This is definitely my new favorite spot to go to for breakfast in Berkeley. It has a beautiful garden eating area, tons of seating, and a clean space. The food and drinks are large portions, and for the most part are health forward without compromising flavor. It's a laid back place, with counter service, and the food comes out pretty fast even when it's a busy morning. I got the veggie plate with sauteed veggies, hummus, pita, dolmas, and a salad, along with a soy chai latte. They have live music some evenings as well. It's a great place to go solo, with a friend, or with a group. read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great food but customer service is terrible, as I was sitting in the front eating my food, a customer had told one of the cashiers that the food was sour in a polite manner and the owner was offended, he offered to fix it but had a salty attitude towards the customer. He was really rude not only to the customer but also to one of the staff members as I noticed that one of the cashier was new and he was snapping his fingers towards her to do things more quickly. Just very unprofessional and not very welcoming, won't be coming back again. read more

Wow! Food here is terrific. So fresh and the ingredients ate so great! The atmosphere is perfect especially during covid with the outdoor set up. My new fave! read more

Visiting from Southern California and stopped in for Breakfast. The Alex In the morning is very good. Well rounded meal with all the fixens. Crispy Bacon and Great Home Fry Potato's !! Great Patio to enjoy the Sun. Stop on By. read more

Be forewarned that THERE IS NO WIFI ON WEEKENDS. I bought a drink, set up, and then was told of this policy. I would understand if the place was packed but it isn't. It is 10am on Saturday and there are many tables open. Front cashier was also not very nice. Won't be coming back. read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Loved this place. High portions. Great selection...something for every taste and diet. Our party ordered omelettes and all came with toast and home fries. Great service...super for celebration or just casual dining experience. Recommend read more

Thought I would try this place near Dad's house while I was running errands. I had not read reviews just took a chance . Got a menu right after couple in front of me went to order . Seemed like it was a long order, then I had my turn. Got the Pancake Special with coffee so that came to almost $20. Staff is not friendly . There is plenty of places to eat as there is a patio in the back. Food was good but I won't be back. One more item to note, I saw on my phone they had wi-fi but when I asked for the password they said they didn't have wi-fi. Maybe their way of saying we don't want you to stay long. Fine by me. read more

I had a great time stopping by here for a Science @ Cal event last night. I was so surprised to discover how many types of matcha + tea lattes they offer and the service was fantastic. I tried the blueberry flavor matcha on the recommendation of the baristas which was delicious! Since pretty much all of the tables were rearranged for the event and basically all the customers were there for the event, I can't exactly speak to what the vibe is like here normally. What I can say is that a lot of people ordered food, which looked good, and that the service was on the level despite the crowd w/manager or owner hands on throughout. One thing I will say, is that the decor and espresso machine was a bit more old school than the newer spots in town so, for me, I'd place this cafe alongside something like Mishkas in Davis...with the big difference that the service here was lovely. read more

Great local cafe and coffee shop. Food reasonably priced and delicious. Coffee is fresh and yummy. Outdoor patio is perfect for meeting with friends or a nice date. read more

Café Leila - Oatmeal - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This used to be a great place but today the cream was spoiled, the lox tasted old, and the service was spotty.

Very good menu and food. Large indoor and outdoor seating areas. There were lots of people at lunchtime but finding a table was even easier than finding parking. read more

If your trying to get work done this is not the place! No wifi. And coffee was not good at all. Trying to support small businesses but if there's no good coffee or wifi I can't. read more

That's it. I'm officially done with this place! Came in on a Sunday afternoon. Ordered a SMALL almond milk latte. "$6", said the cashier. "Say what?? " $6 for a small almond milk latte?!? I pay $5 max at a high -quality coffee shop, such as Artis on 4th street! Everyone knows that Leila is not known for its coffee but rather for its garden. That's it! "You know what? I'll have green tea instead " , I said. "That'll be $4.75". You've got to be kidding me! One more dollar I could have gotten that lousy almond milk latte! The bottom line -- don't overcharge your customers and don't take us for fools. It's insulting. I won't be coming back. Neither will my friend who came with me. You can look for other suckers. read more

Store owner/ management please have a conversation with your front staff, 2 staffs were very rude And racially profiled us. spent 75 dollars at your establishment just to be judged . We didn't even eat our food after the service we had . Brought my mom here who is 77 for breakfast? my mother Huevos Veracru the whole omelette was filled with tomatoes. I have added the picture to the website. I ordered fish tacos Which was also loaded with tomatoes as well . I went to the front and asked if they could come check out our plate. The lady came, She took the plate in front of my mom walked around with the plate in her hand went in the kitchen this whole time. She is carrying the plate and talking over it then another staff brings our plate still talking over the plate and telling us that this is how the omelette comes they can't do anything about the tomato es .. she cannot exchange it. We will have to purchase two eggs if we wanted her to fix the order . Next table to us had some complication with their order, but they went ahead and fixed it right away. I guess the color of your skin really matters management and the staff in front. I hope you are being better towards your parents at home cause you are very mean towards us , I work for Alta Bates and I will be Not recommending this restaurant to anyone Specially our indian brother and sisters read more

Visited at noon on a sunny Saturday. There was a bit of a wait to order food (with just one staff at a single register and another filling drink orders) but plenty of seating in the lovely outdoor space and our food came out pretty quickly. Friendly service. The food hit the spot after a morning hike! The banana pancakes were fluffy and delicious. Also enjoyed a very tasty omelet (the Leila) with home fries. I'd go again to enjoy the food and the outdoor seating! read more

Great place to get stuff done and enjoy a nice brunch. I love coming here to work on my novel because it has ample indoor and outdoor seating. The garden in beautiful for enjoying a nice meal with friends while the inside is great for sole writing time away from the sun. The fruit bowl is generous and has a good variety of fruits. The toast comes pre buttered which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preference - I like it. The coffee is alright. I would recommend going for one of their special coffee drinks instead. The drip coffee is just too weak for me and I would have gotten an espresso, but I planned on spending a few hours here so a large cup seemed like a better idea. read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Gayle and I came here yesterday for lunch. We were both pleasantly surprised on how comfortable, spacious, and cute this place is. Since it was warm and sunny outside, we opted for the patio, although we were really tempted by the couch area. I ordered a tuna melt and Gayle opted for the curried lamb burger and tea. The counter ordering was friendly and efficient and the food was out quickly. Everything was delicious, especially the bread. I also enjoyed my leafy green salad that came with the sandwich and we both thought that Gayle's homemade fries were tasty, warm and crisp. Our only quibbles were that there was perhaps too much mayo on the tuna melt, that the lamb was perhaps a little too medium rare, and that wine on the menu would have been nice. Overall, this was a very pleasant lunch, in a nice space and with sparkling company and conversation, this was a great outing. We'll be back. read more

Closer to 3.5 stars. Have only been here twice in the last year. Both times I ate there with friends and sat in the patio. The patio is sweet and on the funky side; more like eating in the patio of my childhood home then a garden type setting. Can't speak for the coffee since I am a non-drinker. But my friends seem to be happy with it. Service was fine. Friendly but a little slow. I'm sorry to hear so many others have received bad service. When I try it again if the service is as bad as others have experienced that'll will end my visits here. I had the tofu spinach scramble. Very decent but not fantastic. Home fries were good. My friends had different omelets and were happy with them. Prices seem fair. I agree that the place seems to be taken over with people on their laptops just having a cup of coffee. Both times I've been there on a weekday and we HAD to sit in the patio since all the inside tables were taken. Not a big deal since the weather was warm. I'm not sure how they can resolve this? Maybe they can set up a long counter for people who just want to hang out with their laptops, freeing the tables for those who want to have meals? All in all it's nice to have a breakfast (lunch? dinner?) place in West Berkeley that is far from the crazy 4th Street scene. read more

Café Leila - Spinach tofu scramble - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Come here if you like being lied to by people who take your money! I come to cafes to get work done on my laptop, so I need wifi, that's why I show up. They will smile and take your money, give you the "wifi password" but it literally is not connected. I doubt they pay the bill. My computer connects to the wifi, but their wifi is not connected to the internet. This was after *last* time I tried visiting a year or so ago, I get my coffee, sit down, get comfortable, and the wifi is out. I walk up and the owner says "Oh it's family day, no wifi," I'm like WTF bruh, am I just assumed to be some orphan without a family because I want wifi in a fucking cafe? Family people don't use the internet? (Ironic because they host sex-kink events here after hours; some family day) Anyway...that was a Sunday last year. I figured, hey, I'll come back on a weekday someday when it's easy. So I tried them on a Friday a year later - got my coffee, connected to the wifi, still no internet! They told ME to reset the router. So I did, and it still didn't work. But they still have those five dollars I paid for their expensive ass bland coffee. Like, I get not having wifi. Casa Latina is better, down the street, they don't have wifi, but at least Casa Latina doesn't LIE about having wifi to get you in for the bait and switch. I'll admit this is a nice spot, comfortable with a good patio but the dishonesty just ruins it for me. Avoid read more

Sunny patio! With a fountain! Full menu! Private parking lot! What is this place, and why did I not discover it a year ago?!? Love Cafe Leila. By all reports, best to go on a weekday afternoon when the crowd has thinned out and it's less noisy. Sadly, breakfast foods aren't served after 3pm (which only stinks if, like me, you crave omelettes and pancakes before dinner). They do have a variety of wraps, sandwiches, salads & burgers for you more normal people, and it's hard to go wrong with the baked goods. They also make really good smoothies, although I was slightly confused when I was told that the frozen yogurt they use isn't actually frozen, but hangs out in the fridge ("it's a little liquid-y.") Try the Pick Me Up, a sweet combo of "frozen" yogurt, Ghirardelli chocolate, espresso & banana. The only major drawback is that there are only 2 pockets of outlets in the entire cafe, which is surprising & disappointing given that this place makes you feel like you're allowed - nay, invited! - to spend the whole day. So if you want to plug in, you might have to ask someone to move. Good luck with that!! read more

Came here with buddies, one of whom has kids (the place is kid friendly). Was confused by ordering system (order at the counter and get a number, they'll bring the food to you). Food is good and reasonably priced for breakfast. Breakfast burrito, omelettes, chorizo scramble are all solid options. The garden is really what makes this place a treat and bumps this place up for me. In NYC it would be mobbed by stroller armies. In Berkeley things are more chill. read more

Nice spot to grab a semi-European style breakfast. I go with the "Alex in the Morning" entree every time. For $9.95, it includes: * 2 eggs (cooked to order) * Bacon * Toast * OJ * Coffee With regards to the coffee, I get it decaf and they charge $0.50 extra for that. They do the decaf "americano" style. Maybe I'm just a part of the dying breed of decaf drinkers that has become so infrequent that coffee shops no longer see the need to have a pot of decaf on hand. This place is GREAT if you have a pet. They have a large outdoor seating area in the back - Spinnaker loves hanging out back there because they're is always a cute little shih tzu or the like back there for him to hit on. Great to be able to eat breakfast and not have to leave little Spinnaker at home. read more

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I am gunna be up front about this, their food is over priced and not good. I know this when I go and I have gone a few times anyway. The main reason I come back is because in a hectic day running around San Pablo Ave. I want to stop for a moment and relax. Their garden area is relaxing and the waitstaff pretty much forgets about you after you get your food. The other reason I go is because I can take my dog on a date here and not be ridiculed for our interspecies love. The biggest reason I think it's not good is that they actually use the cheapest possible ingredients. It says farm fresh, but I just never get the feeling they are really buying too much stuff farm fresh. Their jelly ( see photo) is the cheapest pink goo that is on par with a school lunch, the lamb for the lamb burger felt old and dried up and their fries are nothing special at all. I've gotten eggy dishes here too and there isn't anything farm fresh about those either. lastly, you have to order at the counter and I personally feel a little rushed with the menu. Given that their ingredients are sub-par at best, I would like some time to sit with the menu and consider my options for the best plate if it were made out of crummy stuff. For example an omelet is probably less noticeable than a lamb burger. read more

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The ambiance created by exposed brick walls and the large window looking out on the patio is great. The only drawback, it was very cold sitting next to the window on a rainy Saturday night. P and I both had the Leila burger. I ordered mine rare and that is exactly how it was cooked. It was served on Acme bread with sundried tomatoes. I like juicy hamburgers and this one was too dry for my taste. On the other hand I enjoyed the salad and the fries that that were served with the burger. A big plus, they don't serve wine, however, you can bring your own and there is no corkage fee. The live music added to the experience and I will come again. read more

They have incredible food gotten a little pricey but thats true for many restaurants. They have Mediterranean food but plenty of other options breakfast. Burgers salad pastries the food is great. Large portions. Good coffee. Large lovely outdoor patio. I love coming here. On weekends line out the door. BTW. You order your food at the front counter get a table # and they bring your order to you read more

Pot of rooibos Darjeeling and a few alfajores. Great flavor tea; Peruvian cookie with cajeta could be lighter and more fluffy. But oh---that patio! Especially when it's warm out and the sun doth shineth! read more

Great local cafe with amazing healthy options. Cozy outdoor patio. The New Chai is spicy and delicious (no caffeine). Homestyle potatoes are amazing. read more

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Cafe Leila is a great place to meet up with friends or get the work done. They have a really delicious burger that they cook proficiently. Their shoestring french fries are among the best in the East Bay. On a beautiful day, sit out on their patio in the back, and sip on one of their awesome iced teas. This place is a consistent winner; I've never left disappointed. read more

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Perfect mix of flavor and healthiness factor. Lamb burgers with a side of salad or seasoned steak cut fries. Mediterranean platter with dolmas and hummus. Jasmine and hibiscus lemonade. Ok I know I'm just reading off the menu, but doesn't that sound good? I've enjoyed everything I've had here. Simple dishes that have just-right flavor combinations. Oh, and did I mention the patio? Hidden treasure. read more

Employer that work was being very lazy I ask for a coffe it was very cold not hot or warm and the half and half milk was expired lazy workers seriously!!! read more

Very nice calm atmosphere loved the food and coffee and the lavender lemonade was bomb ‼ read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The plus? Their garden. It's a nice place to work and relax. Minus? It's a hit or miss service based on who you get. My first time there it was at the end of the day, so there was only one person on duty beyond the kitchen staff. She was great and went above and beyond in terms of service. I went back the next day and ordered the same thing: a glass of their berry iced tea. The man who filled my glass didn't fill it to the top. This is fine if I'd requested it, but I'm paying $3.25 for a glass of tea. Fill it to the top, please. After I paid, I asked the cashier for some fresh lemon and to top the glass off. She acted like she didn't understand and asked if I'd asked for sugar. I said no and requested that she top the glass off. Once she understood what I was asking I actually got a little side eye, which isn't necessary when the markup on what I'm paying for is quite high. I've been there a couple more times. Last time I left my hoodie behind, and they were great. Again, it's the garden along the food and beverage that make th is place worth checking out. read more

Wonderful food ! Excellent coffee and teas .. lovely ambiance .. Moses the owner is so personable and caring for his customers and staff . A oasis to Drop into Frequently.. read more

I feel this place could best be described in list form (as I am a fan of)... -Outdoor patio/garden -Tasty food -Latin Flavor (also a fan of) -Outdoor patio/garden -Reasonable enough priced -Nice presentation -Oh, and did I mention an outdoor patio/garden? I like feeling you are in a Tuscan villa when really you are just in Berkeley. Although, this place might not be so amazing if it is raining outside...winter updates to come... read more

Café Leila - What a $8.00 breakfast looks like - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

There is no doubt that this is our dogs favorite spot for us to dine. We have become big fans of Cafe Leila over the last couple of years. Both breakfast and lunch has been a pleasure to enjoy in the garden with our furry friends at our feet. The food is divine but the setting makes it the ultimate relaxed dining experience. We stopped in yesterday and ordered our standard lamb burgers. They have always arrived cooked to order - medium rare. I'd forgotten how great the fries are that are served on the side. Crisp and perfectly crunchy with the proper amount of salt and skin left on the ends. I vowed to just eat a couple, but quickly recanted and ate every last one of them. After eating all those fries I only ate half my burger and brought home the other half for later. When "later" came I ate it straight out of the fridge and am happy to report that the lamb burgers are good served cold also! read more

Walked in today surprised to see a man sitting the front (indoor) area without a mask. Turned out to be one of the owners- so I guess that makes it okay read more

Gf ordered chicken pesto sandwich. I ordered lamb burger. Both agree that they were delicious choices and well made with fresh ingredients. We loved the fries and the lightly dressed salad greens that come with it. Both pleasantly supposed to find this cafe which has a great garden seating area in the back. Service was good. Coffee was good too. read more

Café Leila - Girlfriends plate is completely gone. I only had half lamb burger cause I was full, but it was very delicious. - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice setting and even has it's own parking area. The food is just never consistent. The wait staff is nice for the most part. You just never know how the food will be. One time I went with my sister. My food came out and she sat there for 30 minutes waiting for hers. We asked the waitstaff where her's was, they said they knew all about her order. 20 minutes later I went back to the counter and her order had never been put in. I ordered fruit in the morning, and before I did I asked if the melon would be hard and not ripe. They said it was ripe. When it came all the melon was hard as a rock. They also are not consistent with the portions they give. Sometimes enough for breakfast, sometimes not. I hope they can improve this, because most of the staff is nice, the backyard is cute and they have live free music on the weekend. Come on Leila! You can raise the bar and with stronger management training and maintenance systems in place. read more

1. Good food - had the shrimp special with garlic rice (LOTS of decent-size shrimp, yummy) & Chicken noodle soup which was THICK with chicken 2. excellent atmosphere - sat in the garden, like an oasis 3. Good prices - it may seem pricey at first, but for what you get (food quality & quantity) it is so reasonable 4. free parking - in Berkeley! This place would be great for private parties, great space inside & in the garden My ONLY quip is the "large" pot of tea seemed small...maybe the gal messed it up? Or maybe I am a tea-addict read more

Cafe Leila is a place that if a friend who didn't tell me to go there, I'd wouldn't. I went here for lunch for a co-worker outing. Being on a vegetable detox, I was limited to what I could eat. Good to see on the menu a grilled shrimp salad. With the dressing on the side, was still able to keep to the vegetable detox. The shrimp was seasoned with a chipotle seasoning, so it did have flavor. My dish though did look unappetizing compared to the other dishes ordered. The lamb burger and the African burger looked damn delicious. I will be coming back to try both, darn the vegetable detox. Only minus of this place is that the service was a little slow and confused. Several of our party's dishes got mixed up, arrived at a latter time from the party, or did not arrive and the server had to be reminded. Not really a bad thing, since we did have 10 people. But being a small place, I can see how confusion may happen during the peak lunch period. read more