My favorite East Bay cafes for working during lockdown - #1, Hudson Bay One of the things I miss the most during lockdown is having a place to get coffee and work for a while - yes, I know I'm not alone there ;) So I'm going to share my very favorite places to work during lockdown - i.e., cafes that have a fair amount of outdoor seating (and preferably decent Wi-Fi coverage too). The Hudson Bay café was a fairly regular haunt for me during normal times, and during lockdown it's running pretty well with lots of safety precautions: Perspex screens, sanitizer, and a window counter if you don't want to walk inside. Staff members were super-friendly as usual and there's always good music playing (it's faint outside, so I could just barely hear The Smiths and The Weeknd drifting out through the side door). One thing to note is that the prices are very reasonable - my veggie burrito cost an amazing $7 (or maybe $7.50) - and it had guac in there too! And it was big! I also had an oat milk latte and a slice of pound cake and the whole tab was around $14. For comparison, I paid the same amount at another place this week for a coffee, cookie and plain croissant. Lockdown Stats: · Seating: There are about 6 tables outside and chances are reasonable that you'll get a spot. If you're stuck without a seat you can hang out on a bench outside the library across the street. · Bathroom: Another good thing about going to Hudson Bay to drink a lot of coffee - the bathroom is open! It's surprising how many cafés have no bathroom availability after selling you a big old cup of diuretic! · Hours: Note that they close at 5 pm at the moment, not 6, but they'll let you linger till maybe 5:30. · Weather: Hudson St. faces southwest, so it's often pretty warm, even around closing time! · Budget: As mentioned above, Hudson Bay is one of the cheapest places around (esp. on College Ave.) to get lunch. I'm also giving the Hudson Bay Café 4/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact, based on this: · Very longstanding independent café and community gathering spot. · Coffee beans come from McLaughlin roasters in Emeryville - another East Bay staple. · Some of McLaughlin's coffee varieties are organic and most are bought directly from cooperatives or family farms that support communities. · It kind of goes without saying that plant-based milks are available - and raw turbinado sugar too. · The menu is a bit more traditional but there are a few veggie and vegan options. I think they'll also make veggie/vegan mods to a menu item, if you ask, since everything is cooked to order. · There's not a lot of info available about Hudson Bay's sourcing of ingredients - my feeling is that the owners want to keep things as unpretentious as possible. Since it's lockdown I'm not going to bust their balls over it :D · Waste is minimized pretty well, even during lockdown when most places are loading on the plastic. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, please check out the Green Stars Project. read more

Hudson Bay Cafe - Veggie burrito - $7.50 - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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A nice cafe. I dropped by to get a regular drip coffee to go and it tasted alright. The cashier was also friendly and nice. As for the space, the cafe was clean and is on the smaller size for cafes, with a few tables and chairs inside and a couple tables outside on the sidewalk. Some customers were working on their laptops while others chatted with friends, so a good spot to get work done or hang out. It's also conveniently located since it's only a few blocks from Bart. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but if your nearby running errands and want coffee, it's a convenient option. read more

great food and service. Matcha lattes are a must try. Workers are really nice and very friendly.

Fast, friendly service. I love the local, small business vibe. Really good cup of coffee...should have ordered a large! My bacon and egg sandwich with pepper jack on toasted wheat would have been better with cheddar on English muffin. My husband loved his gyro as is. I must come back to correct my errors (and enjoy an even better breakfast next time.) read more

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Was craving a breakfast sandwich and had to pick up some meds so found this place on Yelp. I got a bacon chicken cheese egg croissant. The croissant was a really nice size. It was buttered and lightly toasted on the inside and full of meat and egg. I got provolone cheese which was almost nonexistent, would've liked more cheese. I also would've liked salt and pepper packets. So note for next time as for salt. The sandwich and a coke was $15 which is a bit much but it is very filling and was made to order. There was plenty of free parking considering it is on a corner. They had Inside and outside seating with people taking advantage of both. They do have a large assortment of drinks both coffee, Thai tea, etc everything looked and smelled amazing. I would definitely recommend but remember as for salt and extra cheese. read more

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They serve Max's. They have tables outside when COVID isn't around. Solid back up to Cole, though not quite as scenic and chill. read more

Hudson Bay Cafe - Snacks!! - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Stopped by Hudson Bay today and the atmosphere is great. Community, good coffee and snacks. Highly recommend for pickup or to sit and enjoy the Rockridge community. read more

I got the avocado toast and it was okay, not the best but edible (too much tajin on top should have been mixed and was burnt) and took 15 minutes. Overall okay but there are better options around. read more

Free Wifi. Good coffee. Great owners and staff. Hudson Bay is a wedge shaped neighborhood cafe on the "point" between Hudson Street and College. It's brightly lit (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hudson-bay-cafe-oakland?select=iRoHqF15C9qmBZ8ulNJBcQ) with windows along the whole College storefront and a bit of the Hudson side. I'm a fan of their housemade granola with dried fruits and coconut (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hudson-bay-cafe-oakland?select=C-bUk3_orxpLhhVjZv6i5w), though I wish they had an option for plain yogurt in addition to the vanilla they use. Breakfast and regular sandwiches are pretty solid like this lox bagel sandwich (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hudson-bay-cafe-oakland?select=YUFdL7hAAqhqeFIU98I2CA) and chicken panini (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hudson-bay-cafe-oakland?select=jcubQ67UTO_mtLtHzODVsw). The "panini" was warm, but didn't seem to have spent much time in the panini press. Pastries from City Baking look good, but are unremarkable (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hudson-bay-cafe-oakland?select=b2Iws7mbqU2DyG6TydrW2A). read more

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We really like coming here. The coffee is always delicious and I love their food menu.

Resting on their laurels. The coffee was barely drinkable. Great location & environment, but obviously the owners are not putting into the business but rather milking it as a money cow. read more

Food and coffee was good and pretty inexpensive. The 5 star is particularly for the sweet and good vibes cook dude who was hustling in the back but really made a huge effort to be sweet and make a personal connection. This dude made our day. The avocado toast was particularly tasty. read more

Cute little coffee shop on the corner, with friendly baristas. This was my first experience here. I got a Thai coffee and it was so good! I highly recommend, it tastes similar to a Vietnamese coffee. It's a small coffee shop but the high ceilings and big windows makes the atmosphere airy. There are tables inside and out to sit and enjoy your food or just chat with a friend. read more

This is truly a gem of a place. The food is tasty and the staff is very friendly. It's also one of the few places left that haven't jacked up prices like crazy. read more

Enjoyed a delicious pastrami on rye with generous toppings (lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, pepperoncini, onions) and mustard and oil & vinegar condiments. Beverages ordered were a regular and a Thai iced tea ... very refreshing on one of those rare warm days in the Bay Area. read more

Hudson Bay Cafe is definitely different from my usual caffeine dispensaries. it's an indy on the wedge corner of College & Hudson. parking space available in front. not much seating within. brew: organic guantamalean (L. 2.75) -combo of bold and smooth. -hearsay hudson roasts their own beans. *fabulous coffee drips: -just one barrista and one backup, -service ok, not as quick as Peet's.; -would repeat if i found parking. read more

Cute little neighborhood cafe, but on my two visits this weekend service was a miss. First day we ordered two drinks and a toasted bagel with nothing on it to go, since there was a 15 minute wait for other food items. Once toasted, though, the bagel was swept back to the kitchen where it sat for another five minutes until someone realized their mistake. During this time we tried repeatedly to get the staff's attention and ask them to grab the bagel from the back but everyone ignored us. I'd chalk that up to a busy day, but on my return visit this morning I had similarly poor service. I ordered a hot chocolate with one shot of espresso. It seemed like the woman behind the register was new and asked the barista how to ring it up. He kind of sneered "that's just a mocha" at her and went back to making drinks. I asked her to please ring it up the way I ordered it (it's cheaper to pay for the a la carte shot than to order a mocha which comes with three shots by default and pay extra for the two shots they'd end up leaving out). Basically they refused and so I ended up having to pay for shots I didn't want/get. Meanwhile the barista kept griping at and about the woman working the register until another employee had to send her off on her break to appease him. It was a really poor impression to make in front of all the customers. read more

The food is ok. We ordered the Tuna Melt. Would have preferred more moisture and cheese on this. Couldn't taste the peppers or the pickles. This was passable though, as we were hungry. We also ordered the Green Dragon which was better than the Tuna Melt. The jalapeno and tapatio really snuck up on us. Gets hotter and hotter. The bacon and egg were cooked pretty well. The food was all pretty standard really. Staff was super friendly. Ordering took longer than expected as the line moved slowly. The food was brought out to our table in less than 10 minutes. The seating space inside is on the smaller side. There are way more tables for solo individuals than for groups. The vast majority of people here were alone and working on laptops or reading. Almost every table was here at lunch time. There's also seating with 2 person tables along the outside of the building along the sidewalk. The seating area is pretty tight. They're making the most of what they're working with, but I'd rather eat lunch or hang out somewhere with more elbow room. read more

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The young lady at the register was not very friendly. I ordered a egg & cheese toast and a small coffee. The screen changed while I was still typing my email to receive a receipt. She looked me in the eye right after and ignored the fact that i was not done. Very rude!!! The toast was burned and very dry. The test was blend and not enjoyable at all. I must say the Barista (young man was very nice and assist me right away when I asked for brown sugar. read more

This is one of my go-to coffee shops, and the reason is simple: they treat customers with disabilities very well. The food is good, the coffees are lovely but the service is AWESOME. I like their tuna on rye with a nice cup of coffee. There's outside seating (yay, doggies can come!) and the other patrons are friendly too. read more

Hudson Bay Cafe - Tuna and a latte! - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

My favorite coffee shop on the face of the Earth!! 12 years ago, I was an employee here and genuinely loved the owners and their super cute shop! I loved how the coffee drinks were artistically crafted with love and finesse! (It's rare to find a shop that serves in ceramic so you can enjoy beautiful art in your cup). Even to this day, I speak about my work experience there and how it had been one of my favorite places that I've worked. Today I returned for the first time in 12 years. (Visiting from NYC and I made it a point to add HBC to my already packed itinerary.) I love how engaged the baristas and owners are with the customers and I love people watching in the window while enjoying my meals. My fav sandwich is the Zesty Caesar Panini.. (partially cause I invented it when I worked there and it was requested so much that it was added to the menu ) I'm glad it's still there and my heart was super excited when I heard a customer order it! (It really is delicious!) What I love most about HBC, other than the owners, would be their coffee! I took home my fav blend (Red Sea) along with a cute souvenir cup to always remind me of one of my favorite places. I highly recommend if you would like a relaxing, chill cafe to relax and grab a drink/bite. read more

Hudson is a staple of the Rockridge neighborhood for coffee, pastries, bagels, and sandwiches. I come here all the time for oat milk cappuccinos and bagel sandwiches. If you're looking for a cheap lunch in the area, this is definitely a great spot to check out since the prices are super affordable, especially for Rockridge. There's lots of indoor and outdoor seating as well. Service is straightforward and easy, you just order at the counter and they give you a number for food but ask you to grab your drink at the counter. They have wifi so you can definitely get some work or studying done here- you'll always see people with laptops. Oh, and it's dog friendly too, people often come in and order with their pup and I've never seen them say anything. read more

A friend and I ordered a caramel latte, extra hot. However, the caramel flavor was nonexistent and the ratio of espresso to milk was inadequate. The espresso in the latte also tasted as if the beans were over roasted, but overall the drink required more milk and syrup. On the upside, the interior is aesthetic and has a cozy feel. There is a good amount of seating and I would enjoy doing work there if the coffee was more to my taste. However, they also have an extensive food menu which I may try in the future. read more

Rolled into Oakland at the end of a long drive from SoCal, so what better place to take a load off and grab a cup of java with fellow Yelper Daniel L., Linda C. and Ellen C.? - yup Hudson Bay Café. Hudson is a relaxed café located in cool Rockridge district of Oakland. The interior is Berkeley/Oakland Proletariat chic; an atmosphere inductive to discussing world problems as well as just sitting around shooting the sh*t. Just down the street from the Rockridge BART station, it was a perfect place to hook up with Daniel L. who took public transportation from Cal. I decided on a latte instead of an espresso because I wanted something more substantial to quench my thirst and to perk me up after the long drive. The medium latte was definitely substantial; in fact all of their brews were big, big AND good. The latte was robust and creamy with that warm dark coffee flavor found only in perfectly roasted beans. For the next couple of hours we chilled and enjoyed each other's company in Oakland's waning afternoon sun. Good friends, good coffee, and good conversation - what more do you want? Next time? Double shot express. read more

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Would pass. When I drove by this place the other day wanting some munchies, I thought it would be a good idea to stop by and get something from this corner cafe. That wasn't really a good decision. I had a chocolate chunk cookie and a Thai tea, both were overpriced and meh. Cookie was really average for what I paid. I expected a cookie with wow factors... and then that Thai tea. BLAND. And trust me, not because it is a small cup loaded to the top with ICE. Not sure where they got their recipe, but they could learn something from the aunties at pho restaurants. Peace. read more

A very friendly staff serves up your favorite beverages and pastries. Additionally there is a fine lunch menu of sandwiches and salads. Wine is served. A small venue with additional outside seating. A great place to meet friends, work on your computer or just people watch. Been at this location for many years and has not changed much. A refreshing escape from the chains. Locally and independently owned. Come see, but don't take my table! read more

I was looking for a place to get a breakfast burrito fast and good. This was the place. I asked for my bacon and potatoes crispy and the chef was able to accommodate. The lady at the cash register was so nice. I pulled my tshirt over my face because I ran out of disposable covid masks and she offered me one. The inside is nice and wheelchair accessible. As you can see from the picture they have a small ramp at their door. They're pet friendly too . Hope you enjoy read more

Hudson Bay Cafe - Ramp at the door for wheelchairs - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

They say their kitchen closes at 3 on Sunday yet on the website it says open daily from 7am-5pm with nothing regarding the fact that they close the kitchen early. Now I'm hangry and let down AGAIN by this place. read more

I love this place so much. Friendly staff, yummy food, gluten free options and sunny outdoor seating. The London Fog is great to kickstart your morning. I like to pair it with a gluten free bagel, lox style. They toast the bagel and don't cut corners (real smoked salmon and capers on that lox). Plus, there are often cute dogs around to pet. read more

Horrible service with the help having an attitude as well. Food took so long that we had to ask for a refund and eat elsewhere. Don't bother. read more

Always good. Love the humus sandwich bagel. Everything is fresh, except the staff ;-)

Thank you for all of the coffee, breakfast burritos, lox bagels, hot sauce, and good service.

The Hudson Café is definitely a place many people call home. I watched as person after person walked up the counter, greeted by name, and bantered like regulars. It added to the warm, family vibe of the café. I ordered a breakfast burrito, blueberry cheese Danish, and a Chai Latte. The blueberry cheese Danish came out first. It was heated up, so the sweet cheese was hot and gooey. The pastry dough was flakey, buttery, and delicious. The breakfast burrito was awesome, if not for any other reason, because it came with avocado inside. No extra cost, and the avocado added so much flavor. It was perfect for the burrito. The Chai Latte was hot, but it was mostly foam, and the flavor just wasn't there. I would love to come back here and get that burrito again. It's a great place for breakfast, at a decent price too. read more

Love this place and the help is outstanding either the owner or manager that isn't in the morning. She is so nice and friendly and always get greeted They do have a very good breakfast menu, and the breakfast burritos are quite tasty. read more

I really want to say better things because I love the location and people but it's really average. The main thing that almost made me give it 2stars is it was literally 60 degrees at best in the cafe. I mean I know it was 45 degrees out, but damn, don't freeze your customers. Coffee is ok, nothing is bad nothing is good. read more

Ordered lattes for delivery and they arrived fast, were still warm but unfortunately totally burnt! The espresso was burned and so was the almond milk. Such a waste of money. read more

Ordered a reuben sandwich and latte. They were both good. However, the workers seemed confused how to punch in the order so it took a while to process. Food came out fast though. read more

This place is hit or miss. It's a reliable cafe with wifi and coffee for a reasonable price. But I went in there this last Saturday and the folks working the counter were super rude for no reason. This is the first time I've experienced being barked at by both barista's for asking 20 mins later if my food was ready (they told me to come back in 20 mins because I was taking to-go, so I did and when I asked politely if there was an order ready for me the lady said really curtly, "I'll bring it out to you!" and I had to respond that I had ordered to-go 20 mins ago and wasn't seated anywhere.). Anyway...I might not go back for a while. Or at least avoid the weekend staff. read more

This place has long been an anchor for this end of College Avenue, and for good reason. Recently during the pandemic they were quick to open and have managed the place safely and efficiently. But more importantly the staff are really friendly they make you feel at home, like one of the family. They've always been a great spot for coffee, pastries as well as breakfast or lunch items. My recent favorites have been a bagel breakfast sandwich, but just today I had their breakfast burrito for the first time which was amaze-balls... Do stop in and say hello to enjoy the ambience as well as the great coffee and food. read more

Reasonable coffee and food. Unfriendly staff with attitude for free. Don't serve a hot drink cold. Mistakes happen, but: 1 staff tells me to wait my turn (already did that) and the barista tells me it was my fault. "You were in the toilet". No - I didn't go. "I couldn't find you". No - I was standing here. Plenty of good coffee shops on College without the attitude. read more