Oklava Cafe

To be honest this place can be the best place for me in Palo Alto! As a person who was born and raised in Izmir, Turkey this place is a gem for me. I love the variety of the food, their espresso tastes awesome (better than some other chain stores) and stuff is always so lovely and caring. Their breakfast is the closest breakfast to real Turkish cuisine. They even brought İzmir boyoz before! The store can be small but very bright and airy. Highly recommended!!!

On a Saturday morning, my wife and I decided to have Turkish breakfast at Oklava Café. Now we cannot wait for Saturday to come to go back and have our Turkish breakfast again. Everything on the plate was so tasty. The portions were generous. The Turkish tea made everything even more delicious. Also highly recommend the 3 cheese borek, which reminded me of my grandma’s recipe from my childhood. If you’re looking for a lively, yet chill and cozy atmosphere with delicious food and deserts along with friendly people and amazing service, make Oklava Cafe part of your regular stops in Palo Alto.

I’ve come here literally >10 times. One of my favorite spots in Palo Alto. I’ve tried probably 90% of the desserts behind the glass counter. My favorite is the kataifi with pistachio, muska shape with pistachio, and the Turkish breakfast and their kunefe! Their tea is fantastic too. I love getting their Turkish breakfast on a weekend for brunch. It’s a delicious plate and the simit is delicious too. The staff is always nice as well, I think some of them are starting to recognize me and my boyfriend because of how often we come. The only downside is that their cafe is a little small for how popular it is. But I see they are expanding to outdoor seating! I’ll be coming back again and again. I have too many photos as evidence that I love it here. One of my favorite additions to Palo Alto in recent years

When it comes to American coffee shops, I have one simple rule: anyone who can pour a decent tulip on my latte automatically earns 4 stars. It’s sooo hard to find places in the U.S. that get latte art right—we barely even try! Now, back to the point: Oklava Cafe is truly unique—one of a kind in Palo Alto. Great coffee, really good pastries, and a clear sense of identity. It’s a breath of fresh air among all the chain stores in the area. I’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Oklava is one of those places that just feels good to be in. The coffee is always solid and the whole place feels really well cared for. Nothing feels random. You can tell there’s a lot of hard work and intention going into the space. Cozy, creative and easy to feel comfortable in. Definitely a spot I keep coming back to!!

Obsessed! I’m married to a Turkish man and we go to Turkey all the time, so my bar is quite high for their cuisine… and Oklava exceeds all expectations! Their Turkish breakfast is authentically delicious and fresh. Very nice staff and cozy atmosphere. And to my surprise, they had donated some baklava and börek to a non-profit event that I recently attended and it was the first to disappear from the table! I was lucky to grab some and enjoy it – word got around quickly. Can’t wait to go back try everything else they offer!

Such a fun and vibrant place. Try the knafee for sweet and the burekas for savory, You're not regret it. Definitely a destination! You can come with a laptop to work, with a friend for a good conversation, or with both

Oklava Cafe is a treasure thanks to its manager, Nur. She is phenomenal, friendly, and dedicated, making every guest feel welcome. The divine baklava and authentic Turkish flavors are excellent. Nur’s passion creates a cozy, charming atmosphere. Visit this gem! 5/5 Stars!

This café is very cute, with lovely décor that gives it a warm and cozy feel. The service was very welcoming as well. I ordered the Turkish breakfast, Three Cheese, and a Square Slice. I absolutely loved their pastry. It was soft and chewy. While Turkish desserts are usually sweet, they made them just the right amount of sweetness, perfect to pair with coffee. I noticed most customers were ordering Turkish tea, which we missed out on this time, but I'll definitely try it next time I visit Palo Alto!

Great coffee and deserts! Hardworking staffs! Nice decoration in the restroom! However, the WiFi internet is crappiest. Cannot access most websites. Waste of time! Most useful websites are blocked! Examples sites, - outlook.com - dropbox.com/* (for example, dropbox paper documents won't load) - reddit.com - yelp.com - bloomberg.com - slack.com - ​​discord.com - ​​box.com - ​​nytimes.com - ​​wsj.com - ​​robinhood.com - ​​schwab.com - instacart.com - meetup.com - equityzen.com - americanexpress.com - nytimes.com SSID: OklavaCafeGuest ​​password: Oklava205

Great place for Turkish pastries and desserts. Personally have only gotten pastries and desserts here, but definitely want to come back for the Turkish breakfast. Service is fast, they even heat up your pastries for you, and the inside is very cute. There is very little seating though, so definitely take that into account.

Loved the Turkish breakfast! Also ordered Turkish coffee to go with. All the dishes was really fresh and complemented each other, and the simit was soft and served warm. My favorite was the clotted cream and honey and veggies. The coffee is served with sparking water and a Turkish delight so you can cleanse your palette and cut the bitterness with some sweetness :) Vibes are cute too! The natural light is awesome. I would come back to try other baked goods and get the breakfast again.

We had such a good Time here for a lazy Sunday brunch. First of all, the coffee and matcha latte is great. We also taste the tea served in fancy glassware. Also I really love the pastry. Anything with pistachios won't go wrong Super recommend the traditional breakfast for two. Love the bread and all the butter/cheese combinations There are not a lot savory choices. Most pastries are sweet Plus: the Instagram photo came out super nice !! The entire presentation is stylish, vibe is great for a tea time chat with friends

I came here to study and ordered a matcha latte and an Anatolian cheese. The matcha latte tasted more like milk. The Anatolian cheese had lots of cheese and was warmed up which made it very comforting. The staff here is super friendly and attentive.

Oklava Cafe offers a charming escape in the heart of Palo Alto. The small but beautifully designed indoor space creates a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely afternoon. While the cafe is intimate, they also have outdoor seating for those preferring fresh air. I indulged in a hot chocolate, which was a delightful treat. It had a smooth, rich texture that was both comforting and satisfying. The roll with pistachio was a bit different from what I expected, as the staff mentioned it wasn't overly sweet. While it was okay, I probably wouldn't order it again. The shankarpali was a standout, offering a crispy and flavorful experience. Oklava boasts a diverse menu featuring teas, coffees, a variety of baklava, hot desserts, and bakery items, promising something for everyone. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall pleasant experience. While the cafe offers a lovely ambiance and some delicious treats, the overall experience fell slightly short of exceptional. Nonetheless, it's a charming spot worth checking out for a quick bite or a relaxing break.

Came here for a Sunday breakfast and really enjoyed! The atmosphere was warm and service was great. We chose to sit outside and it was perfect. The choice of Turkish baklava and other delights including bakery was amazing. Especially love to mention cute coffee/tea cups selection. Haven't been to Turkey for few years and was happy to feel the vibe! Definitely coming back.

Cute Turkish cafe that's open late! I was desperately craving a coffee, but there were no coffee shops nearby open past 7pm. I ordered an iced vanilla latte ($6) and my boyfriend got the Turkish coffee ($6). The latte was decent, except I didn't taste any vanilla. I asked for additional syrup and only then did I taste any vanilla flavoring. The Turkish coffee came in a tiny espresso cup (didn't seem to be worth the price), and it was really strong. Like traditional Turkish coffee, there are grounds at the bottom of the cup, so once you start to feel the grinds, it's time to toss the cup. We were also given small bites of Turkish delight to enjoy with our drinks!

The breakfast was delicious! The personel was very nice and helpful! I highly recommend this place to taste turkish sweets and breakfast!

This place never disappoints! We have tried several of their savory pastries and the not to miss Turkish breakfast. It is my go to when I am in Palo Alto. They have great coffee too And of course a large selection of desserts

After a nice dinner nearby we were craving some dessert so of course we went on Yelp to look. Saw that this cafe was down the street from the restaurant we were at and the baklava looks amazing so we went for a little stroll to walk off our food and get some delicious desserts. I felt like I was in baklava heaven when we walked in. There were so many options we couldn't choose!!! Ended up getting one of each and enjoyed it at home. We came around 7pm and there were a few folks in front of us but it didn't take to long to get to the front. There was still a line when we left so it definitely is popular

A cute cafe on university street The turkish coffee was just excellent , reminded me of the ones back home , also comes with a little piece of rachat lokun which was nice We also got a piece of baklava and another piece of cake (I think it was a type of basbusa, with an orange flavour to it )- these were 4/5 We will come back to try out their breakfast that also looked great ! Recommended

A very nice place with delicious breakfast and desserts. The staff is polite and hospitable. The cleanliness is commendable, and there are a lot of choices for desserts!

Food was 5/10 and service was 6.5/10! We came across this place when searching for places to go to in Palo Alto. It's a small cafe wedged in between two stores. The place is really small, but feels cozy. It's a nice place to go to when relaxing or studying! I had two of, what I was told, Turkish Delights and Marzipans. I also had the Matcha Latte. The latte wasn't as sweet as I thought it would be. It tasted more of milk than matcha, but maybe it's cause I'm used to milk tea place's version of a matcha latte. I thought the marzipan was interesting. It was so sugary sweet and the texture was something I wasn't expecting. It was chewy, soft, and grainy. I thought the orange tasted better than the strawberry one. For the delight, it was slightly sweet and chewy. The hazelnuts adds a nice crunch to the chewy treat! The service was okay. He was nice and friendly, but I felt like he lacked in knowledge for some of the items. It might be just because of the language barrier so I don't blame the server too much of what happened. I felt bad for him cause it seems like he was the only barista there at the time we went. Overall, would go here again to try their savory items!

Came here based on the reviews. The place seemed like a really cozy hidden gem tucked between two buildings. I really liked the place. The worker was very nice and tried to be accommodating. He helped us with what each item was and tried his best to explain what each item tasted like. He even let us try some trukish delights. We got a bunch of pastries: Double Pistachio Double Walnut Turkish Churro Hazelnut Cream Orange Mazapan Strawberry Mazapan And some drinks: Turkish Coffee Matcha Latte Most of the pastries were not too sweet. I don't think anyone would get a toothache eating any sweet pastry here. To be honest, they weren't anything to special considering the price is so high. For a tiny 1 inch by 1 inch square of Pistachio baklava, it was $3. With that same money I usually get a whole slice of baklava. Maybe I'm not too used to Turkish cafes since this was my first time. The Turkish coffee served like an espresso. I like strong coffee and can handle an espresso usually. But this Turkish coffee was very powdery. Once I finished it there was so much coffee grounds/powder settled at the bottom. I do not know if that's normally the case or if it was made incorrectly this time. My mouth was dry. I would definitely try again just to see what else might be better for me.

It was fun to stumble across this young business (been around since June 2023) that had a small plate of baklava on one of their outside tables to lure me in. I ordered the single Turkish breakfast and enjoyed the variety. It would be easy to make at home but it's a nice thing to have at a cafe. Turkish tea was piping hot and delicious. Didn't need sugar next to the chocolate baklava I ordered (which was ok). They have a huge variety of sweets so if you like baklava you should definitely stop by. Memo the guy at the register wasn't interested in small talk; he was very curt. The other guy working was a bit warmer. Bathroom doesn't have hot water which makes it a little less sanitary especially if you're dining with your hands which you need to use for many of the menu items. In all, I would come back and I'd recommend it.

Cute and lovely new cafe in downtown Palo Alto! It was packed even on a Wednesday evening, but love seeing downtown Palo Alto becoming super lively over the years. Super friendly service and great selection of treats (even handmade candies)! Love that they're open late until 10pm on weekdays, good spot to do some work or catch up with friends. Seating is super limited and tight but they definitely make great use of what space they have.

Cute little shop on University Avenue, next to Araki Sushi, close to Pho Ha Noi, etc. We stopped by on a Wednesday night to get a little dessert. A few tables inside to sit and relax, or study, etc. Brightly lit, simple modern decor, clean and classic. One very nice, clean bathroom. The service was patient and friendly. We wanted to try their coffees, but they were out. They only had tea at the moment. The display case had all their delicious, yummy treats. You will definitely find something to your liking. Muska Shape with Pistachio: Crispy shredded dough, chopped pistachio, creamy butter, soaked in sweet syrup. Triangle with Pistachio: Triangle-cut layers of thin dough, finely chopped pistachio, smooth melted butter, and sweet syrup.

My husband and I happened upon Oklava Cafe after a night out in Palo Alto and on our way to the train. Needless to say- we decided to take a later train and spend some time in this gem. This is a super cute cafe with a very European feel. Tiny tables packed into a small space with lots of conversation. Conveniently located on University Ave in downtown Palo Alto- a very short walk from the train station. Interestingly the assorted baklava is cut into triangle, squares or other assorted shapes. We felt we got more bang for our buck with the triangular cuts. Tonight we went basic with a walnut and a pistachio baklava. I thought the prices were fair $3-$4 for most baklava. We'll be back again to sample more flavors.

It's great to know there is a Baklava cafe here in PA! They serve various baklava from pistachio to walnut. They also serve Turkish delights along with small pastry breads. Of course, they serve Turkish coffee along with other coffees and teas. The location used to be Subway so the seating area is tiny but they also have outdoor tables available. I thought the baklava was a bit too syrupy and sweet for my liking. They're $3 a piece so pretty pricey but definitely worth the try. I also tried their cheese bread roll which was heated; this was pointless and barely had flavors or texture. The bread kind of tasted chalky and stiff. The cheese was crumby and didn't have any flavor. Not sure I'd come back again but it's a nice cafe to order Turkish pastries and a quiet place to sit and study or just come by for a pastry pick-up!

What drew me to their business was that they serve Kenz coffee which is my fave! I also love Turkish baked goods so it was a win win. I came here on a rainy Sunday morning and it was moderately busy. Every seat inside was taken, I was surprised considering the weather. I waited in the short line and ordered a few of the double walnut Baklava and a double pistachio Baklava along with a Turkish coffee to go. Their Baklava is delicious! I do wish their Turkish coffee was sweeter. Maybe I needed to ask for sugar, not sure? But I still enjoyed it nonetheless. They do have seating inside but it can be tight so something to think about if you're coming with a few people. I recommend their business!

My wife and I set outdoor and made an order online through qr on the table. We got our food and were waiting quite a long time for our drinks until I decided to came in and ask a waiter about our order. Turns out they didn't even know about it as their system is "confusing" and the guys who work there didn't know how to use it. Instead of apologizing or getting on making the drinks, they showed me their attitude and started talking in a different language to each other and laughing. It took them forever and they brought wrong order, so they had to redo it again and it took forever again. In addition I found a rock in my food. Perfect!

Love love love this place and wish we had more Turkish breakfast/coffee places in the south bay. I first brought a friend here a couple of weeks ago and celebrated her birthday with the breakfast for two at lunch time. It was amazing and the food was just perfect. The staff was friendly and helpful. they even brought a baklava to our table for my friend's birthday celebration!!! We loved the food and I knew I would be be back again. Today, I returned with another friends celebrating his birthday and it was another amazing experience. They can accommodate about 20 diners inside and have a couple of tables outside. The place was packed today and seems to becoming very popular as people hear about their great food, drinks and service. BTW, i loved all of their baklavas that I have tried so far...

Too tiny to really be comfortable as an eat-in place. But the variety and quality of baklava and 'Turkish delight-type' sweets is untouched by anything else I've experienced anywhere. They offer some nice eat-in amenities gratis.

Came by Oklava Cafe just by chance. I was in the Palo Alto area and needed a spot to work for about an hour and I discovered it while walking around the area looking for cafes. The inside of the cafe is cute and simple. Lining the counter were tons of unique baked goodies and I opted for one that featured pistachios as a primary ingredient. The pastries themseves are quite intricate and unique. I enjoyed mine and paired it with a Turkish coffee. The coffee was solid but a bit more on the bitter end than other Turkish coffees I've had. For a weekday mid afternoon, the inside of the cafe was quite busy; busy enough that there wasn't room for two of us + our laptops to find a table, but there are ample seats outdoors along the sidewalk where we posted up. Overall, a solid cafe serving Turkish pastries, Turkish coffee, and other coffees.

OMG!! I can't talk enough about this place. Love the baklava. Super tasty!!! The service is pretty good with friendly staff. However, I do recommend a little remodeling. The setup is pretty tight and a little uncomfortable. But otherwise it was a pretty solid experience. Recommend it.

Nice cafe feel spot which serves great middle eastern desserts. The desserts were fresh and they have a lot of varieties ranging from not too sweet to rea sweet options.

Really cute Turkish breakfast spot, I had the traditional Turkish breakfast platter and Turkish coffee. Good cafe to study/work as well. Would recommend

The bread here has grown into an addiction for me. The Simit and Acma are both excellent.

Looking for a sugar high? Oklava Café got you! Opening in June, Oklava Café is a Turkish dessert shop that will give you the sugar high you crave...if you have a sweet tooth. They're open for takeout and dine-in (indoor and outdoor seating). M E N U Over 20 baklava selections, Turkish bread, and borek, hot desserts (kunefe), etc. Turkish breakfast and Turkish delights available. From my understanding, most items are imported and not made in-house. I do recall seeing one housemade baklava. Coffee and tea available from Kenz Coffee Bar (shared space). Order at the counter and your baklava will be plated for dine-in. If ordering prepared items and/or coffee/tea, grab a placard and your order will be delivered to your table. B A K L A V A * Chocolate w/ pistachio ($4 x2): https://tinyurl.com/3f945ht2 Regret ordering two pieces since these were not good. The phyllo layers were mushy and drenched in syrup, and as another yelper mentioned, it tasted like hershey's chocolate. IMO, a bitter chocolate would work better to offset the syrupy sweetness. * Diyarbakir Burma w/ pistachio ($5) The fav part of the kataifi baklava was the crispy shredded phyllo dough exterior. As with most baklava, the pistachio filling ran really sweet so an accompanying cup of tea or coffee is a must for balance. S E R V I C E When it was my turn the order, the male cashier walked off without saying anything. A female staff saw me waiting and was kind enough to come over and assist me. A M B I A N C E Great remodel from the previous Subway space. Sophisticated yet casual with a handful of tables inside and outside. P A R K I N G Street and lot parking. Overall, seems like we picked the wrong things. However, I would be down to return to Oklava Café again to try their savory items.

I came on a Wednesday late morning with a group of 5. The space is a bit tight but they were very flexible in finding a way to have us sit together outside. We ordered the Turkish breakfast, spinach boreks and extra simit. Everything we had was absolutely delicious and I will absolutely be back again!

Really liked all of the pastries. The ambience was bustling and vibrant. The food came out relatively quickly and the service was good, which I love. The only thing that I have to critique are the prices, they were relatively expensive.

Absolutely adore Oklava! Such a unique addition to downtown Palo Alto and the space of the establishment creates a welcoming cafe experience. There's indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of space to work or hang out. The people here are so kind, you order at the front and food is served to your table. Lots of sweet & savory options, at such reasonable prices. I tried the Turkish Borek and Sesame Simit, and it was the perfect combo for a savory snack. I'd love to come back and try their Turkish Breakfast option - it looks like such a balanced array of foods.

Solid spot with kind service and a beautiful selection of treats! I've tried a few things here and it tends to be a bit sweet for my tastes, but maybe I'm just not good at ordering. Always fun to try something new though. Nice spot to chat with a friend if you can find a table.

Totally amazing baclava and related tastes. Could just keep eating them all up! Also great coffee to go with it. We have to come here every time we are in the area. Wish there was one in the Saratoga / Los Gatos / Cupertino area! (Though that might turn out to be dangerous)

For those who love Baklava this is your heaven. A grand selection as you can see from the photos along with a supremely cozy atmosphere. Don't miss the Turkish coffee. Well situated on University afternoon to drop in.

Cute new café in downtown Palo Alto serving Turkish pastries, including baklava. I'm actually not a huge fan of baklava so I tried their bread and Turkish coffee instead. I've never had Turkish coffee before, so wasn't sure what to expect. It's basically the size of an espresso shot but tastes less bitter. The bottom has a thick layer of grounds that aren't filtered out but you don't drink that. The coffee was good, but I was pretty irritated by my interaction with the server when I asked her if there a way I'm supposed to drink the coffee since I've never had it before and she served it with a sugar-cubed shaped candy and some sparkling water. Her response was "Uhm, put the cup to your lip?" -rolls eye-. Well thanks for making me feel stupid and being completely unhelpful The potato pogaca was pretty good. It's basically a bread with some sort of mashed potato filling inside. It wasn't too heavy, and went nicely with the coffee. The shop was pretty busy on a Sat late morning, with the inside and outside tables all taken. We did stand in some of the public tables by the coffee shop and the servers served us from there. Overall, cafe is cute and the coffee is pretty good. The staff could use a bit more training on customer service though.

A cute little cafe on the main University Ave strip. Lots of delicious Turkish dessert and baked goods options, and great Turkish tea! I bought around 7 tiny bites and with the tea it was around $35 so it's not cheap. Overall it feels like a well done curated experience. Not a lot of seating but they do bring your beverage to the table if you are able to snag a seat. Definitely worth a try if you like sweets!

Nice ambience , loved the vibe. Good options on desserts . Great cappuccino. They serve the coffee to the table which is nice.

This place is pure joy to me. My family is middle eastern blend and when I tell you I squealed at the sight of crispy, syrupy, nutty baklava of all kinds on display, I mean it. My coffee snob boyfriend loved their Turkish coffee too, a high compliment since he is so judgy about such things. My only regret is that there wasn't a reasonable way for me to take a box load on a flight.

I loved how they had ice cream with their Baklava. It was definitely tasty! The ambience was pretty cute and really love the latte art! However, I went here to work and I was truly frustrated with the WiFi. That's the only downside.

Such a cute spot for tea, coffee and pastries. The baklava was delicious and the service was very quick and kind!

Nice cute cafe with amazing baklava!! They have a whole case-line with different pastries. Had the latte which was pretty strong and tried the walnut baklava and another circular one which were both great! Definitely sweet and great service. Would definitely come back and sit in the cafe

Came here on a weekend morning to grab coffee and catch up with friend. This place has so many interesting sweets and pastries but I didn't get any to stick to my no added sugar rule (I really wanna try its cheese bread next time though). My friend and I got a mocha coffee and latte (definitely preferred the mocha), and sat outside for a while. It's such a cute spot in downtown palo alto. Later on another day I got to try some baklava and other sweet treats from here, from another friends, and they all tasted great (a bit too sweet still but good textures, unfortunately did not take any pics then)

I'm a bit mixed on Oklava. Love that it's open late! They have simit which is nice to see and their baklava and other treats are good for the Bay Area. Not as sweet as other places and better constructed though to be honest not at a level where I'd crave the sweets. Our bar for turkish sweets in the Bay is fairly low and I'm still waiting for something to open that will raise the bar. I had a annoying experience here. We ordered Turkish tea to go with the sweets. It took 30 min to come out. We checked on it twice b/c we wanted to taste the sweets with the tea. They were a bit busy, so the first time I think the person checking just forgot. The second time I checked in, it was with a younger girl on the staff. She glared at me and then never bothered to check even though I saw that she had down time afterwards Rude service is not okay. Ignoring patrons is not okay. Waiting for tea for 30 mins at a cafe is not great and having to check 3 times was uncomfortable. My husband checked a THIRD time and then we finally got the tea. The person who brought our tea was very nice and gave us 2 sweets complimentary which was nice but at that point esp b/c of the girl I wasn't in a great mood. I'm not sure I'll be back. The staff at other coffee places have been so lovely and competition is stiff so not into attitude when I'm just asking about my tea when the food is only medium

Excellent home made sweet and savory pastries, quaint, urban atmosphere, friendly staff... a sweet escape to Turkey without being on a plane for twelve hours...

This is a small cute cafe with Turkish delights, coffee, and pastries. I passed by on the way to my car after a workout class down the street, and couldn't help but stop inside. The presentation of the baked goods were intriguing and I liked how everything was labeled so I knew what I was looking at. I tried a latte and small baklava. I enjoyed the baklava, but it is sweeter for my taste. The latte paired with it well. I'd come back for a relaxing catch up with friends and to try the flavored baklava.

All the sweets on display looked so appetizing it was hard to decide on what to get! While there is a small seating area inside, we opted to get our food to go. The sweets were very tasty, and tend to be quite sweet/dense. We had the coffee as well which was a delight to have in contrast to the sweets. Will be going back again!