absolute BOWL of a coffee that's made well and tastes good can and will change your life. although the food is on the pricier end for what it may be worth, the pastries are mind blowing and there's no rush to get on up out of your seat. If I lived any closer you might find me here every day with a gigantor coffee and a book from next door. read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This has immediately became my top 5 favorite bakery. Top 3 reasons below. 1. They sell the best and most decadent chocolate cream pie I've ever had. The chocolate is closer to ganache than pudding. It puts basic chocolate cream pie out of business if you ask me. 2. They specialize in biscuits. REAL, flaky, beautiful perfect biscuits. 3. The ambiance, vibe, service, coffee, and bonus points for parking in the back. I fortuitously met the owner at the Berkeley bowl right before my birthday and she was so kind and wholesome I went there a few days later to support. I was swept off my feet. Hello me becoming a regular! Bye bye waist line LOL! read more

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Lovely biscuits with sausage gravy and a poached egg. Cool atmosphere and friendly service. Super drip coffee. Insane bakery case!! The sausage gravy is a tad salty -- not a dealbreaker but worth knowing about. read more

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They served me a bowl of coffee which was pretty hard to drink? It was delicious, but why not use a cup? The food was ok, but they didn't warm it up or anything...I don't think I'm going to go out of my way to come here again. read more

Baker & Commons - Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wait, like it's really delicious. My friend raved about this place. Now I won't shut up about it too. I've gotten the biscuit, biscuit sandwich, quiche, soup of the day, avocado toast, and drinks. My favorite is the biscuit. Best biscuit in the area. I really like their soups too. Overall, everything is good. I'm not much of a coffee drinker but it's pretty yummy. Food was ready fast too. Lovely spot to catch up with friends over delicious food and drinks. read more

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Despite the long line out the door (on a Monday!) this place moves pretty fast. We were able to snag an outdoor table in the sun and enjoyed a lovely brunch. Enjoyed the shakshuka very much which is just comfort food in a pan! read more

Baker and Commons is the kind of spot that earns its line out the door... and honestly, it's worth the wait. The buttermilk biscuits are a must, especially with the butter and daily jam (raspberry today which happens to be my favorite). As someone with UK family, I'll just say these are the closest thing to a proper scone I've had in California. I also had the shakshuka, which was rich and flavorful, though I do wish it came with more bread. The real star, though, was the mocha. Probably the best I've ever had... get the large if you're planning to stay awhile. Despite the crowd, the staff kept things moving and friendly. The space feels casual and cozy with that signature Berkeley buzz. Great prices, great food, great vibe. A no-brainer for brunch. read more

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Outstanding hours and interior spaces - good desserts and ok pricing. I love the hours of this bakery. I actually was looking to go to Nabolom but they close at 2pm on most days - this conveniently is right next door. I can't tell you how much I appreciate a place like this open late - its casual and perfect for visiting with friends. A bar area available too for mingling if your dining solo. Good desserts - but for almost every dessert I saw room for improvement. To start with mango pannacotta had 1/4'' of water on top. Probably wasn't too fresh and was way too sweet. I get these in Little Italy in SF and was shocked by how sweet it was. Owners need to try what they serve at Stellas - not saying its the more authentic way but this was super sweet. The chocolate cream pie had a delicious rich flavor and texture and the crust flavorfully toasty but the crust was soggy. On this dessert I would blind bake the crust add a thin layer of melted chocolate to the crust and then fill in the chocolate cream. Leave off the bits of chocolate on top - doesn't add anything the way a layer of chocolate between the layers would to keep things from getting soggy the next day. Blueberry bread pudding was ok - but it was one big clump like it always is. I hate to say it but this dessert could be so much better if it was two layers - one layer of bread and one layer of pudding - its so easy - I make better bread pudding at home myself and am a novice. The tiny $1 almond pastry was perfect. If I had a cup of coffee and a few of those it would be 10/10. Maybe if you got this far just do that. read more

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I only have great things to say about this place. I usually come for the freshly made baked goods, and I decided to come for the food. From the 2 dishes I got, I think I would still stick to their goodies at the counter. Going to try other dishes still though! Service is great, you order at the counter and take your name tag to the table and they bring the food out. Quaint spot but so lively with families and students. read more

Baker & Commons - Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich, 2 Poached Eggs & Toast - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The first time I passed by this shop with my son he explained that there is always a line outside. My wife and I came here for some breakfast and surprise... there was a line outside. Now I know why. Only one person taking orders and people deciding what they wanted when they got to the front of the line. My wife and I were no different. There was so much on display that we could not decide what we wanted to do. They have an extremely friendly team who walked us through the process of ordering, taking a seat and waiting for our food. I did get a cup of their excellent coffee to wait with. We found a comfortable seat and waited (just a few minutes for our food.) The egg sandwiches (see photos) were amazing... Fresh eggs with either fresh bacon or sausage on these incredible biscuits. These were truly delicious and a treat. My wife and I enjoyed it all so much. The cinnamon muffin was awesome. This is such a great spot for both the locals and visitors. A cozy spot to hang at with friends and enjoy some really good food [and coffee.] We are definitely looking forward to our next visit. KUDOs to the team at Baker & Commons. read more

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Wow. Just wow. Best coffee I've had in ages. Excellent bitter kick. Ordered tiramisu and it was perfect. Well priced for college Ave as well. Though staff is nice, line was quite long -- expect to wait. Crowder and bustling but, for me, this made me feel more "part of it" than "too crowded." Would highly recommend. read more

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Despite that it's busy and bustling and you had to wait in line on a Sunday, it's still small town, charming in the middle of the big city. Food is fresh and alive service is remarkably fast. Everyone who works here has been pleasant. These are the things I look for when I go to eat. Is the food good healthy and are they nice? read more

We ordered pastrami sandwich and tiramisu. 11/10 for both. A bit pricy but it's worth it! Nice spot to catch up with friends or go on a little date. Quite busy so not great for studying or reading. Line moves quite fast. read more

Baker & Commons - Outside sign - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Yum! Whenever I am in Berkeley I try to stop by Baker and Commons. It gives small-town vibes in the best way possible with friendly staff and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. They have great mochas and delicious house-made biscuits. Their caesar salad is pretty good too. Highly recommend! read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is amazing!! Located in the heart of Elmwood, Baker & Commons is a neighborhood staple. Their coffees all come with two shots of espresso, and they have a rotating menu of baked goods that smell and look incredible. They also have a menu of food for their sit-down restaurant, including a soup of the day. The restaurant itself is on a corner lot. It gets great sun and has some outdoor seating. You can pick up a free postcard at the register with a beautiful watercolor painting of the restaurant on it (perfect to put up on your fridge!). The coffee is excellent. The double shot of espresso is tasty. I've had both iced and hot coffees from Baker & Commons, and I loved them both. The iced latte I had did not taste watered down, which is a huge plus. I also tried some baked goods: a slice of pear cake with a salted maple frosting, a savory scone with sun-dried tomato and herbs, and a slice of coconut almond cake. Genuinely so good! And I'm not even a dessert person! The people who work here are extremely friendly and will strike up a conversation with customers, regardless of the length of the line. The restaurant has a very homey feel. I'll definitely be returning! read more

Baker & Commons - Sign - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Stopped in on a whim and they had one item in the bakery that's gluten free and vegan... it was a red berry (strawberry or raspberry jam bar, I was too excited and hungry lol. The bar was hands-down one of the best oat bars I've had. The crust and oat crumb was a perfect balance of juicy jam and streusel. Not overly sweet. I can't wait to go back. Helpful staff and a very large indoor dining room, come and plan to stay and visit with friends or get some work/studying done. read more

Baker & Commons - Red Berry Jam Oat Bar (I think it was raspberry) it was Vegan & Gluten Free :) - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Such a cute little brunch spot, great place to go with a group of friends. I got the avocado toast, which was a little bit on the pricier side, but definitely one of the better tasting avocado toasts I have had. Would come back to try the biscuit sandwiches and cakes! read more

Baker & Commons - Interior - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Bustling cafe with excellent oat milk lattes and great pastries (the almond flour tea cake, the biscuits with jam, yum!) Line moves quickly. (Paid) street parking generally available or there's a city lot around the corner. read more

What a joke that this place has 3 stars. Reviews like this can ruin the integrity of yelp! This place is delicious. We ordered coffees and Matcha's and pastries. I actually went back and asked if we can cut the line to order a couple more pastries. Highly recommend. High-quality food and delicious coffee! read more

It's a very local cozy neighborhood cafe with variety of great choices of coffee drinks and pastries/cakes. Great place for brunch and afternoon coffee. Check for soup of the day for sure. Service is normal cafe order-to-sit with great casual atmosphere with WiFi. Indoor and outdoor settings available. There is flat entry and wide inside and outside for navigation. Good for kids with high chairs and outdoor seating, seniors, groups, meetup and couples. There is free parking lot bring the cafe. Free and paid street parking spots available. read more

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This place is really busy even though I was first in line, a crowd started forming when I sat down. I ordered the Shakshukua and it was pretty good. The eggs were runny and the stew didn't stick to it. I had the same dish in Istanbul and it set the standard. read more

Baker & Commons - Shakshouka - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Worst breakfast place I have ever been outrageous price, long line, non friendly staff, bugs all over no place to sit. We ordered shashutka which was bowl full of "one dollar" canned dice tomatoes and barely visible egg, two small pieces of bread tax included $20, worst choice . After few bite I got nauseous and the whole day I had bloating stomach with upper abdominal pain, coffee was cold and old. When I took coffee to cashier to let her know is cold and old , she gave me a nasty look. Don't even wast your time and money. Everything was bad. Only nice thing is location . I wish I could give no star or minus star. Very poor management. I am 100% sure that all good reviews here are fake from family and friends with fake accounts. read more

Came here serendipitously after being disappointed by another bakery across the street. This review is solely on their bakery items. We got the chocolate cream scone, the huckleberry coffee cake, the earl grey cake and the fleur de sal chocolate chip cookie. The chocolate chip cookie was amazing. I love almost anything with fleur de sal. The coffee cake was really good as well. I really liked the 1:1 ratio of crumble to cake. The huckleberry was deliciously tart. The scone had a nice crisp exterior. The earl grey cake had a really great floral flavor, I need to know what kind of earl grey they used. It had a swiss meringue buttercream topping. Though as a personal preference I think if there were a chocolate ganache layer it would have sent this cake over the top. Located on the corner of Russell and College. Street parking, I forget if it were metered parking. They had a tremendous amount of treats to choose from and I wanted to order one of everything. There was even treats on the window sill. They have tons of seating inside and outside. On a slightly higher pricing, but worth every penny. I am definitely very excited to go back to try more items and maybe even their breakfast selections. read more

Ordered a breakfast sandwich and sausage with a side of potatoes. Was delivered two salads. The receipt had my order listed correctly. Do better!!! UPDATE: owner contacted me and took care of of the issue. Thank you so much! I will be ordering again. read more

What a great local gem that's obviously one of the worst kept secrets. Great selection of your coffee drinks but the baked goods look fantastic! Also reasonably priced and service with a smile. read more

Went back today coffee is over $4 a cup. It was fine. Order at the counter find a table. Limited seating. No table service. Why do people like this place? read more

Service matters. I remember having a somewhat middling experience when this space was the Elmwood Cafe, but quite frankly, that didn't compare to the level of disservice I received on my recent visit. Listen, I don't write smack about a cafe unless it's warranted. This time it was. I knew it was a bad omen when I was standing in front of the order taker. A bossy woman behind me decided to grab a laminated menu lying in front of me and slapped it over my face without acknowledging her self-entitled behavior. The order taker was apparently amused but looked impatient for my order. I decided on the $15.95 Shrimp Louie Salad and a $3.50 Iced Tea. I got a number and to their credit, I got my Iced Tea right away (photo: https://yelp.to/HBWySA22KT). I found a small table outside and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited. Meanwhile, young customers arrived, ate, and departed. Even the bossy woman got her hot food and left. I guess I should consider myself lucky she didn't hit me with a bread roll or her purse. I went inside twice to inquire about my salad, which mind you, didn't require any cooking. I was told it was coming. I could've guessed that. Coming onto the half-hour mark, the salad arrived with no acknowledgement of delay, no sense of anything done wrong by me. An apology would have been nice but nothing I was expecting given the indifference to my inquiries. The salad itself was underwhelming considering the wait - just four shrimp, a poached egg, and the remnants of a mixed greens salad. The asparagus was MIA (photo: https://yelp.to/P1afhPx4Df). Oh me, oh my. FOOD - 2.5 stars...a lackluster shrimp louie that would've been rejected even at Fishermans Wharf AMBIANCE - 3 stars...as good as Elmwood gets SERVICE - 1 star.., this is where they fall...big time BOSSY WOMAN - 0 stars...just mean TOTAL - 2 stars...at the moment people don't give a damn RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more

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Stopped by for a little mid afternoon snack with my partner, enjoyed a thick slice of creamy cheese cake, and the classic hot cocoa. Before the whole social media debacle at Elmwood café, I really did enjoy all the breakfast and lunch items on this menu and the more affordable prices, especially for the baked goods. However, I don't find myself coming back to this establishment as often due to the high prices. Anyhow, thought I might give it a try today. Service is friendly, and the interior has café vibes that older folks seem to enjoy for reading and doing work. read more

Baker & Commons - Hot chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love coming to Baker & Commons! The food is delicious. They provide you with excellent customer service specially Roxana and Feven. They are the best! Great ambiance. Thank you for always providing me great customer experience. read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I came here with my partner on a Sunday afternoon! We parked in the back and got in line. The place has smaller tables with indoor and outdoor seating. It seems like the tables are "first come first serve" like a cafe. My cashier was very enthusiastic, and we got our order within 15ish minutes. We loved the avocado toast with the poached egg. Having it over garlic bread made the item taste so flavorful. I enjoyed the creaminess from the avocado, and the freshness with the tomato. The poached egg added so much more, it was my favorite avocado toast by far! The shakshouka was okay. The eggs and tomatoes paired nicely with the toasted bread. However, I think it tasted plain, it wasn't too special or flavorful. My partner had the smoked salmon sandwich. He said it was also okay, a little too salty. I got a taste and felt like it needed some creaminess too. Overall, the portions were small and price was high, but the place is very cute and we were happy to have gone once. read more

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the avocado toast was solid & reasonably priced! for those with a sweet tooth, baker & commons always has a gorgeous display of seasonal, freshly baked goods right next to the counter - you can't go wrong with any of those. i would skip out on the decaf chai latte here - it just tasted like milk with cinnamon unfortunately, but the baked goods alone are still worth the trip here! read more

Baker & Commons - Avocado Toast and Shakshouka - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Brief Summary: - Light portions - Indoor and outdoor seats available - Line out of the door. Suggestion is that if you are in line, line along the wall instead of standing straight from the door entrance - Food orders will be delivered to your table; drinks are called out - After eating, bus your used dishes to the bus station There were a few places we marked as a place we wanted to eat, and this was one of them. We were attracted to the photos that were taken at this restaurant. In the early morning, when we arrived at this location, there was a line out of the door, turned a corner and then ran along the wall. At that time, we were going to take a few walks around the block and then return to this street. The time proceeded into the mid-afternoon, and the line was not that long anymore. We probably waited around 15 minutes when the seats opened up. All of the ordering was one at the entrance clerk, and then we went inside and claimed a seat. Because we ordered food, we got a number but the staff informed us that the coffee and tea will be called out. Fortunately, I was sitting with my relatives, so they sat and waited for the food while I was close to the kitchen and pickup station for the coffee and tea. I was amazed to see the staff members shifting around cooking, plating and filling coffee cups in a space as small as some chain-store coffee place that started with the letter S. The drinks came first; we drank a few cups of coffee around town so we decided to only have tea for that day. it comes in a cute yellow teapot, and the tea was refreshing. The food came at the same time, so there was no wait time between the group. At the time, my appetite was low because I had a headache, so the current portion was nice at the time. However, if I was at my usual appetite, the portions are light and small. A relative of mine, who was at their usual hungry day, peered at their plate and flashed a perplexed expression at me, a subtle but glaring hint that a post-meal is required. For the meal itself we ordered a toast with poached egg, the avocado toast -- that appeared most in the photo list --, and grilled cheese with today's soup. For this day, the soup was beet soup, and that was very delicious. Out of the three meals, the grilled sandwich stood out. The surface was crispy, so it was a great texture element with the gooey cheese. read more

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A huge line outside got my attention, so we came by the next day. Food was just OK.. I ordered shakshuka and my husband a sandwich. Scones were fine, not amazing as advertised. Inside the restaurant is super crowded and uncomfortable. Will not go back. read more

Food was delicious! Service was confusing. It wasn't clear what things would be delivered to outside seating. Seating outside on the sidewalk was okay for a coffee is okay, but a little rough for a meal. read more

French cafe ambience in Elmwood. Popped in mid-morning on a Saturday. While more than half the tables were full, the turnover is quick enough that you won't be waiting long. We snagged a table tucked along the front window and ordered brunch with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Their wine selection consists of "easy drinking," table wine ($10/glass or $20/bottle for all wines) and the Sauvignon Blanc arrived chilled in an ice bucket. The poached egg sandwich and Biscuit Sandwich were both delightful! I would prioritize their homemade biscuits, which are hearty and buttery. Overall, a solid experience that I would be happy to repeat. read more

Baker & Commons - Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich, Poached Egg Sandwich and a bottle of NZ Sauvignon Blanc - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The seasonal salads and sandwiches are delicious. My favorite is the hummus sandwich, creamy hummus with lots of veggies on yummy bread. And the baked goods are dangerously scrumptious. Some of my favorites are the oat jam crumbles (gf), almond coconut cake (gf), apple pie, zucchini date bread. The yogurt granola fruit parfait is tasty. The service is pleasant, and if you can score a seat outside in the sunshine, the people watching on College and Russell is top notch. So glad I can walk to this cafe for a work break, to meet friends, lunch, or an early dinner. Highly recommended! read more

Good bakery goods, efficient service but don't expect much hands on help - not bad just is. Very good breakfast for a college town restaurant. The restaurant has that college town feel of we're deeper than fast food, but not everybody invoked is making a career of found service - relaxed vibe. read more

One of the best cafes in Berkeley for either just hanging or for getting work done - which is saying something given you have to use a phone hotspot if you want WiFi. Tons of great places to sit inside and outside. Solid coffee, amazing pastries (salted chocolate chip especially), and excellent breakfast options (biscuit sandwich is sizable + cheap; anything with their biscuits is great). Also right in the middle of a super nice (and imo the best) neighborhood in Berkeley, elmwood read more

Baker & Commons is a classic Berkeley cafe. It has the small town ambience of Elmwood and feels like the perfect local spot for brunch, meeting up with friends, studying, or a nice date. The cafe has seating inside and outside, and there can sometimes be a line out the door that goes by very quickly. They have a great variety of desserts and bites to pair with any drink. I am a big fan of Baker and Commons now as it's one of my favorite study spots (though they have limited outlets by the window and no free wifi), but I only have one main note which is don't order a matcha (tastes a bit like cereal milk). read more

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Love this place - kind staff, tasty food, and cozy vibe. Can be hard to get a table at peak times. Desserts are particularly good.