Berkeley is famous for coffee spots like Caffe Strada (voted eight-best college town coffee shop by Complex Magazine) and Café Mediterraneum (self-proclaimed creator of the cafe latte), but sometimes finding a free seat – let alone a power outlet for your laptop – in any of the old favorites can prove a challenge. If you’re looking for a change of scene, here are a few new coffee shops we’ve spotted in the past few months:
Berkeley Floor Cafe is located about a half-block from RSF on Bancroft, next door to the Tang Center. Only a few months old, the Floor has been a success mostly because of its roomy feel and great natural light, which is a refreshing change of scene from many of our go-to dim, cramped study spots. (Remember working in the top floor of Milano when the sunroof isn’t open?)
Address: 2244 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA.
Tivoli Caffe might be accused of hiding in plain sight, and as a result is usually remarkably quiet, even when people are fighting over tables at nearby Milano. This location is family-owned and operated, and as a result they’re particularly personable and warm. We love that this particular cafe is just one of a handful around to stay open until the early morning hours of the morning – according to staff, it’s now open until 2:30 a.m. “on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.” And another big plus for us chronic double-shot types? The coffee here is refreshingly strong.
Address: 2554 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA.
Hippie Gypsy, a new addition to Northside, was opened just a few months ago near the cross-street of Shattuck and Delaware. We love this cafe not only because of the great (fair-trade) coffee and breakfast, but the exceptional customer service and super-positive atmosphere – while we’re not regulars ourselves yet, some of our frequently-visiting friends tell us that the staff has learned them by name!
Address: 1797-A Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA.
As college students in yuppie territory, we’re already up to our necks in espressos and lattes … but we promise these new locations are worth checking out!
–R.S.
Image source: Jennifer Tomaloff under Creative Commons.