Seriously the best salads in Berkeley! The vegetables are super fresh. The patio out back is a lovely place to eat lunch on a sunny day.
Yasmeen Medhat
Loved the fried chicken sandwich! When I mentioned it was my first time there, the man at the register, who I think is the owner (?), gave me two cookies to try—the chocolate chip and ginger molasses—and both were so freaking good.
Our favorite go to spot! Delicious fresh and creative food, wonderful service, beautiful garden. Love it!
Ezra B.
The fried rice is amazing and the portions are generous. The tahini chocolate chip cookies are insane, too 5 cookies I've ever had.
Monic R.
Delicious! Healthy! Nice customer service and beautiful garden to eat in. Lovely space to stop by with reasonable prices (potato salad, huge salad with chicken, and big cookie for less than $30!)
Kylie P.
5000/5 Stars!! Jeff was so kind and the food was amazing! Everyone was right about the chicken sandwich (we got mild and spicy)--battered and fried fresh! The back garden area was so sweet and really helped seal together the wonderful experience.
haeli morris
Jeff is friendly and understanding, as I was late to pick up my food but he kept it fresh for me until I came to pick it up. It was delicious and tasted like a sandwich made by my mom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
M H.
Delicious! Crispy fried chicken sandwich, orzo salad and cookies are fantastic! The rose garden in the back is a most delightful place to enjoy the food. And of course service was super friendly
Chris E.
Delightful, idyllic back patio with rose trellises and long communal tables. The ham and Gruyère grilled cheese sandwich is excellent
My parents are in town from the east coast, and my dad suggested we try Garden Variety for a late lunch after I finished some work meetings. I was surprised I had not yet heard of it; I've only lived in Berkeley a few months, but I walk around a lot and take note of different restaurants with high Yelp ratings. We ordered two Fried Chicken sandwiches -- one mild and one spicy -- and one Grilled Fontina and Black Forest Ham sandwich. Each entree comes with a side dish. We chose the German Style Potato Salad, the Soba Noodles, and the Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad. In addition to the great taste of the food, the large portions and super reasonable prices for Berkeley made this a five-star experience all around. There was even a delightful area in the back where we were able to sit and enjoy our meals. On the way out, I brought our trays inside and thanked the chef/owner, telling him how much we enjoyed his food. Jeff was appreciative and gave me the last Tahini Chocolate Chip cookie in the case for us to share. It was the perfect ending to a terrific family lunch.
Zac R.
The best tuna melt and such friendly staff. Always such a treat to eat in the back yard
zen moriarty
The chicken sandwich at Garden Variety is hands down the best I've ever had. The orzo salad and cole slaw are next level. The owner Jeff is super cool and he knows my order right off the bat. What a gem this place is. A modest little spot where it's the food that packs the big punch. This is the best new spot I've tried in Berkeley this year. The classic hiphop album covers just make me feel right at home and theres usually some pretty ambient beats coming from the sound system. Righteous!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Orzo Salad
Lily G.
Ordered for pickup was pretty fast. The tuna melt was delicious! The potato salad wasn't my favorite but my mom loved it. Definitely would come again! Ps you NEED to order a chocolate cookie, have been craving one ever since.
Best lunch spot in Berkeley hands down. Amazing customer service and amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookie, Fried Chicken, Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich & Green Salad
Seriously the best salads in Berkeley! The vegetables are super fresh. The patio out back is a lovely place to eat lunch on a sunny day.
Loved the fried chicken sandwich! When I mentioned it was my first time there, the man at the register, who I think is the owner (?), gave me two cookies to try—the chocolate chip and ginger molasses—and both were so freaking good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ginger Molasses Cookie, Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookie, Fried Chicken
Our favorite go to spot! Delicious fresh and creative food, wonderful service, beautiful garden. Love it!
The fried rice is amazing and the portions are generous. The tahini chocolate chip cookies are insane, too 5 cookies I've ever had.
Delicious! Healthy! Nice customer service and beautiful garden to eat in. Lovely space to stop by with reasonable prices (potato salad, huge salad with chicken, and big cookie for less than $30!)
5000/5 Stars!! Jeff was so kind and the food was amazing! Everyone was right about the chicken sandwich (we got mild and spicy)--battered and fried fresh! The back garden area was so sweet and really helped seal together the wonderful experience.
Jeff is friendly and understanding, as I was late to pick up my food but he kept it fresh for me until I came to pick it up. It was delicious and tasted like a sandwich made by my mom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Delicious! Crispy fried chicken sandwich, orzo salad and cookies are fantastic! The rose garden in the back is a most delightful place to enjoy the food. And of course service was super friendly
Delightful, idyllic back patio with rose trellises and long communal tables. The ham and Gruyère grilled cheese sandwich is excellent
Restaurantji Recommends
Love the cookies
My parents are in town from the east coast, and my dad suggested we try Garden Variety for a late lunch after I finished some work meetings. I was surprised I had not yet heard of it; I've only lived in Berkeley a few months, but I walk around a lot and take note of different restaurants with high Yelp ratings. We ordered two Fried Chicken sandwiches -- one mild and one spicy -- and one Grilled Fontina and Black Forest Ham sandwich. Each entree comes with a side dish. We chose the German Style Potato Salad, the Soba Noodles, and the Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad. In addition to the great taste of the food, the large portions and super reasonable prices for Berkeley made this a five-star experience all around. There was even a delightful area in the back where we were able to sit and enjoy our meals. On the way out, I brought our trays inside and thanked the chef/owner, telling him how much we enjoyed his food. Jeff was appreciative and gave me the last Tahini Chocolate Chip cookie in the case for us to share. It was the perfect ending to a terrific family lunch.
The best tuna melt and such friendly staff. Always such a treat to eat in the back yard
The chicken sandwich at Garden Variety is hands down the best I've ever had. The orzo salad and cole slaw are next level. The owner Jeff is super cool and he knows my order right off the bat. What a gem this place is. A modest little spot where it's the food that packs the big punch. This is the best new spot I've tried in Berkeley this year. The classic hiphop album covers just make me feel right at home and theres usually some pretty ambient beats coming from the sound system. Righteous!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Orzo Salad
Ordered for pickup was pretty fast. The tuna melt was delicious! The potato salad wasn't my favorite but my mom loved it. Definitely would come again! Ps you NEED to order a chocolate cookie, have been craving one ever since.