Cafe Milano
Bookended by the temptations of Telegraph Avenue in one direction and the ever-popular Caffe Strada in the other, it'd be easy to miss Cafe Milano. But that would be a mistake, because this is exactly what a college cafe should be. The coffee, from the same roaster that supplies several cafes in the area, is solidly decent, and Milano has all the standard cafe characteristics — free, fast, wi-fi; substantial and surprisingly tasty food; classical music. But what really sets Milano apart from the rest is its atmosphere: All high ceilings and exposed brick, this place is so pleasant it's a shame to associate it with problem sets and papers. There's also plenty of natural light, several potted plants, an open-air roof, and when it's warm out, the cafe's massive two-story windows are left entirely open. It's a wonder anyone gets any work done.
Previously in Best of the East Bay
Berkeley Espresso
2522 Bancroft Way (Berkeley-UC)
People & Places Cafe Milano