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    The Hidden Cafe

    4.6 (300 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

    The Hidden Cafe Photos

    THE HIDDEN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Hidden Cafe

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    Strawberry milk and matcha
    Liliana H.

    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.

    Perfect place to read.
    Sagruilla P.

    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.

    Lil B.

    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).

    Kokuto Latte and Magic Purple Square
    Jacqueline Z.

    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!

    The Hidden Cafe's little patio facing a greenspace, just a short stroll north of Strawberry Creek
    Rich S.

    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.

    Interior
    Jessica T.

    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!

    Hojicha latte and americano
    Tasha H.

    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.

    Keita S.

    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.

    Menu
    Emily X.

    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.

    Ordering Area
    Megan J.

    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.

    Matcha latte, magic purple square, latte
    Joanne L.

    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 :)

    Menu as of 2/25/25
    Jeremy D.

    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.

    The outdoor space
    Sebrina S.

    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.

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food. Great place. Great coffee. Great people. We had the matcha and iced coffee.

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing espresso! A bit sweet and creamy as heck . Also the crowd is diverse and the surrounding park is pleasant

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Cute cafe next to a little park! Their coffee is good, and I also really enjoy their pastries. A nice place for a mid-day treat!

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    3 years ago

    The cafe is located in a hidden cute park that is perfect for a weekend picnic under the sun. The drinks are great! Highly recommend!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Fantastic coffee shop with amazing baked goods. Their non-coffee drinks are also some of the best.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    A lovely little cafe with some excellent food! I went on a Sunday and got the house chai latte with oat milk which was outstanding.

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    The people who own this place and all who work here are very friendly and helpful. This is a charming place -- a hidden gem!

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love this place. Really great to bring your dog. Tacos, kale salad, soups all very delicious and very reasonably priced

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    My favorite park/cafe in Berkeley. If you come on the weekend the egg McMuffin is outstanding.

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    7 years ago

    Such a lovely hidden gem The food, people and environment are just amazing. A perfect little place to relax with friends

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    4 years ago

    I love to visit place with my dog. The coffees are great as well. Number one place to go when I come Berkeley!

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    6 years ago

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    Page 7 of 8

    The Hidden Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hidden Cafe

    Is it spacious inside? Looking for a good place to study.

    The cafe itself is very small inside, but there are some extra tables/seating areas outside the cafe. I personally prefer to be inside where I have access to a full size table and outlets, so I wouldn't recommend as a study spot.

    What's parking like?

    Street parking nearby, you might find better luck off Allston way & walk through Strawberry creek park to get there :)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    (159 reviews)
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    Staff were friendly, very knowledgeable, and helpful. I ordered a mocha and later a red tea and…read morethey were both excellent. Definitely coming back! Baristas explained that they are up for trying different and sometimes unusual combinations for their customers. I wasn't adventurous this time, but it made me want to explore in the future. I came here to work, hoping for a relatively warm and cozy spot that wasn't too sleepy. I was not disappointed. The wifi was good, music was fun and unobtrusive. Decorations and layout gave a friendly, welcoming environment. Not only were the benches and padded chairs comfy, the ambiance was kept even in the bathroom. Spacious, warm lighting, cute bathroom with a great mirror and cool sink. I don't ever ding places for hospital-looking bathrooms (you know, fluorescent lights, questionable floors, sand paper toilet paper...) but this was one of the few where I was impressed. Good to know: Jaffa cakes are only available on the weekend Parking: Some of the streets nearby are resident-only parking so make sure to double check!

    We were greeted by the loveliest person when we walked in. He was helping someone in front of us…read morewho seemed like a lot, kept interrupting those around her after she ordered but the person running the front was patient and kind. I ordered a cortado which was good while the hubby ordered the orange latter. We were told ordering it iced makes it a tad sweeter and that was correct advice. The latte was sweet but still delicious. I'd probably order it hot next time. It's a large space with merchandise, beans, and accessories for sale. They've also got a good sized menu for coffee and tea drinkers alike.

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    Roast & Toast Cafe

    Roast & Toast Cafe

    4.7
    (134 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Perfect brunch place for a group, many menu options and seats! My party got a caramel macchiato,…read morehot chocolate, green tea and a chai latte, all turned out great. Everyone loved what they got, croissant sandwich, egg/avocado toast, bagel sandwich (pictured). So nice to see they have gluten-free toast available! Service was quick especially for the amount we ordered. Everyone was nice, especially the worker that hand scooped our Booza icecream at the end. Didn't even get a picture because we were too excited to try it!

    I've become a regular at Roasted and Toasted because it's a great place to grab a coffee, get some…read morework done, or just relax. They have plenty of seating, and one of the biggest advantages is their excellent Wi-Fi speed, which makes it a reliable spot for remote work or studying. The atmosphere is enjoyable as well. There's usually music playing or a sports game on the TV, creating a comfortable, laid-back environment without being distracting. Their food selection is also better than you'd expect from a coffee shop. In addition to coffee and pastries, they offer cakes, breakfast items, and a variety of other snacks and treats, so there's always something to pair with your drink. Their hours are convenient, making it easy to stop by throughout the day. The only area where I think there's room for improvement is cleanliness. I've noticed on several occasions that when I arrive shortly after opening--sometimes within 30 minutes to an hour--there are still crumbs on the chairs, tables, and floor, even when there haven't been many customers yet. First impressions matter, and the café should be fully cleaned and ready for guests before the doors open. Customers shouldn't have to wipe down their own tables before sitting. Overall, I really enjoy coming here and would absolutely recommend it for the atmosphere, Wi-Fi, seating, and food options. With a little more attention to cleanliness before opening each day, it would be an even better experience.

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    The Hidden Cafe - coffee - Updated July 2026

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