Nice cafe in a great location. Friendly staff. Many vegan options. Since it borders park, very kid friendly. Parking can be a challenge. Overall, recommend! read more

Hello, my fellow café junkies. I LOVE little cafés. I will happily spend my hard-earned money on an overpriced chai latte while sitting somewhere cute pretending I have my life together. So when I say I'm definitely not coming back here, just know it pains my café-loving heart. First, let me give credit where credit is due: the atmosphere is GREAT. Super cute. Super cool. Great little hidden spot. The service, however? SucKs--with a capital K. ‍ Here's how my first--and probably last--visit went: 1. We ordered THREE chai lattes: two hot chai lattes and one iced chai latte with oat milk. Pretty straightforward. Nobody was ordering a 14-step potion from Hogwarts. 2. We received only two drinks. So, channeling my inner Karen from Boyle Heights, I politely went back and said, "Excuse me, we ordered THREE chai lattes." 3. They told me they hadn't charged me for the third drink. Okay! No problem. I work my ass off. I don't mind spending money. Charge me, hermana. Let's get this chai flowing. 4. I took a sip of my supposedly hot chai latte and immediately my taste buds sounded the emergency alarm: NOPE. THAT'S COFFEE. 5. I looked at my husband suspiciously and asked, "Is yours chai or coffee?" He took his first sip and said, "This is coffee." At this point, the chai lattes had apparently entered the Witness Protection Program because nobody could find them. 6. I went back. To their credit, they were perfectly willing to remake the drinks. Thank you! And when we finally received the two hot chai lattes, they were actually GOOD. Crisis temporarily averted. 7. THEN I looked over at my friend holding the supposedly iced chai latte with oat milk and thought, Wait a minute... "Taste yours." He takes a sip. "This is coffee." GIRL. THREE chai lattes ordered. THREE chai lattes misunderstood. At that point, I wasn't ordering beverages anymore. I was participating in a listening-comprehension assessment. ‍ The person taking our order seemed rushed, distracted, and all over the place. And listen--mistakes happen. I teach for a living. I have patience. But when every single drink in one order is wrong, we've moved beyond "oops" and entered performance art. No manchen--venimos a gastar, no a pendejear. ‍ So here's my recommendation: If you're particular about actually receiving the beverage you ordered, you may want to try another café. Or, if this place has an app, USE THE APP. Let technology translate "chai latte" into "chai latte" because apparently the spoken version is giving everybody trouble. Better yet, buy your drinks somewhere else and bring them here. Then you can enjoy the cute atmosphere without participating in Chai Latte Roulette: Will It Be Chai? Will It Be Coffee? Nobody Knows! The place is called Hidden Café, and after today's experience... I can see why it's hidden. Cute environment? Absolutely. Would I trust them with another three-chai-latte mission? Esta mamona la cosa. Hard pass. ‍ Come for the atmosphere. Bring your own drink. And may the odds of receiving what you ordered be ever in your favor. Signed, A recovering Chicana Karen from Boyle Heights who just wanted her damn chai. read more

This cafe is hidden! Almost turned around because we couldn't find it, but no worry, just keep walking around the building where the big open field is and you'll see it! Once we found it, we really enjoyed the vibe! It's a cute, cozy little spot with a relaxed atmosphere, and the surrounding open space makes it feel really peaceful. It's definitely a nice place to sit and enjoy your food without feeling rushed. The food was really good and everything tasted fresh. We enjoyed what we ordered and thought it was a great little spot for breakfast/brunch. The staff was also friendly and welcoming, and the service was good. Food: Carrot cake is not too sweet, has seeds & minimal berries. If you're looking for something sweeter, this might not be for you! The mozzarella basil scone was very tasty! More savory & very soft Overall, I'm glad we didn't give up looking for it because it ended up being a really cute hidden gem in Berkeley! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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Overall amazing park ambiance and great service! Really enjoyed the space inside and the park area. Strawberry flavor tasted very fresh not artificial with the milk. Matcha could've been sweeter for my taste but it was good. Less one star because no bathrooms indoors. The ports potties closed and had to go to the park bathrooms and they were traumatizingly dirty. Not the cafes fault but know that it's limited options. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Strawberry milk and matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place was nice. I love the large park/field in front of the café. There's plenty of space to enjoy. My husband got a turmeric latte and loved it. I ordered an americano and it was really good. We also ordered 2 cookies, one oatmeal and one chocolate and they were perfect. I loved the vibe inside and the staff was super friendly. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The Hidden Cafe is the perfect spot to grab coffee and a snack and study, meet up with friends, take your dog out, make art, chill etc! Pretty much any scenario fits this cafe. The food is not only delicious but also there are many vegan and gluten free options. Local restaurants often host pop ups here as well. The service is friendly and fast. Inside looks like a home library in a fairy forest and outside is a majestic park with a creek the drip offer before 12 is like 3-4 dollars, which let's be honest where can you really find that in the bay anymore? Every drink I've had here is made to perfection as well. A local favorite read more

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Unfortunately they didn't have bagels like we had read online as we wanted a hearty meal before a hike, so got pastries instead. I got the rainbow cookie which is vegan and gluten free. It has three layers under a chocolate top: pistachio, marzipan, and raspberry. I really liked and recommend it. It was a tiny square for $4, but probably for the best given it is a sweet treat. My partner got the banana bread and said the taste was good but the texture as gluten free made it crumbly. He gave it a 7/10. Overall, given the equal selection of vegan to nonvegan baked goods, I would come back. There is indoor and outdoor seating. read more

My friend and I stopped in and ordered a hot matcha latte and a cappuccino and both drinks were honestly spot-on. Everything tasted creamy, smooth, and most importantly not overly sweet. The matcha had a clean, mellow flavor and the cappuccino had that perfect balanced richness. What really elevates this place is the location. It sits right next to a large park, and the whole area has such a vibrant, feel-good energy. People were lounging outside, sipping coffee, and just soaking in the day, it made the whole visit feel extra cozy and lively at the same time. Inside the café has a serious charm. There's a massive bookshelf filled with books (huge bonus points for including kids' storybooks too), which gives the space a warm, community feel. Service was quick and efficient even though the place was buzzing. Fair warning: it's clearly a favorite among students but somehow it still works with the vibe rather than against it. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What an amazing little coffee shop and bakery. Love the carrot cake and lemon tart. Nice to sit outside by the creek and unwind for a few minutes with the phone turned off. read more

Dreamy cute café with books, shells, old curios, and dried flower as decoration. I was able to get seating on a stool looking out the window at the park. It was a rainy day and quite the vibe. The 5 stars are all for the decor. There is also outdoor seating and the entire park when the weather is nice. My coffee drink was good and reasonably priced for the era and area. I ordered a lemon bar which looked fabulous with thin slices of lemon. The lemon curd top was tart and tasty, though the high price and crust were a little disappointing. I would not order it again. Ordered drinks can be served at the to-go window or inside. Keep an ear out and an eye on your drink order, as the park access makes it easy for drinks to walk away. Do note there is limited indoor seating, and it is tight to navigate. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Perfect place to read. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I needed to be in Berkeley for an event in the evening, so I decided to come up and work from this cafe earlier in the day. I chose this spot since it was further from campus and figured it'd be easier to snag a seat. There were a few seats open when I arrived on a Thursday around 2:30 PM. The wi-fi is also good (I had to take an impromptu Zoom meeting and didn't have any issues). I decided to order the Kokuto Latte, which was delicious and not overwhelmingly sweet. I also got a Magic Purple Square, which contains ube and coconut, but it was quite dry and not really my preferred pastry. The aesthetics of this cafe is nice and it's located next to a park, so there's plenty of outdoor space. I would come again next time I'm looking for a cafe in Berkeley! read more

The Hidden Cafe - Kokuto Latte and Magic Purple Square - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The Hidden Cafe hides on the park-side of a grey-siding and red-brick building a block south of University Ave. The line can get long, but there was no line at noon on a Tuesday (Oct 2025). They have a small tasty selection of baked goods that changes frequently, often including great coffee cake and sticky buns, creative bars and brownies, and some savories including savory scones. On the weekends they host guest chefs! We had their delicious coffee, and chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies. We love their fresh baked goods and the well-made coffee with the right grind and right amount of extraction, for a non-acid non-sour non-bitter brew. We had our first "dirty" chai, tea with espresso. It's a good / interesting flavor. I'm more a coffee person :-) They have handful of outdoor tables for around 12, and a bright homey indoors with seating for around 16. We had a sweet relaxed time watching people picnic and play in the greenspace out front. Then we took a short stroll south past a cute bubbling creek to the fun playground at Strawberry Creek Park. The Hidden Cafe is a quiet treasure with plenty of free street-parking. read more

The Hidden Cafe - The Hidden Cafe's little patio facing a greenspace, just a short stroll north of Strawberry Creek - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Small and very popular cafe especially on a sunny weekend. BTW no restroom here but walk further into the park and two public restrooms are available. Enjoyed a Paloma and a cookie. Definitely limited seating inside but bring a blanket or some folding chairs for Strawberry Creek park right outside (the grass/ ground was damp). read more

The Hidden Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This coffee shop looks like something out of a Studio Ghibli film. It's so quaint and adorable and it's definitely someplace I'd love to curl up with a good book! I visited on a weekend and there were many families and people walking dogs in the little park area right outside. Only downside is that it gets very crowded and there are limited seats available, so we had to take our drinks to-go. Would come back again! read more

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Super cute cafe with outdoor and indoor seating and a park with lots of doggies running around. They do have a bathroom but you need a key and it's on the other side of the building. Cheddar scone - moist and flavorful Choc chip cookie - a stunner. Crisp edges and chewy center; this is amazing. Hojicha latte - not a ton of flavor, would not order again. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Hojicha latte and americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

First sunny day in over a week, so this little cafe was packed! I love the big grassy area and playground nearby. There are some picnic tables scattered around but I usually bring a big blanket. The cafe offers a mostly drinks menu and it's pretty extensive. I like the chai, London Fog latte and scones. None are amazing but I think everyone comes here for the atmosphere. It's great to picnic, catch up with friends and let your little ones run around. read more

Good coffee. Good vegan pastries. 1. Chocolate cake was coconut forward on the 1st bit and too decadent not to split 3 ways. 2. The carrot cake was even better, and decadent enough to split 2 ways. read more

It's Charming. Coffee is ok buuuut too overpriced for the quality of it. Outdoor area is pretty cool, but not enough places to sit unless you sit on the grassy area. The park is beautiful and makes it worth it to sit on the grass, which adds to the charm. The front of the "cafe" is pretty dirty, because they don't take the garbage out enough. It gets too full of used cups from the customers. Service is ok, you'll probably get a holier than thou clerk or Barista that lacks patience or is frustrated due to lack of good management or work hours. It's still a good experience even with the Cons. read more

This place is so cute! I love how this place is tucked away in a brick building next to the park. The vibes here are immaculate. I came here with a couple of friends around 4pm in the afternoon on Sunday. There is small parking lot by the park but when I went it was full so I had to circle around a bit to find street parking. The service was friendly and efficient. You place your order inside and then wait for your order outside where you can pick up your drink from a pickup counter. There were some indoor seating options and I saw some people doing work on laptops inside. I ordered the Kokuto latte and one of my friends got an iced matcha latte. My kokuto latte was smooth and had a pleasant sweetness from the Okinawan brown sugar. I tried some of my friend's iced matcha latte and it tasted average. It was a bit clumpy and the matcha taste was present but not too strong. The highlight is definitely the cafe's proximity to the huge green space from the park. My friends and I sat down on grass and soaked up the sun. It was a perfect way to end an afternoon out. read more

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It's so dang cute. Inside and outside. The drinks are good, yep, but the ambiance? Stellar.

The Hidden Cafe was highly recommend by my cousin. It is located directly in front of a large grassy park area-- appropriate for hanging out and picnicking. The cafe is cute and I love the layout of it. The service was decent, nothing spectacular. The ordering process was short and there was very minimal interaction. I was really craving matcha so I stopped by and got the iced matcha. Trust me when I say to skip the matcha.. a sifter isn't used for the matcha powder, the matcha powder doesn't get frothed.. therefore you get clumps and an inconsistent matcha. I would give The Hidden Cafe a try again in the future because of the atmosphere, but I'd most definitely try something else. read more

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Who would love a coffee place away from the insanity of the city, the cars, the noise, other stuff (use your imagination) and to top it off along side a nice grassy park. You can not drive here and park next to it. Big plus. Park on Addison and walk south just east of Bonar or the dead end on Alston and head north. As stated, this place is away from city life in the the middle of city life. You just need to walk away. The coffee is great as are the pastries and cookies and my favorite the quiche. Limited indoor seating around a huge shared table, side seating and counter seating facing the park. The draw is the outsise tables, the benches and the grass. Pro tip.... Bring a blanket for the grass, it might be wet. In the morning lots of parents with kids and a few dogs. Speaking of kids. Not one kid was propped up at a table or in a stroller with a phone or tablet playing mindless crap to keep them occupied. Closed Mondays. read more

I have completely forgotten about the magic here.... The vibe here is right, the creek flanking it, a studio next door---- Could be any great, perfect cafe in Europe or one in the Pac NW, for that matter. It's warm and sunny; all tables are full. What a wonder to have at my fingertips! read more

This cafe is tucked away right next to a small cute park, perfect for an afternoon outdoors! The cafe itself has limited seating inside and a few small tables outside. It has a cozy atmosphere lined with books everywhere. The drinks were great and I liked the latte art on both of them! The matcha flavor was strong and not overpowered by the milk at all, and the drink wasn't too sweet which I appreciated. The magic purple square is an ube bar filled with nuts and topped with coconut. This was also yummy- not overly sweet and an awesome pick-me-up for the day. The staff here are nice and gave good recs for what to order :) read more

The Hidden Cafe - Matcha latte, magic purple square, latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Such a cute literal hidden cafe. The GPS took us to the other side of the street and we definitely wondered how "hidden" this cafe could possibly be. Nice place to meet up with friends with kids or dogs. There is a huge grass field area. There is also a mixture of sunny and shady areas. Feel free to bring your blankets. There are a few actual tables outside with a cozy library feel inside. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Menu as of 2/25/25 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Service: It was super busy but I got my drink quickly and the baristas had a nice vibe Location: A great cafe for enjoying the sun and working in a cozy indoor space Drink: I tried their kokuto latte and it was absolutely delicious- it was perfectly sweet yet balanced. read more

The Hidden Cafe - The outdoor space - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love love love this place! It lives up to its name, and if you need a quiet place to study and relax, this is the place for you. The coffee and food is amazing, and the staff were so friendly. read more

Stopped by this morning and had a delicious hojicha latte. Doesn't compare to what I had in HI, but it was still great. Super cute atmosphere and the service is friendly. Looked like a pretty good selection of pastries. I'd be interested to go back with the family and try more items on their menu. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love this place. I come back here mostly for the ambiance and the lawn in front. Their food is pretty great but their drinks are okay! Really sweet staff but because of how busy it is they try to keep the line moving -- very understandable of course. Not too much seating around but ca easily work on the lawn if you bring your own blanket, chair, or table! It ca get loud because families tend to bring their kids out to play! read more

The hidden cafe has a good amount of street parking and is tucked away next to a field where you can enjoy your drink. We opted to walk around since it was a beautiful day. I ordered an iced hojicha latte with soy and it was delicious. Not too milky and not too much ice. The boys all liked their lemonades. I also like that we didn't have lids - less waste! Will be back to try more lattes. read more

I visited this café, which is about a 10-minute walk from my friend's house. It's a stylish café located in a park. The coffee is affordable and delicious! The staff are friendly. I'd definitely love to come back if I have the chance. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

It was chill! Set in a beautiful place. The cake was a great proportion, although a little dry. I also had the cinammon bun and that was much better imo. Also, I was kind of hoping they'd heat up the cinnamon bun but I guess I should've asked. I wish there was more seating! read more

The Hidden Cafe - Chocolate cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food was really good!!! The service was fast and the interior was warm and welcoming, there is also a park just beside the place which has a beautiful stream of water running down and good space to sit. Definitely would recommend to visit the cafe!! read more

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After going to this place for the vibes (incredible) many times, I have finally found a drink that I enjoy!!! The latest time I ordered their London Fog Latte made hot and thoroughly enjoyed it. This was after previous attempts with their Matcha, Chai, and Hojicha that left me a bit disappointed. I'm glad I finally found my go-to drink, since I'm bound to always return here for the atmosphere and proximity haha! Pros: - beautiful park and indoor seating - very friendly staff - gluten free/vegan sweet treat options Cons: - often PACKED inside - average to bad food and drinks (mostly) read more

The Hidden Cafe - decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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A cute place tucked into the side. We stopped by for a hojicha latte and it was very lightly flavored. The interior is beautiful with books and dried flowers hanging on the ceiling. read more

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My friend suggested this place for all of us to get coffee at, and it did not disappoint! It's located next to a park where on a Sunday afternoon, many small businesses are selling their products and everyone is relaxing in the park. It was a wonderful ambiance and felt like a friendly neighborhood. There was a line when we arrived, and an even longer line after we ordered. It's a go-to spot for many for sure! My boyfriend ordered the Kokuto Latte (Okinaawan Brown Sugar), and I ordered the Tulsi Latte. They were both warm & delicious, we enjoyed it while chatting with our friends. We also tried the Magic Purple Square. I personally didn't enjoy it because of the texture, but my boyfriend liked it which is good. We didn't wait too long for our drinks, and the workers were very friendly. Will definitely visit again! read more

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Beautiful cafe in central Berkeley! I got their matcha latte and it was very smooth and not too sweet. It wasn't the strongest in matcha flavor but hit the spot in my opinion! There's free wifi at the cafe and stepping inside felt like I was inside the scene of a Ghibli movie. Great spot to catch up with friends, catch up with some work, or just to grab a drink and enjoy the ambiance! read more

The Hidden Cafe - matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I loved this little gem. It was so cottagecore in the legit best way. I ordered a golden latte with oat milk. It was a bit sweet but very good. Next time, I want to try out the pastries because they looked so so good! I only wish there was more room to sit inside. The outdoor seating is cute too though. They also offer free wifi. Great place to catch up with friends. read more

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Calling all real-world friends, Yelp friends, and strangers near and far - The Hidden Cafe truly lives up to its name! When I met up with a friend in Berkeley, we weren't sure where to go for breakfast, but when we both suggested The Hidden Cafe, it became the obvious choice! The Hidden Cafe is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood and has an easygoing, community vibe that made me feel so very relaxed. There is cozy seating inside and a lovely patio space surrounded by greenery outside. Both spaces are the kind I could happily linger in for hours with a book! If I lived locally, I would seriously be here all the time. I ordered a matcha latte and a scone - both were excellent! The matcha was smooth and rich, and the scone was moist, flavorful, and filling. The menu seems to be very fresh and seasonal and there are also vegetarian friendly options. Service was warm and welcoming and I left wishing I could return sooner rather than later! read more

The Hidden Cafe - Matcha Latte & Scone from The Hidden Cafe, Berkeley, California - July 2025 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Pro tip if there's no seating ask the baristas for the folding tables and chairs that are stored in the back! Great people and dog watching spot. Bike racks galore. Great food and service. read more

The Hidden Cafe - Cute front door - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California