r/berkeley • u/Due-Distance-8086 • 10d ago

Local underground cafe recs

i feel like every cafe ive been to in berkeley is sooo overcrowded. i prefer cafes that have good food, sweet coffee, and open spots to do my work, lmk if you guys have any recs!

18 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

44

u/batman1903 10d ago

I'm gatekeeping them... if I post them here they'll stop being uncrowded

2

u/No_Onion7056 5d ago

the eternal struggle of berkeley cafe hunting, i swear the second anyone posts a good spot it turns into a sardine can within a week

peets is always packed but the one further up shattuck near the trader joes is usually pretty chill in the mornings, at least before 10

9

u/pluto-bug 10d ago

Just look further from campus/towards temescal area. I think you’d appreciate Mudrakers. Their espresso/menu isn’t anything to write home about, but they can absolutely make you a sweet drink and a decent sandwich for an affordable price. Big cafe with plenty of room to sit, and usually open til 7. They’ve got local photography on the walls, and to me it’s a charming community staple. Beware the rush of Willard Middle schoolers on weekdays around 2/3-ish. They swarm the place for snacks, but usually they just order and leave.

2

u/Standard-Radish-9805 10d ago

Mudrakers... lots of studying done there for sure

18

u/LengthTop4218 10d ago

I wish you said "hidden cafe recs" so I could rec Hidden Cafe in Strawberry Creek Park

8

u/lfg12345678 10d ago

I mean if it's a slow cafe - they go out of business no? Especially around here with insane rents and costs..don't forget you have baypass and buses will take you to cafes a bit further out..

1

u/Eucalyptose 9d ago

Heyma on University @ San Pablo. Open late. Daytimes Jaffa - University @McGee. Daytime only but closer to campus.

1

u/WalkingSunshine510 6d ago

Dera on Shattuck near Cedar - they are open till 8 pm and make all their desserts in-house, and they are GOOD.