Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar

Fun neighborhood breakfast coffee shop. We ordered the salad and avocado toast and they were kind enough to split the dishes.

Blue Dot is a neighborhood gem serving up delicious breakfast and lunch options in the heart of Alameda. Their food is always fresh and delicious and great for a quick bite or for take out. I highly recommend their Chilaquiles Verdes w/ 2 Poached Eggs (available Tuesday thru Friday) and Poached Egg Sandwich w/ bacon & pepper jack. Their tasty pastry options are absolutely delicious and freshly made and are not too sweet. You can't come here and not order a pastry. Just don't do it. My favorite is the toasted almond and current scones made to perfection. A perfect option with their delicious coffee. If you eat there you get free refills so I'd recommend getting a small coffee to go with your pastry. This cafe is owned operated by a couple and the wife is always there assisting her staff and clearing the counters. This place you order your food at the counter and take a seat and someone will bring you your food. Not a restaurant where you have a personal server. But best believe the wife and staff are super friendly and accommodating and make your experience very pleasant. The average cost for 2 people is about $40 but I think the quality of food and service are worth it. The cafe is brightly decorated with art from local artists which makes it fun to admire the art while you eat. They have plenty of seating indoors and patio seating outside in front of the cafe. I've been coming here for years and I always leave feeling happy and full!

When the coffee drinks are as lovingly crafted as they are at Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar, then they must be celebrated. Located on a busy stretch of Encinal Avenue in the heart of central Alameda, Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar is so named after the concept of astronauts taking a picture of planet earth from their space shuttle and referring to our planet as nothing more than a "blue dot". It was from this image that astronomer Carl Sagan spoke about "our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." And it is with this thought that the genesis of Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar was conceptualized, since the owners are members of the special community of Alameda on this wonderful planet we call earth, their goal was to have every patron that entered Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar to feel welcome and connected. To them, Blue Dot is to be the ultimate gathering place for breakfast and lunchtime meals between friends and family, while also enjoying their specialty handcrafted coffee drinks on top of safe working spaces. On a recent visit on a weekday afternoon, I can honestly say that they have succeeded on all of their goals. After enjoying a nice hearty lunch with a friend on Webster Street, I asked if they wanted to enjoy a quick coffee before we both headed back to work for the day, and the first place that came to their mind was Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar. I asked why they selected this place out of the numerous coffee shops in the island city, they responded with "you'll see once you go," and with that intriguing statement we were off to Encinal Avenue.By the time we arrived, it was actually later in the day, and closing time was on the horizon, but the place both inside and outside their cafe was popping with customers taking in their charming interior with bright flowers and pictures from local artists dotting their walls. Since we came for just two coffees, we knew we wouldn't be long, and the staff at Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar was so plentiful that they crafted our order in no time so we could enjoy inside their cafe while they were still open. Although Coffee Bar is in their name, in addition to various coffees, they also sell various juices and teas, and even a little daytime libations in mimosas. In addition to beverages, they have quite the robust Breakfast and Lunch menu with traditional brunch entrées being served and a number of deliciously described sandwiches for the lunch hour. Since we had already eaten lunch we came for one thing only today: coffee, and they certainly have a lot of options, my friend ordered their Cappuccino, while I ordered their White Mocha, and was immediately asked if I wanted whipped cream on top of my Mocha, of which I obliged. Our total bill for two drinks was $9.63 before gratuity was added in, which was totally reasonable.As we waited for our drinks to be crafted, we were lucky to find two open seats in their communal table that was smack dab in the middle of their main dining room, in which my friend and I were able to take in all of the sights and sounds of this bustling local business. People were on their laptops typing away, while others were still enjoying their sandwiches, which was nice because technically Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar was closing soon, so this proved they were still willing to serve and were not in a rush to close. Eventually our drinks were presented to us where we were sitting by their hardworking staff, and I loved the overall flavor of my rich drink, which wasn't too sweet and was enhanced by the delectable whipped cream, which made my mocha feel more like a hot chocolate than a coffee. I cannot wait to return to Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar, as they are as local you can get and if you can judge a locally run business on just their drinks, then you are going to be alright in dining here as well, as my friend says their Bahn Cubano is a real winner and sounded amazing. Here's to the continued success of Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar, may their goals of connectedness and being a welcoming presence in the island city be realized for decades to come!

You know those restaurants where the servers are mean to the customers on purpose and it's part of the gimmick? That describes the service at BD but without the gimmick part. I hadn't been there in a long time so I decided to go there again the other day. I walked in at 1:15 for some lunch and they tell me that they close the place at 1:30. I order something quick knowing I will unfortunately have to take my food to go. They were so unfriendly. It was just awkward.I felt so bad though for this woman and her two kids though because the woman at the register forgot her kids' order. It was, of course 1:30, and they closed the kitchen. Poor lady ordered waffles for her kids and they told her that they just cleaned up the stuff and she had to walk out with two crying kids.I've been to BD for 15 yrs and I see it going downhill more every time. I remember one time hearing the owner talk to his employees about how he just wants to shut the place down and move to Santa Cruz. Strange thing to say in front of your customers. Anyway, I wonder if that is what's happening. Like, maybe they're ready to go. Well, at least that's what it felt like when they were shoving us all out at 1:30pm. What kind of cafe closes at 1:30 pm anyway??Oh and by the way, if you scroll down you'll see a bunch of negative reviews and then a flood of positive ones. Hm, why is that? To me, this is a sketchy sign. Is someone making up for bad reviews? Maybe. Maybe not.

What a cute cafe! I really enjoyed the local vibe here. Everyone is asked to bus their own tables, and the drinks were very good. I ordered an Americano.I would say that the breakfasts are not exactly worth the cost. We ordered an egg, toast, and sausage breakfast and that was something easily made at home for like 1/10 the cost lol.I'd come here to hangout and get drinks though!

Love this place, can't believe i haven't written a review. This was a hang out spot for hanging out with neighbors and friends. Few weeks ago for Father's Day,, finally brought my husband who hadn't been here before along with the two teen kids and the pup and we had such a great time. Great vibe and good food.One kid wanted waffles from Ole's (this did the trick without the loonnng line!) and one of us ordered the Eggs Benedict and one order the Blackstone Benedict and one ordered the Avocado Toast.

Food is great, service is awesome and friendly!! You order at counter and thry bring it to you. The food is fresh and delicious

Love this place! It's wonderful to have a good coffee place in the neighborhood but they need to stay open later for me to get there on a regular basis.

Prefer to spend my money at a small business but I will not return to this place as the employees are rude. I'd rather just go to Starbucks, at least they can say good morning or reply to thank you. Watery Coffee

Friendly, Fresh and Delicious! Wished they stayed open later. Comfortable lounge atmosphere