Brewed Awakening

Less than a block from the University of California campus, this Berkeley coffee shop is housed in a red-brick storefront with large picture windows. The interior has a casual, neighborhood feel, with hanging lanterns, communal tables, and a collection of local artwork, including a countryside landscape mural that runs the length of one wall. A handful of sofas and unobtrusive background tunes add to the welcoming atmosphere. In addition to organic, fair-trade coffee, the shop also serves fresh fruit smoothies, homemade blueberry muffins, pumpkin scones, and a limited lunch menu of sandwiches and calzones.