Charlie May Coffee & Tea House

My review of this coffee shop os I Loved this new experience today. It was my first time here. I was impressed by the ambiance, family ownership, and the attention they pay to each customer. You can feel their love for people at the counter.

This place is perfect 👌. If I lived close, I would be here everyday for my morning coffee/tea. The service was good and the overall energy was welcoming. I didn't feel rushed at all. It's just a peaceful place. I'll be making a point to stop in every time I have to pass the area.

It's a local coffee shop with plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. Very neat clean cut decor and seating. Great for gatherings, groups, study, meetups and quiet romantic date! Good selection of coffee drinks, pastries and small bites. Like many coffee shops, it's a self service. Baristas don't seem much friendly though or at least according to our experience they seem serious; perhaps tough day or tired. Will try more often to confirm 😉

Special little cafe up in the hills. Nice decor, nice vibe, a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating options. Cozy places on a comfy chair or a couch are available— I feel like that is more and more difficult to come by these days. I've tried a few of their empanadas and a currant scone, everything has been tasty.

So glad to see this neighborhood has a gem like Charlie, May! I love that their syrups are made with agave! The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is so cool and welcoming. Definitely a place and probably the only place to come if you’re in the neighborhood.

Lovely, clean space. Thoughtfully laid out. The iced mocha made with champorado was delicious and not too sweet. Nice to find a place that has some savory snack options as well as pastries. Easy parking. A hidden gem in the hills!

Off-the-beaten-path and worth the while. Comfortable seating and a calm setting, perfect for a quiet meeting spot. On-site coffee roasting, with mild and nutty-tasting roasts. Try the homemade additions that can be mixed into a coffee drink. And while you’re at it, treat yourself to fresh baked goods.

I am so glad that we have a new coffee shop in Oakland! It's a nice drive up Golf Links Road. They're close to 580 freeway and Oakland Zoo, off 98th ave. exit! I enjoyed the latte with the Latiya sauce (iced and hot). Cold brew and the pastries are yummy! The ambient is great to catch up on some reading, work, or with a friend over a nice cup of coffee. The owners are kind and friendly :) I really enjoy coming here and I am inspired by the creativity of the space and the taste of the drinks.

Great coffee shop with the best service! I love the exploration of flavors that you get with their filipino/guamanian inspired menu. great working space too!! love to go here to cowork I will be back again to try every single thing on the menu!

Friendly café with good coffee and snacks (4/5 Green Stars). I met someone at Charlie May's for coffee/tea and snacks before a hike - the Clyde Woolridge trailhead is just up the road. Service was friendly and the drinks were good - my Americano was well-made and my friend's London Fog looked enticing. We also shared a veggie empanada and scone and agreed that they were both tasty. The Buenos Aries style empanadas are from Javi's Cooking. We had the vegetarian "zapallo" empanada but apparently there's also a vegan empanada, made with Impossible mince and vegan butter. It wasn't on the café menu that day but is listed on the website menu. Something for another day! The café has a mix of spaces including regular tables, an outdoor patio and a cozy living room area with armchairs, lamps and framed prints. They also have a conference room with a large screen that you can rent if you have an important meeting coming up. I think it's an interesting space with some unique food and drink options. I don't normally do coffee with syrups but I'm curious to try one of their homemade "sauces" next time - champorado, based on a Filipino porridge of chocolate and rice, and latiya, inspired by a Guamanian dessert of cinnamon cake and vanilla custard. I'm giving Charlie May coffee 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on these factors: * Charlie May is a small, women-owned, minority owned business. It was founded by two sisters whose families came from the Philippines and Guam. * Charlie May provides no info on their coffee, which is odd for a company (even a small one) that roasts their own beans. They sell Nicaragua La Estrella beans but it would be nice to know more. * Coffee is roasted in-house with an electric roaster (Bellweather) developed in Berkeley. Charlie May mentions this as one way in which they are reducing their carbon footprint. * Plastic waste is minimized with ceramic mugs, compostable to-go cups and a branded tumbler for sale. * They take part in local events and fundraisers, for example donating to a homeless org.

Such a cute coffee shop. Lots of space to chill and do work or just drink your coffee. I got the champorado latte and it was not too sweet. The ham and Swiss quiche was also really good. The egg was nice and soft. The staff is really friendly too.

Charlie May has the best vanilla iced latte I've ever had! It's the perfect mix of coffee and sweetness. I also enjoy their empanadas and jalapeño cheese croissant. I try to come whenever Im in the area, and my daughter really enjoys grabbing a book from their little library outside as we drink our coffee. Definitely recommend coming here!

Cozy coffee shop, good for working. Has free wifi, outlets, tables and couches. Pet friendly outdoor seating with space for putting leashes on. Good coffee and pastries.

A cute, cozy coffee shop with an origin story of love and family. I got the Latiya Latte which was deliciLatiya is a Chamorro (the people of the Mariana Islands- like Guam) dessert made with vanilla custard and cinnamon on sponge cake. The flavor of the drink is just that. However, the vanilla flavor was different from that in the vanilla latte. The staff, which I assume were the sisters were kind and knowledgeable. Despite the challenges that come with a business you can tell that they are still passionate about their cups of coffee and the stories they tell. They definitely are making their grandparents proud.

Cute coffee shop in Oakland! Super tucked and a great place to work or have a meeting in! Tried their champorado cold brew with almond milk. It was a little watered down but I'll try with oat next time! The chocolate croissant was super flaky, fluffy and warm! The mushroom empanada with the chimichurri sauce was my most favorite thing! Loved all the plants and decor too!

Nice place if you are looking for a place to read a book or chill. But not too recommending the coffee. They closed on the first Sunday of the month. This info is not listed on their website unfortunately...

It's a local coffee shop with plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. Very neat clean cut decor and seating. Great for gatherings, groups, study, meetups, kids and quiet romantic date! Good selection of coffee drinks, pastries and small bites. Like many coffee shops, it's a self service. Baristas don't seem much friendly though or at least according to our experience they seem serious; perhaps tough day or tired. Will try more often to confirm. There are plenty of parking in free parking lot with wide path for accessibility.

Had a quiche, black coffee for a quick catchup! The quiche portion size is huge! It was rich, cheesy, and fluffy. I highly recommend for a hearty breakfast. The baristas were very kind and helpful with making recommendations. The space was very open and simple, not cluttered or busy. There was a great couch for getting comfy and lounging. There's also an outdoor patio with benches for groups to sit. I just wish the parking spots were more available, sometimes hard to find parking on Sunday with church next door

I judge every coffee shop on their cortado. The espresso was excellent, strong flavor and not bitter at all. Great vibe, cozy.

Nice, eclectic, cozy neighborhood cafe with great teas, coffees, and empanadas. Has outdoor seating as well. It's not uncommon to find 5-10 students or local artists and entrepreneurs working here. It's quiet and a secret gem.

Delicious coffee at this remodeled spot. Will return. Wish they had sugar free for the champurrado coffee

This coffee shop is such a hidden gem! They have a private parking lot with plenty of parking. When you walk inside, you're instantly greeted! They have a lot of drinks choices but their Guam inspired speciality drinks really stand out. I had their Latiya Latte and it was so sweet and had lots of cinnamon which I really enjoyed. I also had their chicken empanada which came out so warm and it came with a chimichurri dipping sauce. This coffee shop is the perfect spot to meet up with friends, study, or if you need to get some work done. Definitely will be back for their Champorado Mocha. Thank you Ari and Annie!

I love this place! It's so cozy and relaxing. I wind down and actually read my book here with hundred percent focus. Haha. Also one of their house drinks is so yummy . It had coconut in it, which is great. Not too sweet nor bitter.

Excellent Coffee I roast my own coffee but, I did not roast enough for the amount of time that I was out of town and I ran out. Apple's Siri suggested Charlie May Coffee. This morning I made cappuccinos at home and they were excellent. If I need to buy coffee beans again I will be going to Charlie May.

I had been waiting to try it and it didn't disappoint. Great vibe and great coffee! I will definitely go again.

This is my go to spot high up in the hills of Oakland, secluded with great coffee, great ambience, great food, and snacks! Sometimes I'll sit outside in the beautiful garden area and have a meeting on zoom or in person or just enjoy an empanada or a cup of coffee. This is a very convenient location! The owners are very nice. I Highly recommend this establishment.

Not far from Chabot Golf Course is this precious find. They serve an excellent Latiya Latte that is perfect for my palette. Just slightly sweet with hints of cinnamon. (5/5) The savory chile verde empanada is as good as empanadas can get (5/5). The vibe is gentle calm and meditative. Introverts will love this place because of the space as will people with bad hearing such as me. Love the outdoor patio area as the air is fresh and it is a quiet spot away from the noise you run into in other parts of Oakland. The staff here are also super friendly, efficient and professional. Great place to hold office meetings for a small group of 8 or less. Outside, this place can be hard to find as the building looks to have once been a supermarket like Safeway that has since been partitioned into a nursery and this place. Was here today for my first time and look forward to stopping by here again just for the coffee which is worth every penny. Oakland has a new coffee oasis and Charlie May should get more buzz as their popularity gets out by word of mouth.

I think I found my new favorite coffee spot! I was in the area about to hit up the Oakland zoo and wanted to grab a cup of joe since I was a bit early. So I did what I do best and looked on yelp. I drove up to this old shopping center and parked right in front. I walked in and was greeted with a smile. The staff was super friendly and very helpful with my choices. I got a latte and a few empanadas. Wasn't expecting to get the empanadas but they hit the spot. Now I have a new favorite next time I do my zoo adventures!

What a pleasant surprise as I approached this little strip "mall" with a church, a daycare, and a cafe. What was even a bigger surprise as I walked in to find a hip, artfully decorated space to gather and relax with a cup of coffee. It's popular with the locals since every table inside was taken. So we chose to sit outside. We ordered coffee and I added comporado to mine. It's a house made Philippino chocolate sauce. I definitely recommend. It was fragrant and added depth. Service was quick and friendly and the chili verde empanada was delicious. You order at the counter and there's a self-service station for utensils, napkins and water.

truly my favorite coffee shop in the bay. ambiance and vibes are amazing. empanadas are *chef's kiss* and the sisters who own the shop are welcoming and patient. they have a few seasonal drinks but each latte is absolute perfection. I try to come in every week for some me-time and it is always something I look forward to.

Super cute spot tucked away up the hill! Not the best driver, so I thought the drive was kinda scary. They have a unique coffee menu with a Filipino twist. We got the champorado cold brew and a matcha latte. Both super yummy and would definitely come back again. So nice to have a new local spot nearby me and love supporting a minority-owned business! Indoor area was pretty large and there's space outside as well. Could be a cute place to study/work in, since it doesn't look like too many people know about this place yet!

My friend had been eyeing this coffee shop, and we decided to check it out just before the holidays. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the parking lot was a good size, and because of the timing, the lot was mostly empty aside from patrons to Charlie May. We came toward the end of the day, so many of the pastries were unavailable. I ordered the champorado latte (with an alternative milk) and an old-fashioned donut. The coffee was warm and tasty, with just the slightest hint of chocolatey-coconutty flavor. The staff were patient and efficient. They waited while we decided what we wanted to order, and then got our orders together quickly. Despite it being so close to the holidays and at the end of the day, there were still a handful of other patrons in the cafe. And we did see a few people come in and pick up orders to-go. The vibe of the shop was so pleasant. There was light cafe music, but folks weren't really talking too much so it was very peaceful. The folks there had books or tablets they were focused on, which really showcases how soothing the ambiance is. With the visit being so close to the holidays, that isn't all too surprising. The menu isn't overly extensive, but they seem to do a few coffees really well. I would love to stop back in during the warmer months and try some iced teas as well. I hope to also try more of their in-house pastries. Would really love to stop back in on my next visit in the area.

This review is pretty biased, but I have to say that here at Charlie May, I've discovered more than just a cafe. A scenic commute through beautiful green landscapes and a comfortingly nostalgic ambiance makes for a relaxing setting both inside and out. I love the elephant decorations - my favorite animal to see at the zoo when I was a kid. Coincidentally, this place also neighbors the Oakland Zoo, an integral part of my childhood. But it's not just the surroundings that are captivating. There is culture found in every sip and bite. Menu options like champorado, calamansi, and empanada make me feel connected to my roots in a delicious way. The champorado mocha is my tried-and-true, and is now my absolute favorite way to drink a mocha (which is a drink I never order at cafes, by the way). In spite of comments from others, service is good too. No overstaying of welcomes, no overstepping boundaries, yet fosters the genuine and mild-mannered nature a customer deserves, devoid of the sometimes disingenuous facade of "customer service tone" that I guess some people expect to be sugarcoated with. And while all these things may seem simple and barebones to some, I don't hesitate to romanticize the experience anyway. I believe there's a good reason behind why this place sits comfortably at a 4.9 star rating (at least at the time of writing this review). For me, that reason is because I find a sanctuary where nostalgia, my culture, and my love for coffee all find a way to converge. Visiting Charlie May is a holistic experience that nourishes both my body and soul, leaving me eager to return time and time again.

I moved to San Leandro in February and have been looking for a place to get a perfect scone and chai for my weekend treat. I had kind of given up until I finally found Charlie May this morning. We got the savory Parmesan/herb scone as well as the sweet ginger scone and chai lattes. The scones are fresh and crumbly and delicious, both were amazing but the savory one is going to be calling me back. The chai is more spicy than sweet which I love - people can add more sweetness if they wish. The sweetest part of the story is that I realized the owners of this place, two sisters, are my old neighbors! I remember them starting out during Covid making coffee in their apartment and they would share with us in the building. My heart bursted to see they have a cute shop now. And the quality of their food + drinks is next level. I'm so excited to have my new coffee shop and be supporting two locals who are also wonderful people.

surprisingly enough we went on Thanksgiving day! It was open and it was highly recommended by my dad who is a foodie and up-to-date on the latest Bay Area newest openings! This place was in a weird location, but it is Filipino owned and had this really cool coffee roasting machine that i had never seen before I ended up getting a calamansi green tea and a bag of beans to go, since I do enjoy making cold brew at home with locally roasted beans everywhere I go.

The food is good for the price. The pastries are baked in Castro valley and brought in. We had the blueberry muffin, apple empanada, and ham/cheese croissant. All very good. The bran muffin I'm downgrading because of all the sugar on top. Bran muffin should be healthy with raisins providing the sweetness instead of the sugar. The tea is excellent loose leaf tea. The coffee was also very rich and flavorful. The service is excellent, young, friendly staff. They answer any and all questions with patience. The ambiance is perfect, indoors and out. People are here using computers so they must have WiFi. The outside is also dog friendly. There is also adequate parking with multiple handicap spots. This is a good place to go before/after golfing at Chabot Golf Links, or doing daily activities such as walking. Overall, I would strongly recommend Charlie May Coffee and Tea House.

The month of May is AAPI Monthand what better way to celebrate than to support a woman owned business of the community! Charlie May is something that I've had bookmarked for quite sometime and I finally got around to trying this spot. Waze took me down International Blvd, and onto Golf Links Road and to be honest I have not ventured past the Oakland zoo so going here was unknown territory. I was not expecting a wooded area, a windy road, and multimillion dollar mansions. What a stark contrast from the Oakland I'm familiar with just a couple miles down. Anyways, I was not expecting a coffee shop to be located here in what is rather a hidden location, let alone a POC, women owned coffee shop! ~ Pulling up/Parking It's a bit difficult to spot as the establishment is in the far corner, go past the childcare facility. If it had not been for an "open" sign and a standing sign along the sidewalk, I probably wouldn't have found it as easily as I did. Plenty of parking though if you're looking to stick around and work from the cafe. Plus side - parking is free! ~ Ambiance It's giving culture . I love the vibrant colors, the mix of wood and rattan in the artwork and accent pieces, the little nooks for conversation and the representation in their menu. There's a cute outdoor patio as well with plenty of tables -- perfect spot to take your work outside and enjoy a cup of coffee. There's even an area inside where you could potentially host a small gathering. I didn't inquire, but I can totally see this spot being rented out after hours similar to what they do at Devout along Niles. ~ Drinks I got so excited to see representation in their coffee and not the typical ube latte! They brought champorado and Latiya syrups (homemade btw!) to their menu, an homage to their cultures. I got the Latiya Latte. Latiya is a Chamorro dessert flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Unfortunately, I did not get much of this in my coffee and I would've like for these flavors to come through more. My sister got the Champorado latte, which is a comfort food for me. My dad would make champorado on Sunday mornings and serve it with a side of pan de sal or salted fish. That rich chocolate flavor was what I was expecting of my latte, think tablea for my Filipino folks out there, but this too was very faint. I'm docking a point for this reason. I think the syrups and flavoring of them could be amplified more. Whether that's adding more cinnamon and vanilla, or adding more chocolate.

The atmosphere is lovely, people are amazing, the coffee is fabulous. And if they had Apple Pay on their website, they would be absolutely perfection.

Little quaint cafe with great coffee and a homely setting. Loved the empanadas too! They carry beans and pastries too that we shall go back and try soon.

Super cute, hidden coffee house in the Oakland hills! Drinks were good and the vibes were chill. I'll definitely be going back.

Delicious coffee and matcha in a gorgeous location. Perfect getaway spot from the city Parking lot was tough for emily she ran over the curb

So in love with this coffee shop! It's located up in the hills, right by some incredible trails. Their coffee is always amazing! Big plus, they don't charge extra for oat milk. They also have empanadas made by a local, independent baker. Her empanadas are delicious!

Quiet and out of the way. Great for remote work. No name bun is the best. Quiche is great too

The coffee is delicious and the ambience is great. Parking is easy and plentiful. The service is awesome!!

Been waiting for a coffee shop to open in the area and was excited to see the Charlie May banner go up months ago! They've opened with provisional hours (available on their website) and it's such a sweet place! Stopped by after daycare drop off to check out their soft opening. Got to meet the co-owners and they were so nice and gracious! I wasn't familiar with Latiya or Champorado flavors but I ordered the Champorado latte with oat milk and it was perfect! So smooth and my friend said it tasted like a "warm hug." Comfort in a cup and the latte was very well made and served at the perfect temperature! For food options, they had donuts (my favorite- fresh yeast donuts!). The space is airy and bright and they have ample outdoor space. They are still opening and setting things up but I can't wait to visit again. Their website and instagram has lots of info on their offerings (lots of cold brew and teas that you can order) and it looks like they'll be having events like painting and coffee tastings. A gem of a place that already feels like a neighborhood gathering place.

This is such a gem! One of my favorite places to work. Fantastic ambiance to match the fantastic coffee. They even gave me a whole cold brew lesson.

Truly lovely people and beverages served in a pleasant, clean atmosphere where you can easily enjoy the light music, read or converse with others both inside and outside. Highly recommend! Love the London fog with almond milk. It's definitely my happy place.

A nice quiet cafe in a quiet corner of Oakland. Great coffee and Empanadas! The owners are really sweet! Highly recommend

This cafe is located in the oakland hills in such a serene and peaceful area... it was a drive to get there but I was so pleasantly surprised to find this gem! The coffee was great.. they roast their own beans! The ambiance was peaceful and not too full. The owners were working that day and were so kind and helpful to me and my partner. Also loved that it's woman and BIPOC owned. I really felt at peace here and will definitely be back!

The breakfast empanada was delicious. A nice crunchy flaking crust with eggs and potatoes inside. They also have one with turkey sausage. The inside of the shop is a beautiful design I wasn't expecting from the outside. The whole set up is nice with tables, outlets, and a outside area. The women at the counter are super cool. They were friendly and made my iced vanilla latte quick and tasty.

Nice cute cafe! Great service and outside area for dogs. I think we should donate more hooks so we can tag our dogs to it. Super convenient! Just loved to the area and will Be back every week!

Family and pet friendly spot! Love coming here on the weekends. The owners are great and easy going when renting out the place for private events!

They were very friendly I order a flat white with their Carmel syrup, it wasn't too sweet if you like your drinks more on the sweeter side I would ask for extra. The atmosphere is very clean and inviting. They did just open I'm excited to see what else the well add to they're menu.

Great coffee and more shop. Wonderful sisters! Nice choice of pastries, drinks, quiche, teas, cold drinks. Great community feeling.

Good food?? Good coffee?? Cute interior?? Fast service?? Affordable?? Compostable lids and wrappers?? Love love love this place. Had no idea it existed even though I worked on the same street lol. Starbucks who?? Go here, its so much better and so much more unique.

This is a great family owned coffee shop in our neighborhood. Great coffee and seating area. It is a must see spot and you wont be disappointed.

What an amazing little coffee shop! So happy to find this gem up in the Oakland Hills. Annie and Ariel are really kind and make amazing coffee with a Filipino twist. Great space to hang and do a little work or have coffee with a friend.