The only time I've ever been to a Blue Bottle Coffee was at the ferry building in San Francisco. So it was really nice to see one open in Montgomery Village. We ordered two cold brews and cheese sandwiches. The coffee was perfect but not sure if I would order the cheese sandwich-just a bit dry and not much cheese. Welcoming atmosphere and Lovely service! read more

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The drinks are mid, but this is my favorite coffee shop in Berkeley when it comes to ambience--perfect for warm minimalist lovers. Unfortunately, seating is limited and not very comfortable, so I wouldn't recommend it for studying or getting work done. To me, this Blue Bottle location is ideal for a quick weekend stop after a workout class or while running errands, but definitely more of a 15-minute visit than a cozy cafe to settle in. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Iced Chai Latte & Iced NOLA - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Got their affogato and grabbed a seat. This place was super busy on Saturday. Barely got a seat while waiting for a friend. Service was prompt and friendly. Plenty of parking. read more

What a terrible lack of customer service or caring this company exudes! My son and family moved to Portugal recently and ask me to bring a specific bean when visiting. Last November I searched the area at retail before heading to three area locations and at EACh I received disingenuous service as if the baristas were TOO busy to help. This time I tried calling but this poor the company is' "overwhelmed " with calls the message is to...email my requests! I drove from Walnut Creek to Berkeley and this is what I found!! I also found other more caring local roasters with better beans! I'll take those to Portugal and NEVER again attempt to support a company like Blue Bottle read more

I really enjoy the orange cream Nola iced. The service was quick since I ordered through the app and it was ready when I arrived. read more

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Their Nola Ginger Biscuit latte is so good! I am not sure if they will have it through the holidays, I sure hope so. I have also tried their iced Nola and Chai latte, both delicious as well. Service is quick, and convenient if you order through the app. The space is clean, simple, yet still welcoming! read more

I honestly don't get this place. The coffee is expensive and frankly not that good. In fact the coffee I got was one of the worst I've had in a while. It was bland, weak and not even hot. Also got a breakfast sandwich and it tastes like it's served on top of cardboard. Am I the only one? read more

The taste of the latte is nice but also really light. The coffee taste was incredibly faint and not worth its cost as it felt largely diluted by the milk. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We found Blue Bottle Coffee along University Avenue in Berkeley. I ordered the mocha latte and was impressed by the perfect leaf design crafted in the foam. It looks almost like it was etched by a laser machine. Parking can be cumbersome outside, but it's a nice way to walk around and check out the area with a cup of joe once you're settled with parking. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Blue Bottle Coffee: 2118 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, 20240822 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

This Blue Bottle location was and is a prime example of why I will be careful about going back to this location. It's located in a prime location in Downtown Berkeley which is quite convenient from the BART location, so I figured to go here and get my work done. Here was my experience thus far at the Berkeley location: (1) The first thing that irked me big time was the fact that they didn't have outlets... let alone blocked outlets that you don't allow guests to use. No wonder that's why there was such less foot traffic than all other local coffee shops in our area... The atmosphere of the coffee shop was absolutely unwelcoming too. Chairs were just the right size but tables were too close -- I didn't have enough personal space to get my work done and it was annoying having to tend to protecting my things because of the fact that the staff wasn't going to do anything to let these homeless people stay or leave. (2) The service was just very unwelcoming - it felt rushed and I had to force myself to smile through the ordering process of things. I was constantly looked down at the baristas like I was being surveillanced, and to be honest, it made me feel really uncomfortable. (3) Food wise: the iced NOLA with whole milk was actually a delicacy. It wasn't bad and the equilibrium between coffee and milk was right just there. Overall, i don't know if I'll be back honestly. read more

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Whenever we come visit our daughter at Cal, we try to make a stop here at Blue Bottle Coffee. I honestly haven't gone inside. I always just drop off my wife or kid to go get me coffee haha. I would love to go inside, BUT, parking is tough. Bay Area parking is always tough haha. So I spend time the driving around the block, waiting for them to come out with our drinks haha. It works out well because it looks like parking is not free. Parking is tough, and when you find parking, you have to pay. Thanks Berkeley haha. But yah, from what I can tell, this establishment is very clean inside. And the coffee is of course very good. I mean it's Blue Bottle. Just be aware, parking will be tricky to find. But if you have a passenger, kick them out so they can grab you, the drive, some awesome coffee haha. read more

Caffeine Fix and Natural Light! We were in Berkeley for a business meeting, and my colleague suggested we stop by this Blue Bottle Coffee location for a caffeine fix. The place is nicely set up. It has large glass windows on two sides, letting in plenty of natural light, so you can enjoy your caffeine drink while watching the foot traffic outside. We opted for takeaway drinks, but the wait was a bit longer than usual due to a rush and a shift change. No worries, though! We had a chance to chat while we waited. My Winter Blend coffee with cream hit the spot! The caffeine boost did its magic, and we returned to the meeting feeling alert and ready to tackle the rest. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

They have a sign on the door that says they are closing today at 4 which is an hour earlier than posted sign. It's 3:30 and she told me she was "out of chocolate" for a mocha "because they are closing soon." So they just put it away? So bad. read more

Service was fine! I got the sweet latte, which to be honest, tasted mostly like oat milk. Very little sweetness, and I really couldn't taste the espresso. Avocado toast was tasty, and was a pretty normal portion. But overall super pricey, especially for the toast+avocado charge. Probably won't be getting again. Environment is cozy though. read more

Good coffee, good place and good company! Nice place to get a coffee and for a stop. Glad I stopped by and tried their coffee. The barista was super friendly and patiently waited for me to decide what to order read more

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Great place to stop by for strong coffee, delicious waffles, and quality drinks. They have fairly limited seating, so not the best place to do work or study, but perfect for grab-and-go! Staff are friendly and efficient, though depending on how busy it is, wait times can be long. Blue Bottle is arguably the caffeine cornerstone of downtown Berkeley. I'm a huge coffee and caffeine-fiend, and Blue Bottle is my tried-and-true. Their drinks are made consistently, espresso is strong, and their non-coffee options are also pretty tasty. There definitely are cheaper places for coffee (e.g. Yali's and Berkeley Espresso) but the quality and taste of the coffee at Blue Bottle justifies the price. I typically get an iced Nola -- one of their signature drinks and a must-try even for people who don't like the taste of coffee. Their Nola is New Orleans-Style cold-brew with roasted chicory, sugar, and your choice of milk. Super smooth, the right amount of sweetness, never sour or acidic, perfectly mid-day pick me up. The sweetness of the chicory and sugar + the creaminess of the milk complements the taste of the cold brew. I think their Nola runs $6-7 approx. Their waffles are also a must-try! Super fluffy, made to order, and not too sweet. The texture of the waffles is great and you honestly don't need any condiments, extra sugar, or syrup to enjoy these. They don't offer a ton of seating and as far as I'm aware, there aren't any outlets. It can also get a little loud, especially if it's busy, so not the best place to study. Limited indoor and outdoor seating, so it's recommended to take your coffee to go, unless you're fine leaning/standing up. The last time I went, I ended up waiting 15-20 min for their waffles :( I'd recommend getting there early as sometimes their Nola sells out for the day (they pre-make the blend so wait time is never long for their Nola), secure seating, or beat the line. read more

Fan of the skinny brown butter shortbread biscuit. So darn buttery, flavorful, and the most unique texture. Also, great lamination on that pain au chocolat read more

Everything takes forever and tons of staff working and took half an hour to make two lattes. No one looks at you in the eyes cuz they know they messed up and it's not even crowded. I can't afford this time. Won't come back again. read more

It's the Mercedes Benz of Coffee Houses. Pour over style does not disappoint. Delicious pastries as well. If you like hot coffee or cold you will Blue Bottle. Staff very friendly and great service. You can tell that the staff here are actually coffee drinkers which make the drinks so much better. Love the simpler white minimalist look of the place. Although the ambience is minimal the quality of coffee is anything but. Treat yourself you won't regret it read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Pour over style coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Went in on September 17 11 AM to Berkeley branch. Spent almost $20 on coffee and Matcha and had a really bad experience. Really long time to get our order and people before were getting theirs. I asked for extra hot coffee, but did not get and the coffee was basically just plain milk. Bad experience at this location. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Caffè Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

So why would you just make a "latte" with oats as default? This is an abomination to the origins of coffee and milk! Also pour over which was once the hallmark has none of the same depth despite the same show! No more your elevated coffee - just a Starbucks competitor read more

Great coffee and quick service! I wish BBC was in more locations- the place is right next to the downtown and the campus, very nice area to be in. read more

If you want a full cup of coffee this is NOT the place for you, unless you need space to add to the coffee. 3/4 of a cup of coffee is stupid. Give a full cup unless you ask for less bc you can't handle black coffee. Even the barista who took my order agreed with a chuckle that 3/4 of a cup is not cool. If I didn't want a cup of joe badly I would have asked for my money back. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - This is the cup without a drink taken so I could share how you don't get a full cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Don't waste your time or $$$, the staff is going to act like you're wasting theirs. They make you feel like they hate you and their jobs. You're better off going to McDonald's across the street and that's saying a lot. Coffee shops should be a place for community. read more

Coffee is fine, but the environment itself is worn down. I associate Blue Bottle with sleek, clean minimalism but when I went in there it looked rough. DUST hanging from the walls and ceilings, old cabinets, and garbage on the table tops. This location needs a face-lift in my opinion. read more

Such a great vibe and very spacious. The team here is so kind and really dedicated to what they do. I had a terrible experience driving 105 miles to get there and back home for an item that wasn't actually in stock (even though customer support via email and the App said it was there) but everyone here tried everything they could to resolve the order issue and figure out an alternative option. I'm very thankful for their efforts. On another note...Blue Bottle's App and website need major work as far as user interface, coffee shop search and order options, and inventory accuracy. 2.5hrs of my life I'll never get back sitting in 880 traffic . read more

5 stars for the barista who made my sweet latte to perfection and the lady who took our orders, 2 stars for customer service from the rest of the employees that helped us after so we met at 3 stars. After drinking our lattes, my boyfriend decided to buy some beans. We usually get our beans shipped from Seattle, but decided to get some from Blue Bottle today since we don't have a physical store for the fresh beans where we live. We asked the cashier who was a different lady who took our order about the beans and the ratio they use for their lattes and she didn't know anything about any of our questions as well as looking like she didn't want to be at work, so we went to the barista who was making the lattes and he was able to answer some questions but was also whatever when he was answering. I went back to the cashier who didn't know any answers to the questions about the beans and complimented her about my latte tasting so delicious and she looked at me blankly with no facial expression saying I didn't make it and I said you poured the milk in and she said "oh, 0k" blanket again with no facial expression and I just walked away at that point. The milk steaming is a very important part of the process in making a latte tasting good, not just pulling shots. And she did beautiful art work. She didn't smile once the entire 15-20 minutes we were there as well as the rest of the workers. The only person that smiled and was pleasant was the initial cashier order taker. I love Blue Bottle for their coffee, but if customer service sucks, I won't go back to that one. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The Blue Bottle Coffee in Berkeley is spacious, clean, and has nice views of the street. The baristas are kind and knowledgeable. I had not been to a Blue Bottle Coffee before, but the barista patiently explained each option to me and helped me select a cappuccino. The kindness of this particular barista will stay with me, as I'm new to the area and they left such a positive impression on me. I enjoyed sipping my cappuccino and working by the windows. Highly recommend! read more

Always been a fan of Blue Bottle and finally sat in the cafe - love this location! Drink - 5/5 - 16oz Iced Nola w/ Oat Milk (my go-to drink) Vibe - 5/5 - Went here to get work done (9a.m. on a Friday) and was surprised by how lively it was - Limited seating, super clean, very minimal look! Customer Service - 5/5 - Kind barista at the register w/ great energy for how busy it was read more

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It's the cardamom latte for me Wonderful with plenty of milk accommodations but I went with a classic milk latte and it was wonderful. read more

I am not one to usually leave reviews, I don't ever care enough to type it out but I need to warn anyone debating on stopping by this location: IT IS BAD. My husband and I had just flown in from SF after an early morning day of traveling and stopped in to grab coffee. The barista with darker hair and glasses who took our order on 10/29/24 was so nasty for absolutely zero reason. We both approached the counter with a warm and calm attitude- I asked for an iced matcha with vanilla (I didn't know they don't have vanilla syrup) and instead of politely telling me they don't have that and offering me an alternative she just looked at me like I was the biggest idiot in the world and said "we don't have that." And then I told my husband to order before me so I could think about what I wanted- he then asked if they had brewed coffee and she look at him like he said the most insane idiotic thing with utter disgust and said "a cup of coffee?...." he then finished his order and instead of coming back to me she just shouted the total and us and my husband turned to me to ask what I wanted.. I ordered some other sweet drink. I get it, times are tough right now, working is not always fun and amazing but dang... I don't even need people to be fake happy at work, just don't be rude and nasty for no reason. We were kind and patient. Especially coming back from Texas where everyone was so polite and hospitable, it breaks my heart that people in the Bay Area have become so cold. Blue bottle replies with the same basic generic "please contact our email" under every response so I really don't care about them, I will not be going to any blue bottle shops anytime soon after this. I just wanted to warn others and hopefully that barista reads this: I hope you can find more joy and stop projecting your miserable attitude towards life onto others for zero reason. Life is too short, just be kind. read more

IMO, BBC has the best coffee in the Bay Area. Each location has a different fun and modern vibe. They offer tasty pastries, cookies and breakfast items. But the coffee! It's all about the coffee. read more

It was actually pretty good mocha and matcha latte. It's pricey but you get what you paid for. It was located downtown Berkeley. There was a lot of space to sit or stand. I like how they make their coffee. It clean inside. I will go back again. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We ordered a Caffe Latte, and it was only after ordering that I realized that the default milk option is oat milk, which caused the latte to be on the more bitter side. Overall, the latte was decent, and it seems like Blue Bottle Coffee is a popular studying spot for students. A small sized, unsweetened latte runs about $7, which is pricey for a small coffee. read more

Do you serve kindness? I came in for the first time. Never been here ever. Walked up. Older man stood there on his phone. After I looked at their menu for a second he finally chose to look up. And to his reply "yeah what can I get you" I asked for a double shot of expresso. I asked if they had oat milk he replied yes and I asked if he could steam it and put it inside. He then sarcastically said " um that's called a cappuccino" I then reply I'm not asking for a cappuccino I just want a little inside scoffs "that's a macchiato" I then replied "I whatever you choose to call it here" I ask if he has any vanilla flavor "we don't flavor our coffee" which I can understand lots of places don't. Again it's my first time. I think for me it was his attitude. With his attitude a side of kindness might have been nice. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Downtown Berkeley - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been to several "Blue Bottle Coffee" locations in San Francisco but this was my first time visiting one in the East Bay. Since I already had a general idea of what their drinks taste like, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. The real kicker here is that they use different beans all the time meaning that your drinks may not be exactly as your prior visit. The location I am reviewing is in the heart of Berkeley. Located directly on the corner of University Ave. & Shattuck Ave., this particular Blue Bottle is a big favorite amongst UC Berkeley college students. Parking nearby here can be quite challenging so my recommendation would be to arrive by BART, Uber/Lyft, foot, or bike. When I came here (which was on the morning of Monday 8/17/2020), this was in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic where all indoor operations were suspended. However, their setup was quite convenient as there was an employee directly at the front door with a point-of-sale tablet. I ended up ordering a Caffe Mocha with a Candied-Lemon Blueberry Scone while my lady ordered a Caffe Latte with a Liege Waffle which is caramelized with organic cane sugar. Since we wanted to enjoy our coffee/food there, we were fortunate to enjoy this at one of their outdoor seating areas. Keep in mind that this is very limited as this type of business was not set up for any large outdoor gatherings. So my best advice is to take your coffee to-go. As far as my mocha, it was creamy, delicious, and not too much on the bitter side. My scone was very sweet though; almost to a point where there was too much sugar infused in this. Overall, "Blue Bottle Coffee" is an excellent coffee chain. Their drip coffees, lattes, mochas, espressos, and cold brews are in a class all to itself. Best of all, they have always been consistent with my orders. With the above average service that the Berkeley employees deliver added to the reasonable prices and tasty coffee drinks, I am giving the Berkeley Blue Bottle Coffee a respectable four-stars. read more

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When coffee is this expensive and touted as high end I expect it to be phenomenal. Unfortunately, I think blue bottle is turning in to something more like another well-known massive coffee conglomerate with a green and white label. I work right near this location and I keep thinking I'll get a better cup. The other day I got a pour over. It was six dollars and it tasted absolutely terrible - like a bad, burnt cup of diner coffee and not in a nostalgic way. For a few weeks, it seemed like they had hired someone new who is actually nice but the same lady with the bad attitude is back and she makes you feel like an idiot for wanting her to do her job. Atmosphere sucks. Cold and sterile and pretty much always dirty. PS - multiple times they've been out of cream so I very politely will go over to the barista for more. After minutes of them ignoring me, they grab the new creamer (which is already prepped) from the fridge and hand it TO ME to take to the coffee station. Isn't that their job? Ps- I worked as a barista in NYC and New Mexico for 9 years. You can't always control coffee quality as a barista, but you can control your attitude. And at Blue Bottle I would expect great coffee! read more

After a sad experience from another location, I decided to go to this location. And boy did they redeem my Bluebottle experience. The Espresso was amazing like always but the service was exceptional. I send gratitude to Aya for her kind spirit! read more

Anytime I'm in town with a blue bottle it's a must stop (even in Japan), you're greeted with a blue modern vibe when you walk in with some awesome accessories displayed on the wall for your home coffee consumption. They have a great selection of different coffees available but I usually go with either a pour over or cold brewed coffee when I go. The positives of this shop is the nice view of downtown Berkeley while sipping your coffee. read more

** The following review reflects my experience prior to the shelter-in-place order currently in effect. ** Gee, if I had access to a Blue Bottle back when I was a Cal undergrad, I'd certainly be a more worldly person with far more refined tastes. Back in my day, there was like the coffee you get off the roach coaches between classes, or you wait until after your classes and go to Caffe Med on Telegraph or Au Coquelet on University. That's only after a stop at Top Dog or Oscar's. At home, I just had Folgers in my Mr. Coffee machine. Mountain grown. Even in my advanced years, I can appreciate a $4.75 cup of artisan coffee without grousing about the price (photo: https://bit.ly/3gwUul3). Get off my lawn! COFFEE - 4 stars...Blue Bottle takes caffeine to another level AMBIANCE - 4 stars...the classic BB decor and always crowded...always! SERVICE - 4 stars...a bit opaque but pretty fast TOTAL - 4 stars...they closed Caffe Med do where else do I go? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more

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