Hal's Office Coffee

Best beans… even the decaf …superb. Best baristas hats off to Cameron and Irene😊! Even the art on the walls is “ off the charts” As you can see on love love love this coffee house

Hal’s Office Coffee smelled heavenly as soon as I walked in on a Saturday morning. I judge a coffee shop based on the quality of its cold brew, and theirs did not disappoint. The pastries looked and tasted scrumptious. The ambiance was lofty, friendly, and coastal.

Was very expensive for coffee and hot chocolate for my granddaughter with a couple of pastries. When you pay by credit card on their iPad payment setup, the first option is for a 15 % tip... I could not afford this on a daily basis! The pastries were nice and fresh, but when we got there at 11 am there was not a lot of choice left. Almond croissant and cinnamon bun. Very nice but quite expensive. I paid over $22 for a small Americano, child's small hot chocolate and 2 pastries with the tip! The service is very good, and the atmosphere is neighbourhood friendly!

Best pastries and cappuccino in the area! I love that there is plenty of outdoor seating, with flowers and string lights. A fave!

Coffee is delicious, but it’s really unfortunate to enter one of your regular coffee shops and not be greeted. I walk up to the cash register and the worker just stands there without asking me what I’d like or saying good morning. It’s very odd when this happens and it feels like I’m talking to a wall or ordering from a machine. It’s unfortunate. Just editing my post and confirming that it’s the same employee each time. The other cash registers don’t do this.

Charming little coffee shop that makes some of the best latte I have ever had. Now to make it even better, a cute little parklet is opened right in front of it. I can imagine coming here on a warm summer day, sipping coffee and enjoying the weather!

I like to come here regularly for coffee because I truly enjoy it. Their coffee art is very much appreciated. As far as food goes, I had only tried their quiche once and it was absolutely amazing. It has a tender, flower-shaped crust, just crispy enough, warmed to the core and topped with a beautiful piece of bacon, which added so much life to an already delicious quiche. Trying to recreate this experience, I was very excited to have two special guests try this little piece of heaven with a drink on the side. Sadly, things didn’t go as planned because our quiche took quite a bit to get to us, but I understood, as there were a lot of customers. However, the quiche was refrigerator cold, even when I asked for a warm quiche. Plus, it lacked the very desired piece of bacon on top. One of my guests was already halfway done with his because he was very hungry but my other guest and I had our quiche heated or reheated- at this point I wasn’t even sure if they had even popped it in their heating device. We had waited for around 10 minutes, as there were still a lot of people, when I got up to be ready to pick the quiches up at the counter. I was excited to continue with breakfast when I was disappointed to find that it was still cold in the middle- only the crust was warm. I was sad that my guests and I did not have the same wonderful experience that I initially had. I still give 4 stars because the quiche itself wasn’t bad and I did have one absolutely great experience before this one, but I hope that they pay attention to these things as those are the ones that will keep us coming back over and over again. I was glad I captured what my first quiche here was like- it was as good as it looked.

been coming here for years. consistently great coffee and vibe, friendly people. however their lids are almost always insecure and beware of taking their overly-hot coffee in your car. for here - 4 stars (coffee still served undrinkable) togo - 1 star

I'm a fan of friendly staff and unique syrups so I appreciate their star anise syrup. I've literally NEVER seen this locally. Everyone is doing cinnamon, lavender, rose , cardamom, spicy something or ever and black sesame but NOT cinnamon star anise . Also - they have cute indoor outdoor space and host wine pop ups on the weekend around 5:30pm My only issue: The coffee was too watery for me and lacked a strong, robust taste.

A cute little coffee spot! I wanted to find an area with outdoor seating because the weather was nice and sunny today. Hal's Office was just what I was looking for! The outdoor area was relaxing and peaceful just like the surrounding neighborhood. People were chatting, reading, and getting work done. The environment was very friendly and I enjoyed sitting outside. I did notice that seating inside is quite limited since it's a smaller establishment. I got a latte with almond milk which was pretty good, and I appreciated that they had a variety of non dairy milks including almond, oat, and soy.

This coffee shop is just around the corner by my place and is usually my go to place if I just want to walk and grab coffee. They unfortunately don't offer a lot of seating inside, but they do have a couple seats outside. They do a good job making my coffee and the service here is great. They do offer pastries here too if you wanted to grab a small bite. I am always impressed by the employees here when they get that big customer rush and they handle everything so gracefully without being flustered. Definitely a place to try out if you are ever on solano ave!

Solid local coffee shop. Wish it was around when I grew up here! Can get really busy during the weekend so we only try to come during the weekdays. My son loves to watch the cars drive down Solano as my husband and I get to sip on our coffees. Will be back soon.

We were passing by this area and decided to stop by. We parked on the street and it was free parking. There's a huge sign so hard to miss. There was a lot of tables and chairs. When you walk in they have their coffee station. On the side there was a tables with lids and straws. It's very small so it's more of a grab and go. It was a little cramped inside but I understand they are working with the space they have. I had an ice vanilla lattes and my husband had a hot vanilla latte. The coffee was really good and strong. It kept me up all day it was really good beans. We overall had a good experience.

Hal's Office Coffee is an absolute gem nestled in Albany, California. From the moment you step in, you're enveloped in the warm, inviting vibes that make it the perfect spot to unwind or catch up on work. The cappuccino here is a true work of art, crafted with precision and care, boasting a rich, velvety texture and a bold espresso kick that's simply divine. But what truly sets this place apart is the exceptional service provided by the friendly and knowledgeable baristas who always go above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just looking for a cozy spot to relax, this is your place to come visit!

Coffee is great! The perfect pick me up with the friendliest baristas and staff. Sunny outdoor seating and cozy indoor atmosphere. Just enough space to pull out a laptop and get some work done. Got a cappuccino with almond milk. They have different milk options.

Super nice space. Very little seating inside, but nice and clean and new. A great Parklet with seating outside. Despite it being on Solano it really wasn't that loud. My decaf americano was very tasty. My husband said his chai wasn't as spicy as he would like but still good. My ham and cheese croissant was good but I should have asked them to heat it up. My husband did he really liked his scone. Morning bun was enjoyed by the children.

There is no better mocha around. Seriously. I come every day for my fix. I ask for it extra hot and they make it perfectly. Every person there is kind, knows me and my order and just makes my morning a little better. There can be a line but they do their best to move it along and still give da g drink the attention it deserves. New year usually means new things but I am not changing my go to mocha spot.

After Kelly S talked up the mocha in her Yelp review, I had to try it. And guess what, Kelly is right! That mocha is the bomb! (Do people still say that?) It was the perfect afternoon caffeinated sweet treat. I don't know how they make it so creamy and chocolaty. It must be magic. The only place you'll find a better mocha (in my humble opinion) is at Barefoot Coffee Traders in Manly, Australia, but that's a 15-hour flight, so just go to Hal's. You won't be disappointed.

Solid, local neighborhood wine bar, with tiny seating indoors or outdoors in their parklet. Friendly service and good value for the snacks and drinks, unlike other places that will charge you an arm and leg for very little. The cheese and charcuterie board was plentiful with a nice flavor mix to satisfy the taste buds and the apertif was refreshing. Look forward to trying more of their wine offerings.

Stopped by for coffee while waiting for a haircut appointment up the street - I live in Oakland, so Albany is "new" to me. Hal's is a nice place - I love their outdoor seating - with a nice staff! I'll come back again next time I'm in the area.

Awesomeness. Wine and quality snacks at Hals... Coffee in the mornin' and wine in the evenin'. Perfect

Hal's is a gem I've frequented for years, especially for their oat mocha--a flawless mix of chocolate, coffee, and oat milk, either hot or iced. Their pastries never disappoint, and the warm, friendly service complements the cafe's relaxed ambiance and cozy outdoor seating. It's a haven that masterfully balances taste and comfort.

My wife sometimes goes there when she goes to work in Pinole, she stops by to get breakfast so she took me there. I like it there bc of their nice atmosphere and it's simple. I ordered chai coffee and mushroom empanada, omg they tasted so good!! My wife ordered banana bread slice; coffee and quiche. We shared our food with each other. We were both like "wow so good breakfast!" Their service, they are good and friendly even though, many people in a long line. That's fine, importantly they serve us well with respect. I highly recommend you to try this if you are in Albany, CA. Worth it!

Great wine bar! First time stepping in. Great customer service and great set up inside and outdoor seating as well. They have music playing that is mellow. Definitely check this wine bar out!

The people who work there are friendly. The coffee is consistently good, and they have a variety of pastries, though rarely any gluten free options. There are a lot of coffee shops on solano and this is my preferred option.

Came here on a Saturday afternoon & got an almond milk cappuccino, strawberry kouginn amann, & corn empanada. All were so good! This place is so cute with indoor and outdoor seating. Great service. Really nice location... near a lot of cute shops & restaurants! Will def come back!

Delicious coffee. Excellent service. Great outdoor seating space. My only wish was that I had one closer to home! On my most recent visit I ordered the iced oat latte on back to back days. Was so good I drank one on the patio and then ordered another to go. Such gluttony. Delicious!

AMAZING, adorable and deliciously unassuming coffee shop by day which turns into an epic, crime-fighting superhero of a wine bar by night! Great selection of charcuteries and snacks and wines (which they apparently source directly from the producers! They also have a great ORANGE wine). Nice outdoor seating with blankets and heaters for the summer, plus good indoor spots for the colder months! Friendly, lovely owners and staff. *insert heart hands emoji*

I absolutely love this place. Only place in the area open late with delicious wine, food, live music and a beautiful parklet to enjoy it all. The staff and owners are so friendly and welcoming. Fun for all ages. I love to come with my husband to get a glass of wine and enjoy the music while the kids enjoy froyo from As You Wish directly next door.

Latte with oat milk was good but slightly overpriced. $6.25 (not including tip) is a bit expensive, even for SF. Ham & cheese croissant was okay--not fresh since I got it at noon--but it was generously portioned and filling (and more reasonably priced there!). Service was great and very friendly. 5 stars for the top-notch service. Wifi was fine for regular website surfing but not fast enough for video quality (video kept freezing). Plenty of tables and chairs outside but more limited seating inside (with a couple electrical outlets in the back).

I just came in today to order a Chai. My usual. The server female in a blue sweater with a Bobish hair cut.. brought out the coffee for one of the customers sitting outside. I wondered if she would do the same for me, also sitting outside. Alas, She did not. Instead, she yelled at the top of her lungs behind the counter ALMOND CHAI!!. she was incredibly unpleasant and I feel she did this to me because of my skin color. I frequent this shop and was exhausted today with school work and tried to have a small moment of relaxation in the sun.. It would have been great had she extended to me the same courtesy the other customer. . I teach at a local school and was incredibly dismayed by my experience this afternoon. Overall the Chai is great. The cups are too small 6.50 for that size and the service from that woman has deterred me from possiby returning. Great job.

The cutest wine bar ever, especially when they have music outside. Such a good vibe and great wines. Five stars for service too.

I was killing some time before an appointment, and I wandered into Hal's. I ordered my go to drink, a dirty chai, with two shots of espresso. Chai lattes can vary widely, so I keep my expectations at a new place low. The drink they gave me was about my Platonic ideal of a dirty chai. The chai was peppery enough to leave a tingle on the roof of my mouth, but not overwhelming. The espresso balanced the sweetness with the perfect amount of bitterness, but didn't mask the flavor of the chai. If I lived nearby I'd be back tomorrow morning. And the day after that. And the day after that...

I was in the area to pick up some pastries from a pop up and decided to stop by at Hal's to get some coffee. We tried the cafe latte with almond milk and it was delicious! Great service, beautiful presentation and coffee cup, and cute shop and area. There are some tables and chairs outside to enjoy the goodies. Parking is street parking and free. I can usually find a spot, if none is available you can usually find parking in the residential area.

Lovely natural wine bar with a great parklet. We had a fabulous chenin blanc and a delicious charcuterie board. There was even live music.

Cute shop! The people who work here are great. Pleasant experience getting coffee here. Great parklet (tables + seating) right outside cafe to enjoy the coffee and treats from this place. We came a little late in the afternoon, so there was a smaller selection of pastries available, but I'm not disappointed! The small selection made me venture off to get scones (not something I typically buy), and I didn't regret it! Very delightful flavor-- paired perfectly with the coffee.

Such a cute little cafe! The set up they have for COVID precautions is pretty efficient--you simply walk up to the front door (where there's a plastic screen, huge plus!) and place your order. On the curb in front, theres a cute open air public seating area with benches! The staff is always so welcoming and friendly everytime I visit too :) I ordered an iced tangerine white tea, which was light, cool, and refreshing. The flavor was unique, but I think the tangerine flavor was not as prominent as I would have liked. It would be a good drink for someone who is looking for a light, non-caffeinated pick-me-up!

Excellent coffee & service. Very calm atmosphere with a clean esthetic. In addition to coffee they have a small selection of pastries. It's not a short walk from my house but I still make the trek down here because their coffee is delicious. It's strong, smooth, and mixed with steamed milk creates liquid velvet. The quality of the coffee reminds me of the coffee shops in my old neighborhoods of Echo Park and Silverlake down in L.A. Those coffee houses compete for the hipster clientele that takes coffee very seriously and they expect only the very best. That's Hal's Office- the best!

I could've easily written a very positive review before this happened but I feel even more obligated to now: the baristas here are so kind. In my clumsy morning fog, I dropped and broke one of their cups and saucers. They were extremely gracious about it. The coffee is also incredible at Hal's. Try their homemade lavender syrup! I'm not much of a pastry person but did taste test them since I was hungry after my workout and I can say that the pastries here are top notch in quality. I found this place accidentally because I had gone to another coffee shop in Albany to be told they didn't have wifi (nor indoor seating for that matter.) I am pleased to say that Hal's had both!

Great coffee but there are cheaper choices that are not a chain less than a 3 min walk away.

I am such a fan of Hal's Office's tasty mint tea! Stopping in during one of our Solano strolls we picked up an iced mint tea and it was love at first sip. The iced tea was steeped, prepared, and kept so well that while it wasn't made on demand, the mint flavor really sang. I love iced tea and unfortunately sometimes you can get muddled flavors or odd tastes if the tea isn't made fresh that day, or has sat overnight. No such thing at Hal's - every time we drop by the tea is refreshing and tastes amazing! I'm so glad we found Hal's Office and we'll continue to go back for their excellent iced tea!

Friendly wine bar with delicious tins of fish, cheese plates, and charcuterie and huge outdoor Parklet.

There are a few cute coffee shop options along this stretch of Solano, and Hal's is my favorite. All of the drinks I've had (chai lattes, regular lattes) have been great and with friendly service. Pre-Covid, they had limited indoor seating and now they have no indoor seating. There is a parklet in front of Hal's and the neighboring frozen yogurt shop which generally has space but can be busy on weekend days. Due to the pandemic, there are additional tables and chairs to provide more seating. Definitely not a cafe at which to work and also no restrooms.

Stopped by after running errands for an afternoon pick me up, coffee was good and service was good. Can't ask for me, as there was no line (mornings are busier), I was in and out. There are pastries to purchase (but as I already had lunch I was good) and though there is small indoor seating, there is spacious outside seating to relax with a cup.

Have been to Hal's Office on Solano Ave about a million times with my wife. We love the great quality of coffee and also the barista's expertise, which indeed makes a difference. Their empanadas and quiches are also delicious. It'd be awesome if they opened until a little later into the early evening. This is one of the best cafes in the East Bay in my opinion.

Nice people, nice atmosphere, and my matcha latte was great. Baristas and baristas were all very friendly, and there was a nice selection of pastries.

Solid latte. Solid service. Love their COVID-friendly set-up :)

Top of the line natural wine bar. You NEED to check this place out. Tasty food. Wonderful outside and inside seating.

Nice space and little bench area shared with the yogurt shop nextdoor. Staff was pretty lukewarm in terms of greeting which seemed strange and was off putting. Iced latte was on the most expensive end of the spectrum, it was good with a nice chocolate flavor, but not outstanding or anything to go out of one's way for. I didn't see a menu with prices, and the menu didn't list an iced latte at all, but it didn't seem to be an issue when I asked if they could make one. They have a glass case with labels for baked goods but we're totally out by mid-afternoon; the signs suggest they serve granola with fruit; yogurt; empanadas.

Small shop but plenty of parking (might need to walk a few blocks depending on the time of day). No issues with the service or options. Got a few croissants (chocolate and a savory) and a latte. Pastries would have been better warmed but don't think places nowadays are doing that so no points against for that reason. Definitely would recommend the savory croissant over the chocolate one. The chocolate one wasn't very flaky or have too much flavor to it. The latte wasnt anything special. Wouldn't say it was bad but far from the best I've had. If you're not a fan of bitter coffee drinks then it would be for you. More of a milk flavor than coffee/espresso. Might check back if I'm in the area

The only cafe on Solano with decent amount of outdoor seating. Coffee is just ok, that's why I have to knock off one star

I've tried this coffee shop 4-5 times recently in the mornings. The coffee is OK, but the large coffee seems really small (I later realized nearby shops also serve a 12oz large). The swiss chard empanada is warm and delicious, and is what kept me coming back, but at $13 after tax & tip, I need to exercise some discipline and make that coffee at home again. Special treat territory only.

Fun wine bar with a great outdoor area to enjoy delicious natural wine and bites. Rhubarb pie is yummy too.

Dropped in for the first time and ordered a cold brew coffee. Very good service, very good coffee.

I love dropping by this cafe! It's quite small but I have studied there before. I would recommend this place to any coffee drinkers!

It's a tiny spot on the Albany end of Solano Avenue where surprisingly coffee choices are few, yet between this spot and Highwire Coffee which serves its caffeine from a trailer in the Flowerland Nursery, there is a stylishly retro-hip vibe about these cafes, both of which get their roasted beans from Emeryville. Hal's gets theirs from Counter Culture whose beans reflect all the politically correct adjectives - sustainable, organic, local roasting. Personally I love the genesis of the place as it was previously the notary and real estate office of Hal Hoffman, and his original shingle appears to be used as the shop's signage (photo: http://bit.ly/2GJRoYR). Who is Hal Hoffman, you may ask? I haven't a clue, but he must be a beloved local businessman to warrant this kind of tribute. The sleek cafe itself consists of a couple of tables for two inside along with some counter seating and a larger table in the back. There are also tables out on the sidewalk which appears to draw the slower caffeine sippers. Jamie W. and I came in here after a satisfying New Year's Day lunch at Akemi up the street. We were in the mood for Lattes and ordered a couple for $4.50 (photo: http://bit.ly/2FKJygg). Very smooth, very rich, and the flavor bloomed nicely with every sip. We didn't see any baked goods which we considered a blessing since we didn't need the temptation. That may have something to do with owners Bonnee and Abraham Elterman who own the froyo shop next door. Perhaps they see a more natural throughput between a froyo and a cup of joe. COFFEE - 4 stars...those Counter Culture beans are definitely not counter flavor AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a maximum use of a small space nicely presented with just enough room to accommodate young moms with their baby strollers SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough with a focus on regulars TOTAL - 4 stars...don't expect to get anything notarized at Hal's Office

great coffee, ambiance, and customer service. the shop is small but they have plenty of outdoor seating. our favorite little spot in albany. :)

This place is definitely poppin'. I came here on a Saturday morning, and this coffee shop was never empty. People constantly trickling in and out. They have tables, outlets, and wifi, so it's a great place to get some work done. The indoor seating area is quaint and not the biggest, but there is plenty of room at their outdoor patio in front of the store. As I was leaving (around noon-ish), there was a lot of commotion outside with live music! Definitely a bustling place. :)