Cafe Brusco

4.9 (36 reviews)

Coffee & Tea, Wine Bars, Bagels

Closed • 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Updated over 3 months ago

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

Cafe Brusco - Fresh Sesame bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Cafe Brusco - Figs with sea salt, honey, basil and cream cheese on toasted sesame bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Sanskruti D.

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

Gina G.

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 :)

Allison W.

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.

Linda N.

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.

Crab, brusco, fancy fresh, tangerine & burrata

Christine B.

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

Emily X.

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.

Irene C.

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.

Abby C.

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!

Dawn B.

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.

Aidan G.

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???

Katie H.

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.

Helen A.

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!

PJ D.

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.

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Yvonne F.

Elite 26

61

220

155

18 days ago

Super super cute spot along with tasty bagels!!! Located on a somewhat busy street, however, there are plenty of street parking around. We ordered the turkey deluxe & the gold standard. The bagels were delicious and the toppings were so fresh. I thought the coffee was delicious too, I'm def interested in some of their wine options the next time I'm there towards the afternoon. Service was friendly and kind. Can't wait to come back. read more

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Mito I.

Elite 26

60

531

1691

2 months 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

5 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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Victoria P.

Elite 26

0

29

33

17 days ago

Stopped here for a glass of wine after a tiring morning. They close early so it's been hard for me to catch them open, but I feel so lucky I did! This place is so aesthetically pleasing. Makes you feel like you are in another city. I would love to try out their breakfast menu another day, but my glass of wine was yummy :P read more

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Sanskruti D.

Elite 26

4

48

54

5 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

2236

442

1898

6 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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Allison W.

Elite 26

19

120

105

5 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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Linda N.

Elite 26

155

888

900

6 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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Christine B.

Elite 26

159

89

143

3 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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Emily X.

Elite 26

15

62

331

7 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 - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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

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Irene C.

Elite 26

357

272

470

4 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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Abby C.

Elite 26

20

170

249

7 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.

Elite 26

286

515

3360

9 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

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

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Aidan G.

Elite 26

2

44

55

4 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

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Katie H.

Elite 26

3

63

132

9 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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Helen A.

Elite 26

10

65

274

10 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 - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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

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

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PJ D.

Elite 26

23

165

507

6 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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Danny B.

2

99

31

1 month ago

I deliver some of their products here and man their coffee shop on the corner is amazing. Their hospitality is superb and their coffee even better! If you are in the area definitely check them out you will leave satisfied! read more

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Samir K.

Elite 26

724

1019

483

6 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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Jasmine W.

Elite 26

169

1458

204

4 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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Ashley J.

Elite 26

32

149

384

7 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.

11

180

296

7 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

15

21

4 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

4 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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Maria S.

2

213

2074

10 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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Nina N.

Elite 23

8

66

196

7 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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Magda M.

Elite 26

320

505

139

8 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

59

0

8 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

9 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

9 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

9 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

9 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

6 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

84

1

7 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

8 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

9 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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Book Society

4.6

(48 reviews)

1.4 mi

Book Society is such a great little spot in Berkeley. I've been a few times now, and it's easily…read moreone of my favorite places when I want to browse books and relax for a bit. The owners are super nice and genuinely helpful, and the whole place feels welcoming the second you walk in. The book selection is also really solid. I always end up finding something (often have to reign myself in), especially in the thriller section, but they also have classics mixed in, too, which I love. One of my favorite parts is that you can actually sit and read while having a glass of wine. The wine selection is really fun, and they have some unique varietals that you don't see everywhere, which makes it even better. I also love that they do book and wine pairings each month. It's such a cool idea and makes it feel like there's always something new to check out. You can also join their book club, which includes a new book and a paired bottle of wine. Also, you need one of their bags. Trust me. If you love books and want a cozy little place to hang out, I definitely recommend stopping in.

Came here on my own after being in the area for something else…read more Good: - There is a large selection of books - it's beautiful inside too! - The staff are super friendly and attentive. - A good place to rest after a lot of walking all day - I liked the non alcoholic sparkling water and having a drink while reading books Bad: - The place is a bit smaller than expected and can get a bit noisy when too many parties are inside Overall this was a super unique concept! I liked how it was a safe haven but differentiated from a library and more upscale

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Wine & Book pairings!

Photo Credit: IG @tourthebay

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More books so pretty

Adega Azul

4.8

(28 reviews)

1.3 mi

What a charming place. I've been here a few times now and it's one of my favorite spots when I'm in…read moreAlbany/Berkeley. Perfect to relax and converse over good wine selection and tasty bites. Pups are welcome! Grab a book or a friend, bring your pup and enjoy!

Ambiance was good, but it's tiny. Service was fair, guests on the patio do not seem to get as much…read moreattention. The food was horrible. It did not taste Brazilian in the least, and it did not taste good. Wish I had read the description as the advertisement is focused on wine bar and not a restaurant or food. That being said, if you wanna high price glass of wine go for it, but I would not recommend eating there. It is very pricey as well.

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La Loulou

4.2

(53 reviews)

3.2 mi

If you've ever been to Les Deux Magots in St. Germain, this is the spot to check out, hang out,…read moresip, while snacking on something freshly made in front of you. The ambiance will get you first, the attention to detail say's a lot about the love put into La Loulou. The service is fabulous, they will remember your last drink. I'm a quirky 'orderer' and they remembered the nuance of how I like my drink. Also, don't forget to checkout the bathroom. Merci!!!

Came here while waiting for a table at Mencho and came back to bring my roommates because it's such…read morea cute spot! You order at the bar and get handed your drink(s) right away and are free to sit wherever. Both inside and outside seating available - there's heaters outside. Ordered the flight of three and got to choose what I wanted to try, I felt that the pours were generous. The bathroom, wow, they outdid themselves, love the decor!

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The luxurious lighting

Small cheese and charcuterie plate and a glass of rosé

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Front corner of La Loulou wine bar

Wine So Cru

Amazing place. Very comfy, elegant, and the owner is an amazing person that understands a lot about…read morewine and has amazing recommendations. You definitely need to come and have a good end of the day relaxing with good wine.

Hidden almost behind the freeway entrance , is a magical small intimate space. A classy wine lounge…read moreof sorts with attentive and knowledgeable staff and amazing ambiance. Their selections of wine is incredible (and all delicious). Definitely a date night spot!

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Beautiful bar

The glowing bar

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Wine cellar - beautiful!

Donkey and Goat Winery

This is a really cute winery with lots of seating and unique wine. I had the piquette which was…read moresparkling and tart. Loved the bright pink shade as well. Would recommend for a ln afternoon get together with friends!

A little urban winery with back and front patios. They offer really unique and well-produced wine…read more Came for a break between jobs near by and enjoyed two glasses of the Greco Bianco. This was s totally new varietal for me and its so unique with beautiful color. They do offer little snacks but its more of a curation of prepackaged things that they them bring to you to open and enjoy vs a kitchen where they're producing the food themselves. Prices a little steep but I think thats just bay area things....

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Dela Creamery at fall release party

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Yeah, I'm a little behind on postings...

Best Friends

4.5

(36 reviews)

2.0 mi

Great service. Varied wine selection. Nice vibe. And our dog dug the hell out of it. We'll be back!read more

Strolling through Solano Ave, our group stopped here for a drink and to chill. Located at the…read morecorner of Solano Ave and San Pablo, Best Friends is a cozy wine bar where you can have a drink at the bar or at one of the bar tables and tables. Their logo on their sign is a dog drinking from wine glass. Yes, they are a dog friendly shop and several customers had their dogs including our friend. Their wine offerings consist of international wines and wines from local small wineries. They also had two craft beers and some light bites. The wine pourer was helpful and answered questions about the wines and gave samples for you to try before ordering. We also ordered marinated olives and Marcona almonds to have with our drinks. Nice place to relax and to have a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic offerings where you an bring man's best friend.

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Fins & feathers pop-up - hodo yuba mille feuille, leeks, red onions, seasonal greens

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Geisha Dragon ...

Noria Wines

5.0

(21 reviews)

1.9 mi

The wine was really good here, some of the best in the Gilman district. We appreciated getting an…read moreexplanation of the brand and of the wine selection from the owner. Our favorites were the sparkling Rose and the Sonoma County Pinot Noir (which was carried by ANA in its first class cabin!)

Now that I have a lot more experience with Noria, I wanted to update my review. We've visited many…read moretimes and joined the wine club as well. First, these are the nicest people in the wine business. Warm and gracious and extremely knowledgable about the wine and vineyards. When we first qwnt to Noria, it was mostly superb Pinots and Chardonnay. Since, they've added a wonderful Gewürztraminer and a bomb Sauvignon Blanc as well. These are finely crafted wines from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma and beyond (no, they don't have rows of vines in Berkeley) and the bang for the buck is off the charts. I'm mostly a red drinker and only enjoy Pinots occasionally and Noria was my go-to. The addition of more white wines (and rosé) combined with my move to a warmer climate have made Noria indespensible for me. Absolutely check them out. Do yourself a favor and start at Noria, go across the street to Broc Cellars and then Donkey and Goat for a perfect wine tasting day right in Berkeley.

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Aku's BBQ pop-up

Aku's bbq pop-up: nankotsu take, mala teba, butabara

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Syrah

Roses On Adeline

4.5

(121 reviews)

1.5 mi

Stopped by Roses on Adeline after celebrating Juneteenth in Berkeley, and I'm so glad we did! The…read moreRose Slushies were absolutely amazing--I've been dreaming about them ever since we left. The tuna tartare was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the smash burger is an absolute must-try! The ambiance was warm, inviting, and effortlessly charming--perfect for a first date or a casual night out. If you find yourself in the area, definitely add Roses on Adeline to your list. You won't be disappointed!

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.

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Charcuterie board

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Beehive cocktail

Broc Cellars

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

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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

Right around the corner from Cheeseboard Collective, this is the perfect spot to grab a glass--or a…read morecouple glasses--of wine and enjoy their cute outdoor patio. Inside, you'll find a fun selection of unique wines and a super laid-back vibe. The staff were incredibly helpful and even let us sample what they had for the day before making our final choice. I also had to take a few photos because the whole spot is so Instagrammable. Highly recommend, and I'd definitely come back!

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!

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Yume Mori Matcha

Yay finally got to try Berkeley matcha!! This little cafe was soo adorable and the matcha was solid…read more:) I was scared that the tiramisu matcha would be way too sweet even with 0 sugar but it wasn't!! The matcha flavor was really strong and bitter so the cream top actually complimented it really well. Also when the biscoff cookie melted and blended into the drink it tasted SO GOOD. My bf got their peppermint matcha which was their holiday special but it lowk just tasted like peppermint syrup milk lol. Effort was there tho!

I live right across from Yume Mori, so it has been on my list of places to try for a while now. The…read moremain reason it took me so long to finally stop by is the hype. The weekend and after-school lines can get pretty crazy, and since this is marketed as a traditional matcha spot, each drink takes longer than usual to make. Personally, I'm not always willing to wait that long for a drink. Luckily, I'm in a position where I can stop by on a weekday during off-hours, when there is little to no line. That said, even with only one or two people ahead of me, it can still take about 5-10 minutes to get a drink. When ordering, you get to choose the type of drink first, followed by the type of matcha, which I thought was really cool. They also provide descriptions of each matcha and explain the differences between them. It makes the experience feel a little more special and fun. Each drink is meticulously prepared and beautifully presented, with distinct layers that highlight each component. Once mixed, the matcha is smooth, and the added flavors, like strawberry, complement the drink really well. I would say that to get the most out of it, you should drink it fairly quickly since it starts to water down once the ice melts. Overall, this is a pretty solid matcha spot, especially if you enjoy a more curated matcha experience. However, I personally would not wait more than 10 minutes for it.

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Tiramisu Matcha and Coco Matcha Cloud

Custard Crème Brûlée Crepe

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Left: Matcha Pumpkin Spice Right: Matcha Tiramisu

Binge Coffee House

Family-owned & operated

Locally owned & operated

Got the egg coffee (Vietnamese iced coffee) and it's super tasty! Highly recommend you getting it…read moreespecially if you like a strong iced coffee. The other drink's I didn't try so can't say anything about them except they're pretty.

Great food & vibes! We got 4 different matches, the popcorn chicken and a chicken Bahn mi. The food…read morewas freshly made and the matcha was very refreshing. Would definitely come back!

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Strawberry Matcha Latte

Pandan Matcha Latte

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Ube Matcha Latte

Chicha San Chen

If you like tea this is the place to go to because they do a tea demonstration in Georgia did an…read moreamazing job with describing the taste how they smell and taste and how to make it as well. . It was very informative and takes about 15 minutes which I really love and I really enjoy and learned a lot about tea. . Also I love coming here and getting the green milk tea with Boba and it has your Taro Boba and taro paste too. You can have it less sweet or no sweet and you can have it with less ice or more ice it's all up to your choice. . This is near the university and parking is a little challenge but there's also street parking and parking garage too. Hope this review helps and thanks for reading and have a yelp-tastic day.

This Berkeley location has a bright, aesthetically pleasing interior that makes it a nice place to…read morestop by. ChiCha really emphasizes tea quality, and you can taste it in their drinks. I also like that they regularly have seasonal flavors in rotation--I've seen options like taro, pineapple, etc. The little cup holder is a cute touch, but I'm not entirely convinced the drinks justify the slightly higher price point, especially with so many other boba options in the immediate vicinity.

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HH signage

Inside area

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Dong Ding Oolong Tea Latte, Cassia Black Tea With Mousse

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Diego R.

1

3

0

8 months ago

I went in and immediately greeted with an amazing energy. The place was full so that caught my eye when walking in. I ordered a whole milk latte and a bagel Togo. The latte was incredible. Coming from a licensed coffee mechanic I can tell they take their coffee seriously. The bagel not so much unfortunately. I definitely loved the toppings and the cream cheese but unfortunately the bagel itself was slightly stale and chewy. But I would definitely recommend as a study spot since it they do have amazing coffee. Overall I would give it a 6/10. I am definitely coming back. read more

Cafe Brusco - coffee - Updated July 2026

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Book Society

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Yume Mori Matcha

Binge Coffee House

Chicha San Chen

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Broc Cellars

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Yume Mori Matcha

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1 Cafe Brusco review that is not currently recommended

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1 review that is not currently recommended

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