- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Awaken Café
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1429 Bdwyat 15th St
Oakland, CA 94612
Neighborhood: Downtown Oakland
(510) 863-1440
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 7:30 am - 12 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
192 reviews for Awaken Café
Review Highlights
-
"They made my coffee with a french press and I loved it." In 13 reviews -
"Seriously, I have a thang for their vegan donuts." In 9 reviews -
"The prices are also on par with Blue Bottle." In 6 reviews
Loading...
192 reviews in English
-
Review from Lala V.
Oakland, CA
4/5/2012
Ok, first off, I have lived in Oakland for many many moons, and I love it. That said, it is sooooo hard to find a coffee shop that is open late!
Hark-Awaken Cafe is here! And they have wine! (Hey a girl needs to get her study on sometimes, but she also needs something to look forward to!)
And although I really, really, "get" the whole "slow coffee" movement, a la Blue Bottle, I get a wee bit frustrated when I wait in line for half an hour at Blue Bottle to buy a bag of coffee to make at home-and then I am told that they won't grind it for me as it will affect the integrity of the bean. Alas, I digress.
Ahem, so anyways, I love the green-ness of Awaken, their quality food and of course their strong yum coffee-without the pretention.Listed in: My Neighborhood
-
Review from Alexander R.
San Francisco, CA
5/17/2012
Awaken Cafe is a cool downtown Oakland cafe that seems to be in touch with what cafes are doing these days.
Nice art on the wall
good, friendly service
food and drink is fine
good place to spend an hour or two.
I had coffee and a vegan doughnut which was fair. -
Review from Anya S.
Berkeley, CA
5/9/2012
Interesting to see the wide range of reviews... I personally feel that their coffee is pretty good (I usually get reg. or soy lattes) but I guess maybe I'm not the super strong coffee type.
Food options are limited but very fresh and tasty - have had all 3 sandwiches offered, salad, and various soups. Hit or miss with the soups sometimes on the level of seasoning (carrot could def. use some more flavor and substance) and the salad just lacks any personality (nuts or fruits maybe?) but overall, everything tastes fresh and makes me feel damn good after eating it.
As for service - overall a very friendly and attentive crowd but they can get a bit slow when bogged down with multiple orders and a few people here and there have just been a bit too friendly and in my face (although most of them I haven't seen working recently).
Hope to make it here more often for their nightlife events - music, beers, wine, etc.
Would be great if they came up with a mini-snack bar menu to go along with the boozing. -
Review from Mousputin S.
Berkeley, CA
4/16/2012
Watch out for your drinks here! We saw three people knock their drinks over!
Awaken Cafe can be a little difficult to find because it doesn't have super obvious signage, but the place is well-lit and spacious. They seem to serve a decent amount of food (soups, salad, housemade potato chips!) alongside coffee and BEER?! I'm not sure if they're still working out kinks in the kitchen, or if things are just a little hectic on weekends, but they seemed to run out of a lot of food/not have a lot available on a Sunday afternoon. I want to come back just to "work" while drinking! -
Review from Jana S.
Updated - 4/7/2012
It Is great that fruition is here!!!!! The look... chic and much more spacious than its very first iteration way over yonder east of the BART station in Oakland.
Serving Four Barrel (Highly reco the Guatemalan... clean all around, great non-earthy roast) coffee and a refreshing atmosphere of a cafe! Lucky Ogawa Plaza-ites..1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/22/2011
Itz gonna be sooo cool and gorgeous, folks....in another quarter of a yr, the space is gonna be… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jamie K.
Forest Hills, NY
5/13/2012
Every coffee is a French press. Spacious, good music. Not alienating in a too-hip way (easy to stray down that road in this area), and genuinely friendly staff. But the best part -- it's the ONLY cafe open 7 days a week in downtown, not to mention from early morning till late at night. This in itself is a miracle.
-
Review from Joshua C.
Updated - 4/10/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Ok, so Awaken is growing on me. They make really great soy espresso drinks. No extra charge for soy? Thank you! Soy milk is probably cheaper than cow milk these days, but why do Starbucks and other places charge 50 or 60 cents for it? Blasphemy! Awaken also provides rice and almond milk, but that's not my thing.
The place has warmed up a bit and so has the service. I always order to go so I haven't really sat down and spent time in Awaken, but it's on my to-do list. The pastries looked fresh and scrumptious.
The prices are excellent considering the quality. A soy capucchino is $3. Soy lattes are $3.75. That is cheaper than Starbucks and much better quality. Just saying.
One of these days I will treat myself to one of those cheddar biscuits. They smelled delicious.Listed in: Uptown, baby!, Soy Fabulous!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/29/2012
They make a great soy latte. That's all I really know at this point. I like the new bigger location… Read more »
-
-
Review from Natalie T.
Oakland, CA
3/22/2012
After almost giving up all hope on finding a modern cafe in Downtown Oakland that's open late so I could get my study on, I discovered my saving grace, Awaken Cafe. There are very few places that I could be considered a "regular" at, but I can definitely see myself being one here.
If cafes had a "slashie" award, Awaken would take the cake. It's your one-stop-shop cafe/restaurant/bar/art gallery all in one! DTO needs more of these! If you're looking to study or work and don't mind the background music, this is the spot on Mondays-Wednesdays. BTW The music is a good mix of hip hop, folk, indie, jazz, etc. I always find myself Shazaming it up there.
If you're looking to socialize or even just chill out, I'd recommend any time, any day of the week because this place is open pretty much all day and most of the night. I know, that's cray!
The service is speedy, bartenders/baristas are friendly, the chai lattes are amazing and there is usually plenty of seating. Great crowd and buzzing-yet-chilled-out-at-the-same-time vibe in the place, too. I'm not a coffee drinker so I can't really comment on that.
Can't say anything bad about except that it's not the cheapest place ever ($4 for a chai latte), but you definitely get what you pay for! -
Review from Brooke F.
Oakland, CA
4/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
These guys have a following and are loved, but I have a few complaints:
-Uncomfortable seating
-Not enough plugs for everyone
-Didn't warm my cup, before pouring me a coffee (my coffee was Luke warm in 10 minutes) -
Review from Patrick W.
Bernal Heights, San Francisco, CA
3/20/2012
I had been a fairly regular visitor ;) at the smaller location (late last year) during my morning walk to work. Always got great service from the two nice young ladies working there.
Not sure what happened, but dropping in about two weeks ago to the brand new sparkly location, got some real below average customer service from the new(?) male barista there. No acknowledgment, no words at all.... just seemed not at all interested in being there or engaging me as a customer.
Anyways, hopefully this was an isolated event. I just hope the management will put a pep in this guys step. -
Review from Susie W.
3/21/2012
In downtown Oakland coffee is in the house! I was biking to one cafe when I encountered the New Awaken Cafe.
Four Barrel Coffee lovers note: Your addiction is now taken care of from BART to BART, 16th St / Mission for HQ and 12th St / Oakland for ... well Oakland.
The Four Barrel french press is just like they make it at the mothership. While there's no record player, I love the super high ceilings, school - like furniture, huge windows, and vibe. I checked it out in the morning and with a few beers on tap it looks like a must visit for happy hour and a nice evening (as well as a great place for Meetups).
Nice pastries too. Definitely worth a visit off your beaten coffee path. -
Review from cate b.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/22/2012
Awaken Cafe is helping to wake up and inspire an entire neighborhood. Pretty dang nifty for a coffee shop!
super friendly staff
good & healthy foods
excellent coffee (although would be happier if it was Fair Trade coffee!)
warm, comfortable hang out space
just what we needed. thank you Awaken! So glad you're back.1 Previous Review:
-
5/21/2010
great coffee. even better espresso
and remarkably good sandwiches too
-
-
Review from HP L.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
The best in downtown Oakland.
I love the 'intellectual' vibe of the cafe'. People, mostly professionals and students, come here to do work, to discuss business, and to catch up with friends.
They also have nice latte' and snacks. I believe you can request the latte' maker guy to design a customized art specially for you - he's pretty good :) -
Review from M G.
Oakland, CA
4/27/2012
Nice space, though a tad too warm w/ the mid-morning sun beating down on the space.
The dude running the register had zero customer service genes in his hipster jeans. How about at least looking at your customers as you collect their hard-earned cash?
As for the food+bev...I had a single latte that was a little weak and a biscuit that had ok texture but lacked both the chive and cheddar flavors as advertised.
I'd try it again if I was in the neighborhood, but this won't be a destination for me. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Oakland, CA
3/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Yes! Fvck yes! and they are in my 'hood. AND they are open early. eff those *other* hipster coffeehouses *cough*RITUAL*cough* LOCAL*cough* that don't open until 10am or whatnot. the coffee is great is what you need to know. oh and they have beer and wine. I don't know why i like that but i do.
-
Review from Tanee O.
Oakland, CA
4/21/2012
One of the nicer cafes in Downtown Oakland. I went here within the first few days of opening up and as the pictures show it is a very stylish and nicely decorated. The prices weren't outrageous but they were a little high. However with that came a very nice selection of wines, special craft brews, coffees, teas, and organic sweet treats.
-
Review from J S.
Oakland, CA
4/12/2012
Coffee very good - but I wish they'd clean the floor!!!
I am happy that they opened, it's close to my office, and I'm loving the coffee.
However, I noticed early on that they do not clean the floor very regularly, if at all!
I walked in there the first week they opened, and some of the rugs are filthy - with noticeable crud - crud since week one. Not talking about a coffee stain, but white, crusty crud.
The counter tops and other service areas seem to be wiped down, but the state of the floors makes me wonder about cleanliness/sanitation generally.
Please have the closing folks sweep and mop until clean, every night!!
And while I'm at it, the counter service seems a little scattered. You can wait 5 minutes for the guy at the cash register to figure out the order of the one person in front of you. Some indication of where to queue to order, and with whom to place an order would be helpful.
Thanks! -
Review from Isa C.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 4/10/2012
i have to go back to the snobby comment on my first review, and update that the french press coffee this morning was really weak, i need strong coffee, and for $2, it wasn't strong enough
it took forever to heat up a quiche this morning ($5)- i could have walked to specialties and back with the time it took them - great for young uptown hipsters tho (God, that makes me feel old!)
pluses are that they are open late and have plenty of seating and wifi - i can see how that can draw a crowd. A-OK...3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
10/28/2008
when you go... don't order the chocolate croissants, cuz each time i've gone there, they are out,… Read more »
-
-
Review from Albert L.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/20/2012 4 photos
Today was first day of business since expansion prior to that A.C was operating from a cart stand thats no longer the case. For all of you that didnt know or couldnt find it the location was the former Vello's Locker a Raider's fan store. Wish it was still open a Raider fan myself. Anyways there are two entrance to enter one has a ramp for wheelchair access. For those of you on bike your're in luck theres a U-rack right out front grab a table close by and its worry free.
New place is 5x's bigger than 14th st with strong Wi-Fi signal. Greatest addition to coffee is now there are beer and wine being serve. Most are local breweries and thats a good sign that small business owners will appreciate. Now today there wasnt a menu board up yet but dont hold that against them as soon as the kinks are work out I bet A.C will be the only place thats going to be really busy on this end of broadway. Once you walk in just wait in line or if no line better know what you want these baristas work for a living not to wait til you make up your mind so have some respect for them.
Seating can be found anywhere almost. There are tables for enough for everyone to be comfy. Dont think you have time to give a visit? No worries the hours are Sun-Thur 7:30am-10pm and Fri-Sat 7:30am-Midnite now how can you say you cant? No excuses now hours are long enough to cover even when you're working overtime. Its been a little over 2 years since my first review but hey I duke it out and stay with A.C through the up's and downs finally its here. I think I've found my second home and its home sweet home. So there you go thats your imaginary tour now get out there and experience the read deal of what A.C has to offer.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/28/2009
Alrite people if your in downtown oakland and need a lift to begin your morning before your jury… Read more »
-
-
Review from Veronica W.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Amazing brew (the beans, yet to try the booze), spacious interior, industrial looking enough to put you in the study mood but ambiently friendly enough to deter all the gunners from nearby universities from totally taking over what is otherwise a delightfully slow, simple, and (bonus) vegan-friendly cafe. Bomb chocolate bread (not cake, may I clarify, IT'S BREAD, making it totally breakfast-acceptable). And lest we forget to mention...wifi. And happy hour. And late hours (of operation). Why would you not go?
-
Review from carlotta v.
Oakland, CA
3/27/2012
+All I have ever gotten from here are soy lattes and they are really my favorite ever, I crave them sometimes, not just any soy latte, but theirs specifically, something about the smooth creaminess...
=I have nothing to say about anything else they serve because I wouldn't know
+stylish baristas, friendly not fake
+open late
-cold sterile interior-I feel uncomfortable sitting in here for more than like 10 minutes, depends on what sort of interior design you like though (I 'm into the old couches/ chess sets/ community events board kind of thing)... I would call this one "American Psycho" -
Review from Lucas V.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2012
Awaken Cafe is awesome. Their coffee is great and the staff is really nice. The recommend Ritual Coffee Roasters who is highly respected in the bay and I think Ritual would recommend Awaken as well.
Overall I enjoy visiting cafes outside the city and the majority of them have a better vibe about them. Awaken Cafe is one of my favorites. Recently they decided to a new sweet point of sale system from the company I work at, Own Point of Sale. Getting to speak with the owner and staff made me like the cafe that much more.
Enjoy -
Review from Turi F.
3/27/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really like this place. It's light and airy and clean and open late. They have food and coffee and booze. I wish they'd add a few more tables though - there's a bunch of open space, so there's room, and it can be tricky to find a spot. Also, a little short on power outlets if you want to hunker and work on your laptop.
-
Review from Kazuo S.
Oakland, CA
5/6/2012
Free wifi, lots of tables/space, outlets, by bart, serves beer (I know for some that should be first), great coffee, friendly staff. One of my many new favorite spots in Oakland!
-
Review from Mark D.
Brentwood, CA
4/1/2012
They serve four barrel need I say more. Baristas are decent, not really knowledgable on free pour but can pull a good shot. Nice layout, serve alcohol, friendly environment.
-
Review from Deanna A.
I'm writing this review as I sit here sipping on my well-foamed latte and eating my moist & delicious slice vegan chocolate cake that is TO DIE FOR. Listen here - this is the spot to be in. Not only is the staff cheerful, hip, and friendly - but the Four Barrell coffee has kick, lattes have good foam, and the pastries don't disappoint (even the vegan selection - and I'm not vegan I must add). The elevated ceilings = partial ceiling tile and mostly exposed conduit, lighting, wires, etc. adds character to the expresso and slate gray/blue painted walls and the intentionally knicked & distressed wood slat floors. The furniture is eclectic and variant. Its bar seating, highboy tables, reg ht tables, unupholstered wood seating, thin leatherette seated chairs, and even their homage to old school classroom wood tablet desk chairs provide ample meeting, chatting, and hello! working space for a transient patron or a regular (which I am about to be). Spackled around is art on canvas - per norm for a chic local cafe. Open until 10 - thank you, Awaken.
With the above statements plus the open windows that give you front row views to Broadway Street's hustle and bustle (cars, buses, protests, bart goers, office workers, and patrons of Oakland's finest stores such as Oaklandish) - its a win win win. Open your eyes peeps. Be awakened. (bah bump chang!) -
Review from Artemis B.
Oakland, CA
4/29/2012
I want to love Awaken, I really do. Its beautiful, spacious, modern,lots of light, green, serves wine and beer, has fabulous hours, and is literally right across the street from my office. I would love to have work meetings here on the regular. But:
1) the coffee is kinda crappy. Weak. No dark roasts. And never served hot enough, even when I ask for them to make it extra hot.
2) the food selection. If you're not into sweets and heavy pastries, there's not much of a selection. How about adding a soup? Or did I miss it?
3)the service. Ok, first of all the counter staff always seem confused and are slow. Then one actually got belligerent with me when I told him I thought the quiche had some different ingredients than he had informed me. Wtf?
So sadly I go to dark but friendly Caffe Teatro for a cup of tea, or if I have the time, walk over to Modern for a slammin' cup of coffee and amazing, friendly customer service. -
Review from Charles L.
Manhattan Beach, CA
2/26/2012
Waltered down coffee, but same price as Starbucks. No couches. Lots of space. Very disappointed.
-
Review from Oliver G.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2012
Hi Yelpers - I love Awaken, but I admit I'm biased for obvious reasons. I wanted to say a quick word about a comment I read about the lack of "Fair Trade" coffee. That term can be very tricky. In short, Four Barrel (the coffee Awaken serves) is direct-sourced. This is better than "fair trade" in terms of quality AND the farmers get paid more money than they do from "fair trade" companies. That is all - happy drinking! The selection of local beer and wine is fantastic, by the way, and the price is right - Happy Hour from 5 - 7!
-
Review from Emilia T.
Oakland, CA
7/28/2011
This is a quick review of their coffee cart, currently serving the best coffee in downtown Oakland between 8 - 10 a.m. (Mon-Fri). They're at Broadway and 15th, near Frank Ogawa Plaza. This fall, they're opening up what promises to be a large, awesome coffee shop slash yet-another-late-night-option-for-downtown-nights. Right now, just a portion of the place is open, but that's enough to make good coffee, apparently!
I should probably reserve the five stars for when they open up their new awesomeness, BUT Awaken Café deserves them already for the smooth, not-too-hot, staggeringly gorgeous latte. They sell really good beans in jars, too (when you bring the jar back for a refill of beans, you get a discount).
Plus, it's really an awesome place to people-watch. -
Review from Katie B.
Berkeley, CA
Thanks a lot Awaken. Thanks for moving across the street from my office. Thanks for ensuring that Judy is there every day with a smile on her face. Thanks for making the best soy mocha I've ever had. Now I have no excuse but to visit you on a daily basis. Thanks a lot!
In all seriousness, this is a gem of a coffee shop in downtown Oakland's sea of meh and blah. It is such great way to get the morning started off right. The staff is friendly. The drinks are perfect. The atmosphere is bright and sunny. Can't wait till the cafe is in full operation!! But for now I'm content with the cute wooden chairs outside. Oh and the latte art is always a special touch.
Minus one star for the lack of Fair Trade coffee. I want to feel like I'm making a difference when I drink my $4 mocha. Fair Trade is improving the lives of millions on farmers around the world. Get on board, Awaken!
I do appreciate the Fair Trade chocolate sauce though. Cheers to that.Listed in: Downtown Oakland
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/28/2009
It's 3pm and I'm sitting in the office. Can't focus on work. Must take nap. Or I could got to… Read more »
-
-
Review from shiree t.
Oakland, CA
3/20/2012
Oh they finally opened after a loooong hiatus. Hooray! Had a morning meeting there today. The drinks are fantastic... the quiche was great and the pear-pecan muffin was delish! Yesssss, Happy. Just go.
-
Review from Cynthia A.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2012
I stopped in to buy a banana there today. It was my first time in there, although I've biked by it so many times that I feel familiar with it. It's cute. They're nice. The place has a good vibe.
But seriously??? $1.25 for a banana? Holy crap. That's a bit steep, don't you think?
Maybe I shouldn't try buying fruits come coffee shops. But I was in a rush. Damn. Won't do it again. -
Review from Hopey N.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/23/2011
My bf pointed out that it wasn't very cool to pan Awaken just because I don't like their style of coffee. So to be fair and clear, they know coffee and how to make it. But in my opinion, their choice of beans and roast is too bright and too light. At $2 a pop, it's also too expensive for my liking.
If you like four barrel and Rit Roast, and other places that focus on sweet single origin Latin American and Ethiopian medium roast beans, you'll love this place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/17/2011
Ugh, the coffee is horribibble! They seem to have jumped on the same bandwagon as SF boutique coffee… Read more »
-
-
Review from Erik N.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2012
Great coffee, great space.
-
Review from Oakland Hawk E.
Oakland, CA
3/10/2012
Great late nite coffee shop. Is it me or is the uptown crowd hipster wannabes?
-
Review from Daniel Y.
San Lorenzo, CA
3/8/2012
I'm definitely a fan of Awaken. The coffee is top-notch (not to mention the diverse booze and soon-to-come expanded food menu---the place is only 3 weeks old so not everything is up and running yet), the hours are great, the interior is nice (high-end, yet unpretentious), good location (not uptown, but upper-downtown, surrounded by an active nightlife scene), and the staff is super-friendly and passionate about what they do. Check it out if you're in the area!
-
Review from Lisa H.
Oakland, CA
For the next two weeks until September 30th Awaken Cafe is an adorable but tiny little cafe that produces the most amazing product. For most people it's those spicy chai lattes they make, for others it's their perfect cup of plain old drip coffee, for me it's the french press (or a reg drip if I'm in a hurry!) I often also pick up a pound of Goat Rock Roast Blend so I can have their heavenly coffee without leaving home. I also love the selection of sugars, creamers, etc they have for you to make your perfect cup of joe. They have raw sugar, brown sugar, every fake sugar, and simple syrup for those with iced beverages! Way to go!
They currently have 4 out door tables for their guests to sit at. The counter girls are wonderful no matter how complicated and silly your coffee order may be- "I'll take a triple decaf fat free no sugar capp with no foam and xtra whip cream! Oh and I'm in a rush.."???? WTF? Why would anyone order that? But that is an exact quote.I'm still trying to figure out the no foam part of the equation on a capp? Whatever. They also have Bart schedule arrival and departure times shared on a computer screen as well as offering free wifi. And yes, they let me carry Madison inside when I ordered coffee and even gave me a cup of water no ice for her!
So why 4.5 stars and not 5? Because they are moving around the corner (less that a 2 min walk away) where they will have twice the space, indoor seating, and room to properly make your coffee! I can't wait to write an updated review once they reopen at their new location!!Listed in: Coffee Hot Spots
-
Review from Bob G.
San Francisco, CA
2/29/2012
Long awaited reopening in the new location. Bright airy space, artwork, clean bathroom, service couldn't have been more friendly or efficient, plenty of vegan sweets, including Pepple's Donuts. Perfect for public transit and walkers, food menu coming soon. I wouldn't mind a bit of soft seating amidst the hard, though.
-
Review from Mike n.
12/3/2011
So glad Awaken is back and expanding! Their lattes are top shelf. The staff is very nice and pleasant. This is a truly great business in downtown and one to check out if you have not already!
