The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room

I’m from out of town and was drawn in with the unique drinks that The Crown offers. Today I got the Leila, while I am not a coffee enthusiasts, I know specialty items are mean to set shops apart from one another. This drink was however was very strange almost sour. It’s tastes like a mix between juice and coffee. The coconut foam on top sounds good but it doesn’t quite mix into the drink. The only part I found enjoyable was the ginger candy that was speared in.

The Crown opened its door on Broadway Auto Row in 2019 when I was still in nursing school. I’ve frequented this place over the last 6 years and have a better sense of what The Crown is and what it isn’t. Keep in mind that I know very little about coffee, I just love drinking it. The Crown is more than just a coffee shop. It is a hub for coffee professionals or coffee enthusiasts who want to learn more about green coffee sourcing, roasting methods, cupping, and more. But The Crown also open up its space to intersect and connect different communities: your local music band, florist, and artists. It’s also a beautiful space for people (like me) to visit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Whether or not you fit into any of those categories, The Crown offers its visitors a unique opportunity to try coffee beans with traditional and experimental processing methods from all over the world. So they usually offer 2 different types of espresso, pour over, and batched brew. Some visitors have complained about the complicated menu, but it’s really meant to encourage people to strike up a conversation with the barista and ask questions about the interesting coffee bean that they’ve sourced! I don’t think The Crown is trying to be this snobby exclusive place for coffee connoisseurs. One of the barista who used to work there said that they would make observations and note down customers feedback on their rotating menu to understand whether a new processing method would do well in the bigger coffee market. Sometimes the flavor of the coffee can be very experimental, and that’s kind of the point. What’s really cool is the barista gets the chance to create their own drinks that get featured on the menu for a few weeks. I love that the company provides their staff space to test their skills and creativity. I want to address a few bad reviews about their customer service experience: I’ve visited coffee shops from all over the world, and I would say The Crown is not the kind of place where you can expect the barista to welcome you with a chirpy voice every time you walk into their shop. The service industry is tough, and we can’t expect the barista to be welcoming and happy-go-lucky all the time. Their location is in a slightly rough part of Oakland. They deal with random crisis throughout the week that customers are not always aware of: e.g. mental health crisis from an unhoused person, robbery, car chasing, etc. What I do know is that they are kind. I have seen on many occasions when the staff welcome in, make free coffee, and have conversations with their unhoused neighbors; the barista are not chatty, but when you strike a conversation with them, they are attentive and take interest in your questions. If you are looking for a coffee shop with barista who enthusiastically make small talks with you, this place is not it. Kindness doesn’t have to be loud or performative. TLDR: The Crown is a very special place. I love that it’s located in Oakland, which is also a very special and vibrant place despite the crime. It’s a place for coffee professionals, coffee enthusiasts, and just anyone who loves coffee. It’s not perfect, but it’s not trying to be. The staff are humans, they have good days and bad days but they show up and try their best. If you are looking for a coffee shop that has delicious and sometimes experimental coffee; this is the place. The bonus is you’ll also learn a thing or two about coffee when you visit!

From coffee to kombucha and coffee courses, it’s great. Staff is so welcoming and knowledgable. Seeing the staff devoted to their craft makes a difference in the experience. Coffee is roasted well, brewed and kombucha top notch. The courses are high quality and interactive. Recommend!

Great place. Had their “Classic” - a brown sugar sweetened espresso and milk over ice. It was delicious. It’s a beautiful space. Might need to sign up for one of their events. They had a cool improv bouquet advertised!

Ecuador pour over tastes good. Light roast batch brew however is overly acidic and lacks other aromas besides the strong acidic flavor. To be honest it’s not a place I feel like staying, as they only have one table with 4-6 stools and the atmosphere created by the staffs feels unwelcoming and not very friendly. Given their attitude, I don't think it's worth visiting.

A lovely cafe in Uptown. I ordered the hot brewed flight and enjoyed the 3 different cups. My favorite was a Colombian anaerobic processed coffee. The interior is a nice place to sit and enjoy your drink, and the pastries are tasty as well. Highly recommended for coffee enthusiasts looking for a specialty shop, or for anyone wanting to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

I go to places like this primarily for the product, and in that regard they are 🎯 Ordered the espresso flight and 2/3 were lovely (esp the gesha) but wasn’t a fan of the decaf (imo all decaf tastes off). Service was ehh but I get it. People aren’t always feeling 100% and as long as they have excellent product, I’m willing to overlook it. If anything I left feeling like I need to up my coffee game. I’ve spent way too much money on brewing equipment without really knowing where my coffee comes from and how it’s processed. Might consider taking a class from them in the future. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up with Roest 🤑

Outdoor seating: yes Indoor seating: no Friendly staff: yes Pet friendly: yes, they have a dog water bowl outside Disability friendly: I think the door may be difficult to open if you have a hard time using your hands as it is a bit on the heavier side. I’m sure the staff would definitely help open the door for anyone though. The outdoor space seems as though it would have space for someone in a wheelchair. What I got: 2 oat milk lattes with the Sulawesi Bolokan Natural coffee. The flavor was delicious, it did not have a bitter taste at all. Space: super cool wall of hexagonal green tiles. They have a huge area where they do a lot of the tastings of their beans which is cool.

I got the espresso flight. Highly recommend! The Rwanda Murundo was my favorite. Smooth, good texture and crema. Slightly acidic, fruity undertones. The Peru Finca Tasta was also good. Smooth with good texture and crema. A little more acidic with and citrus undertones. This was my first time trying decaf espresso. It was my least favorite. It tasted the most acidic and had a slightly bitter taste but still decent.

Came here for a coffee with a friend! It's your local bougie coffee shop, which is a great place to stop by if you're feeling indulgent. I like that they offer classes and an educational space. Nice outdoor parklet and seating, the interior is so beautiful with the emerald green tiles and high ceilings. I ordered the fog ($8), and a cappuccino (5.50). The fog is their new signature drink that combines an Americano base with Earl Grey tea, vanilla bean syrup, steamed milk infused with butterfly pea powder, and a finishing spritz of black tea and orange blossom water. When we left, there was a lot of people inside- seems like a hot spot for coffee connoisseurs.

Crown takes their coffee seriously when I appreciate! I love the different options for drip coffees and espressos. When coming back, I'll probably stick to their black coffee as the white coffee we got (flat white) I thought the milk they used wasn't creamy enough, or they didn't use enough milk...whatever it was, it didn't hit Cute space to sit for a bit and relish your coffee Street parking options

A coffee mecca! Honestly one of the best coffee shops in the country. I ordered their hot flight with had coffees from Ecuador, Peru and India. Service was quick and staff were super attentive. They hang posters of coffee production and countries of origin. A gorgeous shop with great coffee and a desire to educate coffee culture.

I always love a place that roasts and brews their own beans. If you want a quality cup of coffee and want something different, you have to come here. Made a quick stop here on a week day morning and all I can say is cool atmosphere, amazing drinks and good attitude from the crew! The concept of this place is perfect. They have many variations from coffee but it was cold and raining that day so I kept it simple with a cappuccino but still a good pick. The coffee had strong notes of fruit and tasted unique. The espresso flight is a hit and a good option if you are looking to sample the coffee. My one comment would be, given how much space they have, they should add more seats and tables for customers.

Last weekend, I had the chance to visit The Crown again. On a previous visit with a friend, I tried their hibiscus tea, which I was hoping to find this time. Although it turned out to be a seasonal item from last year, I was excited to explore their coffee offerings instead. This time, I decided to try their cold brew flight, and it was such a treat! The flight included three full-sized options: a nitro cold brew, a regular cold brew, and an iced coffee of my choice($15) I was especially impressed by the coffee from Africa, which had a rich, full-bodied flavor. The nitro cold brew was my favorite--it was incredibly chocolatey and velvety. The regular cold brew was also enjoyable and a solid choice. The Crown's friendly service and unique offerings, like coffee and latte art classes, make it a standout spot. I'll definitely be back to explore more of what they have to offer!

Simply one of my favorite coffee shops I've ever been to. I had a really lovely pourover here, and the lattes were somehow even better. One of my favorite parts about this shop was that they were fundraising for Palestine. I noticed that a lot of coffee shops don't posture on this issue, but as a Palestinian, it's important for me to know that businesses are mindful about significant issues happening around the world like this one. Overall I think this is one of the best coffee shops around and I will keep yearning to return.

What a great space. Lovely vibe. But this seems to be one of those "slightly sour, light roast" kind of places. My cold brew was served in a gold rimmed, tall cocktail glass. Very beautiful. But I'm a classic flavor, dark roast kind of guy. I'd come back, even if I'm not a perfect match for their coffee note. Excellent coffee shop.

This is my favorite coffee shop ever! The best staff, so friendly. The coffee is super high quality and the drinks are expertly made. The green tile is beautiful and when it's warm enough I love sitting outside. Oh, also yummy pastries from local spots.

A coffee place that knows what they're doing! Walking in reminded me of the nice coffee shops in Asia. The space is huge inside with a lab in the back where you can take classes on a variety of coffee-making related topics! Prices are very reasonable here. They also offer coffee tasting flights which is quite unique. The mocha was delightful with a nice dark chocolate taste and a shot of espresso. Service was quick on a Sunday afternoon.

I'm not an expert on coffee, but this place offers coffee flights and some unique choices in the "assume nothing" category. It's a cute spot, though seating is limited inside. I'd recommend and come back!

Summary: Affordable, artisanal coffee, with flights? Yes please! Details: A somewhat unassuming shop from the outside, The Crown's interior houses a lot more than one would expect! The main cafe area is a bit on the smaller side, with the majority of the space allocated for their roasting and tasting room, though this was easily convertible to general sitting space while we were there and no events were happening. Their main menu offers a variety of coffee options, from you normal coffee shop options, to non-alcoholic and caffeinated mixed drinks that one could easily mistake for an actual cocktail. They also have a board of (daily?) special beans, which the baristas are more than willing to describe and explain in depth. In addition to all this, they also offer flights for espresso, hot, and cold coffees! Went with a larger group to sit down and chill for a bit, and everyone that ordered a coffee was pretty impressed: the Tanzania pourover I got that was described as funky, but sweet, was as accurate as one can get. And best of all, since they act as their own supplier and distributor, their coffee options are surprisingly affordable (relatively speaking)! Accessibility: Not sure if I missed any accessible seating, but the general seating options are all high tops and tables. Shouldn't be an issue if you have some reach, but otherwise, to-go might be a better option.

The coffee here is delicious. A crafty menu of drinks unlike your local coffee shop. I really enjoyed my drink and there were so many options to choose from! I also tried some bakery items that are brought in from external seller, which were the Lilly coy mochi bite and the pandan milk bun. The lilikoi mochi bite was incredible. I would love to have that again but the pandan milk bun was pretty mid & didn't taste like pandan at all just sugar. This isn't made in-house / reflective of the lab so just providing that insight for another person who may be interested in trying that! Service was quick and ambiance is great. Spacious, airy, you can see the lab, and there is outdoor seating too. Definitely a boujee feel to it :)

Lovely spot for a coffee. Knowledgeable and helpful baristas, delicious coffee, impeccable methods. I got the Colombia Gesha pour over, would be interested in trying the flights, espresso tonic, and cold brews in the future - everything looked good! Wish they were open a little earlier in the morning so I could stop by before work but it's a nice spot.

this place is so cute! I love the tall ceilings and how well decorated it is. This is such a fun hang out place with your friends for coffee in the morning. I love the concept of coffee flights. My friend and I shared the hot pour over. It was good! It was fun to identify the difference between the subtleties of coffees from different regions. They also made the coffee very well, a good pour over is key. They also offer carbonated water to clear your palate between coffees. A plus is that they offer some of the small baked items from Baked Sum! Baked sum is a fun Asian fusion pastry place. Great addition to coffee. The staff was so friendly! They were patient with us in deciding what to try. They were also helpful in giving us the notes to consider for the different coffees. It did start to get pretty busy and I could tell that people had to wait for a while. But luckily, I was there early and didn't have to wait too long! highly recommend this place! I love it.

For those who appreciate the intricacies of third wave coffee, Crown is a gem worth exploring. This place offers an elevated coffee experience that stands out in a city teeming with cafes. I indulged in a classic latte, and it was nothing short of exceptional. The balance of flavors, the silky texture of the milk, and the expertly pulled espresso shot came together in a harmonious symphony. This is the kind of latte that coffee purists dream about. Their pastry offerings also deserve a mention. I tried the pandan milk bun, which I found to be mid+. It was decent, but didn't quite reach the heights I was hoping for. The lilikoi mochi bite, however, was a different story. Its chewy texture and vibrant flavor profile were delightful, making it a must-try. The only downside is the limited seating. The interior is cozy but can feel a bit cramped, especially during peak hours. This minor inconvenience is easily overlooked, though, given the exceptional quality of both the coffee and the pastries. If you're serious about your coffee, Crown is definitely worth a visit.

Great coffee. Nice service. A little bougie, but great if you want to treat yourself (minimum tip begins at 20% though you can add custom tip) Quiet enough to do work, not too quiet if you want to have a conversation. Will go again.

What a treasure. Great coffee served by knowledgeable staff. I enjoyed the Flat White. Unlike most coffee shops, I can chose to have the Flat White prepared with 1 of 2 coffee beans with very different flavor profiles. The Flat White was prepared perfectly. Service was fast, friendly and efficient!

This place is great. Like, just take my money. Okay, ngl $7 coffee oooof. But wow craft coffee, this is really good. Asked the guy about it and they do their RnD in house to develop their drinks. Chill ambiance not a lot of seating with 1 bar top with stools and some outside tables and benches.

Come for the coffee experience. Get the flights and find your favorite brew. I absolutely enjoyed this.

High Caliber, High Quality coffee from a place that knows & deals only in coffee. As a newish pour over coffee geek (for 4+ years & a few G'$ spent on my own at home coffee setup) I geek out on coffee stuff here all the time. All the time. It's the best place for it. They also run a lot of classes for you guessed it, coffee. All in all. If you're a coffee geek or just a person who needs a caffeine kick Crown is the place. I'd say it's the best coffee shop in the Bay Area. Without naming anyone specifically, now that you're here on yelp go to the highest rated coffee shop in San Francisco or say San Jose. Try them out. The come on over to Crown. It's like night & day. The quality Crown maintains its way beyond those "highest rated" coffee shops in SF or SJ (and beyond).

There is a lack of Yelp reviewers in Oakland, for coffee specifically. It was so difficult to look for a good, third-wave coffee shop in this area- I had to consult Reddit. I'm sure if you're visiting from out of town, you've also come across this place on Reddit as well. There's some cities where second-wave coffee is super popular - *cough,cough* Seattle, Oakland, maybe even Portland, so that kinda made it harder. This coffee shop seemed to be the only coffee shop in Oakland that- 1. Has several single-origin offerings for pour overs and espresso 2. Was in a walkable and not sketchy part of Oakland 3. Serves their coffee drinks in ceramics, to-stay 4. Has coffee flights as an option (both espresso and pourover flights!) 5. Has beautiful ambiance I'm not bashing any other coffee shops in Oakland, but I was looking for a coffee shop that was on the same level of coffee snobbery as some of the ones in LA (Kumquat, Mandarin Coffee Stand, etc). This seemed to fit the mark. I opted for the single origin espresso which was a natural processed Ethiopian, in both the cortado and the cappuccino. Both were amazing, complex, beautifully pulled shots. The pour over flight was amazing. I loved the peaberry offering the best. As for seating, only one long table inside. Can share amongst two parties of two. There's a cute seating area outside as well. The location is safe, walkable from Lululemon and the Kissel hotel. The ambiance inside is great- they even have a tasting lab inside! And people from this coffee shop have published articles about the chemistry of coffee too! 5/5 stars

My boyfriend and I stopped by for a little coffee tasting because we heard they have good quality roasts. The weather was really ideal for us to sit outside and people watch. Our barista was super helpful with explaining the different types of coffees. We shared a flight comprising of Mexico Americano, Costa Rica Nitro, and Ecuador Cold Brew. We both don't drink coffee that often but we definitely were able to pick up on the rich flavors each roast presented, ranging from citrusy to chocolatey. It's a fun activity if you're around the city and want to get your caffeine fix in while trying some new flavors!

Yummy coffee. I had the Yuletide Gay. It was perfectly, felt like an alcoholic beverage (it is non-alcoholic), just sweet enough with a nice little caffeine lift.

This place on Broadway and 27th is my current favorite gourmet coffee spot. I love their cold brew and often fill a thermos to go. This is the only place I know that serves coffee "cocktails" and their creations are superb. They have a nice cozy, outdoor seetin clutch and the are dog friendly!

Best coffee in Oakland! Best lattes, and you can choose the type of beans. Great speciality drinks, the baristas are so talented.

Super high quality coffee. If you want to find the place that supplies beans to all your favorite :rd wave roasters, come visit here. A very clean and modern shop, though minimal. It's industrial feeling--so don't come expecting warm and cozy hygge vibes. Same thing goes for the baristas here - they're perfectly nice and capable (the latte art was phenomenal!); they just don't seem pleased with life. Not Morgan vibes (iykyk) Prices are fair and coffee is great! Some interesting and unique cocktail-like offerings, too. Flights are fun and nicely presented.

REALLY GOOD COFFEE. Beautiful interior. I just wish the parking was easier and there was more seating space. Service is fast and they write your name +order on tiles.

I love my single origin coffee and this is truly the place to enjoy a really great pour over at a decent price that I'm not complaining about. They have like five single origins on bar and the baristas here definitely know their shit lol Really cute space and though not much indoor seating, there is a beautiful outdoor seating option that I personally loved especially that the weather is getting warmer now

I've never had coffee like this before! I wish you could smell this hot coffee based drink too called Yuletide Gay- mulled coffee with non-alcoholic wine simmered orange and spices! Friendly service too! Lovely!

Super bougie but delicious coffee spot! Helping housesit for a friend nearby and been trying nearby coffee shops. The Crown really takes pride in their coffee and offers a couple different types of drip (I think) and espresso every day. I had the princess latte which is like a princess cake and so delicious! The inside seating is pretty sparse, but they have a cute outdoor seating area and benches. The baristas are all super friendly and knowledgeable about the coffee. They will answer any questions you have. The only reason I can't go all of the time is because it's quite pricey. $7 for a latte. Be careful when parking, you'll see a lot of broken glass around, but it's Oakland. So be smart.

This place is very different than what you would expect from a regular coffee shop. First, the baristas have a set of milk they recommend for the specialty drinks. We got one of their specialty drink with the cardamom and they recommended oat milk with it instead of regular milk since it works with the flavor profile more which was interesting! We also got the hot brew flight which was ALOT of coffee and VERY caffeinated. I would definitely recommend to share. Price was a little expensive for 18.00 for a flight and a special drink. The staff could also be friendlier for a place thats kind of "hipster" and "trendy" All and all, we enjoy the experience and worth checking out for coffee lovers

Delicious! It was like a cocktail bar but for coffee. A little bourgeois but why shouldn't coffee be an experience? Anyway, I highly recommend. The coffee is delish. Be careful with the pastries though. They're good. However, they store (some) of them cold and they apparently dont have anything to heat them up. Which probably should be stated when you buy something that is best warm.

Here's what I said as I returned my cup to the counter yesterday: "That was the best damn cup of coffee I've ever had in my whole life." I had The Classic. Everyone was really knowledgeable and clearly knew their coffee!!! So glad I stumbled upon this shop.

The Crown was recently recommended to me and I had some time to pick up a quick cup of coffee since I was in the area. I decided to get an iced light roast batch brew (Colombia La Argentina Pink Bourbon Honey Process), with a splash of oat milk. It was a light and silky with a smooth finish, exactly what I needed in the moment. I can't wait to come back and try more of what they have to offer.

This place has all the vibes. I mean it's Oakland. This city has my heart. Some of the best people in the country, but I digress!! Ok, the coffee. Yasss. Delicious.

I was so excited to try this place especially for the coffee flights but the experience was awful. The space is pretty but the staff's attitude completely ruined it. From the moment we walked in they were cold and dismissive making us feel like we were a bother just for being there. We even made a point to say 'please' and 'thank you,' but not even a smile came our way. The entire time we sat there we felt anxious and unwelcome. My partner wanted to ask for a to go cup but didn't even feel comfortable because of the judgmental looks they were giving. Eventually I went up and asked for one and the staff members barely acknowledged me and when I asked gave the cups with attitude. Meanwhile the staff was all smiles and warmth with people they clearly knew which made it even worse. I told my friends how excited I was to try this place but after this experience, I can't recommend it. I've worked in restaurants for 10 plus years and never felt this uncomfortable somewhere. The coffee was good, but no amount of good coffee makes up for being treated poorly. Will add a picture of my flight because at least it is a good one.

I've had so many variations of flights but never a flight of espresso. The espresso was SUPER good and luckily the third shot was decaf or I would've been bouncing off the walls lol. I also got the hibiscus tea since I couldn't decide between coffee or tea. That was refreshing and not sweet which I liked. I'll definitely be back here.

What can I say? The coffee is on another level! And for any interior design geeks out there, it's a stunning shop.

This is defiantly one of my favorites places to get coffee in the Bay Area! The baristas who work here are super kind and knowledgeable! I really enjoyed my single origin cortado on my last visit!

I travel often for work and explore cafes whenever I can. The Crown is one of the most memorable coffee shops I have been to. The quality of the espresso is so high and delicious. And the lattes are incredible!!! I wish I traveled more often to Oakland just for The Crown, honestly. The service here is outstanding as well. The baristas were very patient and nice. The weekend I was there, they had a little event going on with mini bouquets. I couldn't go but I wish I could have! I like how active the cafe is (whether it's with events with other businesses or with the coffee showings, etc)! There wasn't a lot of seating but it had a great atmosphere. I will definitely be going back the next time (and any other time) I'm in Oakland.

Must-try: their lattes! Why? some of the best tasting espresso that I've had in the bay, ask for their nuttiest blend Protip: hangout and check their roasting lab, what a cool sight to see!

Interesting coffee place for coffee lovers! I tried Ube latte which has a nice spicy kick. Plus awesome interior and hipster place

Beautiful space, but not hospitable, in any regard. Had a terrible experience here. They didn't understand my order, and the pour-over person berated and belittled me when I tried to get what I actually wanted (which was less $, btw). The cliche barista attitude circa 2005 is alive and well here; entitled, disaffected, unwelcoming. Oh, and the $6 pour-over she made, was uninspired. If they're goal at this space is to provide a space that people can engage and educate themselves on coffee, they've failed. If their goal is to alienate blossoming coffee enthusiasts, they've passed with flying colors.

Day 2 of trying out The Crown and it's made me choose to leave a higher star rating than I was going to day 1. My first trip was incredibly intimidating, the barista with a black bob and glasses was incredibly short and mildly rude. I'm a simple coffee drinker, a flavorful drip over ice (the girlies who get it get it) with oat milk and a small splash of simple syrup over at the self help station. This drink clearly annoyed her and I was told "we have cold brew for that" (their still cold brew is sour in my opinion and the other option is nitro, cool but not my thing). I said thank you twice and she ignored me both times. Fast forward to day 2: same barista, same attitude only this time she stopped making my drink halfway through which prompted the NICEST barista to take over. She was a black woman with short blonde hair and she was soooo knowledgeable and understanding. She explained the companies purpose and how the tasting room works and assured me that now they have a face and name to my order, they'll know for next time. She inspired the extra stars, not little miss coffee snob. Anyways beautiful location and the hatch jalapeño cornbread muffins are to die for.

I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I'm rating this for my friends ! This is one of my friends go to places in the Bay and they took us here when we came to visit and my friends who got drinks here really liked it! It's got a cool tasting room in the back where it seems like they hold classes, but because if this inside seating is really limited. There is a good amount of outdoor seating and overall we'd definitely come back again to try more!

I am a huge nitro girl. I drink a nitro cold brew at work almost every morning at work. So of course on my day off, I had to get a nitro to start my weekend. This was THE BEST nitro I've had. And I say this because some nitros can be sour or too bitter. I've been told that the ones at work don't give a full bean flavor and no nuttiness. I never quite understood that part until today. After trying this, it was not too sour or bitter but you could taste the coffee, it's like have a nice drip coffee with all the perks of a nitro.

Great coffees, great and knowledge baristas. I highly recommend this for any coffee enthusiast!

Immediately fell in love with the emerald green tiles. Service was friendly and wow coffee was so good! The pastries we had were really interesting and delicious. Pineapple milk bun was flavorful, Okonomiyaki danish was bomb. Will definitely be back!