Espresso Roma
1549 Hopkins St, Berkeley, CA, 94707
Espresso Roma Menu
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Address :
1549 Hopkins St
Berkeley, CA, 94707 - Phone (510) 528-8010
- Website https://www.espressoroma.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Khalid N.
Ordered the cappuccino strong but it probably wasn't necessary. Nice location, friendly staff.
(4)David N.
Charged 20 cents more for decaf. WTF? Server could not say why. Chocolate croissant maybe 2 days old. Very dry and tough. Tried to return for refund but the server was too dumbfounded and did not know what to do. Server needs customer service skills training and communication skills training. Patio is very nice.
(2)Purva G.
I used to go to this cafe when I lived in the area, back in 2006. I went back the other day and had a "grilled" sandwich. It was two whole wheat toasted, but floppy, with a piece of cheese, a slice of ham with mustard and mayonnaise...that's it. That was the kind of sandwich I made for myself when I was six years old. Also their utensils that have been cleaned and put out for use did not seem very clean. I saw this with both a glass and a knife. The outdoor area is beautiful but food has gone downhill and the service is not as good as I remember. Hope they can make some changes.
(2)Amy Y.
I can sit here for hours and catchup with old friends. There is wifi, but outlets are hard to find. The items here are a bit pricey, but then again you're in Berkeley. I like siting out doors and watching the cars drive by and talking about life. During the hotter month's its cool, other than that it gets chilly. You can bring your own food and sit there for however long.
(3)Daniel C.
Awesome place to come and relax and have a nice cold beer! Food is excellent and the vibe is great!
(5)Carl ..
Top line summary: Nice set-up for a cup of coffee and a chat or a little reading. Atmosphere is nice... outdoor seating is spacious and pleasant on a warm day. Free wi-fi. So okay... Why only two stars? 1. Coffee is just not very good. 2. Food is just not very good. 3. Service is just not very good. I ordered a greek salad. The salad was thrown together with some lettuce, red onion, a clump of feta cheese, and a few random pools of olive oil. It had 4 kalamata olives in it, and no tomatoes. It was edible - without any signs of effort or care in creating it. I took it back to the counter to point out that it was missing tomatoes. The cashier looked up, paused, then looked over to read the description on the board (it was desribed as having tomatoes.) He said nothing. He walked away. He came back with a small plate that had a few pale slices of tomato on it. He handed me the plate. He said nothing. Gee thanks. I've got other options and I won't be back.
(2)Marzy K.
The stars are mostly because they had food & I love the patio...2 poached eggs on bagel with proscuitto was kind of dry except for the egg yolks. Nice patio hang.
(3)Reena S.
This coffee shop is quaint, warm and cozy. Great place to study or have a casual lunch/brunch. The paninis are incredible. All the ingredients are super fresh. The cashier that usually works here is the sweetest man. I always get chai tea lattes here and a fresh cookie! Yum!
(5)Jackie C.
More like 3.5 stars, but I'll be nice. I like this place. The amount of outdoor seating really can't be beat. It's fairly priced, parking in the neighborhood is fine. Food is decent, the workers are always friendly to me. I like their iced tea. It's basic, but refreshing when you're hanging out outside in the sun. I also really enjoy watching people with laptops come in and look desperately for an outlet, and get annoyed when they realize they don't exist. Maybe come here fully charged? It's not that hard. My one gripe with the place is that it isn't very clean. They really need a new bathroom, and I always get bothered by fruit flies.
(4)I. S.
Great location, great outdoor seating area, average food/coffee, bad management, no respect to customers. Whenever I go in this place I am surprised with the way they manage things and behave towards customers. They charge extra for to-go cups, and for decaf beverages, they give only one tea bag for large tea and extra charge for 2nd tea bag. On one occasion, after purchasing beverages and food around 6pm, I and my 9-year old son were not allowed to use the restroom a few minutes later while my son had to go to the bathroom really badly. They said they close at 6pm and they start cleaning it so they can't allow us to use it. On another occasion, I left $20 at the cashier, and paused to look at the menu, when I was ready and completed the order the cashier claimed he didn't take the money. After arguing a few minutes, I offered him my id and asked to take my cell phone number and call me if they are short of $20 at the end of the day, at that point he gave me the change for $20 without saying anything, as if he was doing me a favour. I refrain from going to this place anymore and wish that somebody else takes over as it is a convenient and great location with great outdoor seating area.
(1)Yoko S.
Lovely café, perfect when it's sunny, sit outside and have some cold beverages. I sat by the quiet corner, good spot to read.
(4)Soups R.
Love the outdoor patio under a canopy of trees. Location is perfect, as its next door to Monterey Market, so I pop in here for an espresso on my way to get local produce from Monterey market. Espressos are just alright though, i like mine thick and creamy but theirs is more on the watery side.
(4)Mr. B J.
Cute neighborhood cafe. Very nice setting. People ignor you if you are outside the established clique. Table servers not very friendly speak little bad communication.
(3)Phil S.
A favorite spot for chilling outside with a cold beverage and laptop. The staff is friendly and efficient. A few con's: parking sucks and it gets mobbed by the Jr high school kids from up the street after school so plan accordingly. Otherwise it's a great place to surf the web outside.
(5)Camila W.
Great location. But it desperately needs to upgrade the menu. This is in Berkeley after all. Management needs to think of healthy simple food. Better coffee worthy of its location. Less choices (smaller menu) but over the top simple quality. More vegetarian and vegan meals. In Del Mar California, Stratford Cafe could be a model. Get the fresh orange juice from Monterey Market across the street. Have lots of fresh fruit dishes available. A good breakfast and brunch place is needed in this neighborhood. Simple lunch healthy choices.
(2)Walt A.
two price increases over several months for omelette dishes.... start $6.50 then 7.50 now $8.75.... about a 35% increase.... a bit greedy......and they continue to charge for coffee refills. same comfortable setting in warm weather......easy atmosphere...... but worth the excessive increases? doubt it...... now the same as many good breakfast places e.g fat apples, jimmy beans, gilman grill.....with no cost for coffee refills...
(2)Tre G.
Great coffee in a great location! I would give them five stars but they don't allow dogs on the patio. Since my wife has a dog that is a deterrent for us going back. The coffee was wonderful and the patio is lovely. I went early in the morning and was able to sit down before I went shopping at Monterey Market across the street. Thanks for a great experience!
(4)Jorge J.
Pretty horrible and overpriced when you consider the poor quality. First time I went I ordered a sandwich and a latte. The espresso was not extracted properly. The server didn't dry the portafilter, didn't weigh the grounds, didn't set a timer or pay attention to the shot. The bread on the sandwich was very stale. The location is lovely! Second time I went was today. Decided to give them a second chance. I ordered a salad with grilled chicken. It was greens, tomatoes, and onions drenched in dressing. The chicken was not even real chicken. It was clearly frozen grey ground cartilage. Inedible. $8 for a meal that cost them $1 to make. They definitely have a good ROI but their food made me wish I had gone to McDonald's. That's how bad.
(1)Mara G.
Cute cafe with lovely shaded patio. Lots of vegitarian, fresh and healthy options but still tasty. I wish the bread was better on my pastrami sandwich. Think I'll try a panini next time. Worth coming back to. It's got a good vibe.
(4)Robert W.
Been coming here for years, always good, had a tuna sandwich & salad today 7 bucks.
(4)Hannah C.
Finding street parking can be tough, but this is a neighborhood gem if you're looking for a quiet and cozy place to catch up with a friend and enjoy a light meal, snack or coffee. This cafe is best enjoyed on days with sunny weather, so the outdoor patio space can be utilized, but I was happy to find the indoor benches and tables to be clean (and regularly wiped down by staff). And most importantly, that the indoor seating area is not drowned out by the sounds of the espresso machine steaming up a storm. Food is nothing amazing, but it is definitely fresh. I've run into the staff while shopping in Monterey Market, so they're getting their produce EXTRA fresh from across the street. I appreciate the variety of choices on the menu for both breakfast, lunch and snacks. The biggest perk of this cafe is probably its awesome location across the street from Monterey Market. There's no better 1-2 punch on Saturday morning than a cup of hot tea with breakfast and some reading at a cafe followed by a sensory overload at Monterey Market of the sight, smell and taste of fresh flowers and produce that is easy on your wallet for good quality times. AND! They take credit card with no minimum purchase. Always a perk at a small cafe. :)
(3)Robert P.
Great little spot. Really enjoyed the outdoor seating area. I had a cappuccino and it was made perfectly. The only issue is that if there is a surplus amount of people, it will be a long wait. Only one person was working there. Luckily I was there before that happened. There was probably 7 people behind me within minutes.
(5)Sabrina N.
Today was my first time here. I've been to the Monterey Market so many times and I've never noticed this little cafe until my coworkers decided to come here for lunch today. It's primarily outdoor seating. The location of the cafe is nice. There aren't too many cars so when you are eating and conversation, it's very easy to hear the people you are talking to as well as not smell any odors from the passing cars. The food is tastes pretty good and comes out pretty fast. Usually within 5-7mins of ordering. Parking is pretty to hard to find. This is my only turn off that makes me not want to come here when I'm not shopping for groceries.
(3)Will S.
Great little spot with good coffee and food, but there is one guy at the service counter who could not be more unpleasant. My wife and I have been twice since moving to the area, and this guy goes out of his way to be difficult and borderline rude. It's remarkable to me that people who work with customers can be so ill suited to the job. I'd go here every single day were it not for this one gentleman.
(2)Albertino M.
Time: 2:02pm Purpose: Driving up Hopkins to another client and saw Monterey market said no cafe yes. Park in lot of market sorry guys I wasnt that long at cafe anyways. Ambiance: Lots of outside seating as I probably can recall about 28-34 tables with chairs outside. Table has shapes of round or square and wooden benches massive flower boxes. There a sign up front of who does their plantboxes some call fierro. Inside is cozy about 3-4 tables wooden fixture captures the days when it was new and awesome. Free wi-fi and no dogs in patio area. Staff: Hispanic girl working an old La Marazzco espresso machine I really like that vintage machine has the copper plaque stuck on outter panel. She was friendly pretty fast ringing up each person told me that they ran out of small cups but can make it in medium I said no problem there thank you. Cleanliness: Clean enough for cafe standards. Eats/Drinks: Small mocha $2.90 Products: Your usual cafe basic eats and drinks. Fruit salad,hard boil eggs,cookies,pastries by front counter dont worry it's on ice for some items. Punch Line: Great for larger groups,la marazzco machine,friendly people and staff, food are okay as they try to use as local and fresh ingredients as they can get. Final Thoughts: I would say this is a great neighborhood cafe that has ample seating is stroller and bicycle friendly. It's pricey but I dont blame them as the real estate for patio is probably what cause it a-okay here.
(4)Matthew R.
The espresso is of poor quality and the attitude has an "I don't care" kinda feel. Nice location, and despite terrible presentation and the waitress slamming it on my table without saying anything, the food is pretty good.
(2)Julie S.
Do not come here if you want to work. It's good to meet friends and grab coffee food. Big outdoor area. No plugs anywhere in the entire place. Food is your typical coffee house food. The outdoor area is a Huge perk.. But not enough to give it 4 stars
(3)Jana C.
A place you truly want to be on a sunny, warm afternoon such as this! Been here a handful of times through the years... Outdoor seating is ample, and the mix of trees and wooden benches makes one feel like he's participating in a treehouse party. Lots of food choices, from gourmet sandwiches to salads, to fruit cups (my choice!!!) to pastries, and coffee. Very quiet neighborhood, across the street from Monterey Market (handy if like to handle errands such as, er, grocery shopping)....lovely, 'unnoticed' kind of cafe. Coffee itself... well... I've had worse, and I've had much, much better. Warning: 1.there are NO OUTLETS at this cafe!!!!! Laptop users with no extended batteries: you have been forewarned! Lovely outside; inside area could be much, much cleaner and tidier (hint hint!) 2. CASH ONLY
(4)Bryan M.
this is a great place to see and be seen. it is not a great place for coffee. i cannot comment on the other bullshit they do here. they call it an espresso joint and i admit that i have not tried the espresso. here's why: i like espresso, learned to brew it and think it's great. BUT i don't want to pay the extravagant prices for it. i prefer drip. when a coffee house doesn't do drip well then it is pretty certain that they don't do anything else well.
(2)Bill H.
I dropped by while on an early morning dog walk. The coffee was unremarkable, there are definitely better stops for a cup of black coffee. The outdoor seating seems like a nice feature, but otherwise I wasn't really impressed.
(2)Debora L.
Lots of food choices, perfect location near Monterey Market, Hopkins St Bakery, Gioia pizzeria, and beautiful shaded front patio seating. Reliable free WIFI but no outlets. Coffee selections are pretty standard, but I like the huge selection of reasonably priced food items best (bowl of grilled veggies and squash, $4.50; fruit cup, $3.60; lots of baked goods, scones, sandwiches, etc.). Add a cup of standard issue Numi tea for $1.50 and I'm here as long as my laptop battery will allow. (No outlets.) I do wish they stayed open past 6pm, however.
(4)Bill W.
My wife recommended this place and thought I'd give it a try. I'm kind of surprised at some of the other reviews saying the coffee is average or even below average. I had a mocha, and it was one of the best I've ever had. The one downside, as other have mentioned, is that it doesn't seem very friendly towards the laptop crowd. No outlets, and when I was there the wifi was bad or nonexistent in spots. But when I want a great mocha, I'm coming back here.
(4)Paloma C.
Although the place is a great spot where to grab coffee on a sunny morning, there's something I don't really like about it. They seem to have removed all power outlets on purpose from their in-doors room, so that people don't take it as their usual working place. I must say the neighbourhood lacks of coffee places where to work -unless you go down to San Pablo ave. or cross the University ave border- so they could REALLY benefit from regular patrons. Their prices are a bit high too. Definitely not a place to work or study, but kind of cool if all you wanna do is read and write on actual paper.
(3)Eric B.
This is a former gasoline station property that offers great outdoor seating for a warm, sunny, and fog-free day. Indoor seating is fine too. I can walk here from my Albany home and makes a nice shopping and exercise loop if I include the nearby Monterey Market, Hopkins Street Baker, Gioia Pizzeria, and other neighbourhood businesses. Or course, there's plenty of food choices here at Expresso Roma and the usual variety of coffee drinks. The service and the behaviour of the clientele is better than you would expect for the People's Republic of Berkeley and it's a nice comfortable place to hang out and watch the world go by. Real people interaction also works best here since electrical outlets are scarce and you're missing a lot by staring into your smart phone. Also bring your Cash through the door and your Plastic in your pocket.
(4)David H.
Got a cappuccino.. Not impressed. Starbucks is better. However the food other people are eating looks ok. And there are no plugs and the wifi is 2.35 mb/s download.
(2)Kat C.
I really like eating here on a lazy, sunny weekend for a light breakfast/lunch. I recommend: *Ham and cheese sandwich (cheese crusted/melted on top of a toasty/crunchy panini with a side of fresh salad) *Garlic, mushroom, parmesan, mozarella panini (light and flavorful with side of fresh salad) *Arugula pasta (fresh tasting tossed with salad .. crumbled mozarella and small bits of prosciutto pizazz it up) *Hot Chocolate (yummms) I'm sure everything on the menu is great. Service is always fast and friendly. Only one bathroom tho... sometimes, there's a line.. it can get quite busy here. Ready for more lazy weekends please!
(4)Elizabeth R.
Been here a couple times and enjoyed it. The patio is really nice with beautiful trees overhead providing just the right amount of shade and sun. The staff are friendly. The iced coffee was good, though perhaps not quite as strong as I'd like (but I like my coffee very strong). The goat cheese salad was great (the goat cheese was warm!) and came with a piece of foccacia. Food service was pretty quick.
(4)Lisa T.
The location is the ONLY good thing about this place. The guy who mans the register is (to quote Borat) "king in the castle! I'm king in the castle!" He's nice to some customers but not others, and did you know they charge $2 for a medium coffee? And it's not even good?
(2)jun k.
Because my church is walking distance from this place, I've come here quite a few times before or after church or just because. The parking can be a bit iffy, but I do like working or reading here. I don't think they have outlets (although they do have internet) so bringing a laptop isn't always the best bet. love their STRONG coffee on hot days and their iced coffees or italian sodas. their breakfasts are pretty yummy and they're just SO nice. Lovely place, lots of beautiful outdoor seating, right across the street from Monterey Market. All wooden though - so don't come in expecting like.. couches and the sort. (cuts down on germs anyway imho).
(4)Marlen K.
I came here to escape the thousands of stressed students studying for finals --to be stressed and study for my finals. I love getting a bit "out of" berkeley (not really, but away from campus) and this is the perfect location --beautiful outdoor seating, lovely neighborhood. The staff is friendly enough and leave you alone (none of that "can I help you?" every 5 seconds because you've only ordered 5 drinks in 3 hours. There's plenty of outdoor seating, so I never feel like I'm over-burdening the establishment with my 9-hour study marathons (nothing like finals season) as long as I spend some money every so often. There are NO plugs, so don't plan on doing any work on a computer with a bad battery life. Summary: The PERFECT place for beautiful days, but maybe not worth the drive on cold ones.
(5)Melanie C.
Just moving to Berkeley from the city, and not having any other cafes for a work meeting, we set one up here. Bummer... Definitely a neighborhood bohemian vibe, where even a casual meeting seemed awkward. One of the guys ordered lunch and it didn't look that fresh but it sure looked comfort-foody satisfying.
(3)Sean B.
I really enjoyed spending an unseasonably warm (68F) January afternoon on the patio here. It was a mellow vibe, the servers as well as the patrons seemed friendly, my coffee was good as was my boyfriend's hot chocolate, and my friend's tea. He also got a brownie which he devoured pretty quickly, suggesting it was either delicious or that he has a mild eating disorder. Hard to decide which. It wasn't a laptop workday, but hearing that there are no plugs outside is a bummer, as I would love to go there and get some work done on a nice day. Perhaps a few outdoor extension cords and a staplegun would make for a nice easy one-hour project for this place, and get them that extra star. I'm biased, my laptop is old and ghetto and holds a charge for about three minutes anymore :-P
(4)Justin S.
I need to find a new place to work...when I stay at school to grade papers, I'm inevitably mobbed by kids and nothing gets done, so I've been exploring new places to work. This place is cute...the guy at the cash register was really vibrant and nice, and I was excited to get started. The seating outside is ample and pretty, and this would be a really great place to come on a nice day. Inside is meh. The seats weren't really comfortable, and the panini that I got wasn't very good -- a ton of spinach and some of it was cold. No outlets for my computer, so I had to cut it short and leave. I wouldn't really come back, unless I lived close and wanted to read or write on a pretty day. Otherwise, there are a lot of other options.
(3)Caitlin P.
My mom and I ran into this gem after going to Monterey Market and, STARVING, we were beside ourselves to discover poached eggs on an everything bagel served with potatoes (rosemary and everything!) for $5.50! The coffee is STRONG--even for someone who loves her coffee black, I had to throw some milk into it. I'm not sure it was good strong, even. But it's cozy, bustling, and the staff was friendly. And the price is right!
(4)Allie W.
Not the greatest food or coffee, but a quiet neighborhood spot with a charming courtyard. A secret/mellow weekend breakfast spot if you're not too picky about your food.
(3)AJ B.
The coffee is consistent and the accompanying menu offers delicious meal, snack, and treat opportunities. This is a walk-up and sit down sort of place where locals congregate in comfort. The exceptional location contributes to the pleasure of enjoying Espresso Roma's offerings while enjoying a fine Northbrea day, in or out of doors.
(5)Nora G.
Dropped off to study while stranded in Berkeley with no car. Not my ideal choice on a cold, overcast day. Maybe if it was a sunny, warm day and I could sit outside...maybe. But here I am. Coffee--decent. Although I asked for a medium and it was quite small. I also ordered a spinach and mushroom omelet--tasty enough. Condiments totally lacking. No salt and pepper and only Tabasco. Then, instead of focaccia (I can't stand that stuff) I wanted a bagel--but was unable to substitute even for an upcharge. So I ordered one on the side. It came completely bland. No butter on the side. No butter on it. No jelly on the side. no cream cheese--which I would have ordered if I had know it would come completely blah. Yuck. The worst part was sitting in the cramped table area inside. I sat next to a table that remained dirty for hours. no one came by to wipe it. Ever. Like I said, probably a different experience in the summer when you can enjoy the outdoor seating.
(2)Laura D.
Slowest service ever. With attitude. And I was the only one in there. Ordered the egg salad sandwich (I even saw the dude write egg salad on the paper), but 25 minutes later I received an eggplant sandwich. Unfortunately, this order was to-go and I didn't see this mistake until later. (I hate eggplant) Then again, had I reordered I could have been waiting there all day.
(1)Siouxsie M.
Burned potatoes (every time) and eggshells in the eggs. Why the three stars? Because this is my neighborhood coffee joint, and I come here all the time. The outdoor seating is great, they make a decent cup of decaf coffee (my lame beverage of choice at the moment), it's cheap, it's unpretentious, there's wifi. It is no 123, but it will do. I also like that the staff speak to you in Spanish most of the time.
(3)Stéphanie S.
Nice place to sit on the terrace, talk with friends and drink an espresso.
(3)Dave C.
Espresso Roma is a great place for morning coffee. You can watch the commuters on their way to work, students on their way to school and enjoy morning sunshine outside or sit inside if it's a bit foggy. And they are the quickest baristas and friendly and happy to let you practice your spanish. The coffee is really good, and they have the best muffins in town, bar none! And their lunch pastas rock. Free Wi-Fi too.
(4)Jessica R.
Great outdoor seating, really good food, and priced well.
(4)Samuel K.
The Good: Great outdoor seating, and a beautiful neighborhood place to chat, eat, and drink. The Bad: The coffee is awful! Especially, the espresso drinks. When I order at latte the espresso is bland in the milk, and my mouth feels dry. The milk seems to have a weird consistency. Recommendation: Buy better quality coffee! Take some hints from Blue Bottle or Local 123. My website: funwithcoffee.com
(2)David W.
This is one of four destinations on our ritual Saturday or Sunday morning walks with our dogs. They have only one table that accommodates dogs but it is almost always available. The line moves fast. The people behind the counter are efficient and friendly, especially the cute young lady who is almost always there. The espresso is strong and full of flavor. Last but not least, the food is fresh, delicious, and served in generous portions especially considering the low prices. I wish them a long and prosperous future but hope they never change.
(4)John D.
sorry but i have to give this cafe only 1 star because i ordered a sandwich and salad thing, and half way thru the meal i found a "PIGEON FEATHER" this was a while back but i just thought id put it out there, and ever since that day i only ordered coffee.
(1)Frank S.
This cafe is about a block and a half from where I live, I go there every morning for coffee and a scone before my two-mile walk down to campus, plus for breakfast and sometimes lunch on the weekends. It's great: wonderful ambiance, plenty of outside seating (if you can stand the cold--yeah, I'm new to the area!), good food, pretty decent coffee, very friendly staff if you're a regular. Only downsides: lack of outlets for your laptop (but fast free wireless) and, haha, the "spawning moms" that take over several tables (at least one for their Little Darlings, one for their Professional Mommy Meeting [tm]). Note that this is not my term but one coined by an earlier reviewer, which is very apt, and um, yeah, definitely a reminder to up the birth control! Another reviewer complained about the staff not being friendly: I found this true before I had been christened a Regular--they pretty much treated me like a leper with oozing sores and a concealed machete. But once they realized I was going to be in there every day, they became extremely friendly and now always have my order ready by the time I reach the counter. The prices are not great, but then again, where are they in Berkeley? A nice switch from the crowded and rushed near-campus cafes.
(5)Cristal M.
$20 for a tuna salad, turkey sandwich with side salad, cappuccino, coffee and brownie. Great place to get a quick bite to eat. Fresh food, out door and in door seating. Definitely a place to try if your in the area.
(4)Genevieve M.
Looking for a quiet spot to study and have a delicious meal? Well, Espresso Roma is the perfect place. You have a choice to sit outside where its such a beauty surrounded by all these plants and it just feels like your dining in a cafe in Italy. Inside its nicely cultured and surrounded by many pictures and free WiFi! My personal favorites is the pesto pasta salad or, the pizza its absolutely to die for! & the watermelon juice! Everyone is so friendly which makes you feel even more better about you being there. Great place to read a book, write, or converse with family or friends.
(5)Dawn S.
I want to love this place so badly! It's in my neighborhood, and it has a beautiful outdoor area, but the food is awful. I am there quite often to study or hang out with my kid, and I usually just get drinks and pastries. The salads in the case are pretty good, too. In the last few months, I have ordered three full meals. The first was a cheese omelet, and the cheese was barely melted, like an afterthought. The next meal was a salad that looked good to me the day before when someone else ordered it. Mine came with a few unripe tomatoes and hardly anything else. Today, I got a grilled cheese. This cheese was also barely melted. Strike one. It had yellow mustard on it. Strike two. Who puts mustard on grilled cheese?! Apparently, everyone who works here because they all looked at me like I had 2 heads when I asked them to make me one without mustard. I wish someone would come in to this cafe and take over the kitchen.
(3)Peter N.
Great outside sitting... coffee rather strong....could be a little cleaner... otherwise nice place to pass a little time....
(3)Stephanie H.
I come here often when housesitting a few blocks away and, at 24, I've always been the youngest person here. By like five years. Maybe because it's because I come pretty early in the morning. I like the idea of the patio, though it's always been too cold to actually use it. No outlets anywhere - good thing my laptop can live off battery power for a few hours. I had a bagel once. It wasn't memorable, but not bad. The coffee is fine, too. Nothing I'd go out of my way to get, but it's fine. Overall, a good place to go to get some work done.
(4)Jewel J.
This was the hangout for all of druggies at nearby high school so I was pretty scared to go here until Junior year of high school. That being said, the food here is great, as is the lemonade. I would recommend the chicken and turkey paninis with roasted peppers (they just dont taste the same without the peppers). All in all, a good place to just sit and read and eat...that is if you can find a table.
(4)Jonathan G.
The coffee is ok and pizza gave me the runs, but it is the unfriendly and inefficient cash register staff who really bring an otherwise nice location down. If you want a cup of coffee and people in front of you are ordering fountain drinks, you will need to wait a good 10-15 min on a brutally slow line. Ive suggested a simple coffee/cash station, but they say it is "not possible". That's lame
(2)Orville J.
I'll add little more info to the reviews already posted here. If you're going here to take advantage of the free wifi just be aware that outlets are a rarity in this place. In fact, I've yet to find *one*. So this typically limits my my laptop work here to my battery lifespan. That's probably a good thing. Food is mediocre, but here's what's keeping them at a solid 4 stars for me. I was in the other day and the guy behind the counter had some friends hanging around. One of them was eating chorizo and eggs. I looked for it on the menu and didn't see it, but I asked him for some and he hooked me up!!! Now that's service.
(4)Allison L.
A small front area, a larger back area, and a pretty garden area that I'll try out when it hasn't been raining. The front seems to attract pushy mothers and their slightly smarter brats. There really is something about women who just take over the entire space around them because they've seen fit to spawn. (Adam's word, not mine, but I've co-opted it.) I'm not looking to get into a parent/childfree argument here -- there are some cool parents and some schmucks, and in Berkeley, the schmucks often proliferate. Go figure. Coffee here is super expensive. More than $2 for a 16-ounce glass, and $1.50 for a refill? Food looks okay, though I didn't try it. Setting is nice. The verdict? A nice change every so often, but certainly not a habit. Also reminds me to re-up the birth control.
(3)Stephen Z.
Spend a couple hours on the patio of Espresso Roma's Northbrae location, just across Hopkins from Monterrey Market, and you'll realize why people pay through the nose to live in the Bay Area. I recommend arriving at around 9 a.m. and settling down outside, amidst the lavender and other garden growth surrounding the former gas station. Just as you finish your first cup of coffee, the sun should be breaking through the overcast skies. As it takes over warming you where the coffee left off, you realize why you live in the Bay Area. the climate is perfect, and places like Espresso Roma, where you can appreciate the climate, abound. Honestly, I find the food decent, though nothing spectacular. It's fresh and good quality, but most menu items I've tried (from the oatmeal to salads) could use a little creative flavoring. But the free wifi makes it worth staying a while. But don't keep your nose in a book or computer the whole time you're there. Look up to enjoy the sun and remind yourself why you live in the Bay Area.
(4)Jen S.
GREAT coffee. Everything else was mediocre to poor including service and quality of my greek salad, respectively. The greek salad was plentiful with olives which was nice but it was mushy and tasted old, not to mention it was SWIMMING in liquid oily-dressing mess. The slice of bread it came with was hard and bland. I should've stuck with the coffee alone, for it would be a 5-star review.
(3)Joe J.
Those who frequent this place are most likely people who would mention they have been to europe at least once in the first sentence of your conversation. Cafe Au Lait?! They dont have any outlets for your crappy laptop with low battery life..and if your not highlighting your reader or reading a book with a title others cant mention, you wont fit in....but berkeleys all about non-conforming Right?...good food, ok coffee...3 stars enjoy
(3)Victor N.
DO NOT GO HERE FOR GOOD/DECENT ESPRESSO! DECEPTIVE NAME! I went to Espresso Roma today for the first time. I was already a bit fearful of what wrongs might be done to my coffee, because I only saw people drinking iced tea and the espresso drink list looked suspect (no Americano listed, and the only iced drink listed was Iced Mocha). Then I saw someone's caprese salad and it was just a big bowl of tomatoes and mozzarella-and I knew this was not a place for persnickety people like myself. anyway, the espresso wasn't strongly offensive, cause it was mostly water. the guy working at the counter just dumped pre-ground beans into the portafilter and shoved it into the machine. As in, no packing or even leveling off the coffee. Ugh, why do these places put espresso in their name when they seem to hate it with a passion? I'm giving 2 stars just cause I liked the space and I bet the food is unremarkable but fine (who doesn't like a bowl of cheese and tomatoes?).
(2)Steve G.
Really good cafe. I went here with some friends after a long Berkeley night, and the food was damn good. I got a couple croissants along with the Ham & Pesto sandwich - $11 total. Croissants were good; you can tell they use a ton of butter in them. Sandwich was very very good. Stacked high with lettuce, tomato, onions, ham, and a pesto spread; incredible focaccia bread. Came along with a light salad with oily dressing (not so good). Service was friendly, place was clean, and it had a lot of students studying for the week. I'll be back. Well, that is next time I'm in berkeley and hungover, that is.
(5)Sarah W.
This coffee shop is in a super location with some great food shops closeby and decent parking. The breakfast/lunch menu is pretty good. The coffee is great. This would be a great place to meet a friend for breakfast/lunch/coffee. The only drawback is that sometimes the WiFi doesn't work.
(4)H Y.
I really loved coffee before I visited Italy. Now I believe I would wither away without it. I crave cappuccinos in the morning and macchiatos in the afternoon and evening. There are very few places that can do these drinks right. This place does them right. Any cafe you see in Berkeley with the Espresso Roma cups make awesome coffee. Thank you Espresso Roma!
(4)Joy L.
Great for people watching. I live two blocks away, so this is a nice place to hang out to enjoy nice weather, while splitting a panini with somebody. Their food is good, though nothing to write home about. They do have an awesome apple turnover.
(4)charles p.
I could almost give this place five stars just for the patio. This is the best place in Berkeley to sit in the sun on a warm day. The food is decent, salads are good, the corn pizza is great, as is the watermelon juice and the fruit salads. The workers are friendly and fast. I have just one concern. The dishes don't always seem that clean and the place is just a little grungy, or seems that way. Maybe its just because the furniture and everything else are old. I keep going back though because coffee on that patio is the most relaxing part of my week.
(4)David R.
Ohhh...my dear Espresso Roma... You just can't go wrong with almost any ER. Good drinks and a menu I never knew existed when I went to High School around the corner at Saint Mary's. Great coffee, great food, and one of the best patios around. Not many places to enjoy some afternoon sun and a drink as cool as here...
(5)Jesse W.
2/18/08: Great cafe with a full lunch menu that includes panini, salads, pizzas and salads. I was quite surprised with the quaintness of the area (was expecting more industrial type buildings and frankly a tougher neighborhood). Anyways, ordered lunch (family style with two other people), tried the ham/cheese panini, mushroom pizza and ceasar salad - all tasted great and fresh. nice large outdoor seating area to enjoy on those sunny days-
(4)Miriam W.
Good salads.
(3)Bruce K.
Part of the Cafe Roma empire that includes the French Hotel, the Cafe Roma on College and a bunch of others, these guys have espresso and lattes down right. A single here is twice as strong as the milky muck at Starbucks, with just the right burnt taste. The Hopkins store is on the sight of a former service station, across from Monetery Market, and a neighborhood hang. The variety of pastries is good, with two of my local delicacies: cheese puffs from Fat Apples and Cinnamon Bread from Acme. My only complaint: they only provide sugar and Sweet and Low. I prefer Splenda or if I have to, Equal, to Sweet and Low, and can't do too much sugar.
(4)rosa S.
It's one of those places where locals come to be just that... locals. Those passing through lucky enough to find this gem of indoor/outdoor cafe, tech-caffeine/fix sanctuary, and mommy magnet should stop and enjoy the pleasures of the California here and now. Order a sandwich (it comes with a healthy portioned side salad) with coffee beverage of choice or Italian soda. Sit back, relax, munch on your lunch and watch the flanuery of people come and go.
(4)Tim C.
Stephen Z.has this place pretty down pat, and BruceK. has a few more accurate details. Like many Berkeley cafes, there are folks who hang out there during a regular work day with no apparent need to go out and earn a living. Sometimes there's a huge group of nursing moms who show up for a LaLache League convention or something, but of course, we gentlemen all avert our eyes. Lots of open laptops due to the free wifi, and all the coffee counter folks know everyone's orders by heart. It's a goldmine financially I'm sure, since I know I spend $6-8 a day there, and I'm just ME.
(3)Chester R.
I get the Ham panini. Comes with a fresh salad. I also order the Agua Fresca. Comes out to about $7.95 after taxes and its good meal. Free wifi and quiet garden atmosphere. Monterey Market is across the street and there are shops (like a little village) along the block. Refreshing and relaxing. Parking in teh area is relatively easy except on Saturdays when monterey market has their influx of clientele.
(4)Pat T.
On the plus side, they're cheap and have great locations. On the minus side, the coffee and espresso. You can do much better at either Nefeli or Fertile Grounds.
(2)jeremy w.
I live up the street from this place and frequent it a few times a month. Often I just grab a coffee and some Cinnamon bread when my supplies are low. Other times, I'll get a Mediterranean Panini (cheesy bread with artichoke hearts and red peppers and a side-salad) and sit outside. The $5 Panini can easily be shared with someone for a light lunch. The coffee is pretty dang good, the food is decent, but its the out-door relaxation and abundant energy that makes this place special. Over the summer you often see a group of pre-teens and an older guy playing DnD. You always find people in serious academic discussions and laptops, books, and the paper are everywhere. Sure, there are some rampaging stylish yippies, but its a place where smiles are quick to peoples faces. I like it. :)
(4)