Chalys Coffee Shop

Off-the-beaten-path and worth the while. Comfortable seating and a calm setting, perfect for a quiet meeting spot. On-site coffee roasting, with mild and nutty-tasting roasts. Try the homemade additions that can be mixed into a coffee drink. And while you’re at it, treat yourself to fresh baked goods.

A beautiful and delicious coffee house that roasts their own beans. It may be worth noting they do not have sugar, only sugar alternatives (coconut sugar, monk fruit sugar, and agave).

Emilie Raguso

Neighborhood gem — amazing to have such great coffee so accessible. Not to mention cozy vibe and super sweet staff. Love making this part of my daily routine. And the Pumpkin Spice Latte is a real treat. Not too sweet with a nice spicy kick!

James K

Friendly café with good coffee and snacks (4/5 Green Stars). I met someone at Charlie May’s for coffee/tea and snacks before a hike – the Clyde Woolridge trailhead is just up the road. Service was friendly and the drinks were good – my Americano was well-made and my friend’s London Fog looked enticing. We also shared a veggie empanada and scone and agreed that they were both tasty. The Buenos Aries style empanadas are from Javi’s Cooking. We had the vegetarian “zapallo” empanada but apparently there’s also a vegan empanada, made with Impossible mince and vegan butter. It wasn’t on the café menu that day but is listed on the website menu. Something for another day! The café has a mix of spaces including regular tables, an outdoor patio and a cozy living room area with armchairs, lamps and framed prints. They also have a conference room with a large screen that you can rent if you have an important meeting coming up. I think it’s an interesting space with some unique food and drink options. I don’t normally do coffee with syrups but I’m curious to try one of their homemade “sauces” next time – champorado, based on a Filipino porridge of chocolate and rice, and latiya, inspired by a Guamanian dessert of cinnamon cake and vanilla custard. I’m giving Charlie May coffee 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on these factors: • Charlie May is a small, women-owned, minority owned business. It was founded by two sisters whose families came from the Philippines and Guam. • Charlie May provides no info on their coffee, which is odd for a company (even a small one) that roasts their own beans. They sell Nicaragua La Estrella beans but it would be nice to know more. • Coffee is roasted in-house with an electric roaster (Bellweather) developed in Berkeley. Charlie May mentions this as one way in which they are reducing their carbon footprint. • Plastic waste is minimized with ceramic mugs, compostable to-go cups and a branded tumbler for sale. • They take part in local events and fundraisers, for example donating to a homeless org.

Claire Mizutani

Went for the first time with a friend and I can’t wait to go back. It’s a cute shop and has really friendly staff. I got their champorado iced and my friend got an iced black tea. I’d not heard of champorado before and sounded interesting. It was just the right amount of sweet. The tea took a little while to come out but that’s just because they took care brewing it and my friend absolutely loved the resulting flavor.

Vineet Sinha

Quiet nicely decorated Filipino/Guam coffee shop nestled in the Oakland Hills, near the zoo. What an absolute treat to visit this verdant sanctuary with outside seating in the gentle September sun. We ordered a version of the mocha that was less sweetened and made with non-cane sugar, natural sweeteners it was satisfying . The ham and cheese croissant featured a jalapeño that added so much flavor to the overall experience My cousin ordered a Pollo empanada that came with a herby garlic sauce on the side, which was quite the surprise. They were kind enough to warm all of this so we took a chocolate chip cookie for dessert Excellent ambience, food, and service and will come here again If you visit, tell them that Vinny sent you. No, you won’t get any discount and they don’t know who I am but it’ll be hilarious to see them guessing who Vinny is.

Brian Hill (Bossmobility)

My review of this coffee shop os I Loved this new experience today. It was my first time here. I was impressed by the ambiance, family ownership, and the attention they pay to each customer. You can feel their love for people at the counter.

Terri Nelson

Hidden gem in Oakland Hills near Chabot Park! Excellent coffee, great breakfast sandwich, and yummy pastries.

Nicola

This place is perfect 👌. If I lived close, I would be here everyday for my morning coffee/tea. The service was good and the overall energy was welcoming. I didn't feel rushed at all. It's just a peaceful place. I'll be making a point to stop in every time I have to pass the area.

Lisa Drostova

Lovely, clean space. Thoughtfully laid out. The iced mocha made with champorado was delicious and not too sweet. Nice to find a place that has some savory snack options as well as pastries. Easy parking. A hidden gem in the hills!

FLUID BayArea

Off-the-beaten-path and worth the while. Comfortable seating and a calm setting, perfect for a quiet meeting spot. On-site coffee roasting, with mild and nutty-tasting roasts. Try the homemade additions that can be mixed into a coffee drink. And while you’re at it, treat yourself to fresh baked goods.

Mari Mendez

I am so glad that we have a new coffee shop in Oakland! It's a nice drive up Golf Links Road. They're close to 580 freeway and Oakland Zoo, off 98th ave. exit! I enjoyed the latte with the Latiya sauce (iced and hot). Cold brew and the pastries are yummy! The ambient is great to catch up on some reading, work, or with a friend over a nice cup of coffee. The owners are kind and friendly :) I really enjoy coming here and I am inspired by the creativity of the space and the taste of the drinks.

Stacey Madamba

Wow!!! I’m stoked to have found this local small business! Owned by sisters with roots from Philippines and Guam, the coffee drinks are super unique. Yes, they can make all your other favorites too, but I am enamored by their Latiya latte (cinnamon vanilla), which I am currently savoring every last drop in their beautifully decorated and comfortable coffee house! I’m also eating their yummy morning bread, super tasty and healthy, with a bunch of power seeds, zucchini and carrots. They make all the syrups in house. Being Filipina myself, I am in heaven and will try the champorado latte next time. Prices are so much less than your other name brand coffee places and the quality is way beyond. Buy local!!! Note: They are nestled about a mile up from the Oakland Zoo, in a sweet Oakland neighborhood. They are closed Mondays.

We came here after hiking and were surprised with this delicious place! We had amazing empanadas and pastries without a family of four. My two little ones love the food and the thoughtfulness of having l books and little toys to play, so we we're able to enjoy our food. We look forward to come back. This place is a gem in the middle of the Woods.

Amazingly strong coffee! ☕️ I got the Americano and it was surprisingly strong and the aroma and flavor was amazing! the vibes and atmosphere are also great. Lots of great plants and greenery everywhere. Tucked away in a residential area of the east bay. I enjoyed my Americano at the dog friendly patio, enjoying the sun. Next time I’ll bring my dog and try other drinks! ☕️

is such a hidden gem in Oakland! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and beautifully designed. Perfect for catching up with friends or just slowing down with a great cup of coffee. The only downside is that their hours are quite limited, so it can take a little planning to catch them when they’re open. Their cookies (which are amazing) also tend to sell out fast. 😉

So glad to see this neighborhood has a gem like Charlie, May! I love that their syrups are made with agave! The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is so cool and welcoming. Definitely a place and probably the only place to come if you’re in the neighborhood.

Great cafe with good selection of coffee, pastries and empanadas. Love that it’s Filipino owned with a selection of coffees with Filipino twists too.

Maria Paz Gonzalez Cordero

We came here after hiking and were surprised with this delicious place! We had amazing empanadas and pastries without a family of four. My two little ones love the food and the thoughtfulness of having l books and little toys to play, so we we're able to enjoy our food. We look forward to come back. This place is a gem in the middle of the Woods.

Jessica Sanchez

Amazingly strong coffee! ☕️ I got the Americano and it was surprisingly strong and the aroma and flavor was amazing! the vibes and atmosphere are also great. Lots of great plants and greenery everywhere. Tucked away in a residential area of the east bay. I enjoyed my Americano at the dog friendly patio, enjoying the sun. Next time I’ll bring my dog and try other drinks! ☕️

Rosheila Robles

Great cafe with good selection of coffee, pastries and empanadas. Love that it’s Filipino owned with a selection of coffees with Filipino twists too.

Blue Sky

is such a hidden gem in Oakland! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and beautifully designed. Perfect for catching up with friends or just slowing down with a great cup of coffee. The only downside is that their hours are quite limited, so it can take a little planning to catch them when they’re open. Their cookies (which are amazing) also tend to sell out fast. 😉

Kira Brown

So glad to see this neighborhood has a gem like Charlie, May! I love that their syrups are made with agave! The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is so cool and welcoming. Definitely a place and probably the only place to come if you’re in the neighborhood.

D Ragland

Special little cafe up in the hills. Nice decor, nice vibe, a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating options. Cozy places on a comfy chair or a couch are available— I feel like that is more and more difficult to come by these days. I've tried a few of their empanadas and a currant scone, everything has been tasty.

It's a local coffee shop with plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. Very neat clean cut decor and seating. Great for gatherings, groups, study, meetups and quiet romantic date! Good selection of coffee drinks, pastries and small bites. Like many coffee shops, it's a self service. Baristas don't seem much friendly though or at least according to our experience they seem serious; perhaps tough day or tired. Will try more often to confirm 😉

Max Kay

It's a local coffee shop with plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. Very neat clean cut decor and seating. Great for gatherings, groups, study, meetups and quiet romantic date! Good selection of coffee drinks, pastries and small bites. Like many coffee shops, it's a self service. Baristas don't seem much friendly though or at least according to our experience they seem serious; perhaps tough day or tired. Will try more often to confirm 😉

I’m going to give a review based off today’s visit: 11/14, Friday. All I can say is that when people ask for Oatmilk or Soy it’s very important to make sure they are getting what they are requesting due to allergies. I am lactose intolerant. I definitely was not served oatmilk sadly and the cramping and pain was not pleasant. This isn’t something that the cafe does normally but I was served by a gentleman who may be new or I’ve not seen when I visited. Plus I was served a half cold spinach quiche. On other visits I’ve had it perfectly warmed and had no issues with getting oatmilk. It was even mid-day and I was there to work for about an hour. It wasn’t busy. I wish this visit could have been less intrusive on my very low tolerance to milk. It was not a good match experience.

Truth De Leon

I’m going to give a review based off today’s visit: 11/14, Friday. All I can say is that when people ask for Oatmilk or Soy it’s very important to make sure they are getting what they are requesting due to allergies. I am lactose intolerant. I definitely was not served oatmilk sadly and the cramping and pain was not pleasant. This isn’t something that the cafe does normally but I was served by a gentleman who may be new or I’ve not seen when I visited. Plus I was served a half cold spinach quiche. On other visits I’ve had it perfectly warmed and had no issues with getting oatmilk. It was even mid-day and I was there to work for about an hour. It wasn’t busy. I wish this visit could have been less intrusive on my very low tolerance to milk. It was not a good match experience.

I really really want to like this place. It’s right by my house and the space could be really beautiful. The coffee is just so bad that I threw it away after 1 sip last time I went there :( And the service isn’t horrible, they are just not friendly or hospitable. Bummer

Pierce Cavallero

I really really want to like this place. It’s right by my house and the space could be really beautiful. The coffee is just so bad that I threw it away after 1 sip last time I went there :( And the service isn’t horrible, they are just not friendly or hospitable. Bummer