Baker & Commons

You can tell how popular this place is by looking at the long line at the door. Good ambiance, great food and drinks, outdoor seating is also available.

Recommended by our nurse - who overheard our conversation post checkup and chipped in gasping with full blown passion “you guys looking for a bakery nearby? Baker & Commons!”

So 5 minutes later we met this neighborhood gem - a vivid yellow little beautiful bakery at the corner of Russell & College.

It’s not the everything-perfect type of bakery that wows you with flawlessness, but it’s charming nonetheless exactly because of its laidback attitude and the tolerance of imperfection - just like HOME. You care less, because you can be real.

It features home baking goods, in pan, in tray, in down-to-earth paper cups and containers; its latte is in a bowl (kinda cute); it picks seasonal fruits and turns them into golden shiny turnover; it slices tiramisu upon order.

Dog friendly. Kid friendly. Book nerd friendly. Life long relationship friendly.

If you didn’t fall in love at first glance here, that’s fine, you will gradually sink in, gently.

Love the food options and ambiance of this corner cafe! The poached egg sandwich was just what I was looking for but the avocado toast and chai latte were the stars of this breakfast. The avocado toast has a delicious layer of roasted garlic and the chai latte comes in a small bowl with cinnamon on top. I will be coming back for more!

Good coffee, great pastries. Definitely on the pricier side, but with an interesting atmosphere and delicious baked goods! Also, there is something so hilarious about drinking coffee out of a cup the size of a large bowl. Whenever I've been around, there's also a pretty sizable line but deservedly so. I can't help but appreciate the sizable selection of their menu too--from baked goods to beverages to classic breakfast/lunch staples, there's something for everyone.

All the baked goods I’ve had are excellent, and the sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit sandwich is perfect. Too many Californian bakeries skimp on butter for cost/health reasons, but this place does it right.

Great little corner coffee shop. They have so many delicious baked goods that I have a hard time choosing what to eat. Chai lattes are served in a delicious, hand warming bowl. Outdoor seating available too.

I came once before when it was named something else, and wasn’t blown away by the menu or the food, but I’ve changed my tune! The meat frittata was delicious and filling but not too heavy. The vibes of this cute cafe are hard to beat, and on a sunny day, there are few places I’d rather be in Berkeley. This $5.75 frittata might become my new weekend staple!

See the avacado toast, mine looked exactly like that, but I ate and enjoyed it so much I forgot to take a picture. I got the latte in a saucer and it was decorated on Monday pk foam. Delish Delicious. One more place to come again and again.

Very nice coffee corner for us also you can eat somethings. Cool and nice place. Gluten free cakes also were very delicious.

A friend and I go at least once a month, we both love it! We are both entrepreneurs and we have dubbed Baker & Commons our Biscuit Board Meeting spot. B & C has a real Creative vibe that lends itself to our creativity.

They face Strauss creamery soft serve here - hard to find in the bay area!

Best house made buttermilk biscuits ever. Tried their turkey and bacon sandwich and it was to perfection.

I stopped in around 6pm last night to meet someone and was surprised by how warm, friendly and kind the staff were. These three young women were full of smiles, genuinely happy connecting with families coming in- holding their babies, fawning over their pets- it almost made me tear up it was that touching! I didn't want to leave. Their food is homemade from scratch too! Big fan of their Caesar salad, cheddar biscuits, scones, soups, tea- everything especially the soft serve Strauss cones!!!! I love this place and it's a true neighborhood gem! 💎🙏

I'm a foodie and Baker & Commons is my favorite American bakery in the East Bay (yes, I have tried them all). They have a killer cheesecake, the tiramisu is amazing and the lemon/olive oil Bundt cake is perfect! My wife also loves their cookies.
The quality is consistent. There is plenty of sitting (indoors & outdoors) and the long line goes fast. I highly recommend it if you want to treat yourself and your friends!!
Definitely queer friendly and accessible to wheelchairs 🏳‍🌈🏳‍⚧♿

Hands down, one of the best cafes in Berkeley. Even though I've moved a few miles away, I still make trips here for a mocha and biscuit.

The mochas are next-level good, and the pastries are always amazing.

As far as I'm concerned, this place is a Berkeley icon, and one of the things I love most about this town.

This place has the best hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted and the baked goods are pretty good too. Specifically, the cheese cake and the snickerdoodle cookies. :) Definitely worth the long wait in line and the ambiance is very nice as well.

Great place to stop for a snack or quick lunch. I went there for a tea and cake in the afternoon and it was great. They have a great selection of teas, coffees and cakes. The service was fast and nice. Looking forward to return.

Was invited to a mid-morning coffee get-together with current and past workers. From the menu board and their website, it's clear that this place knows what they're doing.

It's also a good sign that there were few, if any, free seats inside, 'cos others must like the place, right? So, we sat outside and very pleasant it was too. I was grateful that the side street is north-facing, so the sun was hidden behind the coffee shop building. For those of us concerned with getting bald heads sunburned, these are the kind of things we look for.

The coffee was good....I'd like to find out who roasts it so that I can buy their beans at some point.

Hands down the best cafe this area has to offer. The service is great- given just how busy this place always is. Their pastries are to die for and coffee is always good.Well-lit and cute bookstores and boutique shops all around.

Well-made cappuccinos and a number of yummy breakfast and lunch options.
Gets quite busy.