Café Etoile

I went there after Gameday at Cal. (Go Bears! 🐻) I got a BAT sandwich which was super good, the bacon was in-between crispy and chewy and the bread was semi crispy! I also got peach lemonade which exceeded my expectations! It tasted exactly like peaches, it didn't taste artificial at all! The service was very quick only taking about 5 minutes. The atmosphere felt cozy (except for paramedics being in front of the store front) !

The interior is surprisingly very spacious. Menu has a great variety of items but I decided on the salmon avocado toast & standard latte for breakfast. Both were great & the sandwich ingredients tasted fresh. Great for people watching as you enjoy your morning drink.

The cream and berries croffle was tasty. I will need to add bulgogi to the kimchi fried rice next time. Lots of tasty sounding options to explore for the next trip. Maybe the food will last long enough for a photo too. Update 1: I returned several time since writing the initial review. Everything I’ve tried was amazing including the BAT sandwich, chicken and croffle, salmon and avocado toast, and popcorn chicken. Looking forward to my next visit Update 2: Despite moving out of the area, we made a trip over the holiday break to enjoy the awesome goodness. Still serving great tasting, quality food for very reasonable prices.

Got the fried chicken croffle with poached egg. Very tender chicken thighs and pretty good croffle (I would have preferred it a little fluffier). It's a big portion so get it if you're starving

Great food! Fast service. You order first and seat yourself. Great place to stop in for a bit or relax after grocery shopping. All items we ordered were tasty. I was not a fan of the croffle. It was a little dry and hard to cut even with a steak knife. I would have much preferred a fluffy waffle. Would definitely stop in again to try something else on the menu. Had my eye on the croque Madame for next time.

I am a picky eater, I like good tasting food and am willing to pay extra for it. The food was so yummy, and well priced. The chicken and croffle (croissant waffle) Benedict was amazing. The chicken was super crispy yet juicy and the sauce was great too if there was one thing I could nitpick at it would be that the poached egg was slightly overdone, but it was still runny. They even made me a vanilla latte (although it was not on the menu). The staff was kind and attentive (didn’t even bad and I when I changed my order at the last minute). We were there just before 9 on a Sunday and there were a few tables. By 9:30 they were full and it got a little noisy. I will DEFINITELY be back.

We just left this place on our way home to Portland and we were amazed at the food and atmosphere. My husband got the chicken and croffle (he was skeptical) and he gave it a “9.2/10!” I loved my avocado toast with scrambled eggs/bacon. The toast had the perfect amount of toppings! I had the americano with oat milk and hubby got a mocha, overall a fantastic spot! Great service, very fast for how busy they were on a Monday morning!!

The croffle was delightful, the texture was great and the kept the richness of a croissant. I got the bacon and egg croffle and my partner got the chicken benedict. That was the best fried chicken I have had in a long, LONG time. The cold rew coffee was lovely and the butterfly lemonade was both beautiful and delicious. This place is being added to my favorites list. (Forgot to get a picture of the food, it was also displayed beautifully before we ate it. 😅)

Nice coffee shop on the corner. Great for small parties. Get pretty packed in here. We got some coffees. Pretty standard stuff. You know what...it wasn't that memorable... But let me tell you about their food stuff! Chicken Croffle, its a large piece of tender fried chicken on a croffle. What's a croffle?? Well, its when a croissant finds its way into a waffle maker. Super delicious! Then we got the bulgogi sandwich. Its exactly what it sounds like but with a little bit of light greenery in there. We came for the coffee but really enjoyed the food.

I went here around noon with my family and partner making for a group of 5. Luckily, we were snag two tables next to each other and get some extra chairs as there weren't many people inside. People are usually in here, though, to eat and/or do work. I ordered the Chicken & Croffle Benedict and when the food arrived, I realized how big this serving was. I was excited for this, especially for the egg benedict part of the dish. It gets to become a rather messy meal once you've pierced through the egg along with all the sauce and syrup that's added in, but it's a tasty, filling meal! The chicken is really crispy and juicy. The croffle is quite hard to begin with, but it softens up throughout the meal because of everything on top. Everything in the store is self-serve when it comes to utensils, napkins, condiments, etc and they're located by the register. There were a few flies in the store which weren't aggressive or bothersome, but I did have to swat them away at times. The café is right by Trader Joe's, so street parking may be difficult to find at times. Overall, this is a nice place to grab brunch or do work if you need to study!

Cafe Etoile has been on my Yelp bookmarks for a while. It always catches my eyes whenever we drive past it, but today was the chance to try it since we were around the neighborhood and looking for a quick bite. It's located right next to Trader Joe's - street parking only. It's a casual and quick setting. When we arrived after 1PM, this place was popping. We placed an order at the counter and we were given a buzzer. I ordered an Avocado Toast with a Gingerbread Chai Latte (oat milk) and my partner got a Chicken and Croffle with a Lemon Iced Tea. A lot of a tables were taken, but thankfully, table turnaround is fairly quick. We were able to find a small, tall table next to the windows. Other than that, everything else is self-serve - utensils, water, napkins are all available near the counter. Although self-service, the barista who made my Gingerbread Chai Latte noticed that because I got alternative milk, dairy may be an issue, so she came over to ask me if I wanted whip on top of my drink. I'm glad she did because I normally do not add whip to my drinks! So I'm really glad the barista was attentive to that. Order came fairly quick, and although I wasn't expecting much from an Avocado Toast, this is an avocado toast I can actually get behind. It's ~$10, it's a substantial avocado toast. The avocado is nicely mashed up and they lathered the bread with it. The addition of cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, and radishes made it kinda refreshing and added a lot of mouth feels with the different textures going on. But I have to say, the balsamic they drizzled on top added some depth of flavor. The whole wheat bread they used was fluffy and kinda thick, which added to the overall satisfaction. As for my Gingerbread Chai Latte - it smelled fragrant. I love the smell of cinnamon. It's toasty and comforting. The actual drink itself was okay. Not particularly strong, more milky tasting than other flavors, but it was comforting and what I needed on a chilly day to warm up. As for my partner's meal - wow, his Chicken and Croffle looked magnificent. The fried chicken pieces were massive and the Croffle was pretty big too. I would definitely say the chicken is the star of the show even though I assume you're supposed to eat it with the Croffle. The chicken was crunchy, and crispy, but moist dark meat. It was decadent, haha. Paired with the Croffle and syrup, you get a delicious sweet and savory bite. By itself, the chicken is still fantastic. But when you try the Croffle by itself, it's a little dense and hard. I'm pretty sure croffles are basically flatten croissants, but it doesn't have the flakiness of a croissant. My partner devoured that though, haha. As for his drink, it was not to our taste. The syrup was a bit weird, almost medicinal tasting. Other than that though, our experience here has been quite pleasant. We were satisfied and happy with our meal. Definitely recommend Cafe Etoile for a quick and casual bite!

Had a great time here! The food was really good there's a lot of options and they're very filling I had the salmon avocado toast and my partner got the salmon benedict with a toffee and tiramisu latte .... I kid you not the lattes here are crafted to perfection !! The right amount of sweetness and foam. Highly recommend giving this place a shot. The service was quick and friendly and the place itself is set up really well with plenty of tables. I'd definitely come back to study or do some work here.

Chicken and waffle was not good at all. The chicken didn't look like chicken as it was flat and had weird texture Also the waffle was cold. Didn't like the syrup either as it had hot sauce in it. Beware of what you eat here !!!

I stopped by not long before closing, it was quick to order and get my drink within 2 minutes as there was no one ahead in line. I got a matcha latte, half sweet, hot, 16oz; there is no price difference between getting it hot or iced. I definitely felt lower sweetness was the right move to be able to properly taste the matcha. I would've still liked the matcha to be even a little stronger, but overall I was satisfied by the amount of bitter savory flavor of matcha. They have a decent amount of tables of varying heights inside and a couple of outdoor tables, but they close at 3pm so if you're looking to work later into the evening, you'd need to go somewhere else.

Very cute cafe / restaurant! I love their selection of Asian fusion dishes twisted with classic American favorites. They also have an assortment of lattes that tasted so yummy! I loved their iced pistachio latte which is the perfect mix of coffee, milk and pistachio. Parking is a bit hard to find for this place - you will need to look for street parking. Their sandwiches are always great and my friend loves the eggs Benedict here.

Met up with a friend for lunch around the Berkeley area. School wasn't in session so the area wasn't as busy. Seems like people normally come here to do work. I got a spicy chicken sandwich. It was so affordable. The sandwich was less than $15 and was very filling. Chicken was crispy and juicy. Cole slaw could've been more seasoned as it was on the dryer side. I didn't order a drink, but they have an extensive drink menu. They also have water on the side. Seems like it would be a popular place for students when classes are in session.

Little hidden gem in Berkeley, can't believe I've never noticed before. Korean fusion breakfast with a small but inspiring menu. We got the kimchi fried rice and a fried chicken and croffle. Both delicious. They drinks were also noteworthy, trying the tiramisu coffee for the first time and highly enjoyed - rich but not too sweet, good balance with the bitterness of the shot. The only issue I had was that you have to bus your own tables, but they do not have a garbage/recycling can so you have to just haphazardly put the dishes in the single small tray without clearing them.

One of the best breakfast sandwiches in Berkeley. Made fresh to order. Toasted brioche bun and thick slices of smoked bacon. Super Yum! Lots of other reasonably priced breakfast items. Lots of seating.

Cute Korean cafe next to Trader next to Trader Joe's. I ordered a pistachio coffee. They also have the usual Western pastries along with Korean meals and sweets which I will have to come back to try.

It's a small, lively cafe that offers an assortment of Asian-fusion dishes and specialty lattes. I was about to get the pistachio latte, but there was a tiramisu latte posted on a separate piece of paper next to the big wall menu and by the counter. There was also a peppermint mocha available too, but that menu posting was further from the register and closer to the pick-up area. The tiramisu latte was excellent, it has a good amount of sweetness while the coffee can still be tasted. The various food items sounded good and I'll probably try them next time I go. Staff is super friendly. If you need to use the restroom, a key is required so just ask the register. This place is located on a corner in downtown so parking is limited to street parking. Overall, I'll be back to try the pistachio latte and also the food!

My husband's food was great, but the service left something to be desired. It could have been the noise level that made communication difficult, but the gentleman at the front mixed up both my order and my husband's. He ordered an Americano while I asked for a mint latte. Although he eventually sorted out his order, I decided to go ahead and drink mine despite it being incorrect. My husband's food was delicious, but unfortunately, my bacon wasn't crispy due to the mix-up and seemed a little rushed, but bread and the arugula were delicious. I'd love to return, perhaps on a quieter day when the atmosphere is more relaxed. On a positive note, the barista was terrific--she had a warm smile and seemed genuinely passionate about her craft of making lattes. Was not sure where to throw out the compostables?

My visit took place some Fridays ago and it was great. I love the openess of their space for those who want to work or catch up with someone. Also, the music isn't too loud inside. My visit was on the professional side where I needed a private table to talk to a client partner. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. I got the salmon avocado toast and Cafe Etoile didn't skimp on the ingredients. I also tried a bite or two of the Spicy Basil Croffle, all the seasonings paired nicely and the croffle had a nice chew. This cafe shares a parking lot area with Trader Joes (next door) with the entrance to the mini structure off of Berkeley Way. Metered parking on the streets is also available. Great 1st experience, will be back again to try other items. #7/2024

This place was amazing, I went here a week ago and haven't stopped thinking about it. The price was high but it's Berkeley, like what can ya do? I got the eggs Benedict with fried chicken on a Croffle. The flavor was like I died and went to heaven, I closed my eyes to enjoy it. I wish I could download that meal onto my tastebuds so I can replay it. Gorgeous presentation, friendly staff that took our order right away. Food was quick too, diverse range of options. They ask that you bus your own table, which is fine, but the downside of that is that the table doesn't get wiped down between every customer so it was sticky from the customers before. Only small complaint. The place wasn't as fancy as the food itself, just a normal cafe. A good study spot it seems. Great meal, I will be going back frequently.

My coworker took me here for lunch, and I'm so sad I haven't eaten here sooner. I ordered the Madame Croque, which I've never had before. Filling and delicious, a pretty heavy meal so it definitely required a lie down afterwards. But soooo worth it.

From great customer service, delicious food and a cozy ambiance, I would have to say this is one of my new favorite spots for a nice chill brunch or get together to catch up with some old friends! This cafe is great for studying, doing work, as well as just relax and enjoy your day! They offer indoor seating as well as outdoor seating! On Saturdays and Sundays, they do have a 2 hour limit just because of how popular their location is! Parking is street parking, so you either will have to pay for the meter or find a nearby neighborhood for free 2 hour parking! This cafe was super easy to locate where it's at a corner of street! I ordered their Chicken and Croffle; it was delicious! The chicken reminds me of a giant popcorn chicken where you get at boba shops or Taiwanese street snacks! The chicken has no bones, super soft & juicy as well as a lot of flavor! They pair this dish up with their house made spicy sauce. Their Croffle is on the sweet and chewy side, but it was a great balance for both of them! I would definitely come back here again to try their other entrees! This is a must try in the Berkeley area :)

Nice variety of snacks, pastries and even afew Korean dishes. I walked in to be warmly greeted. The guys there are super nice. I got a small coffee to drink while I waited for my daughter to be done at her dentist appointment. The coffee is good. The only thing i did notice is their water container needs to be cleaned... it has a lot of finger prints on it.

A modest cafe style fusion neighborhood spot. Most of the seating accommodates small parties of 2-3 people. There's a couple of long tables to accommodate large groups. So if you come in with a party of 6 and you don't mind sharing a table with others then you're all good! It's self-serve so I can't really comment on the service. Plus, you bus your own table when you're done with your meal (which I don't mind). The food came out quick and well prepared. Every item we ordered was scrumptious!!! The mint latte had a subtle hint of mint (not overpowering) and was very good. Will definitely go back to try more delicious food!

The food here is great! I loved their veggie sandwich and cream and berries croffle. The staff are really nice as well.

This café a few doors down from Trader Joe's is the perfect spot for brunching and working/studying! There is wifi, plenty of seating for individuals or small groups, and outlets near the big tables. The chicken and croffle is just as good as everyone says it is. The chicken is a thin slice of juicy chicken thigh meat, fried to perfection (I personally think the texture is reminiscent of popcorn chicken). The syrup isn't too spicy despite the name and pairs well with both the croffle and the chicken. If I were to get this again, I'd add some more spice on top. I also got the cherry blossom tea, which is a flavor I haven't seen other cafes offer. They were also nice enough to refill my hot water for me! :) Despite the growing lunch crowd, my food and drink came out speedily. As a side note, I loved the little flower vases they put next to the small tables. Really enjoyed romanticizing my remote work experience here!

The ambience was cozy and the service was great!! Kimchi fried rice with bulgogie was one of the best even to me, 70 year old Korean housewife.

I came here with two friends on a Sunday morning for brunch and to work and loved it. It was my first time there and the inside was super cozy. However, it was pretty crowded so if you want to study then 10am-1pm would not be the best time to go since they're pretty busy. I got the avocado toast + a scrambled egg and it was so good. The bread was super fluffy and chewy and they didn't skimp on the avocado or eggs. A perfect lunch and would definitely recommend stopping by here!!

Cafe Etoile was super cute! I was 8 months pregnant so that means a lot it's in the Berkeley area. We wanted to go somewhere cute and quiet for breakfast while attending a family reunion and we stumbled across this spot. We found street parking right across the street ( it's the Bay Area so please leave nothing in your car. My partner ordered the Chicken and Croffle it had like a sweet and spicy sauce over the waffle, it was really tasty and had great texture. I had the back on and egg sandwich with an over easy egg and I was definitely pleased. I also had an iced matcha which was also impressive. It was a pretty simple menu but the food was really good and the service was nice as well. Definitely worth a try!

This place is so cute! I ordered the classic eggs Benedict w/crispy potatoes. Crispy potatoes def took over the show it was so good & crispy on the outside. The hollandaise sauce I think is from a can? Had zero taste. They have good service, you can definitely come here to study & have a good meal

Food - 5 Service - 5 Value - 4 Restrooms - 5 We had breakfast here a few weeks ago. Salmon Avocado toast with egg and the Breakfast Sandwich were both fresh and tasted great. Lavender matcha drink was awesome. We'd probably come back again and try some other dishes. Restrooms were modern and clean.

I was in the neighborhood and I was looking for a quick lunch. I was in the mood for a "Fried" Chicken sandwich but the other place I went to was not open yet. I had been to this local coffee house before and knew that they had a Stellar sandwich amongst other specialty foods. I went and ordered a Chicken Sando and a Kimchi Fried rice with Bulgolgi beef. I passed on the coffee but they do have an awesome cold brew. The food was ready really quick and they were so friendly there. Food was so good and it was plentiful and it tasted great. There is parking on street and also at TJ which is literally next door. Bathroom at the Cafe was also clean and plenty of seating inside and a few patio tables are available outside' if you wanted to sit there. Definitely a gem among all the other Coffee shops in Downtown Berkeley.

Awesome for bibim salad with bulgogi and kimchi fried rice. Nice Korean dishes. Coffee also good

Café Etoile was the perfect post-dog park cafe to visit with our dog. Although it has limited dog-friendly outdoor seating, the cafe is situated a small walk away from Ohlone Dog Park if you plan your days around your dog (like myself). I only got food so I can't speak to their coffee, but the food was excellent! The kimchi fried rice had really good flavor and the egg was perfectly cooked. Our dog got spooked by all the passing cars, so we had to change our order last minute to to-go. The staff was so friendly and kind even after the change!

Overall, food is pretty excellent. The price and quality of the meals and drinks are fair. Food wise, we ordered the blueberry scone, salmon avo toast, and chicken and croffle. I personally tried the chicken and croffle and I was amazed... for the most part! I know croffles are just literally croissants being toasted in a waffle machine but for some reason, I am always down to just pay for that when I can do the same thing at home. The size of the chicken thigh they used was generous. I couldn't finish it ngl. It was also crispy AND juicy. The best of both worlds in fried chicken. I would be so down to give a 5 star rating if there was either more spicy syrup provided or if there was flavor added to the chicken. Not sure about ya'll but if the chicken isn't flavored, it's a red flag for me. Based on my friends opinion, they thought their dishes were also great. As for the drinks, we got matcha lattes. I am very critical of my matcha cuz I have had some pretty bad and expensive matcha but also some that were genuinely worth it! Their matcha is definitely on the good matcha that is worth it side. You can also tell it's good matcha cuz of the color too. Located in the midst of University Ave area, it's a pretty busy street. This is a great spot for busy college students that need to study in a cafe with good nomz. You also need to bus your own table which is a benefit in my opinion. You do order up front and need to get your food once your order is ready but honestly with this being a busy study spot, this is good for anyone in general. Overall, I would definitely come here again. Their matcha lattes are definitely worth not taking a lactaid

The interior is surprisingly very spacious. Menu has a great variety of items but I decided on the salmon avocado toast & standard latte for breakfast. Both were great & the sandwich ingredients tasted fresh. Great for people watching as you enjoy your morning drink.

Good portions and price! All super yummy: chicken and croffle, croissant french toast, breakfast sandwich with egg avocado. there's lots of seating, and it's right next to the Trader Joes in downtown Berkeley.

A super cute homey Berkeley spot ran by a local family! I cam here with a group of 4 friends and there's 2 large tables inside that fit ~10 people, and smaller tables inside and outside too. This spot is a small cafe though, so come with your group all at once if you're a larger group. My friends and I all got different brunch dishes. Fried Chicken and Croffle (4/5): was never a huge fan of this concept til now! Came out fresh and warm, and had a great crunch to it when i tried it. Chicken was moist and flavorful and a yummy way to start the day. Cream and Berries Croffle (4/5): perfect if you're craving something sweet with a soft crunch! Croissant French Toast (2.5/5): was craving se french toast, but overall it cane out pretty soggy and a bit mid. It was still yummy, but I probably wouldn't order again. Known for their croffles!! Try them out! Service was also super friendly and nice! Would come back again :)

I've driven by Café Etoile countless times and have always been entranced by their croffle photos. I tried a croffle elsewhere so the idea of popping in kind of disappeared. Aside from that point, but I was Yelping cafes with ample seating inside, accessible parking, and different drink and food choices. Café Etoile seemed like the best option that fit all categories. Located on the corner, the cafe is fairly easy to find. Outside there are a few tables while inside is more spacious. Plenty of space to work, study, or hang out with its close proximity to Cal. The communal and individual tables seemed popular for those working plus they have free WiFi. The baristas working were helpful and accommodating with our questions and requests. They remade our drinks after an error which was appreciated. Items come out staggered one at a time where they're retrieved at the bar. It can be hard to decide on what to get! The humble cafe offers small bites such as pastries and sandwiches. Plus beverages like espresso, tea, and iced drinks. As a tea lover, I couldn't pass up on an Iced Chai with Almond Milk. I asked for light ice and light sweetness; it's nice they offer alternatives. Unfortunately, the drink didn't shine. There was barely any chai flavor and it was more milky than I had expected. My Pop got his own drinks and a Cheese Croffle. He said it was okay but not noteworthy. If you're looking for a mix of French and Korean pastries, desserts, lunch items, and beverages then Café Etoile has your back! I recommend coming here if you're a student or worker at Cal due to its close proximity. Parking can be found in the shared Trader Joe's lot or on the street. This may not be a place I'll often seek out but I know if I come I'll get a decent beverage or small bite.

Situated neatly on the corner, you walk into this cafe with family and friends to enjoy little coffee. They have some unique ideas for you taste buds. I love the options. The sandwich line offers some great ideas to push the palate forward. My foodie/partner daughter took me here. Totally partners in crime and palates. She knows me well and I and quickly learning her unique palate. She introduced me to Cheese Croffle. Really? All these years and I never tried one? I am KETO driven but sometimes turn a blind eye to a lil' syrup on my what naughts. It was super yummy. I want more. My bad. But you know they have a need to introduce new items on the menu to locals to keep it real. Like the new item to hit the menu ... Mint latte. Oh - freakin' boy. We had a great meeting with a friend and enjoyed the gnash. Side note. Try the Korean sando and ask for extra kimchee. Bammmmm!

The food was so delicious hands down one of the best fried chicken and egg benedict's I've ever had, would definitely come back here just for that My bf got the pistachio latte and he really liked it, but I thought my matcha was subpar and didn't finish most of it, I don't think it's ceremonial grade hence the bitter taste of my drink, but the mango bingsoo was pretty good too, it's nice that they use real fresh mangos although I think it's the red mangos as opposed to the honey mangos that most other bingsoo stores use Service: very friendly service, no qualms :) Ambiance: it's a mix of cafe vibes and a dine-in brunch spot, there are a few outlets by the walls and people do sit down and do their work here while others just come here to eat. It's very plant and woody themed and super cozy Overall would definitely be back again and highly recommend to everyone I know

Café Etoile is such a great spot to grab coffee and a quick bite! Food is made fresh to order and the coffee will definitely wake you up. Great service! I recommend getting the breakfast sandwich or the Spicy Chicken sandwich.

Food was fresh and fast! Got the breakfast sandwich with avocado and the egg was so fluffy and the bread used was so pillowy. The service was fast and the staff were friendly. Definitely recommend for a quick cheaper bite. Will come back soon!

Came here with a friend to grab a bite and do some work. The ambiance is very casual and easygoing which was nice and there's a decent amount of seating. We ordered the peach and arugula salad as well as a breakfast sandwich and rose latte. My friend requested half sweetness on the latte but they forgot and gave her a fully sweetened drink. However, when she brought it up, they quickly made another latte that was properly sweetened. The food was pretty good but nothing special, although I did appreciate that the prices were quite reasonable. I want to try one of their croffles next!

Overall: So good and super cozy. Huge portions for the price and some of the tastiest chicken and waffles I've ever had. Seriously, look at that huge portion of chicken - Martinelli's apple juice bottle for scale. Service: * Order at the counter and grab a table. Food comes out super quickly. Everyone working here is super sweet, I think this is a family-owned/run place? On our way out the cashier asked us how we liked everything (yes, very much!) and they were very happy to hear that. Food: * Highlight: the chicken in the chicken-and-waffle was absolutely amazing. Like the juiciest popcorn chicken you've had. Well seasoned, juicy, still tender, and the breading wasn't too hard or soft. Conclusion: Would definitely come again to try their coffee drinks and other food selection, especially the Korean fusion dishes and the croque monsieur + madam.

Clean, casual, self-service spot near UC Berkeley. Small place, but we still found a spot to sit. There are plenty of seats and high chairs for children too. I really enjoyed the toffee latte. Smooth, creamy, with plenty of nutty flavor. The food was delicious too, especially the chicken croffle. Would definitely return next time I'm in the area.

Cute cafe right next to Trader Joe's. We came here a little after 1pm and it wasn't too crowded but definitely has a nice atmosphere if you want to come for a study date or brunch. The service was great too especially since it was our first time. Everything is order at the register and you're given a buzzer for when your food is ready. The coffee was delicious as well. However, there is only one size for iced drinks so keep that in mind. I tried both the pistachio iced latte and the vanilla sweet cream cold brew. Both were great I just wish they came in bigger sizes than just the 12oz. The chicken in the chicken and croffels was really juicy and crispy. It paired wonderfully with the spicy syrup they serve it with but if you're not into spicy syrup they also have a regular one that you can sub. The Croffel itself was nice and flakey. The spicy syrup made it so the dish so it wasn't overly sweet. The kimchi rice was really good especially with the perfect runny egg on top. It was slightly sour from the kimchi which I really loved since most kimchi rices I've had cook off all the sourness from the kimchi. Overall the food, atmosphere, and staff were wonderful and Cafe Etoile is a must go to spot if you're in the area.

SOLID BRUNCH SPOT basically American brunch meets Korean flare Croffle and Chicken - croissant waffle is genius! Crispy, flakes and sweet, so good!! - chicken was a good large size and battered and fried Taiwan popcorn chicken style. I think they could've brined or marinated the meat to make it a little less dry but it was still good with the syrup with Korean red pepper flakes Bulgogi sandwich - juicy and packed! The bread was spongy fresh and tender, soaking the juice of the meat and slaw up nicely. Everything was well balanced and buttery. The Bulgogi was thick cut yet tender. Cilantro added a bahn mi tasting flat when paired with the pickled onion Matcha latte - strong, tasted real and fresh. Very well balanced and excellent Chai latte - fragrant, good like your typical Chai latte Cozy wooden local atmosphere, very chill , found a seat easily at the communal table. The typical gypsy panhandler walking in and out to beg for money occasionally alternating with the Trader Joe's next door but she wasn't too much of a bother, this business keeps the bathroom key at the register, probably some deterring going on there.

Nice spot, I went for the fried chicken and croffle. They used dark meat chicken so it was nice and juicy, though a little bit of seasoning on the chicken itself might be nice. The exterior was great and crunchy, and the croffle was nice and dense and chewy as you might expect such a combination to be. Will likely come back for this dish again.

Chicken egg Benedict croffle was insanely delicious! Presentation and taste on 10. Great service, quick, and the space felt like a cozy cafe.

Quick Summary: - Near Trader Joe's - Lunch time hours, so it is not open in the evening - Plenty of tables and chairs inside and outside the building - Coffee is strong but not sour - Hefty dishes, entered hungry, left pretty full - After eating, bus your used dishes and utensils to a cabinet area in the right most side of the cafe I always miss the hours on this cafe because I'm hardly in Berkeley in the early morning, or I prioritize Trader Joe's late in the evening. By the time I'm on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, the cafe is done for that day. Opportunity finally came when I had a day off one day and came here the moment I arrived in Berkeley. The interior is very wide, so there are plenty of tables and chairs. There are two large tables that could fit 6-7 people, but we chose the 2-person tables, that were placed along the windows. On the wall, there was a food menu, and one of the spots was reserved for special menus. It was a salmon bagel sandwich that day, and I chose this one. I also ordered the croque-madame because I saw that a lot in the yelp photos. The cappuccino came first and then the savory dishes. The menu name was called, so I suggest listening carefully and take a proof of receipt, if orders that sound like yours was called. On this particular day, maybe it was because it was the weekday, but there was a handful of people. A poster on the counter that read, "for weekends, only stay at a minimum of 2 hours" so I had a feeling it would be busy. The salmon bagel sandwich was generously stacked with layers of smoked salmon. It was so good (this is coming from someone, who likes seafood). My relative, who tried this said that it was a bit too fishy for them. If you like fish, then this was a super good salmon bagel sandwich. It also contained tomato, rosemary, cream cheese, and cucumber. A refreshing dressing was poured on top of the cucumber and tomato for the tangy sour flavor. It is also pretty hefty, so I suggest ordering this when you are feeling really hungry. I also didn't feel like eating a large dinner meal in the evening. I tried a bit of the Croque-Madame, and my impression was that there was a lot of cheese. On the contrary, I'm not a huge fan of dishes with too much cheese, so near the end, as the dish cooled down it grew harder to eat. However, to mitigate that, it has ham and a nicely cooked egg that oozes slightly upon cutting it in half. It didn't spill over the sandwich, so I liked that more -- I like when the bread of the sandwich is dry and crispy and not wet or drenched. Speaking of the bread, this Croque-Madame had two thick slices of bread. I anticipated an open faced sandwich, so I didn't expect the two slices of bread. This one is also a hefty dish, so I also recommend eating this when you are really hungry as well.

A lovely little spot for breakfast or lunch. I enjoyed that they had outdoor seating and also the indoors seemed nice as well. We both got the croffle with bacon and egg. It was really delicious. I love how everything had a very fresh feeling like you could tell it was just made for us. It was kind of funny trying to eat the croffle with a plastic knife and fork though - so we ended up just picking it up. Definitely a great spot for breakfast - glad I saw the recommendation on Yelp!

Get the chicken and croffle or live with regret over whatever you ordered instead. It's so juicy and perfectly cooked with a breading that's not too heavy, but will likely make more than one meal. This place is a popular spot for studying as well as meeting up/enjoying a meal. Whenever we've come there are usually some tables taken up by laptops but since there are a lot of small tables in the space we can usually find an empty one for our family or push some together. They have a time limit on weekends to accommodate heavier crowds. They do have other fusion items on the menu but I've only tried the chicken and croffle and the croque madame, the latter of which was not bad but horribly overshadowed by the chicken. They also have an extensive drink menu that includes sparkling beverages, lemonades, lattes, etc. They seem to have one public restroom. Street parking only for this place, which can be a pain on this street. We've parked on university and walked over. Great brunch spot!

Cute hidden cafe with yummy drink options like pistachio latte and mint latte and Korean cafe food options. A table down from us, I saw folks enjoying their waffle with fried chicken on top of it which looks very good but we had just wrapped up our lunch and came here to grab some coffee. I hope to try it soon. Great cafe to just chill, catch up with a friend, people watch and enjoy a delicious caffeinated drink!