Summer Kitchen + Bakeshop

Presentation and food was amazing , I was going to take a photo to prove it but I ate it all and forgot to take one so here’s my empty plate

Quick, fresh and delicious food. Wonderful margherita pizza baked in pizza fire oven. Very friendly staff.

Hazel

Hello, I stopped in today to grab an array of baked deserts for my partners birthday. It was my first time in, and I drove up from Oakland. Everything was incredible and reasonably priced. We especially enjoyed this strawberry lime curd tart bar thing!! The mushroom pizza was also very tasty!

James K

One of the best restaurants in Elmwood (4.5/5 green stars) It’s so easy to walk right by Summer Kitchen without even noticing it. It’s a narrow shopfront with just a few tables outside and it’s easy to miss as you ponder ice cream and other offerings from neighbors. Well, take it from me – forget ice cream and get a baked item from Summer Kitchen instead! Or try a pizza, or an egg salad sandwich – possibly the best egg salad sandwich you’ll ever have. But if you are limited for time, try one of the fresh fruit pastries (galette) – they seem expensive at $12 but they are big enough for two and totally worth it! I’m giving Summer Kitchen 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. The positives are obvious – most of the ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Everything is made from scratch and there is transparent sourcing of the meat and fish (Mary’s free-range chicken, etc.). There are a reasonable amount of vegetarian options and you can definitely find some vegan dishes too (salads, sandwich, pasta). Summer Kitchen could make the biggest environmental impact by scrapping beef from the menu – replacing it with plant-based alternatives, ideally. Beef has a carbon footprint of around 10 times that of chicken and over 100 times that of pea protein, on average. If everyone one the planet ate 1 lb. of beef per week (the US average), total greenhouse gas emissions would increase by one third! I’ll write a post illustrating all of this soon on the Green Stars Project. So I really appreciate that Summer Kitchen makes more effort than the vast majority of restaurants on improving sustainability so that’s my suggestion for the biggest opportunity for improvement – cut the beef.

Dennis Ngai

Local fast casual that I frequented before moving to Sacramento. Great for a quality quick lunch/dinner if going to Greek theater or movie. Counter service but food is brought to table. Delicious fried chicken and 🍕!

Camila

The most amazing California cuisine. Everything I've had from Summer Kitchen has been super delicious, every little detail of each dish. They epitomize the standard for a farm to table restaurant. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Nicholas McNamara

Recently discovered this place on College Ave. Great little casual eatery. Perfect place to pick up food to go - but they also have places to dine both inside and outside. I’m a huge fan of the spiced chicken sandwich.

Kriz A

It’s such a gift to the Rockridge area to have Summer Kitchen here. Every dish that comes out from the kitchen is amazing!! Their thin crust pizzas, cauliflower salad and desserts are all my favorites.

V Maxeno

Small place with a simple and short menu. Pizza and salad were delicious, the deserts looked amazing but we didn't have time to try some. We'll be back!!

Susannah Greenberg

Simple but elevated gourmet food. Relaxed informal place. Staff were sensitive to my inquiries relating to nut allergies and nuts in the food. We had Chinese chicken salad, plant based sandwich, and a pizza. All excellent.

Rianne

Love the pizza here! It’s made with fresh ingredients, I shared one with my friend for lunch. It’s worth a try!

Diana B

Perfect old school wood fired Margarita Pizza and a Summer Salad with golden beets. Both were super yummy. Good place to get interesting food done well.

Wolfehtreez

Presentation and food was amazing , I was going to take a photo to prove it but I ate it all and forgot to take one so here’s my empty plate

I had an amazing experience at Summer Bake Kitchen in Berkeley! The desserts are absolutely divine—rich, perfectly sweet, and beautifully presented. I tried their chocolate tart, and it was a game-changer! The pizzas are equally impressive, with a crispy thin crust and fresh, high-quality toppings; the margherita was bursting with flavor. Their salads are a highlight too—super fresh ingredients, vibrant, and paired with tasty dressings that make every bite delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or healthy, this place has it all. Highly recommend checking it out!

Some of the best pizza I've ever had! really quality ingredients. Fiona and Nina were lovely.

This place quickly became one of my go-to favorites since moving to Berkeley two years ago. With its fresh, organic, farm-to-table offerings and a light, crisp atmosphere, it delivers an experience that feels both wholesome and effortless. The space is bright and inviting—perfect for a relaxed, feel-good meal. The pizza is always a win, and the smash burger is fantastic—I’d only suggest adding a side of coleslaw to make the plate truly complete. But the real standout for me? Their Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s my all-time favorite, especially when made with their crispy chicken—the breading is absolutely delicious. If you get the chance, ask for it the way “Carlos” makes it (assuming he’s not on duty, of course!). This spot is a gem for anyone looking to enjoy tasty, health-conscious food in a great setting. It’s the perfect place to soak in the rhythm of College Avenue, with its mix of new students and longtime locals. Jason, thank you for keeping this place such a special part of The Elmwood!

This place is the best! The kale caesar with crispy chicken is amazing - the dressing is unreal - and the pizzas are so good (get the corn one in the summer)! Baked goods are also delish. Such a gem in the neighborhood.

Very happy to have Summer Kitchen cater our baby shower; the sandwiches, salads, and cupcakes were a hit! People raved about the Roast Beef and Fried Chicken sandwiches. Had some good options for the vegetarians in the group too. Service was great and they helped guide us to a perfect menu for the event.

Elaine Oldham

This place is the best! The kale caesar with crispy chicken is amazing - the dressing is unreal - and the pizzas are so good (get the corn one in the summer)! Baked goods are also delish. Such a gem in the neighborhood.

Jadon Garrity

Some of the best pizza I've ever had! really quality ingredients. Fiona and Nina were lovely.

Matt Glaeser

Very happy to have Summer Kitchen cater our baby shower; the sandwiches, salads, and cupcakes were a hit! People raved about the Roast Beef and Fried Chicken sandwiches. Had some good options for the vegetarians in the group too. Service was great and they helped guide us to a perfect menu for the event.

Grace

I had an amazing experience at Summer Bake Kitchen in Berkeley! The desserts are absolutely divine—rich, perfectly sweet, and beautifully presented. I tried their chocolate tart, and it was a game-changer! The pizzas are equally impressive, with a crispy thin crust and fresh, high-quality toppings; the margherita was bursting with flavor. Their salads are a highlight too—super fresh ingredients, vibrant, and paired with tasty dressings that make every bite delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or healthy, this place has it all. Highly recommend checking it out!

Bea Ivette

This place quickly became one of my go-to favorites since moving to Berkeley two years ago. With its fresh, organic, farm-to-table offerings and a light, crisp atmosphere, it delivers an experience that feels both wholesome and effortless. The space is bright and inviting—perfect for a relaxed, feel-good meal. The pizza is always a win, and the smash burger is fantastic—I’d only suggest adding a side of coleslaw to make the plate truly complete. But the real standout for me? Their Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s my all-time favorite, especially when made with their crispy chicken—the breading is absolutely delicious. If you get the chance, ask for it the way “Carlos” makes it (assuming he’s not on duty, of course!). This spot is a gem for anyone looking to enjoy tasty, health-conscious food in a great setting. It’s the perfect place to soak in the rhythm of College Avenue, with its mix of new students and longtime locals. Jason, thank you for keeping this place such a special part of The Elmwood!

It's a local cute cafe with delicious sandwiches and bakeries. Wood oven pizzas are thin crust and great. Limited inside and outside seating. Clean and decent room inside to sit or rearrange tables to your party. Limited outdoor seating. Service is order-to-sit and your food will be delivered. Very few veggie option like eggplant sandwich. Few (good) local beer can options only. Great for seniors, kids, couples. Not so great for large groups or gathering unless pre arranged. There is parking lot being the block as well as free and paid street parking. Will be back for carrot cakes and more sandwiches.

Max Kay

It's a local cute cafe with delicious sandwiches and bakeries. Wood oven pizzas are thin crust and great. Limited inside and outside seating. Clean and decent room inside to sit or rearrange tables to your party. Limited outdoor seating. Service is order-to-sit and your food will be delivered. Very few veggie option like eggplant sandwich. Few (good) local beer can options only. Great for seniors, kids, couples. Not so great for large groups or gathering unless pre arranged. There is parking lot being the block as well as free and paid street parking. Will be back for carrot cakes and more sandwiches.

It was fine. Cute interior. People rave about the egg salad sandwich, but it seemed like a regular egg salad sando to me. Everyone around me got served fresh food from the kitchen by a server, but for some reason they took a pre-made sandwich that had been pre-wrapped and sitting around and plopped it on a plate at the register. I will go back and try some other dishes.

Steve Z

It was fine. Cute interior. People rave about the egg salad sandwich, but it seemed like a regular egg salad sando to me. Everyone around me got served fresh food from the kitchen by a server, but for some reason they took a pre-made sandwich that had been pre-wrapped and sitting around and plopped it on a plate at the register. I will go back and try some other dishes.

One of the worst service I ever experienced(and pizzas). After we waited over 40 minutes for the pizzas, we were told they had online orders before us. I told Alena, one of the attendants, she could have mentioned it at the time of the order that wait time for food will be long. She looked extremely tired, probably end of the shift, pity. She pointed on a guy at the end of the restaurant and told me I can go and talk to him,” he is the owner” she said. Well, as a customer/guest, I thought, it is the owner responsibility to come and check for the issue, not vis versa. For the pizzas, don’t want to be negative, but try other places if you want a real pizzas. I do not recommend this place.

Ariel A

One of the worst service I ever experienced(and pizzas). After we waited over 40 minutes for the pizzas, we were told they had online orders before us. I told Alena, one of the attendants, she could have mentioned it at the time of the order that wait time for food will be long. She looked extremely tired, probably end of the shift, pity. She pointed on a guy at the end of the restaurant and told me I can go and talk to him,” he is the owner” she said. Well, as a customer/guest, I thought, it is the owner responsibility to come and check for the issue, not vis versa. For the pizzas, don’t want to be negative, but try other places if you want a real pizzas. I do not recommend this place.

Michael Marron

$20 burger got me sick. I only took one bite and threw it out. When I got home I threw up 1/10 would not come back.