This place is cute but it is so expensive. The last time I was here I ordered a tea to go and it was $5 usd for a cup of hot water and a tea bag. read more

Cafe Leila was a pleasant surprise! My friend lives close by so we walked here for brunch. I was surprised at how big the back garden patio area was! I was expecting to find no tables because it was a Saturday morning but we were able to sit right away. You order first, get a number for your order and take it to your table and they will bring the food to you. I got a veggie omelette. The food was good! I got some potatoes with the omelette and I have to admit I cleared my plate. There was also a pretty big drink menu with coffee, tea, juice options. My friend told me they don't have wifi, maybe to deter people from hogging a table doing work for too long but there were a few people who brought a book to read which is nice too. Come when the day is nice out and enjoy some good food and sunshine :) read more

Beautiful locale with delicious food and great service! Highly recommend to all my friends or visitors to Berkeley! Low key and relaxing. A must visit! read more

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Drove by this place on a rainy day with my best friend who's name happens to be Leila, so we HAD to turn around and try this place out. They have their OWN parking lot which is a huge plus for Berkeley, and they have a TON of seating inside! They have all your coffee needs here, drip, americanos, espressos, even pastries and sweets!! We were on our way to yoga, so I didn't want to I overload in sweets but I can't say no to coffee. I ordered a latte and Leila ordered a americano. We wanted to sip our drinks before headinG our so we went to the back to check out the cafe. There's tables in the back you can bring your laptop and eat if you want! I saw people order salads and other meals, so I'll have to come back and the food. It was raining so we couldn't sit on the patio outside but it was beautiful all the plants and flowers. I will definitely be back!! read more

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My friends and I go here all the time - always a great experience. I'm partial to the Amazing California Salmon Salad. So delicious! Wide variety of teas. Order at the counter/cashier, then sit for a short while in the eclectic patio. Love the quirky artwork. Service and food is always great. read more

Many years later, I finally made a return to here. The owner guy and his wife were wearing shirts with hearts on them. Seems like they found contentment or inner peace or Xanax cause they were quite nice and no longer angry. I'm glad, cause the food is still great and the back patio is spectacular. read more

We did not have a good experience today for lunch. It was a busy day. It was a long wait with our two young daughters. It's understandable. It's graduation day, and Mother's day. We waited over an hour for our food. Ours was not a large or complicated order. Multiple parties that arrived after us got served before us. Some by 15-20 minutes. After numerous inquiries we finally got our food. I approached the owner about the situation, politely requesting a refund or a voucher toward a future meal. Or at the very least an acknowledgement and apology. But the owner effectively said I was lying about other people getting their food before us. He did not acknowledge what happened or offer any kind of recompense except 'a drink'. It seems like implying that your regular customers are lying when they tell you about their experience at your restaurant is not a great business practice. This is just one family's experience, so take from it what you will. read more

Great Food, Staff, Service with a very real smile, great value . The Dining experience was private but outdoor garden feel. Great atmosphere

Outstanding sandwiches, coffees, service and space. Great outdoor patio area. Clientele speaks to the quality of what they do here!

Backyard/Garden area is enjoyable. The tea and coffee drinks menu will keep you coming back.

The outdoor garden is soo cute. The ambience is nice and they have live jazz bands on the weekend. The pancakes are cooked to perfection. The only thing that would make this better is mimosa flights ;) Also as a heads up, you're not waited on outside (which can be tough if you have folks who need accommodations--it's not the most accessible) . You have to keep getting up to get water, condiments, utensils, etc. This is a nice spot nonetheless. read more

Café Leila - Buttermilk Pancakes with walnuts and banana - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Their breakfast burritos are nice I don't eat meat so im not sure on how the meat is read more

The rating is for the food, which was uniformly excellent. But to get to the food you have to ignore the comical levels of utter flapdoodle posted in the menu. Smoothies don't make you younger, and none of the health claims they make are even in the same Zip Code with the truth. But, you know, it's Berkeley. The good news, as I said, is that the food is terrific. The menu is inventive and even if the smoothies aren't actually anti-aging they're at least delicious. They also have a lovely outdoor garden seating area where you can enjoy your meal. read more

A friend and I came here for lunch and I didn't know this place existed. It is a bit on the pricey side for breakfast and lunch but the outdoor area is huge and it was a great day to be sitting outside. Dogs are allowed in the outside patio and there is plenty of tables and chairs and umbrellas. The inside is also roomy if you want to be enclosed next to the sunny windows that lead out into the patio. I asked if there was wifi and they said only on the weekdays which is a bit strange. My friend ordered a side of scrambled eggs and home fries and I had the Alexander in the Morning which included coffee and there was also some fruit with the order. The atmosphere is very nice and the outdoor patio is very relaxing. The food is A-OK and a bit on the pricey side. I'd give it 3 and 1/2 stars and I like to be generous. read more

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Today I had the worst chicken Caesar salad I've ever had. Seriously. The chicken was so tough and dry I could t even cut it with the knife provided. And it took a half hour to arrive...disappointing. The garden here is beautiful and the band played nice music. Too bad the food (not inexpensive) was very sub par. read more

This is a must try in the Berkeley area. The owner is always present and he is fiercely protective of his customers. They have a phenomenal drink menu and their food is delicious. Enjoy the patio! read more

The good thing about Cafe Leila is they have a ton of outdoor space, and many tables with shade umbrellas if you're a creature of the dark like me. Lately though I've been really frustrated with cafe Leila. They now have a $10.00 minimum spending requirement for any purchase, and if you want to sit on the patio you have to purchase an entire meal (not just, say, a drink and a snack, even if the total of that drink and snack would add up to $10). What kind of "cafe" doesn't allow you to purchase just a coffee?!? I know it's a pandemic and businesses are struggling. I want to to support local businesses like Leila. The problem is that I and many others are financially struggling too. I don't have a high enough income to sustain purchasing an entire meal every time I want to grab a coffee and sit outside at Leila. So, now I only go here a couple times a month. If it weren't for their new purchasing requirements, I would probably go there multiple days a week for a coffee and maybe a pastry and would likely end up spending more total money per month at their business than I am now. I just can't justify spending $16 (the cost of my meal after tax and tip) for a table -- and a meal I didn't want but was required to buy. Lately I've been going to Cafenated coffee, or Kaleidoscope, instead because their outdoor spaces are nice too and I don't end up spending a small fortune for an hour of working on the patio. Leila please consider changing these requirements if you want more customers who can come more often!!! Overall I'm pretty sure you would make more money off of me and others. read more

My partner and I brought a car we were considering buying to Wise Auto Tech on San Pablo Ave. for an inspection - go see Wais, he's hands down the best auto mechanic in the area, but that's for another review. We were famished after a morning of car shopping, and were happy to find this place a couple of blocks down from Wais. They have a lovely garden area in the back with ample seating. You order and pay at the counter and your food is brought out to you. I ordered the salmon omelette, RB ordered the 'Alex in the Morning'. Generous portions, and entrees come with potatoes and toast. Being that it's detox Monday, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they have a 'wellness' smoothie. I added blueberry to mine, and patted myself on the back for this act of love and healthfulness toward my body, after a weekend of, um, imbibing. Prices are reasonable. Will likely return next time we're in the area for car care. read more

I've only had breakfast or lunch. The prices seem a tad high for what you're getting so I'm hoping they pay their staff well. The food is good and reasonable portion sizes. The garden is lovely. Moist staff is nice (though older woman manager seems wound very tightly and makes folks feel rushed). The line to order can be annoying especially with new distance rules and having to stand on the sidewalk if it's very crowded. Perhaps add a second register? Overall a good place to linger and chat on a nice day hit again the prices are creeping pretty high. I paid more for breakfast than I do on the Peninsula which is unusual. And I don't get anything fancy. read more

I love the patio! Came here for breakfast with my wife, and ran into my daughter there with a friend.

Great salsa. Otherwise mediocre food at best. Beans undercooked and meat was cold. As if it wasn't m

I went here and had the tofu scramble and it was absolutely delicious. It came with the scramble with vegetable, fruit, potatoes and bread and there are a bunch of different hot sauces to chose from. I thought the pricing was a bit much at first, but the serving was enough for two people. The outside area is also super beautiful with a little fountain and lots of plants. read more

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Fat burrito and amazing patio with sun and shade options for the many gorgeous days we have in Berkeley. Lots of vegetarian options.

This place has a lovely garden however, the owner wants to kick people off the tables after half an hour. Today, I walked in, and was rudely told by the woman at the counter that I could only have the table for half an hour, before I had even ordered anything. Also, on a previous visit, the chicken was as dry and tasteless as cardboard. read more

Missed brunch yet had oat porridge w/ dried fruit, nuts, & bananas. Made w/ water & came w/ a side of soy milk. Filling & couldn't finish. Will return for brunch to try the tofu scramble. Sampled a fruit smoothie that was alright. Comfy patio w/ a nice garden. Friendly service. read more

I went to this restaurant few times. I must say food is terrible and customer services is awful. I would never go back again.

Delicious food! And fantastic service; we were very happy with how kind everyone was. It was simply a wonderful experience in every way.

I recently visited Cafe Leila with two of my friends. I had enjoyed this venue many times, great outdoor seating, beautiful plants,birds , fountains friendly, patient female staff. The food has been good but not consistent. On this visit the owner wasn't helpful to his up front staff,as I saw it. The phone was ringing off the hook and she asked him to please help by answering the phone he appeared very annoyed. My food was not as I had remembered it ,my sunny side fried egg was over easy and I asked the server to return it . The boss came back to me with the server in tow and my food and plopped it in front of me and said this is the way we always serve it. He gave no apologies ,cold egg, not to my satisfaction no chance to respond. He then walked away with the server who appeared embarrassed. I refuse to go back to Cafe Leila. One of my friends said after this episode she would never go there again also. I'm sorry to say I won't return and I'm looking for another lovely outdoor setting nearby to enjoy my friends, family and dinning. read more

If you're looking for a big typical breakfast that's not a bougie brunch, Cafe Leila is on par with comparable places in Oakland and Berkeley with two huge added bonuses -- their patio and a few vegan items on the menu. It's sure to please herbivores and omnivores alike. You order at the counter, grab what you need (water, napkins, jam, hot sauce etc.) and choose your table, so you're not waited on and food comes out as it's ready. This is a non-issue for me personally. The garden is so nice and I loved the sound of the fountain. A yummy, filling, relaxing, and enjoyable experience. read more

Café Leila - Vegan Tofu Scramble - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I ordered Leila's Omelette which comes with the potatoes, a small slice of fruit, and your choice of toast. I also ordered the sweet matcha green tea latte and lavender lemonade. The omelette was delicious. The potatoes were flavorful and savory! I expected a little more sweetness from the Sweet Matcha Green Tea Latte. I had a great time listening to the live band. Overall, great experience! read more

Café Leila - Buttermilk Pancakes, leila Leilas Omelet, Sweet Matcha Green Tea Latte, lavender lemonade - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

The place is beautiful, but we weren't able to sit outside because we didn't order meals. They also do not have WiFi and prices are a bit steep. However, there is art on the walls and lots of seating. read more

Location: Located on San Pablo in West Berkeley, it is a Conveniently located with a parking space. There's also plenty of street parking. Wait times: we went on a rainy day and it was not too busy, but on a sunny day it's usually pretty busy during weekend peak lunch/brunch hours and you might even have to wait if you want a spot on the outside. Ambience: pretty cozy but not too loud. There's indoor and outdoor seating areas. I prefer the outdoor one more. It's just beautiful. People do come here to work as in a cafe, but not all tables are available for that. Some tables are reserved specifically for patrons wanting to have a proper dining experience. Service: you pretty much order at the counter and then grab a table. You need to pick up your drinks/desserts on your way to the table. The food gets served at your table. Even though we came in on a lunch hour on a not so busy day, it did take some time for our food to arrive. But all the staff is pretty friendly and polite. Food: The food was overall good. The mango smoothie not so much. The teas from there tea bar are highly recommended. Of all the things we ordered, I'd recommend the Chicken Tayeb and the Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich. I did however have moth eggs on a spinach leaf in my salad. Since I noticed it at the very end, I did not bother complaining, but the kitchen needs to pay more attention to cleaning the salad a bit more. Overall it was a positive experience. 4 stars. read more

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Was told by the owner we couldn't sit in their back deck after purchasing coffee. So I sat outside in the front where there are two empty tables available. But, was told by the owner "you can't sit there." Nothing mentioned about social distancing, safety reasons, nothing. Literally "You can't sit here." We said okay, then we'll wait for the customers in the back patio to leave so we can enjoy our coffee on your beautiful patio you advertise. Even though you just told us we couldn't sit back there... but you have customers sitting back there? He answered back with "mmm..they'll be a while." Weird how there's a review from 4 days ago with 5 stars saying she ordered to go and got to sit in the back to eat their meal. When I was just there 2 days ago and wasn't allowed back there? Hm, strange. Yeah, BYE. Rude AF. Support other respectful businesses during COVID, not here. Fix your attitude, it's gross. read more

the most amazing gorgeous garden. the shalaby steak (basically Mediterranean fajitas) is the bomb. fancy iced teas are fun. I love it for birthdays and other gatherings cause you all order at the counter and theres usually space in the garden to eat together. read more

Love the outdoor seating here, flowers, plants everywhere, puts me in a good mood. Order at the counter, find a table and food comes out fast, usually. Cons... the menu seems limited, dated and on the expensive side for the portions. No kid menu. Still, I'd come back on a weekend afternoon with my dogs. read more

How I dread giving 1 and 2 star reviews... Ugh. I ordered a lamb burger that came with a side salad + fries all for $12 with tax and was extremely disappointed to say the least. I asked for my lamb well done and instead I got medium rare, my salad was drenched in dressing, fries were beyond salty and greasy. I would have sent my meal back to at least have my burger cooked well but I knew that would not be a valid options and here's why. My meal took at least 20 minutes to arrive and it seemed like the staff had a hard time getting food to the right tables. This made me realize that I would be further disappointed in my dining experience because who knows how much longer I'd have to wait so I boxed my meal and left. I arrived home and thought I could at least reheat my lamb burger and by the time dinner came around I was so thoroughly disgusted by the burger and the whole experience that I basically just flushed $12 bucks down the toilet. I am giving Cafe Leila 1 star not only because the food was terrible but because every table I tried to sit at wasn't cleaned and the staff wasn't friendly nor helpful. At this point I'm just regretful that I had this type of experience, which has led me to give a low star rating. read more

Café Leila - Outside in the courtyard - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The best part of Café Leila is the space-if you are looking for a place to work or read for a few hours, this a great space to pull up a chair! The wooden tables and ample sunlight give it an inviting ambience, and during my last visit I saw several small groups working away. There is also a huge patio that's perfect if you are looking to lounge while enjoying the outdoors. They serve your standard mix of coffee-based drinks, teas, pastries, and breakfast/lunch items. I thought their lavender lemonade was a standout, and I only wished that I could have gotten free refills (it was a hot day!). On the other hand, their BLT was more on the mediocre side, with a slathering of mayonnaise and not that much bacon. I also thought the side salad had too much dressing and was warmer than I would have expected. If I end up trying something better, I'll update this review! read more

Café Leila - Basil ginger lemonade - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Awesome food, atmosphere and great outdoor seating. My only complaint is that there's only a single register and often a line of people out the door who haven't looked at the menu by the time they get to the front! Beyond that, there are so many good things to say about the owners, the staff, and creating a relaxing outdoor space that is dog-friendly. The Chicken Tyab is my go-to. One of my favorite places in Berkeley! read more

Special Place, Excellent Food Social distancing and safety approved! I first visited Cafe Leila as part of a knitting group and instantly fell in love. The coffee and tea offerings are unique and they have so much variety you can try something new every visit. My staple is the Same Pablo Tea and even though I try to make it at home, my effort doesn't compare. I suspect it is the love they add. Coming here feels life returning to a friend's kitchen and relaxing in the lovely garden. On to the food. I love the Alex breakfast plate and will sometimes switch up and get the Chorizo. I'm a creature of habit but each time I visit or introduce someone to the cafe they try something new and they are always happy with their selection. read more

The ambiance rocks here! It's my favorite feature. I love how many outdoor tables and chairs there are, so on a nice day, you're sure to get a lovely space outside. Our group of three got three different lattes and three different scones. I must say, my latte was excellent, and my scone was super average. But that didn't matter. I liked being able to hang out there! What I'm looking forward to next time is ordering a breakfast dish or two to try! And maybe try a coffee item! read more