Café Parisien — Restaurant in Berkeley

This café is genuinely one of the cutest spots I’ve studied at. I’m writing this review because I was searching for a new café to try between classes, and after some exploring, this one popped up. I checked Yelp for reviews on the space, drinks, and pastries but found little information online. Still, since I had already been to most cafés in Berkeley, I decided to give it a shot—and I’m so glad I did. The moment I walked in, I smiled. The cozy lighting, bright red balloons, and beautifully displayed pastries created such a warm and inviting atmosphere. I ordered a café latte (solid 4/5 for taste and well-priced for Berkeley) and easily found a spacious three-person table to study at, as it wasn’t too crowded. Right away, I noticed how attentive the staff was—one of the owners (as I learned later on) quickly cleaned up a nearby table and even set aside a forgotten water bottle in case the customer returned. Sure enough, when the customer came back looking for it, the owner immediately handed it to them. The hospitality here is unmatched. The owner personally brought my drink to my table and even gave me a free pastry to try! I later learned that this is a family-run business owned by twin French-Algerian brothers, which made me appreciate the café even more. The sense of community was evident—one customer in a wheelchair came in for their birthday, and the owner helped them pick out the perfect cake. It was also great to see that the café is wheelchair accessible, making it a welcoming space for everyone. I love the ambiance, the kindness of the staff, and the study-friendly setup. For students and employees, it’s a great spot to work, with affordable house coffee refills. My only critique? The brownie is a bit pricey at $6.50. But overall, I’ll definitely be...

If you are like me homesick & want to find a cafe that will remind you of that neighborhood place where you used to stop everyday on the way to work, then Cafe Parisien is your place. Don’t look any further. I miss Paris everyday & when I need a place to feel like home I go to Cafe Parisien.. Ahcene & Hocine are the most gracious hosts. They are always happy to see you & welcome you by your first name..I love to go there with a book & sip on my coffee while listening to French songs taking me back to my teenager & adult years in Paris. Visiting Cafe Parisien warms up my soul The pastries are always fresh & I particularly like “le pain aux raisins” that nobody can make right around here… The bûches de Noel are so so good. I ordered 2 for a French gathering & they were a hit…ordered another one for next week. My favorite is the coffee espresso one… DELICIOUS Thank you Samia & Kamel for an authentic taste from home The 4 of you are incredible. I wish you all a fantastic holiday season & again thank you for bringing home to me. No need to look...

If you've liked a high-quality patisserie in France, you will like this cafe. If you haven't experienced that, this is it. The spell is broken only by the restroom, which is clean.

I don't know how they manage to make their offerings identical to stuff I've only ever had in France. Seems far-fetched that a small independent shop would import ingredients but I find it hard to believe one could produce this stuff without going to those lengths.

My wife and I are really happy this place is in Berkeley. It's a weekend treat for us. The brothers are friendly and decorous, which is nice because they could get away with being rude given how good their food is - people would still come. I am aware of a baker, and a florist, in Berkeley who are legendary for their rudeness, but who still enjoy a healthy trade due to the surpassing quality...