Submitted by Urbanite13 on Mon, 2009-10-19 10:47

Urban Blend is a renovated gas station on a corner lot. Roomy. High ceilings. Very friendly people behind the counter. No too-cool-for-school attitude anywhere to be found. A great cast of regulars that includes a truly diverse mix of ages and races. Many are students with laptops, often in groups. Free wi-fi. The owner/manager interacts with the workers and clientele and has developed a quirky little community spot that feels like the real Oakland I know, not a claim staked by disaffected 20somethings with ink in their skin and chrome in their faces. (Disclaimer: I have ink in my skin and chrome in my face.) People who work there come to hang out. To me, that speaks volumes. Lots of law-enforcement and EMT traffic in the later hours. Car, motorcycle and bicycle parking. High recommend.

Submitted by Susan Mernit on Thu, 2009-10-22 10:06

Broadway and 4th, huh? Have to go there, it sounds excellent.

333 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607-3804
(510) 444-4648

Submitted by Susan Mernit on Tue, 2009-10-13 11:18

There were so many spots that could have been on this poll:

  •  By the Cup on College Avenue
  • It's a Grind Coffeehouse
  • L'amyx Tea Bar
  • The Breakroom
  • Cafe de Bartolo
  • Powderface Cafe

and so on.

If your favorite is not here, what is it? And why do you like it?