Just recently discovered Red Bay Coffee and this has become my pit stop before going to work. It has a nice crisp interior, lined with foliage here and there. Coffee is amazing! I recommend their charcoal latte, hot or cold is fine. Oat milk adds a little ooomph to it too. Their crossaint, buttery and toasty! They also sell coffee beans, I've tried East 14th and it didn't disappoint. Staff are friendly and productive. Music playlist adds to the vibe too. I'll be back again, tomorrow and the next. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Some early perk-up coffee. - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

UPDATE*** The employee walked over to address my concerns. I really appreciate her approach. I will definitely come back. The overall place is great and I'm relieved they made good (in the same visit), really shows they take feedback serious, thank you again! ============= Love the layout. The menu looks great IF they will make the drink. I try order a Vietnamese cold brew the guy said it will take 15mins I was willing to wait, he kept emphasizing how it would take a while... OK so I guess I can't have it. Then I ordered cold brew, they didn't have any...(it's a coffee shop, but OK). Ended up getting a basic drip coffee and the girl wasn't that much better either. Customer service gets 1 star. read more

Great drinks, great pastries, and great energy from the workers! Got the vanilla latte, a regular latte, charcoal latte, blueberry muffin, and cinnamon roll. Everything tasted great and it's the perfect spot to sit down and get work done (they offer free wifi) or to chat with some friends. I did notice there was an upstairs with seating, but we weren't allowed to venture up there. I don't usually come to Oakland, but if I'm passing through again or in the area I'd definitely visit this place again. Was excited to try their quiches that I saw on Yelp, but sadly they didn't have any on my visit. Parking in this area can be a little tough, so keep that in mind! read more

Red Bay Coffee - Vanilla latte - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ive been meaning to try Red Bay's Charcoal latte because I've been seeing it all over Instagram and I'm glad I finally got a chance to try it with oat milk! It a has good amount of sweetness and the oat milk helps make it more creamy. I really enjoyed it and so did my dad. Just be prepared to have stained teeth and a dark tongue after you drink it-- it's helpful that we're still wearing masks! Located on the Fruitvale area off of International, it's a pretty busy area so street parking can be a little difficult. You might have to park along the neighboring streets or drive around. I believe this place used to be a bank but they really did set it up so nicely, a perfect place for a meeting, work remotely, or to just chill at a nice hip coffee shop. The staff are super friendly too! I'd definitely come back here if I'm in the area for a little pick me up! I think dogs are allowed inside and the lighting is also really good! read more

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It's a very sad day for me, I was arriving to purchase my favorite "the matcha latte," when I saw a political banner with a disgusting curse word displayed infront of the business. Shame on you! I will not be coming back and i will take my business elsewhere. Why not put up a display of your wonderful products instead? I'm so tired of businesses putting up political signs, people go out to enjoy themselves and forget about the chaos in the world not to be reminded of it! read more

Great coffee served by the nicest people ever. Their drinks, beans, and service are always phenomenal. There was one time when I was trying to order a dirty chai latte and the cashier said, "Well we are out of chai but if you can wait about fifteen minutes I can ride my bike to our other location, pick some up, and come back to make it." I told him not to because it really wasn't a big deal at all and that I would just order something else. He then said to order whatever I wanted as a replacement and he would only charge me for the cost of the chai. Talk about excellent customer service? Like sir were you poached from Trader Joe's or what? He was the nicest barista I've ever had in the Bay. Protect these people at all costs! read more

Delicious coffee and a bright sunny location . Great spot for hanging out or meeting a group of friends

Was in the area and saw some pretty good reviews so decided to give it a try. Got the Charcoal Latte and Vanilla latte and it was way too sweet, almost can't taste the coffee at all and all syrup :( The staff was nice though but not sure I would come back read more

Red Bay Coffee - Charcoal Latte and Vanilla Latte - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Yummy coffee! Always a pleasant atmosphere! Service is also always efficient and kind! What's missing, some GF pastries. Otherwise, love their locations. read more

Having been to their SF Ferry Building location, I finally had the chance to check out their new headquarters retail location on International Blvd and Fruitvale Ave located a block from the Fruitvale BART station. The building is grand with pillars on both sides with is the words "Beautiful Coffee to the People" emblazoned on top. The inside is large and airy with high ceilings. Seating is along the window, open area in back and on the second level, which overlooks the first floor. The last couple visits I've been getting their bakery items, which I found out come from Firebrand Artisan Breads on Broadway in Uptown. I had the croissants, blueberry muffins, blueberry scone, chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate chip cookie and the mushroom and potato quiche. They bakery items are so good and the quiche is so delicious. I'll glad Red Bay carries Firebrand bakery products and it saves me a trip to Uptown. Glad to support a local business whose goal is to hire and serve people of all backgrounds while striving to be diverse and inclusive of those who have traditionally been left out of the specialty coffee industry, especially people of color, the formerly incarcerated, women and people with disabilities. The workers are friendly too. read more

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Located at the corner of Oakland's International Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue, in the heart of Oakland's Fruitvale District, Red Bay Coffee has finally moved into their beautiful new headquarters and I could not be happier to report of a more pleasant experience. This is thanks to their superbly crafted coffee drinks and baked goods sold by a most amiable staff all amidst a wonderfully modern ambience. Keba Konte, who is the owner of the burgeoning coffee bean empire that is Red Bay Coffee, has successfully realized his dream of turning a beautifully ornate three-level former bank that was dilapidated by a fire just a few years ago, into a modern coffee bar highlighted by a long counter complete with high-end espresso machine called a Sanremo, which is an Italian-made machine programed differently for each of three different espressos that Red Bay Coffee serves. I was previously introduced to this new location thanks to a special event held here, as Red Bay Coffee wanted local members of the community to discover their new massive café and headquarters, and I was so impressed by both their new home and service that mere days later I was back for more coffee drinks and treats! Getting to the newest location of Red Bay Coffee was super easy as it was a simple drive off of Interstate 880 and a simple turn onto Fruitvale Avenue and mere blocks away when one hits the bustling corner of Fruitvale and International Boulevard and you can't miss it. Parking along International Boulevard was a bit of a challenge, but as luck would have it this time, I managed to find a spot across the street. Once you enter their sparkling new building, you are able to safely order from one of their baristas thanks to the numerous glass barriers that line their countertop. Their menu is posted on the side wall and as for their drinks it is broken up into two sections such as Coffee & Espresso and Tea/ Non-Coffee. The first time I came here I ordered their Charcoal Latte and a Hot Chocolate and they were two of the most highly-stylized drinks that I have had in quite some time, but this time I ordered a small Iced Mocha with whole milk and at $4.75, this was very reasonably priced. Perhaps the biggest star in terms of menu items at Red Bay Coffee are their cookie selection, as they work with a variety of Oakland-based bakeries such as Firebrand Artisan Breads to source their baked goods. The last time I got their Ginger Spelt Cookies with Maldon Salt and could not get enough of them, but sadly by the time I arrived, they were out of that particular flavor, so I ordered one of their Chocolate Chip Cookies and one of their Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, which happened to be vegan based. My total bill before tip was $10.75 and there was an odd issue with getting my drink into one of their smaller paper cups with the lid securely sealed, I could not have had a more satisfying experience at Red Bay Coffee. As It was out the door, sipping on my iced coffee that wasn't too overly sweet in the car nibbling on both of my cookies, while sitting in that notorious traffic on the freeway and I could not be more in more of a coffee bliss! I love coming to experience and support a brand new business like Red Bay Coffee that is owned by a member of the BIPOC community whose goals are well beyond a good cup of joe, which they easily do at Red Bay Coffee. Because here at Red Bay, it's all about the local East Oakland community, as they are the only specialty coffee shop from their location all the way north to the Lake Merritt neighborhood. On the first floor, there is a kitchen that is preparing to make African hand pies that will hopefully soon be ready to serve along with their coffee in addition to a coffee bean tasting room and their additional floors are reserved for more quiet work spaces for customers and office spaces for Red Bay's headquarters. Plus, they have plans to open additional space to serve as a support system for local entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses that are in need of a jumpstart. On the side of their new headquarters, the motto of Red Bay Coffee "Beautiful Coffee to the People" is proudly displayed on a banner and with this new location on the aptly named International Boulevard where the local community of all races and cultural backgrounds can coexist this new coffee shop is serving as the local gathering place for all. read more

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The charcoal latte was really good! I was initially very skeptical but was happily surprised. The charcoal flavor was subtle, and so was a vanilla flavor that made it similar to a vanilla latte. The service was great, everyone was friendly. Unfortunately, the drink took a very long time to be made. There was only 1 order before mine but I somehow ended up waiting 15mins. They seemed well staffed which begs me to wonder why the long wait? The cinnamon roll was sweet and sticky, but a bit hard. I wish it could have been heated up. I also wish there were more food options. I was looking forward to having a quiche but noticed they were sold out. read more

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Stopped in here a few weeks back and had the Saigon latte, and man is that sh*t delicious if you like condensed milk! Would 100% recommend. I've also had their regular latte and charcoal latte, which are both delicious! Love the inside space too, lots of space to work or just hang out. read more

Red Bay's entrance is on the corner, once inside you'll be treated to an awesome setup with stools and tables or chairs to enjoy their great selection of coffees and teas. I tried the hot charcoal latte which was amazing. The staff was very friendly and made it a great experience. If I'm ever in this area I will definitely be back. read more

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Stopped at my favorite bakery around the corner and noticed the exterior pillars of the building. Told hubby pull over as the times Ive came around 6am, they are closed. When I approached the cashier, Rae greeted me and informed her it was my first time. She welcomed me and gave me a rundown of what they have which I appreciated. I opted for the Charcoal Latte since per yelp looked different and innovative. Penny who made my drink made it warm and with a single shot as I requested. Highly recommend read more

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Amazing coffee and Caribbean pastries (ethical rating: 5 Green Stars) Where to start? The place is gorgeous and spacious, the music is great, and the staff members are all very welcoming. Free street parking with no time limit a block away on 33rd Ave. Call me basic (ya basic!) because when I order coffee it's normally a straightforward drink - a pour-over, drip, Americano, or maybe a latte or flattie when I'm feeling wild. Due to my scientist / control freak nature, I like to doctor my own drinks (2.4 grams of sugar, 15 mL of milk, please!) but I gave up control and had an iced charcoal latte (in my own cup!). It was, to put it bluntly, totes delicious. It was sweet, but not too sweet for my taste, and the coffee was still the star of the show. I want to try a regular coffee next time so that I can deconvolute (scientific term) the flavors. Just as exciting were the pastries. There were pastries from Firebrand bakery, which I'm familiar with. But even that pastry (a blackberry Danish) was exceptional because it was warmed just right. Honestly, I think that people who eat pastries without warming them aren't living life to the fullest. Then there were some Caribbean pastries from the Pleasure Principle (also in Oakland) and I tentatively asked if any were vegetarian. Turns out that all three were vegan! One contains Beyond Beef (actually my favorite meat substitute) and the other two had curried vegetable fillings. The pastries merit a new paragraph because that's how good they were. First I had the curried chickpeas and kale - the pastry looked very appealing and reminded me of home. I just read up on The Pleasure Principle and learned that the pastries are influenced by British culture (e.g., the Cornish pasty) while being filled with Afro-Caribbean flavors. The puff pastry is so delicate and flaky that you would never know it was vegan. The turmeric-rich filling is just right - not too spicy but it comes with a side of amazing green sauce that added just the right amount of kick for me. Same deal with the other pastry, made with a Beyond Meat and veggie filling, except that it had a different flavor that was quite memorable (and this pastry was big!). I highly recommend coming for the coffee, pastries and ambiance. I'm also giving the Red Bay Coffee 5 out of 5 "Green Stars" for social and environmental impact, based on this: · From Red Bay: "Our farmers use organic practices and don't use pesticides. For us, sustainability is not just environmental but also socio-economic." · More detail should be provided on coffee sourcing (besides the statement, above). If you dig around in the FAQs section you can find good info on the East Fourteenth beans but most varieties don't have any info. · From Red Bay: "Welcoming into leadership those historically marginalized within the specialty coffee industry, especially people of color, the formerly incarcerated, women and people with disabilities." · Black-owned business with 60% women in management; working on employee-ownership program. · The nearby Red Bay coffee roastery is B-Corp certified. · Great selection of vegan Caribbean pastries from the Pleasure Principle. They are filled with veggies or Beyond Meat (one of the most ethical meat substitutes, in my book). · The sweet pastries are made by Firebrand Bakery from mostly organic ingredients. I rated Firebrand 5 Green Stars in a previous review. · I used my own coffee mug but the in-house iced coffee cups are compostable. Same deal for utensils, if you need them - from World Centric. Minimal brown paper bags for pastry delivery. · Rather than going down the usual coffee pod route (boo!), Red Bay worked with Cometeer - an interesting approach that uses freeze-dried coffee tablets in recyclable aluminum pods. · The oat milk is from Califia (it's good) and there's also organic whole milk available. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, please check out the Green Stars Project. read more

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Delicious coffee and pastries. The staff is so friendly and helpful. Everything tasted amazing especially my veggie scone with Parmesan. Yum ! read more

Red Bay Coffee - Veggie scone and latte - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Love the coffee and love this spot. Hard to rate it though when I stop by at 745 to a locked door and no one home when it's supposed to be open at 730. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Locked door at 745. - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

I've never had Red Bay before so I was so ecstatic to try them! Oh wait they are also Black owned! My peoples doing their thang with coffee beans! Driving here I had to find parking on the street which wasn't too bad, I found parking within five minutes of looking. The walk was another few minutes and boom the coffee shop! When I walked in, there was no line which was cool! I ordered my drink of choice and the person working the cashier was so nice and patient! There's plenty of room to stay awhile. Super comfortable chairs in a spacious area. I got a mocha made with almond milk, WOW is the first reaction coming to mind. The temperature was just right, not too hot, not too cold. 10/10! Thank you for a lovely experience. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Me waiting for my Mocha! - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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The baristas attitude sucked. We couldn't understand what he was saying (he talks too fast). He apparently asked 'what type of milk do you prefer?', when we said 'sorry can you say that again', the guy literally spelled out every word for us in an insulting tone. The coffee was average. We are not going back here for sure! Fix your attitude guys. read more

I have been a fan of Red Bay for years! I am so happy they have this new location. Its in a beautiful building with an amazing vibe. The staff here is just as amazing just like their other locations. The coffee is just great. The charcoal latte is a must-have hot or cold! If you are in the Town make sure you stop over! read more

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The Candied Yam Latte Is EVERYTHING!! I love having a nice coffee shop in my community. When Im running local errands, I pop in for sum coffee and atmosphere. Nice people and good music. Today, to my surprise, they were serving the Candied Yam Latte. I thought this was a 'holiday' offering so I felt like this was a blessing. Im making plans to have another one, tomorrow read more

Red Bay Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

I'm a huge fan of Red Bay Coffee and try to come here whenever I can! It's a nice way to try something different when you're looking to spice things up and don't want your typical Starbucks drink. My personal favorites are the charcoal latte ($6) and Vietnamese cold brew ($5). They taste pretty good and get the job done - great kick of caffeine and not too sweet either! As for the charcoal drink, don't let its looks fool you - it's very flavorful and I'd say it tastes a bit like vanilla with a subtle grittiness. As for the price, the drinks are a bit on the pricier side, especially when you adjust the milk, so if you're looking for something cheap, this is not the place to go but I do I think it's worth checking out because of the unique flavors and combinations. The place also has huge ceilings and ample room to sit and relax, so a great place to just chill with your cup of coffee! Taking down one star simply because the parking isn't that great (street parking only) and you might need to circle around a few times to find a spot. read more

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Always a great experience here. The ambiance and vibe was there. The chocolate croissant was so buttery and just the right about of sweetness. I love this place. What makes it even better is the sheer fact that it's a proud black owned business. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Honey Lavender Latte w/ organic whole milk - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Vanilla bean latte was delicious. Got it half sweet and is was still sweet enough. 10/10

I have seen this place a couple of times when I go to my job so today I decided to try it out and get myself a coffee since it was pretty cold so when I got there I got a Hot Chocolate with Oat Milk I never had oat milk before and it was delicious I couldn't get enough of it, it was really good if you are in the mood for some hot chocolate I recommend you come to this place and try it out next time I will try some coffee or get another Hot chocolate lol read more

Red Bay Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

We stopped here for some coffee on our day visit to Oakland. I enjoyed my Saigon latte- creamy and strong. He order the candied yam latte - and it was so delicious!! Ha! His review - "good pick me up and the yam taste is not overpowering perfect mix of yam, coffee and cream. I would definitely order again " I'll order that next time . read more

So glad that they were open today after a long day at work. I love their charcoal latte. Red bay are made right everytime and the staff is always friendly. read more

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Great coffee, friendly staff. I have been a Red Bay customer for the last couple of years and I always keep coming back for more. They have great standard drinks such a as the charcoal vanilla latte, vanilla latte, matcha latte and delicious seasonal drinks the peppermint fog and my favorite the candied yam latte. read more

4.5/5 I really enjoyed this Red Bay Coffee location! They have WiFi for working and areas to sit as well. I would say it's semi-work friendly cause there's not too much seating areas and it's a bit loud. This location is also their office headquarters which is very cool but of course you don't have access to that part. The staff was very friendly too. My friend and I got a charcoal latte (iced) and a matcha latte (hot). They accidentally made my friend's iced and they let her keep it for free as they made her a hot one which was very sweet. I love when places don't give you a hard time for that and also don't waste the drink they already made. Both of the drinks tasted really good and high quality. The charcoal latte was a little vanilla-y and the matcha latte had a nice grassy taste to it. I would definitely recommend Red Bay and this location! read more

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My mom and I have been wanting to try this coffee shop for a while now but unfortunately we did not have good first impressions and will not be coming here again. The barista was very dismissive and not welcoming at all. Inside it's very pretty but the vibe is so off. I also kinda found it odd that they don't put lids on their iced lattes and it almost spilled on the way to get the lid. The barista also looked very bored and sorta annoyed that we didn't know that we had to get our straw and lids ourselves since it's not really in sight. Do not come here if you get a little anxious trying new spots, honestly we're so sad that it was a let down. read more

We love Red Bay's style and coffee. Visit any of their many locations, including their beautiful, airy, and plant-filled HQ in Fruitvale where you can sip on a charcoal latte or try their charcoal toast with avocado and chilli crisps (my current fave). My kid was partial to their ube toast topped with almond butter. Both toasts use bread from Rize Up Bakery! read more

Red Bay Coffee - charcoal on charcoal - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

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I saw this recommended on a local guide for coffee shops. This location close to Fruitvale is pretty spacious with seating. I ordered a honey r latte which was pretty standard and just sweet enough. I wish the espresso had a more intense flavor but I enjoyed the latte and it gave me a nice boost after a day of travel. The staff were kind and super apologetic when I had to wait a bit for the latte (something with the machine). They have several locations for your convenience. read more

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I love this black owned coffee shop. I've been to several locations but I love the headquarters on International. The location in the ferry building is always busy and bustling. I usually get the charcoal latte, the flavor is so unique. This time around my drink was a bit too sweet and there was too much charcoal that it had a gritty consistency but usually it's a hit. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Charcoal latte - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

I love Red Bay I always wanted to come to this branch since I LOVE their coffee but I had one bad experience with rude staff at the 10th Street branch but I will always give Red Bay a chance. I ordered charcoal latte with almond milk with a quiche and tummy was very happy. Very nice and friendly staff read more

Red Bay Coffee - Charcoal Latte with Almond Milk & Quiche - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this local shop. The barista walked me through all of their interesting flavors with which excitement that I was excited to try something new (which isn't always the case). I ended up trying their vanilla charcoal latte, and it lived up to the hype. It had the health benefits of charcoal with a subtle vanilla flavor. read more

Shout out to the responsible Barista with the locs and great energy. You really made my day suggesting the canela latte. The place has great energy and I feel so at peace anytime I come in there. Highly recommend. read more

I dislike giving places low stars for possibly an off day. I normally don't make it out to Fruitvale but was excited to go to Red Bay! I've worked at a coffee shop before and know when employees are not feeling it or one another at times but the vibes were off and it was cool cause I just wanted my drink. Took a minute for my drink, small iced charcoal latte, to come out. When I tasted it, it was nothing but charcoal bits all over my teeth. I've had this drink before and have never had it taste like that. I could've and contemplated going back and saying I didn't like it but in those situations I just want to leave. I poured it out and was able to scoop up a glob of charcoal. I think I'll either stick with a vanilla latte or go to the box location on Broadway. read more

Red Bay Coffee - Charcoal - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Great coffee. Not surprised since Red Bay is a known staple. I'm all the way in San Jose but this is my go to spot for remote work. Today I had their French Ginger Lemon Tea. They just gave me the hot water for it. I normally like when coffee shops brew the tea for you, so it brews for the right amount of time to not get bitter, but I left the teabag in and it didn't get bitter at all. Really nice subtle flavor, I could've used more lemon but I'm not docking from them since it's a different tea provider. I also had their blueberry muffin which wasn't great to me at first, I didn't think it was sweet enough. It tasted more like a Madeline to me. But I also couldn't stop eating it and finished it immediately so, I think that speaks for itself. Most importantly, I really enjoy the vibe of the place. This location is very calm and quite, with counters facing the windows and plenty of outlets lining them. It gets great sunlight in the mornings (tough for the computers if you're not facing the window), and feels more private if you're on one of those counters. The decor is gorgeous, especially their lights. They also had a great playlist on (lots of neousoul/jazz today - Hiatus Kaiyote, Jordan Rakei, Lianne La Havas, very calming.) I didn't have it today, but their coffee is always very good. read more

Red Bay Coffee - French Lemon Ginger tea - Cafes Near Me - Oakland, California

Had a negative experience with the two baristas working there this morning. I read the other reviews and wouldn't be surprised if it was the same guy that the previous Yelp reviewers described as "rude and a jerk." I sent HQ a complaint via e-mail, hoping for some real CHANGE! read more