Shemroon Cafe is a new, family-run spot in Orinda’s Theatre Square, a few steps from the Orinda Theatre and the BART pedestrian bridge. It is a full-service cafe with espresso drinks and pastries, layered with Persian and broader Middle Eastern flavors.
You go for the Turkish coffee with cardamom, the rosewater-scented sweets, and the feeling that the owners actually know their customers. Right now it is one of the few places downtown where you can grab something that feels both like a neighborhood cafe and a little trip abroad.
(All photos are by the Bay Area Telegraph)
The Basics
Shemroon sits inside the courtyard at 2 Orinda Theatre Square, Suite 108, facing the cluster of restaurants and shops just across the bridge from Orinda BART.
It replaces the old Subway location and joins neighbors like Saffron Indian Restaurant and Comelones Tacos, making Theatre Square a more interesting food stop than it has been in years.
The cafe is owned by husband-and-wife team Aydin and Shabnam Ameli, who come from Iran and also operate Shabnam Pastry, a Walnut Creek–based bakery known for its detailed sweets.
The name “Shemroon” nods to a district in northern Tehran, but the couple is clear that this is a cafe for everyone, not a niche coffee shop.
Price-wise, think everyday coffee budget rather than special-occasion splurge: espresso drinks and Turkish coffee, plus pastries and light bites, in line with other East Bay cafes. Early reports describe a cozy, tasteful interior with limited seating and a casual, come-as-you-are vibe that feels especially lively on weekends and opening weeks.
The Menu
Shemroon’s menu reads like a standard American cafe at first glance, but the interesting things happen around the edges. You will find lattes and cappuccinos, but also proper Turkish coffee, Persian tea, and a pastry case stocked with Middle Eastern sweets alongside more familiar cookies and cakes.
The owners talk about it as a “full-service cafe,” which means you can come for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a light snack before a movie.
Here’s the wall-mounted drink menu:
Drinks
On the coffee side, there are the familiar espresso drinks plus Turkish coffee brewed thick and strong, finished with cardamom so it is fragrant rather than harsh. Several pieces note that the cardamom flavor is pronounced, which fans of Turkish and Persian coffee will appreciate.
Persian tea is another signature: a black tea lightly perfumed with rosewater, typically served in glass cups. If you are less adventurous, you can still order regular coffee drinks and likely find non-dairy milks and other standard add-ons, though those details are not fully documented online yet.
Pastries & Sweets
The pastry case reflects Shabnam Pastry’s roots. Expect baklava, cream puffs, and cookies, with a mix of Persian and European influences. One early favorite is a rosewater cream puff that eats like a circular eclair filled with lightly floral cream.
Baklava seems to sell out quickly, which is often a sign both of demand and limited early production capacity. You will likely also see more everyday items like muffins, simple cakes, and cookies for kids or less adventurous eaters.
Light Meals
Shemroon is not a full restaurant, but it does offer more than sugar and caffeine. Local coverage mentions small sandwiches and breakfasts, which likely means simple egg or cheese sandwiches, toasts, and similar cafe fare rather than full plated brunch.
Given the location in Theatre Square, it is well suited to a quick pre- or post-movie snack, a light lunch between errands, or a simple breakfast on your way into the city via BART. Early diners describe it as a place to linger over a drink if you can grab a seat, but it also works for a fast to-go order.
Best Things to Get
This is still a brand-new cafe, but a few items are already emerging as signatures.
- Turkish coffee with cardamom
Very thick, strong coffee brewed in the Turkish style, then scented with cardamom so it tastes aromatic instead of simply bitter. Multiple visitors call out how intense yet smooth it is, so this is the drink to try if you want something that feels distinct from a standard espresso. - Persian tea with rosewater
A classic black tea, subtly flavored with rosewater, poured into glass cups. It is a good choice if you want something lighter than coffee but still want to lean into the Persian side of the menu. - Rosewater cream puff
A round, eclair-like puff pastry filled with a pale, rosewater-infused cream. One reviewer ate it on BART and described it as both delicate and generously filled, the sort of pastry that makes a commute feel a little indulgent. - Baklava and Middle Eastern sweets
Layers of flaky pastry, nuts, and honey or syrup, plus other regional pastries that rotate. These are popular enough that they can be sold out by later in the day, so go earlier if baklava is your priority. - Coffee-and-pastry breakfast in the courtyard
The best “order” here may be a simple combination: an espresso drink or Turkish coffee, a pastry from the case, and a seat in the Theatre Square courtyard. It is an easy stop if you are hopping off BART for a quick break or meeting a friend before a movie next door.
What People Are Saying
Early feedback is very positive about the hospitality and pastries, with some mixed notes on coffee execution and the realities of a new, busy space.
- Many locals single out the Turkish coffee and rosewater desserts as standouts, calling the flavors “very strong in a good way” and “a perfect treat” while praising the owners’ warmth and willingness to chat.
- Reviews and writeups describe a small but tastefully designed room that can feel packed, especially on weekends and around opening events, with limited indoor seats and spillover into the courtyard when the weather is wet.
- A few early commenters note that service and coffee consistency are still finding their rhythm, comparing it less favorably to dedicated third-wave coffee bars, though most say they plan to return as the cafe settles in.
If You Go
Address
Shemroon Cafe
2 Orinda Theatre Square, Suite 108
Orinda, CA 94563
(925) 386-0435
Current hours
(From recent map listings; subject to change as they settle in.)
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Some early coverage mentioned a 6:00 am opening time via a Theatre Square listing; for now, plan around the 8:00 am open and double-check hours before heading over for an early coffee.
How to book
Shemroon is a casual cafe. There is no reservations system; you simply walk up and order at the counter. At busy times, especially weekends and events at the Orinda Theatre, expect a short wait for drinks and potentially a hunt for a table.
Getting there and parking
The cafe is essentially “BART-adjacent.” Walk across the pedestrian bridge from Orinda BART, follow signs to the Theatre District, and you are in Theatre Square within a couple of minutes.(bayareatelegraph.com)
If you are driving, Theatre Square has a garage and nearby street parking; listings note that parking is available and the space is wheelchair accessible.Pets are allowed in the area, so leashed dogs in the courtyard should not be a surprise.
Good to know
- Atmosphere: casual and family-run, with a friendly, chatty owner presence.
- Kids: easy place to bring children for hot chocolate and cookies, especially before or after a movie.
- Noise: typical cafe hum that can get lively when it is full; not a hushed laptop-work environment.
- Payment: credit cards accepted.
Online
They do not appear to have a dedicated website yet; for now, your best bet for updates and photos is their broader bakery presence:
shabnam-pastry.com
Because Shemroon is new (opened just before Halloween 2025), details like hours and menu items may shift, so it is worth checking a recent search or social post before you go.
