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“

“I absolutely adore Lydia and Joe—they’re so warm and welcoming, always fun to chat with, and their food is DELISH 😍 I can’t get enough of the chicken curry and udon soup (add dumplings + all the toppings). Astonished that you can still have a full lunch near FiDi for $7, and it’s what I crave over any of my other favorites where lunch will run you $18++. Flavor per dollar cannot be beat anywhere else in SF.“

“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.?“

“Please don’t make stupid lines in other places maybe indicated as the “most popular”. The place, the food and the staff are amazing! Don’t waste your money, please try the Brazilian magic. The coffee, the eggs, the flavors are real!“

“Good food, friendly service, and a comfortable space overall. I enjoyed the breakfast sandwich, the cookies, and the hot chai. I'm looking forward to going back again soon. 😊“

“San Francisco’s most hidden gem“

“Five bright stars, Lissa darling!“

“A great place to go work when you have a lot to get done. More outside spots than inside so its better on a sunny day. Its open late which is great. Never issues with the wifi bht limited charging spots.
Drinks are very yummy.
No designated parking so you will have to drive around for a spot.“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“Yum! A colleague brought in a selection of pastries from Maison Nico, and everything we tried was delicious. The croissant was especially good, flaky, buttery, and perfectly baked, and the bread was just as impressive. Overall, a great spot for high quality pastries, and definitely one I would go back to.“

“Both hands up for this wonderful coffee place I happened to stumble upon, right outside the skirts of Downtown Berkeley. They're located right on the intersection of MLK and University, right behind the Indian restaurant.

This coffee place is honestly a little bit small, so please proceed with caution at all costs. But it really makes you feel cozy at home. They do have upstairs seating, but rather really limited. It will be full at times, and at times, not at all. It depends on the time that you go.

They have a wide assortment of sweet and savory pastries available as well. I got their ham & cheese scone, as well as their speciality drink, their banana cream iced coffee. I love how balanced their iced coffee is with the banana cream, which surprisingly, is made with ACTUAL banana puree made from actual bananas.

The barista who made my drink was very nice and very chill, and served it rather quick. That's what's up!

If you're looking for a locally-owned coffee shop right here in Berkeley, look no further than Bench Coffee! Trust me, it will be a trip worth it :)“

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“I do love the breakfast here. The polenta with greens is my standard order. The green shakshuka really is greener than you were expecting. If you come as a party you can sample the various different kinds of hummus. Haven't been disappointed by anything on the menu.“

“Gran Milan is THE place to get the most delicious foods on the planet!!! I recently ordered mini sfogliatelles, cannolis, (3) meter long pizzas n wonder focaccia bread to make sandwiches and their famous olive bread sticks!!! Thanks for the beautiful foods and service!!! I highly recommend Rufo’s place for your next catering! I haven’t seen sfogliatelles outside of NY!!! Love this place!!“

“The best place ever. Love them ❤️ 💕“

“Great gem of a spot for a quick bite and nice ambience. Enough space to sit and work
With fast wifi.

Have some good healthy foods and more hearty foods. I had the vegetable sandwich which was good. Coffee was nice and not super acidic which is what I prefer.

Servers were bubbly and nice!“

“Exceptionally helpful & friendly staff cooking superb food in a very chill environment. A must visit in the city.“

“It's a wonderful place. I didn't like the dish that I ordered, but the chef came out and asked who was the taste of my dish and I told her I didn't like, and she offered to me another dish, she brought me a vegetarian dish, 😅 It was so delicious. I love it, ❤ great place.“

“A real deal hidden gem!

I have been coming here for years and it has never disappointed in any way. Great tasting food, with high quality ingredients made with care, incredible friendly service, and very reasonable prices that can't be found in this part of the city at this quality level.

It may seem hard to find at first, but don't give up--this a treasure worth the effort and you'll be happy you did.“

“​This was my second time dining here, and it completely solidified this restaurant as one of my absolute favorites. I would easily eat here every single week if I lived closer!
​During this visit, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the owner. She is incredibly smart, passionate, and empathetic, and it truly shows in every aspect of the restaurant. I love the way she pours her love for her hometown into the menu and remains unapologetically authentic to her roots.
​That dedication translates perfectly into the food—every dish feels personal, deeply flavorful, and genuinely authentic. It is rare to find a place that hits the perfect balance of amazing hospitality and outstanding, uncompromising regional flavors.
​If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. It is a true gem!“

“A wonderful vibe here with good energy from both the staff and patrons. The atmosphere is exceptional, with beautiful art, plush comfy seating options and a really terrific community bulletin board with so much of the best kinds of offerings and requests from the Oakland community. I always spend a while perusing it, just for the joy it gives me.“

“One of the cutest little cafes across from my hotel. Very nice staff. I love how they welcome you in and offer suggestions. They’re kind, smiling and it makes me feel welcome. I got the egg and cheese with avocado on a croissant. Coffee and a chocolate muffin. Everything was delicious! I’m so happy I tried them and they’re def my go-to for the remainder of my stay.“

“Great little find while touring the city! Had to stop by three times in two days. Fantastic sandwich’s and great pastries.“

“Highly recommend Best coffee in San Francisco ☕️“

“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!“

“Such a great find! I forgot my wallet in my car and they accepted Apple Pay so that’s a nice bonus. Just a little hole in the wall spot located in an office building so there’s not much seating,but that’s totally fine since the food is all take and go. It’s the kind of spot my father taught me to keep an eye out for, because they always have the best food, and this place did not disappoint. The service was great and very helpful with recommendations. I ordered a chicken and chimichurri sandwich that was delicious, the owner suggested some chipotle to add spice and that was great. Generously portioned, and at 15$ was very reasonably priced! Great food, great vibe from the owner, definitely going back.“

“massive sandwich with a big pile of salad on the side!!! the heat came out warm & tangy with a good kick to it but not so spicy that it was uncomfortable to eat. portions were big enough that i could have shared my meal with another person.
i also got a cup of famously stretchy booza, which seems to be very hard to find in the bay area. they have a couple of flavours but i went with mastic which had subtle floral taste. you can add toppings like petals, pistachios, & kadayif- i got everything but the kadayif was stale unfortunately.
the guy who took my order was also a little unfriendly & it almost felt like i was inconveniencing him for ordering. anyways this is a cool place for either a sweet treat or a meal. definitely will be back to try some of their drinks & the knafeh…“

“Very nice and cute little Ethiopian cafe. I definitely need to bring a friend or two with me to do the coffee ceremony!!! But from what I experienced with the veggie plate, pretty good run of the mill Ethiopian food. Lots of people hanging out and having a sip of coffee or other drinks.“

“This place saved me & my two friends on our 11 pm post-concert food hunt. Got the Shawarma Arabic, Chicken Gyro, and Beef Shawarma plate. It was a 6/5 for all of us. Served with tzatziki and red chili flake oil + 2 banana peppers.... super flavorful, affordable, chill staff. Beyond worth it. Some cool Egyptian decorations. Only downside is sparse seating close to the door, but that's the norm for east bay. first eats in oakland!! loved it!“

“Amazing service and amazing ambiance. The rolls are HUGE and delicious. They are also beautiful and vibrantly colored with the different types of rice wraps. The atmosphere is something straight out of a lo-fi music video…“

“Great little shop, closest thing I’ve had to a NYC bodega sandwich since movie west. Fantastic smoothies, bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, and coffee. Prices are far more reasonable than most places within the bay and the staff are awesome“

“Cafe International is a welcoming cafe in Lower Haight. The delightful owner, Zahra, is inviting and warm. The food is as outstanding as the coffee, making it the perfect spot to checkout. Be sure to stay for the live music.“

“After the Giants game, we were scouring good food and saw the empanadas sign and raced over… but it was closed. To our surprise, the owner peeked out and asked if we wanted to come in (!) and we were able to grab a few to-go!!! Incredible homemade flavors and very warm customer service. The empanadas were 💯thank you again !“

“Finally made it to the Sandwich Boss - so good! First of all my sandwich was huge. It’s about 3 meals for me. And the toppings were super high quality. I had the Godfather- highly recommend. And the people who work there are so lovely. Made me feel like we were old friends. I will be back!“

“Came here around 9:30am from coffee. This coffee shop is in the lobby of an office building. Pretty easy to find and the staffs were very friends. The pastries looked good but we didn't get any since it is later in the morning. I ordered a Latte, 12oz. I was originally going to order their 16oz latte but the barista told me that it's a quad shot, nevermind. Good latte, not bitter, darker roast, no complains. Will definately come back again.“

“May 31, 2026- Sunday.

I visited Junbi SF for the first time after hearing about it on YouTube and was excited to finally give it a try. I ordered the Cold Mango Matcha Latte, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. The drink tasted overwhelmingly milky, to the point where the matcha flavor was barely noticeable. I was also expecting a stronger mango presence, but it seemed very subtle and got lost behind the milk. For a specialty drink priced around $7, I was hoping for a more balanced and flavorful experience.

That said, I want to recognize the exceptional customer service I received after sharing my feedback. The owner personally reached out, took the time to explain the drink, listened to my concerns, and genuinely wanted to understand my experience. It's rare to see a business respond so thoughtfully and professionally to customer feedback.

While the drink itself wasn't for me, the way my concerns were handled left a very positive impression. Excellent customer service goes a long way, and Junbi SF absolutely delivered in that regard. Because of that experience, I would be willing to give Junbi another try in the future when I'm back in San Francisco.

Thank you to the team for taking customer feedback seriously and for making the effort to make things right.~“

“First time visiting this amazing gem in the Presidio and now it’ll be a must whenever I come here. The food is excellent and the portions are generous. I especially love their apple salad and turkey sandwich. By the way, their sandwiches and quesadillas seem to come with mixed greens, which is a pleasant surprise. Their coffees are also surprisingly good, but sometimes when they’re busy, they don’t have the manpower to serve coffees, so just be aware!“

“great value and delicious on- the- go breakfast selections. An independent establishment that enhances the neighborhood.“

“The breakfast biscuit is sooo fluffy and delicious. I decided to order one day after looking for a restaurant that had beef bacon, so glad I did. It’s very filling and enjoyable.

I just had it for the second time today and it was still so good.“

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

“Most of the bagel sandwiches come open faced and you can mix & match two different halves, which I love. My favorites are the Bartavalle, Brusco, and Gold Standard. The fennel orange latte with homemade syrup is tasty and well balanced.
They make good use of the small space and have several spaces to sit, including some outdoor seating.
Lots of street parking around.“

“Manitas is just around the corner from me. Not usually into Mexican food, but the huevos rancheros was actually really good. Tacos were decent too, and the horchata is sooo refreshing.“

“I am a regular at this local and family-owned business, and I will say that this place DOES not disappoint.
Located right off of Foothill, it's at a prime location where you won't miss it -- because the coffee shop is right on an intersection.

The first time I went here, I was immediately blown away by the smell of the cafe de olla. As you can imagine, having a craving for it would have instantly brought me to it -- and it did. The owner, Sal, is always so welcoming each time. There's something about the coffee shop with the art and her energy. Their cafecito is one of the best in Oakland. She'll even ask if you want milk and sugar in your cafe de olla (when some cafecito places don't). Not just that, they also make the different pastries and arroz con leche from the kitchen (and from local sources as well).
They also make tamales as well -- from what I've heard! And their chilaquiles are also the BEST as well.

I would give this place a try when y'all have the chance!“

“This little shop just outside the Emeryville station has the biggest croissants I’ve ever seen… literally the size of my head before it was squished. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich was absolutely delicious.. The guy who runs it was very friendly and did not get upset with all my questions. For the massive sandwich which fed two people as well as a medium cappuccino, my total was just over $15. Not a bad deal, considering I’m in California.“

“Best breakfast sandwich in the area, and best prices too!!
Today’s special was chorizo and I was thrilled they let me add chorizo as the meat option to the breakfast croissant.
This was the best tasting breakfast sandwich, truly cooked and assembled to perfection, and the service is friendliest in the town for sure. Thanks Dimond cafe!!“

“I've been coming for breakfast and lunch every other week for the past several months. The food is tasty and prepared with care, and the service is very good. The bagel with lox is generously portioned with plenty of capers and onions. The breakfast burrito is tasty and very balanced between the chorizo and other ingrediets. All the sandwiches have a great balance of ingredients, are generous, but not oversized. The house coffees are nice blends. What I mean by prepared with care is that nothing is greasy or over salty, meaning it is purposely prepared and assembled carefully, and ingredients chosen and the dish seasoned with attention so the end result is great. Take the breakfast burrito, for example - most places, there would be grease and juices dripping out, but Ruby's is very clean and tasty - you can eat with one hand without worrying it will drip onto your arm.“