I don't usually leave reviews, but this cafe was one of the worst experiences at my time at CAL. First of all, the seats are super uncomfortable and so worn out. They blast music all the time so it can get pretty loud in there. Last, my friend was bringing in a sandwich he made from home and the worker told us to leave as food is not allowed - which is fine but he was very aggressive with the way he said it and scared my friend. read more

I am only here because I have no choice. I needed a cafe that was close to Telegraph x College and indoors, as I have a laptop and it's forecasted to rain heavily this afternoon (which has all of the Bay Area freaked since this is the first major storm of the season. As an aside, I spent the last year in NY and I think a major storm here is still considered a light drizzle on the East Coast. But anyway...) Strada was out of the question as the indoor seating is about as plentiful as the parking in this area (read: nil). So I arrived, scavenged for 10 min looking for a wall outlet (in this large cafe, there's only about 6 outlets TOTAL, most of which are upstairs). I couldn't find any so I'm now running off of very little battery power and was mad enough to spend it posting this review. I asked for the WIFI password. It cost me $1 to get the 20-character password. ONE DOLLAR? And, by the way, you can't really get good Airbears or Free WiFi coverage here; not sure why, as it is right across the street from Cal. Anyway... Did I also mention that the food is mediocre quality? The coffee is certainly cheap ($1.35), but you get what you pay for: watered down, and flat-tasting. The food here is okay. Keep in mind, though, that SF Soup Company is 2 doors down... and Durant food court is 1 block south... and the food there is loads better. The service is average. These aren't exactly the people who will smile at you when you order. They'll just ask you what you want, then give it to you. At least they usually get the order right. Bathrooms: well, there's one. I'd say it's on the border between sanitary and thank-God-the-lights-aren't-brighter. The seating makes me happy that I have built-in cushioning on my ass. It's predominantly wooden benches that sink backwards. As in further away from your table and workstation. Smart design, eh? There is also plenty of ambient lighting, thanks to the abundant windows and skylight. But the lamps are dim, so if it's not a bright day outside, the entire cafe is really dim. The crowd is mostly undergraduates who are chatting, so the ambience is noisy. I wouldn't count this as a wonderful, serious place to study without headphones. In short: I'd come here more as a last resort. It's good for a quick-stop-cheap-coffee detour, but not a sit-down-and-spend-hours-studying cafe. read more

For coffee I'd rather go to Philz. But Milano's is super convenient if I just want to study in between classes since it's so close to campus! And I LOVE the sandwiches here. The turkey pesto is so delicious and cheesey and bell-peppery. And hot. I'm eating it right now. And it's $6. Oh yeah, their cappuccino's are cute because they make designs in them. They put a happy face in mine! read more

I've been here twice so far and both times I left satisfied. I've tried the italian soda and the iced soy latte. The italian soda had a good amount of syrup and I definitely recommend getting this drink to accompany a meal. Today, I got a medium iced soy latte for about $3.70. They filled the ice to the top of the glass which I was initially worried about being too cold since I have sensitive teeth, but after adding hot espresso shots, a lot of the ice melted and I was left with less than a quarter cup of ice. The latte wasn't strong enough for me, so I think I'll be trying the americano next time. The seating is a bit cramped on the first floor (just the way the tables/chairs are arranged), but there IS a second floor, fyi. Other than that, it has a great atmosphere for studying if you like studying with a little background noise. Also, if you need an outlet for your computer, there is one on the first floor INSIDE a planter... so keep an eye out for that. Free WiFi too...just ask for the password! Overall, I'm intrigued and will come back to try some of their food. read more

I used to come here frequently as an undergrad. GET THE ICED LATTE WITH HAZELNUT! The lattes are still my favorite and the sandwiches were pretty good too. In terms of seating, Cafe Milano is a nice place to go with a bunch of reading; though it's a bit lacking in outlets, I considered that a good thing as I didn't want to be distracted here by my computer anyway. Because there's always enough people watching opportunities (and eavesdropping opportunities) to distract you! Especially when you're on the second floor or can see out the windows. This is also a good place to meetup for coffee with someone or even push together tables upstairs for a good study sesh. read more

Great place to read or study, especially upstairs. Coffee is a lot like the music in the place- you really NEVER know what you're going to get! I've listened to Strauss switch to Russian pop over the course of one chapter in my textbook. I'm still recovering from that. UPDATE: I realized recently that Milano is my favorite place to write, read, or hang out with my laptop for three-four hours. This contradicts all logic and reason, but for me, this is the single best cafe on the planet. Five stars, baby! read more

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I would have to say that Cafe Milano is the best place to study on Bancroft if you're too lazy to walk to the libraries in the middle of campus. In short, its quaint, has good food, and is big! This place is two stories so make sure to go upstairs if you can't find a seat downstairs. This place has decently quick WiFi even if there is a full house (like right now as I m writing this review). Their salads are good but most people come here to meet up with friends to study. Thi s place is one of those places where you can walk in, park at a random table, and stay there for hours without buying anything or being disturbed. This place IS NOT quiet but rather on the noisy side. Nonetheless, its a nice place to study and meet up! Its been 5 hours, and have yet to be kicked out! :D read more

Cafe Milano - Packed night - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Milano is UC Berkeley's go-to place (just like Caffe Strada) to get coffee and hang with friends between classes, to interview potential club members, or just do work on the weekends. Unfortunately, not much about Milano is too appealing. It's too dimly lit to do real work in the back of the place in the afternoon (but the tables/seats near the windows are great), it's always a struggle to find an outlet (they're only downstairs in one section), and the wifi is spotty. The black coffee is good enough. Like Strada, it gets the job done. I haven't had the food here and I'm not especially inclined to try it. I'd recommend Milano if you're meeting with friends or trying to do non-computer/Internet work. The coffee will keep you awake and focused. Otherwise, I suggest the MLK student union across the street or SoDoI coffee or 1951 or Strada (the first is amazing, the latter two are usually packed) a few blocks away. read more

This was a great place to study, even on a weekend. My latte was nothing special, but the Avocado sandwich was very great! They don't skimp on the avocados. They could put less dressing on the side salad - but it's nice they add a side salad on at all. I couldn't get my Internet to work after restarting my computer multiple times, so I wouldn't suggest relying on having internet while you're there. This place could also use some more outlets. However, for a place to meet with your study group or work alone, I'd say this place is ideal. read more

One of the better cafes located close to campus! Very good vibe if you want to get some light studying done, since most people are working or meeting with others. It does get a little loud with the kitchen and with everyone around you, so not that great for intense studying. However, really good food and coffee! I've tried the avocado sandwich which is amazing--the soft fluffy foccacia bread is to die for and the balsamic coupled with the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and avocado is absolutely perfect. The sandwich also comes with a good side salad with amazing italian dressing. The only salad I've tried here is the italian salad which is mixed greens, fresh mozzarella, bell peppers, and artichoke hearts. The artichoke hearts were not cooked very well and the bell peppers were really cold, probably would've tasted better if the toppings were warmer. Coffee is standard, does the job but no drinks that are especially great. Recommended if you're waiting for a class to start and need a place to quickly stop and grab some coffee or to meet up with a friend! read more

Cafe Milano - Vegetarian Greek salad - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good place to hangout, especially if you are a in a rush to grab a sandwich or small snack before or after class! Not particularly a fan of their coffees though (my opinion) read more

Order the Chicken sandwich, you will not be disappointed. The tomato pesto with the melty cheese on the mexican roll makes a great combination. There is also chicken (obvious by the name) and bell pepper. The salad dressing, an orange champagne vinaigrette, that accompanies the salad is so tasty! If you are looking for a little dessert, or large one rather, get any of their cookies. I love them, but my pant size doesnt. Even though they are enormous cookies, I often finish it, since it is a buttery, pillowy cookie hard to find in non-homemade cookies. The internet can be a bit laggy and annoying, so bring reading to do. They usually play very nice classical music that isn't too distracting. Come on a nice day when the front windows are open, the breeze is always refreshing! read more

Cafe Milano - Designed coffee - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Milano is located right across the street from campus, and is often swamped with UC Berkeley students. Due to the large amount of seating compared to other coffee shops in the area, many people (including myself) use Cafe Milano as their primary meeting spot for group projects, coffee with friends, etc. Milano has a lively atmosphere, and is always an enjoyable place to walk into to. Milano offers all the pastries, coffee, and drinks of a typical coffee shop. My personal favorite item is the Cafe Milano Chicken Sandwich. The sandwich has warm chicken in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella and a nice side salad with tomatoes. It costs $6.75. The downsides of Café Milano: It's often difficult to access the Internet. When you are able to log onto the Free Wi Fi, it's extremely slow. In addition, there are only a few outlets in the entire café. In short, if you're looking for good conversation with friends, come here. If you're trying to work for a few hours on your computer, try somewhere else. read more

Cafe Milano - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

A once great place that needs a few changes. First, turn down that dad rock. Take a look around and recognize that literally every guest is wearing headphones to block it out. If you want to jam, move those speakers into the kitchen. Second, why the gas station coffee? It's diluted and not good. Just get Pete's or whatever and charge $.10 more per cup. read more

Drinks: One of the best bianca (for sweet tooths, if you want a less sweet but equally amazing one try Brewed Awakening on Northside) in Berkeley. I also used to be a fan of their iced chai lattes, but they changed the way they make them and I don't really like them anymore. :( Pastries: The muffins are hit or miss. I think the chocolate is the best quality (better than blueberry and poppyseed) which is unfortunate since I don't care much for chocolate muffins. Their chocolate croissant is okay... It has a lot of chocolate and can get really messy. I prefer the sweet cheese croissant which is simply divine (ask them to heat it up for you!). Food: I love their focaccia bread. It's some of the best focaccia I've ever had. The avocado sandwich is really creamy (creamy mozzarella + avocado) and comes with a side salad. My favorite thing to eat here has got to be their salads though. They are HUGE, come with a variety of fresh veggies, and a slice of the beloved focaccia bread. The Italian is my favorite. Atmosphere: Unfortunately the wifi is as flaky as the croissants here. Also, outlets are limited, and only some tables have feasible access to them. On the upside, I love their music! They play a lot of Ludovico Einaudi - perfect study music. read more

Cafe Milano - Bianca & a bagel - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's ok. Everything about this place is ok: the coffee, the pastries... Maybe everything is even "pretty good". But I don't understand the cult obsession. Berkeley friends of mine keep dragging me here, and it's always fine, but never something i crave or would chooseon my own. read more

This place is a campus favorite! I just love coming here for the vibes and it would be great spot for a hangout some lunch or to grab a quick breakfast. They do have WiFi here but I wouldn't count on it too much. Ever since the renovations a lot more outlets are available on the first floor if you need a place to charge. Sometimes it works really well and sometimes it doesn't. They have a lot of pastries from muffins to croissants to cakes. They also have salads hot sandwiches paninis soups bagels breakfast burritos. They're drinks are good, nothing special. It can get a little bit loud here sometimes so if you are looking for a very quiet place to study this wouldn't be it. Hygiene wise they have gotten a lot better as well. My new favorite order is their hot stuffed croissant. The put the croissant in the panini machine which flattens it out and makes it all crispy and warm. read more

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$3.75 for a 16oz Americano after tax! Not tragic but definitely not the best. Price and taste wise that is. Cafe Milano is a convenient location near campus to study or get a quick coffee and bite to eat. Their service is fast and no complaints really. Theres outlets, WiFi, and music playing in the background. read more

I went into Milano 5 minutes before midnight right as they were closing, and ordered a 3 shot white iced mocha. When asked why I wanted 3 shots at bedtime I explained that I had a final in 8 hours and couldn't sleep. Must have looked kinda down-trodden because this incredibly kind guy(barista) hands me my drink but has put a little foam on top and used chocolate syrup to draw a hilarious cartoon face. It made my night, and they earned a loyal customer. That kind of attention to detail even as they are closing shows what a great place Milano is! read more

Cafe Milano - The drawing the barista did on my iced white mocha to make my night a little better ;) - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cool shop with vibez. Simple menu for entrees and coffee/beverages. Very cool interior and food that hits the spot. I got the pastrami sandwich on mexican bread which included salad. Both were refreshing and solid in portion. read more

It's dirty and noisy and the pastries are not tops. However, the coffee is good. Sometimes, too, the foam will be decorated, and I'm a sucker for foam art. Another plus is that despite the noise and crowdedness, there is always seating--albeit dirty, unbussed seating. read more

I've always thought this place was okay.. like the people below me have said, it's crowded, noisy, and the internet's really flaky even though it's so close to campus. There's lots of seats, but the upstairs tables are kind of weird. At some tables, the chairs are connected so if one person gets up, we all feel it haha. It's a great place to study at especially on a Sunday morning. It's probably a better place to socialize. The coffee and pastries aren't that fresh, but they're still affordable..My favorite is the ham and cheese croissants. read more

You can definitely get better coffee in Berkeley but Milano is a great place to spend some time and get work done or catch up with a friend. The cafe's on the grungy side but has its own charm. It's not the ideal but oddly feels like home. You will find all sorts of interesting people there who normally would not congregate. The workers are all super nice and make interesting latte art. I love the huge windows that open up in the front of the cafe as well as on the ceiling. They've got some good food offerings that are easy on a student's budget. They also have shotty internet, the bathroom should be avoided but you learn to deal. read more

Cafe Milano, I like your groove Your ambiance, coffee, and 2nd story floor I approve The place has a dark contemplative feel It's truly a cafe that's ageless, and that's for real Cafe Milano has some solid coffee, OK food selection (sandwiches, bagels, pastries) and best of all the ambiance and feel of the entire place just feels like what every coffee shop should feel like. it's kind of dark, dark furniture, and classical music playing with perfect volume. There are seats galore, though it can get packed. There are also sections where groups can meet as well (I counted three big tables). This cafe gets a thumbs up from this elite. read more

The hot chicken sandwich isn't bad. It's basically a chicken parm sando with some pretty tender chicken. In fact it's tender in a weird and kinda unnatural way, I really couldn't tell you how it's made. Cafe Milano is like one out of a billion similar cafes in Berkeley. This isn't really a bad thing but it hardly stands out. read more

The wifi here is horrible. I'm writing this using the data on my phone cause internet is THAT slow on my laptop...If your homework requires research, I don't recommend you go here. On the other hand, it could be a good thing if you're trying to study because it takes away from the distracting devil that is social media. The iced mocha Bianca is decent. I got a shot of raspberry in it. (Don't knock it till you've tried it). The cashiers are very nice! It's also a great place to sip on your coffee &people watch. read more

I really enjoyed my dirty chai at Cafe Milano. Service was SO FAST and my coffee was very strong (A++ for a tired senior). I got a strawberry smoothie and it had REAL FRUIT (i think. at least it tasted like it). The girl working the register was so sweet and the vibes in the shop are very hip and there is a lot of seating. Will be returning! read more

Definitely a place you want to be for convenience if you're a student at Cal. The coffee was good, I ordered just a caramel latte but I would probably try their food options next time. However, I enjoyed the people and the scenery. Nice spacious place with a lower and upper level. You do have to purchase something to sit down though. read more

Location: Right on Bancroft near the University so very convenient for students....and meh convenient for those who do not live in the area. The place: Cafe Milano is pretty spacious and is two stories tall! Clean, somewhat dark, and gives a chill vibe if you want to be alone or talk with one other friend. The food: I had a chicken sandwich and it was pretty good. Not much to write about to be honest. Its the type of place that if I a nearby and needed to do work/grab a bite to eat...100% a great place. Am I gonna wake up one morning thinking that I need to go here?...No. I must say though that the bread was pretty good. So not the best, not the worst. If I am ever back in the area I will probably stop in. read more

Disclaimer: I cannot discern between "good" and "bad" coffee (it all tastes the same to me) so my opinions of cafes are solely based on their aesthetic and feel! I am CONFLICTED because I love Milano. The brick is cute AF, the upstairs is so lovely and quaint and perfect for 1) catching up with friends 2) reading a book 3) journaling 4) sketching 5) conducting club interviews, the photographs are so Berkeley and interesting to look at, and you just feel cozy when camped out at Milano. However, their WiFi is TERRIBLE. I'm not sure if I get faster connection when I'm at Cafe Milano or when I'm traveling in Europe with T-Mobile seeing that dumb little "E" symbol that means your Snapchat is going to take 4 hours to send. Additional things to be cautious about: they have very few outlets upstairs and they have a credit card minimum of $3. All in all, I'm still going to go to Milano once a week because it feels so RIGHT to be there. But if you're going to go to Milano to work, make sure everything you have to do can be done offline because there is a 99% chance the WiFi will make you want to cry read more

Great music here! A mix of classical and alternative; I don't even need to plug in pandora while studying. I prefer to sit upstairs with all the Christmas lights. It's one of the few places open late weekdays around campus, so I can also get my needed night study fix, especially during finals week. I've tried the mocha Bianca which was okay, it gets the job done but nothing special. The food smells great so I'll def get noms here in the future. read more

3.5 stars Cafe Milano is tucked in an inconspicuous location between Bancroft Clothing Co. and (the now closed) Yogurt Land on Bancroft. Noise comes simultaneously from speakers playing music in the restaurant, cashiers taking orders, groups of students working on group projects, etc...just your average cafe hustle-and-bustle. I don't have a particular "go-to" item on the menu. The coffee is pretty average...not over-the-top fantastic, but not cheap-office-coffee-machine quality either. That being said, the coffee is rather overpriced for what you get... The chai latte is probably what Cafe Milano is most famous for. Around $4-$5 each, I decided to give it a try on a particularly self-indulgent morning. 7/10 would recommend...milk is foamy, chai flavor is strong...just kind of skeptical about the overall presentation and it was too sweet for me. I've also tried a few of their bakery treats. The blueberry muffin was so incredibly bland that I'm kind of disappointed I bought it. I would rather be spending money on coffee rather than the disappointing pastries at Milano. Overall: 5 stars for vibe and atmosphere 5 stars for seating (two floors of seating and usually pretty quiet...perfect for studying!) 3 stars for coffee 3 stars for pastries/bakery treats 4 stars for service read more

Nice coffe shop. Very Efficient. Nice selection if pastries. Toasted bagels. Modest price. Great location on Bancroft across from Sather gate entrance to Cal campus. read more

I came here for lunch with a friend on a weekend and it was great! We each ordered salads - I got the Italian and she got the Greek. It was HUGE - definitely enough for a big appetite or to take some home. The vegetables were fresh, and it came with this delicious, again huge, piece of focaccia. We also each got lattes, and it was pretty standard, not much worth mentioning. We sat upstairs, which was a little less crowded than downstairs. It made it easier to have quiet conversation over coffee. Overall, a pleasant experience at a nice cafe. Will definitely come back, maybe when there aren't as many students. read more

Cafe Milano - HUGE italian salad with yummy focaccia - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The events that led up to me happening upon this cafe were absolutely tragic. My flight got cancelled and several other flights I tried to book were delayed; I was essentially stranded in Berkeley with a big board meeting waiting my arrival at work. When I came into the cafe, the staff members were very helpful and kind and my iced latte and chicken sandwich were delightful. They had plenty of plugs and good WiFi for me to complete all of my work, all while playing a trendy playlist that I found quite nice. I really appreciated this cafe with the nice work environment and accommodating staff! Thanks, guys! read more

I've only tried the Mocha Bianca here and I feel no need to try anything else. The first time I got it with a macaroon, which was most definitely not a good move on my part. Too much sugar in one sitting and I felt like a fatass afterwards. The macaroon is covered in chocolate and huge so this is a shoutout to all my fellow coconut-lovers out there! My friend got the ham&cheese sandwich and the price was pretty reasonable for the portions. read more

Cafe Milano - Mocha Bianca and Macaroon - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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They make some decent coffee, there is free wifi, and everyone is pretty nice. It can be hard to find seating depending on the time of day and if school is in session. Nothing particularly special about this place to up the stars and it's not a place I seek out when I am in town, but it will do when I am nearby and need a caffeine fix. read more

Cafe Milano - Good Morning Mocha! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Feeling nostalgic of past summers and wandered into this cafe for my morning brunch Ordered cappuccino and croissant. Coffee was cute but croissant was generic, buttery and large. Extra points for the nice baristas who put a cute smiley in my drink and for warming up my croissant The space is great. Open air. Bench seating. Natural light. Upstairs sitting area. Yup I could probably sit here all day. read more

Cafe Milano - Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The convenience of this location is prime if you are ever headed to the Berkeley campus. I came here prior to heading to campus to study and found a surprisingly spacious little cafe on the street right off campus. I ordered my usual at every coffee shop- a basic latte (but simple is better right?). I also ordered a turkey sandwich to go so I could take it to study at the library. The coffee was strong and did not have too much milk in it, perfect. The sandwich came on foccocia bread (is that spelled right?) and was topped with a delicious spread, turkey, and green peppers. Although I did wish there was some more meat in it, the flavors were on point. This place is also a very good study spot in the case that you aren't going over to campus. The tables are plentiful and marble patterned (aka aesthetic for that "im studying" snap/IG). The wifi password is at the counter so make sure you grab it while you order. Parking can be a little tricky because..well..berkeley. The guys at the table next to us unfortunately got a ticket while parked :/ The staff was friendly and fast with service. Def would come again just to study! read more

Ridiculous that only one person (who was great) was working Saturday evening, when there was a basketball game and a big concert @ Zellerbach, as well as lots of students out & about, so that the kitchen was closed and everyone had to wait for the one server to make coffee drinks, paninis, etc. It happens that the owner came by to get himself a drink while I was at the counter, but he just went away with his coffee without dealing with the understaffing. read more