Bench Café • Pâtisserie — Restaurant in Berkeley

Bench holds such a special place in our hearts and in our community! It is our favorite spot to enjoy a delectable, freshly baked pastry, cake, cookie, or scone along with a coffee drink or matcha latte prepared just perfectly. The aesthetic is perfect — welcoming, light, bright, airy, with touches of greenery and color. The music always sets a lovely backdrop too. And most importantly, the owner Sanaz and her husband, along with all of the incredible baristas including Norah, create an utterly wonderful vibe for the café. The space promotes productive work both downstairs and above the spiral staircase, but also conversations and connections in a welcoming community setting. From the Persian cookies to the unbelievably soft fall-apart blueberry scones, the food is only matched by the cheerful and warm atmosphere that permeates Bench. It is always so fun to see what the baked goods will be — it’s like a delicious little surprise (unless one takes a peak on IG where they are sometimes revealed ahead of time, hehe)!

Thank you Sanaz and team for an incredible community space. We absolutely love coming to Bench and leave this review in order to share with others the cozy little gem on MLK Way that has a cozy little spot in...

Recently, we had the pleasure of discovering 'Bench', a newly-established café nestled in the heart of Berkeley that is an absolute charm. The ambiance of Bench is nothing short of phenomenal, providing an inviting vibe that feels like a cozy haven for patrons, whether they're seeking to relax, work, or engage in friendly conversation. But the most impressive aspects of Bench are their delectable offerings and service. Their coffee is sublime, boasting a diverse selection of unique blends that are guaranteed to satisfy the discerning tastes of caffeine aficionados. Their pastries, too, are of exceptional quality, featuring a delightful blend of traditional favorites and innovative flavors, each baked to perfection. The perfect combination of an appealing ambiance and a quality menu at Bench sets a high standard in the café culture of Berkeley. This charming gem of a café is a must-visit for anyone seeking an exceptional coffee and...

Visited the cafe yesterday for all the goodies the have. TBH I’m not a coffee person but boy, have you seen the variety of teas they offer?! I also tried the dark hot chocolate and it was absolutely fantastic. The cookies and scones are super fresh and baked daily, my husband and I each had one. And the place is super cozy, lots of natural light and cute decorations. Almost every piece of art work you see there is made by the owner and her family and I think that makes the cafe even more authentic. I know the owner for a long time, she actually baked and decorated my wedding cake in May 2022(see pictures, we had 5 different cakes and our guests could not stop raving about the cake!). Give this place a try, you’ll...