Awaken Cafe dons multiple hats as a performing arts venue, coffeehouse, beer and wine bar, gourmet snack joint and art gallery. There is always something going on here, whether it is a music and dance show or a fun karaoke session. Grab a fruit juice and listen to symphony orchestra, enjoy gourmet coffee with banana bread, marvel at contemporary art, watch live sports on television, listen to indie and pop beats at the concerts or participate in poetry slam. Mood lighting, WiFi access and happy hours only serve to accentuate the overall experience. Gastronomes will delight in the award-winning ice creams and espressos, organic food selection and Californian craft beer.

The East Bay is abuzz with talk of Modern Coffee. At this beloved flagship location in downtown Oakland, you'll find an assortment of roasts that could satisfy any connoisseur. Pair drinks like burnt cinnamon and lavender almond milk lattes with fresh-out-of-the-oven pastries. The friendly staff is happy to help you find your preferred flavors, even if you haven't discovered them yet. Stick around for the ambiance or take your treats to nearby Lake Merritt for a delicious break.

This neighborhood coffee shop is actually the Oakland branch of San Francisco's popular Farley's, which was opened in the 1980s. The two story coffee shop serves, of course, all kinds of coffee and tea drinks, but also features a menu light foods like soups, salads and hot and cold sandwiches. Farley's also offers a selection of beer and wine, and even has mimosas on the weekends! The upstairs area features all kinds of toys and kids books, and Farley's weekly hosts a storytime for them, along with other live music and performance events for grown-ups during many evenings.

The first of its kind to be opened in the United States, Oakland's Cat Town Cafe is a truly heartwarming experience. Part cafe and part cat shelter, this cafe is run by the non-profit Cat Town Oakland, which is dedicated to finding foster and forever homes for homeless cats in and around the Oakland area. The cafe consists of two different areas separated by a dividing wall: the cafe proper, where patrons can order coffee, espresso drinks, tea, and pastries, and the cat zone where all of the adoptable cats are free-roaming. Visitors to the cafe can take their drinks into the cat zone and spend up to an hour petting, playing with, and getting to know all of the cafe's feline residents. Reservations are highly recommended, as Cat Town Cafe is extremely popular, and can be made online. A $10 donation, which goes towards providing food, shelter, and care for the cats, is required for all patrons who make a reservation. Free-of-charge walk-ins are also available at the cafe, but are only available as time and space permits.

As cozy as can be, Timeless Coffee boasts a carefully curated blend selection alongside vegan-friendly baked goods. You'll find both sweet and savory treats on the menu, which has featured everything from indulgent cheesecakes to comforting pot pies in the past. Timeless Coffee also offers daily specials that change monthly, so keep an eye out for limited-time delights. Grab a seat and enjoy the friendly atmosphere or get your java to go. Custom cakes and cupcakes are also available for order.