Pampas Cafe — Restaurant in Castro Valley

I came here for a light brunch on a Saturday, around 1:30PM.

I had seen this cafe a few times before, but had never been in before. But I was looking for something quick and filling, as well as an early afternoon caffeine fix.

The seating area is relatively small, with maybe seating for 20. There was also a small corner with leather couches and a piano.

I placed an order for 4 empanadas (beef, chicken, mushroom, and spinach), and a latte + cappuccino.

The empanadas were preheated, sitting in a warmer box near the counter. Since we came closer to the end of their operating hours (they close at 2:30pm), there were a few types of empanadas that were either sold out or would need to be baked, which would result in a 15-20 minute wait on those. I opted to get some of the available ones instead of having to wait.

Soon after I got the empanadas, the barista also finished up our drinks. If you dine in the cafe, the coffee is served to you in ceramic cups with art done using the steamed milk.

The empanadas were flaky and rich in flavor, and they definitely don't skimp on the filling. Each empanada also had a clever design, where a letter or two was worked into the dough of the empanada, to show what the filling inside was (IE - a "B" on their beef empanadas). Their coffee was also well brewed, and well balanced.

All in all, this was a gem of a find, and I will definitely return...

This is the team, the food, and the atmosphere I want to bring everyone to when they visit Castro Valley. It feels like a family running this business and the genuine warmth from the staff invites customers to share in that feeling. The empanada quality is consistent, making it worth coming back regularly - toasty warm and flavorful! Hot cups of coffee AND tea - good size. I recommend dining in AND taking empanadas home.

Top empanadas for me: Chicken Chorizo Breakfast Apple (like apple pie done better)

Weekday hours as of Mar 2023 Tues-Fri 7:30am - 2:30pm

Pampa's moved locations March 2023 (new location is open as of March 25!), and this is a convenient location next to Castro Valley's popular Trader Joe's. Nice open floor plan and high ceilings with ample indoor seating for the dozen customers that were there. No outdoor seating at this time. It is different from the classic Pampa's location, and although it's different, happy to say equally as inviting and cozy! I'm excited to see what they do with the piano and intimately-sized stage in the corner of the entryway.

Breakfast empanada was STUFFED today, which makes me think the change in location is only going to do good things for the quality of Pampa's offerings. So glad!

My family eats enough Pampa's to justify a subscription service if they had one. I recommend getting punches on their punch card...

Clean and inviting premises for enjoying a good cappuccino and cortado while sampling the many empanadas which are special feature of this establishment. The owner is from Argentina which is reflected in the South American style of coffee - smooth and savory as distinguished from darker Italian roasted beans - and a delightful assortment of empanadas that all patrons were ordering to go or enjoying on site. These are not your run of the mill empanadas but artisanal pastries with diverse fillings such as chicken with triguisas spices and sofrito (yum!); spinach with carmelized onions and smoked mozzarella; ham & cheese with Black Forest ham, mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese; and a seasonal Humita item with corn, butternut squash, red pepper, onion, basil, aji and mozzarella. Yep - I tried several to make sure. Pampas also serves several nice beers on tap with to satisfy summer thirst and tropical notes pair nicely with the empanadas. A piano is available for patrons to play and a sign welcomes this participation. Coffee sources from Grand Roasters in San Francisco which is known for top notch beans. My wife found the decaf cappuccino to be exceptional. Pampas provides a pleasant alternative to the many coffee houses found across the Bay Area as the steady line of customers attests to. Put it on your roadmap and order several empanadas for a...