Just discovered this place and I'm loving it. Not crowded at all considering it's downtown Berkeley. Tasty coffee, courteous and helpful staff, and everyone here is very relaxed and musically inclined, they even have a grand piano out for folks to play if they get inspired, and I think I may hop on later once I finish my work. They have wifi and natural light, hardwood floors, and the ambiance is kinda what I've always been looking for in Berkeley, I feel like I've found a home away from home. Thank you Jazz Cafe! read more

What a tremendous place for lunch! I give them 4-stars even though I've only personally ordered 1 item on their menu; the "Baked Goat Cheese on Mixed Green" salad. If you are a lover of goat cheese on a salad...it doesn't get any better than this. Twice now I've visited there, each time thinking I'll have some large manly lunch...and I see people raving about this goat cheese salad. So that's what I've had...both times. Two round wheels of goat cheese are presented, lightly encrusted with something (I should have aksed!) and served warm on a cool bed of garden greens. Tremendous flavor! Nice atmosphere and wonderful staff; Kristine is most gracious and makes you feel very much at home. Worth checking out. read more

This place is such a gem! It is very unassuming and a perfect place to rest from the dregs of downtown berkeley. I feel like I'm whisking away into some super cool 1950 beat generation new york basement hangout that was for writers and musician. This is also part of the jazz school so you definitely get the vibe amplified. The coffee is caffeinated, hot, and addictive. The staff is friendly and helpful. They also graciosly let my networking group use the grounds to host our meetings at 6:30 in the AM, which makes me every more proud to support them and let others know about this diamond in the rough. Next time I'm ordering some foods for the belly. read more

No laptops allowed and the owner acted a little rude: "this is not a library" he said and asked me to leave. Go to other place is you want to enjoy a delicious coffee while checking your email. read more

Terrific cafe for lunch in downtown Berkeley! I had a salmon salad which was yummy - tender grilled meat, fresh greens, and interesting dressing. The service was quick and courteous. The atmosphere was cheerful, including live performance by jazz students. read more

One of the best places to have lunch in Berkeley! The man in charge of the counter is super friendly and nice, always offering you a cup of water while you wait for a to-go order! And if you happen to be eating at one of the many tables outside of the cafe area, you'll probably get to hear one of the students of the Jazz School Institute performing/ practicing! Jazz Caffe is a great place to clear your mind of the stresses of the world, to have lunch with a friend you haven't seen in a long time, or because you're craving one of their tasty lunch options! I really enjoyed the special of the day last week. I got a hearty cup of chili, a wicked delicious side of salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, jalapeno corn bread, and some garlic bread! All for $10! I've tried to make my own salad dressing using balsamic vinegar and olive oil, but it only comes out okay...here the combination is simply divine! Today, I ordered the special panini of the day: roast beef with aioli and onions. I didn't know quite what to expect because some places give you real measly pieces of that deli beef counter stuff...but not Jazz Caffe! They were thick juicy cuts of beef, toppped by some melted cheese, jalapenos (not spicy though) and onions on top of some delicious bread. It was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I'd probably rank this sandwich higher than those at Slow. Since Jazz Caffe is on the way to work, I'm probably headed there at least once a week now! If you have trouble finding it look for the menu board placed outside with the specials!!! read more

I was meeting my friend for lunch & we both - without prior conspiring - suggest coming here. I had a little bit of a hard time finding the place & almost missed it. While the actual ordering area was quite small, there are a lot of tables outside & it still stayed fairly quiet despite quite of bit of traffic. Both my friend & I got the Smoked salmon panini with dill, cucumber, & capers. The bread was super toasty & the capers weren't too salty. I also really like the fact that it automatically came with a side salad. In addition to the food being fairly decent, the prices were also very reasonable; the 2 panini & a sparkling soda was just about $20. For a while now, I have been walking by it on and off before work & noticing various specials on the chalk board outside. I wonder when someone else will give me an excuse to go again? read more

This is a nice, laid back pale to hang out while waiting for the theater. Glass of red wine, banana bread, plenty of tables to hang out at. Not at all rushed or crowded. read more

The Jazzcaffè - The service counter - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Simplicity. There is a lot to be said for that ethos, and very few people/companies actually abide by the terms of the simplicity credo. Jazz Caffe is a restaurant that lives up to the simplicity ethos. A simple menu of good and predictable items, all of superior quality, and a small menu of drinks. This simplicity works well in this intersting small location adjacent to the Jazz School. Christina, the proprietress, appears to be a little stern (as I have read in several other reviews) but in fact she is very funny, and has a dry sense of humor. The other employees are efficient and good at their jobs. So simplicity is where it's at for the Jazz Caffe, don't go there expecting more, because this place offers good food and drink at decent prices. Now if only the parking around there could be simpler! read more

Rezzer doesnt own this place .. but dont tell him because he'll be disappointed :-) He does however make the best coffee. This place is tucked away and I only ever noticed it when I worked opposite. Pity since its put the downtown Starbuck's, Tully's et al to shame. I have never had the food there mind you - I think it would be great - but it became too much of a running gag between me and them that I never ate there .. that I can't actually eat there now ... oh well. read more

I work at the Jazzschool which is attached to the Jazz Caffe. I rely on this wonderful cafe for coffee, tea and dinner. I don't usually get any of the cookies or pastries but I can say that the apple, walnut, carrot muffin is amazing! I usually get the chicken caesar salad which I loooove and also the salmon panini with a side salad which I also looooove. Their soups are also very satisfying and delicious. Great, simple, tasty food and coffee in a very hip and musical setting. read more

I like their mochas. Of all the local coffee shops, this one has the gentlest, unburnt coffee.

For the second time now, I had one of the breakfast muffins but later in the afternoon. It was very very dry and crumbly, as though it was about a week old. Can't believe I made the same mistake twice. read more

THIS REVIEW IS FEEDBACK FOR THE OWNER: Sorry to burst your bubble, but I think you need to be made aware of how your staff treated me Saturday, June 8th at around 1PM - 2 Asian women were all that were in your cafe at the time. I had a play at Berkeley Rep and have never been to your cafe. I read the mostly good reviews here and decided to try it. The blackboard sign was out front and I read it since I know you have a very limited menu and offer daily specials. The top special listed was a soup that sounded very good to me - in spite what your staff may tell you, IT WAS NOT CROSSED out or indicating that they were already out of it by 1PM. When I tried to order it, the lady behind the counter, who by the way, barely spoke English to me, said "we out - it is not on sign". I try to be polite, but when someone tells me something that I am 100% certain is not true after having just read the sign, I pointed up to the stairs and told her to go look for herself. She motioned to the other woman who was sitting at the counter looking at her phone, who promptly went up to look. I could not believe it when she came back and said "it is crossed out" - say WHAT?!!!! It is pretty shameful when any business, let along a service business like a restaurant hires staff that will LIE to a new paying customer just to make them look and feel like they are being unreasonable. I should have walked out and would have, except I only had a short time before the play started, so I ordered a panini and asked about wine. The woman that seemed to know little English with a glare on her face literally said "char and savgon"). I did not know what she meant and asked her to repeat and she said the same thing again, only louder with anger. I went and sat down and about 10-15 minutes later she brought my plate out - the sandwich tasted OK, but was COLD in the middle and did not have much crispness like a panini should have. I believe because of the attitude this woman gave me, she DELIBERATELY under toasted the pressed panini to send me a message "DO NOT COME BACK HERE". Well, I can guarantee you that I will NOT be back and in the meantime, I will be making the food review site rounds to let others know! You need to start doing some quality assurance monitoring of you staff if you care about your business! read more

The older man who worked here tonight was rude. If he's not the owner, he should be fired. Despite the fact that other guests left their cups and plates on the table, he told me that I had to return my tea cup. Furthermore, when I asked for the keys to the restroom and he wouldn't reach for the key himself; he told me to walk to the edge of the counter rather than reach for it himself. I told him that it was obvious that was treating me differently from his other customers. He stated that it's because "he was tired". I don't care if he's tired; I paid for my drink and I should be treated like the other customers. You suck. read more

Stumbled across this place recently. I am in love with cappuccinos and this place has one of the best cappuccinos I've had in the Bay Area (so far). It's been a month since I moved to the Bay Area and I'm still searching for the coffee shop of my dreams. A place with great coffee and ideal for working. I keep discovering some good coffee shops with great coffee but stringent rules. As soon as I opened my laptop here the guy kicked me out. He said if I wanted to use my computer I couldn't do it inside the coffee shop. He was treating me like a rabid dog. There was absolutely no one inside the coffee shop. He was not pleasant to me at all. I never went back. I don't understand why people with laptops are treated like a nuisance here. If I spend 5 hours in a coffee shop I leave there having spent almost $30. Much more than one customer who comes in for one cup of coffee and a me read more

I work down the street from this cafe and I love it. They have a different soup every day and it has always been flavorful. There coffee is also delicious. It's kind of hard to find because it's inside a jazz school but it is certainly a hidden gem! read more

The Jazzcaffè - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

The place was relatively empty and very calm on a Monday evening, which is always a nice environment to be in on a Monday evening. Tried the smoked salmon panini, which was okay. The side salad was worth the extra seventy-five cents. The house coffee is rather pricey for its size, but it was good--not too strong, but not too light. There are enough tables, but they tend to move, which is always annoying. It's a good place to discover, but as a new student in the area, I believe that after discovering other cafés I won't necessarily have this one as my first option. read more

I have to contribute my first yelp review to this Jazz Cafe. Went to Jazz Cafe for lunch a couple of weeks ago. Right after I ordered and sat down, the owner came and told me that I did not pay for my food, when I told her I did pay, she requested to see my receipt! Luckily I saved the receipt, otherwise it would have been even more embarrassing! To make it worse, I ordered pastromi panini (daily special) and my friend ordered smoke salmon panini, bread was super salty and not that fresh, and overall not tasty at all, and for the price they charge, a total mistake. Just these two would have made this the worst restaurant for me. To top it off, I just realized, they charged me over $12 on my credit card for the panini, and the receipt showed a little over $10. It is not about 2 dollars, they are not honest. Would not come back! read more

After hearing rave reviews, I had high, high expectations for this spot. It was cafeteria-feeling to me. The Italian salad was good, but definitely did not blow me away for $10.28. They only take cash, but they honor-systemed me the money and I came back the next day. The line moves slow - I think they are understaffed. With all the good ethnic food in the area, probably wouldn't be #1 on my list, but a solid standby. read more

Love everything about this place. Food is hand made, staff is wonderful, and all to go materials compostable. Favorite lunch spot in town for take out. read more

Walked by this place many times before finally venturing down stairs. Actually, someone dragged me in because I would've never gone in on my own. Surprisingly, the food is really good. I've had a few of their paninis, and it's one of the best around town. I haven't had much else yet, nor been around when any musicians are playing/rehearsing so it's just an average place. But I will be back to explore more of the small menu and hopefully hear someone playing something. read more

Lord knows that I hate my greens, but I love the goat cheese salad from Jazz Caffe. The man that manages this cafe (I forgot his name - but God bless his soul!) is so sweet and memorizes the names and orders of all the girls that work at my office. I always appreciate things like this. They serve their yummy salads with perfectly toasted focaccia bread drizzled with olive oil. Their salads leave me comfortably full, but light enough to run around downtown Berkeley as I always do. read more

This place is wonderful. I come here about once a week and get the soup and salad, with a piece of warm fried goat cheese on my salad. It comes with a piece of Acme focaccia (yum!), and the soup is always fresh and vegan. I have yet to have a bad soup (although I'm not a huge fan of the gazpachos), and the meal always makes me feel full and satisfied, but not gross. I highly recommend this place. read more

If you are a vegetarian living in the Bay Area, you have probably eaten at least 100 different grilled vegetable panini type sandwiches. Theirs is pretty good, with unexpected addition of mint plus feta cheese. The group I was with got a free plate of cookies (one of our party apparently eats there often). The highlight for me was the guy who wheeled his stand-up bass by while I was eating lunch. read more

This is right next to where I work, so when I don't have time in the morning to drive to my favorite Philz, this is a fantastic place to get a great little cup of coffee. I love that their "small" size is smaller than your average cup of joe-it's about how much coffee I should actually drink anyway. Their chocolate chip cookie is one of my favorite cookies of all time-I've had more than I'd like to admit. And although I haven't stopped in for lunch, their menu is crazy tempting and everything I've smelled coming out of their kitchen is killer. read more

We stumbled upon this little cafe before hitting a show at the Berkeley Rep Theater. We got there with 45 minutes to spare. The menu is small and the food is simple. Perfect for a light pre show meal. Its more of a cafe then a restaurant. You walk up, order a salad, panini or soup and then sit down and wait. I got the Mediterranean Panini which was a vegetarian sandwich that had the most amazing crunch on the outside. I was pleasantly surprised. The salad that it came with was literally a pile of mixed greens (only mixed greens...not even a cherry tomato) and a very light vinaigrette. I'm not complaining, it was actually very tasty, considering it was just greens. I ordered a can diet coke (ya for serving coke products) and a cup of ice. It set me back about $14.00 total including the tip. It took the edge off because I didn't think we'd of had time for dinner before our show. They also have a bathroom which I was able to use before heading up the street to the theater. I'd considering coming back here before a show. read more

Nice layout, but the place is subterranean and feels like it: stifling. There's no way I could sit here cozily and lose myself in a book. Service is resentful. Three stars for being clean and fairly welcoming (we're talking the space, not the staff) in the DT area where every other cafe is already on the defensive against homeless people and high school ruffians--I assume being basement level has something to do with that; it's a trade-off. read more

This is kind of a place-holder review because the only thing I've had at Jazz Caffe is a mocha, which was fine. My main comment is it's very difficult to find this place. You go into a vestibule with stairs on one side and an elevator on the other. You have to take the elevator down to get to the cafe, but it may take a couple false starts to figure that out. I was ready to ask passing strangers for help! read more

I absolutely love the warm goat cheese salad. The Panini specials are always good too. The best part is the staff, always welcoming and friendly. Oh, and the coffee is excellent. Almost forgot the carrot muffin, which they warm up a bit. read more

I ordered a vanilla latte. It was perfect! The right temperature, great vanilla flavor, perfect amount of frothy foam. The cafe us tucked under the Jazz school off Addison st. Its small and quaint. The pastries have a homemade look. The price for my single shot latte was kinda high but it was worth it for the quality. The only downside to this coffee shop was there is no WiFi or reading materials like newspapers or magazines. It is also very small. Not good for groups. This is still just a coffee shop and it serves a good product. Check it out! read more

jazz caffe is alright. if you have food allergies you essentially have to ask them what's in everything, since the menu is non-descript and offers titles like "goat cheese salad" without any further explanation. i've had a very satisfactory chicken caesar salad here, and was pleased by the fact that it's served with a kind of lemony-tasting dressing and capers. i've also had a really good mushroom quiche, which was huge and served with a mixed green salad. pretty tasty food, but it's a little pricey for what it's worth. read more

super convenient because it's right across the street from work but $1.75 for a small coffee? am i too much of cheapskate? the cookies are not very exciting and i think they cost $1 each. and, every time i think i want to eat there i look at the menu and can not get excited by anything on it. a little too pricey for me. read more