Where to eat in Berkeley

40 independent restaurants, bakeries and food spots in Berkeley. Chains are left out.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Eat
900 Grayson
For a sinfully pleasurable brunch try the Demon Lover - fried chicken served atop a buttermilk waffle with your choice of gravy or Vermont syrup.
Mon-Fri 8AM-10:45AM, 11:30AM-3PM; Sat 8AM-2:30PM
Eat
Acme Bread Company
One of the key bakeries in the Bay Area Bread Renaissance. baguettes, rustic loaves, some sweet and savory pastries.
Mon-Wed Sat 8AM-4PM, Thu Fri 8AM-5PM, Sun 8:30AM-3PM
Eat
Ajanta
Indian food. Many dishes are organic and sustainable. Rachel Ray listed Ajanta as one of only two "world class" restaurants on Solano Ave. Online reservations. Online ordering and delivery.
Tue-Sun 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM
Eat
Anchalee Thai Cuisine
A Thai restaurant in a modest brick building that is full of the favorites and its own delicious works. Happy Hours both weekdays and weekends. Vegetarian-friendly.
Daily 11:30AM-3PM, 4-9PM
Eat
Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen
Every Cajun item on the menu is a hit. The oyster po' boy sandwich and the crawfish etoufee are highly recommended, the hush puppies with honey butter are sinfully delicious, and be sure to wash them down with some sweet tea. Online reservations for large groups. Online ordering.
Tue-Sun 11:30AM-9PM
Eat
Bageltopia
Excellent bagels, with a variety of spreads ranging from classic cream cheese to "sushinova" to "vegan sunshine".
Tue–Sun 7:30AM–2PM
Eat
Barney's
A small California sit-down burger chain that makes good burgers, curly fries, and milkshakes. Try the specialty shakes. Online ordering and delivery.
Sun-Thu 11AM-8:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-9PM
Eat
Berkeley Bagels
A blackboard full of bagels, coffee, tea and sandwiches. Vegan options.
Mon-Fri 6:30AM-5PM, Sat Sun 7AM-5PM
Eat
Breads of India
Regional Indian restaurant whose menu changes from day to day, each entree on the menu has its own bread recommended with it.
Wed-Mon 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-9:30PM
Eat
Café Leila
Great egg dishes, Mediterranean entrees and sandwiches made with organic ingredients are best enjoyed on a sunny day in Leila's large outdoor patio, and sip on a house-brewed tea.
Daily 8AM-3PM
Eat
Cheese Board Pizza
Collective serves pizza two doors down from its gourmet cheese and bread shop in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. Only one kind of pizza is available each day, always vegetarian. You can buy pizza by the slice, portion of a pizza, or buy a half-baked pizza. Often considered the best pizza in Berkeley. Lines can be long in the evenings, and their hours are short. You will often see students and locals seated in the grassy median of Shattuck eating their pizza.
Wed 8AM-4PM; Thu-Sat 8AM-4PM, 5-8PM
Eat
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse is the origin of California Cuisine, and still is the best representation of the style that focuses on local produce in season. Named "Best Restaurant in America" in 2001 by Gourmet Magazine and is one of the entries in the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. Fixed price menus downstairs ($175), which usually require a reservation a month in advance. It's worth it, though. The cafe upstairs offers more variety in à la carte form, and it's easier to get a table. Still, if your parents are paying, try to book downstairs.
Check website for hours$175 and up
Eat
Gather
Delicious seasonal, organic meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as organic cocktails and biodynamic wines served in a dining room made from reclaimed wood and natural materials. Online reservations.
Wed-Fri 11AM-2PM, Wed Thu Sun 4-8PM, Sat Sun 10AM-2PM, Fri Sat 4-9PM
Eat
Gioia Pizzeria
Gourmet pizza by the slice (Brooklyn style). Daily specials. Online ordering.
Mon-Sat 11AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
Eat
Kabana
This great Pakistani restaurant is one of the anchors of West Berkeley. The daily specials are always good and the goat curry is outstanding.
Daily 11:30AM-3PM, 5-9:30PM
Eat
Kirala
The best Japanese restaurant in the East Bay. Don't stop at sushi rolls - the robata grill serves exquisite whole squid, quail, and duck among others. The almond-encrusted shrimp tempura is heavenly. Have a house-brewed Pale Ale in the bar while you wait 30 minutes for your table. No reservations. Online ordering.
Tue-Fri 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-8:30PM; Sat Sun 5-8:30PM
Eat
Kirin Cuisine of Northern China
Chinese cuisine in a beautiful dining room with an open kitchen. Despite the name, the menu is not primarily focused on Northern Chinese food. The kung pao is recommended. Banquet facilities available.
Mon Tue Thu-Sat 11:30AM-2PM, Sun-Tue Thu 4:30-8:30PM, Fri Sat 4:30-9PM
Eat
Lama Bean's
Lama Bean's is still home to the $15 three-course meal and shawarma that made it a local favorite in its original incarnation. Online ordering. Delivery available.
Daily 8AM-9PM
Eat
Little Plearn Thai Kitchen
A comfy little spot with art on the walls and some tidy exposed brickwork and a sizable menu.
Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM, 4-9PM; Sat Sun 11AM-9PM
Eat
Picante
Delicious, taqueria-style Mexican food. Fantastic, home-made tortillas, savory moles, extensive vegan and vegetarian menus and stiff margaritas all in a large family-friendly dining room. Online ordering. Outdoor dining only.
Daily 11AM-9PM
Eat
Platano Salvadoran Cuisine
Salvadoran entrees and small plates with a good selection of Central American cervezas and wines. Catering available. Reservations required for groups of 6 or more. Online ordering.
Mon-Fri 11AM-6PM, Fri Sat 11AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-8PM
Eat
Revival Bar & Kitchen
New "farm-to-table, organic" restaurant with good wine list. Have the fantastic cornmeal crusted onion rings on the side. Online reservations. Private dining available.
Wed Thu 4-8:30PM, Fri Sat 4-9:30PM, Sun 4-8PM
Eat
Saul's Restaurant and Delicatessen
An old-school Jewish deli with outstanding brunch dishes and dinner entrees (try the Beef Stroganoff). Saul's brews its own sodas, with a rotating cast of new flavors. Online reservations. Does not take cash or American Express.
Daily 8AM-9PM$40+
Eat
Skate's On the Bay
A first-rate seafood restaurant and lounge right on the Bay. The happy hour drink and appetizer specials in the waterfront lounge are a treat, especially with the fireplace going. The view on the Golden Gate bridge and San Francisco is great. Nevertheless don't expect too much out of the cocktails. There is a fine choices of beers and wines.
Sun-Thu 11:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10PM
Eat
Summer Kitchen and Bake Shop
Sandwiches and amazing dry goods abound at this modest temple to baked deliciousness. Online ordering. Takeout available.
Mon 11AM-3PM, Wed-Sat 11AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
Eat
Tacubaya
An upscale yet affordable taqueria serving Blue Bottle coffee. Everything is made from scratch daily with fresh ingredients. Online ordering.
Mon-Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat Sun 10AM-8PM
Eat
Thai Basil Cuisine
At the back of a small court of restaurants. Online ordering.
Daily 11AM-10:30PM
Eat
The Butcher's Son
Vegan deli food: sandwiches, salads, pastries, and so on. On the heavy side but the imitation meats, cheeses, and so on are remarkably good. Weekend brunch. Online ordering and delivery through Doordash.
Mon-Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-4PM
Eat
Top Dog #1
A Berkeley institution, with locations on two sides of campus (Durant Ave and Center St). Amazing hot dogs for $3 and walls filled with libertarian political writings.
Mon-Thu 10AM-2AM, Fri 10AM-3AM, Sat 11AM-3AM, Sun 11AM-2AM
Eat
Vanessa's Bistro
Premium Vietnamese cuisine. Happy Hour from 4PM-6PM. Reservations are strongly recommended. Online reservations.
Tue-Sat 4-9PM
Eat
Vik's Chaat Corner
Inexpensive and authentic Indian food, served in a converted warehouse. Some of the best in the bay. Free wifi during afternoon business hours.
Mon-Thu 11AM–2:30PM, 5PM–7:30PM; Fri-Sun 11AM-7:30PM
Eat
Yogurt Park
Six delicious flavors of frozen yogurt daily, on a rotating schedule. You can get a heaping, satisfying cup for $2.75. Not to be missed.
Daily 11AM-midnight
Eat
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
Now accepting credit cards as well as cash. Available in deep-dish or regular. A local and regional favorite with notoriously long lines. The regular is good, but the deep dish is the specialty of the house: a crispy pie crust with big chunks of tomato. Online ordering.
Sun-Thu 11AM-8:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-9PM
Eat
Zut! Tavern
Mediterranean and American food in a casual cafe atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor dining. They have great pizza. A nice respite from shopping. Reservations available. Private event space available.
Mon-Thu 11:30AM-7:30PM, Fri 11:30AM-8PM, Sat 11AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7:30PM$10-30
Eat
Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana
A modest diner with a good variety of Italian favorites.
Daily 10AM-midnight
Eat
La Mediterranee
A fun pan-Mediterranean restaurant in the Elmwood District.
Tue-Sun 11:30AM-8:30PM
Eat
La Mission
Fresh, delicious Mexican food with an outdoor seating patio.
Mon-Sat 10AM-11:30PM, Sun 10AM-11PM
Eat
Luca Cucina Italiana
Affordable, authentic Italian food in a casual atmosphere.
Mon-Thu 4:30-9PM, Fri Sat 4-9:30PM
Eat
Montecristo Taqueria
A salsa selection, sangria, tacos and all the standards.
Daily 10AM-midnight
Eat
Taste of the Himalayas
Nepalese and North Indian food. Online ordering.
Wed-Mon 11AM-2:30PM, 4:30-9:30PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Berkeley (CC BY-SA 4.0).