When we say “Mediterranean” at UQBAR we mean three things:

First, we embrace the Mediterranean diet. It's the best researched diet for health and longevity, and our menu is full of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins—all cooked with plenty of olive oil.

Second, we are inspired by our Mediterranean climate. The warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters we enjoy here in California mean year-round abundance. We make full use of it by partnering with local producers and cooking with the seasons.

And finally, we honor the Mediterranean Sea itself—a region famous for its food and hospitality. As a cradle of civilization, it is home to so many amazing cultures, cuisines, histories, and mythologies that inspire what we do here in Berkeley, CA.

Yes! UQBAR offers catering for events, meetings, and gatherings of all kinds.

We’ll work with you to create a menu based on your preferences, what is in season, your guest count, and budget.

In addition to catering at your office, home, or venue, UQBAR’s cafe space and courtyard are also available for buy-out events for up to 50 people.

Please inquire via the catering page here on our website!

Yes, we aim to have something for everyone! Among other options, our hummus is made fresh daily and is both vegan and gluten-free.

If you have particularly complex or severe dietary restrictions, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can confirm we are able to safely accommodate you.

Yes! UQBAR offers a curated selection of beer and wine to enjoy in our dining room or courtyard patio. We’re happy to offer a rotating selection of local beers on tap, seasonal sangrias and mimosas, and daily deals on wines by the glass. Stay tuned for expanded happy hours!

And if you try something you love, you can pick up a bottle to take home!

We do not currently take reservations: UQBAR is a counter service cafe. Just come with your party! Seating is first-come, first-served.

If you’d like to visit UQBAR with an especially large group (10+), please inquire with staff or through our contact us form.

Pronounced “ook-bar,” our name references a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius.” No spoilers here, but Uqbar is a fictional land somewhere in Asia Minor with a rich mythology and literary history. The story explores the idea of subjective idealism (the philosophical idea that reality is a construct of our consciousness) which struck us as an interesting way to think about how personal food is and to have fun making the food we love.