Great pizza, great sandwiches good baked goods if you get them before they’re gone
Sherrey Bina
Can we please bring back quality control? Paid $30 for a half chicken and the whole thing reeked of some weird chemical. Could barely take a few bites and threw the rest in the trash. Shame bc this is one of my go to places, and I would drive from Oakland to pick up.
Grace
I had an amazing experience at Summer Bake Kitchen in Berkeley! The desserts are absolutely divine—rich, perfectly sweet, and beautifully presented. I tried their chocolate tart, and it was a game-changer! The pizzas are equally impressive, with a crispy thin crust and fresh, high-quality toppings; the margherita was bursting with flavor. Their salads are a highlight too—super fresh ingredients, vibrant, and paired with tasty dressings that make every bite delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or healthy, this place has it all. Highly recommend checking it out!
Maya Martín
One of the best cupcakes I've tried is the chocolate!!!
Bea Ivette
This place quickly became one of my go-to favorites since moving to Berkeley two years ago. With its fresh, organic, farm-to-table offerings and a light, crisp atmosphere, it delivers an experience that feels both wholesome and effortless. The space is bright and inviting—perfect for a relaxed, feel-good meal.
The pizza is always a win, and the smash burger is fantastic—I’d only suggest adding a side of coleslaw to make the plate truly complete. But the real standout for me? Their Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s my all-time favorite, especially when made with their crispy chicken—the breading is absolutely delicious. If you get the chance, ask for it the way “Carlos” makes it (assuming he’s not on duty, of course!).
This spot is a gem for anyone looking to enjoy tasty, health-conscious food in a great setting. It’s the perfect place to soak in the rhythm of College Avenue, with its mix of new students and longtime locals. Jason, thank you for keeping this place such a special part of The Elmwood!
Gene F
Egg salad sandwich and hamburgers are the best 👌 I've ever had.
Erica Avey
Incredible spaghetti and meatballs
The Green Stars Project
One of the best restaurants in Elmwood (4/5 green stars)
It’s so easy to walk right by Summer Kitchen without even noticing it. It’s a narrow shopfront with just a few tables outside and it’s easy to miss as you ponder ice cream and other offerings from neighbors. Well, take it from me – forget ice cream and get a baked item from Summer Kitchen instead! Or try a pizza, or an egg salad sandwich – possibly the best egg salad sandwich you’ll ever have. But if you are limited for time, try one of the fresh fruit pastries (galette) – they seem expensive at $12 but they are big enough for two and totally worth it!
I’m giving Summer Kitchen 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. The positives are obvious – most of the ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Everything is made from scratch and there is transparent sourcing of the meat and fish (Mary’s free-range chicken, etc.). There are a reasonable amount of vegetarian options and you can definitely find some vegan dishes too (salads, sandwich, pasta). Summer Kitchen could make the biggest environmental impact by scrapping beef from the menu – replacing it with plant-based alternatives, ideally. Beef has a carbon footprint of around 10 times that of chicken and over 100 times that of pea protein, on average. If everyone one the planet ate 1 lb. of beef per week (the US average), total greenhouse gas emissions would increase by one third! I’ll write a post illustrating all of this soon on the Green Stars Project.
So I really appreciate that Summer Kitchen makes more effort than the vast majority of restaurants on improving sustainability so that’s my suggestion for the biggest opportunity for improvement – cut the beef.
Ben Gruber
The portions are big and the staff are very nice, but I thought the food and cakes were very mid, sadly. Very much wanted to like it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
sauce pasta
Service was amazing and staff was so nice! food came quick and it was delicious. the look of the restaraunt is also very quaint and pretty! :)
One of the worst service I ever experienced(and pizzas). After we waited over 40 minutes for the pizzas, we were told they had online orders before us. I told Alena, one of the attendants, she could have mentioned it at the time of the order that wait time for food will be long. She looked extremely tired, probably end of the shift, pity. She pointed on a guy at the end of the restaurant and told me I can go and talk to him,” he is the owner” she said. Well, as a customer/guest, I thought, it is the owner responsibility to come and check for the issue, not vis versa. For the pizzas, don’t want to be negative, but try other places if you want a real pizzas. I do not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Max Kay
It's a local cute cafe with delicious sandwiches and bakeries. Wood oven pizzas are thin crust and great. Limited inside and outside seating. Clean and decent room inside to sit or rearrange tables to your party. Limited outdoor seating. Service is order-to-sit and your food will be delivered. Very few veggie option like eggplant sandwich. Few (good) local beer can options only. Great for seniors, kids, couples. Not so great for large groups or gathering unless pre arranged. There is parking lot being the block as well as free and paid street parking. Will be back for carrot cakes and more sandwiches.
Vegetarian options: Few veggie options
Parking: Parking lot behind the block. Free and paid street parking around.
Kid-friendliness: There are wide tables and cakes.
Nice place, could be friendlier. Smiles go a long way.
Berkss Casp
Nice place, could be friendlier. Smiles go a long way.
Susannah Greenberg
Simple but elevated gourmet food. Relaxed informal place. Staff were sensitive to my inquiries relating to nut allergies and nuts in the food. We had Chinese chicken salad, plant based sandwich, and a pizza. All excellent.
Great pizza, great sandwiches good baked goods if you get them before they’re gone
Can we please bring back quality control? Paid $30 for a half chicken and the whole thing reeked of some weird chemical. Could barely take a few bites and threw the rest in the trash. Shame bc this is one of my go to places, and I would drive from Oakland to pick up.
I had an amazing experience at Summer Bake Kitchen in Berkeley! The desserts are absolutely divine—rich, perfectly sweet, and beautifully presented. I tried their chocolate tart, and it was a game-changer! The pizzas are equally impressive, with a crispy thin crust and fresh, high-quality toppings; the margherita was bursting with flavor. Their salads are a highlight too—super fresh ingredients, vibrant, and paired with tasty dressings that make every bite delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or healthy, this place has it all. Highly recommend checking it out!
One of the best cupcakes I've tried is the chocolate!!!
This place quickly became one of my go-to favorites since moving to Berkeley two years ago. With its fresh, organic, farm-to-table offerings and a light, crisp atmosphere, it delivers an experience that feels both wholesome and effortless. The space is bright and inviting—perfect for a relaxed, feel-good meal.
The pizza is always a win, and the smash burger is fantastic—I’d only suggest adding a side of coleslaw to make the plate truly complete. But the real standout for me? Their Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s my all-time favorite, especially when made with their crispy chicken—the breading is absolutely delicious. If you get the chance, ask for it the way “Carlos” makes it (assuming he’s not on duty, of course!).
This spot is a gem for anyone looking to enjoy tasty, health-conscious food in a great setting. It’s the perfect place to soak in the rhythm of College Avenue, with its mix of new students and longtime locals. Jason, thank you for keeping this place such a special part of The Elmwood!
Egg salad sandwich and hamburgers are the best 👌 I've ever had.
Incredible spaghetti and meatballs
One of the best restaurants in Elmwood (4/5 green stars) It’s so easy to walk right by Summer Kitchen without even noticing it. It’s a narrow shopfront with just a few tables outside and it’s easy to miss as you ponder ice cream and other offerings from neighbors. Well, take it from me – forget ice cream and get a baked item from Summer Kitchen instead! Or try a pizza, or an egg salad sandwich – possibly the best egg salad sandwich you’ll ever have. But if you are limited for time, try one of the fresh fruit pastries (galette) – they seem expensive at $12 but they are big enough for two and totally worth it! I’m giving Summer Kitchen 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. The positives are obvious – most of the ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Everything is made from scratch and there is transparent sourcing of the meat and fish (Mary’s free-range chicken, etc.). There are a reasonable amount of vegetarian options and you can definitely find some vegan dishes too (salads, sandwich, pasta). Summer Kitchen could make the biggest environmental impact by scrapping beef from the menu – replacing it with plant-based alternatives, ideally. Beef has a carbon footprint of around 10 times that of chicken and over 100 times that of pea protein, on average. If everyone one the planet ate 1 lb. of beef per week (the US average), total greenhouse gas emissions would increase by one third! I’ll write a post illustrating all of this soon on the Green Stars Project. So I really appreciate that Summer Kitchen makes more effort than the vast majority of restaurants on improving sustainability so that’s my suggestion for the biggest opportunity for improvement – cut the beef.
The portions are big and the staff are very nice, but I thought the food and cakes were very mid, sadly. Very much wanted to like it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Service was amazing and staff was so nice! food came quick and it was delicious. the look of the restaraunt is also very quaint and pretty! :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the worst service I ever experienced(and pizzas). After we waited over 40 minutes for the pizzas, we were told they had online orders before us. I told Alena, one of the attendants, she could have mentioned it at the time of the order that wait time for food will be long. She looked extremely tired, probably end of the shift, pity. She pointed on a guy at the end of the restaurant and told me I can go and talk to him,” he is the owner” she said. Well, as a customer/guest, I thought, it is the owner responsibility to come and check for the issue, not vis versa. For the pizzas, don’t want to be negative, but try other places if you want a real pizzas. I do not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
It's a local cute cafe with delicious sandwiches and bakeries. Wood oven pizzas are thin crust and great.
Limited inside and outside seating. Clean and decent room inside to sit or rearrange tables to your party. Limited outdoor seating.
Service is order-to-sit and your food will be delivered.
Very few veggie option like eggplant sandwich. Few (good) local beer can options only.
Great for seniors, kids, couples. Not so great for large groups or gathering unless pre arranged.
There is parking lot being the block as well as free and paid street parking.
Will be back for carrot cakes and more sandwiches.
Vegetarian options: Few veggie options
Parking: Parking lot behind the block. Free and paid street parking around.
Kid-friendliness: There are wide tables and cakes.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Margherita Pizza, Sandwiches, Pastries
Nice place, could be friendlier. Smiles go a long way.
Nice place, could be friendlier. Smiles go a long way.
Simple but elevated gourmet food. Relaxed informal place. Staff were sensitive to my inquiries relating to nut allergies and nuts in the food. We had Chinese chicken salad, plant based sandwich, and a pizza. All excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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