This place is cute and the chai latte is very good. The ambiance is so nice and the seating outside is what i like a lot. The BLT is my favorite and i like the biscuit sandwich too (a little heavy), just not the best food out there. But very cute for a nice morni read more

Two visits in one day. Quality generally good but a few things mean the value is lacking. Poached eggs were nicely cooked but came on cold hard toast - so hard a knife couldn't cut it. At lunch the chicken salad sandwich had lots of greens but very little chicken salad - like less than 1/3 of a cup. Hardly qualified as a snack, and definitely wasn't a meal. For $17 that's more than just disappointing. Drinks were very good (though also modest size for the price). Cookie was excellent - stick to those! read more

Best tiramisu I've ever had was from here. The balance between the mascarpone, thin layers of soaked lady fingers and generous chocolate powder dusting made this delectable. read more

Waited 30 minutes for smoked salmon toast... (nothing was hot or cooked in this order) I usually like this place to have a coffee and read but after 20 minutes I asked to just box the toast- it was clear that they forgot even when I checked a couple times on the order. Don't recommend- very disappointed. read more

Cute little café but it does get pretty busy with a line often times. Their food is good buts it's a little overpriced for me, which is why I'm eating it a 4. I got their avocado toast and they put some certain garlic spread on it which makes it super delicious! Their pastries and desert selection looks pretty solid so I can't wait to try those next time read more

Everything went well. My go to place for my group dessert orders. Sooo many favorites. This beauty must be posted. See attached photo of the Citrus Cake. As good as it looks. Kudos Baker and Commons staff and Pastry Chef read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

What a tasty early lunch!!!! There was plenty of seating inside but it's TIGHT. Plenty of people were enjoying the outdoor seating available, too. My friend and I split a banana chocolate muffin situation that was VERY GOOD. Huge valhrona lookin chocolate bits. Our large drinks came in actual bowls. She got the smoked salmon option and subbed avo for cream cheese. My cow cheese intolerant body enjoyed a sub of goat cheese instead of Gruyère in my roast chicken sandwich. Flavors were great. Acme Bread roll was soft. Balsamic vinaigrette that came with my side salad was delightful and bright. Greens were fresh. I really enjoyed myself! Highly recommend. They write your name on a little dry erase placard and the timing of the food was A-okay. There's also PARKING right in the back!!!! It's metered but I had NO IDEA that was a thing. Very easy to use the pay by mobile app or whatever. read more

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Baker and commons is a very cute neighborhood spot with delicious food and drinks. There are heartier options like breakfast sandwiches but also many pastries to choose from. Staff have always been polite and the service is quick even with its usual weekend line. read more

I visited on a rainy day and initially the line was out the door and the dining room was full. I decided to wait it out and take a quick shop at Mrs. Dalloway's books next door. By the time I picked out a book the line was cleared and a table was available. I ordered an egg biscuit with bacon and avocado and a caramel latte with almond milk. The latte was served in a preciously huge mug and tasted like a warm hug! Absolutely divine. The biscuit sandwich was a mess to eat and I ended up making it more of a "scramble" and ate it with a fork. Nonetheless, it was delicious and I'd absolutely order it again. They had plenty of other sweet treats and pastries available that I didn't try this time bust definitely plan to on the next trip! Overall the vibe is super cozy tucked between the bookstore. Great place to study or read or just socialize with friends! read more

Baker & Commons - Breakfast biscuit sandwich and caramel latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I usually just grab some pastries to go here since it's always so busy! The cookies are my favorite. They have the perfect texture and flavor. The scones are also nice and soft. There's a coconut cake/ loaf that's so moist and has a natural coconut flavor that's also really good! read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Friendly staff and patrons. Great for business meet ups or casual drinks and eats. I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup that was delicious. Chai tea was great as well. Weekends are BUSY!! To get a better experience, frequent it on a weekday like Monday at noon read more

Salads are amazing! As are their sandwiches and baked goods & cafe drinks. Service is quick and easy with indoor and outdoor spaces. Great neighborhood vibe in lovely shopping area of Rockridge/Elmwood. Great bookstore nextdoor! read more

Food is yummy. I wish service were better and owner smiled sometimes. Best gluten free pastries pretty much in all of Berkeley and oakland. Would be even better with GF bread! read more

Those folks know how to bake! The biscuits and the cinnamon rolls are top notch. They're homemade.

Went around 4:30pm. Not so busy and the weather was so nice! The service was great. My Mocha was delicious read more

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Nice, old school coffee shop with solid drinks. Staff is very kind, although drinks are very pricey. Good spot for morning coffee or a late brunch. Has ample outdoor and indoor seating. read more

Baker & Commons - Iced lavender latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great chicken Sandwich and mocha was thick and delicious. Staff friendly. Plenty of space in the place.

We got the breakfast egg and cheese sandwich with bacon and the poached eggs on toast --- I'd recommend the first! The biscuit really brought it all together. Each of the drinks come in giant bowl like mugs and are carefully made and taste/ smell amazing!! The pastries looked great too and I'd like to come back soon and try those. This place is so cute inside and out with enough seating for both. The food took a bit long to come out but the drinks didn't take long at all. It is on the pricey side though, especially for the portions. It's on a busy intersection on college Ave so parking might be tough, recommend a residential street a few blocks above and below (bus stop is also right across the street and easy if you chose to do that). read more

Baker & Commons - Egg and cheese biscuit sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is so cute! Today was my first time at Barker & Commons. The ice latte was delicious, I loved very sip! I got a slice of the chocolate and banana bread and it was yummy. The person taking orders was very nice and welcoming. Such a lovely coffee shop, I can't wait to come back! read more

Baker & Commons - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great food, friendly staff, one of my favorite places for breakfast or lunch. The biscuits!

Really amazing pastries served here - warmed upon request! I really enjoyed the raspberry cinnamon coffee cake. I've never ordered anything like this at other stores. Their chai latte is watered down - do not expect much flavor. This milk mix could use a spicy friend. Very noisy and crowded on a Sunday noon. White sorority girls vibe here idk read more

Baker & Commons - raspberry cinnamon coffee cake + medium chai - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Baker and Commons is a cute, old school coffee shop with quality drinks and food in a great location. Prices are competitive to a little cheaper than I see for similar quality. The staff are friendly and there's a bookstore attached. What's not to love? My personal favorite is a tall glass of iced tea and a BLTA sandwich. Each ingredient is quality. Fresh arugula, ripe tomato and avocado, crunchy bacon and toasted artisan whole grain bread. read more

Baker & Commons - The coffee bar where you order and pick up drinks. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Day 2 of the Berkeley Restaurant to Go week, and Baker & Commons was the next stop. Right off College Ave, it is located in a busy area. Once entering, I was nicely greeted by the cashier and directed me to the menu. I went with the Poached Egg Biscuit, valued at $9.25. Then, I asked for the most popular, which was the Grilled Turkey sandwich, valued at $13.50. Finally, I went with a cappuccino The drink came out first and I was asked for how many sugar cubes: I said 2, but definitely needed more Wait was 10-15 minutes, and my order was ready. I drank my cappuccino on the way home. In itself the drink was very small for the price, but it had good taste. Poached Egg Biscuit was good size, but at the price, it was not worth it. It was a good bite, and the egg, cheese and biscuit were okay. I wouldn't order it again tho ‍ Grilled salmon sandwich was good as well. My sister also had a bite, but she just didn't like that combo. I'm glad my sandwich also came with salad, and dressing. But that part, the salad, ruined the experience at most part. It wasn't mentioned in the menu, and I didn't like the flavor, texture or combo with the sandwich. Let down there Day 2 of this Berkeley to Go week didn't go as day 1, but Baker and Commons surely have other options I need to give a chance. I'll give it another chance, but nowhere close right now read more

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This is my favorite restaurant spot after the movies. Everything delicious. Courteous and helpful. Menu has great variety. Soups are the best. Comfortable seating inside or outside. Very popular usually a line. Never disappoints read more

This place is a cute stop for brunch, but be aware it's definitely a bit pricey. A friend and I walked over to this restaurant in the morning, and the place was bright and welcoming. The white-brown-beige decor and theme definitely added to Baker & Commons' aesthetic. My friend ordered the polenta cake with whipped cream on the side (front cashier initiated and asked if we wanted the whipped cream), and I ordered the poached egg sandwich. The polenta cake was good and tasted almost of lemon. The poached egg sandwich also had a unique sauce beyond the simple egg, arugula, and bacon. The red sauce was savory, and it definitely added to the sandwich. Overall, the place is charming. The tables, food, and bright lighting make this restaurant welcoming and open for a nice meal. The prices are a little bit expensive for what you get. The seating itself is also a little bit scarce if going on a busy day. Be prepared to wait in line a little bit, and going on off-peak hours will allow you to easily snag a seat. read more

Baker & Commons - Poached Egg Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS. I went to Baker & Commons around 11 am this morning and across the street there was an unarmed Black man having a clear mental health crisis put posing no imminent threat of danger or violence to the surrounding community. His behavior was in no way, shape, or form violent or erratic. Later that day, I returned to College Ave. to see this same man swarmed with police cars, about 6 to 8 officers surrounding him as they basically corralled this man for nearly 40 minutes. In the end, five officers ended up grabbing this man all at once, pushing him into the glass window of a neighboring business in which the glass shattered in large 12-15 inch shards all around him, throwing him onto the ground roughly, and handcuffing him before strapping him into an EMT stretcher. I distinctly remember him stating he was in pain and also asking where he was being taken. The officers had no answer. I found out from those who had watched the entire thing unfold that the owner of Baker & Commons was the woman who called the police on this man. And she had done this before in the past on another non-violent, unarmed Black man, Bay Area Native and Celebrity Comedian W. Kamau Bell, and thus they changed their name to help save face. I approached the owner and asked why she felt the need to call police officers with no training at all to address what was clearly a mental health crisis for this man. She said she felt he posed a danger. I told her to take the Black Lives Matter Sign out of their window since toting such a sign is not synonymous with calling police on unarmed Black man. To Baker & Commons: you should be ashamed of yourselves and the handling of this incident. You jeopardized the life and safety of a Black man, your neighbor, for racist and ignorant reasons. To Berkeley consumers and possible patrons: I want you to know before deciding to give your business to Baker & Commons exactly what kind of owners and business you are supporting and giving your money to. And exactly how they treat and view their Black neighbors. I have had the owner remove their Black Lives Matter sign. Businesses and people alike should know better than to tote such signage while contributing to the same oppressive and racism systems in our county that actively contribute the harm done to Black citizens. Also, the biscuit I had earlier from Baker & Commons was dry and stale. Not worth the racism. read more

Baker & Commons - Black Lives Matter is not synonymous with calling the cops on unarmed Black citizens. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Solid cafe. Good mix of breakfast, baked goods, and sandwiches. Good selection of coffees and teas. We enjoyed the BLTA and the curry chicken sandwich. Both were tasty and very filling. Service was good and friendly. read more

Baker & Commons - Curried Chicken sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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For the first time in a while I was wowed by coffee. I ordered the lavender cold brew and it was phenomenal. The staff was friendly making polite conversation. I was getting supplies at the local mom and pop bird shop and happened to think I would like some coffee. This place is a few doors down on the corner and it did not disappoint. In fact, it wowed me. read more

Great customer service will always make me a repeat customer! And this establishment does not disappoint! Lots of smiles & attentiveness! It gives the "family owned" vibe. My latte was perfect and sizable- not overpriced like some of those other guys The avocado toast was refreshing- I eat it almost every where I go, this version is simpler than some others- will leave you guilt free I don't like nuts in my cake but I ordered the carrot cake and I didn't regret it! Great combination of flavors! I will be back when I come back to the area read more

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Loved the buttermilk biscuit and garlic herb roasted potatoes. Friendly service. Nice breakfast stop.

I walk into this restaurant looking forward to getting a breakfast sandwich to go and it was completely cold. The eggs were cold. The bacon was cold. The biscuit was cold but tasty. For $11 I could have eaten at McDonald's for double the amount of food. read more

I've not eaten breakfast and I have an nail appointment in a half hour. Thought this might be a quick fix. It's not. I sat at the counter for a good five minutes before I was kindly informed by the nice chef how to order. Oh, there's a sign. I guess my bad. Pro tip: Enter and grab a menu. Don't sit down. Order from the cashier. Get your drink there. You get a table stand with your name on it. Go find a seat. Once you find a place to sit (I chose the counter again), you will see the lone, but smiling chef (again) preparing all the food orders. A barista is there just cranking out espresso drinks. 20 minutes later, Bacon and two perfectly poached on toasted levain bread with a small portion of home fries. Oh, silverware? Go get it yourself at a condiment station. I took the last fork and waited a moment for a butter knife. Salt yes, but no pepper in sight. If there was jam or butter, I didn't see it. Gave myself 10 minutes to enjoy the very tasty breakfast. It was delicious! $12.95. Upon finishing, I wasn't instructed to bus my plates, but I did. As I left, I said "thank you" to the staff. Surprising smiles :-) were retuned. I doubt if I'll will return. read more

Baker & Commons - Bacon and Poached eggs. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food is ok, not great. Not really worth the money but on par with large breakfast chains. Seating is limited and very cramped. The service was the worst part of the visit though. It took 60 minutes for our order to be delivered. At a little over 30 minutes I ask about our order, they said they were plating it and it was up next. We then watched 4 more orders for the same items we had ordered get delivered to other guests. I asked again at about 50 minutes, 2 more to-go orders later they finally brought out our food. The topper was that after all that they got the order wrong. An hour wait for food in a busy restaurant is understandable, but not when you are serving orders for the same food ahead of others, and then to get it wrong on top of it, and then get irritated with the customer when they ask for a correction. Will not return, do not recommend. read more

Lovely neighborhood spot in Elmwood along College Ave! They're busiest in the morning, and usually have a line out the door for brunch. Their pastries are amaaaazing. I visited for dinner a few nights ago and tried the Curried Chicken sandwich. It was flavorful and delicious! My friend enjoyed her Fried Chicken sandwich as well. Both were served with side salads. The sandwiches are a bit pricey, but pretty on par for the Bay. Baker & Commons has plenty of outdoor seating, and is a nice place to visit for outdoor dining! They have little tables set up along the sidewalk, and bigger tables in their parklet. All tables are well spaced out. read more

Baker & Commons - Curried Chicken Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Baker and Commons is a go to place to grab breakfast and a coffee in Berkeley. I usually opt for the avocado toast with an egg which is quite delicious. I have also had the oatmeal on more than one occasion, but don't feel that it is anything too special or tasty, especially for the price you are paying... For coffee, I consistently order the lavender latte, which is really good when enough syrup is added (otherwise it just tastes like a regular latte). The lavender spritzer is a really refreshing drink as well. As for lunch items, my favorite is the tuna salad as a melt. It's very tasty and is a good portion for what you pay, as well as coming with a side salad. The interior is cute and cozy with a nice display of pastries which I have yet to sample. This place is usually bustling with customers, especially on weekends so be prepared to wait in line for sometimes upwards of 20-25 minutes. I have never felt that the service is anything special, or exceptional. I also feel that the ordering system is not very efficient and is definitely something I would like to see improved upon. Having only one employee taking the orders really slows things down. On one occasion, I had to wait about 40 minutes just to order with a line that wasn't incredibly long because of this inefficient system. Overall, the food and drinks are tasty but do not come here if you are in a rush! Even for Berkeley, I feel as though this is a pretty pricy spot, but the food is consistently good so really can't complain there. I would say the food and ambiance warrants this spot 4 stars, but the wait knocks down the rating. read more

I love this cafe but the ordering system needs improvement and training for the staff behind the ordering counter. I believe the one person taking orders from the long line can get overwhelmed with the ordering and preparing of drinks and passing out pastry. Few times they have forgotten to give us our pastry until we go up to ask (and you feel you are interrupting because orders are being taken from the long queue). Today, we asked for some extra jam and the staff said ok but never brought it. It was also the same staff who did not give us our pastry order. You can only approach the same person so many times. read more

While the food is ok, this spot is just so overpriced. I come because it's convenient, it's bright and casual, and the food is good, but portions are small and it's not cheap. I'd like to think that I just order wrong, but I leave feeling the same pretty much every time, when it was Elmwood Cafe to now. Most recently I had the smoked turkey salad. It was reminiscent of a cobb or chef's salad, however served on a side salad plate. For the $13 price tag, it was miniscule. The baked goods are more on par price wise and delicious. I come for work/community meetings and for that, it works. I don't think I'd come on my own. read more

Baker & Commons - Egg sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Berkeley popular restaurant on college Avenue near Ashby. There's usually a line out the door for a reason, the food is very tasty. I had the egg pouched sandwich with a pouched egg and tomato and arugula and a light aioli dressing that's deliciousness in a bun. I also purchased a cinnamon currents slice of toast. Very good and sweet without tasting like a pastry. Highly recommend this eatery that is also offering fully cooked dinners to simply reheat at home. read more

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Exceptional coffee, almond coconut cake is unexpectedly rich, kind of like a coconut macaroon. Very good.

This review is solely for the coffee cake. I had a piece and it absolutely took me back to my New Jersey childhood. It was so nice to chat with Kara for a couple of minutes; always lovely to meet other people from the east coast. read more