cafe brusco opens wednesday

long-awaited cafe brusco, from owners alexis rorabaugh and gerad gobel, will open wednesday at 8am, and to herald the event the chronicle has shared some new details.

the all-day cafe from the rose pizzeria team will feature house-made bagels (!) and bagel sandwiches, as well as counter culture coffee drinks and, eventually, wines and snacks in the evenings. the article also quietly name-drops a few friends and assists in the endeavor – including good luck bakery pastries, and beloved local beverage consultant sam sobolewski, formerly of bartavelle.

berkeley long-timers should head to the crossroads of university and milvia where au coquelet used to be (in what truly feels like a former era for berkeley), with an open mind and high expectations. the corner cafe's interior inside the brand-new aquatic building is fresh, crisp and charming, and, like its nearby sister rose pizzeria, has already dressed up university avenue with its handsome color scheme, pretty tile and furnishings, and punchy signage. we can't wait to taste the wares.

cafe brusco opens wednesday at 2000 university avenue in berkeley. look for opening hours to run from 8am-3pm for now, with evening wine bar hours to come.

september 15, 2025