Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Great, simple fresh food, for breakfast or lunch, or just a cappuccino and pastry.
48 locals recommend
Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar
1621 San Pablo AveGreat, simple fresh food, for breakfast or lunch, or just a cappuccino and pastry.
Acme Bread
1601 San Pablo AveGreat bread and pastries
Awesome Spanish restaurant; fresh, authentic tapas (we lived in Spain) and an incredibly priced happy hour.
36 locals recommend
La Marcha Tapas Bar
2026 San Pablo AveAwesome Spanish restaurant; fresh, authentic tapas (we lived in Spain) and an incredibly priced happy hour.
La Mission
1255 University AveSolid Burritos
Coffee Conscious
1312 Gilman StGreat coffee and donuts
Wouldn't recommend the food, but the space is cool, and beer is good.
56 locals recommend
Westbrae Biergarten
1280 Gilman StWouldn't recommend the food, but the space is cool, and beer is good.
The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective is a must try;
If you're feeling fancy, try the iconic Chez Panisse for fresh California food.
65 locals recommend
Gourmet Ghetto
The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective is a must try;
If you're feeling fancy, try the iconic Chez Panisse for fresh California food.
Kiraku
2566B Telegraph AveFantastic Japanese Izakaya (Japanese tapas). restaurant.
Wonderful Italian food and pizza. Also has a limited, but tasty morning brunch on weekends.
237 locals recommend
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveWonderful Italian food and pizza. Also has a limited, but tasty morning brunch on weekends.
Well-prepared food at this iconic brunch spot; Be prepared to wait, but, it's not a big problem, as you can get your name on the list, and walk around Fourth St.
76 locals recommend
Bette's Oceanview Diner
1807A Fourth StWell-prepared food at this iconic brunch spot; Be prepared to wait, but, it's not a big problem, as you can get your name on the list, and walk around Fourth St.
Super fresh, elevated Mexican food. No burritos, but, don't let that scare you.
60 locals recommend
Tacubaya
1782 Fourth StSuper fresh, elevated Mexican food. No burritos, but, don't let that scare you.
Amercan food with an Asian slant. Always well prepared. The burgers are excellent.
53 locals recommend
Hopscotch
1915 San Pablo AveAmercan food with an Asian slant. Always well prepared. The burgers are excellent.
Ridiculously good Japanese small plates and tapas. Specialty is Japanese fried Chicken, but there is so much more. Funky, and cash only!
16 locals recommend
Aburaya
362 17th StRidiculously good Japanese small plates and tapas. Specialty is Japanese fried Chicken, but there is so much more. Funky, and cash only!
Drinks & Nightlife
Acme Bar & Company
2115 San Pablo AveSmall, well-stocked whisk bar with great digital jukebox
Fieldwork Brewing Company
1160 Sixth StGreat beer, cool little spot.
389 Grand Ave
389 Grand AvenueAwesome, diverse bar, with good cocktails and fresh greyhounds.
If there is an artist that up your alley that happens to be playing there, don't miss them. This venue is unreal!
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveIf there is an artist that up your alley that happens to be playing there, don't miss them. This venue is unreal!
Drake's Dealership
2325 BroadwayFantastic outdoor beergarden space.
Lost & Found Beer Garden
2040 Telegraph AvenueLarge, welcoming beer garden with a great layout.
Shopping
Perhaps the best produce market in the US, no joke. Great prices, and huge selection of organic produce, from local farms. There are other great stores in the neighborhood as well (butcher, bakery, fish market, etc).
213 locals recommend
Monterey Market
1550 Hopkins StPerhaps the best produce market in the US, no joke. Great prices, and huge selection of organic produce, from local farms. There are other great stores in the neighborhood as well (butcher, bakery, fish market, etc).
Parks & Nature
Great Hiking, beautiful, expansive scenery; great spot for picnics
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdGreat Hiking, beautiful, expansive scenery; great spot for picnics
Lovely for people watching and walking around the lake, especially in the evening when the lights come on.
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLovely for people watching and walking around the lake, especially in the evening when the lights come on.
Sightseeing
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetUC Berkeley's campus is lovely.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlPricey, but top notch.
Small, and a bit pricey, but a convenient option for natural medicines, food, and produce.
39 locals recommend
Berkeley Natural Grocery Company
1336 Gilman StSmall, and a bit pricey, but a convenient option for natural medicines, food, and produce.