Restaurants in Berkeley

“Loved the authentic Paris style premade baguette sandwiches (e.g., ham and cheese). The bread was delicious. Pastries and croissant were awesome too. Rhubarb strawberry crème tart, A+”

“The food is awesome!! It's my first time being impressed with Vegan food. I'm a big sushi lover, and this was the best sushi I've eaten all summer =).

4 people:

We had three shared plates
- the negiyaki (best!!)
- tempura shitake (great!)
- potatoes (wouldn't order again).

And four sushi rolls
- Kailua
- Waimanalo (best!!)
- pacifica
- half-moon (wouldn't order again)”

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

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

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

“The food here is absolutely amazing. Best Ethiopian overall ive ever had. Their collard greens and green lentil dish are both seriously the best ive ever had for those dishes in Ethiopian cuisine. Everything else is still show stopping. When we first went here, there was a dish with red sauce and I wasn't a huge fan - but i also am personally not a dark meaty-taste sauce person, and all the dishes here have otherwise been amazing. Even the sambusas are great! They could use a little more variety, maybe served with the green lentil dish as a side even or with a sauce- but even by themselves are amazing. Long story short, Desta is a must visit!”

“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*”

“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”

“Visited for the first time today, and looking forward to going back! Slice of cake was delicious, and I loved the vintage plates and silverware, plus tea served in a beautiful teapot. Really made it feel so special.”

“Highly recommend the Duck Confit with good company and a nice red wine. You can’t go wrong with this combination. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“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!”

“DELICIOUS!! Best Indian in Bay Area!!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
Veggie pakora
Samosa
Chicken Mikahi
Paneer Tikka Masala
Veggie Briyani
Onion Naan
Rice Pudding

If you LOVE Indian food, do yourself a favor & GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!! You will LOVE it!!”

“Good selection of vegetarian, vegan, and standard ramen dishes. I enjoyed the Timmy Tan Tan ramen - a little bit of spice, fresh crisp from the greens, and nice depth in the broth! I usually only have half a bowl and save the rest for leftovers but I was still a bit hungry halfway through and ended up eating the entire thing.

Service is very quick with orders and refills. Very relaxed, casual atmosphere good for catching up with friends.

Unfortunately they are now very low/out of eggs due to the current egg stock issues. It does leave the ramen feeling a little naked.

Dietary restrictions: Vegan options available”

“Char Siu pork plate was decent but not phenomenal. I like the juiciness of the pork and a lil crunch on the skin. Decoration was cute, cucumber pickles were rotten/had a bit of foul smell. Not sure if it’s worth $23-24 after tax. I can easily get this dish at a Chinese restaurant or Chinatown for cheaper.
I also wish the eggplant salad had less sauce because the aroma of star anise or sth was too much for me.”

“Great team, smooth operations, and the good vibes translate into exceptional food with plenty of fresh greens and the most sophisticated, not at all fatty, falafels by the Bay! How do they make so much great food in such a small space? When do they open a full size restaurant? I will be there.”

“Very cute cafe with pastries and a hot/cold drink menu. I really enjoyed the genoise and London fog, great on a cold rainy day. The Christmas tree was up and twinkly lights about really made it a perfect cozy cafe to hide in.

Wheelchair accessibility: On the first level, very accessible with wide berth around the counter.”

“We go there for the groceries about twice a month. My wife enjoys their spicy kimchee and fish cake in containers. They have lots of pre made fresh food to take home. The food and service from the restaurant is very nice.”

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!”

“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!”

“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.”

“I loved everything we got here! We had it family-style for a party of 4, and everyone left very full. I highly recommend the scallops, octopus, and potatoes bravas. The pork paella was also so yummy! I can't wait to come back. Great, attentive service!”

“We initially got one cupcake to split since we weren't 100% we'd love it. (Cupcakes can be such a hit or miss) My husband took one bite and said, " Yeah, your gonna need your own cupcake!" LOL. He's not even a dessert person, so that was saying a LOT! Best red velvet I've had in a long time. Super moist and rich flavor. Excited to come back to try more flavors!”

“Great food and great service”

“We hosted our reception dinner at Babette with 40+ guests, and it was amazing! Our guests loved the cozy backyard, great service and food. The coordination and planning went very smoothly. We appreciate all the help from Joan and the team!”

“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.”

“I just love this local Berkeley gem. Friendly, warm vibe where everyone is welcome. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into the place. The coffee is THE BEST, the pastries are amazing. From the coffee made with care and the super nice baristas to the comfy/welcoming/inclusive atmosphere, Bench Café has it all. My go to breakfast items are the Spinach Feta Empanadas and the Date Latte. P.S. the music adds a nice touch to the place.”

“Upbeat generous dude with tasty wholesome food.”

“Berkeley family here, so happy they went out of their way to make it a family friendly environment, great for kids and adults alike. Fan of the OG Cellarmaker in SF, but also a big fan of this new location.”

“Tried on my lunch break and was surprised that the place I selected for a quick bite ended up being some of the best Indian food I've had in this part of the bay.”

“Staff was well-versed on the vegan menu and were very helpful. I would definitely come back again and try the other vegan options! We had the vegan grandma and the Caesar salad and both were good. Be sure to ask the host for a vegan menu! Update- went back to try the NY vegan - staff was knowledgeable and helpful. We tried the Beet and Chicory salad. We liked the Caesar better but the NY pizza better than the grandma! Updated from previous review on 2024-03-27”

“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 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 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.”

“What a great find. We were in Berkeley for a show and booked this place by just looking up reviews and by proximity. The service and food was phenomenal. We had a very tasty wine, a gem salad, gluten free pizza and a dessert. It was the best gluten free pizza I've ever had. I can't wait to go back.”

“How long this place been here?! Had no idea and I’ve been going to fire extinguisher place on the corner for years. Luckily saw it on app, and tried. Excellent food, service and very fresh and tasty. I shall return!”

“Always friendly and tasty! OP is longtime family owned.plus same grill man who always say hi to me, a customer for 20 years. I usually go for the great gyro (extra tzatziki!), BLTs and fresh lemonade, burritos, but all is fresh and made to order.”

“This is THE classic Szechune restaurant in Bay Area. It is convenient, spacious, and with nice decor. The food is authentic with milder taste. As a Cantonese the real SZ cooking is overwhelming. This milder version is just right. We had A3 appetiser, H5 boiled fish, and J3 stirred pork. It came to somewhat >$80 for two. The portion is large. The left-over is good for another 3 meals. Very delicious!”

“An absolute neighborhood gem. Delicious food and reasonable prices. The staff and owners are amazing. Try it!

Particular favorites are the tom kha gai and red curry.”

“Food and service was excellent”

“Great beer selection; try the Structure”

“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.”

“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.”

“Tostaditas de tinga (de-li-cious)”

“Ordered a mocha with a rugelach this morning and got an unexpected rabbit in the foam - I would give you 10 out of 10 for design creativity, and an extra 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟for carrying this rugelach!
The 🐻 was from my previous visit 😎

A+ for making my day 😎”

“I just had the best risotto I have eaten ever. This is a cool place. Really pretty and elegant. We were here to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. The drinks were amazing. For dessert we had the vanilla crème brûlée. The waitress was sweet and comped our dessert. Great experience.”

“wonderful owners. good concept.”

“The frozen custard was dense and creamy. It paired perfectly with the tart lemon sauce and fresh raspberries. The generous swirl of whipped cream complemented the custard well. Service was prompt and courteous.”

“I usually swing in for a drip coffee, always greeted with a smile by the staff, and the overall atmosphere is chill and welcoming.
When the weekend comes, they always request Jaffa coffee, for a juice and pastry.
Really great spot to visit when in Berkeley.

Kid-friendliness: It’s a very chill vibe, and welcoming.”

“Food is great. Service is prompt. Place is clean. We tried malai boti roll , samosa, and chicken tikka fries. They are generous with chatnis. Chai was lovely. Nutella paratha was a great fusion twist. The Owner is very attentive. Will highly recommend this place if you are visiting Berkeley, you must try this place.”

“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!”

“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 💖”

“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.”

“Turkish coffee had it before and it was smooth with foam on top. This one was ok but did the trick and woke me up. The orange coconut cake was delicious. The Yemen tea my wife ordered was perfect.”

“Food experience: 4/5
Service and

Beautiful Palestinian cafe. They offer halal chicken sandwiches and I only wish they would offer halal turkey and beef. But the quality of the chicken in the sandwiches is tasty. The cafe drinks are really special and highly recommend it. And the simplicity of their croissant flavors like the zataar and cheese croissant is really tasty. They have lots of Kunafa style desserts here too.”

“I saw someome make a TikTok about this place and immediately knew I had to add that to my list. I headed out to Berkeley on a Friday morning to try it out and I bought a friend who isnt a big fan of Thai and or Asian food. I was thankful to experience this style of northern Thai cuisine I believe the order Tanzie referred to it as. The hospitality and service was above average. I enjoyed all of my food and so did my friend. The pork jowl was agreed to be are favorite out of the all the dishes we tried. Very juicy , flavorful and just all around deliscious topped off with that crispy fried garlic. The brown rice over that soft scrambled "lava egg" was to die for paired with the savory tomato based minced pork that I ordered extra spicy of course. The star of the show that me and my friend both agreed on had to be the "prik nam pla" which I would describe as a sweet and spicy vinegar or fish sauce based dipping sauce accompanied by a nice punch of spice from the thai chili peppers. I dont have any complaints whatsoever and I will definitely be back.”

“Amazing pizza - we came from Fremont to have this indian style pizza and the sauce & overall pizza was amazing. We ordered half n half pizza - achari paneer + Bombay garlic paneer pizza. Loved the achari. We also ordered indian masala twist + Tikka masala chicken pizza which was super tasty too 😋 Must visit! 😋”

“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.”

“Best acai bowl place ever and I’ve been to so many all over the world! No one does it like they do - so many options and customizations. They need to expand to way more locations!”

“chocolate croissants!!💖.”

“This is a special spot. I’m a coffee snob and keenly attuned to energy and this is truly a special place. I probably shouldn’t share this. But I don’t live in Berkeley. I spent time in the area over the holidays and still thinking about it. Enjoy!”

“A solid NY pie in Oakland. Sauce is just right in richness and amount. Crust is thin, no flop, slightly sweet and chewy like NY. $25 for all large is pretty standard nowadays for a quality pizza and that’s what you get here. I took it to go, and the interior looks like a quaint little place for cozy eating.”

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

“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!”

“Best of the best. Tons of choices, exquisite French patisseries, true North African specialties… there is so much to choose from. High quality and scrumptious! We will be back!!!”

“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.”

“First impression, I like it here more than most of the starbucks I have visited before. The place is a little small and good for people who like to sit differently and want to listen to nice music. The latte I ordered was warm good enough for me to enjoy drinking it while having my “Kouign Amann - Chocolate” and it was small and 50% of its advertised picture, but surprisingly, it was delicious and nothing like I taste before.

I did give 3 stars to services, because it felt like no one was welcoming me there, I was hanging around a little bit and the baristas were deep in their brewing coffees, so I ended up ordering the food digitally by the monitor! Maybe a little more love to new people coming over welcoming them, can go a long way.

Overall, 4 out of 5! Cheers!”

“The matcha is next level good. It’s not the right cafe to work from (no WiFi) but the drinks, service, and atmosphere are delightful for a screen-free cafe day or grabbing something to go.”

“The food is scrumptious, fast service & glorious sunshine as we basked enjoying the fried chicken sandwiches with spicy slaw Beyond yummy !”

“Place is cool it can be crowded on the weekend but it’s understandable because it’s a college area the people behind the counter get over stimulated sometimes and seem like they’re rushing you. The dogs are are great though the lemonade isn’t sweet and they offer good chilli and condiments”

“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.”

“Super delicious 👍 I never eat Japan food super good like this before.”

“Great organic and delicious wraps burritos and plates thank you 😊”

“What a wonderful place!! We went this morning for the 1st time & wow!! The food is excellent, the atmosphere was beautiful & service top notch!! Special shout out to Javier…he was a pure pleasure & took such good care of us 👍🏽😊”

“Picked up dinner twice this week. Delicious.”

“Absolutely delicious!”

“Love this neighborhood spot!! The owners and staff are so attentive. There's plenty of options for breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices. They have some outside seating for those who want to get some sun. Easy to find free parking on the side street. The vibe is chill - I often see people lounging, reading, or playing games in there with their friends. Come support this gem!”

“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 !”

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

“open mic Tuesdays and the food and atmosphere!”

“Friendly staff🥰, best bagel in the states🥯”

“Excellent coffee and exceptional house made baked goods! Everyone who works there is super friendly and they love dogs, which is important for our family, especially when we're en route to daycare or the park with the pup and kiddo. My only wish is that they had a space with a nice seating area so I could soak up the good vibes for longer.”

“I love this place. I have been coming here for 10 years- and each time I’m in town I make sure to give a visit. The food is fresh and doesn’t leave one feeling heavy. I got the spinach momos and #37 rice dish. Great quality and price. Will continue to come back.”

“Super friendly staff! Already felt happy with the first interaction, but then tasting the authentic flavor of the thai tea made me even happier! Better than any boba place I’ve tried in Berkeley, especially for thai tea!”

“Can’t decide between egg rolls or spring rolls? Enter the Cha Gio Cuon…egg roll in spring roll. GENIUS! My companions had the chicken soup and fish banh mi, both also excellent. Their broth is super flavorful and the price is right. Owner and crew are very attentive.
The restaurant is beautiful with modern murals of Bay Area life, but eating near sundown was quite unpleasant in almost all tables due to west facing sun. Simple drapes/blinds would help.”

“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.”

“The Desserts reminds you of the Cake table on Thanksgiving at Grandma's house. yummy! yummy yummy for your tummy!😍😍”

“They make one style of pizza daily, and you can ask for a vegan version. It was decent pizza, the crust was a bit ‘crackery’, in that it wasn’t a nice chewy soft texture. Would absolutely go back.”

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

“Not the best matcha I ever had, but better than most other matcha places in the area. The strawberry matcha was very good, but could have used some more strawberry puree in it. I wanted the double matcha latte, but it wasn't in stock. *sad* Atmosphere seemed good for studying, but didn't stay. Service was very quick and ordered on snack pass. Will be back when I'm in the area.”

“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.”

“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!”

“Great sandwiches in downtown Berkeley with a lovely patio”

“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 was amazing and you can’t beat the views! The staff was friendly and our waitress was amazing!”

“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.”

“Always a great experience and that view!”

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

“They make one style of pizza daily, and you can ask for a vegan version. It was decent pizza, the crust was a bit ‘crackery’, in that it wasn’t a nice chewy soft texture. Would absolutely go back.”

“the food's good, nothing was amazing but more importantly nothing was bad.”

“This is an amazing dining experience... my favorite drink is Jack satan..and t I always get the chicken livers....💖😉”

“We all agreed that the food was first rate, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the French toast was excellent…”

“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.”

“Great dining experience and great service”

“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!”

“Best of the best. Tons of choices, exquisite French patisseries, true North African specialties… there is so much to choose from. High quality and scrumptious! We will be back!!!”

“Turkish coffee had it before and it was smooth with foam on top. This one was ok but did the trick and woke me up. The orange coconut cake was delicious. The Yemen tea my wife ordered was perfect.”

“The best food I have had in a long time! Great taste and excellent customer service. A must try !”

“Atmosphere was superb, place is veryy clean. I ordered two drinks and the Milk cake the pastries were amazing.The owner/manager was there and he seemed to really care and was very hospitable. Will definitely be my go to coffee spot moving fwd.”

“Finally tried this new spot on MLK Jr Way. The Thai Tea Brown Sugar Mochi was legit, and somehow the Cheddar Cheese Walnut Pralines actually worked. Owners know what they're doing - creative flavors that don't feel gimmicky. Berkeley needed this.”

“I got the hojicha and it was hands-down the BEST hojicha I’ve ever tried in the bay!!! The hojicha was so rich and my drink was sweetened perfectly—not too sweet, which didn’t steal the thunder away from the hojicha’s notes and flavor! I do want to disclose that they did take over an hour for my drink to be ready, BUT I went for their soft opening weekend, so that may be why many people were there (there were around 25 orders ahead of mine). They whisk the hojicha and ceremonial matcha right in front of you, which was a blast to see. The ambience was great! I’d definitely go again at a time where there aren’t as many customers there.

Update: my friend went a few weeks after me, and their wait is still just as long (about 40-50 minutes). Definitely place your order, explore downtown Berkeley, then come back for your drink. There aren’t a lot of seating options available in the tea bar.”

“Everything was packed with flavor and totally delicious. Best dolmas I've ever had. Chicken and Koobideh were excellent. Best middle eastern (Persian) food I've tried in the east bay, for sure!”

“The owner was so so so sweet and the juices were so good and flavorful and I enjoyed my ube latte and cookie. I would recommend 1000% especially if you are vegan because they have great options. This is an amazing place!!!”