marbelc

I love this place. From the huge bowls of mocha to the cute french decor to the little bowls of jam on each table. This is my favorite place for brunch, in the entire bay area (and I love brunching). A definite Berkeley gem, it gets busy on the weekends around noon, so expect a long wait unless you get up early.
My favorite is the cote sud (south coast), but with chicken apple sausage. The pain perdu (french toast using brioche bread) is good too. And the grilled tuna sandwich is good. I’ve come here with many people over the years, and no one’s been disappointed.
Despite it’s proximity, it’s not a cheap college place, but it gives you a good amount of food for what you order, and I find it worth it for the food and ambiance.
Try sitting on the back patio when it’s warm and sunny.

This is among my favorite brunch places in the city. It’s in Washington Sq in North Beach, and it’s a cute place where you wait for a table, order your food in a cafeteria style-line where everything is prepped in plain view of all the diners (but looks great and very un-cafeteria-like), and then sit and wait for the delicious dishes to come. On top of difficult North Beach parking, everyone knows about this place and the lines are always long, so plan accordingly. That said, the portions are large, and very yummy! My favorites are the Monte Cristo sandwich (which they are known for) and the french bread creations: typical tasty choices as well as whatever tasty types they have that morning (brioche, bread with cinnamon swirls, etc etc). Tasty, moderately-priced, and not pretentious at all!

A cute place in Berkeley’s bougie 4th street area, this place has always been busy when I go mid-mornings. This 50s style diner is KNOWN for their pancakes (especially the souffle pancake creation. Takes 30 mintes to make) and it’s a very bustle-y, fun place. The staff is friendly but incredibly busy. The first time I went, my companion and I asked one of the staff about scrapple (a tasty, originally-Amish pork version of hashbrowns). When I ordered that with a vanilla milkshake from the same guy (who turned out to be one of the owners, Manfred, Bette’s husband), he said he wouldn’t give me the milkshake until after my breakfast was served, so I wouldn’t spoil my appetite =). And then he made up for the friendly admonishment by giving my boyfriend mini milkshakes all morning. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and were very very full. Another place that’s always busy, they have a take-out bakery next door, and I have ordered to go on a weekday morning. They also have a pancake recipe book and sell their own pancake mix. Did I mention they’re known for their pancakes? =)