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Berkeley Cafe, 262 The Esplanade

Fresh-BakedSandwicheson The Esplanade

Croissants, cheesesteaks, chopped cheese, halal options, coffee, and a quiet patio near the Distillery District.

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4.9 rating
422 reviews
Fresh-baked in-house

"You know it is a great place when the owner knows locals by name and order."Kendall Longtin, Google review

Fresh bread and pastriesCustomers call out daily in-house baking.
Sandwiches with a followingCheesesteak, chopped cheese, falafel, and grilled chicken.
Halal optionsReviews mention careful preparation practices.
Patio near DistilleryA quiet stop for breakfast, lunch, and coffee.
Customer Favorites

Sandwiches and pastries people cross the neighborhood for

Berkeley Cafe reviews mention comfort, generous portions, fresh bread, and the care that goes into every order.

Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Berkeley Cafe

Philly Cheesesteak

Tender meat, melted cheese, and a cafe version customers call one of the best in Toronto.

Mentioned in 45+ reviews
Chopped cheese style sandwich at Berkeley Cafe

Chopped Cheese

A New York craving handled with fresh ingredients, big flavor, and a proper cafe lunch feel.

Mentioned in 28+ reviews
Breakfast croissant sandwich with coffee and hash brown

Breakfast Croissant

Fluffy, crisp, made to order, and a regular morning order for nearby offices.

Mentioned in 52+ reviews
Outdoor sandwich and pastry spread at Berkeley Cafe

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Balanced, crisp, soft, and packed neatly enough that customers notice the detail.

Mentioned in 35+ reviews
Fresh pastries at Berkeley Cafe

Fresh Pastries

Croissants, almond cookies, and pastry case favorites baked fresh in-house.

Fresh-baked daily
Berkeley Cafe catering sandwiches and salads

Office Catering

Breakfast croissants, sandwiches, salads, and boxed meals for teams nearby.

Popular with offices
4.9
★★★★★
Based on 422 Google reviews
★★★★★
"The chicken sandwich is nothing short of soulful."

It is tasteful, blissful, and strikes that perfect balance of flavor, texture, softness, and crispiness.

LiLi Bloomsss
★★★★★
"These are the kind of people who run this humble local eatery."

Everything is house-made, and the review tells a story about owners who opened the door to help a confused elderly neighbor.

matthew edison
★★★★★
"I would willingly spend a whole hour's wage and my entire lunch break waiting."

A falafel sandwich with creamy sauce, fresh baguette, tangy pickles, and crisp lettuce turned a skeptic into a regular.

Piper
★★★★★
"You know it is a great place when the owner knows locals by name and order."

Daily in-house baguette, fresh tomatoes, and a simple ham and cheese sandwich made into perfect comfort food.

Kendall Longtin
★★★★★
"Berkeley Cafe absolutely delivered."

A chopped cheese compared to a New York craving, plus bagels, patio seating, and excellent service.

Sophie Tremblay
★★★★★
"The normal drip coffee was AMAZING."

Breakfast, hash browns, matcha, coffee, a nice patio, and warm service in one small Esplanade stop.

Amir Moghisy
About Berkeley Cafe

A family-run stop built on fresh bread and regulars

Berkeley Cafe works because the details are personal. Customers talk about croissants made to order, baguettes baked fresh, sandwiches packed with care, and a counter where regulars are remembered.

The food is practical, but not ordinary: cheesesteaks, chopped cheese, grilled chicken, falafel sandwiches, breakfast croissants, hash browns, coffee, and office catering. Reviews repeatedly point to fresh ingredients and generous portions.

The cafe also has something hard to fake, a neighborhood feeling. People mention the owner, the warm service, and the quiet patio near the Distillery District as much as they mention the sandwiches.

4.9 rating
422 reviews
Halal options
Outdoor patio
Office catering
Warm seating inside Berkeley Cafe
Visit

Breakfast and lunch on The Esplanade

Find Berkeley Cafe at 262 The Esplanade, close to Parliament Street, the Distillery District, and nearby offices.

Monday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SundayClosed
Address: 262 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6
Questions

What people ask before visiting Berkeley Cafe

Answers based on Berkeley Cafe's Google profile, hours, and customer reviews.

Yes. Berkeley Cafe serves halal sausage, chicken, and other halal meat options. Reviews mention separate preparation practices for halal orders, while the cafe also serves ham and bacon.

Yes. Customers regularly mention fresh-baked croissants, pastries, sandwich bread, and almond cookies. The breakfast croissant and fresh baguette sandwiches are repeated favorites.

The Philly cheesesteak, chopped cheese, grilled chicken sandwich, breakfast croissant, and falafel sandwich are the most mentioned orders in reviews.

Yes. Berkeley Cafe has outdoor patio seating on The Esplanade. Customers describe the patio as clean, tree-surrounded, and comfortable for breakfast, lunch, and coffee.

Most items are made fresh to order, so timing depends on the lunch rush. Reviews commonly mention that the quality is worth the wait.

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