Cafe Brusco

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526

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24 days ago

Brief Summary: - A good walk down University Avenue - Coffee is not sour - Loved the topping choices, also the option to the bagel half to have different toppings This cafe is located in the main streets of University Ave. Because of how the streets are (few parking spots), if you have a car, I recommend parking north in Shattuck, where there are more parking spaces, and then walk down here. The cafe is quite noticeable as you walk down the street; it's the one with the light blue exterior paint. Small tables and chairs are placed outside and the inside also has some tables and bar stools. I liked the ordering style of the bagels because it allowed me to split the bagel into two and then choose 2 different toppings for the halves. Usually, I would have chosen one as the smoked salmon, but I was in a lighter mood, so I chose the one half with the cucumber vegetable options, and the other was from my curiosity -- the one with the blood orange. Both I liked and I think I'll come here to have these again because they were unique toppings that I don't find anywhere else. My more favorite was the blood orange because it was like a dessert. read more

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Jessica V.

1

32

27

3 months ago

Gotta order only the best bagels in Berkeley where do you go? Have some clients some visiting and "only the best comes to mind"? Yeah. Cafe Brusco does the job for you in many ways. You leave feeling like a hero with some delicious offerings, a carton of some very cute blue cups, and a memory from the client that just flew in from Iowa pointing to the left over pastry sheet with wiping crumbs from my mouth "this thing here. What is. This has the best thing I've ever tasted." Solid ROI in many ways. Even the apartment building next door Aquatic @ U door is same high level curated product. Energy attraction, I guess. read more

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Allison W.

19

120

105

4 months ago

So yum! This new spot has such fresh and soft bagels. I got the half salmon lox on the everything bagel and it was delicious with the seasoned tomatoes. The service was speedy and fast. The parking for this spot though was tough but there is a parking garage near by. read more

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Sanskruti D.

4

42

3 months ago

Sorry for the not so great picture. But the bagels were so good we tried the Tangerine & Burrata and The Bartavelle and both were super goood. Never imagined bagels to be this way. And I'm vegetarian so this was so good. Their bagels didn't contain egg which was the only thing I was worried about. Also the cafe is really cute and cozy. And we went there on a very nice day. The service was also so good. Would go there again a 100000% Me and my friend loved itttttt so much read more

Cafe Brusco - The Bartavelle Tangerine & Burrata - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Gina G.

Elite 26 All-Star

2227

420

1828

4 months ago

Ahhhh, the sweet smells of coffee brewing and carbs loading. We learned recently that Cafe Brusco in Berkeley is from the same ownership as Roses Pizzeria off University. As we were arriving, we saw a staff member coming up the street (Roses is just a few doors down) with freshly baked bagels. A great moment! Cafe Brusco is small with limited seating, although we did grab a table early morning. Mostly filled with patrons on their laptops, we were purely there to experience all that they had to offer. I ordered a Tangerine & Burrata bagel and a 'Fancy Fresh' bagel (avocado, herb cream cheese, olive oil, tomato, basil..). I was feeling adventurous, but also wanted to truly enjoy their unique offerings! When in Berkeley?! With their open face bagel options, you can choose whole or half options which is so great! I chose the 'half' options so I could try the two flavors. Love this for future ordering too. Plain, sesame, everything, and maybe a seasonal option are their current bagel flavors. They also have a Calabrian chili spread I look forward to trying next time too. Other notable menu items include a few of their closed sandwiches: the Brusco (calabrian cream cheese, pistachio mortadella, honey, pickled pepper) and the Muffuletta..but on a sesame bagel! Coffee-wise, I actually had an orange coffee..delicious! Looks like they also have a wine bar to beat that mid-day slump, and pastries from a local vendor. All in all, we will def be back! Never have I ever had tangerine be the moment in the morning, but it was incredibly refreshing. Flavors def delivered, yummy and crisp fresh bagels, solid coffee beans, and of course, smooth and flavored cream cheese. Very delightful and worth the splurge. Leave a few additional minutes for parking on University :) read more

Cafe Brusco - Tangerine & Burrata + the 'Fancy Fresh' - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Linda N.

155

888

900

4 months ago

What do two girls do after hunting down park rangers for a guidebook and free swag to start our east bay trail challenge? We hunt for food. We were intrigued by the bagels so decided to order two. Brusco - mortadella, enough said Crab Remoulade - Yes, we'd like the most expensive bagel on the menu Both bagels were fresh and delicious. I usually stick with simple toppings but man oh man, these are top 3 in the bay for sure. read more

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Irene C.

356

270

463

2 months ago

We walked by and had to use the restroom. So I bought a chai latte and I literally just drank a sip of my chai latte with oat milk and it's mind blowing. It's so full of flavor. Made my day perfect for a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. read more

Cafe Brusco - Chai latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Emily X.

15

61

328

5 months ago

I love bagels so I was super excited to go to this new bagel spot on University Ave! The inside is colorful and super cute. There is seating indoors and outdoors. Ordering is straight forward at the counter and the service was friendly. I appreciate how you can order half a bagel so that you can mix and match different flavors. I came here with my sister and my boyfriend and we ordered the Gold Standard (smoked salmon), Brusco (mortadella), Fancy Fresh (avocado and tomato), and the Bartavelle (fig jam and cucumber). We got these on everything or plain bagels. Our favorite was the Bartavelle because it had a refreshing taste that was slightly sweet from the fig jam. The outside of the bagel had a nice crust but the inside of the bagels tasted a bit too much like a soft bread roll rather than a traditional bagel. I felt that the Brusco bagel was a bit too sweet. Overall, I think place is a cute place to grab a quick breakfast. The price is fair/ a bit pricey for what you get. I would be interested in trying their coffee next time. read more

Cafe Brusco - Bagels - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Aidan G.

2

44

55

3 months ago

I never expected that I would ever had an elevated Italian-inspired bagel, but here we are. Just an awesome selection of bagels and unique ingredients that change the game about bagels. Basic bagel toppings are delicious, but these refined choices just are on a whole other level. Super cute inside, well decorated, great music, quick and friendly service. What more could you ask for??? read more

Cafe Brusco - The Brusco - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Abby C.

18

161

231

6 months ago

I had the pleasure of trying the wine and coffee from this place. I stopped by with my friend mid afternoon and had a glass of a nice dry white. We were unsure of which wine to get and luckily the staff person who helped us gave a few wines to try. From the staff, to the wine, to the coffee, to the ambiance, everything was fantastic. This is a great place to have a glass with a friend or do some work with a good cup of coffee. I look forward to returning and trying the other wines! read more

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Dawn B.

286

513

3358

8 months ago

Feeling lucky to happen upon this place after eating nearby. The cafe had a wonderful unsweetened matcha latte that was hand whisked and full of flavor. If you're in the area it's definitely a must try. Staff are very friendly and their hours are great as you can get a late afternoon tea latte here. My family also loved their cups as they had a very cool pattern on each cup. read more

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Katie H.

3

63

132

7 months ago

Great spot! Great energy, friendly and helpful staff. Clean bathroom. The space is good if you are there to catch up with a friend, get a bit of work done on your laptop, or try one of their delicious bagels. The space was airy and light. We enjoyed the bagels. The fig one especially delicious because it felt fresh. I would definitely come back. read more

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PJ D.

23

162

502

4 months ago

When I heard the team behind Rose Pizzeria were the ones behind Cafe Brusco, I had to check it out! The space is so well decorated and cute, even the bathroom! They have a great selection of wines by the glass or bottle along with classic cafe drinks. The bagels are the stars here and they let you do half and half for your bagel so you can try more of their flavorful creations (why don't more bagel shops do this ?!?!?!) I was personally a fan of the more savory ones. Wi-fi is available here with a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating making it a great place to work and study as well. read more

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Christine B.

158

77

111

2 months ago

Outstanding bagels and a solid affogato - love how you can mix and match! Enjoyed a lovely weekend morning here. No complaints with service. read more

Cafe Brusco - Crab, brusco, fancy fresh, tangerine & burrata - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Helen A.

10

65

274

8 months ago

From the owners of Rose Pizzeria just down the street, Café Brusco is a cute café by day and a wine bar by night (coming soon). I tried the Flirty Fig and the Gold Standard. They were both very fresh and flavorful! The Flirty Fig is a seasonal item and was the perfect combo of sweet and savory. The Gold Standard was a classic lox. I love that you can order halves and mix and match to try more items. Their pastries are from the pop-up Good Luck Bakery and looked delicious. I'll definitely be back! read more

Cafe Brusco - Flirty Fig , Gold Standard - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Menu Sept 2025 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Pastries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Jasmine W.

169

1453

202

3 months ago

While I'm more a fan of chewy bagels, Cafe Brusco offers fresh, soft bagels with a more upscale vibe and more importantly some fresh fun toppings that are great for sharing and sampling. Nice cafe options with some fun flavors and decent standards, friendly hard-working staff, not an every day place for me but fun to check out read more

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Samir K.

723

1018

483

5 months ago

wow! That's all I can say. It's from the same owner as Rose's Pizza (one of the best pizzas in the bay). The bagels themselves are good, but you really should go here for all the interesting seasonal bagels. I had a crab bagel that was out of this world. The spicy mortadella one was great too. Seating a little limited, but during nicer weather you can probably eat outside. The staff was nice as well, and their coffee menu is wide-ranging. Definitely worth the drive from anywhere in the Bay. read more

Cafe Brusco - Crab, mortadella - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ashley J.

30

149

384

5 months ago

Absolutely gorgeous and delicious bagels! Located in Downtown Berkeley, this cute little shop had the coziest atmosphere. The seating is limited indoors hut they have some tables outside if the weather is nice. They have a variety of bagels and options! You can choose to do half/half bagels and pick what kind of bagel you want for your toppings as well. Everything on the menu sounded so good I'll definitely be back! read more

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Melody L.

8

172

279

5 months ago

Cute new cafe + bagel spot in Berkeley by the owners of Rose Pizzeria! Even before ordering, I found the space to be incredibly charming and a great place to catch up with friends. I ordered two halves of open-faced bagels. One was the Brusco, while the other was their seasonal fruit bagel, their Sneaky Persimmon, which were both delightful. I think my only complaint would be the price. It is on the more expensive side for bagels the (Brusco was $8 for half, while the Persimmon was $6.50 also for half), and there are other places in the area that I would probably prefer to go to for that reason. I didn't get a chance to try their coffee or drinks but would love to next time. Overall, a very cute new spot I would recommend checking out! read more

Cafe Brusco - Brusco + Sneaky Persimmon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Charlize T.

1

11

16

2 months ago

My favorite morning bagel cafe in the Bay Area!! I love how the bagels are always changing seasonally. They're just so creative with all the bagel combo flavors. The interior makes it feel super homey with lots of natural lighting. I also love how you can get half bagels, so it makes it easier to try more flavors! read more

Cafe Brusco - Gold Standard, The Bartavelle, Persimmon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Sidra A.

0

9

7

3 months ago

My new go-to savory breakfast spot for sure! The brusco is my favorite, just look at what's on it! They also have great vegetarian options as well, everything on the menu is very thoughtfully curated with interesting and unforgettable flavors. No matter what you get, you're going to flavor town!! read more

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Nina N.

Elite 23

8

65

193

5 months ago

OMG! This bagel place was so good. The bagels are perfectly toasted, and the variety in toppings makes it so fun. The crab and the tangerine were my top two. The interior is decorated very nice and is a great place to have lunch with friends. The people working in side were really sweet and gave great recommendations. Will definitely be back and would recommend trying! read more

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Maria S.

2

212

2072

8 months ago

Cute café find! Love that you can order half a bagel -- we tried the Fancy Fresh and Brusco. So good! Prices are chill, latte was decent, mocha was a bit sweet for my taste (I'm into strong coffee ). Overall, solid spot. We'll be back for sure! #CafeVibes #BagelLove read more

Cafe Brusco - Latte and Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Brusco Half Bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Fancy Fresh Half Bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Magda M.

320

504

137

7 months ago

Love love love this new spot. Went on a weekday around noon and it was hard to find a seat. I love that you can get half Sammies so you don't have to commit to only one - because you definitely want to try multiple things. I got a glass of tasty red wine because wine not??? I can't wait to go back - the flavor combinations are so tasty!!! read more

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Ken S.

39

58

0

7 months ago

An extremely creative and excellent example of a new business in this modern era with their own special Bagels , unusual half face offerings , an excellent new Wine list and efficient operation with creativity abounding Hats off to the rose's pizzeria people read more

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Jocelyn E.

Elite 25

27

81

117

7 months ago

Summer girl bagel was so refreshing!!! I love that you can get different style bagels on each side. You can get half a bagel too which is so helpful for a girl like me who hates wasting food. Really cute spot to just people watch and have a chill morning. read more

Cafe Brusco - Summer girl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Brusco - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Kaitlyn G.

0

4

7 months ago

I love this place so much. Amazing vibes, amazing food, amazing coffee. 10/10. Bagels are very unique and fun and very aesthetic read more

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Estee N.

21

14

3

7 months ago

Amazingly curated toppings! I'm from the NY metro area originally and I think these these bagels might be the best in the Bay Area - rivaling NY OR NJ bagels! I'm coming back for sure!! We love Rose's pizza so no surprise that their bagels are incredible too!!! read more

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Lowell S.

0

56

0

7 months ago

Fantastic bagel sandos and the mix and match option is awesome ! Just delicious! Fresh ingredients and really unique on a bagel sandos.

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Hillary S.

0

28

2

4 months ago

Do you miss Bartavelle? Cafe Brusco has you covered with their delicious open faced bagel that is basically the Persian breakfast from there. So happy to have found this tasty little bagel and coffee shop! read more

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D H.

1

81

1

6 months ago

Adding one more 5-star review for this wonderful little place. Great food (it's hard to find smoked salmon that doesn't just taste like salt), good drinks, friendy staff. Nice, vibrant atmosphere. Hoping they can expand at some point so there are more tables. read more

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Kenneth S.

0

1

0

7 months ago

A great new surprize find in downtown Berkeley at the corner- 2000 University. The model cafe wine bar with a innovative/creative Bagel theme. Plus the excellent new age wines that Sam showed us! It added up to a artful happy experience. Plus quite a fashion show of young ones. Excellent overally quality, new concept and friendly staff. Love it read more

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Dan B.

0

47

1

8 months ago

Wow--the bagels here are legit! Love that the bagels are seasoned all the way around--kinda surprised it hasn't always been this way! Got the gold standard (lox sando) on everything and the Brusco (mortadella and peppers) on sesame. Both were perfectly proportioned between shmear, produce and protein. Def my new go-to when I want a special bagel! read more

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More info about Cafe Brusco

2000 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
Downtown Berkeley
Directions
Visit Website
https://www.cafebrusco.com

Hours

What time does Cafe Brusco open?

Cafe Brusco opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Cafe Brusco opens at 9:00 AM on Sunday.

What time does Cafe Brusco close?

Cafe Brusco closes at 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 3:00 PMSun 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does Cafe Brusco serve alcohol?

Yes, Cafe Brusco serves alcohol.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Cafe Brusco have parking?

Yes, Cafe Brusco has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Cafe Brusco allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Cafe Brusco allows outdoor smoking.

Does Cafe Brusco have free WiFi?

Yes, Cafe Brusco has free WiFi.

Review Highlights - Cafe Brusco

“We learned recently that Cafe Brusco in Berkeley is from the same ownership as Roses Pizzeria off University.”

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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1.5 mi•South Berkeley

What a great find! I had a terrific lunch over at Roses on Adeline…read more Arrived right when they opened at 4pm and sat right down at the bar. I met the lovely Aurora who took great care of me from start to finish. This spot had a great happy hour and i definitely took advantage of the HH drinks. I had two for 10 bucks a piece, such a great little deal. Initially I wanted a burger, but if there is raw fish on the menu, all other thoughts leave my brain. So, of course, I had to grab the ahi tuna bowl. and my oh my, that was delicious!!!!! So many places with tuna, don't serve it with Won Ton chips, but Roses on Adeline got the memo! I love a won ton chip and these were giant and perfect with my fish. The fish came in a lovely sauce. So perfect! Such a great spot! I had a great time chatting it up with Aurora and eating yummy food. I love finding places that are somewhat nearby because it gives me a great excuse to come again.

The one thing I'm always looking for when I go out with my fiancé is good food, good drinks, and a…read morecozy vibe with great ambiance. And what a nice surprise it was to have Roses on Adeline hitting the mark on all 3. We've been to Roses on Adeline twice now, once as a walk in and the second time with reservations. Both times we went for happy hour. Their drinks are creative and yummy. The smash burger here is absolutely delicious. The fries w/ sriracha aioli is also the perfect light bite. But beyond the good food & drinks, the ambiance here is really what brings us back. I love the vibe this place has and am so excited to have this as our new local staple for a date night. But be warned this place fills up quickly - I would recommend making reservations if you can!

Charcuterie board

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Beehive cocktail

Broc Cellars

4.4(64 reviews)

1.8 mi•West Berkeley

Very nice staff, fun location with a really nice outdoor seating area, interesting wines!…read more We didn't try any of the snacks, but they had some that we might try next time. We did teo flights of wine and they were very light and crisp. The staff was super nice and walked us through the wine selections and helped us to an outside seating area where we got to enjoy the sunshine. The outdoor seating area looks to be great for groups as it's large and covered!

Great wine tasting service! Alex was very patient with my indecision lol!…read moreWe selected tasting the Thanksgiving table, $35 And Fox Hill harvest $30 Loved the 2014 Sunshine Rosato! Since it was a cold night we finished our night with hot tea Genamaicha

0.6 mi•North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto

Elote: Mexican street corn with beef sausage

Snack plate with roasted almond, Standard Fare hummus and Cult Crackers

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Outside

Vintage Berkeley

4.3(131 reviews)

If you are looking for exquisitely curated wines from around the world, with special attention paid…read moreto affordability (huge selection of great wines under $30) then this is your place. I've been a patron of Vintage for years, and what's not to like? The location is gorgeous (a former pumping plant thats been transformed into a cozy, intimate space with a garden out front that changes with the seasons). And the shop is nestled right in the heart of Berkeley's Gourmet District with Peets, Saul's Deli, Cheeseboard Coop and Pizza, Andronico's, and Chez Panisse as next door neighbors. Inside you will find wines by color, grape, and region. It's not an enormous collection, but a lot of thought and experience has gone into presenting customers with something new and surprising. If I can't find myself making an easy decision, the staff have always been patient and helpful in finding the right bottle for my needs. Vintage also offers several different wine clubs for people who like a monthly or bimonthly grab bag of adult grape juice (including the occasional bubbles!). This is the wine store I wish I had as a neighborhood shop. For now, it's a well deserved destination (along with Kermit Lynch Wine Shop) that has yet to disappoint. Give it a try!

Staff here is very friendly. Lot of wine varieties and they are always willing to help you find a…read morebottle you're looking for!