Restaurants in Berkeley
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Best Restaurants
“Amazing vegan pizza!!! I love how flavorful and inventive it is. I miss the farmer’s daughter pizza that they used to have though, PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!! Still 10/10”
“Loved the decor and the vibe,great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!”
“The food inside is delicious and healthy portions. The service here is great too!”
“They have 4 bases and one can choose between either pork (Tonkotsu) or chicken (Tori Paitan). They also have the option for vegetarian ramen, but this is limited each day. What's unique is that you can have either the regular Hakata, thin noodles, or the Sapporo, medium thick wavy noodles.
You can't make reservations, but they have some seating in the clean alleyway where you can wait.
Only downside was that it took over 25 minutes for our ramen to be served, but at least the owner came to our table and apologized for the delay.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Hidden gem for new parents. This place is awesome for lunch. They have a few dishes eat day and they change it up frequently. I’ve never gone and not wanted what I’ve seen - and I’m picky.
Great place to meet up on maternity leave.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“How do you spell “Enrapture”? “Lexie’s Frozen Custard” of course, offering a wide array of heart-stopping pleasures and confections. Charm and charisma? Delivered with each serving! Pictured: Beguiling owner Alexis LeCount and arresting assistant Sadie Sprenkle.”
“We got a Vietnamese latte, Mexican mocha, chorizo burrito, and chipotle sandwich for about $26. The sandwich was sooo fresh, flavorful, and practically melted in my mouth. The burrito was smaller than I’m used to, but it was also amazingly seasoned and delicious! Both drinks were smooth, flavorful, and tastefully sweet without being overpowering. The service, atmosphere, prices, and food are all 10/10 and make me want to come back daily.”
“I recently visited Roaming Bean Coffee, an outdoor gem that exceeded all my expectations! My drink was perfectly balanced with rich, smooth flavor and delightful frothy top. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. Overall, Roaming Bean Coffee is a fantastic spot for coffee lovers looking for tranquil outdoor setting!”
“This is the best Thai food I have had hands down in years in the Bay Area. Wow. Each dish is perfectly balanced and ingredients are fresh and plentiful. Excellent service and lovely ambience.”
“We love coming here and are never disappointed! The food is a daily set selection of healthy, filling, and delicious grains, veggies, etc, and you can pick 3 of the options or get all of them. We especially love the soup that comes with the meal as well! The “generous” size is usually more than one person can finish. The service is always very prompt and welcoming.”
Outdoor Dining
“Mille-feuille extraordinaire! I could tell upon viewing everything it was going to be a gastronome's extravaganza. Since it was my first visit I had to start with the benchmark comestible, a plain croissant. It was exquisite with the perfect balance of butter, and flaky exterior. I will be back. It is l
'il Paris indeed!!”
“We go here for take out quite frequently. The service is always warm and friendly and the food is delicious. We're vegan and are quite happy with the vegetarian platter. The ONLY reason for the 4 stars is because they recently switched to plastic take out containers. I really preferred the compostable containers because they did a good job of sucking up a lot of the oil.”
“Cute little restaurant. We ordered cucumber salad, bbq chicken set and bbq char siu set. Everything tastes so good. Very very high food quality. A lot of flavors. The spicy and numbing cucumber salad is the BEST I have had in the US. Not exaggerating.
It’s counter service and they have discounts for cash. Staff is very friendly. Great neighborhood restaurant for everyday eats. Would come back again when we are in Berkeley next time.”
“I have worked around the corner from Bench for years. I only recently got into coffee and so I've tried pretty much ever coffee shop in the near vicinity and this is by far the best latte in the area. Don't forget there is an upstairs seating area with a table and chairs.
The only thing that I would prefer is to have a couple comfortable chairs upstairs. If I could sit in a cushy chair I'd be so happy! But it's comfortable enough to be my go to spot now!”
“I've been coming to Souvenir cafe since it opened. It is a gem in coffe shop landscape of the Bay Area. It small with comfortable seating. I enjoy studying there or seeing friends. The staff is very friendly and the drinks are well prepared. My Oatmilk Matcha latte is always excellent and the pastries and small dishes are fresh and crunchy. They close relatively early at 5pm so I make certain to come early enough to really enjoy myself. Thank you for providing such a wonderful place for cffee/tea and more!!!”
“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!”
“So love this place! Food extremely fresh. First recommended and ordered by another, I sought it out again for lunch. Delightful. Took unused veggies and rice home which was great the next day.”
“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.”
Online Reservation Available
“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’ve been coming to this restaurant for a few years, and it’s hands down the best Sichuan food around. Their Mapo tofu is my absolute favorite. One thing to note though—their cabbage side dish is “paocai,” not kimchi. They’re completely different foods from different countries, and the process of making them isn’t the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love paocai !!, but I noticed some reviews from Americans mixing the two up. Just want to clear that up so people don’t get confused.”
“I've booked this venue twice for work events (team offsites, strategy planning retreats) and have had nothing short of the best experience both times! The Sway team is extremely professional, responsive, and accommodating -- even arranging the furniture to fit all of our day's activities, and providing coolers for drinks that we brought ourselves! The location is great -- close to many restaurants for breakfast/lunch options and neighborhood parking all day. We've loved using this beautiful space and couldn't recommend it more.”
“Showed up a little early & got seated early. Wonderful meal with my friend. Neither of us had ordered the cheese plate before & we devoured everything. Our server was sweet & recommended a good dessert that was not on the normal menu. It was delicious! Always a good spot for good food & good wine.”
“We had another wonderful dinner at Julia's Restaurant last night. We had Adrian as our waiter again, which was a really nice coincidence. Like our last visit, Adrian was a friendly, nice, excellent waiter. There were three of us. We all got different entrees and everyone loved their dinner. My wife took a picture of her halibut dinner. She isn't usually a couscous fan, but she raved about it and was glad she ordered the halibut. I had the ribeye steak, medium rare, grilled to perfection. It was presented superbly on a wooden plank and everything was delicious. Our good friend had the braised short rib....another beautifully presented dish that was thoroughly enjoyed. We were very happy to go back to Julia's and look forward to going again soon. Highly recommend! (Earlier review) This review is a bit tardy. My wife and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Julia's Restaurant in the Berkeley City Club in August. From the beautiful ambience to the excellent service to the scrumptious food, we give Julia's high praise. We went early and enjoyed walking around the historic building "ooh'ing and ahh'ing" over the stunning architecture and ornate detailing everywhere. Morgan's Bar & Lounge has the most gorgeous stained glass Tiffany lamps (see photo) that fit the decor well. Our waiter, Adrian, was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and fun. The food was beyond amazing. We both had filet mignon (perfectly cooked medium rare) with bearnaise sauce; it was tender and succulent (see photo). The accompaniments, sweet potatoes and spinach, were all delicious. We had never been to Julia's before and now look forward to going there again for another great, special meal”
“Not only do they have great wines but they also have great service. Jeff and his family who own and run the place are super sweet. They were really nice and accommodating to our family when we came by. We have been enjoying their wines for a while so it was very nice to enjoy the winery in person.”
Takeout Restaurants
“A cute restaurant that serves flavors akin to North Indian food for their lunch specials. They pile up your plate, but I can be hungry sometimes after. Their chai is some of the best I can get in Berkeley and is decently priced. Their chicken is well seasoned, and their veggie options are delicious. Their rice is well cooked. The little booths are cute, but the seating area can be a little stuffy.”
“I've been here a few times and have not been disappointed. Every flavor I've had has been amazing.
My favorite is the key lime cupcake because it has lime curd inside, a graham cracker crust bottom, and lime zest on top. PERFECTION!
A similarly tasty cupcake is the lemon cream pie.
The cookies and cream is also really good.
I also enjoyed the double chocolate flavor.
And the best thing is that they have locations in ATL, so I can have them when I go home!”
“Oh my heart - how did I not know about this bakery before 🌟 it’s probably a good thing that I no longer live a couple of blocks from it otherwise I’d have to size up my entire wardrobe. Tried the cheesecake, salted egg yolk cookie, almond meringue and the amazing egg tarts … everything was delicious with a dash of the kind of pixie dust that comes from love, talent and artisanal care 💖”
“Vegan (& Gluten-free) flavors! I loved the pluot, the dark chocolate, and the walnut (that has no pieces of nuts in it, which is really helpful to those like me who can’t have much fiber). Additionally, I found all three flavors more refreshing than (sickeningly) heavy, and the flavors 🤩 🎇—like the grand finale of a fireworks show for the taste buds. I’ve only had about a spoonful of each so far but am in love 😍🤤😋. I didn’t go to the shop, someone brought me some, so I’m not able to give my opinion on the actual shop. From what I heard, though, it wasn’t as crazy as many ice cream places are on hot weekends! 😊”
“I went in for the weekend special and was blown away by the hospitality—they were incredibly kind and welcoming. The food smelled amazing, and with the very first bites I was instantly reminded of the Halwa Puri from Burns Road I loved as a child. It was a truly nostalgic experience that brought back a cherished childhood memory.”
“Shoutout to Mollie and the team at Cellarmaker Berkeley; we recently held our wedding reception and it was lovely! Cool ambience, great beers, plentiful delicious food. Mollie was flexible and easy to work with - food things, accessibility things, slide shows, music, bringing cake and decorations. It was made easy for us and everyone had a great time. Thank you!”
“We love coming here and are never disappointed! The food is a daily set selection of healthy, filling, and delicious grains, veggies, etc, and you can pick 3 of the options or get all of them. We especially love the soup that comes with the meal as well! The “generous” size is usually more than one person can finish. The service is always very prompt and welcoming.”
“This was the best Mexican food I’ve had in almost 15 years. I’m going to be visiting a lot. Good drinks and great food.”
“Go to Tanzie if you’re looking for a different experience! The food and drinks are creative and definitely highlights the flavor of the food.
The wait time is a variable, but it’s definitely worth the wait time😁. Unless you get there early expect 30 minute plus wait time.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“They have 4 bases and one can choose between either pork (Tonkotsu) or chicken (Tori Paitan). They also have the option for vegetarian ramen, but this is limited each day. What's unique is that you can have either the regular Hakata, thin noodles, or the Sapporo, medium thick wavy noodles.
You can't make reservations, but they have some seating in the clean alleyway where you can wait.
Only downside was that it took over 25 minutes for our ramen to be served, but at least the owner came to our table and apologized for the delay.”
“Pizza Twist is absolutely fantastic! I have a strict gluten allergy, and Mani (the owner) went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. He was incredibly accommodating, attentive, and made me feel safe and confident about enjoying my meal. The gluten-free pizza was delicious, fresh, and flavorful—honestly one of the best I’ve had. It’s rare to find a place that truly cares about dietary restrictions while still delivering amazing taste. I can’t recommend Pizza Twist enough, both for the food and the outstanding customer service. I’ll definitely be coming back!”
“What a delightful place to stop and grab a delicious empanada or a boba drink. I just love the chicken adobo empanadas. The pastry is fresh, flaky, and crispy. The lightly spicy chicken and potato filling is tender and savory. So good. Be sure and try the house-made sweet chili sauce as well. For dessert, try the mango cheese cake empanada. It is tangy, fruity, rich with cream cheese and topped with a sugar-glazed crust. The prices are very affordable too!”
“There are so many places that say they are Himalayan or Nepalese or whatever, and there are ones closer to my house than MoMo Masalas, but I really like the menu here and the prices are fair. I like the Chilli Paneer (or chicken, if you want), a kind of street food-style dish that seems to walk the line between Indian and Chinese. Dahi Chicken is nice, too.”
“I spent about $45…for a whole bunch of yummy stuff! It’s amazing to be able to go straight to the bakery, and also kind of dangerous. You can see some of the menu on the window outside as you wait in line (there will almost always be a line), and you can peek in and see the day’s selection of breads and pastries. Only two parties at a time fit inside to order. There’s a small parking lot in front and more parking behind. I highly recommend the seasonal focaccia pizzas! An pain epi, just yum.”
“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.”
“Ok so I have pretty much given up eating sushi cause the quality even at highly rated places seems to be a bit meh now a days. Stumbled on Butterfish last night and I was literally transported back to Japan!
I wish I could give them 10 stars. The food is just exquisite. Just come and try it yourself cause I really won't do justice to it with mere words.
And the best part is you will receive the most hospitalable service which again transports you back to Japan. I wish other restaurants that are allegedly fancy would learn from this service team.
We enjoyed the food so much we over ate and it was totally worth the constitutional we needed to take after the meal😅
The fish is fresh, presented in innovative ways, they don't skimp on quantity, service completely above and beyond and lovely atmosphere.
I give this place 10 happy bellies 😋😍”
“We are new to the area/California from NY we were delighted to find pizza as amazing as home! Friendly owner and staff.”
Cheap Eats
“What a gem! In the courtyard of the Anthropology Museum, you’ll find this charming oasis. Everything from the furniture, landscape, menu, and soundtrack are all thoughtfully procured. Afternoon tea consisted of 3 refreshing flavors of tea and 3 sweet dishes. The chia seed porridge was a generous portion with a delicious flavor profile as well as texture. The toasted hazelnuts added a tasty crunch. Blackberries and gooseberries were a nice palate cleanser, and the chia seed flour brownie bites were addictive! The black walnuts and coarse East Bay salt were a perfect combination! I’m thankful they don’t sell these individually otherwise I would be eating them daily. In bulk.Not only was the meal unique and delicious, we also learned some Ohlone history and words as well as heard some lovely songs and spoken word that were pre-recorded. It’s such a nice experience and so much more than just food and drinks!”
“Grabbed some hot pho on a rainy day. Also had their monthly special: spicy beef noodle soup and grilled pork/shrimp wrap rolls. Everything was delicious. They are very generous with meat portions and even the bean sprouts/thai basil were very fresh. 5%off if you pay cash. Will come back.”
“Wonderful place! ☕️ The coffee is excellent – rich and flavorful. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, creating a cozy atmosphere. Everything is clean and well-kept, making it a pleasant spot to relax. 🪑🥪 The sandwiches and snacks are fresh and delicious, with great salads and smoothies to choose from. A perfect mix of quality, comfort, and service — definitely a place you’ll want to come back to!”
“A very friendly, lovely people who are ready to engage and talk about tea. I’ve always loved to have Monk’s Blend as a nostalgic choice in the morning, but their puers and oolongs are also quite nice. I’ve been away from the Bay Area for a while, but recently dropped by their location to discover a very pleasant and tranquil place. If you get a chance, do check them out.”
“Solid burgers for really affordable prices with a mildly unnerving interior. I got a cheeseburger and fries for $7.70, the most economical option near campus. The cheeseburger had two thin patties and grilled onions, which were a nice touch. The fries tasted great, but I got a lot of bits less than an inch long. Food was out in 3 minutes - amazing.”
“Super delicious 👍 I never eat Japan food super good like this before.”
“Love Crumbl! This location is located right by UC Berkeley so the parking is pretty wild. Usually my Husband will pull up and I’ll hop out and run in while he parks around the block. TEAMWORK MAKE THE DREAM WORK! The cookies are soooo good and the sugar here is always nice and welcoming!”
“Delicious authentic Laotian food. Friendly attentive service, even the chef came by our table to make sure everything is delicious. Gorgeous interiors, clean family friendly atmosphere.”
“We had another wonderful dinner at Julia's Restaurant last night. We had Adrian as our waiter again, which was a really nice coincidence. Like our last visit, Adrian was a friendly, nice, excellent waiter. There were three of us. We all got different entrees and everyone loved their dinner. My wife took a picture of her halibut dinner. She isn't usually a couscous fan, but she raved about it and was glad she ordered the halibut. I had the ribeye steak, medium rare, grilled to perfection. It was presented superbly on a wooden plank and everything was delicious. Our good friend had the braised short rib....another beautifully presented dish that was thoroughly enjoyed. We were very happy to go back to Julia's and look forward to going again soon. Highly recommend! (Earlier review) This review is a bit tardy. My wife and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Julia's Restaurant in the Berkeley City Club in August. From the beautiful ambience to the excellent service to the scrumptious food, we give Julia's high praise. We went early and enjoyed walking around the historic building "ooh'ing and ahh'ing" over the stunning architecture and ornate detailing everywhere. Morgan's Bar & Lounge has the most gorgeous stained glass Tiffany lamps (see photo) that fit the decor well. Our waiter, Adrian, was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and fun. The food was beyond amazing. We both had filet mignon (perfectly cooked medium rare) with bearnaise sauce; it was tender and succulent (see photo). The accompaniments, sweet potatoes and spinach, were all delicious. We had never been to Julia's before and now look forward to going there again for another great, special meal”
“This is our fourth time coming here and we're always so impressed with the delicious, fresh, creative,unique dishes that are beautifully presented. It's an unpretentious atmosphere and a great value as well. A true Berkeley institution!”
“Oh how I miss Anchalee! Beautiful cozy decor and the food is amazing. I have great memories of this place. Time to make my way back to enjoy.”
“Good food good service. Tea leaf salad tasted great. Noodle dish was a little bit mushy but the flavor was good. Service was fast and friendly. Dining room med expectations. Convenient curbside parking outside.”
“CLASSIC PEPPERONI
Ezzo pepperoni, pickled jalapeño, sicilian oregano, tomato, mozzarella & pecorino - On special $22.00
TIRAMISU
A big slab of classic tiramisu, lady fingers, whipped mascarpone cream, coffee soak, cocoa powder & sea salt. $12.00
Birra Moretti I don't remember : )
An amazing dining experience and the best pepperoni pizza I've ever had full stop - Priceless!
My second time here and much more of an intimate experience because I was by myself killing some time before I met friends at the Freight and Salvage.
My pizza was cooked perfectly - just the way I like it with some of the edges of the nickel sized pepperoni's a bit charged and bursting with flavor. The sauce, obviously an old family recipe had been cooking for hours and had a deep rich flavor. And the crust- ohh the crust held up well to the tomato sauce and had a chewy and crisp texture.
The kind young lady who was serving me was confident I could finish the Tiramisu no matter how full I was. She was right.
Matt says if you find yourself headed to downtown Berkeley either for a Cal event or to the Freight and Salvage, be sure to make reservations in advance and feast on some of the best pizza in the Bay Area. It's a small space and fills up fast
I can hardly wait to go back.”
“I’m a big fan of this wine bar, it’s exactly what the neighborhood needs, an upscale spot good for dates and getting away from the traffic. Highly recommended.”
“Great music venue, small feel with top notch sound and production, connected to a great ale house with good food, full bar and super professional staff.”
“Juan's Place has been proudly serving the Berkeley community since 1972, and being a customer for about 30 years makes the connection to this iconic spot even more meaningful. The restaurant’s remarkable history is rooted in a commitment to authentic Mexican cuisine and a welcoming, family-run atmosphere that has drawn generations of locals, Cal students, and visitors for over five decades.
Having been a loyal patron for around 30 years, it’s clear how special Juan’s Place is—a true staple where the flavors and traditions of Mexico are celebrated with every meal, continuing a legacy that began more than 50 years ago.”
“I was in Nepal, and this place is a pleasant reminder of the incredible master under the roof of the Himalayas. Delicious, authentic, I recommend it to everyone! Dhanyabaad!”
“The sushi here is better than most of what I’ve had in Japan! Extremely high quality ingredients and sushi-making skills you get o watch right from the bar. So happy to try this place out — we’ll be back soon!”
“Showed up a little early & got seated early. Wonderful meal with my friend. Neither of us had ordered the cheese plate before & we devoured everything. Our server was sweet & recommended a good dessert that was not on the normal menu. It was delicious! Always a good spot for good food & good wine.”
“I’ve been coming to this restaurant for a few years, and it’s hands down the best Sichuan food around. Their Mapo tofu is my absolute favorite. One thing to note though—their cabbage side dish is “paocai,” not kimchi. They’re completely different foods from different countries, and the process of making them isn’t the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love paocai !!, but I noticed some reviews from Americans mixing the two up. Just want to clear that up so people don’t get confused.”
“It’s the best Restaurant in town came with Family and we had a great time! Food was great and drinks 🍹 we all loved the dessert as well! Just amazing service and food! My Favorite for sure! 2914 College Ave Berkeley Ca”
“We ordered for pickup without knowing. There was an issue with the order but the restaurant called us and fixed the order. We are really happy with the service and will try the dine in location next.”
“i’ come from marin to eat here with friends today i had 2 friends for lunch and we got 1buffet and 2 meals . i asked the young lady if i got a buffet could i take it out with my meal . i guess she misunderstood me and preferred to throw it away as to let me take it home i won’t return again. although food is good all the ethiopian restaurants nearby are good”
“i been to this restaurant many times al the people who work there make you feel like home the food always delicious always . they very fast with everything and they clean and they always serving the food more than enough. i love this restaurant i highly recommended them for anybody’s looking to have a great Chinese food”
“Need to let go? Relax? Animate? Subjugate those anxious waves of uncertainty?
Kinda Izakaya is more, it's the kind.
Just don't get too loud, it's most impolite in this kinda place.”
“Cozy, flavorful, and full of heart
We stumbled upon this cozy Iranian restaurant in Berkeley and were instantly charmed. The atmosphere is intimate but lively — soft lighting, warm décor, and that unmistakable aroma of grilled kebabs drifting from the kitchen.
The food was outstanding. The kebabs were incredibly juicy — perfectly seasoned, tender, and full of flavor. The saffron rice was fluffy and fragrant, and even the side salads and dips were fresh and beautifully balanced.
Surprisingly, their cocktail menu was just as impressive. The drinks had a Persian twist — refreshing, creative, and well-made, not overly sweet.
The service was friendly and unpretentious, making the whole evening feel personal and relaxed. Whether you’re craving authentic Iranian comfort food or just looking for a warm spot to unwind with friends over a good drink, this place is a gem.”
“Some of the best sushi I’ve had. We stopped here on a drive through town and we are so happy we did. The sushi was delicious and we loved the miso soup and orange included with our meals!”
“ate here with my family, loved the atmosphere, kind service, and delicious food! I ordered the tuna poke bowl and it tasted very fresh. Thinking of getting shoyu ramen next time. Definitely worth the visit! <3”
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“Julia's is a real treasure near UC Berkeley in the historic Julia Morgan Berkeley City Club. The dining room is elegant and quiet, the food is excellent with reasonable prices for food of that quality. There is also an adjoining bar that is fun also. When there it's a good idea to take a walk through the building to see the architectural details.”
“Top notch drinks and personalities behind the bar, we will back. My only regret is that I waited this long to go there.”
“Jennifer is a great host, and the venue is absolutely beautiful, featuring two sparkling chandeliers and a hallway lined with game spaces. Located right in the heart of Berkeley, it offers plenty of liquor options and is easy to set up—perfect for happy hours, student mixers, and social events for both professionals and students. We highly recommend this gem for anyone looking to create lasting memories with friends, family, and classmates!”
“My dinner partner and I both agree that the physical atmosphere, and food were excellent. The place was almost empty on a Sunday night yet the service was mediocre. We had to keep tracking down the waiter for our hot water for the tea, box for take away, etc. Inattentive. The staff also seemed unhappy or dissatisfied with their jobs. The prices have gone up so don’t feel we got value for our money”
“First time here and loved it. Warm, friendly service, delicious food, great beer options. Lots of light and a great roof deck. Definitely recommend and will be back soon!”
“A wonderful addition to the Westbrae neighborhood! We've been watching and waiting and yesterday my husband and I discovered Adega Azul is finally open. Inviting atmosphere, friendly owner, a thoughtfully curated collection of wines for sale. And a charming place for an afternoon glass of rosé and savory Brazilian pastries.”
“Ordered 1/2lb of Brisket, 1/2rack of pork ribs, Vaquero Beans, Arroz verde, Texas frito pie. The only thing my wife and I weren't happy with was the brisket (a bit dry and tough). Everything else was stellar!!! Will definitely go back! Next time we'll leave off the brisket and try the chicken instead. Yum!”
“The atmosphere was absolutely relaxing with an inviting appeal. The wines were unique and very smooth. For those who think they do not like wine, I challenge you to try these wines”
“love this place. Food is fresh and delicious. Owner is also very hospitable and always greets us with a warm 😃”
“Went in this afternoon , small crowd. The service was excellent and the fish for sushi is exceptionally fresh. Would definitely recommend it if you are in the cute neighborhood. Clean interior too which makes it nice to dine in.”
“Had a great time at El Mono. Love their new location! Had an excellent Aji de Gallina and their drinks were delicious. Can't wait to try more of their menu.”
“Teance is a Berkeley institution. The shop is beautifully laid out: elegany and sparse. Their tea inventory is beautifully crafted. Teaware such as Chinese Yi-jing teapots and fine porcelain tea cups are available. The shop features tea tasting with staff offering friendly, knowledgeable advice and answering questions with detailed explanations. Teance also holds on-site social events with different themes which are free or moderately priced (~$30). Its worth a visit, even if you need to make an out of the way journey there. Highly recommended.”
“Mmmm. I'm so happy to find a Thai restaurant that focuses more on the savory than the sugar to flavor the food. Our meal was delicious. Right away when we walked in the vibe of the place made us feel relaxed and cozy. The vintage juke box in the back corner helped a lot. The proprietors are totally hip and laid back. Somehow our group ordered mild versions of dishes (we all thought the other was a light weight), which turned out to be lucky because the house made chili crunch we were provided to remedy the situation was incredible. We got the pumpkin curry, the eggplant street food thing, and best of all was the Sea Bass dish, but all addictive. We went brown on the rice, and it was perfectly cooked. Several items on the menu were well marked as GF, but they were able to make some items GF that weren't meant to be that way (for one of us who is celiac), and the dishes didn't seem to suffer at all. Can't wait to try the glutenous version. I don't typically write reviews (as you can probably tell) but I do on occasion when I want to support a business I hope will stick around (totally selfish motives).”
“Amazing sushi rolls and great service. Try it. I promise you won't be disappointed.”
“My experience at Passione Caffè in their gorgeous two-story, well-decorated café at 91 Shattuck Square was simply marvelous. The staff was friendly, quick, and accommodating and the food, drinks, and desserts were delicious! I highly recommend Passione Caffè to those looking for a quick and yummy lunch (or breakfast/brunch everyday), to snack and study, or for an authentic Italian coffee. Don’t miss out on the great happy hour/aperativo deals between 4-7PM! It almost goes without mentioning, but Passione Caffè is absolutely true to its slogan: “A corner of Italy in Berkeley.” From the food and drink to the atmosphere and the service, this is the only truly Italian café I have found in Berkeley! And that comes from over a year of experience living and traveling in Italy! Besides the beautiful architecture and interior design of Passione Caffè—not to mention its convenient location next to Downtown Berkeley BART—I would like to point out some highlights on the menu. The pastas are all made with homemade, organic noodles and made-to-order sauces. The pasta dishes are so fresh and authentic! The spaghetti with meatballs, their only Americanized dish, is to die for! The pizzas also are also made with home-made dough and gluten-free options are offered. Try one with fresh prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula! The fresh panini with Italian meats and cheeses round out the lunch menu. It is possible to have a filling lunch for $7-15, which is definitely reasonably priced by Berkeley standards! A serious final highlight was the artisanal gelato, made in-house by the Italian co-owner, Eleanora Cercatore. There are 12 flavors, weekly made with gluten-free options, that are displayed on a beautiful rotating wheel. The gelato is spectacularly tasty—I cannot recommend it highly enough! For your time, money, and fine Italian bites and drinks, I cannot recommend a Berkeley café more highly than Passione Caffè! Please pay them a visit soon—you won’t be disappointed!”
“Extremely delicious food. The dill and fava bean rice was incredible. Chicken and beef kebabs plus an appetizer plate is plenty for 2-3 people. The meat was so soft and juicy. Interior & ambience is nice, if average.”
“Drove up from San Jose to meet with out of state family and this was recommended. Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic service, and decent pricing. Many great, delicious choices and all with good size portions.
You can eat outdoors or inside comfortably.
Other restaurant owners should send a couple of spies over to observe and understand why a great and friendly restaurant such as Zut! Is always busy with happy customers.
Parking can be an issue on weekends due to that Berkeley area being so popular, but
go for it.”
“We haven't been to Ajanta in years - it was good to be back! The munu now offers three types of meals: a modest dinner, a dinner with one more course, and a la carte (including specials of the month). Everything was as good as we remembered; it is good to have more choices now.”
“Me and my co - workers loved the food that we ordered. We definitely come back and recommend”
“Definitely recommend this place! first time here and I can't wait to come back next time I'm in Berkeley!! Food is delicious!”
“Vivianna and another girl were the only ones serving/bartending last night. They were quick with taking orders and were extremely respectful. If Vivianna is working, I’d definitely come back for her amazing customer service!! 9.6/10!”
“Yummy Chinese food! Potstickers are made fresh
Vegetarian options: vegetarian options available
Dietary restrictions: vegetarian options available, but it is an asian restaurant so dont expect a whole bunch of options for dietary restrictions like Kosher, vegan, nut free etc
Parking: located on the corner of a street, a couple of parking spots available
Kid-friendliness: kid friendly but a lot of spicy dishes
Wheelchair accessibility: not wheelchair accessible, need to go up stairs”
“Staff is always on point. Good food. Always comes out promptly.”
“We had the most delightful time interacting with the wonderful owners brother and sister Dynamic Duo
The Sushi is delicious!
Sushi is super fresh and a great portion in every bite.
They will definitely go back”
“Food is great ! Service is so so . They did forget a dish and were a bit slow even after the happy hour rush ended . They brought the bill before asking whether we wanted dessert ( we did ) this time and the last time we came . Still I’d go back as the food is too good!”
“Phenomenal, authentic Chinese. Flavors were incredible! The most notable dishes were the green beans and the stewed pork belly. Great family style meal, went with 4 other friends and spent 45 bucks a person- but left absolutely stuffed.”
“Visiting from out of state. Went here for Father’s Day celebration . Excellent food and service.”
“BOBA DRINKS, Chicken wings, spicy noodles. Social distancing, mask required, no dine_in, meter street parking, Great area near Veteran's Hospital and its across from Mr Banh Mi...”
“We had a fantastic afternoon with a beautiful view. The bartender, Juan , made some tasty , fun seasonal and creative drinks. Had a great time and looking forward to returning !!”
“Great sushi, lots of choices, I had trouble choosing only a few! I had the love roll with salmon and it was heart-shaped, and delicious. Unassuming from the outside, but great food.”
“Arvin and Puja prepare authentic Nepalese Food that is delicious. My favorites are the Palak Panner, Mixed Vegetable, and Paneer Tikamasala as I am vegetarian. The Nan and Roti are to die for. I love the down to earth homie atmosphere and friendly service. It you want good quality wholesome food in a relaxed and friendly setting, this is your place. I highly recommend Mount Everest to anyone.”
“The banchan were the highlight of the meal, the stewed potato, seasoned fishcake, and sprouts with seaweed--all delicious and fresh. The mushroom tofu stew was nice, and the galbi tang was good but not my favorite. It was savory, meaty, and salty, but too simple for my taste. The mung bean pancakes were bland, even with dipping sauce. Overall I wished I'd ordered other food--with such good side dishes the bibimbap is probably great. The prices were very high, though to be fair, the most expensive dishes serve multiple people.”
“We were a group of 6 people. Food was good and the ambience was nice. Joe who took our order was a good communicator. Most would miss the upstairs chillout seating area to relax with a bigger group of ppl.”
“EDIT: I felt its necessary to make the amendment that, although walking in without a reservation was a thing previously, we've now had multiple visits where we've stood at the counter for 2 hours never to be seated.
You can still eat the whole menu there, but its generally very crowded.
Getting reservations seems to be catered towards friends, or some type of mysterious system, as we no longer have been able to get a reservation even weeks in advance. The food is still the same.
Original Review: I can’t believe that I haven’t left a review for Ippuku; this is as close as you can get to a Tokyo alley izakaya, from the sasami raw chicken special menu (to do for), to the epic yakitori, to the massive shochu selection.
By far one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, we’ve been here a good 30 times over the years and it has never once changed at all, thankfully!!! Never want it to change, it does everything so well.
Hokkaido squid, chicken oyster, chicken tartare, agadashi tofu, crab croquettes, these are some favorites.
Make a reservation if you can, but otherwise we often walk in and are seated within an hour. Fun to hang out at the bar and wait.”
“Authentic fresh ingredients/spices, excellent customer services and now my fav thai restaurant ! If you haven’t tried it do so soon😋”
Latest Reviews
“Arvin and Puja prepare authentic Nepalese Food that is delicious. My favorites are the Palak Panner, Mixed Vegetable, and Paneer Tikamasala as I am vegetarian. The Nan and Roti are to die for. I love the down to earth homie atmosphere and friendly service. It you want good quality wholesome food in a relaxed and friendly setting, this is your place. I highly recommend Mount Everest to anyone.”
“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’ come from marin to eat here with friends today i had 2 friends for lunch and we got 1buffet and 2 meals . i asked the young lady if i got a buffet could i take it out with my meal . i guess she misunderstood me and preferred to throw it away as to let me take it home i won’t return again. although food is good all the ethiopian restaurants nearby are good”
“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.”
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“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.”
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“I stumbled across this café in Berkeley. I was in the neighborhood and wanted a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Customer service was outstanding. Very friendly. I ordered a Americano café and a classic half plain bagel with cream cheese to go.
When I got to the car and opened up the box with the bagel, I was pleasantly surprised at what I was looking at. I had to take a photo. Even more surprised when I took the first bite. This was the best bagel I’ve ever had! The taste was amazing. Everything was so fresh. I took a sip of my coffee and that too was really good!
Thank you guys the copy and the food made my day! I will return when I’m back in town.”
“Very good cappuccino: not just a small latté. Lox, egg, capers, on gluten-free toast was well done. Lots of Palestinian baked goods.
Nice corner location on Shattuck. Great light and solid wood tables. Outdoor tables too.
Order in-person or by touchscreen.
The EDM playing is on the mellow side.”
“Outstanding burger with outstanding service!
I have been craving a really good burger for a while. My standard places (Five Guys or Habit) just haven’t been doing it for me. I was in the Berkeley/Albany area and decided this would be a good time to try a different burger place. Oh G Burger x Chimmelier was the best rated burger place in the area that I was in. It was also the most out of the way. But I never been to that area so I decided to go for an adventure. I am very happy that I did! 😃
I ordered the standard double smash burger with Oh G sauce and tater tots. The burger was thoroughly greasy in the best way possible! A hamburger is not health food. A good hamburger should be 20% fat and thus greasy. This is an outstanding hamburger! And I’m so glad that other reviews mentioned the tater tots. They were fluffy, crunchy pillows of potato delight. 🥹 I had forgotten how wonderful a tater tot can be!
And the burger and tater tots together were just over $18 before tip. That’s right in line with what I pay at the other places I go, but this is a far superior burger. I will be back again, hopefully soon.
An unexpected plus was the outstanding person working the front of the restaurant , Nivea (pronounced Ni-VAY-ah, NOT like the hand lotion). I’m a very observant person and my work involves increasing productivity (nerd alert!), and I developed as habit of observing how people do their work, especially in service jobs. Sadly, it seems that most people working in customer service jobs today have little to no interest in serving customers. That is not the case with Nivea. I came in at 7 PM on a Sunday night, so it was late in the shift the restaurant was full. She greeted me quickly and with genuine warmth and a smile. When I asked where the restroom was, she gave me clear instructions and also warned me that it might be a little wet in there. I watched her move around rapidly, serving all the different customers. Then she took the opportunity to clean up the restroom, then she was back filling up the water, pitcher moving rapidly to get it done quickly. When a large group that was seated at the counter, asked her what type of ice cream was used in the milkshake because they really liked it, she went to the back and got the information. I think there were only three workers in the restaurant at that time, two in the kitchen and Nivea in the front of the house. That’s a lot of work and responsibility to be on one person and most people in food service would not manage it, but she handled it with grace.
I’ve never met Nivea before, I just think it’s important to recognize outstanding work whenever I see it, as it is becoming increasingly rare. She was totally caught off guard when I told her what I thought about her work. The group seated at the counter agreed with my observation that Nivea is an excellent server and worker.
Nivea, if you happen to read this, there are many jobs in and out of customer service where your positive energy and diligence will take you far. Don’t sell yourself short.
And to other restaurant owners in the Berkeley/Albany area: if you’re looking for a good food server, come by Oh G Burger x Chimmelier, and ask is Nivea is working. If she is, order some food, sit down, and enjoy the food and the service.”
“CLASSIC PEPPERONI
Ezzo pepperoni, pickled jalapeño, sicilian oregano, tomato, mozzarella & pecorino - On special $22.00
TIRAMISU
A big slab of classic tiramisu, lady fingers, whipped mascarpone cream, coffee soak, cocoa powder & sea salt. $12.00
Birra Moretti I don't remember : )
An amazing dining experience and the best pepperoni pizza I've ever had full stop - Priceless!
My second time here and much more of an intimate experience because I was by myself killing some time before I met friends at the Freight and Salvage.
My pizza was cooked perfectly - just the way I like it with some of the edges of the nickel sized pepperoni's a bit charged and bursting with flavor. The sauce, obviously an old family recipe had been cooking for hours and had a deep rich flavor. And the crust- ohh the crust held up well to the tomato sauce and had a chewy and crisp texture.
The kind young lady who was serving me was confident I could finish the Tiramisu no matter how full I was. She was right.
Matt says if you find yourself headed to downtown Berkeley either for a Cal event or to the Freight and Salvage, be sure to make reservations in advance and feast on some of the best pizza in the Bay Area. It's a small space and fills up fast
I can hardly wait to go back.”
“Yummy, inexpensive Indian food in a no-frills place with good service and no atmosphere. Go here for the food and nothing else. Unless you like sports on TV. I had the chicken with spinach and it was predictably delicious. Self service chilled carafes of water in the fridge. You pay in advance which means no waiting for the check. Vegan options too.”
“Ok so I have pretty much given up eating sushi cause the quality even at highly rated places seems to be a bit meh now a days. Stumbled on Butterfish last night and I was literally transported back to Japan!
I wish I could give them 10 stars. The food is just exquisite. Just come and try it yourself cause I really won't do justice to it with mere words.
And the best part is you will receive the most hospitalable service which again transports you back to Japan. I wish other restaurants that are allegedly fancy would learn from this service team.
We enjoyed the food so much we over ate and it was totally worth the constitutional we needed to take after the meal😅
The fish is fresh, presented in innovative ways, they don't skimp on quantity, service completely above and beyond and lovely atmosphere.
I give this place 10 happy bellies 😋😍”
“Really good A little suprised the basil mojito was not tasting any sugar The 2 sets of sushi was really good as well as the shared plate Yuzu cheesecake was delicious Nice ambiance and decoration”