Alem's Coffee

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This review is long overdue. First time trying Eritrean breakfast - what was a pleasant surprise! We ordered Shihan Ful and the egg sandwiches. The Shihan Ful came with bread. The flavor was authentic, with a perfect balance of spices and freshness. The portions were generous without being overwhelming, and everything was cooked just right. The owner took our order and it was really nice chatting with her about our children. Service was friendly and attentive, adding to the great experience. If you're a fan of Eritrean cuisine or curious to try it for breakfast, I highly recommend giving this place a visit!

Came here for the weekly Sunday crossword cafe date a few years ago. Not a great place to do the crossword. There's coffee, but not much space to sit, so we ended up sitting outside at some small, burning hot tables. Food was good though! I've gotten a lot of Ethiopian food before in Oakland, but this was my first time getting breakfasty stuff. I really liked the Shihan Ful, although the eating process was also not great for crosswords. Since then, a few Ethiopian breakfast places have opened nearer to where I live (Oakland is great!), but still fond memories of this one.

You can smell how good this place is from the DMV! Recommend for the Shihan ful (fava bean and spices) as it's incredibly savory and light

Food was great. The cashier didn't give us a receipt. The server accused us stealing a sprite. Instead of checking with the cashier if we paid for it already up front, he came and have a debate with us over a can of sprite. Honestly wanted to bring my friends here to try my husband's culture food. If this is how customers are being treated, I'd rather save my face and my friends time. There are plenty of other Eritrean food around the area.

A friend and I came here ahead of a rainy afternoon. We walked in and were greeted with a DELICIOUS smell that made us giddy with anticipation. We walked up to the cashier to order and the staff person was so patient. My friend and I ordered the Shihan Ful and Tibsey. Given how busy it was, we opted to sit outside (yes, it was chilly). There was another staff person there who helped guided us to a table where we would be dry if it rained. They also asked us if we wanted coffee. We declined, but they came back around and brought us cinnamon tea, which was really sweet and helped keep us warm as we waited for our food. The food took about 10 minutes to come out and we were so excited once it arrived. I had the Shihan Ful and it was so tasty. A nice mix of savory spices and chopped up veggies and beans. The bread (I believe Semifreddi's) was great and perfect for wiping up the beans. My friend also enjoyed her meal and had enough for another meal. Overall, I am pleased with the service and food. I look forward to returning to try the other dishes.

Run don't walk to this place - what a neighborhood gem. The owners are lovely, the space is bright and welcoming, and the food plus coffee were amazing! I had the tibsy and it was delicious and big. That $14 dish was enough for breakfast and then lunch. Coffee was brewed strong and I had to have a lb of beans to take home. Really love the cultural diversity of my home town - keep it up Oakland! I'll be back to work my way through the menu.

They saw me coming: I ordered 2 vegan dishes and said "not spicy". The bill came to $30 with tip. I shouldn't have paid ahead of eating. One of the dishes was served with jalapeños. I reminded the waitress that I told her "not spicy". She tried to argue with me. I told her I expected a refund. She talked me in to keeping the stew. When I finished and stood @ the cash register the woman there acted like she did not know what happened. She refunded me $13 for a $30 Meal which included a tip. I felt lucky to get any refund but I wish I could have had a refund for the tip. Never again.

We came here early in the morning before a DMV appointment. We really enjoy the flavors of Ethiopian cuisine but had never had Eritrean dishes. Shared an order of Shihan Ful and a large latte between the two of us. It was unique and tasty surprise, especially for breakfast. The fava bean stew was mildly spicy but added flavor with tomatoes, onions and jalapenos. The dish came with two small loaves of bread (like a banh mi bread) and a wedge of lime. It was good but, for me, it could have used a touch more salt. The latte was decent, but we would have preferred it too be stronger. We wanted to order the Tibsy but their order for injera had not yet arrived. All in all, a good start to the morning, enhanced with fast and sweet service from the two ladies.

This is one of my top favorites. They have a distinctly Eritrean menu and more specifically serve up traditional breakfast and lunch dishes. One of my favorites is the fuul plate which consists of cooked fava beans seasoned and drizzled with spices, olive oil and feta cheese served with French rolls. You can hints of Mediterranean and middle eastern influences. Their coffee is a delicious dark Italian style roast. Indoor and outdoor rustic cafe seating. A neighborhood favorite with a bohemian flair.

Just ordered takeout from Alem's and loved it! I would suggest you order the following 3 items, they go well together and made for a filling breakfast! We ordered: Fata - quite literally a spicy tomato sauce made from tomatoes, jalapeños, onions and garlic sautéed with torn pieces of bread. This was our favorite! Shihan ful - made from ground fava beans, tomatoes, onions, and Eritrean spices. No heat here but lots of flavor which complemented the tomatoey Fata. Enkakuho frittata- egg scramble with onions, tomatoes, and green chilies. Basically, southwestern scrambled eggs but we wanted some added protein and didn't want to cook. The only drawback was their lattes. Too much milk! But I can make my own coffee but not their food, so I know now what to order! I'm good!

Alem's is fantastic. Delicious, simple, affordable food, clean dining area, friendly staff and open early. I always get shihan ful. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.

I've been trying to make an effort to go on a little walk and coffee run every morning, but have struggled to find my "spot." In comes Alem's. Their soy latte tastes EXACTLY how I like my latte, I'm SO happy. I ended up impulsively getting some food as well and ordered the Fata- LOVE IT. It's spicy and hearty and has such a great depth of flavor. Won't let myself order food on every run, but so excited to work my way through the menu over time. I know this spot has been a gem in the neighborhood and am mad at myself for waiting so long to try it! Can't wait to make it my new routine!

Perfect atmosphere the moment you walk in the food smells amazing to the people that are sitting down and eating you can tell this space holds a lot of good energy tooo them being humble and light workers I love the vibes and am currently waiting to be served my plate but they are very nice and respectful thank you for having a space that's like home for the public my friends!! Very generous they gave me two big loads of bread with my meal this place is a 100000/100000

Delicious East African dishes. Lots of vegetarian options. Fresh. Fast. Friendly. No fuss. Sunny outdoor seating or take it to go! Must try

I want to be a regular at this place because the Ethiopian breakfast is the best. I come here every so often and I always order the shihan ful and maybe another item. The ful is not just a bean dish but it's flavored with cheese, lemon, spiced and peppers. It also comes with the most delicious French tools found this side of the Atlantic. On top of that, the customer service is outstanding. The ladies who run Alem's are super friendly and thoughtful. Five stars!

Shihan Ful is a MUST TRY. Humble food that is nutritious and delicious, the staff (and other members of the community that seem to be regulars at this place) are very welcoming and excited to share aspects of their cultural heritage. Only thing they could change is not to serve water in plastic bottles and use plastic spoon/forks as well as sauce containers especially when dining at the eatery. Should be in the Oakland to-try list.

Still delicious and still served with kindness and a sweet smile. I also had a chai latte which was also delicious and comforting.

Great food, great coffee. Nice casual spot to hit in the morning. Can't wait to go back and try out the whole menu.

Alem's is a bit off the grid. On the corner near the Claremont exit heading east. I got the shihan phool and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I'm not a huge fan of beans of any type, but with the spices and bread I really enjoyed this dish. The owners and staff were also so kind. There's both indoor and outdoor seating and definitely a bunch of regulars that hang out which makes this spot really awesome. Some reviews say that they only cash, but I was able to pay with card if that's a concern. Great small business that I highly recommend supporting!

Tastey quick vegetarian food and coffee. Did I say tastey? I mean amazing. Come here for an exciting new experience at a reasonable price. Indoors the TV and music are distracting and outside there's lots of traffic but it a cozy cafe vibe.

So delicious!! I happened onto this spot when I had an appointment at Dmv and was so hungry and this place caught my eye! I have repeatedly ordered the Shihan Ful and my son loves the Tibsy/tsebhi Sga and today I added an extra dish of Fata. It was all delicious and will be ordered over and over again. I love the level of spiciness they use. The shihan ful is a lentil dish and comes with two small loves of French bread, the fata is a spicy bread dish and tibsy is a lamb and ingeera dish. This has been our fave spot for about a year now. I order delivery through yelp at this point.

I was taking a Lyft to the Oakland airport last week and my Lyft driver highly recommended this café to me, so when I was in the area, I thought I might as well check it out. I was pleasantly surprised at home awesome this place is. There's so many vegan options on the menu. In fact, there's only one item on the main menu that has meat, and the rest are all either vegetarian or vegan. I decided to break my vegan rules to try the frittata and I was not disappointed. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the vegetables added a refreshing touch. The bread was so soft on the inside and crusty on the outside, which is exactly what I look for in a roll. As for the soy latte, it was one of the best lattes I've had in a while. It was so creamy and smooth. The employees at the cafe were all very sweet and welcoming. This is definitely becoming a regular destination for me!

This is a mom and pop type of spot. So grateful my coworker put me on! The prices are very affordable and you get a delicious, home cooked tasting, filling, healthy meal. I've had the shahan ful which tasted like everything I would ever want in a meal. It warmed my insides and made me think of m grandma's cooking and it was also enough for two meals! I also had the boiled potato sandwhich which I know sounds like a wtf choice but I go it cuz I had a feeling it would be delicious, and it was! The shahan ful was served with two large bread rolls and the sandwhich is made on the same bread. Which is hella fresh and soft. The boiled potato in the sandwhich was a melt in your mouth buttery salty number, it was perfect, paired with tomato, red onion, some pepper, and lettuce. Literally everything I would find at the dinner table with my slavic family. This is definitely a go to spot, with prices that can't be beat.

Shahan fool is amazing! Small business, family owned and food is really tasty. I just wish they bring back they freshly squeezed orange juice. Other than that, I love it! Highly recommended.

Got the mocha, the sandwich with boiled potato, and this spicy side dish with a yogurt side. The mocha was yummy (honestly I've had some bad ones recently so this was a pleasant change) and the sandwich was delicious tbh. I didn't think I'd like it so much but the fresh veggies really went well with the minimally spicy soft potato's. The side dish (I can't remember the name sadly) was good too but I can't eat all of it in one sitting since it's basically just these spicy fluffy ball things.

I love the focus on Eritrean dishes as well as the emphasis on breakfast and coffee on the menu here. It definitely provides a different spin on East African dishes than any of the other restaurants I've been to in the east bay or really anywhere in California. An Eritrean style frittata? Awesome! The coffee was delicious as well with a nice and pungent flavor profile.

Service 10/10 Food 10/10 I ordered two of the vegetarian dishes, the shihan ful and kicha fitfit. The shihan ful was perfectly flavored, the fava beans balanced with freshly minced jalapeno, onion, tomato and feta. The kicha fitfit is a heavier dish of torn bread that is fried in ghee with spices. I found it to be decadent from the ghee and leaning towards the spicier side of that scale. Absolutely delicious. It reminded me of home seeing a parliament of locals gathered for tea outside on weekends. Really a special and homely place

I've been wanting to try this place for a while and got delivery recently. I ordered the enkakuho frittata and shihan ful. Both came with rolls. The frittata was filled with vegi and tasted ok. The shihan ful is flavorful and delicious, I loved it.

Food delicious and reasonably priced, but smoking allowed in patio(!) I understand that they want to please the customers from the old country, but they need to be in compliance with Oakland smoking laws.

I pretty much do whatever food writer Soleil Ho tells me, so I had to try Alem's. I've never had Eritrean food. The dish, Shihan Ful, is punchy and hit so many flavor points-- herbaceous, spicy, savory, acid. And it's served with two toasted french breads. I was so full at the end. Too bad I don't live in Oakland so I can eat here more often!

I passed by this place after a ~delightful~ visit to the DMV and was pulled in by the aroma of berbere wafting from within. I asked a group what they ordered and they said Fata and....something else I can't remember. I ordered the Fata and man, it was great. It's chunks of bread cooked in a sauce with onion, tomato (I think) and a spice blend. Simple but delicious. The coffee was good too!

This place is a true local gem in Oakland. We stopped by here for breakfast one day, and it was AMAZING. Alem's Coffee is a hole in the wall East African cafe, run by a very friendly family. We ordered the Shihan Ful dish, which is a "hearty vegetarian stew" made with fava beans and Eritrean spices, and served with two giant loaves of French bread. This dish was sooo good and savory, which surprised me as it is vegetarian. The stew was truly hearty, and the fava beans/spice combo was so unique; I've never tried anything like it before. The closest thing I can think of is Pav Bhaji (potato based, Indian dish), but Shihan Ful was definitely different. The bread also perfectly complements the stew; two giant pieces, that were crispy on the outside and so soft on the inside. They have giant portions too for only $8.95! This place also seemed like a true community oriented place, with friendly customer service and local friendly older folk gathering around a table eating breakfast/drinking coffee. Definitely have to stop by here to try Eritrean breakfast food and also get a sense of the community in Oakland!

Excellent service, great tasting food, welcoming scenery. Highly recommended for a visit.

If you go to the Temescal Farmer's Market in the DMV parking lot, you can't miss Alem's beckoning at you from across Claremont Ave with it's sun dappled patio area (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=B6ayGtjRZ2cbWOtU9sFNCA). If you succumb, you'll find that Alem's is a small shop (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=cCcjkn9yW2UNWx841aiQWg&userid=DsHsuhUvyyW_75zFcJxkKw) with just a couple of indoor tables (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=19Vv-2WLAMj7YB_0wtmNeQ) which serves up the coffee basics (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=Icq-NyB7iozXc57OK81s0w) along with a short food menu including a few Eritrean items like Shihan Phool (ful), Kicha Fitfit, and Tibsy (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=nbZZTZeYn1VJzTE8jrnNtg). Phool (aka ful, foul, etc) is a fava bean dish originating in Egypt, but popular in many African & Middle Eastern countries with a wide variety of interpretations depending on the country it migrated to. Alem's Shihan Phool comes with a rainbow of toppings with onions, crushed tomatoes, feta, jalapenos, a sprinkle of berbere, and lemon wedge accompanied by a pair of French rolls (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alems-coffee-oakland?select=C7qmKUxgYBzDrOvMr0eozQ). Savory and smooth, but definitely more kick than Egyptian Ful Medames with the fresh jalapenos and berbere. The toasted French rolls are like nice crisp banh mi baguettes and serve as the perfect vehicle for scooping up the phool which has a variety of flavor combos depending on what cross-section of toppings you get. Warm and comforting on a cold morning . . . or anytime, really.

Delicious and great value for breakfast, large portions. Food is always ready fast and it is wonderful! Get the shihan ful it is phenomenal. I like to get it to go and eat somewhere outside with a nice view!

Wanted to love this place but as soon as I opened my food (I got the tibsy) there was a long black hair on top. The service was good and the food was good but had to throw half the injera away, where the hair was. I'm really sad and grossed out.

This place is amazing. Shihaan fuul is delicious for breakfast. Great place.

Came by as I was in the area. I think the price is still the same but the portions are slightly smaller now. The service is still excellent.

Their service is awesome. The food is YUMMY! My first time here and I asked several questions and the cashier was happy to help, made me feel super comfortable and gave me her opinion on some plates. Both the service and food deserve 5 stars! Definitely coming back. What I got: Plate: Shihan Ful (Vegetarian) Taste: Beyond delicious!

I went here to eat breakfast a few weeks ago and hit the fava bean stew and it was very good. The lady was also very friendly

Amazing. Incredible breakfast-lunch options. it's what Oakland really is, and what Oakland should be. The owner is super sweet, and the place has a really inviting atmosphere. And everything we got was insane. Like really my mouth is watering just thinking about it now. So simple and so real and so authentic. I will be back veryyyyyyy soon to try everything I didn't try this first time around. The easiest 5 stars!

We had lunch for 4 on a weekday. Alem's is informal. Order at the counter and find a place to sit inside or out. We moved a table and some chairs in order to create a space outside, but that was cool. The food was good and inexpensive, and came with plenty of fresh bread-enough to take one of the two loaves home. I didn't try the eponymous coffee. I'd like to go back.

This sweet spot has delicious food and such a welcoming family ambiance. Highly recommended!

Blown away how tasty their breakfast is. This small Eritrean owned breakfast place is a great addition to Temeskal area. If you tried wanna experience Eritrean breakfast dishes, this is the place to go. I highly recommend this place.

The best food!!! Their shihan ful is to die for and coffee is amazing. The owner is the most friendly woman. This is was a restaurant should be. DON'T SKIP THIS SPOT!!!!

I was literally having the worst day at the DMV and spotted this place across the street; cured my bad day in an instant. The chai latte is one of the best I've had, and the food is incredible! I got the frittata (: very excited to come back and work my way through the menu. This place is a gem!!!

TLDR: Get the eritrean food, not the american stuff. Hole in the wall place right next to the DMV. Came here around 8 am and there was one family eating there (but became busier rather quickly). The cashier when we were there couldn't speak English very well and didn't accept the yelp check-in either (I'm not sure if they actually don't take it or if its just because that cashier didn't know). With the help of browsing the other reviews, we got the shihaan ful, egg sandwich, and a latte. The shihaan ful was amazing. It is sort've like a chili with x2 the amount of spices (it isn't spicy though). It's vegetarian but it is rich and tastes like it has meat! The bread goes really nice with the soup as well. The egg sandwich is definitely not a highlight here. They forgot our latte twice, and after they finally made it, I am pretty sure the coffee to milk ratio was off. I think it was even less milk than a cappuccino. My girlfriend didn't like it because she thought it was really bitter, but I thought it was actually really good. I don't care much for the milk, so that didn't bother me. Halfway through our meal, the "main" person came out (I think she cooks the food?). She speaks English a lot more fluently, and she was really kind to us and checked up on us. She asked us if we wanted to dish with injela bread (the injela wasn't ready when we first ordered), but we passed since we were full. It also seemed like this place had a lot of regulars from the area (I mean... where else are you going to find an Eritrean place? I didn't even know Eritrea was a country before this) so that made the place feel much more comfortable and warm. Definitely would stop by again if I am in the area.

Kind people strong coffee delicious food. A great local business you should be supporting

Passed by Alem's Cafe on my visit to the DMV and decided to go in after, as I was pleased to see it still open around 3, and was in desperate need of a coffee and potentially some food. Ordered the Shihan Ful and a cappuccino and just WOW. The food has such an amazing flavor and great portions for the price you are getting. I'm not a huge bread eater and even the bread is good. Coffee was great too! This place is a not just a no-nonsense cafe, but one delicious food that's not common around the bay area. 15/10 would come again! :)