I've been going to Cal for two years and I've never sat down at FSM to study until this summer. During the school year, this place is always packed with PEOPLE. Not like you can't get enough of that at Berkeley already. During the summer, it's a little more mellow, so it's not as crowded. - Coffee: I love their coffee!! - Mocha Bianca: almost as good as the one from Strada. - Latte: Vanilla = extra 50 cents, nonfat milk = extra 10 cents, total = $3.85 = too expensive for just a latte - Pastry: their pastry is alright - Food: I tried their Californian Deli Sandwich and it was really good. Good place to study because they have nice seating area, but I doubt I'll be able to study here during the semester. Outdoor is nice for light reading/meeting. read more

You seriously have to constantly be on the look-out if you want a seat inside FSM during its peak hours. The cafe is always poppin'! FSM offers great menu choices for a decent price, considering how convenient its location is. It sits right next to the Moffitt Library and is also open for the same amount of hours! It's hard to find good quality food during the later hours. I feel like you can't go wrong with any of the menu choices! They have a variety of paninis, salads, sandwiches, coffees (that everyone sneaks into the library), desserts, and fruit! Everyone who works there is pretty nice as well! read more

FSM Cafe has always been a perfect place for studying and grabbing a quick bite! The fact that it's open late (2 AM) and has both outdoor and indoor seating means it's perfect for any occasion at basically any time of the day! As one can imagine, being so close to campus means that everyone is here in between classes getting a snack or a fast meal aka lines can seriously suck during the lunch hour. The food and drinks usually do come out pretty quickly though (less than 10 minutes), which makes up for the long lines. I'd recommend the Cobb Salad or the Chicken Pesto Wrap here! Those are my main go-to food items here - the salad portion is pretty generous and the wrap is tasty and already ready-made! The drinks here are also really good especially the mocha - the coffee used here is also fair trade, which is always a plus. Warning: cash only. Outlets will be hard to find here generally speaking so don't expect to find one that easily. You should probably be enjoying your company and/or textbook anyways I suppose...Oh and a side-note, there's a bathroom around the corner from the cafe, which is pretty nasty. My suggestion: go to the bathroom directly across from the cafe through the door leading to the second floor so that you don't have to deal with waiting in line to use the bathroom, which already doesn't smell too welcoming in the first place. Other than that...FSM Cafe is a great place to study at in my book! read more

This place is CASH/CAL1CARD FRIENDLY ONLY. if you only have a credit card, you can buy a giftcard though. I come here when I have twenty minutes to eat and want something warm and soupy. They have two daily soups, although I've seen days where they only had one by lunch. The soups tend to be something of the curry lentil/california minestrone/chicken and vegetables variety. Not very creative, but good. If you ask for to-go, they give you a cup that looks exactly like the ones at GBC or Q2. If you ask for here, they give it to you in this glass bowl that seems a little bigger - not THAT much bigger, though. They also give you one or two slices of nice, soft bread... mmm, the best part! (: For a little over $3, I'd say, not bad, not bad. I've also tried the Californian sandwich on focaccia bread. It tasted fine, but the proportions were definitely smaller than I had imagined for the price. They give you a salad with it too, which makes for pretty presentation, but the salad was limp and there was wayyy too much oil. I've seen their salads, too, and I guess I must be spoiled by Intermezzo or something, but they're definitely small comparatively as well. Indoor eating is REALLY LIMITED, mostly because there are a lot of people who just buy a coffee (or nothing), and sit there and study. Personally, I prefer to study at the library, which is only a few steps away... but outside seating is plentiful, if the weather is nice. I wouldn't go here with groups. read more

Always crowded. ALWAYS. Food is pretty good though. Salads are huge, and the paninis are fresh and hot. Coffee is decent. Also offers assortment of pastries, snacks (yogurt, Clif bars, fruit, etc.). Tip: there are outlets outside on the patio area!! I didn't discover them until recently, but they're placed on the walls along the edge. read more

Amazing panini. Soft, luscious focaccia that felt like it was at risk of breaking off into chunks, but stayed strong in supporting the roast beef, cheese, and vegetables inside. Toasted not lightly, but not obnoxiously crunchy...it all melted in my mouth. Also: -Very convenient location. -Location inside library means that the rest of your day is more likely to be productive. -Food isn't overly filling, which means you actually can think. -Seating is doable if you're alone and you aren't too shy to ask someone to share their table. -I feel bad for the cafe because of the people who sit on their laptops for 8 hours occupying a table without buying anything. -Outside is not great but not terrible. -I happen to like the mini salad that comes with the sandwiches! -I also happen to like their black coffee. -Sandwiches are $6.50 and they don't take any CC :( :( :( read more

From Sun-Thu, this place is open as late as the adjoining library -- 2am. Which is nice, since you can grab that last cup of coffee before you head home and finish that last page of your term paper that you oh god make this end already i don't care about what plato and caesar have to say help me Anyway, the drinks and food are actually reasonably priced for a cafe. Their sandwiches and salads are decent, and they're usually prepped quickly. The problem, however, is the crowd. Jesus, the crowds. A parade of students, faculty, and staff results in ridiculous lines during lunch hour. Good luck finding a place to sit indoors during the afternoon/evening hours. The lack of seating bothers me, since the cafe only opened a few years ago. Couldn't they have anticipated the popularity of the place? It's difficult to get a decent-sized study group organized here because the seating is so awkward (individual chairs placed around very small tables). The outdoor seating isn't too bad, but beware of the student groups who gather here AND TALK VERY LOUDLY JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN. read more

Got a bran muffin for ~$2 for a pre-meeting snack in Moffitt. As said in previous reviews, FSM is over-priced, but they survive despite what they charge because of their prime location for catching students with severe mid-study session cravings. Seating is rather hard to come by, and the squirrels out on the deck are way too comfortable around people--warning: they will climb right up to your face! Previously, I've gotten their chicken sandwich, which comes with salad. Satisfying meal, but by no means extraordinary. Lines get long, though they have quick service. I think my reviews are probably positively biased just because I am always super hungry, especially when I resort to on-campus locations. read more

Great customer service is always awesome. Finding a table to study at FSM... not so much. But by far, my favorite place to study on/around campus. Lemon poppyseed cake. YUM. Chicken tortilla soup. YUM. Sandwiches. YUM! Great place to eat and study. I wish I were a Berkeley undergrad still =(. Go BEARS! read more

This place gets quite packed during midterm season. It's always hard to get a seat at FSM. Make sure you ask your friend to save your seat! TIP: If you are trying to get a seat, just come 1-8 mins after the hours, because usually some people need to leave for class! read more

PRO: get inspired and rallied into social changer mode with the promising combo of caffeine plus socio-political art! VEGAN CON: no vegan pastries. no vegan granola bars. no vegan cookies. read more

I recommend the salads (especially the mediterranean vegetarian salad and the blue cheese/bacon/egg salad), the soups are decent, the veggie and chicken quesadillas are good, and the chai latte is superb. The best deal is to split one of their huge ass salads with a friend. Ditto what everyone else said about price being meh and convenience great. Its a great place to study--too bad you have to wait forever for a seat inside no matter what time it is because tables for two are almost always occupied by one person. They accept Cal 1 card. read more

I work near here, so I have tried many things.... 1) Cobb salad is good, lots of good stuff in it. Ask for extra dressing on the side though, because one time I barely got any vinagrette dressing, so my salad was bland is unsatisfying. It comes with lots of goodies in it, including avocado and bacon! 2) Do NOT get the caprese panini unless you want the most bland panini EVER. It has mozzerella cheese, tomato, and pesto sauce. Essentially the only thing you'll taste is the cheese, at best. 0 stars. 3) Their deli sandwiches are good. I've had the honey ham sandwich numerous times, and only once did I not enjoy it because they gave me stale bread. Otherwise, it is usually a satisfying meal. 3 stars. 4) The quesadillas are good, but they get soggy FAST if you do take-out. Try to eat these on site. 5) The turkey & mango wrap is good, and is easy to eat on-the-go. When it's not mango season though, the mango might be a bit sour and not very soft. 6) The lowfat cranberry pumpkin muffin is pretty good, once you get used to the texture. It's a bit more dense than your typical muffin. Good flavor though. 4 stars. 7) The apple cloud is good, just don't get an end piece and you'll be fine. 8) The espresso brownie is DEEElicious! 5 stars. 9) The blackbottom muffin is said to be really good, according to my boss... although I haven't tried it myself. Per his review, 4.5 stars. 10) Apple juice and orange juice are good. Apple is more of a cider. The orange juice can be sour, if it's not orange season. They do not have cranberry juice, other than the fizzy kind in a bottle. 11) Their espresso drinks are always made right for me. 5 stars read more

This place is definitely my go-to cafe when I'm on campus. The food is great, the staff is friendly and there are open tables outside all the time. The make their coffee beverages very well - they're not burnt, overmilked or oversweetened. I'd say just about anything on that menu is going to be a great choice. Their food is really really good for cafe food. They have a nice variety of salads, sandwiches and soups and their quesadillas are fantastic. There's certainly not an excess of indoor seating or outlets but on at any average point in the day it's pretty good. The lunch rush, midterms season and finals season all get pretty crazy but if you are looking for a table just get there early and stay at that table all day. This cafe is also really great because unlike Milano or Caffe Strada, the homeless life really tends to stay outside. I came here every other day for a whole year and have never witnessed something that made me too uncomfortable. If you show up with a group larger than 3, be prepared to sit outside. read more

I heart their atmosphere (as well as their food)! Definitely try their sandwiches and salads, though! The sandwiches all come with a small side garden salad. They really fill you up.They have some creatively interesting yet sometimes unappetizing soups so I'd suggest to stay away from those unless they have a good soup of the day (eg. Tomato Basil) They don't take credit card, but you can use your Cal 1 Debit Card if you're associated with the university (student, faculty, etc). Also, it can be difficult to find a seat inside when it starts to get dark and/or cold. read more

FSM is a'ite. Connected to Moffitt library, it's a great place to take a little break when you're starving and feeling burnt out from studying. I've tried more desserts from here than I'd like to admit. I rarely carry cash with me, and the five dollar card minimum (WHY?!) basically forces me to buy two desserts with my regular hot chocolate or mocha. But I don't regret a single one of those desserts. My absolute favorite is the apple cloud followed by the regular brownie and the espresso brownie. Absolutely delicious. The BLT here is disappointing. It's even more disappointing because BLTs are my fave. Finding a decent place to sit and study here is nearly impossible. Inside at least. There are usually plenty of seats outside, but most of them are on the edges of the patio where it is freezing and shadowy. Every time I come here I wish that there were outdoor heaters on the patio so that I wouldn't have to freeze my buns off on those super cold nights when everyone is packed inside. Three stars. read more

Quality: Organic/fair trade coffee. My favorite. :) The salads and quesadillas aren't worth it, so I wouldn't suggest eating dinner here unless you absolutely have to (staying in late to study) Venue: To stay true to its name, there's a lot of references to the free speech movement + other related politics. Just yesterday, they had a segment on the arab spring which looked pretty cool. Amenities: Bathrooms are disgusting. However, the outdoor seating (with SOME outlets) make up for it. Accessibility: Right in the heart of campus. Walkable distance. Nearby: VLSB, East Asian Library, Moffitt Library Hopes: A bit loud, especially when you need to study. Other than that it's pretty good. Tip: This place gets PACKED during finals. You're pretty much out of luck if you don't reserve a seat by the time it opens. It closes when Moffitt closes. Cash/Cal1Card only! Wi-fi for students only. Will I come back? Yes! (if there's room) read more

Come here, grab a coffee, and plan an intifada or discuss which tree on campus is the best one to take up residence in.

Best banana nut muffins on campus. Pretty sure they get it from the same distributor as Strada. Once in a blue moon I will dream about this muffin that always managed to make me happy in between classes on particularly dreary days. Yeah the lines are long, yeah it's crowded, yeah the coffee is kind of expensive and mediocre-tasting at best, but when you're trekking up the slopes, in dire need of a caffeine fix, FSM can be your best friend if you let it. I remember being enchanted by the apple cloud. It's deceptively cute with an adorable name, but all it really is is a cold pastry with cream cheese and some apple slices. Expensive and not that good. I'm telling you... banana nut muffin ftw. read more

3 stars for food. The food is pretty bland, I would recommend walking the 5 minutes to Bancroft or Hearst. 5 stars for location - so convenient!! Especially during finals... FSM is great for the quick Red Bull/ coffee/ chocolate chip cookies run... It is also a great place to meet someone to quickly go over some work. read more

I love this café, not only because of the title and the historical power that such a namesake evokes, but the delicious chai lattes that they make are unparalleled on the great campus of UC Berkeley. read more

It's always pretty crowded in there.... but when I have some extra cash on me, and I come out of the library, FSM is always a nice reward. I love their mochas. Not too sweet, not too bitter. Their sandwiches are pretty good; most things on the menu are healthy! The almond croissants are great too... Don't knock it 'til you try it! read more

I really like studying here, esp. if I get a seat on the left side against the wall. Those are my fav. Their coffee is good and lighting is good, it's not too loud but it's not so quiet that you can hear people's every movement. The bad thing here is that it is always crowded, so I always have to be QUICK about running to open seats once they free up. I haven't tried their food here yet because it's kind of pricey, but I can TELL they are really good, esp. their salads! I'll try one soon, I will. I wish I'd come here more often though--but I'm just too lazy to walk from my apartment to come here to study most of the time. You may see my roommate here though, like EVERYDAY :D She's a die-hard true FSM go-er. read more

Best granola! And it comes with a banana. Very hard to find indoor seating, but there are always more tables outside. read more

I've only been here for coffee related beverages because: a) the actual food is way too expensive, especially for a place that serves mostly college students, b) there's never anywhere to sit, especially if it's cold or rainy, c) the line is typically very long, especially around lunch time or during finals, which is when I'd probably want to go here in the first place. The Coffee Spot on Lower Sproul is a better alternative, and is far less expensive, although they're open less. read more

FSM is known around campus for being the place where it's nearly impossible to find a table inside. It's true. I've gotten a table there way too few times in my 2 years of being a regular, and each time I've rejoiced quietly and made plans to somehow never leave that spot. Other than the impossible indoor seating, I actually love going to FSM. Their food is delicious, I've never experienced anything other than very pleasant service, and the location is the most convenient on campus. The prices are high, though, which is why I set aside a certain amount of money per month on my Cal1 Debit card and just use it there. If it runs out, then I know I've gone to FSM too much and I should probably stay away from those bacon-filled cobb salads and yummy white mochas anyway. Tip from a regular: when you're feeling depressed about an upcoming midterm (or if you just got one back and want to drown your sorrows), get a bundt cake. They're all delicious, but I'd say the chocolate one just adds that extra dose of comfort :) read more

The patio is beautiful with views of campus and lots of green. I tend to get the dirty chai latte so I can't speak for the other drinks but the dirty Chai always hits the spot. They have some fresh juices that looked good but were overpriced so I didn't try. It's a must try cafe if you're in Berkeley and appreciate the history! read more

Food: Very average. 3.5 stars Coffee: Fast, knowledgeable about recepies, good portions. 5 stars. Seating: Literally always packed. Since it is a coffee shop, it has an excuse to have no plugs at some areas. Noise level is controlled. The homeless are allowed to wander in and stay until closing. Sometimes there are students yelling since it is a free speech movement cafe. 1.5 stars. Would recommend coming here for a bite to eat than to study. read more

Must have early morning "joe" made by the barista artisan who makes my "usual" with such flair and artistry. See my photo - Javier, barista artist extraordinaire. read more

Free Speech Movement Cafe - Made by barista artist Javier - best morning wake-up! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Ordered a simple black coffee but it turned out to be disappointingly weak and lacking in aroma. Also ordered a bagel. $3.25 in total for both coffee and bagel. Bad experience! I compared this with my experience in Tully's (on Shattuck Ave), which offers a "coffee and bagel combo" for a cheaper price and better quality. At Tully's, the coffee was fairly good, and at least they toast your bagel and spread cream cheese for you. Not here. Also, it's crowded and NOT a good place to study. If you want to study, there are many quieter cafes around campus that might be more conducive and have better ambience. If you want to chill, hang out, meet friends, read your favorite book... Don't come here either. There're quite a few charming cafes around this area (Caffe Strada, for one, and my favorite - Sack's Coffee on College Ave). Sorry, but FSM cafe gets only 1 star from me, despite its grand name and historical significance. read more

This is one of the default places for meetings and study groups. I usually don't order unless I'm really hungry when I'm here. I recommend their toasted paninis! The turkey avocado is delicious! The ingredients are fresh, especially the salad that comes with it. Their soup is good too, but I wouldn't say it is mind-blowing amazing. On a recent visit, I stopped by here in between classes. I got one of their pre-made pesto basil chicken wraps. It was mediocre; at least, it satisfied me during my classes. Price: pricey. What do you expect? It's on campus. They do take CAL DEBIT. Good luck in snagging a seat indoors. Weather permitting, it may be a better bet to sit outside. Just note, there are a limited number of outlets! read more

Although this cafe has a great location, I find its coffee to be aggressive and not very complex. Accordingly, I never order naked espressos or even macchiatos from these guys. In fact, I generally stay away! However, I was here yesterday after lunch at a friend's suggestion. I ordered a cappucino, and my friend had a latte. The milk really saved the day. Sitting out on the terrace in the sun, we were both very happy with our drinks -- and with the FSM Cafe. read more

During midterms and finals seasons, I spend a lot of time studying at Moffitt and Doe, so I occasionally drop by FSM for a quick bite to eat. It's almost impossible to find a seat inside since those tables are always in high demand, but if it's a nice day, I don't mind sitting outside (although there are only a few outlets). I usually order the California sandwich on foccacia (cucumber, tomato, avocado, onions, greens, and some zesty mayo), which comes with a side salad if you eat in but not if you take it to go. The sandwich is delicious and the sauce is good (this is coming from someone who doesn't even like mayo). However, they tend to put too much dressing on the salad most of the time. I've literally had my salad drowning in dressing before, so I just tried to scrape as much as I could off... There's nothing too special about their coffee, but I do like their chai latte since the spices are yummy. If you're feeling something sweet, get the apple cloud!! It's kind of a hybrid between an apple pie pastry and cheesecake! It's pretty dense, so it'd be perfect if you shared with someone, but I have been known to finish the whole thing myself before! TIP: Try to avoid coming during the lunch rush since the line can extend from the counter to the Moffitt lobby desk..eek! Also, $5 minimum for card! read more

Hot chocolate: Pro: they make it like a capucchino with the steamed milk in the middle. Creamy. Con: Less chocolaty than other cafes, but that's probably better calorie-wise. $3.25 for a large. Average, slightly cheap. read more

This is a very good cafe with convenient location, alright coffee and pastries, good food in a jam, wifi, some indoor seating, and lots of outdoor seating when the weather is nice. The morning buns and almond croissants are really good here. Outside there are well-lit stands with local and international newspapers in large print, updated daily. It is also nicely located in Moffitt Library with easy main stacks access. unfair to say, but it is the best cafe ON campus - though strada and milano beat it by far read more

The Free Speech Movement Cafe has Mario Savio's immortal words etched in metal that you can read while waiting in line: "To me, freedom of speech is something that represents the very dignity of what a human being is. ... It is the thing that marks us as just below the angels." That being said, FSM is the second-best cafe in Berkeley to engage in that practice known as "eye-f*cking." Any student who has ever sat in a cafe to study during midterms has done it. You're sitting at a table, enjoying your hot grilled chicken panini and fresh green salad, allowing your Americano to cool, when you see an attractive person sitting across the way from you. S/he is typing away at a laptop, but every so often--so you think--s/he looks up and gazes intently into your eyes. Maybe s/he is looking THROUGH you to the grayscale images of the Free Speech Movement behind you; maybe the person is simply seeking the camaraderie of another weary, exam-riddled soul. But you know better. S/he wants you. You then allow yourself for the next twenty minutes to highlight the same tired line of Samuel Huntington while eye-f*cking that person. I've heard this practice referred to in a number of different ways. For instance, for those inclined towards religion there is "eye-hand-holding" (which sounds gross, actually). For those pursuing MRS degrees there is "eye-marrying." I prefer the anonymity and ever-so-titillating term mentioned in the paragraph above. This all being said, FSM is a great place to study and hang out. It's right in the middle of campus, so it's convenient for mid-day snacks or meetings. It tends to get very crowded and very hot. Expect to share your table, unless you do what I sometimes did: turn your table so that it is lengthwise against you. Then spread out pens, books, and notepads over the entire expanse. This will give you a little bit of privacy! And the sandwiches, entrees, and soups are delicious and reasonably priced. Just be sure not to make a habit of it, as $7 or $8 for a sandwich and coffee every day tends to add up quickly! read more

I used to work at Cafe Strada on Bancroft when I went to Cal. I went traveling for the summer and my boss promised me that my job would be there when I got back. So i got back. no job. He says to go talk to the manager at Free Speech (which has the same owner as Strada). While I am busy losing my mind to the manager of Free Speech who also won't employ me, a librarian in line behind me offers me a job. So two stars for Free Speech- one for the decent cafe bianca (hot white chocolate), even though I can't drink it for free anymore - and one star for getting me a job elsewhere. Irony circles around though- since i threw a fit at Free Speech, I refused to get my morning coffee there once I started working upstairs in the Moffit Library. And just so you know, glueing the little labels on the spines of library books day after day isn't as much fun as it looks. No matter how caffeinated you are. read more

I don't think I would have survived college without FSM. Find yourself falling asleep in the library at 1AM? No problem, head next door to FSM and grab a cup of tea or coffee. They also have some decent pastries to satisfy your late night sweet tooth (I recommend the apple cloud or black bottom muffin). Their coffee isn't great, but it isn't terrible. Their tea selection is pretty decent. The best part is how convenient it is and how late it is open. If quiet libraries aren't your scene it also provides a really nice atmosphere to study in. I love and miss this cafe dearly. read more

This cafe is also a walk-in exhibit. While the free speech images and Mario Savio quotes plastered all over the walls and tables are pretty amazing, they have this even cooler interactive exhibit. Check out the energy consumption meter at FSM (http://www.macetech.com/blog/node/91). You can see all the details of how much power is being used throughout the cafe, including what you are using from your laptop. Oh! The ICED White Chocolate Mocha! read more

Come here all the time and usually love to study here but today I had such a nasty experience with the cashier. I ordered a large iced mocha and they gave me 16 oz drink to which I was a little confused because I though the large was 20 oz. The cashier rudely asked me what I was waiting for and when I told him a large iced mocha he told me it has already been siting there. I was really confused at this point and he kept me being so rude telling me there was only one size. I love this place, but if all the employees are like I don't see myself coming back. FSM, you should try not to hire such unpleasant employees! read more