Total rating would probably be a 4-4.5. Not sure why there are such low reviews, I found espresso roma cafe a very solid cafe for breakfast/brunch. The entrance is a little hidden behind some greenery but I liked the ambiance that it provided. There are both outdoor and indoor seating to it suits whatever you fancy (and more importantly what the weather is doing). No complaints regarding service. The barista who took our orders and made our lattes was incredibly efficient. I think we waited at most 2 minutes for our coffee drinks. Ordered a breakfast burrito and a bagel w/ lox. Burrito: pre-made, you can pick it up from warmers near the counter. If I knew I probably would have ordered something else. The cost for everything was reasonable, but I wanted a little more in my burrito. Taste was fine, no complaints but nothing really stood out. Coffee: Got a regular latte. If you get it for dine in it's in a glass. Latte was good, again got it very fast so the milk was likely pre-frothed/steamed, which I didn't mind. Bagel: It's amazing to find a place that has a bagel and lox dish for under $10. You get to choose the bagel. It did take some time for it to come but if I were to recommend one food item this would be it! Overall, cute place, very reasonably priced, feel like everything was at least okay or better. Definitely a very extensive breakfast menu to try out. read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Plenty of outdoor seating - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Lattes are good but sloppy. If you're gonna pay almost $7 for a latte, should be pretty. lol that's just me. No wifi, it wasn't working. Good amount of seating available on the outside, can be tight on the inside. Had a warm goat cheese salad with chicken, BOMB! Pricey but delicious. read more

Espresso Roma is a cute little Berkeley coffee house that my 82 year old Dad meets some friends most Friday mornings. It's their coffee club. Whoever is around shows up. Everyone buys their own drinks/food. Depending on the weather they sit outside on the patio or inside. Inside is pretty small but everyone just squishes in together. The other customers are extremely friendly and there seem to be a lot of regulars. I've had the bagel with cream cheese - fresh bagel, nicely toasted. They have plenty of self service ice water. read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Espresso Roma menu - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Worst latte I have ever had. Also, line anarchy. No indication of where people should wait to order. Utter chaos. Why is Berkeley like this?

My Eggs Benedict at a Sunday Senior's Meetup was excellent. Friendly and efficient staff and reasonably priced food and drinks made it a great experience. read more

Ambiance pretty chill, lighting little dim, ok 89's music at a decent level. Not much seating. Few barstools and 3 chairs. Seems more of a grab and go place. Service was quick and efficient. Was with a group. Fiery bear sandwich was a 4/5. Southwest bear was a 4/5. Both with Dutch crunch bread. Decent amount of meat, maybe 3-4 oz.. Bread was nice, not too hard or soft or chewy. Overall enjoyed it and would stop back again. See photos of menu. BTW right across from UC Berkeley student union. read more

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The service at this place needs to improve at least for future customers, because I will not be returning. The latte here barely has coffee, mostly warmed up milk that has been sitting in room temperature . read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Latte with a rather strange, smell and taste - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good food, good prices, nice employees, and food came out quickly. Coffee/ espresso is amazing. read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Tuna salad, turkeys avacado sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

My good old good old cafe from back in the day. I've been coming here since it was a gas station. Yes, it was. But long long ago.

menu has updated and the food is fabulous! always a great place to enjoy coffee sitting outside.

The good thing about this place is that the prices are reasonable and there a tons of options to choose from. There's also lots of room to sit and it's in a decent location. The food is mediocre and the pastries were a bit doughy. Otherwise, if you're looking for a budget friendly spot that is just okay, then you'll enjoy this place. It's also a good spot to sit and catch up with folks you haven't seen in awhile. We ordered omelets and sandwiches and they were nothing special. They also don't customize them so whatever is on the menu is what you're getting. Like I said, it's nothing special and no frills. read more

Mediocre. This could be so much better. The space and location are cute but the food was only just about average, and barely even that. Staff not welcoming at all so the vibe is weird. read more

This leafy stretch of Hopkins in North Berkeley almost demands a coffee hangout as chill as the neighborhood. In that respect, it delivers the goods with an expansive terrace dominated by huge shady trees. The cafe is right across the street from Monterey Market and those cute shops that characterize the upscale folksy charm it attempts to exude. I'm guessing this cafe made similar attempts earlier on, but waiting in line on a lazy Saturday made me realize service may have moved downward in their list of priorities. I ordered a $4.25 Large Cafe au Lait which was relatively uneventful (photo: http://bit.ly/2vp7d6D). It was when I expressed interest in the various baskets of baked goods where things went astray. The server couldn't really speak to the selection and looked exasperated that I showed interest. I decided to end her frustration by pointing at the $2.95 Cranberry Scone (photo: http://bit.ly/2WfRUIs). After I precariously took both items to a vacant table, I found the au Lait was fine, but the scone was already on the stale side for a mid-morning purchase. COFFEE/SCONE - 3 stars...typical cafe fare, nothing exceptional AMBIANCE - 4 stars...leafy, casual neighborhood vibe SERVICE - 2.5 stars...not so casual TOTAL - 3 stars...chill pills may be needed here RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more

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Espresso Roma Cafe is in our neighborhood. The food is okay, the service pretty good, and the neighborhood is wonderful, Unfortunately the owners of the building and the owners of the Cafe do not care about the property. It is run down, and the little picnic area has had the same broken down chairs and garbage there for months and months. I mentioned it today to someone working there, and he just shook his head. It is not nice for our neighborhood. I have picked up papers and chairs myself. I do not understand how a popular setting could be so disinterested in how it looks. It wouldn't take much to clean it up. Virginia Kamp read more

_______________________________________________________ coffee, okay. bagel, good. would come back, bang for your buck. _______________________________________________________ read more

My favorite East Bay cafes for working during lockdown - #2, Roma on Hopkins I'm almost reluctant to share this recommendation for fear that it'll become too crowded. But for now, at least, it's no problem to find a seat either in the sun or in the shade. It's one of my favorite places to work during lockdown because you can sit underneath the vines and the dappled sunlight and listen to the birds sing as you work. Most people don't notice the café's previous incarnation, but if you look at the structure you can figure out that it used to be a gas station! It's such a pretty place to sit, and it's situated in such a pretty neighborhood, that to be honest, the quality of its coffee beans is not so important. I'm pretty happy with their Americanos, bagels, and apple turnovers - they'll tide me over while I work and wait for a quiet time to pop across to Monterey Market to buy my veggies for the week. As far as I know, today is the main barista's last day - I think her name is Yoly. She has always been kind and fun to talk to - we'll miss you Yoly and good luck with your new café at the Richmond marina (which I think will be called Yoly's café)! Lockdown Stats: · Seating: tons of seating in a beautiful setting. Both shade and sun are available. · Bathroom: technically closed during lockdown, but you may be allowed in if you smile and ask nicely! · Hours: It closes at 2:30 pm but you can hang out there for as long as you like afterwards. · Weather: the location is sunny and sheltered and the trees and vines provide shade, if needed. · Budget: Prices are fairly reasonable, depending on what you get ;) I'm also giving the Roma 3/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact, based on this: · Longstanding community gathering spot with a welcoming vibe. · Almost all of their food is made on site or baked in advance by Espresso Roma Corp (based in Emeryville). · Waste minimization is just OK - could do better during lockdown - I'm avoiding their sandwiches as they come in a big plastic clamshell container. · Transparency is a main weakness - Espresso Roma Corp. doesn't provide any information on sourcing of coffee and ingredients. · Just to emphasize that last point, Sandy Boyd (owner of Espresso Roma Corp.) has opened many restaurants and cafes in the East Bay over the years - including the Roma cafes, The Station burger joint near the Claremont hotel, and Nichi Ramen on Bancroft at Telegraph. As a prominent Berkeley business owner (and Cal graduate) it would be nice if he provided more information on Roma Espresso Corp's social responsibility. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, please check out the Green Stars Project. read more

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Great neighborhood location. Just wish the coffee was better!! I've had good food here before. And I always try and give the coffee another chance but it's just okay. Great outdoor patio however which I've enjoyed studying at! This place has so much potential!!! read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Caramel latte with wayyy too much caramel - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We weren't sure it was a restaurant because it didn't readily show up in the map, or have a sign out front, but we're glad we stepped inside to check it out. It has breakfast, coffee/tea and bakery items, but also great choices for lunch. We started with a perfectly prepared latte and what might be the best pastry item I've ever had. For lunch we ordered a panini and a tuna melt. Both served with a mixed greens salad with vinaigrette. The sandwiches were both served open faced on focaccia and they were delicious! We enjoyed the beautiful day and sat outside in the garden seating to enjoy our meal. We both loved our lunches and would definitely come back during our next visit to Berkeley !! 5 stars for Espresso Roma Cafe! read more

I love a day old pastry. They're a buck and the dry factor works well for dunking. I also love a great big patio with tons of shade! Different types even. I also love a quick kind staff. Sadly dogs aren't allowed on the patio. . . On bad dog can ruin it for the rest. read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

7 dollars for 6 onion rings, I'm never eating here again. They also charge more and more money the more times I eat here

Excellent coffee. I had a decaf americano. Very flavorful and came in a pint glass. Loved it. My friend had a latte with oat milk and loved it. Used to come here 25 years ago. It's still really good. Outside seating is lovely. read more

A met a coworker here for a meeting. What a cute store! Not really busy, but busy enough. I only had a drip coffee and my colleague had Earl Grey. I did see the food menu and it looked yummy. Note to self to return! read more

I love this place. The ambiance, the food, the coffee, the space, all great! One problem however. The beautiful bushes on the Hopkins side of the the property are in full bloom and are attracting hordes of bees, making it hazardous to walk on the pavement. I was forced to walk in the verge to get to my car. It is uneven and was afraid of falling as I am quite elderly. I reccomend that the bushes be trimmed back to eliminate that hazard. read more

The food is lousy but it is a neighborhood hangout due to the large open patio, and they let people hang out for a long time with little or no purchase. read more

A place you truly want to be on a sunny, warm afternoon such as this! Been here a handful of times through the years... Outdoor seating is ample, and the mix of trees and wooden benches makes one feel like he's participating in a treehouse party. Lots of food choices, from gourmet sandwiches to salads, to fruit cups (my choice!!!) to pastries, and coffee. Very quiet neighborhood, across the street from Monterey Market (handy if like to handle errands such as, er, grocery shopping)....lovely, 'unnoticed' kind of cafe. Coffee itself... well... I've had worse, and I've had much, much better. Warning: 1.there are NO OUTLETS at this cafe!!!!! Laptop users with no extended batteries: you have been forewarned! Lovely outside; inside area could be much, much cleaner and tidier (hint hint!) 2. CASH ONLY read more

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Coffee is good, the pastries are ok, the food soso, but the patron/barista is the most grumpy unfriendly guy you could imagine. I have come here a few times and the experience has been the same each time. So bad indeed that I decided today to write a review and not to come back. read more

This cafe has an ideal location in Rockridge and really could be a happening place, but it has to have the worst customer service possible. Rude and not in the New York City kind of way, just plain rude. I really hope they can find a new manager and staff... and maybe chef. read more

I really like eating here on a lazy, sunny weekend for a light breakfast/lunch. I recommend: *Ham and cheese sandwich (cheese crusted/melted on top of a toasty/crunchy panini with a side of fresh salad) *Garlic, mushroom, parmesan, mozarella panini (light and flavorful with side of fresh salad) *Arugula pasta (fresh tasting tossed with salad .. crumbled mozarella and small bits of prosciutto pizazz it up) *Hot Chocolate (yummms) I'm sure everything on the menu is great. Service is always fast and friendly. Only one bathroom tho... sometimes, there's a line.. it can get quite busy here. Ready for more lazy weekends please! read more

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Rude staff, Latino guy strong accent but don't want to speak Spanish to his Latino costumers always mess up our orders seems on purpose. Bad service. read more

Nice spot to sit outside with a coffee, and the food is very yummy. I love the warm sandwiches on focaccia, and the salad that comes with them. read more

To all the negative reviews about this place, we come here every week and the customers here are so deeply entitled and unpleasant, that whatever unhappiness you feel about the staff is completely due to you and no one else. We've had nothing but positive experiences here. I feel bad that the staff has to serve you. Great customer service, food and ambiance! We love sitting outside avoiding all of you :) thank you to the staff! read more

New owners and suddenly the best coffee in Berkeley. Foam to die for. Great outside area. Quick service! Never disappoints.

We live in the neighborhood and always see this cafe packed on the weekends. I finally stopped by for coffee with a friend today. I got an iced tea, which was perfectly fine. But the reason I'm giving this place two stars-- and the reason I probably won't be back-- is that I bought an egg and cheese burrito and there was eggshell in it. I got a crunchy bit of eggshell when I started eating, figured it was a fluke, then got another bigger one towards the end. It was unpleasant and the burrito was unremarkable even minus the eggshell bits. I probably won't go here again. It's a shame, because it's a cute spot and a convenient location within walking distance of our house. read more

Good coffee and food! Good location, friendly service! Love the relaxed, airy patio and flowers and shuns.

Love cafe roma. I'm a regular, the staff are super nice and the prices are super reasonable.

Very friendly people work here! Food is great! This is one of the few places where you can just sit and chill anytime and not being rushed to finish with your meal/drink. The prices are are great and I sometimes wonder if they even break it even at the end of month. Leave them a good tip. read more

yes on coffee, service and patio and meh on food. avoid the breakfast burritos (glue-y), average pastry.

Pretty good cappuccino, coffee flavor eas very simple and didn't have much depth. Great spot to meet people and hang out, wonderful service, but coffee is nothing special. read more

Espresso Roma Cafe - Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice quiet independent coffee shop with ample seating. If you're looking for a quiet, somewhat removed place away from the university, this is a good choice. Reading, studying, having a convo with a friend, you can do it here either inside or out on the patio/garden. In addition to coffee and espresso, they have a good lunch menu, soup and salad type stuff. I've gotten some of their pasta salad lunch containers to go and it makes for a pretty filling lunch. There is only one restroom though and it isn't in spectacular condition :( But other than that, it's a great independent coffee/lunch cafe. read more

That one unhappy and unpleasant guy is still working at this place. We were going to meet another family here last weekend. The other family refused. I asked why and they said they had encountered this really unpleasant barista. I told them about my experience and they described that same thing. I think he should quit and become a parking enforcement person. And the food here continues to be stale. read more