From the moment I walked in, the energy was lacking. One staff member on duty, and unfortunately friendliness wasn't part of the experience. It set an awkward tone that carried through the whole visit. The cafe was clean and offered a nice open cafe feel. I ordered the oatmeal to go and it was extremely watery and not something I could get through. It's a simple dish, and it just wasn't executed well. The chai tea was decent. Three stars feels generous. Not a place I'd return to or point anyone toward. read more

See all

I have been there twice, Breakfast Croissant super delicious and the Reuben sandwich also delicious, the most incredible thing is that only one person was working. Great place read more

I had high hopes, but Shapeshifters didn't come through for me. I found the coffee overpriced and the service lacking. The wifi didn't work either. Bummer. read more

I am quite delayed in writing this review, but I had ordered a Too Good to Go surprise bag. The pickup experience was quick and friendly. I was given the following for my Too Good to Go: Pain au chocolat Croissant with powdered sugar Danish Chocolate chip scone I personally enjoyed the chocolate-containing pastries best, especially the scone since I prefer more of a crunchy texture over croissant-like flaky breads, although all were pretty good. It was great value for the amount of fresh and sweet pastries. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Too Good to Go surprise bag pastries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Stopped by for a quick bite and was not disappointed! The Vietnamese coffee was absolutely perfect--rich, bold, and just the right amount of sweetness from the condensed milk. It had that smooth yet strong kick that kept me energized all day. I paired it with their turkey sandwich on Dutch crunch, and wow--so good! The bread had that signature crispy, crackly top with a soft interior, and the turkey was fresh and flavorful. Topped with crisp veggies, creamy mayo, and just the right amount of seasoning, every bite was a delicious mix of crunch and tenderness. Great food, friendly service, and a cozy spot to relax. Definitely coming back for another coffee and sandwich combo! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Cute little hidden gem in Oakland. Private patio area for a chill day at the cafe. Free WiFi and easy street parking! Enjoyed a cafe latte on the patio area. Nicely shaded in case it gets hot! Staff were kind and inviting! Would recommend! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

It was wonderful to go to the first Saturday Brunch at Shapeshifters. I had been to the Brewery and their events many times (check those out too) and really wanted to try more of their food. We got cold brew and a delicious, refreshing, fresh-tasting Watermelon Basil drink (so good). We shared the pesto corn salad, which was refreshing and yummy and I had the breakfast burrito and Cuban toast. The service was friendly and transparent, and even when they were busy they let us know what was coming to the table next and checked in on us. The space was really lovely and they have a great back patio too. Everything was delicious and I really recommend visiting! read more

I first found this place on Too Good to Go. Clearly, most of us in the bay have passed them hundreds of times en route to Alameda. This is sort of on the way to the tunnel, sort of, yet parking was not a problem. It was totally hidden in plain sight . The Shapeshifter Cafe is not within Heritage Park. It is in/along Jack London yet totally Victorian, quaint and quiet. The pastries are amazing! I won't restrict my visits to Too Good to Go. I checked out their menu and they have some fabulous French Toast! This is for breakfast brunch and lunch. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe is always my go to whenever I'm in the area. The pastries at are out of this world! I tried the croissant, and it was perfection - flaky, buttery, and perfectly sweet. It's clear that they use high-quality ingredients and put a lot of care into their baking. Their lavender latte is a blend of rich, smooth espresso with the subtle, aromatic hint of lavender was both soothing and invigorating. It's a must-try for any coffee lover looking for something special and unique. Shapeshifters Cafe is a gem that I can't recommend highly enough. read more

See all

Sometimes, there is nothing better than a good sandwich. When I get that craving, I usually like to go to Autobahn Cafe. Located a good 4-5 blocks away from Jack London Square, it's a nice walk and offers the perfect amount of time to decide what to get. The staff, although rotating a couple of times within these last few years, are always friendly without there being too much pleasantries. They serve very tasty sandwiches, breakfast burritos, pastries, and espresso drinks. I'm not the biggest fan of their dripped coffee, but oh yes for their lattes. They serve their sandwiches with nice quality ingredients and the portions are always just-right, enough to enjoy a beverage and a side of chips. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Menu as of 7/7/22 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Super cozy spot. Best breakfast sandwich I've ever had in my life (home made sausage shines). Friendly staff. This unassuming exterior hides one of the cutest authentic cafes in Oakland. Why Oakland is so special. read more

Consistently delicious fresh food and drinks. Great salads and lunch specials. Breakfast burritos are deelish.

It is a nice place. And it is open early in the morning and good for breakfast. Service was quick, and food came out pretty quickly. read more

See all

Service was a little slow bc they only had one worker there but the food was excellent, the coffee was at a VERY good price and a generous portion. Got a $5 Vietnamese coffee and will def be back Patio is gorgeous read more

Not a huge fan, they aren't doing bagels anymore - probably to force people to spend more money. Breakfast burritos are a high tortilla ratio. And you'll walk out spending $14. I'll be back for $5 bagel and cream cheese. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

What a wonderful hidden gem. The food is consistently excellent and made with great care. You can tell they take pride in making delicious and reasonably priced foods. No short cuts are taken. They source very high quality ingredients, they even make their own sausages. The best part about the dining experience is that it's low key and low fuss. You truly feel like you've been invited do dine in someone's (Victorian) home. read more

I love the Saturday brunch on first Saturdays! The breakfast burritos are great and they usually have yummy specials on Saturday. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Turkey Pastrami Sandwich, chocolate crossaint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Really cool neighborhood cafe in old Victorian building. They make their chais from scratch--steamed tea leaves and all.

Always the place to visit, and grab something to eat and drink . The people who run this place are the best and add make this place great everyday! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Egg Sandwich w/turkey on whole grain bread. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Very very good, I get the Turkey, bacon, avocado atleast 1x a week. I sit my phone up on the paper towel holder, watch a sermon or podcast which my AirPods in and enjoy. Staff is really nice as well. read more

Everything was so delicious! They had free Mexican coffee to celebrate their 2 year anniversary. We also got avocado toast and a breakfast burrito. The drinks and food were all amazing, and it's a super fun/cozy ambiance. Can't wait to go back read more

Got a sausage and egg sandwich here a little while back and it was pretty good (and very large). It does seem like the menu changes a lot though since some of the photos on here don't seem to reflect what they had when I went in. The sausage was noticeably flavorful, i think because it had a lot of fennel seeds. read more

I would actually give this place a 3.5. Ordered a croissant sandwich with veggies, cheese and turkey. I presume my expectations were to have an actual piece of turkey in the sandwich, however there were like 5 little, little, little pieces of turkey so hidden, I didn't even know they added the turkey. Service provided was very nice and helpful for choosing an item to eat. read more

I was looking for a good breakfast spot and eneded up yelping here , cool small legit menu a few cool reviews fine so I ordered the sausage and egg sandwhich , it git delivered to me it smelled and tasted great! I literally took one bite .... it was a long ass strand of gray hair and I didn't want to complain to the person who bought it because I didn't wanna come off as a breakfast b*&@h so the one bite was great until whomever shedded in my sh@t read more

Their coffee was pretty good and the barista was super friendly. I have no qualms about the service. Cute spot, it has character. HOWEVER, we have been in covid precautions over a year and they have a community sugar bowl and spoon... the spoon had the nerve to have crusted old coffee on it where some person has used the spoon in their coffee and put it back in the bowl. I could not believe my eyes. I saw other types of sweeteners but no white granulated sugar. I was like "let me just skip sugar today in my coffee." THEN there was a stack of plastic tops sitting on a napkin out for people to grab. Call me bougie and doing the most, idc!! So thats the reason for the 3 stars and a removal off my cafe collection. If that didn't bother you, then the coffee is good and the staff is friendly. You should give them a try. Its just not for me. read more

Kindest people, delicious food, great coffee, sweet little back patio. A hidden gem, not far from the Port of Oakland and Jack London Square. I've tried the morning bun, egg sandwich, tuna melt, avocado salad, and the turkey pastrami. All recommended! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Avocado salad plus bacon with half turkey pastrami. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Such a great lil' cafe, unassumingly on a very busy street in no man's land. I'd say about seating for 10, but very strong wifi and a great menu filled with sandwiches and salads. Breakfast ends at 11, which I just missed and was quite sad as their breakfast sammies look banging. I however did get to enjoy the grilled portabella sandwich smothered in pesto and it did not disappoint. Not the cheapest sandwich - $9ish dollars, but quite filling and again, delicious. Never fear meat eaters, they have a ton of deli meat options for those looking for the turkey, ham, chicken and salami options. Plenty of on-street parking in front, many great breakfast and lunch options and strong wifi make this a great work-study spot. 100% I'll be back! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Mushroom sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Gentle reader. Please, I need your help. It seems I've developed an addiction. A corresponding symptom is my desire now to take pictures of my food. This is whack. The other day, because I can't help but admire my fellow reviewers, I got to thinking. Like, I only will write about things that give me five stars and goosebumps. How, pray, can I ever get the numbers that the others have, how can I be elite? Oddly though, I so far find no shortage of five-star experiences in my day to day. Maybe I wasn't looking closely enough. Maybe that's the malady that's truly kicked in - one that has me paying attention. Not horrid then, this disease. So a moment ago I took a break for a little brekky. A friend from down the street changed the venue of our prior meetings to here, the cafe practically under the freeway. Thus the name? Hmm. It's SO cozy! My small brekky sammy for like three bucks and change (photo taken yes I'm a freak now too) was insanely delicious. The orange juice was fresh squeezed, the farmer's daughter so beautiful I occasionally couldn't taste what I was eating. In the back there's a patio under a tree with Bart playing its melody every minute or three. The city and the country married. Just as me and the farmer's daughter someday will be as well. read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

The Spicy Sausage lunch sandwich was really good! The worker and the owner were nice, too. I'd love to come back and try some of the other sandwiches that other Yelpers recommended since they sounded tasty too and my first experience was good. read more

Just do yourself a favor and try the spicy sausage sandwich! I love supporting local businesses, especially in these tough times. Solid combo!! The flavor of the sausage, the crunch of the bread... a side of pepperoncini potato chips... and a coke... lunch in the car, cause of COVID... Michael Savage on the radio... thank me later, cheers! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Spicy Sausage Sando - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellent drip coffee - and I really don't say that lightly. The sandwiches are also perfect. Simple, tasty, nutritious and on the best kind of bread (Dutch Crunch, baby). Very excited to have come to this gem of a spot; will come back repeatedly for our lazy weekend mornings and afternoons. read more

I would highly recommend this business, especially if you're in the mood for a delicious breakfast burrito! They definitely use fresh ingredients and the my make the burrito in front of you. I need to speak to whoever buys they're avocados, because they do a great job selecting them. Always fully ripe and never blackened. Every time I buy my avocados they are either not ripe or too ripe, Autobahns is always just right! They have an assortment of sweets, I personally like their chocolate croissant and I like to get it slightly heated. The staff is always friendly and attentive even when they are very busy. read more

3/3 stars! Good croissant sandwich, breakfast burrito and vanilla latte The employees there were so friendly too. We will be back for sure! read more

This is a great family owned and run restaurant. The people are very nice and the food is excellent. We ordered: Organic quinoa salad which had beets, cucumbers, bell peppers with olive and basil oil. Excellent Turkey sandwich with pepper jack and chipotle aioli (heated). Excellent. Americano and a cappuccino=Excellent ! Give this place a try!! read more

The portobello sandwich is to die for. Food is fresh, staff is friendly and coffee is very delicious

Very tasty turkey pastrami sandwich - get it warm. Small inside but some tables Place is in middle of not much but food was good and folks are nice Prices pretty typical for Oakland about $11-13 a sandwich read more

Casual breakfast and lunch coffee, sandwich and some entrees type place that has really good food and great hospitality. That's saying a lot because in the Jack London Square Area, most restaurants are way too pricey for the quality of food and not worth the time. Outdoor patio in back is quite pleasant. read more

See all

Stumbled upon this place earlier this dreary morning.. It's kind of easy to miss because it's on unassuming 5th st and it's right next to Oakland's Jetson overpasses and abandoned lots. I was immediately drawn to the Edwardian house front and it looked like a lovely but rustic mad hatter setting, reminded me of my native SF haight kinda café vibe. I walked in to this little home of a café and immediately ordered, my stomach took the wheel I was under a haze. I got a breakfast half sandwich which was awesome because they give it to you on a french BANH mi style roll. I also got a chai and it was piping hot just the way I like these things. The staff are the sweetest of folk who apparently listen to Bob Marley. This is going to be my new beat for my Jack London mornings retreat. read more

Just found this great little gem! Great coffee Amazing oatmeal. I order my oats with soy milk and they top it off with berries and banana. Price-- about 4.50 Sándwiches, salads, & pastries. You can't go wrong and the employees are so sweet! read more

An adorable little cafe to add to my wifi rotation! It appears to be a converted Victorian house in an unexpected location just next to the 880 freeway, on the outskirts of Jack London Square. Parking is tricky since it's all meters around here, but if you're willing to walk a couple blocks from 2nd street you can score a few free hours. I had the egg & mushroom breakfast sammie on baguette for just 3.50 (half size), and it was just the kind of breakfast you'd imagine your doctor approving of: a perfect balance of protein/ veggies/ carbs. I love that they offer both half and full sized sandos, as I try not to stuff myself first thing in the morning. As I settled in, I immediately loved the vibe - no hustle, French cafe music playing, a bowl of "free fruit" on the counter. I felt a world away from Oakland. Morning regulars came and went. I was one of the few people that lingered and used their free & fast wifi, but I never felt like I was taking up space. If anything this is one of those undiscovered havens of productivity where you can enjoy some peace & quiet along with some great food and friendly folks. Danke, Autobahn! read more

Shapeshifters Cafe - Egg & mushroom breakfast sammie on seeded bread - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California