Smell: Bleachy, dirty rags. Available sugar: Brown, white, and some offbrand fake equal style stuff. My drink: Nonfat latte. Great until it started to cool and then it tasted really, really weird and I ditched it. Final Thoughts: Too bad there's not something in between "Meh. I've experienced better" and "A-OK." read more

Good place to get some work or reading/writing done. Besides the music playing through the speakers it's normally somewhat quiet (most tables are taken up by solitary people staring blankly into their laptops). Coffee and other drinks are good, service is friendly and I like that my coffee comes in a pint glass. If you're hungry they normally have quiches, some fruit, pastries and a few other desserts. There are also three two-person tables outside. read more

This place has been clutch for when I need to study my booty off. I drink tea more than coffee and they have a honey green tea that's soothing and sweet. The classical music playing in the background is great brain food. This place is pretty unassuming and hence the sandwiches are relatively cheap for a cafe. read more

Prices are reasonable. Chai Tea was done well. Why three stars? Because of the noise!!! I have earplugs in and I am still too utterly distracted to get any work done. I've been here about an hour and a half and gotten almost nothing done, despite a massive time crunch. Barista was having loud conversations for much of my first hour, now there are other people having extremely loud conversations that I can hear every word of, even with ear plugs. If not for the noise, I might be a fan. (I was also told it would be a good place to do some work, so the fact that it's not may make me unfairly harsh.) Also, tables aren't quite big enough (certainly not for two to work together) -- luckily it's only about a quarter full, so I can have two. Lighting is not bad. Music (classical) is a little louder than many places, but I think it's a good level. Overall a nice ambience, and probably a good spot for a conversation, if not to study/work. read more

Recommended by a friend as a place with (mostly) adults, worked for a couple of hours on a sunny Thursday afternoon and enjoyed it. Would I go back - YES! PLUS (good!) Chocolate Chip cookie Ice coffee (I'm a San Franciscana and while I love my coffee, this was A-O-K) Wi-Fi speed pretty good Quiet Not the most comfortable place in the world, but it works Short walk from BART MINUS Only a couple power strips in the place if you're looking for power I sat next to the bathroom, and, well, it could use some air freshener (yikes) read more

Quiet environment with plenty of natural light and mini-tables for wi-fi-ers. Good place to sit for a bit, get some paperwork done, and observe the funky characters in and out of the cafe. Cappuccino was also quite good, and the staff were very friendly. Will be returning. read more

Limited number of outlets and thus I was forced to sit next to the bathroom. The bathroom reeks like those of local high schools - utterly smelly, which only gets worse after the door is closed. It is also quite unnecessary to have a key to the bathroom. I'm sure half of the recipients don't wash their hands (because it should take a good minute at the very least for men to peepee, wash their hands - a recommended 30 seconds - and to dry their hands). Goodness, someone just dropped the key on the floor. Now it's covered in pee and whatnot and I have to use the bathroom (and for the first time to). Other that those sour notes, it's a pleasant coffee place to study at with the spacious tables. Coffee isn't bad (and my cup wasn't freshly brewed but I did get a $0.10 discount for bringing my own mug, I think). Customer service wasn't bad. Internet speed wasn't not bad, too. PS Your website is broken. read more

Coffee: Not too specific about drinks and usually end up getting some type of latte. Probably not the best place to go, if you have very high standards for your coffee. Service: Amazing every time! Had a heart to heart conversation about my education with one of the baristas! Seating: Plenty available and people are polite enough for sharing tables when it gets packed. Outlets are plentiful too! Ambience: Super cute and has that hipster productive feel that I always pictured in a coffee shop. Perfect to get things done, but also to look outside and people watch on Shattuck. read more

An awesome cafe in the North Berkeley/Downtown Berkeley area. They serve strong and great tasting coffee that hits the spot and gives me the caffeine boost I need. I've also tried their sandwiches, which are tasting and filling (and come with your choice of either a salad or chips). There's also plenty of seating, so it's good place for studying or catching up with a friend. It also helps that they play light classical music, so the sound is never too loud for people trying to have conversations or those looking to concentrate on studying. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART station, so if you need to stay near BART or the university, the location might be a little inconvenient. Still, it's one of those peaceful cafes that I like to go to regularly. Plus they have a bookshelf where people can exchange books for free. Whether you're just making a quick stop for coffee or are staying to study/work or do some personal reading, this is a great place to check out. read more

A regular haunt for me now. Comfortable chairs inside and outside, as well. Outlets are far from sparse and cherry on top for free wifi. Although I have yet to diverge from my mocha route at Berkeley Espresso, their regular mocha and white chocolate mocha are practically sinful (that is if my favorite barista is working that day). It's a relatively quiet joint (no blaring music or loud group meetings to be had) so it's a great environment to actually get work done or start on a book. read more

Decided to check out this place instead after learning that the espresso machine over at Fertile Grounds broke; boy, it was a great decision. It wasn't even 7:30 yet and there was already a bit of a line, but it moved very quickly. The barista was quick and friendly, and their mocha is one of the best I've ever had--with house-made whipped cream to boot! WIll definitely make this my go-to place for mochas from now on. read more

Delicious almond milk cappuccino, cute art, and friendly staff! Great way to start my morning. read more

Berkeley Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's a great cafe to study at. They have wifi and outlets to charge electronic devices, which is a big big PLUS. They are also open till late. But if you're hungry, you might as well grab a bite somewhere else, unless you prefer bagels and cream cheese. I ordered a tuna melt, and they microwaved my tuna. :( It still tastes good, and it's not like I don't microwave food at home. Plus, it's just $6 something. I ordered a small mocha, and it's in a huge glass!!!! Overall, I'm loving this cafe. OH! did I mention they are open till late?!?? Definitely coming back for late night studies!!! read more

I hate to give this great review because I would love to keep my favorite late night study place to myself... But it is truly awesome :) friendly service and great music read more

I walked in and asked to please use the bathroom. I clearly had to go badly. The guy working said "nah, it's broken" and didn't give me a second look. Bad service and not nice at all. :( read more

Best place to work in Berkeley! It gets a bit crowded at times, but even then if you wait 5-10 minutes a table will open. Great smoothies and coffee, classical music, and great working environment. read more

Positive: Great atmosphere. Classical radio playing on speakers, with other customers chatting in the background. Many are studying though, so if you study best in a mostly-quiet atmosphere (like I do), this is a great place to work. Also, the employees were very friendly. The prices were good considering the drink sizes. Negative: The drinks were lousy. I ordered two different kinds of espressos, one plain and one con panna machiato, but they both were very bitter, even after adding packets and packets of sugar. I don't think I'll ever come here again. read more

I love this place! My review is long-awaited. I've been coming here for about a year and love the coffee and the reasonably-priced food! Employees are also really friendly and quick :) read more

My go-to coffee shop for espresso and working through the morning! Employees are always friendly, and there's a small recurrent group of regular-attendees that lend charm to the place. Most mornings it is busy enough to have an energy to it, but rarely so much that you can't find a table to yourself. read more

I'm not really sure why so many people come here to study regularly. The coffee is okay, but there's really poor lighting, rickety tables, and it's so crowded! Plus, you'll get one dope sitting alone (without coffee, mind you) yapping on a cell phone. Just walk a couple blocks up Shattuck, and presto, you've got at least a handful of other cafes to choose from. read more

I love this place. I love the colors and I love the general atmosphere. One of the baristas I dealt with was super sweet. I thought the coffee was just fine. It was better than the stuff I brew at home, but not the best in the world. To be honest though, I really don't need THE BEST when I'm practically falling asleep trying to study my butt off. I just need something to keep my chugging along. It's far enough from the campus that it doesn't get too bad, but close enough that I don't need to drive. Plus, the music they play isn't distracting like at Starbucks. This is the quintessential Berkeley cafe and I wish I was a Cal student so I could come here more often! read more

Servers are mostly friendly, especially the girl on Sundays. -1 star because the will change their prices randomly (i.e., if you are not careful, the price they will ring you up will be different from what it says on the display). read more

So I'm regular costumer at t.f his great place, I normally stop every morning and as any other costumer I spend my money here. I also stop occasionally ones a week or 2 just for a few minutes and today of all days the guy who takes care of the afternoon shift didn't allow me to use the bathroom. He claims that I only come here to use the bathroom and never purchase anything. The guys in the morning are super awesome and I can only say that coming here for the last 6 months every morning before I head out to work The other guys are summer cool and never deny the bathroom to anyone No matter if u buy a cup of coffee or a simple bagel. I have seen the late shift guy deny entry to other too! He sucks and has a horrible attitude read more

The coffee is really good. I want to go here again to have the coffee again. Also the soy latte was the best I've ever had! Staffs were friendly all the time but the food came out late for only 2 staffs were dealing with overflowing orders. The background classical music definitely helps boosting concentration and creativity. Minus one star is because of not so clean environment but in another word, it's cozy and it was okay. read more

Here is the 'rub.' The prices at this place are freakin' 50% cheaper than 'Bucks, that is a latte is $1.65. (Was $1.50 a month ago.) Bucks is $3.00 plus. Infinitely better than Starbucks and a star ahead of Peet's, for that matter.. The staff, mainly Latino, are fast and efficient to an almost Germanic degree, which I count as a plus. (If you have Bay Area Attention Deficit and prefer a consultation to placing an order, stay the 'F' away from this speedily-served place.) There are hot chicks a plenty peering at you over their "study glasses," if that's your bag. The classical music, (and I'm an expert is a LITTLE Mozart-centric, but it's still better than the bogus free jazz at Bucks.) Now, for the negative. Nuts. There is one crazy 70-something dude with a tiny pony-tail who imagines himself the bathroom attendant. He will attempt to wipe down the front of your trousers when you come out of the can. Ah, nah! He also constantly goes compulsively in/out to make sure it's 'nice' in there. After two hours, an overly-tolerant management, (even by Berkeley standards) punts him. Too, please find the uber -thin, 60-something "crushed by divorce" woman. Her gig is fiddling incessantly and angrily with the bulletin board - it's as if she receives messages from Stalin from the damn thing. Glare at her and she'll shoot you a sado-demonic look; yikes. ... As well as the various "street-stinkies" constantly coming in to use the bathroom. If you can sit near the windows and away from the bathroom, you should be fine, but in truth, Management needs to aggressively bar the door to the stinkies. The nutty woman and man are tolerable, just. In all, four stars. read more

My favorite coffee shop to hang out and get some work done, especially over the weekends! The wifi is fast and there are lots of power outlets. The baristas are friendly, keep conversing with friends in Italian (I think?), and are always glued to football on the telly. I usually get an americano, which is strong and nice. My wife seems to like the mocha bianca. What else? Cheap espresso drinks. The classical music playing in the background isn't too loud. Parking is relatively easier to find around this place after 6pm (compared to coffee shops around downtown Berkeley and close to campus). They've also started accepting credit cards now for purchases over 5 bucks, and there are some new Ikea poang chairs at the entrance. read more

This place has cheap decent food, and terrible service. I was nearly assaulted by a customer while I was using the bathroom and the staff did absolutely nothing about it. This customer harassed me while I was in the bathroom. He was slamming against the door, and eventually convinced the staff to give him a key. He then unlocked the door and tried to barge in on me. The situation escalated, and the staff did nothing. Other customers told me this guy has been a troublemaker before, and that he just sticks around Berkeley Espresso all the time. In retrospect, I should have called the police. Just go to Fertile Grounds, it's a block away and all around way better. read more

I thought this place looked adorable when I passed by, and was pleased that I found a relatively quiet coffeeshop with an outlet to work in. I ordered an almond biscotti and a cappuccino. The cappuccino was unfortunately terrible -- watery, with some milk foam placed on top after the coffee was made. The coffee tasted burnt and I was left disappointed -- with a name like berkeley espresso, I definitely expected better coffee. The prices, too, are more expensive than the decor and place would suggest. I was left dissatisfied -- I now understand why this coffeeshop isn't more popular! read more

This was such a great experience! Loved everything we had for a quick lunch! We had lemonades and two different sandwiches. Everything was fresh and delicious and the staff was excellent. read more

Crowded with very little space to maneuver between the small tables. But I had an excellent decaf mocha (thus proving by my order that I am not really qualified to Yelp coffee shops) read more

The only thing this place has going for it is its prime location in downtown Berkeley and its large space that accommodates a lot of folks on their laptops. Their service and coffee, however, are truly horrendous. I walked in yesterday during a moment in which it was not very busy. Despite the fact that no one was in line, I waited two minutes while the two men waited behind the counter talking and texting. Finally, I ordered but it felt uncomfortable (as if I was inconveniencing them with my presence). I waited patiently for five minutes for my drink, but the two men continued to text and talk behind the counter. I waited a few more minutes and finally informed them that I had ordered a coffee ten minutes ago. I would've understood the wait had it been extremely hectic and busy, but it wasn't by any means. The man then asked me if I was sure I ordered and if I had paid. When he finally made my drink, he did not apologize for their screw up. Even the coffee itself was subpar. There were also no cup jackets, so I couldn't even hold the drink without being burnt. Overall, I would really dissuade anyone from going here because there are a myriad of other nice cafés in the area where they appreciate your service and make great coffee. Awful! read more

Good pastries, but the espresso I had here lacked body and tasted as if the beans had not been stored properly. They are cash only, which I didn't find out until I ordered. The space is nice, but not the best espresso in this coffeehouse saturated area. read more

i was a regular here once: i was lured by their library like atmosphere and free wifi. this is definitely a "bring your lap top and give dirty looks to people talking" kind of place. i even spent a valentine's day here once!! why have i turned to bitter and sour, you ask? well, we had a bad break up a year ago, and yes, i'm still angry at you, berkeley espresso. why? well, you don't give your regulars hell for sitting down for a sec before buying something, you clean your bathrooms (this place has the most disgusting musky bathroom ever), and you make some attempt to make decent coffee at least every once in a while. i was so outraged at how rude they were to me, that i haven't gone back once. try village grounds down the street for a good study environment or guerrilla for excellent coffee and a more social ambiance. read more

You know, I've been coming here quite a bit lately, and I must say that the music is better and not blasted as loud as it used to be...don't know why this is, but I like it. Also, I've gotten avocado sandwiches a few times, and they're quite good! The veggies (and corn chips the sandwich comes with) all taste fresh and yummy. I'll give them another star. read more

They were supposed to close at 11pm, but they turned off lights and Internet around 10:20!

A classical music soundtrack and plenty of spacious seating makes Berkeley Espresso a nice little study spot. The coffee itself is rather bland. It doesn't really have anything too special about it but if you just need a spot to sit and get some work done it'll do. read more

I'm not particularly fond of this cafe located in Northwest Berkeley across from Oscar's. I'm a big stickler about cafe ambiance and this cafe is rather dark and depressing. Even though it's surrounded by big glass windows, the cafe is still a shady place. When you walk inside, you look around and you see 20+ zombies sitting around you diligently staring blankly into their laptops. Because this cafe is dark, the bluish hue glowing off their laptop prone faces. You walk to the counter and the barista is sometimes kind of stand-offish. You look behind the counter and it's rather dirty. Their portafilters are dirty and they don't rinse out the old ground. They simply knock the old used ground in the trash and go to grind more ground into the same filter. They pull their shots for at least 30 seconds so when you receive your espresso, it's pretty dark and murky. It's not thick either. The viscosity is runny - not the way proper espresso should be. Oh another thing, keep in mind also that their cafe au laits are made with espresso (same as a flat latte). Overall, the cafe has a dark and depressing vibe with mediocre coffee. read more

I like their hot chocolate. It's a bit eerie with all the people lined up against the window looking in, staring at their computers. Especially on cold days when the windows are foggy, it makes you hesitate to enter what seems to be an outerspacearium. Open until 11pm, which is great. read more

Nice staff, inexpensive lunch (if you get the salad/sandwich combo for $5-something), and they don't hassle you if you want to sit there and work on their free wifi forever, though sometimes you have to ask them to restart it (but they're always nice about it). My go-to place for a late night working away at a local cafe! :) read more

I wish i could give my experience at Berkeley Espresso a big fat zero. OMG! On a lovely Saturday we stumbled upon this place for some ice lattes. My friend ordered an ice latte and i ordered a "single shot espresso with cold almond milk, like an ice latte but no ice". My order will be the key element in this story. I sat down outside and my friend waited for our drinks. She got hers and came out and said that the barista was giving her an attitude because she told him that the drink he had made wasn't what i ordered. (note: she heard me say and knew what i ordered!!!) I went in and Luis (if he told me his real name) gave me a single shot espresso in tiny cup and some almond milk. I told him that it wasn't what i ordered and repeated "single shot espresso with cold almond milk, like an ice latte but no ice". He told me that I only ordered an espresso. I replied that it wasn't the drink what i wanted. This is how our conversation continued: Luis: "If you want that drink than i have to charge you extra because i charged you an espresso." Me: "Ok, I am happy to pay the difference. It must have been a misunderstanding. No problem. Luis: "No problem?! No problem?! It's no problem for you, but it's a problem. You ordered an espresso and now you want a latte." I got pissed. Me: "I don't understand why are you making a big deal. Even if I didn't say "ice latte no ice" (my friend heard me say it and i order my drink with these exact words the same time for years) , I offered to pay the difference, i get the drink, end of story. Luis: "Calm down, calm down. I know that the costumer is always right but you asked for an espresso." His colleague (with glasses) stepped in and said that he should just give me the drink I wanted and that there was no point going back and forth. He finally gave me the drink. I thought that after harassing me for minutes its the least(!!!!!!!!!!!!!) that i earned my f***ing latte. He snarled at me and said "It's 2$." I gave the drink back and asked for my money back and also requested a manager. Luis said he was the manager. I would like to be contacted by the owner or by another manager who knows how to run a business and treat costumers. Thank you! read more