Whether you’ve trekked up and down campus or sat in a lecture hall for hours on end, I know you’re craving something sweet. As a self-ceritified foodie who definitely spends too much time and money taste-testing new foods, I present to you my top three places in Berkeley for a sweet treat for under five bucks.
Almare Gelato inside Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union
Inside the student union building, you’ll find Almare Gelato on the bottom floor right between Ladle & Leaf and Monsoon Kitchens. This is the perfect spot to grab a treat on a hot spring day on your way to the Glade or if you just need to cool down.Grab your 4-ounce serving for $4.50 or girl math it and it’s basically free if you use your UC Berkeley flex dollars. As the ultimate ice cream and gelato lover, I can guarantee you that you won’t find good tasting gelato for this cheap anywhere else in Berkeley.
Sheng Kee Bakery
You have likely walked by this place on Telegraph Avenue before, but have you actually walked inside? I was shocked to find out how nearly everything in there is less than $5. You can buy custards, cake slices, croissants and all sorts of buns. It’s a great place to grab a sweet little pick-me-up snack in between classes or on the way to the library for a lock-in session. I grabbed a mini chocolate pound cake for $2.25 — it was a perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth. If you so please, you can buy multiple treats for a mukbang with guilt-free spending. The $5 cap applies to drinks as well, and personally, I can’t even remember the last time I spent less than $8 on a drink. Sheng Kee even serves Peet’s Coffee in case you’d like a hot beverage with your pastry. As a bonus, all of the store’s regular sized iced teas are $4.25 with free add-ons, which is a rare find.
King Pin Donuts
My dad graduated from UC Berkeley in 1992, and all I heard growing up was him raving about this place from when he was a Golden Bear. So, to test his recommendation, I decided one morning that I deserved a lil doughnut, so I grabbed an apple fritter from King Pin for $4.75. It was extremely sugary, but delicious and fresh. But if you want that simple raised and glazed or hearty old fashioned, its regular donuts are $2.95. The best part? I got to support a small business that has been in Berkeley since 1939. Noticing how frequently food places come and go in Berkeley, King Pin’s practically permanent residence on Durant Avenue means the doughnuts are that good. Midnight snack, anyone?
No matter the occasion, craving or bank account flexibility, these places will always save you some cash.