Bica Coffeehouse

Nice little café near RockRidge Bart. Had a soy latte and chocolate chip cookie and was pretty good. Don’t have many areas to charge lap top and phone but overall a cool spot. Will come again

Because they have an excellent tea selection of high quality and take care of the presentation and service of their tea, as much as the coffee.

I recently moved away from the Bay Area to Baltimore, but I wanted to make a point about Bica Coffeehouse since it has a very special place in my heart:
I frequented Bica from Spring 2013 until June 2015, which is when I moved for graduate school. During my two plus years at Bica, I have always had a great experience: the pour over coffee is always well done; the teas are always prepared just right; the sandwiches and pastries always hit the spot; and the baristas have always been lovely, lovely people — all of which contributes to a wonderful kind of aura and community of sincere coffee and tea enthusiasts, as well as people just looking for a cozy place to read, write, relax, or do just about anything they feel like doing. Additionally, the baristas have always been very helpful when it came to helping me choose what kinds of coffee and coffee beans to buy, and they were never shy about sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with me.
I used to spend hours at Bica either reading, writing, studying, or even waiting for friends whenever we had a hangout planned — Bica is that welcoming and comfortable of a place to stay at.
I have been to a lot of other coffee places during and since moving away from the Bay Area, but I have yet to find any other coffee place that matches up to my expectations of what a perfect coffee place can and should be, a standard set soundly by Bica.
Thank you Bica for a wonderful two plus years. I’ll see you again in the future :)

I was not impressed with this coffee house, it is small, quaint and cute and it serves a variance of beans from other fair trade roasters which is great, but I found some of the staff a little on the snooty side, the chai tea latte wasn’t very good or flavorful, I’ve had better. I don’t think it should cost more than $ 3.50, it just wasn’t that good or flavorful. I am glad I tried it, but I won’t be returning any time soon.

I came here with my younger sister on a Sunday afternoon.
We were looking for a coffeehouse that was close by, but not the standard Starbucks where we could hang out for a bit until our brother was done getting ready to meet us for a late lunch.
I ordered the hot chocolate and she had the cappuccino. My hot chocolate was your standard so it was good enough to satisfy my sweet tooth along with our morning bun and almond pastry. Both of the pastries were good. However, my sister said that she didn’t really enjoy her cappuccino.
The gentleman who took our order was very friendly. After I finished my hot chocolate, I was looking for something iced and refreshing so he suggested a ginger iced tea type drink, which I honestly can’t recall what it is exactly. It was very plain (yet refreshing), which I didn’t know so I had to add a few packets of sugar and it helped a little.
This is a cute little spot, but I’m sure it can get crowded if you come during weekend mornings since seating is somewhat limited…

Not really 4 stars. Great coffee selection and professional brew. But I’m not too happy about the snobbery. Beginners beware, but coffee enthusiasts will have a ball.
The end of episode 27 nails it
If the wine industry can welcome beginners so can we.
#Balance

I love the Idea that Walking into BICA, I will have a Wonderful Latte Art Experience… there is Another side of this coin, which is to say if you aren’t «Friends with the Young Female Barista’s there, one might have ANOTHER, completely Insulting and Unprofessional Experiemce … I won’t paint the picture for you as it makes me a bit Sick-​inside
A+ for Coffee Selection
B+ for Beverage Execution
D– for ATTITUDE
I can oNly say, I am Nothing But happy to be there, for a coffee… so ALL Smiles on my part, but seriously, I have had some Very Unsavory and UnProfessional experiences with some of the BARISTA’s here… sadly, this, after going for the last 17 months, pretty Religiously for a Very Specific drink and sometimes a pastry, I have decided to take my Business ELSEWHERE!
Cole or Highwire are GREAT!!!

I like this spot! Good espresso, excellent scones and generally great music. The only downsides would be the lack of outlets if you need to charge a phone or laptop and the attitude of one of the baristas. I feel like I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt a few times but his general crab cake nature is pretty consistent. This morning I brought my husband in for the first time and was bummed to basically be frozen out — it’s 47 degrees outside and both doors are wide open. When I eventually asked if we could close them I was told ‘I guess so for a little bit.’ Not a fan of the attitude or having to keep my jacket on inside but will be back for the espresso and pastries.

I got a iced Americano here. Black. I thought the coffee bean used was good in flavor. It wasn’t too overpowering in flavor and not over brewed.

While Rockridge has some strong contenders for great coffee shops my vote is for BiCA and none of the others (Philz, Cole Coffee, Blue Bottle) come close. Here’s why:
BiCA has the best beans. They find some of the most interesting beans from the area and beyond via other very reputable roasters (Ritual, Heart, Verve, Stumptown and more) and they curate their coffee selection based on what’s good now.
The atmosphere isn’t bad either — from the outside it looks just like a tiny little whatever-​coffee shop, but the inside is cozy and inviting, and there are so many locals inside — it’s like the perfect place to grab a book and chill or grab your laptop and get some work done. Also, the addition of to-​go food items from Southie is nice.
Highly recommended for a great cup of coffee. Lucky me for living 1 block away.

I love this place. The baristas are very friendly and willing to take time to help you pick out the right coffee, and they’re super good at keeping up with all the drinks they are making without letting quality slide. I watched a guy mange the register and 4 drip coffees, one being mine, without skipping a beat. My coffee was great. They’re even willing to give tips for home brewing if you ask.
I also really like that they rotate roasters and beans. There’s always something new to try at Bica. They make fantastic drip coffee, and their milk drinks are top notch as well.
Lastly, they now offer sandwiches (from Southie down the street I think) so you can even eat here. The pastries are good too.
The only down side is that this place can be crowded with people who work for a long time, and it’s a bit pricey. However, I’m willing to deal with both of those to get reliably fantastic coffee and service.

Another great work spot with awesome coffee. My favorite buy is the mocha, which is smooth with the right hint of chocolate, not too sweet. And of course I love the fact that they do latte art, which adds to my whole experience :)
It is located right next to the last 51b bus stop by Rockridge Bart, so it is not too far yet not too close to the Berkeley campus. Not the biggest shop, but there are tables for work, some outlets if you get the right table, and free wifi. It is also equipped with windows letting in natural light (which are also perfect for day dreaming).
There is always music playing, but the only down side is it does tend to get too loud at times. Staff is fine.
Awesome fact: they also have a stamp card, so don’t forget to ask for one!

EDIT:
I was contacted by the owner of the business, and I feel like I must update the review to describe better my experience.
I was mistaken regarding the «darker» roast, it was a decaf roast, so indeed they were right into not providing me that.
Also, I forgot to mention something extremely important: The coffee shot itself was technically flawless: perfect temperature, extraction, crema and body. If you are a follower of the «third wave» then you will greatly appreciate it.
Just not me, I look for a smooth balanced espresso, and I guess that till the «fourth wave» comes and becomes trendy I will not be able to enjoy both a perfectly extracted espresso and a smooth one.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — –
There has been a «recent» development of using light/​medium roasts for espresso, while I welcome innovation in roasting I personally dislike it… It brings way too much acidity and sourness in the shot, and in some cases it can even give me heartburn. I’ve been taking espresso for decades, so even if i am not up to the latest in terms of coffee I know what I like and what I don’t. I also know that some baristas are very protective of the quality of their coffee, so If I see medium/​light roast… I normally just pass.
This place had actually three different roasts today: Two light/​medium and one dark. I requested to have a shot of the dark one, but was denied. The barista asked that I did not hold a prejudice against their roast and to be open minded…
I should have left at that point… the coffee was one of the sourest I’ve ever taken, right now I am sitting in another place north of it trying to fight the heartburn with loads of water and bread… to not avail.
The worst is that when they asked me if I liked it, and told them that I still preferred dark roast I was treated with contempt… They didn’t even say bye when I left and refused to even acknowledge me.
Oh the arrogance…

Another day. Another mood. Another experience.
Glad I came back. Overcast day in Rockridge. The streets had just dried off after a long morning of heavy Bay Area mist. I walked into Bica and heard some old, slow, comforting Rolling Stones on the house sound system. I was greeted by a happy face who clearly wanted to help me. I ordered a shot of espresso. The barista suggested an Ethiopian something or other. I wanted to say, You had me at Ethiopian, but I didn’t. It came fast. I went outside. Took a seat. Caught up on some social media and enjoyed my shot. Went back for another. Caught up on some more social media, listened to some music, thanked them and left.
Good job Bica. Keep it up. I’ll keep coming back.

This coffee joint is so hip it hurts… in a good way. It’s set on trendy, laidback College Ave across from Rockridge BART. Bica Coffeehouse’s exterior is nondescript, but the interior harkens to a weathered, rustic farm with reclaimed wood counters and tables. Totes relaxing!
The organic coffee beans come from many sources and countries. Bottoms up awesome espresso and excellent tasting coffee. Cow, soy, almond milk.
I think guy employees are required to have beards.
Watch out Peets!

Great little shop! I have missed good Portland coffee since moving back to the Bay. When I found Bica here on Unilocal and saw they serve Heart and Coava, I knew I had to get over there as quickly as possible. The ladies working were so sweet, the shop is cozy and cute, and the coffee… Shut. Up. I had a simple Coava drip and I could have cried. It tasted like home. Thank you Bica. You made my heart happy today.

Whenever I am in North Oakland I seek out Bica Coffeehouse since they provide some of the very best pour over coffee. They serve small batch third wave coffee from Verve, Intelligentsia, Ritual, Cova and a few others.
The baristas are very knowledgable and I always ask them to recommend their favorite or the most popular one at the moment. Usually the wait is a few minutes then coffee paradise is at hand. There is something deeply relaxing or even meditative about Bica. I am not sure what that something is that makes the experience but it is consistently the same wonderful zen like space the moment I enter.
It is small but cozy with just a few tables and a nice long section along the window of raised seats facing outward towards the street. The coffee is about $ 4.75 for a pour over but worth every penny. I don’t go here every day but I always look forward to some Sunday down time doing nothing but focusing on my Ethiopian fresh brew coffee thanks to Bica.

They must have just made a chai latte when we walked in here ’cause chai spices perfumed the entire café! What a warming and fragrant smell it was!
I love Bica! They don’t roast their own beans, but they source them from the best roasters. As one reviewer has mentioned, they make espresso drinks and drip coffee using beans from Verve, Intelligentsia, Ritual, Four Barrel, and Coava. I’ve had coffee roasted by all of the above and they’ve all been wonderful. This time, I asked for a drip of the Coava Ethiopia and I was not disappointed. It was so flavorful, complex and delicious. No need for sugar or milk. It was my second cup that morning, so I was mainly savoring the taste, not gulping as I usually do. Haha
Bica has a lot of seats inside, both tables and bar height seating, and a few tables outside. Art pieces adorn the wall, and my eye was drawn to a wonderful triptych that befits the start of the spring season as soon as we walked in to the café.
The coffee is a little pricey – my fantastic drip Coava coffee was over $ 4.50 – but it costs about the same as a mediocre latte from Starbucks. Starbucks doesn’t even compare. Plus, this is a small business and I love supporting small businesses. Try their coffee! You’ll be hooked!

A small local coffee shop on the corner of Miles St and College Ave conveniently nearby the Rockridge BART station and next door to Trader Joes this is a coffee spot worth checking out to hang out, study and have a true coffee experience.
Upon entering I was warmly greeted by the two baristas at the front. The cool gentleman asked what I wanted to order and I mentioned that it was my first time here, he kind of chuckled and smiled back. Did I feel awkward about that? No. I didn’t feel rushed but I rushed myself and chose the latte. Good decision.
Few spaces to sit along the window side to people watch along with a few small wooden tables and chairs adjacent to each other. There is additional seating as well outside.
My latte arrives in a good amount of time and on first sip I figured this was the stuff coffee was meant to truly taste and be. Not acidic and fairly bitter like some products I will go to for convenience and immediate caffeine gratification. This latte was savored to the last sip. I enjoyed the subtle flavors and creamy feel from the milk. Temperature was on point. Pretty art on it as well.
They also have a few items for bites but I’ll save that for another visit. Overall, a cool chill spot and I’ll probably come through again when I’m in the area.

Convenient location. About 5 indoor tables, 4 outdoors tables, counter space. Lots of outlets. Friendly, laid back servers. I got a chai latte in a mug for $ 3.75– strong flavors I enjoyed. Their other teas looked good too. I like their presentation. Good place to meet a friend or do some work.