50 Best Cafes near El Cerrito

“drinks are always good and it’s never a hit or miss. i always get the same thing but it’s always good or better than the last time never a one hit wonder! the sandwich i got which was the turkey avocado sandwich was okay. a lot of avocado and onion but little turkey. i’m sure you ask for your specific topping preferences that wouldn’t be a problem. found out about this place a couple weeks ago and have been a regular ever since. my new favorite boba place ever since the first time i came. highly recommend! (the boba in the picture is the devil zang zang, if you like boba and oreo and don’t know what to try definitely get that. it’s also the middle boba picture on the window.)“

“the hot beverages & sandwiches 😋“

“Amazing burritos. Bomb.com“

“Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans.

What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story.

The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.“

“This is my local go to when I need an excellent tasting coffee before work. They have an amazing selection of Brazilian options for food. I tend to lean on the tasty misto, or the bacon avocado egg cheese bread sandwich! And, if you like hot sauce, don’t pass up a chance to try theirs out!

The staff are always friendly, attentive, and the cafe itself has plenty of space. It’s bright and has plenty of good vibes the plants and decor.

Could be busy on weekend mornings, but chills out for lunch and onwards.

Always a 10/10 when I visit.“

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“One65 was an amazing discovery on our trip to San Francisco. Having spent the first half of our life in Montréal, Québec, Canada where it was hard to find a bad restaurant, we were absolutely amazed by this Bistro which looks more like a high end dining experience. The menu online & the photos attracted us to this location but we were amazed by the well timed service, the crisp white tablecloths, the table setting and the pleasant and calm atmosphere. My choices of charcuterie platter was perfectly sized; the chicken & the pork rillettes where a wonderful surprise. My husband had an onion tart with the crust as perfect as they get & which I envied. He loved his halibut, moist and tender and I raved over my grilled half lobster, so tender that I found myself munching on the shell parts as well. My bread pudding was not of overwhelming size & perfectly flavored. Don chose the Affogato (scoop of vanilla gelato « drowned » with a shot of hot espresso). We wanted to go back today but they are closed on Sundays.?“

“Pain au chocolat was phenomenal. Canele was mediocre. I had high expectations for a French bakery. Seasonal croissant seemed to be a berry crumble type double baked croissant. Tasty and fresh! Went on a weekday morning with no plans so the casual atmosphere and no line was nice and relaxing.

Their pate en croute assortment looked like art. Would’ve loved to try but hopefully another time.“

“I have worked around the corner from Bench for years. I only recently got into coffee and so I've tried pretty much ever coffee shop in the near vicinity and this is by far the best latte in the area. Don't forget there is an upstairs seating area with a table and chairs.

The only thing that I would prefer is to have a couple comfortable chairs upstairs. If I could sit in a cushy chair I'd be so happy! But it's comfortable enough to be my go to spot now!“

“Tomato sandwich goes so hard….incredibly juicy and perfectly seasoned. Hard to eat in the best way, I was deliriously slurping. Seasonal pastry (fig & cream cheese) was delicious too! My iced matcha was perfect.

I believe the owners helped me and they were so incredibly warm and welcoming! Spots like this are so hard to come by. It’s authentically local and so SOMA. If you find yourself walking Folsom, I cannot recommend Nosh Box enough!“

“Petit Cafe is a hidden gem! The warm ambiance, delightful pastries, and rich coffee make it the perfect spot to unwind. The staff are friendly, and every visit feels like a little escape from the hustle and bustle. Highly recommend!“

“Sandwiches are fantastic! Generous portions of fresh ingredients made to order. Fully stocked pastry case with classic and specialty treats! Friendly staff, great vibe,, totally affordable menu. LOVE!“

“Very good cappuccino: not just a small latté. Lox, egg, capers, on gluten-free toast was well done. Lots of Palestinian baked goods.

Nice corner location on Shattuck. Great light and solid wood tables. Outdoor tables too.

Order in-person or by touchscreen.

The EDM playing is on the mellow side.“

“5/5! Would come back again and smile about it :) great atmosphere, friendly staff, plants aplenty, yummy food, and even a little corner with trinkets for purchase. I got the veggie sandwich and would recommend! I tried the yuzu latte as well but don’t think it’s a good choice- if you love yuzu, find a yuzu lemonade or a drink where it’s not mixed with coffee. I was hoping it’d be a light drink to highlight the yuzu but it pretty much just tasted like coffee with a hint of yuzu (you’ll really need to stir up the drink to taste even that hint). I think it was a cool idea to include a trendy flavor in a latte but it doesn’t let the yuzu shine. It wasn’t bad but I just don’t think it was the best use of yuzu. I’d recommend a different drink.

Good work/study place! I’m always on the lookout for growing my list of the best spots in the city to work/study. This place is a medium sized cafe- not too cramped but not large. A fair amount of seating with good lighting, wifi, and outlets. Bathroom open without key needed.“

“The best place ever. Love them ❤️ 💕“

“Highly recommend Best coffee in San Francisco ☕️“

“اكل حلال اسعار في متناول اليد تعامل قمة في الذوق“

“This small cafe works hard to accommodate the morning rush everyday, and it’s common sense to walk in and order. Amazing price on a LARGE latte $5 The food is classic breakfast fare, I love the ham egg and cheese croissant and the tuna sandwich on sourdough. The people working are not responsible for telling customers that they can order, in case anyone had any complaints. These are lovely people and they deserve respect. They are so kind and reasonable, I recommend this place and it’s so good that mornings get really busy so be prepared to wait if it is, they work as fast as they can. If you see them busy and there were people in front of you, it might take longer than 2 minutes. MOST places in SF do, it’s not New York lol.“

“Small breakfast spot with great food at a really good price and it is open on Sundays. We tried three different breakfast places during our stay but this one was the only open on Sunday. Food was great, price very good, just that there is barely any space to sit. So we had a table outside.“

“Cool, versatile spot — serve wine, tea & coffee so perfect Friday spot ;-) Sometimes get a bit loud if you’re really trying to focus on work.

They even carry Blue Willow tea, a quality, local brand based in Berkeley. Check out their stuff.“

“An incredible gem of the city. It doesn’t matter what you pick from the menu, everything is thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The black bean and cheese pupusas are a favorite. It is absurd that this place doesn’t have closer to 5/5 star rating. An amazing place.“

“San Francisco’s most hidden gem“

“Love this place. It’s always good and fresh. The Nutella/ strawberry 🥐 croissant is yummm, a must have.“

“Great atmosphere, extremely friendly, and delicious food. Shout out to the strawberry lavender matcha latte, very tasty. Just the right portions, didn’t leave hungry but didn’t over eat. Vegetarian friendly with substitutes. Some of the most refreshing water I’ve had.“

“Wow, don't miss this unassuming little gem. The veggie burger 🍔 was superb and he was happy to make it a lettuce wrap. Wifi too! I'd go out of my way to come here again - note that you have to go into the large building to see the entrance. My small complaint is that my cappuccino defaulted to a paper cup for my in house order, but I'll just specify next time. Highly recommended.“

“This spot is such a great option if ur looking to grab & go for lunch. They serve delicious hearty meals at a great price point.
I found out about the place from too good to go, but will definitely come back to try more of their menu.

I was given a generous portion of rice, beans, vegetable , mac&cheese & salmon.
Everything was seasoned & cooked well, from the salmon that’s so tender & not dry, has great sauce on top. Flavorful yellow rice, the vegetables was crunchy & delicious.
If ur looking for a hearty & quick lunch stop by this place!“

“Five bright stars, Lissa darling!“

“First time having Ethiopian food, and wow am I dying to try some more. Got the vegetable platter that came with injera (sour fermented flatbread) and it was not only plentiful, but also healthy and full of flavor! If I was from this area I’d come to this place every week. Very nice staff as well.“

“This was my first time visiting Sammy’s, and he’s truly someone who makes you start your day with a smile! I asked him to customize my hash brown burrito with avocado, and he actually came outside to show me if the amount was enough or if I wanted more. He even asked me to taste my coffee to see if I’d like an extra shot added. Such thoughtfulness and care are rare these days—shops like this are a real gem!“

“Love the small item food choices and the salads ans sandwichws! The atmosphere is amazing with tall ceilings and great seating. The wall has 'snowfall to outfall SFPUC water system beautifully lit display. (Worth checking out even if you dont order!)
Lattes fantastic, all rhe choices and options.
Super clean, with low level music, good spot for coffee and lunch or snack!!“

“Incredible sandwiches. Fantastic portions/prices. The nicest people.

I get a make your own turkey sandwich on sourdough and it's probably my favorite sandwich. The sourdough is so good - chewy and flavorful and a great crisp on our outside. Roasted turkey is perfect, not too salty, all fix-ins are fresh. It's everything I want a sandwich to be!

On top of this, the sandwich is huge. I eat a lot so it's great portion for me but if you don't eat as much, you'll get two gourmet sandwiches out of $15 which is pretty amazing.

Lastly, the people are just so nice. They are patient and kind and thoughtful. They make you feel right at home.

If I lived closer this would be a regular weekly if not many times a week spot for me!!“

“🤯 Biscuits are better than Khanfectionary in the Mission. The jalapeño biscuit for the breakfast sandwich was delicious and comes with a nice arugula side salad.

🥚 We also had the huevos on crispy little tortillas. Very good, especially with the chipotle sauce on the side.

☕️ pour over coffe was also lovely

🥰 the owner stopped by our table to check on us and she is a delight. She spent about a decade in Berlin, Germany, and brings some international flair to the café menu, ambience, and playlist.

🤤 the everything biscuit, the apple pie biscuit, and the Matcha strawberry biscuit are also worth trying. I personally like the everything biscuit the best, but if you want something a bit more sweet go for the 🍎apple pie biscuit, and if you want a lot more sweet (think bear claw level sweet) then go for the Matcha strawberry option. You better grab a coffee with that one though ‘cause it is SWEET.

🛋️ the place has eclectic seating, with a couple of couches a few two top tables and a few four top tables. Great to pop in on your own, or with a few friends.“

“Yesterday was our first time here. Staff was friendly & helpful. Ordered a chicken rice plate, shrimp rice plate and a Gyro. All of it was tasty. We all agreed we would gladly eat here again. We sat on the street, watching the world go by while shoveling in the delishness. Affordable & we paid with card. Could use some fresh paint & some deep cleaning though. Bathroom needs a gut job reno.“

“I recently had a problem with an online order that had nothing to do with this physical store, but the owner here was gracious enough to push my concern until it was resolved. This specific store is outstanding in customer service and next time I’m in the bay I’ll make sure to drop by and grab some drinks for the fam! 💚“

“Local, family owned & operated new coffee shop with delicious coffees - alt milk options available (almond, soy, oat) chai & matcha lattes, tea, pastries and more focusing on the individual experience and quality served in a welcoming and friendly environment. Just hop in Varney Alley off of 3rd near the Shell gas; you won’t be disappointed!“

“Cafe Isabella's delicious food (they serve my favorite San Francisco burrito), and overall appealing aesthetic design reflect the fine tastes of its owner, Hilda. And, I happily note that Cafe Isabella strictly adheres to COVID-19 mitigation best practices.“

“As visitors to the City we had breakfast here yesterday and this morning.Food was delicious and the staff were very welcoming.“

“I eat lunch here regularly and find the service to be consistently friendly and attentive. The food is fresh and tasty— I usually have one of their generous banh mi sandwiches. The atmosphere is warm and the other customers seem happy to be there. And it’s a great vantage point for watching the Solano Avenue street scene.“

“Very polite staff. Soup was hearty, salad was fresh, and portions were generous all around. The cashier even threw in a free drink on account of it being a slow day. Lighting is gorgeous and it feels like a little pocket of good in the City.“

“Best breakfast burrito in the east bay. We live in Berkeley now and literally travel here sometimes we love it so much. I get the veggie breakfast burrito add sausage. Also love the chicken club sandwich and veggie sandwich. This place is so good for how unassuming it is!!“

“As a huge fans of acai bowl or any smoothie bowls, I really recommend this place. Among smoothie bowl places that i’ve been visited in Bay Area, this place has one of the most aesthetically pleasing bowls. The price is a bit higher compare to other smoothie bowl places, but it is worth it since they offer great variety of topping. The taste and the texture are okay. For me, I have anothe smoothie bowl place that I like more than this place in term of the taste, however, aesthetically-wise this palm-acai cafe is the winner“

“Go to Tanzie if you’re looking for a different experience! The food and drinks are creative and definitely highlights the flavor of the food.

The wait time is a variable, but it’s definitely worth the wait time😁. Unless you get there early expect 30 minute plus wait time.“

“Incredible store. From downtown La and this store had more variety than most major chains and corner stores I go to, even some drinks and snacks that are really hard to find. The owner (I think) or whoever was working, asian guy, was a legend and hooked me up w a hot sandwich before 8am. Really good prices and variety“

“Best coffee by far in this part of Berkeley“

“This was a great find for a quiet Saturday morning breakfast spot! We were looking for pancakes but also enjoyed their chilaquiles. The games were a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed a round of mancala. The coffee was delicious and my sons enjoyed the fresh fruit on top of the pancakes! Reasonable prices and they also have WiFi available! Decent location on the corner but we had to park a couple blocks away.“

“Stopped here waiting an hour for the bart to open. I knew nothing about this cafe previously, so it was my delight to see the beautiful atmosphere present in such a compact space. I got a Gibraltar which I had no experience with, one sugar/sweetener later and it was a relaxing way to begin my Sunday. Found by accident but will be returning, great place.“

“I showed up, unknowingly, a few minutes after closing time. On finding out that they had just closed, I was about to leave, but the owner, Albert, insisted that I not walk out hungry. He recommended a sandwich, and seated me at a table. I felt taken care of that day.“

“Love, love, loooove this cafe! Nomad is everything that you could ever want in a local neighborhood cafe! They’ve got delicious drinks, incredible food, outstanding service, great vibes, and they know their customers. I’ve been coming here for quite sometime now and I’ve never had a bad experience here.

My ultimate fave: Enjoying their chai latte and a pork chop banh mi on the patio. This combo is a win-win for me every single time. Recently, I’ve branched out of my norm and have become obsessed with their matcha latte and other banh mi’s as well. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything that you try here. It’s always gonna be the bomb.com!

What really seals the deal for me is the excellent customer service. The staff is so sweet and efficient. The owner Bee is an absolute gem! That fact that he remembers me and goes out of his way to say hi even when he’s busy working is truly an honor. I’m writing this review as I’m sitting here on the patio having lunch because I’m just so impressed.

Thank you to Bee and the wonderful staff of Nomad Cafe who make coming here so enjoyable! The neighborhood (and I) truly appreciate you all!“

“Kudos to the crew at Thornhill Cafe. Thank you for always taking good care of me. I love your green smoothies. They're refreshing and just make you feel good and your breakfast bagels are awesome. It's my favorite place to stop when I'm working in the hills of Oakland. Doesn't seem to matter how many people are in there. You still get us in and out in no time. You're the best!!“

“I just visited the one on polk and the coffee is delicious.. the establishment was very clean and has beautiful paint that's relaxing to the eyes. There large selection of empanadas and friendly employees is something nice for a change in the neighborhood. I got caught up talking to a customer about the bathhouse on eddy as I was adding to my coffee 3.50. Unbeknownst to me it was the owner and cute too lol.. will definitely be my goto morning coffee shop now.. thanks for being here for us :)“