50 Best Cafes in Berkeley

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“Lovely place- would come back and recommend! Good spot to read or work with plenty of outlets, free wifi, open bathroom, and table space upstairs and downstairs. I got the cheese/green onion scone and a warm date latte and enjoyed both. Service was great and atmosphere was calm & relaxing. Came in on a Tuesday from 12:45-2:45pm and was very quiet and not very busy. I essentially had the whole upstairs table to myself for a couple hours.
Note: it seems like oatmilk substitute costs an extra 75 cents.“

“we made a reservation ahead of time and ordered the prix fixe brunch, and they customized the menu to accommodate our dietary restrictions (pescatarian). the food was delicious, the atmosphere was so sweet, and the staff was incredibly thoughtful. 100% would go back! (personal faves: iced ube espresso, lava eggs, smoked sturgeon dip, prawn and fish stew, beignet with ube condensed milk and warm soy milk and bean drink)“

“Ordered catering for a bridal shower of about 35-40 guests. Wish I had taken photos because the food came packed and presented to serve with beautiful printed cards for each dish. Every item we ordered -- lamb, chicken, cauliflower, roasted potatoes, squash, salad and mezza plate -- was phenomenal. All the guests loved the food and appreciated that there was something for everyone -- vegans and GF guests alike. We also ordered their chocolate cake with tahini buttercream and sesame toffee and it was incredible. Jennie and Benji were communicative, informative and kind throughout all of our interactions. Can't rave about this place enough. A true gem!“

“Very good cappuccino: not just a small latté. Lox, egg, capers, on gluten-free toast was well done. Lots of Palestinian baked goods.

Nice corner location on Shattuck. Great light and solid wood tables. Outdoor tables too.

Order in-person or by touchscreen.

The EDM playing is on the mellow side.“

“Best coffee by far in this part of Berkeley“

“Loveliest cafe with wonderful espresso drinks and best bagel dishes in town. My favorites are the cardamom Rose latte and the brusco bagel (thin mortadella slices with honey drizzle and pepperoncini). Dominick and Andie are lovely. Dog friendly outdoor seating but limited and in the shade, so might be a little cold so bring light jacket“

“Ben, Aza, Gemma, and the whole gang at Sasha Coffee are the absolute best. We come here at least once a week, and there’s no better spot for a quick coffee, pastry, and friendly conversation. Our dog, Murphy, loves it the most — he always wants to come say hi and get a treat! Thanks for being such a great neighborhood institution, Sasha Coffee! See you next week!“

“As a huge fans of acai bowl or any smoothie bowls, I really recommend this place. Among smoothie bowl places that i’ve been visited in Bay Area, this place has one of the most aesthetically pleasing bowls. The price is a bit higher compare to other smoothie bowl places, but it is worth it since they offer great variety of topping. The taste and the texture are okay. For me, I have anothe smoothie bowl place that I like more than this place in term of the taste, however, aesthetically-wise this palm-acai cafe is the winner“

“Cozy cafe with sidewalk seating on a calm street in South Berkeley, and creamy cakes and pastries - what's not to love? The Persian pistachio cake was an instant hot, my family is now asking how to buy a roll of the cake (not just a tasty slice) to bring to friends' gatherings.“

“Vibes and atmosphere is great, food and service is great! THE FESENJOON, ZERESHK POLLO AND KOOBIDEH ARE FIRE 🔥YES PAPA! Fiiirrrrreee! When I get married I want to have a fountain ⛲️of fesenjoon from this place at my wedding. Don't listen to the haters, keyboard warriors and people who lock their profile. Vamos!!“

“Best iced vanilla latte I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot in 31 years. I wish the hours were more accessible as I am an earlier commuter and would like to get this before work, also easy to miss since they close at 2.

Update: Disappointing when I was on my way to revisit today, but they’re completely closed on my two days off. Limited hours make it hard for customers to build a routine or support the business regularly. I hope they reconsider their hours because this place could be something special with more consistency.“

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

“$8 per person gives you access to over 800 boardgames! You aren't able to leave and come back, but luckily they have food and drinks (including beer) if you get a hankering for something! The staff was friendly and the pizza was good. My husband's beer ended up getting a bug in it and they so kindly replaced it! We will be coming back.
P.S. free parking on the street after 6pm“

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

“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!“

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

“What a gem! In the courtyard of the Anthropology Museum, you’ll find this charming oasis. Everything from the furniture, landscape, menu, and soundtrack are all thoughtfully procured. Afternoon tea consisted of 3 refreshing flavors of tea and 3 sweet dishes. The chia seed porridge was a generous portion with a delicious flavor profile as well as texture. The toasted hazelnuts added a tasty crunch. Blackberries and gooseberries were a nice palate cleanser, and the chia seed flour brownie bites were addictive! The black walnuts and coarse East Bay salt were a perfect combination! I’m thankful they don’t sell these individually otherwise I would be eating them daily. In bulk.Not only was the meal unique and delicious, we also learned some Ohlone history and words as well as heard some lovely songs and spoken word that were pre-recorded. It’s such a nice experience and so much more than just food and drinks!“

“I live their expert roasts!“

“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!“

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

“I had the steak sandwich with French fries. Wife had the tuna melt with salad. It was around 1 pm on a Tuesday and there was no wait. The bread on both sandwiches were toasted perfectly and the French fries were perfectly fried and seasoned well. Will definitely be back when I'm the area! Didn't take pictures cause we were hungry.“

“Great cafe with a laidback/chill atmosphere. Love that it offers both food, pastries, & lots of drink options. 9/10 score for me. Would love to see more ‘snack-like’ options for those who prefer to eat lighter, and maybe open a couple hours later.“

“Espresso is consistently amazing, never bitter, never burnt. The two owner brothers bake everything themselves overnight!! So every morning you’re greeted with cases full of fresh, beautifully crafted pastries.
Don’t miss the coffee noisette, the horseshoe pastry and the petite four cookies.
Get there early – their croissants are truly exceptional and often sell out! Thank you, guys!“

“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!!“

“Outdoor patio Salad Lunch Breakfast Brunch“

“They had fresh bagels and a customer service attitude in comparison to Bagley Street Cafe on Telegraph in Berkeley down the street from campus. I live on Telegraph and I will go to Lox Stock & Bagel which is several blocks farther away for a fresh bagel and a smile.“

“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.“

“This is one of those spots where the food and drinks are so solid, the whole place so cozy (including the lovely patio), and the workers and owner so nice that I almost don't want to tell people about it lest they get attached to it, too. I used to come here fairly often when I lived in the area and it was always a respite. I hope they stick around forever, to be honest.

And huge kudos to the owner for supporting folks with difficulties who need employment.“

“Super good & justice oriented but closed permanently“

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

“Most delicious cup of coffee on campus!“

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

“Small, cute, and aesthetically pleasing cafe. The workers were very kind and helpful! A great place to stop by if you’re walking around Berkeley or in-between classes. Definitely recommend to try the ichigo hojicha, it’s delicately sweet, toasty/nutty and blended well. The crepe was also very good, reminded me of the local shop crepes in Japan! Definitely worth the try. 💕💕“

“Huge serving size for the salads. Delicious! Only downside is the wait standing in line. Parking can also be a challenge. I also had the Sausage Lentil Soup and found it had more heat than I expected. It was flavorful, just not what I wanted.“

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

“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 just went in to pick up my order, but the aesthetic was so clean and cute! My drink was ready in such a short time which was amazing. I enjoyed my drink but wished the menu offered some cafe staples, like strawberry matcha, though that may be a personal preference. Overall, quite nice.“

“Great brunch spot! ☕️
I tried the shakshuka and it was delicious. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the tomato sauce was rich and flavorful. Paired with the toasted bread, it was a really satisfying dish.
The café has a cozy atmosphere and the staff were friendly. Prices are reasonable for Berkeley, around $10–$20.
Definitely a nice place to relax with coffee or brunch. I’d love to come back and try more items on the menu!“

“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.“

“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.“

“i’ve come here a few times already and the drink quality is excellent: flavorful and not overly sweet. i’m very picky about the texture and chew of the boba and cha thai tea def gets it right. had their mango sticky rice too, v good as well. cant wait to try their vanilla ube toast and other beverages. highly recommend!“

“This is such a cute cafe, perfect for a nice breakfast/brunch/lunch!! Both the indoor and outdoor seating options are really cute, with umbrellas outdoors that make the outdoor seating incredibly pleasant! We didn’t mind waiting for our food, as it was crowded, because it’s such a nice atmosphere. The food was very light, but filling, and was a very refreshing meal! Also the iced tea was really good. I got the breakfast sandwich with the works and it was very fresh and tasty! Would highly recommend“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

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

“Among all the Berkeley dining locations, this is easily one of the best places. Their menu has so much variety and hot beverages that you cannot find in many dining halls! It could be very crowded so make sure you leave enough time for the line. Otherwise, awesome choice and highly recommended!“

“We tried each of the three vegan options - soyrizo, zucchini, and mushroom medley. They were all fantastic, tasted just like I remember from Buenos Aires 🤩. I meant to take a pic but then we ate them too fast. The chimichurri was also great and the mate 🧉 latte was tasty. I made sure to leave a review since there haven't been any in a couple years. It's still here, still serving vegan empanadas, and still great!“

“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!“

“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“

“This place is the best when I said extra boba they gave me have a glass of boba and they I've a lot of content I would go to this shop of you are a boba lover even if it is a thousand miles I would say to buy boba here 5 ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!“