Berkeley Espresso

This was my first time at this coffee shop as we were visiting Berkeley. I love visiting local spots. This seem to be a very popular destination a lot of patrons on laptops and enjoying coffee they had pastries, not much for gluten-free but everything else I had an iced coffee With sugar-free vanilla and half-and-half. It was a good coffee.

Super rude, worst experience ever. Aggressive and angry manner while taking orders. Staffs communicated in their first language to check out and was overcharged. Maybe the size of the drinks was miscommunicated. Great place to read or work maybe since 90% of the customers were on their laptop.

What a great friendly place! They have inside and outside seating with a super chill vibe. The staff is friendly and funny. I love that! We ordered a cappuccino and matcha latte to drink. They are both top quality products. Love when I can taste the true matcha flavor! Their pastries are satisfying but wouldn't write home about it.

The staff was very friendly and quick with making the drinks. It seems like a well-loved establishment, as most of the tables were full and it seems like they have free wifi. The crowd was mostly older when I went (around 10am on a Saturday in the summer) and they seem to be regulars. But to be honest, I was expecting a bit better quality coffee from a place that has the word "Espresso" in the name and has such high ratings. The coffee was very bitter and didn't taste like it was freshly roasted at all. It could just be my taste, though, but I do make espresso at home. So take that for whatever it's worth. Their coffee does the job, but don't expect craft drinks here. It's pretty basic, diner-style coffee.

The lychee hibiscus tea is the best! They’ve got a good mix of big tables and smaller ones, so it’s a great place to work, study, or get a coffee/tea with friends. The music isn’t too loud. I will say that nearly every time I’ve come here I’ve met some interesting characters… but I guess that comes with the territory.

Amazing atmosphere, calm music, and very nice barista. The prices are also very reasonable, and the drinks are delicious. Overall feels like a very genuine local small business! 🫶

love love love this place. used to study here all the time and appreciated that there was a good mix of students and locals alike. they always play good music (usually classical) and the vibes feel chill, casual, and local. service is fast, professional, and friendly. food gets the job done but is nothing to write home about. but i spend hours and hours here

A big thank you to Berkeley Espresso for always being there while I finished my undergraduate and Master's degree. Fast service, good coffee and treats, and caring staff!

I looked up the coffee shop on Yelp before visiting, specifically to search for a cafe that is ideal for students studying or people wanting to get some work done from their laptops. I thought I found one... and perhaps it is usually that kind of cafe, being in close proximity to UC Berkeley. I ordered a cappuccino and it wasn't amazing, but it was a standard cappuccino. I was pretty disappointed in the ambiance though. It didn't really feel like a "special" or ideal coffee shop in the sense that it provides that sort of atmosphere for studious students and academics. It felt like any other coffee shop these days, unfortunately. There was no working wifi, or my laptop couldn't connect to it for some reason. To be fair, I noticed there were a few persons who might be regulars, in that sense...

This was my first time at this coffee shop as we were visiting Berkeley. I love visiting local spots. This seem to be a very popular destination a lot of patrons on laptops and enjoying coffee they had pastries, not much for gluten-free but everything else I had an iced coffee With sugar-free vanilla and half-and-half. It was a good coffee.

What a great friendly place! They have inside and outside seating with a super chill vibe. The staff is friendly and funny. I love that! We ordered a cappuccino and matcha latte to drink. They are both top quality products. Love when I can taste the true matcha flavor! Their pastries are satisfying but wouldn't write home about it.

Stopped in on a Friday afternoon for a snack and got a maple walnut scone. It was flavorful and crumbly, just what a scone should be. And only about $3! The guy working was very nice. There are lots of tables and outlets, plenty of people working while others chatted or read. All in all a good ambiance.

The bagel was much needed and really good. However, my boyfriend and I stumbled in to this place and I usually don't just walk into places without looking it up because I've had bad experiences. But, my boyfriend wanted to so I guess here we are. I ordered an oat milk lavender latte and he ordered a Thai tea latte. My latte was DROWNED in the lavender syrup. No kidding it took up 1/4 of the cup. The espresso tasted fine, but too much of the lavender syrup overpowered everything and was too sweet and gave me a headache. The guy at the front that took our order was lowkey kinda rude too. When my latte came out, he didn't even acknowledge my order. I'm giving 3 because my boyfriend for some reason liked this place and my bagel was much needed. But that latte was $7 and was thrown away. Just bad.

I go to this cafe often as it's by campus, and I love everything i've tried so far! The coffee, pastries, bagels, and egg sandwiches are all great and reasonably priced (my favorite are their mochas). The baristas are super friendly as well and the service and ambience of the place is great. Highly recommend :)

The titular espresso is really good, but so are the lattes, chais, and teas. Since Au Coquelet and Cafe Mediterraneum went out of business, this place is the last of its kind--a place to sit for hours and read and write and talk on Berkeley, where the elder professorial types, the gossipy undergraduates, the stressed out graduate students, and the unhoused converge like salt and fresh water in an estuary--it's a place to be. The windows are beautiful and open, there are large plants in the interior, the local Berkeley characters are an endlessly entertaining flux of people to people watch, and, best of all, all the baristas are some of the sweetest men I've ever met, who remember orders and names and ask how you're doing. It feels like coming home here--not a slick Blue Bottle experience, but a genuine neighborhood place where the coffee and bagel sandwiches will sustain you through writing at least three pages of that essay you have to write by Monday.

Awesome place to study at. Love the classical music. The egg English muffin sandwich is a great deal!!

Outstanding coffee drinks,beer and wine too. Pasteries arr fresh. Drawback for me after being in the food bz for 30+yrs is watching the counter help make sandwiches and salads with bare hands, no gloves. So, I haven't ordered any made to order food there.

I mean I've been here twice and that'll be it. Last month. Guy with tattoos was nice but old guy with mustache has a weird attitude - not sure if he's the owner. Fast forward today. Went in to get a sandwich and it was the mustache. Was pretty rude and it's like dude, I'm already having a bad day. I place my order and it's just awkward. He looked at me stupid cause I gave him a dollar more of what I'm charged because it's a tip and I even threw an extra in the jar. I don't know why I did that. I should've went somewhere else. Sandwich was okay cause I like bacon but it was made with hate :(

love the ambiance and the selection was nice! will definitely be coming back again since it's so close to Berkeley Way West! Service was also amazing and super kind!

Sunday Morning, 9A- Small Americano $2.85 Tasty coffee, friendly and quick service.

Walked in around 8:50am on a weekday morning and was in and out of the door in about 5 minutes, which is great given weekday AMs = sleep-deprived student coffee rush. Coffee was just a tad sour but it did the job! Love the location and super convenient! Berkeley Espresso has TONS of both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great place to study or hang out. I'd recommend getting there early to snag a table though, as many of the tables were occupied on a weekday morning.

Matcha was just right amount of sweetness. Soy milk smooth, not clumpy! Enjoyed this spot, might need to work here a bit remotely!

Food: 6.5/10 Good quick bite, tastes homemade. Drinks are okay as well but not great or memorable. Service/Ambience: 8/10 The cashiers and baristas here are kind and seem to enjoy talking to the regulars. I love that they play classical music so this place is rly great for studying imo. Also a lot of seating, but can be crowded sometimes mid-day and afternoon. There are some outlets along the walls.

Quick Summary - Plenty of chairs and tables to sit - Coffee isn't sour I was attracted to the coffee place by its name and also the delicious coffee pictures that appeared in this account's photo. Although I would have wanted to try the white mocha, for the first round I decided to order my usual latte. My relative ordered the mocha. We both ate a large meal before visiting here, so we weren't looking for snacks to fill up. The latte was delicious; it was my type of coffee. The bitterness was comforting and there was no sourness in each sip. The temperature was perfect too, piping hot the whole way. There are seats inside the cafe and some lined along the exterior walls. The seats are evenly "socially spaced" out, so I felt comfortable sitting and drinking coffee.

Luis gave excellent customer service at the register. It was my first time here and he was very helpful. The Matcha latte (with oat milk, hot, unsweetened) was the perfect amount and delicious. I love the seating and the vibe. I love the big fig leaf plant, I can sit by

Chill vibe, great service. I order the large mocha and yes it's large! Very good bang for your buck! Great place to study!

Great study spot with lots of charging outlets, as well as wifi. Good iced lattes! they play jazz music, gives a very chill vibe.

It's a typical over-priced coffee house. During a recent visit, I got a latte that costs a bit more than your typical Starbucks ridiculousness. I was shocked. I suppose that is what they have to charge for people who work on their devices there. The latte was fine in terms of taste but for the price, you'd expect a nicer and cleaner place. This place was just ok. If it weren't for the fact that my friend chose it, I would not have gone.

Man working the counter was very abrupt. I had just purchased a coffee and returned to the counter to ask for the wifi password. Instead of telling me the password he asks if I purchased anything and if I did to just look at my receipt. He knows I just bought something since he took my order 1 minute earlier, and also he never gave me a receipt. I then later ask for a togo cup for my coffee, he rolls his eyes and is very rude when handing it to me. Really rough experience here was hoping for better.

Is it wrong of me to think of this as a UC annex lounge? Certainly felt like a study hall when Jamie W. and I entered the premises on a Saturday evening with hardly a word spoken in the entire space. Just the tap-tap-tap on the various keyboards interspersed with the occasional sigh and the once-in-a-while expletive. I just got a $4.45 Cafe au Lait (photo: http://bit.ly/2qVU3Md) and shared a $3 Pecan Bar (photo: http://bit.ly/2RdkEiw) with Jamie because I believe in spreading those calories around. Otherwise we felt naked without laptops. COFFEE - 3 stars...noncommittal caffeine AMBIANCE - 3 stars...whisper if you must SERVICE - 3 stars...speaking of noncommittal TOTAL - 3 stars...do I get credits for coming here? RELATED - Looking for coffee in the East Bay? Here's a collection of places tried and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2EHMfBv

Awesome corner coffee shop, it's out of direct sunlights so if you're a fan of shade. Bam. Super calm and it's never toooooo wild outside haha. I was dealing with life and I just charged up my phones grabbed aMocha w an extra espresso shot and played call of duty mobile for a while.

The staff is awesome! Tried the oat milk chai and it was amazing!! I'm a chai nerd, so trust me when i give them a 5/5. They could reduce the sugar, but that's a personal preference. There are bunch of plug points throughout the cafe and wifi is good. Solid place to crank out some work. The music choice is also

Came here to get some studying done, and while I was here, I ordered a bagel sandwich. The bagel was pretty average, but at it was pretty cheap so I can't really complain. Honestly I mostly come to cafes for the vibes, and the ambiance here was okay, definitely not the nicest cafe I've been to. Honestly I feel like there are nicer cafes in the area, but might come again if I'm nearby.

Love the 16 ounce latte, but the breakfast burritos are truly nasty. Beware! The service wasn't bad, and there's plenty of seating. The lox and cream cheese bagel had neither onion nor capers on it, minus one star there. The chili verde burrito was truly awful. The first one they served us was still 1/4 frozen inside, but then they made us a new one and it's just like what you might find at a gas station. Minus one more. If you want food this is not your place, but if you want a big-ass coffee then that's great!

Came here today for the first time to have a coffee meeting with someone. When I got here around 8:30am, the place was pretty crowded. People were studying, reading newspapers, or catching up with old friends. I ordered their white chocolate mocha. It was really yummy! It also looked like they had a variety of things to eat like bagels, cheese cakes, banana bread and more! I'll definitely have to try those the next time I visit. Pros: -it was crowded, but not loud. -restroom available -I didn't get hassled by staff for sitting here without ordering anything until I met up with someone -great white mocha Cons: -n/a

This is a solid study spot during normal times with ample seating and an abundance of outlets to plug your devices. This is one of the few places where the WiFi actually is reliable even when the cafe is packed. Right now it's a great spot to stop and get coffee during a walk outside. They are allowing people to sit outside ( as far as I have noticed) on the tables so you can always chat with someone while social distancing. I always get a regular coffee or americano from here and one of their pastries which is decent.

Wonderful environment, wifi, coffee is delicious. Some beer, wine and light meals. The staff members are such fun loving gentlemen . Cudos to owners and staff!!!! It's home away from home to many neighbors.

I love Berkeley Espresso, particularly their Blended Frappuccinos. They're open nice & early which works well for me. I also like their sandwiches & the bagel w/lox.

Facts about this Berkeley Espresso: 1) Great free/fast wifi 2) Decent amount of seating with a limited amount of power outlets 3) Stinky people, who may or may not be homeless, will be in here sharing their latest scent 4) Nice Spanish-speaking employees who will make your latte art (bear!) 5) This one huge dude next to me kept burping loudly every 5 minutes Alright, number 5 is a fact that might not be true on every visit here, but I had to put that statement somewhere. I mean, it's Berkeley--there will be grungy people everywhere, especially off of main roads. So, this place is great for some studying, people watching, or grabbing/going. I would not have a baby shower here though.

Anyone not leaving 5 stars is just a straight up hater in my opinion. The service here is amazing. The owner and all of the staff are SOO sweet. This is one of those places in Berkeley where they have a ton of everyday regulars. People definitely feel safe and comfortable to make themselves at home here. It is lovely. The coffee is top notch and they care about making sure you get what you want. I spent almost everyday here for at least a month while I was job hunting. The wifi is free and effective. They are always playing mellow music that is easy to work to or you can put in headphones. They sell beer and wine also which is dope if you just want to relax with a little drinky poo! I always get the iced coffee with oat milk and often an espresso to boot. The espresso is delicious. I love this place so much. Whenever my niece and her Mom visit, they always give her a treat on the house. This kind of service doesn't go unnoticed.

The person who runs the café frequently makes mistakes with the register, demanding a second payment after what should be the only one. Use cash here, not a phone or a physical credit card.

Affordable price and good place to study. Unkind workers and very slow internet. Good location

Love going to Berkeley Espresso (BE) for the cheap and quality drinks! The prices here at BE make me really appreciate this shop. Compared to Starbucks, Blue Bottle, and many other coffee shops, my drinks at BE are always $2-3 for my bill. I generally order the iced coffee, and it's always filled generously. The aesthetics and space itself is relatively large, and depending on when you go, you will definitely be able to snag a seat. The atmosphere is also quiet relaxing--classical music permeates the space, and the down-to-earth, simple decor make the space comfortable. The only downside I would say is the waste. The cups are plastic along with its plastic straws. Not a killer, but considering Berkeley is shifting toward sustainability, I believe a smart move would be to shift toward using biodegradable cups. Would come here again (and have already many times!)!

I love this cafe so much I made a yelp account to review it. It has the best vibes in the East Bay -- those of your favorite cafe when you were 9 years old. There is a sign that says "free internet with your wireless adapter." Their soy lattes are yet to be bested. Today the latte had a doggy face on it.

Latte was good . But their pastries aren't my favorite. Location isn't the cutest ha , but Great coffee quality!

I came here on a Sunday around noon to get some work done. The cashier was not very friendly, but I ordered an iced tea which was very average and pretty much 70% ice, which melted quickly and watered down the tea. I still gave 3 stars because it was a good spot to study at as there are lots of tables and plenty of outlets as well.

I went here on a Sunday at lunch and it was a nice coffee shop to relax or work in. There's many small tables for 2-4 people, and there's so many outlets/extension cords for you to plug in your laptop. The WiFi is decent as well. I got a hot chocolate, and the price is pretty good. It's not the best hot chocolate I've had, but it's ok. I like how they have glass cups/mugs for the people eating in-store; sometimes coffee shops give to-go cups for everyone. Sometimes the music is a little loud, so I wouldn't recommend this place for a quiet video meeting/interview. I'll come back here for a good work/study environment, but not necessarily the quality of the drinks.

Service is always incredible, the baristas are quick and always nice. Great ambiance, I enjoy reading here with a coffee in the morning. A breath a fresh air from the busy college campus

Quick and easy coffee+snacks cafe. I usually get iced coffee and it's $3, which, in my experience, is the cheapest around the UC campus (Yali's is $5.50 at time of writing). The staff are friendly and service is fast. They're always playing classical music and there are usually people studying/reading. I've done work there once and found it a pleasant experience. Overall: recommended.

Great bagels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very yum sorry I am trying to take up more characters for the post

Solid coffee without all those name brands we know, love and crave. Plenty of tables, mostly all filled up with people working away on their computers. I'm assuming free wifi. My cafe au lait was solid. Did taste a little burnt, but all good. Priced at about $4. (Maybe a little less, maybe a little more). Not quite the hipstery vibe I dig, but definitely a solid neighborhood joint slinging some coffee on the go, or for those looking to get some solid studying/work done.

Perfect place to come and study or get work done. The atmosphere is quiet and low key, geared towards the student population of UC Berkeley, I believe. They have been playing classical music overhead which has been great for me. While some coffee shops have intentionally covered up their outlets to deter people from setting up shop and and using their businesses as a place to get some work done this place really makes you feel at home. They also have plenty of power strips strategically located and have made many tables seem private by separating them with tall indoor plants. The staff is warm and welcoming. Very willing to help you with whatever is needed. I actually spent quite a bit of time on Yelp deciding on where to go today to get my homework done since I am out of town and visiting my boyfriend for a long weekend. I used to always go to the Peet's Coffee on Shattuck but they no longer have outlets available to paying customers. I am very glad this was my choice for today's study session and will definitely be coming back here again on my next visit. I wanted to take a moment out of my day to give them a five star review because I was so impressed and want them to continue to thrive and get the business they deserve. Ok, now it's time for me to buckle down and hit the books!

Coffee is great, bagels are amazing, and is a great place to sit and work or something.

The food is amazing and has a lot of options bring your friends and family you won't be disappointed winded service!!!

Good coffee. Chill lounge. Some people seem to just squat there. Just an observation.

Cozy cafe with amazing cappuccinos and baked goods. This is a regular haunt for people needing quiet focus with some perfect classical music pieces adding to the ambience.

Espresso was god-awful, one of the worst I've had. It was over extracted, sour and watery. I was planning on leaving a 2-star review because I like this cafe enough as a good place to study, and the food wasn't bad. There are outlets, free wifi, classical music playing, and enough tables to fit a decent crowd. Berkeley Espresso gets as close as possible to a 0-star review, however, because I saw someone run in, steal a laptop in front of me, and then get chased on foot by the laptop owner who was sitting at his table on his phone. The other customers complained that theft happens frequently at this cafe. It seems like a popular place to get your stuff stolen, especially if you sit outside or near the front door. You would expect some reaction from the owners to help customers feel a bit safer here. I think there are a few security measures to take, especially in the front of the cafe. The swinging doors are really easy to run through, and if they made the front doors heavier then it would be significantly harder to just run in and leave. Simple things like that would go a long way. No joke, though, I would've preferred hurling my espresso at the thief to prevent him from getting away, rather than drinking it myself. Hoping to see some changes made.