a lovely coffee shop after i checked out the Market Malls. i was persuaded to try out their iced matcha, and im glad i went for it: it was a banger. it had a sweet flavor that i felt balanced out that green flavor you always get from matcha nonetheless, its a clean coffee shop with good service and a clean ambiance. prices brazy read more

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We ordered 2 vanilla lattes (one with oat milk, one with almond milk) for pick-up and the entire process was very smooth and efficient! We were in line for Record Store Day at Open Mind Music down the street. It was early in the morning and cold, so we thought coffee would be perfect--we ordered online through their site (Square), then walked a couple of minutes over to Highwire. Once we got there, we waited only for a little bit before they called our name and handed us our coffees. The drinks were both good and I'd love to be back to try their other coffees, as it seems like plenty of other people have said good things about them. Thanks for helping us warm up! read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Some of the best coffee I've had. Their allspice latte is one of my favorites. Even their chai latte is quite good. No-nonsense, attentive folks behind the counter and tons of space to wait while they brew up your order. High stools available to plant oneself within the store. read more

Good quality tea that they no longer know how to brew properly and aren't interested in trying. Otherwise nice people who put their labor into the coffee; probably very good coffee but I dont drink coffee and come there for their tea. If they'd try to brew their very good quality black tea properly and train the staff, Id gladly change the review to 5 stars. UPDATE: Over the last couple of years , I've talked to a manager. I've written three emails and called. No one's gotten back to me. It's so strange to me that they don't know or care how to brew their loose leaf black tea, a product someone in their business knew something about, when they originally purchased it. They won't even use a teapot. Drink their coffee. read more

They closed the store early with a handwritten sign but left their online ordering system on their website open and had no problem taking my money without any plan on refunding me read more

i'm from out of town and this place was nearby. with the high ratings i stopped by and spent $10 on the seasonal mint matcha latte (+ oat milk) which was even recommended by the workers. worst $10 spent on a matcha latte ever. the sweetness was almost sickly, the matcha wasn't fully mixed in, the taste was basically milk. my standards are pretty low and i'm not usually disappointed by a drink, but this was a 1 star drink. rating 2 stars because maybe i mis-ordered and should have gotten coffee read more

Got a hot allspice latte with almond milk today - super yum. Just the right amount of spice/flavor without ridic amount of sugar. High price tag at $6.95 but I expected as much in Montclair for a good latte. Service was good as well. Needed to wash my kids hands but no bathrooms here. Staff directed me to some options for hand washing which I appreciated. Street parking was plentiful at meters midday. Peak times can be tougher but there is a garage nearby. Will def come back if I am in the area. read more

They have good coffee. The people who work here are nice and it is nice and clean. I wish they had more seating inside, but that's not a deal breaker. I do like this space better than I did when they were located next door. read more

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Excellent espresso! I am always on the hunt for a good latte aka where you can taste the uniqueness of the espresso and it's not all just milk. Came here with some friends on a Tuesday morning and was happy to see that they were not super busy, so we were served right away. Their menu is pretty simple with a couple seasonal signature drinks. I appreciate that they are simple and not trying to offer 100s of options. While we waited for our drinks I looked around the space - they have a couple seats inside along with some plants. I believe this is a great spot to grab a coffee and go on with your day. 100% would come back. read more

i am disappointed to update this review however, it has come to my attention via witnessing & not crossing a picket line EVER!!!!!! i can no longer say highwire reps my CORE values the vibes are no longer good and i am really sad... honestly i suspected when the brand changed SO drastically- oh em geeeee the new packaging is ugly & very *tech ai coffee bot* attempting to appeal to a south bay / SF crowd?! idk but your home is in oakland so when that happened i honestly just started slowly transitioning to "ain't normal cafe" across rockridge bart station AND NOW: to see workers striking bc *corporate* is expanding , destroying a brand & community reputation but not able to pay employees & treat employees with respect? if you're treating your employees poorly then you'll treat your customers poorly i no longer feel comfortable carrying my VINTAGE merch : sweatshirt & coffee mug; i no longer give highwire as goodies in my gift baskets until the workers are happy- im avoiding all highwire spaces solidarity with workers, d. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - my mug is too far away to leave the sofa - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I had been to Highwire over a decade ago when they were at Market Hall. Today was my first time at their new location. Almond milk latte was great and I loved the heart. Though I didn't try any of the pastries this time, I noticed 3rd culture donuts, which I'd get in the future. The baristas are friendly and efficient - there were a lot of people coming and going and they seemed to be able to get people's orders quickly. They also have a rewards program. The reason this review is 4 rather than 5 stars is that they don't have WiFi. Most coffee shops I go to have it and this is important to me as I work remotely. I would definitely come back to meet up with friends but go elsewhere to get work done. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Almond milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I got The Core Espresso and a cortado with almond milk. The espresso had the right texture and crema but a slightly burnt taste. The cortado was well balanced and the almond milk helped with espresso taste. I'd probably give them another shot if I was in the area because the service was great and maybe it was just a bad pull. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - The Core Espresso, Cortado, Sparkling water - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

After picking up a pasty next door at Market Hall, my wife and I ventured over to Highwire to get our morning coffee. I ordered a dark roast drip coffee and my wife got a cortado. We were surprised that non-daily milk options didn't come with an up-charge, as coffee shops typically charge anywhere between $.50 and $2 for this substitution. Service here is fast and friendly. Despite the long line, our drinks were prepared quickly. There's not much seating inside, so it's more of a grab and go type of a place. At the registers, there's a small -- but well curated, selection of sweet and savory items, including mochi donuts from Third Culture Bakery and also pastries from Midwife and the Baker. read more

Allspice Latte -- warm, frothy, creamy and perfect for fall. The flavor of the spices, that did not over power the drink. It felt nice and balanced. Sarsaparilla Spritzer -- sparkling espresso flavor overpowered the drink, the root beer flavor wasn't as strong. Blueberries + Spiced Pastry Cream Danish -- flakey, not warmed up. read more

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Have generally been a devoted Highwire fan but I have to say, in the last year it's really spiraled downward. In particular, picked up a mediocre matcha today and paid $8.50 pre tip. If you're going to charge that much for a drink, mediocrity is unacceptable. What's happening over there that quality has gone down the gutter? Pretty upset and deciding if you deserve another chance. read more

FYI Highwire raised prices sometime spring 2025. I checked my emailed receipts--in feb 2025 a cup of chai was $5. Now (june 2025) it's $5.85. Chai is decent. Modern Coffee's chai is better but their hours so very limited so I end up going to highwire instead. Every staff member behind the counter looks like they were selected based on their looks (alt hipster). read more

A completely forgettable coffee shop. Totally bland decor and finish within the store, almost no seating inside with a few poorly maintained table outside (dirty). It makes the place not on you'd want to stay at. The coffee was okay. Nothing special. But it was nearly $5 for a simple cup of drip coffee... so that's fun. The staff weren't really friendly or not, just sort of going through the motion and ignoring anything around them. Can't blame them, it feels so sterile in here, I imagine they are totally bored all day. TL;DR: Okay coffee, expensive. read more

I ordered their matcha latte. It was okay, I didn't think they added enough matcha. Tasted very watered down, or "milked down". I didn't get any matcha flavor coming through, and thus I was disappointed. This is inside Market Hall bakery, so it was convenient to enjoy with our baked goods. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Still enjoy coming here after an early drop off at BART. I always enjoy their seasonal special offerings and I usually try a pastry or muffin I have not had before as a treat. This time I got the Mochi Muffin and loved it, made my morning at work just a little sweeter. Staff is nice and efficient and the location is easy to get in and out of. Also, you now get points to spend - it look like about a point per dollar spent. Looks like my yummy cappuccinos will be paying off! read more

Consistently great coffee and a friendly vibe. It's my reliable spot for a morning pour-over before heading to work in Rockridge

Good all around: coffee, special drinks, beans, and snacks! Staff is always pleasant. Easy to apply rewards. Never received any spam texts. Been coming here for years. Keep it up guys! read more

This Highwire is located inside the Rockridge Market and they have some seating. I enjoy Highwire drinks, particularly their lattes or Flash (Cold Brew), sometimes I get a Flash a shot of espresso for an extra boost. I have been to this Highwire a couple times and they usually produce the drinks pretty quick and efficiently. There are a lot of coffee options on the stretch of College Avenue, but this is one of my favorites. read more

Such a cozy shop to grab a cup of coffee! Loved the location and how it's connected to a deli and market. Tried their seasonal allspice latte and it was very enjoyable on a cold day. Would definitely come again to try out other drinks and to just soak in the wonderful environment. Friendly workers as well! read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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This high wire is a busy , quite exclusive foodie regrouping of shops that sells all things delicious and you did not know you needed in your life. Staff are super efficient year pleasant and calm. Drinks are a tad expensive but regular high wire price. Coffee is delicious hence regular high wire stuff. Limited seating just outside. read more

Waited for my cappuccino for probably 10 minutes. When they called my name they pointed at a cup that had been sitting there for at least 5 minutes. Said they called my name - but they didn't since I was standing right there. When I said it's cold - dude argued with me. Really!?!? Poor customer service :( read more

I used to love this place and their matcha but wow it's just horrible now. I payed 7 dollars for just straight up milk and ice and it was horrible. Please do not come here the workers don't care and it's not worth it at all do not waste your money. Only things here that aren't so bad are the iced teas but everything else is bad and horrible. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Horrible - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I'm really impressed with this place!! The coffee is delicious and super competitively priced for the Bay Area. This spot on College is airy and there's a good amount of seating outside. Only complaint there is the pigeons come inside a lot. I'm not sure if their syrups are housemade but I really liked the lavender latte. Also they get your drink out super fast even with a line! read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious cappuccinos and lattes and third culture bakery items with tons of gluten free paleo options. I wish there was a little more seating at this location but despite that, it's still worth dropping in. I tried the yam and apple muffin and it was perfect - not too sweet and full of flavor! They get busy but the service is always quick and friendly! read more

This review is specifically for the Hirewire's After Hours Decaf coffee. It was super flavorful (for me I tasted hints of nut and caramel) with low to no acidity. There was a slight bitterness to it that went away quickly. That is my kind of coffee. I tried looking at their website for where their beans are sourced from for this blend, but couldn't find the information. I suspect their coffee beans are from Guatemala or Papua New Guinea in it. If you're reading this review and you have the answer, please send it my way! From a scale of 1 to 10, I'd definitely be a 10 and highly recommending this place to friends and family. I'll have to go back to try their other blends. read more

I almost always leave tips, even when it's just a simple cup of coffee-but not when the cashier doesn't smile, say hello, or thank you, or anything-and then fills up my coffee out of a jug. The coffee ain't bad, but it's hard to justify leaving the house for something like that. Really hard to justify going to this place over any one of the other good options in the area. read more

Nestled in the greatest nook of Market Hall. The best coffee by far! Their team is friendly and fast! Grab a coffee and shop the market! A well spent morning, afternoon or evening! read more

Due to the pandemic, I will be removing criteria that I had added to my reviews, such as restaurant ambience, mood, and wait time. This review will only focus on the dish. Quick Summary: - Coffee isn't sour - Milky, creamy flavor - Coffee with a kids menu; I've never seen this before! :D I've been to many coffee shops before, but this was the first time to see a coffee menu for children. Curiosity tickled my senses, so I ordered one from the list: the Busy Bee. This contains milk and honey. Before crafting the drink, they double checked with me if the drink was for children because they alter the temperature, so young children can drink. This care and having a children's menu in a coffee shop is such a thoughtful service. Happily, the coffee wasn't sour, and it was overall a milk and creamy flavor. Both of the drinks are warm, not too hot, so it was a good drink and carry along temperature. If this was a sit on and drink coffee, it might have been a bit lukewarm for my tastes. I love honey, so I really enjoyed the Busy Bee drink. It's not too sweet but I can taste the rich honey. It was refreshing almost. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - cappuccino and busy bee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

My go-to place for daily treats and coffee. Always fabulous. Great energy. Consistent.

Aw shoot! This was my favorite place to go for coffee, but they moved. They used to be in Market Hall, and the ambiance was everything. Now the place is sterile--a white bubble, you feel like an astronaut or something, you don't give your order to a person, you punch it into a computer-- the joint has been totally stripped of all and any human touch, sadly. Part of "going for coffee" (i.e. the whole reason you pay five bucks for coffee instead of just making it at home) is for the ambiance, the vibe. High Wire Rockridge used to have ambiance and atmosphere in spades. Now, alas, that's gone. Switching full-time to Cole coffee on 63rd. read more

Traci & Crew do an excellent job thanking care of this busy location. Lots of outdoor seating available to sip away the morning or afternoon. They offer a small selection of baked goods at the counter. However, they've switch vendors of late to their detriment. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Cappuccinoz! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Always great service and made to feel welcome. Latte is great, and kids drinks at consistent temperature.

I love this place! I love around the corner and have been coming here for a few years now. I will say that in a world that sometimes can feel like customer service is dead, this place renews my faith in humanity. I am always greeted with warmth and a smile and everyone who works there is always super kind and acknowledges me as a regular. The coffee is delicious and they're always happy to accommodate any special requests I have, like extra hot. Shoutout to Andres who makes the best lattes around. read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters is a cute little coffee shop that is a park of a little market near the Rockridge BART station. I've seen it a bunch but finally stopped in to grab some caffeine and food prior to hopping on BART. My fiance and I both tried the iced latte and a small jalapeno cheddar baked good. Both items were really good as expected but I felt like they were really overpriced. The baked good was around 4" x 1" and was $4.50. I paid total around $20 for 2 iced lattes and 2 small baked goods. If you're near the market or BART and looking for good coffee or cafe drinks, sure, I'd recommend stopping in but with the expectation that it is a pricier coffee shop. read more

This coffee place is literally beyond critique. Every experience I've had there has been absolutely perfect. On a sunny corner of Rockridge sits Highwire. The baristas are approachable and friendly. If there's ever a line, they move it quickly and they take and pump out orders like there are 10 instead of 3. Honestly I've never had anything but my usual. I just can't bring myself to get anything else. I get an Iced Matcha Latte and it is absolutely incredible! It's creamy and they shake it so it's completely cold. I can see them make it and they use real matcha. It takes a fair bit of self control to not just chug the entire drink!!! Instructions for a wonderful morning: order a great drink at highwire, get a fresh roll from the baker next door, then sit in the sun and enjoy your blissful breakfast! read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Yippee, another great coffee shop crossed off from my checklist DRINKS/FOOD: --iced mocha: yummy --iced latte: perfect balance between hints of sweetness/bitterness, would gladly reorder in a heart beat --chocolate mochi muffin from Third Culture: here it's priced at $4.50 vs $3.95 at the actual place, tastes the same SERVICE: great, baristas/staff very nice & friendly, a great smile is what you need early in the morning TIPS: A line starts forming even early in the morning, but the wait isn't horrendous (a wait of 5-10 minutes) & moves relatively quickly. Two lines are at the entrance, one into the coffee shop itself & the other one into the adjacent bakery STREET PARKING? is available, along a semi-busy street though read more

Highwire Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California