Shibam Coffee shines in Oakland

• The fancy setting seems tailor-made for a four-star hotel, but Shibam is nestled next to a CVS and Domino's Pizza in a oft-forgotten section of the city.

Dig in: We tried the iced pistachio latte, a picture-perfect presentation made for social media posting.

• The nutty and creamy flavors took a while to mesh, but once they did, the latte was an elegant treat.
• Don't forget to try a pastry or a Yemeni milk cake, and wash it down with a Turkish coffee.

The vibe: Students love hanging out here, either chatting with friends or studying on their laptops. And it's one of the few coffee shops open late, closing at 11pm daily.

Between the lines: Michigan-based Shibam specializes in Yemeni recipes and has locations across the country, particularly near college campuses and in areas with high Muslim populations.

• Shibam's owner had family in Pittsburgh, which led him to open the shop in Oakland, according to Table magazine.

If you go: Shibam Coffee is at 4630 Centre Ave. in Oakland.

• Open 7am-11pm daily.