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Sweetheart Cafe

3.8 (260 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

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SWEETHEART CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for working
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Sweetheart Cafe

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I love their fried squid! And it's so cute they offer a discount for Pokemon trainers. The service is also friendly too. I've been back many times.

Lawrence C.

Having gone to the one in the Berkeley location throughout my time in undergrad, it wasn't until recently when I started visiting the original location in Oakland. The spot is larger than the one in Berkeley, with a few tables that you can sit and eat at. While the interior is on the simpler side, it does have a cozy vibe to it and gives a nostalgic feel to me still. I got the popcorn chicken and the Honey Lemon Aloe tea, which I think are both top tier still. The popcorn chicken is delicious, with a great crisp to it and lots of flavor while the tea is sweet and refreshing. My gf and I actually liked this location more than the Berkeley one we went to, so we were definitely satisfied by what we got. Sweetheart Cafe is a great Bay Area staple, and I would recommend anyone to come check this place out.

@ifoodiejenn | popcorn chicken menu
Jenn N.

This place is SO SLEPT ON! This review is only for the popcorn chicken. Ever since I moved from SoCal to the Bay Area, I've been trying to find a popcorn chicken spot that meets all my requirements: has to have basil, use chicken dark meat, super crispy, fresh, consistent, and reasonably price. This is THE SPOT! And the pricing is so good especially in this economy. Half size is decent portion for $7.55 and Full size is $10.25. The service is as good as it gets - people generally do takeout. You order on the monitor outside or can do mobile order, and they'll text you when your order is ready, which really helps if you're struggling to find a parking spot. Parking is typical in Chinatown - it's usually bustling and packed but no one is going to give you shit if you emergency park on the street haha. The inside of the place has some snacks and candy. You CAN sit down and eat there but it's not the best dining spot and there's a lot of clutter. In my opinion, drinks and boba are pretty mid. It does the job but nothing amazing. My go-to spot for popcorn chicken though

Donna T.

So happy there's a solid place for Asian candies and café snacks in my neighborhood. This shop gives me such a warm sense of nostalgia that takes me back to my childhood. :') I'm sure others get the same vibe as there are always families or school children frequenting here. So far I've tried: -Spicy popcorn chicken: 10/10 Generous portion, piping hot, crispy, definitely add some more spicy powder and salt/pepper/MSG? seasoning from the seating area. Also there's fried basil in it which I love. You can also get a large or half size depending on your appetite. -Salt & Pepper calamari: 7/10 Maybe just my preference or it's the nature of the calamari cuts but it feels like there are a lot of pieces of just the crispy breading compared to in the popcorn chicken. Still tasty and a generous portion but I prefer the chicken. -Bubble milk tea: 6/10 Kind of had a strange artificial flavor to it but maybe it was the type of tea used. Also it does not come with bubbles despite the menu picture indicating so. You have to pay extra. Their other drinks seem a bit basic or not as appealing so I personally have stuck with the snacks. Pro tip: call in your phone order in advance to save time. The service is pretty quick regardless but it seems to get busier after school. Looking forward to trying more next time!

Spicy popcorn chicken (half size) - honestly basically the full size of other boba shops
Sunnie W.

Always has my heart and loyalty. The price is hard to beat and the flavors are always good! Spicy Popcorn chicken (5/5) - Always freshly made, and clear that they use juicy chicken thighs Boba Milk Tea (4.5/5): Only 5.5 when every other shop is 7 dollars at minimum these days. If you like your boba more on the chewy side, this is for you. They don't overly flavor it or make it sweet which I prefer. There's usually only 1-2 people manning the shop at the time but they're quick with their orders ~5-10 mins. The store is like an Asian liquor store that also sells street snacks and boba. Super laid back and welcoming. They still do Pokémon discounts for those who can use a small discount (like kids).

Full order of popcorn chicken
Sun L.

Pre and Post school stop Grab some boba Grab some ink and brush Grab some Hi-Chew Pretend avocado smoothie is healthy Cannot say enough Should be a historical site at this point Cannot close Our great grandchildren needs to experience this place

White pepper salt and spicy powder
Michael McDonald T.

Excellent salt and pepper calamari and flavorful spicy popcorn chicken. Be sure to add the white pepper salt and spicy powder to bring out the best in every bite. The service is polite and quick, and the shelves are stocked with a fun mix of candies and snacks. This spot always satisfies and makes for a quick stop most of the time.

Bubble Milk tea
Anthony Z.

An OG boba shop with OG prices?! I remember 10 years ago, I would come here for snacks before attending the Chinese school across the street. These days, nothing much has changed, except I'm only here for their boba. Where else can you get a really good boba drink, in 2024, for $3.15? This place. That's their bubble milk tea special. A small drink, with boba, for $3.15 if paid cash. Less sweet is the way to go, and they give so much boba. Sizing up is $1 more. The drink itself is enough to quench a milk tea craving, but the boba pearls steal the show. They are so soft, flavorful and chewy. They give a lot of boba pearls so you'll definitely have some left over after your drink. I also tried their Jasmine Milk Tea, and the tea taste is really distinct. You can't really go wrong here if you order a back to basics milk tea with boba pearls. Although not as fancy, hip, or convenient compared to the newer shops, this place is still the best boba shop in Chinatown, especially when you're considering the price to quality.

Popcorn Chicken.
Carl N.

Sweetheart Café & Tea is a small corner boba tea shop in Chinatown of Oakland. It's one of the oldest boba place in the Bay area. They have an extensive fruit, smoothie and milk tea drinks. Similarly, their food snack has a modest list. I ordered a Mango green tea with sago, popcorn chicken and a fried butterfly shrimps. Drink was simply okay. Food was good. Service was mildly fast. Street parking only. Overall, I had a decent drink and food. This place was okay but I had better.

Sweetheart milk tea
Joey T.

I remember coming here as a kid all the time! And the boba is still 10/10 til this day. I was so happy to see its original shop still standing today. The boba is one of the best I've had so far. I don't know how but they always cook it to perfection. The milk tea was amazing. Reminded me a little more like Hong Kong milk tea. The staff are all so nice and had smiles on their face. They still sold candy and chips with back in the day prices. I hope Sweetheart cafe never closes. It's so near and dear to my heart.

I clearly paid for boba (on receipt). i drove 25 min ang my mistake not checking the bag before i drove 25 min back home. IM SO SAD

I drove 25 minutes and my mistake for not checking the bag because they forgot to put Boba in my drink when I clearly paid for it

Bubble milk tea, avocado shake and popcorn chicken!

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Excellent customer service making sure every customer is tended to five star excellence

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Good Vybes & Brews

Good Vybes & Brews

4.4(11 reviews)
0.3 mi

This cute lil cafe and the wonderful man behind it is a blessing to the neighborhood and community…read more If you want a delightful start to your morning, this is your spot. Constantine is a true craftsman with his drinks. The staples are great here, but the seasonal specials are unbeatable and can't be found anywhere else. His detailed oriented intentionality shines with them. He's always looking to create something new and I can't wait to discover his next work of art. I also appreciate the creative ways he involves the community, from inviting guests to write each other loving sticky notes to partnering with local artists to bring joy to our lives. Do yourself a favor and stop by soon.

We feel quite lucky to have Good Vybes so close. It seems like their specialties are "milky"…read moreespresso and tea drinks, which isn't a frequent drink choice of mine, but I have had their shaken espresso and it is my favorite coffee "drink" of memory: still good and bold but also with a hint of sweetness and some other flavor complexity that isn't just coffee. Notably, their drip coffee is really good! This is our go to stop if we have run out of coffee to brew at home and we frequently drop in for a quick couple of cups of drip. Whatever they are brewing on any given day is really tasty! I have to think their pour overs would be fantastic. One thing we sort of wish they had was a comfy couch and some books, and maybe a nice rug or something? A little something to make it feel cozier if we were to stay there with or drinks, but that being said we will continue to make this our go to place for good coffee on the weekends. Don't get me wrong, they do have lot of good seating options, and not the tippy, high barstool types without back support that seem designed to discourage people from staying long. They are already set up as a good place to hang and work or study for a bit! All around, they are a great edition to the neighborhood!

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Earth Grown Drinks - Detox

Earth Grown Drinks

4.6(29 reviews)
0.1 mi•Oakland Chinatown

Recommended by a running friend to try this place. I was a bit shock that this is a grocery store…read morethat sells smoothies, chinese herbal drinks, snack, and others inside the store. This is good as it means they use fresh fruits for their smoothie. I got the cantaloupe and strawberry smoothie. It was so good. Their menu explains the benefit of each drink and has lots of choices. This is my 1st time seeing a store in the U.S. that sell order chinese herbal drink. Definitely will be back when I'm feeling a little "hot air".

I drove by this place a few times but parking is bad because it's in Chinatown (only street…read moreparking). I finally tried this out since we were eating at a place nearby and got lucky and parked right across from this shop. They not only have juices and teas. They sell other items, fresh veggies, fresh fruits and California Lottery Tickets. ----LOCATION---- - Located in Chinatown - Street Parking, plan accordingly or drive with someone and have a friend hop out of the car for order pick up ---HOW TO ORDER/PAY---- - Order/Pay in Person or on a variety of food apps like Uber Eats but also you can order through YELP. - I recommend ordering on YELP or another food app so that pick up is quick and efficient. ____DRINKS____ ----CANTALOUPE & STRAWBERRY JUICE---- - I created this using their "3 Choice" Juice option - Super refreshing! Especially on a hot day - Keep in mind that they are no added sugars, it's straight up fruit and not so sweet - Super healthy! ---- VITMAIN C TEAM---- - This is one of their pre-made juices that is ready for purchase. - They make it themselves - Great for if you're feeling sick, around sick people or for before/after a trip and you need that extra vitamin c boost! - A heads up, the ginger taste is strong in this ----DRAGON FRUIT SMOOTHIE---- - This is was refreshing and tasty. I liked how it wasn't too sweet. My boyfriend originally ordered this but didn't like it so much because it tasted like "Earth" but that's the whole point for it to be no additives and straight fruits and no artificial flavoring... more for me because I drank his smoothie LOL ---SERVICE---- -Service is amazing. They are very kind and grateful. If you have any questions regarding their drinks, they will explain them to you. ---RESTROOMS/INTERIOR--- - No restrooms - It's a small corner shop - This is a more of a grab and go type of establishment ----REASONS FOR MY 5 STARS---- - Variety of fruits and veggies for drinks - Great customer service, they were/are very patient and kind to everyone that they interact with while I was waiting for my drinks

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Lane-e Kefa Coffee - BLT

Lane-e Kefa Coffee

4.5(154 reviews)
0.3 mi•Lake Merritt
•$

Look, I'm a man who respects the process - so I know what it means to apply yourself and deliver…read morequality. That's exactly what Lane-e Kefa Coffee does with their food. I pedaled my bike over there this Wednesday morning, aiming to secure a proper breakfast that would actually carry me past 11 a.m. The shop is cozy, definitely on the smaller side with a few seats inside, giving it that familiar, neighborhood spot feel. It's not a sprawling, antiseptic café, and I appreciate that. I ordered the Laney Breakfast Sandwich, which features egg, fresh spinach, sliced turkey, and Swiss cheese on a toasted English muffin. What impressed me was the intentionality--this wasn't something sitting under a heat lamp, looking defeated. It was clearly made to order. The egg was seasoned right, the turkey wasn't flimsy, and the spinach added that necessary fresh bite. It was a damn good sandwich, simple as that. I paired that with the Berry Lovers Smoothie. The original recipe calls for banana, but I asked if they could swap that out for mango. My people know that mango adds a different kind of sunshine, and they executed the substitution flawlessly. It came out thick, perfectly blended--a rich mix of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and that mango kick. It was super refreshing and didn't taste like I was drinking melted ice. The service was quick and friendly, which is key on a weekday morning. Everything tasted clean, fresh, and intentionally prepared. If you're looking for high-quality breakfast fare that feels less commercial and more like something someone actually cares about, stop by. The short bike ride and the intimate seating are worth it for what comes out of that kitchen. They earned this review.

I walked in at 7 am for my first time and I asked for a bagel with cream cheese. As in REGULAR…read morePLAIN bagel , nothing in front of the word. He handed me my food and i walked out. As I get to the corner to eat my food I notice he gave me an EVERYTHING's bagel. I walked back inside and say excuse me you gave me an everything's bagel. I only wanted a regular bagel.He states you didn't ask while going in the register to refund me. I said oh okay that's how you do business and left. Idk what his problem was but it was hella rude and i warranted! Don't recommend this place at all.

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Lane-e Kefa Coffee - Interior

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Cafe Da Fonk! - Breakfast sandwich

Cafe Da Fonk!

4.8(14 reviews)
0.4 mi•Jack London Square

Friday 13th is usually associated with bad omens but for our March 13th, 2026 I had the good…read morefortunate of grabbing brunch at Cafe Da Fonk! Unseasonably warm for this time of year, I sought a refreshing matcha and brunch with my partner of 3 years. Cafe Da Fonk had a lovely ambiance that calmed my nerves and adrenaline after our trip to the gym. The rustic feel of the cafe partnered with the soft natural lighting made me feel welcome. The staff was very kind and took our order. I ordered a Halal Zadies Breakfast Sandwich with a tiger matcha while my partner ordered the Mulberry Lemonade. The food came out in a timely manner. We enjoyed our brunch greatly and look forward to our next trip to Cafe Da Fonk! We wish you the best in all your ventures.

So...this is my third time at Cafe Da Fonk in a week, and I am not ashamed! My first time was…read morelast Wednesday on a fluke. My friend and I had seen the breakfast sandwich on Instagram almost two years ago (I know!) and it was on our "places to go for brunch or lunch" list. When we saw the post on IG they were still in San Francisco and I don't get over to that side of the Bay often unless it's for something specific. I happened to be over there last Wednesday morning and thought about the sandwich, looked them up and saw that they were now in Oakland! So I grabbed my daughter from school and we went to try it for the first time. I had the brisket biscuit, she had the spam bowl and both were delicious! I'm very picky about lemonade, and theirs is one of the best I've had in a long time. Not too sweet or sour and very refreshing. Everything was so good that I came back the next day with the friend I made the list with for a lunch we'd already planned but hadn't decided where to go. He had a brisket biscuit and enjoyed his food so much he said he would also be back. I had the breakfast sando and it was as good as it looked on the post I saw. We also both had the adaptogen coffee with ashwaganda and enjoyed it very much. My daughter and I decided to eat out for lunch today and when I asked where she wanted to go, she immediately said , "No question, Cafe Da Fonk". So we're back, her for the second and me the third time and it most certainly will not be our last. If it's on the list, just go. The owner Yasmeen is super sweet and has created a cute, vibey space with great food and drinks, please support her!

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Cafe Da Fonk! - StrawBerry Matcha with Oakmilk and Fig-urr It Out Latte

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Brad's Beanz Enterprizes

Brad's Beanz Enterprizes

5.0(2 reviews)
0.3 mi•Jack London Square

This place is probably the most amazing spot ever. Not only is the coffee crazy strong, like give…read moreyou the jitters, profuse sweating, seeing visions, speaking in tongues kinda strong, there is also a place to work on your Harley Davidson with all the parts and cobbled together bits imaginable. I mean I don't own one because I wanted to buy a motorcycle that started and runs when I want it to. You know, a functioning motorcycle that is fast, great for riding that doesn't draw the attention and ire of everyone around you. Or doesn't require constant maintenance and parts that are sourced by one company who artificially inflates prices. Anyway.... The coffee is good. Better than Starbucks, who sucks.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I first walked in and became a customer of Brad Beanz…read moreEnterprises. The owner was very gracious. He provided me with multiple tokens to enjoy his delicious coffee FREE. It kind of reminded me of how crack dealers lure their customers in, free sample, you are then hooked and next thing you know you are selling your grandmother's television set for another cup! I do have to say that the barista is not very friendly. On one occasion I had been partaking in a few tasty adult beverages and mustered up the courage to ask her out on a date. She never said a word, I reached down and grabbed my coffee and was given a cold blank stare. It might be my fault, she may have seen me go to the Starbucks a block away the day before, it's not like I went to Peet's. The decor is awesome, there are multiple television sets, over twenty chairs to choose from, wild animals running free and always good conversation. Brad you are the man, keep it up and please put a good word in for me with the coffee maker. She's a hard one to crack!

Sweetheart Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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