The five stars is for the seating. Cafe Leila is the kind of place where your food is good, your chair is comfortable, and your wallet quietly sighs. The seating is honestly excellent. Plenty of room, good spacing, indoor and outdoor options, and a great vibe for actually having a conversation. I met here for a casual business meeting and it was basically perfect for that. The staff was friendly and everything tasted good, but I'll admit I had a bit of sticker shock. An iced coffee, grilled cheese, and half a soup later and I was wondering if I accidentally ordered the premium legroom upgrade. This is less "coffee shop" and more "cafe where you settle in and stay awhile." If your goal is comfort, space, and a place where meetings don't feel awkward, this place delivers. If your goal is a quick, cheap coffee, this might not be your lane. read more

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I joined my friend and her daughter for lunch at 11 am for brunch. We were fortunate to get parking places in their lot. We ordered from the menus at the front of the restaurant. Then we were given the choice of sitting inside or in the patio. We decided to sit inside. We got our hot beverages and sat. The food came out in a few minutes. My friend had a tuna melt which she liked. My friend's daughter had a vegetarian burrito which was fine. I had a grilled salmon sandwich. It was delicious. The salmon was fresh, nicely cooked. It was served on a toasted Acme bun. The tuna melt and my sandwich came with a dressed salad. Service was efficient. The tables were well spaced so we could have private conversation. The restaurant decor was a bit rustic, but everything was tidy. Once we finished, we bused our own dishes. The prices were reasonable for the quality of the food provided. I would recommend this place for sandwiches and for its vegetarian options. It is pleasant and casual. Good food with little fuss. read more

Wonderful people and great food. Plenty of space to sit in the garden and enjoy nature. read more

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Fun place for a breakfast or brunch outdoors. The food is yummy and generous. We'll be back!

Love this independently owned cafe. I've been coming for years. I especially love the neighborhood, community oriented atmosphere. The back garden is a delight - lots of quiet little corners and spaces to sit and talk and enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants. read more

Came here for lunch with some colleagues and absolutely loved it. This cafe is counter service and self bus, but they do bring the food to you. There is ample seating indoor and outdoor so although there were quite a few people while we were there, it was relatively quiet as people were sat spaced out. This venue is great to come alone and do some work as well as with a larger party. The cafe and outdoor patio has a charm about it that is cute and also random. The staff were friendly and accommodating, I split the veggie wrap with a colleague and they separated it for us. Half was plenty! All the food was fresh. I absolutely loved the veggie wrap and the basil ginger lemonade. I hear the owner also enjoys experimenting with different tea options. read more

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One of the best cafes ever. Food was delicious, ready so quick, coffee and tea, an amazing outdoor seating, with umbrellas. Nice set up. Staff friendly and welcoming. I'd definitely come back. read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Best place to grab breakfast and lunch in Berkeley on a sunny day! This neighborhood gem is serving the most delicious chorizo scramble I've ever had so far... Their chorizo is made in house and their chefs know what they're doing. The chorizo sausage was not greasy and made from quality meat and was so flavorful with the right amount of heat. My sister had an incredible grilled salmon salad that had the most delicious green sauce on top of the Salmon. They have plenty of seating outside in their garden and also have an indoor seating area perfect for taking a meeting and working. 10/10 would recommend to a friend. They also have their own self parking lot which is convenient and free. I will be back here again soon to try more from their delicious menu. read more

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Highly recommend!!! We had a gathering of 20 people for brunch, with everyone ordering whatever they wanted. Sonu was a pleasure to work with ahead of time and very responsive to texts & calls. He personally took our orders at the tables and made sure all was good. The food and beverages were delicious and he took care of every detail. We had a private area on a separate patio with umbrellas overhead for a very pleasant ambiance. Despite the place being super-busy on a Sunday morning 10 am to 12:30, we never felt overlooked or infringed upon by the other patrons. read more

Came here with a group of 8 on a Friday for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by how many tables were open - especially for a Friday! Their outdoor seating area is huge, which made it perfect for our big group. You order and pay at the counter, and then they bring the food out to you. Super easy and efficient. All of the food was delicious! I had a mango lassi that was absolutely amazing - definitely recommend. I also tried the turmeric matcha latte, but it was a little heavy on the turmeric for my taste. I split the salmon salad and the salmon tayab, and both were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The fries were also super yummy! And the matcha smoothie I tried and it was great. Everyone in our group enjoyed their meal. Great spot for groups, casual vibe, and really yummy food! read more

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Came here for brunch with a party of six. You order at the counter and they bring the food/drinks to the table. We sat outside and loved the garden. Several of us had Huevos rancheros (myself included, as that's one of my go-to brunch items). The other dishes people were a burger and scramble. The Huevos rancheros were tasty and filling. I ordered a latte but they just gave me coffee with plant based milk. The coffee was fine with milk and stevia but if I ordered a latte, I should have gotten one! Also, they brought 4 of the 6 dishes out and took a while to bring out the other 2 (one of those dishes was mine). I'd give 3.5 stars based on the service but because the food was good, I'm rounding up to 4. Despite these hiccups, I'd come back for the food but preferably with a smaller party. read more

I have been here a few times and have to say, I love their backyard casual space. Its very spacious so finding a table either inside or outside is never a problem. But on weekends, the parking is hard to find. Prices are a little high here about $8 for a drink and dishes run between $18 or higher. I tried a chicken club the first time, along with this special matcha latte, both were pretty much midtier. The second time I tried their special fried fish sandwich and iced latte, both were great. The fish sandwich is VERY crispy, fresh, and not dry. Overall highly recommend it! Fries were pretty good but not super hot, salad was okay as well. read more

This cute little cafe is definitely one to gate keep! I went on a Friday morning, around 10:30am and it wasn't too busy. At first impressions you can tell it's a family owned business so that's always great! At the entrance they have a display of pastries and on the back wall a wide selection of tea! Which is so cool and unique, you don't really see much places now a days that have a wide selection of tea. For a tea lover like me that is always a great plus! The seating area is so spacious and cozy inside. As well as art, from I'm assuming local artists are p laced on some parts of the walls which you could purchase! What I absolutely loved was the outdoor patio! You are transported to a cute little zen backyard with plenty of seats to choose from! Lots of plants and flowers are around the patio as well. One thing that completed my whole breakfast experience was the cute little water fountain! It provided such a calming element while enjoying breakfast! Now let's talk food! I ordered the Chicken Tyab which came with a very well seasoned chicken, a side of Mediterranean salad, dolmas, lavish bread and hummus! The whole plate itself was so delicious! read more

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All The Food Is Great, Good Portion & Highly Recommended To Come For Brunch, All Staff Are Amazing & Nice... all the pictures and videos is all the food I've been eating for the last two months. I'm a regular.‍ read more

Café Leila - Two egg over easy with bacon and two pancakes - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Because it's a family owned business i bumped it up to 4 stars. I ordered a Just Peachy and a BLT to go. $31. Very pricey for a basic item and a simple smoothie. Overall, everything was great but the price point was a little much considering the size of my purchase. I would definitely come back to try the tacos and other full entrees. read more

Very good customer service, friendly vibes, very good options for seating indoors and outdoors. The Food was delicious! The food came out much faster than expected. Our puppy enjoyed the outdoor seating aura. read more

Café Leila - Backyard seating - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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On our way back to Marin from Oakland airport we decided to stop in Berkeley for breakfast and wait for the traffic to die down. My daughter did a search that pointed us to the cafe so we figured "what the heck" and headed here. I've gotta say you sure get your money's worth at this place. I ordered a typical bacon & eggs breakfast and was floored by the amount of food that came out - home fries, toast, and a fruit bowl that would have been a good breakfast in itself! Everything we ordered was DEE-LISH, the coffee was strong and not bitter, and the service was first-rate. It was raining so we ate inside but there is a just beautiful outside garden/seating area that would be lovely if it ever stops raining in the Bay area. Anyway now I'm looking forward to coming back to try Leila for lunch - I suspect it'll be another great experience. Kinda out of the way but they do have parking which is great! read more

Café Leila - The breakfast plate offered more than enough food - should have shared it! - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is hands down the best spot in California. It has delicious food, convenient location on San Pablo, beautiful garden, excellent service and Parking Lot!!! What a gem of a spot! Kids get pancakes = happy Adults get the delicious omelettes (date is my favorite). Their drinks and pastries are sooo good as well! (The Ukraine rugalach)... yum with the tumeric latte. Heaven!!! Families and friends check out this secret spot in Berkeley! 10/10 read more

Café Leila - Happy toddler in the back garden - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is an order at the counter, grab a number type spot. The menu is varied and lots of options to choose from in addition to baked items in the window, and a full coffee bar menu. The parking lot is small but plenty of neighborhood parking, you can walk around the west Berkeley neighborhood to build up an appetite too. If the weathers nice eat outside on the back patio. I ordered the Vera Cruz eggs (I think that's the name) and had an almond scone too. It was super tasty and a healthy portion. read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The outside patio was beautiful as always. I ordered the chicken club sandwich with a side of salad and fries. The chicken was so over cooked that I literally could not eat it. The fries were super oily. I couldn't eat them. The freshness of the salad was good but the dressing was oniony. So disappointed because I always loved the restaurant and didn't mind paying $20 for a sandwich because it was so good. I doubt that I'll ever go back. read more

Stopped in with a colleague for a late lunch on a Wednesday and it was pretty quick. You stand in line at the entrance and place your order and take a number and take a seat. There is a ton of outdoor seating and indoor seating -- don't let the front deceive you. It's huge!! I ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and it came out quick and was so delicious! I'm glad it comes with salad and fries because I usually want both! We sat as long as we wanted and then took off. If you don't need a server coming back to check on your, this place is great!! read more

I always enjoy brunch at Cafe Leila's. They have a great selection of breakfast foods, but I always order the same thing because their omelets are so delicious. In my omelet, the spinach and tomatoes are sautéed so that the omelet does not contain raw spinach and cold tomatoes. The omelet is moist not dry. The waitpersons and staff are always friendly and patient. The environment is marvelous. The garden seems to have seasonal plants that are ever changing. read more

The chocolate muffins are sooo good! I also loved their Morocco's warmer (ginger, lemon, honey). Can get really crowded but super cute cafe! They also have outdoor seating which is nice! Definitely recommend, just plan for it to be crowded. read more

Highly recommend this spot for your future brunch with friends! It may not look like much from the outside, but there is ample outdoor seating, often shaded. We were able to comfortably fit 5 adults, 3 newborn babies, a stroller, and a toddler. There is limited indoor seating. The drink menu is extensive and offers a lot of options for various teas (caffeinated and decaf), lattes, coffees, hot chocolates, etc. I got a chai latte with almond and it did not disappoint. This is an order-at-the-counter place, which also keeps things pretty casual and makes the wait short once you're seated at your table. The parking lot is small but you can opt to pay for parking on the street or park a block over in the residential area for free. The lamb burger was excellent. The meat was really juicy and savory - for once my husband ordered better than me! I have no complaints about my breakfast dish (Alex in the morning) but it was pretty standard. I'm definitely coming back sometime soon! read more

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Quiet, spacious cafe that is perfect for breakfast and they make non-caffeinated lattes! Always a plus in my book since it's hard to find in most other cafes. If this were my neigborhood, i'd be here all the time. The chorizo breakfast burrito was a little pricier than I'd usually spend, but it was super filling and tasty. The amount of tables and the back patio make up for it. read more

We were across the street and this cafe was recommended to us. There was 4 of us and when you walk in you place your order and pay before sitting down. It looks small on the outside but once you start heading in it really opens up. The garden is so relaxing. I ordered the chicken pesto and really enjoyed it. It comes with salad and fries so you will be filled up. We're putting this cafe into our lunch rotation read more

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Really cute outside area to sit when it's warm. Inside is not quite as nice. The service is always fast and friendly. Food is good as well!

Café Leila seems to have a place for everyone. The back garden is the place to be on a sunny Saturday afternoon for family friendly brunch vibes. Counter service is not my preference but they are catering to a lot of folks here and are quick to grab whatever ketchup or hot sauce you need, so no notes there. The food is really quality and fresh. The California Wrap has nice little hunks of grilled chicken, a creaminess from hummus and avocado that hits the spot, and bright, fresh veg. The only thing I'd change are the mixed greens, which I could just as easily put together on my own. My wife had the Leila burger that was on great bread and packed a flavorful punch. The fries are fantastic and plentiful - both crispy and soft with a little vinegar kind of tang. All in all, quality for money is there but it's not the cheapest lunch around. Come to hang out in the sun and people watch. And make sure someone gets the fries. read more

Still a favorite for a cozy, down home place to spend an hour. I always get the bagel, cream cheese and lox. And the coffee is a standout among the thousands of coffee joints everywhere. read more

Nice healthy food, great variety of latte teas. Just don't order coffee. They're not baristas, they have no clue how to make a proper cappuccino! They don't control the milk temperature adequately (burnt my tongue!) and simple bad coffee. But their turmeric latte and salads are great. And their garden is dreamy! read more

Cafe Leila Starts at five stars, cause my buddy raves about this place, literally goes all the time. Out of requested tea. Small pot of earl gray instead. It was around 11:00, so we will call this a wash. Pancakes and eggs order dropped the rating to 2 stars. Eggs and bacon cold on arrival. Lump of unmixed flour/salt in pancake, really put me off the rest of the meal and didn't eat hardly half. Steak hash. Wife seemed to like it? Stopped caring by the time I could have asked. Seemed quality, and she didn't spit anything out. $50 for this? Hefty price tag for two meals and a bit of tea, especially with how poorly prepared and presented, not to mention the minimalist 'order at the counter instead of wait staff' style. Ambiance is classic Bay Area, which I actually appreciate. Lots of art. Brick walls. Patio garden is nice or would have been nice on a sunnier day. Nicely stocked bakery display is a plus, and maybe I should have just gotten a pastry. I would say barely 3 stars, but bumped to 4 out of deference to my friend. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. read more

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Have eaten here several times and returned against my better judgment at a friend's suggestion. they have an absolutely beautiful space, and deeply mediocre food. I ordered the $16 Mediterranean salad and it was Fine but worth half the price. read more

Café Leila - $16 mediterranean salad. - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great place to grab tea, coffee, sandwiches and pastries. The staff is super friendly and very helpful. Their are seats inside the car but their back patio seating is peaceful and serene. Beautiful garden patio for all to enjoy! read more

Café Leila - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Salmon on Asiago bagel with veggies 10/10 Strawberry Matcha smoothie 5/10 Good favors but nothing special Lamb burger 10/10 Came with fries and a salad, very filling ! Loved that this place was dog friendly! Would of appreciate more service from the person who left us our food just left and didn't ask if we needed anything. It was our first time coming here too. read more

Café Leila - Back garden area - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Visiting this cafe on a sunny weekday morning was such a delight! As you enter in, the staff take your drink order and then your food order to get you started. They make your drink on the spot so you can sip on it while you wait for your food to be prepared. I liked this approach a lot because it saved time from having to wait for a waiter to come over. The outdoor patio was beautiful and very peaceful. There were lots of plants and a fountain trickling softly in the background. As for the items that I ordered, everything was very delicious! I got a sweet red rooibos tea latte with almond milk. It had a mild but comforting flavor. The veggie tyab was the true star of the show. The entree came with perfectly sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and diced zucchini. The veggies were seasoned with lemon and sumac, making them savory yet refreshingly zesty. The side salad with grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and feta had a nice light dressing on it. The baba ganoush was smoky and scrumptious. It reminded me of the baba ganoush I've had back home in Lebanon. The plate was also garnished with thick, creamy hummus that went very well with the veggies. The dolmas were tasty as well, and the bread was great for scooping everything up. I also ordered a blueberry scone to have for breakfast the next day, and it was wonderfully buttery and lemony at the same time. It had a good amount of dried blueberries and was the perfect texture. It went very well with a nice cup of tea. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, especially the man making the drinks. Despite the ever growing line of people, they kept up the hustle with cheer and got my food order out very quickly. I would definitely recommend checking out this lovely cafe. There was plenty of outdoor seating options as well as ample indoor seating, although it began to fill up as it got closer to noon, so I would suggest coming early. read more

Café Leila - Veggie Tyab - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place has been on my bucket list for some time because I'm a tea enthusiast. I was pretty disappointed with the unfriendly service and latte. After ordering my latte, I was expected to go behind the cashier to grab my drink while other patrons were either handed their drink or brought to them. Cafe Leila has a beautiful outdoor deck and indoor area but this isn't a place I would go to again. read more

I joined some friends for lunch at Cafe Leila. The good news is that we enjoyed gathering at a lovely table on the patio on a gorgeous day. The food orders came out pretty quickly. My friends that ordered burgers said their French fries were the best ever. The portions were ample. I made the mistake of ordering the fish tacos...very disappointing. I couldn't even tell it was fish...it was greasy blobs and chunks of 'something'...(the menu said breaded wild snapper)... no flavor. The tortillas were slathered with a salsa. This might have been expected for a $3.00 taco but not for 2 of them at $18.00. It looked like it was thrown onto a plate with very little concern for presentation. And to top it off, I didn't make 'Clean Plate Club'. I left most of the mess on the plate. read more

What a treat to visit Cafe Leila! The portions are huge and taste of quality ingredients. I greatly appreciate not having to choose between fries and a salad...I love that I get both! WOOHOO! The highlight for me is the amazing drink selection. From a variety of teas and coffees, to smoothies and juices...all made fresh! And the baristas are lightening fast! The space is beautiful inside and especially out with plenty of seating, eclectic art, natural light, and even a calming fountain! During this visit we had: Lamb burger-- 3.8/5 The red pepper spread and hummus were excellent, however, my lamb was very over cooked (though I had ordered medium rare). Still, the spices used to marinate the patty were fantastic. I took the other half home to dip in soup bc it was too dry. Fries were delicious!! Fried fish sandwich-- 4/5 Excellent! Just a bit heavy and globby with the mayo, but all in all, tasty! Strawberry Haven Smoothie, Turmeric Matcha Latte, and Body Healer smoothie -- 5/5 All drinks were fantastic, fresh, and not too sweet! read more

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Cutest outdoor patio, and the BLT and veggie wraps were fresh and delicious. Crisp salad too!

Café Leila is a decent spot for lunch. The menu is massive, from traditional sandwiches and burgers, to salads, to Mediterranean options like falafels, etc. They have a massive patio for outdoor seating, as well as lot of indoor seating so if you see a line, fear not - it moves very quickly as people are queuing up to place orders at the counter prior to sitting down. They also have a small parking lot, which is almost always full unless you get there super early or are just lucky. There's no service per se - someone will bring the food out to your table, but nobody is going to check on drinks, refill water, clear tables, etc. During the lunch rush, the food took about 25 minutes to come out so if you're looking for a quick bite, this might not be the spot for you, but if you want to enjoy beautiful weather with friends on the patio, this place is amazing. The food was decent. The lamb burgers looked quite good and the chicken tyab was delicious. The portions are pretty large - the chicken tyab can easily feed two people. read more