Hal&#x27;s Office

Cute, spacious and aesthetic venue with the best shaved ice - our favorite is the Volcano Bingsu…read moreand Thai Tea Lava Toast! The service is friendly and depending on the time pretty quick too. Another plus is that they're open until 10pm Monday + Tuesday and 12am the rest of the week, perfect for late night munchies! Parking can be a bit tedious, I recommend trying to find a spot in the neighborhood to avoid the meters. It might be a small walk to and from, but gives you time to digest after indulging on dessert.

Croffels were average, but shaved ice was tasty!…read more Cute spot in downtown Berkeley for dessert. Fast and friendly staff but average food.

0.9 mi•East Solano Ave, Berkeley Hills

Salted Egg Yolk Toast

ORGANIC CHOCOLATE MATCHA LAVA CAKE

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THAI TEA CREPE CAKE (Slice)

Lavender Bakery & Cafe'

4.4(1.4k reviews)

Certified professionals

Shipping

I like the interior it's very cozy very modern. They have a good selection of cake and they all…read morelook very pretty. The waitress was very nice and there was some seating inside. I will say the cake is a little bit on the sweeter side, but it's not overly sweet and I do like the chocolate Napoleon. It's very chocolatey and flavor, but also not overly sweet and have a hazelnut taste to it. It also has a little bit of crunchiness that I like. I think it's like a spot to get chocolate cake and they even have cute cookies for kids which I would think it's a perfect classroom gift.

Amazing pastries, confusing ordering / paying / pickup process. Bathroom says unoccupied and has a…read morenumber lock. Staff says needs no numbers, must be occupied. Nobody in it but door doesn't budge. Cappuccino undrinkable, scalding hot, barista doesn't know what they are doing. And only outdoor seating despite plenty of space inside but no tables and chairs. A truly strange place. Next time skip drinks and pick up amazing bakery goods and leave. Once cappuccino cooled down to drinking temperature, flavor was disgusting.

Drip Two Tier Wedding Cake with Macaroons

Cream puffs

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Thanksgiving day 2023

Hui Lau Shan

4.5(413 reviews)

2.2 mi•Downtown Berkeley

We ordered the jumbo mango cup and it came out larger than expected. We usually order the smaller…read moresize but felt ambitious today. Jumbo Mango Cup: It came with a mango sorbet in the center, sides of glutinous rice balls, mango chunks on top of mango pudding. It was very good despite it not being mango season. A must stop-by every time we visit Berkeley! Love their mango specialty desserts and excited for their San Mateo location.

Tried Hui Lau Shan for the first time and got the mango sago, which was fresh, refreshing, and a…read moredelightful dessert! The menu was a little confusing as a first-timer, and unfortunately the associate didn't offer much guidance or help with choosing as it's self order on a kiosk. Shop is also small, so likely to fill up when busier. I'd still consider coming back to try some of their other desserts and drinks, especially now that I have a better idea of what to expect.

C8. Coconut Jelly With Mango

Inside

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Pomelo and Mango with Sago

Le Dessert Lab

3.9(159 reviews)

0.8 mi

Simple and quick ordering for typical boba drinks and some light desserts if you're in the Pacific…read moreEast Mall. Picked up a mango pomelo sago for $7.50. The mango was pureed and it had coconut milk instead and I actually prefer this to other pomelo sago type drinks that I've had. There's plenty of seating inside and some cute instagram-worthy wall decor/props.

It is a goal of mine to try every milk tea spot. EVERY PLACE. So finally I have arrived here to try…read moremy beloved drink. There are two kiosks to order food. Easy to maneuver. I ordered a Thai milk tea with boba. Drink was ready within minutes. There were a couple of orders ahead of me too. Lots of places to sit. It's very clean. Price is crazy though. My drink came up to like $7. 4/5

Thai Tea with Brûlée (Oat Milk, Add Boba)

Taro Coconut Latte w/ Mango

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Cheers to a wonder Strawberry Slushy at Le Dessert Lab in Richmond.

Sonshine Cheesecake

4.6(26 reviews)

0.1 mi

Easy to order and pickup - got the classic Japanese cheesecake with berries (free lettering)($60)…read more I was worried that a low carb, gluten free, sugar free, and diabetic friendly cheesecake could not be good. I was relieved to discover that the cake was not only made with natural ingredients, but was delicious, fluffy, and light, with just a faint sweetness. It's a good option if you want a healthier version of the dense, sweet, and rich typical cheesecake. It was the perfect dessert for the elderly birthday girl and we were all happy with it!

Ordered a cheesecake to be delivered to my daughter for her birthday - She said it was the best…read moreJapanese cheesecake she ever had - and she is quite the expert since it's her absolute favorite sweet!. Owner was so sweet and made sure everything was perfect! Thank you so much

Cheesecake with berries

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Classic/original cake with fresh strawberries

Mr Dewie's Cashew Creamery

4.6(597 reviews)

0.1 mi

I bought an online gift card but my friend never received it. I emailed the store and the owner…read morereplied within a couple of hours. He resent the email with the code to my friend and all is good. Great service. I don't live close but I'd love to try the treats here next time I'm in the area.

I ordered a 2-scoop ice cream on Sunday evening, May 31, 2026 and was disappointed by the portion…read moresize. I was clearly given about 1 scoop but was charged for the double. The employee may have been new or not uniformly trained, but the scoops were noticeably smaller than what is typically served. Unfortunately, this has happened before. Sometimes I receive full scoops, while other times the portions are much smaller depending on who is serving. Consistency is important, and customers should receive the same product regardless of which employee is working. Please provide better training to ensure portion sizes are consistent. Based on this experience, I won't be returning when this employee is working and will likely stay away for a while.

1.6 mi•North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto

Single Split Scoop Ultra Matcha and Fresh Strawberry

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Lemon Crème

Masse's Pastries

4.3(1.1k reviews)

I have been shop forever and I'm finally here. The store is kind of small, but it's very cozy and…read moreyou can tell that they decorate it themselves. The chef was outside helping out and he was super nice very friendly. He was very enthusiastic about his dessert and was introducing it to us. We went when the store is almost closing, so there wasn't that many selection left, but we got the vanilla custard and that was so good full of the vanilla flavor. It's not overly sweet and feel very light. It was so good that I even got another one to take home with me. They also have a good selection of Macaron and they are not overly sweet. They are very light and the seasoning was really well. The cake was also really good. I got one of the chocolate walnut cake and that one was very rich with coffee flavor. I love it. I will definitely come back again.

The descriptions and prices are not marked on the display case, but the employees (owners?) there…read morewere more than happy to list them all out. Honestly, they really need to include signs and probably allergen information as well. But I'm not sure if the owners opt to omit the signage on purpose to encourage conversation. The cakes were good and the pricing was fair. Limited seating available. Overall, I enjoyed the pastries and would come back if I'm craving some European style cake.

Raspberry chocolate

Hazelnut chocolate cake

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Chocolate raspberry cake

Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley

4.3(1.2k reviews)

2.3 mi•West Berkeley

Cute store. Very clean. I like that they display each donut and muffin in the case with its name…read moreand price (vs just a list of flavors on a menu) so you can see exactly what you're getting. The lady at the counter was super nice and personable. She was easy to talk to and friendly. She asked if we wanted our treats warmed up but since I was taking mine home, she recommended to heat it up for 45 seconds at home. Thank you!! I ordered: * black sesame mochi muffin - nice chew, great sesame flavor, and not too sweet * churro mochi muffin - covered in cinnamon sugar, so good. Great texture as well. * banana bread pudding - looks so ooey and gooey! I took an edge piece because I like the chewy crispy texture. Love to return when I'm back in the area.

Short line on a Sunday around noon. I got the iced classic matcha latte and shared the ube mochi…read moremuffin, black sesame mochi muffin, matcha white chocolate butter mochi donut, and miso coconut butter mochi donut. Matcha was pretty good and definitely high quality. The employees definitely put lots of effort and care into making the drinks and baked goods. My favorites from most the least: 1) ube mochi muffin 2) miso coconut butter mochi donut 3) matcha white chocolate butter mochi donut 4) black sesame mochi muffin. The ube mochi muffin was fantastic. I loved the crispy edges of the muffin and the ube had great flavor. Miso coconut butter mochi donut also was great and had quite a unique flavor combo. Matcha white chocolate butter mochi donut was nothing special in my opinion, and black sesame mochi muffin was a bit too intense in flavor/dense in texture/dry for my liking.

Strawberry Lychee Matcha Latte, matcha einspanner (06/2025)

Pandan Mochi Donut

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Mochi donuts

Endless Summer Sweets

4.4(559 reviews)

2.3 mi•Downtown Berkeley

Lots of nostalgic childhood joy to be found here!…read more I came specifically looking for hand-dipped corn dogs. While there are now many Korean corn dog places, I miss the ones from the state fairs and carnivals, SJ flea markets, and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. These did not disappoint. Also on offer are different varieties of popcorn, caramel apples, and funnel cakes. Great place for late night snack or dessert.

This place is pure happiness. Everything that my dreams are made of. Churros, funnelcakes, carmel…read moreapples, ice cream and that just naming some of the sweets. They have some savior items too. Everything looked good and yummy. I had the churro parfait and it was amazing. The carmel apples were calling to go home with me but I took home only the apple cheescake and strawberry cheesecake ones, and the carmel apple with nuts for my bestie, yum. I truly hope this place branches out to more cities and possibly nation wide. Every city needs one. Now go and enjoy, you can thank me later.

0.9 mi•East Solano Ave, Berkeley Hills

Churro Parfait

Cinnamon Sugar Funnel Cake

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Hot Cheetos Corn on the Cob

iScream

4.4(545 reviews)

The last day of Feb. turned out to be a sunny 73 degrees so there was a slight wait, but so worth…read moreit. The young worker was so patient & helpful with recommendations that it made the whole experience that more enjoyable. Out of the 2 samples I tried, I ended with the Meyer Lemon. Samples: Cherry Cheesecake which I thought had an icy instead of a creamy texture so I didn't choose this one. Honey Rose & I mostly tasted the honey & no essence of rose, so I decided to pass. Without sampling the Meyer Lemon bc the worker recommended this, I just chose it. The Meyer Lemon was refreshing & had a creamy texture. It was perfect with the fresh waffle cone. I'm ready to try more flavors the next time I stop by.

This is my go-to when I am craving some really good ice cream. Seating inside and outside. Rotating…read moreseasonal flavors. Mostly high school staff who are very kind. Most recent visit I got the mint chip and coffee flavors. I appreciate that both flavors pack a punch, and taste authentic as compared to artificially flavored store bought ice cream. They serve a honey lavender flavor almost year round that is incredible. My personal favorite is the marzipan flavor served during the holidays. They don't skimp on the quality and intensity of flavor. This last visit I also asked if they would give me a single bite of vanilla ice cream on a disposable spoon for my dog, and they kindly obliged. Wonderful local spot that always brings smiles :)

Dedicated & helpful worker

Kids scoop of coffee toffee & cookies and cream

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Kids scoop of coffee toffee & cookies and cream

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11 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Nelson S.

Elite 25

157

130

3 years ago

Hal's Office Coffee is an absolute gem nestled in Albany, California. From the moment you step in, you're enveloped in the warm, inviting vibes that make it the perfect spot to unwind or catch up on work. The cappuccino here is a true work of art, crafted with precision and care, boasting a rich, velvety texture and a bold espresso kick that's simply divine. But what truly sets this place apart is the exceptional service provided by the friendly and knowledgeable baristas who always go above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just looking for a cozy spot to relax, this is your place to come visit! read more

Michelle E.

857

100

263

2 years ago

The staff was friendly, and the menu offered a wide variety of coffee, tea, and pastry options. The indoor space was small and bright, but there were plenty of outdoor seating options to enjoy. I ordered a cold brew with almond milk, but I was disappointed by the lack of sugar-free syrup options--no stevia either, only Splenda. While the coffee was okay, the taste didn't really stand out for me. Still a nice place to check out! read more

Chambers Z.

6 months ago

Just left. Went in to return our cups. Asked about a song playing on the sound system. Was made fun of. Many derogatory asides. Not very pleasant to go through. Sunday, 12pm. Barista and cashier need to be reoriented to being pleasant and non judgmental or they need to find a new place to work. I know the owners. They are wonderful, inclusive people. I seriously doubt they would want their staff treating customers this way. read more

Sophie M.

2 years ago

Hal's is a gem I've frequented for years, especially for their oat mocha--a flawless mix of chocolate, coffee, and oat milk, either hot or iced. Their pastries never disappoint, and the warm, friendly service complements the cafe's relaxed ambiance and cozy outdoor seating. It's a haven that masterfully balances taste and comfort. read more

Tamir E.

10 years ago

Wow! Who knew so much magic could come from this place!! The cappuccinos are perfect in every way- temperature, & balance. Fresh local pastries that hit the spot. The cafe is cozy and warm, a perfect fit for our neighborhood. So homey and classy! In love with it. read more

Eytan E.

9 years ago

Awesome space, great vibe! My go to is the cortado but all coffee drinks are really top notch. Fresh pastries, wifi and friendly staff makes Hal's a great addition to the neighborhood. read more

B L.

9 years ago

Such a great place! Love it. Amazing food and great vibes!

Ariel Z.

7 years ago

Great coffee and pastries. I love this place.

Carol S.

3 years ago

Friendly staff ; best espresso ever!

Wbd814 ..

9 years ago

great place to get coffee and study

Daniel W.

9 years ago

I love it.

Hal's Office - coffee - Updated September 2026

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Grumpy morning? Must be the bad Medulla (It's actually…read moreAmygdala; sorry, had to school ya) All jokes aside, don't let Adam fool ya... I found this Uncut Gem -- hashtag a Jeweler It's a cozy, classy coffee café called Catahoula Go get a cold brew plus espresso, now that'll do ya But this ain't no run-of-the-mill joint, so gather moolah Splurge a little--just know when to Draw the Line...grab a Ruler The competition can't Measure up to this top Dog You can drop off your whip next door if it's got smog And walk on over to the friendliest place, face full of grins Richmond's very own community of Catahouligans

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Visited: Saturday, August 15, 2026 -- around 3:30 PM…read more HYPER-HOT COFFEE, FLYING CARPETS & THE DEATH OF DRIVE-THRU MONOTONY Had a late-afternoon coffee craving while wandering Berkeley and landed at Qahwa Time. "Qahwa," appropriately enough, means coffee in Arabic, so nobody here is hiding the ball. First impression: friendly service, casual atmosphere, and just enough energy to make the place feel fun without someone trying to convince me I've joined a movement. I ordered the Modawar, a Yemeni-style coffee with evaporated milk, a touch of sugar and cardamom. And sweet caffeinated Moses -- this coffee arrived HYPER HOT. Not "wait two minutes before sipping" hot. I mean HOT hot. The kind of temperature where weaker men begin blowing frantically across the lid while quietly researching personal-injury attorneys. Perfect. I like my coffee served somewhere between volcanic and OSHA investigation, and this was excellent. Rich, aromatic, lightly sweet, with the cardamom coming through beautifully without kicking down the door and taking the entire beverage hostage. I was also stranded in that bizarre 3:30 PM jurisdiction where lunch has already left town but dinner hasn't been sworn into office, so I ordered a beef fatayar. Now THIS thing was fun. Warm folded pastry stuffed with beef and potatoes, carrying these wonderful curry-flavored undertones. Soft, savory, hearty, slightly doughy -- comfort food with just enough spice and personality to make you sit up and pay attention. About three bites in, I felt like I should have been sitting cross-legged on a carpet, flying directly into a genie lamp at full speed. I realize this may not be the traditional Yemeni dining experience. But it was mine. There was something almost pierogi-ish about the warm potato-and-meat comfort of it, except somebody apparently handed the pierogi a passport, introduced it to cardamom and curry, and told it there was a much larger world outside Cleveland. And speaking of that larger world: I am absolutely stoked that Yemeni coffee houses keep popping up all over the Bay Area. Bring them on. Yemeni coffee. Ethiopian food. Salvadoran pupusas. Korean barbecue. Burmese noodles. Filipino breakfast. Afghan kebabs. Georgian dumplings. Give me cuisines I can't pronounce correctly on the first attempt. Because when it comes to food, the more the merrier. A world where 95% of your culinary decision-making consists of Wendy's, McDonald's or Chick-fil-A isn't technically a human-rights violation, and I doubt The Hague will be opening an investigation anytime soon. But good Lord, what a dull existence. There are only so many times a grown adult can stand beneath fluorescent lights contemplating whether tonight represents a Dave's Double moment or a Spicy Chicken Sandwich moment before the human spirit begins requesting asylum. So yeah. Give me the Yemeni coffee house. Give me the nuclear-temperature Modawar. Give me the beef-and-potato fatayar that launches me across Berkeley on an imaginary flying carpet toward a genie lamp. Qahwa Time made my afternoon substantially less boring. And these days, that's worth celebrating.

Wow. Just wow. Talk about a NICE refresher…read more If you like juice/refreshers and have been looking for a good spot outside of Starbucks, please definitely give this place a try. Their service was very quick and nice. The ambiance was very nice as well, with a lot of nice decor.

Artís Coffee

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Love Artis Coffee!…read more My wife and I haven't been on Fourth Street Berkeley in a long long time! Thankfully while doing some shopping and after a great meal at Divan Restaurant a few block away we popped into Artis Coffee. Wow! It was after 4 pm but what the hell, I ordered a cappuccino and my wife order a defca cappuccino, several pastries and took in the HUGE space! Our cashier was very friendly and appreciated our humor and debate on whether to have a "decaffeinated" cappuccino or not. I convince my wife to order one and she loved loved loved it! My "hi test" cappuccino was spectacular, smooth and perfect! Honestly, It took me back to Roma where we had aour honeymoon 22 years ago! Bella! If you find yourself on Berkeley's Fourth Street and looking for a perfect roasted coffee make sure to hop into Artis Coffee and I know you will love it too!

Artis Coffee was okay…read more I had an Ube Latte, 12 oz, iced, with matcha and oat milk ($8.50 plus $2 tip) and it was good. Artis opened on December 7, 2013 and is located on the northern end of the Fourth Street Shops (a.k.a. Fourth Street Berkeley). This is a fairly spacious cafe with an industrial/warehouse, minimalist look. During my afternoon visit, it was busy inside and out on the covered patio. Lots of people on their laptops. Artis roasts their own coffee. Service was fine. I got a side eye from the cashier/barista when I asked where the water station was (it was my first time and I was unfamiliar with this place), but they were nice and polite otherwise. The water pressure at the self-serve faucet was too strong and sprayed water everywhere. Good for a coffee fix if you're in the area.

Caffe Strada

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(1k reviews)

UNDERGRADUATE COFFEE…read more I know. When I was a student at California during the late 1990s there were numerous coffeehouses near the campus. One of those coffeehouses as was Café Berlin, which used to be located on Durant. Café Berlin no longer exists. The other coffeeshop I used to drink regularly when I was a student was Caffe Strada. This coffeehouse isn't a place to drink your coffee in peace. Caffe Strada has an energy amongst its customers because it located across from the campus. When I first went to Cafe Strada the first drink I ordered was a strada bianca mocha. The drink had a touch of sweetness yet there was a strong coffee taste. The other drink Caffe Strada is known for is bianca mocha, which does not have coffee. Since I've been going to Cafe Strada the drink i order the most is strada bianca mocha. Apparently Cafe Strada claims to be the first coffeehouse to invite the white hot chocolate drink. I've drank a lot of white hot mochas at different coffee places. Actually white hot mocha is my favorite coffee drink because of the strada bianca mocha at Caffe Strada. Most white hot mocha I drink tend to be very sweet. The strada bianca mocha has a slight taste of expresso that distinguishes from other white hot chocolate drinks. When I visit my alma mater on a weekend I like to go to Caffe Strada to sip my strada bianca mocha.

Cafe Strada has such a beautiful setting, especially if you want to sit with a tea and a treat. My…read morego-to is the Earl Grey with a chocolate chip cookie, and now they also have these scones that look almost like cookie muffin tops: soft, not too sweet, and really good. The only downside is that the area can come with some city issues, including people asking for change nearby, but the cafe itself is charming and absolutely worth a visit.

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Happened to stumble upon tasting at 10 on my morning bike ride and it was the highlight of my week!…read moreGreat (free!) coffee and atmosphere! The two workers were so friendly and gave me advice on some upgrades for my at home espresso set up! I might just become a Friday morning regular!

The Hidden Cafe

4.6

(308 reviews)

Nice cafe in a great location. Friendly staff…read more Many vegan options. Since it borders park, very kid friendly. Parking can be a challenge. Overall, recommend!

Hello, my fellow café junkies…read more I LOVE little cafés. I will happily spend my hard-earned money on an overpriced chai latte while sitting somewhere cute pretending I have my life together. So when I say I'm definitely not coming back here, just know it pains my café-loving heart. First, let me give credit where credit is due: the atmosphere is GREAT. Super cute. Super cool. Great little hidden spot. The service, however? SucKs--with a capital K. ‍ Here's how my first--and probably last--visit went: 1. We ordered THREE chai lattes: two hot chai lattes and one iced chai latte with oat milk. Pretty straightforward. Nobody was ordering a 14-step potion from Hogwarts. 2. We received only two drinks. So, channeling my inner Karen from Boyle Heights, I politely went back and said, "Excuse me, we ordered THREE chai lattes." 3. They told me they hadn't charged me for the third drink. Okay! No problem. I work my ass off. I don't mind spending money. Charge me, hermana. Let's get this chai flowing. 4. I took a sip of my supposedly hot chai latte and immediately my taste buds sounded the emergency alarm: NOPE. THAT'S COFFEE. 5. I looked at my husband suspiciously and asked, "Is yours chai or coffee?" He took his first sip and said, "This is coffee." At this point, the chai lattes had apparently entered the Witness Protection Program because nobody could find them. 6. I went back. To their credit, they were perfectly willing to remake the drinks. Thank you! And when we finally received the two hot chai lattes, they were actually GOOD. Crisis temporarily averted. 7. THEN I looked over at my friend holding the supposedly iced chai latte with oat milk and thought, Wait a minute... "Taste yours." He takes a sip. "This is coffee." GIRL. THREE chai lattes ordered. THREE chai lattes misunderstood. At that point, I wasn't ordering beverages anymore. I was participating in a listening-comprehension assessment. ‍ The person taking our order seemed rushed, distracted, and all over the place. And listen--mistakes happen. I teach for a living. I have patience. But when every single drink in one order is wrong, we've moved beyond "oops" and entered performance art. No manchen--venimos a gastar, no a pendejear. ‍ So here's my recommendation: If you're particular about actually receiving the beverage you ordered, you may want to try another café. Or, if this place has an app, USE THE APP. Let technology translate "chai latte" into "chai latte" because apparently the spoken version is giving everybody trouble. Better yet, buy your drinks somewhere else and bring them here. Then you can enjoy the cute atmosphere without participating in Chai Latte Roulette: Will It Be Chai? Will It Be Coffee? Nobody Knows! The place is called Hidden Café, and after today's experience... I can see why it's hidden. Cute environment? Absolutely. Would I trust them with another three-chai-latte mission? Esta mamona la cosa. Hard pass. ‍ Come for the atmosphere. Bring your own drink. And may the odds of receiving what you ordered be ever in your favor. Signed, A recovering Chicana Karen from Boyle Heights who just wanted her damn chai.

Waterside Cafe

4.0

(21 reviews)