"Hey friends! This review is about sustainability only. I so appreciate your attention to detail when it comes to how folks here can use reusable mugs, and also limit their impact on the environment via plastic pollution. The real silverware, the real glassware, the real mugs, the real spoon for the bowl of sugar, and the recycled napkins are an excellent touch! That said, I was a bit disheartened to see how many people were enjoying their coffee to stay, but in to go cups. I understand that these to go cups might be compostable. But a quick glance into the recycling and trash bins shows that there is no delineation between the two. I wonder if there are ways that the barista can work clearly articulate the for-here option, by asking if people are staying to work or meet a friend. I was also a bit disheartened to see the sale of plastic bottled water here. By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. And over 95% of the plastic that we try to recycle does not actually get recycled. But rather ends up in landfills, oceans, or burned in incinerators. By now, there are tons of options for at least better water. Maybe aluminum canned? Thank you for considering my feedback. All in all, I was impressed by your Sustainable offerings. Just would love to see some better communication to folks dining in, who would be able to skip the trash made entirely. Thanks again! Lovely courtyard too."

"Cafe Strada in Berkeley: Hot Chocolate That Didn't Live Up to the Hype If you're searching for the cozy cafe to spend a weekend afternoon in Berkeley, Cafe Strada may come up on your radar — but don't get too excited about the hot chocolate. Despite all the hype, it didn’t quite deliver the rich, indulgent experience you might expect from a café with such a strong reputation. The chocolate was decent, but nothing extraordinary. The café, though, is a bustling hub of activity, especially on weekends. Expect to find it packed with students and those just chilling with friends. The ambiance is laid-back yet vibrant, making it a spot to catch up or get some work done. A friend introduced me to this spot, and while the crowd may be overwhelming at times, the environment has a certain charm. It’s a lively place where you can soak in the energy of the city, but if you're looking for solitude, you might want to come during the quieter hours. So, if you're in the mood for a bustling atmosphere and a place to hang out, Cafe Strada won’t disappoint. Just maybe skip the hot chocolate and try one of their other drinks instead."

"I was really surprised at how bad this place was. Kinda figured that you can't get away with that in Berkeley anymore. Cappuccino was not good. I would say on par with a vending machine. Thin extraction, over roasted and no latte art. So milk foam, just lots of silly foam, not mixed foam and coffee. It was $2 less than I would normally pay and still not worth it. If espresso based drinks are you thing, this is not your place. These aren't baristas, they are operators. They take orders and push buttons. They don't know what it should be, so they don't know they aren't making it. I also ordered a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast burrito on a spinach tortilla. Honestly, not really sure how you can mess up this most basic of breakfast food. Taco trucks crank this out to perfection and they are using a kitchen inside a truck! Tasted like it was made from powdered eggs, the cheese seemed like a sauce and the whole thing tasted like it was frozen and then microwaved. The bacon looked more like warmed deli ham, and oddly, the spinach flavor in the tortilla was extremely pronounced—in an unpleasant, overwhelming way. Now, if you get a pastry and some black coffee and you get a nice day and you sit outside, then you could have a nice experience here. Just set your expectations low, like really low, and you can enjoy this spot. If not, keep looking. Lots of other great coffee and food options not too far away."

"The location of this place makes it a perfect place to catch on the vibe of this university town. For most of the times this place has lot of traffic but it has lot of sitting indoor and outdoor to sit down and work. Regular black coffee tasted reasonably well and had a smooth yet bold texture. Blueberry scone tasted good and wasn’t overly sweet."

"Most of the seating is outside; there are heatlamps, though some spots are still a bit cold at night. Love that it's open late though. Had a hot spiced cider and a blueberry danish, this was just what I needed after a hike"