I just moved to Berkeley around the corner from Way Station, and my girlfriend and I eagerly waited for the cafe to open again because it had such great reviews prior to closing for a bit. Totally worth the wait!! -- I really like the coffee and americanos. Lately when I've come in, they're just brewing a fresh pot. My girlfriend is a coffee snob, and this coffee has her stamp of approval. -- I don't drink alcohol, but I love being able to enjoy a fresh flat white at 7:30 pm on a Friday night while my partner sips an ice cold IPA out on the patio listening to live music. It makes me feel included in nightlife "with the young folk" without being surrounded by alcohol everywhere. A+ for the inclusive vibe. -- You can buy great medium roast (my fave) coffee beans here, poured into a bag straight from the container they use for in-house brew. Super convenient when you guzzle as much as we do and run out after Berkeley Bowl closes. -- The smashburger last night was delicious, especially with an added fried egg. Hit the spot, and was the perfect size for the price if you're not into the obnoxiously huge burgers you get at other places. -- Scones and pastries are also super tasty. -- The people are super nice. read more

Way Station Brew - Smashburger with a fried egg and arugula, and a flat white that I couldn't resist drinking before taking the photo - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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An office colleague suggested we meet here for lunch. It's convenient for me being two blocks from my gym. When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised. The store front used to be a dry cleaners my childhood friends owned. To be honest, there wasn't much that interested me. Kinda of a Berkeley bougie menu. The scones have received raves. Actually, all the pastries looked bomb! The coffee was questionable according to Stephanie Y. I had a scone and a black drip. The patio is lovely and made nice backdrop for our meeting. The staff are very kind and helpful. read more

This place is hip. I asked for a cold brew with an added shot. The guy who served me up said the brew was strong enough I probably wouldn't need a shot(very transparent) and I saved some cash because he was right! The cold brew is top notch and very friendly service. Highly recommend this place. read more

Super disappointed today! I've visited this cafe previously and the food (smashburger) and coffee was great. Today, I was one of two people in line, kitchen looked quiet, I ordered a chicken salad thinking that would be fast...then I see all these dishes coming out but no salad. They said it would be 10-15 mins longer because they got a big order in? Online I guess?, at this point I already waited 10mins so 25-30 mins for a salad? (My lunch is only 30mins!) . So I asked for a refund and left. If you're not in a rush, this place is great..they should monitor how the orders come in better, super disappointed... read more

Great food and coffee and cute decor. I love to come here to study since they have Wi-Fi. Lunch menu is great, especially the grilled chicken sandwich! read more

I needed breakfast and outdoor seating in this neighborhood and found this place on Yelp. It fit the bill! Everything sounded great, so it was hard to decide what to order (I think this place has mostly regulars -- they seemed surprised that I needed to get a menu and read it). I ordered and went to the back patio to find a spot. It had drizzled earlier, and the tables and seats were all wet. Luckily I was prepared and had brought a towel, but I think maybe they should do that when it stops raining. The food was very good. There were a number of tables outside, which was nice. I would definitely come here again if in the neighborhood and was thankful to find it. read more

I come to Way Station Brew often out of sheer convenience as I live nearby and I like the vibe. I'm thrilled they have WiFi now and their outdoor patio is just delightful. Plain and simple: I don't love their coffee. Ugh, I know. It could be so perfect! I opt for a cappuccino, mocha or latte every time, and every time it's weak and not satisfying. :: I do like my coffee bold and strong:: Their food is fine, but a tad overpriced for output. I've had their salad which was pretty basic for the price tag. The veggie bowl, which was full of hearty warm vegetables but not a ton of delicious flavor wasn't my favorite. Their toasts do look good. I will however stick to their pastries. The peanut butter chip was delicious. And they always have scones ready to rock. I'd love to see more options (which they may have, but sell out?). Overall, there's room for improvement. I'll continue to support as it's my local coffee shop, as I continue to hope it'll turn up a notch or two. read more

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I dig this coffee shop by day and bar by night! I've only been here during the day time to study, but I do admire this concept. I got the molasses cookie. If I appreciated ginger a lot more, then I would say it was pretty good. They have a nice outdoor patio in the back. I came here a while back, and there were a lot of flies in the front seats of the restaurants where you walk in... read more

Way Station Brew - 12.10.17 patio/back area - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great place! It reminds me a bit of living in Seattle. I visited some friends here and instantly fell in love with this coffee shop because of its aesthetic and quality items. It has both indoor and two outdoor seating areas so if you have a dog, you're in luck! We saw a few dogs here. I ordered the Brooklyn Bear. It was a cold beverage and came in a small mason jar. Absolutely delicious! It was rather slow here around 10am on A Sunday morning but soon filled up quickly. Pros: -good drinks -great atmosphere -pet friendly -multiple seating options (indoors and outdoors) -free street metered parking on Saturdays Cons: -n/a read more

Way Station Brew - Outside, in front of entrance - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love this place!! Friendly staff, great coffee and also amazing burgers! See you guys soon!!

Honestly, I RAVE about Way Station. If you haven't been here, you have to check it out! They make home made syrups to add into the coffees (vanilla, lavender, and sage rosemary) and they are the most incredible thing. On top of that, their actual espresso is phenomenal. Best lattes ever. From my understanding, they actually roast their beans there! The food is also super delicious. Very fresh and high quality ingredients. My favorite are their scones. I'm not a huge scone gal, but their scones are something else!! In addition, they have great avocado toast and other breakfast foods. Even more! They serve various lunch and dinner options, and are open Thurs- Sat evening to enjoy dinner and a beer!! Love it. During COVID, they have an outdoor patio that is open. Only about 5/6 spots so sometimes hard to find seating but still great. Most of the workers are very friendly and kind. Especially the owner, Warren! He takes the time to ask you how you're doing even when they're busy. Way Station has become a coffee shop home of mine. It's truly a magical place you don't want to miss out on! read more

Way Station Brew - Rosemary Sage latte and coconut ginger scone! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I bought a mocha for around $7.50 (kind of expensive, but ok) and it was luke warm. After a couple of sips I thought, jeez I should really bring this back to the barista. I politely told her that my drink wasn't hot. She took it from me, re-steamed it and gave it back to me without a word. I brought it back to my table, took a little sip and had to spit it out because it was scalding hot. It burned my mouth so badly it blistered. Not my favorite way to experience an over-priced mocha. read more

Yummy BLTs and Eggers at laid back student/ locals hangoutGood for sipping coffee and studying Marx.

Came here to study during finals week. I love the atmosphere. It was spacious, well lit, and the decor was great. The music was tasteful and added to the overall relaxing vibe. There's a back patio with seating - perfect for weekends in spring. However, due to the weather, this establishment was cold (doors were kept opened) and the available seating did not have outlets for laptops. Service could've been friendlier. What was order: Ice Vanilla Latte ($5.25): Not too sweet, just the way I like it. Will be a repeat order if I return. I ordered 2 pastries (displayed in the pastry dish/dome) - one scone and chocolate chip cookie. I can't remember the price but they didn't taste fresh. They were also a bit dry. Not a fan. Overall, a cool place to read/study if the weather is nice outside. If you plan on bringing a laptop make sure it's fully charged. read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been trying to figure out what to do with all my old CD's, and now I've been inspired to turn them into wall art like they do at Way Station Brew (photo: http://bit.ly/2FrAqRj). But this is a chill, brick-laden coffeehouse that can get away with a wall of CD jewel cases as art. My place not so much. I came here as I was strolling down Shattuck on a sauntering Saturday afternoon looking to escape the downtown pedestrian congestion. I turned up on Dwight Way just because it brought back cobweb-festered memories of my undergrad years when I lived around the corner from Dwight on College Avenue. Lo and behold, this spot looked like it had been around for years, but it's actually relatively new. The industrial-funk look behind the counter somehow works with the more vintage vibe they appear to be after with the long leather-like banquette and party booth (photo: http://bit.ly/2Fjuir1). I ordered a very well-turned $4.50 16-ounce Latte which I took to an open spot and appropriately nursed until Jamie W. showed up (photo: http://bit.ly/2tgU9ON). The techno music alternated with swinging Sinatra and wafted through the entire place as Cal students intersected with older hipsters. Definitely a casual place to hang for a while. COFFEE - 4 stars...solid brew in their latte, very smooth AMBIANCE - 4 stars...casual vibe, a good place to hang SERVICE - 3 stars...pretty decent for such hip servers TOTAL - 4 stars...everything old is new again read more

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It's okay, art is really cool! Didn't try the coffee only the food. I'll come back to try coffee. But they really have a fly issue, couldn't eat my food in peace. read more

I want to love this place. Well, I do but the saddest forgotten Christmas wreath, the unswept floors. and the stockpiles of furniture let me know that I have to give it several chances. Coffee is amazing. Pastries stunning. And the people? I can't gush enough. I speak to 3 people a week. This is the only business I don't feel as though I'm not welcome in. I don't feel in the way. read more

I ordered the full rack of ribs and they were delicious! They had a lot of flavor and basically slipped off the bone, it was great.

Milling around Shattuck after a meeting and stumbled upon this super cute cafe. As fate would have it, I was looking for a place with good coffees and teas and possibly a snack to hold me over. Way Station Brew exceeded all expectations for taste and quality. The atmosphere was one I could've stayed in for hours too. I picked up a chai latte and a blueberry scone. Holy freakn cow was this tasty! The chai latte had an accentuated natural flavor, with a slight kick to the spice yet not overly sweetened like you'll find at Starbucks. It was frothed to perfection. The flavor was perfect. The scone! Oh my, the scone. I haven't had a scone this delicious in... wait, have I ever had a scone thh delicious?! Not to mention it was HUGE! It was so soft on the inside it reminded me of cookie dough, just fully baked through. Sound impossible? Just go try it out and let me know what you think. I'll be back to try the orange one though, that much is true. Needless to say, I was thoroughly satisfied. Even though I didn't have my laptop handy to put some work in, the place was jumping with people just chillin with computers. The layout makes nice use of the space with seating on each wall, a bar with plugs, and hightop row seating. Nice vibe, excellent work space and delicious snacks and drinks might keep you here all day. Say hi if you see me there munchin on scones!! read more

Way Station Brew - Tastiest blueberry scone ever!!! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I stopped by the Way Station in search of a cafe with good coffee, WiFi, seating, and music, and while I didn't try their drinks or food, I was not disappointed by what they offer as a simple cafe! I came on a Saturday late morning - it was busy but there was still plenty of seating. I love that they have different types of seats - some that feel like diner booths, some that are just simple chairs at wooden tables, and others that give it a bar vibe. At Their tables are also all pretty spacious - I was able to fit my laptop, home made breakfast, purchased coffee, and phone on my table. At the more work-friendly tables there's enough space between tables to give an air of privacy. It was easy and quick to connect to their guest WiFi, which operated at a good speed for the online writing and reading I was doing. Their mocha is of good value for the price! Nothing special but it was pleasantly not over-sweetened. The staff are also friendly and talkative - I noticed one making small talk with a couple people near the counter. Also, the music was perfect - didn't need to put in earbuds to drown out some crappy radio music; instead, some lively modern hits were playing, not too loudly but enough to be enjoyable when one wants to listen. In sum, great place to stop by in the morning if you want a satisfying cup of coffee, good vibes, and space to get some work done. read more

Way Station Brew - Mocha - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I truly feel like this is a hidden gem in Berkeley being so tucked away just outside of central downtown. I've been here for mimosa brunch as well as for coffee/work sessions and each occasion has been enjoyable (fast working WiFi too!). The highlight of the spot is certainly it's back patio area. It's incredibly peaceful being removed from traffic and surrounded by the greenery from neighboring trees. Service is friendly and quick and they have a well-rounded menu of caffeinated drinks, sodas, beer, and breakfast and lunch items. It's counter service style where they give you a number for your food order. On my most recent visit I got their soy mocha, which was yummy. I did find it slightly odd it was served in a pint glass though so it was super hot to touch since there is no handle. For food, I got their small vegetable bowl ($8) and a grilled cheese sandwich with added brisket that comes with salad (smart recommendation from the owner). Both were delicious! I love that they offer something like a warm vegetable bowl (you don't see that often and certainly not at a coffee joint). This is definitely my new go-to coffee and work spot. read more

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A neighborhood coffee spot, usually busy, with a friendly owner. Unfortunately I can't give Waystation a great review because: - Their Chai Lattes are insanely inconsistent. One day I get a pretty yummy one, the next day it's inedibly sweet to the point I have to throw this out. This has happened a ton of times so it's definitely not a fluke - they just aren't consistent. It seems to really depend on who's behind the counter. - Service can be really slow, I know this is a small neighborhood cafe, but nobody wants to wait 20mins for a coffee. - Having tried their evening popup dinner services, services for those can be even worse, I've waited an hour for food to come out. - This might sound petty but this place has some of the WORST cardboard/paper straws ever. As someone that likes to take their time sipping drinks, my straws are usually completely unusable mush before I've finished a cup! Nothing beats a plastic straw for durability, but even among cardboard/paper straws these are the bottom of the barrel. On the upside: - There's a nice, roomy patio where you can work and hang out - Their coffees seem to be fine? - They have a full breakfast menu - hot breakfast plates etc. However, the food is just OK in my opinion. read more

It's a mixed bag. Will they be nice today? Will they have attitude? There's some good food here and the breakfast sandwiches are great...but they open at 9:00am. For breakfast? How about opening at 8:00am? It would be a huge difference. Today I wanted to stop by....but they close at 3:00pm. Seriously? Are you trying to sell food or not? It's too stressful and complicated. Yes the scones are good, but when can I get one? I have a job and can't relate to these hours. read more

Best coffee I've had in Berkeley so far. The service is great and the environment makes for the perfect place to do some early studying. The scones are also delicious! :) read more

First, a shout-out to Warren for his fabulous coffee shop! The food, the service, the people, the owner - are simply fabulous! I enjoyed chatting about my beloved Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. I was there Sunday morning after a late night at Everdene in San Francisco. I ordered a cup of coffee, of course, and Pete's Special which consisted of two scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, gluten-free toast, and apple slices. I normally don't eat bacon but this was delicious! The eggs were fluffy and cooked to perfection. The coffee - well, it was delightful! My family sat outside and enjoyed the heat from the sun and each other's company. Way Station Brew is located in Berkley, which is another reason I like it. Berkley is on the east shore of the SF Bay and is simply beautiful and picturesque. The vibe is relaxed and carefree. And it was a wonderful day to do just that! read more

SO GOOD. TOO GOOD. had to do a new school year check in and oh lordy the cold brew today was extra? delicious? And coffee-ye? Like really could taste deeeep coffee. I always get it w oat milk n so delish. Also got an Apple scone today, perfectly put tgtH buttery texture, crumbling apart but not too much, perfect but of sweetness n I am noT a sweets person. They had savory scones that were so good too for a bit but not any todayyy. read more

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What a hidden gem. Way Station is a good distance from Berkeley's campus so it's not overly crowded. The patio in the back is a beautiful + peaceful place to work. The one downside is that there aren't really any outlets in the cafe. read more

Way Station Brew - Vanilla Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This place is very inconsistent and ridiculously SLOW, some team member have good customer service etiquette and others are completely pitiful. This includes their abilities to prepare the drinks. Some good some mediocre and bad. Owners should focus on retraining their staff. But it seems like they themselves are clueless as well. If you've been here more than once you will notice this. Your success depends on people coming back don't take that for granted. read more

Lovely coffee shop with great coffee and delicious homemade scones. Looking forward to going back for their other breakfast options!

Yummy coffee, even yummier scones! Super friendly service and a really lovely vibe. Added bonus for their happy hour and the live jazz on Friday nights! I totally love this place and would recommend wholeheartedly. read more

I always come back for the scones.. and the coffee and the outdoor vibes. "If a wizard hit a mom and pop book store in Berkeley with a wand and turned it into a food, it would be that [scone]" ! read more

Way Station really is a perfect cafe: friendly employees, high-quality food, and a sweet patio area. Most importantly, the owner is intentional about building a community feel & goes out of his way to make sure customers are happy. The thing that keeps me coming back every weekend though is the scones! I never cared about scones before I tried theirs. They are to die for! Fresh, moist, flaky... they hit the spot every time. I can't recommend Way Station enough - please go support them so they survive through COVID! read more

Lovely backyard but the breakfast and lunch options are not worth the price. I'd the way station ham and egger. The home fries were under cooked. Only two small slices of toast albeit they were high quality. Eggs were decent and bacon was very crispy without much flavor. My friend had a burger. Very mediocre and a large helping of chips as if to compensate for the disappointing appearance and make up of the burger. Best bet is to probably just stick with a pastry (although I've not tried any) and coffee and enjoy the backyard. read more

Amazing coffee and delicious pop-ups! A diamond in the rough. Trevor, Zach, Aj and Warren are the best! read more

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They play the best music, they make their own flavored syrups (the lavender is my fav), their patio gets the perfect amount of sun, everyone that works here has a great vibe. Love this place. I live down the street and came here for the first time when my coffee machine broke at home. I don't think I'm ever gonna replace it now x read more

honestly i used to love this place when the nice kitchen lady would work there but honestly ive been here a couple of times when a new guy has been working there the last time i was there i was waiting on my avocado toast for a few minutes when i realized no one was working in the kitchen when a guy came in from outside reeking like cigarettes witch he just came in from outside straight to the kitchen to work on the orders truly unbelievable that someone working in the kitchen wouldn't wash their hands really disgusting. read more

Awesome owner! Even awesome-ER coffee :) Highly recommend this coffee roaster! He made a personal recommendation based on what I like and made me an awesome 16 oz cup of floral (jasmine infused) espresso latte! Very cool owner! read more

I visited Way Station for the first time this past weekend and I will definitely be back!! Their vanilla latte was so yummy; I'm pretty sure their vanilla syrup is made in-house, so the vanilla flavoring is so tasty and doesn't taste artificial whatsoever. Unfortunately, this cafe does close a bit early, so I wasn't able to try their food, but like I said, I will definitely be back!! read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Awsome cold brew. Amazing espresso. Super great joint with a cool patio and cool staff. read more

Way Station Brew - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Wahoooooo! I recently came here for a friend's birthday gathering. She had reserved a couple of tables out in the beer garden. It was a spacious and trendy atmosphere. The employees were sweet and attentive. They went out of their way to ensure maximum comfort level! I mean seriously, one of the employees (perhaps the store manager?!) literally rearranged the space and set up an umbrella for us to shield us from the sun. The mimosas were delicious! Sneaky strong-- perfect for a celebratory gathering among friends. We also had red and white wines, avocado toast, and ricotta toast. All fresh and delicious. The menu is very vegan and gluten free friendly. Theres a veggie sandwich on the menu thats KILLER. I will absolutely be back at my earliest convenience. read more