Café Etoile

Cafe caught my eye as I was on a walk, ordered a matcha latte and an avocado toast. The toast took a long time but it was busy no big deal. The reason for the low review is that I watched as my avocado toast was being made, and the cook was eating tomato slices as he was cutting them. What’s the point of wearing gloves if you’re just going to put them on your mouth? It’s unsanitary, and as someone who has a compromised immune system I was not comfortable eating it after that. I brought it up with the person at the cash register and she was very nice and understanding, gave me a refund and a muffin.

Nice staff, but the restaurant clearly needs to improve their hygiene standards.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3

I went there after Gameday at Cal. (Go Bears! ?) I got a BAT sandwich which was super good, the bacon was in-between crispy and chewy and the bread was semi crispy! I also got peach lemonade which exceeded my expectations! It tasted exactly like peaches, it didn't taste artificial at all! The service was very quick only taking about 5 minutes. The atmosphere felt cozy (except for paramedics being in front of the store front) !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sandwich

I am a picky eater, I like good tasting food and am willing to pay extra for it. The food was so yummy, and well priced. The chicken and croffle (croissant waffle) Benedict was amazing. The chicken was super crispy yet juicy and the sauce was great too if there was one thing I could nitpick at it would be that the poached egg was slightly overdone, but it was still runny. They even made me a vanilla latte (although it was not on the menu). The staff was kind and attentive (didn’t even bad and I when I changed my order at the last minute). We were there just before 9 on a Sunday and there were a few tables. By 9:30 they were full and it got a little noisy. I will DEFINITELY be back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken & Croffle

Got the fried chicken croffle with poached egg. Very tender chicken thighs and pretty good croffle (I would have preferred it a little fluffier).

It's a big portion so get it if you're starving

Very comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. Offers a range of coffees, pastries and light foods. Counter service only. Nice staff, but not overly efficient about completing your order. Don't come here for a quick coffee unless it's just a drip coffee.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Croissant

They charge a full $1 extra for non-dairy milk, and the coffee doesn’t taste good. Originally in the 00s, this upcharge was because nobody drank it so cafes had to open a new bottle for a customer who ordered it. But in Berkeley in 2024? Non dairy milk orders are as common as dairy milk, and the $1 upcharge makes it a $7 cappuccino. It’s ridiculous. Also there are no vegan options for food. It’s like this cafe is driving us away.

Edited to add: Nope, it’s just not plausible that it costs you $1 to substitute with non-dairy milk in a 8oz cappuccino. You’re profiting more off of people who have dietary restrictions compared to people who don’t.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

Good for breakfast

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

The croffle was delightful, the texture was great and the kept the richness of a croissant. I got the bacon and egg croffle and my partner got the chicken benedict. That was the best fried chicken I have had in a long, LONG time. The cold rew coffee was lovely and the butterfly lemonade was both beautiful and delicious. This place is being added to my favorites list. (Forgot to get a picture of the food, it was also displayed beautifully before we ate it. ?)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything here is delicious! Especially the croffle with fried chicken, kimchi fried rice

I love their iced matcha!

So good. Very good food and excellent service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great service! Yummy food. Great coffee.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything tastes good here!

Food: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken & Croffle, Bulgogi Sandwich, Breakfast Sandwich, Croissant

The food was very good as well as the coffee.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Fantastic cup of coffee. Solid food offering. And at a reasonable price. Excellent! Had a salad, two different breakfast sandwiches, and a waffle w berries. All were very good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Sandwich, Croffle Croissant Waffle