1st impression: quickly browse Nina's Cafe on Yelp - 4 stars, many reviews, cozy and quirky pictures, think - sure I'll try it! 2nd impression: place is small, a little crammed, and why is everything so messy I don't know how to order! Ok so maybe 'cozy' was the wrong description... 3rd impression: this lady makes me feel like she's my simultaneously sweet and loving yet strict grandma. Makes me want to be a good kid and follow the rules posted all over the walls (no cell phones! quiet zone! customers only! Exclamation marks!!!) 4th impression: what is this Chai!!!! Why won't she share her recipe?? Did I just discover something amazing? Oh wait, maybe if I had just read the reviews first I might have realized that this lady and her chai are kind of a big deal. Aug, I'm so late to the game. read more

My husband and I love Nina's Cafe. The food is fresh and delicious and affordable. Nina herself is warm and welcoming. Everything we've eaten there has been delicious, but our favorite is the breakfast burrito which we order often for lunch. Highly recommended. read more

Nina''s Cafe is small place but they have 1 1/2 rooms for seating. lust a single indian lady was running the whole show: taking orders, cooking,, food prepping, taking monies and making change. Menu: smoothies, coffee, sammies, pastries, pies, soup/salad, breakfast, ice cream, teas, etc. pour: organic coffee, (2) -overall smooth, mellow, not bold nor harsh. -a no drama brew -3.5 stars drips: -cafe had an incense atmosphere. -service fast, efficient and cheerful. read more

Charming place that has surprisingly ample seating despite its size (2 rooms + outside seating), good, fast internet (free), and solid drink and eats. Run by a single Indian lady (Nina, I presume?), the place is very welcoming. I was the only customer on a Sunday afternoon, and I was waited on hand and foot. Nina kept offering more coffee and food, asking about the temperature, music, whether her noises in the kitchen were 'disturbing' me from studying, etc. I felt at home. But it's going to stop existing if I'm the only person coming. So as much as Iove having Nina's all to me, PLEASE come and support this local business. read more

Nina's Cafe - Asian breakfast: spicy omelette, home fries, paratha, and chai. A++ - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Summary based on 1 afternoon visit: --good coffee drinks --friendly service --good selection of other food, including Indian curries --pleasant venue, advertising free wifi --generally easy street parking I stopped by here to see what Cafe Clem had morphed into and whether it might be suitable for a low key business meeting. Answer is yes. read more

Nina's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I happened upon this cafe by searching for "cafés with free wifi," and found Nina's Cafe, as I searched for a place to work. Nina was sweet-as-can-be, exuding warmth and positive energy. She was even extremely accommodating when I told her I was following a Paleo diet; in fact, I was on Day 16 of my Whole30. She gladly custom-cooked a breakfast of scrambled eggs with mushrooms, infusing a simple dish with spectacular Indian spices. She suggested a side salad, with a simple vinegar and olive oil dressing, but again, more delicious due to the added spices. I ended up staying there the whole day working, and ended up eating lunch there too. Again, Nina had no qualms when I asked her to leave the rice and beans out of the chicken curry, adding a salad on the side. She made me a hot, unsweetened homemade chai with almond milk: divine! In short, a great cafe to work in, despite the small, but cozy, interior (there are also tables outside). Excellent service, and yummy food that also works for those on special diets (e.g., Paleo, vegan, gluten-free). Highly recommended! read more

Nina's Cafe - My custom lunch of chicken curry (minus rice and lentils) and side salad, along with an Indian pickle. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Eclectic, one-of-a-kind restaurant. Where else can you get an Indian chicken curry wrapped in a burrito tortilla with added lettuce and veggies? You can mix and match flavors and styles to your heart's content. They also have great options for vegetarians! They may not always hit it out of the park with every dish, but they are unique and props to them for making healthy options mixed with food from different cultures. It really is very much a Berkeley restaurant. read more

This is absolutely the best place to come for chai in the whole Bay Area. It has such wonderful flavors. I love that she lets us add our own sweetener because most chai is from a mix where all you can taste is too much sugar! Her food is so delicious, and she's a very creative and talented baker. It's also a peaceful place to go when I need somewhere to work. 5-stars, across the board! Nina is awesome! read more

Just ate at Nina's cafe. Very beautiful café here. Nina is very lovely and welcoming. I have a very specific diet and she catered very well for my meal. She has lots of gluten free options and knows many other diets. I really appreciate her understanding of me, very motherly. I ordered the chef's salad and cleaned the plate before I could take a picture of it, super delicious! If you're into art, nice artwork is posted on the walls. Definitely recommend you visit this shop! Great and Homey vibes read more

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I come here every Wednesday- it's awesome! The smoothies are great, food options fantastic. Gluten free options which are Celiac safe (I have a family member with Celiac who dines here), and tasty homemade Indian dishes with just the right amount of heat. The Dal is among the best in the area IMO. Nina is a wonderful soul. Glad she's here! read more

So good! It's a cute little shop and the fun is beyond delicious; simple food prepared perfectly. Also the Chai is phenomanol, I highly recommend. read more

Why all the good reviews? This place is crap. Tacky and bad food. Since I was hungry, i ordered the Dal soup and veggie curry with rice. Nina right away said it would be too much for me. Taking her word for it, I took the curry to go. So I ordered the Dal (lentil) soup that one yelper called the best in Berkeley and I saw Nina ladle about 2.5 cups worth into a bowl and microwave it. It wasn't even warm. There were hardly any lentils in it. And it was the SALTIEST concoction I have ever had. What the F----!!? Also, it was supposed to be "enough for me." It was basically an appetizer. This was NOT authentic at all! AND IT WAS $7. The curry was crappily packed to go on a leaky paper plate with some foil covering it. Why wasn't there foil all around it? The curry had avocados and salad in it. That is not curry but something else. It was gross because I couldn't compare it to any real curry. And I paid 8 or 9 bucks for just the curry. and I would not recommend this place to anyone for anything. It feels super tacky and the food is terrible. Better going to any Indian buffet in the area and only paying 10 or less bucks for all you can eat. read more

Even if the food was inedible Nina would still get five stars from me based soley on personal charm. Thankfully my breakfast was tasty and even better perfectly proportioned to the Poppy Cho overdid it last night and will be paying for it Sunday morning stomach. I had some sort of scramble filled with lots of yummy spinich and feta. Nina fusses over you like a mother but leaves out the craziness of my actual mother. She waits on you like a dotting grandmother and constantly but unobtrusively refills your coffee cup. Particularly tasty wheat toast. Should have asked her what brand it was. Extra points for not having any of those disgusting grape jelly packets. read more

Nina was nice and generous, but the kitchen and her lack of hygiene were enough to give me food poisoning. shortly after eating lunch (Greek salad, lentil soup, and a free falafel) I got back to work and started to feel off. spent the rest of the night feeling horrible and nauseous.. and spent the whole next day horizontal on the couch and had to call in sick to work. not safe to eat here. I didn't even have tainted meat, and got sick. that can only mean an improperly maintained kitchen. read more

I'll agree that when we walked in the smells were amazing. You could tell it was home cooking. However there are MANY signs (printed, handwritted, chalked) that heaven forbid you miss the ones about rules "no outside food" and "no cell phones" in which case she will tell you in a stern, unfriendly way. Not that I disagree. I informed her I would leave and she still gave my partner attitude. We left. read more

I've been here a few times to study. There is wifi available but she won't give you the password until you have paid for something, which I understand. From what I gather, she changes the password daily and writes it on a little piece of paper. After you pay for your food/drink she will bring you the paper but is quick to take it back right away. A lot of reviews say she's nice but she was rude to us and we felt rushed to leave as soon as we finished our food so we didn't get to study there too long. We didn't think the food was that great either. My sister ordered a smoothie which tasted like syrup and my homemade chai tea tasted like lukewarm milk water. The pastries also look old and not too appetizing. My roommate ordered a sandwich and said it was decent but there was nothing special about it. read more

I went here for lunch one day, I was going to get a slice a pizza, until i noticed the slices sit next to the cash register (uncovered). I saw two gnats flying around the pizza and one of them landed on it. So ... i quickly looked at the menu to order something else. I decided on a meatball sandwich... The actual meatballs were ok, but she serves the sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and some kinda sauce that i dont remember. I didn't like it.. I took out the meat and threw the rest away. The meatball sammich is served with some kind of cold rice salad. I've heard a few other folks say the the breakfast here is GREAT. But I've personally never tried it. My favorite thing about Nina's Cafe is the fact that she has soda, candy and lots of miscellaneous snacks. Most of these little cafe's in Berkeley are all hippie and only serve expensive coffee, $4 dollar bottles of Odwalla, and bullshit fruit juices I've never heard of my life. Then they don't have real snacks.... they serve healthy muffins and scones..... If you don't want hippie snacks and you're cracking a snickers and coca cola... then Ninas is a good choice. read more

Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed with my experience at Nina's Cafe. Based on the reviews I was expecting quality food at reasonable prices. However, not only did my green smoothie and tiny fruit bowl (it was probably 1/3 of a banana, a few strawberries and 1/4 of an apple) come out to $10, but that was also the minimum charge for credit/debit. The veggie smoothie was kind of disgusting. It was really really salty and I ended up only drinking a quarter of it because I couldn't get the rest down. The fruit bowl was what I expected, except for $5.50 it was super tiny and not worth it at all. If I had known that was all I'd get I would have ordered a sandwich or burrito. Nina was friendly, but nothing out of the ordinary. I definitely won't be coming back to Nina's, but maybe others will have a better experience here. read more

I think this place is really cute. It's the kind of local place that just makes you want to come back for more. The food is really good and the service just made me smile so much. I feel like I came to my friends house and we had a nice lunch together. love it read more

Nina is the sweetest woman you'll ever meet. She welcomed us in and offered great suggestions for vegetarians. The mango lassi was made fresh, and was exactly what we wanted after our bike ride--so refreshing! She'll make smoothies with any combination of fruit as well; mango peach was delicious. The veggie curry burrito--or, currito, as her handmade sign declares--was incredibly flavorful, though it is packed with pickled peppers (say that three times fast). The real star of the show, however, was the pesto tofu panini. Crispy bread, quality pesto, and crumbled tofu came together as more than the sum of their parts, accompanied by a fresh salad with bleu cheese dressing. It's a great spot for a casual lunch, with outdoor seating on the sidewalk. I can't wait to go back to try some of her other options and support this wonderful local business. read more

Lentil soup. Lentil soup. Lentil soup. The best lentil soup. i wished i ordered a big bowl instead of a cup. It is full of goodies, spicy, so flavorful, and lots of yummy veggies swimming in a amazing broth. It has such a great spice kick to it. I work in an area that have lots of great indian food but never had soup like ninas. Their pressed sandwhich is good too. I feel her chai is too milky though. I think homemade chai served from homes of indian family is the best. read more

Decided to give this place another try. And was treated even worse. I honestly don't know what is wrong. Eek! Methinks not!

I was working around this area and trying to find a place to eat and pass this small joint Nina's Cafe. Checked on yelp and has 4.5 stars. Ok, it sound good to try. Just like some of the reviews about the owner, she is really very nice. So, I got the hot pastrami sandwich and soup or salad. I chose the soup ( i think its lentil) and it was good. The sandwich is on the skimpy side or maybe i'm used to bigger sandwiches in the City. read more

Nina is the nicest person! You can see that she takes great pride in her business, and her customer service skills are excellent. My fiancé and I had a late Saturday breakfast at Nina's Café, and we found we were the only ones there. This was surprising, as the place is welcoming and sunny. And they have free Wi-Fi! Since we were alone in the restaurant, Nina herself basically waited on us and refilled our coffees several times. When we tried to leave her a tip, she absolutely refused to accept it. She says that she takes great joy in running her business, and she doesn't need any tips. She would simply be happy to see us again. Wow! Quite the business owner. We will definitely be back. Thank you, Nina! read more

Delicious! What a find for vegans and non-vegans alike! Nina is very personable and customizes your meal to meet your nutritional needs. Really enjoyed the veggie curry luncheon special which included daal soup and green salad. Thank you, Nina! read more

Nina's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I mostly do my work from cafes. Finding a cafe in which I can eat real food while working has thus far been almost impossible. I'm thrilled to have found one of the very few cafes that offers more than just snacks as sustenance. And the food is not only very good, but its made from scratch! Love it. To begin, the lentil soup everyone was raving about, was actually worth raving about. I fed it to every foodie friend who stopped by that day, and they were all impressed. The pumpkin pie was equally as delicious. A quick scan of the menu confirmed that I'd be back for more of her fare. Veggie curry burrito? Yes, please! The cafe itself is sweet - cool art, comfy, cozy seating - and quiet. Nina herself makes you feel more like you're a guest in her home, than a customer in her cafe. This cafe is easily among my top 5 in the bay. My only complaint? A bigger sign so that the friends I send her way will have an easier time finding her. read more

The best kept secret of West Berkeley! Hands down the best Chai I've found - -ever! She must make it from scratch and she let's you add your own sweetener so it's perfect for you. No more sickeningly sweet from a box chais for me. The curry bowl is also delicious and Nina is the sweetest most caring person. She always treats is so well whenever we come in. I highly recommend this place!!! read more

Nina's Cafe - They even had live music on Friday! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

If you find yourself, In sunny West Berkeley, Nina's sure to charm. read more

Nina loves to cook for her customers. She will not hesitate to take control of the situation and convince you of what you would most likely enjoy. I've not been disappointed in two visits. It probably doesn't matter anyway, because everything she makes is delicious and fresh. From the curry burrito or bowl, to lentil soup and chicken & artichoke panini, she can do no wrong. Enjoy! read more

First of all, I want to make it clear that the lady is really sweet and nice. We went there for breakfast because we read good reviews. There were no prices on the menu for breakfast and we think the charged amount was too high for what we got. The oatmeal was cold and $7 for a medium bowl. We also got a breakfast burrito super small for $8+ and not particularly flavorful. We walked out hungry and unhappy. She might have better services for lunch, but we are not coming back to try after this experience. read more

Nina has a great breakfast burrito and she is a great Host. Chi tea. It's great too! Just had her chicken curry for the first time and dam is it good. So full. Now I have to walk back to work. read more

2nd time coming here. Didn't want to post before hoping it was a fluke, and wanting to support local, but 2nd time around was the same.. Food's decent and the price is pretty low, comparatively speaking (in the area). Problem is she's by herself (at least for those two times, months apart, I've been here) and doesn't seem to wash her hands or wear gloves before or after handling food and non food items. First time, she was cutting some veggies when I came in. No one was there and I ordered a sandwich (pastrami on wheat iirc). Took my order, took my Cash and gave changed, and proceeded to make m sandwich. No washing, no gloves, no nothing. Today, came in and she was prepping someone else's salad. Sees me come in, says hi and ask for my order. Chicken curry w rice and salad. Again, paid by Cash ($10 min on cc), which she took and gave me change. Then finished the salad she was making, gave another customer (called in, I guess) her order when she walked in, then proceeded to prepare my order (to go). Sorry, not the most fastidious customer here, but even roach coach food preparer have better sanitary habits. Caveat Emptor. read more

A wonderful little cafe with a great owner. Nina is always friendly and sweet and the food is very yummy. I just had a curried veggie burrito that was to die for and I'm now enjoying a moist piece of chocolate cake. There is enough seating inside and out front to make this a great place to stop and eat lunch or if you're on the go you can order ahead of time for a quick pick-up. read more

Nina's has a full and above par menu for a cafe, with good food, variety, and a nice but not overwhelming Indian influence. Nina herself is fantastically personable, keeping the cafe cozy, and running the kitchen like an attentive mother. Speaking of mothering, when I mentioned I had a bit of a sore throat, she steered me right to her special Chai with ginger, no sugar, which was perfectly soothing on my raw pipes. Great place to sit and appreciate life on a Saturday! Glad I stumbled across it. read more

Nina's Cafe - Cup of Chai and a book. This is a great café, with great food options too. - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

In line with a few other reviews, I also found the owner to be a bit over bearing. She definitely has an opinion on things and you can hear her talking over everyone in the joint. The food is alright (had a curry chicken burrito) but definitely not worth the $8.50 I paid (the price wasn't even posted on the menu, which drives me nuts). Prices should be posted for the customer. There are also lots of little signs telling you can't do this or that. It all seems unncessary. read more

I love the home made chais - my favorite! Try the rice bowls, salads, Mexican & breakfast burritos, curries, homemade soup, & sandwiches. Plenty of gluten free & vegan options also. One of my favorite places to meet up with friends. Great place to meet up with a group, it has free parking as well as a bus stop in front. Nina also does catering and takes reservations. Hidden gem of the Bay read more

Nina was great, the food was beyond great, the WiFi was fast & easy, and the atmosphere was welcoming. Nina answered all my questions about the chicken curry burrito (yum!) with extreme patience and the passion of a true chef. She even brought me a pile of dry napkins along with some napkins she had moistened so that I wouldn't get burrito juice on my laptop keyboard. So thoughtful! Was my first time, and I'm eager to return to try the rest of the menu! read more

Wanted to update because I hadn't at the time of my other review tried Nina's homemade masala chai tea, its amazing! I remember walking in one day to order some lunch and it smelt so good, I asked Nina what she was cooking, she told me she was making her homemade chai tea, the same recipe her mother made. She also told me how chai has many healing properties, that its very good for your immune system and sinuses. I have been to India and have had many different qualities of chai and Nina's is by far some of the best I have had. I get it as often as I can. I have it warm with a little bit of sugar, its the best on a cold Berkeley day. read more

Love love love everything about Nina's cafe!! Fantastic homemade meals, and healthy too. The food tastes like real, natural flavors and spices, instead of just tasting like sugar, salt and fat. The chai is THE BEST, and I love the channa, daal, and veggie curry. I'm a vegetarian and there are plenty of options for me. I love how Nina seasons the tofu so that even the biggest carnivores would have to admit it's delicious. Nina is so sweet. She takes care of everyone like family. I love to work here for hours, it's quiet and peaceful with great wi-fi. When I'm here, it feels like I'm part of a real community, in a way you just don't get from a chain store. read more

Nina's cafe is a nice and quite place, where my partner and I like to do work! The food is amazing, we really like the veggie curry. But our favorite thing about this place is the owner, who runs the cafe and makes the delicious food. She is a warm and kind person and makes the cafe feel like home! read more

Nina's Cafe - Eating Nina's delicious curry outside! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California