Top 7 Gluten-Free Spots to Discover in Southwest Berkeley, Berkeley

Sarah D

This is the typical situation where faddishness is giving it more popularity than it actually earns. Berkeley is prone to this kind of problem, where popularity is more a question of Insta rankings than actual merit. I stopped in twice in the past week. The first time, it was right after opening time and it was relatively empty. I was waited on by a person that later in the week I saw serving as a barista, she had an air of faint annoyance at having to actually interact and work with customers. On my second visit, today, she and her fellow barista were so engaged in their conversation for the entire 15 minutes that I was in the shop due to the long lines, that they were producing drinks at about half the speed that was possible. The line stretched from the counter to the door, and based on my former experience in a similar job, it would have been half this length if the people making the drinks put customers ahead of socializing with each other and looking cool. They almost never made eye contact with a customer the entire time I was there unless someone asked a question when picking up the drink, and often that person had to repeat the question in order to get their attention. This is completely unacceptable when you’re paying 10 bucks for a coffee and a treat. On the other hand, the young, slightly heavyset guy of color who waited on me at the register by the muffins was clearly committed to doing his job well. He tried to keep the line moving and his efforts to keep the service level high, was being thwarted by the chatty pair making the drinks, who ignored most of his questions the first time he asked them. Food and drink were 4 out of 5: the classic mochi muffin precisely as advertised, crunchy outside and mochi within. Slightly overbaked this time compared to my first visit. Iced coffee latte was excellent coffee but over sweet. Overall, the treats are unnecessarily too caloric, evidenced also by the clientele who range above the norm. The Asian food this place keeps trumpeting as its inspiration is much healthier than this extravaganza of sugar and high glycemic carbs in the mochi flour. Making a habit of this place would definitely be detrimental to your health. If they want to garner a higher rating, they need to coach the self-impressed barista staff on putting the customers first, and they need to add more options that showcase the delicacy, subtlety, and elegance of Asian cuisine instead of taking American sugar cravings and overeating, and combining them with some Asian flavors. Not recommended. In Berkeley, you have superior options for gluten-free, baked goods, and coffee.

Maribel Gutierrez

Hello, I recently ordered your dough and I’m just so thankful you are in the Bay Area! I first heard of PASSIONE PIZZA dough from my boyfriend who goes to Whole Foods often and we both tried it! I was able to order the dough online as I’m hours away from Berkeley. I personally have not been to the restaurant but I can only IMAGINE how delicious it is! I love the dough please don’t ever stop making and selling! We appreciate gluten free healthy options with no toxic ingredients oils etc! Thank you thank you thank you! 🤤

Mea Cole Tefka

Came here on a whim and loved it! Beautiful space, great food, excellent coffee, and gluten free options

Maxwell “Max” Pearl

The food was really good. Flavorful and good sized portions. Nice assortment of options. Great for gluten-free people. (And good veggie options as well.) Fried yucca was delish.

Darwin A.

Five members of my family went there late on a Monday night. The staff was very welcoming despite us showing up just an hour before closing time and the room was wonderfully quite. I had been to Chez Panisse Cafe 5 days before, and I preferred the dishes at Mint Leaf, although that's an apples and oranges comparison. My/our favorites at Mint Leaf were eggplant&tofu clay pot, green papaya salad with prawns, and if you eat mammal, sizzling shaking beef. I thought their beef combo phô, was good but not as exceptional as the previous dishes. They were very attentive & accommodating to the gluten intolerant member of our party

Samir Jain

Some gluten free labelled options here, and delicious! Love the japchae

James Hall