Berkeley Espresso

Berkeley, United States

3.5

Open now

20 reviews

Does not accept credit cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-848-9576
Address:
1900 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
b/t Hearst Ave & Berkeley Way
Gourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
480 ftShattuck Av & University Av
550 ftShattuck Av & Delaware St
610 ftUniversity Av & Shattuck Av
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
No
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Good for Working
Yes

Today

Today 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Open now
Local time (Berkeley) 3:18 PM Friday, May 23, 2025

Business hours

Monday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Tuesday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Wednesday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Thursday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Friday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Saturday 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Sunday 6:00 am – 12:00 am

Description

Specialties

Espresso drinks, organic drip coffees, iced coffees, teas including Chai, smoothies, homemade sandwiches and salads.

History

Established in 1995.

One of Berkeley oldest coffee houses. Great corner location with windows on both sides.

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Vicinity

Near this location:
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Berkeley Tax Service
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Triple Rock Brewery & Ale House
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Oscar’s
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Sol y Luna Taqueria
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Chick-O-Pea’s
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The Bake Shop
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20 reviews of Berkeley Espresso

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Brentwood, CA
Nice quiet and good drinks. This is what a local coffee shop should be, love the classical music in the background!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Today was my first day and I will say it was a great atmosphere quiet lots of space with outlets to charge your devices I actually stayed for 6 hours got alot of studying done. Thank you Berkeley Expresso Café for this comfortable environment. The lawn chairs inside are Amazing!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Stopped by on my way to work today, had a great latte. I used to be a barista and am often disappointed by coffee, but this latte was awesome.
Just strong enough to get me going and perfectly steamed milk!
I do hate that we live in a world where a cup of coffee cost almost $ 4, but that is life.
The staff was also super friendly and I was on my way in less than 5 minutes.
I will be going back.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I should’ve come in here a long time ago!
Unlimited free wifi, cheap drinks, and plenty of seating = perfect place to study :)
There were so many open tables when I came in, and there’s plenty of outlets! I know this is always an issue when I go to other places with my laptop, but it’s not a problem here.
The staff are very courteous and prompt as well, and the coffee is pretty good! I just got an iced coffee with milk, for less than $ 2.50. They also have baked goods and free water, if you’re not a fan of coffee.
The wifi can get a little spotty though, since it’s not password protected and everyone is connected to it. However, I’ve been here for over 3 hours now, and it hasn’t caused any issues for me or my work!
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
I love the location, the pricepoint, the amazing staff – fast and nice!
I just don’t love the coffee. It has this slight bitter sourness that I encounter at maybe 10% of all places. I don’t know if others don’t taste this at certain places… and maybe I am just sensitive.
But if you aren’t sensitive to your coffee being overly bitter, then it’s a fabulous place to have coffee, chat, or sit and study!
Place rating: 3
Oakland, CA
Solid coffee without all those name brands we know, love and crave. Plenty of tables, mostly all filled up with people working away on their computers. I’m assuming free wifi.
My café au lait was solid. Did taste a little burnt, but all good. Priced at about $ 4. (Maybe a little less, maybe a little more).
Not quite the hipstery vibe I dig, but definitely a solid neighborhood joint slinging some coffee on the go, or for those looking to get some solid studying/​work done.
Place rating: 1
Berkeley, CA
This place has cheap decent food, and terrible service. I was nearly assaulted by a customer while I was using the bathroom and the staff did absolutely nothing about it. This customer harassed me while I was in the bathroom. He was slamming against the door, and eventually convinced the staff to give him a key. He then unlocked the door and tried to barge in on me. The situation escalated, and the staff did nothing. Other customers told me this guy has been a troublemaker before, and that he just sticks around Berkeley Espresso all the time. In retrospect, I should have called the police. Just go to Fertile Grounds, it’s a block away and all around way better.
Place rating: 3
Berkeley, CA
Coffee here is sub-​par; I’d rather walk an extra 2 – 3 blocks up Shattuck and go to Philz instead. Studying space is also limited, as it always seems crowded and there aren’t too many outlets.
However, the desserts are surprisingly delicious. The triple chocolate mousse, zucchini bread, turtle cheesecake muffin, and pretty much everything else in their small display is inexpensive and really tasty. I’d come here for a quick late-​night sweet fix, but probably take it to-​go.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
I love this place! Reliable wifi, outlets everywhere and plenty of tables. I haven’t actually tried their coffee, but their peach italian soda was great. If I lived closer, I would definitely be a regular.
Place rating: 5
Santa Ana, CA
Great service, iced coffee, and coconut syrup
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
It’s a great café to study at. They have wifi and outlets to charge electronic devices, which is a big big PLUS. They are also open till late.
But if you’re hungry, you might as well grab a bite somewhere else, unless you prefer bagels and cream cheese. I ordered a tuna melt, and they microwaved my tuna. :(It still tastes good, and it’s not like I don’t microwave food at home. Plus, it’s just $ 6 something. I ordered a small mocha, and it’s in a huge glass!!!
Overall, I’m loving this café. OH! did I mention they are open till late??? Definitely coming back for late night studies!!!
Place rating: 3
San Leandro, CA
They have good wifi and plenty of seats. Nice, quiet place for studying.
The mocha drink came out really tasty but a little too sweet for my taste.
You have to ask for the key if you need to use the restroom.
Place rating: 1
Reno, NV
Ordered a double espresso. Was served a cappuccino cup ¾ full of thin dark liquid with no crema.
Sorry, no passing grade. Music, WIFI, environmental aspects of this business cannot make up for the fact that this business has not even made an attempt to learn the basics.
I’m sorry if this seems negative to the fans of the business (and there seem to be many.)
I want to offer something constructive to the business owner: if you care about what you do, start here:
You CAN transform your business into a coffee shop. You are sitting atop an awesome opportunity.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
This is a delightful, quiet place for espresso and some quality reading time. Whether you prefer a book or magazine or the good old-​fashioned Internet, the classical music and tall windows make this a perfect spot to fully absorb whatever your whatever you choose to cast your eyes and mind upon. There are a good number of tables and plenty of people in them, but you should be able to find a spot.
My latte was pretty darn good and I was really impressed with the quality of my egg bagel. I didn’t expect much from microwave eggs on a sesame seed bagel. But something about the red onions and tomatoes, combined with the cheese and bacon I added, made it surprisingly delicious. I think having a quality bagel helped. And, taking a look at them, they have a few nice pastries too. Add free Wi-​Fi and this is a top-​notch spot. I’d add a fifth star if there were more open seating., then again it would only contribute to making it more crowded.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
Been coming here since a server at Triple Rock suggested going there for dessert. Lemon Bars, Cheesecake, and other yummy things. I usually order an iced coffee or latte. (they’re alright! and I don’t break my wallet on it.)
The GOOD:
— drinks are alright
— the people are friendly
— classical music is good for non-​distracting reading, working or quiet conversation
— the regulars
— the wifi is pretty darn amazing (I’ve been to some places w/​slow to no connection.)
The so-​called BAD:
— yes they are in no rush, but this ain’t Starbucks. you want fast & rude, there’s plenty of places for that.
— yes, the bathroom can be pretty disgusting, but you’re not eating in there. wash your hands & get over it. or do what everyone else does, (wrap a paper towel around the key handle thing if you don’t want to negate the hand washing.)
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
Better than Starbucks. Better than Coffee Bean. Inferior to Illy Espressamente. Inferior to Revelle.
Place rating: 2
Sacramento, CA
A classical music soundtrack and plenty of spacious seating makes Berkeley Espresso a nice little study spot. The coffee itself is rather bland. It doesn’t really have anything too special about it but if you just need a spot to sit and get some work done it’ll do.
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
If you’re like me and «watering hole» actually means the closest coffee shop with wifi, then you’ll understand how I feel about this place.
Service can be spotty, the guys often get distracted and can take a while to make your order. The coffee itself is pretty meh, just some standard mud and nothing to write home about, but it is inexpensive. The pastries aren’t spectacular either, you kind of get the sense that they’ve been in that glass box for some time.
In spite of all of that, it makes for a good study spot. They keep classical music playing (pretty loudly, so be aware if you’re the type that can’t focus with that). Its open late (till 11pm), has fast wifi, lots of outlets, and plenty of seating. Just a basic standard coffee shop, but its dependable and a solid place to get some work done.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley Espresso is a total gem in the rough. The fair trade organic cofee is delicious, espresso drinks are on point, and the staff is the sweetest.
Observations/​tips
–the latte art is a sweet touch
–seating is usually plentiful and it’s the kind of coffee shop where folks actually talk to each other vs. people in their own worlds zoned out and studying
–Their egg bagels are a fine breakfast
I’m grateful for this neighborhood coffee shop and can’t believe it took me so long to try it out!
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
Worst service and a poor cup of coffee.
This combination makes me not want to go to small coffee shops since there’s no one to complain to.
Waited 20 minutes for my drink.
No one was in line except for me but the girl was just chatting with this guy trying to get a date or something.
Waste of my time.
And the drink was bitter since she let the shot just sit there as she talked to him.