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    The Hidden Cafe

    4.6 (304 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

    The Hidden Cafe Photos

    THE HIDDEN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Hidden Cafe

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    Kaycee C.

    This place was nice. I love the large park/field in front of the café. There's plenty of space to enjoy. My husband got a turmeric latte and loved it. I ordered an americano and it was really good. We also ordered 2 cookies, one oatmeal and one chocolate and they were perfect. I loved the vibe inside and the staff was super friendly.

    Strawberry milk and matcha
    Liliana H.

    Overall amazing park ambiance and great service! Really enjoyed the space inside and the park area. Strawberry flavor tasted very fresh not artificial with the milk. Matcha could've been sweeter for my taste but it was good. Less one star because no bathrooms indoors. The ports potties closed and had to go to the park bathrooms and they were traumatizingly dirty. Not the cafes fault but know that it's limited options.

    The logo
    Ana M.

    The Hidden Cafe is the perfect spot to grab coffee and a snack and study, meet up with friends, take your dog out, make art, chill etc! Pretty much any scenario fits this cafe. The food is not only delicious but also there are many vegan and gluten free options. Local restaurants often host pop ups here as well. The service is friendly and fast. Inside looks like a home library in a fairy forest and outside is a majestic park with a creek the drip offer before 12 is like 3-4 dollars, which let's be honest where can you really find that in the bay anymore? Every drink I've had here is made to perfection as well. A local favorite

    Perfect place to read.
    Sagruilla P.

    Dreamy cute café with books, shells, old curios, and dried flower as decoration. I was able to get seating on a stool looking out the window at the park. It was a rainy day and quite the vibe. The 5 stars are all for the decor. There is also outdoor seating and the entire park when the weather is nice. My coffee drink was good and reasonably priced for the era and area. I ordered a lemon bar which looked fabulous with thin slices of lemon. The lemon curd top was tart and tasty, though the high price and crust were a little disappointing. I would not order it again. Ordered drinks can be served at the to-go window or inside. Keep an ear out and an eye on your drink order, as the park access makes it easy for drinks to walk away. Do note there is limited indoor seating, and it is tight to navigate.

    Kokuto Latte and Magic Purple Square
    Jacqueline Z.

    I needed to be in Berkeley for an event in the evening, so I decided to come up and work from this cafe earlier in the day. I chose this spot since it was further from campus and figured it'd be easier to snag a seat. There were a few seats open when I arrived on a Thursday around 2:30 PM. The wi-fi is also good (I had to take an impromptu Zoom meeting and didn't have any issues). I decided to order the Kokuto Latte, which was delicious and not overwhelmingly sweet. I also got a Magic Purple Square, which contains ube and coconut, but it was quite dry and not really my preferred pastry. The aesthetics of this cafe is nice and it's located next to a park, so there's plenty of outdoor space. I would come again next time I'm looking for a cafe in Berkeley!

    Lil B.

    Small and very popular cafe especially on a sunny weekend. BTW no restroom here but walk further into the park and two public restrooms are available. Enjoyed a Paloma and a cookie. Definitely limited seating inside but bring a blanket or some folding chairs for Strawberry Creek park right outside (the grass/ ground was damp).

    The Hidden Cafe's little patio facing a greenspace, just a short stroll north of Strawberry Creek
    Rich S.

    The Hidden Cafe hides on the park-side of a grey-siding and red-brick building a block south of University Ave. The line can get long, but there was no line at noon on a Tuesday (Oct 2025). They have a small tasty selection of baked goods that changes frequently, often including great coffee cake and sticky buns, creative bars and brownies, and some savories including savory scones. On the weekends they host guest chefs! We had their delicious coffee, and chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies. We love their fresh baked goods and the well-made coffee with the right grind and right amount of extraction, for a non-acid non-sour non-bitter brew. We had our first "dirty" chai, tea with espresso. It's a good / interesting flavor. I'm more a coffee person :-) They have handful of outdoor tables for around 12, and a bright homey indoors with seating for around 16. We had a sweet relaxed time watching people picnic and play in the greenspace out front. Then we took a short stroll south past a cute bubbling creek to the fun playground at Strawberry Creek Park. The Hidden Cafe is a quiet treasure with plenty of free street-parking.

    Interior
    Jessica T.

    This coffee shop looks like something out of a Studio Ghibli film. It's so quaint and adorable and it's definitely someplace I'd love to curl up with a good book! I visited on a weekend and there were many families and people walking dogs in the little park area right outside. Only downside is that it gets very crowded and there are limited seats available, so we had to take our drinks to-go. Would come back again!

    Hojicha latte and americano
    Tasha H.

    Super cute cafe with outdoor and indoor seating and a park with lots of doggies running around. They do have a bathroom but you need a key and it's on the other side of the building. Cheddar scone - moist and flavorful Choc chip cookie - a stunner. Crisp edges and chewy center; this is amazing. Hojicha latte - not a ton of flavor, would not order again.

    Menu
    Emily X.

    This place is so cute! I love how this place is tucked away in a brick building next to the park. The vibes here are immaculate. I came here with a couple of friends around 4pm in the afternoon on Sunday. There is small parking lot by the park but when I went it was full so I had to circle around a bit to find street parking. The service was friendly and efficient. You place your order inside and then wait for your order outside where you can pick up your drink from a pickup counter. There were some indoor seating options and I saw some people doing work on laptops inside. I ordered the Kokuto latte and one of my friends got an iced matcha latte. My kokuto latte was smooth and had a pleasant sweetness from the Okinawan brown sugar. I tried some of my friend's iced matcha latte and it tasted average. It was a bit clumpy and the matcha taste was present but not too strong. The highlight is definitely the cafe's proximity to the huge green space from the park. My friends and I sat down on grass and soaked up the sun. It was a perfect way to end an afternoon out.

    Ordering Area
    Megan J.

    The Hidden Cafe was highly recommend by my cousin. It is located directly in front of a large grassy park area-- appropriate for hanging out and picnicking. The cafe is cute and I love the layout of it. The service was decent, nothing spectacular. The ordering process was short and there was very minimal interaction. I was really craving matcha so I stopped by and got the iced matcha. Trust me when I say to skip the matcha.. a sifter isn't used for the matcha powder, the matcha powder doesn't get frothed.. therefore you get clumps and an inconsistent matcha. I would give The Hidden Cafe a try again in the future because of the atmosphere, but I'd most definitely try something else.

    Matcha latte, magic purple square, latte
    Joanne L.

    This cafe is tucked away right next to a small cute park, perfect for an afternoon outdoors! The cafe itself has limited seating inside and a few small tables outside. It has a cozy atmosphere lined with books everywhere. The drinks were great and I liked the latte art on both of them! The matcha flavor was strong and not overpowered by the milk at all, and the drink wasn't too sweet which I appreciated. The magic purple square is an ube bar filled with nuts and topped with coconut. This was also yummy- not overly sweet and an awesome pick-me-up for the day. The staff here are nice and gave good recs for what to order :)

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    22 days ago

    It's so dang cute. Inside and outside. The drinks are good, yep, but the ambiance? Stellar.

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    The Hidden Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hidden Cafe

    Is it spacious inside? Looking for a good place to study.

    The cafe itself is very small inside, but there are some extra tables/seating areas outside the cafe. I personally prefer to be inside where I have access to a full size table and outlets, so I wouldn't recommend as a study spot.

    What's parking like?

    Street parking nearby, you might find better luck off Allston way & walk through Strawberry creek park to get there :)

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    Forest Tea Bar

    Forest Tea Bar

    4.4
    (127 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Forest Tea Bar is a newer cafe in Berkeley and the new home of the matcha pop-up Three Tea Bowls…read more I've been here multiple times since the soft opening, and it's quickly become a spot I can see myself coming back to. I've tried the Uji matcha latte ($6.95) and genmaicha latte ($6.75). The Uji matcha latte was grassy, but still smooth and strong. I think I would've liked just a little more depth and richness, but it's still a drink I'd happily order again. I also tried the genmaicha latte, which was less sweet than the Uji matcha. I really liked how the toasted, nutty flavor of the genmaicha balanced the sweetness, though I thought it slightly overpowered the matcha. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into their drinks. I definitely want to try their black sesame matcha next! The cafe has a calm, minimalist aesthetic with limited seating, including a high table where you can watch the drinks being made. They use oat milk by default, although there isn't currently an option to substitute whole milk. There's a small parking lot, with additional street parking available in the surrounding residential area. Overall, I've really enjoyed my visits here and think Forest Tea Bar is a great addition to Berkeley's matcha scene. Definitely worth checking out if you like more tea-forward drinks!

    One of the best matcha spots I've tried! You can really taste the difference here! the matcha is…read moreauthentic and properly whisked, with a smooth, rich flavor that's noticeably better than many other matcha shops. The staff and founders are genuinely friendly, welcoming, and passionate about what they do. The space is another highlight: zen, calm, and relaxing, without the hectic feel you get at a lot of trendy cafés. Great matcha, great people, and a great atmosphere. Definitely a place I'll come back to. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)
    Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)
    Hojicha Latte
    Hojicha Latte
    Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Latte, Organic Rose Matcha Latte

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    Organic Black Sesame Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Latte, Organic Rose Matcha Latte
    Artís Coffee

    Artís Coffee

    4.1
    (788 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Locally sourced ingredients

    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.

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    Artís Coffee
    Artís Coffee
    Artís Coffee

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    Jaffa Coffee Roasters

    Jaffa Coffee Roasters

    4.7
    (164 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Staff were friendly, very knowledgeable, and helpful. I ordered a mocha and later a red tea and…read morethey were both excellent. Definitely coming back! Baristas explained that they are up for trying different and sometimes unusual combinations for their customers. I wasn't adventurous this time, but it made me want to explore in the future. I came here to work, hoping for a relatively warm and cozy spot that wasn't too sleepy. I was not disappointed. The wifi was good, music was fun and unobtrusive. Decorations and layout gave a friendly, welcoming environment. Not only were the benches and padded chairs comfy, the ambiance was kept even in the bathroom. Spacious, warm lighting, cute bathroom with a great mirror and cool sink. I don't ever ding places for hospital-looking bathrooms (you know, fluorescent lights, questionable floors, sand paper toilet paper...) but this was one of the few where I was impressed. Good to know: Jaffa cakes are only available on the weekend Parking: Some of the streets nearby are resident-only parking so make sure to double check!

    We were greeted by the loveliest person when we walked in. He was helping someone in front of us…read morewho seemed like a lot, kept interrupting those around her after she ordered but the person running the front was patient and kind. I ordered a cortado which was good while the hubby ordered the orange latter. We were told ordering it iced makes it a tad sweeter and that was correct advice. The latte was sweet but still delicious. I'd probably order it hot next time. It's a large space with merchandise, beans, and accessories for sale. They've also got a good sized menu for coffee and tea drinkers alike.

    Photos
    Fundraiser
    Fundraiser
    Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural
    Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural
    Winter warmer: apple cider mm!

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    Winter warmer: apple cider mm!
    Masterpiece Coffee

    Masterpiece Coffee

    4.5
    (74 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This place is fairly nondescript in the side alley or accessible from the front through a…read moreclothing/gift store? That, however, shouldn't detract from the personalized experience you'd likely receive with how small the coffee bar is. If you're expecting something more permanent this coffee shop is more like a temporary coffee cart that has roots in the back corner of this gift shop On the whole this place despite the hidden location has folks very much eager to bring specialty coffee to anybody interested. They have a large selection of relatively high end coffee in the likes of Geisha from Panama and Ethiopian coffees. Additionally, they're the only place I've ever seen across the US that is showcasing any coffee grown in China which is nice to see as that allows more exploration into how the terroir affects the taste of coffee For my first time here I came with a small group of coffee enthusiasts so we tried a selection of their Alo Main Station (notes of Sweet Orange, Bergamont, and Peach Oolong Tea), Finca Santa Maria (notes of Cherry, Mango, and Berry Jam), and Lerida Loma Washed (notes of White Floral, Mandarin Orange, and Longan) Each cup was uniquely different from each other but arguably the most enjoyed was their cheapest option in the Alo Main Station at $9. Each cup seemed completely different and may seem pretentious to say but they did have sweeter notes that you'd be very unlikely to taste from your well known coffee chains. This place definitely caters to the coffee enthusiasts in a way where even my group wasn't quite near the level of but it had a great atmosphere, nice outdoor seating, and staff who were very passionate about their craft If anything, I would probably come back as they do elevate coffee for those who are unaware of coffee coming from China but that coffee doesn't need to taste bitter, burnt, or chocolatey. The cups here were more like tasting a mellowed fruit juice but it just happens to be coffee. That said, unless you are eager to try specialty coffee this place may seem overpriced as their pour overs are between $9 - $25 which heavily differs from most other coffee shops. Having Masterpiece provide a glimpse of the specialty coffee scene within the Bay Area is still a welcome blessing as it has a similar vibe to specialty coffee shops you'd experience in Asia

    I'm old fashion and typically love a classic latte or black coffee but decided to be adventurous…read moreand try the Kuro. Since my husband was doing an iced Shiro, I went with a hot version of the Kuro. We both got whole milk rather than oat milk. While I loved both options the Kuro was definitely my favorite and did not disappoint. There's some seating options outside to enjoy your coffee and tons of vintage items to browse through inside while you wait for your coffee.

    Photos
    Slow bar counter seating
    Slow bar counter seating
    Kuro (barista recommends getting the Kuro iced & Shiro hot!)
    Kuro (barista recommends getting the Kuro iced & Shiro hot!)
    Masterpiece Coffee

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    The Hidden Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026

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