Tomate Café
2265 5th St, Berkeley, CA, 94710
Tomate Café Menu
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Address :
2265 5th St
Berkeley, CA, 94710 - Phone (510) 549-9885
- Website https://www.tomatecafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Dave K.
Solid food, friendly staff. Big portions. Every once in a while there's live music performances in the patio. Restaurant is very dog-friendly. As I'm writing this there is a dog on a leash taking a crap outside and the owner has no idea. Don't worry, restaurant manager cleaned it up immediately. Oh, and they customized my breakfast burrito with carne asada, nothing but love!
(4)Suzee Q.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the service is excellent! They make the best veggie scramble I have ever had (loaded with tons of goodies like tomatoes, kale, avocado) and their menu is huge! Lots of healthy treats, juices and teas to choose from and very vegetarian friendly. We make the long drive pretty often just to eat here because it is so good and the service can't be beat. Btw-they have a dog-friendly patio :)
(5)Amanda H.
I want to love this place. But my kale was cold and the pancakes taste odd-- sourdough? The bacon, eggs and potato pancake was great though. And there was plenty of seating on a Sunday morning at 9!
(3)Rodica B.
Lovely place with the tastiest of foods! Had the harvest plate and jump start plate and they were both delicious. Nice collard greens as well :)
(5)Erika S.
Super delicious! This place was super darling and I loved it! Came with a friend for a late lunch and we split a cup of the tomato basil soup ($3.50). I'm not usually a fan of tomato soup, but this stuff was pretty tasty and it had lots of basil. We both had some awesome mimosas ($3.50 each) which were delicious and reasonably priced. Although it was 2:30pm, I love breakfast and got the veggie omelete ($8.95) with tomatoes, mushrooms, kale, avocado, green onions and colby jack cheese. The presentation wasn't great, but I loved that they sandwiched the avocado in the well- integrated omelet. This plate includes your choice of toast, 2 small red potatoes with sour cream and a small slice of cantaloupe. Also, I usually get two meals out of typical Berkeley portions, but I finished the whole plate. My friend got the chile relleno ($10.50), which is a poblano pepper stuffed with queso fresco served with organic brown rice, black beans, and salad. The sauce was pretty spicy, but it was certainly delicious. This was a bit bigger in portion size, but not by much. The staff was super nice and friendly. They also have water for dogs if you come with your furry friend. You have to bus your own table, but that's typical in a lot of places. Overall, I'll definitely come back if I want a cute breakfast and I have a car, since it's pretty far from campus.
(4)Yolanda R.
Was looking for a veggie, light, fresh breakfast. And I found it! The Veggie Omelet spills cherry tomatoes, avocado, kale, mushrooms, making it the biggest portion of the meal. (I prefer less egg and cheese in omelets and more inside!) The orange juice is freshly squeezed in front of you, and is delicious! This place has a great outdoor patio with lots of green, shade, umbrellas to cover the sun. Location is nice to retrieve from the central business of Berkeley, however, parking really sucks.
(4)Shannon N.
YUM! There are SO many different items on the menu it was hard to choose what I wanted! My boyfriend and I came here one weekend for a late breakfast/lunch and were starving! I'll get to what we got cause we all know that's super important ;) Order up at the front, take a number, and servers will come by with what you ordered! WHAT WE GOT: 1) Harvest Breakfast: yum! I liked the huge variety that came on this plate--and the fact you got to choose how you wanted your eggs cooked! The only thing I didn't really eat much of was the fried apples--they were too sweet for me. 2) Carnivore sandwich: My boyfriend got this and we both agreed it was pretty good! We didn't have anything bad to say about it. Overall...I liked the atmosphere, staff was super friendly, fast, and attentive. I'd love to go here again and order other things from their huge menu!
(5)Tiffany L.
Came here over the weekend around 2pm. Most of their seating was filled but it appeared most of their tables had already been served. We ordered up front: half order French toast, zucchini potato cakes, tuna sandwich and red potatoes with crema. We waited nearly 30 minutes for our food before asking the server the status of our food. For the kind of food we ordered it was excessive. When we asked about our food, the sever insisted it was coming. Another 10 minutes rolled by, no food. We asked again. Response was it's coming... Ok almost 45 minute wait for food from an order at the counter spot... Unacceptable. When the food arrived it was average tasting at best. The tuna sandwich was bland and looked like it was slapped together. The red potatoes tastes odd so after a bite we didn't go back. The French toast was standard although the portion was larger than expected. If it was half order I don't know who could finish a full order. The zucchini potatoes cakes were prob the best thing we ordered... Not worth it.
(1)Laura M.
A friend lives just around the corner, so we decided to have breakfast here on the patio with our pups. It was Sunday morning around 9am and cool - mostly empty patio and about half full inside. I had eggs Beatrice, with a few modifications (no butter sauce and sub fruit for a side instead of sausage) which were accommodated. Coffee is self serve with brown sugar. My friend had huevos rancheros and enjoyed it. She didn't care for the plain kale that came with all entrees, I didn't mind it eaten with my eggs.
(4)Michelle G.
Had the veggie Benedict & hubby had the forager plate. So the patio is cute, lots of dogs which is nice. The food is super bland, the kale had no seasoning whatsoever. It all left me craving more.
(1)Grace C.
Came here with my lovely friend Christine L. I had the granola which was very delicious and came with various fruits. I believe my friend had some sort of french toast with eggs platter - that was delicious as well. I also ordered the breakfast burrito which was not very good, it was just filled with potatoes. So the main point here is DO NOT GET THE BREAKFAST BURRITO - but try the other breakfast items. There is also a nice patio outside and this place seems great to eat at on a sunny day and then go to Urbano Cellars to get a bit tipsy.
(4)andrea a.
The menu gives you lots of options. For my non breakfast eating son, he was able to get a taco. My husband and I shared the French toast and savory omelet. Both were great, and portions were just enough. Nice that there was seating inside and out. Friendly/patient staff;) we were just passing through on our trip, so the quick service was nice too!
(4)Eli R.
I enjoyed the breakfast sandwich, but it wasn't out of this world. About average. My main criticism is that the sandwich was too bland. That being said, it feels very homey, as if a relative is just making you breakfast in the morning. I also had a latte, which was massive but a bit lacking in flavor. Tomate Café is somewhere worth checking out for breakfast/brunch on the weekend, just don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Lea M.
Apparently vegan's go crazy for this place. I know so 'cause yelp says so. I, however, am not a vegan but was willing to try this new craze everyone's been talking about. One good thing that I liked was that there was an outdoor patio that had a little water bowl for pets to drink from. I ordered that "super awesome vegan dish" everyone's been posting pictures about and found it to be... blaahhh. I shoulda stuck to my carnivorous side. Oh well... But their baklava was super good!
(3)Henry L.
Food is great; ambiance is great; however, I went into the restroom and there was no sink! I cannot believe that no one has commented on that! Where does the staff wash their hands? Soap but no towels. Worse than a port a potty! Department of Health anyone?
(1)Laura L.
I went here for lunch with my sister a few weeks ago. I wasn't paying attention to how we got there, so I can't place the location in my mind. Good thing I have GPS! I will want to visit here on my next trip! I ordered the steak quesadilla. It was pretty good and had fresh ingredients. I should warn you they put cantaloupe on the plate with the food as a garnish. I am allergic to cantaloupe, so that was a little tricky. I ate around it, so I survived. I also ordered their cheesy potatoes. Okay, sign me up. I want to eat these potatoes FOREVER. They were so good. But, since my sister invited two of her friends, I decided to not be a hog and I shared them. Next time, I might order them to go and hide with them. DELISH! Everyone's food looked so good, especially the salad. It looked SO fresh and yummy. I should have snagged a bite of my sister's friend's dish... but I was trying to pretend like I was polite. I'm a "likes to be waited on" kind of gal, so I don't really like the clear your own table type of establishment that seems to be prevalent in Berkeley. I would rather pay for service. That's just a preference thing, but I'd definitely get this for takeout or visit again when I was feeling a little more DIY. :)
(4)Misha T.
Fairly solid huevos rancheros that notably come with crispy tortillas instead of soft ones adding a neat crunch. Strangely the meat choices are the typical breakfast ones instead of something like shredded chicken, but bacon goes with everything so it's chill.
(4)Allen J.
Came on a Saturday for brunch and had a really great experience. The service was relatively quick, the outdoor patio eating area was very nice and the prices are pretty reasonable for the amount of food you're getting. I had the pesto omelette which came with a side of potatoes and bread of choice and it was really good. The omelette blended really well together and was cooked just the right amount of time. My only critique is my partner had the Cuban breakfast which she found less than stellar, she found the shrimp to be overpowering of all of the other sides - in addition the plantains were a bit dry. Overall for my food and latte this was a really good brunch spot, I'm excited to come back soon and try another dish.
(4)Adam W.
I have to say I wasn't expecting much when we stopped by for lunch. However, we were all hungry and needed to eat NOW, so we went on in....and good thing! There's a large menu on the wall, have a look before getting in line to order. The line was a bit long but it moved very quickly. It wasn't long before our food was brought to the table. My BLT was a revelation. Lots of crisp, hot bacon, perfectly fresh tomato, and--what's this--ripe, cool avocado! All on lightly toasted sourdough. That sandwich didn't stand a chance. Also a shout out for the soup of the day, a fresh tomato basil. I'd eat here again, for sure.
(4)Maggie X.
"Tomate" sounds somewhat Italian to me, and I definitely didn't expect it to house a brunchy establishment that serves some of the best French toast I've ever had. But it's true what you learn in grade school: never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, its title. Located far from the Berkeley campus, Tomate caters to a slightly older and less bustling crowd, which definitely makes for a quieter, roomier environment. Parking is plentiful in the area, although still street. Ordering and service is reminiscent of Crepevine's, where a blackboard boasts of all the offerings (some of which are weekend specials, so watch out for those) and you order at the cashier before choosing a seat. There is inside as well as patio seating, and both are modest and decently spacious. Jumpstart Breakfast with eggs sunny side up, sausages, and French toast topped with seasonal fruit and sliced almonds: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ) I didn't try the sausages and the sunny side up eggs were fine, but what really sold me was the French toast. This comes with a half order of either pancakes or French toast, and of course I had to get the latter, complete with almond slivers and fresh seasonal fruit (extra charge). The French toast here definitely rivals Denica's, and now I have to struggle with the gold and silver medals of the French toast awards.. a rivalry my tummy gladly debates. In any case, the toast here is thick and luscious, somewhat fluffier than I'm used to, and with phenomenal flavor. The amount of cinnamon and egg is spot-on, and the fresh fruit on top definitely helped to balance the heaviness. Amazing, and I would have trouble resisting the full order of just French toast next time. Veggie Benedict with red potato topped with sour cream and hollandaise sauce on the side: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ) Unfortunately all the meat here seems to contain some sort of apple, and since I'm allergic to apples, I decided not to risk it. I tried the Veggie Benedict mostly on the premises is that it didn't have anything to do with apples, and I thought it was good but not amazing. I thought that the spinach would be sautéed or cooked in some way, but the dish actually came with just raw spinach and tomato atop an English muffin. The poached eggs on top were well done and perfectly runny ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ), but I did notice the eggs were quite small. The hollandaise here seemed more like gravy than anything else, but I was actually a fan of the more savory nature of the sauce. It gave the benedicts more flavor and wasn't as heavy as regular hollandaise. The red potato with sour cream on the side was unmemorable. I enjoyed my Sunday brunch here, and I would like to come back again for the French toast and perhaps to try some of their sandwiches. But mostly the French toast.
(4)Valerie C.
Lovely place with delicious food. Took our out-of-town friends here for brunch. It's a little out of way but the food was wonderful. Full portions were sizable. It's nice that they offered half portions as well. The menu is extensive. Don't miss the weekend specials on the bottom right like me! We're looking forward to coming back!
(4)Nathan C.
A great lunch spot slightly off the beaten path. The menu is large, but the majority of the items show quite a bit of character. In some cases a little too much: one sandwich had enough horseradish to cure a deviated septum -- put a warning on that thing! Damn! But in general, the food is very good, well-priced, and you can leave after a relatively large meal without feeling weighed down by grease or what have you. They are getting a little big for their order-at-the-counter style, leading to some issues with timing seating and bus service. The first time we went, we snagged a table -- that didn't happen again. They do work to make people comfortable, though -- once when we went, it was quite cold for Berkeley, but we opted to sit outside rather than not at all -- seeing this, they offered to bring our table indoors and make room. These gestures go a long way. Highlights include the huevos rancheros (they put a unique and awesome spin on it) and, the black beans. I would go back just for the black beans. The potato salad was also nicely done. In fact, all of the sides are worth devouring. If they were any less crowded, I'd be tempted not to leave, and just keep ordering sides. All in all we like this place a lot and our only regret is waiting several weeks to try it!
(4)Jana C.
French toast with seasonal berry compote, slivered almonds....dessert for brunch. It is, hands-down, that good here.... Lots on the menu, always with a mild Latin or Berkeley-lauded bent... I.e. Kale (Berza in Spanish, or couve in Brasil or Portugal) served as side in many dishes. They overcook it, as it lacks the fresh green bright color and gives way to army green instead). Too, yams here, awesome potato cakes, fresh everything. Our service was achingly slow. In the end, when the food arrived, worth it. Courtyard is perfect for sun lovers, those with pets...many come to study, read, or get wired....WIFI free at this hidden spot of W Berkeley.
(4)Aradhana V.
Giving one extra star for their paleo muffin, so yummy! Their salad are big, unique, and delicious - so can't go wrong there either. I especially recommend the Berkeley Bowl salad, though you may want to ask them to go a bit light on the dressing since it's a bit overwhelmingly sweet. I wanted to try something else today so I got the Lox Scramble, which I wasn't too happy with (would give it a 3/5). I also made the mistake of getting a half order, which was not filling at all! The fish wasn't too flavorful either, so I wasn't too impressed. Also tried out the Vedic tea, and wasn't too impressed. Maybe next time, I'll be courageous enough to try their date shake! So, I'll be coming back! Food: If you're looking for healthy, unique options - 4/5 Ambience: Really fun, always full, and a great place to go on a sunny Berkeley day! 5/5
(4)Max V.
Great place for brunch! It's never obscenely crowded, and the food is pretty good. I've ordered the pancakes with fruit and nuts, and the lox scramble, both of which were tasty.
(4)Jennifer L.
I had the oatmeal and it was too watery for my taste. The menu said that the oatmeal consists of organic oat, pecans, and fruit. I had ONE pecan. LOL. The menu should have said organic oats and a pecan because I was really looking forward to the pecans in my oatmeal .-. So I asked the waitress if I could have more pecans in my oatmeal but of course she said they ran out, which makes sense. If I didn't give up bread for lent, I would have had the french toast though~ I give this restaurant two stars not just because of the pecan (lol) but because I came here with a group of 8 and the kitchen forgot one of our plates. Restaurants can make mistakes, but it took 15/20 minutes longer for her dish (french toast) to arrive. I felt uncomfortable eating when my friend didn't even have her dish but I had oatmeal and it was becoming even more watery. Idk the whole experience was meh.
(2)Teresa G.
I love this place owner is very friendly. Food is always fresh also if they are busy there is still not a long wait time.
(5)Aaron R.
Came here with the whole family. It was a large crowd but they didn't even flinch. All the food came out at the same time with out a single mistake. The food was absolutely to die for. Best quesadilla I have ever had! Everything was fresh from the food to the drinks. If you are looking for a great place with a great atmosphere and even better food this is the place to go!
(5)Melissa C.
Amazing eggs Benedict ! Def a hole and a wall but worth it !!!! Came with my sorority sisters had some mimosas and it was amazing! Mimosas made out of freshly squeeze orange juiceeeee
(5)Fanny Y.
Grab your dog, sunglasses and go to brunch! I had eggs Benedict with ham and it was pretty standard. The muffin was pretty thick. The scavenger plate seems popular and I'll try that next. The dog friendly patio sold me!
(4)Candace S.
I love Tomate. My only request is that you get ceramic coffee mugs. The glass mugs don't keep the coffee hot. Also, the Sobe Noodle salad should be served cold with wide sobe noodles and a perkier dressing. Otherwise, I appreciate your food and location.
(4)Jared R.
Love coming here on the weekends, good quality food, good coffee, good service considering the semi-seat-yourself status. Has wifi
(4)Alex I.
Pretty good stuff. Friendly staff and good food. Wish there were more seating for lunch rush!
(4)Olivia P.
I brought my dad here for a birthday breakfast and It was a first here for the both of us. We were not disappointed at all. The staff was really sweet and the food was magnificent. I had the half pancakes with strawberries, raspberries and almonds and my dad had the huevos rancheros. They were both excellent! And I appreciate the fact that they had real fresh squeezed orange juice. They also had fresh squeezed grapefruit and lemonade. One thing I would also add is to check in before you pay so you can use your 10% off your purchase! Thanks Tomatè Cafe!
(5)Sal G.
This place has SERIOUS issues with many of their dishes. And I'm afraid that the managers are clueless, so I would consider going somewhere else. Look - even with a better score and review before, there still were some issues, when I first reviewed this place in 2009. But I went here a few weeks ago, and the failures were SO GLARINGLY APPARENT that I will likely never return. Let me elaborate. I got an eggs Benedict dish. it came on English muffins that were barely toasted. These should be VERY TOASTED, so they can stand up to the egg yolk and hollandaise sauce. And they were also completely soggy, due to the TERRIBLE SIDE DISH of sauteed kale, which was covered in some horrible, vinegar sauce that just had a stench. Let me give you guys a suggestion (hear me on this): NOBODY WANTS A SIDE OF THIS KALE WITH A BREAKFAST DISH. And what gets me is that they serve this with several of the dishes. I appreciate you trying to inject more healthy food into your meals, but this is not how to do it. I eat kale almost daily for dinner, and I do it MUCH better. This vinegar stench ruined my entire meal. Next, they gave me (and my wife) red potatoes with our dish (did I tell you she also got the KALE, TOO?), which ended up being hard, and unappealing, lacking flavor. This is BREAKFAST, folks. Try hash browns, or if you want to do potatoes, let me suggest you go to SUNNY SIDE CAFE (now Sunny Cafe, on Solano), and try their potatoes. Diced they are cooked until a crust forms, and then hit with various herbs and seasonings - delicious. Another place with awesome potatoes? Crepevine, any of the locations. Sure, this place gets packed, due to being out of the way, not near anything, so I have to assume it's the locals who are keeping this place alive. That and the local businesses' lunch crew, since this is walking distance from many of those in this part of West Berkeley. But let me tell you this: with the MANY, GREAT breakfast and brunch options throughout the area, you'd be hard-pressed to want to go here. Many of the dishes suffer from lack of imagination, poor recipes, and/or poor execution. Having said that, I would HIGHLY SUGGEST the following brunch alternatives: The Royal Cafe on San Pablo (no, not "Mama's"), Sunny Side Cafe on Solano or Oxford Street, Bistro 1491, La Note on Shattuck Ave - along with several others in the area, all serving a dynamite breakfast. This is Berkeley, folks - a foodie MECCA. There is really no good reason to want to eat the breakfast food here at Tomate. VINEGARED KALE? What in God's name are you thinking?!!!
(2)Liza X.
Casual brunch location. Nothing that fancy, but solid food. You order at the counter, grab a number and the food is delivered to you. No one in our party ordered the french toast, but a couple nearby had and it looked delicious. You need to pay a bit more to get fruit and other toppings, but it looked good. I ordered the pulled pork omelet, which was awesome! A little unconventional, but the bbq was a great addition. The portions were quite large and very satisfying. There is a small courtyard outside where you can eat and sit in the sun. The ingredients seem fresh and they have unique combinations for their omelets. I'll definitely try to go back sometime and try out the other dishes.
(5)carrington p.
Quite bland. Beans were straight out of the can. Potatoes nearly unseasoned as well. Breakfast burrito was very boring, had to ask for salsa. Greens were totally unseasoned. Veggie patty was only highlight.
(2)Sarah K.
Incredibly bland food. I got the forager plate. No seasoning what soever was added to the beans or kale or anything on my plate, really. The potatoes were practically raw, also with almost no seasoning. I think they put a bit of salt on it. I gave them two stars because the veggie sausage was decent. It was definitely NOT worth $10. Will not be returning =(
(2)Nicco P.
The Taj Sandwich is my personal favorite. One of my friends would custom order this a few years back and they added it to the menu! She told me how she used to come to this cafe everyday after school. Around last summer I came here with her. And I'm definitely satisfied with her choice of food. Still get the same sandwich till today.
(5)John S.
Horrible! Avoid at all costs. I've been here twice recently for brunch on Sunday afternoon. Both times the food was dry & overcooked. And way overpriced for the poor quality. The staff is rude: ignoring customers, letting food orders sit on the counter to get cold, letting garbage and dirty dish containers overflow, and being so eager to finish their shift that they start stacking tables & chairs and growling at customers an hour before closing. I'll never be back!
(1)Chani P.
The pesto omlete was amazing! And it came with potatoes and sour cream which were divine. I also had the ginger tea which was fantastic. I can't wait to try the rest of the food here!
(4)Hayley L.
Food: I ordered the turkey sandwich, and while all the ingredients seemed very fresh and high quality, everything was super bland. It was actually surprising how something that looked so tasty would be so tasteless. My friend and I thought it tasted like kid's food but for grownups. Lemonade was fresh. Cost: $14 after tax and tip for a turkey sandwich and a small lemonade. That's insane. Ambiance: If you're 35-45 years old and you buy kombucha at Whole Foods, you'll fit right in. Unfortunately, my crew is more of the cheap wine at FoodMaxx variety.
(2)Rachel F.
Tomate is great! It's pretty much the only restaurant within walking distance from my work, so it's always a nice backup in case I don't bring lunch. They have so many offerings that it's actually a bit overwhelming (but that's not such a bad thing, right?). Tons of vegan and vegetarian options are available, and they also have gluten-free pastries for any celiac sufferers. Okay, so first, they serve breakfast at all hours. This is just a straight up miracle. So obviously, I tried the omelette my first time here--the eggs were great, and the portion was perfect, if not on the larger side. They accompany it with smashed red potatoes and wheat bread. I've also tried the turkey and veggie sandwiches, which were both great. They let you choose from a variety of breads, and their ingredients always taste very fresh. You can get a side of greens or potato salad--depending on how hungry you are, both are great options (although I filled up pretty quickly on the sandwich). It gets packed between 12-2pm on the weekdays, so prepare accordingly. I will continue to work my way through the menu.
(5)Brian S.
I always have a great experience here. Today was no exception. Went with a couple fiends and a dog, we were pleased to see a welcoming doggy bowl full of water for our canine friend. I got the Eggs Benedict, I always get them, they're so bomb! My friends got the breakfast burrito and the steak and eggs, we all cleared our plates and went away happy and full. See you soon Tomaté!
(5)Sharon L.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday morning. We arrived around 10AM, was able to find parking very easily and there wasn't really any wait (already a great start!). We grabbed a table after ordering some french toast with fruit and a scramble egg dish (this is a seat-your-self place). The tables are nicely decorated with fresh flower, which is a nice touch. The french toast was amazing. My boyfriend said his scramble egg was pretty good except that it definitely needs more salt. Great espresso drinks. I had a chai latte which tastes a bit watered down but maybe it's by chance. Would definitely come back again.
(4)Raka R.
What a cute gem of a cafe! Picked this place out on a sunny Thursday because it had everything I was looking for in a solo brunch--wifi, bottomless coffee, a lovely outdoor patio, and real, actual food made in a real, actual kitchen (as opposed to tiny overpriced pastries at most cafes). Much to my dismay they only have eggs benedict on weekends, so instead I settled for the italian scramble. Good, if a little on the salty side. It came with toast and potatoes with 'crema' (aka sour cream for us plebeians). All solid, but not mind-blowing. I spent about $15 altogether, which I would consider slightly overpriced for the quality, but living in the bay area for a year now has taught me better than to complain about overpriced food. Overall, it was a well-spent afternoon. I'll have to come back on a weekend to quench my lust for eggs benedict and soak up the sun on that patio!
(4)Kay V.
Spotty quality and service. Ate there three meals in a row. One was mixed, one was awful and one was pretty good. The veggie tacos are good except they charge $2.00 per taco for avocado, and $.50 for sour cream bringing the total for one taco to $6.00. Date shake is a 3 on a scale of 10. My husband had a breakfast dish of eggs and tomatoes served on bread that was soaked in some nasty oily sauce--I mean soaked and soggy. Inedible with a side of kale that looked like it was cooked in a crock pot about three days ago. I had poached eggs which were fine. For lunch we had tacos again; everyone around us got their orders before we did; we waited 35 minutes for our order and paid $36.00 for lunch for two.
(2)Julie Z.
Super fresh real food. Fresh baked bread. Great sandwiches and breakfast burritos. Everything looks so good. No processed foods. Wish we'd known about this place long ago.
(5)Louise H.
A VERY reliable place to get a really good breakfast or lunch This is a real neighborhood joint that is cozy and you can eat inside or in their lovely patio which sun, shade and even pretty flowers. I love the breakfasts which can be veyr hearty or very clean and vegan, depending on your mood. My only tiny quibble is that the coffee could be better but the fab smoothies more than make up for it!
(5)Suzanne H.
This was my second and last time eating at Tomaté Cafe. The service is really where Tomaté is lacking. It uses the order at the counter, then take a seat model. There are two food runners, but seemingly no one to bus the tables or clean the dining area. Multiple tables had dirty dishes on them and the food runners and the manager behind the counter saw customers standing around them. We had to take matters into our own hands since they would not. The manager finally got shamed into assisting a n elderly lady who asked for a rag to wipe her table off with as the only napkins available come with the utensil rolls. The table next to us ordered pancakes. Immediately when the runner brought them they were visibly burnt. The customer complained and the runner had him taste them to make sure that he didn't want to eat them before taking them back to the kitchen. The menu here sounds great, but the food doesn't quite live up to the description. The French Toast was quite good and may be the exception, but the egg sandwich on sourdough was ho-hum and the breakfast burrito was dry and bland even though you might expect the sausage to add some zing, it did not.
(2)Barnali D.
This is a nice spot for a casual brunch. I enjoyed my veggie omelette and coffee. The service was friendly and efficient. The only drawback is that it was hard to find a table (we came around noon on a Sunday - it's the sort of place where you order at the counter, are given a number, find your own table, and then have your food brought to you when it's ready.)
(4)Kenny J.
Stopped here on the way to San Francisco one weekday morning. The huevos rancheros plate was perfect - fresh, fairly heathy with great spice and at a modest price. Parking was easy enough and business was slow on this particular morning, so we were able to get our food pretty quickly and get back on the road. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Oscar T.
The food here is amazing! One of my few favorite places to eat out at. The Huevos Rancheros are epic. I don't think I've ever had anything on the menu I did not like. I also recommend trying the Vedic tea. The staff here is also very friendly. I'm glad this place is close to my house so I can have a great home cooked style breakfast/brunch with good and clean ingredients!!
(5)V W.
As you can see the first time around was 4 stars but every visit after that became less and less satisfactory. Came here on a sunday for a simple breakfast for 2 people mid afternoon and expected to get served within a reasonable amount of time, but that was not the case. My husband and I waited 40 minutes for our food and here's why. After 30 minutes I asked the cashier what is going on, cause it usually doesn't take this long and she gave me a horrible explanation. Basically breakfast takes longer, lunch/cold meals are quicker. Okay fine, but if you the staff are well aware of this don't you think it's your duty to let customers know so that they can go elsewhere? So what it came down to is I was first in line ordering a breakfast and there were about 8 people behind me who ordered lunch. No flippin' wonder I waited so long. This would have been avoided if the common business practice was to be upfront with customers. Long story short I won't be coming back. The owner did contact me about this experience, but at this point I've completely lost my appetite for Tomate Cafe'. Thanks anyway.
(1)Lina M.
Good but expensive. I love Benedict's but not here. The huevos rancheros are my favorite at this place!
(4)Lauren K.
Went here on a Sunday to check out brunch. The inside is small and a bit overcrowded but the outside is a nice area. I ordered eggs benedict and a mimosa. The mimosa was a generous portion and the benedict was a vegetarian twist on the traditional benedict. The pancakes with strawberries were amazing and the milk shakes were also very good. Overall, this is a nice casual spot for a low key brunch or lunch.
(3)Tessa S.
This cafe is a fun mix of restaurant and coffee shop. They offer free wi-fi, but ask that lingerers give up tables between 12-2 to make room for the lunch rush. The outdoor patio is also a big plus! Located on relatively quiet 5th street, this is a slightly less exhaust laden environment than many other urban patios. Not to mention, Aquatic Park is less than a 5 minute walk away... perfect for a postprandial stroll. Their chalkboard menu (something rumored to indicate yummy food!) features a variety of choices to satisfy vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Although I ordered the enticingly unique "Harvest Breakfast"--2 eggs, applewood bacon, steamed kale, zucchini cakes, fried apples and toast--my eye was drawn to steak and BBQ sandwiches. Next time!
(4)Andrew H.
Consistently delicious counter service. It's a neat space with a great sunny patio (dog friendly). Everything Iv'e tried is super tasty. I like the veggie omelet, with an iced coffee, Muy Bueno!!
(5)Edwin O.
FRENCH TOAST. This place has some of the best French toast I've had. Add the berries goes great with the almonds and powdered sugar. I usually get the jump start breakfast, but I've had some of the other options on the breakfast menu and they are pretty good too.
(4)Brother B.
A clean healthy lunch. You may have to add a little salt, but this place is my go to for a quick healthy decent lunch.
(4)T A.
They make one of the best french toasts in all the land. All..the land! Scrambled eggs were weird though.. like fried eggs but all chopped up. I like my eggs more whippie. But, that french toast.. find your mama.. warn her she might get slapped...try the french toast with berries and almonds. Doesn't even need butter. I know, that sounds crazy, but it's true. You're welcome!
(4)Amy X.
What an unexpected gem! I loved the cute, leafy courtyard seating outside... Dog friendly too. :) the Berkeley Bowl was really delicious, and the BBQ chicken sandwich was an excellent choice for the mix and match. I definitely recommend looking for Tomate if you're in the area.
(4)Chae F.
This is a small, order at the counter and get a number type of restaurant. I met a friend here for lunch and she ordered the southwest chicken salad and I got the pulled pork sandwich. There were 3 tables open after we ordered but all were dirty. We searched high and low for napkins to wipe them down but they don't keep napkins out for customers. I had to take one star for that seeing as my sandwich was extremely juicy and the single, thin, non-absorbent napkin they gave me did not cut it. Good thing I like to eat with my hands. Other than that the food was great, my sandwich was greasy but in a good kind of way. It was very satisfying and the side salad was a perfect combo to replace the fries. My friends sandwich was HUGE and she said very spicy. I do plan on returning!
(4)Patrick B.
Get your discount! 10% off if you check in on Yelp. Everyone was friendly, the food was pretty good. The mixed green salad was fresh but could have used a little more dressing/flavor. The Carnivore sandwich was tasty, the bun was fresh and crunchy but not crumb-y. There's basically no where to park and our food (two sandwiches) took almost 20 minutes to come out which was a long time for a quick lunch on a work day. I'll come back if I'm ever within walking distance of this place.
(4)Cougar U.
Been a awhile since was here, however they still always get my customized order exactly right. Friendly service. The tables are stable, seriously this is good so the drinks stay upright and off my laptop! And solid, fast internet with plugs located all along the tables by the walls. Wish there were some gluten free bread, however the corn tortillas are adequate. And thank goodness no TV!!
(4)Cindy S.
amazing! great for a nice relaxing breakfast. the eggs benedict is bomb!!!! the french toast is fluffy and deeeeelicious!! the also have a place where you can sit outside and eat with your furry babies :-) definately sayisfied with customer service and food.! will be coming back here sooooon.!
(5)Anna W.
I love the diversity of the menu here - breakfast, hearty salads, burritos, sandwiches - you can really satisfy any mood or craving here. Fast and friendly service.
(4)Jenny M.
TIP: Check on on your mobile Yelp app before paying and you get 10% off your order! This is something I forgot to do until RIGHT after we already paid for our meal :( Tomate Cafe is a really nice place to go on a warm day. There is a lot of patio seating outside and the inside gets a lot of natural lighting. My boyfriend and I went on a weekend at around 1pm and it was surprisingly empty! He ordered a Carnivore sandwich (steak and horseradish, among other things - potato salad on the side) and I ordered a full order of French Toast with almonds and berries on top. Carnivore - I thought it was very tasty but my boyfriend thought the horseradish was too strong. The meat was the best part, for sure. The potato salad that came on the side was pretty bland. French toast - SUPER filling. I could only eat 2/3 of it. I think I would have been pretty full just with a half order, actually. I looked around and it seemed like that's what most other people got too. Learned my lesson! It's definitely very tasty. On the plus side, I just popped the leftovers in the toaster oven a few hours later and it still tasted good.
(4)Charmaine O.
Love this place! Been here a couple of times and their food never failed my expectations. Their french toast are amzeballs! You can really taste the cinammon infused in the bread itself and with all the fruits on top and almonds makes it less guilty for eating such a big portion for breakfast. Haha. And their freshly squeeze orange juice is perfect!
(5)Julian E.
Uneventfull food; poached eggs came with shell pieces and water; steak was too dry; they run out of coffee; order took too long. There are much beter places to enjoy a nice brunch in Berkeley. On the positive side: live music; patio that is dog friendly.
(2)Anh-Dao T.
This is another great restaurant that has options for both meat eaters and veg eaters alike. It's a quick service cafe - you order up front and then take your number to a table. If it's warm, they have picnic tables out front which in the little courtyard. If it's cold, you're in luck because they make an amazing hot apple cider. I came here because I was craving scrambled tofu and other vegan breakfast items, which I am having trouble finding in the East Bay (aside from my go-to Rudy's.) I was so excited when I saw their specials and it included another two vegan options. I was all set for breakfast, but when I saw kale and quinoa, I just had to get one of the specials. My friend ended up getting it too, even though she's a meat eater. So delicious, filling AND good for you. With friendly service to boot.
(4)Erica E.
My kind of breakfast! Loved everything about it, thank you! I had the jump start which exceeded all expectations and my husband had the applewood bacon bene. Would definitely come back!!
(5)Zane O.
Go see Jack! Amazing service and food is top quality! Fresh as fresh gets! My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed this little hidden treasure!
(5)Miriam W.
Tomate's been in my regular brunch rotation for some months now. We got off to a shaky start but my last few meals here have been stellar. If you're a sharing pair, order these and go family style: French toast (add berries and sliced almonds) + veggie omelet (add bacon) OR Jump start breakfast + oatmeal Tomate's a winner not only because the food's consistently terrific but also because there's nary a line in sight. Queuing for brunch is not my cup of tea and thankfully I don't ever have to at Tomate!
(4)John A.
Completely over priced for this hole in the wall. Service was slow and kitchen looked dirty.
(2)Dan J.
I came here because it was close to me, has the appearance of a cozy laid back breakfast/lunch diner and was rated ok on yelp. I ordered the jump starter breakfast but i asked for bacon and sausage instead of choosing one or the other. A psychologically healthy person would expect to be charged $2 extra for that. She rang me up at $16.50. This meal typically costs $9.50. I had to haggle with the lady for my breakfast and got it down to $10.50 and I only got one piece of bacon, one tiny sausage and there is no way my scrambled eggs actually contained 2 whole eggs. The pancakes were large but I don't give 2 shits about the pancakes. I'm a man and I need meat and eggs. This place is basically dead to me now. They could put an empty lot here and I would enjoy that more than this retarded restaurant.
(1)Shurie S.
I got a BLT with veggie bacon. So good! The staff was really nice. They gave me the 10% off for checking in even though it's supposed to only be good on weekdays. The food took a little while to get to us, but it was fresh and delicious.
(5)Lee S.
I have only been here once, but I have a new favorite spot in Berkeley. The decor is light and welcoming. The menu variety is refreshing, an makes me want to come back and try more. We had the Forager plate, Harvest Breakfast, pulled pork omelet, and pork chop breakfast. I would recommend them all. The only thing you need to be aware of is during the week parking can be difficult to find.
(4)Sarah M.
Much like in romantic comedies where the main character wakes up and realizes he's been in love with his best friend all along...I have recently realized my undying love for Tomate. Much like a beautiful and loyal best friend, Tomate has always been there for me when I needed it. It has never let me down for quality, and I always leave with a warm feeling in my heart and a pleasantly full stomach. It's very "Berkeley," while having the benefits of lots of space and seating. Friendly and family-owned, unusual fusion of flavors and ethnic cuisines, and more kale then you know what to do with. I recommend the Harvest Breakfast if you like a healthy variety, the French Toast if you're feeling decadent, and the Pulled Pork Omelet if you have nothing planned for the rest of your day and you can take a nap afterwards. Decent portion sizes and balance without being overwhelming!
(4)Adriana B.
One of the few Best French Toasts around! Great employees, always friendly. Nice outdoor garden. Amazing chai lattes!!!!
(5)Mayra M.
Came here with my boyfriend for brunch. When we got there there was no line but the place was pretty full. He ordered the breakfast burrito and orange juice and i ordered the turkey avocado sandwich with a mocha. Total was around $30, I thought that was kinda pricy. Out food arrived In about 20 minutes maybe more. His burrito was ok, he really liked that avocado which was fresh (i believe was an extra $1 or $ 1.50)however the salsa was not that great. We both loved the orange juice,tasted freshly squeezed. My sandwich was also ok , it was good due to the bread and fresh avocado. Ultimately we may try this place again if we're in the area but we won't come out of our way just to come here.
(2)Albertino M.
Time: 2:48pm Purpose: Meeting a client nearby and this place was good enough with outside seating. Ambiance: Located on corner of 5th/Alliston one would figure any business door facing the streets can be enter right? Wrong here you enter a light greenish iron gate the kind that is use for like parking lots or gated community. Plenty of outdoor seating as as well as inside. Feels like it use to be another eatery before TC. Everything here makes you feel like late 70's to early 80's kind of feel chalkboard menus,wooden counters,tables. Staff: 3-4 workers guy with beard&glasses friendly as soon as I walk in. Shorter lady in her 50's hispanic took my order understands what is being ask and responds appropriately. Cleanliness: It is what it is can be better but why destroy the facade? Eats/Drinks: BBQ trip tip sandwich $8.95 and half order house salad $5.50 that's the price of each item if I had to pay. The sandwich was really tasty have a feeling the sauce was homemade there was not a taste of sugar no fat or gristles. Products: Breakfast-all day,lunch-10:30am-3pm. Egg plates,hotcakes,bagels,sides,salad,soup,sandwichesÂ, lunch plates,south of the border,lunch sides,special,daily specials,cold&hot drinks,smoothies and baked goods. Punch Line: Quiet neighborhood cafe with plenty of seating. Will make anything you want even of menu if they have it they will make it for you. Everything is freshly prepare to order using local sustainable farm to table method. Parking is street but not meter 2hr max. Final Thoughts: Come here if you want to hide out from your friends even sitting outside is no problem as you can't be seen until you walk pass the iron gates. Dogs have their own water dispenser bowl but I think they want some food to go with that.
(4)Nique F.
The best $5 lunch I've had in a loooooong time. Taco Tuesdays are totally what's up - $2 chicken or veggie tacos, 50 cents to add guac or sour cream, and the tacos are more than generous in size. The chicken was all white meat, poached and healthy; and the veggies were an unusual blend of eggplant and squash. Much appreciated! Tomate's location is cute and tucked away, sort of hidden in an otherwise industrial-ish 'hood. They have a shaded outdoor patio and a sunny diner-like interior. Lots of people were hanging with their laptops, so I'm thinking I'll need to camp out a little longer next time, as it seems to be the norm. Service was chill and friendly, though the food took longer than I expected to arrive - adding to the pleasant, leisurely vibe of the place. Bottom line: taco truck prices with cute cafe ambiance...whatcha waitin' for?
(4)Anthony Y.
Great mimosa. Friendly owner. Found this place on yelp and couldn't wait to try it out.
(5)Grace B.
I'm a breakfast snob, and this place lives up to those expectations. Somewhat pricier than other run of the mill breakfast places, but this place is not a run of the mill. My boyfriend ordered the Cuban breakfast which was such a nice flare to the "normal" breakfast options. Who doesn't love fried plantains? I had one of their specials, and it's been a while so unfortunately I don't remember exactly what it was but it was creative and delicious. Their jam was delicious too. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. A beautiful large private patio is an option to sit at too.
(5)Marcial S.
I had lunch here with my girlfriend before going back to Santa Barbara (side missions: Golden Gate Bridge and Stanford). We were amazed they make fried plantains (Salvadoran favorite) along with the pancakes and everything. We felt like we were home in Los Angeles. There even was a grandma who foced my girlfriend to take her apple cider tea with her. It was so funny. Thanks Tomato Cafe for making the last experience at Berkeley great!! We will be back soon!
(5)Barbra H.
Loved the food and the outdoor dog freindly sitting area. We met friends for breakfast and had a delicious pork chop and eggs and one of our friends had the kale scramble and asked to substitute the protein and the answer was "Yes". The owner Jack said they want to be known as "yes we can do" restaurant, how refreshing! We will be back!
(5)Tuwie N.
A decent brunch/breakfast joint. The food was good, but OVERPRICED for what you're getting. Breakfast burrito was a good size, but I personally felt like it was too much tortilla and not enough filling. The other breakfast plates and sandwiches also looked as good as it tasted. There is really something for everyone here; the menu has all the brunch classics like eggs benedict, french toast, omelettes, sandwiches, you name it. If you want to save money, drink orange juice or apple juice at home. For $3.50, you could get a whole gallon of OJ at the grocery store. My friend's hot "apple cider" literally tasted like lukewarm apple juice, no trace of spices or cidery-ness. Sorry. But it does look like a fun place to get some work/studying done, as well, as they offer free wifi with bright/sunny lighting in addition to lots of food choices.
(3)Tamara P.
I finally got around to giving this place a second try and I am happy I did! The menu has grown-- a LOT! I also saw plenty of open tables, which is a huge contrast to the last time I was there and people were camped out on their laptops just taking up space during the lunchtime rush. (There's even a sign saying they don't want people doing just that!) The service was above and beyond, very friendly and attentive. My salad was delicious, and the chicken I added to it was moist and super tasty. I never would have gone back to this place after my first visit forever ago, but thanks to the owner reaching out to me after that time, my mind was changed and I felt good about heading back in. :) This place has a good thing going!
(4)M P.
Love this place for breakfast. They have a huge menu and everything I have eaten here has been delicious! Their mimosa's are amazing. Dog-friendly patios are THE BEST. Thank you Tomate Cafe for not only making me a yummy breakfast but for letting me enjoy it with my dog! Their staff is super friendly too!
(5)Jennie W.
Super bummed about this one. Not only did the food take 40 minutes to come out, when it did ... it wasn't any good. Eggs weren't cooked, kale was over-cooked, and my cappuccino never made it to the table. Perhaps they were understaffed or in the middle of training new people, but I won't be back.
(2)Bobby S.
I've been a Berkeley resident for over six years, and of all the brunch spots I've been to, Tomate is my hands down favorite. The staff and manager are friendly and attentive. There is plenty of seating, and I've rarely had to wait long for food, even when busy. This is my preferred brunch setting for catching up with friends or family from out of town. On a weekend, you might even be greeted by live music out on the patio. Lovely. My favorite dishes include the Lox scramble, the harvest breakfast, and the french toast with berries. Free refills on the coffee is a nice touch. And why not split a muffin or a scone with a friend while you wait for your order?
(5)Jeff W.
On Monday's they have a fried chicken sandwich special! Some people might say it's similar to bake sale bettys but it's not - still a great sandwich though!
(4)John H.
Stopped here on the way home from the coast, lee side of traffic, and mostly because it's posted as a dog friendly stop. I didn't find it as fantastic as some of the reviews boast but did find it A-OK. It's a semi-self service cafe serving breakfast and lunch. Indoor and outdoor seating after ordering food at the counter. A bit pricey but good. IMO, the menu is too much; a rather large board on the wall listing all the sandwiches, salads, breakfast, and other food choices. Simpler is better for me. For $25, we had the Grilled Portobello sandwich with green salad, the Carnivore (tri tip) sandwich with potato salad, and 2 iced teas. Her comments were the Grilled Portobello was a bit too goat-cheese-ee but good. Salad was dressed nicely. My Carnivore was more bread than necessary and the tri-tip a bit rubbery .. I chose to take apart the sandwich and eat the bread as a side to the tri-tip. Potato salad was good. I wouldn't rave about the place but it was good. Not hard to find and mostly a residential area, it seemed. The tables were wobbly and could have used a good wipe down. There is one uni-sex bathroom back along side the kitchen. I'd propably stop again if passing this area with our pup - I'd try the breakfast next time.
(3)Vanessa C.
Meh, I really wanted to like this place but, the French toast was soggy the kale was over cooked - it just wasn't good. The people that work there are nice and I like the dog friendly patio but that's about it.
(2)Megan P.
I almost feel bad reviewing Tomate, as I have only ordered one menu item. I have ordered it four or five times however. Since we moved to Berkeley, we have visited Tomate for breakfast and lunch. Each time I have ordered the jumpstart breakfast. Two eggs with french toast, berries and bacon. Don't threaten me with all day breakfast. You'll get me every time. The staff is always friendly, the food is always fresh and comes out of the kitchen quickly and piping hot and they have a large dog friendly patio.
(5)Tashnia O.
Tomate Cafe is a hidden gem in the midst of Emeryville's industrial area! Thank you Yelp for once again showing me a great place to eat! Fourth street can get pretty packed for brunch on weekends and so Tomate Cafe was a great alternative find! Seating: There is both outdoor and indoor seating. The day I went (sunday) there was a live band playing so of course my friend and I sat outside! There is plenty of seating but this place can get packed pretty quickly so have someone save a seat if you're there with company. Food: SO many options! There is an entire wall filled with the different types of food offered. It's difficult to decide what to choose from so asking the person at the front can help narrow your choices. Veggie benedict: Delicious! The egg was poached on top of an english muffin and then covered in hollandaise sauce. Not the best benedict I've had but overall, no complaints! The Forager: This is one hefty meal! It's plenty of food but my friend enjoyed it all as well. I can't wait to go back here and try something else. I will definitely be returning soon!
(5)Mama G.
We did not have the same experience as most reviewers. We went for breakfast and left the bulk of our food uneaten. The portions are big and uninspired. We did not like the potatoes at all.
(2)John P.
I've been here twice so far. I wanted to try it a second time before I wrote something. I'm glad I did. The service is slow and the breakfast food mediocre and bland. It's really hard though to find breakfast food you can't make better at home. Especially with a girlfriend who makes kick ass potatoes. The first time I went the food was okay and the service rude. The second time the service was nice and the food bland. Add the cost and travel time and it's just not worth it to me. So two stars because I'll be avoiding it in the future.
(2)Hunter C.
Ehhh. Id rather go somewhere else. An omelet and a lemonade for $18?? Lol, no thanks. Not even very good and service was awkward. Bacon literally tasted like turkey bacon that was cooked too long. I think the best thing on my plate was the baked potato and sour cream that came with it.. Which is hard to mess up... Save your money!
(2)Kaitlyn E.
I remember liking this place when I was in high school, but I hadn't gone back in nearly two years since I attend school in Oregon. However, this afternoon, my dad and I ventured to Tomate since we were in the area. I had high expectations--my memory did not serve me well. I ordered the lunch combo--half the Chicken Gobbler sandwich and half of the Chicken Southwest salad. The sandwich was decent; the bread was toasted perfectly, but the sandwich itself was so boring... I expected it to have a little more flavor... but the chicken was plain and dry. The salad was a bit odd. When I think of southwest salads i think of tortilla chips, corn, black beans, and some spice... the chicken was great, and worked well with the concept of a southwest salad, but it kind of just seemed like a bunch or random stuff thrown together... And I did not like the dressing at all. It was too sweet and tasted too strongly of agave or honey... it was just an odd flavor that I personally didn't like very much. My dad had the Soba Salad with chicken. The chicken in this salad was the exact same as the one in the southwest salad! It did not go with the salad at all. The salad also had broccoli which was kind of weird... and way too much cabbage. I think the chicken could have easily been teriyaki flavored or even sesame flavored... which could also be done with their tofu option... and the soba salad could have included things like edamame, red bell peppers, green onion, even thinly cut green beans. The soba salad was also warm... which i don't think was smart either... I definitely would have preferred it to be cold. The atmosphere is nice however; very open seating and i really like the space outside. The weather was perfect and I can imagine staying there for quite some time reading or being productive... there's free wifi which is nice too! Maybe I just ordered the wrong things... but i was not impressed at all and very let down. Maybe I'll try their breakfast items and have more luck with that.
(2)Amar T.
Food didn't look that appetizing and didn't even taste that good. Wanted to go to Bette's but it was father's day and the wait was over 1.5 hours and this place had no wait. Now I know why.
(2)Bill H.
Tomate Cafe is a fine place to get breakfast on a weekend. I go because it's a nice walk from my place and they have a large dog-friendly patio. On my most recent trip, I enjoyed a salmon omelette with generous portions of fish, a couple forkfuls of salad and a few potatoes covered in sour cream. Tasty! In the few times I've been here there's never been a wait, and there's also plenty of indoor seating. The experience and ordering is diner-style. Order at the register, wait for your order at the table. Coffee and water is self-serve.
(4)Daisuke Y.
My favorite breakfast & lunch place in Berkeley. A great mix of Californian and Mexican bites, a welcoming interior and staff.
(5)Christine C.
My new favorite brunch spot in the Bay Area! Why? healthy AND delicious. I highly recommend the forager plate. I was so impressed that they give you half of an entire yam. This meal was so satisfying and filling that I wasn't hungry until late at night. I also tried the southwest chicken salad. Again, huge portions, very healthy and delicious; the amount of dressing was perfect and not overwhelming. I absolutely can't wait to come back here when I return to Berkeley again :)!!
(5)Andrew C.
Running an errand in Berkeley and found Tomate Café on Yelp. It's tucked away in a semi-industrial part of Berkeley. You order at the counter and get a number for your table. The line was about 8 deep at 1pm on Sunday. The g/f got the Veggie Benedict and I went with the Carnivore sandwich. Veggie Benedict comes with spinach and tomato plus sides of kale and baked potato ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ) Decent hollandaise with a sprinkle of paprika. The poached eggs were pretty overcooked like between a medium and hard boil yolk ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ). Roasted tomatoes a nice touch. Baked red potato is a healthier alternative to pan-fried options. The Carnivore is Tri-tip with housemade horseradish sauce, red onion, and watercress. I chose a green salad over potato salad ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ) Not bad. The lean meat was medium to medium-well and a little underseasoned ( yelp.com/biz_photos/toma… ) The red onion and horseradish were in clumps jarring a couple of bites until I rearranged things. Basic salad was lightly dressed. Servers seemed a little harried with the constant influx of new diners. Might venture back to see if it's less crazy for weekday lunches.
(3)Ryan A.
We went here for breakfast. We waited an hour and 15 minutes for the food. It sucks because we were excited. The place is packed! We figured the food would be good. I had the steak burrito but there was no salsa or guac or sour cream. what?? Black beans only.. WTF.. My glass coke ran out quickly. No beans or rice on the side.. I tried my moms quesadilla but they use shredded chicken and not grilled chicken.. plus it was wet for some reason on the bottom. I'd had way way better. The staff tried to right the wrong of waiting an hour and 15 minutes but it was too late. By the way, the pancakes were burnt and they also did not have enough syrup on them. Not to mention, no napkin dispensers.. This place is almost a joke for having that many people go here.. its crazy.
(2)Natcha W.
Nothing so special about this place. I'd rather cook at home than pay $$ for food here. Their French toast is soggy and oily. There eggs and sausage are just ordinary. Their bacons are hard. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(2)Bijan A.
Good food, good service, good people, perfect for a sunday breakfast or brunch.
(5)PeeJay R.
Go somewhere else. We waited 45 mins for a mediocre order of eggs, bacon, pancakes and oatmeal. Let that sink in for a second. When it became obvious they had forgotten our order, as people who came in 20 mins after us were served, the hostess repeatedly told us "your food is on its way." No apology. No accountability when our food finally arrived. The hostess/server could've cared less.
(1)Foodivore ..
Food is fresh and DELICIOUS! I had the FRENCH TOAST w/ seasonal fresh berries and nuts...beautifully presented! The Orange juice must've been fresh squeezed, and that was yummy as well. Bright, clean atmosphere. The menu is written on a wall as you enter the cafe. You place your order, get a number and the food is brought to your table. Water and condiments are on a self serve basis. This place isn't hard to find but can easily be missed, so keep an eye out for all the signs that point to the cafe. Worth checking out!
(4)David V.
Tomate Cafe is a solid 3 Stars for me. I like a lot of the ideas on the menu, but some items we ordered were poorly executed. My wife told me in no uncertain terms that breakfast places are not allowed to mess up eggs...Tomate Cafe messed up 3 out of 4 poached eggs outright, and the 4th one wasn't so stellar either. It's hard to have a lot of love for a breakfast place that makes that error. Additionally some of the items we had were a little under seasoned...simply on the bland side. They have a lot of healthy options and there is a true freshness that comes through in a lot of what they do...especially their greens! Come here for healthy options... Come here for fresh ingredients... Come here for free internet in a quiet setting...
(3)Rita L.
The veggie benedict ($9.95) was good. One poached egg was a tad over, but the other one, with it's runny goodness, made up for it. It had tomato and spinach on top of the eggs, on top of an english muffin, so pretty standard. There was a generous amount of hollandaise! I liked that it also came with a side of sauteed kale, which had a ton of pepper in it to give it some kick, and potatoes. The large fresh squeezed orange juice was worth the $5, I thought, but I disliked the seed fragments floating along. There is an okay amount of indoor seating, but maybe not enough considering how busy this place gets, which is surprising seeing how it's tucked away in a random part of town. There is plenty of outdoor seating though! I noticed most patrons order the more mexican inspired dishes, so maybe I should go for that next time. Oh and you bus your own table here. The people at the table before us failed to realize this and we had to get someone to help clear the table.
(3)Jennifer N.
My first visit was very disappointing, but the owner was kind enough to invite us to give Tomate Cafe another shot. This gesture alone made a huge difference for me as it is all too common for people to just not care. It was refreshing to see that as busy as they are, the owner makes it a priority to ensure great customer service. My husband and I ordered the same exact thing for comparison reasons and just as the first time, it was delicious. The food came out in five minutes! Note that we did come during lunch on a weekday versus a weekend as we did the first time. Service was friendly. Details like little flowers and herbs at the tables were cute and the hot chocolate was decadent and perfect. The portions are pretty good too. You will definitely not leave hungry! Their menu is huge and extensive. I would recommend checking it out online first as the restaurant gets busy and you might not have as much time to review your options in line. When you come in, you order at the front, take a seat and the food will be brought to you. The quality of food and offerings is enough to bring me back for sure. I will recommend this spot to friends looking for a local breakfast/ lunch spot. I would avoid weekends though because it's so busy, you don't want to spoil your experience with slow service if they're backed up. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Jerry P.
This spot is just at the very end of my willing walking distance from work. They have a nice menu with a very good variety of breakfast, salad, and lunch items. The owner and waitstaff are friendly and attentive. I particularly like the outdoor patio area when the weather permits. Food is very good - I've been there a few times with no complaints. I like the burritos and tacos, good sized portions. Sandwiches are made with quality ingredients and choices are nice - I like the carnivore, rooster and tuna melt. Breakfast options are reliable - although I sometimes wish they had homefries instead of the red potatoes with crema, I have to admit it is a healthier option. Yesterday I had the pulled pork omelette and it was really good. I wasn't sure about the concept when I ordered but I am a believer now. Tip - sometimes on Fridays the line for lunch can be pretty long, but the worst wait I have had for food was aobut 20 minutes.
(3)Bonnie W.
I would say somewhat average. Food is a little on the pricey side for what you get. Mostly a breakfast spot, with a very large menu. Stay away from the Soba salad, unless you like filling your stomach with a bunch of oil.
(3)Debbie N.
It's a cute place and seems like a family run business. I like the healthy variety and selections on the menu. And there's a cute outdoorsy patio area. The reason for the bad rating: We ordered the Veggie Benedict and Harvest Breakfast. They overcooked the poached eggs. On both of our orders. The yolks were firm. I probably would not come back since there are many other places to try in the East Bay.
(2)Ladonna A.
Not really a fan of the order and pay first restaurant, but I came in with an empty stomach and a thirst for coffee so i did not mind. The place had a uncomfortable feel. It was raining out and the place looked chilly. I ordered my coffee which you get from a dispenser in which you see at offices and cafeterias. The gave me what seems to be a beer glass to fill my coffee which I believe ruined the taste and the whole experience of drinking coffee. Glass tall mug, really though?! Anyway, the meal came, I had the breakfast veggie omelet to my surprise tasted real good. It came with a side of baked potato (which was new) since I always expected baked potato to be with dinner time and my paramour got the patty burger which was so so to him. Overall, my experience was OK. Seriously not down for the pay and then seat and eat place, but it was worth the try.
(3)Namuun B.
Came here on a Sunday for brunch. Really nice family friendly atmosphere and they had a band playing, which was very entertaining. So Berkeley! I tried the French toast, it was good! It's a self seated place, so there isn't much of a customer service. It was kind of busy so we waited for almost 30 minutes to get our food.
(4)Maggie L.
Still my favorite breakfast spot. I come here almost every weekend to indulge in their delicious food. I always highly recommend the Huevos Rancheros and an iced mocha, you won't regret it
(5)Lindsay M.
Checked out Tomate Cafe this past weekend as a result of eating at Rudy's Can't Fail a few too many times and exploring other weekend brunch options that the East Bay has to offer. Despite the super cold stone slats to sit on outside (went in a group of six, and we weren't lucky enough to find space in the sun), we really enjoyed our meal! Tomate has great vegetarian options and large portions, which - I don't know about you - but is definitely a requirement for my morning meals. The prices were reasonable and there were a variety of good-looking choices. My friends and I changed our minds quite a few times. No waiters, you order at a register; not sure if you care, but sometimes that's an important factor. Lots of choices for condiments (when I see restaurants WITHOUT sri racha, I'm like WTF this is 'MURICA) and coffee/tea/mate. All in all, great little cafe - wasn't too busy, lots of veg and meat options, and there was even live music playing in the courtyard!
(4)Stephanie C.
Fresh, delish food. Convenient. Outdoor and indoor seating. Cozy. Went here for a quick brunch as well as a birthday party -- worked well for both. Definitely one of my favorite spots!
(5)Debora L.
I'm almost scared to review this grubbin' cafe because I don't want to share it. Went here on a lazy sunny Sunday morning and was blown out of the water by how much I loved it. For my tastes, it's spot-on: - High quality, fresh, "Berkeley" food - A genuinely conscientious owner who's friendly, honest, and has a self-described aversion to cheap, low-quality food - Reasonable prices - Huge amount of vegetarian and VEGAN options (try the forager plate; it's simply marvelous) - Wide selection of teas - Outdoors patio seating for your k9 friend and 2-wheeler - Fast and friendly service - Notable eats: eggs benedict, forager plate, hummus - free WIFI Other handy details and factoids: - Street parking - Occasional live local jazz Sunday mornings before 1:30p - According to the owner, the Eggs Beatrice (weekends only) is popular amongst females. No idea why. - Can get quite busy - often, there's a line out the door...
(5)Pam K.
Husband and I had brunch here on Saturday and ordered the bagel with lox for me and the bbq pulled pork omelette for him. Yum!!! They are also dog friendly and have plenty of outdoor seating. The wait for the food was a bit long, but bearable and completely worth it.
(4)Denise S.
I love Tomate Cafe! This place is definitely one our neighborhood favorites not only because the food is amazing but also because it stays open relatively late for breakfast/lunch on the weekends. I tend to alternate between the Cuban Breakfast and the French Toast with a heaping mound of fresh fruit and almonds (my favorite) Great fresh food, strong coffee and lots of seating. This restaurant gets really busy on the weekends so be prepared to wait a little bit; it's definitely worth it. If you have a chance to sit outside in the cute little courtyard then I suggest you do so.
(5)Arlyn J.
Great food. I had the barbecue chicken sandwich and it was delicious. I will pass on the potato salad next time but the rest of my party liked it. They Italian sausage sandwich was given rave reviews. The lack of parking is the only bad thing about this place.
(4)Elaine L.
The outdoor seating is cute and since it was such a nice day my friend and I decided to sit outside. Notes: - It's an order and take a number type place - I totally forgot about the 10% off with check in :( - I got the Harvest Breakfast. The zucchini cheese cake seemed a little soggy, a better crisp on it would have been nice. The kale wasnt as bitter as I've had at some places which is good. I got the eggs over easy and it also came with your choice of toast. Standard sausages. Cinnamon fried apples had good flavor but again I wish there was a better crisp to it. - My friend got the Jump Start Breakfast. It came with eggs, meat and either french toast or pancakes. The serving of french toast was generous for a side and it came with all these berries and almond slices which was refreshing. Out of the two plates, I liked hers better because the zucchini and kale which was unique to my dish was a little lack luster. -There are no condiments, salt, pepper, etc outside so you have to go back inside to get everything and bring them back. Maybe I'm complaining about it because I was feeling a little lazy and I'm sure most people don't mind... -lots of dogs and kids to entertain you while you people watch! -easy free parking right outside the restaurant Overall: - it was a nice place to have an outdoor catch up session with my friend with the easy (and free!) parking. However, the food wasn't bad but wasn't impressive either. There are better brunch places in Berkeley.
(3)A M.
really good food, just a little pricey
(3)Andre M.
Potato Salad is surprisingly good
(4)Ninad S.
One of my favorite cafes to grab lunch from around Berkeley - free wifi, service is quick and friendly, and the food is tasty. The place fills up around noon but for those like me who are used to grabbing late lunches, I never have a problem finding a seat either inside or on the patio out front My two favorite sandwiches on the menu are The Taj and the Pork Sandwich, but that being said I've enjoyed everything I've eaten here.
(4)Beth G.
I wanted to get out of the neighborhood, so we headed over to Berkeley to try a breakfast spot there. Lots of choices in Berkeley, and they seemed to have lines out the door! The Tomate Café, while busy, did have a few open spots outside for us to sit down and enjoy our breakfast. It was a bit chilly, and I would have preferred a cozy table inside, but the weather's certainly not their fault. This is an order at the counter, and they bring you your breakfast later kind of place. Our breakfast arrived pretty quickly. Sweetie was annoyed that the coffee carafe was empty and no one seemed to care--they definitely lost a star there. I had ordered the eggs Beatrice, and it was really good---eggs and tomatoes on toast with an herb sauce. Kind of like eggs benedict, but only kind of...Sweetie had a pesto omelet, and he thought it was grand. All in all, I would prefer a full service restaurant to nurture me a bit on a weekend morning, but this was good food that definitely hit the spot. If they were on top of the coffee thing, I would have gone for the 4 stars.
(3)Mary P.
Breakfast the way it should be, awesome. I wanted to try everything but settled on the sausage omelette. I have never, ever, ever seen an omelette stuff full of so much food. Served next to your eggs is a smashed potato. I'll skip because, it seemed microwaved rather than baked. The poor round potato was missing that light and fluffy texture when cooked correctly. You fetch your own coffee, which I love because I love coffee and they waitress never goes around enough. The french bread is thick cut with fruit and syrup. They have vegetarian plates, vegan plates, and some gluten free goodies. Pro tip: there is no hostess to seat your so watch for dinners ready to leave so you can jump in and snag a table.
(4)Lindsey F.
Perfect place to go for any type of breakfast mood. We were eating closer to lunch time, so I went for the Foragers. Sweet potato roasted perfectly, yummy turnips, and steamed kale served with two eggs, rice, beans and cantaloupe. Super satisfying. My partner got a lox scramble which was really tasty. Definitely want to go back and try more of their breakfast and lunch. Everything sounded and looked amazing! We sat outside to take advantage of the sun in their cute patio area. Plenty of seating inside as well!
(4)TiYanna L.
I enjoy this place quite a bit. The food is always good and nicely plated. I also enjoy that it is on the other side of the freeway, away from the hustle and bustle of 4th street shopping. The half order of french toast with fruit and almonds is my go to meal. I also enjoy the yogurt with granola and fresh berries. The orange juice is fresh and the hot apple cider is delicious! I have never come here and had a bad meal. Sunday's they usually have a live band playing which is nice & the outside seating area is dog friendly :). I don't eat red meat, pork, or eggs so I cant tell you how a majority of the other food tastes, but I will say my friends do and whenever I see and smell their food...I want to convert my ways! They also have a small pastries collection and the menu is very vast, so come here and enjoy!
(5)Kathy L.
Cute little brunch place tucked away in the back (side? front? whatever) of Berkeley. Fresh ingredients, so a little pricier, but still about the same as any other fancy brunch place you'll find in the area. Sometimes they have a live band playing outside too. I had the french toast, which were thick, soft, sweet (even without maple syrup) with fresh fruit - blueberries & strawberries. The eggs, which I got scrambled, were ridiculously fluffy and tasty. I normally can't stand scrambled eggs but got it on a whim, and was very pleasantly surprised. The bf got the cuban breakfast, which came with rice, black beans, plaintains, eggs, shrimp, and greens. VERY filling, but we were expecting a bit more...oomph? I guess you could say. Make sure to get a glass of their fresh-squeezed OJ!
(4)Rachael N.
3.5 stars. Gathered here recently in my past SF trip to meet up with friends around Berkeley. I was rather surprised, that at 10am, we could seat a table of 12, with no reservations! Nice place to meet up- had it been a little warmer, maybe we could of sat outside! This place is a good place to meet up for breakfast- with their fresh squeezed juices. I ordered the gourmet pesto scramble- and it was pretty tasty- not too oily, with a ton of broccoli and pesto in it... well worth its buck. The others said they liked their scrambles as well. Everything here was pretty standard- it's a cute little breakfast spot, but nothing was mind-blowing about the food. But if you're looking for a place with easy parking and have a large party, with good food, stop by here for sure! Plus, you get 10% off your bill on weekdays. That's a nice plus!
(3)Anna V.
I think I've found my new favorite East Bay brunch spot! Nice outdoor seating, super dog friendly, and fresh ingredients! Take a look at the board, order at the counter, and pick a table outside to soak up some sun with brunch :) I'm a huge fan of benedicts and I love how this place mixes it up a bit (bacon benedicts with a potato and kale on the side).
(4)Cindy L.
Nice little brunch place. Love their French toast. Not too greasy. Lentil soup was ok. I want to assume their hygiene is ok, but there are just too many flies, especially in the summer.
(4)Christine Y.
OMG I'm so into their french toast. Their french toast (don't get the homemade maple syrup for $1 extra, I personally think the normal one tastes exactly the same if not better) with the extra $3 for fruit is so worth it. Not TOO sweet, but delicious nevertheless.. Their other breakfast entrees are pretty good, and I don't even LOVE breakfast that much. Their prices are a WEE high, but brunch is a trend these days so I understand. recommend!! :)
(4)Marc F.
I wanted to try this place again after I received a friendly e-mail from the owner after my first Yelp review which was negative. Sorry to say, the second visit was not an improvement. I ordered the same thing again, tri-tip sandwich and a lemonade. At $14 for that order, this place was never going to be a regular spot for me - too expensive. But the real problem is that the tri-tip was not cooked or handled properly. A tri-tip needs to be grilled whole to medium or medium rare and then sliced across the grain. If you over cook it and slice it with the grain, you get thin slabs of tough shoe leather which is what was served on my sandwich at Tomate. In addition, instead of the garlic/horseradish dressing and watercress in the sandwich that I had a few weeks ago (which I looked forward to), I found a syrupy red sweet and sour sauce inside today which completely ruined the flavor of the steak sandwich.
(2)Nicki F.
One of my good friends and I met here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I ordered an ABLT - the A stands for apple wood smoke bacon - on focaccia bread, and it was DELICIOUS! I doubt I have enjoyed a BLT sandwich as much I enjoyed that one ever and I don't even like bacon... I don't know what compelled me to order a BLT but I'm glad I did! The place was packed when we got here around 1:15pm. This place is a regular cafe, so it doesn't take reservations. Even though the food was exceptional quality, I'm giving 4 stars because the service was terrible. None of the servers ever came to wipe our table clean when we finally got one. I thought it strange that the cafe does not provide napkins accessible to the customers; you have to go up to the counter and ask for them. -_- The service aside, make sure you order the ABLT if you come visit!
(4)Stephanie D.
I personally found their food to be a bit comme ci comme ca. I tried a breakfast burrito and the ingredients weren't mixed together well. It was rather flavorless. I was not impressed by this. However the coffee they brew is extremely delicious. So that was a plus at least.
(3)R B.
Wow - surprisingly tasty. The husband had a chicken sandwich (his staple) which he was impressed by. He was a little disappointed in the side salad which was supposed to be mixed greens and consisted mostly of romaine (which he hates so the salad was wasted). I had the huevos and I've gotta say - one of the most unique preparations. They used two fried tortillas - tostada style. So good! And the ranchero sauce was great! I also got the potato zucchini cakes which could have been a little firmer. All in all pretty good. The reason 3 stars instead of four is because the hour we waited for our food. It was Sunday at noon and a lot of ppl there. Maybe faster on off hours?
(3)Shannon L.
I never expected to eat one of the best french toasts here. I'm just going to load up on the Semifreddis Cinnamon Twist Bread and eat that for the rest of my life. If anyone tries to make me french toast with anything else, I will just scoff at them, throw the bread in their face, and ridicule them for serving me trash. But in all seriousness, I don't even like french toast. I'm a pancake girl. And this piece of bread... at Tomate... has the power to convert me. To balance out my sweet dish, I also tried the Harvest Breakfast which is rightly named but could be more so rightly named with something like "What Berkeley eats." Just look at my picture and you'll agree that even WITH bacon, it screams health nut, hippie, freak. But don't get me wrong, it was pretty good. The "zucchini cheese cake" or zucchini potato pancakes was really interesting to eat. The fried apples were neither too tart nor sweet. The bacon tasted legit... from a lean and happy pig. And the portions just seemed right. I shared this with a friend but it's almost like a sample platter of various things that give you more than a tease, but enough to appease. Don't forget to order one of their drinks... a mocha or one of the uber healthy teas. They're all great!
(4)Taylor S.
I visited this spot with my family and was looking forward to having a new lunch spot in West Berkeley. So, while I had high hopes, I have to say that we won't be coming back. First, the good: yes, the french toast was really great. Best french toast in years. Amazing! And the outdoor seating area is really nice - beautiful even! But here is where the good ends. The service was incredibly slow. The place was half filled, no lines for ordering, and we still had a 25 minutes wait for out food. The pancakes (we tried both plain and blueberry) were terrible. Not even so-so. Bad. Overcooked, and super mealy. And the breakfast burrito was completely tasteless. Seriously! No taste! The $6 date shake did not taste like dates at all. It wasn't bad tasting but didn't taste like dates. And lastly, the metal outdoor tables are a terrible choice for sunny days. We changed tables almost immediately because half of us were blinded. (The upside is that we had such a good time watching everyone else struggle with this same issue after we changed tables.) Anyway, terrible first impression. High hopes dashed. But not even the french toast can save this place for me...Won't be coming back.
(2)Audra M.
I loved this place. I got the french toast which was absolutely heavenly. The fresh fruit and almond slivers was such a great treat. The bread they used is a cinnamon swirl bread which made it even more delightful. The coffee is sooo good. The flavor is just perfect. I have never had a better cup of coffee. The service was great as well. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jennah B.
Horrible service. We waited an hour + to get our order. There were 5 of us and we ordered the same thing. 4 parties that came after us got their food first. We all just ordered bacon, eggs, and french toast. Super disappointed with the service. The food itself wasn't impressive. We traveled pretty far to try this place and it was a horrible experience.
(1)Vivian L.
Music, food, & good company is all you need. There is inside and outdoor seating, and it's especially great outside if you can listen to the band on the weekends and enjoy the summer weather. I tried the breakfast food here, which is pretty good. Try the French toast with fruits & almonds. It is Delicious with the right amount of sweetness. also had the ice coffee, which is good, and the Burma to go. That is a nice treat to enjoy after you're done with the meal.
(4)Nida K.
I had to come here twice because I was taking a class at the Mosaic School. They had a good selection and it was very quick that I wasn't late to the class either day. It wasn't a place that I would write home about and someplace I would drive to, but if I were taking a class again and was hungry... I will return here.
(3)Nicholas J.
Breakfast food might be my favorite meal anytime of day. So when I was driving back from Berkeley one afternoon I yelp places to eat and for some amazing reason came here. I've now been back a dozen times and tried many things on the menus always very pleased with the price and taste. It's good food with great variations. The services is over the counter and very laid back in a bohemian part of B-town, a little off the better path. I think that just makes it a lill bit more special. It always has people hanging out with nice outdoor setting and wifi you can come here have a Great meal to fuel that essay that was due a week ago. I'm not an English major so my essays are horrible and never on time, the exact opposite of this Berkeley breakfast gem. So if you find yourself hungry in west Berkeley or driving up the 580 take a detour to this place and grab some amazing breakfast. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Chris O.
Food is generally pretty solid but I can't help feeling ripped off everytime I unwrap the rather small sandwich I just paid almost $9 for... which isn't often, only on those desperate and rare occasions. Feels like I'm paying an extra $3 for a small container of dry potato salad. Ugh. The people are always friendly though.
(2)Jennifer C.
Very good food at more reasonable prices than many of the other local joints, and you don't even have to wait for an hour!
(5)Kelly M.
Everything is scrumptious and tasty. Really! The eggs, and omelet, a sandwich, a salad, you name it, everything somehow has so much flavor built in. The only negative is that they make you get up from 12-2 during lunch hour if you are dining solo. When I dine solo, I take my computer out, but they want turnover on their tables. While I understand not wanting people to order one latte and then hoard their table all day, I have ordered breakfast, drinks, and lunch, only to be told I had to get up. Guess what, that's why it loses a star and I haven't been back.
(4)Jackie Z.
Tomate cafe is a hidden gem! Great place to work remote while eating delicious food. Enjoyed the jump start breakfast which included the best French toast in the Berkeley area. Would highly recommend this cafe for anyone who is looking for something to do before 3pm.
(5)Stephanie Z.
I work nearby, so I've eaten here many times. Solid, but depending what you get can be hit or miss. In my experience their coffee, shakes/smoothies, and bakery items are good. Sandwiches, salads and falafel are decent, but tend to err on the side of bland/underdressed. Their tacos, black beans, and plain pieces of meat (pork chops, chicken) are very bland, and the meat has been overcooked every time I've tried it.
(3)Lupe M.
Great place for a delicious breakfast or lunch! Tomate Cafe offers a large selection of breakfast and lunch options. There are plenty of egg plates to salads to tasty sandwiches. Though quite busy, my group and I enjoyed our food and service was quite good! There is also a good selection of vegan offers. What a great way to start a new day!
(4)Jennifer W.
The menu is pretty big, but pretty standard offerings. This place is vegetarian and vegan friendly. For breakfast, there's egg plates, omelettes, scrambles, pancakes, oatmeal, granola, bagels, pastries. For lunch, there's sandwiches, soups, and salads. They also have burritos, quesadillas, and tacos. Tacos are $2 on Tuesday. They serve McLaughlin Coffee. The fresh squeezed orange juice is the real deal. The harvest plate is a good, hearty sampling. The fried apples were caramalized and super sweet, syrupy. The zucchini cakes were delicious, but didn't taste much cheese. The eggs were perfect and not sure what kind of sausage used. The jumpstart plate is similar, except with a bready item. I could be wrong, but I don't think they actually forage the items served in the forager plate, but they are all things in season. The eggs benedict were good, but not the best. I think there was just too much hollandaise sauce. There was a branch of boiled kale, which I thought was bland. There was also a whole roasted red potato, which was delicious with the sour cream. I got some bonus bacon too. It's a little out of the way unless you work in this industrial part of town, but worth the trip. There are a good many people who congregate at this hidden gem. Come on for brunch when there is a live band. That's my favorite thing about this place. Service is slow during brunch. Prices are decent. Don't forget to check in for 10% off.
(3)Noam T.
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(5)Peg S.
How did I never hear of or see this place? They serve wonderful brunch fare. I got the harvest breakfast - the zucchini cheese cake and fried apples were refreshingly different for breakfast and surprisingly good (also comes with kale salad, toast, choice of meat, slice of fruit). I liked the variety, the lightness, and portion size of the food - a little of everything without feeling overly full. The jump start breakfast would be a great way to combine the elusive savory with sweet. The french toast looked amazing. The best part - hardly a wait for brunch, plus they've got a nice seating area outside for warm days. This may be my new favorite breakfast place!
(4)Katherine B.
This is a wonderful little spot tucked away in Berkeley. If you're here, check in on Yelp before ordering and get 10% off (I wish I had!) Since I'm basically a tourist, I had no idea how to order. It looked to me like there was a restaurant portion and a bakery portion. I was wrong. Fortunately, some Berkley-ites took me in and showed me the way. You order at the counter, get a number, then cross your fingers that you find somewhere to sit. The seating gods were with me the day I was here, and I snagged a great table outside. We ordered the Huevos Rancheros (big surprise) and the Cuban Breakfast, which had eggs, rice, beans, plantains, and shrimp, and was absolutely delicious, and a unique thing to have on the menu. My sister was raving about the Ginger Tea, and it was so good I tried to steal it away. The only other downside is that there is only one bathroom. When I was in line for it, the people in front of me told me that they were giving grades based on speed. No one received a gold star to my knowledge.
(4)