"Cozy coffee spot near Oakland DMV. Food and service is great. My only advice for the owner is to do some renovations of the cafe shop if they can afford. Otherwise great spot. Local Eritrean food. Yumm …"

"Food is okay but kinda expensive for what it is. It's unique in that I haven't had Eritrean breakfast food before. But man is the service slow. I've come here twice and they forgot about us BOTH TIMES. We waited 40 minutes for our food and saw a bunch of people pick up their orders even though they ordered after us. They just seem generally disorganized and will make food for regulars or friends (?) as soon as they see them. If you come here make sure to check in with them often because they might've forgotten about you. The lady who worked there saw we were waiting, checked in with us, and STILL forgot about us. We ordered to go and got a shihan full and they DIDN'T GIVE US THE BREAD!! When we called back they hung up on us twice. We will not be returning."

"I was really excited to check out Alems because of the high ratings and because I love Eritrean/Ethiopian breakfast. The food is good, but kinda expensive for what it is. The main problem is the service here. Every time I've been to Alem's they have forgotten my order. After ordering at the register ive sat down at a table waited 30-45 minutes and watched as they immediately serve regulars/friends that ordered well after me. Every time ive been Ive had to go back up to the register to remind them of my order and see that they have clearly forgotten about my order. This has happened THREE TIMES NOW. This last time we ordered to go: they forgot our order, we reminded them, and after waiting 45 minutes seeing people order and get thier food before us they still forgot a portion of our order. The food is good, kinda expensive for what it is, and you have to really remind them of your order if you arent in the inner circle. There's a clear distinction between the regulars/friends and everyone else. I won't be returning"

"Alem’s Coffee is a great spot for a cozy coffee break. The coffee is rich and well-crafted, and the pastries are fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and welcoming, though it can get busy during peak hours. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable — perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a casual hangout."

"This small coffee shop carries Eritrean dishes in addition to coffee, sandwiches and pastries. Adjacent to the DMV, the cafe is slightly off the popular Temescal shopping area. It’s clear that the folks here care about the quality and authenticity of their dishes. You should not expect silverware but plastic utensils are provided if requested. The cafe is small but the indoor/outdoor seating atmosphere was great. If you’re as wimpy as I am, you can also tell them to dial down the spiciness of the dish when ordering. Weekend crowds attest to their popularity."