1812 Coffee

I ordered an iced vanilla latte, and there were like 5 follow-​up questions, in the friendliest way possible, to ensure that I got the perfect drink. What type of milk did I want? Was the standard # of shots okay? Did I want COFFEE ICE CUBES? …what was that? music to my ears? Of course! :)
Definitely wish I lived closer to this awesome spot. Will be back soon to try more variations on a fabulous theme.

They are cool. Service is friendly. Try the sunrise coffee and you’ll be back for more!

Fried chicken sandwich with potato salad on the side is awesome! And Russel, the owner is too. As are the beans he roasts himself! I’ve found my new favorite local café. :)

Went here just now to get a cup of coffee and unfortunately no one was working there because «the barista had to run an urgent errand». Had to get a cup of coffee at McDonald’s instead. Very unfortunate, was excited to try a new coffee place.

I love this place! The staff is so courteous. And the owner, Claudia, is the best! Such a warm and welcoming place — and truly the best damn coffee ever!

This place is clean and spacious with plenty of seats available. The customer service is really warm, you definitely aren’t acknowledged like this in a chain. It’s refreshing! I’ve had their hot chocolate and iced caramel latte so far and I love both. Their PB+H toast is really yummy as well.
If you want a good cup of joe, head over to 1812 coffee co. and chill for a while, then head next door to Mary’s for a haircut!

The moment that the owner offered me Coffee Ice Cubes in my iced coffee I know I had found some place magical. Not to mention they have a bad ass Pac Man machine!
This is my new spot!

Professional service. Gourmet toast with Swiss cheese and arugula was tasty but difficult to eat. Soy latte was okay, but I wish they use unsweetened soy milk.
Street parking was a little difficult to find. But while I was eating, I saw a few people going through the storage area. Maybe there was a back door to a private parking lot?

This spot flies under the radar, but has awesome coffee. I haven’t had too many of their espresso drinks but the drip coffee is legit. They roast their own coffees, and usually have a few different roasts available in airpots. Even the decaf is good! There are a few tiny bistro tables outside, so I’d say it’s dog friendly. Seating inside is a little tight, but cozy and comfortable if you come with friends or need to get some work done. Seriously, if you haven’t stopped into this place (which you probably haven’t because it’s not easy to spot), you gotta check it out.

I come in once or twice a week for my specialty coffee, and let me tell you: having to go way out of my way for this place on my way to work, it is worth it. The owner roasts his own beans, and it’s honestly the best coffee I’ve had in oakland, and waaaaaaay better than anything you’ll find at the Peets nearby, or the other two small cafés. Might have to wait a bit for service, but totally worth it.

What a great community coffee place. I have been here twice now and the customer service puts Peet’s and La Farine to shame. Not only is the staff lovely, but the other patrons are super friendly as well. Definitely found my new weekend coffee place.

It’s one thing when a busy coffee shop runs out of excellent coffee during a rush. It’s another thing entirely when they run out of all coffee during a slow hour, which is mediocre at best. This «gourmet toast» gimmick is also a little ridiculous; don’t try and pawn the few toast ingredients that we all have at home off as gourmet. There’s nothing gourmet about that.

Caffe Diem is now serving a range of owner-​roasted coffees, all of which are well-​balanced, with nary a hint of burn. I am now rediscovering this café, after being discouraged about the gob and gab that is Peet’s, and the too-​high ceilings at Hive on MacArthur. Diem has the gemutlich groove that is my baseline for a good café experience. It has recently undergone a bit of an upgrade, with fresh paint, and some other innovations. However, as another poster mentioned, the chairs, while comfortable, are too bulky for the small space. I’d like to see a more compact set of tables and chairs. And the curtains don’t fit in with the new décor. Something a bit sleeker? And light filtering? .To end, the barristas are friendly and efficient, happy to be there, without being subject to the corporate pressure that working at Peet’s must have. Diem harkens back to the cafes that I recall from my grad school days in Berkeley (too long ago to mention), a place where one can read the New York Times or, if you prefer, your smart phone thingie.

I went today to the place and waited for Russ, the owner, to finish making coffee for one customer who was ahead of me. Another customer walked in behind me, said, «Hi Russ,» and plunked down some money on the counter. Rather than tending to me first, the owner started the coffee for the customer behind me. Yeah, I’m making a mountain out of a small hill, but… If this is customer service, I’m going elsewhere. So much for manners on both the owner’s and customer’s parts.

Yay for great local spots! I just moved into the neighborhood and this place has totally made me feel at home. Owner and employees are super friendly, coffee is great, and lots of personal touches. They even make coffee ice cubes for the iced coffee. I think it says something that this place is still doing well even with a Peet’s down the street. I prefer the slower pace and personalization of Café Diem.

I really like this place. It’s not fancy. It’s a local, low key coffee joint. The coffee is great. The seating is eclectic and the staff is super friendly. What’s not to like about that? Oh, and the WiFi is FREE!

This has very good coffee. The owner can be pleasant at times and the atmosphere is local business.
The best coffee in the Dimond.

Have been a Peet’s fan but grew tired of the poor service at the Fruitvale Peet’s shop, so I tried Café Diem. Now I buy all my beans there and I’m making the best coffee I have ever made at home. On Saturdays, when you buy a pound of beans, you get ¼ pound of beans free.
The shop has tables and chairs on the sidewalk, a great place to sit with my dog, Bono, and meet passersby while I have a latte and a made-​to-​order brunch sandwich.
They always have the latest Bay Woof issue, and usually the Sunday New York Times on Sundays. They put a fresh bowl of water out for Bono, too. Inside you’ll find comfy couches to relax in while sipping your coffee drink.

I’ve been coming into this neighborhood for three years and I *just* discovered this place — I mean, they’re one step away from flinging camouflage netting over the entrance, it’s so hard to spot! Why is that?
SO glad I found it. Apparently the frozen coffee ice cubes *were* ‘invented’ here. So, enough said, except I have more to say.
Holy James T Kirk, have you tried the ham and cheese scones. Just stop – sh! Go. Try them. And thank me later.
Other winners: the chai, made locally and in small batches. The Mexican Mocha. YUM. Spicy and warm and delicious.
I can’t wait to try all the other unique offerings. Just order something, sit down and relax and enjoy the moment.
Only downside — have cash, unless you plan on spending eight bucks. 50 cent atm fee SUHKS.

I respect any place smart and thoughtful enough to make their freaking ice cubes out of coffee so their cold drinks don’t water down.
Bloody genius.
Why is everyone not doing this?!