Cafe Leila
1724 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA
Crema's Take
“Cafe Leila feels like a hidden gem tucked away in Albany, with a genuinely enchanting outdoor patio complete with plants, fountains, and vintage touches that transport you somewhere special. The coffee is genuinely delicious and the staff warm, though fair warning—reviewers consistently note the prices lean toward the premium side, which doesn't always match the food quality. It's the kind of place that works beautifully for lingering over breakfast with friends or settling in with your laptop, especially if you're drawn to the atmospheric patio rather than expecting Instagram-worthy brunch dishes.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
It's a low key vibe, with indoor tables and a lovely patio, with plants and fountains, nooks and umbrellas. I haven't tried the food, but the coffee was delicious, and the staff was sweet - smiling and friendly. It's a bit out of my way, but I like to suggest it to friends to meet there. It's just nice, a little oasis. Also, there's music some evenings indoors. Gotta check their website.
What are they charging such ridiculous prices for, considering the quality of food, the service, the WiFi? Every person sitting down with their food was commenting about the price! The food was meh at best. The latte was served tepid. There were flies hovering on the “health nut cookie”, and I imagine the rest of the pastry shelf. I brought this to the Melissa’s (the cashier/server) attention and she ignored it. The Wi-Fi was spotty and only available in the noisy area in the front with the music blaring. The tables were decorated with used dishes and utensils and the busboys and Melissa were happily ignoring it. There was no clarity on whether this is a self-serve restaurant (for the $$$$, one would expect not!) but some orders were brought to the table, some not. No checking in on how the food was. No attention in case you needed anything. Sure, the backyard is cute and you could bring your dog there but honestly, there are SO many better places you could spend your time and money at than Cafe Leila. Hard pass.
Great place for friends or family to have breakfast or lunch together. The out-door area is huge and lovely. The food tastes fresh and good. #recommended
From the Outside I would not had expected what inside held. It was very cute chic outdoor patio filled with plants, fountains, unique artifacts that decorated the area. From a vintage stove top, to a glass window. It was unique and it seemed popular with the locals. No table service, they do have you take your drinks yourself and if you need any condiments I heard the server say " its self service to a lady" , but they do bring you your food out. A lot of selections , and interesting drink choices. The ambiance is chill and chic and perfect for brunch. They are only opened until 3p and parking is rough.
Overall, it was an average experience—some dishes stood out while others were just okay. The good: Veggie tyab – packed with flavor; perfectly seasoned veggies, fresh dips, and soft lavash bread. Body healer latte – unique mix of ingredients, but they balanced the flavors well. Appreciate the variety of lattes on the menu! The okayish: Regular latte – coffee tasted almost burnt. Pancakes – not as soft, flavorful, or well-presented as I’ve had elsewhere. That said, I’d come back to try more of their offerings. Plus, the outdoor seating is beautiful and dog-friendly, which I loved.
Crema Reviews
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