Awaken Cafe & Roasting

norris tran a month ago

Solid downtown Oakland coffee stop with good vibes. Stopped by the Broadway location and it’s a reliable spot for coffee and a quick bite. They roast their own beans and the drinks are consistently good. The lavender latte and ube latte both get a lot of love from me personally and deliver on flavor without being overly sweet. Espresso drinks are smooth and well made. Food side is decent. Bagels are one of the stronger points and closer to a proper New York style than most places around here. Avocado toast and simple bagel combos with cream cheese or hummus hold up fine for a casual meal. Pastries like the scones and muffins are solid too. Atmosphere is chill and spacious enough to work or hang out. Staff is friendly and the overall vibe feels welcoming. It can get a little pricey for what you get and the food options are more basic cafe fare than standout meals, which keeps it from a full 5. Still a good downtown Oakland go to when you want quality coffee and a relaxed place to sit.

Spring Keosoupha 3 months ago

We came here for the first time 14 years ago, after we had just met. Our coffees were so good that we sat down and held a 2-hour long conversation while comfortably seated outside. Later 14 years married we've been back since and they still have the same great coffee and atmosphere that helped us on our first date.

Amex Eats 6 months ago

As a regular coffee drinker, I’ll be honest—sometimes coffee just doesn’t hit the way you need it to. But this place completely changed that for me. I stopped in on a Monday afternoon needing a real pick-me-up and ordered a cold brew… and wow. It was smooth, bold, and perfectly balanced—honestly, I felt the boost after just a few sips. You can really taste the quality and care in their coffee. It feels authentic, not rushed or overly processed like some places. I also tried their salted chocolate chip cookie, and it was just as impressive—fresh, flavorful, and definitely a treat worth getting again. On top of that, the staff was patient, welcoming, and genuinely friendly, which made the whole experience even better. This is the kind of spot you look forward to coming back to—especially when you need that perfect reset during a long day.

Nick Howard 8 months ago

Awaken Cafe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Vibe & Workflow: Awaken hits all the marks: consistent service, great atmosphere, and serious coffee. If you’re working on a laptop (especially with a glossy screen), you’ll appreciate the thoughtful lighting and tinted windows—no glare here. The charcoal interior is a vibe, and the tables are heavy and stable (no wobbling coffee spills on your tech). Food & Drink: Coffee: I haven’t bought the beans, but the drip coffee is easily some of the best around. Food: A thoughtful mix of bakery items, snack plates, and house-made sandwiches. The portions are surprisingly large. Logistics: Location: Smack dab between 12th St and 19th St BART. Easy hop in, hop out. Parking: Decent amount of metered parking in the surrounding area. Seating: Great mix, from outdoor Broadway seating to conference tables and bar spots with hooks for your bags. The Verdict: A no-brainer for coffee, food, or a workspace in the Town. My only knock? I wish they were open later.

timothee maz 8 months ago

amazing coffee is downtown oakland. the store manager should definitely work little bit more training people for customer service. (a tall white guy was working there. he was very much unfriendly) besides that everything was great.