Black Oak Coffee Roasters

Located two hours north of San Francisco, right off of Highway 101, Ukiah is home to the Black Oak Coffee Roasters. A large dining area and a trendy atmosphere provide plenty of room for the bustling customers who fill the cafe. Ample seating and a good internet connection invited us to stay a while and soak in the coffee-lover ambiance.

The breakfast menu was small, and by 9am on a Tuesday, they were sold out of a few items. We snagged a Veggie Breakfast Burrito, a Cranberry-Zucchini Muffin, and a Morning Roll to enjoy with our coffees. The Veggie Burrito was made with a soft, flaky tortilla that almost melted into its cooked insides. It was packed with creamy cheese and a rainbow of seasoned vegetables including peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and summer squash. Each ingredient could be tasted with every bite. Big size and sheer amount of flavor made this the best hot breakfast option available, but still competed with the baked goods for overall quality.

Leading the pastry array was the Cranberry-Zucchini Muffin that was gluten-free, soft, and pristinely crumbly. Made with real cranberries and topped with oats and nuts, the muffin’s distinct flavors meshed well together. It was impossible to tell that gluten was absent in the recipe. As for more gluten-filled  option, the Morning Cinnamon Roll definitely woke us up with its generous amount of cinnamon and doughy goodness. Sugar lined the entire pastry up till the slightly underbaked gooey inside:  no complaints here! Put your diet aside and make sure to dive into this fantastic roll.

Even if you’re not quite hungry, grab a cup of locally crafted coffee. With practically their own factory within the building, Black Oak’s brews are immaculately fresh. Out of many pour-over coffee varieties we chose the Othaya blend, containing hints of brown sugar and black currants. The Brown Sugar Spice Latte was less sweet and more spice but had a strong aroma of brown sugar, cozy and soft down to the end.

Good for the hungry and the thirsty, Black Oak Coffee Roasters will satisfy all. If you find yourself in Northern California and need a pick-me-up, stop by for a small meal and a local cup of Joe.