I tried this place because it's walking distance from where I work and DD is having 25% off promotions if you pick up. I tried the Albacore tuna melt panini and it was one of the best tuna melts I've ever had! The aragula and the capers made it so enjoyable and really hit the spot. It also comes with a side salad. The portion size is perfect. I feel full, but not overly stuffed. Service is also really friendly. Will definitely be back. read more

Baked egg basket with yukon gold potatoes. Nice atmosphere with tall ceilings, sweet staff, and a broad selection of magazines. Seriously, that egg basket has made me reconfigure my weekend breakfast options. Two baked eggs nestled in Acme bread over thinly sliced yukon gold potatoes and scallions. No more ten dollar brunches! Hooray for six dollars and a very full belly. One of the staff humorously noted that I appeared to be in love with the egg basket. Yes, but it's an open relationship. You're welcome. read more

Green Tea with roasted rice...get into it. Vegan cookies and doughnuts??? Some of the brightest beings serving Oakland. Get In to IT!! read more

Out of all the coffee places near my office this is the best. The people are nice, the coffee is classic, the food is delicious and I love the variety of magazines you can flip through as you wait. I usually get salmon and capers on a jalapeno bagel and a cafe au lait. Great start to a long day at work. Minus one star because there isn't a lot of seating and there isnt a good waiting area. I feel like I usually end up doing the "crowd dance": One step backwards to let someone by, one step to the left so people dont think you're in line, a quick turn so your nose isnt against a wall, one step to the right so someone can scoot our their chair, another step back to let someone by, etc etc etc read more

Loved the outdoor eating environment...noted: the waiters are quite the hipsters and well, judgmental. I don't know why they are like that since we are so near Berkeley and all. Ok, so we came in with three teenagers and two moms who were not familiar with their menu. I would have given. Four stars rating because of their awesome panini and salads but the two service people were really prudish. As you can see, no matter how good the food is, the service people do influence my "experience", so the deli became just like any other deli. Would I make a special drive for them? No If I were in the area, sure, I'd stop by for the food with low expectations from their service staff. read more

THE BEST CAFÉ EVER!!! I binge staying here for hours and it's a wonder they haven't kicked me out yet. (I wouldn't be surprised if they did) Well, I'm just going to say I am all for supporting local business. The best part is the hours! They stay open late until 9 pm. The ambience feels great, and I love the local art that they exhibit on the walls. It's the best spot to catch up with someone or study. They make the perfect toast for sandwiches, and their turkey sandwich with the aioli is just divine! I either drink lattes (mostly because they make those lovely art designs), or their ice tea, which is unsweetened! Staff is very friendly, and it's a shame after all these days, I know only one of their names. read more

Taking away a star, kids. Let me ask you this....if you know that everyone loves your frittata, why would you limit the amount you make....I don't just mean limit, I mean REALLY limit? Apparently, they only make two per day. For a cafe. Two. Per. Day. In what world does this make sense....especially in what cafe world does this make sense? Now I could see if you had some item that people were literally lining up to get before it ran out, but that's not the case here. So you've got that menu item that people love, people come for, and you choose to make two. Per day. And this was on Sunday at 12:30pm, which I really considered 11:30 because of the spring forward thing, so no one got out of their house too early that day to pound down the door for frittata. Oh, except they did apparently....for the twotheymakeperday. Okay I'm done now. Unhappy, but done. read more

So almost everyday for the past several months at 7AM on the way to work, I'd sometimes have to switch lanes to avoid their hazarding truck posted in front of this soon to be chill coffee shop which at that time, was an empty space I had yet to discover. ..Finally, one day, while I was on my way to grab my daily 6 inch sub right next door.. a black & white "Farleys East" sign caught my eye, peeked in & saw a new, cozy, welcoming little coffee shop that I immediately mentally bookmarked for myself to come back and visit soon thereafter.. As of recently, I decided to skip out on the "eat fresh" sub & finally see what all the buzz was about.. Ordered their turkey sandwich which was a pretty good coffee shop sandwich which came with a side of mixed greens.. kinda pricey though but I actually didn't mind.. Their barista/cashier, which I didn't catch her name, seemed real chill, down to earth..They've got a nice selection of magazines, a few great outside seating tables on warmer days to people watch (which notably have almost always been occupied everyday when I walk by), free WiFi, & a bunch of event posters posted up.. I've gotta admit, after years of being a Starbucks addict & giving up coffee for the past couple years or so, this place is the one place that has me feenin' for a cup after so long.. maybe soon.. & maybe even bump em up to a 5.. we'll see read more

As we had a busy day ahead of us, a walk down to another hipster coffee house near our place was my choice of the day. We've passes Farley's many of times and I suggested that we give this place a go. Beautifully decorated and spaced out, this two story cafe definitely hit the mark for a place to go in our local area. I was so bummed that I put any cream in the house blend coffee we ordered. Super impressed that you can borrow stacks of magazines from their magazine racks on the condition you return them before you leave and of course unspoiled (just like a library) or buy them if you want. Such an awesome amenity to have! For a quick breakfast with our coffees we shared the breakfast egg sandwich with niman ranch ham, cheddar and tasty wonderfulness of rosemary aioli. Oh we will be back, oh yes we will. read more

Break free from the chains of mundane lunches and try Farley's East! Simple foods done really well sums up Farley's East. So far I've tried their: roasted mushroom panini fruit and goat cheese panini veggie sandwich organic mixed greens salad All of which were flavorful and fresh. They use high-end ingredients and put a great deal of care into their made-to-order selections. Their teas are of high quality loose leaf as well and it shows. They've created a great atmosphere - music, lots of chairs, free wi-fi, tons of magazines, and enticing aromas of coffee and fresh baked goods that fill the air... :) read more

Edit: I think there have been a lot of improvements to this place since I wrote my last review, and I really appreciate it as a regular. The downtown area needs places like Farley's, so I hope they keep up the good work. Thanks to the owner for contacting me, too. :) Old review: I just moved to Oakland from the City, and I really, really, really want to like this place. It's convenient, cute, and supports local artists, etc. The coffee is okay enough and the food is decent (the cashew hummus is AWESOME). However, after patronizing Farley's practically DAILY for the past few months and even contributing to their parklet fundraiser, I realize I'm fighting a losing battle. I'm a really nice customer. Like REALLY nice. But no matter how I present myself, the staff is rude and haughty, like they can't be bothered to smile back or even be a little friendly. And, come on, is it really a "health code violation" to slice the bread for my sandwich a little thinner so it's easier to eat? True story. They really said that to me when I asked. Bizarre response to a well meaning question, and lazy, if you ask me. I don't like to write negative reviews just to complain. I think the people that work here need an attitude adjustment and could take this as constructive criticism. This place will be great if the counter people get over themselves. I'll keep coming back, but I hope the crappy attitudes change. It's just coffee, people. *The one exception is an extremely slow-moving cashier who likes to talk about bikes. She's really sweet. But the trade off is a stagnant line out the door every time she's on register. read more

Well, I really liked this place...been about 3 times now and all times were good. The food was fresh and tasty and the service was friendly. What more can you ask for? Oh, and the vibe is cool and hip....I will definitely be coming back to try other stuff on their menu. Thanks, Farley's East, for a wonderful dining experience! Don't go changing now.... read more

Got some juice and avocado toast here yesterday. You can definitely tell this is a favorited cafe by locals. The vibe was super chill and the space was really cute. LOVED how home-y it felt. The interior reminded me of someone's kitchen -- bookshelves line one wall, magazines line another, and beautiful modern light fixtures hang from the ceiling. Anyway, I can't speak to the drinks they make since I picked out a juice from their refrigerated section, but my friend loved the avocado toast. It was pretty standard, but delicious. The customer service was notably friendly, and the toast came out quickly. I also liked the stickers on the tables that read "no laptops" -- as much as I love working from cafes, it's refreshing to see owners promote conversations and unplugging for a bit. (That said, they do have WiFi.) I'm not sure whether these signs were on all tables or just the few near me. Anyway, definitely going back for a hot drink and some food! (Loved the brand of juice they carry, btw. HIGHLY recommend it. The quality is excellent.) read more

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The sandwich was really good...though a bit on the pricy side for just a sandwich. The guy at the counter was friendly.

Despite the freezing cold weather the bay area has graciously decided to dish out, I finally made the trek to Farley's East. I've been by this place countless times since it opened over the summer, but never had the time to step foot inside. All I can say is that I wish I had ventured here sooner! Farley's East has that indescribable cafe quality that makes you feel comfortable and at home. The downstairs is eclectically decorated with unique art pieces and a slew of magazines line the hallway wall. The upstairs is quaint and exudes that secret hideout feel. Sexy. Bottom line: Farley's East is trendy and cozy. Some fun tidbits that will have me coming back for more: - Gourmet deli offerings: tasty hot and cold panini sandwiches - Great looking baked goods and snacks - Free wi-fi - Great lighting! =) - Crayons/drawing utensils upstairs - Board games - DJ on certain nights I think I may have found my new local study spot - table space, outlets, free wi-fi and a solid selection of caffeinated beverages to keep my brain cells alert. I have yet to try any of their warm beverages, but I can imagine that they would hit the spot on a cold winter night. I'm definitely looking forward to spending my next study session or a lazy weekend afternoon at Farley's East. read more

Much like the other's on this Cafe I was a fan of Farley's in San Francisco. I even had my little collection highlighted in their window one month! It's love. So when I heard that Farley's East had opened I was excited. When I heard it opened around the corner from my studio I was STOKED. Coffee - word. This is good coffee. Fresh, strong, well balanced, and not pretentious. Staff - Awesome. I actually heard the barista say to a customer that ordered a macciato "Does your friend want a real macciato or a Starbucks one?" And when he said it there was no judgement, no distaste. When I said how awesome that was he looked at me in all earnest and said "I just want to make sure she has a drink she enjoys." BRAVO! Food - Fucking-a alright. Had one of their grilled cheese sammiches and I will say that I spent two times that much on almost the exact same sandwhich from Flora a few weeks prior and the one here is two times better. Also - they make the perfect bagel. I'm serious... I wrote a review about how weird I am about bagels for "The Posh Bagel" and they do it right. So right that I come here all the time now just for my morning bagel. My ass is not thanking them for their perfect bagel. I just wish they were a) closer to my actual house and b) in a location that would make me want to hang out. Being downtown it is a cafe that I stop on en route somewhere and not as a destination (like Cole Coffee.) Which is the only reason I am giving it 4 stars. If this cafe was in a more "neighborhoody" location it would be as good as it gets. read more

I live right down the street from this coffee shop and it's one of my favorites already. The coffee is good, nothing that makes you go nuts but really good. Yet there are a range of of places to sit, the customer service is great, food is pretty tasty as well and it's in a very accessible location from Lake Merritt. They also have a magazine rack for the folks who just drop by with no work or particular reading in mind. It has somewhat of a hip vibe with a "vintage" look. My only complaint is the weird minimum charge to use the card, felt gimmicky to me. Outside of that, I enjoy this place quite a bit and will visit frequently. read more

The music is much better Sunday evenings! Watch out for weekends when it's just atrocious & not conducive to a creative atmosphere. The food has vastly improved and the employees are the best ! read more

To really appreciate Farley's East, it is best to try not only their tasty coffee but also some of the assortment of tasty sandwiches, salads and baked goods sold here. There is also a wide selection of magazines available to read here as well as free wi-fi connectivity! By all means, do not forget to check out the second floor where you will find additional tables, sitting areas, and plenty of board games and toys to enjoy. If this is not enough, each month Farley's East donates part of their sales proceeds to a different local non-profit organization. I will definitely continue patronizing Farley's East. read more

On any leisurely weekend day, you might find me at Farley's East getting a cafe au lait to go - I love the foam & they make it just right. I also enjoy checking out the pour over of the day/week because depending upon what it is I also order that too. Sometimes, we decide to stop & eat a little something. The great thing about Farley's East is they have a selection of pastries, sandwiches, and salads, which are equally yummy. They have really delicious chocolate chip cookies with a big chunks of sea salt on them - I typically don't eat choco chip cookies without nuts, but these are yummy: 2 cookies are typically my minimum. The salads are hearty, my favourite is ordering a salad and adding tuna - it's definitely a soul satisfying salad. The granola with yogurt and nuts is a great treat for any time. I enjoy sitting on the parklet outside, which is great because it offers more outdoor seating & makes one feel like one sitting on the grass. Sometimes, it does get a bit crowded, so be aware that when there's a lot of people inside, service takes a bit longer, so if you're in a hurry as in need to get in and out in less than 10 minutes, probably would skip it if the line looks long. I say that because I have seen folks come in thinking they can just grab a quick coffee to go and then getting really impatient because there are several customers ahead of them. Although, during really busy times, if you have an exact $2, you can serve yourself - it's kind of like a "rush hour" morning thing. read more

Farley's is my go-to coffee shop to hang out in. However, I'm disappointed that they removed access to their outlets so I can no longer charge my laptop while working. They still have free wifi though. The drip coffee is a good price, and you get a free refill if you get it "for here." Not great, but gets me energized. The cappuccinos are very satisfying, however. I like that they sell beer/wine, and I love their vast and eclectic selection of magazines, which you are able to read for free while you're in the cafe. Haven't tried the food, but it's nice that it's there. The staff is always nice, friendly, and never pretentious. They're fast as well. For me, Farley's has succeeded in creating an atmosphere that feels current, but it's not obnoxiously so. This aesthetic is a delicate balance for which I have yet to find the perfect adjective, and Farley's achievement in this category should not go unnoticed. It doesn't feel like they're "trying hard" and isn't hyper-curated unlike places like Blue Bottle or Ritual. The artwork is always changing, with pieces by, presumably, local artists. Anyway, conceptualization aside, it's a pleasant place to hang out, although I probably won't be spending quite as much time there now that there are no outlets. read more

Eclectic, fresh food menu for salads, sandwiches and baked goods as well as a large variety of different teas and coffees. Jessie remembers your name after the first time of preparing your order! That alone made me want to return and stay for a second time. All the Farley's staff are friendly and helpful. A great place to help authors and poets get started and showcase their literary achievements. Plus free books in the cafe to take and read! Fiorentino Oakland read more

Dropped in here for dinner before we went to see Air on Friday. It was suggested by one of our friend's since she has come in for both the food and the coffee. I don't drink coffee so I won't comment on that, but people seemed to be enjoying it. There were magazines available for people to read and/or purchase. Pretty much any subject you can think of was covered on these magazine racks. The person taking our orders was really nice and energetic. As for food, I had the turkey and mozzarella panini ($7) which comes complete with a side mixed greens salad (lettuce? arugula?, not sure). It was heated just right so that the sandwich didn't have to cool down and the cheese was melty, but not runny. Didn't taste the aioli, but it was still good. We also had the tomato soup ($5.50) which was creamy and not watery so that was pretty satisfying. If I'm in the area, I'd probably make another stop in here. read more

Upstairs is where the party is at! Still has the view of a bustin' hip cafe but the tranquility of an out of business bookstore. Nique F. and I were able to talk shop without realizing there were other peeps around, it was quite relaxing. A half sandwich/half salad or soup is my go-to at any new place and it might just become my usual at Farley's. The turkey panini was excellently complimented by the arugula walnut blue cheese salad and I'd imagine that any combo of panini/salad would recreate the same sensation. Safe to say the kids in the kitchen know what they're doing. I just wish I could have had this Prosciutto panini every yelp review has been raving about but it just gives me another excuse to make a BART trip back to this cozy neighborhood fave. read more

I'm not a big coffee fan, so to me the coffee is fine... They have awesome magazines! plus it's a place that's actually open when downtown isn't... that's rare in my neighborhood... read more

I really enjoyed this place. The venue is pretty cool and plenty of seating which I liked. There seems to be an upstairs but I haven't seen it. The restroom is clean and it's gender neutral. It's a pretty chill environment. Although the person taking my order didn't look up once at me when I ordered and paid, it was still a good vibe. The people were really nice. Laid back. I just got the cold brew coffee. I don't normally drink coffee but I enjoyed this one. The food looked good. I would have to try it again when I go back to Oakland. read more

I've been making the trek to Farley's East during the day as I work in downtown OakL. The coffee is good to excellent and the folks who work there don't seem to have the usual chip on their shoulder that seems to be a major symptom of some sort of bizarre ailment that generally effects those who pull shots of epresso for a living - especially in trendy West Coast towns. I think I was helped by the owner when I was there recently and he definitely is in the right business based on how he interacted with the customers and his knowledge of coffee - which I'm guessing he got from his Dad who runs the original Farley's in San Fran. 1 star off because the chai is as bad here as anywhere else in the Bay Area. Other than that this is my regular spot for my daily fix. read more

Fabulous coffee. Two beautiful words I love seeing together. Fantastic. Affordable. Available. Also, a heavenly panini with salami, olive tapenade, goat cheese, arugula, all wonderfully hot and molten and stuck together between two seriously love-pressed slices of coarse grain bread. Deep flavors, well-seasoned, authentic grill-marks over seared wounds where the cheese had blown out and become charred just so. Cut with acute angle corners you know you love to crunch into. Glorious sustenance on a New Years' Day. The sunshine, the walk around the lake, the satisfaction of tooth and tongue, texture and flavor, that only a great sandwich can deliver. So delicious. So grateful. I will be back for the obscene hot mess of a frittata they had on display on the front counter, that is a promise. read more

Awesome staff, great and friendly owner who went ahead and ordered "Threads" magazine so I can buy it at his shop, not order it online, or try to find it at other shops, where it is usually sold out. THEIR HOT CHOCOLATE IS MADE IN THE HOUSE, none of this pre-fab, canned stuff. It is outstanding. And don't miss the Red Velvet Cake and the Apple Brie pastries! read more

I love Farley's East. It's everything you could dream your coffee shop to be. It has become my second home. Here's a list of 10 of the best things about the place I love so much in no particular order: 1- Free Bread. Yup, if you buy a soup or something they have this big and beautiful bucket of really nice wheat bread that you can take as much as you like of. I usually get a couple slices to-go with a delicious soup. 2-Really truly nice staff. The people who work here are genuinely nice and interesting people. They are eager to please and eager to make your experience a good one. 3-Cool Art. I enjoy the interesting and varied art on the walls. It's constantly changing and keeps my life fresh. 4-Fresh water with lemons. That's right, I'm stating the free water as a plus for why I go here. They provide these great and huge glasses for which to pour your ice water. It's refreshing. 5-Solid Food. I like their food. They have what I want out of a good lunch. A fresh green salad with goat cheese, a panini with fresh veggies, a bagel with cream cheese...It's all just yummy and tasty and hits the spot. 6-Magazines. Much like Farley's West, the magazine collection is extensive and fun. They welcome you to peruse a couple magazines as you drink your mocha so long as you carefully return the magazines when you're done. 7-Good Causes. They throw fundraisers for good causes. 8-Nice Customers. I mentioned the staff earlier but the customers just seem like pretty cool and unpretentious people. 9-Coffee Art. They make pretty designs on their coffee. 10-Pretty space. This place has good energy. It might be the sunlight that pours in some days or the nice clean architectural lines. I'm a fan. I have been meaning to write this review for some time now. I have been off of Yelp for years but Farley's East inspired me to get back on in order to write this review. Check it out! They have a lot to offer to Oakland and the Bay Area. read more

Big Fan I should say. in a up and coming town a good roaster is key for sure. my snobbery in coffee was well quenched on their cappucino, well done guys. the frittata looked awesome but I opted for their coffee cake..yummm... so moist and delicious, i had to slow down do i could have my coffee with it. my boy got oatmeal, which was chock full of nuts and dried cranberries, i stole a bite it was hearty and tasty. great vibe in there as well. only trouble is their open only at 7 so we had to say bye bye to oakland without farleys on our trip back. ah well next time. read more

So, I just recently moved to Oakland's UWS. When it became apparent that I'd be departing Rockridge, one of my qualms was leaving Cole Coffee behind. Qualm extinguished. Farley's East amply satisfies my need for a local, independent coffee shop. They sell/grind beans, offer pastries, provide Wi-Fi and have a magazine newsstand to boot. In addition, they have sufficient seating, and the service is great. Also -- when you buy coffee beans, they give you a free drink. Not just coffee, but whatever caffeinated beverage your lethargic body requires. Why in the world would you go to Starbucks? read more

My first coffee shop in Oakland, glad you set the bar high Farley's. Came here today and had a latte and salted chocolate chip cookie. Delicious on both accounts. The latte was luscious, yes, I said luscious. The cookie was the chewy kind and it was pretty damn amazing. It was almost undercooked, just the way I like my cookies. The staff was friendly and smiling through every order. I have deducted a star, however, because they forgot my order. They then gave me the wrong cookie. I asked for regular and they gave me the salted. Certainly not enough to deter me from coming back. read more

No doubt this is a hidden jewel in Oakland. The food was fresh, and organic and the price point was appropriate. Definitely would visit when in the area!!! read more

I love Farley's so much, I want to marry it! Before Farley's moved in this past year, the lunchtime pickins in the Oakland Uptown consisted of burritos, Deli Fresh, Subway (never!), Whole Foods or a 20-minute walk to Cafe 15 (which is not even in Uptown!). Thank you Farley's for coming into my life. I love your hot panini sandwiches (mushroom, ham/cheese and sausage are my faves), baked eggs (omg prosciutto parm goodness) and scones (i dont care that you don't bake these yourself). Their coffee is perfection.Thumbs up to the daily crew, especially Crystal & Nathan! read more

Been meaning to go to this place for a while. Especially since a friend works there. But when arrived I was informed that my friend works at another one. But why not try it?! I walked in with a coffee cup from a place around the corner. They didn't mind, thank you. I do apologize. I didn't know they would have coffee. I expected a strict sandwich place. It's tiny but well organized. Very neat. People were in there on phones, laptops, newspapers etc.. I order a breakfast sandwich. It was to die for. The bread tasted as if they barely made it. They yolk opened, not in a burst! But basked the sandwich in its glory and made it even better. Was very flavorful for just being a sandwiched. The people were nice, inviting, and accommodating. It's almost dead center Oakland so there's plenty of parking around and a book store around the corner in case you wanted to enjoy coffee and read. Will def come again, or try the other one. read more

Great spot for good coffee and good study times. Work vibe/laptop area upstairs and more social scene downstairs, by design. 2 hour time limit on wifi which I actually love because not only does that dissuade people from using it as their office/gaming station/whatever all day, it actually makes me focus and get my work done in that time before I'm booted off. When I want to get something done I go here. Don't love that the 'work areas' at Farley's do get full and I have to go elsewhere but that only happens when I go at peak times which I'm learning to avoid. Also I might just be a weirdo but there are almost no seats where your back/screen faces a wall. I think I have a hang up with people being able to see my screen while I work or read Tiger Beat online, but that might just be my thing. Great espresso drinks, solid coffee and solid food. Overall one of my go-to coffeeshops. read more

COLD BREW IS SOOOO VERY DELICIOUS. OK, I did pay over $22 for lunch, but that's the new normal, CORRECT? This $22 bundle did include a hefty sando, a cup of soup with THICK ASS bread and a COLD BREW coffee. But, yah, $22. $22 pre-tip actually. This can't be right. Let's see... sando maybe $11? Soup is ... $4? Coffee $4? That's $19... so I guess that total is possible, though very pricey, isn't it? IS THAT REASONABLE? I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE. THERE'S PROB A SAND/SOUP COMBO I COULD'VE LOOKED INTO The staff is very friendly, and efficient, and conversational. The Wi-fi force is strong. The seats are plentiful enough? The art was OK, but tiny and expensive. Like too expensive for how tiny it is. OH, and overhead music was fun -- it ran the gamut -- from MC Hammer to Nu Shooz. Anyway, they appear to support the community (my deduction via the sign that said they did). read more

I feel like we've got a mini cafe boom happening in Oakland. There seem to be all these new trendy-ish places serving third wave coffee and fancy food. I'm totally down with it - Oakland needs this. Farley's East is quickly becoming my favorite close-to-work spot. They can fit a lot of people in, thanks to a mezzanine space. They sell nice magazines to go with your egg basket. And the baristas serve you coffee with a fair amount of sass. read more

I see a lot of negative reviews here talking about worker attitude. Seriously, who cares? If the food is good and brought on time, I could care less. But that's the problem. I waited almost 20 minutes for a very mediocre ham and cheese sandwich costing almost $10. And there was very little ham. Please get higher quality ingredients if you're going to charge these kind of prices. I ended up still being hungry so I went to the equally disappointing subway next door. read more