The GOLD standard, BEAN there! Man, what a great selection, it's hard to decide from the varied menu items. Nice atmosphere, great vibe, and chill staff. I went for the famous egg and cheese sesame bagel and an iced Vietnamese coffee. Dee lush us! It hits the spot and then some. On my hit list and a new watering hole for me. The staff of young people are absolutely off the charts, brilliant, great service - B E S T around in any coffee shop I've EVER been to! Nice crowd as well. A real college kid hang out, but everybody's so polite and nice and kind. It's next-door to a cool bar called Beta lounge. BEANS in the morning, BEER at night...... read more

See all

Ordered Gold Bean a few times through delivery. Their egg sandwich apart from the actual egg --- which is consistently cooked well and fluffy --- is just okay. I do appreciate the variety of drink selection they offer, although some of the specialty coffees are on the sweeter & milkier side but for some that is preferred. Definitely a nice place to grab a coffee and sandwich once in a while but not regularly for me. read more

The best food menu for breakfast/lunch items. I love the BLT on Everything Bagel. The BLT on an everything bagel is honestly a game-changer. This is the best way to have a BLT. The spicy mayo adds the right kick without overpowering the bacon and lettuce. The matcha is incredible, whether you get it hot or iced. It's smooth, flavorful, and definitely worth ordering. The reason for the 4 stars is the coffee isn't very strong. If you're someone who drinks coffee more for the taste, then you'll enjoy their coffee drinks. read more

I got delivery. The iced coffee was mostly milk... I wish it had more coffee. I've had cookie butter lattes before and this one felt lacking. It costs extra for oat milk, and the special cold foam, which I would think would be standard for cafes and this type of drink, but of course are surcharges in Berkeley. I actually really appreciate the lightness of the fresa refresher as others can be heavy with sugar but this feels easily drinkable. Bottled water was chilled which I appreciated! But yeah I can't recommend the (iced) coffee right now, which is important for a cafe. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Iced Cookie Butter Latte and Strawberry Refresher and smart water bottle - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Actually terrible. I do not recommend getting the drinks here, particularly the coffee and matcha here. The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Matcha had very minimal matcha flavor. Tasted kind of like cereal milk. But it had soggy pieces of cereal inside. As if the cereal had been sitting in milk all day.... This was so off-putting. I really could not finish this. I also tried their Churro Latte. Soooooo bad. The coffee itself was drowned in milk. But the worst part? The bottom had a huge layer of sugar... I guess for the churro effect? But it was awful. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cinnamon Toast Crunch Matcha - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I ordered the famous egg sandwich and a raspberry cheesecake latte. They were both delicious and a great start to the day. The raspberry cheesecake latte was not too sweet so it didn't over power the espresso. I'll definitely be back. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Famous egg sandwich, raspberry cheesecake latte with oatmilk - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Gold Bean Cafe is such a good study spot and I really like coming here. It's always full of students which I feel like says a lot, and the vibe is perfect if you wanna sit, work, or study for a while. I love all of their Mexican inspired drinks. The dulce de leche latte is one of my favorites and I get it almost every time. I was a little disappointed with the matcha. It wasn't bad, but with such a big menu I feel like it's hard for everything to hit, so I probably wouldn't order it again. We also got a panini and it was really good, super filling and fresh. They also always seem to have discounts or deals, especially on snacks, which I really appreciate as a student. Overall, it's a really nice little spot to study, hang out, and grab a drink. Definitely a place I come back to often read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

The bagel was so delicious!! The dulce de leche iced coffee was a good blend of coffee and sweet. It was a bit warm inside so we opted to eat outside. Great for a quick coffee grab! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Jalapeño cheddar cheese bagel - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I've doordashed their dulce de leche latte for the last couple years and was obsessed. Finally got to stop in in person to check it out and was delighted to find they have plentiful street parking, cute outdoor seating, and indoor seating as well. It's a perfect casual coffee shop set up! They have tons of drinks on the menu that sound amazing but I'm so addicted to the dulce de leche it's hard to order anything else. Brought my husband this time and he got the vanilla chai matcha latte- HOLY YUM. Can't wait to try the coquito next! read more

This is my favorite coffee spot in Berkeley. The coquito is amazing! I always bring my friends to try this place. The BLT on a jalapeño cheddar bagel is the best uni breakfast sandwich + points if you add avocado to it. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Gold Bean is awesome! There are so many ways to customize your order, from cold foam, whip cream, ube topping, banana flavor, and much more. It is also very helpful that you are given the option to order at the kiosk; it cuts down on the wait. Gold Bean will continue to be one of my regular stops for coffee. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

i got the dark chocolate mocha with oat milk and it was delicious !! i'm definitely going to try their bagels the next time i'm here read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Solid coffee shop with 2 locations in Berkeley! I've coming to Gold Bean for the past 2 1/2 years and its become a recurring spot I go to for a quick coffee run. Their coffee is strong while not being too overpowering in their drinks. I usually get less sweet for their lattes, which makes for a great caffeine fix in the morning. I used to get their matcha, but recently the quality of their matcha has gone down. I think they use a water based matcha for their flavored drinks and it has become less creamy and more bitter/astringent. I've also tried their egg and cheese bagel which is good, but nothing too special. There is free wifi and some seating at the location. Overall, decent cafe I would stop by to study at or a quick morning cafe pick-me-up! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Famous Egg & Cheese + Horchata Matcha - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came in here on a day off looking for a place to do some work and was not disappointed. I tried their Banana Cream Matcha with light sweetener and oat milk; it was tasty and came out very fast! Pros: - lots of interesting drink flavor options (coffee, matcha, and Thai tea options) - friendly staff and quick service - good wifi - plenty of seating when I was there (indoor and outdoor), some with outlets nearby - calm and soft noise atmosphere good for working or socializing Cons: - matcha was a bit grassy, doesn't compete with top tier places nearby - no gluten free food options - plain decor - set up for 2 person tables, not good for large groups - plastic, non-compostable cups read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Banana Cream Matcha - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Upbeat cafe near campus offering delicious bagels, sandwiches, and Latin-dessert inspired drinks. Perfect for those in the mood for coffee with spice or those who need a place to get some work done! FYI, not good for groups and gets very busy during the day, and better suited for solo patrons or a party of two. Love love love their specialty drinks! My personal fave is the Oat Milk Horchata Cold Brew -- medium sweet with strong cold brew, topped with cinnamon. Other noteworthy mentions include their dolce de Leche latte, Ube Matcha latte, Fresa con Crema matcha, Mexican mocha latte, Iced Churro Latte, and Iced Flan Latte. I've never tried their Egg Latte or Banana series (Iced Banana Cream Coffee anyone?) but I'm so intrigued. Flavors galore!! There's something to suit everyone and you can't really get bored with the menu. FYI, milk substitutes are $1. Can't comment on the food since I've never tried it, but they seem to be known for their bagels and sandwiches. Whenever I'm in the mood for something a little *fancier*, for more *sparkle sparkle* coffee, I love coming to Gold Bean! Seating is limited and I'd recommend going to the Cafe during off hours or earlier in the morning to snag a table. Whenever I come here, which is in the late afternoon, all of the tables are occupied. There do seem to be a fair number of outlets which is nice for getting some casual work done. Ordering is done through a kiosk! You input your order and phone number and you get a text when your order is ready. During peak hours wait times are about 15 minutes. Ordering through the kiosk is super convenient and is great for introverts like me! I definitely recommend factoring in wait time if you're ordering during peak hours. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Seating area! Great for groups of 1-2 - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I got the butter cookie latte and it was really good! if you're looking authentic coffee idk if this is the place for you but if you're looking for a fun drink it's amazing! the vibe in there was studious not very aesthetically pleasing kind of was giving like subway vibes but drink was great! service was okay i mean there's a kiosk which is my favorite. read more

One of my new fav coffee spots in Berkeley!! I love their fun coffee flavors and their sandwiches are delicious. We had their club sandwich and tried a bunch of drinks. Shoutout to their new pistachio series and their matcha drinks. The staff was also extremely nice would definitely recommend!! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Details, details, details. They say the Devil is in the details. That represents one side at the highest degree on a scale which means excellence is also found in the details. And excellence is found here. The bagels are airy and plump, the eggs fluffed, and the coffee balanced. They aren't just made and served. They are made with a level of care that should be noticed. The ordering process takes some time (lots of options), but consider that your time is reciprocated by the care taken to prepare your food and beverage. While you wait, get energized by the collective energy from the studious patrons and cool kids who gather there. Enjoy the music and fresh air. Stay golden! read more

I absolutely love this place. The unique drinks they had on the menu coupled with the quick service just makes this the place to be. It's a quick walk off a BART stop and it's cozy inside. I saw people studying and hanging out as well. I didn't get a chance to try their cookie butter coffee because they were sold out but I got the Cinnamon Toast Crunch latte with the cold foam and it was absolutely delicious. The coffee itself was strong and tasted rich. I wish I had up sized. I will want to go again to try all their different coffee combinations and matchas as well. read more

This was some strong coffee, but it was good. He had a good caramel taste to it as well. Service was fast and we will be back here again.

This is a great place to do work or study if you're in Berkeley. However it does get busy during the day! They have a wide selection of drinks, from specialty coffee, latte, matcha, and even non-caffeinated drinks like juice and smoothies. And they also offer pastries, bagels, and sandwiches! [study/work spot?] * Free wifi * Power outlets available for charging * Outdoor and indoor seating * Great place to study or work * Opens every day 8AM-6PM read more

See all

Gold Bean Cafe is a lovely spot to chill or study. I love that it's a family-run café--you can tell they put so much love into every drink (shoutout Joel, David, and Noelia!). The drinks aren't just aesthetically pleasing--they're thoughtfully crafted and taste just as good as they look. For drinks, we ordered the ube matcha, fresa con crema matcha, matcha blast and churro latte. Prices are so worth it for the quality, creativity, and quality. The churro latte was perfectly spiced, and the matcha blast smoothie was tangy with notes of mango and orange... nice and thick and a rich earthy flavor. They offer a variety of alternative milks (oat and almond), making it a great spot for everyone. The bagels here are amazing! Perfectly chewy, fresh, and packed with flavor (especially the jalapeno cheddar)! You can keep it simple or add extra toppings, but either way, they're loaded with goodness. The lox bagel was my favorite, they load it up. If you need the perfect meal to go with your drink, this is it! I'm happy to have this spot in my cafe rotation. read more

See all

A definite must-try! I loved this charming little coffee shop with its tasty breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries, and wide variety of coffee and matcha drinks. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, since it was my first visit, I struggled a bit with the self-order kiosk, but the front counter staff kindly walked me through it so I could place my order with ease. They even shared a promo code, which was such a thoughtful touch. I'm so glad we followed the TikTok reviews to check this place out, and we'll definitely be coming back! So happy to support a locally owned coffee shop. read more

See all

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Gold Bean yet -- this is probably my go to spot in Berkeley for anything that isn't matcha! There are quite a few tables and seats inside, as well as some outside. I would recommend coming here early though, because they fill up quick with students studying. The WiFi has always been reliable, and the bathroom is super clean. The employees are all super kind and seem happy to be here -- I've noticed that there are a lot of regulars that they are on first name basis with, which I think is really sweet. I think the best choice at Gold Bean are their lattes, especially if you have a sweet tooth. I like the Spanish Latte, the Caramel Latte, and the Dulce de Leche Latte. Their chai latte is quite good too, though it doesn't really taste like traditional chai -- it tastes like Cinnamon Toast Crunch to me. I think their matcha is just alright though, so I'd recommend trying some place else if you have a craving for matcha. LOVE gold bean, will return always!! (P.S. I personally think this location has better drinks than their Northside location) read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Iced Spanish Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am never disappointed at Gold Bean Cafe! I have enjoyed their Iced Caramel Latte, Iced Vanilla Latte, Iced White Mocha, and add cold foam sometimes. The staff are always welcoming and kind. I tend to also enjoy their choice of music and the surrounding atmosphere. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Famous Egg & Cheese - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

My go to place for whenever I am in Berkeley! Tons of seating available inside and some places to eat outside. This seems like a popular hangout spot for students to study as I see lots of people with laptops out. Upon entering you can either order in person or order via the kiosk. I highly recommend listening for your order name since that is what they call out. My go to drink here is the iced brown sugar espresso. I love adding extra chocolate drizzle and other additions into it. I will say their coffee overall isn't bad and not sour like others have mentioned. You can also order ahead of time if you would like via their website which is a plus! read more

Food is adequate, prices just don't do anything here justice. Service is to go, even when you're dining in. Ambiance is a college town vibe, but the problem is none of the drinks/food is actually noteworthy. I hope they make changes to have a better menu. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I first walked into Gold Bean one year ago! It's such a beautiful and clean-AF spot! This place is cleaner than some 5-star restaurants...the service is trendily, family-like and welcoming. The music is always bumpin but at a low volume and playin rad artists like reggaeton, bad bunny, tiny, etc... Food/drink: Today I had the veggie bagel with hummus and as you can see in the pictures; portions and flavor was on point! Fresh everything bagel, wrapped to perfection, cut and layered perfectly to melt in your mouth! To drink a had a classic latte and it was smooth and good. They have a sexy La Morozzo machine here and use coffee and espresso from Oaklands finest, Mr. Espresso! It's so deelish and oakwood roasted. - yes it can get busy, but I'm here on a Friday at 2PM and the vibes are chill. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a really good breakfast sando and some deelish coffee or lunch! Cheers! read more

See all

Quick Summary: - Coffee is not sour - There are seats and tables here and there, but it appears to be also a popular place for students to work - Bathroom with a lock - Listen for either your order' name or your name - There is a kiosk to order food as well - Order arrives in paper cups and sandwiches are wrapped; no plates We decided to go and have a brunch and coffee since we were arriving in Berkeley, and this cafe is close to the university (South side). There are tables lined up outside, and there are more seats inside. Near the end of the narrow hall of table and chairs, there is also a bar stool styled seating area (and that was where we sat that day). Most of the seats were taken, and it was a busy day. By the looks of the guests, they look like they are students. There was a kiosk, and most of the time I prefer using that, this round I wanted to ask about the different sandwiches, so I opted for the cashier. The staff was very helpful in explaining the different options. The sandwiches had various options, from choosing the hummus type and the bread types. For one order, I chose the veggie bagel and picked the original hummus. In the second order, I picked the BLT and picked the sandwich bread over the bagel. Finally, a large cup of latte. After claiming a seat, my first focus was to listen for our orders. The latte arrived first. This was called out by the name of the order (latte), and not by the order number that was on the receipt. When I approached the table, I checked and confirmed that the sticker label on the cup matched with my order number. The same was done with the sandwiches. In some cases, the customer name was called; I think this is the difference of how it was ordered: by staff or by the kiosk. The sandwiches were wrapped up neatly in a nice paper bag. Inside, it was sliced nicely in half. The veggie bagel was really good! Recently, I am a fan of having bagels with hummus as much as cream cheese. It tastes lighter and is a great match with the vegetables. I wonder if the same case is applicable with smoked salmon? (this is rhetorical question, but I feel hummus tastes better with vegetables). The crunchy texture of the onions and the tomato was perfect with the bagel. Speaking of bagel, there were multiple options to choose from, and I picked the sesame. I love how the surface of the bagel was covered in sesame. The BLT sandwich was also very good! There is a higher ratio of bacon to the tomato and lettuce, so if you're a fan of bacon it's a generous amount. I'm not much of a bacon fan, but the taste wasn't overwhelming Overall, very pleased cafe and coffee experience, and when I visit there again I would like to try their paninis. read more

See all

I rarely write reviews, but I had to for this one. I ordered a white mocha w/ fresa con crema cold foam, & let me tell you--this is IT. The perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and comforting, especially on a cold, rainy day. As someone from Los Angeles, I've been on the hunt for a new comfy-cozy coffee spot, & Gold Bean Café is the next best thing. The vibe, the flavors, the experience--chef's kiss. If you're looking for that perfect cozy cup, this is the place. Muchísimas gracias! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - White Mocha w/ Fresa con Crema Cold Foam - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Gold Bean has quickly become one of my favorite spots for coffee -- like I will ride with Gold Bean until I *die.* Quality is one of their top priorities, so their coffee is consistently well-made and delicious. Both management and baristas are kind and dedicated to the craft, ensuring that customers get a drink more than worth the price. That being said, I want to write a review to send love to the staff. One of my orders was notably lackluster (understandably so, I did order thirty minutes before closing after coming from campus -- it's no wonder they rushed it), so I expressed my slight disappointment through Snackpass. The staff responded in a matter of minutes, which was unexpected because it was already after hours -- but they even issued a total refund on my order, gifting me a chance to try anything on their menu for free! I was blown away by their care; their customer service really went above and beyond to rectify that single sour experience into one of gold. All love to Gold Bean, I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Iced Dulce De Leche Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

in all honesty, I was running on 3 hours of sleep and just needed something with caffeine. with that being said, I didn't really look at the menu or take things into consideration when ordering here. I ordered the Oat Horchata Matcha while my boyfriend got the Matcha Green Eye with oatmilk. Oat Horchata Matcha: I got regular sweetener, iced, and large. Mind you, I'm the type of person to get 25-50% sweetness in any boba type of drinks. If I had known the sugar was going to be as little as it was, I would've opted for the extra sweetener. The matcha quality is good, they make it separate from the horchata instead of just throwing it together, and even added a dash of cinnamon powder on top. It was almost bland, I got notes of the cinnamon powder/horchata even after mixing it, which was a little disappointing. Matcha Green Eye: regular sweetener and large as well; also not sweet enough. My boyfriend is more of a sweet tooth than I am, and he said it was more bitter/watered down. Other notes: the ice is a combination of pebble and shattered glass, makes that pretty sound when you mix the drink. With the oatmilk upcharge, the drinks were still a good size for $7 each. We just wish they were sweeter :( Also, it was a little odd that we ordered together (there are two ipad/kiosks to order from), and our orders were made separately. We had to wait an extra 5ish mins, which was fine but when I hear my name called I'd assume all the drinks in the order were finished at the same time, not made as if they were a separate order. Maybe the large upgrade just messed up the sugar amount; but the caffeine aspect really kicked in and helped me out. I hope to try this spot again soon! read more

The place is nice inside with some chairs for studying but it gets packed with the college students so keep that in mind. I ordered the Iced Vanilla Matcha Chai and a plain bagel with cream cheese, nothing too crazy. The matcha was really overpowering but I wish they would've made the chai and vanilla try and stand out in this drink. It was just a milky matcha with some weird sediment at the bottom? Not sure but it was okay, would definitely order another drink next time and not make it matcha. The bagel was good but they put sooo much cream cheese that it was falling out the sides of my bagel. Now I love cream cheese but it was just soo messy. read more

Came here to do work and yum! The staff are hellllla nice. The bagel sandwich I got was bomb, I had one the day before that didn't hit and this one did the way I had thought yesterday's should have. The space is chill to work it, it's mostly students but didn't feel crowded or too student-y. Just people doing their thing. Got the horchata latte which was good and not too sweet! read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Jalapeno Cheese Bagel Veggie Combo - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Gold Bean Cafe opened where Windmill Coffee House once was. infrastructure looks similar. semi-full. constant stream of patrons. no visible waiting area except in front area. offerings: breakfast, lunch, combos, classic coffee, latte matcha, .., smoothies, dulce, smoothies. drink: drip coffee (L. 4) -same out in minutes, premade as de facto in many cafes, not made to order. -tasted slightly harsh though mostly smooth, very drinkable. coffee may have been brewed in batches & sat awhile. 3.5 stars. review is for coffee only. service was 4.5 stars. drips: -several tables outside, dozen+ inside. -coffee an usual stimulant when driving. needed to avoid incautious drivers weaving in & out of traffic without signaling. -didn't see any edible, pastries, bagels, or breakfast, that struck my fancy. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Chilling at table outside. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Wishing I could get my 13 dollars back from this watery matcha I just had .Added another star for the prepackaged doughnut I had, it really saved a bad experience from the trip to this place.Service was consistent with their orders and was pretty fast so no issues with the staff . The ambiance was pretty packed which gave me hope only to be disappointed.On top of all that My friends bagel also had an excessive amount of cream cheese you could make another bagel with it probably even two. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Beagles Any Bagel W/ Spread - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cute little cafe in Berkeley. Staff was very friendly and kind. I ordered the Oat Horchata cold brew which was delicious, I recommend it if you like Horchata. To go amok with it I ordered the chipotle chicken panini, which was also delicious, but they did not have any more salad to go with it. The only thing I would complain about is the high price for what you get. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Horchata Cold Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Little and nice coffee place. Bright and good coffee together. Lots of students study here. read more

Gold Bean Cafe - coffee - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Workers were nice & the bagel was so yummy! Love their banana matcha kinda pricey though so would probably be a "every once in a while treat" rather than a daily breakfast thing, bagels cost over $12 for a good one ! (They charge .75 extra for sesame/everything/not plain bagels ) read more

Gold Bean Cafe - Famous Egg & Cheese Banana Cream Matcha Caramel Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

It's a nice place with amazing playlist! So great study place but tables can get filled up. My only advice is maybe skip on the matchas?? My friend said the Fresa Con Crema Matcha was not so good (it required a lot of mixing before it tastes alright)... But other than that the Tiramisu Iced Coffee was fire and I enjoyed the lemonade read more