When we walked in the staff didnt greet us or even acknowledge we were waiting to order. We had to ask if we were standing in the right spot to order and the lady pointed next to her and we moved over after waiting a few minutes. I ordered 2 bagles with cream cheese, a banana smoothie and a caramel frapp. The bagles wete soft but there was so much cream cheese it poured out the sides. My daughter enjoyed her banana smoothie and my frappe was good as well. Besides the staff not appearing very friendly the food and drinks were good. read more

Id been trying to get here solely for their beignets. If you've been to NOLA and spent time at Cafe Dumonde,you'll be hard pressed to find something as good. This places comes close. They make it when you order so it is fresh and like at Cafe Dumonde you'll be bathed in powdered sugar when you eat. I also ordered anl Mexican spice coffee. Very good. Service is excellent and the line moves fast. Definitely have some regulars, commuters and have their regular customers orders down. Their crepes looked great so I'll be back to try those. Another local small business to support. read more

Powderface - Mexican spice chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Beignets are fine, not really treat worthy of calories IMO. Also the sauces are bland (bottled caramel is just not a contender against the freshly made stuff.) The smoothies are also quite bland. Same with the crepes. So why 5 stars? They have literally the best coffee cake! Typically 3 different flavors, and the perfect amount of crumbly topping stuff and moistness--I don't like that word (moistness) but I can't find an appropriate synonym in my brain right now...sorry. Also their coffee is also quite good too. It's kinda a cheap brand of coffee but it's not so acidic like some of the specialty coffee places. It's probably just that I have cheap taste, but whatever I'll accept that. read more

Service is friendly and efficient. It's right off bart so it's a fun treat post commute. Beignets were dense but the flavor was great! Indoor and outdoor seating. Cute photos on the wall. read more

Powderface - 3 pack beignet - A beignet covered with powdered sugar rests on a textured surface, with part of a cloth and a hand visible in the background. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Went here for the very first time and the beignets did not disappoint. They were fresh and made to order. You get them right out the fry not oily at all. They are hugeeeeee. Me and my big sis shared and 2 were enough for me. You can choice from powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Chocolate or caramel drizzle is extra charge. I had the chocolate but next time I'll try it with caramel. The service was fast and durning the time I went they were super busy. It was lunch time for the high school on the plaza. Lots of seating available to do your homework or work. They had a lot of pictures on the wall and are. The little shop is such a chill vibe. They also sell sweet and savory crepes that I will try next time! read more

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I came here with the intent to get some work done on my computer while having a coffee and breakfast sandwich, unfortunately they do not offer any WiFi. The vanilla late and breakfast sandwich was ok. Not bad but not memorable. read more

Best beignets in town! They remind me of the Mickey Mouse beignets at Disneyland--light, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. I've tried beignets from other places in town, but they tend to be too thick and chewy for my taste. I personally prefer a lighter texture, and Powderface nails it. I've also tried their banana and strawberry crepes, and they are just as amazing--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly made. read more

Had been wanting to try this place for a long time. Honestly. Pretty good. I will say, eat as soon as you get them. They're not good later. They get a little soggy. Service was just so-so. Coffee was just so-so. But yeah, the beignets are great as long as you eat right then and there. read more

I ordered the panini croque monsieur which is listed as a ham and swiss cheese sandwich on the menu board. When I got my sandwich, there was mustard on it. The board said nothing about it including mustard and neither did the cashiers. I went up and asked for one without mustard and they wanted to charge me for it even though I never asked for mustard on the original sandwich. The ladies at the counter said something about the manager not wanting them to remake it/wanting to charge me for the new one. It wasn't until one of my friends went up again to argue that they remade the sandwich the way I originally asked for it. I like tipping at small businesses but they truly made me regret it. Shame on the manager for letting two ladies run the entire store while sitting in the back doing nothing. And shame on the manager for putting up a fight to replace the 15 dollar sandwich I paid for read more

I love it here. A cute little coffee shop that serves the best beignets! The prices are reasonable and the staff is friendly read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

A cute little spot for an afternoon coffee/snack! Definitely try their brownies. They are IMPOSSIBLY moist and delicious. The coffee is good, nothing too mind blowing. The staff is kind and their service is quick! Overall a nice Fruitvale experience! :) read more

Excellent beignets and excellent customer service. I arrived early to pick up an order and they were able to accommodate me and did so with a smile. I did not sample any of the other baked goods, but they looked GOOD, especially the coffee cake. Thank you! I will be back!! read more

powderface will always hold a special place in my heart. my father, who passed away last year, first brought us here when we were kids, and we instantly fell in love with their beignets, truly the best we've ever had. it became our little family spot, and being on the wall as kids made it even more special. even now, in 2025, we still come back and feel that same warmth every time. thank you, powderface, for being a piece of our memories and for keeping his spirit alive through every visit. read more

Powderface - Me & my sisters - A woman and two children are eating beignets with powdered sugar at a cafe, with outdoor seating visible in the background. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I love Powderface! Can't go wrong with whatever you order. The ladies are great. I love just hopping in BART, running in to get a sandwich and beignets and hopping back in the next BART home. read more

Staff is friendly and welcoming. Food was good as always. Have been coming here for over 10 years and this place never disappoints. read more

Powderface - Beignets - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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I LOVE Powderface's coffee! The beignets are fine (actually, kinda bland TBH, and the sauces seem "cheap" like the caramel is not real butter caramel) But they have the absolute BEST coffee cakes ! I wish their pastries had signs so people could know wtf they are. lol The service is always fine. The location is a stone's throw away from me, so I'm biased on the sense that I can walk there in 2 mins, so I obviously appreciate that...especially due to the fact that it's gotta be difficult dealing with some of the patrons around this area. Due to that fact alone, I appreciate them for being here and staying open. (Especially due to the difficulties of owning a small business and especially in Oakland, where city leaders are some of the worst. Not to get political, but it's true.) The ambiance in the place is a typical cafe. It's got plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, which is great! read more

Service was good and Vietnamese coffee was even better! Hella strong but kinda pricey.... read more

Powderface - My Vietnamese iced coffee size Large for $6.75 kinda pricey but I was treating myself today so it was worth it! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Ive been going to powderface for many years. I just got around to reviewing. This cafe has a lot of drink and food options. I love their smoothies. I also enjoy their jalapeño bagels with egg bacon and cheese. Recently I tried their iced latte which was good. I haven't had their beignets recently but when I did they were pretty good. You can also order over the phone before coming in which is convenient sometimes because there is usually two people working taking orders and making the food and drinks. Therefore you may have to wait for your items. This place has a couple of tables but a lot of people order to go since it is near the bart. read more

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Best beignets I've had honestly super soft and super light. Service was awesome they were pretty busy but got my order out promptly. They also made these fresh to order and were just super kind. There's plenty of seating. read more

I was so disappointed with the experience I had today. 3 people who came in after me got their orders before me and 2 of them ordered the same thing. When I pointed this out to the lady she tried to argue with me. I said I'm not going to argue and I hope you have a wonderful day. I got to my bus and opened my sandwich to find that the croissant was burnt. Bad service and a burnt sandwich for $10. Soooo not worth it. Never again read more

Powderface - $10 for this burnt breakfast croissant 1 and a half slices of thin bacon and horrible customer service. - A croissant with a golden-brown exterior and grill marks, wrapped in paper, held outdoors. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

This is one of the few spots around that serves beignets! They are fairly cheap too. You can order three beignets for $5. They go great with a cup of coffee. This place could probably use a touch-up. The presentation is a little lacking. However, the service is decent and the crepes are delicious, so I keep coming back. Two items to try: (1) The jalapeno bagels. They are delish. Load it up with egg and bacon and cheese. You won't be hungry for a longtime after that. (2) The smoothies. They are better than Jamba Juice. Made fresh with good quality ingredients. The area is a little dicey. So please be safe. read more

The service was prompt. The mocha was excellent and I'm very picky with my mochas and it's very good. I highly suggest coming here and the inside is cute. Lots of seating. read more

Powderface - Upper Outdoor view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Place lost its touch, Place is dusty n dirty seriously needs a deep cleaning... staff isn't capable of executing what's on the menu... beignets and crapes overcooked all the time... power sugar may cover the look but does not cover the texture It's not worth the cost and more! read more

I grew up in New Orleans and had many a begniet in the French Quarter. The ones at Powderface are every bit as good. Great name!

I was having lunch across the street and noticed Powderface had beignets. I love beignets, but have a hard time finding good ones in the Bay Area. The ones at Powderface are good enough for the Bay Area, but not as good as in New Orleans. They are made to order and come out nice and warm with a generous topping of powdered sugar. The interiors are light but could be a bit airier. If you're in the area, it's worth dropping by to pick up a few, especially since the staff is nice and service is quick and efficient. The price is pretty reasonable too. read more

Powderface - Beignets - Two beignets covered in powdered sugar are held in a paper bag, with a dark outdoor background. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

The beignets are incredible!!!! My favorite are the powdered sugar, the cinnamon sugar were good too! They were served hot, steamy and perfectthe Asiago bagel was also deliciousthe employees were very nice and there is some outdoor seatingthere is no public restroom though just FYI read more

Powderface - Beignets (2 powder sugar traditional and 1 cinnamon sugar) - Two beignets, one rectangular and one square, dusted with powdered sugar, are placed in a paper bag on a speckled surface. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I'm from New Orleans and the beignets are the closest to Cafe Du Monde I've ever had in Oakland! The service is excellent. Location isn't super convenient to driving, but if you're walking or taking public transportation it's no problem at all. read more

I commented to the workers, "it must be amazing working where you make everyone happy" All I gotta say is I dont know whose idea it was to open a beignet shop in Oakland, but I am so very happy they did. I lurv the Cinnamon and Sugar beignets and last time I also tried their carrot cake. OMG I'm obsessed! I will take pics next time, I promise! (I ate too fast this time) read more

Some of the best coffee and beignets I've had outside of Cafe du Monde. Truly a welcoming establishment with incredibly friendly local ownership. read more

Dreaming about Beignets. I've not been to NOLA is a few years, but so fondly remember Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. My BFF and Elite Yelper, Saachi G, told me see was on her way to New Orleans. I mentioned Beignets and she raved about Powderface as "best in the East Bay!" Yup! Throw down them delicious powdered beignets with chicory coffee to chase. Made to order, these beignets are more cakey with a crunchy crust and a soft inside. Different, but not the pillow texture at Cafe Du Monde. It's more like the ones I've had at Cafe Beignet, but doused with caramel sauce, it was all good. So now I'm contemplating a trip to New Orleans. Not just for. I'm dreaming about Leah's Pralines... read more

Prepare to get messy eating those beignets. I haven't tried them in nola so can't compare. But think light and airey with plenty of powdered sugar. I can see why they call it Powderface! I had a brownie to take home and it was pretty scrumptious. Thick and not overly sweet or chocolatey. Nice pictures on the wall showing plenty of history. Good amount of seating with some tables outside. If I barted out here more often, I'd definitely be here more often. read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

So often, I find myself yearning for beignets from the famous Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. I've often thought about flying to New Orleans just for a few good meals. Every time I've been there, I've made it a point to stop in at Cafe Du Monde at least once a day. The proof of that are the double digit extra lbs. I packed on every single visit! Powerderface was the very first stop I made today at the Dia De Los Muertes Festival. After all, how could I come to the area and not make I stop here? The beignets at Powderface are a far cry from the beignets I love so much at Cafe Du Monde, but they aren't at all bad. The ones here are not nearly as fluffy and puffy, but taste very similar. Additionally, the ones I had today were particularly well fried. Most importantly, they weren't over fried, with that tinge of brown edging, which can often happen with fried foods of any kind. Just like Cafe Du Monde, there was a generous dusting of powdered sugar all over. The pecan bars were also very good, and something I would easily get again. Really fresh with a nice crust and not overly sweet. I also enjoyed the crumb cake here years ago, which had a good thick crumb topping. It took every bit of self control out of me not to also add that on to my purchase, as the crumb topping looked just as good this time. Not nearly as good as the ones you'll find in New York City, but a reasonable West Coast rendition. You'll find the beignets here to be a decent substitute for the real deal in New Orleans. Just make sure to allow them to cool down a bit before taking a bite, as they come out piping hot from the oil in the deep fryer. And of course, try not to get that powdered sugar all over your face, or you'll resemble the name of this establishment! read more

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This review is specifically for the beignets. I've been looking for a place in the bay area that has really good beignets and these delivered. They were light, fluffy, and delicious. read more

Powderface - Beignets - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Sometimes, you just need a little powder to get through the day. And if it ends up on top of your lip and on the tip of your nose... then you are REALLY gettin' it in! Wait, wait, wait... I'm not talkin' about THAT kind of powder! I'm talkin' about that good ol' powdered suga from Powderface! Geezuuuus! What were YOU thinkin' about? So anyways... this is probably the only kind of powder that I would let grace my nose. And, it's simply because the beignets here are the bomb diggity! Now let me just say, this is the Bay Area. Don't come here expecting Cafe Du Monde style beignets because these aren't those. As a matter of fact, these beignets are light, airy, and hollow on the inside. They almost just melt in your mouth at first taste. Definitely not your traditional beignet, but that's why I absolutely love it! I actually hate thick and overly doughy beignets, especially when they aren't stuffed. I've never really been a fan of Brenda's French Soul Food beignets (except for their crawfish ones), so these were like a breath of fresh air for me. The owner actually spent many years cooking in Louisiana and that's where the craft was perfected. Their cinnamon and sugar beignets are to die for as well! I absolutely love this combo! Their beignets are made fresh to order, so be prepared to wait for a few minutes. But I promise, the wait will be worth it! I would be lying if I said that I've had anything other than beignets here. I don't get out to Fruitvale Station too often, so when I do come here... all I want are those damn beignets! What I also love is that Powderface is conveniently located within a few steps from the Fruitvale Bart station. That's actually how I discovered this place a few years ago. I got off bart and saw people walking out with boxes of powdered goodness. All in all, it's an excellent spot to feed your beignet cravings. If you're in the Fruitvale area, you'd be crazy if you didn't make time to stop by! read more

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Where can you get a beignet and coffee in Oakland? I found them at Powderface. A comfortable cafe in the Fruitvale Village. The people who run this place are friendly and efficient. When I asked them 100 questions about making beignets they were very patient and gracious. read more

Everybody wanna be from New Orleans, but ain't nobody actually from New Orleans. Where your grandparents are from don't count. I learned that the hard way out here with these restaurants trying to make New Orleans food, especially beignets. But the minute I walked into Powderface, I could smell that they'd gotten the batter right. They fried it perfectly. The right amount of powdered sugar. Then, I saw that the owner grew up in New Orleans and was a chef at Brennan's - all makes sense. So to my fellow New Orleanians, these are the only beignets you should trust. (Brenda's ain't it. The people recommending Brenda's don't know any better.) read more