Modern Coffee

HELP. I’m addicted to their cappuccinos and their burnt cinnamon lattes. So amazingly delicious!
Service is always friendly!

Great service. Awesome coffee. They have a few different really quality blends in rotation (stumptown, modern, hologram, chromatic, their own, and a few others). Super yummy! 1 of 2 locations in Oakland. this one’s a bit more roomier and has more space to work. They were using Stumptown hairbender for their espressos when I was last in – delicious!

Cant go wrong with $ 2 per cup for some GOOD coffee.

Tried a soy latte, very flavorful yet not bitter. LOVED IT!

**Second review**
Just had to post an update, because I’m here again and tried a different coffee AND allowed myself the indulgence of a chocolate chip cookie. The hot, drip coffee is delicious and flavorful (even without the cinnamon and half and half I usually add) and the cookie was waaaayyy too tasty and chocolately for my own good…
Perfect midday treat.

I love the way this place is designed for sipping and chatting. I love the stairs at the entrance. The cold drink fridge right under the pastry display is pretty Boss. There is a smaller, more detailed version of their coffee menu close to the register. The place itself has a lot of detailed wood work and metal that make for a really sophisticated look. Condiment station and H20 station well kept, clean and stocked. The Barista behind the counter gently greeted me and let me know to take my time choosing my beverage.
I decided on a clever Ethiopian Single Origin, also offered as a Chemex to share. I would love to come back and chat with a friend over a deliciously brewed Chemex. Anywho back to my current order. I decided I better have a pastry and really do this right. So I opted for the lone apple cinnamon scone. The coffee was said to take about 5 mins to brew. Not a problem. I grabbed a glass of water, a seat by the window and dove into the book I’m reading.
After a bit my drink was called and from the moment I took the first sip, it was love. I couldn’t put that mug down. The coffee was so juicy, with citrus fruit dancing on my palette. I could tell great care was taken in brewing my cup. My scone however was okay nothing to fuss about but it was good enough along side my delicious cup of Ethiopia.
I really enjoyed my experience here. It was truly a great shop to start my morning. I’ll be back with a friend.

Modern Coffee is the best thing to happen to Uptown in a while!
Their coffee is bluebottle quality, the pastries are amazing and varied, and they use Clove milk /​cream.
I go here for ice coffee all the time, but their lattes are also quite awesome.
The atmosphere is nice too. A good place to work out of for a bit or meet up for a quick chat with a coworker.

Yummy almond chai latte, and they were able to make it «more chai.» I enjoy the spicy ginger and cardamon flavors :) Also appreciate a place that sells boiled eggs.

I’ve had the chance to go to both Modern Coffee location. Although I am fan of both, this location is my preference as it is a little bigger. There is a mix of people coming in-​and-​out, working, and people just meeting.
I usually just come in for the drip coffee (love the rotating selection of roasters) and pour overs when I have the time to relax. Haven”t had the chance to try their pastries but they always seem tempting.
Definitely recommend to all. I figure life is short. why start your day with mediocre coffee? I only wish this place were open on the weekends!

My coffee buddy and I decided to take our talents out of San Francisco and into the East Bay with a trip to Modern Coffee. Having read about it on various coffee blogs and plucking up the courage to find other places outside of SF proper, Modern Coffee was a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy some absolutely delicious coffee. Both of us had Counter Culture Chemex pourovers, and my friend had some banana bread to go with her cup. We hung out for over an hour and never found the place to be overwhelming crowded to the point where you couldn’t have a proper conversation. I definitely thought that the coffee we had was absolutely delicious, and appreciated the barista’s feedback when we asked about the flavor profiles of both pourover options. I will definitely be back here to see what they’re pouring next time!

I looooove this place! They make perfect vanilla lattes. Enough vanilla to taste but not sweet or syrupy.
Service is never rude at either location, workers are generally friendly.
My only complaint is that they don’t offer a large iced coffee size for us who really want to indulge. seriously my fatass would buy a 32 ounce if I could.
It would be nice if they offered dark roast but they’re lattes are good enough to hold me over. Nice professional coffee spot without the snobby hipster attitude. Adequate seating as well.

Modern is one of my go to coffee spot whenever I work in Oakland. A few blocks from the 19^th St. BART, they offer an assortment of hand pours from top quality roasters (Chromatic, Stumptown, etc.), and your typical variety of espresso drinks. One menu drawback is they don’t offer cold brews, just ice coffees, which leave a lot to be desired. The baristas are friendly and unpretentious. Relatively small space, about 5 small tables that can accommodation two people each, bar-​style seating near the window, and WiFi.

This coffee place is so cute! In this part of town I don’t have a lot of options of places to sit down, enjoy coffee, and open up a book so I’m so happy this is near my job. Their menu is also terrific! I haven’t tried their lavender latte yet but I’ll be doing that next.

This place had me at my first sip of the iced soy latte. It was the right amount of sweetness and caffeine that I enjoy in a cup of coffee. I also enjoy the warmth from this crew; they’ve been the friendliest coffee shop around here. :).

Came in here around 4:30 (they are open until 5) and got the most ridiculously unfriendly attitude from the two people working there. One dude was cleaning the glass door from the inside when I approached, and just STARED at me like, «You’re not going to come in here, are you?» When he finally moved aside without a word or welcoming expression, he came back behind the counter and ignored me for a couple minutes before another surly employee appeared and took my order.
Iced coffee was $ 2.50 for 16 oz and was pretty tasty. Interior is beautiful. At least relatively late in the day, it was pretty empty, only a couple other people sitting around.
I might try it again — it could be that I had bad luck with baristas in bad moods at the time, but on the other hand, there are lots of other independent 3^rd wave coffee shops in the area that might be friendlier.

Nice interior, friendly service, great location, (music was on point for added kudos) and you’ve gotta try the burnt cinnamon mocha.

I am obsessed with this place.
Really good coffee that is well-​prepared. Despite being hipster city (there is print on the wall of a goat wearing plaid drinking coffee standing next to a bicycle), the baristas are not snooty and the drinks aren’t crazy overpriced.

Not a café to linger in since there aren’t a lot of tables or even much space for that matter. But what they do get right is the coffee and it’s worth coming back for.
Come for the Gibraltar. Perfectly rich cream mixed with an espresso, my fave. The baristas are friendly and their almond latte is definitely a must try as well. One of my go-​to places in Downtown Oakland.

Modern Coffee’s brew didn’t wow me but the service/​attitude was manifico!
just a few pastries on the shelf and other cold drinks in the ‘frig,.
unsacale drinkery with just a few tables. nice ambience
drink: 12 oz (2)
–coffee too herbal tasting for me, otherwise fine.
3.5 stars

Time: 3:17pm/68°F partly sunny
Purpose: Email came through this afternoon about their expansion. I’m in SF Mission area put up other businesses on map. Debating if I should go today or Friday. What flip a coin? Spin a bottle? Toss a horseshoe? Fling a dart? All of a sudden this urge of rush gotten the best of me. Fine, let’s do this I’m not gonna let another possible client get away.
Ambiance: This place is located on 19^th street side but address listed is for Franklins street, The Leamington building. Freshly remodel front to back top to bottom. From the outside looking in looks very spacious. Upon entering you’ll see new floor tiles with rose silhouette design accompany by a few window seats of front entrance. About 7 high stools in red and black scatter around, just pick one up and sit were you’re comfy at. Up the stair as you go, long wooden planks for standing room socializing nearby. Encounter marble counter itself with iPad, cookies, energy bars, tip jar, vases of flowers mini cold fridge flush mounted below. A glass separate the pastries/​danishes on pedestal cake stands. Cabinet counter holds the basic utensils, bag coffee beans, t-​shirts, travelers mug/​thermo. Inner back 3 tables set up for 2 and a long wooden plank mounted on wall for those who would like to stand using their gadgets. Pantry looking like locker in back could be for storage or for customer use while there. Don’t know and didn’t ask about it, being nosy. Behind the counter white shiny 5×5 inch tiles on wall for the work area, easy to clean. LaMarzocco espresso machine, 3 chamber extractor with double bypass copper boiler. Shelfs on wall holds Bluetooth speaker, bag whole beans, clock, coffee warmer, sink, towel dispenser all equipments/​supplies needed to run business.
Staff: Two girls about late 20’s friendly and informative about their offers. I sense there was a pitch of up selling from them. I said just give me a large latte, girl said how about some fresh pastries? Could be told by management or she was trying to get rid of them for the day. Either way I don’t blame them but I didn’t need any sweets at the moment.
Cleanliness: Grade A+, immaculate even if I wanted to say something, couldn’t find any to question. I know it’s new and all but boy not a lint was found or fingerprints on glass.
Eats/​Drinks: Small latte $ 2.75 value, mines free courtesy of the house, I just went ahead made a donation in tip jar. This latte was good, hot and strong. Perfect amount of milk pour in, little hints of overtone body texture but that’s how I like it. I judge places base on those procedures and techniques. Next time I’ll try to pair up with something to eat just waiting for their dessert line to expand a little more.
Products/​Services: Coffee-​drip, café au lait, clever, chemex. Espresso-​flavor lattes, latte, macchiato, espresso, cappuccino, mocha, cocoa, americano. Tea-​tea au lait, chai, iced tea. Extras: Soy, almond milk, vanilla/​chocolate syrup, extra shot. All iced drinks price as 16oz hot. Pastries/​danishes by Starter Bakery. Cold sodas, water, juices, mineral water, coconut juice. Whole/​ground coffee (by the bag), novelty items, traveling mugs/​thermos. Free Wi-​Fi. Other feature coffee companies De La Paz, Chromactic, Counter Culture and Stumptown.
Punch Lines: New, clean, vibrant, inviting, young staff, hipster/​business like environment, located downtown/​uptown area, quiet street, mostly businesses around, street parking, adjacent hallways, front/​back entrance, music low volume, transportation accessible. Moderately price, limited table seatings, airy/​spacious, splash of modern flare, nice for groups or quiet dates.
Tradeoffs: First café in area to feature Stumptown coffee within a 2.6 miles radius. So if you need a specific brand of brew. MC is a one stop for all, featuring four coffee roasting companies and a well known local bakery.
Final Thoughts: With coffee shops poping in Oakland in the last few years. This one brings a contemporary design just like any other ones around. Expect a morning rush from 7−9am! This place is kind of hidden away from the beaten path of more popular Broadway street. The place certainly has the right concept. As this block itself doesn’t have a café with with hip crowds. Others around calling themselves own roast brand of coffee. Yea right, more like CostPlus vacuum sealed house brand. Lastly MC is own by the same owner of the Tribune building café located on 13^th/​Franklin street. Everything else the same just different location, set-​up, and staffing.