We just ordered two breakfast sandwiches and a black tea, which we paid for. When our sandwiches arrived we asked about the tea. The waitress rudely denied that we ever ordered or paid for it. Needless to say, this is likely the last time we patronize. The prices aren't cheap, add to that rude behavior of the cashier, we really prefer to use people that show. a tad bit of appreciation by giving good service . This is the 2nd time this has happened here, it will definitely be the last. read more

My 13 year old got a Cookie Monster Frappe and gave the compliment, "This is better than Starbucks" A big compliment from any teen! We love their fresh hot beignets!!! Awesome place and great service. read more

Powderface - Cookie Monster Frappe and gave the compliment, "This is better than Starbucks" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Maybe because it's convenient. Maybe because I was hungry. Maybe because I wanted them fresh beignets. Maybe because I was bored. Maybe because ..... Whenever I stop at Fruitvale station, my body gravitates towards Powderface. I really don't know why, but I end up getting something there. It varies what I order, but it ranges from coffee, pastries, bagels, or sandwiches. Anyways, on my last visit, I decided to give them fresh beignets a try as I was dreading over the NOLA trip that I almost had. Oh, have I been deceived all this time. Beignets were supposed to be shaped like squares? Well whoopsie!! Thanks Powderface for correcting me. I was pleasantly enjoying the lady behind the counter make my beignets from dough; rolled, rolled, fried, and sprinkled. OOOoOoOoOo this was good. Is it possible to have too much powdered sugar? It was good, but something was still off. And for $5 for 3? I'd end up broke if I kept this up everyday. I think Powderface offers Fruitvale station a lil something something. It brings life and joy to those locals and visitors. I've had their coffee and they're okay, nothing to IG of. read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellent beignets covered with massive amounts of powdered sugar sure to get on you clothes , face, and on the floor. An order comes with 3 beignets that are very large! Given how fluffy the beignets are itself you can either share an order or if your really hungry gobble it all up yourself ! read more

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

We were looking for some quick breakfast as we landed in Oakland airport and en route to Napa and decided to try some beignets from Powderface. The place was kinda hard to find because Google Maps instructed us to take a turn that was not allowed and the detour was to go straight into a train station. So, we had to use the map to find the exact location. Parking was also hard to find on a Friday morning, unless if you want to pay parking inside the garage. The minimum order for the beignets is 3 pieces and you can order in portion of 3. So we had 2 portions of 3 beignets each to share between the 4 of us. Aa the name suggested, after we ate the beignets, we got so many sugary powders on our faces, but totally worth it. The beignets were so crispy on the outside, but so fluffy inside. read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Omg the small latte with extra shot horrible,it needs foam please someone show staff how to make.

This place is so underrated! I know they're kinda suppose to be about their beignets, but honestly skip em" ....they're not all that special and the caramel sauce is weird and like syrupy? I don't know how to describe it, it would be better if they made the fudge and caramel in house but they don't....so whatever... I'll tell you what to try... Okay, the breakfast sandwiches here, hands down....the BEST. No little hole in the wall cafe has better! On 3 separate occasions, I have brought friends breakfast sandwiches from here and each time, each different friend, could not stop complimenting on how dope their sandwich was! As for something sweet- dude their coffee cake (3 different kinds btw: powder sugar, cinnamon, and raspberry) are soooo good! Super moist with tons of crumbly top on em'. This is my go-to thing and I am a little worried to write this review because I literally don't want them to run out of coffee cake ever because I get it several times a week. SOOO GOOD! Their coffee is Cafe Du Monde (New Orleans) and it's amazing! Undertones of prailine, vanilla, not too bitter...i drink a lot of coffee, and when I first started coming here I didn't realize what coffee they served and I kept saying to myself "damn this sh*t is DANK!" Finally I saw the little tins...duh beignets and cafe Du monde---(go figure lol) Their crepes are decent too! Honestly I love this little place, it's basically at the Bart station so super convenient, as in the moment you exit the Fruitvale Bart, it's right there...so just in case you can't find it, you can't see it from the street so just park and walk towards the Bart entrance you're welcome . read more

Food is pretty good and the coffee is so delicious. The brown sugar, simple syrup, and creamers are always fresh (this is a big deal for me as a huge coffee drinker), I really like the staff--they work hard, always on top of it, they move quick. There's a nice patio seating area. Me like! If you come here please make sure to tip these nice people. read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Omg omg omg I never loved donuts or pasties but these little mortals are addictive and delicious .... I just drove 45 miles with my daughter to get a couple dozen for a party .... read more

As close to authentic beignets I've ever had in the East Bay. My mom brought me some because she know's I have a beignet fetish (especially since I'm Creole) and she knows I like to find them as close to tasting of New Orleans as much as possible. It was pretty damn good. Came with a couple of different dipping sauces like chocolate and caramel. Not bad. Still aren't 100% like New Orleans but pretty damn close. I'll be back for sure. Conveniently located by the Fruitvale Bart Station, so if you can, stop here before hoping on the train or getting in your car. read more

My experience: sleep in on Sunday morning, leisurely get ready for the day, and head over to Powderface for a couple orders of beignets with my fiancée. Doesn't get much better! Parking on a Sunday is plentiful at the Bart garage, or you could just ride Bart to Fruitvale, as the café is within sight of the turnstiles for the station! This place does everything great - ambiance is good; the seating area is supremely clean for a beignet place; prices are not bad at all. I kinda feel that it's a waste of time to point out how delicious the beignets are. Plus, they have the huge benefit of a monopoly on the whole NorCal beignet industry! I don't know of any other cafés in the Bay where I can get my beignet fix - please feel free to prove me wrong! Café du Monde may be the best in the world, but they're not in California, and Powderface is!! oh! Maybe needless to say, but it is best to eat them while they're hot! They're not as tasty an hour later :-( read more

Powderface - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I'm going to be honest and confess that the stereotypes surrounding Fruitvale have long kept my ignorant discriminatory arse from visiting the area. So it was only by chance that a date earlier in the year introduced me to the neighborhood by taking me to a place known for the beignets. I've heard of them and of course, any self-respecting person from Louisiana may possibly berate me for this, but these delightful airy fried pastry bubbles dusted heavily with powdered sugar were a welcome. In addition to crepes, frappes, smoothies, sandwiches, and coffee drinks, Powderface offers plenty of seating, inside/out, as well as wifi for those looking to crash for a bit on a lazy Sunday afternoon. For this afternoon, since I was in the mood to shoot pics along infamous International, stopped in for a Roasted Turkey Breast with melted brie, cranberry sauce, and salad greens on toasted sweet French bread. It was amazingly good. Even decadent. I could barely finish the other half. Props more for the awesome jazz standards streaming in the background and for the truly courteous and nice staff behind the counter. Right across from Fruitvale Bart, so why not make a reason to stop by and try something? read more

Powderface - Roasted Turkey Breast with melted brie, cranberry sauce, salad greens panini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I love the atmosphere. I love coffee and pastries. I love fried pastries. Naturally, I like this place. Do I think the beignets could be lighter and fluffier? Yes. But this is one of the times where the experience trumps the actual content. I spent an hour and a half here sitting outside, drinking coffee, eating fried pastries, and reading a book in the morning sun. Tell me life doesn't get better than that. read more

Powderface - Yep I would call this a relaxing vacation so far - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

For the most part, I've only visited this place as a pit stop while waiting for my ride at after getting off the train at the Fruitvale Bart station. The beignets are irresistible! Sometimes I toss and turn in my bed at night thinking about how delicious they are. The bread itself is made with batter that doesn't have too much flavor, which compliments the powdered sugar. Otherwise, the atmosphere is really chill but it really just feels like a pit stop kind of place rather than a hang out spot. They've got pastries and coffee plus everything is pretty cheap so I would say it's a cool place to drop by if you're in the area. read more

Powderface - Beignets for the win! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

The beignets here will have you singing: "Po po po powderface, po po powderface! om om om omm!" (hell YEAH, I make lame pop references.) I had never tried one of these curious desserts before Powderface, but oh am I glad that I did. Although the idea of a square shaped piece of fried dough covered in an overwhelmingly large mound of powdered sugar doesn't sound too appealing at first (or maybe it does to you) it resonates better with those who have tried it. Just be sure not to bring anyone who's addicted to crack to this place as the plentiful amounts of powdered sugar on the beignets and faces of customers may serve as visual stimuli that could reignite potential cravings. om om om omm!! read more

Nothing is quite as disappointing as when you go to a restaurant for a certain dish and when you're finally ready to order it, they say the kitchen is closed or they are no longer serving brunch. This is what happened at T-Rex over on Gilman when the only reason we went was for the beignets. So with heavy and disappointed heart, we left T-Rex ... but at the recommendation of a friend, she told us about Powderface at the Fruitvale Market. We called ahead to make sure they were open and braved the rain and hydro-planed our way over. The menu is very confusing ... $3.50 per serving ... but they fail to mention that 1 serving is 3 beignets. $.95 extra for a small cup of caramel dip and chocolate dip - don't bother. Powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar (definitely go with the powdered sugar!). They were big and hot and covered in the powdery goodness. Craving satiated. Mission accomplished. read more

review only for their Beignets: I now have an excuse not to fly a couple thousand miles to New Orleans just to experience authentic Beignets. I have had beignets in New York and Disneyland and the ones at Powderface triumphs over them all. For almost $5 includ. tax, you get a serving of three beignets covered with that yummy powdered sugar in a small paper box. These delicious treats are very light and fluffy. I love the fact that the staff here makes them fresh to order. Mine were piping hot and I had to let them cool off for a minute or so before I could stuff one in my mouth. The purveyors of Powderface are a Vietnamese couple. Apparently the husband spent some time cooking in the The Big Easy (New Orleans) and is accustomed to French food. According to a newspaper clipping on their wall, the couple have spent many many hours perfecting their formula for this beignet and customers have said the beignets at Powderface measure up to establishments in New Orleans, including Cafe Du Monde. Any place that gets compared positively to Cafe Du Monde is a winner in my book. read more

Powderface - Powdered goodness - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I ordered while I was waiting for my ride. After ten minutes of waiting for my single small cider and watching two servers rush back and forth for two or three customers, I asked if my drink had even been started. It had not. I walked out. read more

The Trans (owners) have brought a sense of New Orleans to Oakland through their beignets aka French style powdered donuts. This is arguably one of the best places for beignets in the Bay Area. I have been a fan since they opened years ago. Pros: +Literally next to Fruitvale BART Station (grab to go or grab coming out) +Commutable by public transit aka BART and AC Transit via Bus #1 or Rapid #1 going down International Blvd/East 14th that stretches from Berkeley into San Leandro. +Ample sitting space +Open wireless Internet signal +Clean floors and tables +Quiet enough to study, but roomy and noisy enough to people watch. +Good selection of drinks. +Friendly service. +Hablo espanol. +Free local newspapers in English and Spanish on rack near entrance. Cons (Why I subtracted a star): -Even if it isn't Oakland, this place is a bit pricey. I paid about $13 something or a sandwich and an iced medium size drink. I added the 3 pieces of beignet ($3.50 for 3 or $12.95 for 1 dozen) and the total came to over $15 bucks. A bit much for a cafe, and definitely priced more than the surrounding cafes. -I asked for avocado in my sandwich and was sad that they do not carry them. -More selection on entrees/sandwiches please! -Longer hours would be nice. Closes at 6pm on weekends and 8pm on weekdays. They should stay open during BART's operational hours although I can understand that maybe it isn't worthwhile from a business point of view (I don't come here often enough to judge this one). Payment: Takes VISA or Mastercard (NO Discover Card) with $5.00 minimum purchase. I am a fan that will definitely come back again. read more

Powderface - 3 for $3.50. Tasty beignets! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I love the beignets here; you have the option of having them sprinkled with either cinnamon or powdered sugar, as well as choosing any toppings you'd like to pour on top. I ordered two beignets and had one with the cinnamon, one with the powdered sugar, and both covered in hot fudge. They were made fresh to order, so when I got them they were warm and soft. It's a messy eat though, so make sure you have plenty of napkins and a fork and knife! I also got the banana smoothie - again, made fresh with nothing but ice, bananas and milk, so it tasted like pure banana. Very cold and very refreshing. The restaurant itself is very classy with ample seating and modern decor. It's a nice little gem tucked away in the Fruitvale Village, off of the Fruitvale BART station. Service here is friendly but a bit on the slow side, but at the same time everything I ordered was prepared in front of me, so I can't complain about being made to wait for that. I will admit that things here are a bit on the pricy side, but I feel that the quality I received almost helped to justify the price I paid. One of Oakland's great finds. read more

This place is popular for their Louisiana style powder pastries, but what I love her is actually their crepes. The turkey pesto crepe is a great savory crepe and very large and filling. They also have pretty good bagels but they tend to run out quick. read more

Just like a good slice of bread tastes good without butter on it, a good beignet tastes good without any sugar on it. I can't say for sure what the quality of these beignets were because were served drenched in powdered sugar. Before you chastise this complaint and say sugar belongs on beignets, please go back to my earlier analogy and think about how you would feel if your breakfast toast was served with a stick of butter on top. No complaints about the coffee. read more

See all

Beignets & fresh fruit smoothies + great customer service = repeat customer! Bonus stars for location!!! read more

One of my co-workers made the biggest mistake ever...he brought in a dozen beignets to the office...damn you Jonas!! thanks to him, I now I know what beignets taste like and therefore crave them. Hot, sugary goodness. The place itself has a good vibe and even though it's right next to BART it just doesn't feel like you're next to BART, the place seems a chill place to hang out and have a nice cup of coffee and a beignet. To the ignorant person that said you may not want to carry too much cash 'cause you're in Oakland.. Look, if you're gonna get robbed how would the robber know how much cash you're carrying? So, whether you are carrying alot of cash or none at all, your chances of getting robbed are just the same lol, so basically your statement is just as dumb as you are :D read more

Best beignets I have ever had Haven't been able to find good beugnets around It's quite authentic (it's supposed to be hollow inside!!!!) and isn't cakey like others are read more

I'm only giving this place three stars just because it was our first time coming here, and there really wasn't anything my friend I tried here other than the beignets we each had...so I'll officially rate it when we come back and try the other items haha... Beignets are one of those foods that have to be eaten right when it's still hot and cooked to order, otherwise it won't taste as good thereafter. Well, my friends waited until after class to eat the beignets...they were decent, but we knew we would have it enjoyed it more if we ate it right away...I like powdered sugar, but not to the point where my beignets is pretty much drenched/covered in it...haha Anyway, we'll be back...I'm sure it's definitely a good treat to have on a cold day with a cup of joe or hot cocoa in your hand :) read more

Powderface - Yeah that powdered sugar wasn't enough lol jk...these are best when newly cooked. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Freshly made beignets and the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted. Powderface is a small cafe nestled in the small shopping center near the Fruitvale Bart Station. Delicious baked goods and rich caffeinated drinks makes this cafe a nice stop on a busy weekday or a relaxing getaway, to read a few chapters in that novel you've been meaning to pick up, and enjoy a bit of sweetness in the heart of Fruitvale. read more

Powderface - The best hot chocolate ever!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I've had good experiences here and I told my boyfriend about this place. He didn't have a good experience at all. He waited 7 minutes for someone to take his order and after he asked for a straw for his smoothie. They ignored him. I think it's because he's a 6'4 black man. I can't think of any other reason. I've seen them give cool customer service and it was ok for me. They could have been having a bad day. But, no excuse. Especially in these times with what's going on in the world with race relations you can't help to make it a strong factor. read more

Located right under the Fruitvale BART station! We had the Box o' Beignets and they were freshly rolled out and fried. Each Beignet had a layer of powdered sugar before layering it with more beignets. They are definitely New Orleans style. Crispy exterior with a doughy interior. They pretty much got it right! read more

Beignets are freshly made, hot from the fryer and sprinkled with powdered sugar. I bought 3 for $4.95, sooo good when its fresh and eaten with a nice cup of latte. A dozen beignets is a better deal $15.95. Will go back if in the neighborhood again.. Fruitvale Bart station is just in front. read more

Powderface - The front of the store - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I wouldn't come here for any reason but, to pick up Beignets and a cup of Cafe Au Lait to wash these deliciousness down. I stopped by here after the A's game when i quickly spot the company sign leaving the fruitvale bart. I was with my friend and asked if he ever had beignets and he responded with a "no". Well then, I'll have to correct this right now and we headed over. We ordered our beignets and cafe au lait and sat outside awaiting our order and i ran in and out to check on them while talking to some of the employees who, by the way were super friendly and conversive. The food: The Beignets are made to order so they come out hot and fresh. The wait might be a little bit but, it's totally worth it and you can definitely taste the freshness of Powderface beignets and others who pre make them and drop the powder sugar when they're ordered. These suckers comes out hot but, the snow blizzard amount of powdered sugar cools down the exterior of the donut while the interior stays steamy and fluffy. Make you get get a good coffee of your choice to compliment these things. They use Cafe du monde coffee grounds, just and FYI. End food review Definitely come here for the beignets and on the nice weather we've been having it's great to just sit outside and enjoy them. This is probably the closest thing the east bay have to the real deal in Nola. YUM! read more

Powderface - Freshly made Beignets and Cafe au lait - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I haven't tried the beignet yet but the veggie crepe gets 4 stars from me! Its a tad greasy though but its so wonderful.. I think I will get one tonight before class :) The staff is so friendly but there is one chick with a really high pitched voice where, if you are trying to study (they have free wi-fi) its a tad annoying... read more

As many times as I see this cafe exiting the Fruitvale BART station almost every weekday evening, I never stop to see what they have to offer. My 51A bus is there at the stop and I don't want to miss the bus, heading home to Alameda. Today I had a little time on my hand, so I decided to step in and order their beignets (3/3.75) to go. There was a group of young people hanging out and waiting for their orders of beignets - two large plates with at least a dozen of them. Presentation looked appealing. Again as I have mentioned in other reviews, looks can be deceiving, as the taste of them were A-OK. They probably would have tasted better if I ordered a small cup of coffee. I watched the chef roll out the dough, prepare the beignets and shake plenty of powdered sugar contained in the sieve. Ooh...fresh, piping hot beignets and part of powdered sugar is forming a glaze. I wanted to like them a whole lot, but I wasn't that impressed with them. By the time they cooled off completely, they became quite chewy. I ate part of my beignets, but the rest went to the birds (pigeons) congregating around me at bus stop, waddling around, waiting to be fed a few morsels and/or crumbs. Thank goodness there were no seagulls hovering around...just the mild-mannered pigeons looking for a little sustenance. Even though the beignets were just A-OK, that is not gonna stop me from trying their fruit smoothies, sandwiches, pastries, hot beverages, etc. The cafe has tables and chairs for sit down and relax, but I believe my thing is just gonna be a pit stop - take out orders - and board the bus to go home. read more

Plenty of other reviews, so I'll just add my two cents: I haven't had New Orleans beignets, so can't compare but these are made fresh to order in clean oil and quite lovely. Maybe not as delicate a texture as I like in pastry, but again what do I know about beignets? The Mighty Leaf tea is a plus. If you're going to waste money on a tea bag while you're out, it might as well be these elegant little silk sachets. Otherwise, coffee... I'm no coffee aficionado, but I like flavor and the "Lava Drip" certainly delivers. It's a Vietnamese-style drip I believe they prepare ahead of time. Sure, they don't make it while you watch, but it's fast, strong and tastes good. Be forewarned: it is presweetened. As to the other foodstuffs (sandwiches, brownies etc.) you're on your own: I've never taken the risk based on what I've seen and will stick to what seems to be their strong suit. Wheat free? You're kidding, right? Stick to the coffee. Edit: I returned seven years later and added an extra star, because 3 seemed unnecessarily harsh. I also added a picture. read more

I had been craving one forever. The people there were nice and the beignet was made pretty fast. I had the pack of three and me and my sisters each had one. The place sure lives up to its name. Powderface lol and let me tell U we had it everywhere ahahhah It was nice n hot and soft and fluffy and full of powder aha we gobbled it down and headed out to eat our food. Not sure if I would be back unless I'm craving it. But it was yummy read more

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

The beignets were fluffy and delicious! Ordered both the powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar versions and they were both good. It was a bummer to pay extra for the chocolate sauce but it went well with the powdered sugar version. read more

If you want a strong Vietnamese coffee, this is the spot for YOU. My boyfriend gets these all the time and just with one sip I'm bouncing off the walls lol it's delicious but super strong. I usually get a cold brew or iced coffee and that keeps me wired too. Their beignets are fluffy and DROWNED in powdered sugar is kind of amazing. They melt in your mouth and it's definitely an experience. The crepes are pretty good too. They also offer a variety of morning snacks so it's great if you're catching BART and need a quick snack. The staff is super sweet so it's a really welcoming environment. The only downside for me is that they are a litttttle overpriced in my opinion, but nothing crazy. Also, the wait can be kind of long sometimes. Stop by if you need a morning pick me up, their lattes are awesome too! read more

Powderface cafe has shown how effective beignets can be in bringing people from all walks of life together. I've met some very interesting people during my occasional visits to the cafe, in between trips from/to San Francisco and during my school breaks in Oakland. I'm a little disappointed they remove their power outlets and that there is no public restroom available, but it seems like the former is a trend that some coffee shops are adopting. All in all, I'd definitely recommend paying them a visit. read more

I know I've reviewed this place before. Get yourself a hot beignet, or three. Make sure you get the powered sugar all over the place. Enjoy. They actually have decent sandwiches and smoothies here too, which gives you a little bit of a choice. I was surprised that their salads were decent too, not just the wilted iceburg lettuce you find at lesser quality cafes. Conveniently located at the BART station for easy access. Also, don't forget to do a stroll down International because why else are you in Fruitvale... read more

I am a big fan of Beignet and I learnt from my biking buddy telling me about this place. So I decided to go try it out. So I went today. It is great and I am glad that I came in just before the rush hour. I am so glad that they have all my favorite food, I ordered Regular Beignet, Croque Mansieur and Lava Drip (Hot Viet Coffee). They are all nicely done. I love the Beignet is not too oily and very puffy. Croque Mansieur tastes good but not traditional French style but in Panini style which make it less cheesy and less filling. Which is great but I do enjoy the traditional a little better. The Viet Coffee is perfectly done, smooth and rich just the way I like it. Just a reminder to anyone want to eat their Beignet, Don't wear anything Black to go there. you are going to regret it. LOL. read more

Powderface - They offer more than just Beignet. That's why I like them - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California