Lane-E Kefa Coffee

Went in to grab some coffee and breakfast sandwich. The coffee was warm, not hot as it should. I ordered the egg,spinach & Swiss sandwich and I thought it took a while. The sandwich was underseasoned and lacked flavor overall. However it was fresh. The best part was the English muffin, it was nicely toasted and crispy on the outside. I generally avoid giving average reviews to local business but I was disappointed at this place given the fact it has high reviews! Probably it was just bad luck for me today.

The owner Sifu runs a solid nook here. Study, read, coffee, sandwiches and smoothies. My favorites are the drip coffee which are made with the Ethiopian coffee beans he also sells, and the Laney hot sandwich: a delicious turkey, spinach, egg, Swiss cheese on an English muffin. Consistently good food and great prices. Small drip coffee is $2.75! It’s a treat on the go or for a small stay time for me! Thanks Lane-E Kefa Coffee.

A special local coffee cafe with good coffee and tasty breakfast sandwich. I ordered a delicious breakfast sandwich with egg, spinach (generous portion), and ooey gooey melted Swiss cheese on an English muffin. Folks here go above and beyond. I had my breakfast and coffee in the cafe. Friendly guy at the register made my coffee in a mug and brought to my table. When I asked for half and half he steamed a little and added to my drink. The person preparing the breakfast sandwiches to order also brought my sandwich to my table and was friendly. This is a great place to hang out alone or with others for coffee and/or breakfast. They have a lunch menu too, but I didn’t hang around long enough to try that menu.

Great little joint, right next to Lake Merritt BART station. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, great food, and reasonably priced!

Got a delicious coffee & House Special Sandwich. So tasty and ingredients were really fish. Also great music going which is always a plus in the morning, and local art on the walls. Will be back for sure

The staff here are the sweetest people! I like the relaxed, neighborhood feel of this place. My matcha latte was delicious. This is also conveniently across the street from the Lake Merritt BART stop.

I love coming and buying my coffee here, the service is helpful and the coffee is delicious. ✨

Cozy little spot with very friendly barista. The only thing I would change is adding more outlets so I could do homework here!

I found a jewel that Oakland can be proud to support. After popping off the BART , I saw the sign for Lane- Kefa Coffee. Walking inside, I smelled warm bread and the breakfast aromas of scrambled eggs,spinach and cheese. If I hadn't been such a piggy last night I would have order one! This man knows his way around an espresso machine. Shot of oat milk (perfect), foam (perfect) and rich , delicious, hot coffee. The place is very clean and well organized. They take pride in their business.

i ordered an egg bacon and swiss sandwich & a dirty chai! really quick service and sweet people. plenty of seating here! didn't see. ton of outlets but there is wifi. food was yummy and i would totally return for a pre-work breakfast.

Right next to the Lake Merritt BART station, this is a little cafe that serves the BEST breakfast sandwich, made fresh to order. I'm not even a sandwich person but I ate it up so quickly that I forgot to take a photo. I also got the matcha mango smoothie--I was skeptical because it had a bunch of fruits and vegetables but it was delicious. I was also very filling. The owner is also very sweet and lovely!

Went here to get sustenance before Jury Duty. The service is so friendly and top tier! The quality of food and drinks is pretty solid. They accommodate customizations. Overall atmosphere is really clean. I'd come back if I were to be in the area again.

BEST sandwich is soooo good. I ordered a vanilla latte too which was very tasty. Service was great and the cashier was very kind. Will be back again!

This review is many years belated. I and my coworkers have been going to Seifu's place for many years. He is absolutely the kindest man. He is the owner and counter person there, all around gentleman for sure. They do get backed up sometimes, so please call ahead if you remember. Their breakfast sandwiches are huge and really ample enough for two people to share or for one to eat a little later. The last sandwich I got was a bacon, egg and Swiss on a croissant. It literally had at least seven strips of bacon! I even removed a couple of them to crumble on some scrambled eggs later that evening, seriously! They don't skimp. Many thanks, Seifu, for being here for us all these years and continued success!

I popped into this cafe to catch a meeting before hopping on BART and I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and friendly it is! The man behind the counter was so kind. He did everything to make sure my short time there was a nice one by making sure that my coffee lid was tight enough, providing me the wifi credentials when I was looking around confused, and brought my coffee to my table when I had put it down and forgotten it somewhere. It's a cozy ambiance too. The warm light, the vines on the windows, and some nice R&B made my chaotic morning so much better. I certainly wasn't expecting to write such a glowing review on my train ride to work, but this cafe has earned itself a new regular customer.

TLDR: This is a very welcoming place and the sandwich was delicious. I was having a pretty bad start to my day and needed something to eat quickly. This place was nearby so I placed an online order and drove over. As I'm walking in, I see (who I believe is the owner) having a conversation with a customer and it seems like they are longtime friends. Their conversation goes on for a while as I'm waiting, but I don't mind at all. I think it's really sweet. The man behind the register apologizes to the customer and says he's going to help me next. I let the man know I placed an online order and will be waiting in the restaurant. As I'm walking around, I'm noticing the art on the walls which is lovely. I then see some letters posted on the pillar from other customers thanking the restaurant for their support. Another customer walks by and again, it seems like they've known each other for a while. All in all, there were many instances that gave the impression that this is a staple location in the community. That's comforting. When my order was ready, a man from the kitchen came out and handed it directly to me. I don't remember what exactly was said, but it was so polite and basically above and beyond. I had such a warm feeling in my heart as I was leaving. Okay now the sandwich. I /planned/ to take one bite in my car before driving into work.. but it was so hard to pull away. It was delicious and exactly what I needed in that moment. I would have gone back for the service and to support this restaurant, but I will be sharing my experience to everyone in the area for the sandwich alone! I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the items on their menu and I deeply hope this place sticks around for a long time. Thank you!

Best breakfast sandwiches, BLTs, coffee and owner will most certainly learn your name! The soundtrack is always jamming too!

MUST GO ! prices are solid esp w the amount of food , super tasty & the owner + team are all the sweetest! has become a new regular for me and my friends to go to :)

Good food, nice staff and relaxing atmosphere. My only suggestion for improvement is to open earlier as 7 AM is kinda late for early morning customers

Delicious!! Came here off a whim while in Oakland and loved everything about it. Ordered a latte, which was foamy using hand pressed espresso. -House special breakfast sandwich (5/5): one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had!! They loaded it up & did not short any of the ingredients (eggs, bacon, Swiss cheese, spinach, muffin). Be prepared, can take up to 10 minutes to prepare. Wish I lived closer, because this is the spot! If you're looking for a place with coffee shop vibes, look no further. Definitely worth a try.

Iced Latte for my son and iced coffee for me were both good, but what raises this place from good to great and solid 5-star is the owner/proprietor who was welcoming, attentive, hospitable...the epitome of why I prefer independently-owned shops like this to chains. In fact, we were visiting Oakland for the day, and looking for a Peets, which seems almost like a local coffee shop since it was founded in the East Bay/Berkeley. But I'm glad we found Lana-e Kefa instead - every bit as good as Peets, with the added bonus of supporting a local Oakland shop owner. I heard him talking with another customer, a regular, about being broken into - I know that burglary and theft are a problem in the Bay Area, especially parts of Oakland, and many retail chains are beginning to abandon SF and Oakland. It's not a good situation, but when those chain retailers leave, it's local, home-grown shop owners like this that will continue to serve customers. I was just visiting Oakland for the day, so I can't become a regular (I would if I lived there), but I hope local Oaklanders will support this great coffee shop and this nice man who works to serve you!

My man! Wonderful, devoted service --he must be the owner but he is also the one-man show here at this neighborhood place. Luckily I called my breakfast egg sandwich order in when I did. But I still had to wait almost 25 minutes behind 5 people as they all ordered fancy coffee drinks, which the owner and only coffee maker had to make and THEN hand them to the seated customers. Little dude was in the back making the savory sandwiches. That's good, but he needs to also be deployed to either man the register and take orders, or learn how to make mochas and oat-milk lattes. The egg sandwich? Better than I expected. Literally 7-8 strips of crispy bacon atop a jack cheese slice melted on what probably were 3 eggs (!) and a homemade English muffin. Do not come in here thinking you will get a puny Thomas's nooks and crannies muffin. This one is large, and so well worth the $8.95 price. Was it over the top? Yes. Should you ask for less bacon? Um, yes. Pro-tip: next door at Hometown Market, a remarkably clean and well-stocked convenience store, they've got delicious Peet's coffee cheap and the owners are super friendly.

There's not many foods I'd go out of my way to try again, but the House Special breakfast sandwich at Lane-e Kefa is one of them. It's an English muffin stuffed with egg, spinach, swiss, bacon, and avocado. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The other menu items sounded good, and now I know that I can trust anything produced by this kitchen. Located across the street from the Lake Merritt BART station in Oakland, I was meeting someone and arrived a bit early. I decided to stop by Lane-e Kefa for coffee and breakfast. I love small shops with regulars that banter in the background. There was no line at the counter, and it felt like I was having a meal in someone's home. In a way, I'm glad I don't live near this area or commute through Lake Merritt BART everyday because I'd either get sick of eating the House Special all the time or gain a massive amount of weight from having it regularly. Next time I'm in Oakland and looking for breakfast, I'll be laser-focused on Lane-e Kefa Coffee!

The breakfast sandwiches are amazing! They are so fresh and filling and a good price as well. Never disappoints. I used to go to laney, and stopped coming here for a while, I'm so glad I decided to come because they do not disappoint. The owner is really nice and the service is great.

A great neighborhood cafe where you can get coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastry, salad and sandwiches. Convenient location near my job. The bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is my favorite along with a vip of their coffee. The service is good, I'm usually in a hurry so not a lot of time for interaction. I have observed them having a steady stream of customers so that speaks volumes.

The biggest breakfast sandwich made to order! Nice local spot to stop at on my commute.

Solid little cafe for quick made-from-scratch food. Generous portions for the price. I got an egg salad salad and it was quite flavorful. You can choose either cheese or bacon. I got the bacon, which was thick and crisp. There are small green pitted olives. Was a tad salty, but hey, what do I expect with bacon and olives! ;) The salad mix had arugula and I think romaine. A little bit of tomatoes and red onions. The egg salad was a straightforward standard recipe with mayo, no extra herbs. I opted for the house dressing, which was balsamic vinegar. Nice to give it a bit of tang. Really appreciated that it went on the side. Don't get scared by the location...it's small, but nice inside. Staff is super friendly and helpful. I think the guy working the register has an eye muscle defect, so his eye contact isn't good. Looks like he's staring off into the distance. Took me a moment to realize he was talking to me! It was moderately busy for lunch, but the food came out quickly. Give it a try if you're around the area!

I love this place, the owner is the most pleasant person. They make a great Chai. They have caused me to get up earlier to get my morning Chai. It's a bright spot in a less-than-bright area.

Fiancé and I came before our marriage license appointment and man are we glad we came! We came around 7:30am which there was no line and plenty of time to choose. I had gotten a Magic Mango smoothie (as seen in the picture behind the sandwich) and my fiancé got a regular latte (hand pressed espresso). We both decided to get a house special sandwich (as of 18-May-22) and it was a huge sandwich jam packed with lots of egg, spinach, bacon, Swiss cheese on a English muffin! Definitely will fill you up if you're looking for a good grab-and-go breakfast spot or sit down (like we did) and the service was excellent!

Stephanie Y always tells it like it is. This Jersey ex-pat raved about the House Special Breakfast Sandwich and no denying, it is fabulous! A $10 breakfast sammie is a huge with avocado, cheese, egg, spinach, and bacon heaped between a whole wheat English muffin. It's a six napkin meal! Even with a knife and fork!

Locally owned coffee shop around Laney college and the Bart station. Very affordable price compared to most coffee shop outside. I got a medium sweetened matcha latte - $4 (very good price). Their medium latte is about $3.45. I initially wanted to try their latte, but got the matcha latte to try out at the coffee shop. I am not an matcha expert, but have tried a lot of different matcha products, from drinks to sweets. I can definitely taste the matcha powder with the foam on top. Color is light green and can taste a little matcha taste. Not the best matcha I've had, but it was alright, not too bad. Only one staff is working behind the desk. Staff is Very friendly and very fast paced. No social distancing is being enforced. Dine-in is available. Hand sanitizer is provided at the cashier area. Mask is not enforced and staff is not wearing a mask as well. (Only if you are concerned about the virus)

I love the sandwiches at Lane- Kefa! They are huge! I like to order the coffee too. If you are in a hurry, call and order ahead. The wait is worth it for the food, but since everything is made as you order, it usually does take 15 min to have the sandwich ready.

I passed by this place a million times before and never realized it's a coffee shop inside. When I walked in I was surprised on how big it is. Doesn't seem that way on the outside. Really cute spot to grab breakfast, coffee or study. I will be back again.

Walked and and was immediately greeted from behind the counter. She was so friendly and helpful. We grabbed a couple of drip coffees and ordered the House Special - egg, spinach, bacon, Swiss and avocado. It was not busy when we walked in and she said they would call our number if it got busy, but she would probably bring the sandwiches out to us. We took a seat and enjoyed our coffee. It was very good. I enjoyed the art on the wall and was excited it was for sale. I was tempted, but didn't buy anything... this time. While we were drinking our coffee, the place got BUSY! I was certain I'd hear our number called to pick up our food, but nope. She took the time to bring them to us. Now that's service. I thanked her profusely. The sandwich was delicious! So much bacon, lots of avocado, delicate muffin... the flavor was perfect. They are very generous with the ingredients. We don't head to Lake Merritt BART very often, but I said while we were eating, "I would definitely come here JUST for breakfast". Yes, it's worth the trip. I look forward to coming back again!

Giant breakfast bagel sandwiches. Not the fastest in the world as they make everything from scratch when you order it, recommend you call it in half hour before you arrive.

DELICIOUS! I had the BLTG sandwich. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, guacamole and I added Turkey. Soooo good! Everything tastes fresh and the toasted bread was outstanding. The bacon cooked to perfection and they give you a good amount. I've also had a couple of their breakfast sandwiches which were also very good.

What a cute spot with hole in the wall vibes. My husband and I were near Lake Merritt and decided to stop here for a quick breakfast and it definitely did not disappoint! We ordered the egg and swiss breakfast sandwich and a matcha latte. The breakfast sandwich consisted of a huge helping of eggs, melted swiss cheese, topped with fluffly warm English muffins, overall deliciousness! -1 star as the matcha latte was quite diluted. Service was quick but I did see a line forming as it became peak hours. We will definitely be back!

Nice place to grab a coffee or green tea, good music and great staff. I've also, in another visit had a delicious breakfast croissant with egg and bacon. I really enjoyed this place, my only regret is that it wasn't here when I was a student at Laney in the early 90's.

Had to take a 3 day training in Oakland near Lake Merritt. Came here on the first day for lunch after there were so many good reviews and decided to grab something quick. When I entered the small deli, there was a long line, but to my surprise they were quick, so it didn't bother me. Sandwich was very big! And delicious! I should have stopped after eating half but I could waste so I kept going. Worth it but I overloaded. Fast forward to next day, they remembered me!!! They asked if I wanted the same item or wanted to try something different. They probably see tons of customers a day, but for them to recognizance remember my order blew my mind! Tips, order ahead so you can arrive get your order and go. Also, ask for the beverages behind the counter as they are cold, the ones on display are hot, hmmm go figure. Breakfast sandwiches are just as tasty as lunch sandwiches!

I just had the salmon cream cheese spinach egg breakfast sandwich on dutch crunch And let me tell you it was the best breakfast sandwich I probably had in my life fresh made to order huge I'm a fan for life from coming back

I love this coffee shop! The food is amazing as well as the overall vibe. It's a great environment for studying and Saifu( the owner) is so sweet and hardworking. I love coming here before school and studying while drinking my morning iced coffee. They have WiFi, outlets and great table space. Everything you need.

Staple, hometown Oakland feel. Get the Laney!!! Easy to get to, fast, and friendly service.

Legit breakfast sandwiches. Friendly service. Smooth coffee. Great prices. Biggest breakfast sandwiches around and full of goodness (proper bacon, heaps of smoked salmon and spinach). Quality, not just quantity. Coffee is smooth, even black, but they have all the dairy and non-dairy milks just in case. More of a grab and go, but they do have a few spaced out tables and a couple chairs outside. Across from Lake Merritt Bart for your commuting convenience. Hit the spot just like their Fruitvale location and we'll be back again and again.

Nice vibe. Great customer service with eye contact and a smile. Even asked if I'd like an extra shot that had already been pulled. Presented me with a frequent flyer card. Only thing missing was the chair massage! Lol!

DELICIOUS sandwiches! I have tried their House Special breakfast sandwich and the Turkey with pesto and provolone cheese. Both amazing. Their House Special is one of their most popular sandwiches. It comes with eggs, spinach, Swiss, bacon, and avocado in an English muffin. It is pretty big for a breakfast sandwich and it comes with a lot of avocado, which makes for a super creamy sandwich. I will probably go for their regular sandwiches next time since the portions are bigger and they are cheaper ($7.95). Their turkey sandwich definitely hit the spot. While I still have to find this place busy, there's not tons of seating, maybe 6 or 7 tables. I imagine students (Laney College is right there!) usually get their sandwiches to go. Their drip coffee is also pretty good and cheap ($1.89 for a small). Their service is very attentive and they have stamp cards if you are a regular. The location is super convenient-- right next to the Lake Merrit Bart station. I will definitely be back.

Delicious food and generous portions! I would recommend this to anyone in Downtown Oakland!

Ordered a bacon, egg, tomato, and swiss english muffin through Ubereats. Pretty standard tasting (hearty, salty, slightly bland egg that is supported by the other ingredients), but for $8.95 it's REALLY large. Sandwich is literally the size of my face. Egg is about an inch thick of folded omelette with a noticeable stack of bacon. Tomato was cut a little thick so that the sandwich wrapping was damp, but I ordered a sandwich that boasted having tomato, so I should have expected that LOL I couldn't order a breakfast burrito with meat in it through delivery and wrote that in my special notes, and they left a note in my food responding that they'd fix it! That's ridiculously nice.

Dayummmm, this place isn't f*$#cking around when it comes to egg sandwiches. My $9 house special egg sandwich was insane. See pic below. This large buttery egg, almost omelette with spinach, crispy bacon and a ton of avocado, smothered in Swiss cheese on a buttery english muffin will straight up make or break you. Regardless, you'll enjoy it, but a nap may be needed immediately after. PRO-TIP: Maybe ask for no butter? The line and there was one can get long. It seriously does take about 15-20 minutes for your sandwich (they do suggest calling ahead and ordering ahead of time), but it's worth it. I can't imagine eating again today, maybe even tomorrow. The cafe has free wifi, about 12 or so tables with seating. I didn't try the coffee, but they have the usual suspects: coffee, lattes, mochas, etc.. All in all, a definite egg sandwich winner. If you're jonesing for one, super hungover, or really hungry, I'd say Kefa will not disappoint.

Excellent! Not a place to go to rush because food is expertly crafted, fresh, and homemade. I'm from back East, so I can appreciate a breakfast establishment like this! Sandwiches, salads, smoothies, sweets, and breakfast sandwiches didn't disappoint!

Not sure of the affiliation to the original Kefa with both that and the Lane-E branding, but they have a similar line up of solid breakfast sandwiches on offer here, though the monster "Brian" breakfast sandwich (Bacon, Spinach, Egg, Avocado, & Swiss) was re-named to the "House Special" at some point (see cross-out in lower right. not my pic https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lane-e-kefa-coffee-oakland?select=XF2wYSHXZCU-3MIRbO14AQ). Name affiliations aside, they make solid breakfast sandwiches with the eggs cooked to order on the stove, not zapped in the microwave, served on a buttered English muffin. I like they have veggie options like Spinach, Egg, & Cheese for when I'm pretending to be healthy (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lane-e-kefa-coffee-oakland?select=m4yki933iQ-LcmWgr9bBmA) The sandwiches are big with the fillings overflowing the English Muffin base (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lane-e-kefa-coffee-oakland?select=7GTKMahmRfnzh5xQI3VpiQ) so either you need to work on dislocating your jaw, like a python, or be wimpy like me and eat some with a fork until the size becomes more manageable.

Don't put coffee in your business title if you don't know the difference between a latte and a cappuccino nor don't raise prices for shots if you're just pulling singles for all your drinks. Rip off. Bad costumer service. The space smelled like cigarettes.

This place is so cute! Came from out of town and the host (maybe owner?) was so kind to us! Served us great food and was obviously happy to do it. Would recommend

When rushing off Bart and needing a caffeine kick badly... I was very surprised that this place was able to pump me a drink out quick. Their espresso with a dash of caramel packs a serious punch. It's nothing like a sweet Caramel Macchiato but it gives exactly what I need for a dark delicious punch awake. Final Thoughts: Prices are a little $$ but it's definitely worth it for the quality. I definitely need to try the sandwiches and other drinks when I get more than 5 minutes to be here! :) Having punch cards are nice too!

Nice little place across the street from the Lake Merritt BART Station Parking Lot. The coffee tastes good. I drink my coffee black, the taste has grown on me over the years and can tell a good cup of coffee from a bad. The interior is clean and even though there's music, I've had meetings there. I've had some of their food like a sausage breakfast sandwich. They pride themselves in using fresh ingredients and making to order (e.g. they make fresh guacamole from scratch, and they sell $3 slices of pizza that are made to order). Since I work in that area now I like it's a great option for a chill coffee spot that isn't one of the main chains. I only wish it was open longer than 2pm because there are certainly times when I'm looking for late afternoon boost.

Really friendly staff. Sandwich made to order. Had the egg and Swiss served on an English muffin and it was delicious. Clean interior with paintings on the wall for sale. Close to the BART station. I'm just passing through, but looks like a lot of regulars come here. If I am ever in the neighborhood again I would come back.

This is a great little gem in a sparse area of Oakland! We so enjoyed getting to know the owner and his journey to Oakland from Ethiopia so many years ago. The house special sandwich is absolutely the best breakfast sandwich ever. Heaping portions of bacon and avocado and what must be a full spinach omelette in there. The English muffins taste homemade. The omlette's a bit salty for my taste, but that seems to be the case everywhere info. Many patrons come in and get their usual which suggests this is a local favorite for many. Ethiopian coffee is great, and the Lane-e Chai is great (chai and espresso) for those who don't normally drink coffee (me). Prices are also great! We'll be coming back here.

Kefa has been around but I just walked in on this jem, probably because I was desperate for coffee and Starbucks wasnt around. It's surprised modern and simple on the inside, with bench long tables and smaller tables for everybody to enjoy their drinks and food, conversation and even study time! It's so clean inside and cozy, considering the lesser part of Oakland that it's located and tucked into. They offer a variety of teas, coffees, mochas and expresso and juice. They have drip coffee and can/bottles. The prices for drinks are your average, 2$ for a large cup and it's delicious. They offer muffins, bagels, and cookies in their display case. Also, there's a variety of breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches between 5-9 dollars each. The condiments bar is very clean, very organized. They even have a drain to pour the extra coffee down, talk about efficiency. And they do recycling, so friendly to the environment! They offer free wifi, with indoor and out door seating. Opened for breakfast and lunch. I really enjoy this place, and it's a perfect little cafe to study for school. Close by to Laney as Bart. They let a lot of natural light in, so even better for your eyes. Something about caring for the environment and benefiting the customers, I really appreciate.