Food and Drink Favorites
Our Favorite Restaurants & Cafes
This is a list of our nearby favorites because they're convenient, delicious, historic, fun, or all four.
There are plenty of great restaurants not on this list, so, by all means, stray. We're probably missing some great spots on University Avenue and College Ave. (the Berkeley students' world).
Here's a map of the restaurants listed here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KO3mxqWJf-q7fJzoMGfAdne_XHFTsUmY&usp=sharing
NY style pizza by the slice or whole pizza with delicious toppings. And it's so close! We love this place. Have a cannoli for dessert!
43 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Gioia Pizzeria
1586 Hopkins StNY style pizza by the slice or whole pizza with delicious toppings. And it's so close! We love this place. Have a cannoli for dessert!
Closest spot for filling breakfast sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch options.
23 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Espresso Roma Cafe
1549 Hopkins StClosest spot for filling breakfast sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch options.
Great bagels and bialis, and filling breakfast sandwiches (if you're from NY, we'll let you be the judge...but we think they're great). But, wait! Don't get your coffee here - head across the street to Coffee Conscious.
7 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Berkeley Bagels
1281 Gilman StGreat bagels and bialis, and filling breakfast sandwiches (if you're from NY, we'll let you be the judge...but we think they're great). But, wait! Don't get your coffee here - head across the street to Coffee Conscious.
Small, friendly cafe with good coffee and, sometimes, live music. They do a darker roast than is the trend at most places these days. We prefer it. Also, try the vegan donuts here (definitely better when fresh in the morning).
17 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Coffee Conscious
1312 Gilman StSmall, friendly cafe with good coffee and, sometimes, live music. They do a darker roast than is the trend at most places these days. We prefer it. Also, try the vegan donuts here (definitely better when fresh in the morning).
Fun place. It's completely outdoors with fire pits, heat lamps, and a play area for kids. They serve a small rotating beer selection and great food from Pedro's Brazil Cafe.
56 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Westbrae Biergarten
1280 Gilman StFun place. It's completely outdoors with fire pits, heat lamps, and a play area for kids. They serve a small rotating beer selection and great food from Pedro's Brazil Cafe.
Attached to Acme Bread, you'll smell fresh bread baking from a block away. Bartavelle has light roast, fruitier coffee blends. We go for their breakfasts. You can't really order "wrong" here, but a few favorites - their porridge is special, their eggs are cooked to perfection sprinkled with marash pepper, and then there's the overpriced-but-so-good avocado toast.
48 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar
1621 San Pablo AveAttached to Acme Bread, you'll smell fresh bread baking from a block away. Bartavelle has light roast, fruitier coffee blends. We go for their breakfasts. You can't really order "wrong" here, but a few favorites - their porridge is special, their eggs are cooked to perfection sprinkled with marash pepper, and then there's the overpriced-but-so-good avocado toast.
Our favorite little Mexican spot. Try the fish burrito or mushroom taco. Even just the rice is tasty.
La Capilla
1106 University AveOur favorite little Mexican spot. Try the fish burrito or mushroom taco. Even just the rice is tasty.
Mostly just very good coffees and teas. They have a tiny selection of pastries. This place is perfect for hunkering down with your laptop.
9 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Algorithm Coffee Co.
1122 University AveMostly just very good coffees and teas. They have a tiny selection of pastries. This place is perfect for hunkering down with your laptop.
This is an outdoor, make friends, listen to fun live music, good for a sunny day, kind-of-place. The Cheeseboard is a worker-owned co-op and a Berkeley institution. Don't let the long line dissuade you - it moves super fast and people are friendly, so make a friend in line. They serve one, always delicious, vegetarian pizza per day. It's usually (maybe always) white pizza, no sauce, and comes with a spicy cilantro sauce.
317 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveThis is an outdoor, make friends, listen to fun live music, good for a sunny day, kind-of-place. The Cheeseboard is a worker-owned co-op and a Berkeley institution. Don't let the long line dissuade you - it moves super fast and people are friendly, so make a friend in line. They serve one, always delicious, vegetarian pizza per day. It's usually (maybe always) white pizza, no sauce, and comes with a spicy cilantro sauce.
This cafe has the Berkeley vibe, with stories and portraits of famous resistance and civil rights leaders throughout the cafe. The coffee and food is pretty good, but won't blow your mind.
35 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck AveThis cafe has the Berkeley vibe, with stories and portraits of famous resistance and civil rights leaders throughout the cafe. The coffee and food is pretty good, but won't blow your mind.
Good, though overpriced, food. There's a lot of seating including a really pleasant garden patio. For something different and delicious, try the date omelette.
35 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Cafe Leila
1724 San Pablo AveGood, though overpriced, food. There's a lot of seating including a really pleasant garden patio. For something different and delicious, try the date omelette.
Jewish style deli. Their pastrami sandwiches with homemade pastrami are awesome. Also, try the sabich sandwich or shakshuka.
64 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Jodie's Restaurant
902 Masonic AveJewish style deli. Their pastrami sandwiches with homemade pastrami are awesome. Also, try the sabich sandwich or shakshuka.
If you've never had South Indian food, you should, and this is the place to try it. It's quite different from the North Indian you're probably used to and this large, hoppin' cafeteria attached to an Indian grocery store makes for a fun atmosphere.
84 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Viks Chaat
2390 Fourth StIf you've never had South Indian food, you should, and this is the place to try it. It's quite different from the North Indian you're probably used to and this large, hoppin' cafeteria attached to an Indian grocery store makes for a fun atmosphere.
If you are sans car or bike and can't make it all the way to Vik's for your South Indian kick, this place is walking distance. Their North Indian style dishes might not be the best, but the dosa are worth the walk. Enjoy!
101 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Udupi Palace
1007 Valencia StIf you are sans car or bike and can't make it all the way to Vik's for your South Indian kick, this place is walking distance. Their North Indian style dishes might not be the best, but the dosa are worth the walk. Enjoy!
Good sushi within walking distance. They're open until 10pm, so this is a good option if you get in late.
30 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Kiku Sushi
1316 Gilman StGood sushi within walking distance. They're open until 10pm, so this is a good option if you get in late.
This is a Berkeley favorite. If you love saucy deep dish pizza and filling up on one (maybe two) slices of pizza, this is the place for you. There's usually a wait, but you won't regret it. You can put the leftovers in our fridge for later.
247 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveThis is a Berkeley favorite. If you love saucy deep dish pizza and filling up on one (maybe two) slices of pizza, this is the place for you. There's usually a wait, but you won't regret it. You can put the leftovers in our fridge for later.
A CA chain that is starting to spread nationally. They do special pour-over coffees only with super creamy milk and, often, a mint sprig. Even their decaf is really good.
913 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StA CA chain that is starting to spread nationally. They do special pour-over coffees only with super creamy milk and, often, a mint sprig. Even their decaf is really good.
Another deep dish pizza place, this time with the more classic cornmeal crust. Some prefer Little Star to Zachary's. It's a tough choice and a matter of taste. You can't go wrong with either.
360 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StAnother deep dish pizza place, this time with the more classic cornmeal crust. Some prefer Little Star to Zachary's. It's a tough choice and a matter of taste. You can't go wrong with either.
This is the famous Alice Waters, fancy, farm-to-table restaurant. If you're a foodie, you might need to check it off your list.
337 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Ave This is the famous Alice Waters, fancy, farm-to-table restaurant. If you're a foodie, you might need to check it off your list.
Our go-to Thai restaurant. It's always good and we never have to wait.
12 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Thai Delight Cuisine
1700 Shattuck AvenueOur go-to Thai restaurant. It's always good and we never have to wait.
Have dinner or snacks and a beer while playing a board game. Their staff can help you pick a game and learn the rules.
Victory Point Cafe
1797 Shattuck AveHave dinner or snacks and a beer while playing a board game. Their staff can help you pick a game and learn the rules.
Unique Korean rice sandwiches in the heart of the Berkeley college town.
21 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Koja Kitchen
309 Clement StUnique Korean rice sandwiches in the heart of the Berkeley college town.
This a is a national chain that started in D.C. We missed it when we moved here from D.C., but happily, it soon followed us. They make delicious healthy salads with local ingredients.
18 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
sweetgreen
1890 Shattuck AveThis a is a national chain that started in D.C. We missed it when we moved here from D.C., but happily, it soon followed us. They make delicious healthy salads with local ingredients.
We've been hunting for some of the flavors we loved on our Vietnam honeymoon, and happily found them here. This restaurant is easy to get to - hop on North Berkeley BART, hop off at 12th Street Station in Oakland, then walk 2 blocks on 12th street. We highly recommend ordering the "Turmeric Fish La-Vong Style" and the "Grilled Betel Leaf Beef Rolls" (if you haven't been to Vietnam, you probably haven't tried Betel leaf and you're in for a treat).
8 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Tay Ho Oakland Restaurant & Bar
344 12th StWe've been hunting for some of the flavors we loved on our Vietnam honeymoon, and happily found them here. This restaurant is easy to get to - hop on North Berkeley BART, hop off at 12th Street Station in Oakland, then walk 2 blocks on 12th street. We highly recommend ordering the "Turmeric Fish La-Vong Style" and the "Grilled Betel Leaf Beef Rolls" (if you haven't been to Vietnam, you probably haven't tried Betel leaf and you're in for a treat).