Cafe Platano

2042 University Ave, Berkeley
(510) 704-0325

Recent Reviews

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Adrian Merry

The beans and plantains so good, pupusas delicisioso!!!!

F

Everything was so good. Loved the flavors.

Adrian R Logan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hands-down one of the best Salvadoran food spots we’ve ever been to—seriously! I came here with my whole family, and we all left full and happy. The food was incredibly tasty, and the entire experience from start to finish was smooth and enjoyable.

We were seated right away, and our waiter was very nice and super fast. The place wasn’t crowded, which surprised us because the food was top-tier. It’s a great spot for large groups—plenty of seating, very comfortable, and we were never rushed.

We loved that the drinks were refillable (huge win when you’ve got kids), and the prices were very reasonable for how much food you get. The variety of pupusas blew me away—so many options and all made fresh. My wife was especially happy with the pastelitos—they reminded her of the ones she used to get during recess back in Nicaragua. I tried one too, and yep, they were delicious.

We were also given two complimentary containers of curtido and two bottles of red sauce, which we really appreciated. They didn’t charge us for either, and both were flavorful and authentic.

I ordered the lemonade—lightly sweetened, super refreshing, and perfect with the meal. If you’re anywhere near here, don’t skip this place. You won’t regret it!

Stephanie Rojas

You guys should REALLY consider updating your hours online. I have gone MULTIPLE times and you have been closed. This is extremely unprofessional and unacceptable. (the food is bomb tho which makes it even worse)

David Richardson

The BEST pupusas around #Period

Suzanne Howard

5 Starts! I had the pleasure of catering a large wedding with the Pupuseria y Restaurante Platano team over the weekend. The staff was absolutely lovely and professional to work with. I thought the food was delicious and the guests also spoke highly of the catered meal. I recommend that they cater your next event!

Jazmin Cortez

I’ve been a long time customer here almost 10 years. It had been a while since I’ve been back but Yesterday I placed an order the prices have definitely gone up one pupusa can cost you almost $6. When I went in to pick up my order the waitress working handed me my receipt and the total was $45.03,I noticed a $1.00 gratuity on the receipt which I thought was odd. I gave her $46 in cash and she didn’t seem as if she was going to give me back my change. I always tip but this $1 gratuity already added was suspicious. I asked her if she was going to bring me my change back which I’m the 93 cents isn’t a big deal! I was just curious as to why a $1 tip was added. So she comes back with my change and a new receipt where the $1 gratuity was taken off. It’s just very suspicious and made my experience here unpleasant. This girl could have been new I know most the employees that work here but I won’t be returning and will be taking my business elsewhere. Very shady.

Maxine

Talk about delicious pupusas! Wow! Cafe Platano is the best Salvadoran restaurant in the Bay Area. I've been to El Salvador and my mom is Salvadoran and we both enjoy the pupusas when we visit the Berkeley location. "El fresco de ensalada" is also delicious, very legit. I've honestly never gone to this restaurant for anything other than the pupusas, so I don't know about their other entrees. I recommend the rice flour pupusas, "revueltas" and "de queso con loroco." Yum! The prices are reasonable too. Street parking is challenging, either Uber there or prepare to drive for a while until you find an open spot. It's all worth it though.

Parking: Hard to find.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lynnkitty

This was our first time at Cafe Platano. The food was fresh, hot and delicious! They offer a few vegan items and several vegetarian dishes. We will absolutely return next time we are in the area.

Kid-friendliness: Although we didn’t have kids with us today, there is a kid’s menu with kid friendly dishes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Camarones Side, Frijole Pupusa, Special, Fried Plantains

Toni Mojo

Quite a nice place. In Berkeley, as you approach the restaurant and enter, you are warmly greeted with a sweet smile from Adriana, and she kindly guides you to your table.

The scene is nice as you notice all the beautiful art all around the restaurant. The menu is detailed with a few vegetarian options. Needless to say, We came for their famous Papusas!

Papusas are stuffed thick corn masa tortilla served with curtido & salsa.

They were all delicious, a good size, and served fresh and hot. It is not too salty with a decent amount of cheese stuff mixed well in. They did not come soggy they came fried to perfection.

The Papusas we ordered were...

1 Revuelta & Frijoles

1 Revuelta

1 Chicharron

1 DE Res y Queso

1 Queso & Frijoles

1 Queso & Loroco

Delicious ?

Vegetarian options: Platanos
10.99
Fried plantains, red refried beans , Choice of Fresh Cheese or Hard Cheese and sour cream

Papa Guisada
19.99
Stew of Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, and House Tomato

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Pupusas Lunch Special with Tamales Pupusas and Plantain

Mario Rodriguez

Best pupusas in the East Bay! As a Salvadoran, they get my seal of approval

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pupusas Lunch Special with Tamales Pupusas and Plantain, Fried Plantains

Manuel Morales

The pupusas are terrible and the food is very expensive, the service is not very good.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 2

N. Chan

Lovely El Salvadorean restaurant with a w approved kid menu! Horchata is dairy free, and pupusas were perfecto with a jar of relish and salsa provided. Waiter was infinitely patient with us and answered all our questions. Definitely coming back!

Jesse Gardeman

Took my mama to Platano for her 75th birthday! The pupusas (vegetable, loroco), beans, plantains, and salad were delicious. The server was friendly and attentive. I heard my friend might use them to cater his wedding, can’t wait!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Frijoles, Fried Plantains, Lunch Special

Angel Leong

literally ascended into a higher plane of existence. sooo good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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