The Annex
10387 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA
Crema's Take
“Tucked inside El Cerrito Natural Grocery, The Annex is a serene neighborhood gathering spot where earthy vibes and plant-filled interiors create that coveted small-town café feel. Their baked goods are genuinely exceptional—fresh, moist, and worth lingering over—and the engaged staff knows how to make you feel welcomed in this quiet, unhurried space that's perfect for long work sessions or catching up with friends. While the organic-focused menu comes with premium pricing, the whole package—from creative drinks like their green latte to the natural light streaming through bright windows—captures that quality-conscious, wellness-oriented energy that keeps neighbors coming back.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
The baked goods were delicious, fresh and moist. My beet juice was really good, a little earthy, but i loved it. Friendly staff and the atmosphere is always quiet and relaxed.
Great neighborhood grocery store and food court! The food is top notch! Great pastries and good service at the coffee bar! Many of the employees are really engaged in making this place a welcoming and good community hub!! Such a great selection of fine foods. And prices are reasonable.
I love the interior..plants and flowers, wood walls and bright windows🪴🏡 But the food tastes just ok, and is so expensive bcs it’s organic etc, I just wish it tasted better. The potential is crazy here! I can cook better than most of the food I’ve had here.. You do feel really good after eating some dishes since it’s clearly carefully sourced food👍👍 The coffee is NOT WORTH IT👎 How on earth can you have such a beautiful, well thought out spot, well run, a wine, and have such mediocre pastries, cakes and really BAD coffee?🤔😑 No one I know likes it. Much better to have fewer things done well than a bunch done badly! Like the flan isn’t flan..it’s cold hard sweet eggs😣Full stop. The lemon cheesecake is meh. The whipped cream is nice on top. The soups get redundant if you come a lot, and are clearly bottom of the barrel cheap recipes. I mean, lentils? Really? Peasant food and not even particularly good, but $5 for 1 measuring cup🤷♀️🤦♀️ The tomato meatballs are decent but I wish they were beef vs pork. This place would be a-mazing if they leveled up their flavors, even if that meant charging a dollar more per item. Alas, it’s got a small stream of apparent regulars and drop-ins. And I still appreciate the setting. And the flower shop is happy-making!🌺✨🪻✨💐 Setting 5⭐️ Coffee 2⭐️ Sweets 2⭐️ Savory food 3⭐️ Flower shop 5⭐️
Interesting place with prepped food, pastry, wine and flowers! Green latte sounds healthy!
Am I in Santa Cruz or Marin? LOVE the earthy / quality vibe at this restaurant cafe adjunct to the El Cerrito Natural Grocery store. This beautiful space with very high ceilings and rustic modern vibe with incredible wood counters, lots of indoor and outdoor seating, every prepared breakfast pastry and healthy lunch meal option you could want - salad bar, sandwiches, deli, coffee along with a huge drink and snack selection. Perfect alone, with friends or for meetings. Will be back often!