Alem's Coffee

Quaint little place. Has the best Foul (bean breakfast). Owner is extremely friendly and the vibe is warm! && delicious coffee ❤️

Best breakfast place I've been to in the Bay Area. The shihan ful (like a fava bean stew with savory veggies, spices and olive oil and served with bread) is – not exaggerating – one of the best things I've ever eaten. It's so so good. The fata (bread chunks cooked in a garlic/tomatoe/spice sauce and served with yogurt) is also amazing as well. The drip coffee is on point – strong and flavorful (I only needed a small size to feel effectively caffeinated). Since I live in SF I ate myself past full during my visit here just to take advantage of this absolutely incredible spot. The vibe is super welcoming and the prices are incredibly reasonable. The owner was even around and said hello and asked me how everything was! I'd give this place 6 stars if I could, can't wait to be back.

The food is amazing and the service was on point. There are plenty of outdoor and Indoor seatings. I will definitely be back!

Sayem Shah

Cozy coffee spot near Oakland DMV. Food and service is great. My only advice for the owner is to do some renovations of the cafe shop if they can afford. Otherwise great spot. Local Eritrean food. Yumm …

Ton T

This small coffee shop carries Eritrean dishes in addition to coffee, sandwiches and pastries. Adjacent to the DMV, the cafe is slightly off the popular Temescal shopping area. It’s clear that the folks here care about the quality and authenticity of their dishes. You should not expect silverware but plastic utensils are provided if requested. The cafe is small but the indoor/outdoor seating atmosphere was great. If you’re as wimpy as I am, you can also tell them to dial down the spiciness of the dish when ordering. Weekend crowds attest to their popularity.

Natalie Kaucic

This place is pure magic. I’ve been coming to Alem’s for a few years and finally tried branched out from the Ful to try the Fata. Needless to say it was incredibly and I should have branched out sooner! I don’t understand how food can taste so good. The folks behind the counter are the best and always earnestly want to know if you liked it. Come here after the farmers market on Sunday! You won’t regret it!

Junior Luna

Had lunch around 12PM on a Friday. Waited less than 10 minutes for my food and it was delicious. Ther3 was lots of available seating inside and outside. The Tibsy / Tsebhi sga was delicious.

Alexander Boulgakov

Fantastic breakfast!! We ordered the shihan ful and tibsy, and both were excellent. Very rich flavors, very fresh. Good, strong coffee. The owners were very kind, and the environment was very cozy. A very welcoming and lively atmosphere. This is a must try place for breakfast.

Alison M C

Cozy little café, perfect for after a visit to the DMV. Good soy mocha --not too sweet. The counter service lady was polite and made our drinks fast. Food smells incredible.

larry

The love hits you as soon as you enter. Warm grounded atmosphere, comfortable smiles of the patrons, and beaming staff behind the counter offer an escape from the constant forces of change that seem to unceasingly alter the face of Oakland. The food and coffee are tasty, authentic, and full of life. If you seek nourishment of the soul, absent of pretense, look no further than Alem's.

Ani Pendakur

Got Shihan Ful to-go and this is one of the best vegetarian dishes I have ever had. The service was amazing. The lady at the counter was very kind and nice. The bread was so fresh & soft!! You get two huge loaves of bread with it too!! Totally worth the money!!!

star of the galaxy

The best breakfast place I’ve been to, food was served hot, fresh, fast ,and delicious. I wish I knew about it earlier I would’ve been getting food more often. The hot drinks are really affordable, so if you’re planning to get coffee everyday, there are many options to choose from. I got black tea, sahin Ful, and eggs. The bread was fresh, soft inside crunchy outer layer. And the prices are very affordable and worth more. The ladies working there are very nice and friendly. I would give a 10 star for their customer service.

Fikreselam

Quaint little place. Has the best Foul (bean breakfast). Owner is extremely friendly and the vibe is warm! && delicious coffee ❤️

Brian McSteen

Best breakfast place I've been to in the Bay Area. The shihan ful (like a fava bean stew with savory veggies, spices and olive oil and served with bread) is – not exaggerating – one of the best things I've ever eaten. It's so so good. The fata (bread chunks cooked in a garlic/tomatoe/spice sauce and served with yogurt) is also amazing as well. The drip coffee is on point – strong and flavorful (I only needed a small size to feel effectively caffeinated). Since I live in SF I ate myself past full during my visit here just to take advantage of this absolutely incredible spot. The vibe is super welcoming and the prices are incredibly reasonable. The owner was even around and said hello and asked me how everything was! I'd give this place 6 stars if I could, can't wait to be back.

Rahmet Beshir

The food is amazing and the service was on point. There are plenty of outdoor and Indoor seatings. I will definitely be back!

the shihan ful is so good! I love outdoor plants that partially enclose the outdoor patio!

Food was amazing. More hole in the wall and breakfast based then the average Eritrean/Ethiopian restaurant, so the food caters more to single serving then the large platter. Different experience than many others of similar cuisine but I'll go again

Alem’s Coffee is a great spot for a cozy coffee break. The coffee is rich and well-crafted, and the pastries are fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and welcoming, though it can get busy during peak hours. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable — perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a casual hangout.

Elisabeth Ivanov

Alem’s Coffee is a great spot for a cozy coffee break. The coffee is rich and well-crafted, and the pastries are fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and welcoming, though it can get busy during peak hours. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable — perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a casual hangout.

Erika

would definitely recommend!! i wish i could have tried more of the menu items. I'll be back =)

Seun A

Food was amazing. More hole in the wall and breakfast based then the average Eritrean/Ethiopian restaurant, so the food caters more to single serving then the large platter. Different experience than many others of similar cuisine but I'll go again

Michael Kerins

Ordered ful and fit fit. Took only 10 min for the food to cook and arrive. Really homey vibe. Food was delicious - ful particularly good, and the yogurt pairing to fit fit was a soothing cooling touch for the hint of spice.

Great coffee, nice staff. I recommend outdoor seating. Food was delicious and a big portion.

Jude Barnes

Great coffee, nice staff. I recommend outdoor seating. Food was delicious and a big portion.

Prices at cafe are more expensive than prices listed here on available menu online. When I came and wanted to order a ham sandwich, they were out of ham and some other ingredients. Egg sandwich is not $8 as shown is actually nearly $12 and 6 oz cup of hot chocolate is bit expensive, nearly $5.

Food is okay but kinda expensive for what it is. It's unique in that I haven't had Eritrean breakfast food before. But man is the service slow. I've come here twice and they forgot about us BOTH TIMES. We waited 40 minutes for our food and saw a bunch of people pick up their orders even though they ordered after us. They just seem generally disorganized and will make food for regulars or friends (?) as soon as they see them. If you come here make sure to check in with them often because they might've forgotten about you. The lady who worked there saw we were waiting, checked in with us, and STILL forgot about us. We ordered to go and got a shihan full and they DIDN'T GIVE US THE BREAD!! When we called back they hung up on us twice. We will not be returning.

I was really excited to check out Alems because of the high ratings and because I love Eritrean/Ethiopian breakfast. The food is good, but kinda expensive for what it is. The main problem is the service here. Every time I've been to Alem's they have forgotten my order. After ordering at the register ive sat down at a table waited 30-45 minutes and watched as they immediately serve regulars/friends that ordered well after me. Every time ive been Ive had to go back up to the register to remind them of my order and see that they have clearly forgotten about my order. This has happened THREE TIMES NOW. This last time we ordered to go: they forgot our order, we reminded them, and after waiting 45 minutes seeing people order and get thier food before us they still forgot a portion of our order. The food is good, kinda expensive for what it is, and you have to really remind them of your order if you arent in the inner circle. There's a clear distinction between the regulars/friends and everyone else. I won't be returning

Nick Lammers

I was really excited to check out Alems because of the high ratings and because I love Eritrean/Ethiopian breakfast. The food is good, but kinda expensive for what it is. The main problem is the service here. Every time I've been to Alem's they have forgotten my order. After ordering at the register ive sat down at a table waited 30-45 minutes and watched as they immediately serve regulars/friends that ordered well after me. Every time ive been Ive had to go back up to the register to remind them of my order and see that they have clearly forgotten about my order. This has happened THREE TIMES NOW. This last time we ordered to go: they forgot our order, we reminded them, and after waiting 45 minutes seeing people order and get thier food before us they still forgot a portion of our order. The food is good, kinda expensive for what it is, and you have to really remind them of your order if you arent in the inner circle. There's a clear distinction between the regulars/friends and everyone else. I won't be returning

Angel Nguyen

Food is okay but kinda expensive for what it is. It's unique in that I haven't had Eritrean breakfast food before. But man is the service slow. I've come here twice and they forgot about us BOTH TIMES. We waited 40 minutes for our food and saw a bunch of people pick up their orders even though they ordered after us. They just seem generally disorganized and will make food for regulars or friends (?) as soon as they see them. If you come here make sure to check in with them often because they might've forgotten about you. The lady who worked there saw we were waiting, checked in with us, and STILL forgot about us. We ordered to go and got a shihan full and they DIDN'T GIVE US THE BREAD!! When we called back they hung up on us twice. We will not be returning.

Gennadiy S.

Prices at cafe are more expensive than prices listed here on available menu online. When I came and wanted to order a ham sandwich, they were out of ham and some other ingredients. Egg sandwich is not $8 as shown is actually nearly $12 and 6 oz cup of hot chocolate is bit expensive, nearly $5.