Gara

This is worth savoring: a new Vietnamese coffee shop in Berkeley is redefining what a café can be. Gara, the sibling-run venture by the Nguyen family, blends heritage, innovation, and community into a space that feels both rooted and forward-thinking. The 2,600-square-foot cafe is a love letter to Vietnam, with a mural that traces the country’s cultural threads and a menu that marries traditional flavors with modern twists. From phin-brewed coffee to espresso drinks infused with salted cream and pandan, the drinks are as bold as they are inventive. The kitchen, meanwhile, serves up breakfast bánh mì and grilled pork…