La Note

Great breakfast/ brunch place. A French restaurant that is certainly a step up from your local diner or common brunch establishments. It’s a higher end experience of delicious baked goods, savory bites and huge axx hot chocolate. Their pancakes were huge, fluffy, and fresh off the stoves and they will melt in your mouth. I enjoyed their eggs, sausage, potatoes, and bread slices. Everything was fresh and came out hot, flavor on point for everything. The only problems they had were just having such a small place to serve the deliciousness. But I guess that’s what also makes the whole experience count and there is less room for error. This place is also located in downtown Berkeley, a very busy area, so there will be minimal street parking, but parking garages will be your friend, at a price of course. This place is super busy, there was a wait, but I am glad I stuck it out and waited. I dined alone and looked through a small, precise menu that was also French, but English translated for the majority. I’ll reiterate, food is awesome and get hot chocolate if you’re a fan, adult size. Come, at least once, you’ll probably want to make into twice. And so on.

Our Friday morning in Berkeley started with the perfect choice: brunch at La Note. This charming cafe radiates cozy vibes and immediately set the tone for a relaxed and delicious start to the day. We were seated about 15 min after our reservation, coffee in hand within minutes, and ready to dive into one of the most satisfying brunch spreads we’ve had in a long time. We couldn’t resist the lemon gingerbread pancakes, which were warmly spiced, and had the perfect citrus zing — easily a standout dish. Paired with eggs and crispy bacon, it hit every savory-sweet craving. We also shared a pastry basket (because how could we not?) — filled with buttery, flaky bites that paired perfectly with the strong coffee and fresh orange juice. The ham omelette was another highlight: light yet rich, packed with flavor, and served with wonderful blueberry oatmeal, toast and jam that felt like it came straight out of a French countryside kitchen. La Note delivered everything we love in a brunch spot — comforting food, lovely ambiance, and a menu full of heart. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Berkeley, it’s an absolute must-visit.

Excellent brunch place. The decor gives cozy Parisian cafe vibes, especially with the bistro style chairs and small tables. The food is fresh and flavorful - definitely recommend their sandwiches. It does get busy, so you might face a short wait, and it can also get a bit loud when crowded. But overall, a lovely and satisfying brunch experience. Metered parking available nearby.

Walked in and felt like I was transported to another country. The service was on point and food was great. Came here and enjoyed the breakfast - grabbed a bread basket and enough to take home to enjoy. The potatoes came with roasted garlic cloves which leveled up with flavor with the eggs and bacon. I cannot say enough about this place - simply amazing!

I am always a fan of home fries topped with herbs and the whole garlic was a nice touch. The scrambled eggs were soft and silky on the outside. I would skip the pear and gingerbread pancakes, and choose another! I wished for more integrated flavors of pear. Great ambiance and service. Great brunch location!

The food was so yummy! We waited 10 mins for a table on a Saturday around 1pm. I had the Poulet Grille and it was perfect - a generous amount of chicken, and I loved the roasted peppers and aioli. We also had a lemon gingerbread pancake and it was a bit dense, but delicious with syrup. Can’t wait to go back!

Great place for breakfast. My favorite dish is the Cote Nord. The dish is served with cream cheese but you can upgrade it to goat cheese, which I highly recommend if you like goat cheese. The french style of soft scrambled eggs is delicious with their bread and potatoes. If you love garlic, you’ll love how they serve roasted garlic mixed into the potatoes. Atmosphere wise, it’s quite packed inside and if you have a larger group you may end up waiting a while but usually when you are a party of 2, the wait is not very long.

The waiting is long and the place is always crowded! Even after you are finally sitted on your table they take a while to ask you for your order, even longer to bring your card back for payment. But the food is definitely worth it! I fell in love with the Baguette Saumon and would definitively come back.

food? * cote est (4.6/5): eggs were yummy and soft, but just normal. the pancake (I chose creme fraiche) was good with the syrup, and on the thicker side. the potatoes were very crispy and well-seasoned. * les oeufs maison: with chicken apple sausage! my friend seemed to enjoy it! vibes? so so pretty! gives cottage core vibes, with vibrant discussions and a sunny outdoor patio. we sat outside, and it was the best lighting for pictures. come back? yes! I would love to try their bread next time.

This was really cozy place. With quite a few tables indoor. We here for brunch on a weekend , and as a table of two we were seated pretty quickly. As vegetarians we tried the following : Ratatouille: 3/5. This was simple and decent. Pancakes : 3/5. These were just okay. They seemed to be a little floury. Freshly squeezed orange juice: 4/5. Overall , the food was okay. But service was good.

The restaurant is hidden amongst the several stores and restaurants along Shattuck, but once you get in side, the atmosphere quickly changes to warm and cozy with rustic and antique decorations including a stand-up piano and several little knick knacks that adorn the walls. The food was amazing! And I do not say that with exaggeration. Normally, we don't eat French style foods or at brunch time restaurants, but this place has perfected their menu items. The Cote Nord with cream cheese was light and fluffy and lightly seasoned. The omelette de pomme de Terre was also perfectly cooks, the onions caramelized and the roasted tomatoes were perfectly done. The side of merguez sausage was unbelievable as well. The lamb flavor came through without being too strong or salty and was our favorite. I would 100% suggest getting the side of merguez sausage on your visit if you are a fan of lamb. You will not be disappointed. The service was very quick and the waitstaff was friendly. The food came out within 10 minutes of ordering. No complaints. We will definitely stop by there again next time we're in that area. The only complaint I can think of is the prices being a little on the higher side, but I would excuse that for the quality of the food. It's well worth the price

Came here for my sisters birthday, cool little French spot with patio seating. We started with the bread basket which was really good. An assortment of breads like a croissant and French bread, slightly toasted and flakey with an amazing in house jam. I had the French toast which was good, had a hint of orange. Wasn't a fan of the potatoes. And the spicy sausage was ok, not enough flavor for my liking, my son loved it though. My family overall enjoyed their meals. Service was ok.

What a cute place. Very busy on a Sunday morning. But very kind and friendly host. Besides the busy part it has inside and outside sitting. Everyone is very friendly and seems happy to be there.. which is difficult to see now days. Our waiter was a fall gentleman and was so nice and patient with us ordering. We first order our drinks and he came back super nice to give them to us. Then we order our food and I asked for the spicy sausage (not spicy, I was bummed about that) There are two restrooms inside, very clean!! But very busy but very clean!! everything else was great! The coffee late was on point! Great service and very well kept clean and neat! Thank you for a great experience!

Always a pleasure coming here. Ambiance is great, if a bit of a squeeze. Allthough, in the current weather, the back patio is quite chilly, even with the heaters. Beware of falling fruit, as well, lol. I always keep coming back for the cafe creme and the corbeille de pain, and end up ordering more baguettes to take home. The home fries are delicious, lots of flavor and texture is on point. Omelette was very soft and fluffy. All in all, a great place to sit and talk over coffee or just to have a wonderful meal.

Came here for an early lunch / brunch with our baby on a Wednesday morning. We were hoping to sit outside but at 10:40, we were too early - the patio opens at 11. This was a bit of a shame because the inside is relatively tight (European even), which was tough with our cruiser of a stroller! I ordered a ham and cheese omelette with Provencales tomatoes - and four slices of toast. Everything was cooked to perfection and that's not forgetting the whipped butter, which, unlike our butter at home, didn't rip my toast to shreds. My wife had the French toast (I'm surprised it wasn't just called toast at this French restaurant) with a chocolate sauce (Nutella?) - which was a delicious mountain of carbs.

We were seated immediately and the food came out pretty quick. Absolutely loved everything. It was so yummy. I didn't even know they had a backyard area but highly recommend to check it out. They do have space heaters in the back too. Ambience is great perfect for hanging out or a date. I recommend getting their spicy sausage. It's so yummy. The eggs were also cooked perfectly House potatoes very well seasoned too. I also tried a mimosa, which was the perfect mix of champagne and juice. I tried the raspberry one very late and very yummy.

Went here on a Friday morning. Reservations recommended The seating is only ok. First our party of 3 was seated in a window. It was really cramped and hard for my chair to face the table due to the curved space. The seats also hit the back of my legs uncomfortably ( I'm 5'7"). We asked if there was another option and were moved ( thank you). I was on a bench and my eating companions in chairs. The chairs were more comfy. The bench was comfy but the person next to me kept bouncing his legs which shook the whole bench. Then 3 tables town that person on the bench banged against the back. This bench is the length of the whole restaurant So if I return I would request a table in the middle of the room ? Now for the food: eggs good, toast sourdough good fruit garnish good. Chicken apple sausage good. Home fries with garlic and rosemary good but some chunks were big and some small, and the big ones then lack the perfect amount of crisp. Coffee fine

I don't get to come here very often but am delighted every visit! Each breakfast dish is delicious, whether it's the fluffy eggs or pancakes. There's a reason for the absurdly long waits on weekends. Thankfully you're able to put your name down, give a phone number, and wander around a bit with a coffee before you're texted for a table. It's a bit chaotic in there always and the tables inside are very close to one another. That being said, it's all part of the experience/charm. They do have a rule now about not being able to bring outside beverages (why?) but usually if you go for coffee right away you'll be able to finish before your table is ready.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit I had never been here before. I say 'almost' because it was always packed when I walked by, and let's face it, I don't really crave French bistro fare like I do for other types of food. However, I finally decided to rectify 25 years of ignorance and got Jamie W to come here on an early Saturday afternoon for brunch. As I expected, there was a 45-minute wait, so we did a few laps around the block. What the hell? We needed the steps anyway. Once we were seated, I was torn between the omelettes and French toast and surprised myself by ordering the $25 bowl of Ratatouille Madame, a healthy-tasty vegetable stew that provided instant comfort. It featured eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes mixed with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese topped with two poached eggs, all of it over rosemary couscous (photo: https://yelp.to/UM0jPmCLCO). What a delight and the extra egg was a nice treat. Jamie kept it very low-key and ordered the $3.75 Croissant aux Amandes, a more buttery version of the regular with almond cream and icing sugar (photo: https://yelp.to/ZDCbgLsjxU) and the $10 Irish Coffee (photo: https://yelp.to/WUpCOpAQ0-). It was like I was on a Provençal farm, and he was at a sidewalk cafe on the Champs-Elysees. The place was bustling all the way through their 3PM closing, but the young French waiter was attentive throughout. FOOD - 4 stars...the ratatouille was just right with the eggs AMBIANCE - 4 stars...captures the French countryside vibe SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the server was on the ball TOTAL - 4 stars...I guess I like French bistro fare RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Spread pics via IPhone + digicam! We were seated outside by Noe, super sweet and helpful!! The exterior was so cute and we loved the vibes for our girliepop-breakfast. First of all, hot chocolate in bowls with whipped cream - Dream come true. 5/5. The three of us got omelettes + french toast to share, quickly realizing it was a mistake because of the portion sizes - Super generous, and we all had leftovers! Omelettes - 4/5. The tomatoes were seasoned and really good with the rest of the dish, and there was an influx of potatoes I got to munch on after. French toast - 3.5/5. Nothing crazy, a teeny bit dry, and honestly wish I had ordered the Brioche Pain Perdu for the flavor profile of that instead. Overall satisfied with the meal, but I do want to stop by for brunch/lunch next time instead.

We've been coming here for years but the recent visits have significantly deteriorated compared to previous experiences. I understand that some restaurants want to keep it old school and go without online waitlist. However, considering how bad the lines get on weekends and how poorly they predict/manage the wait, this restaurant can definitely benefit from utilizing an online waitlist. During the 1 hr+ wait for brunch (we were told 40), we often have to go somewhere nearby to get a coffee or snack to hold ourselves through; but if you do not finish the beverage you had to get while waiting, they will force you to throw it out once you're seated, even if you could just hold on to it for after the meal - harsh and wasteful. The FOH staff were also quite condescending on our last couple visits. Once we were seated and ordered, it took another 35 mins to get our food. Then another 15 to get our check. Frankly I am just over having to spend three hours on breakfast at this point. And as mentioned in my previous review, they are inflexible with substitution that are well within reason (bread choice from menu offering, would not allow even when we are ok with any extra charge) and servers provide inconsistent information on whether they can swap something or not. No longer my preferred brunch spot and will likely not return frequently unless someone else really wants to go.

Came here for lunch on a Thursday and it was quite busy! Fortunately we had a reservation for our party of 5 and the host quickly showed us to the table they had waiting. Very Berkeley vibe which I love. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Everything we had was delicious and generous portion sizes. In the future I may just split a baguette because of how large they are. The baguette is also delicious and fresh.

High quality food and a VERY LONG wait to eat. I would return with better planning. Also they don't take reservations and you can't call ahead.

I thought La Note was a just OK brunch experience even though it seems to be pretty popular. The decor and aesthetics are definitely nice but it can be a little squishy inside since they try to fit many people in the space. Supposedly there is a nice outdoor area too which perhaps may be less squished but I have not been there before. As for the food, it was also just OK. The rosemary garlic "homefries" are more so just rosemary garlic potatoes so they are not as crispy and more on the soft side. They do have a very heavy garlic flavor and they also give you bulbs of garlic as well from the cooking. The creme fraiche pancakes did not taste like much and just tasted like normal pancakes. They were a mix of slightly dense and heavy but also still a bit fluffy which was nice. The eggs were just eggs. My friend got the yogurt and the yogurt seemed very nice and thick. They are busy so service was a little on the slow side on the weekend but otherwise it was fine.

Interior is quite rustic--more of a casual brunch spot. Food is pricey but worth the occasional indulgence. I love how the flavors are light but rich, quite typical of French cuisine. The crème fraiche pancake was a bit dry for my taste. Excited to try the other pancakes and toasts in the future. They give a heaping portion of potatoes, which are divine. Waiter was SUPER attentive and friendly. However, some of the staff were lounging around, which felt unprofessional.

La Note is a special place, especially during breakfast. It has the charm to whisk you away to France during a quick meal... This was our first time coming here as we had a little time to kill and glad we did! We sat down and ordered up a couple rounds of coffee while we looked over the menu. Everything sounded good, but Eggs seemed like the main ingredient used, so we figured an egg dish each should be ordered. My wife ordered the Les Ouefs Lucas and I went for the Cote Nord. My wife really enjoyed her dish commenting how perfect her rags were cooked. The Cote Nord though was amazing, especially ordered with the goat cheese! It is nearly the perfect egg dish, if not perfection! The goat cheese was a great suggestion by the waiter! The staff are very friendly and the restaurant itself offers so much charm! This will NOT be our only time here and I plan on trying everything on the menu!

No wait on a Tuesday for brunch! We sat outside in their garden which has shade via patio umbrellas. It is tight, but all Berkeley spaces are! I ordered the egg and potato omelette with grilled tomatoes and 1 gingerbread pancake with poached pears. The omelette was solid but nothing extra. The pancake was interesting and I thought it was too much to add a few blueberries and poached pears and lemon. It was almost on the dry side. I think keeping it to two things makes more sense like the pears. My friend ordered the creme fraiche pancakes and she appeared to be really impressed.

Food service and ambiance were amazing! I loved the quality and freshness of the breakfast. Our waiter was outstanding very attentive. Highly recommended!

I miss living in Berkeley because La Note is hands down my favorite brunch place. French brunch?? Please, where else can I find this? The outdoor and indoor dining areas are both cute, though I'd recommend outside if weather permits because it's so pretty and less claustrophobic than inside. The service is always friendly, although the wait times can get pretty long (it's worth the wait). While you're waiting, there's a cool bookstore next door you can browse around. My go to order is the Cote Nord. The scrambled eggs are soft and buttery and the roasted tomatoes provide a perfect acidity to balance out the creamy eggs and cream cheese/goat cheese it comes with. I want to try their other menu items but I'm so smitten with the Cote Nord, I always get it. My friends have gotten the pancakes and other dishes which have also been really good.

I've been hearing amazing things about this place and was excited to finally go for brunch. It's located in the heart of Berkeley, fairly close to UC Berkeley. I love how lively it is in the area. We went on a Friday at around 11am. We recommend putting your name down on the waitlist (it is a BUUUUSY place!) It's a walkable area so you'll definitely be able to find something to do nearby as you wait for your table. We finally were given a call that our table was ready and seated towards the front of the establishment. It was truly like a French bistro which we all loved though, when I looked at the floors, it wasn't very clean. It was fairly warm inside as well. To start, I ordered the hot chocolate (kids size), my sister ordered the mocha, and our friend ordered orange juice. We all thoroughly enjoyed our drinks. The hot chocolate was rich and filled with a deep cacao flavor. We all decided to share the creme fraiche pancakes (which was an amazing idea!). The portion was enough to share with more than one person. It was delicious, though slightly dry. 8.1/10 Omelette de Pommes de Terres: I ordered this dish and was disappointed. It lacked in flavor and the potatoes in the omelette were undercooked. The side salad had been overdressed. 4/10 Les Ouefs Lucas: My sister modified the cheese and had gotten Emmenthal instead of goat. She thought it was delicious and had no issues. 8/10 Cote Sud: Our friend loved it! No issues there. Service overall was awesome, our server was attentive and helpful. It's a great place to try, though it's not a place I would consistently go to. Service: 9/10 Ambiance/Cleanliness: 7/10 Food: 6/10

Very cute cafe, the pancakes though were a little burnt. The omelette was amazing!! The interior of the place is very insta/photo worthy. Great service also!

I asked the waitress Justus her favorite plate which she said she eats several times a week for past few years and brought over the one with eggs mixed with goat cheese and chives/oven-roasted tomatoes (AMAZING)/and sourdough bread with side of butter. It was something I'd def get again. For drinks I got hot chocolate with whip cream. I added more of the sugar cubes on the table to the hot chocolate as I like it more sweet. I also ordered OJ. OJ was good but not something that left an impression given it was fresh squeezed. Arrived at 9:30am and sat in outside patio. Love the nature aspect where felt like I was eating in someone's backyard so very nice ambiance. It's a good place to go with family where I feel most people will be satisfied with their plate.

Insanely cute place, excellent food and quite unique to the area. Can't go wrong bringing a date or your kids to breakfast here.

Checked this place out with my boyfriend during Saturday brunch and signed up for the waitlist at their desk. Even though the wait was estimated 40 minutes, we were seated in about 10 minutes. I would definitely opt to eat in their outdoor space because it was so loud and felt cramped inside. They give you ample time to go over the menu which was nice. This is what we got: Poached pear and gingerbread pancakes (5/5) -- tender, moist, strong ginger flavor. I don't think it goes with maple syrup so I ate it with their house strawberry jam and butter. The poached pears were good, but I didn't get a chance to try a bite of them with the pancake Cote ouest (5/5) -- the best garlic roasted potatoes I have ever had with the super crisp, caramelized skins and creamy interior. Love how they add the garlic cloves, which I smeared all over the bread and ate with the jam and butter. The eggs were good, but the ratatouille stole the show with its deep tomato and eggplant flavor. Omelette de pommes de terre (5/5) -- My boyfriend enjoyed this. The only thing I tried was the tomatoes off his plate and they were delicious I remember we tried ordering a lunch item 10 minutes before their start time and they were firm on waiting until their lunch hours. Portions were generous and fair for the prices, service was average. I would definitely return if I had a day mapped out in the area and wanted brunch.

Never heard of this place but I'm glad I found it because the food was incredible! It's a cute little spot hidden in the streets of downtown Berkeley. The service was great and the food was some of the best I had in a while. The hazelnut latte and mocha were very rich and not too sweet. I also normally don't care for breakfast potatoes but these were probably the best breakfast potatoes I've had. There was a nice garlic taste to it and it complimented the salmon dish I had very well. The cinnamon brioche was also very tasty. I would definitely be coming back when I'm in the area next time!

This was a great stop and hidden gem in Berkeley. Great twist on French cuisine. Setting was great, staff was great, patio was very European, and overall experience was great. Will definitely be back to try some other items.

Ambiance: It was beautifully designed and gave of a traditional feel. We did think the tables were a bit too close and a little tight but that didn't subtract anything from our experience. Service: Amazing. Fast. Nothing more needs to be said. Food: We got the oatmeal raspberry pancakes and baguette jambon-gruyere. The pancakes were delicious, it was so light and fluffy which can sometimes be hard to do well. The raspberry syrup was tart and tangy. The sandwich was equally as good while being very simple. The baguette was nice and fluffy while being crunchy. Also the fillings perfectly balanced each other. We added the cheese and believe that it is must. We love this place and HIGHLY recommend it.

If I could 10 stars, I definitely would. Was introduced to this restaurant by a friend who was in grad school at UC Berkeley. Every time I have been ever since, there has always been a wait but that's telling of how delicious the food is here. The interior and exterior of the restaurant are extremely welcoming and interesting to look at while waiting for your table or food. Having seated inside and out, there isn't a bad seat or table. Now to talk about the most important part, the food here has truly never disappointed. Orders for me and or my friends have always revolved around the Corbeille de pain (Bread Basket), Les Oeufs Lucas, and Cote Nord. Service itself also has always been incredible even when it's slammed. Looking forward to the next time I'm in Berkeley to wait in the line for breakfast.

The greatest brunch spot in Berkeley! I've eaten here numerous times with family, including for my 21st birthday. We're always drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and scrumptious meals. On the patio, you will feel transported from the busy city into a calm, French countryside, surrounded by blooming plants. Perfect for temporary reprieve from the stressors of the week. I often order the côte ouest, which comes with light scrambled eggs, a tasteful ratatouille, and some potatoes. The generous portion size is a close match for my prodigious appetite, and the staff are attentive and kind. Just be sure to call ahead because it's bustling on the weekends and may require planning to get a seat.

Every UC Berkeley student has gone here at least once and will either brave the long wait or try again next time. I've rarely seen this restaurant without a group of people waiting outside and I can somewhat understand why... Let me explain. Inside it felt cramped and stuffy... I genuinely couldn't breathe and you can't eat without touching the person next to you. But luckily they asked if we wanted to sit outside in the back and it was perfect. If the weather is right, I definitely recommend this option. It's a rustic countryside feel that really harnesses France. The servers are incredibly attentive, as well. My friend and I happened to get a table that wobbled and someone noticed us trying to balance it, who immediately came over with a piece of cardboard. The food was perfect for the price. I think a lot of places have overpowering flavors that just don't work, here you get simple and elegantly well put together.

My partner and i love coming here for brunch. This spot is popular! Do NOT come the last hour and expect to sit outside (there's usually a nice wait to sit outside). Indoors is more intimate and a bit closer together to one another (sometimes can be stuff on a hot day). Overall, we have no complaints on service or food, only endless complements! The staff here is killer. They have brunch on lock and work very hard to get everyone on the waitlist seated. Every time we come here it's never a disappointment. The food is absolutely delicious and the most authentic french style i've found for breakfast/brunch. Bring friends, a partner, or whoever... it's perfect for conversation on a nice day.

This was my first time here! The good: I got the Cote Est and my partner got the French toast (his go to brunch item, especially at this place which he's loved for years...he has literally only ever had the French toast lol). Anywho, the eggs were the best scrambled eggs I've probably ever had. I chose the lemon gingerbread and poached pear pancake. Deeeeeelish. Unique, flavorful, warm and the butter was *shocker* so good. And the home fries. Easily top 3 of my life. Maybe #1. I was beyond hungry so I finished my partner's brioche French toast too which was The reason for 4 stars not 5? The bad: we wait I think almost an hour which is fine, but then they seat us at this table inside that honestly shouldn't have been where it was. Awful location. We declined and said we would wait for an outside table. I didn't mind the wait but my partner was getting hangry. They sat another couple at the table that was going to be ours and I watched multiple waitstaff bump into the couple sitting there and not even apologize. If that's any indication of why the table location was awful, and quite frankly just shouldn't have been there. We finally get seated outside (it's a lovely day) and, after we wait a while for the waitstaff to make their way over to us, I watch them mistreat this table of 3 young, multiracial cal students. The 3 asked to move to an empty table in the shade and the waitress said sure they'll clean it off and it's yours. Instead a different waitstaff person brings back some older (50s) couple and sits them at the shaded table. No one says anything to the 3, including the waitress who sat them there! So they don't say anything, another table opens up, they ask for that table, a worker says it's theirs but then another worker is again about to seat some older (again, 50s) couple there and ignore the 3 youngins. I'm sure it sounds so petty, but the general theme of the waitstaff was indifference and incompetence, which was just disappointing. Or maybe it was racism. Or ageism. The meal was so good, though, that I'm willing to give them another chance.

Between the French-inspired menu and the cute back patio, it's clear why La Note is a Berkeley brunch favorite. I attended a brunch with a large group (~10 people), and due to the size of our group, we were instructed to order off a prix fixe menu. The first course consisted of a bread basket with croissants, brioche, and baguettes, which we all helped ourselves to while perusing the brunch options - a variety of pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches. Since our brunch skewed more towards lunchtime, I ordered the baguette jambon-buerre. Despite the size of our group, our food came out quickly. The baguette jambon-buerre was delicious - the bread tasted fresh from the bakery, and the cornichons added a nice crunch. The side salad was dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, which was very refreshing alongside all of the rich, buttery ingredients. I wish the prix fixe menu included some lighter options (e.g., soups, green salads), but overall, the breakfast options were solid.

Enjoyed an early summer Sunday brunch with a girlfriend here in La Note's lovely courtyard. Arrived at 10:30 and although there were a few people waiting on the bench outside, they had both indoor & outdoor seating available (no wait) for our party of two. It was initially a little chilly outdoor, but they have heat lamps around, and weather was nice out. Food- we got a Cafe Noisette (cappuccino), Cafe Creme (latte), 1 Lemon Gingerbread pancake, 1 Creme Fraiche pancake, Les Oeuff Lucas (eggs lightly scrambled with goat cheese), Omelette au Fromage (cheese omelet), and also a La Note Pain Perdu (with their semolina French bread). Regarding their popular Pain Perdu, I couldn't find many reviews to distinguish how their La Note version using semolina French bread was like, as many reviews praise the brioche version, so since I already know how brioche tastes like, wanted to try the other. Was curious if the semolina would make the bread taste different. Turns out I couldn't decipher a difference from regular French bread, but it was soft & fresh, slightly chewy, and nevertheless a lovely dish as the bread is soaked in the orange blossom water butter & lavender honey (I didn't really detect the lavender but still good). Next time I will try the brioche version. Everything else, our coffees & food, was good. Price is as expected for the area & average for the times (unfortunately costly most places). Portion sizes were pretty good. Service was friendly. I was going to order the Cafe au Lait, and I appreciate that the server explained this was a regular black coffee with milk, asking if I wanted a latte which was the Cafe Creme.

Absolutely cute patio. Very crowded, dark and loud on the inside, always request the patio. That's more of a recommendation to others since I won't be back. Service was subpar, utensils were old and hopefully clean. They couldn't even provide proper utensils, like how were we supposed to cut the baguette in half? It took forever to get hot water and they charged $1.50 for it too! There was one guy that was nice and attentive who wiped up my spilled coffee for me. Thnx, buddy! But our server was nowhere to be found and when she was around, she was too busy snapping pictures of her coworker. Food was good and creative, really liked the baguette with goat cheese and roasted peppers, and the soft boiled dipping egg - reminded me of a trip to Italy. Was excited to try the pancake, glad we only ordered 1 bc it wasn't spectacular.

Absolutely love this spot and it's one of my favorite brunch spots in the bay area. The servers are always so friendly and the indoor dining area is so cozy. If it's good weather though, I'd definitely recommend the outdoor dining area it's so beautiful. After my second recent trip to Paris, I can say with my whole chest that I love the brunch here more than I did in France. The creme fraiche pancakes are really the star of the show - just the right amount of sweetness and very light/airy. For something more savory, I go for the les oeufs maison which is 2 eggs any style with their amazing potatoes and we add in chicken apple sausage. Their potatoes are so crispy and have a great garlic-y flavor. Also their hot chocolate straight up comes in a bowl! A staple in the Berkeley food scene in my opinion.

Recently dined here with my family. Ambience inside is lovely, and we very much enjoyed the food. Lemons gingerbread pancake is fantastic, and would also recommend the spicy morgues sausage alongside the eggs served over goat cheese. Knocking one star off for service as it was more chaotic than I would have expected given the restaurant wasn't close to being full.

First time back and La Note a long time. I'll start with my favorite the coffee. The espresso coffee at Le Note should be avoided. I drank a cappuccino today and it was more or less a warm cup of milk with a scent of coffee or another words. Totally disgusting. The bread basket is an absolute must the breads are delicious. They are fresh. The baguette is definitely worth getting. I would stick with one of the omelettes personally and the potatoes. I tried the cool sounding cream of wheat French style and it was an utter mistake. The service is always good and the fresh juices are fresh. I always get the grapefruit juice when I see it's fresh and I did today and it was good. In summary La Note is definitely worth checking out. Avoid the espresso drinks unless you like horrible coffee and stick with the eggs and cheeses and potatoes and the baguette.

Best breakfast around - omelettes and scrambled eggs are always cooked perfectly, all the breads and pastries will blow your mind, pancakes and French toast from the Gods. I'd give it ten stars if I could. There's always a wait, well worth it, rarely more than a half hour, and there's a great bookstore down the block if you need to kill time. Best hot chocolate too.

I've been coming here for years, long recommending the French toast as the best around. Brought my family today for Saturday brunch and was ready to be delighted by the variety of delicious menu items we enjoy. Unfortunately, today's experience fell far below our expectations. The eggs were bland and could not be revived by the stale pepper and salt. The salad dressing gave no life to the limp salad. The baguettes had no pop. Saddest of all, the French toast was dry and alkaline--I suspect the brioche ingredients were poorly mixed before baking. What happened here? Have the chefs all lost their taste from COVID? I don't mind being seated at a small table, nor having our plates over crowd the small space. Nor do I mind the need to call the servers over for any little thing--they're quite busy and the place is crowded. I was put off at the end when I was handed the check just when my hands were freshly occupied with the takeaway boxes I had just asked for, with the admonition that they only accept a specific type of payments accompanied by a stern look. Perhaps my appearance suggested I would attempt to pay with EBT?

The perfect cafe in Berkeley! Came in on a Wednesday for lunch and it was packed but no wait for a table. Service was quick! The inside was cute and cozy. I loved the little dogs in the corner too. We ordered the ham & cheese, eggs with tomatoes (the tomatoes are what they're known for!), and the croque madame. Everything was so simple, fresh, and executed well! The bread was crispy and still chewy! Will always come back when in Berkeley!

Finally got to try La Note's breakfast. We got there at 8am on a Sunday and there were about 5 groups ahead of us. We got seated promptly once they opened. We ordered the Lucas and the Cote Sud, the latte and hot cocoa. I really enjoyed the Lucas. The scrambled eggs were cooked really well with the goat cheese and chives. Tomatoes complemented it perfectly! I tried the sausage from the Cote Sud and didn't think it was anything special. Prices are a little higher than average but it's not your typical eggs and bacon diner. Frenchy ambiance, my kid loved it. It is in the heart of downtown Berkeley so you'll have to look for street parking. On a Sunday early morning there were plenty of spots. Service was attentive and prompt, even with water refills. If you're in Berkeley, go visit La Note!

La Note is my boyfriend's and my favorite brunch spot! We live in San Francisco, but we would occasionally drive across the Bay Bridge just to dine here. Wait time: We usually come here on the weekends when they don't accept reservations. We have been seated faster than the estimated wait time every time we went, but I would recommend joining the waitlist on the Yelp app in advance if you can. However, sometimes, they just close the waitlist on the app, so you may have to join at the reception desk at the front. Seating: This time, we were seated in their outside space, which we enjoyed a lot. The table is a lot bigger than the inside one and we did not feel cramped like we did inside before. There are heaters, but extra jackets and blankets might come in handy on chilly days. Food: Definitely order the pastry basket! It comes with 4 different pastries (plain croissant, almond croissant, pain au chocolat, and morning bun) and is perfect for starting out the brunch with a cup of coffee. I ordered les oeufs lucas (scrambled eggs with goat cheese and chives served with roasted tomatoes), and my boyfriend ordered omelette fromage et jambon (Emmenthal cheese and ham omelet). Both were cooked to perfection. I really enjoyed having my eggs with tomatoes on sourdough bread toast. Service: It is an extremely busy place and the service is on the slower side. Sometimes, our request was forgotten, and we had to ask again a couple of times. We also had to wait for the coffee refill with our empty cups for a while.

Cute restaurant but the food was mediocre. The omelettes are good but in my opinion not worth the price. The brioche French toast on the other hand was not great. It took a while to come out, and when it did the bread was so tough we struggled to cut it.

Of all the French style brunch places in the Bay Area, La Note is the best! I love that they go beyond the traditional brunch fare and have dishes you cannot find anywhere else. I always come here with a friend and split: - œufs Lucas (scrambled eggs with super melty goat cheese and chives served with the most umami roasted tomatoes on a bite of crunchy sourdough toast) - brioche pain perdu (french toast made from cinnamon swirl brioche topped with lavender honey). Whatever you do, upgrade to the brioche! It is worth it! Pro tip: order a side of lavender honey. They put a little on the French toast already but using the honey instead of the syrup really takes it to the next level. There is usually a long wait on the weekends, but the crowd dies down around 1pm, so you will be seated faster. The only downside is that the service is pretty hit or miss. We spent 10 minutes trying to make eye contact with every waiter in the restaurant, while it was not very busy, just to find out who our server was, and they didn't remember to bring us water. True to the spirit of a French cafe then haha. The food and atmosphere are definitely worth it though!

Thursday 2024/02/15 13:00 - classy French brunch spot, popular among Berkeley students - waiting time for a table can get pretty long on the weekends, but there was no wait this time - service was pretty lax; we had to flag down the waiter to order and to get the bill - we dined in as a party of 2 COTE NORD ($17.00): "Two eggs lightly scrambled with cream cheese, over toasted levain bread, with homefries and tomatoes," topped with an orange slice - soft-scrambled eggs with ultra creamy and buttery and paired very well with the thick slices of crunchy levain toast - potatoes were hearty and flavorful, but I would prefer them to be more crispy - grilled tomatoes were tasty and not too oily Saturday 2024/02/24 13:00 - super crowded, and the waiters/waitresses forgot about us a couple times - we dined in as a party of 2, and the wait time for the table was ~50 minutes BRIOCHE PAIN PERDU ($18.00) (lavender honey on the side): "Three generous slices of...cinnamon brioche soaked in orange flower water batter," with butter, maple syrup, and lavender honey on the side and topped with powdered sugar and an orange slice - French toast itself was sweet and rich enough to be eaten plain, but I liked trying different combinations of the accoutrement - orange blossom and lavender gave a floral fragrance added nuance to an otherwise one-note dish CHOCOLAT CHAUD ($2.50) (child size): - run-of-the-mill hot chocolate topped with whipped cream - child size was still a huge cup and more than I could finish; apparently the regular size is a whole bowl of hot chocolate

Decent food. Their options are very limited and they don't offer any substitutions with your food. The food totally fits the French theme and it was a very fun unique place. Prices were decent.