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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bakeries, Bagels
Neighborhood: East OaklandMon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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I can't exactly explain why this place gives me the warm fuzzies...
It's quite tiny and there's practically no where comfortable to sit and...and here's the big blow out: I can't distinguish one coffee bean from the next...
BUT..somehow...for some odd unknown reason...this place makes me WANT to be a coffee connoisseur. Something about the vibe makes me feel very at home and makes me want to move to Lake Merrit just to be around things like this.
Soft Serve and I came here on a spontaneous search for Blue Bottle Coffee, his wishes for free wi-fi, and my desire to read.
I had a latte (the one thing I know about espresso..), which the baristo had made, then decided wasn't good enough, so took the time to make me a more "perfect" latte. (I honestly wouldn't have been able to tell the difference, but I definitely appreciate the service!).
I also ordered a chocolate peanut butter thumb print cookie - which was so simple and so good. It pair really well with my latte.
The latte + the cookie = $5ish.
Once Softy arrived, he ordered his usual coffee (which was really smooth! Which further made me wish I could distinguish coffee beans..) and we split the Persimmon Pie which totally hit the spot. The pie wasn't too sweet and didn't have much of a goey filling, but was just perfect.
In the 4 hours that we were there, a variety of people came through:
A lady with bright red hair. A couple in the corner. Two ladies working on their mac books. A lady in a puffed vest and tall boots. A guy talkin about rainy days in Seattle. And 3 different baristos changing shifts.
At one point it started down-pouring outside, and I watched a guy - carrying a puppy in his arm - jump across the river that was formed outside the small coffee shop - then running into the shop completely soaked and smiling -- obviously happy to be sheltered by this cafe oasis! His puppy shook himself dry, too. (On the way out, the puppy was covered in a sandwich bag as a raincoat).
A few minutes later, the barista runs out bare footed to bring in the signs and tables/chairs.
All of this happening just a few feet away from our table.
Such a community in one little coffee shop.
I think that's why I like this place a lot: Simplicity goes a long way.
I really want to give this place 5 stars, cause it's super cute and I really love the setup. It's got a "hanging out in your friend's kitchen" feel.
My soy lattes have always been consistently good, but my friend's drip coffees, not so much. Both times in the last two weeks the coffee was handed over much too quickly and subsequently was very weak.
The lavender cookies smelled delicious, but then had WAY too much lavender in it to be palatable.
Like I said, I really, really want to like this place. But we only are going to give it another try or two before we head somewhere else.
So step it up guys! We WANT to support you!
Lovin' this place and wonderin' why it took me so long to get over to it!
We needed a pick-me-up on the way to pumpkin patch shopping so I suggested the 504 as I had drove by it the day before and bookmarked it as a "must try."
WOW! Organic milk. Powder coca for mocha. Fresh baked muffins and pastries. Outdoor seating. Friendly barista (one of the best I have had in recent memory!) and staff.
Need I say more? Enjoy!
This is how a small, neighborhood cafe should be. The counter staff is a little socially awkward at times, but that's okay. They're not mean. Their baked goods always look homemade, everything I've tried has been good. They have hard boiled eggs, too, which makes a quick weekend breakfast. Coffee is filtered cup by cup, and they have stevia for those who can't have sugar. Nice touch. Not a lot of room to sit, but that's not why I go here. There are a few outdoor tables, which helps a little.
Came here to chill with a friend. It's got a very local atmosphere that can feel a bit alien at first if you're not from the area. Everyone that walks in seems to be a regular here and the barista is very friendly. The atmosphere here is very indie, alternative and grunge rock (although they did play some screamo-metal - rock for a few songs).
I came here specifically since they serve blue bottle drip coffee (which did not disappoint) and for the free wifi. However, the place is very crammed and small which may make it hard to find a seat during busy hours I imagine. The food here is also pretty pricey: a small coffee a small slice of pie was six dollars - but premium coffee deserves a premium price. The persimmon pie was very bland and nothing special in taste tho. However, everything is homemade and judging from other yelp reviewers, the other stuff is probably pretty good.
Although I gave it a 3, if I lived much closer I'd probably give it a 4. However, if you're not from around the area, it wouldn't be worth the gas to make the trek here.
I can't help but dig this place. I live next door. Sometimes I pull together spare change just to get a cup. It's worth the price and I am saying that as someone who is feeling the economic crunch. The coffee is amazing, delicious and strong. IF you know what coffee should really taste like, go to 504. Oh, the yummy flavor explosion! The subtleties, the smoothness. Oh the A16 and Belladona. They also have great pastries and are starting to serve more varieties of food. They prepare all of the pastries in the cafe, which I think is impressive. The baristas hustle and are really nice! The cafe is small, so if you are coming with a large crew, then you may have to kick it curbside. I enjoy spending time at 504, and seeing all the characters from the neighborhood come through.
Girl baristas = good
Boy baristas= not as good.
I'm just consistently disappointed when I go in there now. One would think the proximity to caffeine would give these dudes some personality, but apparently that isn't the case.
As much as I love supporting my local (as in within stumbling distance) coffee shop, if I want to be treated like a nothing, I'd just go to Starbucks.
I must reiterate just how much I love this place- even more so now that I've become somewhat of a… Read more »
I had the best sandwich ever this weekend: grilled eggplant, tomatoes, lettuce, chevre, and a roasted red pepper spread on wonderful bread- and it came with a small salad with great sunflower seed dressing for only $6.25!
oh man I want to have that again now.
the place has free wi-fi and large tables, so it can be great for working. my only complaint is that there are only 4 tables and one outlet, so things can get cramped pretty easily. nevertheless, it's hard to be here and not feel like you discovered one of Oakland's "best kept secrets", so that's always fun.
Man, this place is terrible.
The service, especially the young woman who takes the money, is awful.
I was there this past weekend. She took the money after we placed our order and DIDN'T TELL ANYONE that we'd ordered it. I watched in astonishment at the lack of communication going on behind the counter.
And that is the second time it's happened. I mean come on! You're at a cafe! Both times I've had to remind the people behind the counter that we ordered coffee (which is incredibly expensive and their large would be the equivalent to a small anywhere else) and the attitude behind the counter is like this
"I'm too cool to actually work hard here, I just want to look cool with this eco-chic cafe job"
I'm over it. 6 dollars for a coffee and a piece of bread? COME ON!!
I just want to reiterate that I love this place SOOO much, especially since I found out that one of the guys who works there has a vegan girlfriend, which means vegan baked goods!
Tip: He doesn't always advertise what is vegan (I guess because the "v-word" scares some people - silly people!), but be sure to ask what baked goods might be vegan that day! Last time I was there it was a Belgian waffle - vegan Belgian waffle!!!
What do you get when you put Ritual Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, and delicious home-baked goodies… Read more »
Yummy! Perfect poached eggs, creative pastries made onsite (I think... judging by the aroma). And great music!
Yum.
Pros: Blue bottle, homemade EVERYTHING - none of this bulk pastry crap or costco pastries like some cafes... homemade. HOMEMADE.
So far, I've had an incredible orange blueberry muffin, a portobello/goat cheese sandwich, and many mochas. I've never been disappointed. Okay, today I was disappointed that I was so full it was an uncomfortable walk home LOL, but I don't think that counts.
Cons: very very small. Although people do tend to camp out for a while studying et al, I'd feel bad monopolizing a table for too long. That being said, I've never had a problem snagging a table outside.
Hol-ly-sh*t.
Here I thought I was a sneaky ninja finding a cute hidden coffee shop, when apparently everyone that drinks coffee in the lake meritt area had been here...twice. And thank god!!! Get us some legit places that aren't a chain, or independent and terrible. This place reminds me of the bakeries my Nana used to take me to when I was an itty-bitty. Very grass roots and lots of love in the food, coffee and general business. I even will give them mad props for caring about the planet - reusesble spoons to doctor your coffee/tea, local harvested cream for your coffee, and everything disposable was recycleable. (Who doesn't love a business who loves their planet?) They have free wi-fi and the foods are delish (we had an apple muffin and the portabelo and squash quiche - they were both AMAIZING!!!).
They have 2 downers - they don't take cards and they don't hve simple syrup for iced coffee. Even with that said, I will be back often. This is my new number one coffee stop on the A.M. on the way to work...well, as long as I have cash, but regardless of if I'm running late.
I've ordered their mocha's and they are soooo good. Service is slow as it's usually one person that's making the drinks and is also the cashier. I don't mind a slightly longer wait compared to other places. It's a small neighborhood cafe, not a donut shop or starbucks,etc so have some patience!
My first visit here: There were ants all over the counter. I ordered a pastrami sandwich. It was $7 and super tiny but really tasty.
The chocolate chip muffin is dry, too hard and bland. The orange zest it in tastes really odd. After two bites I threw it away. I think it depends on your taste buds bc some people might like it?
The quiche's and sandwiches are excellent! The crust on the quiche's are SOOOOO perfect!
There are pro's and con's about every place but this cafe definitely has a lot of pro's. They use all organic milk and ingredients for their mocha's. People that are complaining that the price they charge is equivalent to a large elsewhere shouldn't compare bc other places use sh8-ty milk infested with growth hormones. Iif you want quality, you should be prepared to spend a little bit more.
I love this place!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cafe 504 is my place of choice to get Blue Bottle - and I live by the Embarcadero (Blue Bottle in the ferry bldg)!
Now why would I make the trek to another city for coffee? Well, it's either a 1 hour wait at Blue Bottle in the ferry building... OR I can drive 10 minutes to Oakland, go to Cafe 504 and be FIRST IN LINE to get Blue Bottle!!
They also have home made muffins here using delicious, ripe, seasonal fruits.
I'm an Oakland-hater, but this Cafe is definitely worth the drive over!
We came in to study after reading yelp reviews. The service was stellar - our coffee given to us in adorable mugs while we sat, and we were told to pay when we were done. We studied for a couple hours, watching and smelling some delicious baked good, and when it was done, everyone in the cafe was offered a freshly baked oatmeal cookie. WOW, YAY, KAPOW. that makes me want to go back.
the only reason this isn't a 5 star cafe for me is because I go to cafes to study -- and cafe 504 has limited tables (which made me feel bad for staying for a few hours) and the tables are glass circles, which for some reason don't feel quite right to study on.
oh yeah - the cookie and coffee was scrum-diddly-yumptious
Oookay! I'm here in Oakland driving around a traveler from Canada looking for something at a thrift store and my head starts to hurt because i have not had my coffee / caffeine fix or anything to eat. so i take out my iPhone and use the trusty ole' URBANSPOON application. it points me to (insert trumpets blaring here) CAFE 504. small hole in the wall, but the reviews were amazing. like "best pastries, yummy drip coffee, vegan baked goods, sandwiches...ect..." so...i give it a try. although the ambiance is NOT the best, the food and coffee were AMAZEBALLS. i means pretty gourmet and delicious. the coffee cake i had was VEGAN..and still tasted delish. the roasted yellow squash and mushroom sandwich i had was savory and when anyone walked in the door that seemed to be a regular, both counter baristas stopped and made sure to greet them.....
such a cool place. although they do not take debit or credit, bringing your cash or check here is acceptable. yay yay yay for new local yummy coffee shops.
A wonderful neighborhood cafe, with amazing coffee (my first exposure to Blue Bottle, and I'm sold) and home-baked organic pastries (I had a great parmesan herb scone). I came on a Saturday afternoon, and was able to score one of their four large tables (aside from that there's a bar counter and some outdoor seating) to do a little work.
I'd give it 5* if if they had a few more substantial food items and more artificial sweetener options (I don't like Splenda).
Stopped in before work for a cup of coffee. I kept driving by their sign on Lake shore and finally took the turn. Once I walked in the most pleasant smell greeted me. I couldn't tell if it was the coffee or what was in the oven, either way it smelled delicious. No veering from the shopping list though- COFFEE. I ordered a cup to go and the young lady working explained to me about blue bottle and all this other stuff- she was very friendly and knowledgeable. Just a warning, this coffee is serious business.
The coolest part was watching the coffee making process; ground into a jar then placed in a filter in a mug. Hot water goes in but there's a whole in the mug and it drips down into your cup. Yes, I'm easily amused but it was really neat. And all of the dishes and equipment are so cute and charming.
I didn't eat anything but it's all made there and mostly organic and really pretty. The coffee was just over two bucks but it's quality, I plan on returning :)
I adore this eco-chic, modern, neighborhoody, totally delicious darling art cafe. (Full Disclosure: I like it so much I'm showing my art there in Sept!)
Cafe 504 has everything an excellent cafe should- delicious coffee, nice staff, cozy seating and local art. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the food: out of this world and made fresh THERE.
Why only 4 stars then, you ask? Not easily accessible for someone who doesn't own a car or bike---sure buses run this way but none of them are reliable. Sad panda.
I am smitten with this kitchen.
It's a quiet, neighborhoody, congenial yet calm spot that is an excellent place to get work done. The people who work there are awfully nice, they have a good selection of loose-leaf teas, and they sometimes have special water with little hunks of fruit floating in it that you can drink out of mason jars.
Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about this place. The other day I found myself writing "I love Café 504" in my notes like a junior high girl with a crush on a senior or a rock star or something.
Things to know before you go:
They don't take plastic, so bring cash, or a check (remember those?).
I have lived not even a block from Cafe 504 since March. I had seen the little sign boards on the corner and kept telling myself I'd go soon, but never did.
I finally went for the first time last week and I love it!! I love Blue Bottle and Ritual Coffee and love that if I want a quick cup I don't have to go to the city to get it.
The ONLY reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I always order the same thing but have gotten differing prices a couple times. Next time I go in, which will probably be tomorrow, I will talk to the server to straighten this out.
O hai. I can haz bloo bottel coffey!
But seriously though, I was given a coffee press as a Christmas present from my friend's parents because they know that I spend too much money on coffee. Not just any mickey fickey coffee will do for my new press though. Oh hell no!
Blue Bottle Coffee beans (a mighty fine Oaklandish product, holla) are kinda tough to find for sale. However, you can find them for sale by the half pound at my beloved Cafe 504. This is awesome because 504 is the only thing that made living in my shitty China Hill apartment with roommate(s), loud neighbors, and a liquor store at all bearable. Now I have reason to make the trek back around the lake.
And what a pleasant trek back it was. It was divine to walk back to my apartment and continuously inhale my Blue Bottle bean's aromas. Ah, only a hot man wearing Cool Water cologne smells better.
They also sell Ritual Roasters beans by the pound. I'll try those next time.
Peet's Coffee and Tea,
We need to talk about "us." Now now, calm down. You know that I have been…
Read more »
I'm sitting in here for the first time, so be warned that this could be a honeymooner review. But I love it so far.
Laptop, sandwich, and cappuccino is my usual formula. Other than being a tad pricey, I think it's fantastic on all accounts.
The cap had great flavor (blue bottle coffee) and texture. The sandwich had quality ingredients (fresh bread and a good strong cheddar). And this is a great laptop spot with its excellent natural light, open atmosphere, and mellow/quiet vibe.
I'll definitely be back.
Café 504 is about having a little patience. There's usually one person working behind the counter. Sometimes, there's two.
However, that one person is sweet as can be, and they are serving you up one of the best lattes you've ever tasted. So: slow down, take a minute, and savor a truly cool little neighborhood café.
It's worth the wait.
Café 504 has turned our little slice of a sleepy Lake Merritt burg into a true neighborhood. It's a place where people sit and read the newspaper on a Sunday morning. I've met a few new people here, people who (as it turns out) live right down the street from me.
How cool is that?
Quaint and unassuming. The fellow working was gracious and helpful, the coffee was good but cheap and there is indoor and outdoor seating. Minus one star for no vegan pastries. Overall, just a nice little neighborhood place I can sit a read my book. And I agree with Brian G. re: the conversations of other customers, but c'est la vie.
I know I sound like the Oakland Chamber of Commerce lately, but Got DAMN if I don't keep finding these stellar local places.
It was a nice crisp, clear fall day on Saturday, and I thought it would be cool to go for a run around Lake Merritt, something I haven't done in months. Being an addict, I can't really run without caffeine in my system. I remembered the great reviews these guys have received from at least a half dozen of my trusted yelp friends, so I stopped in for a pre-run cappuccino.
I'll keep it simple: You won't find a better, more lovingly prepared espresso in the East Bay. They change up the beans they use as the mood strikes them, but it's either gonna be Blue Bottle or Ritual Roasters. On top of that, the vegan and brown rice flour baked goods are freshly made on site, there is free wifi, and the whole atmosphere is very hipster chill without the hipster pretense. And on top of it all, they sell Blue Bottle and Ritual beans with which to feed the home espresso machine!
After a nice run, and a struggle up the Cleveland Cascade, I stopped back in for another cap and a workout nullifying, but delicious, corn muffin.
Yeah, it's good coffee. Serious coffee, for serious coffee people. But more impressive is that the folks serving it are serious professionals, who can talk about coffee like a wine bar attendant talks about tasting flights--and not to bullshit you, but to help you pick out a really, really good cup of coffee. Damn.
Nice minimalist space, too, with large functional tables and two great seats by the front window. You also are likely to meet some of Lakeshore's finest Yelpers while sipping your Blue Bottle.
I should preface this review by saying that having lived in Portland for 6 years, I'm spoiled rotten.
Still, my double espresso did not even rank second tier quality compared to other bay area coffee shops, took forever, and was presented poorly if uniquely (in a vaguely Asian, spattered sipping bowl). My friend ordered a macchiato and got a lackluster cappuccino. I had a carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting. The frosting was grainy and the cupcake tasted more like oil than carrots and spices. The other baked goods offered looked inferior to the cupcake, except for the biscotti. Should I ever find myself back there I will give them a try. The person sitting next to me had a sandwich that looked delicious, but there was no menu to tell me that sandwiches were available.
The space was cute. Both the music and the atmosphere were great for reading or working on a laptop, and there were plenty of power outlets. The tables were a little awkward. They could easily seat five people, but each only had a couple of chairs. They were pressed close to each other to fit into the space so that I had to sit directly across from my friend, and the table was so wide we couldn't have a conversation without being too loud for the little space.
The barista was super nice, and the price was reasonable. However, I can buy my own blue bottle beans make better coffee and pastries at home.
I have been to this place 3 times, and as much as I want to love it, and can truly appreciate the atmosphere, size, distance to where I live, not to mention the great coffee (Blue Bottle and Ritual), I won't go back to this place based on the serious attitude going on behind the counter. It's that woman, and apparently I'm not the only one on Yelp who has noticed her. She's be rude to me, and I've seen her total belittle one of her employees in front of me and other customers. SUCH A TURN OFF! For me, drinking coffee and seeking out a place like 504 should be a nice, cozy worthwhile experience. 3/3 times I've been there I experienced rudeness from behind the counter, and frankly that's unacceptable. There are plenty of coffee shops in Oakland where the environment isn't as hostile and the coffee is still good.
i got spoiled working down the block from Ritual back when it first opened, and for a long time it seemed like the East Bay was totally unable to make a decent espresso. fast forward a few years and there's a few OK options around, but none of them are as good, all around, as Cafe 504. i'd come here every day if i lived around the corner... and i used to! but 504 wasn't there then, alas. cheers to the lovely ladies of 504, who know how to make my soy latte 'just right'.
Cool spot, gave it two tries. Great first experience. On the first go around had a very sweet young woman with short black hair. Was really patient and warm. I decided to take my girlfriend back for a work date and was totally thrown off by the new barista, a curly haired woman with ATTITUDE. Did we do something wrong? GF and I were totally thrown off by her annoyance which seemed directed toward us and our obvious ignorance, apparently we've never ordered coffee before. Slightly amused we stuck around to see how she treated other customers. Apparently we weren't the only ones she had issues with.
Totally cute spot that is hard to come by in the area. Plan to go back as long as sweetness isn't working.
Every time I go in there to get a mocha I swear it's just for the mocha dammit! But the stuff they bake smells so good I end up salivating and adding to my daily calorie count. I'd love to tell you that I will just stay out of there but I somehow find it when I'm anywhere near Lake Merritt in the morning.
Saw the reviews and was in the neighborhood so I stopped in. Nice little coffee shop. Definitely… Read more »
My sweetheart and I took a long walk all around the lake on a cold winter's day specifically to go to Cafe 504. I hadn't read anything about it beforehand; my sweetheart had and thought that I would like it very much.
When we got there, we thought: What a small space! Maybe we should just go! But we want coffee! How terribly long they are taking to make it! And there's nowhere to sit! Finally it is ready! Let's just take it and drink it as we walk!
And then, we thought: Holy moly, this is the best coffee we've ever had.
That's it. I'm moving in.
What else does a person need in life?
Friendly owner, Friendly staff
Great (again: great) coffee
Great Egg Sandwich (though not the best of apple pies)
Great big tables - convenient chairs - power outlets - wifi
the star that i took off is due to the prices - it is a little pricey to charge 7$ for two slices of breads with two eggs (egg sandwich).
Attractive staff, hip atmosphere, interwebs, coffees and teas that are tasty. I like that they bring it to you and you pay when you're done. Very trusting and homey feeling this way. I wish it were a little bigger so I don't have to hear patron's (sometimes ridiculous) conversations.
These people are so incredible. The coffee is always brewed delicious and the bathroom has wonderful-smelling soap. No a/c makes it a bit stuffy on a hot day, but the coffee is worth it.
I must have done something right, because having Cafe 504 move in across the street has been the best unexpected gift I've received, possibly ever.
Why?
*Fabulous Blue Bottle and Ritual Roasters coffee
*Delicious pastries
*A wonderful and friendly owner
*Again, great location relative to my place
I have no problem waiting while my coffee is made to perfection. I don't know why I didn't reviewed this awesome local spot sooner. I'd go into greater detail, but my perfect mocha will get cold, and my greedy taste buds do not want to wait any longer to finish devouring the delectable chocolate chip and oat cookie. Mmm, breakfast of champions.
Stan R., dude, abide by your own tagline and "chill".
"They", often being singular staff member and proprietor Jaime, probably only had one lonely muffin sitting on the counter because two hands can only get so many orders taken, so many individually brewed (thus the 10 minute wait, especially when there are folks ahead of you) cups of coffee made, muffins scratch-baked and into and out of the oven, and money collected and change given in a day.
Twice that I've been in, rather than assuming and walking out disappointed, I've asked about the baked goods and been kindly told that a batch of this or that was cooling on the racks or due out of the oven in minutes. Ask and you shall be rewarded.
Found it. This is the one. The café I'd love to see move in down the street from me. But as I… Read more »
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