I've had a LOT of lattes in my life so it takes a truly fantastic drink to stand out to me. The coffee I had at 1951 was one of those drinks. I savored every delicious sip of my caramel almond milk latte this morning. The cafe was a great work environment, service was quick and friendly, and of course the mission of the place is commendable as well. If I lived in the area I just know I'd be here all the time! read more

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

If you want a perfect latte every single time you order, good music, WiFi and a place to plug in and study/ work.... This is the spot! I was in town for work and stumbled across this coffee shop. Came one day, perfect latte was devoured within 5 mins. Returned the next day and ordered two lattes within a 20 min time span. It's that good. Love the cause of the coffee shop as well. read more

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

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Lovely brew with mochi donut and social mission to boot. What's not to love about this spot? I only wish they were open later. In an area with lots of coffee options, 1951 stands out not just for their thoughtfulness about their relationships with growers, roasters and the local refugee community, they stand out for their high quality coffee. read more

Loved the masala chai, it had that good balance of chai, spices and milk. I loved taking small sips of the drink while enjoying an outdoor experience along Channing street. I wished they had more pastries today, but maybe the weekend is slower so they didn't have too much options. Or maybe I missed the morning rush, that's why I didn't see other options beyond the croissant and a danish. I love the ambiance inside and outside. When you walk in, the lighting is warm and welcoming. The cacti were a nice touch to the pick up counter. read more

A unique coffee place place that has a good cause of supporting immigrants and refugees. The people are very nice and the coffee and teas are amazing. They have a unique array of homemade syrups that taste very natural. I really like the lavender syrup with matcha iced latte, it has a really robust flavor and is well balanced. The ambiance is really nice and hip, and there are plenty of power outlets for those who want to study/work there. For students running late to class but need an urgent yet delicious caffeine boost, you can order of snack pass. They're also really good about keeping homeless people out who often frequent Peets and cause so many problem read more

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Love the general vibe of the place and the overall mission. If I was still in school definitely a place I would go to study. Plenty of table space and generally quiet background music. Drinks: latte with regular milk. Pricey. Everything in Berkeley is so not counting it against them but it was $5.25 for a large latte. First sip and the main flavor I got was a bitter burnt taste. And later it became more of a watered down milk flavor. It seems like scrolling through the reviews that maybe I should have picked something else but it's my comparison drink. Pastries: ordered a chocolate croissant and an almond one. Got a plain butter one and a chocolate. Okay maybe my bad for not paying attention to what they put in the warmer and in the bag before leaving. Chocolate one was decent. I would put it in the middle of quality and taste. The plain butter one was lacking. It was flakey on the outside but the middle parts were pretty chewy. Overall. Having a hard time finding a reason to come back other than the mission of the place. Which is awesome don't get me wrong. Maybe if I'm in the area again I'll try soemthing different but I dont think at this point I'll be actively seeking it out. read more

YUM YUM THE HONEY LAVENDER LATTE IS A GOD SEND!! Please get it. I'm on the search for the best honey lavender latte out there. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Honey lavender latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Got here around 9AM on a Friday and the place was pretty empty. By around 11AM the place got a little more busier. There was only one person working and I was given to go orders rather than the fancy cup board which sucked but not a deal breaker. They serve mochi muffins so I had to try one. If you haven't had mochi before, the texture is very chewy so the muffin had the same consistency. It was good but I wish it was flavored and warm. The matcha latte with oat milk was a must try based on the other reviews. It was good at the first couple sips but afterwards, I didn't like the after taste of the oat milk. Not many outlets in this shop and not a lot tables, but instead many high tops. There is a garage for $10 or meter parking for 2 hr limit on the street. A lot of students as this place is near Cal and walking distance to all major restaurants. It's a cool place, but not comfy for a big group if you're meeting or working together. read more

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

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Love the mission behind this cafe. Got a latte and was very happy with my drink! I've been looking for a local, mission-driven cafe in the area to work, unwind, and enjoy a latte. And I've finally found it! Free wi-fi, clean bathroom, educational materials, lovely staff. read more

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

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What's better than a chill place to study & quality coffee? A place that's also serving the community. 1951 has a focus on helping the refugee community by providing various resources to them and addressing issues the community faces. Before the first time I went, I heard that this place sold good beverages and also helped the community. It wasn't until my second year that I decided to try this place out. They have your typical Cafe drinks from a Latte to Matcha to my favorite, Chai. I love love love how this place also offers oat milk for an additional $1 dollar since not a ton of locations in Berkeley does. The Chai is slightly on the spicier end, but it's exactly my taste. They also sell a variety of pastries, my favorite being the mochi donuts from Third Culture Bakery. 1951 is honestly a great place to study as well. Their light music and their ample seating allows for bigger groups or single individuals who want to study or chat. If you need a study break, take a look at their walls which shows how this non-profit business is helping the refugee community. If you haven't made your way to 1951, be sure to. You'll definitely not regret it. Help your community by getting a good cup of coffee. read more

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Good coffee, great cause! Supporting this coffee shop's mission is a joy--hang out, enjoy the menu items, and read about 1951 and all the it does to help refugees. read more

Good coffee with a good purpose, 1951 Coffee Company represents the ideals that we should all be proud to participate in by purchasing a bag of coffee, drinks, and baked goods whenever you happen to be in downtown Berkeley, a mere stones throw away from the campus of U.C. Berkeley. What makes 1951 Coffee Company unique is that it is a non-profit specialty coffee organization founded over five years ago in 2015, that promotes the well-being of the refugee community living in the United States by helping them by providing job training and employment. Their name is derived from the UNHCR's 1951 Refugee Convention which first defined and set forth guidelines for the protection of refugees. In the spirit of that convention, 1951 Coffee works with refugees, asylees, and special immigrant visa holders to help them overcome the unique barriers they face in seeking and sustaining employment while educating the community about refugee life and issues that may not have previously been aware of. I have wanted come to 1951 Coffee Company for some time and took advantage of an errand I had to run in downtown Berkeley to make a stop at this location, which can be quite the drive for those who don't know their way in and out of the downtown Berkeley neighborhood through the narrow streets some of which are one way only, but in no time I managed to find it. Located on Channing Way on the ground floor of a building that houses offices and a underground parking garage for the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. Their space is quite large, although I wasn't able to get a full feel of it because due to the current restrictions we are living under, there is no entering their facility at this time. They have two tables set up at their two doors, one for ordering and one for pick up. Ordering was super simple as they have a laminated version of their menu right at their order table. I decided to go with two drinks to get a real feel of their menu one form their coffee section and one from their iced drink section. I went with their Mocha, which cost $5.50 and their Rose Lemonade, which was $4.75. It looked like they had one barista and one cashier but it didn't take too long for both drinks to come out as it wasn't busy on the weekday afternoon I went there. I sipped on my Rose Lemonade first and it was a refreshing piece of fresh and flowery goodness, which I don't believe I have ever described a drink in this manner, and I was so thankful I ordered it. My only regret was that the drink size was rather small and I should have ordered another one! Since I waited to drink the Mocha, I was pleasantly surprised to still have it remain warm as I drove to my home in my car and once I sipped on it after a good while, I was even more surprised that the Mocha still tasted so rich and creamy and was the perfect drink to keep me awake when I most needed a pick-me-up. All in all I had a wonderful experience at 1951 Coffee Company with good service and quality made drinks with care that were rather inexpensive which was an added benefit. With the challenges of a current up-and-down economy, their other locations which they previously opened with great pride on College Avenue in Oakland and a small outdoor kiosk in a newly landscaped patio by the entrance to the Downtown Berkeley Bart station are both no longer. But as things stand today, who knows more locations could be popping up in other towns outside the local college-centric neighborhoods of the Bay Area and for their mere existence we should all try to get out to downtown Berkeley to sample the great coffee drinks and small pastries at 1951 Coffee Company. They represent what's good about the Bay Area: a solid independently owned and operated business that features good coffee for a worthy cause. read more

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deeeeeeeeeelish oat lavender matcha latte. not too sweet, not too grassy, comforting when the berkeley weather is making me uncomfortably chilly, no complaints there. you can order either at the machine or with a barista. lots of options! in a little obscure part of the street near telegraph, secluded but in a nice way! plenty of seating for anything and everything! working, reading, catching up, day dreaming, etc. cleaaaan one person bathroom that's code-only entry. overall tasty drinks, great environment, no frills coffee stop. read more

1951 coffee company is a huge supporter of refugees by employing & training them. Nice friendly staff. Coffee: Priced competitively to other coffee places in the area (maybe even slightly more expensive, but for a good cause). I ordered their large hot vanilla latte and I was pleasantly surprised by its moderately sweet, delicious nutty taste! I usually go to Artis coffee for my vanilla latte fix, but I guess I don't need to anymore. Will definitely come back to support! Outdoor set-up: 3 tables set up outside next to a somewhat quiet street. Located right across Unit 3, an undergraduate dorm. Wi-fi is available. read more

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

I loved 1951. This has been on my list for awhile now. I have seen so many great things about this place and many of my fellow Yelp elites checking in. I knew I had to go! I got a hot vanilla latte. It was delicious! It had a sort of nutty flavor to it that I really enjoyed. It stayed warm in the cup for over an hour. It was great on my ride home keeping me toasty the whole time. I really enjoyed the drink and I can't wait for my next exploration in Berkeley but my first stop will be 1951 Coffee Company! read more

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

Thank you Yelp for leading me to this amazing coffee shop! Not only do they serve freshly ground, delicious tasting coffee and more - they do this for a great cause! 1951 is a non-profit organization that specializes in promoting the well-being of the refugee community in the United States! This non-profit provides job training and employment to the refugees, asylees, and special immigrant visa holders all while the community about the life and issues of refugee.⁣ You can learn more by going on their website! ⁣ What a beautiful way to support and educate about issues that are rarely spoken about in The United States. Thank you, 1951 Coffee! I got their Peppermint Latte and it was honestly the best tasting one I've had during the Peppermint season! Even my boyf, Yelp Elite Dario O., favored it and he's not a fan at all of peppermint anything! read more

Cute coffee shop for a great cause! I went to 1951 today for the first time and ordered the matcha latté. The aesthetics of the café is great--it has a decent amount of seating, clean wooden tables, and wall decor that brighten up the space. The service of the place is also great--the workers are so friendly! Regarding the drink, I'd give it a 4/5. It was a good matcha latté that had a good level of sweetness. The shop overall is a little pricey, but the profits go to helping refugees, so the prices are well-warranted. Would definitely come again! read more

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

Quiet cafe to chill / work near downtown Berkeley. My friend and I met up here to grab a bite to eat before trying our hands at axe throwing at the nearby AxeVentures. We came on a Sunday morning around 11 and it was mostly full inside with students quietly working. There is some outdoor seating as well, which is where we sat as we didn't want to disturb the students working inside. I was drawn here by their mochi donut selection and it didn't disappoint. We split their mango passion fruit mochi donut and matcha mochi donut ($3.25). Each had a great chewiness to it that I've come to associate with mochi pastries and the flavor was spot on as well. I also tried the rose lemonade ($4.50), which I enjoyed because it was less sweet and more sour than regular lemonade. read more

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This coffee shop made me love sweetened matcha all over again! Honey is sweet, but not overpowering. Super nice cause (helps refugees), nice cashiers, and clean bathrooms. Takes some time, so order ahead! Visit on every Berkeley trip, so worth it! read more

Great looking spot, awesome quiet vibe, lovely tasting matcha latte with oatmilk, and a tad bit on the sweet end for the iced vanilla latte... so why the 2 stars? One word: HAIR. I found hair in my quiche. Lol, sounds funny, but it's gross. I found hair smack down in the middle of my quiche :/. read more

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

I live off of matcha and came into this place for the first time to get one. When I paid $6 for this drink, I was expecting an amazing latte only to find out the put a spoon of matcha in whole milk and handed it to me. The matcha taste was super faint- there wasn't enough in there and it wasn't the right matcha for cold drinks as shown by all the clumps formed. There's a difference between matcha for hot drinks versus cold drinks. The grain is finer for the one used with cold liquids so it doesn't clump and dissolves better. read more

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

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I came here because on yelp. I came during COVID-19 so you walk up to a window and order. To pay they have a chip reader so it's contactless. I wish I would of known about this place sooner the coffee was amazing. I will definitely be returning. read more

This place is great and the staff is super nice and although it's a university coffeehouse it's not in a university building it's right across campus, and the coffee is very top shelf and the barista are courteous. They have many pastries to choose from and gifts like mugs and coffee if you wish to take some home to Bruin home yourself read more

1951 Coffee Company - Lounge. Closed for Covid - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Finally got to try 1951! The great reviews for this made me eager to try it out, but I didn't seem to get the same service or taste everyone is raving about. I really love what they are doing here by donating purchases to the refugee. That is something different than any other coffee shop I've ever been to. The decor was very cute and is a good size. Very quiet, but busy, around noon on a Saturday. Many people were sipping and eating while using their laptops. Seems like a very relaxed and calm environment. A lot of reviews say they are lively and friendly, but I did not experience that at all. No greetings or smile. Just ordered our coffee, paid, and waited for our order to be finished. I got an iced dirty chai latte. My boyfriend got a cold brew and added 2 shots of espresso and a matcha muffin. The coffee has a citrus to it. We are use to the more strong and bold coffee taste, so we were not a fan. Maybe... I should have stuck to a regular matcha latte instead. I was not satisfied with my visit. I'm hesitant to try again, but I'm down with the cause, so it wouldn't hurt if I'm in the area. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Iced dirty chai. Cold brew. Matcha muffin. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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One of the few cafes with space for laptops that is open until 7pm on weekends! In addition to admiring the mission of the 1951 Coffee Shop, I love the fact that it has late hours on weekends. Such a savior for those of us who need to get work done on weekends. It is usually pretty packed late in the day, but I have always been able to find a spot. There are places to plug your laptop along the wall. The staff is friendly and they have different varieties of coffees and teas. They also have delicious mochi donuts from Third Culture! This is the first cafe that I've seen that serves their pastries. I like that there's a connecting courtyard at the back of the cafe. I usually like to go out to get some fresh air or change settings. They also have restrooms and a fountain in this back area. Oh, I was also a fan of their playlist! Definitely recommend it if you're looking for a chill spot to be productive on the weekend. read more

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

I love the message of this coffee shop and how it helps refugees around the world and also provides background on the refugees in the shop itself. I ordered a chai latte with almond milk and a chocolate croissant and ended up camping out for a good part of the afternoon. The WiFi was quite fast and the shop itself was well lit. Sad that I couldn't get any of the mochi products, but that just means I'll have to come back for return trips in the future. read more

1951 Coffee Company - Chai latte with chocolate croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Such a great coffee shop! A friend took me here, and I took an instant liking for the ambiance. They decorated it very well, and there's plenty of space to chat with friends or to study. It also has a great mission as it's a non-profit specialty coffee organization that hires refugees. On the walls, it's also informative of how they help the refugee communities. It seems like they're doing such good work already in that aspect. The coffee is also very delicious and they have a number of yummy pastries too. They serve Verve coffee, so it makes the coffee taste even better :) If I'm back in the area will most def be visiting here again :) read more

My favorite drink is a Mocha it's perfect not too sweet. Also recommend the mochi donuts! Staff is very nice and it's always busy due to students working but it's not a problem for me! read more

Yummy coffee Smooth and light for a hot smoky day. Easy to get to location and outside tables handy. They are COVID prepped with tables sanitized and lines clearly marked. read more

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AMBIENCE 3.5/5 & WORK 4/5 To start with parking, there was a lot across the way that cost about $12 for a full day of parking. Also, sparing 2 hour street parking, and a few meters one street over. Slightly a pain a be driving around and moving your car but expected of the area. Additionally, as expected of most coffee shops in this vicinity, this was the perfect place for college students to set up shop, college roommates to grab a coffee, or RAs to meet with their residents. 1951 has two entrances, one from the front and one that leads to a back courtyard that is shared with a church, Plenty of seating area in the space, and outside there are nooks and crannys you can find a seat. There were a few outlets scattered along the wall. Overall, for the amount of people there were, noise levels were pretty low. FOOD/DRINK 4/5 Got a mochi muffin and my friend got a blackberry cheese danish. There was a BOGO deal the day we went so both were around $3. Drinks were average price $4-5 for a latte of some sort. Drinks were quite tasty, I got a latte with oat milk! Overall, a pretty good experience. I love what this coffee shop is about as well - supporting refugees and raising awareness. read more

Swung by on a Sunday mid-morning. Busy but a fast moving line. Large, bright roomy inside with a fair number of outdoor tables. Love love love the concept and social consciousness behind this place. But, bottom line, does the coffee taste good? YES! Hubs got a pour over and it was perfectly brewed with a good solid roast. I'm the coffee lightweight so I had a latte which they make with 2 shots. Tasted great, didn't need sweetener, wasn't bitter or overly milky. Definitely a go-back kinda place. read more

"Hand crafted coffee made by staff from seven countries" New establishment in Berkeley. Worked here for a little bit on a Saturday afternoon, and they are simply the nicest. Beautiful decor, ample seating, wifi is fast, prices are reasonable. Short on food (out of sandwiches during my visit). They serve Verve coffee. Would like to return! read more

This coffee shop can be easy to miss, but it is one of my favorite cafes close to campus. 1951 is a non-profit that provides assistance to refugees; prices can be a little high but are well-warranted. What's better than being caffeinated and serving a good cause? The cafe isn't large itself, but there is quite a bit of seating available. They offer tables with bar-style stools, soft seating-only chairs, and plenty of outlets which is perfect for studying. The large windows allow a generous amount of natural lighting to come through, and the interior design is . I managed to snag a seat even during noon on a Friday. The tables were packed with students studying so I'd recommend getting there early if you want an outlet. I ordered a latte and it was delicious, though the wait time was a bit long. The barista was super friendly so I would definitely come again. I've personally never ordered a mochi muffin from *here*, but I've been to Third Culture and would recommend the muffins as well. Pros: - Close to campus - Good cause :') - Good for studying - Wide assortment of drinks and pastries - Drinks made with love Cons/deltas: - A little on the pricier side - Can be hard to find a table or outlet - Longer wait times read more

1951 Coffee Company - Latte with almond milk! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I'm happy I came across this little cafe while in Berkeley. The interior is clean and modern, not too bright and not too dark. They serve Verve coffee which is one of my favorites. However, I was in the mood for chai so I ordered a chai latte with almond milk. It was nice and spicy. I also got mochi muffin which is gluten free, chewy and delicious. I hope to return soon and try more of their offerings. There is street parking and a parking lot right next door which is nice and convenient. read more

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TL;DR Smooth smoooth coffee + awesome staff This is a great cafe to get some good coffee and get some work done. Their staff are the most friendliest people ever. The lattes are perfection, espresso pulled perfectly and milk steamed just right. There are several bar tables throughout the cafe and it's always impeccably clean. read more

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The matcha with honey was incredible, and in such a cute jar. Service was insanely quick (got my drink in 2 min). The wifi didn't work today so I was going to make do but one of the workers came by and gave me access to a separate network they had. How kind! They go above and beyond. read more

This is my first time here and I was looking forward to this spot as many of my coffee friends from Oakland recommend This spot. And truthfully I was pretty disappointed and bummed at first. But.... things turned around. I ordered myself a "regular latte" with an almond Croissant. The latte was awful. Why? There was nothing but milk. I'm not making this up (look at the photos) I was very surprised that they even served this to me. But before I could have an opinion I decided to try it first and to my suspicion there was little to no espresso. I thought this might be a good opportunity to approach the barista and ask them to re-make it. Thankfully another barista noticed it and was surprised herself that was given to a customer. She re-did it and it was a a delicious latte. Yes it was an unexpected start but it turned into a enjoyable experience. Shout-out to the Baristas for their efforts and kind understanding. ProTip: If you ever order "A Latte" (specifically) in the largest size most cases it doesn't mean you're getting more espresso. The larger the size the more milk they add. This will dilute your latte and taste like a cup of warm milk. I highly suggest asking your barista how many shots of espresso are in each size and recommend adding another shot. Follow my coffee account on Instagram: @Coffeesoulmates read more

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My new favorite Berkeley coffee shop. Open early, great coffee. My iced honey oat latte was amazing. A little pricey ($6) but it's a non-profit, and profits go to helping the refugee community in the Bay Area by providing job training. Friendly service, cool music and nice vibe. They have plenty of indoor seating, a couple tables outside, and restroom. read more

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GET WORKING: 1951 is a place to get your creativity juices flowing! The music in this cafe isn't obnoxious; it's chill, it's just right, you can still focus on your thought process without being distracted by the music. The lighting is pretty adequate! There's plenty of power outlets by the walls (none on the centered table). POWER UP: Feeling sleepy after doing an all-nighter? Power up with caffeinated teas, specialty espresso drinks, and drips. Order your coffee "for here" to use their nifty mugs on a cute sturdy wooden board. Their teas are served in a mason jar. Personally, I'm loving their "honey lattes." It's like caramel latte but using honey as a healthier substitute (they don't have it on their menu, just tell them you're customizing your drink; I always do it!). Great location! SEATS: If it ever gets too crowded such that all tables and chairs are taken, don't let your spirits feel down--go to the back of the building and enjoy the benches in the hallway or in the porch right in front of McKinley hall. RESTROOMS: If the bathroom is occupied, waste no time and go outside and into the hallway--there's a gender specific restroom (no key needed). PARKING: There are 2 hours and 8 hours metered parking on the side street, but if ever that gets all filled, there's a parking garage immediately next to (and another one across) the coffee shop! Overall, this coffee shop is very clean and well kept for a community/non-profit cafe. I'm definitely 100% no doubt about coming back. And, I for sure 100% recommend this place 10/10 for sure. Friendly, hospitable staff (and incredibly nice fellow customers who are supporting social good!) welcoming environment, and quality coffeeeeee.... Cheers! read more

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Great staff, good drinks, delicious pastries. Big fan of the almond croissant. Nice place to study when it's not crowded. Attaches to the church campus so I'm glad I can go to the plaza and chill if too crowded. read more