Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
This is the birthplace of California Cuisine. Book at the Cafe for an excellent a la carte menu of salads, pasta, fish and meat and scrumptious desserts. Book downstairs for more a more formal meal.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveThis is the birthplace of California Cuisine. Book at the Cafe for an excellent a la carte menu of salads, pasta, fish and meat and scrumptious desserts. Book downstairs for more a more formal meal.
This restaurant/bakery is a wonderful home away from home with classic American fare. Crisp Waffles, scrambles, and home fries at brunch (try the cheese puff) and burgers, shakes, and salads later on.
17 locals recommend
FatApple's Berkeley Restaurant and Bakery
1346 Martin Luther King Jr WayThis restaurant/bakery is a wonderful home away from home with classic American fare. Crisp Waffles, scrambles, and home fries at brunch (try the cheese puff) and burgers, shakes, and salads later on.
Delightful European-style pastries, tarts, cakes, etc. This is the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee with something sweet on the side. Great Venoisserie in the morning too.
22 locals recommend
Masse's Pastries
1469 Shattuck AveDelightful European-style pastries, tarts, cakes, etc. This is the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee with something sweet on the side. Great Venoisserie in the morning too.
This legendary cooperative business is a must-visit. Grab a card, and, with the help of your personal cheese concierge, select a few cheeses to bring back to your room. Good morning latte too.
83 locals recommend
Cheese Board Bakery
1504 Shattuck AveThis legendary cooperative business is a must-visit. Grab a card, and, with the help of your personal cheese concierge, select a few cheeses to bring back to your room. Good morning latte too.
The best vegetarian pizza in the world. Sourdough crust with inventive seasonal toppings in a festive setting with live jazz music. Just accept the long line as part of the Berkeley "process."
317 locals recommend
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveThe best vegetarian pizza in the world. Sourdough crust with inventive seasonal toppings in a festive setting with live jazz music. Just accept the long line as part of the Berkeley "process."
This is where Chef Alice Waters eats Indian food. Elegant, well-made fare in a cozy dining room. Meet owner Lachu Moorjani and order some Riesling to pair with your meal.
30 locals recommend
Ajanta
1888 Solano AveThis is where Chef Alice Waters eats Indian food. Elegant, well-made fare in a cozy dining room. Meet owner Lachu Moorjani and order some Riesling to pair with your meal.
This casual, kid-friendly restaurant is the essence of "Berkeley Mexican." Fresh produce abounds. Try the crispy tacos with shrimp or vegetables. Aguas frescas and alfajores (cookies) too.
62 locals recommend
Cactus Taqueria
5642 College AveThis casual, kid-friendly restaurant is the essence of "Berkeley Mexican." Fresh produce abounds. Try the crispy tacos with shrimp or vegetables. Aguas frescas and alfajores (cookies) too.
Berkeley's beloved deep-dish pizza, with "toppings" stuffed inside and lots of tomatoes . Zesty Cesar salad. The thin crust pizza is great too (order it by the slice during the day, a great deal).
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveBerkeley's beloved deep-dish pizza, with "toppings" stuffed inside and lots of tomatoes . Zesty Cesar salad. The thin crust pizza is great too (order it by the slice during the day, a great deal).
A Solano Avenue outpost of Berkeley's original gourmet coffee house. Great place to sit with your dog while enjoying strong, dark-roasted coffee.
259 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine StA Solano Avenue outpost of Berkeley's original gourmet coffee house. Great place to sit with your dog while enjoying strong, dark-roasted coffee.
Yogurt Park is a Berkeley tradition. After a walk on campus, a hills hike, or a swim at Strawberry Canyon, roll through here for some delicious frozen yogurt with toppings galore.
Yogurt Park
2433 Durant AveYogurt Park is a Berkeley tradition. After a walk on campus, a hills hike, or a swim at Strawberry Canyon, roll through here for some delicious frozen yogurt with toppings galore.
Hello pickles! This Jewish-style deli is a great place to dive into a pastrami or corned beef sandwich, stuffed cabbage rolls or blintzes. Great brisket and schnitzel too. Eat-in or take out.
64 locals recommend
Jodie's Restaurant
902 Masonic AveHello pickles! This Jewish-style deli is a great place to dive into a pastrami or corned beef sandwich, stuffed cabbage rolls or blintzes. Great brisket and schnitzel too. Eat-in or take out.
You can't beat Great China for a lunch special. The place is bustling, so be prepared for a slight wait and harried service, but the copious, fresh, and affordable Chinese fare is well worth it.
32 locals recommend
Great China Restaurant
2190 Bancroft WayYou can't beat Great China for a lunch special. The place is bustling, so be prepared for a slight wait and harried service, but the copious, fresh, and affordable Chinese fare is well worth it.
Delicious hand-crafted food and cocktails. Call to reserve your table. It's a small place.
18 locals recommend
Juanita & Maude
825 San Pablo AveDelicious hand-crafted food and cocktails. Call to reserve your table. It's a small place.
Pick up a daily sandwich for your picnic. Also a great place for food gifts.
18 locals recommend
The Local Butcher Shop
Shattuck AvenuePick up a daily sandwich for your picnic. Also a great place for food gifts.
Casual, order-at-the-counter spot. Great for take out. Wonderful Korean-inspired rice bowls with lots of lean veggie, meat, tofu, and pickled toppings.
Bopshop Korean Kitchen
1823 Solano AvenueCasual, order-at-the-counter spot. Great for take out. Wonderful Korean-inspired rice bowls with lots of lean veggie, meat, tofu, and pickled toppings.
Down home, old-school Berkeley Mexican. The chips, both corn and flour are freshly-fried and divine.
8 locals recommend
Juan's Place
941 Carleton StDown home, old-school Berkeley Mexican. The chips, both corn and flour are freshly-fried and divine.
The perfect place to get ready made food while staying at the Garden Apartment. Breakfast, lunch and take-out from an alumna of Chez Panisse. Impeccable.
23 locals recommend
Standard Fare
2701 Eighth StThe perfect place to get ready made food while staying at the Garden Apartment. Breakfast, lunch and take-out from an alumna of Chez Panisse. Impeccable.
Shopping
Excellent homemade ice cream by the scoop or pint. Try the salted caramel and the burnt caramel too see which you like better. Wonderful, crisp house-made waffle cones too in plain or chocolate flavor
13 locals recommend
iScream
1819 Solano AveExcellent homemade ice cream by the scoop or pint. Try the salted caramel and the burnt caramel too see which you like better. Wonderful, crisp house-made waffle cones too in plain or chocolate flavor
A true local, independent book store. Selection includes new and used books along with cards, magazines, and more. Wonderful, helpful staff.
29 locals recommend
Pegasus Books
1855 Solano AveA true local, independent book store. Selection includes new and used books along with cards, magazines, and more. Wonderful, helpful staff.
Books Inc.
1491 Shattuck AveMoe's Books
2476 Telegraph AveBerkeley's original communist bookstore.
Parks & Nature
This Berkeley park is just a short walk from our home. Grassy knolls, Redwood trees, creekside picnic tables, and more. Pet and child friendly, with a play area and early evening small dog gatherings.
Live Oak Theater
1301 Shattuck AveThis Berkeley park is just a short walk from our home. Grassy knolls, Redwood trees, creekside picnic tables, and more. Pet and child friendly, with a play area and early evening small dog gatherings.
Everything Else
This historic Berkeley site is just a 5-minute walk from our door. Climb the rock for great bay views. A wonderful place to bring a bottle of wine at sunset. Learn about the history of the Ohlone.
121 locals recommend
Indian Rock Park
950 Indian Rock AveThis historic Berkeley site is just a 5-minute walk from our door. Climb the rock for great bay views. A wonderful place to bring a bottle of wine at sunset. Learn about the history of the Ohlone.
The Berkeley Rose Garden and Codornices Park, which across the street, are Berkeley landmarks. Walk amid the roses and enjoy bay views. Tennis courts and bathrooms. Great big slide for kids.
140 locals recommend
Berkeley Rose Garden
1200 Euclid AveThe Berkeley Rose Garden and Codornices Park, which across the street, are Berkeley landmarks. Walk amid the roses and enjoy bay views. Tennis courts and bathrooms. Great big slide for kids.
Head up the hill and enjoy a full-service regional park. Check online for opening hours of the carousel, Little Farm, golf course, and the Berkeley Botanical Garden. Hiking and biking trails abound.
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdHead up the hill and enjoy a full-service regional park. Check online for opening hours of the carousel, Little Farm, golf course, and the Berkeley Botanical Garden. Hiking and biking trails abound.
UC Berkeley's Botanical Garden offers gracious, well-manicured grounds and a gift shop. Learn about native and exotic plants. The garden at our home was designed by a lifelong volunteer of this garden
77 locals recommend
The University of California Botanical Garden
200 Centennial DrUC Berkeley's Botanical Garden offers gracious, well-manicured grounds and a gift shop. Learn about native and exotic plants. The garden at our home was designed by a lifelong volunteer of this garden
A great place for a fancy drink with a Bay view or a spa visit. For in-room massage at the garden apartment, contact certified massage therapist Phil Deardorff (510-914-8297).
8 locals recommend
Claremont Hotel & Spa
A great place for a fancy drink with a Bay view or a spa visit. For in-room massage at the garden apartment, contact certified massage therapist Phil Deardorff (510-914-8297).
Entertainment & Activities
Take young and old alike to the steam trains for a wonderful hills adventure. Two trains, one small, one miniature, are open to passengers. Low cost tickets. Check ahead to confirm opening hours.
45 locals recommend
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)
2481 Grizzly Peak BlvdTake young and old alike to the steam trains for a wonderful hills adventure. Two trains, one small, one miniature, are open to passengers. Low cost tickets. Check ahead to confirm opening hours.
Check online at Cal Rec's website for the hours of this campus pool. Kid-friendly facility. Enjoy lap lanes and rec swimming. Grassy picnic area, baby pool, and full locker rooms with showers.
17 locals recommend
Strawberry Canyon Pool
Centennial DriveCheck online at Cal Rec's website for the hours of this campus pool. Kid-friendly facility. Enjoy lap lanes and rec swimming. Grassy picnic area, baby pool, and full locker rooms with showers.
This adult-only campus pool offers serene lap swimming and a tiered wooden deck for sunning. Low entry fee. Check online on Cal Rec website for open hours.
Cal Gymnastics Club
Sport Lane 25This adult-only campus pool offers serene lap swimming and a tiered wooden deck for sunning. Low entry fee. Check online on Cal Rec website for open hours.
This is a great science museum for children. Guided programs and free-explore spaces, with a huge whale sculpture outside on the bayview deck, which kids love to climb. Fairly steep entry prices.
65 locals recommend
Lawrence Hall of Science
This is a great science museum for children. Guided programs and free-explore spaces, with a huge whale sculpture outside on the bayview deck, which kids love to climb. Fairly steep entry prices.
Arts & Culture
Hop on the 18 bus or drive down Solano Avenue to this small, old-time independent movie house. Always something good showing with senior discounts, mantinee pricing and a good snack bar.
24 locals recommend
Landmark's Albany Twin
1115 Solano AveHop on the 18 bus or drive down Solano Avenue to this small, old-time independent movie house. Always something good showing with senior discounts, mantinee pricing and a good snack bar.
Another great place to catch an independent film, right downtown.
65 locals recommend
Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck AveAnother great place to catch an independent film, right downtown.
Its reputation is well-earned. If you can fit it in, try to take in a show here. Rush tickets (afternoon before showtime) sometimes available, especially weeknights.
127 locals recommend
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StIts reputation is well-earned. If you can fit it in, try to take in a show here. Rush tickets (afternoon before showtime) sometimes available, especially weeknights.
California Jazz Conservatory
2087 Addison StCheck calendar for performances. Small cafe too.
Aurora Theatre Company
2081 Addison StSee the work of local playwrights.
Sightseeing
Take a walk on campus and head up to the top of the Campanile to take in wonderful views of Berkeley and surrounding areas. Check ahead for opening hours and schedule of bell concerts.
14 locals recommend
Campanile Esplanade
South Hall RoadTake a walk on campus and head up to the top of the Campanile to take in wonderful views of Berkeley and surrounding areas. Check ahead for opening hours and schedule of bell concerts.