Cafe Lakeview

I'm shocked that this place has 4.3 not a perfect 5. The food was absolutely delicious! I'm from New York and if I'm having a bagel outside of NY I'm normally very iffy on it. Their bagel tasted like home. The cold brew was fantastic and the tiramisu, I haven't had a tiramisu slice like this before. The woman behind the counter saw how much I loved the cake and offered to try it with some espresso - 200% awesome!!
I'm extremely grateful for the staff being so friendly and welcoming. The place is super clean and well managed their artwork inside and outside is top notch and they have breakfast all day. I'm humbled by this place and while contemplating a move to Oakland, I have to be nearby here just so that I can get the home like feeling. Thank you for everything

Ordered breakfast sandwich and a latte. Both were really good. I also like the decor of this cafe. So cozy and really clean!

I love this place. Relaxed, good food and coffee. The breakfast burrito and the chicken pesto sandwich are delightful!

Such a pleasant place. I ordered the Ethiopian breakfast assuming it came with the injera. When she served it up she could tell I was expecting something else and offered to make me an Ethiopian breakfast with injera!! Very genuine service and flavorful food. The inside is very nice and cozy too, lots of tables and chairs and couches. Easy to park, just choose one of the side streets.

Very friendly staff with large menu. Perfect for brunch or to get work done (or both!). They also have an Ethiopian lunch menu, which also looked really good. Based on how delicious the omelette was, I trust the rest is as good and fresh.

I don’t usually write reviews but this place is a little gem. Plenty of window seating facing the corner of lake Merritt, love the music, the service, the menu. 😎

Great food, great vibes, great view. This place is a classic and the owner is incredible. All the stars! All the praises.

Look, these hardworking people just need some support- they don 't take cash at this place because some ne'erdowells STOLE THEIR FRICKIN' CASH REGISTER!!! Please support Oakland and these nice people!

The breakfast burrito is delicious, 11/10 would burrito again. Cheese, eggs, turkey sausage, some kind of Ethiopian saucy bit. Not too hot-spicy but well-spiced. The latte was also great!

Our favorite Oakland cafe!! Sara is wonderful and the smoothies are the best! ♥

Still dreaming about the robust, flavorful, perfectly brewed coffee. So good. They serve house coffee with steamed milk so your coffee stays hot! Really nice ambience for hanging and chatting w/a friend. Next time will try the breakfasts.

The breakfast burrito was wonderfully spiced and filling. Deep flavor and fresh ingredients.

Sera is truly a gem and I look at her like family given the relationship I've established with this place over the years. One of my favorite cafés anywhere.

I stopped at Cafe Lakeview because I saw an open door early on a Sunday morning and I needed a coffee. Sera, the owner manager is the epitome of hospitality and kindness. I had just arrived in Oakland the night before to meet my new grandson for the first time and she welcomed me although they were clearly not fully open yet. I chose to sit outside and drink my delicious cafe au lait so as not to be in their way while they were finishing their tasks and getting ready to open.
I eventually came back in and preparing myself for the almost 5 k walk around lake Merritt I wanted breakfast. I enjoyed the most flavorful Ethiopian breakfast prepared by Sera. I recommend this venue to everyone. It’s a very friendly establishment with very good food and coffee at great prices

Sweet place,sweet energy, less busy than the main district and great drinks. Try the mushroom drink its like a Chai. Great Ethiopian coffee too. The owner is very friendly too. Just buy something if you want to use the restroom:)!

A quaint little coffee shop that makes breakfast and lunch type food too. The owner was very nice.

Passed this place a million times, but I won’t pass it anymore! Great coffee! Did t get food this time but they have a nice menu that I would like to try in the future.

My barefoot running meetup meets there most Sunday mornings, so if you see people hanging out there on Sunday morning not wearing any shoes, that is why!

The food is a combination of Ethiopian and Ethiopian-ish dishes. It's decent breakfast fare.

Pro tip: The owner Sara works there herself most of the time and she doesn't like it when people come in just to use the bathroom. If you just want a place to poop, there is a nice public toilet at the children's playground across the street.

I love Cafe Lakeview! The food is great and the space is so pretty. The owner is always making improvements and you can tell that she puts a lot of love into her work.

Lovely local cafe. I went there last Saturday and Monday to avoid heavy renovation noise. I had big chicken ceasar salad and coffee. Brought my cat in her carrier. This place is a blessing! Good coffee and food as well. Great location! We really need coffee shops and restaurants and shops here in Oakland. We need to not let this city go down the drain and all businesses as well.