Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in West Berkeley, Tanzie’s seems like a small, ordinary cafe at first glance — like a spot to grab coffee on a lazy Sunday morning. However, don’t be fooled by its exterior — inside, the restaurant reveals itself as a cozy haven, serving thoughtfully crafted Thai brunch dishes with distinctive flavors that pack a punch.
On Friday morning, a group of us went to try the cafe. A quick 10-minute ride on the 36 bus from the UC Berkeley campus conveniently dropped us off right outside the restaurant. As we stepped inside, we were welcomed by the artistic charm of warm wood accents, trailing vines, and potted plants that gave the space a rustic, inviting atmosphere. On a Friday morning, there was surprisingly no wait. We were immediately led to a cozy nook in the back. The space had a beautiful stained-glass window that filtered in soft natural light and small pillows in the shapes of tropical leaves.
We ordered a good variety of small plates and entrees off the brunch menu, along with a mango matcha latté and an ube espresso latté, which arrived altogether. Even before taking a bite, I could tell the dishes would be delicious — the aromas filling the table were impossible to ignore, and the bright colors of each dish were visually enticing.
Small Plates
For small eats, we shared the jasmine Thai chia bowl and the khanom krok, traditional bite-sized coconut cakes, both of which looked too beautiful to eat. The thick chia seed pudding featured crisp apple slices and crunchy granola, while shaved coconut added a subtle toasty, nutty flavor. The bowl was refreshing, featuring textures that complemented each other in every bite. The khanom krok were sweet and custardy, almost having a gelatinous texture, with each piece topped differently — ube, sweet corn, or green onion — offering a subtle mix of sweet and savory flavors.
Drinks
I sampled two of Tanzie’s beverages from my friends at the table: the ube espresso latté and mango matcha latté. The stunning ombré layers of each drink caught our attention, providing the perfect photo opportunity. The richness of the espresso in the ube latté balanced the milky base well; however, I was searching for a nuttiness from the ube that didn’t really come through. The mango matcha latté was subtly sweet and floral, with a prominent mango flavor that really stood out. Unfortunately, the matcha, although a promising shade of vibrant green, was not as strong, and the flavor was overpowered by the mango pureé.
Entrées
The most iconic dishes at Tanzie’s are undoubtedly the lava egg plates, so of course we had to order them — we chose the Dungeness Crab Special and the Pork Jowl. The Dungeness Crab was incredible: the crab meat added a natural sweetness that cut through the richness of the lava eggs without being too fishy. On the other hand, the pork jowl offered a delightful combination of textures, both tender and crispy, with a subtle smoky flavor. Lava eggs are notoriously difficult to master. Achieving that perfectly molten, lava-like texture requires cooking over low, consistent heat while continuously twisting and lifting the center with chopsticks to create its signature tornado-like appearance, something Tanzie’s executes flawlessly.
We also enjoyed the Nam Prik Ong: a skillet plate with ground pork, topped with a fried egg. The rice, cooked in the house curry and tomato paste, was savory and rich in umami, with the bottom layer crisped up in the pan. Sliced Sai Oua (traditional Thai herbal sausage made in-house) added a savory, slightly spicy depth. If you’re a clay-pot rice lover like me, you’ll love the Nam Prik Ong!
The Verdict
Tanzie’s is absolutely worth bookmarking on Beli and making the trip for. We collectively ranked it a 9.4 out of 10 on the food app. The brunch felt reminiscent of a traditional breakfast I had in Chiang Mai, especially the jasmine chia bowl, with its abundance of fresh fruit. The skillet plates had a smoky flavor that brought to mind the taste of freshly charred pork I had tried before. Each dish, from the khanom krok to the lava eggs with Dungeness crab, was expertly crafted and layered with complex flavors in each bite. The plant-filled café creates an intimate, homey atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer amidst the vines and savor thoughts of a vacation in Thailand.