Cafe Lakeview

2834 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, United States
$$$ Cafe
(178 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Cafe Lakeview, a charming oasis nestled on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. This delightful cafe is not just a stop for coffee but an experience that embraces the essence of community and comfort. With its leisurely atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to unwind, work, or catch up with friends while savoring delicious culinary offerings.

Cafe Lakeview specializes in Ethiopian cuisine and home-style American favorites, making it a unique destination for those seeking variety. The well-crafted menu boasts a delightful selection of vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, and tempting desserts. When you stroll in, the aroma of fresh ingredients fills the air, inviting you to indulge in their specialties.

For those with a sweet tooth, the desserts are a must-try. The Tiramisu ($4.00) is light and airy, a delightful combination of coffee and mascarpone, while the Cheese Cake ($4.00) offers a creamy, decadent experience. Don’t miss the Carrot Cake ($4.00), its moist texture and spiced flavor complementing the rich frosting perfectly.

The savory selections stand out, especially the Chicken Tibs ($16.99), where tender pieces of chicken are sautéed with fresh tomatoes, onions, and spices, served warm alongside traditional injera, a staple in Ethiopian cuisine. For a vegetarian delight, the Organic Yemisir Wot ($6.00) features puréed lentils steeped in a spicy berbere sauce, creating a vibrant dish bursting with flavor.

Patrons rave about the relaxed, inviting vibe of Cafe Lakeview—a place to gather, work, or simply enjoy a moment of tranquility. As customer Tamer Girgis put it, it’s a "chill place with a relaxed environment," perfect for spending hours playing cards or enjoying a well-prepared meal. Stephen Gerard highlights the exemplary service provided by the proprietress, ensuring every guest feels welcomed.

Whether you're a local or just stopping by, don’t overlook Cafe Lakeview. The thoughtful menu, spotlight on fresh and flavorful dishes, and the welcoming atmosphere ensure a satisfying visit. For anyone seeking a delightful culinary experience infused with Ethiopian flavors and American comfort food, this hidden gem is well worth exploring.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

178 Reviews
Jonah Loera

08 Sep 2025

I live right next door to this place and passed by it a million times before deciding to stop in one day. Truly one of my favorite places to grab breakfast when I’m working from home. The chicken omelette is probably the most underrated dish here - packed with freshly chopped veggies, pan grilled chicken and cheese, wrapped in a generous amount of perfectly fluffy whole eggs. Like others have stated, it does take some time since the owner runs the entire place alone (so make sure you’re not in a rush) but trust me when I say it is worth the wait. The potatoes that come with it are good but I usually substitute for a side salad to get my veggies in, resulting in a high protein and low carb breakfast that fuels me all day. Despite getting the same dish for years at this point, she always finds a way to keep things interesting by changing the seasoning in the chicken or salad. The coffee is good too, I usually get iced coffee or an americano. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area and have some time & patience for a delicious nutritious breakfast.

Tamer Girgis

26 Aug 2025

My gf and I always love coming here. It's such a chill place with a relaxed environment.. free wifi.. great place to work or just hang out. And we normally play cards and just spend a couple of hours there. My favorite part is the Chicken Pesto sandwich with ethiopian spice, it's not spicy not.. it's very flavorful. And best chicken sandwich I've ever had in my life. (I like it on a soft roll). I never leave reviews, and I really should as we need to with these local businesses. Word of advice though, be patient here, it may take a bit because she mostly works alone. And it's so worth the wait!

Arhum

17 Aug 2025

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

E

20 Jul 2025

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. Went back again today and had a veggie omelette and coffee. Great coffee and a fantastic omelette. This is a no frills place of peace and quiet with great home cooked food. One of the best things going on around Lake Merritt.

Stephen Gerard

19 Jul 2025

The proprietress runs a quality operation all by herself. The vegetarian sandwich which we've had several times is excellent. The service is top notch. And the location is right by Lake Merritt with a great View. I highly recommend this place.

Xavier T. de Janon

10 Jun 2025

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.

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