(510) 444-3400
Situated at 614 Grand Ave in Oakland, Merritt Station Cafe is a beloved neighborhood gem that effortlessly blends a cozy ambiance with a vibrant community spirit. This welcoming cafe stands out not only for its carefully crafted beverages but also for its fresh, thoughtfully prepared menu that appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Step inside Merritt Station Cafe, and you instantly feel embraced by its warm, inviting atmosphere—the perfect escape whether you're seeking a quiet corner to work, catching up with friends, or simply soaking in the lively local vibe. Customers consistently praise the cafe for its spacious, cozy interior filled with comfortable seating options, making it an ideal spot for everything from solo reading sessions to engaging conversations. The kind and compassionate staff contribute significantly to the experience, offering genuine smiles and attentive service that make every visit special.
The menu showcases an impressive array of options. Breakfast favorites include the savory Ham, Egg, and Cheese Bagel and the comforting Turkey, Egg, and Cheese Bagel, both priced reasonably under $10 and bursting with fresh flavors. If you're in the mood for sandwiches, the Roast Beef Sandwich and the Tuna Melt stand out with their hearty ingredients—layers of roast beef or tender tuna combined with fresh lettuce, tomato, and your choice of cheddar or Swiss cheese on perfectly toasted bread.
Not to be missed are Merritt Station Cafe’s vibrant green smoothies, which offer a refreshing and nutritious boost. The Snickerdoodle Smoothie combines spinach, avocado, banana, and cinnamon into a creamy, subtly sweet delight, while the Avocado and Spinach Smoothies deliver a smooth, fresh taste packed with wholesome ingredients. These drinks demonstrate the cafe’s commitment to quality and health-conscious choices.
Adding an exciting twist to the usual cafe fare, Merritt Station Cafe also features freshly made sushi rolls daily. Several customers have raved about the sushi’s freshness and quality, highlighting it as a rare find in a local cafe setting. These sushi offerings perfectly complement the cafe’s extensive drink menu, which includes expertly brewed cold brew coffee, cortados, cappuccinos and an array of fruity and bodybuilder smoothies, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every craving.
The genuine affection locals have for Merritt Station Cafe shines through in glowing reviews. Bryne Hadnott calls it an “excellent cafe with delicious drinks, tasty sandwiches, and good sushi,” praising its multifaceted appeal as a “place to work, socialize, or just vibe.” Saurav Sharma’s heartfelt recommendation to support this “lovely, local, and family-owned business” is echoed by many who appreciate its consistent quality and atmosphere. Devon C. highlights the cafe’s value with affordable, high-quality cold brew and a relaxed space that caters perfectly to work meetings, reading, and post-movie gatherings. Meanwhile, Tenzin Yangzom and Zoya Kocur celebrate the cafe’s fresh ingredients, welcoming community, and the seamless blend of great coffee, smoothies, and sushi that keep customers returning.
Every visit to Merritt Station Cafe feels like coming home to a spot that balances excellent food, drinks, and service with an authentic, neighborhood charm. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, settling in for some focused work, or enjoying a laid-back afternoon with friends, Merritt Station Cafe delivers a thoroughly satisfying experience that leaves you eager to return.
Excellent cafe with delicious drinks, tasty sandwiches, and good sushi. It’s an awesome place to work, socialize, or just vibe.
I used to come here at least once a week to work/read before I moved out of Oakland. Came back here today after many years and was pleasantly surprised to see it being run by the same owners fostering the same amazing vibe. The food is fresh and clean, the service is compassionate and kind, the atmosphere is relaxing and inviting. Support this lovely, local, and family-owned business!!
5 Stars for being a great meeting place, having a spacious and cozy interior, and serving good cold brew at a fine price ($3.50 / medium). With a variety of table sizes and comfortable chairs / couches, this quiet neighborhood cafe serves a range of uses and is ideal for reading, working, or chatting after a Grand Lake movie date. The staff members seem ready with smiles and good vibes every time I come here. Situated on the lake, the location is also perfect if you're circling the water and want a break. The food menu has good breakfast to lunch options, especially if you can't escape the allure of a breakfast sandwich. Only disappointed in the croissant offerings -- could use a bit more flavor. But well-priced cold brew and productive atmosphere will keep me coming back.
A Hidden Gem! I recently visited the Merritt station cafe and was genuinely impressed. The atmosphere is warm and inviting — perfect for catching up with friends or getting some work done. I ordered an Avocado Smoothie (green smoothie) and a California Roll (sushi) , and both were absolutely delicious. You can tell they use high-quality ingredients and take pride in what they serve. The staff was super friendly and made me feel right at home. Bonus points for the free Wi-Fi and relaxing background music. I’ll definitely be coming back!
I love this welcoming space! The coffees and smoothies are delicious and the new addition of fresh sushi rolls made in-house every day is great! Lots of regulars pop in because they know! Prices are good too. It's a great place to meet up with friends after a walk around the lake or shopping, and weekdays it's a nice calm space for work meetings and coffee. It's easy to walk past it so look for it next time you're on Grand by the gym, or Kume spa!
Merritt Station Cafe is an absolute gem! The coffee here is always on point—smooth, rich, and perfectly brewed every time. Their pastries are fresh and delicious, a sweet treat to pair with your coffee. And the sushi? Fresh, well-prepared, and a great option when you’re looking for something a little different. It’s rare to find a spot that does coffee, pastries, and sushi all so well, but Merritt Station Cafe nails it.
I love this place. It’s always quiet and a great place to work or use internet in general. The owners/people who work there are lovely and seem to recognize all the regulars. I love their smoothies and the sushi is yummy and fresh.
Merritt Station Cafe has everything I need for remote work. I didn’t want to share this place for a long time to keep it on the low, but honestly the staff is so great I am happy to share. It’s very non-pretentious. It has all kinds of seating, lots of outlets, reliable wifi. The bathroom could be cleaner but it’s better than most cafe bathrooms. I have come for the avocado egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant consistently. I also love their peanut butter chocolate smoothie and chai with espresso. It was like God herself answered my prayers when they started serving sushi—which they prep fresh per order! I have also gotten a free roll once for being a regular. Thank you Merritt Station for being my favorite cafe near Lake Merritt!