Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Thai Basil
2519 Durant AveCheap, solid Thai eatery. Cash only.
Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana
2519 Durant AveCheap, solid Italian eatery.
Great cafe for tea-lovers, and people who appreciate fast Internet. Only downside is that it gets a bit too warm during summer.
A'Cuppa Tea
2992 College AveGreat cafe for tea-lovers, and people who appreciate fast Internet. Only downside is that it gets a bit too warm during summer.
World famous restaurant with prix fixe menu that changes day to day. The owner is one of the founders of the Slow Food movement. But quality comes at a price ($80+ per person).
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveWorld famous restaurant with prix fixe menu that changes day to day. The owner is one of the founders of the Slow Food movement. But quality comes at a price ($80+ per person).
Poulet
1685 Shattuck AveHealthy French-style eatery focusing on fowl at affordable prices.
Probably the best Indian restaurant in Berkeley (though I prefer the College Street location because the Tandoori is more authentic there).
16 locals recommend
House of Curries
2984 College AvenueProbably the best Indian restaurant in Berkeley (though I prefer the College Street location because the Tandoori is more authentic there).
Biryani House
2011 Shattuck AveAnother excellent Indian restaurant. Free tea with milk.
My favorite Chinese restaurant in Berkeley. Serves authentic fare (unlike most Chinese eateries in the US) including specialties like thousand year egg. You really can't go wrong there.
Mandarin Garden Restaurant
2025 Shattuck AveMy favorite Chinese restaurant in Berkeley. Serves authentic fare (unlike most Chinese eateries in the US) including specialties like thousand year egg. You really can't go wrong there.
Probably Berkeley's second most famous restaurant after Chez Panisse. Excellent selection of Chinese dishes, but places often need to be booked in advance.
32 locals recommend
Great China Restaurant
2190 Bancroft WayProbably Berkeley's second most famous restaurant after Chez Panisse. Excellent selection of Chinese dishes, but places often need to be booked in advance.
Suya African-Caribbean Grill
408 22nd StWest Caribbean eatery, excellent for the price, healthy.
Au Coquelet
2000 University AveNice French cafe, but food is a bit overrated for the price.
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University AveSolid Indonesian restaurant.
Bear's Food Court
2237 Shattuck AveClaim to make some of America's best burgers, if you're into that.
Caffe Mediterraneum
2475 Telegraph AveClaim to have invented the latte.
Mount Everest Restaurant
2598 Telegraph AveVery good Indian/Nepalese restaurant.
Brewed Awakening
1807 Euclid AveOne of the best cafes on the north side of campus.
Caffè Strada
2300 College AveSolid cafe close to campus.
Café Milano
2522 Bancroft WaySolid cafe close to campus.
Everything Else
CREAM Berkeley
2399 Telegraph AveCookies and ice-cream. Reliably packed.
Berkeley's kingpin. Visitors can ascend the Sather Tower for a bird's eye view of the Bay.
427 locals recommend
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetBerkeley's kingpin. Visitors can ascend the Sather Tower for a bird's eye view of the Bay.
Eastwind Books of Berkeley
2066 University AveVast selection of books in Chinese.
Trader Joe's
225 El Cerrito PlazaGroceries.
The University of California Botanical Garden
200 Centennial DrFor the botanists.
The Greek Theatre
2001 Gayley RdGood venue, very good acoustics.
Berkeley Marina
You can join the Sailing Club there.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center St... and Pacific Film Archive.
Brazil Cafe
1960 University AveReally good Brazilian fare.
Shopping
Great cafe, presumably named after the sacks on which you can sit there. But usually crowded.
17 locals recommend
Sack's Coffee House
2701 College AveGreat cafe, presumably named after the sacks on which you can sit there. But usually crowded.
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StThe best cafe for COFFEE in Berkeley.