Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar

Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans. What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story. The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging. Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

to be Black, supa queer in this hood, this space is appreciated! to be able to pull up for a latte, donut, breakfast sando or a fancy cocktail WITH my spouse, and kid in tow- always feels welcoming. did i mention the coffee is fire?

Really nice experience at this coffee shop. Bustling on a mid morning Friday, the store was full of fun people enjoying coffee and brunch. From what I learned, it sounds like the owner/team roast their own beans locally and they are very good! I had a whole milk cortado with cafe de olla syrup and it was excellent. The espresso pull was smooth and full-bodied. The syrup had lots of cinnamon sweetness with other spices that elevated the drink. The elements of Latinx and statements of inclusivity made the space unique and feel welcoming. If I lived nearby, I’d definitely make time to have coffee, or at least take some beans home to roast for my own brews.

☕️ 🍞 🍵 Fun neighborhood cafe with incredible coffee and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They have a ton of coffee drink options and non coffee with brunch options as well. The coffee is simply amazing, you can’t go wrong ordering here.

One of my all time favorite cafes :) feels like a second home to me and being able to have a cocktail at 2 while I work cannot be beat. Such a great community for local people!

I'm obsessed with Mother Tongue coffee beans, been buying them from Seattle Coffee Gear at Stanford. I also found them at the SF Coffee Festival last year. I finally went to their cafe in Oakland and it was interesting, it is more of a bar than a coffee shop. Maybe this is a happening bar after work? The decorations are random and nothing like I was expecting (streamers everywhere, Cartoon Network projected on wall, and current hits playing over the loud speaker). They do have a seating area outside too. They don't have a menu/drink board. I happen to look up their menu online before we arrived but didn't realize the paper menus were near their payment system till afterwards. Because of this, we forgot they even served food other than pastries-we probably would have purchased. We had a latte, coffee tonic, apple fritter, and we bought two bags of beans. Everything was delicious and we would go again.

I came to Mother Tongue after their vibe change from coffee shop to bar on a Saturday evening. With the pink lighting, small electric fireplace, and Dark Crystal show projected on the upper wall, it was moody, cozy, and whimsical hideaway for a cocktail. And boy were the cocktails good! I had the Deep Sea Martini and it’s one of the best gin cocktails I’ve ever had - so herbaceous and spirit-forward. It offered an interesting vibe and mix of patrons - some reading a novel, working on their laptop, on a date, meeting a friend. Can’t wait to return for their coffee!

Amazing new cafécito spot in Oakland. We had a latte and cup of coffee and sat at the bar. Such a vibrant and cozy space. They have some small bites on the menu which we will come back to try. The coffee was amazing and we grabbed some beans to go. The staff were warm and friendly and excited to be in their new space and neighborhood. BIENVENIDOS ❤️ Mother Tongue Coffee,a woman, latinx owned company roasting fresh and delicious coffee in Oakland, California.

I kind of love places that are like 2 things in 1, in a surprising way. Like Mother Tongue is a coffee shop, but it serves cocktails and they were good. I headed there post dinner with a friend for a drink and a catch up, and it was casual, chill and easy. They have plenty of outdoor seating and a little 4-5 stool bar, with indoor seating as well. No food options at night, but looks like pastries for the cafe portion of the business. Overall, I really enjoyed this spot. Not pretentious, authentic and a little alternative. Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail, your choice!

I like the ballsy approach this local coffee roaster takes with their retail operation. It would've been quite predictable to open a cafe to serve their coffee, throw in a couple of pastries, and call it a day. However, the purveyors decided to add not only pastries from The French Spot but some Spanish tapas, creative sourdough toasts with savory toppings, and out of the blue, Colonial Donuts. The real topper, however, is that they operate a cocktail bar, too. Since they're a roaster, it only makes sense they serve a seductive $14 Espresso Martini with cold brew, tequila, and Irish cream with smoked ancho and cinnamon (Photo 9). It was a tasty late afternoon treat even as the baby strollers roll by with mothers giving me small mouth. OK, maybe I had two. I can fantasize about the day I can devour a Colonial apple fritter while downing a martini. Then I know I've hit not only the mother tongue but the motherlode. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...a smoothly smoky espresso martini AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nice boho vibe with a comfortable parklet setup SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly crew TOTAL - 4 stars...know your mother tongue RELATED - Exploring Oakland's Temescal area? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https:// bit.ly/210RAHj18

I love the pink lighting here. I feel like there's the perfect amount of music and busy conversation to get some work done here. The greatest plus is that they open late and function as a bar or cafe day to night. Fun: they start projecting anime on the tall walls when there's enough shade. I got the orange blossom vanilla latte ($7) - good syrup flavor, the right amount of sweetness and espresso that's not burnt or bitter. Haven't tried their drinks hot but this was a good iced latte. Note: they usually keep the front door or windows open so the temperature will be pretty similar to the outside temp if you come in the day or late.

Super yummy drinks and vibes. I got the Iced Black Sesame Latte. Great black sesame flavor and not too sweet. My friends ordered the Latte with Orange Blossom Vanilla, Malabar Tea, and Apple Fritter. I really like the Latte with Orange Blossom Vanilla. It tasted very fruity and, again, was not too sweet. Warning, drinks are a bit pricer (but they seem like a very socially responsible spot). Also, our drinks were ready super quickly! Super cool spot. I'd love to come back!

I got an espresso. It was a darker roast, strong with a slightly burnt taste and light acidity. It had a good layer of crema and the texture was on the lighter side vs creamy. Probably goes really well with their espresso based drink/cocktails but in its own... 3/5 I would be curious to try their lighter roasts or try it again to see if the pull was slightly off.

Cozy spot! Just gets a little busy and tight inside their space. I got the black sesame latte, it was really really good the only complaint I have is that it was already warm when I got it so I felt the need to finish it quickly before it gets cold. Other than that great spot!

I stumbled upon this cafe in Oakland, nestled on the corner of broadway and 41st St . I needed a mid-day pick me up so I stopped in. I ordered a Cortado with oat milk. I'm no stranger to coffee I usually have at least 1-2 cups a day. I have to say this was absolutely a beautiful cup of coffee. Fresh , strong , silky and delicious. To top it off they have the cutest cup. Staff were so nice and helpful. I will be back soon also would like to try some food.

Review for take out coffee and donut. Cute neighborhood location with street parking on various side streets. Fun decor and they have their own coffee beans if you are running low and need to stock up. Service was friendly and fast. No complaints there. Ended up getting a regular whole milk latte and an apple fritter. Donuts are from colonial donuts. Very solid latte. Good balance of foam, milk, espresso. The cost is about what I expect from the Bay Area, so not going complain about that. Overall solid location for your caffeinated beverage! Will need to come back for the other food options.

This place is such a vibe, it's fun to say the name aloud, and overall great atmosphere to chill on the patio or sit inside and enjoy spying on colorful fun decorations and great music for a date in the morning or evening. The staff are chill and helpful, I would love to visit again since we're from out of town but our friend lives nearby. The surrounding area is walkable, including the short distance up the street to another park of Piedmont littered with lovely restaurants, other cafes, bakeries, boutiques, and book stores. Did not have a chance to try their pastries or heartier food off their menu but I trust it's good and worth the journey back next time.

Great coffee, fun drinks, nice music, excellent cocktails for the parents and hot chocolate for the kids and donuts for all. Woman owned, queer, superb!

Great if you like roaches with your rude service. Not going back, and my dog didn't like it either, except for the roaches he got to chase. Tastier than my pastry? Guess so. Also, a tip from a food biz buddy, always look at their dumpsters, it's a good indicator of the kitchen. From what I could see, he was definitely proved correct. As I said, not going back.

Another drop in at the last moment after an appointment in Oakland since we are rarely there. Quirky coffee place with a bar, food and inside and outdoor seating. Staff is nice. Nice mix of people working on laptops or sitting around reading. If I had to kill sometime in Oakland, I would do it here. The highlight of the morning was the Espresso Martini. It was topped with cinnamon and smoked ancho chili powder. Took it to a new level. The next day I found some ground ancho chili powder and use it every morning along with cinnamon on my whipped bulletproof coffee.

Wonderful stop for coffee drinks, sweets and savories. The vibes are perfect. Everyone is so nice.

I still have not received my coffee. I've already spoken twice with Lupe and once with Anissa, yet no one has followed up with me, and the issue remains unresolved. This is very frustrating and unacceptable. I need this addressed immediately.

Very enjoyable spot with outdoor seating in shade and sun. Cool indoor space by not large. Friendly service and timely delivery for eating in. Oat chai latte large $6 nice spice flavor not too sweet. Only found one vegan option and likely better than if they had vegan donuts. Regular donuts sourced from Colonial Donuts Vegan toast pate $12, tofu tumeric Serrano cilantro topped with tomato pieces and parsley. Tasty and like a vegan egg salad open faced sandwich.

This is your go to local coffee shop offering up friendly service to go with your coffee. Hippie type vibes more than your techie vibes here. Met my coworker here to go over some stuff and I enjoyed the chai latte. Street parking can be a bit challenging.

Nice ambiance, great service, and amazing cappuccinos. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, great place to hangout with friends for coffee or cocktails.

One of the best cold brews in the bay. Cute outdoor seating. Looking forward to trying their cocktails, they have clever names. Tried the espresso tonic, excellent.

I got the hot drip coffee and my friend got the decaf iced latte and both of us liked our coffee. The bean of my drip coffee was flavorful and the barista who took our orders were nice. I like how there are both indoor and outdoor seatings and perfect to hang out with friends and catching up. The ambiance of the indoor area was quirky and they also served drinks and food. I recommend this place.

I really enjoy the color theme, decor, and overall feel of the place. A giant skull water pitcher? Yes please. The drinks I got were well balanced and not weak, and the savory bread pudding was comforting and helped to line the stomach for the drinks. The spice sauces were excellent. The staff was very approachable too.

Yummy coffee, great vibes. I got the black sesame latte which was tasty in a subtle way. Appreciate the reusable mugs :)

I had a really tasty martini here one Friday afternoon- what a fun concept! I would happily come back and try other drinks

Really cool spot for day time chillin! Eclectic with a hippie vibe. Specialty coffee as well cocktails, amazing combination. Can't wait to check it out at night!

I love this spot. Great coffee, nice vibes, and good folks ~ Everything I've had here is quality, I dig it!

Mother Tongue Coffee opens their brick & mortar cafe & bar in the vacated space of The Lede. M.T. is Oakland based, roasting their coffee in town. Mother Tongue Coffee sources their coffee "from producers (they) know and trust that uphold the same values.." offerings: coffee, tea, cocktails, snacks, toasts. -ordering is at register just inside the door. food brought to table when it's ready... quick courteous service, questions efficiently answered.... brew: drip, medium roast? (5) -smooth, bold tasting coffee in big mug, easy sipping. -every cup is freshly made to order. eats: smoked trout on toast (16) -plenty of smoky trout slices on toasts. -spread upon a layer of brown beans with cherry tomato slices on top. -salsa on toast had a spicy kick. drips: -parking available at meters and on side streets. -plenty of seating at outside parklets and inside cafe -definitely a go to place to hang with friends & associates over a cup of joe or an artisan cocktail while noshing on small bites. Lots of space inside and out...

This location has changed ownership so many times since we have lived here. This is the latest iteration, so we had to check it out. My first contact with them was on Instagram. They wrote back that they do love dogs, but cannot let them inside besides briefly, if you are holding them while you are in line to make an order. They do have a big patio though if it is not raining. It was not raining the day we met up with some friends at the café. My favorite part was that they have award-winning decaf coffee beans. I cannot handle caffeine but I love coffee. Even more exciting was that they had decaf versions of their cocktails. Their special espresso martini is usually done with tequila but I was offered it with vodka which I prefer. The martini was well balanced, a little sweeter than other martinis, but not too sweet. Some friends did have food with their drinks and enjoyed it. You order at the counter and the drinks could take a little bit to make as they are made one by one. The food will be brought to you wherever you were sitting. There are seats inside and out. There are stairs going up, but it is for staff only. Restroom is past the bar. There was a water bowl for dogs outside, but no treats, unless you're supposed to ask for them inside. There is paid meter parking or free residential parking. It is a 14 minute walk from MacArthur BART.

I love this place so much the people here are so amazing and friendly and go out of their way to make you feel like you're at home or with a friend. The coffee is some of the best I've had in my life and the people there are well trained on how to make everything. The ambiance is wonderful being a nice cozy interior where people come to get work done study and catch up with friends. Hands down best place in the town to get a nice pick me up.

Amazing coffee, friendly staff, trendy environment. Love the toasts they have and the fact that they sell colonial donuts--so dank. The owner is super friendly, you can tell she loves what she does and puts a lot of thought into the environment she creates.

We popped in a few times for coffee and this place was excellent. We also bought a bag of coffee and it made for a very delicious cup at home. Highly recommend the espresso Tonic that they serve, unique and refreshing! Hope to be back one day!

I got their toast with pepper jack cheese it was pretty good and I was in love with their wine, and they have great customer service , they are very understanding and have pretty cool vibes especially the lady with the cute curly hair and she wears glasses she was very kind and the vibes are nice their I love their decoration

Still delicious and such a good vibe...great coffee and cocktails... Come for the friendly ambiance... every time I come in ... I have a great conversation with someone and always good drinks (coffee or cocktails)) and snacks

Vibey, woman owned cafe that roasts and makes their coffee fresh for every order. They played smooth, instrumental jazz took me back to the zen environment that the lo-fi girl on YT and was perfectly conducive to getting some work done. I got the Saigon herbal tea : a mix of black tea, Cardamon, clove and lemongrass that paired well with the toasted quiche. Didn't try the bar and more substantial food items but they looked quite interesting. Would come back here again to read a book or have a nice drink.

Loving this spot! I'm not super particular about my coffee but the lattes here have been noticeably tastier than elsewhere. I love that they carry Colonial Donuts as well. Can't speak to their food or cocktails but overall a great vibe with nice outdoor seating and friendly staff!

Wonderful coffee and espresso, great staff, and a cute, flexible space that serves amazing cocktails, too. Never had a bad drink here.

Loved the ambiance and the vibe. The place is so inviting that we had to go and check it out as we were walking thru the neighborhood. Excellent service with such friendly folks. They even made a special pour over for me! I got to know that they have an in house head roaster who the barista introduced to us. I'd definitely recommend checking them out. You can purchase a few bags of coffee while you are there too.

I love the vibe and the humans here but I'm not a fan of their coffees, I'd rather buy beans and make a drink at home. For context I love me a a creamy latte and I was disappointed. We also got a chai and was not happy with it. Service was quick and everyone was sweet!

Always exceptional coffee, cocktails, food and service. Deft and charming service, great chill, fun and funky vibe and the coffee is some of the best in the Bay Area.

Liked the novelty of their food and drink offerings and the quality was excellent...fun atmosphere too!!

Love this neighborhood spot! Wonderful casual fun vibes with very good coffee and cocktails. The staff are all very cool and friendly. Keep an eye out for guest pop-ups, I've had some wonderful snacks with my coffee. The coffee beans are also excellent if you brew at home.

Mother Tongue is a small roaster working out of the Pulley Collective in West Oakland. I got a couple of bags of their coffee from an auction and raffle at a fundraiser I attended and was interested in giving them a try to mix up my boring daily dark roast. So far I've tried the Bittersweet, a medium roast which is described as "tastes like creme brulee & dark chocolate". I get some chocolatey notes, but my palate isn't nuanced enough to pick up creme brulee. Either way, I enjoyed this detour from my usual. Next up Roxana Rafael from Cajamarca, Peru -- "fully washed & dried on raised beds. tastes like orange blossom & pecan pie" -- sounds yum!

Excellent coffee quality: Bean selection, roasting technique. Nice vibe and great sevice.

This gem of a coffee shop/bar is absolutely phenomenal! It's a great place to chill out, hang with loved ones or solo, and enjoy wonderful ambiance, an excellent cup of coffee, or a tasty cocktail! This place is fun, vibrant, and full of good energy! Props to Angie for being a sweet and helpful person. Angie made a DELICIOUS canela (cinnamon) piloncillo syrup that is to die for!!!! I would recommend a drip coffee with cream, and Angie's personalized syrup! Yum

I went to this spot for the first time following the Hella Bagels pop up. I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance of this place. It is very nice and mellow for meeting up with friends or for relaxing on your own. Their outside patio gets some really nice sunlight. Even though it was pretty busy, the staff was really nice and attentive to everyone. I tried their iced chai latte and it was a nice flavor, not too sweet. I have to return for their coffee.

My husband and I love Mother Tongue coffee. We live in Florida, but found this lovely California location through a site called Trade Coffee. We liked it so much we actually started ordering 4-6 bags of coffee at a time!!! The service is great as far as shipping goes and the coffee is fabulousness!!!! The ambiance looks beautiful. Unfortunately I don't live in Cali so I can't comment. I will say the pics on here look beautiful!!!

Cute establishment nestled right off broadway, so happy to see a concept finally thriving in this location after many turnovers. I've had drinks with friends here mostly great atmosphere and friendly staff that pours a mean beverage

I think I'm in love. A neighbor initially turned me on to Mother Tongue a while back, and then I got a bunch of their coffees through a fundraiser auction--they'd generously donated a few bags of coffee and swag to my kiddo's school--and then I was thrilled to see that they were opening in the neighborhood. The space is a delight--it emanates a warm pink glow, is bright and airy, and their plant game is strong. The coffee doesn't disappoint. It's spendy, but it's an absolute treat. I would far rather have one Mother Tongue coffee a week than seven gas station coffees. Better yet: one coffee at the café a week, and six pour-overs at home with their fantastic beans. You really can't go wrong with the beans. I'm normally a medium-roast gal, but every single roast of theirs that I've tasted is tops. I was worried the Nebula would be too dark, but it's not.

I hope this place lasts. It's the closest thing we have to a "street scene" on this stretch of Broadway. Great place to grab a drink and idle away the afternoon on the patio or parklet. They have coffee, beer/cocktails, food, and occasional popups. Great neighborhood asset.

Mixed feelings about this cafe where I've tried it out twice. No extra charge for alt milks but on the flip side I think it's built into the base pricing. $4 for a cortado with oat milk, add tax+tip on top $7 for an 8oz mocha with oat milk, add tax+tip ends up being $8+ The cortado was good but the mocha was super pricey for 8oz (it's a cappuccino plus cru choco add on) and honestly didn't taste like it had much chocolate? So I think the cortado and cappuccino pricing is reasonable as it would be the same pricing as other cafes who charge for subbing milks, but the small mocha price is wild so avoid adding choco. And beware the toasts - they serve you one slice of toast cut in half, not two slices, so again pretty pricey for the portion.

New neighborhood gem! If you like specialty coffee and craft drinks, it's a must. Employees are knowledgeable and welcoming. They let me bring my luggage in while enjoying my beverages. 10/10