Ember and Bean Roasting Co

Ember and Bean Roasting Co is in a newer building in Oakdale. It's bright and open, with lots of natural light, long tables and plenty of outlets. There's a small kids' area, and dogs are welcome, so families, remote workers and dog owners all use it. The front lot fills up at peak times, and the garage takes a minute to figure out the first time.

The coffee's taken seriously. There's a geisha on the menu, pour-overs are always on, and the baristas know their stuff. The Flower Power, espresso over sparkling water with citrus, is the drink regulars order for something different. For food, there's a pork breakfast burrito, a cheddar bacon egg biscuit and blueberry muffins.

Their site says the people behind the coffee are what make it great.