39 Best Coffee Shops in Berkeley

“I stopped in for the first time last week… People working there are super nice. Latte was really good, I don’t know what beans they were using but it was delicious. I had a breakfast sandwich on ciabatta that was HUGE. I saved half for my lunch later!

Dog friendly!“

“Genuinely SUCH a great place here. They are, for one, French, and they are the sweetest French guys ever. Not to mention the great service and DELICIOUS food. You have to stop in if you want a pastry, sandwich, or coffee. All great things to say.“

“Great coffee and service, pleasant premises, Zen like patio in the back. My rating scale is tough and this establishment which serves a fine latte and cortado with solid roasted bean notes and flavors deserves a solid 4. Souvenir occupies the prior location of Semifreddi’s Bakery, a few blocks West from the Claremont Hotel. Next door is a comic book and poster store that harkens back to the 60s and 70s and well worth a visit on its own. Souvenir roasts its own beans which my readers know by now means a lot to me. The premises were full which is always a good sign. The back patio represents an oasis of tranquility in hectic Berkeley. Service was excellent and the kind young ladies took the time to explain which beans were used for espresso, all with a smile. This establishment deserves your business - and linger a while in the patio.“

“Love this bagel. New York style with lots of delicious cream cheese.“

“The real thing whatever they serve you. And delicious.“

“Love this bagel. New York style with lots of delicious cream cheese.“

“Had the Heyma Latte and it was wonderfully balanced with a prominent coffee flavor rather than too much milk. Absolutely fabulous. For patrons not familiar with cardamom, it's going to be present in a lot of products and may come across as a "fragrance" or "artificial", but it is a lovely, powerful spice. Be polite if it isn't to your taste and just get something else instead of making a stink- saw too many customers bothering staff because they made poor ordering decisions. Go to Starbucks or Peets if you don't want to enjoy a broader coffee experience. Great food.“

“The Line is a fantastic spot to pick up coffee, pastries (sweet or savory) and even lunch. It has become a regular weekly habit for me and I always leave happy and with delicious food and beverages in hand. I am a steadfast fan of the Line for the food, coffee, conversations and service.“

“I found my new favorite coffee shop! They value aesthetics and every drink is made to perfection. The workers were so nice and hospitable and even allowed us to stay for a bit after closing to finish our drinks. I got the orange juice tonic and the rose or hail latte, and my friend got the honey lavender latte (barista recommendation for best iced drink) and all of them were so so good and beautiful as well! I will definitely be coming back!“

“Really missed Homemade Cafe, and then found this cafe across the street, seems small owner owned which I like, good selection of food, but the Ceasar salad was exactly what I wanted. Sat for an hour with friends in a very comfortable environment, great addition to the neighborhood.“

“Adam and Queena were invaluable partners in planning my daughter's bat mitzvah! They were very friendly and flexible with our ever-changing budget and introduced us to some great vendors we would have never engaged on our own. They also suggested changes to the layout of the event so that it had a great flow. Beyond all of the preparation, Adam's help with the day-of supervision of the set up and coordination of all with all of the vendors ensured the event went off without a hitch. It was beautiful and exactly how we envisioned it! Thanks Sway!!“

“Have seen this on an instagram reel and have been dying to try this place. The matcha was spot on! Definitely killed my matcha cravings. I loved how they make it taste a hit of sweet so it doesn’t overkill the matcha flavor.

Seating area was definitely minimal but unique but it was slightly dirty. There were flies buzzing around the front door.

Otherwise, efficiency of the workers and quality of products are up to standards. Loved it!“

“My favorite cafe in Berkeley! Vibes are immaculate, always busy (for good reason) but you can sit outside in lovely Strawberry Creek Park. Coffee is delicious, and I love the cheddar and scallion scones. I love to come here with a book and hang out in the park. Also there are always cute dogs!

Vegetarian options: Most pastries are vegan. Oat and almond milk available for all drinks.

Dietary restrictions: Oat and almond milk available. Most pastries are vegan and gluten free.

Kid-friendliness: The park outside is very kid friendly; there are usually multiple kids running around.“

“Tried the seasonal East Bay Breeze with lavender syrup - sooooo good. Love that they have boichik bagels as well as third culture mochi muffins. Nice to see local businesses working together. The vibes are really nice, doesn’t look very big from the outside but once you go in it’s pretty spacious indoor seating as well as an outdoor seating option if you want some sunlight. Definitely my new favorite coffee shop!“

“Came for a new bag of whole beans. I thought the placement of the bags was horrible because it is between where you would order and pick up. I think this led to the staff being very rude about asking me to move while I was looking for the tasting notes. When I did order, I had to ask if she could ring up the bag which made it seem like she did not understand why I was standing where I was in the first place. Cold brew was good. Beans were good. Just nervous to go back.“

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

“This is a lovely low-key spot with reasonable prices and nice service! The empanadas are delicious and there's tons of flavors to choose from. They also have some good coffee alternatives - personally I always get the chagaccino, a healthy blend of superfoods and coffee that helps me start the day off right. I love having this place in the neighborhood!“

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

“Visited Standard Fare for the first time today for Brunch. I was pleasantly impressed with the presentation, fresh food, variety, friendly customer service. I will be back to try their lunch menu! Highly recommend!“

“This might be an unusual review, but I hope it emphasizes the restaurant's greatness.

Since COVID, my senses of smell and taste periodically disappear.

Recently, however, my craving for injera spiked. Even knowing I wouldn't be able to taste it, the texture itself seemed so appetizing.

The family that owns this place clearly takes great pride in their treatment of people and food.

Taking my first bite, I couldn't taste a thing, but the combination of the Shenbera Assa with the injera was insanely satisfying, along with a sambussa as a side order.

Luckily, I couldn't finish the giant portion and boxed up the leftovers.

Upon getting home, I tested my senses by taking a big sniff of the food. I'm excited to say that for a brief moment, my senses came back because HOT DAMN, that was incredible!

Paired with a calm and cozy atmosphere, it's guaranteed I'll return, whether my senses are intact or not.“

“Such a great idea and such nice people in the Berkeley cafe!! Plus yummy coffee, great lighting and ample seating. Can’t wait to come back here to work again!“

“Roaming Bean provides a great service at a unique location. Most especially the business owner Jasraj cares about the community he serves and demonstrates this through his caring service to others. Definitely get out to check the spot out and most especially to have a chat with Jasraj!!“

“I live their expert roasts!“

“There’s no shade outside the Gilman Berkeley location. The only table umbrella there was broken. Every table was taken inside. The only choice was to bake in direct sunlight. The same issue exists in the Castro, SF and Fremont locations: no shaded seating outside.“

“I came to Barkley to study abroad, and it was a nice shop with a nice atmosphere, the staff were very friendly, and the sandwiches were delicious.

This is a good shop with very friendly clerks. I especially like the pastrami sandwich here. There are also fresh shakes in summer!“

“Wowzer! What a nice place. Everything is homemade. I wanted to sit outside and the staff person carried a table out to the sidewalk. I ordered an Americano and a blueberry scone. Scones are a great indicator of an excellent baker, and this one was excellent. It was light, moist and full of fresh blueberries; so good in fact that I ordered a meat pie to go so I could have it for lunch. It too was exceptional.“

“Here is the best place I have found for a take out breakfast, specifically their breakfast burritos. I have them to add ham , as I was tired of all the breakfast sandwiches with sausage giving me a tummy ache. Their burritos are cooked in a coordinated fashion in different pans assembly is completed right after they add the tater tots. It's perfection in a tortilla roll. Well worth the extra money, you won't be disappointed.“

“One of the best coffees in the country. This Vine St branch is where Peet's was born. There is a mini museum dedicated to its history. The coffee is excellent and there is where to connect to work and the internet. In the heart of the Gourmet Ghetto.“

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

“I live nearby and have visited Café Belmo several times. The coffee, tea, pastries (French and Algerian) are always top-notch. The best!!! Service and atmosphere is friendly and kind. I like to stop by for a coffee -- there's always a table available -- and pick up some extraordinary dessert to bring home for guests.“

“May 2021: I've always walked past this place for the past few months since I had appointments in the building, but I finally went in today to grab something to eat and I'm so happy I did. I ordered a pork bahn mi (Vietnamese sandwich on the menu) and a thai tea and damn, they're were both delicious. I didn't get a chance to take a good photo of the thai tea since I drank it so fast, it was really really good! The cafe has nice artwork on the wall and the man behind the counter was so kind! I wished I could've eaten here sooner, but now I know where to get thai tea and a bite to eat after my appointments ?December 2021: finally took a photo of the Thai tea before I drank it all. Very delicious, 10/10. Even on a rainy day, this place still feels homey and nice!January 2023: update, still delicious! Some prices went up by 60 cents to a 1 dollar but still worth it. All his ingredients are fresh and this is probably my favorite homemade Thai tea in the Bay. This place is a hidden gem and owner is still as nice as ever, 12/10!“

“Beautiful cafe near Cal Berkeley campus. After riding our bikes for a few hours. We just wanted an afternoon coffee and pastry. We loved the Yemen Chai and coffee and Bee bite pastry here! The Yemen Chai called Adani? ..we actually drank this earlier the same morning at Farmers Market near Lake Merritt and loved it there too. No coincidences!! I realized that day I need this Yemen Chai in my life daily..I think it's my new favorite hot beverage. I love the flavor, unique spice & it's not as sweet as Indian Chai (I always prefer less sweet)
But the Bee bites pastry.. it has a cheese inside and lightness to it..but hunee...the honey on this pastry..was the best honey I've ever tasted..they said the honey is from Yemen as well..so amazing!! Definitely returning!! ? ??‍♀️?
I will check out all their locations besides Berkeley they said they have one in Oakland and 2 in SF. ☺️“

“Highly recommend this cafe. Good atmosphere to study or talk.
Bolivia cold brew: $9 with small size (~4oz) but definitely worth it with its unique bitterness and fruitiness.
Vanila latte with oat milk: not just ordinary vanila latte.“

“Love this place. One of my favorite Berkeley coffee shops. Always clean and many seats near power plugs. The staff is pleasant, and so are the other customers. I feel my backpack is safe at my seat while away using the bathroom or getting a refill. I also like the menu - particularly the egg white breakfast sandwich. Most Peets’ have this, and I’m always surprised at how fast and yet still tasty it is. It’s my go-to anytime I missed breakfast.“

“Literally the best coffee I've ever had in my life and their artwork is always fun.“

“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.“

“Friendly staff & good location for neighborhood families.“

“This place was spectacular. It blew all expectations out of the park, perhaps even out of Berkeley. This is now one of my favorite coffee places on campus. But one thing outshone the rest, and that was the service. Sophia gave me a very special drink, a drink that was one of its kind. As my friends know I actively hate oat milk, however, this drink may have changed my opinion on oat milk. I had no complaints and the drink was perfection, perhaps now I like oat milk. If you ever have the chance, be sure to visit this nice establishment and make sure you say hello to Sophia.“

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