The excellent fresh food and the choice of a relaxing indoor and sunny outdoor patio. Looking for a new lunch space on a busy sunny Berkeley Saturday. My usual haunts would be busy I knew. Found UQBAR on Yelp. It was bustling but tables opened up outside after I ordered. I did have to wait for a minute or two until the tables were bussed & wiped clean. I ordered the half soup and half sandwich which cost about $15. A surprisingly reasonable price. The mushroom soup was thick and the best I've had in a while. The lamb sandwich was succulent and melted in my mouth. I also ordered their milkshake which is made with coconut milk and a berry which name I don't remember right now. The shake was a nice chilling treat on a sunny day after a week of overcast days. Of course, I enjoyed sunbathing over my leisurely lunch. The only glitch was somehow my order got misplaced. After a long wait, I brought it to the attention of Benjamin the owner and order taker. It turned out that my order somehow got lost on a bustling morning. But Benjamin made good by offering me a full sandwich. It was the best lamb sandwich I've had in Berkeley for a while. Benjamin is a very nice person and didn't try to disguise or excuse the glitch. As I told him, the lamb sandwich was well worth the wait, especially since I was hungry when I first ordered and much much more hungrier because of the wait! To be fair, even in Berkeley venues I've frequented for a long time, this does happen once in a while when things are busy. But from what I can see the staff of UQBAR are typically OTJ. I'll be back to my new fave Berkeley lunch spot. Oh, it was easy parking on a Saturday. read more

My favorite neighborhood spot for a quick, casual lunch. Their chicken sandwich is consistently fantastic, and the hummus is honestly otherworldly. Everything feels fresh, unfussy, and thoughtfully made. Part of me wants to gatekeep this spot because it's THAT good, but they deserve the love. read more

Food is delicious (lamb sandwich), however i would appreciate if the menu items that had nuts were listed outside of a blanket general allergy warning. Note; I am very allergic to cashews and am hyper vigilant in checking menus to prevent exposure. Story further explained if you're curious: I ordered the mushroom soup online and nowhere during the online ordering process did i see it having cashews... Not only until i saw the very end note of the pdf / physical menu that I learned that I need to tell them my allergies and couldn't decipher it on my own just from the menu. I tried to call to ask, but their phone line was busy. Luckily I was close by and went in to ask if any of their things have cashews and to my surprise the mushroom soup does in fact have cashews in it. The staff member who answered my question was nice but had to rush out to start my treatment to make sure i didn't die. Overall the soup tasted good until I had my allergic reaction, so just using this as a moment to warn people with allergies that not all of their ingredients for menu items are listed on the menu. read more

This is our new favorite local spot. The food came out quickly and was delicious. The proteins were well seasoned and very tender. For two people, we shared a hummus plate and the lamb sandwich and thought the portions were perfect. We loved the casual vibe and the outdoor patio sitting that was dog and kid friendly. Wish they opened on Sundays too! read more

UQBAR - Chicken hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great addition to the neighborhood. Their breakfast sandwich is delicious and pairs nicely with the fig leaf latte. They also have sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch. Today I tried the lamb over hummus and the kale Caesar. The salad was great and I really like the fried chickpeas on it. The lamb over hummus was also tasty, but I wish it was a little beefier with more pickles/veg. All of the staff I interacted with were friendly and I recognized some familiar faces from Tomate Cafe which occupied the space before UQBAR. The ambiance is nice and I enjoyed the music they were playing. I will definitely be back. read more

UQBAR - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

Fantastic food and service. Everything was fresh and great. Awsome coffee too! They have lots of flavors omyoi don't normally get, it all works! read more

UQBAR is amazing! They kept some of the staff we knew and were worried about from Tomate, who seemed to be very happy. The owners are just delightful. Everyone is friendly and the service is great. The food is beyond fabulous. My friend had a red lentil soup and I had the shakshuka (made with squash and caramelized onions - the best I've ever had). Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options are listed on the menu. Street parking is easy and free. Their hours are Tuesday - Thursday 8 AM - 2 PM Friday - Saturday 8 AM - 8 PM Definitely go. It's fabulous! read more

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Love this spot...I had not been to the previous cafe so had no expectations...but the outdoor seating away from the street in a cute courtyard looked so inviting. Inside, it's bright and cheerful, nice windows with comfy bench seats and plenty of tables. I had a gorgeous plate with savory on one side--the creamiest hummus, carrots, sliced tomatoes, olives, soft boiled eggs, house made flatbread--and sweet on the other--labneh with honey, apple slices and apple butter, grapes, sliced kiwi and pomegranate pips. As photogenic as it was delicious. To drink, I got an oatmilk fig leaf latte...the fig leaf "simple syrup" gave it a nice slightly sweet taste. Lovely spot...I'll be back! read more

UQBAR - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

What an absolute gem. The braised lamb sandwich was standout, and the cappuccino was great too. Welcoming ambiance and community vibe - with plenty of seating indoor and out. Friendly staff. This is one of those situations where my sense of duty to support this place with a good review is tempered only by my desire to keep it all for myself!!! But I want them to stay in business forever so here you are... read more

Cute little new spot in Berkeley. Stopped by today and there was a steady amount of people and felt like a real community hub with lots of generations represented. I will be back to try their mezze platter another time when I can sit and eat but jumping on here to say do not sleep on their pomegranate lemonade, it was the perfect combo of tang and sweetness! read more

Great variety of delicious food. Service is excellent. Love the ambience. Great experience. Thanks.

Wonderfully warm staff! Very cozy, comfortable, homey ambiance. Food is on POINT! Braised lamb was delicious! Those flat breads!! OMG. YES YES YES! read more

I really feel like u should've enjoyed my food way more than I did. The order taking & service was just off and seemed very disconnected. I very clearly stated my order and the girl seemed like she acknowledged however 3 of 4 items order came out incorrect. The food arrived extremely hot - where I need to wait about 15 to just eat without burning my mouth. It was good. But the staff just felt like they didn't know what they were doing?! Just kind of a weird vibe. Also seating arrangement inside felt uncomfortable. Also, there was a hair in my food :( read more

Awesome cozy but airy atmosphere, comfortable seating, great casual service, food and drink came very quickly, nice stemware for the wine which was unexpected for a cafe. I had the half lamb sandwich with pea soup. The lamb sandwich was DELICIOUS. It had some mint, some fennel fronds, pickled onions. Not low fat! The soup, I was expecting my idea of pea soup and I was pleasantly surprised it seemed more like a lentil soup. I will 100% go back and will bring friends with me when I do! read more

Delicious food. The atmosphere was amazing and the food just put it over the top. Must try.

I discovered this new restaurant on my walk in the neighborhood and will absolutely be back! All the staff are welcoming and attentive, the menu is rotational, but I don't think there is a bad choice. I ordered the veggie sandwich and I could not have been happier when I opened the to go container, so fresh and full of flavor, a sesame seed bun?! LOVE!! Cannot recommend this place enough! read more

UQBAR - Veggie Sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great spot! Stopped by here to get some work done and grab a bite and some coffee. Really great space with lots on natural light. Service was quick and the food was on point. Will def be added to my rotation of Berkeley cafes for when I'm working from home. read more

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Sadly I have no pictures to share ~ their food is as delicious as it is beautiful. I'm lucky to be in walking distance from my office, but truly this is a welcoming destination restaurant. Their shakshuka is amazing as is the welcoming seating/ ambience and my second time I unfortunately picked up the tahini caesar with chicken to go which smelled so good I had to parade it thru my office when I brought it back to eat at my desk. Unfortunately because I should have picked up enough to share! Grateful for this spot! read more

Ordered catering for a bridal shower. We had about 35-40 guests. First off, Jennie and Benji were communicative, informative and kind throughout all of our interactions. They were a true joy to work with! The food came packed and presented to serve with beautiful printed cards for each dish. I wish I had photos! It was very lovely. Every item we ordered -- lamb, chicken, cauliflower, roasted potatoes, squash, salad and mezza plate -- was phenomenal. All the guests loved the food and appreciated that there was something for everyone -- vegan and GF guests alike. We also ordered their chocolate cake with tahini buttercream and sesame toffee and at least a dozen guests said it was the best cake they'd had -- including two self-professed "i don't really eat cake" people. Can't rave about this place enough. Such an amazing addition to the Berkeley culinary community! read more

We just moved to this neighborhood last week and have been exploring all the businesses in the area. We went to UQBAR Today and it was soooooooooooooo good. Polenta, side of potatoes and a breakfast sandwich plus 2 large fresh orange juices. We will be back read more

Go to this place before it becomes a viral sensation! The food is delicious, the space is absolutely gorgeous. If you ever find yourself at the CORO across the street and you're waiting way too long in line or there's nowhere to sit, this is an amazing place to go instead. There's tons of seating and since they're not super busy yet, it seems like they are totally OK with people camping out with laptops. I'll definitely be coming back on a weekday to get some work done. Windows on all sides with the skylight and a really friendly staff. I would love to spend several hours here. read more

UQBAR - Got the quiche and cappuccino! - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

Pro: The food was good, the service was friendly and responded to all our requests, and the prices were good. After we'd been there quite a while they brought us two large, delicious cookies on the house, with chocolate chips and sesame. Con: Indoors was too loud. We could hardly hear people two seats away. Interestingly, they have a decibel reading on display, and it was generally between 74 and 79 during the lunch period. In the future we'll try to arrange for a table for 7 or 8 outside if the weather is better. Areas for improvement: We made a reservation for seven of us for lunch today. When we got there they had put us at a table that was too small, but they were very helpful in arranging other tables to fit us all. My friend and I each ordered a small orange juice, but his was in a glass maybe half the size. I was charged $5.50 and we don't know what he was charged (I don't recall seeing a drink list, I just asked whether they had orange juice). I like the people there and hope they succeed. If some of the little things can be addressed, we'd like to come again. read more

I'm so glad this place opened in West Berkeley. Great food - lamb sandwich is fantastic, and so is their soup offerings. Good atmosphere and friendly staff. It's a gem of a place. read more

Have been waiting for this place to open ever since the last cafe in the location shut down. Got there for lunch on the first day of service. Menu includes some great all-day breakfast options, and lunch selections that are available starting at 11am. Some of the dishes are on a printed menu that's likely going to be pretty consistent over time. Most of the lunch options, when I got there, were written on the chalkboard near the counter, and I expect they'll turn over relularly, depending on what's in season and appeals to the kitchen crew. You order at the counter, find a table and the wait staff brings your food to you. My lunch took just a couple of minutes to arrive. I had the spicy salami sandwich and an excellent kale-and-carrot salad with pomegranate seeds. Finished off with a delicious chocolate chip cookie for dessert. It was maybe a bit more than I really needed, but everything was so good I cleaned all the plates. Indoor seating area is airy, bright and pleasant. Easy conversation, not too noisy. There's a patio/courtyard seating area as well -- folks from the neighborhood stopped in, tied their dogs to the patio railing, sat own for a chat and snacks. Really good vibe. read more

Just WOW. Had the lamb sandwich. Chock full of moist, tasty lamb with just the right amount of sauce and toppings on a perfectly toasted ciabatta. You order at the counter and they bring it to you on real plates with real silverware. Super friendly staff and a great cafe atmosphere with some nice art to look at while you are eating. I will be back! read more

Friendly lovely people and delicious food. Bright and cheerful. A new favorite place to go to.

It was really crowded when we came for lunch, but that's probably a good thing for this sweet little restaurant. Staff are friendly and efficient, and the food is a slightly different take on Mediterranean. Tasty and worth a try. read more

Dropped in on this new neighborhood spot in the former Tomate. A+ food, friendly atmosphere, really welcoming staff. We had the braised lamb sandwich - flavorful and a generous portion, with a side of tangy pickled onions and carrots that complemented the lamb perfectly. We'll be back to try some of their breakfast dishes, hummus plates, etc. Welcome to the neighborhood Uqbar!! read more

The food was fabulous. I had the ham sandwich- very fresh and flavorful. Staff was friendly and helpful. The cookie was exceptional.

Got the lamb sandwich. Really tasty and tender. The service is also really good. Even though there was a big group of people ahead of me, i got my food fairly quickly. read more

Wonderful new spot. Fantastic food, great ambience, and just quality through and through. Highly recommend.