Motivāt Coffee Roasters

I tried the winter seasonal Polvoron Cappuccino today. It wasn’t quite my personal preference, as it leaned more toward a milky flavor, though I can see how it could be a good choice for those who enjoy that style of coffee. At $8 per cup, it felt a little pricey for me, and the foam wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but overall it was still a pleasant experience. I’d be happy to come back and try a regular latte next time.

Super fun, creative rotating menu and friendly baristas. Kind of a literal hole in the wall, but there's reasonable outdoor seating. Definitely worth the occasional trip if you're seeking coffee in Oakland!

Been living 7 years in the bay area and I MUST say its the best coffee I have had in all this time while in Oakland. The atmosphere is fantastic and so is the staff!!

The staff here has always been very friendly on my visits. The food and drinks are tasty and there is a wide selection of savory and sweet dishes/snacks. There are lots of teas and many coffee options. It stays busy as people seem to enjoy being here. It’s a cool spot!

We’ve got two pour over - Ethiopia and Rwanda. Both had a slightly acidic taste and delicious! The pastry, cinnamon bun, was so good. Soft and not overly sweet. Very tasty. It felt like European-style bread. Despite only two seats available, we still enjoyed our coffee on site. Staff was very friendly.

AMAZING. Loved the service and coffee. I ordered the Sampaguita latte with whole milk and it was the perfect blend of not too sweet, not too bitter, and balanced coffee-milk ratio. I find a lot of lattes to be too light on the espresso but they have nailed it. My latte was fragrant and bright with almost chocolatey notes after the initial floral scent.

Cute coffee takeout window in a coworking space, there’s plenty of outdoor seating if you’re not participating in the coworking side! It was a nice quiet street for catching up with friends, though I do wish the seats and tables were cleaner.

Excellent coffee and top notch service. I love Motivat!

We stopped by Motivat Coffee Roasters on Sunday morning and had a great experience! There's no interior at this location - just a window to order at and some (dog-friendly) outdoor seating. I had the hardest time choosing what to order because all the fall signature drinks looked incredible. The barista recommended the Turon Au Lait - freshly brewed coffee, banana syrup, and steamed milk, topped with a brûléed sugar top. This was insane! I couldn't necessarily taste banana, but the flavors went together so well. It was cool to get a signature drink made with drip coffee rather than espresso, and the brûléed sugar top was incredible. Would love to return for more!

Super limited menu, maybe I missed something but it looked like they only have pour overs and their seasonal lattes. Tthe basil sugar latte was alright, basil isn't my favorite in coffee. It was only one worker in the tiny space so it took quite a while. Also sort of a weird set up as the queue gets in the way of folks entering/exiting the building. Lastly of the 4 food items they had we tried the morning glory muffin which was bad.

Came across this place on my way to work and I'm glad I did. It has a cute outdoor area and the staff seemed pretty genuine. I tried the Cortado with whole milk and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Cute outdoor area. Only outdoor. We can't even go inside the building to sit. My classmate ordered the polvoron cappuccino which says it has a buttery crumbly shortbread infused milk expresso. I'm glad I was able to try this before ordering it because it taste nothing like a buttery shortbread ... just a regular cappuccino. I went ahead and ordered the butterscotch latte instead along with a morning muffin. The butterscotch latte says it has a rich caramel infused latte with house made butterscotch and I chose whole milk with this. My other classmate also ordered the same thing and we both said it tasted like a normal latte.. we didn't get any hints of caramel & the coffee was a bit on the sour side. Not sure what was going on there but the only thing I appreciated was that it wasn't sweet. The muffin was the only best part sadly.

Love the ambience, service and the staff was really nice. We ordered sampaguita latte- we got both hot and cold which were both very good. You can really taste the "sampaguita" on the hot latte.

We were in the area and decided to try a new coffee shop. We found street parking. It was like an outdoor coffee shop. You walk to an outdoor gaint window. I remember they did have a lot of flavor options just the basic but they had the basic ones. The girl who helped us was really friendly. The coffee came out and it was really good.

I got an espresso and an oat milk cortado, both were excellent. The single origin was from Ethiopia. It had a good layer of crema, the texture was slightly creamy, and I tasted notes of fruit complementing citrus and mild acidity. 5/5 The oat milk complemented the espresso well. 5/5

Nothing to complain about here. Open early on a Sunday and in the area. Picked me up. Nice service. Had a clean place to sit if I wanted it. Macchiato had the kick I like without being too hitter. Price was reasonable for the area.

I was on the planning committee for a work event and suggested we hire a coffee cart for our check in. I found Motivat while researching vendors and we ultimately decided on them. They were prepared and experienced with serving large crowds. Motivat served up the classics using beans they roasted and sourced themselves. Admittedly, I only go to craft or smaller cafes and they met the mark. My typical orders are straight espressos or Americanos and can confidently say their pulls were smooth. It seemed like they were a hit with everyone.

This review encompasses two different visits. Chai latte with cow's milk, iced: The drink was done in a minute Sweet, I can taste the tang of spices such as ginger. I just wish the size was larger and it was more liquid and less thick than I expected, but otherwise it was good. Honey lavender latte, iced: This cost $1 more to make it iced than if it were hot. The drink was done within a few minutes this time. I wish I could taste the lavender and honey more, I felt all I could really taste was the coffee. Service was friendly each time. You can sign up for Square email promos and occasionally be sent discount codes. They have a decent amount of outdoor seating nearby and they use compostable cups. I mostly just wish that the specific flavors of the drinks were more distinct.

A quick coffee stop tucked in a Covid kinda setting. Loved the cappuccino. Would love to come back while driving thru Oakland Downtown sometime

I stopped by on a Saturday morning. They don't have an actual interior, just a bunch of outdoor seating, so in the morning, it can get quite cold. No actual WiFi either, but you can kinda sneak onto neighboring free WiFi (doesn't work too well though). Pretty quiet overall, good place to relax with your coffee. I got a cortado, and it was ok. Milk was almost not frothed at all, so didn't get any of the milk foam mouthfeel I want. Espresso itself tasted great, but it was just missing the right texture. Great place to catch up on a warmer day with friends!

I'm vey picky with my coffee and I'm glad Motivat exists to help me with my coffee addiction, lol. Coffee has the right amount of kick to it and staff are always lovely. I hope you'll have more spots opening soon especially in the South Bay!

Awesome espresso choices, delightful coffee beans and great customer service Highly recommend taking a latte class with them !

Attended their Latte class, It was fun and latte was amazing. Definitely recommend.. They have milk alternate options available Oat milk and Almond milk. Also decaf.

I love the honey lavender matcha, I hope it stays year around! It's seasonal. There's usually one to two baristas so they make your drink as they are ordered which means you will wait a little bit. I don't mind it but if your in a rush and there's a line it might be a little bit. It's a cute coffee window with places to sit, it's on Webster so idk that I would work out of there since it's a busy street

Nice and easy coffee spot in Downtown Oakland. I had never been to downtown Oakland so I didn't know what to expect, but early Friday morning there was plenty of parking around here and the streets were pretty empty. The coffee was good. This is a great place to pick up and go, but there were a few seating outside. There was a guy sipping coffee sitting at one of the tables, taking a leisurely break from walking his handsome boxer dog. It was so picturesque, I wanted to sneak a photo of them with the street and buildings in the background. The staff were very nice, and they treated my kids to some stickers while they sipped on some hot chocolate. The hot drinks were perfect on a cool misty bay area morning. Thank you!

Amazing latte with oatmilk, pure happiness in a cup. They set up a pop up at my apartment in sf. I hope they eventually open a location here.

First time. Worth the walk to get a wonderful shot of caffeine. I got a well made cappuccino that had beautiful artwork and foam along with a strong caffeine hit and taste. Staff was friendly and service efficient. Check this place out if you are in the neighborhood.

So good! I met a friend here for a quick meetup and had the honey lavender latte. Absolutely delicious. Guy behind the counter is friendly and fast, and they have nice indoor and outdoor spaces. Parking can be a bit tricky but not too bad.

Came here for an afternoon pick-me-up around 2pm. It's a simple window that's connected to a coworking space. There was no line when we came, so we just ordered and stood around the bar seating for a second. We ordered with Apple Pay. The drinks came within 5 minutes. The service was great! My cortado was at a perfect temperature. We stood by the stands and drank our drinks before heading out to lunch. Since the spot was in a little nook, the space had lots of flies but I see this more of a grab-and-go place anyway.

I've been on the hunt for good hot chocolate all around Oakland. If there is a good coffee shop that has hot chocolate on their menu, I'm going to order it. And my god, this was the worst hot chocolate I've had. I don't like saying something is a waste of money, but this was basically lukewarm milk at best. Such a disappointment. I seen them pour the chocolate, but I'm guessing that's just for show. I don't drink coffee (11 years coffee sober), so maybe they put more love into their coffee than hot chocolate, but I won't be coming back. I'd suggest they just remove hot chocolate from their menu and tell people they can't make it. 0/10 would recommend.

Matcha Oat Milk Latte was really delicious. I drink a lot of matcha and this was surprisingly good. Would recommend.

Ample street parking and a nice little outdoor parklet. The window front is super cute and has a simple menu with a handful of pastry options. I just went for a latte with whole milk and enjoyed it very much. Will be back!

Plenty of street parking around. Cute little shop in the side of a building (looks like a common workplace). Menu is above the counter area. Currently there is a honey lavender latte limited drink which I HIGHLY recommend. I was able to walk up to the counter and get my drink in less than 5 minutes. Not sure if it was because it was 11am on a weekday, regardless it was fast service. The drink is very creamy. A good balance of bitter, floral, and sweet. My friend who isn't normally a fan of sweet drinks really enjoyed this one. Hard to describe so I'll just leave everyone with the nugget that you should try this place out and make your own decisions. There is a little outdoor seating area with multiple chairs and tables. Will have to try this place again if I'm in the area.

Perfect place for a 12pm pick me up! I ordered an americano (3.75) to help keep me going and it's smooth silky goodness. There wasn't a wait and has plenty of outdoor seating. Service was prompt and appreciated they take contactless payments. This coffee is yummy certified! :)

My buddy is good friend with the owner, so I tried the coffee at her place and then had to come visit the cafe. I came on a Saturday a few months ago and enjoyed the calmness of the good weather and a chill day on the downtown streets of #oakland, they have a dog few sky park let you can sit in. Also, got a tasty oak milk latte! Look at the pic... cmon now... Coffee is perfected and small batch. The owner puts all he has into this and his business so he and his team will not let you down. Support local and don't forget about the small coffee focused spots like this one, it's a unique place and good for soul as well! Much love y'all!

Started a new job & have literally been here everyday! Motivat is the cutest little hole in the wall, lovely baristas, and strong + freshly made coffee! I was happy Oatmilk and Vanilla syrup were available. Each cup has been superb. Amber is a true sweetheart. A total joy to interact with

Quick and easy window where you can walk up and order coffee. If you check in on Yelp you get 25% off your order! Staff was working hard to take and make orders as quickly as possible. My oat milk iced latte was ready super fast and tasted good! Oh and they have outdoor seating which is awesome!!

After I wrote a three star review - not great, not bad - Collin from Motivat reached out to me via text [!!!] and refunded my last purchase. Let me be crystal clear: I did not ASK for a refund, and I think this crosses a line. Why are you checking receipts, finding my phone number and then reaching out to me? This only made me upset vs being-meh about your coffee. I've had a legitimate experience at your coffee shop, wasn't fond of it, but didn't bash it. Just accept it, don't try to *influence* my opinion of your business.

This place was highly rated and was super cute and cozy. We got some coffee beans to grind at-home and coffee was out of this world. Great flavor and taste. And those croissants looked so good. Can't wait to come back for more beans and some baked goodies to try this time around! Cool vibes only

This place probably made the best latte I've had! The latte was very smooth and creamy and has a nutty note to it. I can foresee myself coming here every morning whenever I am in the area. The staff is very nice and service is fast. Remember to check-in on yelp for discount! Also checkout their ig for specialty drinks!

A true square-hole in the wall. I drove by looking for coffee near Oakland china town and saw this interesting place. There were blue furniture outside for people to sit. I just ordered a basic house drip coffee. It was just one size. The cup is a bit smaller that Starbucks small for the same price as Starbucks grande. But there's no comparison. This is not apples to apples. This place is very unique. I like the vibe that this place has. The music is kinda like Reggaeton. And it's quite loud but perfect for me. The barista is cool. Very friendly and courteous. The coffee is different than what I'm used to but it's unique flavored and aromatic. It's good. I enjoyed my coffee. I recommend this place.

A small quaint little coffee shop that could be over-looked if it weren't for Senor Sisig a few doors down. I really enjoyed my cappuccino for its robust roasted bean that had a nice after taste lingering in my mouth. The creamy espresso notes really displayed the quality in this cup of cappuccino, so I left a happy customer. Thanks Motivat for giving me that boost of energy I needed to get through the rest of my day.

Motivat Coffee is in Slojoy's space. there's a parklet in front for outdoor seating. there was an outside crowd days ago. was curious why there was a crowd. guessing the lack of seating is why. offerings: latte, pour over, cortado, drip, americano, cold brew, mocha, etc. drink: pour over (4.50) -had lots of body but not so smooth, had slight bitter taste unknown why -from single origin beans, different batches from thru-out the world. 4.5 stars. maybe cold brew would have been better choice.

Excellent coffee here if you like your coffee black. That is me and flavor is excellent on the palette. When I was there, they had Columbian style. Normally, not a big fan of Columbian roasts (prefer Italian) but the one here has a decent kick to it to go with the flavor. Do see myself coming here again as the service is reliable and friendly and the general vibe is relaxing and organized. Great coffee and strongly recommend.

My partner and I took a walk to check out this coffee shop and it was great! He got a cold brew and I got my usual oat milk latte. Strong espresso, very delicious. Expect Bay Area coffee prices. Plus is there is a little area for outdoor seating!

Great coffee and snacks and nice place to sit outside in downtown Oakland. Staff is especially knowledgeable and professional.

Passed through Oakland and was looking for some coffee to drink. My go-to drink is an oat milk latte with simple syrup - which is pretty hard to get wrong. Motivat unfortunately did not hit the mark for me because my latte tasted pretty bad. I could barely drink it. I want to say that it was their brand of oat milk they used, but I can't pin point the weird taste in my drink. The only upside is that my drink was relatively cheap: less than $5. If you're picky about your alternative milks, I'd ask about they use before committing to a drink. Service was very friendly and the seating seemed plentiful and trendy. I'd come back to give it another shot but try a different drink for sure.

I don't spend much time in Oakland these days but had an hour to kill before meeting with a client and wanted a cappuccino. I saw Motivat coffee a few blocks from where my meeting and decided to try them. I am drinking my cappuccino as I'm writing and it is absolutely perfect! I make one at home every morning using lactose free half and half so when the barista said she could make it with half and half I had to try it. Since I bought my Oracle Touch over a year ago, this is the ONLY cappuccino I have loved. Half and half can overwhelm the coffee flavor but it didn't here. I use Espresso Vivace beans at home but would try whatever they use. The barista and owner were super friendly. It's a nice looking store front and there was a steady flow of customers. Definitely give this place a try!

Cute little coffee shop with a park let outside so you can sit and enjoy your coffee. They offer espresso based coffee, as well as cold brew and pour over. I got a cappuccino with oat milk. The coffee had a slightly sour note, perhaps as a result of under extraction. However, the milk was nice and creamy enough to cover that up a little bit. I also love that they have little handwritten motivational quotes and saying on the cup. This little touch of personalization is very much appreciated and really shows that they put a lot of thoughts and care into the customer experience.

Came here because everything else was closed for TG holiday. Even though there was no one in line, it took ages for our latte and cold brew to arrive. The cold brew was weak. Sizes too small for the high prices. Won't be coming back.

This place is SERIOUSLY special. Not only was the coffee perfect (thanks Brittany), but I learned that the special message on the back of the coffee cup was a uniquely hand-drawn message. Now if that isn't going above and beyond I just don't know what is. I learned this only after I threw away my cup. Had I known this I'd have kept the cup as a souvenir. I am just a passerby, however anytime I am in these parts I know I'll be coming back to this really SPECIAL coffee shop. They've given a new meaning to Coffee Cup Art.

If you're up for a great cup of coffee and a daily affirmation, this is your spot. Motivat recently took over this space, formerly Slojoy. I appreciate that they are continuing to spread the good vibes with of the coffee cup art and uplifting messages. I had the drip and a cortado, which were both excellent. It was really pleasant to enjoy the coffee at one of the outdoor tables. I also purchased a bag of beans for home and enjoyed the coffee at home. I will certainly be back again.

I so happened to stumble across this place as an emergency caffeine stop. Wow, an absolute gem! Their concept is covid friendly, plenty of outdoor seating either by the street, or under the building's canopy. I was most intrigued by the design of the store front, which is pictured. Ok On to the coffee. I just got a small black cold brew. By far, this is one of the best I've ever had. The coffee was not bitter, super smooth, and elegant. You know that happy dance in your seat when you get a phenomenal plate of food? Well this coffee had me feelin' that type of way. Wish I was staying in the area to wake up to this place. But if you're around, I would absolutely give this place a shot!

Motivāt Coffee is Oakland's newest star! This family owned business has been brewing amazing coffee for years and they definitely appreciate the craft behind it. Each bag of beans supports various charities and organizations! Not only is the coffee great, but the atmosphere is positive and upbeat. I'm very happy with my beans and coffee from Motivāt and will continue to support them in the future.

Great, friendly service at the place formerly known as Slojoy. Coffee drinks are perfect temperature for me (I like them on the hotter side) and the almond milk latte and mochas are so smooth and delicious! The coffee does feel stronger from a caffeine standpoint which is great! I enjoy their custom, positive messages on their cups; however this last time I only got a cup with the Motivat stamp on it. Hopefully next time I'll have a positive message to read to my team at work. Support this local business when you're in the area!

Overpriced and basic tasting lattes. Staff was nice though. Outdoors only establishment.

Amazing, locally-owned and run spot in Oakland! They do great pour overs and have excellent beans to go. Highly recommend!