This place was a wonderful experience all thanks to Jerry. The ambiance was very laid back and cozy vibes. The sandwiches were amazing. The Cuban was delicious and worth going back. Especially since we didn't have to wait long for our sandwiches. Only draw back was it is cash only. read more

Modigliani Cafe - The inside of the deli - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Great little place with a super friendly owner. They make everything but the bread in house and I haven't had anything I didn't enjoy. If I'm looking for a sandwich in Oakland, this is my spot. Just remember to bring cash because they don't take anything else. read more

Fantastic service! I love to feel that genuinely good customer service. Hella good sandwiches. The place is small but it does not take away from how delicious the food is. You can tell there's a lot of love packed into them scrumptious buttery bread buns. Homemade ingredients make it extra EXTRA special! read more

Went here awhile ago just for a cup of coffee cause the coffee shop next door was closed. I wasn't buying any thing that day, but the owner wouldn't let me pay him for the coffee, and I didn't have any cash to tip. Long story short... Finally made it back there today for a sando! I can't believe I live right down the street and have never been here. This place is the fu{king bomb! Had the Cuban sando- pork is so flavorful and juicy, topped with ham and Swiss and pickles, all panini-ed together. Was damn good. While I was waiting, chatted with Gerry(owner)he was feeding me all types of samples. Meatballs and house cured green peppers, a little piece of pastrami panini with chipolte mayo, his house cured hot sauce-so GOOD! Can't wait to go back and have the meatball Sando and the tuna melt. Cash only, there is an atm at the place, and free coffee! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Cuban - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

absolutely magnificent sandwiches! the owner is so kind and welcoming! I will always go back for the meatball sub and tuna melt:) 100 out of 5 stars read more

Sammies are huge and hits the spot! Owner is down to earth, funny and welcoming. Even my dog loves this place ... and the treats :)

If there were a sixth star, I'd give it. The sandwiches are next-level. It's that rare gem where the food is a combination of comforting, but with flavors and combinations that are different. You can tell the ingredients are top quality, and the open prep area lets you see the care that goes into everything they make. The owner is one of the most genuinely welcoming people you'll ever meet. It's more than just a sandwich shop; it feels like a real community spot. There's free coffee, and my two-year-old son is always greeted with a free bag of chips;l, sometimes two! Small gestures like that make a big impression. This place is simply fantastic. Can't recommend it enough. read more

I've walked by this unassuming spot hundreds of times in the past four years and am SO GLAD I finally stopped in. Omg the turkey panini is insanely amazing!! So flavorful and crispy. Can't wait to return and try the Cuban read more

I got the veggie panini and Greek salad, it was so good! I am impressed by the free coffee and tea while you wait as it feels like nobody does this anymore! Great personal touch to help us feel welcome. This is the perfect place to get lunch on a date with friends or a special someone. Right next to the Grand Theater! Gerry (the owner) is so kind and you can tell he cares about his cafe with the cleanliness, hospitality and the care he puts into his food! Make sure to check out all the beautiful art and his newspaper clippings and posters as he shared he was also an actor for many years! So cool!!! Highly recommend! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Veggie Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Solid Cuban sandwich! Quick and easy when you order pickup in DoorDash. Sandwich put me in a food coma

Hands down, the best sandwiches in the East Bay, maybe the whole Bay Area. Each sandwich is made fresh, very substantial, tasty, and obviously made with love. Jerry, the owner makes sure that everyone feels welcome, and that each sandwich is perfect. He is an incredibly nice and thoughtful man. We have been going there for the last several years, and never, ever had a sandwich that was not superb and delicious. I cannot recommend Modigliani Cafe enough. One sandwich and you will be hooked. Also - free coffee and chocolates. read more

The BEST STEAK SANDWICH I have ever had in my life. Also the pulled pork and seasonal Reuben were fantastic. Really can't go wrong at this place. Plus the owner Jerry is so nice, very real dude and just happy to be sharing his damn good sandwiches with the world. Cash only, so come prepared. Going in this place transported me to how my local small town restaurants were when I was a kid, no bs just good food, chatting with the owner, a solid sense of community. Priced well, all sandos $15-16 and he gives you free tea/coffee and chips. I will drive to Oakland just for one of his sandos, they are worth it! read more

My friend Dave has brought me there a few times and we split a gigantic sandwich with everything on it you can imagine. The guy who owns it is incredibly friendly and always in good humor. read more

This is a take out place with great sandwiches and excellent service. The owner is always pleasant and helpful. They are pet friendly as well. I'm partial towards the steak and the sausage paninis. Only downside is that they take cash only. read more

The hype is real. First time here and it def won't be my last. Must try if you like delicious sandwiches! read more

See all

Jerry the owner is truly the best! We order the sausage sandwich which was 10/10 and while we waited he brought us samples of tuna, bacon and meatballs. It truly felt like we were eating lunch with family! If you need a sandwich spot please go check this one out! read more

In the area and Yelp served up another winner! After reading reviews we called in our order - highly suggest this "20 min wait" Parking is street side on busy street so that can be difficult. Give yourself 5-10 mins to find parking. We arrived in 15 mins and the woman at the register was just packaging our order. Both on the phone and in person, friendly, calm and you didn't feel rushed despite them being busy. Per reviews we got the pulled pork - delicious! Super moist and flavorful. Hubby wishes it had a caramelized onion but other than that we both really liked it. I ordered the Turkey/ Brie panini. After tasting each other we traded halves. Turkey was delicious, the toasted bread had perfect crunch. My only mistake was eating the pork first and ending on turkey. The mild flavor of the turkey which was wonderful now paled in comparison to the stronger flavor profile of the pork and it's sauce We would come back again! Hubby may try the tuna .. I could do either read more

Modigliani Cafe - Turkey Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Tried Modgiliani Cafe the other day. It was really warm outside and I figured might as well lay down and read a book around the lake. It was also a chance to try something new, so decided to go to one of the most highly rated sandwich shops in the area. Anyway, I walked in and looked at the menu, lots of hearty sandwiches that sounded delicious. Given how hot it was, I decided to choose the lighter option: the veggie panini. They give a warning for all their sandwiches that there will be a short wait, so coffee is on the house. First thing I realized was that it's cash only. Of course, I just stopped carrying around a debit card a while ago, so I walked around and was able to use my mobile wallet to get some cash. Anyway, walked over to the lake, unfolded this beast of a sandwich and indulged. If this was the lighter option, the meatball / pulled pork sandwiches would have destroyed me (in a good way). Anyway, sandwich was delicious, filling, and well put together. They know how to make a mean sandwich. I prefer cashless payments and would have liked a few more (lighter) options on the menu, but the food was absolutely amazing and I can't wait to try their meatball sandwich next! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Veggie Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Solid panini with high quality ingredients. I ordered the Turkey Panini and it was tasty with tomatoes, just the right amount of cheese and buttered bread that toasted like a grilled cheese. Easy online ordering with GrubHub. read more

This place has the best Tuna Melt . Came here at 1:30 and there was a short line . The staffs were friendly and gave me sample while waiting for my food . Will be back to try their Cubano sandwich . read more

See all

Went in for the first time a few days ago, great sandwiches, friendly staff! It's a little bit of a wait but they have signs saying that and they have coffee and tea! Worth a stop! read more

I hereby claim Modgliani to have the #1 Cubano sandwich. If you can find one better than this one, send me a note. This has all the makings of a Cubano: * Roasted Pork * Ham * Swiss Cheese * Pickles Cash only! Wow, a Chefs Kiss to be sure! read more

See all

Best sandwiches, best owner, best employees, best vibes. Truly this place is a gem. Our favorite establishment in all of Oakland.

Super inviting and friendly, great food. Will definitely be back to try more sandwiches

This is a Grand Lake highlight. There are many restaurants along both Grand and Lakeshore but this is one that earns a spot in the weekly rotation. The sandwiches and all of their ingredients are crafted with obvious care (dare I say obsession) by the owner, who is as gregarious as he is talented. This is a special spot and rightfully beloved by visitors and locals alike. You can't go wrong with this menu but I can personally and enthusiastically recommend the Ham & Zucchini, the Meatball Sandwich, the Sausage Sandwich, and the cucumber salad. Happy eating! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Wow. The food is terrific. Had a Tuna melt and it was perfect. Like homemade. You can tell Gerry really cares about preparing his simple sandwiches as an offering for customers not just a meal. Beautiful and humble. Outstanding. read more

Stopped by for the first time the other day and tried their tuna melt and it was sooo filling and super yummy! You can tell a lot of care goes into making these sandwiches. My favorite part was the buttery, crunchy bread. As people have mentioned, the kindness and authenticity from the owners also really stood out and made the overall experience so enjoyable! Will definitely be back :D read more

Modigliani Cafe - Tuna melt with pickles - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

I wish I could give this place 10 stars! We met Jerry, the owner, and you can tell how much he loves what he does and the food he creates. We ordered the turkey sandwich and the Cuban (both paninis). Amazing! You get a huge sandwich for $14 and the flavors and quality are top notch. Jerry also insisted we try the meatballs and brought us out some to sample. Delish. So much love and good energy in this place! This is our new lunch spot for sure! read more

See all

The bass face: the face bassists make when they're in the zone. Sheer ecstasy, confused bewilderment, or baffling rage! You, too, can be a bass face owner when you take a bite out of an entree here and confront the fact that you went through your entire Oakland existence unaware of this shop and its super friendly staff. Stop by. Eat. Bass face. (The Cuban is pictured) read more

Modigliani Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been here twice now and both times were great. The sandwiches are delicious and the people are friendly and take pride in their craft. The prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and their location. I'm going to become a regular going forward. read more

Modigliani Cafe - Meatball sandwich, Absolutely amazing! - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Great sandwiches, worth the wait! Tiny place, no nonsense, friendly. Cash only, so be prepared. There's an atm in the restaurant but it will surcharge you. read more

Visiting the area and so glad we stopped in this welcoming and delicious local spot for lunch! They make all of their ingredients house, and you can really taste the freshness. We were given free chips since it was our first time eating there which was such a nice surprise. Complementary coffee, tea and hot sauce was lovely too! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Veggi panini and Tuna Melt - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

I enter the cafe, focused on trying the meatball sandwich. But I'm distracted and teased by the lovely scent of bacon. I order the meatball sandwich. And the Sandwich Genie (don't know his real name yet), grants me sample of bacon while I wait for my sandwich! I'm in bacon heaven. The Sandwich Genie is also a Bacon Genie. The bacon is perfectly flat, crunchy and not greasy. It left a smile on my face and me nodding my head. Yes yes yes. The meatball sandwich did not disappoint. Tender meatballs sliced and served with a tasty sauce on a French roll. I love how the Sandwich Genie asks his visitors if they've been there before and whether they've tried other items. This is a great question for someone like me. I'm a creature of habit. I already love his tuna melt. And typically I'd just stay with that as my go-to order. So I'm pleased to try his other sandwiches. I leave this place with a smile on my face and feel pretty confident that other sandwich lovers will, too. read more

Modigliani Cafe - Meatball Sandwich and Chocolate Milk Shake - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Jerry was so sweet and helpful with his recommendations and excellent service. The food was absolutely stellar I haven't had a sandwich that hits the spot the way this one did. The house made hot sauce was thick, spicy and hot but not overwhelming. I added the house made crispy thick bacon on my panini which was a solid decision. The vibe in the cafe is very relaxed, you'll feel like you're at your cool uncle's art filled kitchen eating homemade food that he made specially for you. Thanks Jerry!! See you soon! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Turkey Panini + house made thick bacon - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Excellent service and amazing turkey panini. The owner was working the register and was very kind and helpful - he even gave us free samples of the meatballs for being first timers! read more

I happened to be working nearby for the week and decided to stop by this place for lunch from the amazing reviews on Yelp, and this place truly deserves all the praises. The owner is so kind to give a sample of the pulled pork since I wasn't sure what to order. It was so so tender. He said it's roasted for 27hrs. I went ahead and got the pulled pork panini. The sauce was banging too. The owner actually said the veggie panini he would pick 8/10 times so I will be back to try it! When I got there the meatballs were out so that's something I want to try next visit too. Inside is really cozy, bar stool seating, complimentary tea and coffee. I took my order to go but it would be a fun casual place for lunch with one friend since the establishment isn't huge. read more

Modigliani Cafe - Pulled Pork Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Best Tuna Melt I've ever had. EVER! Everything from the tuna salad, to the pickles and bread used. The tuna salad is flavorful and balanced. It was literally the closest thing to tuna melt perfection. Portions so plentiful, I ended up just ordering the other half of my sandwich to go because I seen how big they were. The Greek salad is delicious as well and colossal. Just a really great sandwich shop with quality food and the owner Jerry is amazing! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Tuna Melt Sando - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Super friendly and welcoming staff. First time here and ordered the delicious bacon sandwich and split it with my cousin who got the sausage sandwich. Both were incredible but hands down...Get. The. Bacon. The sauce was phenomenal! Thank you! read more

Modigliani Cafe - Bacon sandwich and Sausage sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

There's a reason why this place has a 5 star rating. First of all, the guy running the place is so nice, I would come in here just to say "hi". And then there's the sandwiches..... for my first time here today I tried the tuna melt, which was better than and unlike any other tuna melt I've ever had in my life. The quality of the tuna, the work that goes into making it, and whatever magic they do to toast that bread the way they do! They also make their own hot sauce which was good enough to drink. They even have complimentary coffee. This place is a rare find that doesn't cut any corners and is a one of a kind. I can't wait to come back and probably will tomorrow. read more

Modigliani Cafe - Tuna Melt (minus one bite).....YUM! - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is AMAZING. I had been trying to come for a while since I always see it while getting my coffee. I decided to try it and I HIGHLY recommend. Service was great they informed me that due to everything being fresh it took a little bit of time. But let me tell you it was the best Cuban sandwich I've ever had. I like how the menu was short and sweet. The ambiance was chill a small little dinner. This is a cash only restaurant so make sure to have some cash. But they do have a ATM inside. read more