A Berkeley Cafe Pairs Espresso With Local Art

Gather your crew for a daytime catchup at the Helacio deli cafe on 2517 Sacramento St in Berkeley. Espresso shares the bill with fresh deli fare, giving the coffee crowd and the lunch contingent a single place to meet. The counter mixes traditional deli cooking with Latin inspired dishes, including sandwiches, salads, smoothies and ice cream.

There is an art connection here, too. The cafe makes space for local artists to exhibit their work, adding another reason to linger over the conversation. Tables in the dining area accommodate quick bites and longer stays, and settling in with a computer is part of the relaxed setup. Bring the group together for a meal, or leave room in your day to stay at a table afterward.

Keep this rendezvous to the morning or early afternoon. The cafe opens Monday through Saturday at 7 AM and Sunday at 8 AM, then closes at 3 PM daily.