Read about the Kopi Bar in the SF Chronicle so we made a plan to check it out after visiting the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. You do not have to purchase BAMPFA admission to visit Kopi Bar. Kopi Bar is open to the public and is on the second floor of the museum. They have a lot of seating reaching into the museum but they also have a very nice lounge area next to the bar with 4 comfortable leather lounge chairs. The lounge area is cantilevered above the street. On either side of the lounge are floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the street below and facing each window is a high counter with bar stools. Sitting on the bar stools you have a nice view toward campus on one side and downtown Berkeley on the other. Kopi Bar is a Malaysian style cafe and bakery. They do have a simple breakfast and lunch menu, but are best known for their southeast Asian influenced pastries and specialty drinks. Among the lunch options, the seafood Laksa noodle and Malaysian chicken rice are the standouts, but my kids wanted red meat so we went across the street to eat beef noodles and then came back to Kopi Bar for dessert and their specialty coffee drinks. The staff were super friendly and made the effort to remember my name so I was impressed that they really want customers to have a good experience. I ordered the Kopi Avocado, blue tea pea lemonade, pandan coconut swirl, chocolate babka, and a specialty iced Kopi with pandan cream and soft boba. The drinks were really unique and refreshing. For the Kopi Avocado, you have to make sure to mix it well so you can taste the smoothness. We enjoyed the pastries as well and they complement the drinks. I think Kopi Bar make such a nice addition to the BAMPFA experience, but we plan to come back with friends. read more

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I had gone to the iteration of this restaurant when it was in Walnut Creek, and back then, it was beyond amazing! So when it re-opened in Berkeley, my friend and I made the trek out for brunch, and unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the memory. I think part of it is that the menu is rather abridged and in reality, this is more a place to grab coffee and a pastry, than it is for a meal (at least to me). I got the chicken and rice, and while it was good, it felt overpriced and just lacking something. I also got the wellness drink, which was nice, and the pink lady (too sweet for me personally). Overall, the meal just felt overly pricey to me. I would come back, but only for a coffee and pastry. It really didn't feel like a great place to hang out or enjoy a meal as it got really loud, nor did it feel like a great place to sit and work given how loud it gets. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love, love, love their chicken rice and laksa, it really took me back to Southeast Asia. The laksa was outstanding. The broth and sambal are on another level compared to any I've had around the Bay Area. I'm not completely sold on the noodles themselves, but the rich, flavorful broth more than makes up for it. The chicken rice is everything I've been looking for. The rice is incredibly fragrant and infused with chicken flavor, and the sauce has just the right amount of texture and heat. I usually don't care much for chicken, but this dish is an absolute must-order. That said, I was a little disappointed by the pandan items. They tasted more like store-bought pandan syrup than the fresh, aromatic flavor of real pandan leaves. Even so, the pandan and coconut swirl was still delicious. I'll go back to try the kaya toast next time The staff are super friendly, and I love how creative the location is. The bakery is connected to the museum but not part of the admission area, so you can enjoy it without buying a ticket. It's such a relaxing spot to grab something to eat and people-watch through the windows. read more

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place is located at the second floor of berkeley art museum and pacific film archive. it is quite spacious and nice vibe. staffs are nice. place order in person and pay, then they will give you a number, and bring your order to your selected table but only for foods. for the drinks, they will call your name and need to pick up by yourself i believe that the owner of this cafe tries to introduce indonesian foods and drinks and for me: * pink trash: it is combination between dragon fruit puree, coconut water, coconut cold foam, and tajin. it is quite refreshing... * pandan chendol latte: combination between espresso, coconut water, pandan coconut cold foam, gula aren, and popping boba. a bit too sweet for my taste buds and expect to get chendol instead of popping boba even though the popping boba filled with gula aren... * nusantara chicken rice: sesame garlic rice comes with lightly roasted poached chicken plus sweet soy ginger chili sauce, and chicken broth on the side. i think need the taste bolder for the rice while the sauce tends to sweet and hardly to taste the ginger and chili. the chicken broth is quite tasty and chicken is tender... * gado gado bowl: not authentic, it is more like salad here using small size of lettuce and put quinoa, fried tofu and tempeh, japanese sweet potatoes, rainbow carrots, long shredded cucumber, and peanut sauce on top... overall, i will say taste is just ok but quite pricey. i did not try the pastry, may be next time... read more

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Kopi Bar and Bakery opened recently in BAMPFA's 2nd floor cafe area. Don't remember the previous rendition. This one is so upscale, tasteful & relaxing. No need to buy a ticket for the museum if only visiting here. Take elevator to 2nd floor. Bar & bakery setup is to the left after one enters. Many menus posted and available on counter. Quick & courteous greetings. Ordered when ready. Eats/drinks ready in minutes. Soft vocal music in background. Offerings: coffees & espresso drinks, teas, others, specialty drinks, toasts, lunch, pastries. Sips: kopi avocado (7) -layered with espresso shot on top, avocado purée in middle, condensed milk on bottom. Got a stick to stir. Made a great difference. -espresso very strong/bold. Me likee. Once stirred it curated into a luxury blending latte-ish Bites: swirl-pandan coconut (warmed) recommended. Actually needed a knife to cut, fork too dull. -typical baked pandan swirl pastry + toasted coconut flakes...sounds simple, tastes so velvety smooth. Couldn't stop eating...letting it cool May alter sensational tastes. 5 stars: Worthy! Quality: fantastic. Artisan techniques+uber quality ingredients. Quantity: very reasonable. read more

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This is a beautiful, peaceful, sunny spot that is clean and feels more adult than other options around campus. Order at the counter (they do take cash, which is 3% cheaper), and they serve to your table. I appreciate how veggie friendly it is. I have had the avocado toast here twice, and both times I loved it. It is on a soft milk bread, so it is easy to eat demurely with a knife and fork. The quinoa bowl was a little dry and underwhelming. I tried the pandan swirl bun, and it was much too sweet and sticky, even with too people sharing it. Is it a little pricey? Yes. Alas! So is everything. It is a nice place to dine alone or with a friend. Visit the museum, and it makes for a complete outing. read more

This cafe is located inside BAMFA (second floor), so definitely worth stoping by before or after you explore the museum. The pastries and coffee drinks are delicious, and there are many options. Their menu also has stuff like soup, toasts, and lunch items. I had the Chocolate Babka, and it was very tasty and rich. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The cafe itself is small, but there are tables for 2-4 guests. The location is in downtown Berkeley so parking is limited, but it is right off of the Downtown Berkeley BART station. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Chocolate Babka - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My friend and I met up at BAMFA and decided to get coffee and foods on the top floor before touring the museum, which she was able to get us free tickets for. Since I'd had a late night out the day before, I wanted something lighter, but I was definitely eyeing the pastries and savory dishes for next time. I ended up getting a granola smoothie bowl and the kopi avocado. The granola bowl was small but filling, and the kopi avocado, which the cashier told me was vegan, really hit the spot. I'd never tried a kopi avocado before, but I'm so glad I did and would certainly get it again. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - pastry display - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I used to really like Babette when it was in the museum and was happy to see that there's finally a new cafe there. This is a great spot. I've been enjoying the tomato fennel soup on the current menu, and like the pastries I've had (chocolate babka and chocolate cake). I also had the quinoa bowl with plant-based proteins, which was underwhelming, so I think the menu is a little bit hit or miss (but, on the whole, good). The lemonade is delicious, too. It's a nice spot to sit and work with wifi from campus, and the people working at the cafe are all very friendly. read more

Went to Kopi Bar and Cafe before seeing Routed West at Berkeley's Art Museum and Pacifci Film Archive (BAMPFA). Everyone was friendly and welcoming, the line was long but the cashier to the time to introduce the pastries and explain drinks and food for everyone's benefit. And the pastries were so delicious and my coffee was smooth, light, but still had the espresso kick. The space was airy, and also very busy, but everyone got a cozy seat. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be back! read more

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A lovely cafe inside BAMFPA, specialized in Indonesian treats, which is a rare to find around Berkeley. The staffs were pretty friendly and overall atmosphere was quite and nice. Kaya brulee toast was such a deal - soft brioche was perfectly balanced sweet kaya jam. Pandan coconut swirl was a bit dry and kopi avocado might not make sense but it could be due to personal taste. Overall still a good place to stop by after touring BAMFPA! read more

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Brief Summary: - Located inside BAMPFA museum, on the second floor - Really enjoyed the savory dishes - Comfortably filling dishes (coffee with a savory dish) - Tables and chairs (mostly 2 seats); close to the counter there are 4 seated ones) - Order at the counter - If you ordered drinks, they'll call you by name - If you ordered food, they will hand you a number and the food will be delivered - Bus the dishes near the counter where the drink order I heard about a new cafe opening up in the BAMPFA, and it was Kopi, a coffee place I was gaining an interest. I went to a coffee shop of a similar name but in a different town. Unfortunately, this one closed so I was bummed out, so I was back in spirits when I saw this one. This coffee shop is located inside the BAMPFA, the museum close to the west entrance of UC Berkeley. It's easy to spot: it's the one with the mysteriously angled metal horn on one side of the wall. I didn't need to pay an entrance fee to go to the cafe, notified the staff that I was going upstairs and took the elevators. These were right next to the ticket area. (Note: the elevator has a unique numbering system. Choose 2.) Upstairs, this cafe area widens to a elongated space. Most of this space is filled with tables that can seat 2 people each. The ones closer to the counter are booths and can sit between 2-4 guests. Immediately, we lined up at the counter and ordered a few dishes because our goal was to have brunch. I don't remember the exact names ,but this is what we ordered: a butterfly pea tea lemonade, coconut cappuccino, Kaya toast and I ordered the egg, egg sando as is, and the noodle soup. They handed me the number card and we chose a place to sit down. Drinks were called out by name, so I had to listen in while talking with the family. It might be better to stay near the counter if you decided to sit at the tables farthest from the counter. The food dishes arrived around the same time, after a couple of coffee sips later. I haven't drank a cappuccino in a long time (usually orders latte), so it was a good strong kick with a fluffy coconut flavor following afterwards. I also took a sip of the butterfly pea tea lemonade. It's a good puckering lemonade, not too sweet. A family of mine who is not used to eating sour food cleared their throat from time to time, but I was okay (the one who likes to eat umeboshi). The dishes were the highlight. We enjoyed all of them! It was my first time having Kaya toast with the poached egg, and I absolutely loved it. Perfect for brunch. The toast was crispy and it had volume. The dough was dense with few or no pores, so the chewing was satisfying. The egg sando was also a delight. Even without the avocado, the egg topping was at creamy perfection. Squeezing the lime over the egg gave it a refreshing zing. Fluffy and creamy textures on top of the same strong and chewy bread that can withhold the egg topping weight, this was so good. I'm going to struggle on deciding which one I want to eat if I visit here next time: kaya toast or egg sando because both of them are cooked differently and they tasted so good! The last one was the noodle soup. The broth was a pleasant surprise, so refreshing and clear. Another dish that is perfect to have in the early morning. It has a gentle flavor of lime (or lemon grass) and chicken. The noodles are thin and had a good slurpy chew to them. The food experience was lovely. It brightened up the rest of the day. I'll definitely hope to make myself time to visit here often. read more

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So good! Chef Nora doesn't disappoint. The Gado Gado salad is packed with protein and delicious! Her pastries are to die for! TRY THE FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE/BROWNIE. I brought it home and my husband stole most of it. It's so fudgy and decadent. Also the feta and corn pastry was unreal. The baristas made amazing drinks. I believe their names are River and Mar. It's a gorgeous space in the museum and a great spot to meet friends. HIGHLY recommend. read more

Located in BAMFA - no ticket required to access the kopi bar. Owner is Indonesian. Love the batik decor and accompanying live music. Great food and coffee. Had the laksa and chicken rice, a pandan pastry and avocado kopi. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Laksa, chicken rice, pandan pastry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Walking by and notice there's a cafe inside the museum. Walked in and asked barista for recommendations and very friendly. Tried the pandan swirl but wasn't impressed. Would try the chocolate bread next time. Had the kopi avocado which is sweet with avocado smoothie and shot of espresso to top off. After mixing it's delicious like a sweet avocado coffee smoothie. Pricey though but similar to other Berkeley prices. read more

Overpriced soup and decent pastries in a nice space (4/5 Green Stars) Kopi bar and bakery is accessible by entering the Berkeley Art Museum and taking the stairs or elevator to the left of the entrance desk. You can access the café without paying for museum entry. I actually discovered Kopi through the Too Good To Go app - if you're lucky you can snag a discounted bag of bakery items at the end of the day. I turned up early and ordered the soup - potato leek and lemongrass ($12) and a side of bread ($3). Including tax, tip and a 3% credit card charge (the café is cash-free but then charges for credit transactions) it came to around $20. When the soup arrived I was kinda shocked - such a tiny bowl of soup! Potatoes and leeks are not expensive ingredients and a bowl of soup and bread should not cost $20. I happened to catch another customer's expression when her soup arrived - it clearly said: is that it? The soup was tasty (I may try lemongrass and chili oil in my next potato leek soup) but besides being overpriced, it was oversold on the menu. It was touted to come with micro nasturtium leaves and they certainly were micro - two of them! The bread was a complete miss for me - it might be good with jam but didn't go well with the soup at all. I get the sense of overconfidence in the concept and I'm not sure that the average hungry museum visitor would be thrilled with it. On the plus side, staff members were friendly and pastries were good. I received three pastries in my Too Good To Go bag - the almond berry teacake and cinnamon raisin swirl were both good. The latter was almost like a good pain au raisin, with not too much cinnamon. The third pastry - the chocolate babka knot - was just ok for me, but I'm not a big chocolate babka fan. There's a sign asking laptop users to limit their visit to one hour. I'm also giving Kopi 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on the following: * A lot of the menu is veggie-friendly: four of five toasts were vegetarian and two out of the three lunch dishes were vegan. My soup was also vegan but I don't think any of pastries are vegan. * For animal products, most of them have lighter environmental footprints (compared to beef and lamb): chicken, tuna and egg. * There's no information on ingredient sourcing - this is surprising for a café affiliated with the BAMPFA. * Coffee beans are Indonesian (from Mr. Espresso) - I had to dig to find that info cos it's not on the Kopi website. Considering how the coffee industry impacts Indonesian rainforests it would be appropriate for some assurance on these beans - a comment on the website, a certification, even just naming them! Mr. Espresso has a good reputation, but for a café to have no info on beans... That might fly in Walnut Creek, but not in Berkeley! (Especially for a chef with a background in coffee joints like Farley's and Blue Bottle.) * A participant in the Too Good To Go program, mitigating food waste. read more

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I was inspired by Berkeley Restaurant Week to try Kopi Bar and met up with a friend for lunch + coffee. The coffee bar feels like a sleek loft on the second floor of BAMPFA, with plenty of seating to savor a coffee before or after visiting the museum. I wanted to try something new and ordered the kopi avocado and the laksa grits (the Berkeley Restaurant Week special). The laksa grits were pricey, even with the Restaurant Week discount, but I decided to splurge since I don't often have the opportunity to enjoy Indonesian food. The kopi avocado was prepared in minutes and served ceremoniously on a wooden coaster with a tiny spoon to stir in the avocado. The kopi avocado was delicious - the avocado gave the coffee a rich, velvety mouthfeel, and the flavor + texture reminded me of Vietnamese coffee. The vibrant green from the avocado made this a very photogenic beverage. My laksa was brought to our table soon afterwards, and the best way to describe it was comfort in a bowl. The laksa was rich and flavorful, and it paired well with the grits. There were a few shrimp hidden in the laksa, but the overall portion size felt a little underwhelming given the price. I'd definitely come back for the kopi avocado and perhaps try one of the delicious-looking pastries. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Kopi avocado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I came for the Kopi Avocado aka Avocado Coffee, and walked away with a warm belly and warmer heart (despite the rain that day) thanks to Chef Nora's latest adventure in my hood, located inside BAMPFA. I loved the warm Winter Gado salad with a heaping amount of peanut sauce, zingy bites of arugula contrasted by soft morsels of delicious tofu, squashes and pumpkin. The location is an oasis of calm and elevated charm, with Balinese carvings adorning the wall to pair with beautifully presented pastries, small bites and beverages. If you haven't tried the Kopi here, what are you waiting for? *Note: There's no need to get museum admission to visit Kopi Bar! read more

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I've been following Chef Nora since around 2017, back when she was serving some of the most memorable baked goods and dishes I've ever had. Over the years, I've gone out of my way to try her food wherever she cooked (Drip Line, Local Kitchen, pop-ups), and Kopi Bar & Bakery inside Berkeley's BAMPFA is another perfect example of her creativity and culinary talent. What sets Chef Nora apart is her ability to reinterpret Southeast Asian flavors in a way that feels fresh while still respecting their roots. Her cooking isn't meant to replicate a Singapore hawker stall down to the dollar or detail--if that's what you want, the best place to get inexpensive, traditional chicken rice is still Singapore itself. What she offers instead is her own thoughtful approach, adapted to U.S. ingredients, expectations, and dining culture. I also wish more reviewers would look beyond price alone. Running an independent café is extremely costly--her previous Kopi Bar on Main Street in Walnut Creek was in a notoriously high-rent location, and yet she remained committed to quality and craft there as well. Her food reflects that same level of care today. It's really not fair to any business to complain about the cost and not even bother reviewing how the food was. A quick tip: while BAMPFA admission is $18, you don't need to buy a ticket if you're just visiting the café. You can head straight to the second floor to enjoy her drinks and food. One of my favorites is the Kopi Avocado. It's a luxurious, creamy blend of avocado and plant-based milk, lightly sweetened and finished with a shot of espresso. The result is a smooth, mellow drink with just enough coffee bite to keep it vibrant--comforting, unexpected, and unlike anything else in the Bay Area. Her take on chicken rice is another standout. This isn't the classic poached, room-temperature version you'd find overseas--American diners generally won't go for that--but rather her own elevated interpretation. Flavorful chicken broth, a gently spicy soy-chili sauce, fresh herbs, and tender chicken all come together. The best way to enjoy it is by mixing and matching the elements: a little sauce here, a spoonful of broth there. Every combination brings out a different nuance and shows the harmony she's aiming for. And the pastries? Absolutely phenomenal. The pandan-coconut swirl alone is worth a visit, and I've never had anything from her pastry case that wasn't delicious. Whether you're stopping by the museum or coming specifically for Chef Nora's food, Kopi Bar & Bakery delivers a warm, creative, and memorable experience. Highly recommended. read more

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The service is always quick and friendly, and the coffee is delicious. I love the moringa latte for a non-caffeinated drink.

Very warm & helpful staff, especially server with black mask. He helped me get refund when I made error on Eventbrite. Food was beautifully prepared & arranged. read more

Beautiful ambiance and location. The owner is so friendly. The drinks are tasty. The only wish is that there are tables on the brighter side of the cafe near the windows. read more

This is our to go spot for brunch when we are in Berkeley. The chef is super friendly and she makes the tastiest baked goods! To think that the bread is vegan and yet so soft and fluffy! Our favorites here are the kaya brulee toast, hot cross pandan (when warmed, it melts in your mouth!) and the teh halia. The teh halia (ginger tea) here js extremely delicious because they make fresh pressed ginger juice. It makes for a perfect brunch date spot! read more

I've always loved the avocado coffee (Kopi Avocado) at the Walnut Creek location -- it was one of my favorites! However, when I recently visited the Berkeley spot (at BAMPFA, since Walnut Creek one closed), I was surprised to receive about half the usual coffee portion for the same price ( I paid $19 for 2 of them with taxes and tips which is extremely high for the amount of coffee I got). I've attached photos comparing it to what I'm used to getting. read more

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A great new café in the new museum and I was impressed with how successful it's operating but also the attempt at Indonesian cuisine along with very solid tuna and egg on toast so well worth a try read more

The vibes are totally on point for brunch! If you do not get the pandan hot buns, you are seriously missing out. Kind and friendly staff, and the owner was so sweet and brought us extra spicy sauce. Such a hidden gem! read more

try the avocado coffee!! it sounds a bit off but it works and actually taste amazing. the creaminess of the avocado with the coffee just goes so well together and the place is such a vibe. super modern and cozy vibes. read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The Food Price are outrageously expensive for the amount of food offered ! Potatoes Leek soup at $16 was offered in a 200 ml bowl! $28 dish for a Singaporean Chicken Rice! The Egg Salad Sandwich at $12 seems reasonable but you can eat it in couple bites, tiny volume on a piece of toast! It is more expensive than the Nieman Marcus Cafe at Union Square! Poki cafe is located in the 2FL BAMPFA, and how can students afford it? Ambience is good, service is normal, not sure how this establishment could gauge this kind of pricing to Berkeley community for long! It's a Cafe offering simple food but with high end restaurants pricing ! read more

Such beautiful views + great pastries with unique flavors. Coffee was good too. Hope they stay at BAMPFA for a long time

Kopi Bar and Bakery has changed my life and upped my downtown Berkeley lunch-game considerably since it opened last fall. Every item on the menu is exquisite and changes seasonally, which keeps me coming back to try new dishes. The coffee and pastries are also superb and the staff could not be friendlier and more helpful. The setting is gorgeous overlooking BAMPFA's galleries (though no need to buy a ticket unless you want to see the excellent shows!) THANK YOU Kopi for coming to Berkeley! read more

Too high of price and too small of portion , average taste not super authentic, a small bowl of leek soup cost $16, a one piece chicken rice cost $28. Hope they can reconsider their price policy! read more

Kopi Bar And Bakery - Leek soup Cost $16 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Just tried the Kopi coffee drink, was really strong. Atmosphere was decent but owner was there and kind of snobby and arrogant. Good for a 1 time visit. read more

Highly recommend for the food, atmosphere, and service. Tried several of the coffee/kopi drinks. My favorite is the avocado coffee for a smooth, flavorful, and unique experience. Gotta try it with a sweet pandan pastry. On the savory side had the chicken rice dish. Perfect size and combination with broth and spice sauce to on the side to add as much or as little to personal preference. I thought the pricing was well in line with the location and the beautiful space. Definitely going back to try more of the menu. read more

Food is delicious and drinks are really well balanced . Coco Capp is worth it alone . Really nice operators . They accidentally gave me an extra soup and told me not to sweat it . One of the best spots in downtown . read more