Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Cafe Clem
2020 Kittredge StGreat little French cafe. I go for a morning cafe au lait and a croissant.
Bongo Burger
2505 Euclid AveBest "fast-food" burger in town. Affordable and delicious!
Best cafe downtown. Open until midnight, free wifi, delicious food.
6 locals recommend
People's Coffee and Tea
2015 Shattuck AveBest cafe downtown. Open until midnight, free wifi, delicious food.
Delicious and fast Italian bakery with pizzas, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
8 locals recommend
PiQ Berkeley
91 Shattuck AveDelicious and fast Italian bakery with pizzas, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
Quick and good teriyaki bowl and sushi place. I love their steak and rice bowls with the specialty white sauce.
Seasons of Japan
2122 Shattuck AveQuick and good teriyaki bowl and sushi place. I love their steak and rice bowls with the specialty white sauce.
Chaat Café
1902 University AveNice and quick Indian food.
This is the downtown version of the legendary Cheese Board Pizza. Same recipes, similar owners, same concept of serving only one kind of pizza a day.
21 locals recommend
SLIVER Pizzeria
2468 Telegraph AveThis is the downtown version of the legendary Cheese Board Pizza. Same recipes, similar owners, same concept of serving only one kind of pizza a day.
The perfect brunch place, but there's usually a line out the door on weekends. Put your name in, then browse the nearby Pegasus Books until your name is called.
25 locals recommend
Venus Restaurant
2327 Shattuck AveThe perfect brunch place, but there's usually a line out the door on weekends. Put your name in, then browse the nearby Pegasus Books until your name is called.
If you are a NY bagel snob, you will hate their soft doughy delicious goodness. If you aren't, you'll love them. Get their marinara bagels. Their bagel sandwiches are the best. Tell Bora I say hi!
Bagel Street Café
2375 Center StIf you are a NY bagel snob, you will hate their soft doughy delicious goodness. If you aren't, you'll love them. Get their marinara bagels. Their bagel sandwiches are the best. Tell Bora I say hi!
One of my favorites downtown. Excellent atmosphere, delicious pizza, amazing specialty beer. Great for big groups. RIGHT next to BART. Terrific beer garden. If the weather is perfect, GO HERE.
113 locals recommend
Jupiter
2181 Shattuck AveOne of my favorites downtown. Excellent atmosphere, delicious pizza, amazing specialty beer. Great for big groups. RIGHT next to BART. Terrific beer garden. If the weather is perfect, GO HERE.
Upscale Mexican restaurant with wonderful ambience and a great back patio bar.
134 locals recommend
Comal
2020 Shattuck AveUpscale Mexican restaurant with wonderful ambience and a great back patio bar.
Arts & Culture
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StWorld-class theater just blocks from my apartment.
Terrific folk/root/world music venue, including open mics, local songwriter showcases, and big acts on the folk scene.
87 locals recommend
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison StTerrific folk/root/world music venue, including open mics, local songwriter showcases, and big acts on the folk scene.
Shopping
Walgreens
2801 Adeline StThe closest drug store. Carries pretty much everything you need.
Every weekend they open the 25-cent record wing. It's how I get my eclectic mix of vinyl.
Rasputin Music
2401 Telegraph AveEvery weekend they open the 25-cent record wing. It's how I get my eclectic mix of vinyl.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
225 El Cerrito PlazaThe closest grocery store. Within walking distance.
Everything Else
Berkeley Station
2160 Shattuck AveYour doorway to the rest of the Bay Area.
Sightseeing
Fascinating to see the hand-drawn tiles with messages of peace.
Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park
2151 Martin Luther King Jr WayFascinating to see the hand-drawn tiles with messages of peace.
Eucalyptus Grove/Grinnell Natural Area
Lovely urban forest at the entrance of campus.