Cafe M — Restaurant in Berkeley

After 3 years in Berkeley, I finally made it here for brunch. I always would plan coming here and then end up somewhere else because of the long wait times. But this time I was determined to make it here and it was rewarding.

Location: Located right in the middle of the hip fourth street, it is easy to locate and is one of the very few places to eat nearby. It is located in a building complex that happens to have parking space, but you'd be lucky to find any parking here on a busy day or on weekends. Finding parking on fourth street in general is usually not so easy.

Wait times: Nightmarish. I've tried coming here multiple times and always gone somewhere else because of wait times of anywhere between 1-2 hours. We had 38 parties ahead of us at 11 in the morning, 38!!

Ambience: They have outdoor seating as well as indoor. The outdoor space wasn't heated, so do not recommend when its cold or windy, but it's definitely good for some warm sunny days. The indoor space is huge, slightly more crowded at the back, but not too loud.

Service: The staff was friendly and we received pretty prompt service. In fact, we had to wait less than 5 minutes after we ordered for the food to arrive. The server was on top of everything, checking in regularly if we needed any coffee refills.

Food: Definitely one of the better brunch places in Berkeley. We had the Crab cake benedict, Miguel Moraga omlette, and the Reuben sandwich. All of them were really good and I recommend them all. We also ordered the coconut french toast, which I definitely recommend. The food was slightly on the expensive side.

Overall, although the food was really good, the 1-2 hour wait times are definitely not worth it. I'd rather come here on a day when its not too crowded to make the most of the experience, especially...

Food 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - family owned deliciousness, best brunch bites Atmosphere 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - indoor AND outdoor seating Service 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - kudos to Sabrina and Briana. They were attentive, friendly, warm, and went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was the best.

Picture this: amidst a wedding weekend buzz, six of us discovered Cafe M! So incredible that we couldn't resist going back not once, but twice in just a 3-day weekend. 🍳

Cafe M is a delightful family-owned restaurant, oozing with unique charm and appeal that sets it apart from any other brunch spot in Berkeley. From the moment we stepped in, we felt a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which was complemented by exceptional service. The staff was not only friendly but also incredibly attentive, always ready with helpful recommendations or to engage in pleasant conversations. Their genuine care made the whole experience even more enjoyable. 🫶

And oh, the food! The offerings at Cafe M are simply outstanding. Each dish was prepared with love and attention, making it an unforgettable culinary experience. Check out the vids and pics in this review for more deliciousness 🤤😋

Cafe M truly won our hearts, making it a place we'll fondly remember long after the wedding festivities are over. It's a spot I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a fantastic brunch experience with a welcoming atmosphere and delectable treats. We're already planning our next visit to this special family-owned treasure in Berkeley. It's a...

Greta breakfast/brunch place in the cool walking and shopping area in Berkeley’s 4th street.

Indoor and outdoor seating. Very fast service, both taking the order and the food coming out. High ceilings and a European flair.

Eggs Benedict were well prepared with good hollandaise sauce. Great thinly sliced potatoes were a surprise. I was thinking I wanted hash browns, which they don’t have, but these were really good. Unique.

And I had the Berkeley Hills Scramble in honor of growing up in the Berkeley hills! Quite yummy Italian sausage and again those delish thin potatoes. Sourdough toast to top it off. I like they have the little jam packets like diners do.

July 2025 update: Came back, this time with a larger party and had another great experience. Poached eggs were made just right on English muffin with tomato and avocado with the hollandaise on the side. Home potatoes on the side. Tasty ands filling!

The “basic” breakfast was two over medium eggs, sausage, those same home potatoes, and toast. Yummy and it feels healthy for some reason. I think you could get other meats instead, and of course have eggs the way you want’em.

Pancakes were light and fluffy. Spectacled with powder sugar. I don’t think it was real maple syrup though. Too bad.

Sancheti omelette with chorizo was super tasty. With potatoes and toast it’s quite a meal.

And if you like more a lunch meal, then try the Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, and...