Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar — Restaurant in Oakland

Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans.

What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story.

The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to...

I'm obsessed with Mother Tongue coffee beans, been buying them from Seattle Coffee Gear at Stanford. I also found them at the SF Coffee Festival last year. I finally went to their cafe in Oakland and it was interesting, it is more of a bar than a coffee shop. Maybe this is a happening bar after work? The decorations are random and nothing like I was expecting (streamers everywhere, Cartoon Network projected on wall, and current hits playing over the loud speaker). They do have a seating area outside too.

They don't have a menu/drink board. I happen to look up their menu online before we arrived but didn't realize the paper menus were near their payment system till afterwards. Because of this, we forgot they even served food other than pastries-we probably would have purchased.

We had a latte, coffee tonic, apple fritter, and we bought two bags of beans. Everything was delicious and we...

The shop has plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, and the clientele is really nice, which surprised me - most places can’t select for clientele but I was happy to be surrounded by people who also seemed to be in a good mood! The coffee is tasty and so are the pastries.

I docked off a star because one medium coffee with milk (8oz, I believe) and ganache (basically, a mocha) with tip ($1) ran me $8.71. This is really pricey, even for the area. I pay less for the Hot Nola at blue bottle, for the burnt cinnamon at Modern, and for nearly every other coffee shop I go to in the bay (some of which are 12oz drinks instead of 8oz, and this is comparing specialty drinks - obviously a cappuccino or americano will be less). Aside from...