Red Bay Coffee
Coffee shop · Berkeley
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About Red Bay Coffee
Red Bay Coffee is a Cafetería and Cafetería restaurant located in Berkeley, CA. Rated 4.2 out of 5 by guests. Known for: Great coffee, Great tea selection. Popular for solo dining. Offers dine-in, takeout, outdoor seating. Casual, cozy, trendy atmosphere.
What Customers Say About Red Bay Coffee
Red Bay Coffee is praised for its delicious and inventive coffee, especially the Saigon and Charcoal lattes. Customers consistently rave about the friendly staff (April, Bryan, Boris, Tia, and Simret mentioned by name) and the cozy ambiance. Some note inconsistent hours and decaf availability.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Arrive early for pastries, as they often sell out by 10am. Be aware that the hours can be inconsistent, so it's best to check before visiting.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Red Bay Coffee
Red Bay Coffee is located in Berkeley, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- South Berkeley Community Church (A 215m) — church building in California, United States of America Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
Religious Buildings
- St. John the Baptist (A 592m) — Russian Orthodox Church in Berkeley, CA
Parks & Gardens
- Bushrod Park (A 841m) — park in Alameda County, California, United States of America
- Grove Playground (A 844m) — park in Alameda County, California, United States of America
- Bushrod Park (A 847m) — human settlement in Oakland, California, United States of America
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Frequently asked questions about Red Bay Coffee
Red Bay Coffee Berkeley Reviews
Superb coffee. Amazing flavor. Baristas know how to pull shots and the foam on their lattes is expertly done. BTW their otamilk latte (not pictured) is the best I've ever had.
My favorite drink since I started drinking Red Bay Coffee is the charcoal latte. It's so delicious and smooth that if they were closer I would definitely have thos several times a week.
Delicious coffee with a wide variety of choices, from flavored lattes to inventive non-coffee options, pastries from Starter Bakery and snacks from all around. Red Bay is a great place to stop by for all your coffee needs.
Candied yam latte was so delicious!! I had ordered the rose cardamom latte, but some lady took it, and then they were out of the cardamom syrup. :( so they let me take the lady’s latte (mocha latte, which was good!) and made me whatever else I wanted, which was so kind! And that’s why I ended up with a candied yam latte. And honestly I am so glad I got to try it! When I got to the bottom there was real yam at the bottom! Very impressed. And the staff was so nice!! Also.. free wifi! Just no outlets. (That I could find) I recommend!
Excellent charcoal latte! Got it with almond milk and they don’t charge extra for non-dairy milks. Seating outside and indoors, very cute and well lit.
Awesome coffee- I love the Saigon latte. Beautiful new location in the Santa Fe Neighborhood.
Superb coffee. Amazing flavor. Baristas know how to pull shots and the foam on their lattes is expertly done. BTW their otamilk latte (not pictured) is the best I've ever had.
My favorite drink since I started drinking Red Bay Coffee is the charcoal latte. It's so delicious and smooth that if they were closer I would definitely have thos several times a week.
Delicious coffee with a wide variety of choices, from flavored lattes to inventive non-coffee options, pastries from Starter Bakery and snacks from all around. Red Bay is a great place to stop by for all your coffee needs.
Candied yam latte was so delicious!! I had ordered the rose cardamom latte, but some lady took it, and then they were out of the cardamom syrup. :( so they let me take the lady’s latte (mocha latte, which was good!) and made me whatever else I wanted, which was so kind! And that’s why I ended up with a candied yam latte. And honestly I am so glad I got to try it! When I got to the bottom there was real yam at the bottom! Very impressed. And the staff was so nice!! Also.. free wifi! Just no outlets. (That I could find) I recommend!
Excellent charcoal latte! Got it with almond milk and they don’t charge extra for non-dairy milks. Seating outside and indoors, very cute and well lit.
Awesome coffee- I love the Saigon latte. Beautiful new location in the Santa Fe Neighborhood.
Very nice ambiance at this cafe. Small and cozy with great standard drinks as well as fun and tasty seasonal drinks. They also have great pastries if you can arrive before they sell out (usually by 10am). I personally enjoy the calm plant filled view on the patio. Restroom situation can be a bit challenging if planning to stay long.
Charcoal Latte, blueberry scone delicious! Excellent customer service. We enjoyed the charming outdoor seating area. Staff shared favorite local hikes as the conversation flowed. We will return👍🏼
Special thanks to April, Bryan, Boris, Tia, and Simret. I’ve been coming here almost every day for over a year. Not only is the coffee consistently amazing, but it’s the people who keep me coming back. I work a hybrid schedule, and on the days I have to go into the office, my routine feels off—because starting my morning here is such a great way to begin the day.
I’m in town for a work trip. I stopped here on my way to my job site to get a coffee and a croissant. The croissant selection was great and as I waited for my latte, I looked around. This place is beautiful. If I had more time, I would definitely have a seat and just chill. The colors are very soothing and there’s a excellent selection of plants some hanging from the ceiling some on the floor. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and they make a excellent latte.
I came here for the first time this morning after having a bad experience at a cafe on College. Red Bay was so much more pleasant. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The vibe was so much better. I had the green tea this time and look forward to trying the other blends. My wife had a shot of espresso and reacted about it.
Wow. Just had a really good (and real) macchiato from this place. Really wonderfully made. They also made an iced decaf latte for my daughter with vanilla cinnamon syrup. Delish!
Special thanks to April, Bryan, Boris, Tia, and Simret. I’ve been coming here almost every day for over a year. Not only is the coffee consistently amazing, but it’s the people who keep me coming back. I work a hybrid schedule, and on the days I have to go into the office, my routine feels off—because starting my morning here is such a great way to begin the day.
Very nice ambiance at this cafe. Small and cozy with great standard drinks as well as fun and tasty seasonal drinks. They also have great pastries if you can arrive before they sell out (usually by 10am). I personally enjoy the calm plant filled view on the patio. Restroom situation can be a bit challenging if planning to stay long.
Charcoal Latte, blueberry scone delicious! Excellent customer service. We enjoyed the charming outdoor seating area. Staff shared favorite local hikes as the conversation flowed. We will return👍🏼
This is the best coffee on the street, and there are a lot of places serving coffee on the street. Pet friendly, diverse staff. I recommend going here for good vibes and good people watching. If it’s open. I’m new to the neighborhood and trying to make getting a cup here my daily habit, but half the time the staff is opening the place 20 minutes late. On November 25th and on December 1st the baristas were still getting the cafe prepared as of 7:45a. I’m writing this review in the hope that a manager or owner notices, because I wouldn’t want to be losing habitual customers and because I’m hopeful to get my coffee here in time to drop my kid off for daycare. Best of luck and hope to be able to become a regular myself!
This place has turned it around. I left a negative review early on, edited twice with updates. They have a more consistent staff now and I haven't had issues getting drip coffee for a while. Pastries are good, coffee is decent, price is right. Still occasionally busier than they can handle, but I felt inclined to update my review.
This is the best coffee on the street, and there are a lot of places serving coffee on the street. Pet friendly, diverse staff. I recommend going here for good vibes and good people watching. If it’s open. I’m new to the neighborhood and trying to make getting a cup here my daily habit, but half the time the staff is opening the place 20 minutes late. On November 25th and on December 1st the baristas were still getting the cafe prepared as of 7:45a. I’m writing this review in the hope that a manager or owner notices, because I wouldn’t want to be losing habitual customers and because I’m hopeful to get my coffee here in time to drop my kid off for daycare. Best of luck and hope to be able to become a regular myself!
This place has turned it around. I left a negative review early on, edited twice with updates. They have a more consistent staff now and I haven't had issues getting drip coffee for a while. Pastries are good, coffee is decent, price is right. Still occasionally busier than they can handle, but I felt inclined to update my review.
Hey, I love the people who work at this café—everyone’s so friendly and nice. But I think they might be going out of business, because about once a week they’re just not open. Like today—it’s Tuesday at 9 a.m., and they’re closed. It happens all the time, so I’m guessing business might not be doing well. Not sure. But the people there are great—very, very nice.
Hey, I love the people who work at this café—everyone’s so friendly and nice. But I think they might be going out of business, because about once a week they’re just not open. Like today—it’s Tuesday at 9 a.m., and they’re closed. It happens all the time, so I’m guessing business might not be doing well. Not sure. But the people there are great—very, very nice.
Manager is excellent, coffee generally very good. This location had a rough start up but the staff has stabilized some and seems much more consistent. Two stars off because they are constantly out of decaf, which is the only coffee I’m able to drink for medical reasons.
The place itself is very nice and cozy and the staff are always a delight. However, the prices for the drinks portion sizes are outrageously expensive.
Manager is excellent, coffee generally very good. This location had a rough start up but the staff has stabilized some and seems much more consistent. Two stars off because they are constantly out of decaf, which is the only coffee I’m able to drink for medical reasons.
The place itself is very nice and cozy and the staff are always a delight. However, the prices for the drinks portion sizes are outrageously expensive.
Totally pretentous anti homeless hipster coffee shop. If you need a tiny hipster coffee for 2.75 go for it but dont stick around if your cool. Best not to be seen at a place like this unless you are anti homeless. No outlets to charge a phone inside. Was told to stay out in the cold with the phone. Dont waste your money. Support local coffee shops who support homeless people. Red bay coffee does not. Shame on the manager. I will never spend money here again. I was so pissed i gave them my second cup of coffee back. Shame on you Red Bay Coffee!! In berkeley of all places. Unreal.
Sadly I won't be returning to any Red Bay location based on my experience this morning. I find that these coffee shops are often located in areas where there is not a lot of competition so I have visited them in the past, although their coffee is not the best. However I would rather forgo coffee altogether than have such negative experiences in the morning.
Honestly… Terrible experience all because the barista was rude, unwelcoming, and patronizing. First time visiting and for sure my last. Why would you work a customer facing job if you clearly don’t like people?
Worse customer service, 1st time inside this place I just wanted something warm to start my day good after having a bad night. The guy was very kinda of arrogant, not even a smile (cashier). Good morning,thank you or have a good day. Didn't offer to warm my pastry. I was the only customer inside. The drink was Good but for this service I won't come back.
Totally pretentous anti homeless hipster coffee shop. If you need a tiny hipster coffee for 2.75 go for it but dont stick around if your cool. Best not to be seen at a place like this unless you are anti homeless. No outlets to charge a phone inside. Was told to stay out in the cold with the phone. Dont waste your money. Support local coffee shops who support homeless people. Red bay coffee does not. Shame on the manager. I will never spend money here again. I was so pissed i gave them my second cup of coffee back. Shame on you Red Bay Coffee!! In berkeley of all places. Unreal.
It is literally the people who work hete who make you never want to come back. They're so miserable and rude, you have to wonder what the working conditions are. Okay coffee, pricy sure, but the baristas , all the ones they have working there, hate their job and in proxy they hate the customers.
Honestly… Terrible experience all because the barista was rude, unwelcoming, and patronizing. First time visiting and for sure my last. Why would you work a customer facing job if you clearly don’t like people?
Sadly I won't be returning to any Red Bay location based on my experience this morning. I find that these coffee shops are often located in areas where there is not a lot of competition so I have visited them in the past, although their coffee is not the best. However I would rather forgo coffee altogether than have such negative experiences in the morning.
Worse customer service, 1st time inside this place I just wanted something warm to start my day good after having a bad night. The guy was very kinda of arrogant, not even a smile (cashier). Good morning,thank you or have a good day. Didn't offer to warm my pastry. I was the only customer inside. The drink was Good but for this service I won't come back.
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1741 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
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1741 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
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