Restaurants in Berkeley

“Pretty good food. I think we will go back”

“If you're between spending $8 for an impossible whopper or a classic roll at this place then this place all day. Tane (and Shizen) offer high quality ingredients, plating, and taste to all of their decisions, specifically the eggplant nigiri. The eggplant melts in your mouth and does not require any chewing but is full of flavor. The speciality rolls are also of good value because they range from $16-17 & come with 8 pieces. The 1 menu item that was on the pricier side was the cheesecake which was priced at $15. Nevertheless the pricepoint is worth it because it has to be one of the bay area's best cheesecakes. Never a bad experience at Tane.”

“Went on a sunday morning and the line was 20 minutes long. The croissant was excellent. Everything else I ordered (scone, grougere, and shortbread) were fine but nothing to write home about. I would only trek up here again for a serious croissant craving.”

“The food was really tasty and great. I have to be honest, this is the best ramen i’ve ever had. I usually don’t finish the broth but the broth here at Masa Ramen Bistro is to die for. I don’t like egg so I asked to skip the egg.”

“What a lovely surprise to find such tasty, healthy food so close to home, friendly staff, on time! Lightly cooked but high-protein and *yummy*”

“Excelente personas muy trabajadoras ambiente familiar y bastantitas menús saludables lo recomiendo al 100%”

“I’m a pizza fanatic and this is hands down the best pizza I’ve ever had. Better then anything in NY and Connecticut (Pepe’s, Sally’s). The Brazilian was next level pizza”

“Amazing food and vibes. The plumb crumb cookie is my new favorite cookie in the bay! It’s like a tiny fruit tart—I think the base is a short bread cookie, and it has a chewy crumble + fresh fruit on top. The other shortbready cookie with jam was also very good.

The two other things I tried were the nectarine chiffon cake and the plum tart. The cake was light and not too sweet, and had just the right amount of cream. The plum tart was also very tasty.

Besides the food, the aesthetics of the place are beautiful and unique. Just look at the picture of the menu!

Overall one of my favorite bakeries in the bay, highly recommend!”

“Great atmosphere and delicious food! Outdoor dining, too!”

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!”

“Ordered just the Kaokao Chicken
* Crispy skin
* Perfect level of heat
* Good portions (very filling but not excessive)
* Lovely flavors (very warm—Chana Masala + Chinese 5-spice kind of vibe)

Only recommendation to the restaurant is to get AC for the upstairs and maybe put another water jug up there—it was pretty warm.”

“Got the vegetarian combo plate and a sambusa. The azifa that comes with the vegetarian combo platter is out of this world. It’s light, refreshing and has the tangy flavor to cut the heat of the other items on the platter. Teff injera was delicious. Sambusa has the crispy flaky exterior and the lentils inside are perfectly cooked and seasoned.

I love the mom and pop, modern feel of this cozy neighborhood joint - smiles all around and you can taste the love and passion in the food.”

“The person who took my order here infected me with their smile. I was all smiley after I left here. A good smile spreads easily. I was fine living my life without searching for a cure. I hope I infected others. The falafel sandwich gave me even more of a reason to smile, it was delicious.”

“This place essentially invented farm-to-table dining and should be highly regarded and appreciated through the annals of history. Unfortunately, I feel like fine dining has evolved and Chez Panisse feels desperately stuck in the past. There's not necessarily anything wrong with that, as the older clientele demonstrates, but the food left me longing for something more interesting given the price.

I struggled with 3 or 4 stars here, but ultimately decided that the service and ambiance took it to four. But I have to reiterate that the food was truly petty meh and unexciting. The fish was dry, we were served fried rockfish on a slice of tomato for pie appetizer (lol), and a mushroom pasta dish was only okay. The best part of the dinner was the ice cream dessert which I have to admit was stunningly good.

That doesn't mean Chez isn't an institution. It is. But the flavors, menu, and preparation feel woefully stuck in the past.”

“Tried Curry Pizza House in Kent, WA for the first time. Great flavors! Wonderful wings, Desi bread, and pizza! The mango lassis are yummy. Definitely check it out!”

“My sister and I just had a couple of Cali Alley burgers delivery and these things are good! Next time I'm in Berkeley, I will definately order again.”

“The food is good & the staff is usually friendly. I wish Tarocco was still open on Saturdays. I would go every few weeks solo or with a friend. I am not in the area during the week.”

“A corner stop that models a delicate french patisserie. We usually stop for a little treat whenever we’re walking by, invited in by the irresistible wafting smells of sugar and creme. Scrumptious taste is always in harmony with the eye-catching presentation.”

“La Marcha is one of our fave restaurants in the east bay. All of the dishes are packed full of flavor. We like to order a few tapas and a paella and take the leftover paella home to enjoy the next day. It's a fun date night or dinner with friends!”

“Cupcakin easily has the best cupcakes in Oakland. I've been stopping by cupcakin for years as a perfect gift for birthdays, events, general gifts, and self indulgence! They are always welcoming and the flavors are incredible. Worth a visit !”

“What everyone else has said. Friendly, unique. Great Vietnamese coffee. Overstuffed sandwiches. I prefer larger hunks in my chicken salad though it is super delicious.”

“Had the Heyma Latte and it was wonderfully balanced with a prominent coffee flavor rather than too much milk. Absolutely fabulous. For patrons not familiar with cardamom, it's going to be present in a lot of products and may come across as a "fragrance" or "artificial", but it is a lovely, powerful spice. Be polite if it isn't to your taste and just get something else instead of making a stink- saw too many customers bothering staff because they made poor ordering decisions. Go to Starbucks or Peets if you don't want to enjoy a broader coffee experience. Great food.”

“A kind barista. Dial in was amazing. Cappuccino had perfect texture. I was indecisive about what pastry to buy and I was unexpectedly offered one alongside my drink. They didn't have to do that, but that made my visit all the better.”

“The food was so bomb! It’s really amazing foood even it’s so prizey!”

“Nice and fairly new place on solano. Beautifully decorated with fantastic back patio outdoor seating. Friendly staff and good food.

Bosssm is my go to here.

They also have lots of nice things for sale at the market. The fish cakes are quite good.”

“Think you know great pizza?
If you haven't been to Pizzeria de Laura, you should rethink your assumptions!
I mean, they're not Cheeseboard (no one is, let's be honest), but they have SO MANY MORE OPTIONS.
Every pizza here is awesome. If you have a preference for a particular style, find the equivalent on their menu and compare!
Our favorite is the Ray J, either on Sicilian, Detroit Deep Dish, or Grandma's - in that order.
Try Laura and her pizza out. It's worth the $, promise.”

“What a cute place! The owner was super nice and welcoming, and the food was delicious! Simple, clean and honest. This is definitely going to be our new go-to in the neighbourhood. I wish they phase out the disposables, but they do have regular utensils which is already more than lots of other places.

Vegetarian options: I think all of the food had a vegetarian option with protein and it was easily marked.

Kid-friendliness: We were there with a toddler, and there were other families as well. They have high seats, accessible for strollers and the bathroom is super clean.”

“This charming little bodega in Berkeley is a delight! The space is beautifully decorated with various shades of green - Tanzie’s favorite color she told me - including lots of gorgeous, lush plants.

The food was delicious and well-presented. I was expecting a Thai menu you typically see in the US, but it was all new to me! I had the Sai Oua lava eggs with deliciously seasoned chicken sausage; the eggs were so light, whipped up into a volcanic swirl that covered a pile of rice.

I encourage you to check out Tanzie’s - a lovely place for delightful meal that’s been lovingly prepared just for you.”

“We had the best brunch experience ever today! The lemon ricotta pancakes along with the cheesy potatoes were delish! We sat outside on their darling little patio and listened to live music, it was so lovely. But the best part of all was the outstanding service from Maxine, her suggestions were on point and her beautiful energy was exactly what our morning needed! Will definitely be back!”

“Delicious morning pastries, and Cheesebord style (but better) pizza. If you get a chance, visit on an evening when they've got a live musician performing. I wish this place was in my neighborhood, but it's worth the drive, every time.”

“I lived in Berkeley for a few years, and Lucia's was a regular stop at least once a week. The restaurant is beautiful, the owners are wonderful, and the food is fantastic. One of the best pizzas of my life. I loved the tiramisu and it was truly homemade! I highly recommend it”

“Nothing better then great tacos in walking distance. so glad that they are at the Valero! I no longer need to get into my car to scratch that taco itch... their red sauce is awesome as it has a real kick to ”

“Best Indian cuisine in all of Berkeley, do yourself a favor and stop in! great people, great food, a real gem in the city.”

“I am here in California on vacation and wanted to try this place for dinner . I’m delightful to say my meal was very satisfying and the service was very friendly. Audrey was very happy. I highly recommend this place to anyone.”

“Good beer, good people, good seating. A solid neighborhood brewery. Parking can get a wee bit challenging; you might have better luck parking on 5th next to the park.”

“Adam and Queena were invaluable partners in planning my daughter's bat mitzvah! They were very friendly and flexible with our ever-changing budget and introduced us to some great vendors we would have never engaged on our own. They also suggested changes to the layout of the event so that it had a great flow. Beyond all of the preparation, Adam's help with the day-of supervision of the set up and coordination of all with all of the vendors ensured the event went off without a hitch. It was beautiful and exactly how we envisioned it! Thanks Sway!!”

“This place should have a line out the door! Small shape with big flavor, and the price is a great value. The gyro and kebab are amazing! Such good wraps. The lettuce, cucumber and tomato were fresh. The tzaziki and hummus taste homemade, so good. They also have a counter full of baklava and Turkish delights.”

“Great food and great service”

“a beautiful space in a historic building, with tables further apart than any restaurant I know, so you can easily have a conversation, good food with attention to detail,; a pleasure.”

“Fantastic old school lunch and breakfast option. The chicken kabob sandwich was good. They have a very large menu with a lot of variety. The service is super nice.”

“Excellent all around. The food was outstanding… our family of three loved it (including our toddler!). We ordered the pad Thai with chicken, the BBQ pork with sticky rice, and the praram with chicken.

The place itself is adorable and so clean. It’s situated on the corner with lots of opportunity to people watch. 5/5 stars for ambience.

The service, wonderful! Everyone was so nice and accommodating. The food came out fast. 5/5.

The food was loaded with protein and flavor. The vegetables were fresh and everything tasted pretty clean. 5/5.

Everything is well priced and it looks like they have great drink specials as well.

We will be back!”

“Tostaditas de tinga (de-li-cious)”

“Food and service was excellent”

“So interesting... i love the food. Sat at the round table bar in the back surrounding the kitchen. Cool place to eat... this story is good and not so good...
The food is awesome, and the bar is so cool... yet it is difficult to understand what is being ordered and the staff is not helpfull.

To avoid confusion, this is a tapas style venue... I love small plates to try different things...

The good: food is awesome ?, try as much as you can, it will not disappoint.

The questionable: I don't care for chicken, yet when I ordered, the staff said if you don't want chicken with did u come???
Lol, the menu is diverse beyond just chicken.... fish, wagu, pork, mushrooms, house made pickles... I could go on.

From the bar order the RIHEI GINGER SHOCHU... hidden on the menu.
This single-distilled, one of a kind shochu is made from ginger local to Japan’s Miyazaki prefecture. Named after the distillery’s founder, Rihei Ochiai, this 4th generation, family run distillery honors the traditions of their 100-year-old past while taking on a modern twist for the 21st century. Rihei Ginger was born after local farmers came to the distillery requesting he craft a new shochu made from their amazing quality ginger

The bad; service stinks... smh...sad. lol I almost walked out when they asked, "If u don't like chicken, then why are u here." What!@#
All this said, expect to drop 100 per person. I would certainly go back!
YMMV!”

“A lovely neighborhood wine bar with great service from owners Nubeer and Sonny with expertly curated wines (by the glass, bottle, or flights) plus a small retail shop for take home bottles!”

“LEXIE'S is delicious. Everything is made in-house. Everything is perfect. I never realized how sickly, sour-sweet toffee shouldn't be until I had LEXIE'S remarkably fluffy-yet-crispy toffee. Everything we have tried is delicious. Nothing has been a "miss". If you know what you enjoy, you'll never order something you don't like. Heck, LEXIE'S homemade touch might even change your mind on some things.

Dietary restrictions: CELIAC FRIENDLY NO HIDDEN GLUTEN, ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS.”

“The food, drinks, staff and atmosphere was excellent. This is my nephews favorite spot. Thanks Kelly for our family outing today.”

“Such a great experience to eat here. Met the owner and he provided such great service, along with such great food. Was very reasonably priced for food that was very tasty. Very hospitable. Would definitely go again!!!”

“I enjoy this restaurant very much. The food is excellent and fresh. it’s served hot every time. The servers can speed up with taking orders but otherwise, they are o.k. The restaurant is ok. The seating is too close for me but I get it. There’s No parking. It’s excellent.”

“Upbeat generous dude with tasty wholesome food.”

“wonderful owners. good concept.”

“Very cute little bakery on University. I only got the turkish delight but they have a wide variety of North African/Middle Eastern pastries as well as Western ones. Would love to come again and try the pastries!”

“Love this bagel. New York style with lots of delicious cream cheese.”

“The Line is a fantastic spot to pick up coffee, pastries (sweet or savory) and even lunch. It has become a regular weekly habit for me and I always leave happy and with delicious food and beverages in hand. I am a steadfast fan of the Line for the food, coffee, conversations and service.”

“Absolutely delicious & creative baked goods that everyone should be going after! The bostock in particular is my favorite, along with the pickled mustard greens focaccia.”

“An old shop that a Cal alumni recommended to try. You have to try it to know that it's really delicious. Top Dog menu is a small sausage that extends through the bread. Crispy skin, juicy meat inside. Spoon chopped onions and pickled cabbage over lots of mustard. Just a little bit of ketchup. Very delicious. The bread isn't tough. The seller looked very authentic and in a good mood.”

“Not long after my first-ever trip to Oaxaca, this beautifully renovated space opened and I was so happy to come and enjoy their top-notch Mexican cuisine. Their moles are better than any others I've found in the East Bay, they boast a wide range of delicious cocktails, and present a friendly, welcoming atmosphere to their patrons. Only recently did I learn they also run nearby Casa Latina and La Mision (both very good). Really a highlight of West Berkeley, and I wish then the best!”

“OK, so you may not ever have thought of Okra as something to eat, but the pickled Okra is not to be missed if you like spicy, pickled anything. Went great with my Abel Tasman pilsner. Yum”

“As a huge fans of acai bowl or any smoothie bowls, I really recommend this place. Among smoothie bowl places that i’ve been visited in Bay Area, this place has one of the most aesthetically pleasing bowls. The price is a bit higher compare to other smoothie bowl places, but it is worth it since they offer great variety of topping. The taste and the texture are okay. For me, I have anothe smoothie bowl place that I like more than this place in term of the taste, however, aesthetically-wise this palm-acai cafe is the winner”

“Customer service was amazing here. I have never been in a place where they are so attentive with the client.

Pizza was really good, this is a place to stop by if you’re around the area. Chicken tikka masala was a really well flavored pizza ?”

“Nice people and good food~^^”

“Philz in Berkeley is it's own vibe. Chill place to have a cup of coffee. The food is really good. I just love the Atmosphere of this place

Parking: I never have an issue with parking here.”

“Great lunch and good friends!”

“As an assassin, I don’t normally eat the flesh of anything that bleeds because it would dull my senses that have taken me many years to hone. However, I recently had a great chicken sando here, and would highly recommend. Support local businesses!!”

“Sweetgreen offers a fantastic dining experience, largely thanks to Jose, a standout employee. He greets customers with a warm smile and a welcoming demeanor, making you feel at home instantly. Jose’s dedication to his work is evident as he helps you choose the perfect ingredients and ensures your order is just right. His passion for the job enhances the overall experience, making Sweetgreen a friendly and inviting place to enjoy fresh, delicious meals. Highly recommended for a healthy and delightful dining option!”

“It’s a cool place with a lot of seating.”

“I love this place !!!”

“State flour is a must if you’re in the Berkeley area! It’s up there with some of the best in terms of quality and balance of flavors. A delicious and well-seasoned crust, perfectly portioned toppings, and also great service! It can get very crowded so it was just loud and hard to hear but atmosphere aside, the pizza and service is top tier. I could see myself ordering this to go and it being a great time. I’ll for sure be back! ?”

“Got the black garlic ramen and spicy tonkotsu. Very delicious broth and marinated eggs, noodle perfectly cooked. The spicy tonkotsu was especially amazing. Very nice interior design and vibe.

Kid-friendliness: They have special cute plates for the kids!”

“The best Momos and butter chicken and many other things you will eat in Berkeley. Have been living here since 4 years and I make it a point to walk down to the Resturant from the hills at least twice a week for their delicious food. The food tastes like what we eat at home, spices are a perfect blend, and the produce always taste fresh. Khendu & Gopal, the hard working couple behind the Resturant are super friendly and very kind.
It’s very close to University so you all see a lotta kids come for a hot meal & the love the couple have these kids is so beautiful.
I highly recommend Momo Masala. Our favorite place in Berkeley !”

“Not a vegan or vegetarian but oh boy….now I finally understand why Cheeseboard Pizza was voted 2022 Best Pizza in America! They only had 1 type of Pizza but that was everything and all you’ll ever want or need…it was soooo good! ??
Lines were around the block on a Friday night but totally worth it! I suggest try it yourselves and u won’t be disappointed! ????
(Long lines but very efficient with the orders, live music Friday night when we were there and huge outdoor seating area).”

“This boba place is AMAZING all the kids from willard middle school go there because it is amazing.inside,it is very beautiful

Vegetarian options: ???

Kid-friendliness: The workers are very nice”

“I absolutely love their crepes! Especially their buckwheat gluten free options!”

“Absolutely delicious!”

“Not too sweet and great place to hang out!!!”

“Live music, dance and poetry; something good on most nights. Linchpin of the Bay Area's traditional music scene, particularly Irish/Celtic. A community treasure.”

“I love this place and their beer! I first had one at Alvarado Street Brew in Monterey, CA. They’ve got great sours and fruit forward IPAs for me and beer that tastes like beer for my BF. I wish they had more seating but that’s not a reason to rate below 5 starts. Maybe they will open a bigger location in Alameda or Oakland ?? DOG FRIENDLY”

“Marshmallow fluff;) Loved the Milkbomb sandwich! Will definitely go again;)”

“Delicious baked goods. Awesome staff!”

“Special.
The coffee is chosen and roasted special, by a wonderful person, and served by wonderful people, in a wonderful space.
This is not your average cafe. This is beyond. And it is … wonderful.
… and, you can enjoy it, while knowing that you are supporting the better side of our world.”

“Really missed Homemade Cafe, and then found this cafe across the street, seems small owner owned which I like, good selection of food, but the Ceasar salad was exactly what I wanted. Sat for an hour with friends in a very comfortable environment, great addition to the neighborhood.”

“The addiction of fresh baked goods is on high whenever I pick up delights from here. Crispy Fendu rolls to their mouth watering pizzas. It's so hard to not walk out with both hands excitingly, gripping bags of goodness!”

“I enjoy this restaurant very much. The food is excellent and fresh. it’s served hot every time. The servers can speed up with taking orders but otherwise, they are o.k. The restaurant is ok. The seating is too close for me but I get it. There’s No parking. It’s excellent.”

“I ordered the meatloaf and it was very good . The mashed potatoes were good and so were the vegetables. Home made taste. Will go back again!”

“This is the perfect neighborhood Italian place like in Manhattan or SanFrancisco. Absolutely delicious, we’ll-crafted Italian food that elevates the ingredients. My husband and I split a pizza and each had a salad plus a bottle of wine. Pizza amazing, wines amazing, salads lovely. Been wondering why Berkeley didn’t have places like this.”

“Great location, incredible foods and beverages and remarkable prices and friendly staff”

“Hands down the best cooking class I’ve done. The chefs were professional, the food was fresh, and we learned more about having a feel for cooking, and knife skills, than I could imagine. Best ‘value for money’ Bay Area activity!”

“What a lovely surprise to find such tasty, healthy food so close to home, friendly staff, on time! Lightly cooked but high-protein and *yummy*”

“The food is really great. I had the crab artichoke dip fabulous and then I ordered the primary French dip very delicious and the service was really great and the view is spectacular. Loved.”

“Always a great experience and that view!”

“Gather always pleases. We stopped in before the theater performance & had a fabulous pizza & salad, and, of course, a cocktail. Service is friendly & efficient, restaurant is airy (has outside seating and comfortable inside seating.) We'll become regulars.”

“Clean efficient great for gathering (outdoors) or to grab and go. The food is fresh with dishes like dosa, made to order. Indian food is part of my heritage, so the grocery store next door is a bonus.”

“Love this place. Great service and food!!!”

“Great dining experience and great service”

“Service is great. The ladies at the front helped us navigate the menu. The nachos are incredible. We ordered the Super Nachos and loved them. Definitely recommend.”

“Great view of the waterfront along with great food!”

“Not a vegan or vegetarian but oh boy….now I finally understand why Cheeseboard Pizza was voted 2022 Best Pizza in America! They only had 1 type of Pizza but that was everything and all you’ll ever want or need…it was soooo good! ??
Lines were around the block on a Friday night but totally worth it! I suggest try it yourselves and u won’t be disappointed! ????
(Long lines but very efficient with the orders, live music Friday night when we were there and huge outdoor seating area).”

“Tried Curry Pizza House in Kent, WA for the first time. Great flavors! Wonderful wings, Desi bread, and pizza! The mango lassis are yummy. Definitely check it out!”

“Good selection with a lot of options and they don't disappoint. It was my son's 1st time and he loved it‼️”

“I was there yesterday and had the Killer BLAT I didn't know if I would like it but turns out I loved it and I will return it was so good. It's a great place that you have to try.”

“A corner stop that models a delicate french patisserie. We usually stop for a little treat whenever we’re walking by, invited in by the irresistible wafting smells of sugar and creme. Scrumptious taste is always in harmony with the eye-catching presentation.”

“We had the best brunch experience ever today! The lemon ricotta pancakes along with the cheesy potatoes were delish! We sat outside on their darling little patio and listened to live music, it was so lovely. But the best part of all was the outstanding service from Maxine, her suggestions were on point and her beautiful energy was exactly what our morning needed! Will definitely be back!”

“Tasty chowder & friendly staff”

“Just what a coffee shop should be-great coffee, lovely and delicious assortment of pastries, nice outdoor seating and UNPARALLELED customer service. Owners are inviting and warm and want customers to linger and enjoy. Highly recommend.”

“I found my new favorite coffee shop! They value aesthetics and every drink is made to perfection. The workers were so nice and hospitable and even allowed us to stay for a bit after closing to finish our drinks. I got the orange juice tonic and the rose or hail latte, and my friend got the honey lavender latte (barista recommendation for best iced drink) and all of them were so so good and beautiful as well! I will definitely be coming back!”

“Second time going and tried something new! Both sandwiches were tasty! I am officially obsessed with the seasoned fries. I would go back just to eat them! Cannot wait to try something else there!”

“We really enjoyed our vegan dining experience. It works a little differently here. They change the menu for every meal then you decide the portion size you want. You get everything that's on the menu unless you choose the mini pick 3 option. All together it's soup, salad, and four other sides. We did "modest" which was pretty large ☺️ This is the meal I wish I made at home every day. I'll post a sample menu. Very friendly service too!

Kid-friendliness: My grandson is a toddler and this food was perfect for him.”

“For breakfast I had egg potato muffins, smoked salmon, and rosemary and cannellini bean soup. The outdoor seating at the back of the store is the Rose Garden, which is shared with Butcher's Sun and Rose Pizzeria. You can feel elegant from the morning.

The small storefront makes you feel like you're in Anja's kitchen. She takes care of everything. Literally, California cuisine with German love.
On the way home, I took out chicory coffee and almond cookies (this combination is the best!). Plastic-free paper takeout cups are super cool.”

“We decided to try this new place for lunch. We arrived around 2pm and the place was empty, which is expected since people are still finding out about it. You can order on the kiosks or at the register. The workers were very nice and took care of all our needs. We decided to sit outside in the back as the music was really loud inside and we had to yell to talk to each other. As far as the food goes, everything was ready relatively quickly. We ordered the fried chicken sandwich, the shroom burger and two cokes. Everything tasted good! I think this place is gonna be a hit for the night life as there was a full bar upstairs as well as lounge seating, neon signs, and possibly a dance floor downstairs. I’m excited to see this place get traction!”