Cheap Eats: Cafe Yesterday

It's not easy to stand out as a new cafe in Berkeley, but Cafe Yesterday is sure to be the choice of tomorrow.

Spacious, comfortable and welcoming, Cafe Yesterday has established itself as a local favorite in its short six months of existence (earning 4.5 stars on Yelp so far). The roomy seating area — complete with couches, a widescreen TV, stacked bookshelves and an enviable record collection — is complemented by the free Wifi and home-style decor. 

But the pièce de résistance of this mid-morning oasis is the "Build Your Bowl" cereal bar. Choose from a variety of cereals or oatmeal, heaped with a choice of toppings, including fresh fruit, nuts, peanut butter, Nutella, Oreos and even gummi bears. One scoop of cereal with one topping is $1.95. Two scoops and two toppings costs $2.95. 

The regular menu includes other breakfast items such as the breakfast burrito ($2.95) and breakfast sandwich ($2.95), plus croissant sandwiches ($6.95 to $7.50) and salads ($6.95). Snacks include the hummus pita platter ($4.75) and fruit cup ($3).  Bagels are also available for $2.35 with cream cheese or $2.75 with hummus.

Stop in on a Friday for "free pastry Fridays" and you could be enjoying the pastry of the day (such as a fresh banana-walnut muffin) with your coffee — compliments of Cafe Yesterday.