Finding a good cafe while traveling is always a challenge, but this place!! Croque monsieur, several other lunch-worthy savory options, opera cake, genoise layered cakes with so many flavors I didn't get them all (I stopped after they mentioned coffee and lemon, because the opera cake suddenly caught my eye). And of course, croissants. Sunday afternoon and I have no idea why the place was empty other than maybe Berkeley's graduation was a few weeks ago and maybe summer session hasn't started yet? Because seriously, the price was better than comparable lunches I've had in other places... I imagine that during the school year, the staff is overrun with trying to keep up, and there's probably lines out of the door and down the street. And well worth the wait if it is. But for us, for today, it was empty enough that there were several cafe tables available even outside in the sidewalk, so we decided to sit outside, the tables are charming and the chairs are comfortable. As nice as any local coffee shop experience as we've had while traveling. Seriously, if you are ever near the cafe Parisian on Shattuck Ave in Berkeley, and see that it's not got a long line, go. You'll thank me later! read more

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Café Parisien has a casual and welcoming atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I tried a savory pastry (dailty special) filled with mushrooms, veggies and melted cheese inside a flaky golden crust with egg-washed top. Perfect for lunch read more

Cafe Parisien - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I would rate closer to 2.5/5 instead of 3/5. Got iced vanilla latte and caramel macchiato for ~$12. Drinks are fine but a little too sweet for my liking. The coffee itself is fine, nothing crazy. I didn't get to try their pastries but they do look good and they have a wide selection. I did come mainly for a place to do work and it wasn't busy and have good amount of tables and good wifi. Although the coffee is just fine, I would come back to try the pastries and it's a nice and convenient place to work for me. read more

Cafe Parisien - Iced vanilla latte + caramel macchiato - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I was blown away by the love and attention that went into each delicious pasty in my order at this phenomenal cafe! Owned by adorable twin brothers-who get up at 3 am to making the epic pastries they serve!-is this quaint French cafe on Shattuck. They have every French staple you could want, and delicious coffee as well. Please try Cafe Parisien, you won't be disappointed! read more

Cafe Parisien - Absolutely epic French pastries! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

We were on our way to UC Berkeley and passed by this cafe and decided to give it a shot. We parked on the street and were easily able to find a spot. As soon as we entered, we felt welcomed and the cafe had a Paris ambiance! There was a line but it moved pretty quickly. The coffee was affordable and priced appropriately. I got the hot mocha. They also had a huge variety of pastries, both sweet and savory. All of them looked amazing! However, I got my go to bagel. It came with cream cheese. The only downside was that the turnaround time was quite a bit. We had a class and we were in a hurry. However, both the coffee and the bagel were tasty and well made. If you are looking for a Parisien cafe, I recommend checking out this cafe! read more

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This place is amazing! I definitely recommend it! The customer service was exceptional, and they offer a great variety of options. The atmosphere is calm, clean, and welcoming. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we look forward to coming back. read more

Wow! My cherry danish and house coffee were perfection. They make just about all of their pastries on site! Would have come sooner had I known. Outdoor seating was quiet because I was the only one there on a cloudy, cool day besides passers by. Inside was full and understandably noisier. I'll definitely be coming back to this gem. Si delicieuse! read more

Cafe Parisien - Cherry Danish and small House Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This space was Vitality Bowls, wasn't it? I thought the name was ironic because I remember the young staff was anything but vital. However, this compact French-inspired bakery cafe was refreshingly the exact opposite with the owner quite chipper and happy to serve customers, even if they amount to being lookie-loos. When we visited the first time, Jamie W and I were boycotting baked goods. You're probably wondering why we would be coming here if we were so calorie-averse. Well, sometimes it's best to face the devil head-on, and we ordered the $4.75 Iced Tea and the $3.10 Hot Black Tea (Photo 4). Not only did he not give us grief about our pastry-free order but he happily chatted with us. His space featured faux-marble cafe tables and an enticing display of all those baked goodies. I came back alone several months later after missing the bus and recognizing I could accept a few more calories. Upping my game, I ordered the $4.95 Cafe Latte and the $6.95 Apple Cinnamon Danish (Photo 3). I'm happy to report the danish was delish and the latte was satisfying. Fortunately there was an open table where I could wait for the bus. It's not in the Marais, but hey, it'll do just fine. COFFEE / FOOD - 4 stars...quite satisfying AMBIANCE - 4 stars...relaxing when you can snag a table SERVICE - 5 stars...the owner really elevates the business TOTAL - 4 stars...not quite Paris but close enough RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/by3TCTIHdr read more

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They have some of the best customer service I've ever seen, and they care about the food they give you. Let me tell you, the workers always have a smile on there face which gives a really nice welcoming feel! Mom works not far from here and when I come to just sit down and work/study, there always so kind to me and everyone else. I might go to this school just to come here I'm glad places like this exist! Come try it out read more

I've been coming here for awhile now after hearing about a bakery run by two brothers from Paris. The two brothers are very friendly, always with a smile and friendly greeting. I usually get a half caf latte with a croissant, but yesterday, I picked up a piece of orange cake to bring back for the wife. It was delicious! I love this place! read more

We were walking down the street and decided to walk into the cafe. The pastries all looked delicious and I decided to try the Chicken and Veggie pie. OMG - Delicious. read more

Great experience, yummy food lovely owner! Came here this week and got lox bagel and two croissants (chocolate and cream filled). Got to chat with the owner as well and he told me how this is the third location opened (the original two were in France). Authentic and pleasant experience! read more

Cafe Parisien - Lox bagel - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Amazing and cute little cafe with delicious coffee, hot chocolate and pastries. Very friendly owners and the music and ambiance are lively and uplifting. The cafe and bathroom are also very clean. read more

Cafe Parisien - Lemon danish and hot chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

What a delectable smell coming from this shop! We were walking past and just had to go in as the smell alone was tantalizing! It is a cute little shop with beverages as well as breakfast treats and pastries, but also sandwiches. It was a bevy of goods and it was hard to pick just one pastry. I ended up with a chocolate croissant that was perfectly flaky and sweet without being overly sweet. Perfect spot for a morning treat or a daily visit! read more

Lovely Parisian Café with Delicious Sweets! Stopped by this charming little café after a walk and it was the perfect treat. We ordered a few different desserts, and every single one was so tasty - sweet but not too sweet, and full of flavor. You can tell they're made fresh. We sat outside, and the seating was super comfy. It's a peaceful spot to relax, enjoy your food, and people-watch. The outdoor setup really adds to the experience - very Parisian vibe. It's a great place to stop for dessert after walking around or exploring nearby. We felt really relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all. If you're in the area and craving something sweet in a cozy, cute spot - definitely check this place out! read more

Cafe Parisien - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The cheesecake was as expected. The service was fast and friendly. Really enjoyed the small cafe.

This place was a really bad experience. They messed up our order multiple times, and even the order next to us was wrong. We were brought the wrong items 3-4 times after explaining what we ordered. The staff (two brothers) were very rude and unprofessional, and their behavior made us uncomfortable. One of them gave us a pastry and said it was on the house because of the mistakes, but then the other came over upset and blamed us for grabbing the pastry & why we took it, which made no sense. He blamed us for grabbing it!!! How the fuck we could grab a poster by ourselves?!! They're sick and crazy... Because of how we were treated, we left all of our orders untouched (about $35 worth) and walked out. Also, just a heads up that there's no Wi-Fi on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which we didn't know beforehand. I wouldn't recommend this place based on the service & their out of norm behavior. read more

I absolutely love this place!! I have been here multiple times and every single time I leave happy, satisfied and in a better mood than when I went in. The cafe is owned by two brothers who make me feel like family every single time I go in. I'm always met with a friendly " hello"and "welcome in!" And now to the delicious food. I make it a habit to try at least one new thing each visit. My last visit I had a cream puff. Oh my god why did I wait so long to have this deliciousness??!!! It was all I could do not to tell them to just keep them coming! Lol! I follow them on instagram and found out they were also voted best reviews in 2025! So I'm not alone in my love for this cafe!! This has quickly become one of my favorite places to go grab a delicious snack or lunch. I highly recommend it! read more

This was our third visit to this coffee shop. On our first two visits, we really enjoyed the pastries and the friendly energy of the owners, who are two brothers. That positive experience is why we came back. This time, the shop was busy, and there were a few order mix-ups at our table. One brother initially brought us items we didn't order, then, after we informed him, he corrected the mistake. Later, he placed a small pastry on our table, and when I said we hadn't ordered it, he apologized and said it was on the house, which we appreciated as a gesture. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, the other brother, who usually works in the back, came over and, in a very confrontational tone, asked us, "You did not order this. Where did you grab this from?" The way it was said made us feel as though we were being accused of taking something that wasn't ours. There was no attempt to ask calmly or consider that the pastry may have been placed on our table by his brother. He simply took it away and left. We left immediately (without even asking for a refund) and felt disappointed. The way this situation was handled was unnecessary and absolutely unprofessional. read more

After reading other reviews we were excited to try this place. But maybe it was a bad day for them. It was Saturday, late morning, and nobody there (strike 1). Then many of the items in the case were straight up burnt! (Strike 2). Ended up with a $5.00 chocolate croissant that was pretty small, and for the price, I would expect it to at least taste fresh. Nope (strike 3). We live out of town so won't be back. read more

Food was good Had everything bagels and a mocha . The service was patient and courteous The ambiance was well lit and a great stop near uc Berkeley read more

Food was absolutely unbelievable. Pastries are an experience and the sandwiches I've tried here are simple but excellent. read more

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great spot!! loved the lemon meringue pastry, the guys were very very friendly. i got to practice my french with Hocine! it was nice to chat with him and sit outside in the sun w my coffee! read more

Great coffee! Very nice owners. The best place to lock in in Berkeley. Loved it. The ambiance is very Parisien

This place is the friendliest cafe I've been to in a long time (the staff, I mean). I got a latte and a chocolate jam cookie. The latte was a bit less strong than I'm used to, and the cookie didn't seem to have that stereotypical Parisian perfection I expected. (Maybe that's how the coffee and cookies authentically are in Paris?!) But, the friendly service and the vibe -- something about the interior ambiance makes up for it. It's a unique space. The cafe size, the number of tables and how they're arranged, the sunlight softly beaming inside in just the right way, the French music, inclusive and a bit eclectic holiday decorations ... all those elements. And so, I'd definitely return for another weak latte and less than perfect cookie. C'est la vie read more

This is the second time we've gotten this kind of birthday cake at this cafe and its absolutely delicious. Tastes authentic, fresh, and homemade. These guys are great and always exceed our expectations! read more

Cafe Parisien - Birthday cake - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is one of the best bakeries in the Bay Area! The quality of the baked goods is superb. My friend had a croque monseur (sp). I had a bacon egg cheese croissant, and an apple cinnamon tart, and also I got two creme brulee for take out. This is the second time I have eaten here.....I know of no other place which is so friendly, so accomodating, and GOOD! read more

Egg and cheese croissant and coffee was excellent!! Beautiful and delicious pastries make you feel like you are in a Paris bakery, really really fluffy and light with true artisanal flavor and very low sugar or fats. I think they bake everything in house. Service is amazing, family owned and operated. the twin brothers running it really put their souls, and their backs into making this cafe and everything about it top notch. A wonderful new place to wake up and smell the coffee and almond croissants. read more

The iced coffee is amazing and really gets you dialed!! The brothers are super welcoming and easy to talk to you!!!

The staff were really friendly and the cafe looks cozy. The pastries look delicious as well. I got the genoise for $7.50 and it tastes pretty good. Happy there's a new French cafe at Berkeley now :) read more

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Walked by this new bakery post lunch and decided to check it out. I got the hazelnut latte and my sister got a vanilla latte. Both drinks were at the perfect sweetness and the coffee wasn't sour or bitter at all! They have a ton of different pastries to choose from and some sandwiches as well. I think they just opened so I definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the area and want a snack or coffee! read more

Cafe Parisien - Hazelnut latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great espresso drinks, wonderful savory & sweet baked goods made onsite. Super nice service. The cafe is run by two brothers who are identical twins, so you get twice the service with twice the smiles :D read more

Cafe Parisien - Killer Cortado and moist orange cake - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Lovely cafe, chill Parisian cafe that does not have the hustle and bustle, nice for a Sunday and for conversations.

I usually don't leave bad reviews, but my experience with the owner sucks. I visited the store this morning to work. I bought pastries and then looked for a seat. The store was almost empty, but two people in the back were playing videos out loud and talking loudly, so sitting next to them wouldn't work for me. I found a table (big table) that hadn't been cleaned, so I cleaned it myself and sat down. Shortly after, the owner came over and wanted me to move to a small table next to the loud group, which was also not cleaned, even though other large tables were occupied by single guests as well. I hesitated but looked around to see if we make it work, but there was no single desk available that had both an outlet and enough distance from the noisy table. I politely asked if I could stay at the table I've cleaned until a larger party arrived, but the owner refused to listen and kept saying I was "not willing to cooperate/help them" and asked why I was "making it so much trouble." He then said, "This is my house," which felt very unprofessional and dismissive as a paying & tipping customer. I'm not sure if this attitude is meant to be cultural, but benefiting from high price and tipping in the United States while treating customers in such a dismissive, "because I'm the boss" manner feels to be quite hypocritical. At that point, I asked for a refund and left. I won't be coming back. read more

Attentive and extremely kind staff, delicious coffee, and fantastic treats! Top tier study spot. read more

Cafe Parisien - Complementary treats! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great new addition to the neighborhood. Love this new place, pastries are well done and delicious. They have great options for a light lunch. Fun space to seat and catch up with friends. read more

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The brothers have done a wonderful job to create a little European feel in the middle of Berkeley! The tiramisu is great, croissants are buttery like those sold on the mornings on Parisian streets! Coffee has aroma and rich flavor! Has become my weekly stop! read more

The guys that run this café are so kind and happy to answer questions! We brought our elderly grandmother (she uses a walker, and it's perfectly accessible), and it's so integral to our experience in a restaurant when the servers are patient. The man who helped us was amazing and the pastries were unbelievable. I got the raspberry danish, and the pastry itself was buttery and flaky. One of the best I've had in the Bay Area, and super cheap. We got three coffee drinks and three desserts, and paid $28. Nearby places, especially on Shattuck, charge double the amount for worse quality items. Overall, I highly recommend stopping by for a bite! read more

Great place for morning coffee. They have variety of breakfast sandwiches, bagels and pastries. Coffee, food, service, the place - everything is amazing. Highly recommend this spot if you're in the area. read more

A wonderful experience! What really made it for me was the friendly and welcoming staff. I felt like I was a VIP, maybe even an old friend, and it was my first time there. Highly recommended. Your day will be brighter. read more