Snow White Coffee

First time here! Kind staff and cool decor from local artists! Love it. Got a yummy juice 😋

I have patronized Snow White Coffee for years. The business offers great parties and chia tea. However, my experience was terrible this morning. Upon entering the business, I witnessed the employee socializing with 2 friends at the entrance of the counter where the pastries (covered) and coffee lids (left open) available for customers to cover their drink. The employee’s friends were enjoying a pastry while their dog was jumping up and down on the counter next to the coffee cup lids and pastries. Upon expressing my concerns about hygiene practices of an animal jumping on the counter, the employee was rude, ignored my concern, and stated “If you want to address your concern, you can speak to my manager, do you still want to order” I ordered, yet after thinking about the interaction, I decided to just leave. I have had nothing but a great experience over the years, but the business is declining to say the least.

So beyond disappointed in my experience it’s comical. When I walk in it’s one person working and is clearly in the middle of orders. The person working the coffee bar snaps at me “what can I do for you” as I wait a far distant from the register to read the menu. As they are the only person working, I wasn’t expecting an immediate acknowledgment outside of the possible “hi, be with you shortly thanks for waiting”. I truly wish I had left after that. Instead of getting to read the menu, I see a chai latte and ask for one iced. I’m met with a quick, sharp, and frankly, condescending return of “we can’t ice it bc it’s actually REAL CHAI, so it has to steep.” I order my chai hot which is fine. The entire interaction felt unwelcoming and quite rude. When someone else was waiting to order, they nicely asked how the baristas morning was and the response was a flat “busy” I’ve worked in the area for a couple years and I’m glad I’ve never come into a shift early to try it. The vibe is inhospitable and it seems like he’d rather not have guests at all than be somewhat busy. I truly don’t believe a wait should be an issue, but I don’t want to wait in a small coffee bar and listen to a pretentious 50+yo barista talk about why people don’t really understand rage against the machine after he just acted like a teenager lashing out bc he doesn’t want to be at work today. As im sure this person is very likely the owner. Just a tip, to add to my 15%, life is much worse outside of your piedmont bubble. Don’t put your bad day on the people that patronize your business. Chai was mid. Not worth the attitude.

Great coffee, awesome location. But atmosphere/clientèle is too hipster (like hardcore hipster) for me. Full stars because it’s not fair to penalize this great coffee place for it.

Major success story for overcoming issues in your life. I have nothing but respect for you there. I have been aware with you on your involvement with Survivor. I would like to this opportunity to show forgiveness for the antics and how you put Matthew Von Ertfelda down. There is no judgment here. I now know Survivor is only a tv show and the producers were the main culprits who pushed this feud triggered by a negative environment where it was hard to take care of yourselves. Have you in my prayers where you would be prudent on what you say about Matthew. I don’t want you suffer bad karma like what happened to Rob Cesternino in the All Stars season. All the best.

Fantastic coffee but here’s what my kids have written: Amazing service and he gave my children as much coco chocolate as they wanted for there hot chocolate it was fun… yay!!! He also gave me a whole story and stuff about Australia!! It was the best coffee that I’ve ever had… And he was funny 🔥😁🙄😉😬🤪😩🤔😳🤗💀😎🙂😆🥳😃😄😋😌🙈🤩😑😐😇

Great spot to get some coffee! Very friendly owner who is down to talk about the weather, coffee or dogs all day! Not much seating, only a little outdoor spot.

I'm not from the area but am frequently in town for work, and I always try to make a stop here when I'm back in Oakland. I don't have the refined palette of a true coffee connoisseur as I don't have it everyday, but this place makes me truly appreciate the no frills authenticity of a high quality cup of coffee. The service can't be beat and it feels darn good to see a local business adored by so many.

This place is great. It's small, tidy and welcoming. They always have a small shaded deck area, and on sunny days they also have a couple small tables in their alleyway area. They were a lifesaver when I was on a trip and my rental car didn't have a charging port compatible with my phone. Snow White was the only place in the area that I was familiar with (I had been here several times on previous trips). My phone was almost dead and my flight home had been delayed several times and I needed to communicate, so like a lighthouse in the fog I drove there, plugged in, enjoyed some coffee and chatted for a bit. I bought a mug too, and it's a REALLY nice mug. I'll come back every time I'm in Oakland, which is pretty often.

I got an espresso and an oat milk macchiato. Both were very good. The espresso had great texture and crema. The flavors weren't intense but it wasn't bitter or burnt and low on acidity. I tasted citrus undertones. The oat milk in the macchiato added good texture to the espresso.

Stopped by Saturday morning around 11:30. No line and my latte was prepared quickly and tasted great. Just one girl working at that time and she seems like a good barista as far as I can tell! Clean but tiny place and love supporting small businesses.

It's a coffee menu like every other place..... except it actually tastes good! Service is great, sarcasm and cynicism are frequent here, so if that's your bag, then come on in! They make your drink before they ring you up and it's usually one person working at a time, so be nice to someone who's making your latte!! #haveaSnowWhiteDay

Simple coffee shop. More outdoor seating is a fine improvement. Few bells and whistles but beautiful murals and well crafted coffees with Starter pastries.

Stopped by here for a chai latte when visiting friends in the area one time. It's a cozy tea and coffee shop (& some snacks) with all outdoor seating. The owner let me know that it would take a little longer to make the chai latte. Was best loose herb based chai latte I've ever had! Strong and aromatic too. Definitely a neighborhood gem for the locals.

Been here a few times for coffee and overall coffee is consistently pretty good. It is a small place, not a place to hangout or do work but a good spot to grab an espresso or latte to go.

My shaken cold brew was awful. I like half and half so a shaken cold brew with half and half sounded great to me. I asked for no simple syrup. The cold brew itself tasted off. I actually make cold brew at home using coffee beans that I grind then steep. Not sure what they do here but their cold brew was awful and their half and half tasted so watery, like non fat milk. My coworkers coffee was cold so she asked them to remake it. Apparently their brewed coffee was sitting there for gosh knows how long and not switched out. Brewed coffee loses its freshness after one hour. Lackluster service with the barista/cashier. Like he'd rather be reading his texts rather than helping the two customers in his store. The two being us! I seriously won't be coming back.

Awesome shop, and my go to coffee shop. Convenient location on the southern end of the Piedmont Ave strip, friendly staff, reasonable prices, and pastries from Starter in addition to the espresso. On a nice day they have a parklet out front which is great to sit at.

Cute little shop that is a nice departure from chain shops, or places folks might camp out all day just for the wifi. The proprietor seemed a little gruff at first, but after a short chat about the origins of the shop, and the coffee, the experience comes together. The coffee was good, the shop is clean, and there is a funky little outdoor seating area. It's fun that the name comes from the fact that the location used to be Snow White Cleaners, which was there for decades, and whose former proprietor is the landlord and lives above the coffee shop. A cool Oakland hole in the wall with a little history, some character, good coffee, and a proprietor with some personality instead of a corporate robot. Think globally, buy locally, and support your neighborhood small business. It's pretty easy when the coffee is this good.

This review is long overdue, but I believe it's better late than never. I had the experience of enjoying iced mochas with my wife here on several occasions, and it was some of the best in the neighborhood. The atmosphere was so great, that we spoke with the owners, Alex and Kim, who allowed us to shoot a few scenes for our film, Ghosted, here which is now available on sites like Tubi (https://link.tubi.tv/evpZji8i5Mb). If you're looking for a clean and quiet environment to enjoy coffee, stop by here!

This seems like a modest and unassuming coffee shop, though one with a great name! However this place has a quality which brings it right up there in the ranks - passion. You can feel the passion both from the enthusiastic customers lined up patiently to get their coffee as well as from the friendly determination of the barista himself. The place maintains a link to history, there having once been a small grouping of shops under the name "Snow White" at this location, long gone. This place itself located in an old dry cleaning location with the same name (very apt name for such!). The decor in the shop is modest and a little eclectic, but you can feel the character of establishment coming through - excellence through efficiency. The barista was super friendly despite having to handle a long line of surprisingly happy customers, there was a very decent selection of pastries efficiently laid out, and the normal array of espresso drinks. Any of which you choose will result in an excellent beverage made with love and passion.

This is such a cute coffee shop in the East Bay that I would recommend going to for the coffee, the service, and the aesthetic. The barista who served us told us a little bit of the history of the coffee shop which I thought was really cool as I enjoy learning the history of places. If you are a big fan of mocha, I definitely recommend getting their mocha because it was very rich in flavor. My cousin also enjoyed their cold brew and said that she would get it again.

Nice coffee place in Piedmont and loved that they have pour over options. Truly a dying art but it's so personal and you can really appreciate the beans! Try it out for yourself. Service was great and the barista was on the game!

Came in just before 9am on Friday morning for some strong coffee. Didn't have a hard time finding street parking. Ordered me a smooth, tasting pour over coffee for $4.25. There are a handful of pastry options. There is outdoor seating available. If you're so inclined, there's also some merch available to purchase. Pet friendly, too!

This is a cute little coffee spot and I came here because I was waiting for a friend. I got a coffee and it was quite small for the price. Tasty, yet tiny. I got a shaken cold brew and I have to say it was fine, and the person working there was welcoming. But, I think that I may go to another spot. The food they have isn't gluten friendly at all and the price for the tiny drink were turn offs for sure. But if you want to pay way too much money for the tiniest of drinks, this is your spot!

My go to coffee every time I need to go in to Kaiser. A quick walk across the street for great coffee. I usually get the Oakland Chill, very smooth and just enough sweetness. The staff is equally chill... in Oakland. Bad pun. It's not a big place but that does not matter when all you want is a quality cup of coffee after checkup.

Great service, great coffee, and great people!! Our lattes were done perfectly. It's a small shop with some seating outdoors, but probably not the place for working or lounging around for hours!

Exceptional coffee right on Piedmont. Alex runs a small tidy shop and is a master multitasker, switching from pourover to steaming milk and then heating pastries effortlessly. The beans are from Roast Co and the pastries are from Starter, both local eastbay shops so you are supporting many businesses when you stop by Snow White. It's very well designed outside and there is a small "alley" right next to the shop you can sit down with the morning paper or bury yourself in your phone as you enjoy the coffee. If its too packed there are some stairs you can sit on as well. Oakland chill was delicious and perfect since it was oddly warm this week: Cold brew, simple syrup, half and half, shaken with ice. Vegetable Quiche: paired very well with the cold coffee, so good when warmed up!

I had a cold brew with cream here at Snow White. Excellent coffee. The barista was cool and friendly. Really enjoyed this coffee shop. I will definitely be back. They have some cool merch as well.

Coffee tastes great, but man, the bald dude working behind the counter was RUDE. Seemed like he would rather be chatting to some other dude about sports rather than interacting with a new customer. Literally, talked through me to the guy behind me. I, as a brown woman, did not feel welcome at all. The ambiance is made for white dudes and feels hostile to everyone else. I'm just gonna come out and say it after looking at the reviews. The people who run and work at this place are racist and sexist. Completely hostile vibe. I've been here twice now and certainly won't be coming back. Only white patrons and I can see why :)

A little hole in the wall coffee shop but totally worth it. Great place. Excellent coffee. High quality. Great attitude.

Elegant, simple, delicious and absolutely sweet location for a small quaint sit down. Or just grab and go to brighten your day. Thank you.

At one point, this was my favorite spot on Piedmont Ave for a latte. However, I took an out of town family member here who asked for skim milk and a Splenda. Both of the folks working there laughed and mocked this request. It did not create a good experience and I haven't been back since.

Definitely has that kitschy, Oakland vibe where they treat everyone like a neighbor/friend. Dairy milk options: whole or nonfat, nothing in between. Good spot to meet up with a friend on a nice day -- they only have outdoor seating.

Coffee is good but guy that owns/runs the place is rude and unpleasant to interact with

I love it here. Zack makes us feel right at home and puts love into the coffee. He brightens my days. Great coffee at a fair price. Pastries are awesome. Try the quiche. We love Snowy's

Stopped here for a quick coffee. Got a decaf latte which tasted great! And appreciated the ambience as well. Highly recommend going here!

Great staff, community atmosphere, good coffee. Best spot to go to on piedmont for a hot drink.

Came in for a quick post-lunch coffee to extend a lunch conversation, so was here just a few minutes, but the tatted up barista and the vibe of this place was just right. Not too hard and not too soft. Wait that's the wrong fairy tale. I'll have to come back to try the magical drinks. TBH tho this does seem a bit too pat. like a front for some shady seven dwarves business Snow and her henchmen have got cooking in the back. So if I don't finish this review you'll kn

Had an Oatmilk Mocha today. What a game changer! I usually try to go for a cappuccino as it has less calories but I wanted to indulge myself in something more caloric. I've tried everything on the menu except the nitro cold brew. You can pretty much chose anything and it's going to taste delicious. Just depends if you're in a hot/cold drink mood. I was assisted by the owner. He's so nice and gives off chill vibes. I can't wait to indulge myself with another cup next time!

Zach is a one man show who offers great service and hospitality! Kesh Rocks! - Tim and Dan

Love this local coffee shop! My go to lately has been a regular ol' Mocha with oat milk (hot or iced, both delicious!), & I appreciate that it's consistently made well here every time I stop in. Very smooth--strong enough for the kick I need in the mornings, but not too strong to bring on jitters. However they do offer cold brew/stronger options for those needing a stronger kick! Great welcoming service as well, whether I'm half awake in sweats or stopping in ready to take on the day. Very few minorities in this particular area, feeling consistently welcomed in a spot like this really goes a long way. The baristas often go out of their way to provide the charm that's missed in some of the more chain coffee shops. Will be returning regularly.

Honestly, this was the worst chai latte. Tasted like water and took forever for them to make. They didn't seem to care if I liked my drink although I expressed that I was not fond of it. Save your money!

The staff was super friendly in answering my questions about the drinks, so kudos to them! There are also some nice tables to sit at right next to the store in a little alleyway, so that was cozy. As for the drinks, they were really good. I tried the Oakland Chill because it was unique, and it did turn out quite delicious! The coffee was quality, and the syrup added just the right amount of sweetness. Probably not the best idea to get on a cold day, but a good choice nonetheless. My friend got the mocha, and thought the chocolate was rich and creamy. I would certainly stop by again if in the area, but probably won't go super out of my way to come here and get their drinks.

If you love good coffee or espresso, you must check out Snow White coffee. Snow White is a unique hole in the wall with a fantastic drink selection. I started drinking the 89 Oaklands, which is their version of a shaken, and was immediately addicted. The normal version is a little small for me, so I get the double double (quad shots). Lately, I've been getting their Lattes (also quad) and thoroughly enjoy them. The espresso is consistently good and the balance of milk and espresso is perfect. We love Snow White and make at least 1-2 trips a week. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a cup!

Popped in quickly for a cup of joe to go and was very impressed. Gentleman behind the counter was very friendly, offered to top it off when i said "no cream" and had a unique straw technique to flip the lid onto the cup. Quality of the coffee? Robust, rich, bold without any bitterness. Super smooth. Wish my cup had been a little bigger but given the quality, I was very happy. Of course, I took my pic after I splashed it into my cup holder - and that's on me! Next time I'm in the area, I'm hitting up Snow White!

The coffee is decent-good, but the guy that runs this coffee shop/barista is simply unwelcoming and always rude. The few times I have visited this place, he is either engaged in a conversation with someone he obviously knows well or just plain rude, unfriendly and seemingly bothered that he is serving me a coffee. Today he was in deep conversation about bicycles with one of his friends standing behind me in line. The owner/barista wouldn't pause the conversation while I ordered my coffee making it difficult to order. After he handed me the coffee, he pointed at the screen while saying '$3.50' under his breath. Talk about awful customer service and all kinds of rude, unwelcoming attitude. Get off your high horse. I won't be back ever again. Full stop.

This happens to be my favorite coffee in the Bay Area. It just has the best flavor HANDS DOWN. No bitter notes, just smooth ass coffee & espresso! The owner is straight to the point and makes a great coffee. My go-to is usually iced oat milk latte (no sweeteners) and it's PERFECT! Highly recommend for a bold smooth coffee with NO bitter aftertaste!

I'm staying in Piedmont for the week and Snow White was the first place my friend took me to get coffee. It's a small cafe with a very open layout & laid-back atmosphere. I ordered an iced mocha with almond milk and she got the Oakland chill, a shaken cold brew. Both drinks were solid, but nothing special.

I didn't read their Yelp page before trying this place out. I came here to write a review and interestingly, the 1-star reviews already here is what I came to say almost verbatim. The worker there at the time that I was served was unwelcoming, quite short with me (in a way that felt very condescending), and seemed like I was bothering him just by being there. I can't help but wonder if he would have interacted with me differently if I were a white male. I'm used to be spoken down upon as a small, Asian-presenting woman, but this is the first time that I vowed not to patronize a business again due to the service. I left the business feedback via the survey that comes with the Square email receipt. They were surprisingly receptive to my feedback and even issued a refund. That was unexpected and generous of them. The coffee was good (I only popped in because I prefer to support small business over Blue Bottle or Peet's) enough that ordinarily I would return to try another drink off of their menu, but my first impression of the business left such a poor aftertaste in my mouth that I'm wary of returning only to have that relive that experience. Perhaps that worker was having a very bad day... or a series of bad days, judging by the other 1star reviews (though I have no way to know if our reviews are referring to same worker). In any case, I hope my review is helpful for someone, be it a future customer, the worker, or the business itself.

A very nice coffee place. It is only partly accessible (1.5 inch step up at the door ) but the food and friendly service go a long way. Nice outdoor seating, too. The coffee (pour over) was quite good.

Excellent coffee in a beautiful and charming small shop. Friendly service, though no shortage of opinions about the right way to enjoy your coffee! Actually our conversation about the coffee options was really welcome and fun to get a sense of what was unique about this place. The cold brew nitro was delicious and so creamy. And iced latte was also a hit with my teen. Check it out, very unique and fully satisfying for your caffeine needs.

Odd interaction with barista. He insisted on helping me while he was still with another customer, which felt weird. I asked for clarification of a menu item, which was met with a very abrupt reply. I then asked for a pour over and he said i could have drip. I didn't want a battle, so I agreed to drip. The drip doesn't taste great and I'm not happy with my purchase. I likely won't return. Some will appreciate the attitude and vibe, but I am not the right customer for this place. I enjoy coffee shops where baristas smile and are friendly.

I love the simplicity of this place. Straight forward in and out. I had the 89' the cup size is pretty small but it was sooo worth it. Also got the keto coffee which in my opinion it was bitter but an acquired taste not nasty. My sister did not think it was bitter at all but also she does drink black coffee and loved it. The shop also sells local artist items.

When I go here, i usually order a mocha latte with almond milk that is always delicious. The barista is always friendly and the mom-and-pop vibe reminds me of the good ol days in nyc before all the the big box stores came in. They also have cute merchandise from coffee mugs to sweaters :). I wish they had a little bit more pastry options, but otherwise I'm a big fan. A must go to .

Great location, Parking is challenge depending on time of the day although the wait is worth it. Nice little coffee house that serves up a great Flat latte. The barista was super cool. Nice option for coffee.

Really cool place. Ordered the Oakland chill and it's good, sweet but not too sweet, probably getting that again when I return. Pricing is decent and the staff is polite. I see a few of reviews talking about rude customer service but I didn't experience any of that. The staff actually also recommended a great French pastry place because they were out of pastries. Overall solid place but nothing I would go out of my way to get.

if you like that bitter tasting coffee I hate it I like strong coffee but it needs to be like a French roast and this was that bitter tasting coffee tiny little portion super expensive