I looooooove this place! If you're looking for old school diner vibes, this is the place for you. Sitting at the counter, you get to watch the hustle and bustle of waiters and cook staff while sipping on a hot coffee or some orange juice. Their menu is pretty extensive for a diner, which is great because you can always try something new! Personally, I love their home fries :) I haven't had a chance to try their souffle pancakes, but they're on my list!! read more

Oceanview Diner - Two eggs scrambled with chorizo - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

I hate this kind of questionnaire . Enough! Food great sorry I started this annoyance read more

**The former Bette's Oceanview Diner is now the Oceanview Diner, with a new logo and the same menu. The new model is worker owned** Apparently the original closed around 2022 and the employees secured funding to reopen it with a new brand, logo, & name but same menu. Still known for their yummy fluffy pancakes, omelettes AND to go café next door. Highly recommend their pancakes, soufflé pancakes and spicy egg scramble which comes with a side of potatoes (dollop of sour cream) annnnd a choice of a baked good / bread :-) From the to- go side pleassssssse check out their sandwiches, mango chia pudding, and baked goods especially the hot roast beef - it's scrumptious read more

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While I like the food at Oceanview the noise level is unbearable. My friends and I had brunch indoors and most of the wait staff was yelling the entire time. It was very annoying. Plus, the radio is cranked up and loud. Overall, they really need to bring the volume down considerably and stop yelling! read more

Very nice and attentive service! Food was delicious. Soufflé takes a while but it was worth it! The diner aesthetic was super cute! read more

Oceanview Diner - Peach blueberry soufflé and seasonal frittata - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Last time we went here it was still called Bette's. Small diner but they squeezed the five of us in after ~ 30 minute wait. Service was excellent. Food was solid. read more

Very classic, authentic diner vibes! We sat at the "bar." Food is amazing--egg dishes especially. Nicely located on fourth street near several stores and parking. read more

Exceptional food. Crazy busy but well worth the wait. Always had breakfast items and ALL have been great. Fun place to watch the chefs at work if you sit at the bar. read more

My friend and I went here for brunch on Saturday ~9:30 and it was crowded. Although it was busy, they seated us quickly. A helpful tip is to let the staff know when your whole party arrives because they will not seat groups until the whole party is there. There were indoor and outdoor seating options. The inside has a traditional diner feel and it has a lively ambiance. My friend and I were seated at the counter and were able to see the chefs making food which was a very neat experience. The service was attentive and to the point. I thought that there was a good variety of items on the menu. I ordered the lox scramble and my friend got a bunch of things a la carte (potatoes, morning bun that is made in house, and sausage). The bagel that came in with my scramble was good. The eggs, however, were very runny and wet which I did not enjoy that much. The lox pieces in the scramble added a nice saltiness to the dish. The potatoes and onions that came in with my scramble were oddly cooked. Some of the potatoes were over cooked and the other half was undercooked. Both were very bland and I didn't think that they added that much to the dish. The cream cheese for my bagel had the texture of feta cheese; it was very dry and tough to spread. My friend and I also got the Soufflé pancake which was strawberry and pear flavored. I thought that the pancake was fluffy and had a nice fruit taste. I thought that this was worth the additional wait. Overall, I think that Oceanview Diner was just ok. The actual breakfast items that I ate aside from the pancake were very forgettable and some aspects of my breakfast I would not want to eat again. The redeeming quality was the Souffle pancake and helpful staff. read more

On our second try..... excellent pancakes good eggs crispy bacon didn't care for the chicken sausage BUT check your bill. Unexpected charges we luckily noticed. read more

Came on a Monday late morning close to 11:00 didn't get asked for our order until 15min later, had to give a wandering look for a server to please take our order look. They are chaotic and not on point. This is the second time I've been here and it was a while back on my first visit and I did not survey them back then figuring that busy experience was unfair, well I can say that today it's time to provide my insight , the only difference was that the first time it was super busy and we waited in line and the service was slow due to them being busy. Well today was not busy, 3 servers at hand and place is not that big but the service really disappointed me. Water served 10min after being seated. Coffee severed 10min after order (not a good impression). Food is just ok but I would not come back . Our server guy mingled with everyone but us, Now I'm certain the ambiance is all it has going for itself. Food is just ok, but if you're not a regular here you will find the slowness and tentativeness lacking. Twice is enough visit for me. Would have given 2 stars but the female host was very good. Be aware there is a 3% kitchen charge on receipts when dining and not common yet but this is the first place I've encountered this year. read more

The ultimate Classic diner, had an early breakfast the other morning while in town. Like stepping back in time warp, the interior is 1950s black, white and pink. This local landmark closed in 22 a little over a year ago is back. I was greeted walking in the door and seated immediately. I sat in the back and took it all in with a good cup of joe. After giving the menu a once over I decided on a bowl of Steal Cut Oats with golden raisins and brown sugar, a side with a bowl of fruit fruit and a short stack of pancakes. It was a good hearty breakfast and it hit the spot on my visit. The oats were good with the golden raisins and brown sugar it made for a nice mornings start. The fresh fruit bowl was a work of art and delicious. The short stack, two plate sized flapjacks were also really good and well prepared, cooked near perfect and very good too. It was once Bette's Oceanview, now revived as before it is again a great place to grab breakfast and worth a visit and your support. 4 Stars a solid choice in the area 00872 read more

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No better breakfast/lunch in Berkeley. The best! An institution!!!! The souffle pancake, huevos rancheros, and California breakfast are all exceptional. Best soft scramble ever. Kindest servers. read more

We went on MLK jr Day arriving around 12:30. We added our names to the waitlist and it was about an hour wait. We waited outside as it was a beautiful day and were able to listen to names being called out for seating. They had outdoor seating in which the furry guests were able to join. We were finally sat around 1:20 inside and the place was bustling. They do close at 2:00. Our order was taken about 10-15 minutes after we sat. It was delivered about 20-25 minutes after. We ordered huevos rancheros, potato pancakes, chicken sandwich, side bacon, lemonade and coffee. I was impressed with everything we got. We also ordered the meatloaf for takeout!! I definitely recommend and will go back!! read more

We wanted to come and get a quick breakfast before heading with the kids to the city . There was a line outside so I got very excited and thought this will be def worth the wait . We got seated about 15-20 minutes after waiting outside on the restaurant side that is used for evening service "wine and pancakes " . The server you could tell was busy and not very inviting , we all placed our order it took about 35-40 minutes for the food to come out and the pancakes were more cold then warm but we were hungry so we didn't ask them to remake . Over all the quality was okay not great. read more

Been here for brunch/lunch a few times now. They have a good sized menu with unique pancake offerings and traditional breakfast plates. The corned beef hash is a healthy serving, as are the specialty pancakes and other entrees. Pros: Good menu of breakfast/brunch/lunch food, all have been delicious. Cons: Can get very busy on the weekends so come early or late. Can also be pretty loud inside so if you want a bit more quiet, sitting outside is probably better. read more

Oceanview Diner - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

Went in on a Saturday for brunch with friends. They were very busy and did not take reservations. We sat after our full party had arrived. It was my first time here and I felt it was just okay. They didn't have a lot of options on the menu. I ordered the bagel plate and shared it with a friend who ordered the potato cakes. The bagel was good ( hard to mess up a bagel!) but the potatoes were bland. We also stopped at the bakery attached to the restaurant. I got cookies and brownies for the family. We all had the same opinions of very dry and not good for the pastries. read more

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Excellent food and staff. Nice vibe, especially counter service. Will definitely be back.

i sat down for breakfast here and loved the classic diner vibe, especially digging into a massive plate of fluffy pancakes and perfectly crispy hashbrowns while enjoying the bright, bustling energy of the street outside. read more

Absolutely love this place for a casual brunch on Fourth street! I came here with a big group and the staff was super accommodating for us and made our overall experience so memorable. Ocean view diner serves up all the classic breakfast staples in a quaint diner atmosphere. My favorite is the California Benedict subbed with lox. It comes with 2 poached eggs, grilled tomatoes and onions, and roasted potatoes covered in a flavorful and delicious lemon butter sauce. Make sure to first order a soufflé pancake as they take 30-40 min! We ordered one soufflé seasonal pear and cranberry pancake for the table which was the perfect dessert for our brunch! Incredible food with a staff that gives their customers exceptional service! Will definitely be back to try out the lunch menu next time! read more

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Food is great. Service needs some work. Can sit for ten minutes before anyone considers taking your order. I get it's an attempt at a homie feel but you don't want to be ignored. Better choices abound. read more

Recently paid a visit and ordered a typical diner fare. Although the lunch menu commence at 11 am, the wait person took my meatloaf order with potato hash. As always, they want to accommodate their diners. My meatloaf was a thick slice with plenty of gravy and exceptional potato hash that was nice and crispy. The meatloaf had a very processed texture but again with the gravy, it was a wonderful diner fare. I enjoyed it very much with the always exceptional service. read more

Oceanview Diner - Meatloaf - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

Long wait times, others being seated before our party. Gave up went to the take out deli next door of the same establishment and received equally dour service from the ladies at the counter. read more

Legendary kitchen has been slinging pancakes, coffee, and milkshakes since before you were born. California Breakfast forever. You'll always be Bette's to me, Oceanview Diner. read more

Cute and lively breakfast place, they were so nice and attentive inside. the food came out fast and was a big enough portion to share between my toddler and I. The hot chocolate was our favorite and my daughter got to sit up at the counter to watch them cook the whole time she ate. Perfect place for a fun breakfast date. read more

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The food is fine, nothing special. I know inflation is a problem these days but the prices here are just crazy. With tax and tip it cost me $40 for an omelette and a cup of coffee today. read more

Wanting something different and not minding the drive from where we live, we decided to go to Oceanview Diner for brunch. I am all about trying chili if I see it on the menu and there I spotted it, CHILI!! I opted for chili and a side salad while my Hubby ordered the herb omelette with toast and homefried potatoes and onions. The omelette was fluffy and filled with cheese and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and not over spiced. The onions were al dente and the dollop of sour cream added a rich creaminess to the dish. The bread was perfectly toasted and was a good sized serving. We have been to this location before and I can't remember ever being disappointed. This is an establishment that knows what they are doing and the staff is always pleasant. From my observation they all seem to work well together and are always smiling. Cheers. read more

Oceanview Diner - Chili and side salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The ambiance is exquisitely droll Americana, the service is universally friendly, and the food is ridiculously delicious. The only issue with this really astonishingly great brunch place is that everyone else loves it too. The wait is always longer than long, the servers are always overwhelmed, and sometimes orders get lost in the shuffle or their signature potatoes come out burnt and not cooked long enough. If everyone didn't love them so much it would be an unmitigated delight, but all perfection is worth a little suffering, and the pancakes and omelets on a Sunday morning are the dictionary definition of perfection. read more

Great modern diner experience that's been on 4th street for years. (Didn't this used to be Bette's?) I was here at 8:30am, and by 9:00am full house. The staff are uniformly friendly & helpful, kitchen is speedy. If you're not familiar with 4th street, it's blossomed into a moderately upscale couple blocks of retail, proof being an Apple Store. I was surprised since it's been at least 5 years since I last crossed the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. Yeah, I'm that much a snob. The customer next to me gave the impression the feeling it is mutual. She seemed surprised I was so nice. The only bummer is that I ordered a side of fruit, thinking the plate was smaller than a bowl. Wrong. Couldn't finish as I thought the citrus was a little off, tasted like grocery store fruit in container sitting on refrigerator shelf a while. Maybe I'm really picky. Bonus, your fellow customers are really friendly, I loved feeling like I was back in the Midwest. If you're not in a talking mood, select the isolated tables by the window. The booth minimum is three people. I highly recommend a 4th street detour off University Ave. to eat at Oceanview. read more

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The soufflé pancake was amazing and service was fantastic! We cannot wait to return! We were just drinking coffee while waiting for our fancy soufflé pancake but even while waiting, our to go coffee cups were full and the service was above and beyond. read more

Always comforted by the food here. Splurged on the 40 min soufflé pancake and went for the seasonal pear and cranberry flavor. Did not disappoint and was well worth the wait. Alice was a phenomenal and very personable server and hostess/cashier/barista. Love the vibes inside the diner. Always cheerful and retro. read more

Oceanview Diner - Soufflé pancake - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

My brothers treated us to breakfast here. Totally old school diner feel with elevated food. We arrived right around opening because the soufflés take 40 minutes and we planned to order them. To our surprise during our visit in never got too crowded in there. The service was outstanding. Outstanding! Every server we saw stopped and filled our coffee, I was never without. 3 of us ordered the 22 dollar soufflé. It was impressive and obviously an art, but I wished I would have ordered eggs and such as my husband did. The soufflé was just not my thing. My bad, I knew better but it looked so cool. Haha. The scone and potatoes on my husbands plate were very very good. The diner booths are very small, just an observation. Watching the chefs do there thing is fun! We had a wonderful experience but as always part of that was with whom I was dining. More expensive than most breakfast spots but like I said, elevated food. We had a very memorable morning. read more

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Looks like they had a name change (dropped Bette) but they still have the same menu - thank goodness! Love this cozy Berkeley spot on the popular 4th St. shopping area. There is paid street parking and some internal lots- good luck it's usually packed! They also have a to-go spot next door for some hot beverages and yummy baked goods. Inside is a cute comforting diner that serves delicious traditional American breakfast with a twist. Maryland Breakfast (Corned beef hash, poached eggs, roasted tomatoes) with a scone and the seasonal fruit soufflés pancakes are my favorite orders! The ambiance is diner style complete with the jukebox, counter with bar stools, checkered floor, and booths. I also remember a huge pie slice hanging from the ceiling of the diner - I'll have to try a slice next time! read more

Oceanview Diner - Maryland breakfast - Sandwiches Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's a blast to the past at this tiny diner, but be willing to wait at least 30-40 minutes for a table even with the added outdoor seating. The staff is very friendly but they could use a few more hands on deck. It's very clean and the menu has a great selection to choose from. My four year old granddaughter gave a thumbs up for the pancake soufflé and a double mmmm rating on the hot chocolate which was huge. Eggs and bacon were cooked to perfection. Thanks for a wonderful Sunday brunch! read more

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Stopped by one of our fav dining establishments without a reservation. Joined the waitlist, within 5 minutes, we were seated. Jessie greeting us and served our Breakfast. I ordered the 2 eggs, chicken Apple sausage, country home potatoes. My handsome hubby had crispy bacon, 2 eggs and country home potatoes. The potatoes were cooked to perfection with slivers yellow onions. Breakfast came out fairly quickly as they were quite busy. The morning vibe with other diners were positive with snippets of smaller dogs seated with their dog families that were well behaved outdoors. As it just rained last night, the air was clean and crisp. We look forward to our next Oceanview Diner real soon, a fantastic experience. Jessie was very attentive to our needs. read more

Coffee is just ok. Food is prety good but very expensive A simple breakfast with coffee average around 30.00 Its seems to pricey for a dinner. Service is good. read more

Quick Summary: - Home fries are so good! - Strong coffee but it's not sour - If your coffee cup becomes empty, the staff generously pours you another refill (black) - soufflé pancake series takes roughly an hour to arrive (fifty minutes) - outdoor and indoor seating available - There is a tablet to reserve a spot. A text message is sent to you, when your seat is almost open I have written a review of Oceanview Diner years ago, but it looks like the link is inactive, so writing a more updated review of my food experience here. This year, we came here twice because it's a great diner to eat good food. The area here is a cute and also trendy shopping area, that has cool boutiques and shops. They have a reservation style, where you can save a spot and a text message is sent to your device, when it's nearing your turn. After setting mine, it didn't take too long for the text message to arrive. We were just browsing one store close by, so we quickly hopped across the street to claim our seats. The potato's home fries are the best! It's crispy on the outside and it's perfectly flavored, soft potatoes inside. The onions are also cooked in a nice crispy and fried way! Both go well with the sour cream, that is dolloped on top. For the second visit, I decided to order the soufflé pancake. I heard from the staff, that it takes a while, but I misheard what they said (thought they said 'fifteen,' but it turned out it was "fifty"). What I was prepared for was how filling it looked. so I ordered a side of home fries and coffee and waited for it. Knowing the time now, for the next visit, I would share a savory lunch with my family member and then have the soufflé pancake for dessert at the end. After fifty minutes, it arrived, and it took my breath away because it was so splendid! It jiggled as it was set onto the table and fluffed up in grandeur. How are the bananas floating on this cloud, that looks so fluffy yet sturdy enough to lift the banana slices. The taste was amazing too! A fork slice needed no pressure to cut it. It's great on its own, but I think tasted better after drizzling it with maple syrup. The batter is very light, so for most they would say there is no flavor in the pancake. I didn't taste the brandy, so my relative (who doesn't like food with alcohol taste in them) was able to eat it without any issues. I really like coming here to eat brunch -- and definitely try either the home fries or be patient for the soufflé pancake! I will come back to try the one with apple! read more

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So many diners have glutinous pancakes that stick to the roof of your mouth. Not Oceanview. These were fluffy and substantial, that magical combo. I think they have upped their maple syrup game since I last went over a year ago - two little tins instead of one - so I didn't need to order extra syrup. Coffee was hot and strong. The butter wasn't frozen solid. The sign-up is via iPad, and it was an efficient system with accurate time estimates. I was resigned to getting a counter seat, but instead got a corner seat at a table that gave me a view of the whole place. I was tempted to linger, but wanted to give others the chance to experience the very satisfying Oceanview Diner breakfast. read more

Been here twice. I always get spectacular service from Jessie. Everyone here works their booty off! They all deserve a raise lol. The aesthetics is quaint and definitely gives that diner feel that I like. I'm basic and got the two eggs breakfast both times, but the second time I ordered it, I ordered a poached egg which is such a game changer! I've heard great things about the soufflé pancakes, so that is what I am ordering the next time I decide to go! 10/10 recommended! read more

Carolyn was the sweetest and we got seated very quickly. Very good food and coffee as well.