Tia’s

Always come for the delicious deluxe breakfast burritos. Super friendly staff and great service! Nice atmosphere

Ordered the egg burrito. It was good and nice portion. I would recommend to go here.

Disappointing. Food was just ok, worst cappuccino I’ve ever had (more foam than anything), and the ketchup lid broke while shaking it, splattering one of my breakfast guests with ketchup. The breakfast burrito was decent, but overall everyone was just disappointed.

Great sandwiches, coffee, the ice cream selection is amazing! Love this place! Every time I’m in the area I make a point to bring friends. Great place to study or catch up on some work.
Friendly family owned always greets you with a smile. Great place to stop.

I’m always looking for a new coffee spot in downtown Berkeley. I showed up at Tia’s with high hopes after reading other reviews, but those were dashed when I saw that the baked good selection was wrapped in plastic wrap (never a good sign of freshness) and that they «proudly serve pete’s coffee». Proudly serving pete’s coffee is like proudly serving poop. I don’t know that I’ll risk coming back to try anything from the kitchen if the coffee/​baked good selection is any representation of quality.

My husband and I went here on a Thursday morning before one of my grad school classes. I ordered the scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and a mocha. It’s tough to mess up oatmeal (and she did not), the scrambled eggs were some of the best I’ve had, and the mocha was also very good. My husband ordered one of the breakfast burritos (with bacon, I believe). I tried just a bite of it and it was full of good flavor. Neat atmosphere with inspirational sayings on the wall, and she got us our food very quickly. Would definitely go back!

Randomly wandered in here for a breakfast burrito on some good breakfast burrito recommendations when I was in Berkeley, and it met my expectations. A little on the small side (about half the size of a Mission style burrito), but good taste and filling (because a lot of white potatoes).
If someone could make a burrito with sweet potatoes, I would buy it immediately. All in all, it wasn’t too expensive and a good breakfast stop — I looked at the menu and I wanted to try other things as well. I’d probably try a few other places before I came back again.

My friends and I always come here to study! There are so many plugs, the bathroom’s so clean, they have lots of snacks like bars and ice cream. I like their breakfast, everything else is so-​so.

Is it a café? Or ice cream place? Or is it a convenient store? This place doesn’t know what it wants to be. The food is okay, it took a while. I had the alpha beta veggie and it had way too much eggplant. the decorations are ridiculous. They tried to cover up all the drainage lines with posters. It’s a bit scary to look up. I can’t imagine would what happen if an earth quake happens. I’m confused. This place is confusing

There’s just something about this place that doesn’t jive with me. Maybe it’s the overabundance of snack and candy displays that make it feel less like a café, and more like a mini-​mart. The silver metallic seats don’t have that that «sit-​in-​me-​and-​study-​for-​hours» feel either.
While I probably wouldn’t put this place as my top, to-​go coffee spot, I can see why this would make a good study space. There’s at least 1 outlet every seat and it’s relatively quiet and empty (I went on a Saturday evening). The coffee isn’t anything special, just typical Peets blend but I LOVE that they serve Tara’s!
It’s a pretty solid 3 star place, not worth the trek but not the worst either. I’d put down the sandwiches on my to-​do list if I’m ever in the area during lunch time.
+1 for cleanliness and a nice clean bathroom
–1 for the slightly watered down iced coffee

Breakfast is solid here. My go-​to when I didn’t have a chance to grab something at home and/​or whenever I feel like it.
Large breakfast burritos with legit tortillas (lard style). Large is relative to downtown Berkeley – they are the biggest I’ve found in the area. The salsa they use is really good – goes well with the eggs and potatoes [if you opt for them]. Price (progresses with more fillings): $ 3.99, $ 4.50, and $ 5.25. Size/​quality is best value I’ve found to date.
My co-​worker just brought in a breakfast sandwich. It is massive on two full slices of the round sourdough & cut in half… I have a weakness for sourdough. I’ll post a review on that once I try it. But it looks like everything I want in life… I had assumed it was a muffin-​type presentation… I now have sandwich envy.

Came here with friends to study and enjoy some drinks because both Starbuck’s were full. I was actually very excited for this excuse to visit this place because of the stellar reviews from my fellow Unilocalers. However, we were left with an average experience that fell extremely short beyond what I read online.
The drinks: they serve Peet’s coffee so i was excited to be met by a strong cup of coffee that I’ve grown to know and love from Peet’s. However, my iced coffee with soy milk was little more than brown water. The ice melted so quickly that five minutes later my drink was practically undrinkable. Also, they charged my a dollar for my soy milk, I drink it for the taste but if you’re lactose get ready to pay an extra dollar for milk in your two dollar coffee.
The seating is standard café fare. Small tables with a long bench that runs around the café and chairs on the other side. I was excited to see all the charging strips but when I went to plug my charger in I found out that the strips weren’t plugged into anything (are they decoration?) Also, we had to wait for seating since some of the employees were using the tables for their own uses for some reason. They didn’t get up even though they saw us kind of stranded with our drinks.
So: I probably won’t be back unless I’m super desperate. This is the first time I’ve had an experience that directly contradicts my fellow Unilocalers. Maybe I’m just unlucky but it was one of the most disappointing café experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Til next time, keep learning keep eating!

i had the Rockin Ruben sandwich for lunch with my co-​workers. The sandwich was really good. The pastrami was tasty. My only complaint of this place is that is either a 1 or 2 person show. This lead to a slow service of our food. And slow service of cleaning the tables of past guests.
I think if they get another person to help out, it would be a great place. Hopefully they work out the kinks, as this place has a lot to offer.

I keep coming back for breakfast and lunch. The sandwiches are beautiful and always come with a salad. It’s hard to get to the first bite because I feel like I’m destroying a work of art. But I’ve never been disappointed by anything I’ve eaten here.
My favorite breakfast is the panini. For lunch I recommend their take on the Reuben, which has a healthy dose of hot peppers and is served on very fresh toasted swirl rye.
The service is friendly and quick. The owner loves spicy food and will spice up your order if you ask her.

A fantastic place to study! They offer salads, sandwiches, soups, Peet’s coffee, and Tara’s ice cream. I can’t say much about the food because all I’ve ever personally ordered is the iced white mocha. And on that topic, stick to the mediums, because the large comes in exactly the same sized glass. I hear they add less ice for the larges, but I swear it looks the same.
Why is this place awesome? There are plenty of power strips strapped underneath benches along the wall. Its location is pretty peaceful, the large windows let in plenty of natural lighting, and all along the walls are stacks and stacks of snacks on snacks.
Come try out this nice addition to Berkeley!

Awesome vibe at Tia’s. Great food, coffee, and music, plus wifi! The people working are really sweet and genuinely care about their customers satisfaction. Considering that they just opened a few weeks ago I have nothing negative to say about Tia’s or the employees.

Tia’s was a drop in for coffee. they have only one blend of Peet’s (there’s a Peet’s
down the block so i know why there’s only one).
menu looks typical of a lunch/​breakfast place: breakfast, salads, pastas, sammies,
pannins, etc.
drink: coffee (2) peet’s
–ok
–friendly, quick service
drips:
–no time to try the food out…

Time: 12:31pm/60°F cloudy
Purpose: I’ve been watching this place closely since August, finally the opening on December 1^st. I use this alternative road when ever I’m in Berkeley as to Shattuck ave. Too many crazys out there, like Market st/​3^rd in SF. Thinking I better stop by today, instead of Friday with protesting going on theres no telling.
Ambiance: Bright place with minimal seatings. Indoor heater lamps above for those colder days. Six high back chairs for solo counter seating inner back along with 48’in flat screen TV. Seatings are built-​in bench style industrial with holes drilled in. Tables are aluminum with stained scallop design. Cold fridge w/​small bottles of wines on top, Cal Bear banners/​pennants string hung, self serve water dispenser/​condiment stand. Front counter filled with all sorts of various snacks, iPad, tip jar, baked goods. Fiberglass dessert display stand and freezer display filled 20 flavors of Tara’s organic ice cream. Structure beam cover with jars of pickled veggies, jams, preserve meat, kitchen equipment decos. Becareful that you don’t walk in on Oxford street as the door is not what its intended for. Now if you’re not looking or paying attention, you’ll end up stepping on someone shoulders or head. Instead main entrance is on Kittredge side. You’ve been warn!
Staff: A guy of middle eastern descent well groom with beard. Pretty nice guy greeted me right when I walk in. Told me they just open in less than a week. I said of course you did, back in June place was still under development. He pointed out what their offerings were telling it’s in house this and that. Nice for him to tell me things like that but, I wanted my taste buds to let me know. Couple of back of the house workers quietly working away.
Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccable. No complaints as being a new place can’t judge it right from the beginning. We’ll check back on it couple of months and see what comes of.
Eats/​Drinks: On this blistering day I went with hot cocoa $ 3.50 and a brioche $ 2.75. Hot cocoa really hits the spot, as it warms you up from just a few sips. You can literally feel the cocoa particles like grinding on your teeth sip after sip. Real cocoa has that consistentcy and this is real cocoa use. Although it was just a tad too sweet but, I can manage it. Brioche was good, light airy and almost flaky. The exterior top has this fold that extends from top to bottom half, brushed on with fruity glaze for that freshly made wet pleasing look. Definitely baked the same day. It’s a hit or miss finding places with good brioche or croissants. This place gets the attention of a baker and more.
Products/​Services: Basic breakfast fare, breakfast burritos-​early bird/​express/​deluxe. Breakfast sandos-​express/​deluxe. Lavash, pitas, shawerma. Paninis-​caprese, chicken, Penelope, valantino, blind date. Pastas-​not crab but., opear house, little Italy, capellini D’Angelo. Sandwiches-​rockin reuben, Tia’s, the bat, Brooklyn bridge club. Salads-​morelia, Patras, cowboy, green, mingalaba, ceasar. Hot/​cold beverages, smoothies, juices, water. Pastries/​danishes, bagels, energy bars, dried fruit mix, emergen-​c mix packets, cookies, gum, nutella, kombuchas, wine spritzers. Coffee and tea by Peet’s. Chips by dirty river, popchips, ruffles, Stacey’s. Catering available must be 48hr notice.
Punch Lines: Newly built, downtown Berkeley, good foot traffic, reduced traffic street, steps for campus, AC transit/​campus shuttle, street parking, seating capacity about 17 – 18, indoor heater lamps, flat screen TV, Beats by Dre Pillbox wireless music streaming, 5 – 6 kinds of hand soap in restroom, serves Peet’s coffee/​tea, friendly, warm, inviting, better than your average, close-​together tables, pleasing flavors, modest cost, seats are minimal, well-​excuted, lazy sunday hangout, budget-​watchers, laid back, multitude, light bites, zippy service, lively atmosphere, can’t go wrong, casual and delicious, Mediterranean fare, twist of traditional flavors, crowd pleasing.
Tradeoffs: Even though Peet’s coffee/​tea can be had in any of their own shops. This place goes beyond that with more offerings and more lively place to hangout. It’s not just coffee and a pastries sitting at the window people watching.
Final Thoughts: It’s a cool place to chill and catch up on some errands or office work. It’s very lively so it may not be ideal for students as classical music and TV is both on. For web surfing, checking emails, streaming videos this would be a great place to do the simple daily task. As for me, I like it mainly because of people watching on both side of corners and the indoor heat lamps.

What a perfect addition to the neighborhood. First off, thanks for adding good coffee to this block.
Tia’s has a variety of affordable and REALLY hearty breakfast options. They also have really delicious sandwiches, pastas and salads for lunch. Their chicken schwarma sandwich is tasty and completely customizable on the spicy spectrum.
And hello, Gelato bar! Nice to see you here! (Once it gets a little warmer outside, I’ll be able to speak authoritatively on the gelato front. Until then,)
I really like that Tia’s has a wide selection of bars (meal supplements, energy, healthy yummers) that rivals a whole foods or trader joe’s selection. And a good selection of higher quality potato chips.
The staff are really attentive and the food is delicious. Really thoughtful selections on the menu, lots of love in the space. I look forward to going back.

Far be it from me to criticize a café working out the kinks in its rain-​filled, politically fractious first week of existence in Berkeley.
I’ll start with the likes because I’ve got a few: the view, the location, the diversity of the menu, the cleanliness of the place, the attentiveness of the workers.
I’m also happy happy happy that a decent-​looking place replaced Levant Café, which was similarly decent-​looking. Tia’s did a good job of recreating Levant Café’s offerings. There are still salads, sandwiches, and a whole lot else to enjoy.
So why only three stars? Well, my friends, I’m going to have to offer an alert soon. I won’t do it quite yet, but you’ll know when I do. I wanted to try the Green Goddess Salad, but I know that goddess dressing often has anchovies, so I asked the counterman, and he said he thought it did. I asked whether I could examine the dressing bottle’s ingredients list, and he said all the dressings were made from scratch. So good for him for letting me know. And I knew about goddess dressing and anchovies already, so no alert yet.
Then I asked him about their other dressings. He started listing them, and when he got to the balsamic vinaigrette, he said it had anchovies as well, but they could separate the creamy part from the vinegary-​and-​oily part so that I didn’t have to suffer anchovies. So yup, there it is. A well deserved
GRATUITOUS-​MEAT ALERT.
Really, Tia’s? Anchovies in vinaigrette dressing? I expect it in Caesar dressing, but balsamic? Really? You lose a star for that, although I thank you for letting me know, although I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t asked, so it doesn’t really all come out in the wash.
My salad was pretty good. I don’t think it was $ 8 good, but good salads that are also a good value are very difficult to come by in Downtown Berkeley. (New Amsterdam Café, you are still very much missed!) I’ll try many more times and update my review as necessary.