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    Vault Cafe

    3.4 (400 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Vault Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Vault Cafe Photos

    VAULT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Vault Cafe

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    Carol C.

    Date: 6/15/2025. Time: 3:00 PM. 67° Sunny I happened to walk by Vault Cafe while attending the Juneteenth event in Berkeley. It's my first time here and they did not look busy at all. Nobody greeted me at the door. As bold as I am, I grabbed a seat at a table near the entrance. It took a little while before a waitress handed me the menu. After perusing the menu, I decided to order the grilled salmon salad to go. I haven't had a grilled salmon salad in over two months. Hmm...which restaurant had it better? A restaurant in Alameda by the estuary or Vault Cafe in Berkeley? It is the former over the latter. It was not only what food item I ordered, but other factors were taken into consideration; namely, ambiance, service and attitude. The grilled salmon salad was okay. I am not much of a purple onion fan in salads. I only prefer purple onion in a hamburger. Indeed I am a picky eater. LOL. Then I have to be careful with raw carrots (food allergy). Cooked carrots are fine. The salad dressing was tart and salty. It was not thick and creamy. (Watered down?) Service could have been better. Based on my observation, the man sitting near the kitchen had attitude. He did not want a family of four to use the restroom facility when they needed to go. He was rude. He insisted that they use the outdoor restrooms. Attitude leaves a lot to be desired. Ambiance: comfortable and casual. Cafe is on the corner. There is plenty of natural sunlight coming through the plate glass windows. Return visits: Might then might not. In my book, it is a hit and miss. Three star rating is what they are getting from me.

    Menu
    Denise R.

    Stopped in for a late brunch and was pleasantly surprised. There was plenty of space to sit without feeling crowded. Shared a chicken pesto sandwich, spicy penne with sautéed chicken and marinara, an omelette, and French toast, everything tasted fresh and well-seasoned. Service was friendly as well. Will come again next time I visit Berkeley!!!

    Cinnamon French toast with banana
    Candy N.

    It was just before 2PM and we wanted breakfast. That's why we decided to grab a bite to eat here. Seems they are open until 3PM and they serve breakfast every day. The inside dining area has many tables available and I can see them being busy during a brunch weekend in that neighborhood. We ordered cinnamon French toast with banana, a side of bacon and eggs. We also ordered a bacon croissant egg sandwich. For beverages we ordered a chai latte with an espresso shot and a regular latte. The food came out hot and quickly. I do love a breakfast croissant sandwich. The bacon was cooked just the way I like and the yolk was perfectly runny. I didn't try the French toast but my friend ate it up. This place isn't a fancy brunch spot but it's a hangout and they have really good food options for breakfast every day. I'm definitely going to try to go to brunch here one weekend.

    Steak & Eggs, Chicken Pesto Sandwich
    Adela C.

    This is my go-to spot! I live nearby, and every time I come, it never disappoints. The lady is super nice and always smiling. The food is consistently good, portions are big, and prices are very reasonable. The menu has a lot of options too. I didn't take a picture, but their blueberry smoothie is so good, I'd die for it! :)

    Mango Smoothie
    Tara M.

    A friend of mine and I came here during the Juneteenth celebration to get a couple of smoothies. Great location and the decor is nice. The service was excellent. I enjoyed the mango smoothie and my friend liked his strawberry banana. The food I saw going to other tables looked delicious. I'll definitely return to try other options.

    Reuben sandwich with homemade potato salad.

    The Reuben sandwich is very nice, and the side is very homemade potato salad. The environment is really cool it's an ex bank. If you're in this neck of the wood is a pretty nice place to have a quiet meal.

    Eggplant and Zucchini Sandwich
    Ali M.

    I mean.... It's not the best cafe but also not the worst. I ordered a zucchini and eggplant sandwich with provolone and a fruit salad on the side for lunch today. All of it was good, some flavor but nothing really to write home about to be honest. Nothing I tasted made me think I gotta get food from here again unfortunately. Good price point though so I guess if you're looking for something cheap, give this place a try!

    Orange Juice and Fruit

    Perfect for fans of simple breakfasts! Enjoy scrambled eggs, toast, hash browns, fresh fruit, and orange juice--classic and satisfying. The service is equally straightforward and efficient. This location offers plenty of space, making it an ideal spot for hosting a "diner" birthday party if you're a local!

    a vault door with a neon sign above it

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    food is always delicious service is excellent prices are extremely reasonable becoming one of my favorite places to frequent

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    4 years ago

    It was closed at 2pm this Tuesday afternoon (11/8/22), when it's supposed to be open. No sign about different hours or a brief closure

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    Ask the Community - Vault Cafe

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    Dough Zone Dumpling House

    Dough Zone Dumpling House

    4.1(73 reviews)
    1.7 miGourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley

    Came on a Thursday for lunch with a group of about 12, since we were across the street for a school…read moreevent. They have 10% off discount on your order with a student ID. The server was very nice. Our food did take more than 15-20 minutes to come out, so we were a bit antsy at the end as we were running a bit late. But the food was great. The portions are smaller than expected, but the xiaolongbao were delicious and juicy. Just wish they had more vegetable dish options such as cabbage. At the end, there was a minor mixup with our receipt being charged with another table's order, but the server was quick to correct it. Will definitely come again!

    We stopped by for a quick lunch and were greeted by friendly servers who were very considerate of…read moreour time crunch. You can order either by scanning the QR code or through a traditional paper menu, which was convenient. The xiao long bao seemed to be one of their most popular dishes, so we ordered a basket and really enjoyed it. Each table is already stocked with soy sauce and black vinegar so you can mix your own dipping sauce. My only wish is that they offered fresh ginger slices to complete the traditional xiao long bao experience. The beef pancake roll had a subtle mala flavor that added a nice kick without being overly spicy or numbing. The pancake itself was delicious--I loved both the taste and the texture. It is a bit oily though, so be prepared to use your chopsticks carefully or wash your hands afterward. The beef dumplings were probably the only item I wouldn't order again. They tasted pretty similar to the frozen dumplings you can find at most Asian grocery stores, so they didn't really stand out. Overall, it's a decent spot with friendly service and some tasty dishes. I just wish the prices were a little more reasonable. Our bill came to almost $40 for items that I personally think of as more snack- or appetizer-sized portions.

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    Photo 6: Interior

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    Southside Station - Combo Fried Chicken Sandwich Set - IG: @phuoodwithvicks

    Southside Station

    4.5(368 reviews)
    1.0 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    I am absolutely shocked I haven't reviewed Southside Station since trying them out for the first…read moretime at a Yelp Event back in 2021 because we've been back so many times since. Although it's a small and cozy space, they have both inside and outside seating. Food wise, my go-to is their amazing curly fries and lychee iced tea, while the hunny absolutely adores their fried chicken sandwiches. It's probably some of his favorite fried chicken in the Bay Area. We try order online as we're driving over because everything is made to order so there can be a bit of a wait during the lunchtime rush, but the service is super friendly and helpful and everything is always delicious. So we will definitely keep coming back!

    Today's adventure took me to Berkeley in search of fried chicken. For some reason fried chicken has…read morebecome my new love. Whenever I'm in search of something good to eat in the Bay Area I always check TikTok first. My search directed me to Southside Station! It's a small quaint establishment with a very quiet vibe. When I entered, there was a table of three gentlemen sitting there enjoying their selections. I checked in with them and got suggestions on what I should order. They made a recommendation, but I chose something totally different. I ordered the wings and garlic noodles with a side of brussels sprouts. This place is known for their fried chicken because it's so extra crunchy. They definitely did deliver on the crunch and the flavor. The garlic noodles were very garlic, which is what I liked, and the brussels sprouts were sautéed in a honey glaze. I decided to enjoy my food inside the restaurant as opposed to sitting outside where they have two tables set up. The young lady that took my order was ever so sweet and kind. She was the only one I saw in the restaurant behind the counter, but there may have been others working further in the back. There was an error on my order and she was quick to correct the error with an apology and a smile. The portion size was decent. I ended up taking home leftovers.

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    Homeroom Berkeley

    Homeroom Berkeley

    4.3(274 reviews)
    2.5 miWest Berkeley
    $$

    Whenever I come here Tashanti is so attentive, kind and remembers a face well. The quality of the…read morefood is excellent and the service is great and fast! Whenever I come here the restaurant is always clean.

    When I'm deciding where to eat, mac and cheese is almost never the first thing that comes to mind…read more It's usually more of a side dish than the main event. But this place completely changed that for me. Their mac and cheese comes out hot, steamy, and loaded with flavor, comfort food turned into something way more exciting. What really stands out is how creative the combinations are; it's not just cheese and pasta, it's layers of texture and bold flavor that keep me coming back. The buffalo chicken mac is a standout. It arrives with this crispy, golden breadcrumb topping that adds the perfect crunch. Pro tip, if you're getting it for takeout or delivery, the steam softens the topping in the container, so you miss out on that contrast. It's definitely best enjoyed fresh, in person, when that crunch is at its peak. Then there's the elote mac, which brings a totally different vibe. The bits of corn add little pops of sweetness throughout, and the slices of lemon on top are a game changer. A quick squeeze cuts through the richness of the cheese and oil, balancing everything out in a really satisfying way. I'm lactose intolerant, and that should be a dealbreaker here, but this is one of those rare exceptions where I'm willing to deal with the consequences.

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    Homeroom Berkeley
    Homeroom Berkeley
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    Homeroom

    4.1(6.7k reviews)
    1.6 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    Homeroom is a popular Mac and Cheese spot. It was indeed, yummy as anticipated. They have a few…read moreoptions on the menu that elevate the classic food. It was filling. Thank you to our server, Anthony.

    TLDR: 50 minute wait between sitting down to getting your food. Don't visit thinking this is a…read morequick drop by kind of place. While this visit was in between the lunch and dinner rush, unfortunately I think they are understaffed because at the time we sat down there was only 1 person who was busing tables and taking orders. As a result, it took a while for them to be able to stop by our table and provide water, take our order, etc. There was quite a long wait between sitting down to ordering to actually receiving our food. By the time we had actually received our food, almost an hour had passed. While we were waiting, a few other servers eventually joined, but service was still pretty bare for us and we never received refills on water or plates to eat off of when we received our food. I understand that staffing and a backup in the kitchen are out of the staff's control, but it would've definitely helped for us to know in advance how long to expect to wait to align our expectations and arrange our plans for the day. Would advise giving customers a quick heads up/warning because that on its own would've made a big difference. As for the actual food, we ordered the mac trio with elote mac, chicken pot pie mac, and kogi short rib mac (for an extra fee). The elote mac was the best and most flavorful, the short rib mac was okay but not amazing or worth the extra money, and the chicken pot pie mac was very bland/flavorless and didn't have much chicken in it. The food didn't feel like it warranted the wait time and because of that I would not return.

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    Me Va Con Vietnamese Kitchen - Beef carpaccio

    Me Va Con Vietnamese Kitchen

    4.5(273 reviews)
    0.6 miRockridge, North Oakland
    $$

    Extremely flavorful chicken pho noodle soup, I can see why! They have outdoor seating and I am so…read moreglad I sat outside. It was extremely busy inside. I will be back with my family! I ate my fresh shrimp spring rolls so fast, it was so good but I was also really hungry lol I had to order the mini shrimp pancakes because it looked like it's a "must" order... The waitresses were super friendly and quick with taking my order! To the owner(s): Please do not change your ingredients in your food menu! Thank you for offering delicious pho!

    This was our first time here. We started off with a simple cup of Napa cabbage soup just to see…read morewhat it was since it was only $5 and there were no pics. It was tasty. Pretty underwhelming but, it had a nice seafood forward broth and it was very hot with tiny pieces of shrimp and lots of cabbage. I'd get it again. Then we got the chicken salad. Delicious. Shrimp chips were fun and the dressing had a great balance of sweet, and vinegary flavor with lots of chicken and fresh veg. Pork bahn mi was just okay. I've definitely had better. Bread was good. Meat was pretty sparse and the pickled veg could have had more flavor. Probably would order the pho next time. Everyone seemed to have that on their tables. And the sizzling beef looked great. Service was quick and courteous. I'll be back to try more

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    Cali Alley - Grilled Prawn Salad Bowl

    Cali Alley

    4.6(229 reviews)
    1.1 miWest Berkeley
    $$

    Cali Alley is one of my go-to spots... I'm constantly trying to convince people to meet me there…read morefor lunch, or telling them to just DoorDash it because it's that good. It's also one of those places that makes you want to stay. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and generous. Every time I come here, I tell myself I'll pace myself... and every time I fail because it's just that good. The burgers are loaded and perfectly balanced, the fries are always crisp (never soggy, which is rare), and everything tastes high-quality and made to order. You have to try the chicken and waffles. The waffle batter tastes homemade and the butter takes it to another level... it's one of those dishes you keep thinking about after. I'll even DoorDash it all the way to Jingletown. The patio setup is really well done... there's a mix of larger tables for groups and higher bar-style seating for smaller hangs. The wooden furniture and cushioned benches make it comfortable, and they've got heaters for colder days and umbrellas when it's sunny, so you can usually pick your ideal spot. You order at the window and then just hang out while you wait... it's a relaxed flow and the food comes out pretty quickly. The staff are always kind and welcoming, and the whole place has a relaxed, homey vibe with really good music. Highly recommend... just come hungry.

    I got the grilled prawn bowl. it's basically 4 prawns on top of a bunch of salad mix--for $21. (You…read morehave to pay extra $2 for the rice.) it's just not worth it. For what it's worth one of the other customers told me their fried chicken sandwich is really great.

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    Rob Ben’s Restaurant & Lounge

    Rob Ben’s Restaurant & Lounge

    4.0(313 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Oh the fish and grits is to cry for, so tasty and delicious. The grits are flavored through and…read morethrough. Thick with a great consistency, I want the recipe. The savor of flavor in those grits, they are thick but thin. I have taste none other no where. Then the fish, battered just right crispy on the outside but soft and savory inside. I saved some fish for later because the portion can make 2 meals. This meal made me so happy I am going back a few more times. Definitely a repeat, stop by eat and grab a seat. You will be happy you did.

    Updated review: I was hype when I seen Momma Lynch's…read moreSpecial back on the menu at Rob Ben's Restaurant. I'm not going to lie, I been checking the site waiting for them to bring it back lol. Soon as I saw it, I had to order through DoorDash, and it did NOT disappoint. This plate is a whole feast for real. You get 3 party wings, 3 pieces of fish, 2 pork chops, plus green beans and mac & cheese. Everything came hot, fresh, and smelling good as soon as I opened it. The fish was crispy and seasoned right, not greasy at all. The wings were juicy and full of flavor, and them pork chops? Tender, seasoned all the way through, and cooked just right. Now the sides? Just as fire. The green beans had flavor, not bland like some places be doing, and that mac & cheese was creamy, cheesy, and hitting for real. You can tell they put love into this food. Portions is solid too. They not being stingy at all. Definitely worth the money. I'm glad they brought this back because yeah... I'm running this order back again real soon.

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    Rob Ben’s Restaurant & Lounge - Fried chicken wings

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    Southie

    Southie

    4.3(940 reviews)
    1.0 miRockridge, Elmwood, North Oakland
    $$

    When I think of a sandwich that has the ability to make my mouth water just thinking of it, few…read morecome to mind, but what the sandwiches they make at Southie is definitely one of them. I've had their Spicy Hog, steak with mushroom, a few Cubans, but the one that I always come back to is "The Balls" sandwich. First off, this sandwich is massive, so be sure that you come here on an empty stomach. These beef meatballs are seasoned to perfection and bursting with flavor. The balls are covered in their red sauce with provolone and Grana Padano, which gives it that nutty and salty flavor that pairs extremely well with the meatballs and baguette. All the juices and cheese just get soaked up to perfection. The baguette bread they use is supplied by La Farine, which is just a few meters away from each other. Just putting out there that La Farine is hands down one of the best bakeries in Oakland, so it makes sense that this sandwich would be so dang good. I'll be honest that I'm not a big fan of the chips or those chips in general and could be fine with just the sandwich. If you are going to have any sandwich to eat here first, I would highly recommend you try "The Balls" because I promise you will not be disappointed. I will always say that the dozen or so times I've been here, the staff are always so friendly, and the atmosphere is very down to earth. The price of their sandwiches is in the $20 range, but the quality and portion make it totally worth it.

    The spicy hog sandwich I had a few minutes ago was quite messy but good…read more However, my petty gripe is that it was 2pm, there was an open 2-person table on the side, but I was seated 1 foot from and facing the cash register, and told people were coming for the empty table. No one came and instead quickly several more tables cleared out. Rather than see a few minutes of the England-Serbia World Cup match, I saw a bunch of people up close paying lunch bills. Don't come in solo expecting a side table.

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    Closeup of a half eaten, grilled persimmon and burrata cheese crostini.

    Vault Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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