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Ahhhh, the sweet smells of coffee brewing and carbs loading. We learned recently that Cafe Brusco in Berkeley is from the same ownership as Roses Pizzeria off University. As we were arriving, we saw a staff member coming up the street (Roses is just a few doors down) with freshly baked bagels. A great moment! Cafe Brusco is small with limited seating, although we did grab a table early morning. Mostly filled with patrons on their laptops, we were purely there to experience all that they had to offer. I ordered a Tangerine & Burrata bagel and a 'Fancy Fresh' bagel (avocado, herb cream cheese, olive oil, tomato, basil..). I was feeling adventurous, but also wanted to truly enjoy their unique offerings! When in Berkeley?! With their open face bagel options, you can choose whole or half options which is so great! I chose the 'half' options so I could try the two flavors. Love this for future ordering too. Plain, sesame, everything, and maybe a seasonal option are their current bagel flavors. They also have a Calabrian chili spread I look forward to trying next time too. Other notable menu items include a few of their closed sandwiches: the Brusco (calabrian cream cheese, pistachio mortadella, honey, pickled pepper) and the Muffuletta..but on a sesame bagel! Coffee-wise, I actually had an orange coffee..delicious! Looks like they also have a wine bar to beat that mid-day slump, and pastries from a local vendor. All in all, we will def be back! Never have I ever had tangerine be the moment in the morning, but it was incredibly refreshing. Flavors def delivered, yummy and crisp fresh bagels, solid coffee beans, and of course, smooth and flavored cream cheese. Very delightful and worth the splurge. Leave a few additional minutes for parking on University :)
Sorry for the not so great picture. But the bagels were so good we tried the Tangerine & Burrata and The Bartavelle and both were super goood. Never imagined bagels to be this way. And I'm vegetarian so this was so good. Their bagels didn't contain egg which was the only thing I was worried about. Also the cafe is really cute and cozy. And we went there on a very nice day. The service was also so good. Would go there again a 100000% Me and my friend loved itttttt so much
What do two girls do after hunting down park rangers for a guidebook and free swag to start our east bay trail challenge? We hunt for food. We were intrigued by the bagels so decided to order two. Brusco - mortadella, enough said Crab Remoulade - Yes, we'd like the most expensive bagel on the menu Both bagels were fresh and delicious. I usually stick with simple toppings but man oh man, these are top 3 in the bay for sure.
I love bagels so I was super excited to go to this new bagel spot on University Ave! The inside is colorful and super cute. There is seating indoors and outdoors. Ordering is straight forward at the counter and the service was friendly. I appreciate how you can order half a bagel so that you can mix and match different flavors. I came here with my sister and my boyfriend and we ordered the Gold Standard (smoked salmon), Brusco (mortadella), Fancy Fresh (avocado and tomato), and the Bartavelle (fig jam and cucumber). We got these on everything or plain bagels. Our favorite was the Bartavelle because it had a refreshing taste that was slightly sweet from the fig jam. The outside of the bagel had a nice crust but the inside of the bagels tasted a bit too much like a soft bread roll rather than a traditional bagel. I felt that the Brusco bagel was a bit too sweet. Overall, I think place is a cute place to grab a quick breakfast. The price is fair/ a bit pricey for what you get. I would be interested in trying their coffee next time.
I had the pleasure of trying the wine and coffee from this place. I stopped by with my friend mid afternoon and had a glass of a nice dry white. We were unsure of which wine to get and luckily the staff person who helped us gave a few wines to try. From the staff, to the wine, to the coffee, to the ambiance, everything was fantastic. This is a great place to have a glass with a friend or do some work with a good cup of coffee. I look forward to returning and trying the other wines!
Feeling lucky to happen upon this place after eating nearby. The cafe had a wonderful unsweetened matcha latte that was hand whisked and full of flavor. If you're in the area it's definitely a must try. Staff are very friendly and their hours are great as you can get a late afternoon tea latte here. My family also loved their cups as they had a very cool pattern on each cup.
Great spot! Great energy, friendly and helpful staff. Clean bathroom. The space is good if you are there to catch up with a friend, get a bit of work done on your laptop, or try one of their delicious bagels. The space was airy and light. We enjoyed the bagels. The fig one especially delicious because it felt fresh. I would definitely come back.
I never expected that I would ever had an elevated Italian-inspired bagel, but here we are. Just an awesome selection of bagels and unique ingredients that change the game about bagels. Basic bagel toppings are delicious, but these refined choices just are on a whole other level. Super cute inside, well decorated, great music, quick and friendly service. What more could you ask for???
From the owners of Rose Pizzeria just down the street, Café Brusco is a cute café by day and a wine bar by night (coming soon). I tried the Flirty Fig and the Gold Standard. They were both very fresh and flavorful! The Flirty Fig is a seasonal item and was the perfect combo of sweet and savory. The Gold Standard was a classic lox. I love that you can order halves and mix and match to try more items. Their pastries are from the pop-up Good Luck Bakery and looked delicious. I'll definitely be back!
When I heard the team behind Rose Pizzeria were the ones behind Cafe Brusco, I had to check it out! The space is so well decorated and cute, even the bathroom! They have a great selection of wines by the glass or bottle along with classic cafe drinks. The bagels are the stars here and they let you do half and half for your bagel so you can try more of their flavorful creations (why don't more bagel shops do this ?!?!?!) I was personally a fan of the more savory ones. Wi-fi is available here with a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating making it a great place to work and study as well.
Super super cute spot along with tasty bagels!!! Located on a somewhat busy street, however, there are plenty of street parking around. We ordered the turkey deluxe & the gold standard. The bagels were delicious and the toppings were so fresh. I thought the coffee was delicious too, I'm def interested in some of their wine options the next time I'm there towards the afternoon. Service was friendly and kind. Can't wait to come back. read more
Damn, I just missed my bus, and the next one isn't coming for an hour. That's how I came upon this popular corner spot already bustling late in the morning. It comes from the team who owns the excellent Rose Pizzeria nearby (review: https://yelp.to/EOBUVdaW9G). That was enough of an endorsement for me, so I decided to try a light lunch here. As I was waiting patiently to order, I quickly read online that the Bartavelle was the bagel sandwich to order here since it's a staff favorite. Conveniently they offer a half-sandwich for $7.50, so I ordered a fennel & orange half-bagel with an herb schmear, sheep's milk feta, fig jam, cucumber, radish, herb salad, za'atar, olive oil, and lemon. Although it was crowded, I managed to secure the last empty seat at the front counter. My open-faced bagel was quite a healthy sight to behold (Photo 9). Fresh and crunchy with the fig jam lending welcome sweetness. I ordered a $5.50 Cappuccino, rich and smooth, a nice complement to the bagel (Photo 8). Made the next bus, too. FOOD - 4 stars...fresh, tasty ingredients on a soft bagel AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...very much a convivial social hangout SERVICE - 3.5 stars...everything done fresh with minimal interaction TOTAL - 4 stars...nice dooption for a light lunch RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/MBKMAXggN_ read more
Brief Summary: - A good walk down University Avenue - Coffee is not sour - Loved the topping choices, also the option to the bagel half to have different toppings This cafe is located in the main streets of University Ave. Because of how the streets are (few parking spots), if you have a car, I recommend parking north in Shattuck, where there are more parking spaces, and then walk down here. The cafe is quite noticeable as you walk down the street; it's the one with the light blue exterior paint. Small tables and chairs are placed outside and the inside also has some tables and bar stools. I liked the ordering style of the bagels because it allowed me to split the bagel into two and then choose 2 different toppings for the halves. Usually, I would have chosen one as the smoked salmon, but I was in a lighter mood, so I chose the one half with the cucumber vegetable options, and the other was from my curiosity -- the one with the blood orange. Both I liked and I think I'll come here to have these again because they were unique toppings that I don't find anywhere else. My more favorite was the blood orange because it was like a dessert. read more
Ahhhh, the sweet smells of coffee brewing and carbs loading. We learned recently that Cafe Brusco in Berkeley is from the same ownership as Roses Pizzeria off University. As we were arriving, we saw a staff member coming up the street (Roses is just a few doors down) with freshly baked bagels. A great moment! Cafe Brusco is small with limited seating, although we did grab a table early morning. Mostly filled with patrons on their laptops, we were purely there to experience all that they had to offer. I ordered a Tangerine & Burrata bagel and a 'Fancy Fresh' bagel (avocado, herb cream cheese, olive oil, tomato, basil..). I was feeling adventurous, but also wanted to truly enjoy their unique offerings! When in Berkeley?! With their open face bagel options, you can choose whole or half options which is so great! I chose the 'half' options so I could try the two flavors. Love this for future ordering too. Plain, sesame, everything, and maybe a seasonal option are their current bagel flavors. They also have a Calabrian chili spread I look forward to trying next time too. Other notable menu items include a few of their closed sandwiches: the Brusco (calabrian cream cheese, pistachio mortadella, honey, pickled pepper) and the Muffuletta..but on a sesame bagel! Coffee-wise, I actually had an orange coffee..delicious! Looks like they also have a wine bar to beat that mid-day slump, and pastries from a local vendor. All in all, we will def be back! Never have I ever had tangerine be the moment in the morning, but it was incredibly refreshing. Flavors def delivered, yummy and crisp fresh bagels, solid coffee beans, and of course, smooth and flavored cream cheese. Very delightful and worth the splurge. Leave a few additional minutes for parking on University :) read more
6 months ago
Sorry for the not so great picture. But the bagels were so good we tried the Tangerine & Burrata and The Bartavelle and both were super goood. Never imagined bagels to be this way. And I'm vegetarian so this was so good. Their bagels didn't contain egg which was the only thing I was worried about. Also the cafe is really cute and cozy. And we went there on a very nice day. The service was also so good. Would go there again a 100000% Me and my friend loved itttttt so much read more
6 months ago
So yum! This new spot has such fresh and soft bagels. I got the half salmon lox on the everything bagel and it was delicious with the seasoned tomatoes. The service was speedy and fast. The parking for this spot though was tough but there is a parking garage near by. read more
What do two girls do after hunting down park rangers for a guidebook and free swag to start our east bay trail challenge? We hunt for food. We were intrigued by the bagels so decided to order two. Brusco - mortadella, enough said Crab Remoulade - Yes, we'd like the most expensive bagel on the menu Both bagels were fresh and delicious. I usually stick with simple toppings but man oh man, these are top 3 in the bay for sure. read more
1 month ago
I love bagels so I was super excited to go to this new bagel spot on University Ave! The inside is colorful and super cute. There is seating indoors and outdoors. Ordering is straight forward at the counter and the service was friendly. I appreciate how you can order half a bagel so that you can mix and match different flavors. I came here with my sister and my boyfriend and we ordered the Gold Standard (smoked salmon), Brusco (mortadella), Fancy Fresh (avocado and tomato), and the Bartavelle (fig jam and cucumber). We got these on everything or plain bagels. Our favorite was the Bartavelle because it had a refreshing taste that was slightly sweet from the fig jam. The outside of the bagel had a nice crust but the inside of the bagels tasted a bit too much like a soft bread roll rather than a traditional bagel. I felt that the Brusco bagel was a bit too sweet. Overall, I think place is a cute place to grab a quick breakfast. The price is fair/ a bit pricey for what you get. I would be interested in trying their coffee next time. read more
4 months ago
Outstanding bagels and a solid affogato - love how you can mix and match! Enjoyed a lovely weekend morning here. No complaints with service. read more
I had the pleasure of trying the wine and coffee from this place. I stopped by with my friend mid afternoon and had a glass of a nice dry white. We were unsure of which wine to get and luckily the staff person who helped us gave a few wines to try. From the staff, to the wine, to the coffee, to the ambiance, everything was fantastic. This is a great place to have a glass with a friend or do some work with a good cup of coffee. I look forward to returning and trying the other wines! read more
Feeling lucky to happen upon this place after eating nearby. The cafe had a wonderful unsweetened matcha latte that was hand whisked and full of flavor. If you're in the area it's definitely a must try. Staff are very friendly and their hours are great as you can get a late afternoon tea latte here. My family also loved their cups as they had a very cool pattern on each cup. read more
We walked by and had to use the restroom. So I bought a chai latte and I literally just drank a sip of my chai latte with oat milk and it's mind blowing. It's so full of flavor. Made my day perfect for a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. read more
Great spot! Great energy, friendly and helpful staff. Clean bathroom. The space is good if you are there to catch up with a friend, get a bit of work done on your laptop, or try one of their delicious bagels. The space was airy and light. We enjoyed the bagels. The fig one especially delicious because it felt fresh. I would definitely come back. read more
I never expected that I would ever had an elevated Italian-inspired bagel, but here we are. Just an awesome selection of bagels and unique ingredients that change the game about bagels. Basic bagel toppings are delicious, but these refined choices just are on a whole other level. Super cute inside, well decorated, great music, quick and friendly service. What more could you ask for??? read more
From the owners of Rose Pizzeria just down the street, Café Brusco is a cute café by day and a wine bar by night (coming soon). I tried the Flirty Fig and the Gold Standard. They were both very fresh and flavorful! The Flirty Fig is a seasonal item and was the perfect combo of sweet and savory. The Gold Standard was a classic lox. I love that you can order halves and mix and match to try more items. Their pastries are from the pop-up Good Luck Bakery and looked delicious. I'll definitely be back! read more
When I heard the team behind Rose Pizzeria were the ones behind Cafe Brusco, I had to check it out! The space is so well decorated and cute, even the bathroom! They have a great selection of wines by the glass or bottle along with classic cafe drinks. The bagels are the stars here and they let you do half and half for your bagel so you can try more of their flavorful creations (why don't more bagel shops do this ?!?!?!) I was personally a fan of the more savory ones. Wi-fi is available here with a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating making it a great place to work and study as well. read more
wow! That's all I can say. It's from the same owner as Rose's Pizza (one of the best pizzas in the bay). The bagels themselves are good, but you really should go here for all the interesting seasonal bagels. I had a crab bagel that was out of this world. The spicy mortadella one was great too. Seating a little limited, but during nicer weather you can probably eat outside. The staff was nice as well, and their coffee menu is wide-ranging. Definitely worth the drive from anywhere in the Bay. read more
Absolutely gorgeous and delicious bagels! Located in Downtown Berkeley, this cute little shop had the coziest atmosphere. The seating is limited indoors hut they have some tables outside if the weather is nice. They have a variety of bagels and options! You can choose to do half/half bagels and pick what kind of bagel you want for your toppings as well. Everything on the menu sounded so good I'll definitely be back! read more
5 months ago
7 months ago
Cute new cafe + bagel spot in Berkeley by the owners of Rose Pizzeria! Even before ordering, I found the space to be incredibly charming and a great place to catch up with friends. I ordered two halves of open-faced bagels. One was the Brusco, while the other was their seasonal fruit bagel, their Sneaky Persimmon, which were both delightful. I think my only complaint would be the price. It is on the more expensive side for bagels the (Brusco was $8 for half, while the Persimmon was $6.50 also for half), and there are other places in the area that I would probably prefer to go to for that reason. I didn't get a chance to try their coffee or drinks but would love to next time. Overall, a very cute new spot I would recommend checking out! read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
My favorite morning bagel cafe in the Bay Area!! I love how the bagels are always changing seasonally. They're just so creative with all the bagel combo flavors. The interior makes it feel super homey with lots of natural lighting. I also love how you can get half bagels, so it makes it easier to try more flavors! read more
6 months ago
5 months ago
My new go-to savory breakfast spot for sure! The brusco is my favorite, just look at what's on it! They also have great vegetarian options as well, everything on the menu is very thoughtfully curated with interesting and unforgettable flavors. No matter what you get, you're going to flavor town!! read more
11 months ago
Cute café find! Love that you can order half a bagel -- we tried the Fancy Fresh and Brusco. So good! Prices are chill, latte was decent, mocha was a bit sweet for my taste (I'm into strong coffee ). Overall, solid spot. We'll be back for sure! #CafeVibes #BagelLove read more
OMG! This bagel place was so good. The bagels are perfectly toasted, and the variety in toppings makes it so fun. The crab and the tangerine were my top two. The interior is decorated very nice and is a great place to have lunch with friends. The people working in side were really sweet and gave great recommendations. Will definitely be back and would recommend trying! read more
9 months ago
10 months ago
Summer girl bagel was so refreshing!!! I love that you can get different style bagels on each side. You can get half a bagel too which is so helpful for a girl like me who hates wasting food. Really cute spot to just people watch and have a chill morning. read more
9 months ago
I love this place so much. Amazing vibes, amazing food, amazing coffee. 10/10. Bagels are very unique and fun and very aesthetic read more
10 months ago
Amazingly curated toppings! I'm from the NY metro area originally and I think these these bagels might be the best in the Bay Area - rivaling NY OR NJ bagels! I'm coming back for sure!! We love Rose's pizza so no surprise that their bagels are incredible too!!! read more
10 months ago
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More info about Cafe Brusco
2000 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
Downtown Berkeley
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https://www.cafebrusco.com
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8 months ago
Cafe Brusco - coffee - Updated August 2026
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