Gaylord’s Caffe Espresso

Nice atmosphere, free wifi, yummy coffee but daaaang they are out of everything by the time 9pm rolls around.

So pretentious, I actually left and went to the Starbucks across from here.

Gaylord’s was my college study hall away from college study hall. I spent so many nights here as the last one out and so many mornings as the first one in. Originally came for the ambience and convenience to my home, but found myself adoring the Gaylord Mocha as my coffee tastebuds developed. Also — you don’t wanna see me at PacMan !

The employees are sincere and relaxed, something you don’t see so commonly in the states. They usually play punk music and I like their taste of music, but I gotta add that just one time they were playing really annoying dubstep music and I had to leave because of that. Interestingly enough, at exact same time their wifi was not working and after asking employees they didn’t try much to fix it and said «the owner will be here at 5pm and they might be able to fix it.» He did but waiting till 5pm for the internet wasn’t helping me with productivity so much. Anyways, the café itself is medium in size and have plenty of seats. There is also a very cute corner by the window where you can sit and watch outside. It’s one of the coziest cafes I’ve been in. They also have good coffees where you can refill them for free. My friend had their hot chocolate and it both tasted and looked like heaven, I mean hot chocolate with sprinkles contained whipped cream on top of it. Lastly, they close really late too.

Racial Profiling at its HIPPEST! I’ve patronized Gaylords at LEAST 100 times in the last 3 years or so. Not exactly a regular in the sense that they see me everyday, but they see me enough.
The owner and I have spoken on several occasions. The general, «hey. How are you? «sort of thing.
There are a couple of barista’s with whom I speak briefly when I’m there.
BUT! I’ve said this in the past: Most places I shop, though I AM a regular, I rarely ever am made to FEEL like a regular. At MANY places, I feel like a suspect. On this past Monday, I had a rough evening and got out to get some air and a change of mindset.
I arrived at Gaylords at about 11pm. They close at midnight. I at down to drink my coffee and began listening to music. Attempting to relax. I had been there all of 5 minutes or so, and though I was far from the only customer in the place, the little 20 something white female barista, about 5 ft 1 in tall, slightly longer than shoulder length hair with highlights (the description in place of not knowing her name) seemed very uncomfortable with me.
I happened to look up and around, taking in my surroundings, and I noticed that she was starting at new with a worried look on her face. I thought to myself, «WTF!?» She communicated with her coworker.
I tried to ignore it. I couldn’t. Star the fuck was I going to do? Keep my head down, eyes on my phone? I liked up and I worried that she would burn herself with coffee, paying more attention to me than she was serving her customer.
I had enough. I went outside and decided to have a smoke before leaving. I lit my cig, put my a headphones back on and when I looked up again, I had an Oakland police vehicle parked, partially hidden from my view. «GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE»!
I took a picture. Another police vehicle pulled up in front of Starbucks. Didn’t even bother to park. Officer starting at me. I gave him the finger as I tipped my coffee cup at him and walled to my vehicle. I drove past the second, partially concealed pig and flipped HIM the bird.
My dad has said this many times: the people you hire, as a business owner, can make or kill your business, it’s reputation, or both. As a black man in America, I am sick and tired of white people and their bullshit. Little «Becky» (that’s what I’ll call her) took the garbage out while I stood outside. She waited for her police protection.
Thanks, Gaylords. But no thanks. I won’t be steeping inside their again while Becky or anyone like her is employed there.

Did this place change or did I? Probably the latter. The barista who just served me was brusque to the point where I didn’t tip, my latte was overpriced and burnt, and their pastry case just looks sad. Points for being open until midnight and (finally) having free wifi, but this institution is showing its age and neglect.

I hadn’t been here in something like a decade but decided to give it another try. Their breakfast options are delicious and a real bargain. I loved the egg, rice and avocado. My husband enjoyed his breakfast sandwich. My kid devoured her avocado toast as well as the cheese and arugula toast.

It’s more than $ 5 for a medium cappuccino with non-​dairy milk (I can’t drink animal milk). Gaylords is pricing its regular Oakland community out. It’s also a store that essentially fines people who can’t/don’t consume animal products by pricing the vegan options way, way up. I have been coming here for about 18 years and for the first time I now prefer heading to Peet’s Coffee or the new independent roasters up the street because they are far more affordable. Thought I’d point out why I’d change businesses after almost two decades. If they would lower prices to something more rational, I would probably come back.

This is a cool neighborhood coffee shop. One awesome thing that I noticed as I was approaching the counter to order… they have to pac man games that double as a table! Coffee and old school Pac Man, what’s better than that!
I was delighted to see that they have Pumpkin Pie Lattes in December. Starbucks stops in November, that’s s sore point for me. I order the pumpkin pie latte and enjoyed it. I was hungry too so I ordered Toast. It tickles me because I’ve read about folks paying top $$$ for toast with toppings in San Francisco. I’m a Goode and can enjoy a good meal whether it costs $ 7 or $ 200…but toast?
I ordered the grilled cheese toast with cheddar, arugula and tomatoes. Omg it was yummy! The bread was some Devine piece of freshly baked thick bread. The tomatoes were perfect with a dash of salt and pepper. It’s settled in a toast girl now. Oh and it was around $ 3 which is fine for half an open face sandwich.

Cool spot but hardly any outlets and the seating situation is uncomfortable. The pastries are okay.

A large coffee comes with 4 shots that will make you high all day! The coffee here is strong and is awesome! I tried the other coffee place down the street that has higher rating, which I don’t think has better coffee than this place.
The interior of the shop here, however, is a little old a dingy looking, so makes you don’t want to stay here too long. They also don’t make their own bakery, so some may be a day old or two.
Stick with the of when you’re here~

Bought a coffee here and asked to use the restroom. It was supposedly ‘out of order.’ Do I look homeless or something? Suck it.

Nice neighborhood coffee shop that’s open late — till midnight every night. As such, it’s been packed whenever I’ve stopped by, at different hours of the day, so be prepared to wait if you want to find a table at which to camp out.
The coffee drinks and food items are merely average, so the appeal lies simply in the fact that it’s an independent, locally flavored coffee shop that’s open late.

I like how late they are open and how friendly the staff is. Coffee is good and has a great vibe.

Food and bevs, customer service, and atmosphere, ideal for the budding student or networker. Open until midnight, and I’ve spent (and intend to spend) many a night studying here. Their wifi works, the employees are friendly, they have actual savoury food, including a juicy chicken sandwich (if it doesn’t sell out), and the Pandora on shuffle keeps the demeanour bumping.
Come by and support a local business (if you can get a seat)!

A Piedmont icon lives on! This place has been around forever! I love coming here to work especially, because it’s open till late at night. There are only a few electrical outlets, so make sure you charge your laptop before you arrive. The crowd is usually college/​grad students and artsy types. The coffee and tea are decent. I’ve never tried the ice cream. Wifi is free, so that’s a plus. Tonight, they are playing soft jazz, which is soothing. A scent of commercial detergent commonly wafts through the café, but it’s bearable and clean-​smelling. You can play vintage video games on sit-​down, coin-​operated machines: 1 – 2 players! It’s also fun to come here on a sunny afternoon, sit outside, read a book, and be intellectual :)
Parking: On street and in paid lot one block away.
Vibe: Casual place to meet folks and do work.
So glad this place is still around. Open till midnight! YAASSS!

There’s just a special charm to this place!
No it’s not the fanciest place in the world but it is home-​y! Good study spot (except not enough outlets for the laptoppers) & great coffee — – and the BEST AVOCADO TOAST!
Don’t know what it is about this place but I love it! :)

On a night of Piedmont exploration with a friend, we decided to stop by Gaylord’s to get some caffeine in our system to keep us going!
Based on this quick grab-​n-​go experience I can only say so much, but the overall vibe was really chill and «cool» if that makes sense. If it doesn’t, basically this place felt like it was really hip and nice place to study, but it felt a little run-​down but it felt so unique because some of their tables were arcade games! I have never seen anything like it before! & if you have coins you can even play them!
This is definitely a unique little coffee shop. It doesn’t have the largest space, but there’s quite a few tables! However, be warned even in the evening many people come to this café to study or get caffeine after a night out!
The best thing about this café are the HOURS! Open at 6:30AM & Closes at midnight? Yes please! This is a definite plus if you work nearby (at Kaiser or wherever, ’cause I mean doctors and nurses on the nightshift need coffee too and it’s not a far walk from the hospital) or if you’re a student. We all know that most of us need our caffeine fix to get through our day!
For my first time I opted to get an iced coffee! You can choose to either get normal ice cubes or get coffee cubes! GET THE COFFEE CUBES! Not too many coffee shops I’ve visited have these and it makes you feel like you get more bang for your buck because your coffee is never gets diluted from the ice and they don’t charge you extra if you choose this option. So, might as well right? Yes!
Service here is really great! The barista/​cashier was friendly and had my drink ready to me quickly and efficiently!
If I’m ever in the area again (which is likely because even though I’m not in the area since I’m in school), I am often in the Piedmont area when I’m back home. So I could definitely see myself stopping by again to try out some of their other drinks!
For parking there’s street parking & small lots! During the daytime I believe you should bring your coins (unless they accept cards, they probably do — haha 21^st century and all), but after 6pm you’re usually good to go and park for free!

We swung by here late at night because the party was not yet over, and it was a great semi-​random choice. Still pretty hoppin’ despite the super late hour, but filled mostly with very quiet laptopsters who gave no shits about our animated conversation. Fell in love with the Pac Man game-​tables, and had I some quarters, I likely would have given it a go catching some pellet noms.
I highly recommend the Mexicali hot chocolate. So delicious!

Delicious coffee! Good music and a great place to study or get some work done.
The bagels and sandwiches are great. I got the poppy seed bagel with cream cheese and cucumbers– a must try!
The baristas are friendly. They have one restroom that is tucked in their back room but it is always clean!