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Red Bay Coffee

3.9 (62 reviews)
ModerateCoffee & Tea
Open • 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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What's the vibe?
Outdoor seating
Good for working
Dogs allowed

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Coffee beans for sale
Cas R.

Came here for an afternoon pick-me-up and the vibes were great. Mildly busy for midday Friday, some seating inside, but more outside. Friendly staff and polite customers. I ordered the seasonal candied yam latte and it's the perfect mix of balanced flavor with velvet texture, pleasantly surprised (not too sweet or strong). The iced drinks I saw others order looked delicious, as do the pastries. I told a coworker I came here during my break and he had no idea there was a Red Bay in Berkeley, and I had no idea it's a chain - the more you know! This location is nestled on a side street with minimal parking, but walkable from Ashby Bart station.

Chantil B.

This was my 1st time visiting this location of Red Bay Coffee. It's a small yet quaint coffee house that feels welcoming. My mother and I both had an Iced Vanilla Bean Latte. It was very delicious and refreshing. I recommend this location if you're in the area.

Tiara B.

Visited Red Bay Coffee Bar for the first time on a late weekday morning and had a great experience. The location on Alcatraz Avenue was easy to find, and the space itself is a cute, Black-owned coffee bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered a hot vanilla bean latte with oat milk, and it was actually delicious. The staff member working was very friendly and took the time to share which drinks are popular, as well as explain that they rotate seasonal offerings, which I appreciated.They also have a solid selection of whole bean coffee available for purchase, which is a nice bonus if you want to take something home. I'll definitely be back to try more drinks.

Hot cocoa ($3.50), Saigon latte ($5.75) and a pastry
Angela M.

Headed back in to the east bay, making a stop in Berkeley, my husband was looking for hot cocoa and a baked good to satisfy breakfast. In the area of Ashby we landed on Red Bay Coffee. For the last year, I have ordered their whole bean selections, specifically the East Fourteenth. This was my first time visiting a store location. My husband went inside to order. He came back with a blueberry muffin for our little one, a Saigon latte for me and a hot cocoa and pastry for himself. He said the service was fast and friendly. My Saigon latte is a blend of spices nestled in oat milk (as requested). The temperature is perfect and the silkiness of the drink coats the tongue releasing a sympathy of flavors balanced perfectly. My husband said the hot chocolate was favorable but it is not his top. He said he would definitely order it again. Our daughter took a few bites of her muffin with a mmmm mmmm accompanying it. Let's say she gives their blueberry muffin two thumbs up. I would definitely venture back to this location when I'm in Berkeley. Supporting local businesses is a must and Black owned businesses is at the top of my list for that.

John F.

Today I wanted a charcoal latte which is my favorite drink. It's smooth and delicious with the charcoal notes throughout. The service was quick and friendly and they made it extra hot like I requested. If I lived closer I would have this drink at least three times a week.

Napkin fused to my sesame seed Rice Krispy. Peeled what I could, but bits are still stuck. Gross.
Nat B.

I came in a few days ago just to buy a pastry. When I got in line the customer in front of me informed me he was the last person being served because the barista was alone and needed to go on break. I understood and was ready to leave. However, the barista began telling us very aggressively that he would not be serving anyone else. The tone felt unnecessarily harsh from the start, even before anyone said anything. A woman behind me asked if she could at least buy a bag of coffee and I understand how that may have frustrated him further, but his reaction escalated even more. It became a very uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. I walked out feeling uneasy. understand he needed his break, but the situation should never have reached that point. On another visit this week, I had a barista who seemed extremely dismissive. I ordered a yam latte and a sesame rice crispy and she barely spoke to me during the interaction. When my order was ready, she didn't call out my name or say anythiny. I eventually discovered it just sitting there. Today I came back and ordered a pastry again. Because I'm driving, I needed it in a bag but the barista told me they haven't had bags for a while. Again, this isn't on the staff. They're doing what they can, but they shouldn't have to apologize for something as simple as a basic supply shortage. Management needs to ensure baristas aren't left alone during rushes and that the store stays properly stocked, especially for a coffee shop that serves baked goods. I don't know what's happening behind the scenes but it feels like the baristas are carrying the burden of poor management decisions. They look stressed, overwhelmed, and unsupported and it truly makes me feel for them. They deserve better. After three unpleasant visits in a row, I think I'm going to wait and see if management works to improve the environment for their staff. I genuinely hope things get better for the baristas because they're the ones keeping this place running. For now I won't be visiting for a while and I'll be letting my family, also frequent this café, know as well.

Outside
Mia B.

Such a cute spot!! Chill and inviting atmosphere, and the Vietnamese cold brew is delicious! Would totally come back and take my coffee for a walk around the artsy block

Iced vanilla latte
Christian L.

The service was amazing, and the staff were very friendly. The coffee was good and I loved their mushroom shaped ice cubes. The interior of the cafe was very nice and outdoor seating is a plus if you want to study there.

The swan, charcoal style.
Jacqueline F.

I have always wanted to come to this brand but it is so far out of the way. But I was coming home from a training and figured that I'd stop on by and I'm glad that I did. The guy there wasn't a regular in this spot, he works at the Fruitvale location, but my charcoal mocha was good. I wanted the sweet potato but they don't have it. Next time I come, I hope they have it here. This is closer to my home. The person who worked there was very nice and greeted me. This is a cute, very clean coffee space and I'm very glad that I went. I don't know when I'll be back, but when I return, I really hope that they have the sweet potato coffee.

Latte and spinach feta croissant.
cami c.

Headed to Emeryville early to hit the Granite Expo and needed a coffee post shopping. We were lucky to find Red Bay in neighboring Berkeley, thanks to my fellow yelpers! And it did not disappoint! This is a tiny shop in a quiet neighborhood. We were warmly greeted when we walked in and our barista quickly took our order. We indulged in an almond and a spinach feta croissant. Bothe were yum, and I appreciated that the spinach wasn't chopped to bits but made with whole spinach leaves. We had almond milk lattes and the drinks were delicious! The coffee had a lovely toasted taste, not at all bitter, with a tinge of floral notes. There was a steady stream of customers coming in while we sat on the front patio--clearly the locals know about this place! We'd definitely stop again when in the area. Plus, this is a Black-owned and Certified B Corporation! (Look that up if you aren't familiar!)

Charcoal Latte

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9 months ago

They're never consistently open during the hours posted, and it's annoying AF! The management is incompetent and rude.

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9 months ago

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4 months ago

Slow, totally unfriendly for a neighborhood coffee shop but good coffee. Probably won't be back. Disappointing

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Good spot if you're in the neighborhood and looking for convenient but also decent coffee.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Delicious cold brew and croissants in the Bay Area- love this location and there's a cool record shop across the street!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Great matcha and pastry! Great vibe to sit and chill. Love the outdoor seating area. Lovely people at the register.

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Binge Coffee House - Egg Coffee

Binge Coffee House

4.6(436 reviews)
1.4 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$
Family-owned & operated
Locally owned & operated

I was craving Vietnamese coffee, and my friend suggested we try Binge, I'm so glad we did because I…read moreloved it! I ordered the egg coffee, and my friend and I also got the popcorn chicken to share. The coffee was so yummy! It had a nice, strong coffee flavor. It was my first time trying egg cream and I enjoyed it. The popcorn chicken was also tasty and it came in a generous portion. I especially liked the sauce that came with it. We placed an online order, so everything was ready as soon as we got there, which was convenient. The store was clean and spacious, and I thought the prices weren't bad! I'm definitely a huge fan of Binge and would love to come back. Makes me wish we had coffee spots like Binge back home!

I was on a matcha crave run, and was at Berkeley with my friends. I remember this location having a…read morefresh taste that wasn't heavy on the amount of sugar. I ordered a banana matcha because I had a flashback to the banana matcha I had while in Japan. I am glad I got one since it tasted familiar, but I did think it was a bit watery in texture and the matcha wasn't as strong. I would still get it again. Service is pretty quick. Ordering was through the kiosk, and it didn't take too long to come out. Also, parking is not easy. It is walkable from campus though.

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Binge Coffee House - Strawberry Matcha Latte

Strawberry Matcha Latte

Binge Coffee House - Pandan Matcha Latte

Pandan Matcha Latte

Binge Coffee House - Ube Matcha Latte

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Ube Matcha Latte

elaichi co. - Rose Gingersnap cookie was the best of the three

elaichi co.

4.3(268 reviews)
1.5 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$$

I want to inject every single item on this menu into my veins and live on that forever and ever. If…read moreyou are visiting downtown Berkeley, you need to stop in. I've visited elaichi twice since in the area already and I plan on going back again. My first visit was on a Monday morning with a friend. I ordered the Banana Chai Einspanner (chai with banana sea salt cold foam) with oat milk and the Aloo Tiki Paratha Roll (potato fritter with cilantro chutney, red onion and garlic yogurt). My friend ordered a hot latte and the Paratha Quiche (tomato, red onion, Serrano and cilantro). We also shared a piece of Pistachio Cake. The Banana Chai Einspanner is simply the best drink I have ever had in my entire life. I am truly not kidding. It is so decadent, smooth, spicy, fresh. This is the best drink to grace this plant. My friend was really happy with her latte as well. I wouldn't say it strikes the "classic chai" chord, as this is incredibly sweet, so if you're looking for that, I would select a more basic option on the menu. It's also worth noting, the Banana Chai is a seasonal option for the summer. As for the food, everything was delicious. The Pistachio Cake was moist and had such great flavor. The crusts on both of our savory dishes were so flaky! I visited again on a Tuesday morning (yes the next day) and ordered the Banana Chai Einspanner once again and the quiche. Both were as delicious as the first time around. And the product isn't it all. The staff at elaichi are incredibly friendly. Even when the shop was busy on the Monday morning, we were taken care of with respect and care. I can tell the staff also have good relationships with those in the community. The atmosphere of elaichi is also lovely. There is plenty of seating inside and outside and a raised countertop for folks who want to work but stand up. This is a must visit!!!

Food - 3 Service - 3…read moreValue - 2 I ordered Matcha Latte with Soy Milk from here a few months ago based on the reviews on Yelp...and I'm not quite sure what the hype is all about. The place is popular as evidenced by the line to order, but I felt it was expensive for what I got and it was only marginally better than a Starbucks matcha latte in my opinion. I would not come back again.

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elaichi co. - Kadak Chai

Kadak Chai

elaichi co. - Outside

Outside

elaichi co. - Pumpkin spice latte

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Pumpkin spice latte

Forest Tea Bar - Organic Ginger Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)

Forest Tea Bar

4.4(134 reviews)
0.9 mi•South Berkeley
•$$

I still owe you KoJa first, then Forest Tea Bar:…read more --- KoJa Kitchen on Telegraph, started as an SF food truck in 2011 and now one of those spots that just quietly holds its spot in the East Bay rotation. The whole concept is the crispy garlic fried rice bun, and it works because they actually execute it. Short Rib KoJa with katsu aioli and sesame vinaigrette is the original and still the right call. Kamikaze fries are loaded and the umami fries with coconut braised pork are even better. Fast, filling, not expensive. Steph Curry's been a regular for years which is either a reason to go or just confirms you were already right. --- Forest Tea Bar on Shattuck, three sisters sourcing stone-milled matcha from a family farm in Uji, Kyoto, and hand-whisking every order. Started as a popup called Three Tea Bowls before finding a permanent spot, and the quality stayed exactly the same. Black sesame matcha latte is the standout, nutty and rich without overwhelming the tea. Uji matcha straight if you want to taste what they're actually working with. Genmaicha latte for something roasted and earthy. Only plant milks, which the quality of the matcha makes irrelevant. Serene room, low tables, cast iron tea pot on the counter, the whole setup slows you down in a good way. Closed Monday through Wednesday, and open limited hours, so plan around it

Forest Tea Bar is owned and operated by three sisters, and I'm convinced at least one of them is a…read moreVirgo! The space feels like a contemporary tea sanctuary....beautifully designed, minimalist, and zen with a sleek black counter, thoughtfully arranged florals, and a gallery-like aesthetic. Soft French chanson playing in the background adds a touch of Parisian charm. Oh! And, they only serve plant-based milks cuz bubble guts.... The attention to detail and the perfectionism is unmatched...and my Virgo self is here for it. OFC, no peaceful sanctuary is complete without that ONE person who missed the memo on social awareness and café etiquette...talking and laughing at sports bar volume like they're watching the Super Bowl. Anyhooo....LOVE their Ginger Matcha Latte (currently $8.25): A layer of housemade, cold-pressed ginger juice is layered with oat milk and topped with vibrant matcha that's hand-whisked to order. The ginger really comes through...bold and zesty with a nice spicy kick that complemented the earthy matcha, while the creamy oat milk balanced out the ginger's sharpness. IF I lived at the apartments above, Forest Tea Bar would be my second home! O T H E R I N F O * Small drink menu: Tea lattes and non-caffeinated sparklers. One size only. Fixed sweetness for most drinks. * Housemade syrups * Plant-based milks: oat milk, almond, pistachio almond, and housemade cashew milk (when available) * Housemade Nerikiri, traditional Japanese sweets made from white bean paste. Flavor changes weekly. * Housemade ice creams (i.e. tofu) but they're never available on the weekends I've visited. * TIP: Skip the weekend lines and order on Snackpass. * Indoor and outdoor seating. Both TT friendly. * Restroom available.

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Forest Tea Bar - Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)

Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)

Forest Tea Bar - Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Latte, Organic Rose Matcha Latte

Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Latte, Organic Rose Matcha Latte

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte

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Hojicha Latte

Artís Coffee

Artís Coffee

4.1(790 reviews)
2.2 mi•Fourth Street, West Berkeley
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Locally sourced ingredients

Love Artis Coffee!…read more My wife and I haven't been on Fourth Street Berkeley in a long long time! Thankfully while doing some shopping and after a great meal at Divan Restaurant a few block away we popped into Artis Coffee. Wow! It was after 4 pm but what the hell, I ordered a cappuccino and my wife order a defca cappuccino, several pastries and took in the HUGE space! Our cashier was very friendly and appreciated our humor and debate on whether to have a "decaffeinated" cappuccino or not. I convince my wife to order one and she loved loved loved it! My "hi test" cappuccino was spectacular, smooth and perfect! Honestly, It took me back to Roma where we had aour honeymoon 22 years ago! Bella! If you find yourself on Berkeley's Fourth Street and looking for a perfect roasted coffee make sure to hop into Artis Coffee and I know you will love it too!

Artis Coffee was okay…read more I had an Ube Latte, 12 oz, iced, with matcha and oat milk ($8.50 plus $2 tip) and it was good. Artis opened on December 7, 2013 and is located on the northern end of the Fourth Street Shops (a.k.a. Fourth Street Berkeley). This is a fairly spacious cafe with an industrial/warehouse, minimalist look. During my afternoon visit, it was busy inside and out on the covered patio. Lots of people on their laptops. Artis roasts their own coffee. Service was fine. I got a side eye from the cashier/barista when I asked where the water station was (it was my first time and I was unfamiliar with this place), but they were nice and polite otherwise. The water pressure at the self-serve faucet was too strong and sprayed water everywhere. Good for a coffee fix if you're in the area.

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Artís Coffee
Artís Coffee
Artís Coffee

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Mind Coffee - Pour Over

Mind Coffee

4.5(282 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$

I wish i lived closer because this would be my go to coffee shop! I stopped by around 10:30am on a…read moreSaturday morning and there was ample street parking. There were only a couple of tables occupied (there are 2-3 normal tables with chairs and a couple of floor cushion seats). I can definitely see that during the weekday, it would be packed with college students and parking would also be hard to come by. I ordered the Iced Whipped Honey Cream Latte (with Oat Milk) online. The drink was ready in less than 4 minutes. If you enjoy coffee on the sweeter side with flavored cream tops, this coffee shop is for you. The Honey Cream was sooooo good and perfect amount of cream vs at some other coffee shops there is a very thin layer. Whenever I am in the area, I will be stopping by.

Stopped by while I was in town visiting a friend and enjoyed it. The space was very interesting,…read moreloved that they had Japanese style seating where you are seating on the floor with a cushion. Although the space is unique, it is very compact and limited in seating. They have some outdoor seating and a few normal seating inside. Loved how my coffee tasted! I got the iced Mindspänner with oat milk. The flavor was overall great, the barista made it how I liked it. Not too strong and not too milky. They were fairly quick in making the coffee. They have a screen that shows which order is ready and in progress. But waiting for it in a small area made me feel a little claustrophobic.

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Mind Coffee - Iced Mindspänner Latte ($7.50) + Iced Whipped Honey Cream Hōjicha Latte (Seasonal-$8.95)

Iced Mindspänner Latte ($7.50) + Iced Whipped Honey Cream Hōjicha Latte (Seasonal-$8.95)

Mind Coffee - Earl Grey Cream Cloud ($8)

Earl Grey Cream Cloud ($8)

Mind Coffee - Peach Matcha Frizz with Yuzu Cold Foam ($8.25)

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Peach Matcha Frizz with Yuzu Cold Foam ($8.25)

Jaffa Coffee Roasters - Orange Jaffa Latte

Jaffa Coffee Roasters

4.7(171 reviews)
1.6 mi

Amazing, and I wish we had one of these shops back home in San Diego. I love the vast selection of…read moredrinks, including a seasonal menu with inspiration drawn from Palestine. We tried several of the specialty lattes and were into them all. Particularly memorable to me was the Jaffa Orange latte. I had to order a pourover here and loved the experience. The barista was very precise in brewing and explained a bit about the coffee before serving it to me in an elegant glass. I got the pink bourbon from Palestina, Colombia that had notes of pink lemonade and rhubarb. It was well brewed and tasty but my sense is that the beans for pourover could be roasted lighter to get more of the fruit flavor out. I was really looking for a juicier pourover and feel like they have the right bean and the right brewers, just need to roast the coffee a little differently. It's a bit nitpicky though, because honestly, it was the best pourover "experience" I've had in the Bay Area, by far. I think this is also one of the most beautiful coffee shops I've visited. The art is very thoughtful, and the shop is clean and organized. It feels cozy. I can't wait to come back here.

Lovely, brightly-lit, and cozy cafe. Beautiful murals throughout the store. Decent amount of…read moreseating and the baristas were all really friendly and patient. The menu is pretty extensive, and everything sounded so delicious. We settled on the "Blackberries in Napa" summer mocktail, which they were able to make with oat milk (although whipped cream was still made with regular). It was the perfect cold beverage for a hot day in Berkeley. Right mix of bitterness from the espresso, creaminess from the blackberry whip, sweetness (and the slightest pinch of earthiness) from the blackberry-sumac jam at the bottom, and refreshing from the mint leaf at the top. The dried black mulberries were a nice touch also. Would love to come back and try everything else and support this Palestinian-owned business more often!

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Jaffa Coffee Roasters - Fundraiser

Fundraiser

Jaffa Coffee Roasters - Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural

Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural

Jaffa Coffee Roasters - Winter warmer: apple cider mm!

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Winter warmer: apple cider mm!

CoRo Coffee Room - espresso con panna

CoRo Coffee Room

4.3(256 reviews)
1.7 mi•West Berkeley
•$$

Service and baristas on bar were…read more Good coffee selection and always bringing in fresh flavors.

This place had a pretty long line out the door around 2:30 on a Sunday. Apparently this is normal…read morewhich I found wild. I will admit that the coffee was pretty good. Worth waiting in that line? For me personally, no, but it was a well made latte and quite smooth. Was it the best latte I have ever had? No but it was a good one and I think it would be easier to discern the true quality with a straight espresso shot or even a cappuccino. I like my lattes to have a little more character from the beans but well made. My favorite thing about it was actually the temperature. It wasn't crazy hot so you could actually enjoy it instantly. Some may want it hotter but for me it was ideal. They do have seasonal drinks including a pumpkin spice latte for fall and solid selection of non coffee drinks. The almond croissant I had (not baked by them I don't think) was good but a bit too crispy and over baked . I think I have been spoilt by the very excellent croissants of San Francisco and have yet to find an amazing one in the East Bay but it was clearly made with good butter and lots of almonds. Plenty of seating although every inside table was taken by people; some outside tables were open. They also have a solid selection of local beans for sale. Overall, a solid shop but don't come if you're in a hurry.

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CoRo Coffee Room - Coffee date with my love

Coffee date with my love

CoRo Coffee Room - The seating area

The seating area

CoRo Coffee Room - Latte and cappuccino

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Latte and cappuccino

Masterpiece Coffee - Lattes

Masterpiece Coffee

4.5(76 reviews)
2.0 mi•West Berkeley
•$$

This place is fairly nondescript in the side alley or accessible from the front through a…read moreclothing/gift store? That, however, shouldn't detract from the personalized experience you'd likely receive with how small the coffee bar is. If you're expecting something more permanent this coffee shop is more like a temporary coffee cart that has roots in the back corner of this gift shop On the whole this place despite the hidden location has folks very much eager to bring specialty coffee to anybody interested. They have a large selection of relatively high end coffee in the likes of Geisha from Panama and Ethiopian coffees. Additionally, they're the only place I've ever seen across the US that is showcasing any coffee grown in China which is nice to see as that allows more exploration into how the terroir affects the taste of coffee For my first time here I came with a small group of coffee enthusiasts so we tried a selection of their Alo Main Station (notes of Sweet Orange, Bergamont, and Peach Oolong Tea), Finca Santa Maria (notes of Cherry, Mango, and Berry Jam), and Lerida Loma Washed (notes of White Floral, Mandarin Orange, and Longan) Each cup was uniquely different from each other but arguably the most enjoyed was their cheapest option in the Alo Main Station at $9. Each cup seemed completely different and may seem pretentious to say but they did have sweeter notes that you'd be very unlikely to taste from your well known coffee chains. This place definitely caters to the coffee enthusiasts in a way where even my group wasn't quite near the level of but it had a great atmosphere, nice outdoor seating, and staff who were very passionate about their craft If anything, I would probably come back as they do elevate coffee for those who are unaware of coffee coming from China but that coffee doesn't need to taste bitter, burnt, or chocolatey. The cups here were more like tasting a mellowed fruit juice but it just happens to be coffee. That said, unless you are eager to try specialty coffee this place may seem overpriced as their pour overs are between $9 - $25 which heavily differs from most other coffee shops. Having Masterpiece provide a glimpse of the specialty coffee scene within the Bay Area is still a welcome blessing as it has a similar vibe to specialty coffee shops you'd experience in Asia

I'm old fashion and typically love a classic latte or black coffee but decided to be adventurous…read moreand try the Kuro. Since my husband was doing an iced Shiro, I went with a hot version of the Kuro. We both got whole milk rather than oat milk. While I loved both options the Kuro was definitely my favorite and did not disappoint. There's some seating options outside to enjoy your coffee and tons of vintage items to browse through inside while you wait for your coffee.

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Masterpiece Coffee - Slow bar counter seating

Slow bar counter seating

Masterpiece Coffee - Kuro (barista recommends getting the Kuro iced & Shiro hot!)

Kuro (barista recommends getting the Kuro iced & Shiro hot!)

Masterpiece Coffee

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Red Bay Coffee - coffee - Updated November 2026

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