La Note has anchored Shattuck Avenue south of the UC Berkeley campus since 1997, creating one of South Berkeley’s most consistently beloved dining destinations. This Provençal café brings French culinary sensibility to casual Berkeley dining, emphasizing fresh ingredients, generous portions, and unhurried enjoyment.

The Menu

La Note serves breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch, with a menu that reflects French culinary traditions applied to quality local ingredients. Breakfast favorites include oatmeal raspberry pancakes and les oeufs lucas—soft scrambled eggs with goat cheese, chives, and intensely sweet roasted tomatoes. The extensive salad and sandwich menu features large portions often sufficient for two people, reflecting a generous approach to dining.

Atmosphere & Dining Experience

The restaurant’s peaceful sunny patio in back provides an ideal setting for lunch or brunch on warm days, offering a retreat from the urban energy of Shattuck Avenue. Interior seating provides warmth and intimacy for cooler months or evening dining. The overall effect is deliberately unhurried, encouraging lingering over coffee and conversation.

Location & Accessibility

Positioned on Shattuck Avenue south of Durant, La Note sits between the UC Berkeley campus and the more residential neighborhoods of South Berkeley. This location makes it accessible to both campus-area visitors and longtime South Berkeley residents. The Ashby BART station is approximately 10-15 minutes away on foot, providing transit access for those without cars.

Seasonal & Ingredient Focus

The menu reflects a Provençal approach that emphasizes seasonality and ingredient quality. Rather than maintaining identical offerings year-round, La Note’s seasonal variations reflect what’s available from local suppliers, connecting diners to the Bay Area’s agricultural calendar.

Community Role

Over its nearly 30-year history, La Note has become deeply embedded in South Berkeley’s community fabric. It serves as a gathering place for neighborhood residents, UC Berkeley faculty and staff, and visitors exploring the Shattuck Avenue corridor between campus and downtown.

Why Visit

La Note offers an authentically French café experience without pretension or excessive pricing. If you’re seeking quality food, welcoming atmosphere, and the particular pleasure of lingering over coffee and conversation in a sun-filled patio, La Note delivers. It represents the kind of neighborhood establishment that has become increasingly rare in rapidly changing urban environments.

Hours & Planning

Open for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch. Check the website for current hours and brunch availability.