James The Giant Cupcake - Oakland

This is the best specialty cupcake shop where I was! Typically, I find that cupcake shops are overly trendy and are held by Instragram-worthy, not really aromatic. James and the Giant Cupcake blow away all these assumptions!! I tried 15 flavors at this point and they were all amazing. Not excessively sweet, fun, seasonal flavors, and beautiful presentation! Make yourself a favor and get some cupcakes from here:

This is a very ingenious local company to support that belongs to super awesome women! They are located next to the sweet café and a few small boutiques on a lively street, in a residential area. Allow time to park and explore the entire block. I was lucky to find a jewelry store a few doors down below that fast gift a beautiful necklace for my BFF packed the birthday girl while I picked up her cupcakes last week. This original location on San Pablo and Alcatraz was so popular that they now have a second location in the Jack London District. They make delicious cupcakes, small and large, for ALL occasions. The chocolate with an oreo cookie is my favorite. They have salted caramel cupcakes, strawberry short cakes, and all kinds of different flavors along with traditional. It is so funny to get an assortment of mini cupcakes so that your guests can all have a two bite taste of any taste. They are all unique, beautiful and naturally delicious. You can usually order online or by phone. You're even DELIVER! Isn't that a total game changer for party planners?? Visit their website to be inspired. I think the prices are fair and it is a pleasure to support these amazing women who own the business and do so much for other people around them.

We ordered custom Unicorn cupcakes for a birthday party. Not only was the cupcake so cute, but the carrot cake itself was super moist. It's a bit pricey $60 for a dozen), but highly recommend!

I don't live near Oakland and pre-COVID I was out here only when work brought me here, but I always remembered James and the Giant Cupcake...so obviously I checked to make sure they were surviving and sure enough I was thrilled they stayed open! So I drive all the way out here to get my cupcake fix! I try different flavors all the time with them because everything is just so good! I have not had one that I have not liked and I normally am pretty selective when it comes to cupcakes! You will definitely catch me making a special trip out here again real soon :

The pancakes were incredibly fluffy and light! I'm dying to know the secret ingredient.