Cole coffee is really good neighborhood coffee shop I am a cappuccino guy and it is really good over here

Good coffee. But ordered gift card from them on 12/29 and as of 1/3 it still hasn't shipped. Birthday is on 1/8 and it still may not be received by the 7th though I live in a neighboring county. Great for coffee, but not on top of even small deliveries apparently. read more

Went to this place around noonish on a Saturday because Philz was too crowded. Probably the worst Arnold Palmer I've ever had, which is sad. Arnold Palmers are hard to mess up. My friend said her Horchata cold brew was equally horrible. Neither drink was sweet at all. The space is cramped and chaotic, and not suitable for work. They do not have wifi and only a few areas had power outlets. Bathrooms were out of order and the tables were dirty. read more

Now, this is my go-to coffee place. Great coffee, nice outdoor seating, friendly staff. Whats not to like. The new point of sale system. What a major pain in the ass it is to be stuck behind somebody ordering more than one item. The number of keypresses to complete the transaction cannot be efficient. God help ya if you're behind a couple ordering two different drinks, a cookie or two and of course they have questions. And then the bomb drops: they're paying by credit card. As long and drawn out as the ordering process was with its dozens of keypresses by the staff, the credit card thing is even worse. and guess what? You the customer can not see the prices of the items you ordered at all while being 'rung' up. Just take their word for it. No receipt either. Please Mike.. please, bring back just a simple cash register. Fast, efficient, shorter lines, happier customers. You might have to spend more time on inventory control but pleasing your customers should be your goal, not inconveniencing them. read more

Three words: red sea coffee. Smoothest coffee I've ever had. Ethiopian blend with hints of chocolate. You can't go wrong, the same way you can't trust anyone who doesn't love chocolate. I usually put creamer in my coffee but not with this blend! It is so good you want to enjoy it in its purest form. It is so good that by the first sip you will have been taken to Nirvana and back. It is so smooth that you will find yourself swimming in its decadence. Located right across from Philz, I'm SO glad I gave this more lowkey coffee shop a try because its coffee is more refined to me. I love my Mint Mojito and Ecstatic as much as the next gal but the coffee here was much more sophisticated to me. Needless to say, I have been dreaming of the coffee since and feel compelled to buy the blend so that the coffee gods may bless me and wake me each morning in the way we were meant to be awoken. read more

Cole is an excellent neighborhood coffee shop and has a ton of great coffee and food options. I did notice a lot of low/medium-level noise from the overhead fan that's pretty incessant. Fixing that would make it more relaxing, and I bet the baristas wouldn't mind avoiding noise pollution all day long. read more

Comfy neighborhood coffee shop. Very nice people and great service. They offer cold brew and drip coffees. Quaint yet ample seating indoor and outdoor. read more

Cole Coffee - Poched egg with toast - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Cole Coffee is located across the street from Philz Coffee. Orders are placed at a table that is positioned at the doorway preventing patrons to enter what appears to be a small shop. Drinks are prepared by a solo barista and picked up through a window. On this visit I ordered a mocha. Given the price, I was a bit surprised by how small the cup was. I think it may have been an 8 oz cup. The mocha itself tasted ok. I've had better. read more

A neighborhood coffee place we walked to while visiting our daughter. The service is thru a sidewalk window (Covid). The coffee was good and the donuts were crazy good. The service was friendly so we didn't mind that it was a little slow. Will definitely be back next time we are in town. read more

This is a great cafe! Coffee is good. Service could be more friendly, but that's life. Some days are good. Some are not so good. But the coffee is always good and that's why we go. Along with the nice sidewalk seating. It's perfect for our pup. read more

New Cole Coffee cafe is open and it is beautiful! Very light and Scandinavian modern yet classic. Same great coffee and more lunch options. Lots of 2 person tables so a great place to meet friends (or the dreaded date) for coffee. read more

Cole Coffee - The new Cole Coffee cafe - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Terrible service. 30 minutes to bring out a sandwich mid-afternoon when the place is half empty. Terrible, over extracted espresso drink. No WiFi read more

Cole coffee is the best coffee house in the Bay! I have been to most shops and this one tops them all. Super friendly employees. I went to Cole to purchase a pound of coffee and my phone rang so I walked out to talk and left my $15.00 pound behind . I live about 45 minutes away but only buy my coffee from Cole , so I only had time to go a month later. I told the owner what happens and wishful thinking he would believe me and say let me give you a pound. Sure enough he said yes we were looking for you he already made the coffee up and said here it is . I was like wow this is awesome kudos to great people at Cole coffee read more

Great coffee Good service This establishment was here long before Starbucks, Philz, and Peet's came along. A neighborhood favorite. Support small businesses! read more

I came in and ordered a decaf flat white. The barista didn't know how to make my drink. She questioned me for some time about it but I don't know the ins and outs of what makes the drink or the milk the way it should be, I'm not a barista. Then she made the wrong drink. I had to leave without my drink at all after paying full price, due to time and frustration. I couldn't wait for her to make me another drink probably in error as well, she already had made so many mistakes. There was no crowd it's not like she was rushed at all. Plus she charged me for a 12oz latte when a flat white is 5oz. Next time I'll keep going to Philz. read more

Great coffee & great service --friendly and speedy too. Took a star off because it's a cash only joint. :( Had a latte and mocha --both excellent. read more

Make it one of the warmest days since that chilly North wind blew in to bring out the scarves, and I find myself in leggings, a t-shirt, and sneakers..........parked way out on the other end of College and in the Rockridge area. Meeting up with a good friend of mine after a baguette and bun purchase at La Farine, so I power walked my way back down College. Cole Coffee is a small neighborhood joint that continues to stay aloft despite the changes in coffee attitudes over the years. Little seating in the inside but the windows open to the sidewalk, lined with small tables and chairs inviting clients to take a respite from their busy schedules. The breve latte was strong and smooth, and I could not help but purchase another morning bun here. Basically, a light airy bread/biscuit dusted heavily with cinnamon sugar. In addition to the continental style assortment of baked goods, they also serve sandwiches (more like snacks) for the lunch capacitated. Comfortable neighborhood joint, perfect for on-the-go people, such as myself. If you are looking for a place to crash and utilize the full extent of WiFi, then go farther down to Sacks (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sacks-coffee-house-berkeley) where there are more tables and spots to stretch out long legs. read more

The coffee was delicious. However, that can not make up for the rudeness of the service. I asked a simple question about their coffee. The woman at the cash register laughed at me for my question. RUDE. Sorry, but not all coffee shops offer the same things on the menu. When my drink was ready the barista handed it to me and then slumped off saying something about fu*king customers/his day/whatever. I understand that being a barista is not a career choice for most people, and for many, this is their day job. I am in a similar situation in my current job, so I empathize. However it is uncalled for to be rude to a friendly customer. But as I said, the coffee was delicious. Too bad, as I probably won't be back. read more

Let's be clear, this place is not a i-don't-want-to-wait-at-Philz coffee shop. On recommendation of the staff, after I gave them my vague and uninformative preference of "something smooth", they recommended me the Ethiopian Harra, a dark roast with fruity notes. Now I'm no coffee expert, and while I am still trying to taste those damn fruity notes, this coffee is some seriously dank shit. As promised, it was very smooth, earthy, and not acidic at all. It's not smooth like butter; Its smooth like buttah. Like Bruno Mars smooth. Drink it black for maximal appreciation. While Cole coffee lacks the Silicon Valley venture backed swank of Philz coffee across the street, it stands strongly on its own. Cole Coffee, you do you. read more

I ordered a soy chai tea latte here, on the search for the ever-elusive best soy chai tea latte ever. It wasn't found here. I personally like my chai tea lattes to taste more like a latte than like the straight chai tea itself, and unfortunately that's how my drink ran. It's a personal preference, and I understand that, so for those of you who prefer a more direct chai-y punch in the tastebuds, this would be the drink for you! For those of us who prefer our chais sweeter, this is sadly not for us. It's a great little cafe, and an amazing spot to people watch on the weekend. But I won't be back for their drinks. read more

Had some time to kill before seeing Cut Copy at the Fox so my boyfriend and I came here to feed my iced coffee addiction. I got their largest size (still not big enough!) and asked for almond milk. The barista warned me it would curdle but would still taste fine and it did omnomnom. She didn't charge me for the 50 cents for the almond milk. No idea if it was intentional or if she did it would probably be one of the first cafe's that charged extra for milk alternatives. Service was friendly but I see a lot of reviews saying otherwise so it might be hit or miss. I'm surprised they didn't yell at us because I feel like we were making a lot of noise! He wouldn't stop messing with me all day like an annoying little brother and made me look like the crazy one because I wouldn't stop freaking out I was just waiting to get kicked out! Make sure you see all your sweetener options because I was wondering how the hell the raw sugar was going to dissolve in my cold coffee before realizing they have simple syrup and vanilla syrup. I added the vanilla syrup but it must be pretty watered down because it didn't taste like much at all. The iced coffee is premade in a pitcher and their hot coffee is dripped to order. They have a ton of options and my boyfriend got some organic one. We sat there for what felt like hours in a comfy sofa. There are outlets galore and some people had clearly set up shop but there is no wifi! Parked on a residential side street and would definitely come back =) read more

This place might be cool if you like pourover. It's popularity and location give it a fun vibe too. On the other hand, don't even think about coming here if you're looking for espresso. First of all, my cappuccino came in a paper cup. What's the point in serving a cappuccino if the foam is all stuck to the cup? I could have gotten over the cup, but after tasting the shot, it just became a symbol of their negligence when it comes to espresso. read more

This is a good cafe to just have a chat or bring a book to do some light reading. I've tried to do homework/study here but it doesnt really work out since its situated on a busy intersection that offers many distractions. This is a really cute cafe but I find the indoor seating really awkward, since its so small and oddly shaped. The outdoor seating is awesome for summer though and good for just hanging out and people-watching. Pastries here are cheaper after 5pm! My friend really really enjoys the coffee here since they do a custom drip cup everytime you order. I've had a steamed milk here, but was disappointed they didnt have any flavoring like caramel to put in it. I've also had a morning bun here and its soo good! read more

I cannot believe so few people have yelped about Cole Coffee!? On the other hand, I should believe it because I am only yelping about it now and I've been frequenting Cole Coffee since I moved to the neighborhood going on two years ago. MB and I get our beans, almost exclusively, from the bean store (MB loves the free cup that comes with his bean purchase). I'd like to rave about the poached eggs and sourdough toast with jam! In fact, I just did. Combine that with a fat free latte and the sun on a weekend morning and you have pure brilliance. I withhold a star because IMO coffee shops should offer free wifi and the jockeying for a table at certain times can be a little off-putting (although the latter is not so much the Cole Coffee's fault). read more

I can't believe there's only half-a-dozen reviews for this place!!! I dragged my buddies from NYC here and they LOVED it. BEST coffee rush EVER. There's always a wait, but the space is so cozy and wedged on the best block in the Rockridge area. I love coming here and nabbing a couch by the window. Perfect place to curl up with a book and cuppa joe. Parking is pretty impossible, but this place is SO worth circling a few times. read more

With Philz right across the street this spot is greatly overlooked. But that's also part of the appeal - a hidden gem. A wifi-less cafe with ample outdoor seating and plenty of sunlight indoors as well. The espressos are great. The cafe is a perfect place to get lost in your favorite book. This spot is a welcome respite if you want something more low key than Philz. The coffee is great too. read more

Peru or Mexican organic. One pound ground for Melitta. I know, I know, to be a purist, I should grind it myself at home. Who has the time with a 15 month old to look after? When I need some home brewed coffee, I need it in a jiffy and I don't have the time or patience to grind it first! That being said, Cole is my home coffee of choice. They also provide it for the office :) read more

Likes: Peruvian decaf and max blend decaf are pretty popular. The guy behind the counter was helpful. Dislikes: Don't get confused. There are two rooms: one where you can buy coffee beans and the other is the actual cafe, but they are right next door to each other. read more

Came in to try it for the first time, noticed it was cash only... The girl here was really rude... the nastiness of her attitude canceled out the wonderful flavor of the coffee. read more

I have come for breakfast early in the morning and have been very impressed each time. The wait may seem a bit long for me sometimes but it's just me because I'm always rushing but I can't pass it up the prices are very reasonable you get more than it's worth read more

Could this place be any tighter of a squeeze? After ordering my coffee, had to jostle around 14 times to stay out of the way of traffic from the back condiment counter to the front. Finally sat on the couch just to avoid the flow. Then when it was my turn at the condiment counter, felt like a sardine trying to work out my sugar packets. Okay, so it didn't help that my daughter was standing there asking how many I intended to put in - "are you going to put in 10 sugars like you did the other day at place x?" Shut the f up my lovely beautiful daughter.....see...no quotes....only said it in my head...and here amongst my nearest and dearest Yelp friends, of course. My point is, I was feeling suffocated people! Good coffee, but don't need to go back. read more

The coffee shop is currently under renovation. All the sitting area is closed. They open the side door for people buying coffee and coffee beans. They must attract a lot of loyal customers because in the morning a lot of customers just sit on the chairs on the sidewalk, drinking their coffee. read more

I miss coming here in the mornings of weekends up in Berkeley . The coffee is always amazing and I loved the fact I could still get something to munch on as well. Which was usually simple tasty toast and jams. Also when I don't quite seem to know what I really want the folks there are usually really good at figuring out exactly what will hit the spot. Though the place is so popular if it's a weekend and you slept in you probably won't be finding yourself a seat....kind of a small joint but there's some great outside seating. Always a good array of dogs chillin out while their owners drink up. read more

I love their drip to order, 18 countries represented under one drip.....LOL A Drip to order! 18 countries Drip here! Good and friendly staff. read more

4 stars for the location, ambiance, cleanliness, and hours; 2 stars for the clueless barista who couldn't answer basic questions, and after I ordered a mexican cocoa with whipped cream, served me a regular hot cocoa without whipped cream. She explained that they whipped the cream themselves so she couldn't give me any. Huh? Then she poured water into the hot cocoa to make up for the room she had left for the whipped cream. Communicating with her had been so frustrating that I didn't want to point out that she'd served me the wrong cocoa too. Spasso about a block south is much better, with competent staff. read more

Lovely local joint. They have this great wall hanging of old school coffee bags...loved it. If I lived in the area, I'd frequent this place. No pretention either; which honestly, is sometimes difficult to find in coffee places. read more

Nice Neighborhood coffee shop. Everyone friendly and the outdoor seating is great. Go prepared for a slight wait, but it is worth it because everything is legit. The food looks good, but I haven't tried it for food yet. On the list... read more

Update: person who was not nice to my friend seems to be gone so all is well & upgrading my review.

This place is totally Ritual for the rockridge set. Quick service, lot's of outside seating, pretty mixed age crowd (not a library like most cafe's in the area) Pretty good coffee, but I've never had the food - I've always been turned off by the prices. read more

Last weekend, my birthday weekend, the husband and I took the bestie who was visiting to Rockridge on Labor Day. She was leaving later that day, so rather than go into the City we thought we could spend some time in the neighborhood. Our first stop: Cole Coffee. I hadn't actually been to this place before, but had seen it last time we were in the area. My husband had read online though that they had like five different kinds of decaf. That was awesome in my book, since I'm not used to having many choices when I go out for coffee. We both ordered the Peruvian coffee, his regular, mine decaf, and my friend ordered a latte. We both really loved our coffee, and in the words of my girl, "That was a darn good latte!" They only accepted cash, and luckily I was carrying some, because I don't often. The service was quick and efficient, though. The Verdict: Yummy coffee, lots of seating outside, and right across the street from La Farine. I have a feeling I'll be back! read more