Nomad Cafe

Love, love, loooove this cafe! Nomad is everything that you could ever want in a local neighborhood cafe! They’ve got delicious drinks, incredible food, outstanding service, great vibes, and they know their customers. I’ve been coming here for quite sometime now and I’ve never had a bad experience here. My ultimate fave: Enjoying their chai latte and a pork chop banh mi on the patio. This combo is a win-win for me every single time. Recently, I’ve branched out of my norm and have become obsessed with their matcha latte and other banh mi’s as well. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything that you try here. It’s always gonna be the bomb.com! What really seals the deal for me is the excellent customer service. The staff is so sweet and efficient. The owner Bee is an absolute gem! That fact that he remembers me and goes out of his way to say hi even when he’s busy working is truly an honor. I’m writing this review as I’m sitting here on the patio having lunch because I’m just so impressed. Thank you to Bee and the wonderful staff of Nomad Cafe who make coming here so enjoyable! The neighborhood (and I) truly appreciate you all!

Very affordable, friendly atmosphere, open when other places are closed. Good, broad menu selection. The servers are SO nice. Such a pleasure to interact with them. The ingredients are super fresh and delicious. The bread for the banh mi is clearly baked same day, and all of their vegetables are crisp and vividly colored. Update in 2025: Wi and Bi are as friendly and lovely as ever. This is still the best place to get a banh mi. We adore them! BE HERE

They got the best hot lattee in town and huge banana bread. So between the two of them, your daily calorie is taken care of🤣

Nomad Cafe is a small local shop with delicious sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee! I’ve had their chicken and pork bahn mi and each component of the sandwich was perfect, especially the bread. The displayed baked goods always entice me to add one onto my order and they pair perfectly with a cup of their coffee. This is my go-to spot for bahn mi!

Nomad Cafe is a neighborhood staple. The owners and staff are always friendly and they learn your name quickly if you visit regularly. We've been patrons of nomad for ~5 years and we eat their banh mi sandwiches at least once a week. Thus, they've also memorized our order. As a 9-year vegetarian, their tofu banh mi is one of the best I've ever had. The veggies are fresh and let me tell you -- they do NOT skimp on bread quality. Have you ever had Semifreddi's bread? (Think: fresh baked bread shelves at Berkeley bowl) Well, that is the bread you'll get with the banh mi and it is perfection (not like the styrofoam vehicles for veggies that you might get from other spots). At any rate, I buy a banh mi every time I go for a day hike, and it's because they are quality, well-wrapped, well-presented sandwiches. If you look at my photos, I took them AFTER hiking 5 miles uphill and throwing my backpack around a few times. You'll notice: the banh mi looks perfectly ready to be eaten - next to a stream in the redwoods. Many thanks to Nomad for powering me through hikes, bike rides, and at least one super long trail run :)

Great spot for a quick breakfast, the lox sandwich was packed with veggies and the sausage breakfast sandwich was pretty tasty. The bakery items in the morning seemed like they were from yesterday but we're still good. Quick simple breakfast for on the go. Nothing too flashy here.

I love that they have lots of vegan food options and plant milks. I get the the tofu banh mi with vegan mayo at least once a week

Reliable spot for coffee and sandwiches. Minus one star for overcharging for alt milks (+$1 for a splash of oat milk in a coffee? Come on). The croissant sandwich I ordered was huge and I barely finished it. The croissant didn't seem very fresh, but overall it was a fine sandwich.

Fresh, friendly and delicious are accurate words for Nomad Cafe. My friend and I happened on it while visiting antique stores in Oakland/Berkeley and will definitely go back. Next time I'll try the Bahn mi because they have a large selection including pineapple with tofu that looked intriguing. The veggie sandwich comes with either cream cheese or hummus. I chose the hummus and devoured the freshest most delicious sandwich ever. It had lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion on sourdough. There are several bread choices. My friend had a tuna on sourdough and said it was perfect and almost over stuffed with great tuna salad. She enjoyed her Vietnamese iced coffee. The people working here are super nice and friendly. We grabbed a table outside to sit in the sun and they brought our sandwiches out to us. Parking was easy in the neighborhood. While I mention veggie options, they have everything an omnivore would want.

I got an espresso. It was a med/dark roast with a decent layer of crema and medium body. I tasted dark chocolate bitterness and nutty flavors. The shot wasn't burnt or overly bitter. More nuanced flavor or creamier texture would have made it even better. 3/5.

From the outside it looks sketchy, but omg the food and drinks are AMAZING!!! A must try, do not be fooled by the outside!!!

I'm OBSESSED! This cafe makes the BEST friggin' banh mi sammies and I am so addicted at this point. The true definition of a hidden gem! Nomad is tucked away on a corner off of Shattuck Ave. Street parking only, but it's usually pretty easy to find parking if you're coming during a weekday afternoon. The staff is so incredibly sweet here and it's never been crazy busy when I've visited. It's a small shop but super cozy with both indoor and outdoor seating. I've had several of their drinks (chai tea, smoothies, Thai tea) and everything has tasted really good. But the real reason why I keep coming back here is for those damn banh mi's! I mean... Geezus. They are just... so friggin' good. The bread always tastes so fresh and perfectly crispy like they just took it out of the oven. The meat is always tender and when I ask for spicy, they actually make it spicy. I usually go for the pork chop banh mi and it is always fiyah. I long for that crunch after my first bite. It is just so amazing. A pork chop banh mi with a Thai iced tea on their patio on a warm day is like heaven on earth! You think I'm jokin'... but I ain't! Have yourself one and experience the joy. I have and it's pretty mind blowing. So, sooo grateful to have this little gem down the street from where I work.

I stopped by in the morning for a caffeine fix and got their viet iced coffee. It was perfectly sweetened and extremely caffeinated as it should be! The man working was super nice and quick which I appreciated since I was on the way to work. The cafe had some seating and lots of food options I'm definitely going to come back and try for a little weekend cafe hang.

They have a really good chai and chicken sandwich! They have many options for hot drinks especially during this cold weather!

First time here Yelp lead me here as I was searching for Vietnamese coffee in the area. I drove up and found parking right in front YAY This is a little neighborhood spot, very low key and seems to be family owned and locally owned cafe. Inside is well organized and clean. Menu is easy to read Prices are reasonable Customer service is friendly Vietnamese coffee did not disappoint $6.75 Chicken Banh Mi with avocado $12.50 Total $20.29 Street parking only indoor and outdoor seating available

Sweet little cafe. I popped in here before a morning meeting to just get hot tea to go. The service was good, everyone was friendly, and they had great loose leaf tea options. I chose the lemon ginger and it was flavorful. They had a nice menu too, so I look forward to returning to get a bite next time.

The lavender latte made my day! This café offers great quality sandwiches and coffee. The outdoor seating is a perfect match for a sunny day. I'll definitely be coming back to spend more time here.

Pork Banh Mi was tasty and bread was fresh. Mint Matcha tastes like mint chip ice cream. A little expensive, but to be expected.

This delicious smoothie is from the next day because I ordered a batch of smoothies for my busy weekend meal prep and let me tell you it was totally worth it! I always order delivery from Nomad Cafe and they always kill it! Even the smoothie with turmeric is so yummy!!! I usually get their smoothies, lattes, breakfast bagel sandwiches and salads they keep me coming back and their smoothies are a delight because I find smoothies difficult to find these days .... Thank you Nomad!! Until next time :)

I drive by Nomad fairly often, usually while looking to go south on the freeway. I was always intrigued by this cafe, which struck me consistently as a friendly and interesting neighborhood place. I finally stopped in with a friend one Saturday morning, expecting an ethereal coffee experience. I'm sorry to report that I didn't get one. I ordered a cortado and found it to have "way too much milk and foam" (according to my photo caption) and to come across like a weak latte. Bummer! My visit was only Strike One. I continue to think of Nomad as friendly and interesting. I hope to try it again.

Food is always Amazing. I always have it delivered to my job for lunch. This House Salad with Tuna was Amazing

An absolute hidden gem. Great selection of coffee drinks but it's the Vietnamese iced ice coffee that's off the charts. They also have great selection of smoothies - unique choices, high protein and one with collagen! (Why don't more places do that??). And as others have stated, the sandwiches are great and affordable. Really nice people work there, open early, plenty of seating. Neighborhood is lucky to have them. Thanks for the good service and good food, Nomad.

Neighborhood low key no stress vitals. I eat at Nomad 3 times a week. Wonderful food, wonderful people.

This place is great for what it is. Food is solid and it is great to have a local place. Yet, I was very put off by the camera watching the employees work. It gives off creepy panopticon prison vibes. If this is to be a community location, trust seems it could be built up in better and more productive ways. It makes the cafe look cheap and the workers seem to be watched like prisoners, with the camera panning in micro movements with everything they do. This place would be much better if the owner removed the camera and just placed a safety camera watching the whole space instead.

Friendly staff, fairly good coffee, okay sandwich. Had the bahn mi and Vietnamese coffee on a Saturday morning. It was a pretty long wait considering the order. Bahn mi was not what I was expecting for a pork chop bahn mi. Taste and size were okay but nothing special. Coffee was pretty decent. The staff were friendly and communicative. Overall acceptable if in the area; I would try again for other options; I'm not sure I would travel to do so.

Been here twice already and the coffee doesn't disappoint, especially considering how affordable it is! Quick and efficient service! A neighborhood gem! Will definitely be back to try the sandwiches next time.

We got the vegetarian Bahn Mi tofu sandwich and that tasted good. This place serves steamed tofu instead of fried tofu, which in my opinion, tastes better and is healthier. No service needed as you just pick up your food in the front and sit at a table. The place was quiet, and the ambiance was what you'd expect from a Vietnamese sandwich place.

Great place for good Bahn Mi sandwiches! I love the tofu bahn mi, and often get it with a chai latte, or a Chaga coffee drink. They have snacks as well if you're in the go. This is a local family owned spot that's been around for years. Service is always kind, and they bring in a steady flow of regulars. Cute, bright, and peaceful dining area to read, eat or even get some work done!

Great banh mi, bagels and smoothies! Pleasant atmosphere and staff. Definitely recommend!

Nice little cafe that is a great place for enjoying some peace and quiet while getting some work done. I came here on a Sunday morning where the restaurant started getting busy towards the end of my visit. There's a few tables inside and outside for guests. They have a great variety of blended, cold, hot drinks, smoothies and a cooler with energy drinks and other goodies. I tried their pork banh mi which had a sensation of flavors of textures. The pork was super juicy and filling. I also liked their garlic pesto sandwich. The sandwich was very umami and super satisfying. Overall, I enjoyed the food and would come back in the future.

F**king delicious Not very busy. Food served quickly. Very fresh ingredients! So many breakfast and lunch options. Veggie options too!! We had the Tuna Croissant Sandwich Thai iced tea the Lox Bagel with a Mint Matcha!

Overdue update for the amazing Nomad Cafe. My first review was 4 years ago but I've been coming to Nomad for close to a decade now. V and his team are lovely, kind and make fantastic food and coffee. I'm so glad to see how they've expanded their offerings and created even more space for sitting. I'm partial to their tuna melt (and I've tried them all here in town) but my friends whom I've brought to Nomad over the years of course love the bahn mi, treats and more. Coffeeshops like these with a relaxing quiet atmosphere are harder to find nowadays so don't miss out on becoming a regular here. Thanks, V and team!

Love their Banh Mi sandwiches. They're fresh, warm, just the right portions, delicious! Their coffee is great, too! Service was prompt and gracious. Located at a street corner, they have tables outside for dog lovers, joggers, or someone who just loves the sun. Glad my daughter took me to try this place!

Great Food. Amazing Banh Mi sandwich. Cute little shop as well. Amazing and Nice Owner.

Time to update this review 10 years later! Without naming this site, I'll say that I can see why owners of businesses must despise it. I've been on this site on and off since about the time it started. Some of the reviews are so unfair and impacts the overall rating of the business. Anyway, Nomad rules. They saved me during the pandemic, busting their butts and risking their health and well-being to stay open when the world was on lock down. The banh mi continue to be great. Got addicted to the peanut butter and chocolate smoothies there for a while. The proprietors are friendly, food is prepared quickly. Haven't stayed for coffee in a long while since I'm out of school. Thanks, Nomad, for being a great go-to.

great neighborhood spot with good bahn mi. friendly service, solid bagels (for the Bay Area)

i just adore the cozy vibes to this place. the relaxing scent of baked goods, then the white noise of conversations surrounding me, big and beautiful windows, and always friendly staff. favorite spot to get a nice sandwich and vegan cookies (from another brand but they are still there).

Nomad is a cute little neighborhood cafe that serves up a wide range of sandwiches, pastries, smoothies, teas, and coffee. The menu was a bit overwhelming at first, but I made a good choice with my spicy pineapple chicken bahn mi. Very tasty with a little heat that balanced out nicely with the sweetness of the pineapple flavor. It's hard to find a filling sandwich under $9 these days, so was really happy to find this one. There are a few tables inside and on the sidewalk patio. It seems like a great place to get some work done or meet friends. There were a few students inside studying when I stopped in. I'll be back!

The staff is super friendly and kind. This is a great place to sit outside or inside. I ordered a house coffee and it was legit good and just the right amount of zing! Since it's Thankful Thursday, I'd like to thank Nomad Cafe for their great staff, coffee, and ambiance! Next time I'll have a bite to eat and keep the community posted

If you are actually into coffee/lattes; do not go here. Very watered down, no depth. Horrible latte for the price of $5.50 for a small iced latte. Avoid at all cost. This is a review for their latte. I haven't tried their food.

They recently updated to have more seating, which is nice. Plenty of outlets and strong wi-fi. Restroom is kept clean and the staff is friendly and accomodating. The only problem is they keep it COLD in here, I guess to avoid people getting too cozy. But overall, a nice place.

Nomad Cafe is my go-to neighborhood spot. It's a great place to work, and they've got decent food and coffee (not amazing, but comforting and reliably good every time).

Nice chill vibe. It's quiet and very clean. Nice staff. I ordered the mocha latte w/ egg cheese, turkey, and bacon. Bòn appetite.

Friendly staff, delicious food options, and so many snacks! Cute little spot in a great central location.

Sitting in stop and go traffic on Shattuck, due to construction, I'm pounding this tofu bahn mi and blasting Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" so loud I can only process the deliciousness of this sando. I used to get a tofu bahn mi 1-2 times a week from nomad when I worked up the street. I miss those times. Now, I consider it the best lunch of the week if I manage to swing by to pick one up when I'm in the neighborhood. The tofu is so flavor punched- a little sweet, a little spicy, but a whole lot of sauce. Be back soon!

Absolutely supreme bahn mi. I was having a major craving for GOOD bahn mi and Nomad Cafe delivered just that with flying colors. I got the spicy chicken and it was so delicious. The flavors were vibrant and the jalapeño was perfectly hot! My friend got the pork chop one and she was also thoroughly impressed. Service was very quick and good as well, and it has lovely outdoor seating and plenty of easy neighborhood parking. If I could give more stars, I would!

Reliably great food. my daughter lives near here and every time I come visit, I insist we get lunch from Nomad. Food is always fresh and delicious. How can they make a simple turkey sandwich taste that good?

It was a little chaotic for a small cafe on Saturday morning. It would be better if they had a clear pick-up station separate from the ordering register. Cafe au lait tastes more like an espresso latte. The breakfast sandwich was good.

Great option for sandwiches and a truly welcoming vibe! They welcome EVERYONE and provide great service! Excellent selections!!

I often order the pork chop banh mi's here to go & they are absolutely amazing! All the ingredients are fresh & the service is always fast & friendly. I pay extra to add more meat to mines bc seriously that pork chop is irresistibly delish.

Great cafe to get some work done. Drinks come out fast, and the sandwiches sold here are satiating. Would recommend.

After finding Korean Souel BBQ closed, I wandered into Nomad Cafe a block or so down Shattuck thinking I'd get a sandwich or bagel. . . . wait .. . Vietnamese Sandwiches?!? Squint and you can see them in the middle of the menu board between the breakfast stuff and the regular sandwiches (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/nomad-cafe-oakland?select=by4RRlpGKcAlYJGwKcHi4w). Banh Mi are all $6 which looks a few bucks cheaper than the regular sandwiches, but they don't come with a side salad standard, which is included with the regular sandwiches (you can add on a side salad for $2.50). Anyway, I got a Pork Chop with no cliantro and it looked kinda sad when I unwrapped it with no visible fillings in the toasted roll (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/nomad-cafe-oakland?select=vV3FHqj8QH9eEHAXbwxIWA). The cross section showed the "pork chop" was a thin layer of grilled pork under some carrots, cucumber, jalapenos and mayo (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/nomad-cafe-oakland?select=WXDwolYErcrA4MBxeaM5Uw) and, while toasted, the roll did not have the crackle I love from the traditional baguette that's typically used in banh mi. As well, the julienned carrots, did not have much noticeable pickled flavor to them. An OK sandwich, but disappointing banh mi.

Boyfriend absolutely loves this place. He tries to order from here every time we are in the area. I'm not much of a sandwich person, but whenever we do order here I devour the banh mi. What really gets this place 5 stars is the service. We get the Tofu Banh Mi and I'll order the chicken and pork for my family. They can make the Tofu one vegan, which is basically without mayo. Comes with pickled carrots, tofu and cucumber on a crunchy french roll. If you like Banh Mi, give it a try! At the very least, you will not be disappointed by the service.

Great place to grab a bite and get some work done. The Vietnamese iced coffee is good. As is the bahn mi. The place is pretty tiny, so I felt bad camping out on the WiFi, but I got both breakfast and lunch there, and they didn't seem to mind.

The hot London Fog, iced mocha, iced white mocha, croissant sausage egg sandwich, and grilled chicken pesto sandwich were all very good. One of my drinks was wrong (probably my fault). They corrected it with a smile, making me feel at ease as a customer. First time and we'll definitely be back.

Nice place. Good coffee, good food. Fresh ingredients and reasonably priced. Kind people. Appears to be family run. Worth supporting.

This place sooooo yummy I ate that bahn mi me up so fast because it was so good yummy .. in the future I will order more because it was so good I wanted moreなぜ！まだだけど。