modern coffee

Coffee shop · Downtown

modern coffee

Coffee shop · Downtown

5

381 19th St, Oakland, CA 94612

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Highlights

Regionally roasted beans, baked goods, free wifi, and cozy seating  

Featured in Eater
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381 19th St, Oakland, CA 94612 Get directions

moderncoffeeoakland.com
@moderncoffee

$1–10 · Menu

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381 19th St, Oakland, CA 94612 Get directions

+1 510 858 7601
moderncoffeeoakland.com
@moderncoffee

$1–10 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 6, 2025

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@eater

The Best Bars and Restaurants in Uptown Oakland | Eater SF

"This women-owned coffee shop has quickly expanded across downtown Oakland, thanks to the winning combination of quality coffee, well-designed spaces, and free wifi where busy workers need it most. There’s a lot of strong coffee options in the East Bay. This is one of the few that stands the test of time." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-uptown-oakland
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@eater

24 Excellent East Bay Coffee Shops with Free Wifi | Eater SF

"With generous seating, laptop-toting workers will want to stop into Modern Coffee for both the wi-fi and the seasonal favorites that pop onto the menu. Try the burnt cinnamon latte or a lavender cappuccino for a taste of something different than the standard Americano." - Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-coffee-shops-free-wifi-east-bay-oakland-berkeley
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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Modern Coffee II

"Modern Coffee’s second location is a vibrant and relatively new addition to Uptown Oakland. Just as with their original location downtown, Modern Coffee’s 19th street location offers delicious coffees from a rotating collection of roasters, espresso drinks and freshly made pastries. The recently remodeled space is bright and contemporary, offering a variety of seating types to hunker down, either solo or with a group." - Arcsine

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/uptown/modern-coffee-ii
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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Modern Coffee

"There is no better way to start your day with a coffee and pastry from Modern Coffee. This small coffee shop has many options for the java enthusiast. From a simple, yet delicious drip coffee to an espresso topped with a little latte art, you really cannot go wrong. Their selection of pastries varies from day to day, but there is always something for everyone. They also offer lavender syrup which is a great addition to any beverage." - Pitch Interactive

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/downtown-old-oakland/modern-coffee
View Postcard for modern coffee
@onthegrid

"Modern Coffee II, Uptown by Arcsine. Modern Coffee’s second location is a vibrant and relatively new addition to Uptown Oakland. Just as with their original location downtown, Modern Coffee’s 19th street location offers delicious coffees from a rotating collection of roasters, espresso drinks and freshly made pastries. The recently remodeled space is bright and contemporary, offering a variety of seating types to hunker down, either solo or with a group."

Oakland
View Postcard for modern coffee

Matthew Wood

Google
Really enjoyed the coffee, place is nice. The female staffer that seemed like owner or manager was really aggressive when mopping the floor - I was actively trying to move out of her way and she barked “move that way or that way, not back - you’re in my path.” Felt like I’m a customer that spent $7.50 including tip on a coffee, sat for 1.5 hours doing work, was quiet and polite to staff (the rest of who were nice and helpful) but somehow I’m a problem? I hope she has a better day!

Mia Gancayco

Google
Super friendly staff and excellent drinks! I always get a matcha here and definitely have been getting only the best! Thank you all loving this place! :)

ELI GONZALEZ

Google
Hands down one of the best coffees I’ve had! Real artistry in coffee. I liked that they had some unique and creative drinks. For example I ordered the Masala Chai Latte with a shot of expresso. My fried. Ordered the blackstrap molasses latte. Both tasted fabulous!! Also the design and furniture looked really cool. Definitely coming back to this place.

Danish Khan

Google
Very nice convenient coffee shop in Downtown Oakland. Staff is very nice. I recommend the Blackstrap Molasses Latte. It is so yummy!

Melvin Johnson

Google
Got a very tasty Cortado. The inside is very nice but there is a very cool indoor courtyard attached to the coffeeshop that is very nice to pull your laptop out in to work. Lots of natural light.

Jess Hartono

Google
Has a wonderful office space, courtyard at the back which is nice and quiet and great for meetings. You can’t see it from the front street view. Great space at the back

Aneesa Indindoli

Google
I love coming here for my morning coffee. The baristas are very friendly and fast. The prices are reasonable. Probably the best Americano I've had so far. Their pastry and bagel selection is awesome too. Very clean with a lot of seating if you need to a place to chill or do work.

Adrian Ihle

Google
Stylish coffee shop with high quality coffee and friendly barristas and nice pastries. Good seating options too!
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Corene B.

Yelp
I got a vanilla matcha, pretty tasty. Cafe opens up into an atrium which was a bright and quiet place to work, super perfect for what I needed. The wifi worked well (I didn't realize, but was still here after they closed and the wifi was working) and bathrooms were clean.
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Loella D.

Yelp
Love their chai's and all of the tea options here! Always good seating, clean, and friendly service. One of my fav cafes in downtown.
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Daly D.

Yelp
I have been on a long term work assignment in the area and have tried a few independent coffee shops around that area. I am a total coffee snub and Starbucks is junk coffee and I prefer to support small business. I stopped here after having been very dissatisfied with other places in that area. Fantastic, I am now a regular until my work assignment ends. Their coffee is perfection, I am particularly in love with the Burnt Cinnamon latte. OMG! Who came up with this delicacy? I can't get enough. I also have had some of their teas and again, a total home run. Love this place and the staff is very friendly they get your drink out quickly.
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Monica M.

Yelp
I've visited Modern Coffee only a couple of times, but have been blown away by their ability to craft excellent tasting coffee and tea beverages. I ordered the masala chai and their burnt cinnamon latte, and both were full flavored and so delicious. The baristas know just how to make the perfect cup of coffee or tea! I love the ambiance here; just enough lighting and seating, and the interior is extremely clean. I will most definitely be back for more!
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Amanda A.

Yelp
People of color beware! This is not a welcoming place for us. Asked the barista to sit in the property, and then was harnessed by the security guard Natalie Chandler the entire time.
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Scott H.

Yelp
Very nice coffee shop. Great alternative to the Starbucks with no indoor seating. However, vagrant camped out inside the coffee shop without purchasing anything, talking up a whole table.
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Christopher B.

Yelp
Cool little spot. I guess I beat everyone in as there was only one person in there. The ladies working were super attentive, friendly, welcoming. Being half awake it's nice to be greeted in a happy way. I ordered an ice latte which was made right on. It was a lovely way to get the very long day kicked off.
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angel t.

Yelp
I've started goin here somewhat frequently, about once a month somtimes a little bit more and I am always sooo happy with my drink :*) I'm a barista myself and have gotten pretty tired of basic espresso drinks, but this place has some really yummy flavored lattes and chais that aren't overly sweet or gimmicky. Modern Coffee and Hidden Cafe are probably my favorite cafes for drink flavor and quality! The staff are always the same 2 people working -at least when I go- who are both pretty straightforward and friendly :*)
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Grace K.

Yelp
The burnt cinnamon coffee I had was so delicious. Ordering was so easy. I had so much help as a first timer to learn all the items and it was a ery quick turnaround. By the time I ordered, there was a line almost out the door. I felt like I had just stumbled on this great gem, but the line told me the secret was out! I am looking forward to trying more of their menu staples as well as the season drinks.
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Brenda R.

Yelp
I ordered an iced latte! Good. Definitely stronger, which is what I wanted! Also tried the banana loaf! It was delishhhhhh! Overall service was great. Very friendly. The shop looked very esthetically pleasing. Ambience seemed relaxing, very pleasant.
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Jess L.

Yelp
PARKING Limited street parking and some parking garages nearby. They are very close to the 19th Street Bart Station and the AC Transit bus stop DRINKS I came for the matcha and love it! I've also had their chai which is quite nice. I see some regulars come for their daily coffee orders so I feel like you can't go wrong here I particularly like the iced matcha latte with oat milk. There are also seasonal flavors which absolutely brightens my day! SERVICE Friendly, helpful, and very efficient. I've liked everyone I've ever encountered here. They're so nice. AMBIANCE I love the decor and vibe here. You can definitely sit and sip or work there. There's a back area you can go too. You will have to show your vaccination card and there's an hour time limit for sitting inside as of May 2022. There's also an area out front with high top chairs you can sit at. Be sure to go before 1pm because they close then. I definitely recommend going!
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Neesh S.

Yelp
Delicious coffee! End of review. Kidding! The coffee is truly delicious here and I've had the pleasure of trying several different options. The Vanilla Latte, the Lavendar Latte, the Burnt Cinnamon Latte but my favorite is actually the Blackstrap Iced Coffee. All of the house-made syrups are so much better than the regular stuff, plus they always serve it with a smile. Add to that the fact that they are a truly genuine business that cares about the rights of all individuals, and you really feel the love oozing out of Modern Coffee!
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Nicole C.

Yelp
Dam good iced latte and the guy who took my order was VERY sweet, I was shocked, apologies if I didn't reciprocate, next time I will.
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Michelle R.

Yelp
Walking distance from my office and 19th street BART- this quaint coffee shop can be found within a big office building, if you don't want to walk around and enter from 18th (?). Currently they close at 1 PM but since I come in pretty early and often have early morning meetings, it doesn't affect me much. The staff are pretty nice. Sometimes there is a long line and since theres only 2-3 workers, it can occasionally take a bit but they work pretty fast. I usually just get a vanilla latte. What I like about them is that the coffees never too strong or acidic. And with some vanilla lattes, it can be too sweet but Modern Coffee's just right. I only wish they do those stamp cards since I come here pretty often. Pretty sure I'd be on my 3rd stamp card by now, at least.
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Judah Y.

Yelp
I absolutely love this location! The view outside is enjoyable on a nice sunny day. The coffee tastes amazing and was made perfectly! The customer service was the best! The baristas were so warm and accommodating. I would move to Oakland just for this coffee shop!
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Zuchinno B.

Yelp
This is the best coffeeshop in town. Every cup is hot and fresh and the folks who work here are the sweetest. They are good neighbors and good friends to the Arab community. 11/10 stars
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Roy A.

Yelp
They have amazing coffee with great barristas. Plenty of comfortable outdoor and indoor seating with modern music. Great location for coffee.

Michael S.

Yelp
Agree with other one star review. Staff had an attitude issue, rude, sarcastic and not respectful. Go to other cafes in the area on the next block with friendly staff.

Alison W.

Yelp
Modern coffee is the best! All the drinks they serve are fantastic. You can not go wrong.
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Michelle K.

Yelp
Modern coffee has been on my list for at least a year now... and I'm so glad I tried it out! I ordered a (califa barista blend) oat milk cortado for myself and an iced coffee for my partner. The iced coffee was fruity and the roast on the cortado was slightly bitter with notes of dark chocolate and cherries. I also picked up a ham and cheese croissant that I was pleasantly surprised by! It had a very unique (at least a first for me!) whole seed mustard, yummy (probably Gruyère) cheese, a thick slice of ham -- mind you, I usually prefer thin slices, but this one was reminiscent of a Christmas ham slice! -- and something I don't take for granted: delicious, soft layers. They have some interesting seasonal syrups (this time I think it was something like burnt cinnamon) and next time I'll try the Kashmiri chai (apparently made of gunpowder tea??). It's in downtown Oakland so if you're short on time, give yourself plenty of buffer time for parking and the potentially long wait as it was fairly busy just before 9AM on a Thursday.
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Masha G.

Yelp
Stopped in here the other morning and got an almond latte and banana bread. The latte was good, the banana bread was better - ha! The banana bread was pretty solid and hit the spot and held me over for til lunch! Would definitely stop in here if I was on that side of the lake.
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Heidi O.

Yelp
The adorable signage made me go in. That, plus the intrigue of a "Burnt Cinnamon Latte." The person behind the counter was very sweet and answered my questions about "blackstrap" (it's molasses) and the difference between the 2 available chais (one's made with green tea), and then made my Burnt Cinnamon Latte absolutely perfect. It's pretty sweet, but not in a sickly sort of way, and the cinnamon flavor is so nice and comforting. I'm excited to come back and try more seasonal stuff ASAP.
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Emma W.

Yelp
I spent a few hours sitting and sipping in their beautiful new parklet on a sunny weekday morning and had a wonderful experience. I had to be in the area for a work commitment and ended up doing some work there and am happy to report that their wifi worked really well even outside! I felt safe there too, especially since there was a constant flow of people stopping by their takeout window to place orders. Note that as of mid-April they aren't doing indoor seating, but their outdoor seating set up if really fantastic. Perfect to chill solo or with a friend! Service was really friendly and efficient. They were so great that they even let me use their shared building restroom that's currently closed to the public. It was a dire situation for me so I was incredibly grateful. I ordered their Masala Chai Latte with almond milk and it was delicious. Definitely recommend supporting this great women-owned business!
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Da L.

Yelp
The short haired lady said the house made syrups are all very sweet which is an understatement. The lavender coffee was hardly sweet, more of a slight sweet floral after taste. The lavender matcha was hardly sweetened as well. I do not recommend this spot for how nice it was. The lady was a bit rude too when i just asked what was the staple coffee there. There is much better coffee in oakland or you can just go to "Timeless Coffee" in Berkeley for a MUCH better experience. The modern theme is the only signature thing here.

Raphael E.

Yelp
The staff at modern coffee catered our large event and did a fantastic job. Despite receiving late notice, they provided enough coffee for over 200 people. They were extremely nice and super speedy. Plus, the coffee was hot and delicious. Thanks modern!
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Rachel M.

Yelp
Cute spot near my work on 19th St. where many stop in to acquire their Phoenix downs, potions, and pick-me-ups (ode to RPGs), aka caffeine laced beverages. I'm relatively sensitive to caffeine, (if I have half a cup I'm awake for a while) but I usually get my usual chai latte if I feel like I need an extra boost to get me through a really rough day. I've tried both the matcha (green tea) and masala (black tea) chai and although they are both good, I lean slightly toward the masala because I love the cardamom, ginger, cinnamon spicy flavors. There are also pastries sold and I have enjoyed a scone or two. Staff is very nice and down to earth. Will most likely be back since I pass by it every day!
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Mira S.

Yelp
They make their own lavender syrup, and it's really nice--not too sweet at all, just a hint of lavender flavor. They have some other interesting drinks that I'd be curious to ask about and to try. They're still not fully open, they have an outdoor area on the street, sort of like an enclosed patio, and the entrance is closed off and turned into a service window. The chocolate eclair was baked fresh that day, they said, and it was okay, but pretty dense, not crispy and flaky. It was actually better later, after a brief stint in the toaster. The prices are reasonable, I'd say average for the area.
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Aya E.

Yelp
I decided to give Modern Coffee another try, and although I really want to like this place, their drinks don't really meet the mark for me. I needed a caffeine kick to get through the day and decided to get an Iced Mocha ($5) with less ice. I saw they had 2 sizes but I wasn't even asked which size I wanted. I'm not sure if the iced drinks only come in one size. Nonetheless, my drink was prepared pretty quickly and I was on my way. I could barely taste the mocha. It tasted like a regular latte. It tasted pretty mediocre. For $5, I guess I just expected a bit more mocha flavor or better taste, in general. It was just okay. It gave me the caffeine boost I needed but as far as flavor, it didn't really hit the spot. Modern Coffee has let me down not only in taste but also in their prices. Although I'm open to exploring their other drinks, this would not be my go-to coffee spot.
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Brittany D.

Yelp
Both experiences here have been excellent. Just today I strolled in and saw so many great options. This made my decision challenging. I ended up settling for the Kashmiri chai which was green tea with saffron & other spices. The other option was the Masala chai which was a black tea with cinnamon. I found that most places offered Masala chai so I decided to change it up and choose the Kashmiri. The green tea was a nice change. It reminded me of Fruity Pebbles with half the sweetness. I enjoyed it but I don't think I can make it a regular thing. For one, downtown is a hard place to find parking and at $4 a cup, it would need its own separate budget. But the occasional treat is what I enjoy to start my day :)
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Kate B.

Yelp
I drank a perfect cortado here yesterday. The ambiance is great- would be lovely to stay here and read a book or get some work done. Highly recommend.
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Kathryn F.

Yelp
My husband and I love this place! One of our staples in Oakland. He ordered the Iced Blackstrap Latte and I got the Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte. I feel like so many coffee shops get matcha lattes wrong - too watery, not milky enough, not enough matcha LOL, but Modern gets it just right!! Interior is beautifully designed - I'm glad to have Modern around.
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Sophia L.

Yelp
TL;DR sleek & modern picture perfect cafe w the perfect latte Modern Coffee definitely lives up to it's name. The design, layout, and decor of the cafe is 100%. The design is perfect, they make good use of the space, and there are a bunch tables strategically placed if you need to sit down and get some work done. This is the perfect cafe for your Instagram aesthetic. I got a latte, it was perfect with subtle floral notes.
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Audrey S.

Yelp
Lemme tell ya, I've been spending a LOT of time in Oakland Cafes lately (thanks, grad school finals). Modern's Uptown location might just be my favorite so far. I was greeted by a very charming barista who also makes killer coffee. My burnt cinnamon latte (available in the winter time) was delicious and beautiful. Just the right amount of cinnamon flavor. Pricing was pretty standard for Oakland, $4.50. Worth noting you have to pay a little extra for soy or almond milk though. The space is amazing. The shop is sleek and modern with plenty of places to sit and get some work done. There are tables and a counter that could probably work as a standing desk if that's your thing. Walk all the way to the back and out the door and you're in a super cool, very spacious room that makes you feel like you're outside. It has outlets, comfortable seats, natural lighting, and a fireplace. I think I'm in love. Located in walking distance of BART, downtown, and the lake - so really no reason to not come check out this gem.
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Tiffany H.

Yelp
A great coffee shop for studying! Has outlets and free WiFi!! I got the burnt cinnamon latte. Wish my drink was hotter, since the temperature of it was only slightly warmer than lukewarm. The flavor was subtle, but could be tasted. Tasted with just the right amount of creaminess and richness! I didn't work in the cafe itself because it felt kind of small and loud, so I worked in the building when you go through the back door of the cafe. There were nice comfy and padded seats with more table space and outlets.
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Linda L.

Yelp
Absolutely love this place! Got the Kashmiri chai and blueberry scone. Both have made my morning! Seating area available in the back in a very open space but I prefer the front where I can enjoy the views of the amazing mural! See photo!
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Jeff W.

Yelp
Only been here once but I like the vibe here. Prices slightly higher than the other coffee shops, but they aren't as big of a franchise as other places. Their mochas are very smooth and flavorful. If they could implement a rewards program / frequent coffee drinkers program, that would be great. As compared to the "starry" chain two blocks away, I like Modern Coffee more. That said, the other place is closer to work and I get rewards / discounts as I purchase more. All good though. I will come back here.
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Annie C.

Yelp
I was looking for a spot to do some work, and modern coffee was perfect! There is free WiFi, lots of outlets and seating, and it wasn't too crowded when I was there on a Friday afternoon. I was able to sit when I wanted to and stand when I wanted. I ordered an iced matcha latte with oat milk, and it was delicious! I think they also sell firebrand cookies. Yum. Going out the back door leads to a nice open (indoor) area with great lighting and more seating with outlets. The staff here are nice and talented--someone was harmonizing with the music that was playing. I'll definitely be coming here again to get work done.
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Reema E.

Yelp
Coffee was sour even their cheap oatmeal couldn't cover it up. Besides that, brown haired register person had so much attitude because I didn't have a mask although I gladly took one once offered. Not sure why and the attitude continued when I asked about the beans. Word of advice, you're coffee isn't good to warrant that type of attitude.
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Kris P.

Yelp
A great little coffee shop that serves quality beans. And reasonable prices to boot. $2.50 for a large drip is fine by me in the Bay Area. Coffee is smooth, pastries are fresh, and workers are friendly. Sometimes the line reaches the door, which is a testament to their popularity. I really dont get how people get so excited over Starbucks when there is one of them at nearly every block in every corner of the globe. Try something new people! I digress. This place is great. Come by. If I had to knock anything, I wish they had a bigger selection of morning treats.
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Catherine S.

Yelp
This place is definitely my to-go place for a vanilla latte. It's just perfect and delicious and this place has completely changed my vanilla latte standards. The coffee shop is quite "modern" and has a couple barstool seats as well as a few tables for customers to chat or do work. They've added some food to their menu as well and now offer some small pastries and bagels. I definitely give them 5 stars for their coffee but the service here is why I am docking a star. They've been inconsistent with charging me for my drinks: $4.25 or $5.50 when the drink is actually $4.75. They also often do not greet the customers and are just talking amongst themselves rather than giving good service. Yes, the service can be friendly when they aren't ignoring you, but often they make no effort to really welcome you or send you off with a nice "thank you!" or "have a great day!"
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Deb B.

Yelp
They now have online order ahead! http://moderncoffeeoakland.com/ Limited supply of baked goods you can get upon arrival. Masala chai is delicious.
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Tiffany D.

Yelp
Plain and simple with my black coffee for the contemporary cafe! A small space to linger on laptops or chat. I prefer bigger place for my work gear and one can easily overhear noise or conversations. A good spot to hop in and out for coffee.
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Steven W.

Yelp
Very modern-just like it says in the name- coffee shop attached to a corporate building in downtown Oakland. Parking is street only, but there's some surface lots not too far away including the one across the street that I've never figured out how to use. Only a couple of blocks away from the 19th street bart though so that's nice. This is kind of an unusual space. Upon entry you are funneled up a ramp and some stairs to the order counter. There is a couple of uncomfortable metal stools and a few two spot table chair thingys. The flow of the space funnels you out to an interior office lobby which has some cushion lined benches and a glassed in fireplace, located directly across from the building security station, all well lit by a skylight. This is a nice spot but I have the distinct impression it belongs to the office building (it isn't accessible from the street) and not the coffee shop. So unless you go to the office nook this place isn't any too comfortable to hang out in. They've a full range of coffee products (including delicious chai), and a very welcome quality of pastries. You won't have any too wide of choice for sweets, but what they do have is top notch. The croissants are perfect. The baristas have some mad skills. The specialty coffees on deck here are superb. This is an excellent spot for an espresso, latte, or a cappuccino . I'd say the latte's mocha's and whatnot are a far better choice then the pour overs simply because the quality of the coffee here is so high. If you've never had a latte etc. this would be a good spot to experiment at. I didn't like the pricing up until I went to the Starbucks down the road. so it may seem expensive-four dollars on up for anything really(so eight dollars ish for a coffee and pastry)-it's a couple of bucks cheaper then the standard starbuck model for slightly better product.
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Ida H.

Yelp
Came here a little past 3PM and this establishment got busy! The location is very modern and well lit. With the noise level and operating hours, this isn't the ideal place to study (which is what I came to do). There is a seating area/community space in the back but it fills up quickly - thus leaving minimal access to outlets, seating, or workspace. Must make a purchase to gain access to WiFi (we asked lol). So the "free WiFi" tag on its Yelp profile is kind of a lie. Also, they update their access code periodically - the ones mentioned in reviews are no longer working. Drinks taste how you expected them to. The coffee and latte were good. Nothing spectacular. May come back to try other menu options/lattes.
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Melanie A.

Yelp
This is my all time favorite coffee shop in Oakland! Coffee is excellent! Vibe is trendy and chill. Beverage/food: if you like fancy coffee, you'll like Modern Coffee! Sooo good! Strong flavor! I prefer the vanilla latte. The barista makes pretty designs to the coffee. I appreciate beauty whenever the opportunity presents itself, even in my coffee. I've had iced tea here and it's the typical iced tea so I would wast my money and buy it here when I can make it cheaply at home. Price: it's on the high side but eh, you're in downtown Oakland the coffee is just so darn good it's worth the extra dollar. Service: everyone is super friendly. I stared at the baked goods and asked the cashier to name every mouth watering goodness and she laughed! She said my expression of awe was the same when she named each baked item. Looks so good. Location: there's a trendy sitting area outside the coffee shop in the building it's connected to. Lots of chairs, some tables and a fireplace. It's a good place to meet friends or have an informal meeting. Overall, I highly recommend! Excellent coffee and coffee shop to hang out!
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Clarissa C.

Yelp
Cool coffee shop with nice study space! Came here to do some work on my laptop over a mocha and was pretty satisfied with the experience. There are ample stool seats if you want to chat or work, as well as some tables around the side of the cafe. I don't really know who owns the table areas in the open-ish area behind the coffee shop, but they also seem great and comfortable for studying. Drinks are $1-2 pricier than the usual Starbucks, which I didn't mind if I was camping out using wifi for 2 hours. One thing to note as a warning, there are like 3 Modern Coffees in the downtown Oaklandish area within a 1-2 mile radius. My friend tried to meet me and accidentally went to one 10 blocks away from me. Definitely check which one you're in or distinguish if you plan to meet someone!
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Erica O.

Yelp
Regular stop for us when we lived in Oakland for a good almond milk latte. They are good at making it frothy without burning it. And it was also not too bitter and not too sweet (some places use sweetened milk- blah). There is some seating if you want to hang out for a bit and a few spots that if you snag you could do some work. It's part of an office building so if you walk out the back door there is a nice fireplace with a bunch more seating in this indoor courtyard-type thing. Pretty cozy actually. Friendly staff and quick service.
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Amy R.

Yelp
I love Modern Coffee! And if I'm going to be grabbing MC, chances are, it's the one at 19th. It's quieter here. I'm hesitant to announce this, but there's more seating and not as busy...but DON'T COME HERE IT'S MINE! I absolutely love MC espresso. It's just so delicious, so smooth, so rich. It makes affogatos taste luxurious. My go-to is usually a soy latte or a pot of tea if I know I'll be working a while.
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Breana C.

Yelp
Coming from a current LA resident this spot has everything I need: strong wifi, tasty tea, phenomenal pastries AND PARKING. Granted they don't have their own lot but there is street parking ($2 an hour) and a lot across the street that is $15 all day. I'm not mad at those prices - also, as I write this I realize I might be slightly traumatized from LA - whatevs. Any-who! Great customer service. Clean + well designed space. None obtrusive music. Downtown Oakland in the heart of it all. Also, l'impératrice came on while I was listening to l'impératrice - this makes me happy.