50 Best Cafes in Berkeley

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“I do love the breakfast here. The polenta with greens is my standard order. The green shakshuka really is greener than you were expecting. If you come as a party you can sample the various different kinds of hummus. Haven't been disappointed by anything on the menu.“

“Both hands up for this wonderful coffee place I happened to stumble upon, right outside the skirts of Downtown Berkeley. They're located right on the intersection of MLK and University, right behind the Indian restaurant.

This coffee place is honestly a little bit small, so please proceed with caution at all costs. But it really makes you feel cozy at home. They do have upstairs seating, but rather really limited. It will be full at times, and at times, not at all. It depends on the time that you go.

They have a wide assortment of sweet and savory pastries available as well. I got their ham & cheese scone, as well as their speciality drink, their banana cream iced coffee. I love how balanced their iced coffee is with the banana cream, which surprisingly, is made with ACTUAL banana puree made from actual bananas.

The barista who made my drink was very nice and very chill, and served it rather quick. That's what's up!

If you're looking for a locally-owned coffee shop right here in Berkeley, look no further than Bench Coffee! Trust me, it will be a trip worth it :)“

“Crazy cozy & laid back cafe right on Shattuck just north of University Ave. Very solid lunch & brunch style menu & well priced. Turkey Crunch croissant sandwich w/ pesto was phenomenal. Chai latte to go was one of the best I’ve had in the Bay. & they have a Gelato bar? What?? 5 stars.“

“Honestly I love the food, the interior, and the menu - the food is delicious, creative, a little upscale feeling and clearly a lot of attention and care is put into it from ingredients to preparation. I love the variety and seasonality, and it’s one of the few places where you can get those delicious little coconut griddle cakes, and things are easy to share and portions are nice. AND your thai coffee/tea is made with CONDENSED SWEETENED OAT MILK!!!! WHAT?! (I cannot do dairy so this is the best news ever)

Interior is super charming and the seating is very comfy and bathroom is clean, cute, service is always friendly and the staff presents well. My huge gripe - believe it or not - is the service is inconsistent. One time I went there when there was barely anyone in the restaurant, and only one person was working and, it took an eternity to get served. And then I went today, the restaurant was full, and there were two or three servers working, and literally we were getting interrupted every five minutes, asking if we’re doing OK, people coming to the table to pour water, telling us the kitchen is about to close, asking again if everything’s OK, too many concerns, etc., like too attentive to the point of not being able to have a conversation - insanely annoying. Also, the restaurant is quite small inside, and yet they blast music SO loud loudly that everyone is shouting to have a conversation, and because the space is small, you can hear your neighbors TOO WELL if they raise their voice even a little bit. REALLY ANNOYING when you’re trying to enjoy a cute lunch.“

“Wow not only did these bagels look amazing they were also hella delicious. Got half peaches and cream on a regular bagel and half of the “summer girl” on an everything bagel. The bagels were perfectly chewy and the flavors of the bagels were both amazing, do think I liked the savory one better (smth about the grated tomato and the burrata)!

Would 100% come back to try other flavors! Also there is a couple of seating both indoors and outdoors“

“So beautiful. So delicious. All the pastries look like works of art. I personally love the Horseshoe and Jalousie pastry. It’s not too sweet, wonderfully flaky, and very flavorful. The coffee is authentically strong which I really enjoy. The staff is welcoming and friendly. I truly enjoyed visiting and can’t wait to come back!!“

“Had a wonderful experience at EL TINY CAFE. The café had a cozy, welcoming vibe, and the coffee and food were fresh and flavorful. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for a relaxed and charming coffee stop!“

“Palm is pure joy in a bowl. My husband and I surprise each other with Palm delivery on the weekends from time to time. Eating Palm in your bed on a Saturday morning is truly living.

Ps - I'm leaving this review while eating Palm!! And my husband is laughing (at me)“

“Best coffee and croissant I’ve ever had. The opening barista Ben is also super nice and personable. Eventually it would be awesome if this place upgraded to a larger venue with in-door seating but, for the space they have, they make the absolute most of it.

Had to dock a couple points for atmosphere since the shop is five feet from a busy roadway (but if you arrive early enough then there’s usually no cars driving by). Please save a croissant for me. <3“

“Mey Café is truly one of Berkeley's hidden gems! The date latte is unlike anything I've had before, rich, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. Their pastries are all fantastic, but my personal favorites are the blueberry scone and the tiramisu. Everything is made fresh by the wonderful owner, Sanaz, and you can really taste the care and quality in every bite.
The atmosphere is warm, vibrant, and incredibly welcoming. They even have a cozy little corner filled with cute toys and books to keep kids happily entertained while parents enjoy their coffee. Such a thoughtful touch. Wednesday story time is absolutely adorable.
Friendly people, amazing food, and a space that truly feels like a community. I can't recommend Mey Café enough!“

“Do not come here. We want this place all to ourselves. 💗

But seriously: the ppl -- shout out to Parth (sp?) and another really nice guy -- are amazing, the food is fantastic, and did I mention that the ppl here are so nice?“

“Best coffee by far in this part of Berkeley“

“My friend took me here for a pre-birthday brunch today! I ate the savoury porridge bowl which was DELICIOUS! Service was great, food was even better and I'll be returning again and again! Well done Evergreen - also you support local artsits which is AWESOME :)“

“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.“

“Not many vegetarian options, but the one you have is the best ever🤩“

“There were three in my party. We ducked in here to take a break from the cold rain. We ordered a chai, a golden/turmeric chai, and a caffé latté, all with oat milk. It’s our first try of oat milk. We all liked it a lot. The foam on my golden chai was lovely. I’d reorder it anytime. I tried my mate’s latté with oat milk, I can recommend it. The pastries we ordered were all worth the consumption. I’m so glad there was one pretzel cheese bun left. It was delicious even though it wasn’t warm. I highly recommend them. We also ordered a quiche, a chocolate croissant, and an almond pastry. They were all superb. The almond pastry which was super light and flaky tasted like baklava more so than an almond filling. I liked the vibe here. So often I want to grab my order and split, not here. I felt fine taking refuge from the outside environs. The staff were sweet regardless of their spoken English being nearly impossible to understand. It was cool assuming they were part of the refugee program. It felt good being a patron there and the inspired conversation it led to. I am sure my party was surprised I was already knowledgeable about the topic on current refugees. That made our café and conversation time only that much more enjoyable.“

“Good selection of foods, drinks, and games. Good prices. Friendly service. They need better ventilation or air filters for the cooking smoke, not good for people to sit in that or the staff. Busy, not too many seats indoors, but there’s indoor and outdoor options. Lots of people playing games, fun spot.“

“Loved the chai and sweet potatoe hash brown. Next time I’ll try the bean samosa!“

“Had a delicious mocha here this morning😋😋😋“

“Nice place to come for breakfast with a cozy,relaxed feel. Staff is great, the food is good, and delicious breakfast drink options if you want alittle boost. My mom loves the silver dollar pancakes. Worth trying..Just wish there was more parking around.“

“Amazing waffle & flavour and lovely atmosphere. Would definitely recommend you check them out!!!!!“

“This is my go to spot in Berkeley. The staff are really friendly, the place clean and always a good vibe and the coffee is consistently good! As an Aussie we are pretty big coffee snobs and I haven't been disappointed here. Grab their Iced Vanilla Latte while you're here!“

“I live their expert roasts!“

“The chicken and waffles here are impossibly delicious. Seriously the best I’ve had. There’s so much depth and nuance in the flavor, the waffle is delicate and sophisticated, and the fried chicken has a great batter, juiciness, and crunch“

“overall i think it was a decent place to go get matcha; parking is limited so it would be hard to park if you go alone.

love how they allow you to choose matcha powder for your matcha drink 🍵

i ordered banana pudding matcha (6.5/10) with matcha tiramisu (8/10) would come back another time to try their crepes! 😬“

“A great spot for a quick bite. I love all the classic offerings: the bagel with cream cheese, fresh salads, and the ham and cheese croissant are all consistently good. The waffle is amazing, the smoothies are fresh, and the coffee is strong enough to be just the way I like it. On top of that, the customer service is always friendly and on point.“

“This place is always consistent when it comes to food and service. The people that work here are friendly and it really feels like a cozy neighborhood coffee shop/diner. Great place to get work done or come have breakfast with your family. Thank you!!“

“One of the best matchas I've had in Berkeley; properly stored and whisked right in front of you to the perfect temperature unlike a lot of other places where I've seen them exposed to air/light or they burn the matcha horribly. Highly recommended“

“Outdoor patio Salad Lunch Breakfast Brunch“

“Whoa! Who knew this cool little cafe made food like that???

My buddy & I shared a Brisket sandwich- juicy, savory & delicious - French Toast (buttery croissant dough!!) & the most insanely good home made yogurt w granola (also home/house made). A perfect 2 person brunch. Don’t hesitate…!“

“Super good & justice oriented but closed permanently“

“Estubo delicioso el almuerzo 💯 recomendado 👌😋😋😋“

“it's a great place, especially if you're looking for a place to work and eat/drink“

“I went to Baker & Commons because my friend had the ART SHOW there, I looked it up on Google Maps ahead since I live in Santa Cruz & café is in Berkeley. The reviews were so good + the food looked amazing in photos. So I took my friend there for his 65th birthday.

The ORDERING process is a little chaotic, since the people ordering + folks still deciding looking at Menus + people waiting for To-Go Orders + plus people coming and going through front door are all in the same place it’s a little confusing & a bottleneck (seems like it could be easily solved with stanchions for those who are actively in line to order) and STAFF seems a little distracted.

They have little signs they give you after you order where they write your actual name ~ so feel more personal than just a number card.

SWEET CORN SALAD ~ amazing ~ truly: corn cut right off the cob !! Able to replace FETA for Goat Cheese, which they willingly switched. Great flavor balance of fresh local produce, sweet tomatoes, tang of goat cheese + fresh corn off the cob, w a light, well balanced dressing. I’d order it again in a heartbeat.

BLTA SANDWICH ~ BLT w Arugula ~ great bread ! Added extra mayo, no mustard. Moist and bountiful, great

HOUSE MADE SODAS ~ great flavor syrups (Made in House) & willing to combine them ! But not quite enough fizz.

NECTARINE GALETTE ~ Tasted as amazing as they looked. And they were gorgeous.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE ~ not your standard Costco chocolate ! And not chocolate chips on top but real little chocolate balls, it looks like they made those in house too ~ perfect balance of chocolate and sweet and cream ~ usually CCP is way too sweet for me, but this was substantial & amazing ~ huge piece : plenty to share. And great as a birthday cake. Bakers & Common DO have candles, but staff is not inclined to singing.

Had a great talk with one of the bakers who was right there at the baking station.

Counters are a little cluttered. Seems nobody sits at the red round fountain stools, but Staff on their breaks :-( But they are there & an important part of the great 1930–1940’s authentic historic decor.

The ART SHOW was fabulous stacked at the far end wall of the main seating area. It added a lot to the feeling of authentic Berkeley.

I would go back here in a heartbeat for the food & for the Art & to be on College Avenue ~ such a vibrant & important place in the world !“

“Best salad.
Even non fans would love.
Practically famous.
Place supposedly burned down. Glad it's back.

Agua frescas.

Don't recommend front counter case items. Trust they're not good as appear.
Seem generous portion too but expensive and not o taste ok either.
All filler. No flavor.“

“Honestly, this place is a hidden gem 🔥 The food and coffee are seriously amazing, and the staff is super friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing, perfect for hanging out with friends, having a date, or just enjoying some quiet time. The prices are great too! If you haven’t been here yet, you’re definitely missing out. Highly recommend checking it out!“

“Love this place. The start of a great meal is good quality ingredients ❤️“

“OMG! I had the BEST sandwich of my life last night at Jazzcaffé! We came for a performance at The Freight and I needed something more than pizza and pretzels. I walked down Addison to this amazing cafe and ordered the Hen of the Woods mushroom sandwich on a toasted bagel. It was SO delicious in a greens marinade. I will go back to Berkeley this week JUST for another mushroom sandwich. Amazing chef and she is so thoughtful. Every person leaving the cafe raved about how delicious their food was. So if you are heading to Berkeley Rep, The Freight, or a Jazz performance - GO here for dinner before. Light fare fabulously delicious and highly nutritious.“

“I came for lunch on a Thursday and enjoyed a tea and Levantine Sandwich. The chicken had great flavor, the green tahini was delicious and the cabbage added a nice crunch. I could tell it was freshly made and hadn't been sitting. Skylar working the register and the espresso machine was very busy with a line out the door as her counter part was on break but she kept composed and friendly! I also picked up a bag of beans and look forward to grinding them soon!“

“Mudraker's Cafe offers good food and coffee in a spacious, quiet environment. Owner Hazim offers friendly, personalized service and is always up for a chat with customers.

Hazim is so remarkably kind and attentive to customers that I must suspect his critics of un-cafe-like behavior that required his attention!

Drip coffee is well made and there is a full range of teas available. There are muffins and croissants and bagels for small meals. For more substantial meals, excellent salads and sandwiches are listed in the menu behind the counter.

Two outside tables get morning and afternoon sun on Telegraph Avenue. Inside seating includes a large back room where more serious students and remote workers tend to gather, as well as a German language class. The large couch in the front is comfortable seating for intimate couples and groups.

In an era dominated by cookie-cutter corporate coffee outlets, Mudraker's stands out for its originality and home-like atmosphere.“

“Amazing service from a place that actually cares about its workers and the food is delicious …got my coworkers hooked on their pastries and empanadas hehe …good veggie options … a very good assortment of teas… this place is a little hidden being back off the street, but it’s well worth the hunt and once you’ve found it you’ll be glad you did there’s a little private sitting area in front of the shop that’s surprisingly quiet for the area a perfect stop for lunch“

“Food was very good, good service too. Really good location and it reminds me of a 1940s diner. Pretty good menus and selection of food. \nBut unfortunately this is probably my last visit. Which is really too bad as I really like the place and would recommend it to everyone. But, as I was leaving I noticed a sign in the widow I hadn’t seen when entering. Stating that law enforcement was not allowed if they don’t have a warrant. Well I support law enforcement and if they aren’t allowed to dine here then I won’t be back either. Too bad, I really like this restaurant.“

“Vegetarian 🌱, vegan and gluten free“

“I have only had the coffee here and it's decent. The food prices are a little high for me, plus I don't eat out often. The cafe is a nice quiet, clean and spacious place to get work done. People do come in for the food, so it must be good. I would recommend this place if you are in the area and need a quick bite or drink.“

“This is a nice no frills cafe serving some of the best tasting coffee in the area, the staff is always friendly and has the drinks ready within minutes. The Egg Coffee is my absolute favorite and I try to get it every time. At this point I think I’ve tried every specialty drink and matcha. Happy 4 year anniversary!“

“I love their strawberry iced matcha and what i love the most is that they have LACTOSE FREE MILK OPTION!!
I also like their topping option of STAR MANGO JELLY so gooooood! Their Bahn-mi Sandwich is also really good as well!
I love coming here! I hope they can add on organic matcha option later.“

“This is a hidden gem family business! Sara and Roy are absolutely amazing. Friendly, kind, and always make sure I’ve got everything I need when I work and eat there.You MUST try to the BLT breakfast sandwich if you’re there for breakfast. And hot pastrami for lunch. Thank me later.And they are fast!“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“A little pricey, but high quality ingredients. The brown sugar boba is as soft and sweet as marshmallows, very good.“