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Caffe Strada
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2300 College Ave(between Bancroft Way & Durant Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
(510) 843-5282
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 12 am
422 reviews for Caffe Strada
422 reviews in English
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Review from Amy H.
5/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
TIP #1: The wifi does not work. If you're sitting on the east side, use the Bancroft Hotel's wifi. If you're sitting on the west patio, use Freehouse's wifi. If you're sitting on the north side of the patio, use Airbears. Or, just ask whoever's around you for help!
TIP #2: Cash only.
Strada's got the two key things for a good cafe: atmosphere and good coffee.
It's beautiful to sit out on the patio when the sun is out. You can watch the crazy, intricate dance of pedestrians, cars, buses and bikes at College and Bancroft. You can get lost in a book. You can plug into one of the many outlets available outside and type, type, type away. You can glance up occasionally at the interesting stranger across the patio...
It's also nice to make a Strada run at 11:30pm when you know you're going to be up late. The streets are dark and the crazy intersection is now deserted. The warmth of the coffee in your hands is a comforting reminder that Strada will always have your back when you need a caffeine boost.
I stick to the iced coffee or espresso. Super simple and quick. It's sometimes a challenge to find an open spot, but people are usually kind and will scoot over on the bench, or plug my laptop in for me. -
Review from Amy G.
Berkeley, CA
4/21/2012
I spent probably about seven hours (non-consecutively) here today working on various club and group projects. It's a nice atmosphere for people who don't mind the noisy whirring of coffee machines and bustling cafe sounds. Their cakes and pastries look delicious. Their brownies are super fudgy! Like, eating dense, greasy brownie batter rather than a baked product. But I have no issue with that. I've had their famous mocha bianca in the past--I'm not a coffee drinker at all, so I can't really judge. But warning: it's an extremely sweet drink.
When I think Strada, I always think GSIs. It's where they hang out. The cafe is usually fairly crowded with Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. Overall, I think Strada would become even more popular and make even more money if they started selling sandwiches or other entree-type foods.
Pros: desserts
Cons: choppy wi-fi. Sit on the west side of the cafe and you can mooch off the Bancroft Hotel's. -
Review from Linny P.
Berkeley, CA
4/17/2012
Probably the nicest cafe around campus because of the ambience. It's the best lit cafe around here - lots of natural light. Outdoor patio is always roomy, and heated! I came here at 8 PM one night, and there was a heating lamp above me. How nice!
Don't get the cheese brioche. The driest and plain tasting piece of pastry I've ever tried in my life. It tasted like what a piece of cardboard would taste.
Iced Strada Bianca was a bit too sweet for my taste, but still yummy. Tasted like white chocolate mocha (which I think is exactly what it is). And because the brioche was so friggin' dry, I finished the Bianca in five minutes and got a head ache. -
Review from Tiffany K.
Sacramento, CA
4/3/2012
What Caffe Strada lacks in terms of indoor seating it makes up with the outdoor patio. There are heat lamps overhead, but if it is breezy, that doesn't help you much.
Located towards the top of Bancroft, you get a nice little walk uphill if you're coming from Telegraph. One of my professors always set up her office hours here instead of being on campus.
If you can snag a spot indoors, there is a cozy nook towards the back. It's not as stuffy (as in hard to breathe) as Cafe Milano can get, especially when you're upstairs and the heating is on!
Free WiFi, friendly staff. This place is much more a summer cafe than a winter one! -
Review from Austin R.
Berkeley, CA
4/8/2012 3 Check-ins Here
If you don't need really reliable Internet or an abundance of power outlets, this is the best cafe to go to. On sunny days I love going here and just sitting outside, sipping on my iced vanilla latte and cranking out some reading.
Their coffee is pretty damn good too. I've been ordering mainly just their different lattes, but I hear good things about their coffee in general from friends. I also just like getting iced coffee + vanilla. It's cheap.
This place is my go to early morning cramm cafe, as it's opened super early and really quick service in addition to being super close to campus.
It's a beautiful cafe! -
Review from Emily W.
Berkeley, CA
4/13/2012
Favorite coffee place to get coffee. The seats are in high demand so if you want to do your work here, it's pretty impossible.
My favorite is the iced coffee and the white chocolate mocha. SO GOOD.
Their service is not consistent: sometimes accurate and friendly and sometimes not.
The owner of Caffe Strada basically monopolized all the cafes on campus, including FSM at Moffitt, Cafe Zeb at Boalt, and the Jimmy Fifo at Haas. Well, can't complain too much since they do have my favorite coffee. -
Review from Joann A.
New York, NY
4/7/2012
How dare you call this place a coffee shop.
I guess Berkeley folk have never tasted real coffee, because this place is worse than Starbucks. Granted, they have nice outdoor seating and big open spaces for studying, but what they serve is not coffee. I have been here multiple times for a simple cup of coffee and each time they manage to give me crap no decent New Yorker would feed their dog. Today, however, was the last straw. I ordered a vanilla latte, told him not to make it too sweet, he in turn gives me a pre-made diabetic concoction. Yes, I honestly think it was pre-made or the espresso was some packaged stuff they bought at Starbucks.
2 stars = 1 for the nice outdoor seating + 1 for forcing me to use yelp again.
If you don't care about quality, this place is it! -
Review from Amy T.
Brea, CA
4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I only stopped here in the morning during my northern cali trip.
The coffee is amazing.
A tad more expensive than the likes of Starbucks. I think my medium was $2
But amazing.
And there is plenty of cute seating outside. -
Review from Gustav P.
Berkeley, CA
5/10/2012
Great place for morning coffee!
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Review from Peggy C.
Santa Clara, CA
3/20/2012
It's a must stop after every football game. I love this place; beautiful surroundings, outdoor seating area with heat lamps, the lines move pretty fast even on busy days, and their Mocha Bianca is the best!!!!!
Side note: They are CASH ONLY and the ATM machine charges a hefty fee. :( -
Review from Jennifer J.
Palo Alto, CA
1/31/2012 2 Check-ins Here
A berkeley landmark. Been here since my freshman year, the coffee is pretty good. The setting is beautiful, outdoor seating (with heating) as well as indoor seating. Love their white mocha ("mocha bianca"), but they aren't really big for re-fills/byom. They give you $0.10 off...seriously?
That aside, just a really pretty place to have coffee, do homework, hang out. Sometimes hard to find setaing though. -
Review from Allister D.
Sunnyvale, CA
Once again, THE STRADA BIANCA for $3. Milky substance with a cloud of foam on top and a creamy blend of white chocolate. Ahhh yes!
BUT DAMN, I DIDN'T KNOW THEY BE CHARGING YOU $1.25 TO USE THEIR ATM MACHINE!! UGhhhhh2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/3/2012
Once again, THE STRADA BIANCA for $3. Milky substance with a cloud of foam on top and a creamy blend… Read more »
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Review from Felicia C.
Berkeley, CA
2/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
A favorite spot for UC Berkeley, faculty, and staff - and it's obvious why. In addition to the prime location of literally STEPS away from campus, Strada's coffee is strong, they have ample seating, and a heated patio.
Besides the usual coffee drinks, they also serve Italian soda, hot cider, and plenty of pastries and fruit cups.
Extra bonus points for exclusively using biodegradable/compostable containers and utensils. Yay! -
Review from Zubin D.
Berkeley, CA
2/6/2012
The wifi has not worked for the past 7 months. Also they charge 10 cents extra for decaf which isn't a lot but still makes no sense since all the drinks here are espresso based. (no brewed coffee) Actually it's mostly aggravating because a half-caf coffee costs $2.05 and since it's cash only I always have 95 cents change in my pocket. Seriously, that alone is so annoying that I often choose other coffee shops instead.
Coffee tastes good, but they need to fix the wifi and get rid of the decaf surcharge. -
Review from Jen C.
Fremont, CA
12/9/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I come here often because it's so close to where I work. Their menu is pretty limited but it's good for a snack and some caffeine. I usually get a bagel and an iced white mocha when I'm here. Their coffee in general is pretty good along with their other drinks (like tea and lemonade).
This place is cash only though! (They do have an ATM inside if you're like me and rarely carry cash with you). -
Review from Catherine C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yelp, it's been so long!
Anyway, here's to the rest of these Berkeley reviews!
Caffe Strada is a cute little study cafe with lots of tables and outlets outside. It's right by the Cal campus, so it's frequented by a lot of students.
I had a vanilla iced latte, which was strong and delicious.
However, I was there to study under the impression that they had free wi-fi. What I found out though, was that they had no wi-fi! I mean, they offer it, but it's shoddy. Didn't work for me at all. :(
Suggestion - take your coffee to go and study where your internet access is guaranteed! -
Review from Yvonne K.
12/18/2011
It looks like I've found a new study spot!
I love the way that Caffe Strada is hidden behind some hedges. It creates a nice, hidden private atmosphere that's perfect for getting some studying done. Their wi-fi can be a bit shaky sometimes, but if you're patient enough, it'll come around.
My favorite is their bianca mocha. It's not super sweet like most white mochas can be, but it has just the right amount of sweetness to it to fuel me through my study session.
Being right across the street from campus, it's super convenient! The only downside to Caffe Strada is that it is cash only, so come prepared with cash! -
Review from Annie L.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
The wifi is awful.
The toilet is outside and grubby.
The servers seemed on another planet mixed with aloofness.
On the plus side, it is a beautiful space to sit and read or chat over coffee with friends, so taken in that context if you can go there without technology needs and an empty bladder - please do.Listed in: Free Wi-Fi locations, Coffee & Food in Berekley
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Review from Mauro M.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
Some of the best coffee places in Berkeley don't have to be expensive or sophisticated -they just have to be friendly and casual to attract an awesome customer base.
Caffe Strada is that kind of place.
Good service, quality beverages and snacks, and a great location in the vicinity of UC Berkeley.
Sunny patio area, a relaxing indoor room, and lots of delicious treats to munch on.
The coffee is very good too.
My favorite place to meet friends for an easy morning/afternoon in Berkeley. -
Review from Alice H.
Berkeley, CA
1/7/2012 12 Check-ins Here
Caffe Strada is a great place to study for the nights that are warm because the outdoor seating is great, but during the cold months there is a total of 7 tables inside which can't fit that many people.
This place only takes cash and the coffee is pretty strong. I'm more of a Starbucks, sweet drinks, fan so I'm not a huge fan of the coffee. This place is super convenient for when you need that morning bagel. -
Review from Michelle C.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/12/2012
I can't believe I haven't written this review earlier.... after being here for 4 years. Every single thing is amazing. Their espresso is strong and delicious and their foam is the best. Ever. Also, I don't know how they do it, but no matter how long that line is, you will be out that door in 3 minutes with a delicious cappuccino, no matter what. The best cappuccino on the planet and the speediest service on the planet? When they recognize you they are also SUPER friendly and will give you designs in your foam. Yeah, they are magical.
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Review from Allie E.
Danville, CA
9/13/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Strada has mastered the foam.
Their Vanilla Lattes are absolutely addicting.
Patio provides a prime people watching spot. -
Review from Linda T.
10/1/2011
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
came here everyday in AM before classes during my undergrad years!
always got the same thing...soy latte and occasionally a muffin or cake.
soy lattes are delicious!! im hard to please on soy lattes..and this place just makes it right!
silky, rich, strong! yummmm
seats are amazing too!! huge tables, which makes it a perfect studying and chatting setting for me.
place is constantly busy and line moves quick!!
i miss strada....one of my fav cafes in the world! -
Review from Bianca U.
10/18/2011
The coffee here varies from great one day, to so-so the next. I don't mind, I enjoy coming here with friends to grab a coffee and hang out for a bit. But, when they get it right it is so right! The fioam is perfect.
Their pastry selections don't look the best. I had a slice of cheesecake on one visit, but it looked better than it tasted. It wasn't bad, but not great.
It's a busy place, but they don't stay open as late as was advertised, which is a shame. It's a great spot to sit n' sip.
Go with the Bianca Mocha. It's named after me. Seriously. -
Review from Mytai K.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2012
More than twenty years after I worked here and enjoyed my daily Strada Bianca Mocha, everything is the same and perfect. Unpretentious baristas serve delish coffee and tasty pastries in cozy indoor and outdoor seats. Stake out your spot and sit for hours.
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Review from Jessica M.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011
Customer service? what is that? Caffe Strada needs to invest in some new workers. I understand that you are poor college students trying to make an honest dollar in the big bad Berkeley world. I too was a barista in school. So why would you give terrible service and then look hurt when you get no tips?
I waited in line twice, once for a drink and once for a pastry. Had two different cashiers, and both of them were unfriendly and less than helpful. Even the patrons inside were rude and hurried.
The drink and muffin were mediocre at best and I see no reason to return here. -
Review from Elisa C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/5/2011
Right by the Cal campus, it's swarmed with students all the time. There's really nothing special about any of the drinks I've ordered but they're good. The set up of Caffe Strada is PERFECT for people watching, inside or out. And studying too I suppose, but who's actually doing work there anyway?
Sucks that it's cash-only though. -
Review from Katie M.
Berkeley, CA
6/14/2011
Real talk: I would likely be dead/fail out of grad school if it weren't for Caffe Strada.
I go here at least 4 times every week during the school year. I survive on their espresso and white mocha drinks. I have done some important reading and writing here. The atmosphere is arguably inspirational.
Problems: cash-only and bagels that are not toasted. Still, I am eternally grateful to this place. It's convenient, it has caffeine (and is open late!) and it has outdoor seating that constantly reminds me that I'm in California and should stop whining. -
Review from Brittany B.
Lafayette, CA
1/23/2012
I came here just for the bianco mocha, or whatever it is. I loved sitting outside from the UC Berk campus, and working on school work, and watching the street life wonder past. Its a great location, and good barista. Check it!
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Review from Cassy H.
7/22/2011
One of my favorite cafes in Berkeley... located literally across the street from Campus, more specifically Kroeber Hall, this place is always happening. You'll find students, professors, just people sitting at this cafe all the time with their laptops.. studying, reading, doing research, discovering the next great thing, b/c duh, it's Cal. (Go Bears!)
So, why is it my favorite cafe...? Well, their mocha bianca, which is essentially a white chocolate mocha is UH-MAY-ZING. (Yes, I realize I spelled it incorrectly.. and yes, it was on purpose). It's the best, way better than Starbucks. Add an apple cloud, which is their apple pastry, and you got yourself power food to help you get your study on.
The downside is that too many people love this place and camp on here all day (literally, I feel like they just live there), so I rarely study or do work there... usually just take it to go and enjoy my little piece of Strada on campus. -
Review from Brian S.
Berkeley, CA
10/14/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I've always had a soft spot for Caffe Strada. I've only had their mocha, latte, strada bianca, and strada bianca mocha...(I know only 4 drinks...haha.). But I believe that their drinks are are at best average. Whenever I get my drinks, they are at best lukewarm (I know I should ask them to make it hotter), and the drinks get cold quickly.
But the setting at Caffe Strada is great. I always love coming here, whether I study inside or "study" outside.
In conclusion: Drinks = 3.5 stars at best. Atmosphere = 4.5 stars (go inside if you want to study, stay outside if you want take a nice break!) -
Review from Patricia K.
Berkeley, CA
7/2/2011
amazing, amazing cafe. I love this place and everything about it. if you come here, you have to try the bianca mocha. its delicious. they have pastries too... mostly the normal croissants and muffins... they don't serve any actual food here except for bagels, which is sometimes a problem.
it gets super crowded here both during the school year and the summer, but its an amazing place to study. the internet is pretty slow though and shaky, but it works, and probably makes for higher productivity anyways. -
Review from Alex P.
Hayward, CA
5/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place is always packed with college students trying to get in a coffee fix before class. The lines can be quite long from time to time. The service here is good. It was no some slap jaw yolks or town folk working here. It was not even a typical Berkley beatnik or hipster. Although if your into skinny jeans this is the place to be. Plus the coffee isn't bad.
It's a good place to chill with the bro's after a long night of drinking. Just make sure that you bro covers the coffee cost!
FRAT LIFE!Listed in: Best Place to meet a Bro
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Review from Victor K.
Berkeley, CA
6/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Caffe Strada has got it right: a super large outdoor seating area. It's a great place to catch up with a friend, or meet with a study group while enjoying a quality brewed coffee or whatever you like getting from these places. Beats out Starbucks and Peat's any day. In the summertime when the livings easy, having a curbside table will allow for a fine eye candy experience. That is, if it's the summer. If it's the winter it's still a fine spot to hang out as long as it's not raining.
Bring a potential honey here, it's the perfect place to have a one on one and truly get to know another human being. Make sure you are having a sweet drink. Don't ask me why. Just do it. -
Review from Audrey C.
It's hard not to stop by and grab some hot chocolate and pastries/cake on a cold day. I seriously pass by everyday on my way to class and I love seeing everyone sit outside having conversations. The atmosphere is so friendly and open!
They don't take card but there is an atm machine inside. They have really good chocolate croissants! Their apple pie is soo good, with really thinly sliced pieces of apples! I regularly get hot chocolate to sit in and to go. The small size is ample enough to fill you up!
Great place to study and chat.Listed in: Death by sweets!
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Review from Meghana S.
Berkeley, CA
8/27/2011
Location, location, location. Strada is convenient for grabbing coffee on the way to a boring early morning class, and if you're really hungry, you can pick up one of their delish danishes (I like their blueberry the best). Their lattes are good. However, if you want to study here, you should get here as early as you can (this place is always packed).
I deducted the two stars because they're cash only (always complicates things), their restroom is really gross and stinky, and their internet isn't always reliable. -
Review from Eric B.
2/10/2011
I joined my class group on Campus today to chat with our professor about our semester project. And afterwards, we met here to talk strategy and to just get to know each other a little better. So let's just say that Caffe Strada might be considered as a Living Room for past and present Haas Business Students (among others).
There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating which still fills up quickly among the "hordes". However, today's line wasn't so bad and the weather was decent enough for a warm and comfortable conversation. I very much enjoyed my soy latte and my recollections on how enjoyable graduate school once was. -
Review from Gypsy J.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 8/27/2011
I gave doing my work at Caffe Strada a try, since so many other people do. And, surprisingly, my experience was almost, almost perfect. So close to perfect that when it wasn't, I had to hang my head like a player on the bench watching their team lose in overtime.
I got some fresh cash from the ATM, walked up the hill and ordered the mocha bianca and a black-bottom muffin, for here. I found a great bench seat unoccupied indoors, with relaxing views and natural sunlight from the windows and a power outlet right there for my laptop, and I'd memorized their long, funny wifi log on correctly -- score!
The mocha bianca was amazing, and the black-bottom muffin was even tastier and more moist than the ones I love from All-Star Café downtown. It got a bit noisy as the afternoon wore on, but the quality of the food and drink and the complexity of my work were enough to distract me.
I was really, really pleased with the whole situation, and wondered if there is anywhere nicer to work in Berkeley.
Then my internet went out. After turning my wifi off and back on again a zillion times, it would work again for a second, then fail again. Oh well. Airbears? Nope. Why can I use Airbears from Starbucks at Center and Oxford, near only nature areas and pathways into Cal's campus, but not at Caffe Strada -- right across the street from Kroeber, Wurster and Boalt halls, I wondered. Then I noticed my computer was not charging. I jostled with the charger in the wall. Nothing was going to make the little green light blink on. When it comes to internet access and battery power, you don't get three strikes -- it's two strikes and you're out, unfortunately.
I will definitely be back, when I have cash, my computer is fully-charged and I don't need internet access. That is not often! But I am looking forward to my next visit.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/21/2011
I like to stare at Caffe Strada. It's so pretty and even glows after sunset. The people eating… Read more »
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Review from Miles H.
Fresno, CA
1/19/2011
This is one of the nicest places in Berkeley to grab a coffee on a pleasant Berkeley day. The Cafe offers plenty of outdoor seating, with nicely shaded areas. It's always busy, but most people take their coffee to go, so there are plenty of seats available. In addition, the staff is SUPERB. They have the quickest baristas in Berkeley, and always make high-quality coffee. They have a plethora of daily fresh pastries, fruits, and snacks, catering to everyone's liking. I honestly can't say anything bad about this place. Free internet as well!
Definitely come visit this place on a warm Berkeley day for a nice afternoon coffee!!! Enjoy! OH AND IT'S CASH ONLY!!! DON"T FORGET!Listed in: Berkeley's Hot Spots
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Review from Annie S.
5/22/2011
This is a nice place to come if you're in a rush, if you want to chat with friends, or if you want to grab something small. I usually get a cup of Americano, Apple Cloud, or Banana Cream Pie (which is not always there). I tried so hard to train myself to drink the Americano plain, but I just can't because of the quality of the coffee is not that great. Out of the different cafes around/on campus, I think this is the only (or one of the few) place that has a big bowl of brown sugar out. Yay! The same Americano and Apple Cloud can be bought at other places around campus, so they're not the reason why I like Strada. I like Strada because of the friendly atmosphere. So nice on a sunny day :).
Pros: Heat lamps outside. The brown sugar hehe.
Cons: Doesn't take card :(, but they have an atm machine that charges a few bucks. Few outlets. Limited seating inside. Small tables outside (hard to study). Poor Wi-Fi connection.
