This place served the best French omelette I've ever had in California! The sides were also a highlight. I feel like they roasted an entire garlic bulb to serve with my potatoes, and I loved it. The ambiance was very lively. When we arrived for brunch at 10 am on Sunday, the restaurant was fully packed. Despite that, we only waited about five minutes for a table inside. While waiting, the front desk server showed us the outdoor patio, which was really pretty with heat lamps, umbrella-covered tables, and lots of trees and greenery. Parking: Metered parking is available outside, but it can get crowded and hard to find during peak hours. Downtown Berkeley is mostly metered parking and parking structures. Service: Great service! Even though the restaurant was packed for Sunday brunch, our server checked in often, made sure we had everything we needed, and kept our coffees refilled. Food: I highly recommend the Omelette du Fromage et Jambon (cheese omelette with ham). It was buttery, cheesy, and packed with thin strips of ham. If you love garlic, you will be pleasantly surprised by the roasted garlic pieces that come with the potato sides. It was so good! My friend ordered the Omelette de Pommes de Terre (potato omelette) but preferred the ham omelette since it had more cheese and protein. We also shared a single lemon gingerbread pancake with poached pears, which was unique and unlike any pancakes I have had before. The regular coffee comes with refills. Overall: The restaurant has many awards displayed on their walls, and I think they are well deserved. The lively brunch atmosphere, great service, and delicious French dishes make me want to come back whenever I am in the area. read more

La Note - Omelette du Fromage et Jambon (cheese omelette with ham) & Omelette de Pommes de Terre (potato omelette) - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here with a friend this past Saturday. We arrived a little before noon and put our name on the waitlist. We waited for a total of about 20-30 minutes. We got seated in the outdoor area in the back. The weather was perfect, and the outdoor area was very nice and cute. I ordered the Cote Sud. I was particularly excited to try the homefries. They were okay. I just wished they were crispy and not as soggy. I was afraid the sausages were going to be very spicy but I didn't think they were spicy at all, which I liked. I loved that the butter was light, airy, and fluffy. My friend ordered a Lemon Gingerbread pancake and an Oatmeal Raspberry pancake. She also added on the Coulis De Framboises Et Myrtilles Maison, which is the pureed raspberry and blueberry compote. The pancakes were thick (but not dense) and soft. I couldn't decide which one I liked more; both flavors were yummy. Overall, we had a nice brunch here. Ambiance was perfect, and service was good. read more

See all

busy Sunday brunch spot but the food is sooooo good especially the omelette with ham. perfect egg/ cheesy consistency and the potatoes with it were well seasoned and crispy. they offer singular pancakes (lemon gingerbread one was the choice) and it was the best way to sweet and savory! read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is probably one of my favorite breakfast spots in Berkeley. It has a beautiful backyard sanctuary so definitely request to sit outside. I've never had a bad experience with any waiter, they are all so kind. read more

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

See all

After running errands in Oakland, we stopped in here for the first time for some incredible breakfast! Everything we ordered was SO delicious & full of flavor! Even though the place was pretty busy, the service was still excellent & the waiter was very attentive. It's a smaller, cozy restaurant with French-themed decor, which really added to the overall vibe. We started off with a grapefruit mimosa & (i think) and Irish coffee. For our starter, because I couldn't resist trying it, we got the Tartine Mistral: one half toasted baguette, with goat cheese, basil, and roasted peppers. YUM! We also ordered a piece of coffee cake & it had great flavor! For our meals, I got the LES OEUFS LUCAS: Two eggs lightly scrambled with goat cheese, chives, served with roasted tomatoes & he ordered the OMELETTE DE POMMES DE TERRE: Potato and caramelized onion omelette, served open face, with Provencales tomatoes I personally loved mine a little more, because the eggs were beyond fluffy, & I love goat cheese & chives, but his dish was scrumptious as well. I highly recommend checking this place out for brunch! read more

See all

Came here on a fluke as the place we wanted to go had not reopened but my friend wanted to try it and we were pleasantly surprised. Service was attentive, food was tasty and portions were hearty and there was no wait for a table! My friend ordered hot chocolate, sides of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast while I had the two egg breakfast with chicken apple sausage and sourdough toast and coffee. Thankfully comfort food and satisfying read more

See all

Meh, food was okay if I'm being honest, definitely was hyped as being a good option (for the Bay) but I have standards that surpass the Bay and land on the excellent brunch spots of LA and San Diego Nothing was amiss as far as experiences goes but the fact there's a wait is mainly cause of the Cal student population imo. It fell short mostly in their food, the food was fine but it didn't really wow the same way LA and SD brunch spots do. Overall the flavor was fine but the pancakes were dry and definitely required the syrup and the pears to help prevent a Sahara desert like exp in the mouth Their home style fries were a notable bright spot but I didn't find it crazy in that you could make it at home with some baking soda while boiling before baking to give a nice crispy texture to the "fries" Would be best to avoid this place unless you're not someone with high expectations of brunch. So far would say it's mostly hype over the years and a staple within the community which is fine just not something that particularly appeals to me. I would consider going back for their home style fries which are basically seasoned cubed potatoes that can be made at home read more

La Note - Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes and Poached Pears with Rosemary-Garlic Homefries on the left - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Very long line on the weekend, but the ambience and service were amazing. The Tartine Mistral was fantastic. I also tried Les Oeufs Lucas, but it wasn't quite flavorful enough for me. read more

La Note - Les Oeufs Lucas - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Unfortunately, my recent visit to La Note didn't live up to the fond memories I had of it. Maybe it was the graduation weekend rush, but both the food quality and service felt noticeably off this time around. We ordered two single pancakes to sample both options. I loved the warm spice in the lemon gingerbread pancake, but the texture was off--the bottom was oddly soggy, almost as if it had been sitting on a wet plate. It made for a less-than-pleasant eating experience. The oatmeal raspberry pancake had a nice, tart compote swirl, but the presentation was underwhelming. My boyfriend got the ham omelette, which came with sourdough and roasted potatoes. The potatoes were definitely the highlight--buttery and well-seasoned--while the omelette was solid. I also ordered an iced cappuccino, which ended up tasting more like coffee-flavored milk. The espresso just didn't come through, which I've seen echoed in other reviews. Service was unusually slow--we waited quite a while after ordering--and overall, the experience didn't feel worth the price. Sadly, I'm not sure I'll be back. read more

See all

This little french spot has a line for a reason! Brunch is well worth the wait and the ambience of this restaurant is unbeatable. My favorites are the raspberry oat pancakes and any of the egg dishes. Their potatoes are some of the best breakfast potatoes I've had. You can truly taste the quality in each dish here. The outdoor patio is super cute and the staff is very accommodating. La Note is definitely my go-to brunch spot in Berkeley! I would just recommend getting there early and putting your name in. read more

La Note - Oatmeal Raspberry Pancakes, Les Oeufs Lucas, La Ratatouille Borghetti, oatmeal - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Delicious food and great service . Portions are plentiful and the ambience is amazing

Cute little spot that gives total grandma's kitchen table vibes. The food was so good - lots of options on the menu, and the portions are generous. We went on a Saturday around 10:30 AM, and even though it was packed, our party of three got seated right away. Service was great -- super friendly, and our waiter kept checking in on us. The food took a bit to come out, but it was peak hour and they were clearly slammed, so we didn't mind. Perfect post-Hot Pilates brunch! We walked over from class and it hit the spot. Definitely coming back. Bonus points for being right in downtown Berkeley. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is my second time visiting La Note for brunch, and the experience has been wonderful! Both times I have sat on the back patio- it is quiet, cozy, and really a nice spot. The service is great, waiters and waitresses are attentive, pleasant, and helpful. The food is so good: today I had the ham and emmental omlette and it was so flavorful. It comes with toast, and the sourdough was delicious. La Note remains one of my favorite spots for brunch in Berkeley. It is everything you want in a sweet, reliable spot with great ambience and a varied selection of brunch choices. read more

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

See all

My favorite breakfast spot in Berkeley (so far)! Great ambiance, service is good but they're always so packed, well worth a wait though! The gingerbread pancakes have my heart!! read more

I've been wanting to try La Note for a while! I'm so glad I did. My family and I stopped by recently in search of some brunch. We ordered French toast, a steak sandwich, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a Niçoise salad. Everything was excellent! The restaurant was busy so the food took a little longer than expected, but the staff were extremely attentive and apologetic about the wait. The food was great! The bread on the sandwiches was soft and tasty, the French toast was delicious, and the salad was packed with great flavors. The restaurant has a large indoor space with lots of seating, as well as a beautiful back patio with more tables. We sat outside, and the weather was so beautiful! It's such a great place to enjoy a meal. read more

See all

Dishes to Order: Cote Ouest. Pancakes need work. A popular brunch spot with a long line usually out the door. The gist is that their food while tasty and creative is on the more expensive side with brunch plates that offer only sweet or only savory unless you get add-ons. Service can be slow, especially when the restaurant is crowded, so be prepared to wait Their main draw for me was their lemon gingerbread pancakes with poached pears, but for a full stack (3 pancakes), we only received four small poached pear slices that weren't very flavorful and their pancakes were dry, lacking the lemon taste. We also had their Raspberry, Blueberry compote and we don't recommend paying the extra $3.50 for the small amount. However, I will note that the best dishes are their savory plates. The roasted garlic that comes with their home fries tasted phenomenal, and I did appreciate the Emmental cheese that came in the omelettes. Per most restaurants, staff are friendly and came to refill water frequently, but still felt the meal was lacking. read more

See all

I love La Note it is in my top 2 breakfast spots in Berkeley. It is such a cute place to visit and the food is excellent. The coffees are okay but nothing the food doesn't cover for. I have brought all my friends to try this place. It was also the first spot I brought my boyfriend who visited my from LA too. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Food was delicious. We were seated in the back patio area which was great on this sunny day. Service was friendly.

It's hard to get in on the weekend, the food also took quite awhile to come out. Overall it was a good breakfast. I wish they took reservations for larger groups. read more

The coffee cake was moist and not overly sweet. I like garlic a lot but there must have been a whole bulb or roasted garlic in the oven roasted potatoes which I wasn't expecting. I ate one whole clove thinking it was a home fry. Hot chocolate was very good not too sweet. Whipped cream had sugar in it. The sausage was tasty and eggs were perfectly cooked to order. The line goes out the door and seating inside and outside. Very busy. Coffee was hot and very good. It's a cute place but noisy as every table was taken. read more

If you have a sweet tooth but you want to have a taste of Paris without traveling then LaNote has to be your next go to brunch spot in Berkeley on a Sunday morning. I had the Brioche Pain Perdu (French Toast) and it was perfect. Typically French toast tend to be dense from over soaking in the batter before toasting or over toasting so it's over cooked and you can taste the egg. But La Note cooked it just right so it maintained its airy fluffiness and I didn't have to use all the syrup they provided me in the serving cup. While I'm not one to complain about restaurants giving too much food, the portions for the French toast was a little too much for me as by the last two slices of French toast I was both maxed out on carbs and sugar for the day. But my sugar coma made the cup of hot black coffee I ordered after my meal the perfect finish to a wonderful brunch! Recommendation: I would like to see more fruits such as blue berries (they do garnish their pancakes with) and strawberries added to the French toast rather than just orange slices. read more

La Note is one of my favorite brunch spots. The lemon ginger pancake is fluffy and lightly spiced--so good! I've also had eggs with spicy sausage and the ham & cheese sandwich, all solid picks. The vibe is cozy and charming, but the wait can be brutal--up to an hour even for two people. Worth it if you're not in a rush! read more

Run, don't walk! Do you make a reservation. I felt so smart when I walked up on the line and I had a reservation. This place is phenomenal . I had a beautiful salad and the brie sandwich and a mimosa, and I can't stop thinking about it. read more

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

I recently visited La Note and unfortunately had a disappointing experience from start to finish. When I walked up to the hostess stand and asked about being seated for a table of two, the blonde hostess looked over my shoulder as if searching for the second person and immediately stated that they could not seat incomplete parties. I completely understood the policy, so I simply asked whether I should still put my name down and if I could order a coffee while I waited outside. What made the interaction uncomfortable was how quickly she responded, "You can't drink it in here," even though I never suggested I planned to. It was already obvious the restaurant was small and crowded, so I naturally assumed I would wait outside with the coffee. The comment felt unnecessarily abrupt and unwelcoming. The interaction continued awkwardly as I stood there waiting while she drank her water and stared at me. I actually had to remind her that I needed to pay for the coffee, and then later had to come back inside again to ask for the coffee itself because there was no follow-up after she took the order. Eventually, I decided to just be seated without waiting for the rest of my party. Unfortunately, the service did not improve. The waitress never offered to transfer my coffee into a mug or ask whether I wanted anything else to drink. When my food arrived, I noticed I had no silverware, and no one checked on the table. I had to wait until she returned so I could ask for utensils before I could even begin eating. To make matters worse, the food itself was not warm and did not taste fresh. Overall, the experience felt inattentive, uncomfortable, and disappointing, especially considering the restaurant's reputation. read more

Really enjoyed our breakfast at La Note. We ordered Cote Ouest, oatmeal raspberry pancakes, omelette fromage et jambon, hot chocolate, and cappuccino. All really fresh and delicious! We had to wait for about 25 mins but once seated, the food came out pretty quickly. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

Would have been a five star review, had one issue not been pretty prominent. We were sat immediately, but we then proceeded to sit at a table for 20 minutes, no waiter check-ins, no water, no nothing. Not only that, but people who were sat AFTER US got water and waiter attention before us. We had to flag down a waiter to help us. That being said, our waiter, once he was made aware of our presence, was incredibly attentive, super kind, and provided a wonderful experience. The food itself was wonderful. It was my first time having French food, and I was not disappointed. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Put simply, La Note was incredible! Maybe the best brunch I've ever had. The food was absolutely incredible. Just whole foods that are cooked beautifully and flavorfully. Our waiter was sweet and helpful. The inside was cute and while busy it had a fun, upbeat atmosphere full of great energy. It also has a nice patio out back. read more

La Note - Cappuccino, creme fraiche pancake, omelette au fromage, cote nord - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Most recommended: cheese ham omelette (I replaced homefries with salad and it was a great match with the hams) Great service and vibe in patio read more

See all

This place gets packed so make a reservation or get here early. I love the coziness of the place. The small touches that make it stand out. I ordered the cinnamon French toast and scrambled eggs. Didn't have to use the syrup for the toast it was perfect. I'm definitely planning to come back for more. read more

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

Perfect incredible brunch spot. Combos are so worth it, great portions for the price. Service was friendly and silly, making jokes so we didn't feel the wait (which was a little bit.) Seating was a bit cramped and we had to squeeze onto a small table, but worth it for the food. read more

La Note - Creme Fraiche Pancakes Orange juice Omelette Au Fromage - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

What a cute place. Very busy on a Sunday morning. But very kind and friendly host. Besides the busy part it has inside and outside sitting. Everyone is very friendly and seems happy to be there.. which is difficult to see now days. Our waiter was a fall gentleman and was so nice and patient with us ordering. We first order our drinks and he came back super nice to give them to us. Then we order our food and I asked for the spicy sausage (not spicy, I was bummed about that) There are two restrooms inside, very clean!! But very busy but very clean!! everything else was great! The coffee late was on point! Great service and very well kept clean and neat! Thank you for a great experience! read more

See all

Our Friday morning in Berkeley started with the perfect choice: brunch at La Note. This charming cafe radiates cozy vibes and immediately set the tone for a relaxed and delicious start to the day. We were seated about 15 min after our reservation, coffee in hand within minutes, and ready to dive into one of the most satisfying brunch spreads we've had in a long time. We couldn't resist the lemon gingerbread pancakes, which were warmly spiced, and had the perfect citrus zing -- easily a standout dish. Paired with eggs and crispy bacon, it hit every savory-sweet craving. We also shared a pastry basket (because how could we not?) -- filled with buttery, flaky bites that paired perfectly with the strong coffee and fresh orange juice. The ham omelette was another highlight: light yet rich, packed with flavor, and served with wonderful blueberry oatmeal, toast and jam that felt like it came straight out of a French countryside kitchen. La Note delivered everything we love in a brunch spot -- comforting food, lovely ambiance, and a menu full of heart. Whether you're a local or just passing through Berkeley, it's an absolute must-visit. read more

See all

Did not make the clean plate club. If disappointment had a brunch menu, this would be it. Whoever hyped this place on TikTok deserves to stub their toe once a month as a karmic justice. The lamb sausage was aggressively game-y. The pacakes were somehow bland, which I thought was physically impossible. The only thing with any seasoning was the homefries so shoutout to them for showing up to work. As for timing, we were told 30-45 mins but ended up waiting an hour and half and another 40 mins for our food. The only saving grace? My gf liked her cinnamon toasted brioche. So if that's your vibe, go for it. Also, no air conditioning which isn't too crazy for Berkeley but don't expect to be cool while eating indoors. read more

La Note - Cote Est Creme Fraiche Pancakes Brioche Pain Perdu Rosemary-Garlic Homefries - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Yesterday, I met a friend at La Note for brunch. It was my first time but my friend had been there several times previously. I arrived first and let the hostess know I was waiting for a friend who was parking her car. The hostess said to let her know when my friend arrived and she would seat us. I sat down right behind the hostess stand to wait. My friend arrived a few minutes later and told the hostess she was meeting me and pointed to where I was sitting. As my friend and I were catching up, we noticed that the hostess sat at least 2 separate parties of 2 before us and we were certain they arrived after us. We caught her attention to remind her that we were still waiting to be seated and then she sat us about a minute or 2 later. Normally, I wouldn't pay much attention to the attitude of the hostess as I understand it's a busy job but her aloofness towards my friend and I seemed directed and intentional. My friend and I are both women of color and the situation was beginning to feel like there was a bias happening against us. However, we shook it off. Once seated, we noticed that several minutes passed and no one had come by to take our order. Now at this point I'm beginning to get a little more than annoyed. The hostess comes by and fills our water and I mention that we're ready to order. She lets us know she will send our server order. The server was lovely and the food was good. Once we finished our meal and paid, my friend and I were chatting and the hostess comes over and says in a nice nasty tone; there is no rush but there is a reservation coming for our table and the one next to ours. Now, I totally understand if you need the table but also, maybe let us know that when you sat us so we could also be mindful of the time. Overall, I enjoyed the food, coffee and company but the service (primarily the hostess) left me feeling unwelcome. So, I have no desire to return. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here for an early lunch / brunch with our baby on a Wednesday morning. We were hoping to sit outside but at 10:40, we were too early - the patio opens at 11. This was a bit of a shame because the inside is relatively tight (European even), which was tough with our cruiser of a stroller! I ordered a ham and cheese omelette with Provencales tomatoes - and four slices of toast. Everything was cooked to perfection and that's not forgetting the whipped butter, which, unlike our butter at home, didn't rip my toast to shreds. My wife had the French toast (I'm surprised it wasn't just called toast at this French restaurant) with a chocolate sauce (Nutella?) - which was a delicious mountain of carbs. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

I'm almost embarrassed to admit I had never been here before. I say 'almost' because it was always packed when I walked by, and let's face it, I don't really crave French bistro fare like I do for other types of food. However, I finally decided to rectify 25 years of ignorance and got Jamie W to come here on an early Saturday afternoon for brunch. As I expected, there was a 45-minute wait, so we did a few laps around the block. What the hell? We needed the steps anyway. Once we were seated, I was torn between the omelettes and French toast and surprised myself by ordering the $25 bowl of Ratatouille Madame, a healthy-tasty vegetable stew that provided instant comfort. It featured eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes mixed with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese topped with two poached eggs, all of it over rosemary couscous (photo: https://yelp.to/UM0jPmCLCO). What a delight and the extra egg was a nice treat. Jamie kept it very low-key and ordered the $3.75 Croissant aux Amandes, a more buttery version of the regular with almond cream and icing sugar (photo: https://yelp.to/ZDCbgLsjxU) and the $10 Irish Coffee (photo: https://yelp.to/WUpCOpAQ0-). It was like I was on a Provençal farm, and he was at a sidewalk cafe on the Champs-Elysees. The place was bustling all the way through their 3PM closing, but the young French waiter was attentive throughout. FOOD - 4 stars...the ratatouille was just right with the eggs AMBIANCE - 4 stars...captures the French countryside vibe SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the server was on the ball TOTAL - 4 stars...I guess I like French bistro fare RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more

See all

Water was out the tap. So you had to get the paid water . It wqs packed but got fitted. I didnt really get a French restaurant vibe. Food sounded different but was the same like any another restaurant. Parking sucks. Staff was nice. It was cool but a one and done for me.my friend said they salmon sandwich was really good tho. read more

Went here on a Friday morning. Reservations recommended The seating is only ok. First our party of 3 was seated in a window. It was really cramped and hard for my chair to face the table due to the curved space. The seats also hit the back of my legs uncomfortably ( I'm 5'7"). We asked if there was another option and were moved ( thank you). I was on a bench and my eating companions in chairs. The chairs were more comfy. The bench was comfy but the person next to me kept bouncing his legs which shook the whole bench. Then 3 tables town that person on the bench banged against the back. This bench is the length of the whole restaurant So if I return I would request a table in the middle of the room ? Now for the food: eggs good, toast sourdough good fruit garnish good. Chicken apple sausage good. Home fries with garlic and rosemary good but some chunks were big and some small, and the big ones then lack the perfect amount of crisp. Coffee fine read more

See all

We've been coming here for years but the recent visits have significantly deteriorated compared to previous experiences. I understand that some restaurants want to keep it old school and go without online waitlist. However, considering how bad the lines get on weekends and how poorly they predict/manage the wait, this restaurant can definitely benefit from utilizing an online waitlist. During the 1 hr+ wait for brunch (we were told 40), we often have to go somewhere nearby to get a coffee or snack to hold ourselves through; but if you do not finish the beverage you had to get while waiting, they will force you to throw it out once you're seated, even if you could just hold on to it for after the meal - harsh and wasteful. The FOH staff were also quite condescending on our last couple visits. Once we were seated and ordered, it took another 35 mins to get our food. Then another 15 to get our check. Frankly I am just over having to spend three hours on breakfast at this point. And as mentioned in my previous review, they are inflexible with substitution that are well within reason (bread choice from menu offering, would not allow even when we are ok with any extra charge) and servers provide inconsistent information on whether they can swap something or not. No longer my preferred brunch spot and will likely not return frequently unless someone else really wants to go. read more

La Note - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Le Nôtre is one of my absolute favorite spots in downtown Berkeley. I always get the baguette with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and tomatoes--it's seriously the best thing ever. Fresh, flavorful, and so satisfying every time. Their coffee is also top-notch, smooth and rich without being too bitter. It's always busy, full of people, and I absolutely love the vibe--lively, cozy, and full of energy. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to enjoy the atmosphere, this place never disappoints. I definitely recommend arriving 20 to 30 minutes earlier, especially on a weekend to put your name down and get a table on time :) read more

See all