Best cafe/beer garden in the East Bay! Amazing people serving local coffee, drinks, and food in an incredible atmosphere. The staff is friendly, and the outdoor patio is amazing, and on certain nights you can catch live music or a restaurant pop-up (just to change it up). One of my favorite spots to keep coming back to :) read more

I used to come here last year when I first moved to the area from new York... I really like the space itself and the breakfasts are my favorite, but I stopped coming because it seemed like everytime I came the gentleman running the register hated me. Didn't really matter how nice I was, if I tipped a dollar.. or how nice the woman is who cooks all the food... he seemed to not like cheerful blonde ladies. Whatevs. read more

Great place! Friendly and the coffee rocks! Keto breakfast was awesome. A Berkeley gem!!!

Yes yes yes! So glad I found this place! With strong coffee, pleasant teas and a good selection of beer and wine, I have found my coffee shop for a rainy day. The cold brew hits you strong at the tip of the ring and slowly mellows out to a subtle sweet dark chocolate taste. While I am in no way a coffee expert, this cold brew is pleasant enough to sip and strong enough to do the job. The music might be a bit loud but it's a smooth jazz to lift the spirits. Like the other reviews said - no WiFi, no outlets but that's okay - let's make this coffee shop a place for reading, writing and conversation. I think my sentiments about Berkeley and the East Bay are slowly changing the more I discover wonderful establishments such as this. You will probably find me here most days from now on - dibs on the seat by the windows! read more

Way Station Brew doesn't seem like a "Coffee Roaster" as it says on it's window. got an note that says they do, it's a drinking spot with distinct drafts. bottles and canned beer, wines, sodas, and waters. . offerings: toasts, fried egg sammie, soup, granola, salad, beer, wine, expresso, brew: house brew(3) -dark roast tasting arabic (not smooth), -no doubt from a named roaster, doubt they roast their own beans. on draught: -happy hour, m-f, 3-6, $1 off coffee, $2 off beers -coffee in house and to go priced differently. -large patio in back, big enough to be called a "beer garden". -misjudged what they offer by their name, also thought they would continue on same path as predecessors. they don't. -closes at 7, early for a beer garden. 3,5 stars, 4 stars for the interesting concept.far from any competition. read more

This is a really cute and trendy coffee and beer joint. They have indoor and outdoor seating which cater to different vibes. The outdoor section is good for groups and loud conversations and the indoor section is filled with locals and students on their laptops. I ordered a standard coffee and their ricotta toast. The toast was sooo good. The blackberry jam is a nice touch. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because I feel like the staff could be a little friendlier. They weren't rude, but they were not welcoming either. read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Way station ambiance and overall cuteness is wonderful. I just wish it was warmer, I'm freezing! They keep the huge front doors open, both fans on, and the back door open. Very much feels like sitting outside. Bring a jacket or layer during the winter. read more

Excellent pastries and burgers! A beautiful time to behold when they Host their events on fridays

Excited to try out some new flavors here. Nice upgrades since the previous owners. Wood tables in the patio. Big booth out front. More communal and better coffee! No juevos rancheros yet. read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I have had a lot of Breakfast sandwiches in my time and the BLTA add fried egg at the Way Station is at the top of the list. The ingredients are fantastic, fresh and the Sourdough bread is crunchewie!! Bacon - WOW. Family ordered the Keto and loved it. Go here and add it to your Foodie list. read more

Great food at a great price, and the owner takes a lot of time making sure the coffee beans he gets in are delicious.

This afternoon was our first visit to Oakland and our first meal at the Way Station Brew. The coffee was rich and brewed perfectly. Tried an Americano and the drip. Both very tasty. The house made scones were exceptional with melt in your mouth flavors. Cinnamon apple and Brie date were the 2 we sampled. The chef has a touch! Next up, fried egg sandwiches Warren's way. Very good flavor pallet with chewy sourdough toasted just right and yummy bacon. We approve of the arugula salad as the accompanying side dish. Left with full tummies and a nice caffeine buzz. Live jazz tonight with burgers and a brew. I think we will be back for dinner. read more

Zero stars if possible. I was waiting in line with 20+ flies circling while watching a young man touch every single rim of every single cup as he stamped them. Then after taking a moment to deliver food in the back he picked up a piece of paper on the ground, and after wadding it up and shoving in his pocket, he went right back to touching every. Single. Rim. Of all the coffee cups as he continued stamping them. Just so gross. You guys know we are in a pandemic, right? read more

It's the little things, isn't it. This cafe is near to where I stay in Berkeley. I thought it could be a convenient hangout spot to hit when I need to get some work done. But when I asked if there was a place to plug in, an employee (or maybe the owner) (who had been very pleasant to be thus far) said "no." I was about to sit down anyway, when another employee/owner said "sorry, not sorry." Way to make someone feel bad for no reason! All things being equal, I too am sorry, not sorry for never coming back again. Oh well. read more

An amazing cute location to get some work done and to get some amazing food! When I stepped into the place, I could just smell the hot breakfast being made with the bakery items baking in the oven. Their lattes were alright, but when I tried one of their freshly made scones right out of oven, it was so so goooood! Would recommend and come back again! The only downside is that only one row of seating has access to their outlet :/ read more

Way Station Brew - Pear pecan scone + latte! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here for breakfast on a Saturday and I was quite pleased. I ordered the avocado toast and a cappuccino with oat milk. The toast was a generous portion with plenty of avocado, very good! The cappuccino was probably an 8/10, better than many coffee places which exceeded my expectations. My partner also enjoyed their meal (ham and egger and rosemary/sage latte). read more

I'm a bit confused, I came here for the first time yesterday around 3:45 in the afternoon and tried to order a coffee. I was told they were out and that they closed in 15 minutes. Everything I can find online indicates that's not the case and it should have been open until 6. Can anyone confirm the hours for me? Anyway I was looking forward to spending some time working remotely from here but perhaps another time. read more

Warren and his staff continue to deliver. This is one of my favorite neighborhood spots and I am grateful to everyone who worked hard to power through this last year and a half. read more

One of my favorite cafes around!! The owner is so nice and friendly. Great tasting coffee and yummy food- I always get eggs and avocado toast The kind of place you can totally post up and use free wifi for hours, or read a book. Not too crowded, even on weekends!! Nice back patio too. They also serve beer and mimosas! Why are you not there RIGHT NOW??? Highly recommend. I will continue to return here time and time again. read more

Way station is a great cafe! They have the most amazing scones, great service, and delicious coffee. Plus, they have a cute outdoor patio in the back :) read more

I used to come here once a week and loved the two baristas serving the place. However there seems to be a new person (or I haven't been to way station in the mornings) and this person is rude, inattentive, and always on his cellphone. I have mixed feelings now and feel if I have to take my chances on who serves the place then I think it is not worth coming. read more

At the risk of increasing competition for them, I'll say that Way Station makes the best scones I've ever had, baked fresh for opening each morning... Soft yet crispy, and just the right heft. And good espresso drinks. And friendly staff. And a nice sheltered patio. read more

Delicious scones (I had the pear pecan) and lovely back patio. Nice chill place to unwind on a weekend.

i LOVE way station. if you need a coffee shop or study spot, way station is the best for this area of berkeley. quiet, wifi, good drinks. mimosas are delish too so if you're stuck studying on the weekend just grab a pomegranate mimosa to make it more fun. highly recommend their scones as well. my only comment (and reason for 4 stars) is that i would not order non-bakery food here. they sell burgers and sandwiches which at first glance you'd think to be of a quality befitting the $10-12 price tag, but they're generally cheap ingredients thrown together. i ordered a beyond burger and it was an american cheese single, pickle/onion/lettuce/tomato, and a potato bun. i do understand the menu didnt purport to be gourmet but for the price and how amazing the rest of waystation was, i did think it would surpass a hot dog stand burger. but i digress. i love way station!!! go visit read more

I mean, who makes their own yogurt??? These guys! And it's possibly the best yogurt I've ever had. That (with granola + +) and a roasted-on-site cappuccino & I'm a happy camper. On the other hand, I went there for a fish & chips pop-up a while back which I was also blow away by. It's a little off-the-beaten path place that's not at all difficult to get to but surprises every time. read more

My go-to spot for getting some work done, accompanied by a good scone or cup of coffee. Since it's a little farther from Campus than most cafes, I love that there's always seating available, and how the place welcomes not just your typical student crowds. They've reliable wifi, ample seating inside and an outdoor space, and have a good selection of coffee/beer! read more

Go here! Go for delicious baked goods, go for the roasted veggie bowl, go for the backyard patio. This is just what the neighborhood needed for good food, a friendly atmosphere, plenty of space so you can hear yourself think or have a conversation. The owner is super nice! Great art here too. read more

What a delicious meal I just enjoyed at Way Station, fresh, with lots of care and love. I always enjoy passing through, enjoying a cup of joe, or simply when I am hoping to really get a yummy meal. Great place to hang out!!! read more

I'm in love with this place. Great coffee, AMAZING food items, and friendly service. This coffee bar is clean, bright, warm, and inviting without coming off as super-gentrified or pretentious. It's also far enough from campus that you won't find it crowded or filled with college students. This place also serves alcohol. Yes, that's right. ALCOHOL. Get beer and chill outside or live it up with their brunch mimosas on the weekend. read more

I live just in the apartment across the street. It's a convient place for me to take a coffee everyday. The price is rational and free WiFi works well. I love latte and mocha here. But the house coffee is too sour for me, and the bitter and flavor is not enough. I prefer latte. Sandwiches are good. I also like the brunch plate here. It is a good choice to have a brunch when the weather is sunny. read more

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pretty damn good cafe-baked scones, coffee is amazing, free refills, great place to stop in before work starts and just collect your thoughts. read more

Delightful coffee shop that also serves a wide beer selection and the best scones, cozy dark wood interior with comfy seats, sunny back patio with tables and shade umbrellas. Coffee is good as is the food although the menu is smaller. The friday night live music is fun. read more

Great neighborhood cafe. Coffee is delicious, food has always been on point, and they have a great rotating beer selection.

Way Station Brew is such a gem in the Berkeley area. Definitely a solid spot for a great cup of coffee and a laid back place to unwind/get productive! The ambiance of Way Station has a more lowkey, chill atmosphere & with a modern retro kind of feel to the whole place. They also feature a beer garden here with a gorgeous patio out back, so I would definitely grab a seat back there on a sunny day out. House Coffee ($3) Really solid coffee brew here. Really smooth and definitely perked me up for the rest of my day. Roasted Chicken Salad ($13) - A little pricey but for what you're getting, I would say it was well worth, because it's super delicious! It also is pretty big in terms of portioning. It comes with croutons, chicken, Pasilla peppers, and grated jack cheese. Super delicious and the Pasilla peppers really added a nice kick to the salad! Also $4 Mimosas all weekend, and they also have beer on tap. My only minor gripes about Way Station Brew is the lack of Wifi and power outlets, so this probably isn't going to be my top choice to go and study/work at if I really need to get stuff done. That being said it's also a great place to force myself into reading material without getting distracted by the Internet, so yay for that. I also really wish that they had a bigger, hanging menu hung up somewhere inside. The first time I walked in, I was flustered because I had no idea where the menu was and I felt a little intimidated standing point blank at the front contemplating the menu, while the cashier stood and waited for me to order. That being said all of the staff here are really friendly & sweet people! Way Station Brew gets a 5 from me. Definitely a gem in the midst of a ton of other coffee shops in the area, and a definite place I'd go to again in the future for sure. I just love the more low key vibe Way Station Brew has on top of their pretty good quality items that they offer. See you soon, Way Station! read more

After my first visit my conclusion is...I really like this spot. It's close enough to downtown to make it easy to get to but far enough away to shield it from the craziness and make it easier to find a close by parking spot if you're driving. I came to Way Station to do some work on my laptop while enjoying an iced latte and a delicious pear and pecan scone. The iced latte was the perfect amount of milk and coffee for me. If you prefer stronger they have another drink that combines 3 espresso shots and a smaller amount of milk. Just enough to make it creamy. Looks delicious but I'm a milk girl! The atmosphere is really nice. The booths inside are very comfortable and the outdoor patio is really great on a nice day (which it was). There is a large amount of seating and the staff was very friendly. The only downfall I found was a lack of plugs which doesn't make it the best work spot if you plan to be there for more than your battery lifespan. However, I needed to have access to a plug for an external hard drive I was working off of, and the friendly staff made accommodations by setting me up and the bar and giving me access to a plug behind the counter. Super nice of them! I'm looking forward to coming back with some friends to try some more delicious pastries/cookies/food and enjoy the outdoor patio. read more

Friendly staff, very good sandwiches, reasonable cappuccino. They have set themselves up well for social distancing. I'll be checking them out again. read more

Good coffee, excellent scone, great service (brought the scone out to me as it was a few more minutes until it was done baking, also asked if I wanted a cup of water). I'll definitely be back when in the area. Also got to enjoy the back patio area with only 2 other patrons but I bet it will be packed once Covid is over. read more

Great new coffee shop in Berkeley. It's close enough to downtown without being in downtown. So the neighborhood is a bit more relaxed. They have some great coffees and the staff really seem to have a passion for experimenting blends and brewing techniques. I'm pretty sure that each time I've been in there, a barista has brought me a sample of a new blend and asked for my feedback. That says a lot to me. They have a small but varied menu with some veggie/vegan and gluten free options. They've also got a decent selection of wines and beers (tap and can/bottle, and again, a GF option). On a nice day, the patio is awesome. Bring your dog and cozy up with a book. Like some people have mentioned, they don't have wifi or outlets. That's fine with me. Just bring a backup battery for power and hotspot your phone or connect to the xfinity wifi. Or even better, disconnect and read a book or one of the many newspapers they put out or bring a friend and talk. I can see that that's what the owners want is to create a cafe for the community to connect with each other. Great staff and warm and comfortable atmosphere. It's a nice change from the other cafes in the area that look more like computer labs than a coffee shop. read more

In a college town filled with mediocre cafes designed only as unofficial study halls, this new independent roaster really stands out. The owners and staff are super friendly, the coffee is outstanding (they make the best cappuccino in Berkeley), and the blueberry scones will ruin your life because no scone will ever compare. read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Bad customer service for over priced coffee. Granted the coffee doesn't taste burnt, more on the usual "sour" side but I don't think I'll be trekking all the way down Shattuck to pay 3.25 for a large and for some snippy barista to ask "are you sure that's what you want?" Yes I'm sure. read more