Julie's Coffee & Tea

It’s difficult to pinpoint just one good thing about Julie’s Coffee & Tea in Alameda. For some, the garden patio is the kicker, propelling the café’s likeability factor a mile ahead of other, “ordinary” cafes. Julies’ outdoor space is a hybrid between a secret, storybook garden with crawling, flowery vines and the backyard garden you always wish you had, with plenty of shade for afternoon reading.

For others, the café’s organic goodies take the cake. Speaking of cake, locally made pastries are served here daily, including thumb-print cookies, vegan brownies, and fresh-baked, house-made scones. Ask for them warm, with Devonshire cream for dipping on the side. Seasonal veggies are served with your organic egg breakfasts, and locally harvested honey lines the shelves in country-style jars tied with a ribbon.

Julie’s definitely has the owner’s personal touch stamped on every detail – a good reason for the café to take her name. After creating the tea division of Taylor Maid Farms Organic Coffee & Tea, Julie went on to open up shop on Park Street, serving soothing, herbal infusions directly to her customers. You won’t find a coffee or tea selection like hers elsewhere, whether you ask for a yerba mate latte with ginger and honey or a tea on-the-rocks special.

The hot teas are always smoothly and evenly brewed, served to you traditionally in individual pots. If you aren’t already a tea connoisseur, the tea service here may tempt you to convert. Good news is the café sells a big selection of loose tea leaves and tea accessories to help you get started.

The natural side of Julie’s blends well with the café’s artistic side. Indoors, the walls double as gallery space, where local artists can display their latest mood swings. Many of the pots, flower stands and garden sculptures on the patio are available for sale, and unique, handmade gift items can be found here, too.

HelloSanFrancisco tip: Patio space is available for private parties, and for parties open to the public. Julie’s hosts live bluegrass, folk, jazz or swing music on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 p.m.
 

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.