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Modigliani Cafe
Handcrafted sandwiches with a side of heartfelt hospitality in Oakland.
4.8(5 reviews)
$
restaurant
breakfast-and-brunch
delis
About Modigliani Cafe
Modigliani Cafe is a beloved Oakland gem where every sandwich is a labor of love, made entirely in-house from scratch, including bread, sauces, and pickles. Known for its 4.8-star rating, we serve hearty, flavorful paninis like steak, meatball, and Cuban, alongside fresh salads and complimentary treats. Our warm, family-like atmosphere and exceptional customer service make every visit a memorable experience, with free samples, coffee, and a genuine commitment to community. Perfect for lunch seekers, food enthusiasts, and anyone craving authentic, high-quality fare in a welcoming setting.
Business Info
Location
3208-3210 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, USA
Services Offered
Handcrafted Panini Sandwiches
Freshly made sandwiches like steak, meatball, and Cuban, grilled to perfection with house-baked bread and homemade sauces.
In-House Deli Items
All ingredients crafted from scratch, including pickled peppers, pesto, mustard, and hot sauce for a unique, artisanal touch.
Fresh Salads and Sides
Light and flavorful options such as Greek salad, complemented by house-made chips and other seasonal sides.
Complimentary Hospitality
Free coffee, samples, and chips for first-timers, creating a welcoming, community-focused dining experience.
Catering and Takeout
Convenient options for grab-and-go meals, ideal for picnics, office lunches, or events in the Oakland area.
Reviews
4.8(5 reviews)
Rating Distribution
5
4
4
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3
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Melissa
via Google
2 months ago
⭐ Stellar Service at Modigliani Cafe While the food at Modigliani Cafe is undoubtedly 5-star quality, the customer service truly elevates the entire experience to another level. The staff is nothing short of amazing—warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about what they do. They create such an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that you feel welcomed the moment you step through the door. Their dedication to service makes this place a destination. It’s the kind of place where you want to come back just to enjoy the friendly faces. The quality of the service alone makes Modigliani a must-visit!
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Phuong Luongvia Google
4 months ago
Truly truly special place. The other reviews should have already convinced you to come here, I love everything about this place and every single element of the sandwich. The owner gave me meatball, tuna, and bacon samples and they were all great but the bacon is a little more lean than I'd prefer (which is probably better for you anyways). Definitey on the more pricey side ($17 for steak panini) but I'd come back here again and again.
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K Rvia Google
5 months ago
Came in wanting the steak panini which they were out of steak and ended up getting the meatball sandwich. The sandwich is delicious and the tomato sauce has a slight sweetness to it that makes me want more. The stuff here is known to be fresh! Also, I appreciated receiving a bag of chips with this order. This was a good $15 well spent.
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Libbyvia Google
6 months ago
This absolute gem of a cafe reaffirmed my faith in the point of eating out, having new shared experiences, connecting with people and their labors of love. As other reviews have amply stated, they make EVERYTHING in-house here, down to the mustard. What stays with me is the pride they take in this making; the way everything has a little story and there’s just joy in being able to share it. I haven’t encountered hospitality like this in a long time-- no-frills, treating everyone like family. Complimentary coffee, free chips for first-timers, generous samples, checking in that you have everything you need, deriving joy just from seeing us enjoy the food. Regulars dropped by just to chat and I could totally see why. Someone who used to work in the kitchen came in and the owner knew it was his birthday. Dogs got a little meatball treat. “Service” doesn’t even cut it. It really felt like a space to just love food and be in community. The food was fantastic in every way, thoughtful and hearty and balanced in wonderful flavor. Everything had me thinking, ad nauseam: “this is the best ___ I’ve ever had.” The best cuban sandwich (crispy perfect panini, delightful pulled pork and tender turkey/ham); the best greek salad (so light and tart and juicy and fresh!); the best meatball (such savory, homey textures!); the best pesto. I am always on the lookout for good pickled things and would literally buy their house-cured peppers in bulk if I could. But also, I think I’d prefer coming back as often as possible :) “Our goal is that you leave happier than when you came in!”
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A Ngvia Google
about 1 year ago
Awesome service. Such a friendly owner. Free coffee and home made hot sauce. Great location, walkable and near the lake and other business. Very little seating but we were able to sit at the one table outside. The sandwiches were delicious with a generous portion of ingredients. I would like to see more vegetarian options, and it would have been nice to have more veggies in the meat sandwich we got to lighten the heaviness of the oil, bread and meat. I’d definitely come back to try more sandwiches though!
