Abe’s Cafe is a small, independently run cafe in the heart of downtown Lafayette that specializes in quick and delicious breakfast food–and surprisingy good cofee!
It is the new location of a beloved Berkeley spot, brought east over the hills with the same focus on hearty burritos, empanadas, and strong coffee.
The vibe is low‑key and neighborly: counter service, a handful of small tables, rotating local art on the walls, and a steady stream of regulars picking up lattes and breakfast wraps. And the owner is incredibly nice–a very welcoming presence.
Plus, the prices are terrific! Here’s what to know.
The Basics
Abe’s sits on Mount Diablo Boulevard in downtown Lafayette, between Oak Hill Road and Thompson Road, across from Amarin Thai and near The Breakfast Club at Midtown. It occupies a narrow former upholstery storefront that has been brightened up with artwork and simple cafe furniture, plus a couple of outdoor seats when the weather cooperates.
Owner Abe built his reputation at the original Abe’s Cafe near UC Berkeley, where students and staff fell for his affordable breakfast burritos, empanadas, and friendly, hands‑on service.
Opening Lafayette took nearly a year of construction and permitting, but he now splits his energy between the two locations and is often the one greeting guests, walking them through the menu, and remembering names.
Price‑wise, Abe’s is solidly in the “casual weeknight and everyday breakfast” category. A filling breakfast burrito, coffee, and a cookie can land under $20, which is notably less than a sit‑down brunch nearby.
The overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming: counter‑order, food delivered to your table, with a mix of solo laptop workers, families grabbing a quick breakfast, and neighbors chatting over coffee.
The Menu
Abe’s Lafayette menu follows the Berkeley original but tilts even more toward breakfast‑all‑day and drinks. You order at the counter from a board that runs from specialty coffee and matcha drinks to empanadas, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast plates. Portions tend to be generous without being over the top, and there are good options for both meat‑eaters and vegetarians.
On the food side, expect all‑day breakfast staples like loaded breakfast burritos, croissant sandwiches, avocado toasts, bagels with lox, yogurt and granola bowls, and simple fruit salads.
Lunch leans on Abe’s well‑known sandwiches and salads: steak and chicken‑and‑avocado sandwiches, BLTs, and composed salads like Cobb or smoked‑salmon versions. Empanadas, in a mix of meat and veggie fillings, are a signature; they come hot, with a side of bright green salsa.
The drink list is more ambitious than it first appears. Along with straight espresso drinks, you will find things like matcha horchata, dirty chai, Thai iced tea, and seasonal drinks such as hot apple cider. There is a full page of iced options, smoothies, fresh juices, and aguas frescas, plus a focused matcha section that includes strawberry matcha with a cream top and other flavored lattes.
For something sweet, there is a small but thoughtful pastry case. Reviews consistently mention house‑baked baklava, Latin American cookies sandwiched with jam and dusted in powdered sugar, and classic cafe pastries like croissants and pecan swirls. Desserts are sized to tack onto a coffee order rather than demand their own occasion.
Best Things to Get
Abe’s menu is broad, but a few items have already emerged as standouts in Lafayette.
- Breakfast Burrito
A hefty wrap stuffed with scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, and your choice of meat (chorizo and chicken apple‑pineapple sausage are popular), plus tomatillo or green salsa on the side. It is praised as one of the best breakfast burritos in the area: well‑balanced, not greasy, and large enough to share or turn into two meals. - Empanadas (Carne, Chorizo, Veggie)
Abe’s Argentine‑style empanadas are a calling card carried over from Berkeley. Fillings typically include carne picada beef, chorizo with potatoes and egg, chicken, and several vegetarian options like mushroom, corn (humita), spinach, or zucchini. The crust is flaky rather than doughy and they come branded with their filling names, a charming touch when you order a mixed box. - Breakfast Croissant
A warm croissant sandwich loaded with scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, cheddar, and chipotle aioli, sometimes gussied up further with avocado and arugula. Locals single it out as one of the better breakfast sandwiches in town: rich, a little messy, and ideal with a strong latte. - Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast or Lox Bagel
If you prefer something lighter, the smoked salmon options pair avocado, tomato, red onion, and capers with either toast or a bagel. They are classic West Coast takes on lox and bagels, satisfying without being heavy, and an easy order if you are sharing the table with someone going big on a burrito. - Matcha & Specialty Coffee Drinks
Abe’s has quickly become a go‑to in Lafayette for matcha drinks. The straight matcha latte is balanced and not overly sweet, while flavored options like strawberry matcha with cream top lean more indulgent. Coffee fans call out the use of locally roasted beans and note that cappuccinos, oat‑milk lattes, and basic drip coffee are all done with care. - Baklava and Latin Sweets
For a small treat, grab a piece of house baklava or the jam‑filled cookies piled in the case. They are not fussy desserts, but they taste homemade and make a nice finish to a savory breakfast.
What People Are Saying
The early consensus is that Abe’s Lafayette delivers excellent coffee and breakfast food with unusually warm, personal service for a quick‑serve cafe.
- Many reviewers rave about the breakfast burritos, croissants, and empanadas, calling them flavorful, well‑seasoned, and fairly priced given Lafayette’s brunch scene. Sandwiches like the BLT and chicken‑and‑avocado are also getting repeat praise once people move beyond breakfast.
- The coffee and matcha programs draw a lot of comments: locals appreciate the strong, smooth espresso, creative matcha drinks, and the fact that Abe’s opens early at 7 am, filling a gap between fancier sit‑down brunch spots and the big chains.
- Service and atmosphere are big reasons people say they will be back. Abe is often mentioned by name as incredibly welcoming, the cafe is kept very clean, and the rotating local artwork gives it a community feel. The main caveats are that the space is small with mostly two‑tops, and a few folks note that some items, like the steak sandwich, feel pricier than others, or that online ordering via delivery apps can be a bit finicky.
If You Go
Address:
Abe’s Cafe
3572 Mount Diablo Blvd
Lafayette, CA 94549
Operating hours (check before you go):
- Monday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Recent coffee‑app and matcha‑directory listings agree on a 7 am opening time; some still show slightly later weekday closing times, so treat late afternoon as flexible and confirm on the day you go.
How to book or order:
Abe’s is walk‑in only; there are no reservations. You order at the counter and grab any open table. For takeout and delivery, Abe’s appears on platforms like DoorDash, and you can often mobile‑order drinks through the Joe Coffee app for quick pickup.
Parking and access:
The cafe fronts Mount Diablo Blvd, so the most convenient option is street parking directly in front or on nearby blocks; expect meters or time limits during the day. There’s also a lot with a very beautiful new mural a few storefronts down:
Good to know:
Seating is limited to a handful of two‑tops and one larger table inside, plus outdoor seats, so it can fill quickly during the breakfast rush. The atmosphere is casual and kid‑friendly, with plenty of laptop diners as well; noise levels stay comfortable since there is no alcohol or bar scene. Dress is very casual. If you like art, keep an eye on the walls: Abe’s regularly features work by local artists and has hosted small exhibition openings.
Website or primary info page:
Because Abe’s does not currently appear to have its own standalone website, the most reliable central listing for current info is the city tourism page:
experiencelafayetteca.org/dine/abes-cafe
Details such as hours and offerings can change, so it is always worth double‑checking a recent listing or calling before you head over, especially later in the afternoon or on holidays.
This is a dining guide, but you can read our editorial review here.
