50 Best Coffee Shops in Berkeley

“I recently visited Roaming Bean Coffee, an outdoor gem that exceeded all my expectations! My drink was perfectly balanced with rich, smooth flavor and delightful frothy top. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. Overall, Roaming Bean Coffee is a fantastic spot for coffee lovers looking for tranquil outdoor setting!“

“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!“

“Arguably the best brews you’ll find in the Bay Area if you like high end specialty pourover! Masterpiece sources from Chinese roasters like Big Sur and Gout & Co, which are really at the top of the ultralight specialty game at the moment. These roasters are trickier to access at the moment from the US, so it’s awesome to have a shop serving them so close to home.

Masterpiece’s brews are well dialed-in, and there are great milk drinks available for folks who don’t drink pourover.

A bit hidden away, but well worth a trip to visit if you’re a coffee lover in the Bay Area!“

“A clean, well-lighted place for exquisite coffee, tea and pastries. They owners (very nice people) are very particular about their coffee using high quality beans from Ethiopia. Their decaf espresso is delicious. They have mocktails too.“

“By far the most creative and exquisite coffee drinks! Plus Pepples vegan donuts!! Danger Will Robinson...addictive And live music on Sundays.“

“This place is very lovely. Super chill, zen. They even have a little water fountain on the side, super tranquil, love it! The macha is made fresh, the store is air conditioned (because who can drink macha in this heat!?). Great spot to get your drink, chill a bit and recover.“

“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!“

“Kind and welcoming staff. Told them we are doing a tour of all the Yemeni coffee shops around. Good times.

We got an orange blossom mint latte and a knafeh cheesecake to share.

Best decision for 10pm Berkeley. Both were well made and enjoyable.

Coffee was a touch on the sweeter side, NBD.

They put a dried orange slice and mint cluster on top. Cute.

5/5 will come again.“

“Friendly and helpful baristas with a lot of interesting drinks. I had the station 8, which is a golden chai. I didn't feel like it had too much caffeine. It's hard to find drinks like that for someone that is caffeine sensitive. It looked like there were a lot of interesting snacks offered too“

“Have been wanting to try this place for a while. We got the Karak chai with oat milk and a Kashmiri chai. Love that they have oat milk options! The 2 were absolute perfection! Parking won’t necessarily be easy as it’s downtown Berkeley. The cafe was spacious but is pretty packed with students and customers. We found a small table outside which was nice. Also, we took some karak chai blend home and have been enjoying it :) would definitely recommend!“

“In my never-ending quest for black sesame coffee, I was nearby and googled for one. Binge came up as having black sesame coffee and many others that I would try. Good thing, because when I got there, they were sold out of black sesame, but they had the banana coffee. I am so glad I got it. It was delicious – rich and flavorful, and it held up through the entire cup. Also, they use pebble ice, which makes a huge difference. With pebble ice, as your drink melts down, the flavors still are there because you can crunch down on the pebble ice with your teeth. Think about regular ice and how you’re trying to get those last flavors out of a cup, but can’t because the ice is in the way. Yes, I’ve thought about this way too much. I will 100% be back and try many other flavors, including the black sesame.“

“This is one of my favorite spots to get matcha! Their Earl Grey Einspanner is delicious. I’m not a coffee lover but I’ve heard their coffee is great too. They have some inside seating which can fill up quickly when school is in session. Overall, I love this place and definitely recommend!“

“I love this place! I have been going here since it opened and it has always been wonderful. Everyone is always so kind and welcoming, and the food is great. They are also very fast, which means my family can always get food when we are in a rush.“

“I'm a recent customer here, about 6 weeks, but in that time I've tried to make this coffee shop one to visit often. The selections for food items seem interesting, but I'm a chai latte kinda guy, and this the staff does well. It's a neat, clean, and well ordered establishment, and the staff is friendly, and accommodating. A good place to frequent.“

“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 :)“

“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.“

“It was the first Peet’s !!“

“Wow. I could not believe espresso would go perfectly with avocado!!! This is a must try. I feel healthy and wired at the same time!!!! 2x espresso, avocado juice, coconut milk. Again, WOW.“

“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.“

“Best of the best. Tons of choices, exquisite French patisseries, true North African specialties… there is so much to choose from. High quality and scrumptious! We will be back!!!“

“Peaceful, clean, and family-friendly coffee shop with a great atmosphere. I love the large wood tables, which are perfect for working or relaxing. They also use quality ingredients, including organic coffee and homemade blends. A great spot if you prefer quality coffee without all the extra sugar!“

“Fabulous assortment of specialty coffees and a delicious food menu. My favorite go-to is the quiche!“

“if I could give 6 stars, I would. this is the type of place where you could close your eyes and point somewhere on the menu and order it and it would be the most delicious thing ever. quality ingredients you can taste! staff is super friendly!“

“I live their expert roasts!“

“The best place ever. Love them ❤️ 💕“

“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“

“Delicious drinks and kind staff! I work from here almost every day and the staff are always super kind and drinks are delicious + high quality. The business is family owned too which gives it a homey and welcoming vibe.

For working there are a few outlets and fast wifi speed. It's usually not too busy especially in the mornings.“

“Thank you Third Culture for satisfying my gluten-free cravings, for your wonderful service and staff, and for your commitment to your community. Wenter and Sam rock!“

“Great selection of sweet and of savory pastries. I love the cheddar scones. And two quiches daily, one vegetarian and one not. The chocolate cream pie is superb. Good coffee. Really nice folks.“

“O2 Eatery isn't just a place to eat—it’s a full-on spiritual experience. Calling this spot a restaurant feels like an understatement; it’s a masterclass in Mongolian cuisine from the second you walk through the door.
Their breakfast options are an absolute game-changer, cooked to absolute perfection and packed with rich, comforting, authentic flavor. Just when you think it can’t get better, their lunch menu takes things to a whole new level. The dishes are bold, insanely savory, perfectly seasoned, and served in massive portions that leave you completely satisfied yet already planning your next visit. The atmosphere is top-tier, the staff treats you like family, and the kitchen moves with unreal precision. Easily a 10/10—O2 Eatery is setting the standard for what incredible food should be.“

“Came here and Eliza (working the front) was so welcoming and helpful! We tried a latte, oatmeal cookie, and the breakfast sandwiches- they were all delicious!! Giselle made the coffee on point. Definitely will be coming again. Love this place 🩷“

“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.“

“Bakerie demonstrates a strong operational standard in both product quality and customer experience. The assortment reflects a thoughtful balance between classic offerings and modern preferences. Execution is consistent, indicating a well-managed production process. The service team maintains professionalism while ensuring efficiency during peak hours. From a customer perspective, Bakerie delivers a dependable and scalable experience that could easily meet the expectations of a broader market.“

“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!“

“Best coffee by far in this part of Berkeley“

“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“

“I had a great experience here. The coffee was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The staff was friendly, and the service was quick. The location is excellent in the heart of downtown Berkeley, and there’s a nice public seating area nearby where you can relax and enjoy your coffee. It’s a great place to stop for a quality cup of coffee, and I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommended!“

“The Mexican hot chocolate was authentic and tasted like an elevated version of my childhood hot chocolate. The maple scone was slightly moist and not too sweet which was a pleasant surprise. The vibe was intimate and calm, but also nice enough to study. Customer service was kind and to the point. Will be returning!“

“Friendly staff🥰, best bagel in the states🥯“

“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.“

“🙃Came to visit and didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that I did! Some of the best Lattes I had in the Bay Area and the ambiance is really nice and relaxing. The people here are what makes the place thrive and people love to come back again and again because of it! 😋“

“The womlettes are delicious! the teas are great too. Definitely recommend "party at the beach"“

“This place is awesome! We hosted a group party of 12, and Rory was amazing. He helped us learn some of the games and was so enthusiastic about them. He was super attentive, and honestly, all of the staff were incredibly friendly and genuinely excited to have us there playing board games. We had such a great time and would definitely come back!“

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

“Not too sweet and great place to hang out!!!“

“Operated like a mom and point coffee joint even with the big brand name. Coffee is great and next door you NEED to get a pastry at Fournee.“

“had a nice brunch before class started and was on a budget, cashier was sweet and recommended me a nice sandwich and i tried a smoothie which was way better than expected, workers were all sweet and i sat for a bit while waiting for my next class to start, will come back again“

“Great coffee and elegant atmosphere. $195 for a manual Brewer? $85 for tin coffee pot? I think I'll pass.“

“Great location and great coffee. Perfect for a leisurely morning“