Fantastic! In these Covid times, Caffe Strada has really done it right. They've created their space so you order and pick up from outside - you don't have to go inside their lobby! They've spent the time and money for a proper set up. You can sit outside on their patio socially distanced if you like. It's a bit too crowded for my taste, but luckily right across the street on campus, there is a fountain and benches and other structures to sit on and relax. read more

Caffe Strada - From campus, looking at the Kroeber Fountain and Strada right across the street - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I met up with a friend here recently, who wanted to find a nice quiet coffee shop where we could chat and hang out. Caffe Strada is one of the few coffee shops near the UC Berkeley campus with outdoor seating, which meant that even during the pandemic, it was swamped with people. In regards to COVID precautions, all the staff were wearing masks. (You could even buy a branded mask at the counter). Instead of going inside normally, they set up the cashier at the door on the Bancroft Avenue side, but you pick up your food and drink from the take out window around the corner on the College Avenue side. Right by the pickup window, they installed a portable hand sanitizer dispenser. And there were several signs posted about wearing a mask and keeping safe distance from other customers. Speaking of other customers, there were a lot of them on a Tuesday afternoon (around 2:00 PM). All the tables were full, but I was lucky to find a seat on a bench near the take out window. As I people-watched waiting for my friend, I noticed several groups (larger than 2 people) struggling to find a place to sit and be separated from other patrons. At this point, don't even bother. Yes, the outdoor seating area is fairly large, but all the solo and couple customers filled all the available spaces. BTW, my lemonade was very good, and my friend enjoyed her matcha latte. Lastly, Caffe Strada does have a public restroom available, a rare find nowadays. Be prepared to wait in line for that, too. read more

Caffe Strada is open during covid season and has plenty of outdoor seating! They provide hand sanitizer and the restrooms are also open for customers! The service is super quick and the staff are really nice. I got a vanilla iced latte which was too sweet for my liking, bthe staff kindly replaced my drink with less sugar. The only downsides are that the cafe is still packed with students and there are not many outlets available. read more

Caffe Strada - Vanilla iced latte and matcha mint latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here and got a mint matcha latte ($4.55) and it was actually delicious! I will definitely be back to try more items on the menu. Pros: -indoor and outdoor seating -you can pay with a credit card -offer food and drinks Cons: -parking read more

Caffe Strada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been consistently coming to strada for 2 years. It's fast, conveniently next to campus and pretty consistent with their drinks. My only complaint and reason why I come here less frequently is that they keep charging for a splash of nondairy milk in my drinks. It's like a punishment for a dietary restriction and I don't agree with the hefty extra charge for ordering a simple iced coffee or iced americano. If it's a latte I understand since it uses way more milk but please stop charging for almond milk when it's just used as a creamer. read more

Since the beginning of my undergrad career at Cal, I could always rely on strada to provide me a place to study, hang out with friends, or just to grab a full bodied cup of coffee. Now more than ever, I am even more grateful that they are open and have modified their hours and store to practice social distancing measures. They are wiping down tables after every customer, and at the end of the day, I have witnessed them spraying their entire outdoor patio/seating to make sure it's clean for the next day. They also clean all tables when closing. +Outlets sprinkled throughout +Parking along Bancroft Ave +Where the Iced White Mocha started so you will definitely enjoy this here if it is your first time! +Amazing cappuccino/lattes (smooth & foamy) +My go to now is their iced coffee ($2.85 for a small) or an iced americano Definitely my favorite cafe in the Bay for easy parking, reasonably priced drinks (I would say cheaper than most cafes), and for a beautiful outdoor patio that has an abundance of outlets. It will be my favorite place for a long time, even after I graduate Cal! read more

Caffe Strada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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One of the coffee shops with more reasonable prices in the Berkeley area; in addition, the amount of caffeine they include in their coffees is exactly what you need for test days! Highly recommend their coffee! I hope they spend some of their profits on chairs and renovating the place, basically value their customers! read more

Caffe Strada - Nice evo from the strada view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Caffe Strada and I go back...way, way back. When I was an undergrad back in the Dark Ages (post-Watergate, pre-Reaganomics), I used to stop here on the way back from class probably worried if I was going to pass my Astronomy 101 final. That was when Pluto was still a planet, I had a major crush on the TA, and it was Caffe Roma, not Strada. I used to live on College Avenue, so it was perfectly located on my route, and the vibe was just right for chilling before holding myself hostage in my tiny studio apartment. Flash forward a century or so and here I am with Jamie W. reliving those innocent days under the same inviting gazebo structure that was here in days of yore (photo: http://bit.ly/2GyubM5). It's funny how they refuse to serve drip coffee but rather espressos and other tantalizing caffeine blends like the $4.25 Latte I ordered and proceeded to nurse for the next hour (photo: http://bit.ly/2GgGysL). Jamie had the $3.60 Hot Chocolate, and we hung out eavesdropping on the gaggles of youth talk about how hard their courses were or share their latest Instagram posts. On our latest excursion, we sauntered in after a meandering campus walk and sipped on a couple of the $2.75 16-ounce Fizzy Pomegranate Iced Teas (photo: http://bit.ly/2Gdlibq), sweet creations but they hit the spot before our search for vegetarian Mexican for dinner. Looks like Strada could be my periodic hangout for the next forty years. BEVERAGES - 4 stars...hot or cold, it's all good AMBIANCE - 4 stars...the perfect spot right off campus to be seen SERVICE - 3 stars...a bit on the curt side TOTAL - 4 stars...reliving my youth but in a good way read more

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Great cafe located right in front of UC Berkeley! I'm glad to see it's still popping with both students and members of the local community over the years. The espresso drinks here are solid for their price! They have a more burnt/roasty flavor, but I do appreciate how their beverages taste stronger. For example, the plain iced latte here immediately catches your eye because it just looks so much darker than other iced lattes anywhere else. It definitely tasted a lot stronger and more bitter. I do think, however, that their flavored drinks are way too sweet. The caramel latte tasted like melted candy. If you want something flavored, I would suggest asking for half syrup. Also, as a bonus, their espresso brownies are quite unique and delicious! I got it many times as an (unhealthy) breakfast when I was a student :) read more

Caffe Strada - Iced lattes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Average coffee. Used to be much better when this place was Cafe Roma. However, the location is the thing! read more

Popular cafe located at Berkeley that is packed with students. There's a ton of outdoor space to do work and there's free wifi. Limited food options but there's pastries and coffee. Perfect for a place to get some work done and do some people watching. It can get quite crowded during peak hours so get a spot early! read more

Atmosphere: fantastic. Staff: friendly. Quality: nonexistent. Ordered two lates. Were handed ice waters essentially. Our drinks were just briefly introduced to coffee beans! read more

My favorite aspect of this caffe is probably the ambiance and the outdoor seating. The coffee used to be great 3-4 years ago, but the quality is slowly declining. I was told by one of the workers there that it was because the new baristas started making the coffees and they were not as well trained. Either way, this is for sure no the first place I would go to when I want coffee in the Berkeley area but it is for sure a place I would go to study and meet with friends. read more

According to a friend of mine this was ranked as a number one university café spot in the nation selon Rolling Stones magazine. One foggy afternoon I decided to go with my cousin, Martha, to check this place out. I had really high expectations but it seems just an average sit down coffee shop with a few chandeliers. I didn't see the whole hype. I ended up getting a latte and it tasted just about any other. I wasn't too amazed. On a social level it's a nice atmosphere in order to idle and perhaps do some computer work. Would I come back? Perhaps if someone else paid my snack and for a nice day out in the patio. read more

The most mid thing you can imagine. Don't ever get the matcha. Out of all the cafes near by, this is the worst option honestly

Will never go here again. They have a great patio so I came here to sit outside with my dog and do some work. Someone came up to tell me the dog was not allowed on the patio. I went in to ask for a refund an the girl inside told me it was fine so long as I was in a certain part of the patio. I moved. The first guy came over again and told me I couldn't be there either. In the end they refunded my money, but they couldn't refund my wasted time. What a waste. And the coffee was mediocre at best. read more

Caffe Strada is one of the premier Berkeley Staples that everyone who visits the city seems to have a captivating experience with, and remembers for decades to come. I was recently in Berkeley for a few days, and went to Strada almost every day to get a pastry and a drink in the morning before meetings. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I probably went to Strada more in those days than in my entire undergrad career at Berkeley (I didn't like studying in Cafes, ok?). I will say half of what differentiates Strada is the ambiance itself. There are always people working, reading, studying, etc., but it is usually more in a casual and relaxed manner than you will see in libraries/ cafes on campus. Strada has a variety of seating options, and can suit small groups as well if needed. The process of food/ drink ordering during the morning rush is also part of the magic of Strada. Usually there are a couple different baristas at the same time, and they knock out your order as fast as physically possible. Don't be surprised if your fancy coffee order is done within 2 minutes of when you've paid for it (faster than Starbucks, I know!). My go-to order for breakfast is their Indiano (Chai Latte) with a blueberry danish. The barista will also gladly make you a Dirty Chai, even though it is not on the menu. The blueberry danish is my favorite, but I've also had the Ham & Cheese croissant, which is excellent, and the apple turnover, which was OK. Regardless of if you're a full time Berkeley resident or if you're just passing through, you need to do yourself a favor and experience Strada. Take an hour out of your day to spend with a coffee on the corner of College and Bancroft; sitting back and seeing Berkeley from that perspective is an experience I think everyone should see for themselves! read more

caffe strada is for la strada and my nada money pootch and if you catch my draft monkey its funny that I hung out with coders and laptop people at this cafe and got a matcha and said yeah im japanese ok. read more

Caffe Strada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I wished I liked the drinks here because it's sooo conveniently located! I always get an iced soy matcha everywhere I go but the one here has almost no matcha flavor. I've tried it twice thinking maybe it was a fluke at first but both times my drink tasted like a $6 cup of soy milk. The location is right across the street from campus and is really fast at getting drinks out. Under 1-2 minutes fast! There's a patio always filled with students and young professionals so maybe I'll be back to try the sandwiches/pastries and do some work. read more

Hands down some of the best vanilla lattes ever! A Berkeley classic. Strada is one of Berkeley students' go-to stops for a coffee or pastry. One of my favorite places to sit down, enjoy some sun at their outdoor tables, and read a book. This cafe is also close to campus which makes it convenient for studying and having meetings. read more

Im SHOCKED this place has such a high rating. I had to make sure it wasn't just other Cal students trying to preserve the lore of this coffee shop. The coffee is always burnt, sandwiches are dryer than a Popeyes biscuit, the wait time is NEVER worth it, and if you don't feel like the barista has a personal problem with you- I'm sorry to tell you, you did not receive the full Strada Café experience. When you're running on two coffees a day, this will do. You say thank you and run back to your next lecture. I would hate for this place to ever close; how else could you explain the lore of this little corner cafe read more

This place is like a better and cheaper Starbucks, but unlike Starbucks, the coffee here actually tastes good. I really like the Americano because I usually drink black coffee. The cappuccino is also pretty nice and I get it when I want something with more substance. When I really like to splurge, I get a matcha latte because matcha is delicious. I also enjoy the pastries at this place. The morning bun is really good, it's like a croissant but sweet and circular. The scones are also nice, and they have so many flavors of scones ranging from salty to sweet. When I come here for breakfast, I usually get a small coffee and a pastry and it's only about $5, which is cheap compared to some other places. The quality is really good and the prices are relatively low, so I highly recommend trying this place. read more

I had an iced latte, and it was decent. But, not appreciably better than McDonald's, and almost twice the cost. On the more positive side, the outdoor seating is really nice, with plenty of shade. read more

Came here with some friends and family and the staff were extremely rude. They gave us our sandwiches in bags with the wrong labels, which caused confusion, and when we asked them they looker at us liked we were the ones who messed it up. Sandwiches were kinda mid and overpriced. Honestly Id rather eat subway and I hate subway. read more

Review #149 - 2019 My buddy & I showed up to grab a drink around 7 AM because this is one of the few places that's opened before 8 AM & it's got plenty of good reviews. Since we both had this place bookmarked in the past, we were expecting it to be somewhat decent. It was actually empty when we showed up so we were happy to be able to order our drinks so quickly. I guess it was still early so the guy making our drinks didn't make them correctly. I had a chai latte, which was bland & sad. I thought it was just me so I didn't say anything much. My buddy had an iced coffee, but he tossed it after drinking about less than a third of his drink so I asked him what was wrong with it. He just said it tasted old or dirty or something. I guess I wasn't the only one who was unhappy with my drink. The fruit cup was just a bunch of unripened cantaloupe & honeydew melons so my daughter refused to eat it. The place is very cute & the outdoor seating is plenty. Either we just showed up on a bad day or people who come here don't care how their drinks taste because there was a lot of people that showed up after us. read more

Caffe Strada - 06/22/2019: Below average - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Always quick and friendly even when packed, Caffe Strada is an institution in Berkeley. I dropped in several times during my recent visits during the fall term on late weekday mornings. There either was a huge line or none at all, which was jarring but I guess class breaks drive business. Despite the lines, always very fast and I never waited more than a couple minutes with it going out the door. Seating is kinda limited with people posting up but lots of space nearby on campus to sit and enjoy what you purchase. I liked the light, airy, refined decor and it felt very Chez Pannise/upscale Berkeley. Staff were super friendly, more than I am in the mornings. I enjoyed the pecan banana muffins which had a slight bran or whole wheat aspect to them so they felt healthy-ish. They had a ton of pastry options and lots in stock, so not likely to run out of stuff till lunchtime. I also had an italian soda with peach and raspberry (my favorite) and they mixed it just about the best I've ever had. If you are on this side of town and campus, check out Caffe Strada for a sophisticated bite and drink. read more

The knock off breakfast sandwiches are alright. Don't really have anything to say about the drinks. It's the really zany and vibrant vibe here. Undergrads, local neighbors, visitors to the university all gather here to talk. There seems to be no other place around campus where people are so friendly and talkative. You will hear thousands of ideas exchanged, friends coming together for study sessions, a few dates going on. It's always packed. Came back here after graduating and I wish I had been here more often. Long overdue review. read more

i have no pictures of the coffee or croissant i got from here, because i rushed to this coffee shop in distress. my phone had died in the middle of my train from sf to berkeley, so i was basically flying blind and desperately needed an outlet. not only did caffè strada give me a place to sit down, charge my phone, and breathe, the coffee is also really good! i had a cappuccino with almond milk and a chocolate croissant, both of which were great and pretty inexpensive. the line also moved really fast - my coffee was ready in less than a minute. i loved the ambiance too, and there was plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. if i was a student at uc berkeley, i'd come here often! read more

I was on the way to UC Berkeley to attend my cousin's high school graduation and just walked passed by this little joint. OMG I would say, I would definitely coming back to this cafe. lots of outdoor sittings and lots of pastries. I should have taken pictures of them. I would come back just to check out their pastries. I got the large espresso. Mine I am a coffee drinker and I usually know the size of the espresso. Normally they would serve in a small baby cup that's about 5oz for a large. Not this cafe. They serve in a regular small cup of coffee and the pour is about 1/3 of the way. I was surprised how genuine pour was. Normally I can just drink it as a shot and i would threw the cup away. this one, I have to take few sips in order for me to finished. The beans they used is quite nice. very smooth and less acidic. I will check out their regular coffee next time to compared. will come back to check out other stuff. read more

Caffe Strada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Cute spot. That's about the only good thing about this place. Got a vanilla latte, extremely sweet. Guy took the order/made the coffee was probably having a tough day, I don't know if he's always like this. He just couldn't care less about the customers. read more

Caffe Strada - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

go to cafe near berkeley because i live right next to it, is it the best coffee ? not really but it's serviceable when needed and hungover. Also the iced mint matcha and the spinach bacon wrap have been lifesavers for a college student at times read more

This morning, I caught up with an old friend who proffered Caffe Strada as a meeting place. Being so close to campus, I begrudgingly reasoned that I ought to eat lunch here afterwards for convenience. Now, I'm eating my words. Mocha Bianca (4/5): Absolute bliss. I imagine this drink could be branded as "hot chocolate for adults" (not that anyone of any age should be denied the pleasure of a good hot chocolate, but you know what I mean). For those who struggle to choke down caffeine in these trying times, the mocha bianca can definitely get the job done while still satisfying your sweet tooth; I feel the caffeine now, but could hardly taste the espresso (or is this the sugar rush talking?). A little too sweet to be an every day drink for me, but would most definitely be endorsed by Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford as an appropriate "treat yourself" initiative -- more so than the crystal beetle broach, but less so than the full-on Batman suit. Turkey and brie sandwich (4.5/5): This sandwich was the true plot twist for me. Strada's turkey and brie sandwich transcended all expectations. The crust of the bread held its integrity without being too dry or brittle, the brie was just the right consistency, and an unexpected light spread (apricot jam?) added a touch of sweetness I didn't know I needed. This sandwich testifies that sweet and savory can, and perhaps should, co-exist. My order was only a little over $10, much more affordable and reasonable (for quality in terms of dollars paid) than sandwich-drink combos I've had at comparable coffee spots around town. I'll be back soon with an open mind. read more

Caffe Strada - Turkey sandwich and mocha bianca - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Really cute cafe near campus. Coffee and matcha all taste great, but the spinach wrap was definitely the highlight of our lunch. The wrap itself a crispy on the outside and filled to the brim with steamy eggs and cheese. If you're ever coming for breakfast, give the food a try! read more

Caffe Strada - Egg, Cheese, Bacon Spinach Wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been a regular at Caffe Strada since I was a sophomore at Cal (my poor, naive, innocent freshman self didn't yet know what a caffeine dependency felt like). It has now been a year since I've graduated, and despite the fact this review is 4 years overdue, I still maintain a lot of fondness for this place :) I recently came here to meet up with a past mentor and ask for letters of rec for grad school -- the fact I still come here even though I'm no longer a student shows just how much of a fixture Strada is in the Berkeley community. Even though there are a ton of cafes and libraries and different work spaces on/around the UC Berkeley campus, Caffe Strada is one of my favorites. Free wifi, decent coffee and tea, good pastries, and a huge patio area where you can sit in the sunlight on a Sunday morning and pretend you're not on the verge of tears + a mental breakdown as you cram for your exams. Service is always super fast. I've never waited more than 5 minutes for my drink, even during super busy hours, and I can always count on the quality of their drinks. Strada's coffee isn't amazing per se, but the ambience and reliability keep me coming back! read more

In need of a coffee later in the evening? This folks have your back! Friendly staff, beautiful space and quite a scene on a Saturday night.

The chicken soup is way too amazing! I can't believe there's so much stuff in it and it's only a couple dollars. I would recommend it to everyone. And the environment is perfect for studying and working. Good spot for UCB kiddos read more

A comfortable and inviting coffee shop right across the street from Berkeley campus. Plenty of natural light, both indoor and outdoor seating. Patio has both covered and uncovered seating and heaters. Service was friendly and fast; had a vanilla latte and breakfast spinach wrap, both yummy. Definitely worth a visit when you're in the area. read more

While showing me around UC Berkeley, my fiance introduced me to Caffe Strada when we first started going out. Known to be the very first cafe to invent the white hot chocolate - Strada Bianca - they made the white hot chocolate so popular that it is said in 1997, on a tip from a UC Berkeley intern, then-Vice President Al Gore came to Caffe Strada to try it. The Strada Bianca Mocha, a hot cup of melted white chocolate chips with espresso, is the only beverage we ever order during our visits here. Sweet, rich and velvety, it's like unicorn cake in a paper cup. We weren't surprised to read that Caffe Strada was voted #8 in Complex Magazine's 2011 "Top 10 College Cafés in the U.S." (San Diego's very own Living Room Cafe also made the list!). Close to campus, plenty of outdoor seating, and baristas that are able to crank out each coffee order under 2 minutes, this place is staple coffee house for Cal Bears and visitors. Outdoor bathrooms are located on the backside and does form a long line. Bring a good book/laptop, cash and come enjoy the college atmosphere (as of Nov 2018, this business is cash only, ATM available). read more

Great coffee shop with quick service, lots of seating spaces, and overall close proximity to campus! I ordered the mocha bianca and like all the other reviews say, it was a really solid drink! Prices are also fairly reasonable and I really appreciate how I got the drink immediately after I ordered! read more

Such mixed feelings about this place. The outdoor patio and vibe is very nice. I love coming here to do work with a latte and snack. They also have nice sandwich things. The issue is that their lattes need improvement. For a cafe this is a big issue. When my latte came out five seconds after I ordered it I knew something was wrong. I don't think the milk wasn't steamed properly, it didn't have the right flavor notes and it seemed scalded/overheated. Despite this I would come back. Just not for the coffee itself. read more