Cafenated Coffee Company — Restaurant in Berkeley

For a small independent coffee spot, this local institution leans heavily on its food offerings, but its coffee program and roasting profiles leave much to be desired. While some other reviews praise the space’s aesthetic appeal and menu variety, my experience with the coffee itself was disappointing. A shot of espresso pulled 30 grams outside of its intended service parameters, followed by a three-minute conversation revealing a fundamental lack of understanding of how to dial in their own machines, highlights a major gap in barista training. I abandoned the idea of getting a decent cup of coffee and instead got a pot of tea for a whopping $6. The tea was a fine enough quality, but I'd expect something a little more bespoke for $6 even in this economy.

Some patrons appreciate the ambiance, likening it to an upgraded version of the previous Espresso Roma Cafe, which occupied the space for a decade. However, unlike Roma, they struggle with providing consistent WiFi, which is frustrating given that the space is clearly designed to function as a study, remote work, or third space. Oddly, the upgraded amenities seem counterproductive when the core functionality—reliable internet and a well-executed coffee program—isn’t prioritized.

The staff is incredibly friendly and polite, which many other reviewers highlight as a redeeming factor. That said, other feedback aligns with my experience: the focus appears to be on churning out a high volume of low-cost, subpar drinks rather than prioritizing guest experience or product quality. While some customers may appreciate the affordability, those seeking a well-crafted coffee might find better options elsewhere.

I’ll revisit in a month to see if improvements have been made, but as of now, I’d suggest exploring other coffee spots if quality and consistency and access to the internet are...

Awful service. There were two people taking orders, which meant two lines formed. I got in one line, assuming that the cashier wouldnt leave her post and take the next person in line. That didn’t happen. She had to tend to someone’s order, so I was left waiting and waiting and waiting for someone to take my order. This resulted in me taking out my frustration on a poor cashier who was confused about which customers had already been helped. There was a tall man with curly hair fiddling with the order pad in front of me. He didnt acknowledge me, nor did he ask if I had been helped. I asked him if he was going to take my order. He said, “someone will be with you in a moment.” In short, I was waiting for quite a bit to be acknowledged, feeling like a fool while I watched an operational nightmare unfold… I used to like coming here to read and drink my chagaccinos… a lot has changed and it doesn’t feel like the welcoming place it used to be.

On top of it all, I still tipped. And when my food came, I got the wrong order… I settled for it because I never want to be THAT customer.. this was overall a...

Am sitting here asking myself why have I given this place soooo many chances, even though deep down, I know it's just never gonna work between Cafenated and me. I just wanted an iced matcha today, but when I arrived, they told me they only have the sweetened matcha. So my back up is decaf iced americano but when I asked what the decaf process is (yes, I'm a coffee snob and want water processed decaf and not ethyl acetate chemical process which is toxic), they didn't know, but the girl was sweet and looked it up. Ethyl Acetate. So my back up to my back up is iced chai latte. When I went to take a sip, holy SWEETNESS Batman! That's not chai, it's a sugary soft drink. I asked the barista and she said they use a sweetened chai syrup, gross. She offered me an iced tea. As I sipped on my iced tea, I realized she didn't offer me the price difference in drinks and that I am sipping on an overpriced iced tea. First world problems. Cafenated, it's...