Espresso Roma Cafe: A Cozy Berkeley Spot for Coffee and Comfort Food

I've been hanging out at Espresso Roma on sunny weekend days for the entire 21 years I've lived in Berkeley. For years it was with my young kids, who appreciated the space to run around without molesting other guests, and now with my 50-something pickleball buddies after matches. Gathering some friends for a drink around a shabby table under the dappled sunlight filtering through the spreading vine canopy is just the most pleasant way to spend an hour or two in the afternoon. The food, unfortunately, is pretty tragically poor. Giant bready sandwiches, somewhat stale-tasting pastas. Confine yourself to drinks, and enjoy your friends and the ambiance.

Despite the mediocre reviews, I rather enjoyed this place. The ambiance is good and there's plenty of seating. I did find the coffee and food to be low quality, but it's also cheaper than competing craft coffee shops, so I think there's a value statement to be made here. If you're looking for 'ok' coffee at a more reasonable price, this is a good bet.

My favorite East Bay cafes for working during lockdown - #2, Roma on Hopkins I’m almost reluctant to share this recommendation for fear that it’ll become too crowded. But for now, at least, it’s no problem to find a seat either in the sun or in the shade. It’s one of my favorite places to work during lockdown because you can sit underneath the vines and the dappled sunlight and listen to the birds sing as you work. Most people don’t notice the café’s previous incarnation, but if you look at the structure you can figure out that it used to be a gas station! It’s such a pretty place to sit, and it’s situated in such a pretty neighborhood, that to be honest, the quality of its coffee beans is not so important. I’m pretty happy with their Americanos, bagels, and apple turnovers – they’ll tide me over while I work and wait for a quiet time to pop across to Monterey Market to buy my veggies for the week. As far as I know, today is the main barista’s last day – I think her name is Yoly. She has always been kind and fun to talk to – we’ll miss you Yoly and good luck with your new café at the Richmond marina (which I think will be called Yoly’s café)! Lockdown Stats: • Seating: tons of seating in a beautiful setting. Both shade and sun are available. • Bathroom: technically closed during lockdown, but you may be allowed in if you smile and ask nicely! • Hours: It closes at 2:30 pm but you can hang out there for as long as you like afterwards. • Weather: the location is sunny and sheltered and the trees and vines provide shade, if needed. • Budget: Prices are fairly reasonable, depending on what you get ;) I’m also giving the Roma 3/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on this: • Longstanding community gathering spot with a welcoming vibe. • Almost all of their food is made on site or baked in advance by Espresso Roma Corp (based in Emeryville). • Waste minimization is just OK – could do better during lockdown – I’m avoiding their sandwiches as they come in a big plastic clamshell container. • Transparency is a main weakness – Espresso Roma Corp. doesn’t provide any information on sourcing of coffee and ingredients. • Just to emphasize that last point, Sandy Boyd (owner of Espresso Roma Corp.) has opened many restaurants and cafes in the East Bay over the years – including the Roma cafes, The Station burger joint near the Claremont hotel, and Nichi Ramen on Bancroft at Telegraph. As a prominent Berkeley business owner (and Cal graduate) it would be nice if he provided more information on Roma Espresso Corp’s social responsibility. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, please check out the Green Stars Project.

Our favorite Cafe in Berkeley. (Same company as a Cafe Milano.) We love the outdoor seating. Plenty of seats for everyone. Food and drinks are very good. We love everything panini here. Espresso is always nice and fresh. Great price too!

I have no words to describe the beauty of this salmon omelette! I was shocked by the price of it as well, honestly low for how much food and how good it was! I am very pleased! Ambience was quite nice.

espresso roma has amazing coffee and fresh food served in a beautiful outdoor setting.

I wish there were more stars to rate this place!! I have been coming for years here, the whole staff is a gem kind, hardworking people and excellent cooks and baristas. The outdoor seating is lovely, surrounded by sage plants and covered by trees. This place should honestly raise their prices, although I love a spot where I can get a breakfast burrito and a coffee cup under $10, I would rather the staff having a bump in wages and pay $12! Still affordable for the area! Shoutout to Ms Sandra and Jesús who make delicious and fresh food, Mr Alvaro and Ernesto at the bar this place is beautiful and always clean, and what makes it fantastic, is their staff

The chicken bagel is a work of art, the breakfast burritos are amazing, the coffee is excellent, amazing venue, versatile seating, excellent service with nice employees.