A little brunch, a little serendipity, and a smile I'll treasure. See that smile? That's my mommy. Today was a rare chance to sit down for a mommy-daughter brunch, just the two of us, and enjoy some time together while my dad was having surgery. I found this spot on Yelp, where the reviews looked promising and the app showed no wait. We even found parking right out front. In Berkeley?! Serendipity is absolutely the word. We waited just a few minutes for a table to be cleaned. Our server was so sweet and walked us through the menu. I explained that my mom didn't eat much--or so I thought--and wanted something we could share without wasting food. She recommended the Côte Est: three scrambled eggs, a pancake of your choice, and bacon or home fries. Mommy went with the bacon. I ordered the Brioche Pain Perdu, cinnamon brioche French toast made with orange flower water batter and lavender honey. Huge portion! There was a distinct sweetness I couldn't quite put my finger on while eating it, but it was delicious. My café au lait had great flavor and came in a cup that was practically a bowl. No complaints here. Great ambience, kind service, and straight-up Berkeley vibes. But my favorite moment? Mommy picking up her phone and trying to take a picture of her food like I do. Dining with D had a very special guest that day. My mom has Alzheimer's and dementia, which makes that big smile and that little moment with her phone especially meaningful to me. She may not remember this brunch, but I will. I'm just so happy she enjoyed our time together. I'd love to come back and explore more of the menu. What a beautiful mommy-daughter afternoon. read more

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It was a very quaint place, its small so expect it to be a little cramped but they do have inside and outside seating options! We came in on a Wednesday afternoon so there wasnt any wait time or line, but I heard the wait gets crazy on the weekend so make sure to put in a reservation if you're planning on going! I got the Pain Perdu Au Chocolat (chocohazelnut french toast lol), Les Oeuf Lucas (goat cheese omelette) they were both pretty good!! A bit on the pricier side but, you can tell why, because the portions are huge. I had to take home the french toast. The coffee cake was 10/10, Im actually planning on going just to get that. It paired well with my the cappuccino. Service was also good, they were really attentive and they were patient with giving us recommendations because it was hard to translate the menu right off the bat. Really should check this place out if you're craving for some fancy shmancy little brunch situation. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

The cutest little gem in downtown Berkeley! La Note offers both indoor seating and outdoor seating. The space is a bit tight so just be careful when walking and making sure your bag isn't swinging! I ordered the COTE SUD which comes with 2 sunny-side up eggs, spicy sausage (lamb!), homefries, and a choice of toast. I will say, the quality and seasoning of the food is delicious. I'm not a huge breakfast person, but I was truly impressed. I also had a slide of provencales tomatoes and they were yummy. My boyfriend had an omelet and he also thought it was really good. We also ordered a coffee cake to share and it was the star of the show. So moist and flavorful, it was perfect with a cup of coffee. Our server was kind and quick. I will say, this place is a bit steep but their quality of food is great so a good splurge from time to time. We spent close to $100 for breakfast after tip. read more

La Note - Cote Sud - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Food 10/10 Service 6/10 Ambiance 10/10 Two of us went for breakfast. Everything we ordered was delicious and came out fairly quickly. We were given the option to sit inside or out and we opted for the patio which I recommend. The pastries looked great! They also have wine. The wait staff was a bit distracted when taking our order but the good food made up for the service read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Bustling cafe--full on a Thursday at 11:30. Food was good. Portion was surprisingly good. Didn't get a good look at the inside of the restaurant, but it was cute. Lots of small tables. Service was efficient. Not cheap--a cut or two above student prices. Not a value play, but plenty of food. Paid parking at meters on Shattuck nearby. You can find free parking on Channing or MLK if you don't mind walking. Bottom line: A decent spot for a nicer breakfast or lunch. read more

La Note - Cote Est breakfast with bacon and an oatmeal raspberry pancake - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I've been to Paris many times and eaten in some of the best restaurants and cafes. La Note is good, but not great. We opted to get breakfast and the sticker shock on some of the prices! Whew...I thought $6 for a gallon of gas was expensive but $20 for eggs with goat cheese?! I guess you're paying Berkeley prices. It is a really nice-looking restaurant and the service was on par. Nothing special, just the normal take order, deliver food, check in, deliver check. I will say the bacon was thick and really good. Ambiance 9/10 Bathrooms 10/10 Cleanliness 10/10 Food 8/10 Value 6/10 Service 8/10 Will I Return? Maybe for dinner but it better be spectacular! read more

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Right now I'm burping up gingerbread and my lips taste like poached pears, when I swallow I get a hint of fresh maple syrup with a blueberry finish, simply Exquisite! This return visit has got me spinning.... It is so good my thoughts are dancing around like a whirling Dervish! A very pleasant experience throughout. Speaking of dancing, my very capable, friendly server, Layla performed her duties exquisitely. Son autre métier, c'est d'être danseuse étoile. This is really a terrific spot! J'attends avec impatience ma prochaine visite et mon prochain repas délicieux et savoureux. read more

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I've been to La Note about 10 times in the last couple decades and it's a great meal and experience. I'm giving La Note a 7.25 this time around which is pretty good. The wait was 30-minutes so we hit the book store a couple doors down. The hostess was gracious, texted us when our table was ready. The table was right near the door and the place was as cramped. We had a party of 3 sitting at a table for 2, as did many others. Service was very slow, but we were prepared with our orders. Food took awhile but was very good as usual. There was a lot of waiting around for the server in general, but they were all working g hard. I'd say the wait if 30-mins could easily be cut in half if there were more servers and the kitchen was more efficient. Just my two cents. Overall we were happy but if wasn't for the greet coffee, I could have easily been just as happy elsewhere for the overall experience. Food - 8/10 Service - 6/10 Hostess - 8/10 Ambiance - 7/10 read more

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My partner and I stopped by La Note on a Saturday morning, and it was definitely worth the wait. The restaurant was packed, but we were lucky to be seated after about 25 minutes before an even bigger crowd showed up. The space has a really cute, homey atmosphere that makes it feel cozy and inviting. I ordered the Côte Sud, and it was both delicious and very filling. I'm not usually a big breakfast person, but it was a great choice because I got to try a nice variety of items on one plate. Our waiter was also fantastic, friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. If youre looking for a breakfast spot. I would definitely recommend stopping by and then walking around the campus to enjoy a day in UC Berkeley area. read more

La Note - Cote Sud - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

La Note doesn't need a review, it's that good and that famous in the Bay Area. That's probably why I haven't reviewed it even though it's been my favorite brunch spot for the past 20 years since I first tried it. Really a staple in Berkeley it was the first truly brunch restaurant I tried and it has set the bar for all future experiences. It is consistent beyond reason, I've never come here and been disappointed. From their bread basket to their goat cheese tartine with their special infused honey and homemade jams, the flavors are truly unique. Our favorite is the Eggs Lucas with the gently scrambled egg with goat cheese and roasted tomatoes. And we can't come here without having their Pan Perdue French toast infused with orange blossom. The flavors are so unique and can't be found anywhere short of Paris. The ambiance is perfect as well, we especially love their patio seating area under their large tree. Feels like we're dining in someone's backyard in France. Even their service is phenomenal. I always have a mocha or hot chocolate in their wide cups, truly decadent. I can't say enough good things about this spot, I've traveled far and wide and can still say this is my favorite brunch spot. How lucky are we that it's tucked away in Berkeley! read more

La Note is the brunch spot in Berkeley. It's been around since 1997. I will definitely come back to try other menu items; I would not come back for the Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes with Poached Pears. Instead of soft, most and fluffy interior, I tasted cake-like texture. It was: * Dense * Cakey * Crumbly * Heavy It tasted like a dry muffin. read more

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The French toast was delicious and the perfect serving size for a breakfast entree. I'm not the biggest fan of French style omelettes so it wasn't my cup of tea, but I can still appreciate the good quality of ingredients used. The service was friendly but not the most attentive. We were missing a set of cutlery and our water pitcher was not filled when needed. Fortunately the food came out fast and the patio was a gorgeous place to enjoy the meal. read more

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I finally made it back to where I lost my Ratatouille V card. About the same or a lil better this time. I need to try the pancakes next time! - @eatingwithricardo read more

I went here to have brunch with some friends and ordered the cote est. I liked the pancake was fluffy and the potatoes were well seasoned. The inside is cozy and the staff are friendly. It was busy on a Sunday so be prepared to wait. read more

La Note - Potatoes - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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La Note is quick, polite, and highly recommended. The service is spectacular. Honestly, any restaurant owner in the Bay Area could learn something from their house manager in terms of service. This place runs like a well-oiled machine, considering its popularity. We only waited about 10 minutes, and from ordering to finishing our meal, the entire experience was under an hour. The vibe and decor are incredibly charming. La Note will effortlessly transport you to France. The food was delicious. Highly recommend the roasted tomatoes. The gingerbread pancakes are also incredible. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My favorite brunch spot in Berkeley. Such a classic Berkeley spot. Really can't go wrong eating anything on their menu. All their egg dishes and their pancakes are excellent. Love their Les Oeufs Lucas and Blueberry Creme Fraiche Pancakes with the blueberry compote. On a nice day, I recommend sitting outside in their patio in the back. On weekday there really isn't too much of a wait but if you're planning on going on a weekend, I recommend going early to avoid a long wait. read more

La Note - Les Oeufs Lucas and Blueberry Creme Fraiche Pancakes - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been trying to try this place for a long time. Thanks to our friends that lived in the neighborhood, we were able to do so for Sunday brunch get together. The place was crowded, some tables were so closed to each other that you're within arm's reach to other patrons. So seating was a bit uncomfortable. Service was good. Our server was friendly and energetic. The menu was extensive and had lots of choices. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I went with the Les oeufs Madison with bacon and a crème fraiche pancake. The bacon and the home fries were very good! The pancake, I felt was a bit dry. Everyone was pleased with their food. I would consider coming back to try other things on their menu. read more

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YAYYY YES. get a mocha in a giant mug. get the pain perdu and split it with a friend who likes savory breakfast. perfect eggs. perfect potatoes. cute service! very very happy with la note. gets crowded! come early if you have a party larger than 2. read more

La Note - Brioche Pain Perdu - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

We went as a party of 5 and went on a weekday so thankfully didn't have to wait. Highly recommend the Cote Nord if you're a fan of creamy cream cheese. I'm usually not a fan of tomatoes but they were perfectly grilled and spreadable on the toast. My friend also got the Cote Ouest with ratatouille for any tomato lovers. A convenient brunch spot close to campus, but I would say it's not worth waiting longer than an hour for. Thankfully we were lucky and didn't have to wait since we went on a Monday. I've been turned away before as a party of 2 for not having a reservation. Will satisfy your brunch cravings but nothing stand-out. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my favorite spots for breakfast in Berkeley! It's first come first serve so get here early if you don't want to wait. The restaurant is so cute and makes you feel like you're in Europe, definitely on the smaller size. I wouldn't come here front a big group since it's tight, 2-4 person table is perfect. The food is always amazing, can't go wrong with any of the pancakes! read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great brunch spot, bustling, always busy! Their pancakes are fluffy and moist, and everything on the menu is a HUGE portion so you can take home and enjoy it later on in the day. Good mix of savory and sweet, definitely a must try in Berkeley. read more

La Note - Cote est - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice brunch spot in Downtown Berkeley! La Note is a French brunch spot serving delicious French breakfast. I went on a Thursday at around 12pm and did not have to wait for a party of 2, but it definitely does get busy on weekends. The ambiance inside is busy but very very cute, and the service is decent! We ordered the Cote Est w/Creme Fraiche Pancake and the Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes with Poached Pears. I found the pancakes to be good but not worth the high pricetag it was set at. They were denser than expected and didn't have as much flavor as I would have liked. The eggs and potatoes were decent as well--standard to most good brunch spots. Though a bit pricey, the portion sizes are pretty big, the presentation was absolutely beautiful, and overall: I enjoyed their brunch experience. All in all, I think it's a good spot if your looking for a brunch place with great ambiance and solid French breakfast. A little pricey, but good spot to experience! read more

La Note - Cote Est + Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Food was wonderful and service was excellent and friendly. What else you can ask for!. The back yard is my favorite place to enjoy my fabulous meal. It is truly a magical garden. Thank you everyone for making my birthday brunch so special. read more

This is my second time at La Note. I came about 3 years ago and then just came again. Honestly the first time I came I was underwhelmed, but I decided to try again. Unfortunately I didn't realize it but I ended up ordering the same thing on my second visit haha so I still feel the same way. I got the ginger pear pancakes. The flavor was good but they aren't very fluffy and feel a bit dry to me. The side of eggs and bacon I got though, were cooked perfectly. And my partner got the ratatouille and it was delicious! I would come back for that! Service was also great! read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Loud mariachi music which was off putting since it's supposed to be French restaurant , coldest pancake of all time, orange juice is definitely not fresh like claimed, eggs at least were hot but so overcooked. Very disappointing and expensive for what it is. And they didn't have any soup today which is mildly irritating since that's what I came for. Stop over hyping this place geez read more

Three and a half stars... the bump up to 3 1/2 stars was due to the hostess was very accommodating and the serving staff for tending to the needs of the guest gets two thumbs up. La Note has such a calm, cozy vibe that I really wanted to love everything... but that lemon gingerbread poached pear pancake did not love me back. I came in after class, sat on the back patio, and the setting was actually perfect: quiet, a little French café energy, and my bacon came out exactly how I asked--crispy and delicious. The pancake, though, was a miss: dry in the middle, weird texture, and the lemon + gingerbread + pear combo just didn't come together, even though I could taste the gingerbread. It sounded amazing on the menu but ate like way too much happening on one plate. The tiny bathroom situation with all the door handles you have to touch was also not my favorite. I'll be back to try their regular pancakes, eggs, and more of that perfectly cooked bacon, but I'll definitely stick to something simpler next time. The vibe, bacon, and patio are pulling them up, that tragic pancake and the tiny germy bathroom are pulling them down, so 3/4 with a I 'll be back to try something else note feels fair. Okay, they get bumped up: servers were great, bacon perfect, vibe lovely--still dock them for that tragic pancake and the tiny, germy bathroom. 3.5 stars if Yelp allowed halves, but flat 3 stars is honest. I wanted to love my first visit read more

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La Note is a quaint breakfast/brunch spot in downtown Berkeley with an extremely charming patio. I stopped by on a weekday since they're known for longer waits and limited patio seating on weekends. The space is cute, and our waiter was incredibly friendly and attentive--we were even greeted with water in the cutest mini pitcher. I ordered the raspberry mimosa, which was fine but leaned a little sweet. My husband and I shared the blueberry pancakes with eggs, upgraded to the rosemary garlic home fries, and added chicken apple sausage. Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming. The pancakes came out room temperature and dry on their own, so the syrup and cream were definitely needed. The eggs looked beautiful but tasted plain, and the home fries and sausage were both pretty basic. Overall, I think La Note is more about the patio and ambiance than the food itself. It's a cute spot for mimosas and photos, but for brunch--especially at the price point--it was a bit disappointing. read more

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I've dined at this restaurant twice and I am blown away every time. The interior of the restaurant is so inviting and quite charming. Even though there's a bit of a wait, I believe the quick service and quality food are worth. I came here with my mom and sister and wanted to try a bit of everything. The opted for a savory salmon sandwich. I got the eggs with bacon, herb potatoes, and toast. We all split the pancakes which were divine. The pancakes were perfectly spiced, fluffy, and were tapped with delicious pears. Every bite was so delicious and flavorful. The servers were quite attentive and frequently checked on our table. Even with the dreary weather outside, we were met with bright service. read more

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I've been coming here for 25+ years. I have a deep appreciation for their quality and consistency. I always sit outside on the patio ... for germ reasons ... and because it's so lovely. I had had a very nice luncheon for my daughter's graduation many years ago. Somehow they lost our reservation and weren't expecting our party of 12 or so, however, they rallied and we were able to be seated and served in a timely manner. I also arranged a brunch there as part of a pre wedding event. We had a simple menu and it was great. I love their soft scrambled eggs and merguez! Heading back soon. read more

La Note Restaurant Provençal, about two streets southwest of campus, is an eclectically-decorated often-busy French-themed cafe and restaurant. French posters line the walls, along with some art and what look like awards earned over 27-years by this comfortable gem. Baskets and sculpture-light fixtures hang from the ceiling. It has seating for around 50 indoors and maybe 30 more on the umbrella-ed brick patio in back, mostly at lovely grained-wood tables and straight-backed or (outdoors) slanted chairs. We arrived around 8:30am, on a Sat (Oct 2025), shortly after they opened, and it was already bustling. We were seated quickly indoors under a cozy blanket of conversation. Their tea service is immediate, and we started with a $5 personal-size pot of hot aromatic English breakfast, not quite in the mood for their others: Earl Grey, green tea, mint, or chamomile. Their $5 espresso followed, bold and richly flavored, well-balanced roasted cocoa notes with yummy traces of tart and bitter. We chose the $15 double-stack oatmeal pancakes, gently browned, lightly fluffy, decorated with a swirl of bright fresh homemade pureed coulis de framboises dark raspberries. They brought a huge dish of tender crispy perfect roasted potatoes, too. Sipping hot beverages, sweet hearty pancakes and potatoes melting in our mouths. And they didn't rush us while we lingered dreamily. A lovely breakfast. read more

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It was my daughter's birthday and she wanted to have brunch at La Note. The service was excellent. We were seated immediately and offered drinks, right away. Heather was our server. I mentioned that it was my daughter's birthday. My husband had the creamy blueberry oatmeal, I ordered the semolina French toast and my daughter ordered the brioche French toast. They brought our sides of bacon (delish) and eggs ( super delish) first. The birthday girl was delivered her French toast with a beautiful candle on the plate. My daughter was so happy. Heather and the team of servers were amazing. The food was amazing. The portions are huge and the flavors were out of this world. What a treat! What kindness. What service. I could eat there every day! Thank you Heather for making our mid-week brunch a special experience! Thank you La Note for the great culinary experience! The world is a crazy place, at La Note we experienced a bit of heaven! read more

Great omelettes. They are very simple but well executed. The French toast was just so so. Coffee drinks were good but not great. Had a good mimosa. read more

Incredibly bad service. They are giving customers bullshit wait times and sit the people that they pick. Unbelievably rude :)

Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming! And the food was very delicious and scrumptious read more

La Note - French Toasted Cinnamon Brioche - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice area need to be quick to find parking. Once I went with a party of 3 we waited 30 minutes to be seated and wished we had some seating while waiting outside. We were seated and the service was pretty even with the other customers. They had a great brunch selection and went ahead and got the Salmon Baguette with cream cheese capers and a salad was really good. I also got a hot latte with soy milk and was given in a wide mug with a latte design. The area was very neat and clean and would come back again. read more

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The concept of this place is so cute to me. I love that there's no apple pay, it's all very old-timey French aesthetic. The details even go as far as the French style bathrooms! The food was good! Nothing crazy, but I did enjoy my oatmeal raspberry pancakes. They weren't too sweet and you could really taste the oatmeal in it, which is one of my favorite breakfast foods. Service was quick and friendly too. I would come back and choose to get seated in the corner nook though ;) ! read more

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The service and fare were outstanding! My Dad is a regular and I hadn't been in a while. Delicious hot chocolate, and my Dads fav, raspberry oatmeal. LOL. I just had some toasted baguette. Lite appetites today, but great service! read more

La Note - Hot Chocolat Chaud - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Delighted to see this place is still operating after decades when so many places have swapped out. The place is a bit cramped as they try to pack a lot of tables in. There will likely be a wait on weekends but line moves quickly. Food wise, it's fairly tasty and reasonably priced in consideration with other food places in the area that are not catering specifically to the college students. This place absolutely deserves your patronage if you're on the lookout for a brunch spot in downtown Berkeley. read more

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My lovely lady absolutely loves this restaurant and it's our favorite date spot when we are in the bay. This restaurant has truly changed my perspective on egg cookery and the chefs are clearly dedicated to the craft. The soft scramble is definitely a great example of masterful cooking techniques, because each time we order this dish, it's perfectly cooked. The eggs are silky and runny and the heat of the eggs melt with the goat cheese and finish cooking on the plate. The smoked salmon baguette was out of this world! It had a lot of heavy duty players at the party, with the sweetness from the roasted tomatoes, the saltiness of the capers and the gooey funky goat cheese slathered on crunchy fresh baguette. Trust me, this is an amazing dish that packs a massive punch of flavor bombs!! It took a few bites to adjust my palate but it's such a wonderful sandwich. The service is exceptional, always friendly and helpful and smiling faces. More than anything else, at least for those of us from the bay who have loved away, this spot is a vibe. It's such an amazing place to visit, people watch, listen to the people chatting about everything and nothing. It's such an incredible experience and I love. To the chefs in the back and the staff who we don't see. Thank you for making this such a great place to dine. read more

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Got here 10min before it opened and got seated right away. It wasn't as busy since we went during the week. The staff were really nice. The restaurant is small but it was cozy vibes and cute decor. The food was delicious. Had to get a pancake for the table and it was as tasty as everyone says it is! read more

La Note - Creme Fraiche Pancakes and Omelette Fromage et Jambon and Chocolat Chaud - French Near Me - Berkeley, California