On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies [Edit]
1333 Park StreetMon-Sun. 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Loading...
Java Rama used to be my Office-O-Rama, but then I realized what I liked in a coffee house, shop, cafe, etc.
The place has no natural light, and it gets really stuffy! The employees are great, besides a few stuck up ones. The coffee is good, but the tables are super shaky.
I do not go there as often as I did over the summer, I like the place, but prefer others over this Java Rama.
The last time I went in there the employee was eating a burrito from across the street, right in front of the "No outside food" sign. I swear I heard her yell at people before about eating outside food in there. Wack.
I also was given super attitude by the same employee about not purchasing anything and using the free wi-fi. How was I supposed to purchase something when she was holding a 10 minute conversation with her friend at the register while I was in line?? So I sat down and waited until she was done, then she had the nerve to tell me that I had to purchase something to hang. Wow.
I try not to let those times ruin my experience, because I do like the place. But minus a few "too cool" employees, open the doors and windows, and the place could be awesome!
Lots of parking and cool place. Great coffee and treats.
Refill on a small drip is $0.75.
Don't know about Pete's price but at Swiss Delices and Panera's the refills are free. I guess it's not worth policing the self-serve.
WE LOVE YOU JAVA RAMA. WOO-HOO!
This place is great!....
Great coffee, great (sometimes) music playing overhead, great atmosphere (with lots of room), great people/service, great art on the walls, great free wifi, great location, great prices, great feel, great everything!
My girlfriend & I used to come every couple or few days but nowadays we're there daily as its become our little hangout spot. Their Mocha Frappe is so good (one of the baristas there makes them BOMMMMB).
(You know who you are!)
The pastries and treats at the front counter are also yummyyyy.
Other peoples reviews that rate this place 2 & 3 stars are insane. Maybe they're just corporate types :(
Hey, If all of this has gone in one ear and out the other, and if nothing I've said is amazing to you, then at LEAST go there instead of a chain place (like Starbucks or Peet's also on Park St.) out of principle.... you know.... take a walk on the wild side....
.... You'll love it!
Be LOCAL Buy LOCAL... I love to support local joints.... The perfect place to sit and work and watch island locals wander in and out... This is a place where people congregate and talk island life talk... They have the most to die for lychee iced tea... MMMmmmmm..... My only complaint is the lack of healthy/lowfat snack options.... Great location... free wi-fi.... friendly locals... lovely staff... it's places like this that make Alameda, Alameda...
I really want to like Java Rama. I really do.
I've been coming here since I moved to Alameda over five years ago. Ever since Coffee for Thought closed (sob), they've been the only indie coffee house in Alameda open late. Late-night coffee houses are an essential part of any town.
So, tonight, I decided to visit, get some coffee, and work away until they closed. I arrived at 9pm (an hour before closing), wandered up to the bar, and asked for a medium coffee.
And was told that they didn't have any more coffee.
Excuse me?
Well, they had a little bit charring the bottom of the 60s-era coffee maker, but they weren't going to make any more.
After politely declining their offer of a small coffee of unknown vintage at a medium coffee price, I walked down the street to Peets, where they were perfectly happy to sell me a fresh cup of coffee.
I desperately want to support local, independent businesses, but when I feel that I've suddenly been trapped in a Cheese-Shop Sketch, I have to wonder if they are even trying.
I'm no caffeine junkie, so I don't come for the coffee! However, because there's a "purchase required" (which I can dig, because they are in business to make money, ya know!) I've had the hot and cold Chai Latte and Mexican Cocoa which were each fantastic! Others, who have accompanied me, have raved about the Smoothies!
Anyway, I was looking for a place open late; with wi-fi, where I could come and work on my "millionaire status" projects! Aside from having a tough time finding parking, this place is great! I absolutely love it! Loads of space for working, comfy sofa's if that's your jive and they even have public computers to use while you wait!
Depending on the evening you come, it can be pretty noisy (game night seems to be on Tuesday's) and crowded (which may be a good thing for the owners). Most times the folks behind the counter are pleasant, so I give it 5 stars. Yay for Java Rama!
Used to be good.
Now they sell ramen in the front counter among other things.
Java Rama offers an excellent and reliable cup of joe! The folks who work there know how to make a killer breve as well as good mochas and chai drinks. Also of note is their large selection of loose leaf and bagged teas - very nice when coffee just won't do.
Their pastries are delicious, as are their cakes and quiche. The owner really cares about providing a nice, neighborhood coffee shop and it shows. I highly recommend it!
I must have spent at least a 1000 hours here studying in my life. Cozy quiet atmosphere with power plugs and free wifi make it easy to relax and study here. The atmosphere may be too dim for some people tho.
JAVA RAMA ROCKS MY SOCKS! I LOVE this place! I particularly enjoy their hot mochas with whip cream and their mocha frappes. Their Italian quiche and pastries are also very good.
For the most part their employees are awesome. I say "for the most part" because the only employees I don't like are the older asian lady and the younger asian girl who seems to be her daughter. I once tried to order a small frappe from her and in a very snobby and rude way she informed me that they only have one size for frappes. I can't stand rudeness! But I noticed that they seem to work on Saturdays, so I tend to stay away on Saturdays.
Besides that everything is perfect! I work from home two days out of the week, so I always go here to work on those days. They have never made me feel unwelcomed if a long time has passed without me ordering something.
The environment is great, the drinks are great, I can go on and on! Highly recommended!
I hate businesses that try to squeeze every buck from you. Seriously? A minimum purchase amount in order to use the wifi? Charge for power? Walking around every 10 minutes to make sure you have a warm cup of something or else you are asked to leave???
Would have received a lower rating, but I want to support the independent coffee house, so add a star for not being a chain.
Get your Berkeley coffeeshop feel in the environs of cleaner and calmer Alameda!
Good coffee, they play classical (so you can actually, like, read a book or study), the counter folk are friendly, and has a good number of outlets. Good, solid cafe.
Never had the food here except for the sesame bagel and cream cheese (my standard cheapy cafe meal), which is pretty sizeable.
Open late (by Alameda standards) too: 11pm.
I used to come here a lot in my Alameda days. It sure beat going to Starbucks and even Peet's. I didn't like Starbucks just because it was Starbucks, and Peet's had horrible layout.
Java Rama has that Berkeley feel on the inside without feeling like Berkeley once you step outside. It's a bit trendy but still feels somehwat hippie, and last I remember, there was that faint scent of herb that you know someone has been having but it just seems to be everywhere.
This place has free wi-fi as well, so you get all the crazies that come out here. It's in a really busy area of town so you can people watch as well. Make sure you have power or are willing to pay for it. Wi-fi is free but power is not.
it was I guess 2 years or so agao: customer service could have been better but what was really annoying: sorry, the customers. Odd People.
I really like hole in the wall, independently run businesses because those are the ones where you can walk in and feel at home. I also love that they make fair trade coffee, the staff is friendly but minus one star for being so dim. It makes it really hard to study even though its a great place to study.
Pretty cool coffee house and definitely has more atmosphere than the overrated and overcommercialized Starbucks. Free Wi-fi is the best thing about it and the joint has a bohemian feel to it like your in New York or something. My only complaint is that parking is a pain since it is located on Park St. in Alameda, which can get very busy.
Just had to add that there is some guy with down syndrome who is a regular here. He roams around the place and schmoozes with everyone and asks lots of questions. Some folks seem scared of him and some just ignore him. He is usually OK, but there was one time he got mad at me for buying a piece of carrot cake because he said it was hard and yucky. But it turned out to be one of the moistest and delicious carrot cakes I've ever eaten.
We sometimes travel into Alameda and like to stop in for coffee at java rama. The last time the customer service could have been better, could have been paying attention, but they didn't. Well, everyone has a bad day so 3 stars it is.
On my far left is a blind date. Probably E-harmony, they look too old for Match. She's drinking water, I dont think she is too impressed. Directly next to me is a young lady who clearly does not want to be doing her homework because every 3 pages she reads she hums and has, comments out loud and then watches an episode of the office. To my right a man in glasses is typing what appears to be porn about a man with a butt on a door knob and black leather boots. Man, you just can't make this kind of stuff up.
If it were not for the hot chocolate that tastes like Nestles Quick it might push 4 stars. It's no Julies Coffe and Tea, but the wi fi is free and it's open until 11pm.
Once upon a time this might of been a good place but not anymore.
My last visit tells it all. Upon my arrival I waited at the counter a few minutes until I was told the person was outside. She was in fact sitting outside at a table smoking a cigarette and talking on her cell phone. She came in still on her phone and allowed me to interrupt her to ask for a cup of coffee.
The coffee was just crap! Maxwell out of a can would taste better. The milk pitchers were empty and the area was a mess.
If all you want is free wi-fi be my guest. But bring your own coffee.
The people of Alameda deserve a good place on Park Street for coffee and Peet's is that place.
If I could give this place 0 stars I would. I can't believe how the new ownership has RUINED this place.
The Java Rama I remember from the early 90s was a place that was good to their customers.
The new owner (Kevin I believe) has installed multiple cameras to spy on his customers and employees. He actually has the BALLS to call up the baristas and ask them if certain customers are making PURCHASES UPON ARRIVAL AND EVERY 10 MINUTES AFTERWARDS OR ELSE THEY WILL BE KICKED OUT!!!!!!?!?!?!!!
ARE. YOU. FUCKING. KIDDING. ME?!?! This isn't Auschwitz it's a coffee shop for christ sake. That's no way to run a business and create a comfortable atmosphere for your customers.
Oh and the coffee sucks compared to what it was in say '94.
The ONLY good thing about this place is a couple of my friends still work here and have not yet been ruthlessly fired for absolutely no reason (like everyone else seems to have been recently.. I hear the turnover rate for employees is HORRIFIC)
BLECH!
Java Rama is their name, but coffee is NOT their game! Not a fan of the coffee here, I don't think the people behind the bar actually know how to make good coffee.
The place smells, there's ALWAYS flies around, it's too dark to read, and the seats are uncomfortable.
They do have wifi, but it really irks me that businesses have to put a "minimum" on what you buy in order to use their wifi. If you have to post things like that, then obviously your product sucks and people only go there for the wifi. If I go there 5 days a week to study and spend $3.00, that's more business than the person that goes once a week and spends $7.
Oh, and the workers always seem like they're high - slow, unresponsive and unattentive.
Long time ago, I was happy that my boyfriend introduced me to this local place. The coffee wasn't the best, but I loved how I could come here, study, & use the free WIFI.
Recently, I don't know what happened. Everything was moved around. They introduced convenient snacks (chips, corn nuts, etc) which - to me - ruins the whole appeal of the place. When I hear the term "coffee shop", I think of a place that serves coffee, tea, danishes, cakes, & cookies - not snacks.
The place attracted me because of it's appeal, but they lost some of it when they tried changing thing around.
I love this cafe! Reminds me of the cafes in Berkeley where I often studied.
pros: free wifi, seating is usually available, friendly service, renovated, good tea selection.
cons: lighting is a bit dim, charge for desktop usage (bring a laptop)
Also, not sure if they still do this, but 10 min before closing, they give away all the remaining pastries for free.
Free WiFi is why i go here.
Huge space!...lots of seating...when choosing a place to settle make sure you're near an outlet if you bring your laptop.
I've had their cyder (lots of spice!) and coffee is ...well just regular coffee
However, Free WiFi seems to bring the most interesting characters to this house. So if you dont mind some guy singing "I'm a little tea pot" to you...or someone telling you about the adventure that they've just experience in the bathroom...then this is and ok spot!
If not...bring head phones and dont make eye contact!
I walked in. I walked out. This place is gross. While there were a good amount of customers, including two guys playing chess, I don't know why people stayed there.
This place drew me in because of a prominent "free wifi" poster. This place repelled me because it smelled, and felt like, a stuffy 24 Hour Fitness indoor swimming pool hall. Not only that but there were about a dozen flies zig-zagging the air space. This place resembles more of a saloon than a cafe. The employees merely give a dead stare. I was expecting someone to spit into a canteen. ::paa-tinnggg::
We came in to Java Rama when we didn't want to go to Starbucks and Peets lol... then once I got in I remembered I've been here before but the name of the coffee shop was different back then. I had a special coffee, they recommended caramel mocha. I expected it to be quite sweet because it's with caramel. However, it took me by surprise, the mocha is pleasantly tasty with the aroma of chocolate and coffee with just a hint of caramel. The coffee shop is very warm and cozy, there were students with their laptops and a family came in with a child for afternoon pastry and coffee. They also have paintings hanging on the wall for sale too. This is not a place for people watching nor overtly filled with students but it has a very relax and easy going atmosphere, good to hang out with friends to catch up and gossips!
So after reading the reviews for Java Rama I really felt compelled to write this based on my recent visit.
Yesterday was my first time going there even though I had lived like 4 blocks away for the past year. I guess they changed owners over the summer and that was a good thing. I arrived about 8:30ish after stopping at 2 other "free wi-fi" chain coffee shops that didn't have anywhere to plug in. There were several power strip outlets available and the other patrons were super nice and respectful of my personal space.
The barista's were awesome. The girl who was there in the morning made terrific drink and food suggestions and let me start a tab since I was going to be there all day. The chai was top notch, she made me a special coffee my sensitive stomach could handle that was perfect, quiche was yummy and I normally don't care for it, my carrot muffin was perfectly moist. I also got a tropical tea to go but is was just OK. Oh yeah, I was there for 6 hours working on a project for work so I did space all this food out! The afternoon barista was also very nice and even suggested other cafes close to my new house in Oakland.
The wi-fi was free and they also had 2 computers there you could use but I don't know the policy on those. I loved the fact that the wi-fi does not time out. Very cool. Music playing was at an acceptable volume and was mostly good classic rock.
-1 huge star for the stinky, stinky bathroom. Really the stench was overpowering. I went one time and then held it. From reading prior reviews this place used to suffer from smells and dirt. The cafe was fine but the bathroom was really stinky but was pretty clean. Not sure why it was so gross. Can you tell how stinky I think it was by now? I recommend they close for a weekend and strip the bathroom, maybe clean the pipes if its a plumbing issue, and repaint over the graffiti. Then it would be 5 stars for sure, I will totally go back but be prepared to hold my breath if needed.
This place is so cool......... 12 years ago
Now it's just a super lame shell of what it used to be.
It was one of those "linger around just one area" days. And a few Sundays ago, that area was Alameda. and most of the lingering hours were spent in Java Rama. why? 'cause it's a really comfy place. and they have wi-fi. and their coffee is good. their tea is yummy too. and aside from the occasional slightly loony and noisy regular coming in causing thoughtus interruptus, the atmosphere is chill enough that it's easy to focus and concentrate on important things like work, facebook updates, and of course, yelp review writing.
Under the Old Ownership me and my husband loooved coming here. We were welcomed by the workers and it was a pleasant experience every time.Delicious Carrot Cake and a good variety of teas. After the new ownership took charge we notice the prices went up and the sizes went down and little kids were put behind the counter to make our drinks and in the beginning they did not what they were doing. We stopped going after awhile but have yet to find a suitable replacement. Alameda needs a real coffee house that is open late with free WiFi and good old people that care about you the "costumer" and not short changing you to make a buck.
Okay, so I have been to Java Rama on several occasions, especially since I live in Alameda and work nearby... though it has a nice rustic, hip coffee house atmosphere... it is NOT a coffee house!
The black coffee is okay, at best, and if you ask for ANYTHING else to be made.... well forget about it. First of all, it takes the barista a year to conjur up anything they can't just poor out of a jug, and then once you get it...it's aweful. I've had better froth from an overheated dog! They are clearly understaffed, and though most people who work there are nice, you will run into a pretentious, "too cool for school," alternative wanna-be every once in awhile.... who MIGHT refuse to serve you because you are using your cell phone. Yes, this is based on a true story. When all I want is a black coffee to go, I don't think I should be forced to end my long distance call to the east coast with my boyfriend so some girl can feel like she's more important that she is. ESPECIALLY when there is nobody else waiting!
Just go to Julie's Tea House down the block if you want to experience an independent establishment. Or if you just want a quick coffee, you are better off at Peet's, Starbucks, or making it at home.....
PS...there are no "NO CELL PHONE" signs or rules posted. If that's they way they roll, they should let us know....
Decent coffee and tea selections, some sweet pastries and limited baked goods. It's a block from Alameda H.S. so its also a teenager hang. And there are a few 'locals' who feel the need to dominate the space like its theirs (i.e. the dude who stretched out, took his shoes off, and lay down on the one small couch to read the entire Sunday paper cover to cover; and the old guys who dominated one corner smacking the table while playing 'speed chess').
Overall, its a servicable place. Not enough power access for plugging your CPU in, however, and not enough 'ambiance' or food options to warrant me spending long periods of time here.
WORST COFFEE EVER!
You know what this place has going for it?
It's open later than Julie's. That's it really.
Terrible drinks, boring pastries, it's kinda dingy inside, there are lots of fruit flies... I think the people who gave it good reviews might be under some sort of spell.
Does free wifi really hold that much weight with people? I think it's weird to go outside and take your laptop and surf myspace in a cafe. You aren't being social, you're just taking up a seat. Go be antisocial in your own home where I don't have to look at your ironic facial hair and white belt you hipster wanker.
My favorite coffee shop in Alameda. It's just a nice place to enjoy a good mocha. Free Wifi (with your own laptop and a beverage), a great space, not crowded or excessively noisy. The owners and staff there are really cool. Art work on the walls provided by a local art group (who's name escapes me). I've taken the kids to study there and have often used it as an alternate work place when I need to. Nice vibe.
UPDATE: Apparently Javarama is under new ownership. Summer and Abe sold it although Summer is still working there for the time being. The new owner, Kevin has been a presence behind the counter lately but I didn't realize he was the new owner until one of the the folks that works there informed me the other day. She also told me that they will be remodeling a bit (may explain the removal of art work) and will be adding sandwiches and salads to the menu. Stay tuned. I'll miss Summer and Abe though. They were great owners and are good people. That smell that another reviewer mentioned I think is some sort of cleaning agent (bleach?) that does overwhelm you when you walk in. I hope they find something more nose friendly. It's made me walk out of there a couple of times. I'm knockin' the stars down for now because this is now a work in progress. We'll see what happens.
UPDATE 2:
Went in this afternoon and had a very refreshing Thai Ice Tea. Kevin has done a nice job of cleaning the place up. Less clutter, new paint and it's clean without that bleach smell. Very nice. There was a good crowd in there today and some chess going on outside. The progress looks good! The young tattooed lady behind the counter, whose name I have forgotten, is always pleasant.
This place has an awful stench of rancid coffee odor smell and the coffee itself tastes bitter like they never wash their equipment.
One star for being an independent and attempting to create some sort of "community".
Nice place. So nice, in fact, that as I write this review on a Sunday afternoon, it's packed. Everyone's doing that frigidly friendly thing trying to move about with their laptops and cords. I love the Bay Area, but I'm ready to leave the cafe scene for a little while.
* Edited review, 1/21/06: Either Java Rama has really plunged in quality, I've hit it on a bad night, or I'm still pissed off from that huge traffic jam on the way down.
Still. I'm a tolerant cafe denizen, to a point, but tonight is just ridiculous. Let's count it up:
- No change for a $20. WTF? I had to use my credit card for $1.75. I'm sure there'll be some fee tacked onto that.
- The cafe's disgusting. Sugar spilled everywhere, smashed styrofoam cups. Of course, I'm sure that has to do with ...
- Freaks. EVERYWHERE. These old chess-playing dudes who don't know how to modulate their voices, take up two tables, and have obviously been camping out here for days. Fuck you guys. Move and let cranky bitches like me do their thing in peace.
The next time I consider Java Rama, I'll reconsider.
* EDIT 7/18/07 *
Java Rama is now charging $5 for wifi access. I understand the need for business owners to -- duh -- make money, and I'm willing to pay for wifi if it's a nominal charge (such as Gaylords, which charges $1 for the code and sometimes "forgets" to change it), but $5? There isn't $5 worth of food and drink in there that I'd actually want. I don't plan to go back that often. Too bad. Nice place, but I think they're rolling downhill.
**sigh** I really really *want* to like Java Rama. I love independent coffee houses and yay for free wi-fi. However, I kept trying Java Rama every few months since I moved to Alamdea 8-1/2 years ago, but every time I've been the coffee was just meh and the place smelled really funky.
I see they're now under new ownership, and it's been a few months, so I'll give them another try. I hope to come back and add a star or two to my review.
the girlfriend and i decided to try this place out for size. she's off ordering our obligatory "first time in a coffee shop test mocha" mochas (iced for me, hot for her) when who do i see milling around outside?
midgets.
ten of 'em.
i shit you not. ten fucking midgets. i counted them. i counted them and then i texted some people to let them know i just saw ten midgets in one place.
[disclaimer: i'm not making fun of midgets per se, i'm just sharing a positively surreal experience. i got no beef with midgets. i see one or two of them hanging out somewhere and i don't even give it a second thought. but dude, ten? i mean, imagine the opposite of ten midgets: ten people all over seven feet tall. . . wouldn't that be a little trippy? wouldn't you count how many of them were there and tell your friends? you're lying if you say no.]
surreal midget experience or no, we won't be back here anytime soon. our mochas weren't up to par. maybe it was too late in the evening, maybe the guy that made them was new, maybe their mochas just always taste like that, i don't know.
i'll try this place out again when i get another laptop. . .maybe the wifi will make the mochas taste better.
i am a latte connoisseur, and have been drinking them for years. this place, hands down, makes the best latte i've ever had. no bitterness at all.
even though you'll see starbucks and pete's up the street, keep going another block and stop here for your caffeine cravings. i'd rather give money to small business' anyway, they need it more.
they get their bakery items from a really great bakery. the bran muffins are so moist, and the coffee cake is a must try. don't feel like coffee? the mango shakes and the thai iced tea are homemade and amazing!
the decor is really cute. just has the "coffee house" feel. all wood, high ceilings. and did i mention free internet? that' worth coming here alone.
I kinda like this place.. It is a great space and the coffee is excellent. It can get quite noisy on at night but thats the bustle of the shop and the hard materials do little to absorb the extraneous noise.
I think it was the server/barrista that had the open sores on her lips and hands. Yeah... That grossed me out just a bit. I understand, people get stressed out, get cold sores, etc. but please put a glove on when handling my baked goods, especially after touching your face!!!
Alameda, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Alameda, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Alameda, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Alameda, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Corte Madera, CA
Category: Vietnamese
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
The best and worse coffee finds and everything in…
* If you know Me then you know I like VALUE.…
This is a list of my all time favorite Alameda…
You have no cred if you live, work, grew up in…
On a quest for good herbal tea, caffeine-power…
I like to eat. Here's the story of the places…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
