Cold, military-style, and deeply disappointing farewell from Standard Fare... My wife and I have been going to Standard Fare for over a year. The food was always good, but the service was never particularly warm--polite, efficient, and impersonal, like a well-drilled operation. Today we took a twenty-minute ride with our six-week-old baby for one last visit before they close for good. We arrived before their advertised closing time, yet were coldly denied service. There was no one waiting behind us, but we were met with an inflexible, robotic "sorry, we're closed." No one was overtly rude, but the interaction felt rigid and mechanical, as if following procedure mattered more than acknowledging the people standing in front of them. It would not have taken much effort to accept one last order from a loyal couple with a newborn--especially since nobody else was waiting behind us. In the end, Standard Fare is closing exactly as it operated: precise, rigid, and lacking warmth. Hopefully the next business in this location will treat its customers with a bit more empathy. read more

Very cute and quaint spot for breakfast. A friend suggested we meet here on Saturday for a late breakfast, what a great choice. It was pretty hard to pick from the menu items, but I settled on the Frittata with a side of Fennel Sausage, sourdough toast and a Arnold Palmer. Although the seating was full, thank goodness out food came out just as some seats were emptying out. It was a chilly day and the outside seating was full too. The service was without any complaints. They did their best to accommodate all patrons despite it being very crowded and crazy busy. Overall I would come back here, probably right as the doors open to be guaranteed a place to seat and not have to wait and hope for a seat. Oh the music was on point!! Put it on your list, I don't think you'll be disappointed. read more

Standard Fare - Fritatta w/fennel sausage, sourdough toast and an Arnold Palmer drink. - A breakfast plate features scrambled eggs garnished with herbs, a grilled sausage link, toasted bread slices, and a side salad with mixed greens and roasted red peppers. A glass of beverage is visible in the background, placed on a wooden table. The plate is accompanied by a fork and knife, and the setting appears to be in a casual dining environment. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Super cute place!!! You can sit outdoors or indoors!!! When the sun is shining, that outdoor patio is the best. It has that rustic modern feel On the weekend it's a vibe, with a ton of people and good food! Service is super welcoming and efficient! Onto the food! -Loved the breakfast plate!!! The homemade sausage is super fresh, low salt, and flavorful. I love the bread with that crunchy crust -Loved the toast with ricotta and homemade jam. So wonderful cozy and delicious. I could eat this every weekend -Breakfast sandwich inside is good. The biscuit was just ok but definitely get the other two choices above -Baked goods: the carrot cake has a good flavor and is healthy, strawberry cornmeal cake is good, sticky bun is yums too Cheers! read more

See all

AMAZING breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Berkley. It started as a cafe by Kelsie Kerr in 2014 and attracts long lines even on weekday mornings. My friend who rarely insists on eating at specific places insisted we come, a previous girlfriend was in the food industry and they have this place bookmarked for awhile. They described it as "healthy california food". We came on a Friday morning around 9:20 am and it was pretty crowded. You can't park right in front but there was plenty of street parking on the weekdays. Inside, its intimate and cozy and there is also a nice seating area outside with lots of dog-owners hanging out. Everything we had was great quality with choice ingredients where you could actually taste the difference. Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich: herb butter, roasted seasonal vegetables and onions, soft-cooked egg, and greens. Surprisingly filling, we were trying to share a bunch of little bites but ended up getting one each of these. It's fine as a stand alone mini breakfast! Frittata: pastured eggs, assorted vegetables, caramelized onions. WAY too good! we all love this one. Herb-Dijon Biscuit: Excellent savory biscuit, you can taste the high quality butter used. read more

See all

Dropped in yesterday for breakfast for the first time in 8 years or so! Had a quick little girls morning and arrived about 9:15am, and there wasn't a line and there was plenty of seating. We grabbed two stools by the window and had a wonderful, easy morning at Standard Fare-- a beloved Berkeley favorite. I got the seasonal olive oil cake which was strawberry and asian pear. It was moist, delicious and went perfectly with my coffee. I always have to have something savory as well, so I also had a veggie frittata and it had so much flavor! Those caramelized onions and were *chefs kiss. It's a small and cozy setting, so it's not the best for large parties, although they have some outdoor seating which is probably better for groups of 5 or more. I love the openness of the kitchen and the overall vibes of the kitchen preparing your food. Docked a star for service. I don't think the woman who took our order smiled once. She wasn't welcoming-- just took our order and handed us our number. The female barista and another female server/expo that was very friendly, but the lady who took our order left a sour taste in my mouth. You're the first person to greet your guests... I would love to try out their dinner sometime! read more

See all

The long weekend line of people always held me back from going, while also signaling that this place is well loved. I'm glad to finally stop in! I only had a small bite for breakfast - everything was seasoned well, from the egg, homemade jam and biscuits were yummy. Coffee was pretty good too. I loved the outdoor seating area and the ambience overall is great. I'm excited to try more things on the menu in the future! read more

See all

Excellent brunch spot in Berkeley. Kind service and a nice friendly vibe. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The cheesy scrambled eggs with house made fennel sausage was really good. The white beans were very soft and flavorful with the green sauce and the arugula pairing. The bread was crunchy and toasted perfectly. The oatmeal with pluot jam, marscapone, and candied walnuts was delicious and not too sweet with just the right level of creaminess and crunch. I didn't get a shot of permission pudding we ordered because it was scarfed down too fast but the Cara Cara orange olive oil cake was very flavorful and bitter but very umami and different. My cold brew coffee with oat milk was great and I didn't need sugar. Great brunch date spot and I saw lots of kids! Very kid and baby friendly! read more

See all

Stopped by this morning after my gf was raving about their biscuits. And she said it's closing down. I'm not sure if it is. Anyways I ordered a regular biscuit and the person at the register gave me a cheddar biscuit which was absolutely nasty. When I asked my friend she said "you were supposed to get just a regular biscuit". The woman at the register said she was new and in training. Not sure why because she said they are closing so confusing. I will not be going back. read more

Love the life that this spot has. Arrived minutes after opening and there were already a few people eating. The options satisfy both savory and the sweet cravings but I chose sweet this morning. The baby biscuits were perfectly flaky and light. The olive oil cake was amazingly moist and the hint of sweet just made it so easy to devour. I also got a mocha which was not at all sweet so it made for a perfect breakfast. The folks behind the counter were super friendly, which added to the experience in a positive way. I would eat here all the time if I could afford it. Definitely a great special treat spot. read more

Standard Fare - Baby biscuits with butter and jam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I recently found myself in West Berkeley with about thirty minutes to burn. When I realized how close Standard Fare was, I headed right in its direction. I've been to this lovely cafe many times, but hadn't visited in years. Upon arrival the baby biscuits called to me so I ordered those and a cup of Genmaicha. My daughter preferred her baby biscuit plain and I enjoyed mine with butter and jam. Is there anything more satisfying than a mini buttermilk biscuit? From baked goods to soup, salad, and sandwiches, you can't go wrong at Standard Fare. I'm looking forward to returning for dinner soon. read more

I came here for breakfast and was somewhat disappointed by their menu given the hype. I tried the frittata, which while tasty seemed like the only heartier gluten free option available. Pros: - cute seating - friendly service - decent prices - tasty food Cons: - small menu primarily made of baked goods (not gf) I think if I were to return it would be primarily for drinks and hanging out. Which, for that, it could be a cute spot for me! read more

Did take out Saturday brunch here over the weekend. Ordered the "Sourdough Waffle with Brown Butter Apple Compote" topped with a fried egg ($14.50) and the "Mushroom, Leeks, and Ricotta Toast" ($15.50) The staff member taking my order was very friendly. Total bill was $38.04 with tax and tip. I enjoyed the farmhouse meets industrial aesthetic of the restaurant and the ample outdoor seating options. It was a busy Saturday brunch rush and the atmosphere felt lively and jovial. The sourdough waffle is a fun, flavorful dish with a crispy texture. It pairs well with an egg, and the runny yolk adds a savory touch. The combination of sweet, savory, and a slight sourness from the sourdough is delicious. The apple compote is sweet enough that you can go light on the syrup. I recommend dipping the syrup to control sweetness and keep the waffle crispy. 5/5 stars. I'd definitely get this again. The ricotta toast was a bit over salted, and the mild ricotta and mushrooms were overwhelmed by the grassy flavors from the larger quantity of asparagus and leeks. The dish needs better balance, but a squeeze of the included lemon wedge did help to tone down the grassiness and brighten the flavor, though still made it difficult to taste the mushrooms and ricotta. 3.5/5 stars. I'm not likely to order it again. It was a nice experience overall! I would visit again. read more

Standard Fare - Mushroom, Leeks, and Ricotta Toast ($15.50) Was alright. Flavors need to be better balanced. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

My wife and I just had one of the most disappointing meals we've had in years at Standard Fare in Emeryville. We're both seniors, and we left feeling unwelcome, hungry, and completely taken advantage of. We arrived to a half-empty restaurant with at least four open tables. The hostess told us we couldn't be seated because we didn't have a reservation, even though no one ever filled those empty tables. Instead, we were put on uncomfortable metal stools at the corner of the room with facing away from the dining area. Not exactly "hospitality." We were told to order at the register immediately. No menus at the table, no server, no care. The food was shockingly skimpy: * A $17 "Snack Plate" with 5 olives, 3 tiny cheese slices, 3 see-through crackers, and a spoon of peperonata. Not enough for one person, let alone two. * Two salads -- just fluffed-up lettuce, and nothing else. * "Braised pork shoulder" ($31) was one small slice, mostly fat, almost no meat, no seasoning. I had to add salt and pepper just to taste anything. We paid $75 for this. No drinks. No dessert. No service. No comfort. Just a cold, dismissive experience and a few bites of overpriced food. Honestly, we wouldn't serve guests, even people we didn't know well, a meal like this. It felt like style over substance, and we left feeling abused, embarrassed, and angry. Never again! read more

This is my go-to spot for lunch on weekdays as I work close by. My workplace has a cafeteria but I always prefer coming here instead as the food is much better. They have a limited menu but it changes daily - usually one or two consistent dishes, two sandwich options, and a special dish. Everything is fresh, delicious, and healthy as well. That and the workers are very friendly. It can get crowded during lunch hours but I've never had trouble finding seating. Parking is also an issue but I always just walk here from my workplace. read more

Do go here, do enjoy the sweets and the savory foods. The service is helpful, the ambiance is perfect for a brunch after a boozy night out. I'd highly recommend this spot. read more

Standard Fare - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

To quote a fellow Yelper, "coldest, thinnest breakfast biscuit I've ever had." I'm not mad at the product's flavor or quality. Someone there obviously knows how to cook well. I have an issue with the P&P, price, and portion. You could only get away with this tiny portion in Berkeley, home of the shi-shi food. I felt like I was on a Top Chef quick-fire challenge. I can see why people love this place. It's on a quiet street in Berkeley, with lots of sunlight through its oversized windows. Also, it's prone to long lines, another common trait of Berkeley-ites; they love to wait in long lines. I don't know if I will have another meal here, but I would like to grab my laptop and chill by one of those giant windows while I sip my $7 Mocha and nibble on some $8 pastry. BB read more

I just stumbled upon this restaurant a couple weeks ago and I'm so glad I did. The staff have always been welcoming and friendly. The restaurant is cute and classy. I love that there is plenty of outdoor seating as well. The first time I came they had Monterey Bay Squid with Beans and it was sooo flavorful. I enjoyed it so much. I've also tried the biscuit sandwhich and that was yummy. I enjoyed the flaky biscuit. I came back to try the new dinner menu this week and I got the trout and beet salad. All the flavors blended so well together. So far I have enjoyed every dish I've had here and I can't wait to come again. read more

See all

Food is incredible, my group got a bunch of different things at dinner so we could try each others food. We all liked everything we had. Love the ambiance of the outdoor seating too. Servers were really nice and friendly. read more

Came here on a whim with a friend and we had two coffees and two frittatas. Waiting in line took about 10-15 minutes not bad for a Saturday. There is seating outside and inside and free street parking. Great for a quick bite. Would come back here again. The egg dish sounded good but it has cheese in it and I'm lactose intolerant. Maybe order it without the cheese. read more

See all

I have been to Standard Fare three times - twice for dinner and once for lunch. Overall, the food here is OK. I cook a lot at home and host friends often, so I have not found their dishes to be anything special. And after the last experience, I would not go back. Why the one star? When you walk in, the greeting is instantly restrictive instead of welcoming. Wait at the counter with your group, order at the counter, sit down. Ask questions about the food? Good luck and cross your fingers they will be friendly. The last time we went for dinner, there were around a dozen people standing in the entryway while the restaurant was emtpy. It felt more like a coffee shop that offers food than a cafe. This is not a fine dining restaurant. It's weird. The size of the portions is incredibly small. I do not mind paying $30+ for an entree, as long as I know it will be outstanding. My partner and I both had one entree and shared a small bite/appetizer. The pickles were good, but between 2 people, gone in seconds. The lamb I had for an entree was a tiny medallion, around 4 bites, with a small helping of brown rice and sauteed greens. It was like a child's portion. The fish entree my partner had was the same. We were finished in less than 10 minutes, and that was stretching it. No dessert for both of us. We don't do gluten/dairy, and all the desserts had one or both. Not a big deal. Plus, we just wanted to get home to eat. We left hungry. The space is charming, and I want to like Standard Fare. But the overall experience feels pared back to the point of discomfort, and the tone comes across as unapologetic and somewhat dismissive. It is difficult to relax or enjoy a meal in an environment that feels this controlled and minimal. read more

Best oatmeal I've ever had. Make sure to get all the toppings. Such nice employees and chefs. So kind and really great service. Thanks for answering all my questions! Everything is so fresh and made to order! Cute place. read more

Loved our Saturday casual brunch here. Limited seating inside but there's outdoor tables and also a nice long bench with cushions so even with a long line to order we had no problem finding seats outside. I got the daily special cheesy scrambled eggs with the sausage. Husband got the ricotta toast which looked good. Food is on the pricey side but everything was tasty. Definitely want to check out dinner sometime and some desserts read more

See all

We've loved Standard Fare's breakfast/lunch offerings for years, and finally came for dinner. They exceeded our high expectations! Staff were friendly and attentive (especially in light of the initial counter ordering step, which makes sense given the layout). Good portion size, exceptional food. Proteins were perfectly cooked, vegetables elevated. Don't sleep on dessert - the olive oil cake dish had a ridiculously good caramel component. read more

Easily the best and underappreciated restaurant in Berkeley. Standard Fare is anything but standard, serving up organic, homemade dishes like fried chicken, creative salads, and sandwiches on freshly baked ciabatta. The desserts are equally as gorgeous and tempting -- like TCHO-chocolate brownies, roasted strawberry and nectarine olive oil cake, and peach cornmeal upside down cake with cream cheese frosting. (Told you.) It is nearly impossible NOT to get dessert along with your sandwich. Service is always prompt and polite. It is a small but sunny venue; There is limited seating inside, and a few tables on their outdoor patio, which is graciously shaded, and thus popular. Fair warning: if you don't arrive by noon on weekdays, there is typically a (well-deserved!) line! But it usually moves decently fast. read more

See all

Fun and lively casual weekend brunch spot, even on a rainy day! Came here for Saturday brunch with my dog. It was very lively and the place is on the smaller side. The staff was very friendly. We ordered an oat latte, the pink trout toast, and the buttermilk biscuit sandwich with sausage. The standout was definitely the trout toast!! The food came out super fast for how busy the restaurant was, and I'm a sucker for good latte art! You order your food at the counter and food is brought out to you, but you have to wait for the drinks indoor by the barista which was confusing. The cashier forgot to give the barista my drink order which added to the confusion. They were very nice and apologetic about it, though. The outdoor patio is very dog friendly and they set out a water bowl for the pups. They also had a basket of blankets to use while dining since it was so cold. Some of the outdoor tables and stools are close in height so it was a bit uncomfortable. For folks with allergies, quite a few of the menu items contain nuts. Their menu could be more explicit about potential allergens. We had only realized after we had gotten our food and needed to flag down a staff to inquire. read more

Standard Fare - Pink Trout Toast and Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich with Sausage - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Came here with a friend for Saturday brunch! Was recommended this place by my friend who said the food was farm to table. The staff were all very nice. You seat yourself. However, there aren't many indoor seating options but there is more outdoor seating available. Poached Eggs with sausage 8/10 We both ordered the poached egg with sausage and it was very good! The overall meal itself felt healthy and the quality of the food itself was good. I really enjoyed the corn along with the poached eggs. One plate came out to $25 which to me is a bit expensive but I would still recommend trying this once and then maybe going with some of the other options they have. Overall, I would say if you're looking for a new brunch place to try, give this place a shot! Am looking forward to hopefully trying some of their other entrees and drinks! read more

Standard Fare - Poached egg - A breakfast plate includes two poached eggs garnished with herbs, two sausage links, a slice of toasted bread with melted butter, a side of fresh arugula salad, and roasted cherry tomatoes. The dish is served on a white ceramic plate on a light wooden table. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

All of the above and more. Fantastic place. Foods are yummy. Great service. Fun place to be. read more

I took my sister there for lunch and she couldn't stop raving. The food is fresh and delicious! Despite the long line and cramped tables it was a delight. Also appreciate the menu with explicit labels for gluten free folks! read more

Beautiful rainy day adventure. The ambience in this restaurant is really lifted with the lush lights through all the windows!! The sourdough waffle provided a trail of texture although the aftertaste was sharper than i expected. my friend got the cheesy eggs which were full of bouncy flavor. I wish the menu were a bit more fun though. read more

Standard Fare - cheesy eggs + sourdough waffle - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I live in the neighborhood and had some extra time in my day for lunch out. I love to support the local businesses in SW Berkely so I stopped into Standard Fare for a light lunch. I ordered and settled into a bar counter to do a little work while I waited for my lunch. Most people I know when dining alone do a little work in the middle of a work day as I do. I was shocked that I was told by the server that the restaurant did not allow for laptops in their shop during lunch hours. Did I miss something, is this a fine dining restaurant at 7pm? Needles to say I was offended, asked for a refund and left, and I will not return. It's unfortunate that the owners don't support single diners keeping busy in the middle of the work day. Hopefully you'll learn from your mistakes and not lose more customers in the neighborhood. read more

I love the Standard Fare! Carefully selected fresh ingredients, delicately prepared dishes are just amazing. read more

This place is BAD. We got the sourdough waffle and it's so savory and so thin. The waffle is definitely not a sourdough waffle. We got the biscuit sandwich and it's freezing cold and the biscuit is terrible. Do not waste your money. It's all aesthetic. Not taste at all. read more

Standard Fare - Cold biscuit sandwich which is terrible and sad waffles. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Excellent Berkeley brunch place - reminds of Cafe Fanny (now closed). Probably by people who worked there. Cool shared table setting had no issues getting a spot on a Saturday morning. read more

Standard Fare - A ceramic mug containing a frothy coffee beverage is placed on a wooden table. The foam on top is bubbly and creamy. In the background, two glasses of water are visible, along with a napkin and utensils on the left side of the image. The setting appears to be a casual dining or café environment. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Healthy & whole foods that taste great. Feels very farm to table. Love the outdoor seating vibes and while you're at it, grab a matcha drink or mochi donut next door at third culture. Delicious coffee here too! Food is on the pricier side, probably wouldn't come back frequently but good to try for the experience Remember to check for their hours of operations & the menus online (breakfast/lunch/Saturday brunch) read more

See all

We went there for dinner a few weeks ago and as soon as we walked in the door the cashier asked us what we wanted to eat and asked us to pay. I said we would like to sit down and look at the menu. She said they don't do that but finally relented when I told her I was in pain from sciatica. We don't remember what we ate, but it wasn't anything special. "Standard Fare" says it all. We decided not to return. read more

Came for their pastries and found they also do brunch! Maybe next time. I bought these pasties on the pic. The lemon cake was dense and too sweet for me. Loved the bran muffin and toffee glazed covered walnut bread! The brownie was good too, not too sweet. They mentioned they switch up their pastries depending on the season. I'd come back for their brunch, and take home a pastry! read more

Standard Fare - Pastries! All super yummy! Couldn't decide on one, so I got a few :) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I could write a love note to Standard Fare. This is my favorite place to bring friends and family. It's giving "California Casual" vibes - you get the california style of "farm to table" quality but you're doing it in a more casual setting (order at the counter and pay there before you find your seat). This place is always bustling for good reasons! Their weekday and weekend menu are different but they also change up the menu items for each (and i think it depends on what produce they receive for the week?). Anyways, there has not been a single item on here that I don't like. The food comes pretty fast considering the demand and size of their staff. I've also noticed that it's heavily female driven which is a nice add. Random: get the chai! It's so good and homemade read more

I like that there were plenty of seats inside, and an available outlet. I made the mistake of ordering the "vegetarian" frittata, not knowing that they refuse to heat it up (?). I asked the cashier what was in the frittata before seeing the tiny sign describing the ingredients, and the eye roll and disdain in her face was a bit much. She responded by pushing the tiny sign forward and basically said you can read the ingredients, yourself. That should have been enough of a sign to walkout, but I unfortunately dissociate with shock when faced with rude people. Like, who died? The frittata, itself, had lots of flavor, but I swear there was some sort of fish mixed in. Cold, fishy "vegetarian" frittata and the hostility of the cashier made the entire experience quite unpleasant. read more

Standard Fare - Cold frittata - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been meaning to try out this place with my ex neighbor's recommendation and it did not disappoint. The food is absolutely delicious. The black bean soup had a vibrant flavor with comfort overtone. The crispy fish was fried with light Japanese style tempura to complement the flavor of fresh fish. No wonder this place has a line starting at 11:40 a.m. for lunch! The chicken sandwich was solid but I prefer the bread to have a bit more structure to hold the content in the middle. Love the pickled vegetables on the side - bought a couple of mason jars of sauerkraut and carrots to take home as well. I would categorize it almost as cafe panisse brasserie casual. The best of California farm-to-table cuisine. The founder/owner Kelsey was super friendly and very helpful and understanding with my mom who has late stage Alzheimer's to help to get us situated at a table. The pastries were excellent as well - rich on flavor but lower in sugar. Whoever lives in the vicinity is very lucky! This place is either to go or Al Fresco dining outside. Come earlier to avoid the line for lunch. read more

See all

After grabbing coffee, I stopped here for a quick bite in the morning and was pleasantly surprised. There is limited indoor seating at the restaurant, but there is a lot of outdoor seating that is perfect to enjoy your food at on a nice day out. I ordered the roasted chicken sandwich and the portion was amazing for the price. The sandwich itself was really good although I wish it had more chicken in it to balance out the amount of produce in the sandwich. The bread definitely pulled the whole sandwich together. I am looking forward to coming back and trying more things on the menu! read more

Standard Fare - Roasted Chicken Sandwich (Full Size) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California