Great ambiance, relaxing space, delicious fresh food, and they have a private parking lot too. Will be coming back again!!! Staff were really nice and not too much rushy with the customers very laid back. Very pleasant and cheerful place.
Poonam D.
Store owner/ management please have a conversation with your front staff, 2 staffs were very rude And racially profiled us. spent 75 dollars at your establishment just to be judged . We didn't even eat our food after the service we had . Brought my mom here who is 77 for breakfast? my mother Huevos Veracru the whole omelette was filled with tomatoes. I have added the picture to the website. I ordered fish tacos Which was also loaded with tomatoes as well . I went to the front and asked if they could come check out our plate. The lady came, She took the plate in front of my mom walked around with the plate in her hand went in the kitchen this whole time. She is carrying the plate and talking over it then another staff brings our plate still talking over the plate and telling us that this is how the omelette comes they can't do anything about the tomato es .. she cannot exchange it. We will have to purchase two eggs if we wanted her to fix the order . Next table to us had some complication with their order, but they went ahead and fixed it right away. I guess the color of your skin really matters management and the staff in front. I hope you are being better towards your parents at home cause you are very mean towards us , I work for Alta Bates and I will be Not recommending this restaurant to anyone Specially our indian brother and sisters
Daniel Contreras
Never knew this place existed. Friend invited me to breakfast and I loved it here. Food was great, service was quick, and the seating in garden area was super relaxing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito
Brooke S.
This is hands down the best spot in California. It has delicious food, convenient location on San Pablo, beautiful garden, excellent service and Parking Lot!!! What a gem of a spot! Kids get pancakes = happy Adults get the delicious omelettes (date is my favorite). Their drinks and pastries are sooo good as well! (The Ukraine rugalach)... yum with the tumeric latte. Heaven!!! Families and friends check out this secret spot in Berkeley! 10/10
dave o
So cute and good food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Pat H
I want to change my review since my earlier visit. The food has much improved and the customer service is much better.The outside seating has also been enlarged. Never a pressure to leave. We sat for almost 2 hours for lunch on a beautiful sunny day.
Visiting this cafe on a sunny weekday morning was such a delight! As you enter in, the staff take your drink order and then your food order to get you started. They make your drink on the spot so you can sip on it while you wait for your food to be prepared. I liked this approach a lot because it saved time from having to wait for a waiter to come over. The outdoor patio was beautiful and very peaceful. There were lots of plants and a fountain trickling softly in the background. As for the items that I ordered, everything was very delicious! I got a sweet red rooibos tea latte with almond milk. It had a mild but comforting flavor. The veggie tyab was the true star of the show. The entree came with perfectly sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and diced zucchini. The veggies were seasoned with lemon and sumac, making them savory yet refreshingly zesty. The side salad with grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and feta had a nice light dressing on it. The baba ganoush was smoky and scrumptious. It reminded me of the baba ganoush I've had back home in Lebanon. The plate was also garnished with thick, creamy hummus that went very well with the veggies. The dolmas were tasty as well, and the bread was great for scooping everything up. I also ordered a blueberry scone to have for breakfast the next day, and it was wonderfully buttery and lemony at the same time. It had a good amount of dried blueberries and was the perfect texture. It went very well with a nice cup of tea. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, especially the man making the drinks. Despite the ever growing line of people, they kept up the hustle with cheer and got my food order out very quickly. I would definitely recommend checking out this lovely cafe. There was plenty of outdoor seating options as well as ample indoor seating, although it began to fill up as it got closer to noon, so I would suggest coming early.
Timothy L.
Cafe Leila Starts at five stars, cause my buddy raves about this place, literally goes all the time. Out of requested tea. Small pot of earl gray instead. It was around 11:00, so we will call this a wash. Pancakes and eggs order dropped the rating to 2 stars. Eggs and bacon cold on arrival. Lump of unmixed flour/salt in pancake, really put me off the rest of the meal and didn't eat hardly half. Steak hash. Wife seemed to like it? Stopped caring by the time I could have asked. Seemed quality, and she didn't spit anything out. $50 for this? Hefty price tag for two meals and a bit of tea, especially with how poorly prepared and presented, not to mention the minimalist 'order at the counter instead of wait staff' style. Ambiance is classic Bay Area, which I actually appreciate. Lots of art. Brick walls. Patio garden is nice or would have been nice on a sunnier day. Nicely stocked bakery display is a plus, and maybe I should have just gotten a pastry. I would say barely 3 stars, but bumped to 4 out of deference to my friend. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.
Russell Kiel
Fantastic café with great breakfasts and a magic backyard patio. This is our go-to when in Berkeley.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Grace M.
This is an order at the counter, grab a number type spot. The menu is varied and lots of options to choose from in addition to baked items in the window, and a full coffee bar menu. The parking lot is small but plenty of neighborhood parking, you can walk around the west Berkeley neighborhood to build up an appetite too. If the weathers nice eat outside on the back patio. I ordered the Vera Cruz eggs (I think that's the name) and had an almond scone too. It was super tasty and a healthy portion.
Definitely a cozy spot with a non-chain coffee spot vibe. The food though, is top notch! I had the breakfast burrito with bacon and avo and it was very very good. Great mocha too! The back yard is dog friendly and definitely a spot you can take young children and not get any looks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melissa Dean
Very cool spot, unique setting, and I always enjoy going here. I've only had coffee, tea, and pastries which are very good. I haven't ordered any meal plates but they look good too. There is a small parking lot and street parking and it's easy to find. Stop by to treat yourself and a friend!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Tralee Johnson
Pricey. My friend ordered tea. toast, and egg which came to $10. At Doyle St cafe in Emeryville, for the same amount of money you can get a full, hearty breakfast. Why is the milk for coffee behind the counter instead of accessible to guests?Edit: I re-visited Cafe Leila last year for breakfast and found the same dismal results: overpriced, underwhelming food. When an owner sets the price of food, it is usually about 3 times their cost. I figure their cost was: eggs $0.60 each, 1/2 c of flour $0.25, bacon $1.00 for a total cost of $1.85. The dish could cost ~$6. How is it that I spent $12 on a breakfast plate?In fairness, the lunch prices and quality are more reasonable, so save your trip to Cafe Leila for lunch.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Cindy M.
I came to Cafe Leila with my significant other today. The service was pretty okay, you seat yourself and go up to order and pay once you are ready. I decided to try the matcha zen smoothie with mango. It was a solid 8/10 my partner had the pick me up and loved the rich chocolate flavor 9/10 we tried two main dishes: vegan breakfast burrito (tofu, potato, mushroom, avocado, tomato, onion, and spinach) which was pretty good but not anything spectacular. it was HUGE and will definitely fill you up 7/10 my s/o tried grilled chicken pesto and didn't enjoy it too much. she said it was dry and lacked flavor 5/10 the restaurant was pretty lively around 12 or so but we were still able to dine without a wait. The inside seating area was nice and the outside area also looked cute but it was raining.
Arlene Baxter
I had a delicious and generously sized smoked salmon omelette, and leftovers became a wonderful breakfast the next day! My table mate said the crispy bacon was top notch! The menu included several fabulous-sounding choices, so I'll just have to come back! This cafe is everything you could wish for: the food is great, and varied! They also make an remarkable array of coffee and tea drinks. They have a secret garden oasis in the back, and if it's raining their dining room is inviting, and features cool local art work. This cafe is also more than the each of its parts: the owner is a real mensch! I was there with the amazing members of Emma's Revolution after their recent mega-concert, and he made us all welcome. He nourished not only our bodies but also our community. Thank you! Peace, salaam, shalom!!
Great ambiance, relaxing space, delicious fresh food, and they have a private parking lot too. Will be coming back again!!! Staff were really nice and not too much rushy with the customers very laid back. Very pleasant and cheerful place.
Store owner/ management please have a conversation with your front staff, 2 staffs were very rude And racially profiled us. spent 75 dollars at your establishment just to be judged . We didn't even eat our food after the service we had . Brought my mom here who is 77 for breakfast? my mother Huevos Veracru the whole omelette was filled with tomatoes. I have added the picture to the website. I ordered fish tacos Which was also loaded with tomatoes as well . I went to the front and asked if they could come check out our plate. The lady came, She took the plate in front of my mom walked around with the plate in her hand went in the kitchen this whole time. She is carrying the plate and talking over it then another staff brings our plate still talking over the plate and telling us that this is how the omelette comes they can't do anything about the tomato es .. she cannot exchange it. We will have to purchase two eggs if we wanted her to fix the order . Next table to us had some complication with their order, but they went ahead and fixed it right away. I guess the color of your skin really matters management and the staff in front. I hope you are being better towards your parents at home cause you are very mean towards us , I work for Alta Bates and I will be Not recommending this restaurant to anyone Specially our indian brother and sisters
Never knew this place existed. Friend invited me to breakfast and I loved it here. Food was great, service was quick, and the seating in garden area was super relaxing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito
This is hands down the best spot in California. It has delicious food, convenient location on San Pablo, beautiful garden, excellent service and Parking Lot!!! What a gem of a spot! Kids get pancakes = happy Adults get the delicious omelettes (date is my favorite). Their drinks and pastries are sooo good as well! (The Ukraine rugalach)... yum with the tumeric latte. Heaven!!! Families and friends check out this secret spot in Berkeley! 10/10
So cute and good food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
I want to change my review since my earlier visit. The food has much improved and the customer service is much better.The outside seating has also been enlarged. Never a pressure to leave. We sat for almost 2 hours for lunch on a beautiful sunny day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Bacon Omelet, Grilled Eggplant Sandwich
Visiting this cafe on a sunny weekday morning was such a delight! As you enter in, the staff take your drink order and then your food order to get you started. They make your drink on the spot so you can sip on it while you wait for your food to be prepared. I liked this approach a lot because it saved time from having to wait for a waiter to come over. The outdoor patio was beautiful and very peaceful. There were lots of plants and a fountain trickling softly in the background. As for the items that I ordered, everything was very delicious! I got a sweet red rooibos tea latte with almond milk. It had a mild but comforting flavor. The veggie tyab was the true star of the show. The entree came with perfectly sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and diced zucchini. The veggies were seasoned with lemon and sumac, making them savory yet refreshingly zesty. The side salad with grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and feta had a nice light dressing on it. The baba ganoush was smoky and scrumptious. It reminded me of the baba ganoush I've had back home in Lebanon. The plate was also garnished with thick, creamy hummus that went very well with the veggies. The dolmas were tasty as well, and the bread was great for scooping everything up. I also ordered a blueberry scone to have for breakfast the next day, and it was wonderfully buttery and lemony at the same time. It had a good amount of dried blueberries and was the perfect texture. It went very well with a nice cup of tea. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, especially the man making the drinks. Despite the ever growing line of people, they kept up the hustle with cheer and got my food order out very quickly. I would definitely recommend checking out this lovely cafe. There was plenty of outdoor seating options as well as ample indoor seating, although it began to fill up as it got closer to noon, so I would suggest coming early.
Cafe Leila Starts at five stars, cause my buddy raves about this place, literally goes all the time. Out of requested tea. Small pot of earl gray instead. It was around 11:00, so we will call this a wash. Pancakes and eggs order dropped the rating to 2 stars. Eggs and bacon cold on arrival. Lump of unmixed flour/salt in pancake, really put me off the rest of the meal and didn't eat hardly half. Steak hash. Wife seemed to like it? Stopped caring by the time I could have asked. Seemed quality, and she didn't spit anything out. $50 for this? Hefty price tag for two meals and a bit of tea, especially with how poorly prepared and presented, not to mention the minimalist 'order at the counter instead of wait staff' style. Ambiance is classic Bay Area, which I actually appreciate. Lots of art. Brick walls. Patio garden is nice or would have been nice on a sunnier day. Nicely stocked bakery display is a plus, and maybe I should have just gotten a pastry. I would say barely 3 stars, but bumped to 4 out of deference to my friend. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.
Fantastic café with great breakfasts and a magic backyard patio. This is our go-to when in Berkeley.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This is an order at the counter, grab a number type spot. The menu is varied and lots of options to choose from in addition to baked items in the window, and a full coffee bar menu. The parking lot is small but plenty of neighborhood parking, you can walk around the west Berkeley neighborhood to build up an appetite too. If the weathers nice eat outside on the back patio. I ordered the Vera Cruz eggs (I think that's the name) and had an almond scone too. It was super tasty and a healthy portion.
Restaurantji Recommends
Definitely a cozy spot with a non-chain coffee spot vibe. The food though, is top notch! I had the breakfast burrito with bacon and avo and it was very very good. Great mocha too! The back yard is dog friendly and definitely a spot you can take young children and not get any looks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cool spot, unique setting, and I always enjoy going here. I've only had coffee, tea, and pastries which are very good. I haven't ordered any meal plates but they look good too. There is a small parking lot and street parking and it's easy to find. Stop by to treat yourself and a friend!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Pricey. My friend ordered tea. toast, and egg which came to $10. At Doyle St cafe in Emeryville, for the same amount of money you can get a full, hearty breakfast. Why is the milk for coffee behind the counter instead of accessible to guests?Edit: I re-visited Cafe Leila last year for breakfast and found the same dismal results: overpriced, underwhelming food. When an owner sets the price of food, it is usually about 3 times their cost. I figure their cost was: eggs $0.60 each, 1/2 c of flour $0.25, bacon $1.00 for a total cost of $1.85. The dish could cost ~$6. How is it that I spent $12 on a breakfast plate?In fairness, the lunch prices and quality are more reasonable, so save your trip to Cafe Leila for lunch.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
I came to Cafe Leila with my significant other today. The service was pretty okay, you seat yourself and go up to order and pay once you are ready. I decided to try the matcha zen smoothie with mango. It was a solid 8/10 my partner had the pick me up and loved the rich chocolate flavor 9/10 we tried two main dishes: vegan breakfast burrito (tofu, potato, mushroom, avocado, tomato, onion, and spinach) which was pretty good but not anything spectacular. it was HUGE and will definitely fill you up 7/10 my s/o tried grilled chicken pesto and didn't enjoy it too much. she said it was dry and lacked flavor 5/10 the restaurant was pretty lively around 12 or so but we were still able to dine without a wait. The inside seating area was nice and the outside area also looked cute but it was raining.
I had a delicious and generously sized smoked salmon omelette, and leftovers became a wonderful breakfast the next day! My table mate said the crispy bacon was top notch! The menu included several fabulous-sounding choices, so I'll just have to come back! This cafe is everything you could wish for: the food is great, and varied! They also make an remarkable array of coffee and tea drinks. They have a secret garden oasis in the back, and if it's raining their dining room is inviting, and features cool local art work. This cafe is also more than the each of its parts: the owner is a real mensch! I was there with the amazing members of Emma's Revolution after their recent mega-concert, and he made us all welcome. He nourished not only our bodies but also our community. Thank you! Peace, salaam, shalom!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5