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A cute concept and aesthetic space, but the food didn't quite come together for me. Stopped by Cafe Etoile after a doctor's appointment because I was in the mood for brunch. Their menu showed items like waffles and croissant French toast, which sounded really promising. I decided to try the croissant French toast and really wanted to like it. The croissant itself had potential, but the egg mixture was very heavy and lacked some of the warm flavors you typically expect in French toast, like cinnamon or vanilla. Even with the berries and syrup, it still leaned very egg-forward. I also ordered a side of bacon for some extra protein, and that was actually cooked really well. For drinks, I tried the strawberry latte with the vanilla bean soft top. I initially expected more of a coffee-forward drink, but it was much sweeter and reminded me more of an elevated strawberry milk. The space itself is cute and gives more of a social, aesthetic hangout vibe than a traditional brunch spot. Parking can also be a bit tricky. There's free parking in the Trader Joe's garage nearby, but it's unclear whether parking there while dining at the café is allowed. Overall, I liked the concept and atmosphere more than the actual food during this visit.
This is one of my favorite cafes ever - will definitely be back!! The staff are SO lovely and accommodating. The matcha cloud was delicious and so was the food! Came a couple times with a friend to check it out and see if we could host a larger group event. It was fantastic every time and the event went super well. Great ambiance, easy street parking, and incredible food/drink/staff. Thanks so much!!!
Dropped by Cafe Etoile in Berkeley recently and it was so good. You can see the huge portions in the pic I took. The food is amazing . the fried chicken and waffles were super crispy and savory, and we also got a sweet waffle loaded with fresh berries and chocolate that totally hit the spot. The ambiance is really chill and rustic with nice wooden tables, making it a super cozy place to just hang out and eat. The service was also really fast and friendly, and they made sure we had everything we needed. Definitely coming back!
Warm, cozy brunch vibes! You order at the register, seat yourself, and come up to get your food once your pager buzzes. They have water and condiments at the front, just take what you need. I ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict with roasted potatos ($19) and it was so yummy! I think the price is fair for the quality and portion. The potatoes were a little undercooked in my opinion and could've used more seasoning, but they do have salt and pepper at the front, so it wasn't a deal breaker. Eggs Benedict itself was delicious, the eggs were cooked perfectly. We came at 11am on a rainy Saturday and were able to find free 2-hr parking a block down. The ambiance was so lovely and cozy - soft holiday instrumental music, cute Halloween decor, surrounded by friends catching up or studying together. Would come again to try one of their drinks!
Wanted to try this place since I heard it was also Korean-inspired. The place was so crowded even though it was quite spacious but got lucky with a table on at a busy brunch time. The coffee & kimchi fried rice were to-taste but the chicken & croffle was absolutely a game changer (first time trying) - amazingly tender/juicy chicken and crispy croffle with a hint of sugar. Will definitely come back to try out more on a less busy day!
We came here on a Saturday as soon as they opened. The place is right on the corner so there's plenty of street parking. The place is nice and open. There's a ton of seating. The menu is on the wall on clip boards. I ordered a turkey sandwich and my husband ordered chicken and waffles. They bring the food to you so you sit anywhere you want . There's free water but they do sell a good amount of drinks. The food is made to order so be patient. They use good fresh ingredients and portions are generous. The food is delicious and service is great. We had a great experience and will definitely will return.
This is overall a decent cafe with good food. I would recommend any of their signature meals: the croffle, salmon avocado toast, and Korean-inspired food is all delicious and interesting. The drinks aren't anything special, especially for the price. The interior is a bit dim but welcoming and often has space on weekdays. You could sit here for a few hours with a laptop, but the data and WiFi here are both bad. If I was ever working on an offline project or sitting with friends, this would be a good place to go. They also run big sport events (e.g. March Madness) on the TV.
Came here on a weekday around noon. The staff were super friendly and provided great service! Ordering was quick, took about 5 minutes, but the food did take a bit longer, around 20-30 minutes, which was understandable as it was a little busy inside. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior has a warm, inviting atmosphere with plenty of windows, making it perfect for a coffee chat or study session. Based on rush, you may not get a buzzer, so watch out for your order at the pickup window! I got the Chicken Croffle, and wow, the chicken was incredibly juicy and flavorful! It was so tender, literally shredding so easily with just a stab of my fork. The savory chicken paired perfectly with the slightly sweeter croffle underneath. The croffle itself had that perfect crunch from all the layers of a croissant but with the softness of an actual waffle. One thing I did notice is that the croffle was a bit challenging to cut with the knife provided, but it was still totally worth the effort! Overall, the food was great! I love that they have other Korean-inspired dishes. I definitely want to come back and try those!
I visited for weekend brunch and, while it was busy, it was also cozy. I was lucky enough to grab a high top table by the window. The ordering process was easy; simply order from the menu and find a table. I went for the chicken croffle with two eggs on the side. The food arrived promptly with generous portions, honestly enough to share with another person. The best part was how everything looked just as delicious as it tasted. The coffee was great too, rich, bold and packed with flavor. I took off one star because the employee at the register wasn't very welcoming, but thankfully it didn't impact the quality of the food.
Quint Cafe is in the heart of Berkeley, and I really appreciate its relaxed atmosphere. I tried their cheese corffle, which was crunchy, sweet, and savory--a great combo. The Crunchy Spicy Chicken Sandwich had a good-sized piece of chicken; it was filling. I did wish it had a bit more seasoning on the chicken and more flavorful coleslaw. The Croque Madame with a fried egg was quite enjoyable. The salad on the side added a nice touch and complemented the dish well. Good place for hangout!
Decided to try this place for breakfast. Had hard time finding parking, you order your food and find a seat. The cashier was not helpful at all, told her it's our first time here what to recommend, handed us a paper menu and asked us to step a side to look over the menu and took the next person in line. Had to get back in line to order. Not the cleanest place I've been to. The floors are not so clean and some of the tables are not cleaned. The place is overwhelming with signs of everything they serve on the menu... The egg Benedict was ok... tried their bacon and egg croffle it's a croissant smashed into a waffle didn't care for it at all because though it would be crispy, not at all it was just sticky and stretchy like a smashed croissant...
Doordashed. Everything was good! Better than expected. I wish they had breakfast sausage--that would be so great! The breakfast sandwich was good, but if they had a sausage option--oooweeee! The basil pesto croffle was really tasty. Tastes just like a pizza, kinda. Friend got the avocado toast--i didn't get to taste if, but she really enjoyed it.
Everything I've ever purchased has been delicious and the staff is very nice. It's a cute place with plenty of sitting for for yourself, a pair or a large group. I highly recommend the Chicken Croffle Benedict.
3 years ago
From GREAT Food Awesome Service And the vibe you NEED to get away from your day but still be PRESENT, this hidden GEM (in my little world) is the perfect place to study, meet up, take that cute person to grab a coffee My wife and I just wanted to get away and have brunch WITH NO KIDS!!! I was not let down! Chicken & Croffle - WHY has this not been even considered a hype? The best waffle alternative that deserves it's own lane in the Breakfast / Brunch World. Love the home-style Long REAL SOLID WOOD Tables wrapped with matching set wooden chairs. The lights are perfect with the natural sunshine ... lessens the strain on your eyes, doesn't feel hot, and creates that warm and calm feeling. Gotta check this place out!!! First impression Vibe Eats Staff read more
Berkeleyside Nosh had a list of restaurants serving good chicken and waffles a week or two ago and Café Étoile's chicken and croffle was mentioned, croffle being a mashup of a croissant and waffle. The café is in the building that houses TJ's and has been open since May. The decor is sort of industrial and attractive. There's one gender neutral bathroom which is spare but functional. You need a key to get in. The key is at the ordering counter. Nina and I met here for lunch today. There are a variety of tables, all well spaced. I arrived first and chose a two-top. We looked over the menu, although I knew I wanted the chicken and croffle and she chose a turkey and avocado sandwich on what looked like multigrain bread. You order at the counter, pick up your food when it's ready and bus your dishes and other detritus when you're finished. They have a good variety of teas to choose from in addition to coffee and other drinks. We both had tea. They added almond milk to my Earl Grey at my request. Nina had a decaf vanilla tea she really liked. It's hard to say how long a wait there was for our food because we were talking. It seemed like a reasonable wait to me. When our food was ready Nina took a photo of my chicken and croffle because it was so impressive. She didn't take a photo of her sandwich although it looked great. Taking photos of our food is not something we ordinarily do. You can see the chicken and croffle below. It was delicious, not too sweet despite the dusting of powdered sugar on the croffle and the syrup to dunk bites in. I gave Nina a bite and she liked it a lot. I did too and was glad I ordered it. The teas were very good. There's a lot to explore on their menu and there is a case of pastries that looked tempting. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Toni, your detailed review is very thoughtful and we are happy to…
2 years ago
Came here for the breakfast sandwich! One of my favorite in Berkeley. I got the Bacon for only $10! The people were really nice and good came out fast! There are lots of tables and outlets, perfect place to do some work! read more
Had the breakfast sandwich with bacon and I also had hot chocolate. The presentation of the food was great and it was also very heavy. The breakfast sandwich has a lot of egg making it great for a brunch meal. Everything was great! read more
We ordered biscuit sandwich with egg, home made sausage and arugula and croffle with milk tea. I guess croffle means croissant waffle. Not sure what a perfect croffle should taste like. It was a little harder than the regular waffle. I like the caramel coating on the outside. But overall probably not my thing as a bit too dry. Biscuit was done very well. The home made sausage was very flavorful. The only drawback is the biscuit sandwich is a little too big which made it hard to eat. Excellent food overall for the location and price! read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Yan, thank you for leaving a good review. Sorry the croffle was…
4 years ago
Came here on a Sunday and it was moderately full but still easy enough to find a spot to sit. Street parking is pretty limited but if you're just picking up food there are 2 green spots right in front of the cafe to park for a couple of minutes. The menu is posted on the wall when you walk in, you order at the counter, then pick up your food when the order is called. I sat at a table outside and since they kept the windows open, I was able to hear our order called but older folks or those hard of hearing might not be able to. I ordered the chicken & croffle and bingsu. It was my first time trying a croffle and it was pretty fun to eat but the real star was the fried chicken. It was so tender and juicy, I would even go back for that alone. I was surprised to see them offer bingsu but I love that they have it! My partner ordered an americano and bacon & egg croffle and said that both were really good. The food also came out relatively quick. Overall a good dining experience though my one note is that the silverware could've been cleaner. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Elliot. Thank you for enjoying the delicious CROFFLE and shaved…
4 years ago
POSSIBLY MY FAVORITE NEW BRUNCH SPOT!! I've been wanting to try croffles for soo long and never knew there was a place in berkeley. I was not disappointed!! My friend and I both got the bacon and egg croffle, which was SO GOOD. The croffle was perfectly flakey and had a sweet glaze that went perfectly with the salty bacon and the perfectly cooked egg. Everything that I saw people eating looked delicious! There's a good number of spots inside and service was friendly and quick. Really nice ambiance inside too! I want to try all! The! Croffles! read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you for your detailed review of our Croffle. Our whole team…
I walked by Cafe Etoile on my way to my weekly grocery run at TJ's, and decided to drop by. I heard many incredible things about their croffles and wanted to give it a try. My friend and I shared their Cream and Berries Croffle. It was exactly what you expected out of the waffle-croissant hybrid: crispy exterior, and a fluffy interior. It was complemented well with the fresh fruit and whipped cream. The only drawback was that it was a little pricey and that it was a little cold. I felt that it would have tasted much better if it was made warm and fresh-to-order. I will definitely be coming back to try their other Korean food soon! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
I've been eyeing this spot every time I come to Trader Joe's. It's a little off to the side so it's never crowded, and inside is very peaceful with classical music playing in the background (think Korean drama soundtrack). I finally made my way here after a workshop nearby and was excited to try their chicken and croffle! So a croffle is evidently a hybrid of a waffle and a croissant. It comes with maple syrup already on top and the fried chicken on top was excellent! Def Korean fried chicken level. The sauce comes on the side and is perfectly spicy...like a light gojuchang (or however the paste is spelled). I asked for a side salad because I saw some menu items come with it (but not the chicken and waffle) and they were able to accommodate me. The dressing for the salad was also a little spicy and delicious :3 It is self-service here so you pay at the front, pick up your own food, and put away your own dishes but if you get drip coffee you can refill it for under $2 a cup, which is great if you stick around for a while. Did I mention there's also free wifi? :D read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Jessica. Thank you so much for such great review. We continually…
Cafe Etoile is a reasonably priced, casual brunch place worth checking out if you've exhausted the menus of Berkeley Social Club or La Note. They serve classic French brunch staples with a Korean twist. The place was packed on a Saturday morning, but the service was surprisingly quick, though maybe a bit curt. There's a decent amount of tables inside -- I especially love the marble tables near the large windows -- with Internet and a few outlets. I planned on doing some work after I finished brunch, but I soon realized the ambiance was far too bustling for that. Today, my friend and I tried two croffles -- the fried chicken and the cream + berries croffle. Croffles essentially are sweetened croissants in waffle form, so the result is flaky and crispy, rather than fluffy and light. The fried chicken tasted almost unflavored, so the sweet and spicy sauce on the side was appreciated. The cream and berries croffle was basically a dessert, and that's a good thing. They were enjoyable enough for a brunch occasion, but nothing incredible. On the side, I tried their morning roll pastry, which was dry, bland, and flavorless -- a pass for me. Similarly, the drinks were a miss. My matcha latte was lukewarm and tasted like grass, and the iced chai was extremely strong and syrupy. Although the food was merely average, if you're a student looking for a brunch that's not quite as casual as Mezzo nor as expensive as La Note, Cafe Etoile is worth a visit. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way if I wasn't a Berkeley local, though. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hello Aaron, We would like to apologize for your recent experience.…
2 years ago
Food was fresh and fast! Got the breakfast sandwich with avocado and the egg was so fluffy and the bread used was so pillowy. The service was fast and the staff were friendly. Definitely recommend for a quick cheaper bite. Will come back soon! read more
3 years ago
Good service and reasonable prices for the hefty portions! Croffles are super tasty and the fried chicken croffle us definitely worth! read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you for being our customer and leaving us a wonderful review.
4 years ago
Excellent! Had an amazing brunch after the Berkeley 1/2 marathon. What a great find right next door to Trader Joe's. Everything we ordered was delicious and so well-prepared: Chicken and croffle, Kimchee fried rice, and breakfast sandwich with ham and avocado. Also drank Equator coffee. Mmmm. Will definitely come back when I'm on this side of the bay again. read more
4 years ago
Holy f*** dude. I thought it was just coffee but there's hella food. Ok I'm literally in here rn and I couldn't wait. I got the Avocado toast. It's 10:30am and I'll be back this afternoon to get what my coworker got: the croque madame. Seriously an upgrade to the neighborhood. read more
4 years ago
This is quite a unique review for me. I remember coming to this same location when it was "Café Nostos" often during my time at Cal, grinding out projects, cramming for exams, or just taking a break, all over really good Greek pastries and coffee. I'm not entirely sure what happened, but something's have changed: the more varied menu, the Californian decorations, some of the people working behind the counter, and some things have not: the layout and ambience. The service was timely and great. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and drip coffee. The sandwich was flavorful with a good amount of egg and ham and chipotle aioli, although I wish the bun was toasted and not so soft, as it had a hard time holding in the egg and ham. The drip coffee with a little half-and-half, my go to at places since I never can finish a whole coffee, was good, not bitter and had a slight sweetness. My friend ordered the croffles with pesto on top, which tastes like you would expect from a croissant + waffle and had a good balance of sweetness and pesto. Value-wise, drip coffee and sandwich were pricey (not out of line for SF, but expensive for the average college student) and I would expect a bit more finish, but this is a cafe working with a new menu, albeit a mostly familiar one for anyone who has been out for avocado toast in the past few years. I definitely want to come back to try the bulgogi sandwich! read more
2 years ago
Chicken egg Benedict croffle was insanely delicious! Presentation and taste on 10. Great service, quick, and the space felt like a cozy cafe. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you, Santi, for your detailed feedback!
4 years ago
We were too lazy to get out of bed so decided to order breakfast. The chicken was nicely seasoned. The chicken was crispy but not too thick. Very well cooked. I was more than happy with the breakfast & it's delivery. Having that seal to make sure your food hadn't been touched since packaging is very important to me. Unfortunately not many do it. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Divani, Thank you for loving the chicken croffle. We will do our…
2 years ago
4 years ago
Place is still a great to spend cheat day on staff is as friendly as ever. My only complaint is I have to walk past the temptation everytime I shop at Trader Joe's Seems like they've gotten more popular recently. I hope their business does well! *Adding in photos from last time* read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Jen, Thanks for the great review and great photos.
2 years ago
Business owner information
Tae K.
Dear Miranda, We’re so happy to hear you had a great experience at…
With scant options left for food after after arriving late at the downtown Berkeley farmers market, this restaurant, which is known for its sandwiches and other bread and waffle base dishes, seemed like it would hit the spot. Indeed the avocado toast I had was beautifully presented and very flavorful. I found the service to be a bit aloof. When I mentioned that I was vegetarian, the servers replied by telling me that there really weren't very many vegetarian options on the menu that would be palatable. The food and coffee was also relatively expensive given the portion size. I certainly think that the restaurant execute well on the food, but I think I may next trip to Berkeley I might try a different place to get more vegetarian options and a better ambience. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thanks for your comment, Vijay. Sorry for not having a lot of food…
4 years ago
This new cafe is a Gem !! So so delicious A solid experience at étoile Came with 2 of my friend and ordered 4things We enjoyed Everything we tried. We got the chicken and croffie Bacon and egg croffie Croissant French toast Peach and arugula salad Chicken and croffie were large and perfectly fried Bacon and egg crisp addictive Highly recommend read more
3 years ago
Best Croffle chicken , French Toast everything is so good , Staff are very friendly , helpful . One of the best to go for brunch . read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Grace! We appreciate you sharing your great review of our…
4 years ago
New brunch spot in downtown Berkeley, so new I can't check in on Facebook! Order at the counter style, with the standard cafe drinks and pastries, plus a good selection of savory and sweet dishes. Known for "croffle" (aka croissant pressed with waffle maker) and Korean flavors. We had the KFC croffle and kimchi fried rice with added bulgogi. Fried chicken was so crispy and moist. Croffle wasn't hot and crunchy as I expected but had good flavor. The fried rice had a lot of kimchi and meat and very flavorful. Cute interior but we ate at a few of the outside tables on sidewalk. It's not a super busy foot traffic street around there so it was fine. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi Elsa, Thank you so much for this review. Your opinion is valued…
1 year ago
whenever i go up to norcal, i always make sure to stop by here at least once. the food is always so delicious and the vibes in here are chill. i was so happy to come here twice this past week! their chicken and croffle is the best chicken and waffle variation ever. the breading on the chicken is so light, similar to popcorn chicken, and having a croffle instead of a waffle makes the meal feel less heavy. the presentation is beautiful as well. i highly recommend this cafe to everyone! read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We’re…
4 years ago
Lovely cafe! Staff was pleasant and seems family like. Went for the croffles! They were making additional ones since they ran out! So delicious! Good place to focus on some work or have a quick bite or quiet conversations with a friend. Bathroom was clean, key at counter. Decor was nice too, plants throughout, Nice lighting. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Hi, Cylestay, Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.…
2 years ago
3 years ago
Absolutely loved this spot, the food was delicious and really generous serving sizes. The toffee lattes were scrumptious as well. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Amazing feedback. Thank you so much for giving us 5 stars!
This is a super cute cafe right by Trader Joe's! It was my first time here and I really liked the food + aesthetic. There's a small glass of flowers at every table! I had a BAT sandwich that cost $10, I think it stands for bacon, arugula, and tomato. My friend got a well decorated avocado toast for $9. I'd say these are really worth for their price! The BAT was really good and filling, and has a little bit of spicy sauce. The bacon wasn't too hard, and it all held together really well with the toothpick. The staff is super nice too! I'd definitely want to come back and grab a coffee while working next time. Their wifi password is right at the cash register, as is the bathroom key. Once you finish your food you bus your own dishes. read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We will share this with the…
4 years ago
The croffle was sweet and buttery. The chicken was fried perfectly with breading that reminded me of Taiwanese popcorn chicken~ lighter and crisper and really good! My husband had the breakfast sandwich and was really happy with that, too. We came on a Sunday around 10:30am and was able to find a table for two right away. You order at the counter then seat and bus yourself. Great place for a casual meal/snack! read more
Business owner information
Tae K.
Thank you for your review of our Chicken Croffle. We’re grateful that…
2 years ago
I'll keep this short...BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES EVER!!! I want to try the chicken Sando next and other items on the menu! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
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3 years ago
Business owner information
Tae K.
First of all, I would like to apologize. I'm sorry to hear that you…
More info about Café Etoile
1930 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Downtown Berkeley
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(510) 898-1475
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https://cafe-etoile.square.site
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Ask the Community - Café Etoile
Is there wifi?
Yup, there's wi-fi, great place to get some work done and enjoy their tasty food/drinks.
Do you do catering orders?
Hi Talia, thanks for questioning. We do catering. If you need more information about catering, please contact me at taeuhk@gmail.com, I will send catering menu. Have a great…
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