I absolutely love everything about this coffee shop! First of all the goal of this coffee shop (To help refugees get on their feet) is a loving and honorable goal. The art on the walls are not intrusive and truly help you learn a lot more about the situations many refugees are facing! Secondly, the staff is very nice, they seem talkative when inquisitive customers come in but also know when not to talk when people are just trying to get in and out. Lastly, the coffee itself is wonderful! The pour-overs are great, not the best in the world (in my opinion) but it is my favorite coffee in all of Berkeley. Go check this wonderful place out as soon as you can! read more

Consistent, fast, delicious, and friendly experience EVERY time. I cannot express how delighted I am to live only two blocks away from what is now my favorite coffee place. I have been here so many times and I have never had a bad coffee, always amazing. Keep up the good work 1951! read more

I love 1951! And I'm so happy they've had the chance to expand all across Berkeley and Rockridge. My favorites here are the matcha latte and the Persian iced tea. Being from Iran it makes me happy to see local eateries embracing the food culture there. I do wish they'd expand their bakery options to be more vegan friendly, but maybe that will come with expansion. read more

Although Berkeley has some of the worst parking I've ever experienced, finally making my way to this cafe brightens up a day of pulling my hair out. I met up with a friend today to catch up and get some work done. The cafe wasn't all that crowded on a Saturday afternoon. I got an iced latte and it was delicious. I enjoyed it very much, given the hot weather. The barista was very kind and reached over to my table to hand me my drink, along with a lid and straw. An hour later, a friend accidentally dropped a small mason glass jar and it shattered on the floor. The same barista that helped me was very cool about it. He came over and swept it up for us and even gave us another mason jar with water refilled. This man deserves a gold star. Even more later, a disgruntled homeless man entered the cafe and was yelling obscenities at the very same barista. The barista was very calm and even brought a couple pastries to the guy. The homeless man eventually yelled some more and left. The barista hurried back to help more customers with composure and professionalism. I don't know how much he gets paid, but he deserves a raise. I wish I got his name. He was a slender man, with curly hair. 1951 has me sold. Their social mission is sound, and the people they hire are some of the most courteous people I've encountered in a retail setting. read more

I have been trying to reduce my coffee spendings, but hasn't seemed to work out too well...especially when 1951 Coffee, a non-profit coffee organization to support refugees living in the Bay, opened up in Berkeley...like what?? This is the primary reason I keep going back. Although I am not a huge fan of verve coffee against the general consensus, I can't help but get my dose of coffee here (when I cave in and just really want some coffee). The chai latte is milky and not too spicy, pastries are bomb aka the blueberry scone and mochi muffin, sick interior designs, plenty of seating, great wifi...plus you get to be greeted by friendly faces behind the counter. What more can you ask for? If not that, then I hope the mission statement brings people in! read more

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I think people need to be reminded of 1951's mission when they visit and that the employees are refugees. I was reading a recent review about this coffee shop. They were disappointed by the employee not knowing what roast levels were, how awkward their interactions were, and the end result of the coffee. Yes, I do understand that you are expected to be knowledgeable of coffee and provide great coffee drinks when you work at a coffee shop. BUT 1951 doesn't market themselves as "the best coffee you'll ever drink." They market themselves as "home for refugees". Therefore, I come in with the knowledge that the coffee I receive may differ from my coffee from a previous visit, that my drink may be too sweet, that it may be an awkward interaction with the employees, etc. etc. I come to not only drink coffee but also to support a cause worth supporting. Okay now onto my experience overall, the environment is calming and pleasant. It's a little more set off from the busier streets of Berkeley. They have outside seating with shading too. The wifi is nice, the seating has backing to it, and plenty of natural and artificial lighting. One thing to point out about the tabling (esp in terms of studying) is that the tables are lower than the seats so it can get uncomfortable for your arms as you try to type on your computer. (small con for the overall experience) My favorite drink here is iced mocha (tastes like chocolate milk lOLOL) I previousy have gotten chai and iced latte. Chai was too strong for me but that's just because i usually don't like chai in general. The latte was a bit too milky. I'll make sure to update this review if I found anything else worth noting. read more

Thank you, Yelpers, for leading me to this great cafe! I was looking for a nearby cafe with the best ice chai latte and this place had it! The chai tasted of unique spices and was so refreshing in its light sweetness. I hope to return soon for the best chai latte in Berkeley. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love socially conscious local businesses that give back to the community. Very exciting to see this local movement on the very important issue of refugees and their struggles. AND they have a cute space and food coffee! read more

1951 is a cool coffee shop within First Presbyterian Church with a mission to help train and employ refugees from around the world. Awesome to know that the profits will go to this great cause. You get a pretty good cup of coffee, and can spend quite some time in the place to study or hang out. There aren't that many spaces within the shop, and if you're cool studying at community table types of places, then this is for you. Overall, it has great vibes and a great ambiance. read more

Delicious coffee. Pricey price points. Great cause. Customer service: 70% chance of ice storm 30% chance of sunshine. Yummy snacks. Conscious of trends. eco-conscious. Sometimes lines are long ... good for them! Socially conscious. Clean. Unique menu items. read more

Stopped here before I left for my flight back home. Iced honey lavender latte was solid. I also loved being able to order on a kiosk.

After hearing about this coffee shop online, I was more than eager to try it out. How can I not support a coffee shop that opens up employment opportunities for refugees? After coming here with a friend, we found it packed with people but why not? It's got a stylish design with lots of seating and it's right off Telegraph. I ordered a latte to go and was surprised by the friendliness of the service and the efficiency. The latte was a bit expensive at $4 for a 12oz but not awful considering how much is usually. Plus, the latte was good. There's also a good selection of pastries from sweet to savory for any one looking to munch. I will make sure to come back soon to try a mochi muffin. Don't forget to support your local businesses! read more

This place. Wow. So last weekend I decided to venture forth into my own city to check out the latest and greatest in new offerings. I've lived in Berkeley nearly 8 years now and we have historically not had the coffee culture prevalent on other campuses. Before you start yelling at me about Strada and Meditarraneum and Milano, let me back up and ask you about hipster, semi-bourgeosie establishments. To which you may scream about how this is all new and third wave coffee is a recent movement and is slowly spreading to gentrified area and omg gentrification. Also don't even go there about Starbucks, the trope of the "basic bitch" and coffee is coffee and it doesn't matter where you get it, let's preserve history. To which I will likely say touche, you win. Let me revel in these new coffee establishments that yes, lack history, but also do not smell like the underbelly of a sweaty goat. Ok. That's out of the way. 1951 - this place is flat out fantastic. No buildup. I'm a big fan of their mission and it makes me feel wonderful knowing that my cappuccino indulgence is directly helping a cause I have always supported. The coffee is Verve and is quite delicious. On a Sunday it gets packed but that did not dissuade me from refusing to read my book and instead strike up a conversation with the lady next to me the journalism student next to her. Felt very OG coffeehouse to me. Also helped that I wasn't feeling super fly that day but this gentleman asked me if I would drink my coffee for his Telegraph avenue promo film. Yes, yes I can, thank you very much. I had a cappuccino in case I didn't mention that. It was delicious. I didn't need to add sugar because the coffee was on point. I took pictures for my instagram story that I did not save so there will be no pictures until I go there next which will hopefully be soon. I hear their happy hour - coffee + cookie for $5 is good. read more

Having previously trekked 15 minutes to Babette, Blue Bottle, and Asha just to get good coffee, 1951 Coffee Company is a refreshing addition to the Berkeley southside community. First things first, how's the coffee? Pretty good. Beans are sourced from Verve in Santa Cruz. They also seem to know how to use that brand new shiny espresso machine of theirs :). Prices are usual Berkeley prices, $4+tax for a Latte and $3 for a shot of espresso. They do sizes for their Latte's which I'm personally not a fan of but their smaller one is already regular sized. They are not very good at Latte art though. Atmosphere is nice, decent amount of workspaces. No wifi right now but they are getting it in a few weeks. One last thing: 1951 is a nonprofit that supports refugees (who are their baristas). Not really part of my review but I'm sure they would love to share their story if you do pay them a visit. read more

I must admit that I'm not the greatest fan of coffee, but I would say that I like visiting the establishment in general. The interior is clean, the internet connection is reliable, and it is apparent that the workers put a great deal of care and effort into both coffee and tea. I usually order an iced americano, and that usually works for me. I also get breakfast here sometimes as they have an array of breads and sandwiches available. I end up getting the croissant or turkey sandwich. The coupon that gives you one free drink with 10 stamps is a strong motivator to keep coming here as well. I believe the purpose of this shop is what makes going here truly meaningful. The diagrams on the walls are creative ways of emphasizing the need refugees have and how to help in small ways. While not all of us can give aid directly, I think supporting such causes is a step in the right direction. I think recognizing the significance of this mission also entails being patient with the workers as well as they have had to get through many obstacles to reach this shop, with language being only one of them. I feel that I have experienced this several times, but I remind myself of my own words and regain my tolerance. A minor gripe would be that the placement of sugar and milk is slightly inconvenient, but considering the spacial limitations, I understand why they had to do this. I would encourage anyone who enjoys coffee and wants to take a step in supporting a meaningful cause to stop by. They also have their own restroom as well. read more

1951 serves a fantastic cup of hot chocolate, perfect for escaping the cold rain. It's even warmer because I know the shop's mission - helping refugees to resettle in the Bay Area through training and jobs - is more needed than ever. The Wifi is strong, outlets are plentiful, and the chairs are truly comfortable. It has the perfect balance of ambiance - half laptops, half conversations, everyone enjoying gourmet drinks and snacks. My new go-to! read more

Excellent coffee and staff! Came back a second time when we stayed over. I would highly recommend it especially because it's run by college students. read more

Great cappuccino and chai latte! Great values behind the business as well. Welcoming refugees by giving them training and a job. Cool vibe and graphics. Decent amount of seating as well. Great place to hang out read more

1951 Coffee Company - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Interior: Very cozy, clean, and well-lit, with lots of table seating and outlets available, making studying easy. They play soft jazzy music, which I'm personally a fan of! Drinks: I ordered the matcha latte with almond milk (being lactose intolerant) and it was very delicious! Their service is not the fastest but you can really tell they put a lot of care and effort into preparing your order. The staff is very polite. Overall, a lovely little spot! I feel good at spending my money for such a great refugee training program too! read more

1951 Coffee Company - matcha latte with almond milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great coffee, nice employees and lots of seating. They also have muffins and croissants, but I didn't order any food, so I can't review those. Although they have quite a lot of seating and tables, most of the seats were full when I was there. There were about 10 open seats scattered throughout. I think many students hang out to study there. It was pretty quiet except for the background music. I'll be back to support the cause. read more

Had the cappuccino, veggie quiche, and mochi muffin. All is good, but damn that mochi muffin is heavenly Only complaint is the chairs are a little high to comfortably work at the tables. On the plus side the cafe is nice and quiet, lots of outlets for charging, free wifi. And a respectable purpose read more

1951 Coffee Company - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Coffee and sweet treats aside, I am in love with the vision of this place. Its purpose is to not only educate the city about the refugee experience and create much-needed opportunities for the refugee population, but (I believe) first and foremost to invite members of the city into community with the humans you'll meet behind the coffee shop's counter. All about this place! I wish there were more places like it. read more

Spending money for a good cause is something I'm always down for especially when it is spent in delicious coffee and pastries. The latte and mochi muffin were very good. Interior of the store is also cool and modern and is a great study spot and place to chat with friends. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love the concept behind this coffee shop and the ambiance! The oat milk is also very good :)

Loved the honey oat latte! Tried it both hot and iced and it was very good! Good space to study/do work both inside and outside. Great how they are doing charitable work and the whole meaning behind the company. read more

It was great doing work during the soft opening for 1951 Coffee house. Come show some support. It's a wonderful coffee shop that helps refugees become baristas. With this job they can earn a decent living wage in the expensive bay. So proud of my church who has partnered with them. The coffee is delicious. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Whenever I pass by this cafe, there is usually a number of students studying inside. Their menu is very simple and they have fantastic pastries. There's plenty of seating available and a great place to study and catch up with friends. The baristas are really nice and their mission is awesome. I wish there were more cafes like 1951. Definitely would come back here again. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good experience. Nice place to study or just relax. Lattes are amazing! Pricey but for a good cause.

Great cause and great coffee. Clean and simple interior that really allows you to enjoy your mug of coffee (if you chose the "for here" option ). Prices are similar to other coffee shops. I ordered the macchiato for $3.50 I like how the didn't dilute the espresso with too much milk. The drink was smooth yet strong and left a pleasant aftertaste read more

This place has the best lattes in Berkeley and it's a great business to support. It's study area gets a bit crowded and there aren't a lot of outlets if you need to charge your devices. I love the honey lavender latte but their best plain lattes never disappoint read more

I came in here Friday morning of dead week and was immediately greeted by smiling faces. Ordered a normal coffee and I was so excited to see that they have standing desks(!!!!!!!!) Great music, good coffee, honorable cause and a clean environment. Love this place and will definitely be coming back read more

The coffee is really well-roasted and strong, just the way I like it! I would also recommend grabbing a mochi donut with your coffee. The people are also really kind and accommodating with orders. This is my new go-to coffee spot! read more

I order cappuccinos everywhere I go and 1951 has hands down one of the best and creamiest cappuccinos of my life. The fact that this is also a non-profit cafe makes me want to buy as much as I can from them :) read more

1951 Coffee Company - Cappuccino and a mochi muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I stopped in here while visiting the UC Berkeley campus a few weeks ago. When I entered the staff was extremely friendly and quickly asked me if I had any questions about the menu. I went with the drip coffee of the day, which was from a Santa Cruz based company using Salvadoran beans. For just under $3, I ordered the 16-18oz serving, so it was priced well. The coffee was tasty! I've had issues with coffee from El Salvador being bitter and acidic for my pallet, but this one did not disappoint. It went down smooth, and was not one bit gritty or chalky near the end of the cup. The WiFi while I enjoyed my coffee was one of the quickest I've used. I love the mission of the organization of helping out refugees, so the delicious coffee and fast WiFi are huge bonuses. read more

I was so excited to try this place and it exceeded my expectations! I first heard about it from a class I was taking when were discussing the refugee crisis my professor mentioned that 1951 was opening up in Berkeley and with it being so local I had to come check it out. Super awesome cause and a really cool looking shop. I had a iced latte w/ almond milk, extra dollar for the almond milk which is a bit more than most places, but hey, it's going to help the people literally taking your order, so in my book totally worth it! Pastries were yummy and I'm always looking for a good place to study and this was perfect, lots of seating indoor and out and lots of outlets, I will most definitely be back! read more

While I personally am not a fan of coffee, I wanted to check out this new coffee shop that opened close to the Berkeley campus. Besides their coffee options, they had hot chocolate, iced tea, and other teas available. I purchased an organic Hojicha Japanese green tea, which smelled lovely! I am excited to return to try out their different teas, and perhaps even a hot chocolate on a particularly chilly day. The shop itself has great wi-fi, a clean restroom, it's comfortably busy on the weekends, and I am a huge fan of the bar stools with the back support. The staff were courteous and service was very efficient. Overall, a lovely atmosphere and a great cause! read more

Visited this lovely coffee shop today with my boyfriend to have a study date. The staff was friendly and helpful, I ordered a single mocha and my boyfriend ordered a cappuccino. Our drinks came out fast served on a wooden board and had cute latte art on them. There is a good amount of seating available and relaxing music playing in the background, perfect for studying! The only downside to studying at this particular cafe for us was the fact that it's a little dark in there but other than that it was a good experience. We will definitely be coming back! read more

1951 Coffee Company - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Solid cold brew! The mochi donut is good too. Most importantly they support a great cause and that is why I would continue to support this business the next time I am in Berkeley. read more

I am so impressed with this coffee shop. It has a beautiful mission and the employees could not be more friendly. One of the best iced vanilla lattes I've had and the service was even BETTER! Will definitely be returning everyday while I'm in the area. read more

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I loved this spot. It's very inclusive. They have delicious coffee. Though it does get busy since a lot of college students go there. It gets full fast so there may not be very many seats available. Their almond croissant is delicious but really sweet so I would suggest to pair with an unsweetened drink. It's convenient because there's parking right next to it so you don't have drive around to find parking for too long. read more