Some of the drinks are good and the interior is cute, but it’s overpriced (a small latte with non dairy milk is almost 8 dollars, and they seem angry if you don’t tip a lot on top of that) and as other reviews have noted, the people working here are just not nice. I wanted to like it here since I live nearby but every time I have given it another chance, they don’t say hi back, act like I’m intruding in their space, and never say thank you or bye or anything. Sadly won’t be back.
Tim
On Feb 6th, the girl asked me and my partner to wear masks, and I'm okay, rules, they charched us for 2 masks. But on the way out, I saw how another customer wasn't asked to wear a mask. The question is, how does the policy work? Do I have to be special? Why does this discrimination happen? I feel sad and do not recommend this place. Pastries and coffee you can find and more friendly places.
Crystal B.
The decor is super cute and they serve Mother Tongue coffee beans which is women owned. The downside is they do NOT offer WiFi to guests. It seems like they really just want you to buy your coffee and go. This is probably why they are strict about the mask mandate while other coffee shops are more relaxed. Some of their baristas aren't polite when letting you know. Another negative is they don't offer a free drip coffee when you buy an $18 bag of coffee which comes off a tad pretentious. Other coffee shops offer a complimentary drip if you buy a bag of coffee beans.
Ani P
Coffee isn’t great — got a latte with rose syrup and you can’t taste the rose. Vibe is nice but there’s no wifi so no way to sit and work and enjoy the atmosphere
Judy A Green
The place is a hole in the wall and can barely fit five customers downstairs and four people upstairs sitting on filthy furniture. The drinks and food is average, the latte was awful. The place asks for masks when everyone else in the city and the world has stopped. How do they expect people who dine in to have masks? We did not have masks so I sent my kid to get masks from the car, while the staff are looking, waiting for my kid to return, and not taking our orders until my two daughters and I had the masks on. On our way out, we saw the staff offering customers; they apparently know, free masks! They a had a huge pile of them! Will not recommend the place.
Emily Crawford
This place is adorable. A crocodile bookend keeps the cup cozies in place, and several paintings and photographs adorn the walls of women, like After the Ball by Ramon Casas and three witches dancing by Helen Moller. I tried the seasonal rosemary and sage latte and good lord it was delicious. The ladies working the counter were efficient and friendly. It’s cozy, a touch witchy, and a perfect match for what I seek out in a cafe.
Ryan D.
Walked in without a mask and was charged an extra 25 cents because I had to "borrow" one from them. More than happy to comply with mask requirements even though they're a little less common now, but anytime this has happened to me in other establishments the masks are always complimentary and I've certainly never been charged without any warning. (There's a sign on the door but it's not visible when you walk in since the door is propped open, and the barista never mentioned it.). Totally unnecessary to charge people, just buy a box of disposables like every other business does and offer them free!
Heliana M.
Love this cute cozy spot right on mlk and university ave. I stop here almost everyday as it is next to the bus stop. Today bus was late so I went in to pamper myself with a delicious almond croissant which was yummy and warm. Space is lovely and staff is friendly and prompt. They have few tables outside too and coffee smells delish. Right opposite trader joe and very close to ohlone Park. Great location. Try it out!
Kailin Zhuang
The staff were so rude. One of them said to the other staff (in front of me) that “maybe we shouldn’t correct customers who ask what the dog treats are and maybe they (the customers) will have a taste and then realise what it is because it’s so simple why would they ask”.The coffee was consistently too acidic, and they forgot to use alt milk a few times and I had to remind them. Only went because it was the only option at the time. Would not recommend.
Erin J.
great if: - you like acidic coffee - looking for a quick coffee to-go The cafe is a cozy 2-story space with cute vibes. However, there is no wifi, not too many pastry options, and not much seating -- a small table along the wall downstairs and a sofa seating area upstairs. I tried their iced americano: acidic and not very strong. I'd recommend the cafe for those who are looking to stop by to grab quick coffee, chat with a friend, or read upstairs.
The staff were so rude. One of them said to the other staff (in front of me) that "maybe we shouldn't correct customers who ask what the dog treats are and maybe they (the customers) will have a taste and then realise what it is because it's so simple why would they ask". The coffee was consistently too acidic, and they forgot to use alt milk a few times and I had to remind them. Only went because it was the only option at the time. Would not recommend.
Tess Waxman
I love this cafe! Highly recommend! Best espresso in Berkeley. They make yummy seasonal syrups and sell delicious pastries. Try the gluten-free and vegan fruit bar! Also, the baristas are pretty cute :)
Dawn A.
I ended up coming here randomly since my usual coffee shop was closed, but I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful touches in the decor, upstairs sitting area with books and soft couches, and the way the menu items were framed on the wall. I'd recommend coming here if you aren't in a hurry and want a place to hang out, read, or relax.
Catherine Varnell
Terrific beverages, and not over sweetened! Yeah! I am a little obsessed with their Strawberries and Cream Matcha Latte - a current special for the sun sign Cancer. Looking forward to what they bring for Leo's like me. They are not afraid to experiment, which I love.They have a small store front, with a cute little loft area that I enjoy every time I visit the Bay area. The staff is excellent and they round out the chill vibe with professional barista skills and awesome playlists.I'd be here everyday if I lived in the area. Check it out if you want to be kind to your taste buds.
Ashley Kua
I can't lie, I only really go here because it's so close to my work. They have fairly good coffee -- the Pride month latte with froot loops was good, and so is their caramel latte. I was really happy to see they were selling Boichik Bagels, but the cream cheese they use is not Boichik (or at least tastes really funky).I have to agree with a lot of these other reviews. The staff is simply not friendly at all. They kind of treat you like you're an inconvenience to them when you simply just come in and order (and I also work in coffee/customer service) ? I really want to love this cute place but its not the best.
Some of the drinks are good and the interior is cute, but it’s overpriced (a small latte with non dairy milk is almost 8 dollars, and they seem angry if you don’t tip a lot on top of that) and as other reviews have noted, the people working here are just not nice. I wanted to like it here since I live nearby but every time I have given it another chance, they don’t say hi back, act like I’m intruding in their space, and never say thank you or bye or anything. Sadly won’t be back.
On Feb 6th, the girl asked me and my partner to wear masks, and I'm okay, rules, they charched us for 2 masks. But on the way out, I saw how another customer wasn't asked to wear a mask. The question is, how does the policy work? Do I have to be special? Why does this discrimination happen? I feel sad and do not recommend this place. Pastries and coffee you can find and more friendly places.
The decor is super cute and they serve Mother Tongue coffee beans which is women owned. The downside is they do NOT offer WiFi to guests. It seems like they really just want you to buy your coffee and go. This is probably why they are strict about the mask mandate while other coffee shops are more relaxed. Some of their baristas aren't polite when letting you know. Another negative is they don't offer a free drip coffee when you buy an $18 bag of coffee which comes off a tad pretentious. Other coffee shops offer a complimentary drip if you buy a bag of coffee beans.
Coffee isn’t great — got a latte with rose syrup and you can’t taste the rose. Vibe is nice but there’s no wifi so no way to sit and work and enjoy the atmosphere
The place is a hole in the wall and can barely fit five customers downstairs and four people upstairs sitting on filthy furniture. The drinks and food is average, the latte was awful. The place asks for masks when everyone else in the city and the world has stopped. How do they expect people who dine in to have masks? We did not have masks so I sent my kid to get masks from the car, while the staff are looking, waiting for my kid to return, and not taking our orders until my two daughters and I had the masks on. On our way out, we saw the staff offering customers; they apparently know, free masks! They a had a huge pile of them! Will not recommend the place.
This place is adorable. A crocodile bookend keeps the cup cozies in place, and several paintings and photographs adorn the walls of women, like After the Ball by Ramon Casas and three witches dancing by Helen Moller. I tried the seasonal rosemary and sage latte and good lord it was delicious. The ladies working the counter were efficient and friendly. It’s cozy, a touch witchy, and a perfect match for what I seek out in a cafe.
Walked in without a mask and was charged an extra 25 cents because I had to "borrow" one from them. More than happy to comply with mask requirements even though they're a little less common now, but anytime this has happened to me in other establishments the masks are always complimentary and I've certainly never been charged without any warning. (There's a sign on the door but it's not visible when you walk in since the door is propped open, and the barista never mentioned it.). Totally unnecessary to charge people, just buy a box of disposables like every other business does and offer them free!
Love this cute cozy spot right on mlk and university ave. I stop here almost everyday as it is next to the bus stop. Today bus was late so I went in to pamper myself with a delicious almond croissant which was yummy and warm. Space is lovely and staff is friendly and prompt. They have few tables outside too and coffee smells delish. Right opposite trader joe and very close to ohlone Park. Great location. Try it out!
The staff were so rude. One of them said to the other staff (in front of me) that “maybe we shouldn’t correct customers who ask what the dog treats are and maybe they (the customers) will have a taste and then realise what it is because it’s so simple why would they ask”.The coffee was consistently too acidic, and they forgot to use alt milk a few times and I had to remind them. Only went because it was the only option at the time. Would not recommend.
great if: - you like acidic coffee - looking for a quick coffee to-go The cafe is a cozy 2-story space with cute vibes. However, there is no wifi, not too many pastry options, and not much seating -- a small table along the wall downstairs and a sofa seating area upstairs. I tried their iced americano: acidic and not very strong. I'd recommend the cafe for those who are looking to stop by to grab quick coffee, chat with a friend, or read upstairs.
Restaurantji Recommends
The staff were so rude. One of them said to the other staff (in front of me) that "maybe we shouldn't correct customers who ask what the dog treats are and maybe they (the customers) will have a taste and then realise what it is because it's so simple why would they ask". The coffee was consistently too acidic, and they forgot to use alt milk a few times and I had to remind them. Only went because it was the only option at the time. Would not recommend.
I love this cafe! Highly recommend! Best espresso in Berkeley. They make yummy seasonal syrups and sell delicious pastries. Try the gluten-free and vegan fruit bar! Also, the baristas are pretty cute :)
I ended up coming here randomly since my usual coffee shop was closed, but I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful touches in the decor, upstairs sitting area with books and soft couches, and the way the menu items were framed on the wall. I'd recommend coming here if you aren't in a hurry and want a place to hang out, read, or relax.
Terrific beverages, and not over sweetened! Yeah! I am a little obsessed with their Strawberries and Cream Matcha Latte - a current special for the sun sign Cancer. Looking forward to what they bring for Leo's like me. They are not afraid to experiment, which I love.They have a small store front, with a cute little loft area that I enjoy every time I visit the Bay area. The staff is excellent and they round out the chill vibe with professional barista skills and awesome playlists.I'd be here everyday if I lived in the area. Check it out if you want to be kind to your taste buds.
I can't lie, I only really go here because it's so close to my work. They have fairly good coffee -- the Pride month latte with froot loops was good, and so is their caramel latte. I was really happy to see they were selling Boichik Bagels, but the cream cheese they use is not Boichik (or at least tastes really funky).I have to agree with a lot of these other reviews. The staff is simply not friendly at all. They kind of treat you like you're an inconvenience to them when you simply just come in and order (and I also work in coffee/customer service) ? I really want to love this cute place but its not the best.