One star for the coffee. It's good if they're making the one you like. Zero stars for not making cups of coffee to order. WTF?!?!? They told me they only brew one type of coffee for the ENTIRE day. I told them I didn't like that one and wanted something else from their menu and they actually told me to come back another day. Seriously!!!! I thought I must have misunderstood the cashier so I walked over and asked the barista and she told me the same thing. Yikes, are you in the business of selling coffee or what?!?!? read more

A Tale of Two Coffee Houses: Highwire vs. Bica At this point, I don't know why anyone would choose Bica over Highwire. It's more expensive and the vibe there is always weird/unfriendly. And even though there was literally no one ahead of me, it took the hipness-addled girl a full ten minutes to make my mocha this morning, which, when finally delivered, was luke-warm. The kids at Highwire, by contrast, are always friendly and they all know my name and what I want before I order it. It's like family there. And even when they're slammed, the delivered product is always high-quality. At Bica, they don't ever ask your name no matter how busy they are. They don't even want to know it. In conclusion, you should boycott Bica and give Highwire your business. Trust me on this. read more

Fantastic coffee but I really enjoyed their espresso. It's not of an experience then a cup of coffee really. Worth a trip to them. Small family owned business. They do it right! read more

Let's be real, on some level it's hard to be objective about a beverage that delivers copious amounts of caffeine. With that said, Highwire's coffee is the some of the best in the Bay, and I drink it straight--no sugar, no cream. The flavor (although it varies quite a bit with the different brews) is, in general, slightly fruity, balanced and never bitter or burnt. I love it--the espresso, the coffee, the beans. On top of the unusually good coffee, the baristas are the best--fast, funny, friendly, and smart. When I was a newbie, they learned my coffee order in short order not to mention my name. Now, every time I go there, I feel like I'm Norm walking into Cheers. The only drawback is the ambiance and lack of seating (so it's pretty much grab and go). Market Hall is meh and right next to Rockridge BART, so nothing to write home about, but I'll take good beans and hella friendly, knowledgeable staff over the MoMA-like coffeehouse spaces that exist elsewhere and occasionally make me feel like a barnacle on a shiny new yacht. read more

I love Market Hall for some specialty items and prepared foods. Some things are just worth every penny. And I tried Highwire inside Market Hall today. I don't do coffe anymore. My belly just cant do it. Jealous of you coffee drinkers!! But I had the most delicious ginger molasses cookie ever and their Kombucha. So refreshing and very genuine customer service. read more

Favorite cortado in Rockridge. Friendly staff and great place to sit outside on a sunny morning

I was always drawn to Peaberry's Coffee for the good drinks and convenient location and was skeptical when it changed to new ownership - and new name - High Wire! But I have to admit that it has done nothing but get even better. The expresso drinks are so consistent - and so so excellent - they compare favorably with other spots that also have high standards such as Pizzaiolo and Boot and Shoe. I just have to give them tons of credit - and they are always so very pleasant to deal with. read more

Tops in the east bay, I'd say, and in a place you wouldn't expect. Huge win for the Rockridge market. As far as the roasts I would put them a notch above (e.g.) 4B, Ritual, Verve. (And definitely Bicycle.) I would put them at least on par with Sightglass and Blue Bottle. Super solid all around. Love the Toarco and Sigri roasts. The baristas are also tops. I reliably prefer their espresso drinks to Subrosa's for example, another east bay favorite. Bonus points for the total lack of pretension. read more

Love Highwire! Great coffe and tea! I really like all the changes since it was Peaberry's. The staff is really friendly! Great Jasmine green tea! read more

Great place to grab coffee before/after shopping at Market Hall. In addition to their espresso drinks, such as cappuccinos served at the right temperature to drink immediately, but still with a lovely amount of firm foam, their Highwire Espresso blend beans for taking home are sublime. The coffee has an excellent sweetness to it and makes for fabulous espresso drinks. read more

Great coffee, communicative/helpful service, and praiseworthy amenities. The owners significantly improved the physical, interior environment. If possible, I suggest more seating but I do appreciate the addition of the bar/counter with stools. Highwire has raised the quality of Market Hall. read more

I had a terrible experience there today. Went there to get a pound of coffee, that was 1/2 lb. decaf and 1/2 lb. regular and the guy said they don't sell their coffee that way - he told me I had to buy a pound of each which is very strange since I was able to purchase that same order the last time I was there a week or so ago. He was rude and lacking in any customer service skills. read more

Forget overrated philz and blue bottle. This place makes the best cup of coffee in the bay area and the people are chill.

Amazingly great nonfat latte; bright, smooth, rich, nutty, and fruity with perfectly steamed milk and just the right amount of foam. The mug they serve it it if you order "for here" is more like a small, heavy, handmade ceramic soup bowl and really adds to experience. Located in a market with other high end bakeries, deli, cheese shop, and butcher shop, it's a bit pricey at $4.50 or so for about 12 oz but worth it. Their drip coffee of the day however is not; tastes like a regular cup from Starbucks. read more

This is a review of the beans and not the coffee shop. I live in Iowa and just received my freshly roasted Yirgacheffe Blue Nile in the mail today. My brewing method is french press, and I brewed up a cup as soon as I arrived home and found my coffee waiting for me. In one word, delicious! This coffee is so pleasingly sweet and I was amazed at how smooth this coffee is. A very pleasing acidity. Yum! I will most definitely be ordering from here again. Can't wait to try some of your other beans. read more

Super great roast. Not so bright as some of the well-known (and pricier) local roasters, which are just a _lit-tle_ too acidic for my aged tastes. But way more bright than, say, Peets (the default beans for my generation in the east bay). read more

My favorite place to get tea! I really appreciate the fact that they pay as much attention to the tea as they do to the coffee. They have a really nice selection - I particularly love the malty assam and the true rooibos. They brew the teas properly and the biggest plus is that they use St Benoit Organic milk (from jersey cows) for my tea au laits and really know how to steam the milk perfectly. What a delicious treat! Love them! read more

Good drip coffee tastes well balanced black--without cream and sugar--not sour and bitter like the "3rd wave" single origin brew at Blue Bottle. Great pastries and cakes available across the aisle at Market Hall Bakery. Unbeatable combination. read more

Great coffee, mandatory stop on the way to get groceries every Sunday. The service is nice and I also like the market place. I warmly recommend this place for all coffee lovers read more

Coffee drinks are tasty, but the service is slooooow! Please ... I would gladly forgo that artful "heart" design atop my latte if you guys could deliver it to me in fewer than 8 minutes. read more

The coffee is good (I like the cold brew) but there is rarely anywhere to sit and the line is sometimes too long to bother with.

Good ingredients, good espresso machine, friendly staff. But the cappuccino was way too hot and the milk not done right.

good coffee inside the market hall, but the girl ringing up the order was probably the least friendly person i've encountered in a long time. she couldn't smile to save her life. read more

This location has excellent coffee and even better service. I come here regularly when i travel to the bay area for work and get a drink and a bag of beans. The pour overs are always a can't miss and while you are waiting their is a cool market and bakery to shop at or browse in. I only gave it 4 stars because I think they have room to improve on the bean selection or the roast process. read more

Amazing. Baristas are friendly and take pride in their craft. Brinda is the sweetest ever and has really good recommendations such as my new favorite drink; dirty chai anyone? Try the kombucha it will change your life. Can't wait till next time. If you are in the city check them out on Saturdays at the ferry bldg. read more

Just might have been the best coffee any of us had ever had. They have gluten free baked goods which my husband said were very good (in fact we bought another to take home for dessert). The glutenized (invented that word) ginger cookie was perfect, not too sweet and nice chewy bits of ginger. Lindsey, who took our order, was great. She was patient in explaining all of the options and helping figure out the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. read more

One of my FAVORITE coffee spots in the Bay Area, hands down. They've got some of the best coffee and it is CONSISTENTLY good; which is incredibly hard to find. This location is small but surrounded by loveliness. Definitely a must-try. They are sooooooooooooo goood. read more

The best iced chai around. Staff is friendly,coffee is strong. I wish the iced coffee sizes were larger, they only offer one size and it's too small. Highly (wire) recommended- get it? Hrrr read more

I love the coffee here, both drip and espresso drinks, which is always full bodied and smooth. The baristas are friendly and helpful, and they manage to remember my name on top of it all. read more

Ordered a latte. Surly service, tepid drink, tasted like soap. Soapy aftertaste lingers long after I chucked the whole thing in the trash.

Warm day calls for cold brew coffee with delicious pastry. I love the outdoor standing tables, great for a quick stop and people watching

i got caffeinated coffee instead of decaf which i ordered. caveat for those who want decaf. double check the server or you'll be flying without an airplane. read more

I have had 5 star service and delicious coffee numerous times at HighWire but have had less satisfying experiences with the last few visits. There is a new guy on bar the past few sunday morning visits and he was there again this (monday) morning. He let my shot run long while in the back searching for the delicious Benoit milk that my wife had ordered. Instead of starting again, he then splashed a bit of the leftover latte milk on the espresso shot and passed over a lackluster attempt at a macchiato. I hate to say it but i will probably head over to BiCa next time if he is pulling the shots... read more

I usually just get coffee here, as Market Hall Bakery is next door, and the coffee is bold and on point. My only complaint about this place is that right when it opens at 6:30 AM on week days a long line already forms and if people in front of you are ordering espresso drinks, it can take a while. read more

The house cup of coffee I had reminded me of Denny's. Or maybe an AM/PM on some dark, deserted highway. It was just plain lousy. Tasted like office coffee that was brewed and reheated several times over the course of 2 or 3 days. And for $2 a cup! Wow, luckily my friend paid. If I had gone alone, I certainly would have returned it and asked for my money back. Cole Coffee, Bica, Spasso, so many other options on College that serve good/great/fantastic coffee. This place only survives because of the location - - and maybe the espresso drinks are good? I'll never find out. read more

boom, if you're tired of peets and starbucks having that same old dull taste thats drowned out by the strength of their brew, check these guys out. best coffee i've had this side of portland, oregon and i'd say they compare with the best up there. read more

I wasn't exactly a Peaberry's "regular" but every time I was in the neighborhood, I would wait in line (and there was always a line) for my coffee or tea. (See my Peaberry's review - or rather swan song.) My first Highwire cup of coffee was today - I have read the other reviews and read the posted bios of the new owners. Passion for coffee - okay, that's understandable & I applaud entrepeneurs. My Highwire cup of coffee was smooth and strong -- what I expected, and got. My small coffee was $1.75 - a size larger would have been $2.00 -seems like a way to sell more coffee and get people to drink more. Weak link is the teas - the new owners do not profess the same passion for tea as coffee, and that shows. Pricing/listing for teas didn't make much sense. The changes in the place speak to a lack of marketing/consumer reach experience. I looked up to see if I was going to miss my train, or would have time to pop into Trader Joe's and saw a black corner - Peaberry customers, you know what I mean. Highwire, I wish you luck - a good coffee & tea place is a real asset at Market Hall and hope you carve your niche. read more