# Café Noir

> Cafe Noir is a Black-owned Oakland restaurant serving scratch-made comfort food with gourmet interpretations of Nigerian, Panamanian, Caribbean, and broader African-diaspora flavors, now operating from Prescott Market in West Oakland.

Company page on Leadbay: https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/oaklandcafenoir.com · loaded 2026-10-29

## At a glance

- Website: https://oaklandcafenoir.com
- Team based in: Oakland (oaklandcafenoir.com and 1 more)
- Founded: 2006 (oaklandcafenoir.com and 1 more)
- Industry: Restaurants
- Employees: 145 (employees and founders, investors not counted; oaklandcafenoir.com and 1 more)
- Email: info@cafenoir.fr

## What it sells, to whom

- Cafe Noir is a Black-owned Oakland restaurant serving scratch-made comfort food with gourmet interpretations of Nigerian, Panamanian, Caribbean, and broader African-diaspora flavors, now operating from Prescott Market in West Oakland. ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))

## Why it stands out

- Competes with: Other Prescott Market food-and-drink vendors competing for food-hall traffic include Woo Can Cook, Fast Times Burgers, Pizzeria Violetta, Prescott Meats & Delicatessen, Highwire Coffee Roasters, and Almanac Beer Co.; these are adjacent vendors rather than necessarily direct concept competitors. ([sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php), [prescottmarket.com](https://www.prescottmarket.com/market/cafenoir))

## Products and services

- Brunch, lunch, and dinner dishes inspired by the African diaspora ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Andouille shrimp and grits ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Banana-bread French toast with bananas Foster, whipped cream, and candied walnuts ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Sweet-potato pancakes ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Prescott bowls, including shrimp/farro-and-beans variations ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Grains in Purgatory and breakfast sandwiches ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- House-made sauces, freshly baked bread, drinks, and ricotta donuts ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))
- Takeout, delivery, catering, business catering, and private-chef services ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php))

## Customers and markets

- **Customers**: Local West Oakland and broader Oakland diners seeking brunch, lunch, dinner, takeout, and comfort food; food-hall visitors; catering and private-chef/business-catering customers. ([eastbayexpress.com](https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/), [sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php), [hoodline.com](https://hoodline.com/2026/03/west-oakland-scores-bold-new-african-diaspora-cafe-at-prescott-market/))
- **Markets**: Primary market: Oakland, especially West Oakland and the Prescott Market neighborhood. ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/), [prescottmarket.com](https://www.prescottmarket.com/market/cafenoir), [cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1))
- **Markets**: Customer segments: local café/restaurant diners, takeout and delivery customers, brunch and dinner guests, business/event catering clients, and private-chef/catering customers. ([cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/), [prescottmarket.com](https://www.prescottmarket.com/market/cafenoir), [cafenoiroak.com](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1))

## Team

- Marisa Gittens-Mihedji, General Manager/co-owner
- Jmour Raouf, President

## Latest news

- 2025-05-13 · [La Loulou brings a splash of Paris to Oakland, Cafe Noir moves to Prescott Market](https://oaklandside.org/2025/05/13/la-loulou-demiya-xiang-xiang-restaurant-openings/) (oaklandside.org)
- 2025-04-04 · [Vibrant New Food Hall Prescott Market Opens in West Oakland | Eater SF](https://sf.eater.com/2025/4/4/24401447/oakland-food-hall-prescott-market-opening) (sf.eater.com)
- 2024-03-29 · [Oakland's Cafe Noir is cooking up big things in a tight space](https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/29/cafe-noir-french-cafe-oakland-dimond/) (oaklandside.org)
- 2023-09-26 · [Vegan bar food, a new Yemeni restaurant and Xocolate expands](https://oaklandside.org/2023/09/26/cafe-noir-sheba-little-pear-melos-new-restaurants/) (oaklandside.org)

## Where to find more

- [This page in Markdown, for agents](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/oaklandcafenoir.com.md)

## Decision makers

- [Marisa Gittens-Mihedji](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/marisa-gittens-mihedji--oaklandcafenoir.com.md), General Manager/co-owner
- [Jmour Raouf](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/jmour-raouf--oaklandcafenoir.com.md), President

Work emails and direct phones come with a Leadbay account: https://wow.leadbay.ai/?register=true

Where it comes from: 22 sites read (oaklandcafenoir.com, cafenoiroak.com, eastbayexpress.com, sfgate.com, prescottmarket.com, exa.ai, hoodline.com, yelp.com, …).

## Best angle

2026-10-29 · Headcount: Headcount up 12% in a year (1 source)

## Signals: what happened

- 2026-10-29 · Headcount: Headcount up 12% in a year (1 source: [A company database](https://oaklandcafenoir.com/))
- 2026-10-12 · Product: Original announcement: Come say hello, stay awhile, and help us bring the space to life. (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/caf%C3%A9-noir-detroit_cafenoir-detroitcoffee-downtowndetroit-activity-7515202871114788864-2pla))
- 2026-10-10 · News: What if tea could touch the clouds? ☁️ (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sapatadiip-roy-33241110_montblanccollection-cafenoir-originseven-activity-7514621995527864321-LNrx))
- 2026-10-07 · Fundraising: Voor veel mensen is thuis een fijne plek om te zijn. Ook in de laatste fase van hun leven. Maar thuis zorgen voor iemand die niet meer beter wordt, kan ontzettend veel … | Café Noir (1 source: [nl.linkedin.com](https://nl.linkedin.com/posts/cafe-noir-videoproducties_voor-veel-mensen-is-thuis-een-fijne-plek-activity-7513568346890690561-cxGd))
- 2026-06-19 · News: Mango Season Has Arrived at Café Noir (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sapatadiip-roy-33241110_cafenoir-mangoseason-mangotresleches-activity-7473704605994991616-5Vmr))
- 2026-04-10 · News: NIEUW TER OVERNAME: CAFE NOIR TE BREDA (ECHT WAAR;)) (1 source: [nl.linkedin.com](https://nl.linkedin.com/posts/hormax-horecamakelaars_nieuw-ter-overname-cafe-noir-te-breda-echt-activity-7448365340339785728-Lnvx))
- 2025-10-05 · News: Ai että miten vahvaa ja freshiä some-estetiikkaa sykkivä kahvilauutuus Cafe Noir aukesi tällä viikolla Espalla. Täytyy nostaa hattua tälle kokonaisvaltaiselle konseptille, joka elää selkeän visuaalisesti ja erottuvalla tyylillään niin somessa kuin myös … (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tony-stepanow-228b1416_ai-ett%C3%A4-miten-vahvaa-ja-freshi%C3%A4-some-estetiikkaa-activity-7380658876561563648-7w0a))
- 2025-05-13 · News: La Loulou brings a splash of Paris to Oakland, Cafe Noir moves to Prescott Market (1 source: [oaklandside.org](https://oaklandside.org/2025/05/13/la-loulou-demiya-xiang-xiang-restaurant-openings/))
- 2025-04-04 · Expansion: Vibrant New Food Hall Prescott Market Opens in West Oakland (1 source: [sf.eater.com](https://sf.eater.com/2025/4/4/24401447/oakland-food-hall-prescott-market-opening))
- 2024-03-29 · News: Oakland's Cafe Noir is cooking up big things in a tight space (1 source: [oaklandside.org](https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/29/cafe-noir-french-cafe-oakland-dimond/))
- 2023-09-26 · Expansion: Vegan bar food, a new Yemeni restaurant and Xocolate expands (1 source: [oaklandside.org](https://oaklandside.org/2023/09/26/cafe-noir-sheba-little-pear-melos-new-restaurants/))
- 2016-09-13 · News: Histoire du café (1 source: [knigozal.com](https://knigozal.com/store/gb/book/histoire-du-caf%C3%A9/isbn/978-3-8417-9382-9))

## Working on now

- Operating as a Black-owned Oakland café/restaurant focused on comfort food with a gourmet twist and food that celebrates the African diaspora, especially Nigerian and Panamanian influences.
- Serving the local Oakland/West Oakland market from 1620 18th Street in Prescott Market, with brunch, lunch, dinner, takeout, delivery, and catering.
- Building out catering as a full-service offering, including rentals, bartenders, and servers.
- Maintaining the newer Prescott Market location/brand presence; the company’s blog says Prescott Market opened in April 2025 and lists Cafe Noir among its food businesses.
- The latest employment listing says Cafe Noir is expected to become Heirlume in 2027; this appears to be a possible future rebrand, not a current change, and is not corroborated on Cafe Noir’s own site.

From: [Cafe Noir | Black Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/), [Cafe Noir — Prescott Market](https://www.prescottmarket.com/market/cafenoir), [About Us — Cafe Noir | lack Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1), [Blog — Cafe Noir | lack Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch](https://www.cafenoiroak.com/blog)

## Summary

Cafe Noir is a Black-owned, chef-driven restaurant in Oakland, California, that offers comfort food with a gourmet twist inspired by the African diaspora, specifically Nigerian and Panamanian culinary traditions [1][2][3]. Founded and operated by Marisa Gittens-Mihedji and executive chef Steven Mihedji, the business functions as a sister brand to their catering company, Cook and Run [2][4]. The cafe serves lunch, brunch, and dinner to the local community through walk-up and online orders [1][3]. It received startup investment from ESO Ventures’ Capital in the Community Fund [5][4]. Cafe Noir currently operates a stall at Prescott Market in West Oakland, having relocated from its former Dimond district location in 2025 [6][7][3].

[1]: https://www.cafenoiroak.com/ "Cafe Noir | Black Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch"
[2]: https://www.cafenoiroak.com/about-1 "About Us — Cafe Noir | lack Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch"
[3]: https://hoodline.com/2026/03/west-oakland-scores-bold-new-african-diaspora-cafe-at-prescott-market/ "West Oakland Scores Bold New African Diaspora Cafe At Prescott Market"
[4]: https://www.eso-ventures.com/eso-news/entrepreneurhighlightmarisa "ESO Entrepreneur Spotlight: Marisa Gittens — ESO Ventures"
[5]: https://www.cafenoiroak.com/blog "Blog — Cafe Noir | lack Owned | Take Out | Delivery | Catering | Oakland, CA | Business Catering | Private Chef | Lunch | Brunch"
[6]: https://eastbayexpress.com/prescott-market-opens-in-west-oakland/ "Prescott Market opens in West Oakland"
[7]: https://oaklandside.org/2025/05/13/la-loulou-demiya-xiang-xiang-restaurant-openings/ "La Loulou brings a splash of Paris to Oakland, Cafe Noir moves to Prescott Market"
[8]: https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/29/cafe-noir-french-cafe-oakland-dimond/ "Oakland's Cafe Noir is cooking up big things in a tight space"

## Sources

- [Cafe Noir's website](https://oaklandcafenoir.com)
- [Company record, via Exa](https://oaklandcafenoir.com/)
- [Cafe Noir — Prescott Market](https://www.prescottmarket.com/market/cafenoir)
- [Everything you should eat at this stunning new Bay Area food hall](https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-food-hall-pizza-burgers-20255539.php)