Tapas Restaurants near Berkeley, CA

“Roses is is a great choice if you are looking for a really special restaurant for a private party. Great food and great atmosphere. Try the Japanese Old Fashion cocktail.“

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

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

“Let me start by saying the food was excellent and skillfully prepared. My only issue was with the service — we were greeted and took our orders, but we never saw the server again. Keep in mind, this is a large single room visible from all angles. We asked the busser for our plates since the person who dropped off the food didn't come back with our silverware and napkins. They definitely need to improve their organization!“

“This is one of our favorite places, though the quality/taste of the food is variable. In other words, you need to know what to order because they do some things better than others, which isn't too surprising given the many choices in their menu. My recommendation is to get the mentaiko carbonara, IMHO the best thing they serve.“

“If you're in the mood for a great night out, this bar is a hidden gem that delivers in both food and atmosphere. As soon as you walk through the door, you're greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance. The lighting is soft but not too dim, the décor is cozy yet stylish, and the sound level strikes a perfect balance — lively enough to feel energizing, but quiet enough to carry on a conversation without shouting.

The food is what truly sets this place apart. While many bars serve standard snacks or pre-packaged appetizers, this one takes its menu seriously. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavor. The appetizers, including hummus and pita, or seasoned steak or chicken skewers are perfect for sharing over drinks.

The bar staff is friendly and knowledgeable, happy to recommend drinks based on your preferences or suggest food pairings. The cocktail list is creative and the beer selection is varied, making it easy to find something that suits your taste.

What makes this bar truly special, though, is its welcoming atmosphere. The staff makes an effort to connect with patrons, and it’s clear that regulars are made to feel like family. Whether you’re there for a casual drink, a light meal, or a night out with friends, this bar hits all the right notes. It’s a place that feels like a home away from home — comfortable, fun, and full of great vibes.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for delicious food, a great drink, and a place where they can relax and enjoy the company of others!“

“This is a quick serve onigiri restaurant in downtown Berkeley. It's awesome to be able to get fresh onigiri in the East Bay and they include edamame as well. We split a plate of 3 and got the short rib(x2) and the unagi. Very small inside the restaurant, very much a get your food and go type place, but there is some room to eat standing up. They were quick, well priced and delicious. The perfect quick bite.“

“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!“

“The Pawn Shop has probably become one of my favorite places to eat in San Francisco. I love finding cool unique spots that have a cool dining experience!
I have visited a few fun speakeasy experiences across the country, and The Pawn Shop nails it. Meeting the Pawn Master was so much fun and talking about my object to trade was HILARIOUS! I could have stayed there all night looking at trinkets and hearing stories!

The food was really good! Hands down my favorite dishes were the octopus and the shrimp in smoked paprika. I love the tapas style small plates, because you get to try everything and we shared a bunch of plates, which made it so much fun.

Then finally what totally made it for me was a line of Conga dancers appearing out of a hidden panel in the wall! I didn't realize 200 Channels was next door and we ended up watching a show after dinner.

BEST NIGHT EVER. I highly recommend.“

“I have been twice and so far everything has been delicious. I need to go back a few more times to try everything on the menu. Don't forget to save room for dessert. The cocktails are fantastic.“

“Food is delicious. Place is very nice. Service is great. Here is everything we tried and our rating:
- Sweet potato gnocchi : very flavorful! The eggplant and hazelnut sauce base is creative! Solid 5/5
- Empanadas: must try. We ended up ordering 2 rounds of these. The frying makes it a little heavy but the taste and the aioli dip are divine. 6/5 …awesome!
- Tumaco ceviche: interesting acidic flavors. The crispy plantain chips were the highlight for us. 3/5 …the acidity wasn’t hitting right but it’s still really good.
- Carpaccio: the sweet tangy sauce makes this really nice. 3.5/5“

“Excellent cocktails that everyone enjoyed.“

“Very good food, wine and ambiance“

“Just amazing. Pop-up street food doesn’t get better than this.“

“The ingredients are very fresh, the restaurant atmosphere is very good, the service attitude of the staff is also very good, and I had a great time eating“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“Charming, with a hip, understated, classic,
slightly retro vibe. Excellent food and wine selection. Not inexpensive, but that’s true of most nice places in the bay area.. they specialize in expensive but tasty small bites, not entrees“

“I threw a birthday party here and I was so pleased with how everything turned out. Debi, the owner is very professional and quick to respond to email and a pleasure to coordinate with. All of the staff were extremely friendly, from the bartenders, waitress and the doorman (who greeted all my guests!). The bar has a lot of seating and is very spacious with great decor. Food is also delicious, which my guests enjoyed. Highly recommend the quesasdillas. Thank you Debi and team for making my birthday so memorable. I recommend throwing your next event here.“

“The food is artisan caliber, the atmosphere is welcoming and intimate, and our family GOTO!! ❤❤❤❤❤“

“The decor was festive and abundant in the best way possible, and the cocktails looked unique and curiosity-piquing. I narrowed my choices down to a Cafe Sua Daddy and the Soy Sauce Old Fashioned.

I love a savory drink and the sweet caffeinated espresso martini-esque drink had a thick blanket of just-salty-enough foam reminiscent of the salt cream that tops a boba drink. The Soy Sauce Old Fashioned catapulted me back to my childhood, eating slabs of tofu drenched in shoyu at my grandma's house. I loved the custom soy bottle presentation, it was just strong enough to tolerate being poured over a large rock while maintaining its flavor.

My partner had the Umami Tots and Mapo Tofu. I couldn't resist the siren song of some crispy potatoes dunked in chili oil cream, but managed to hold myself back on the tofu- even though it smelled amazing.

Can't wait to return and try the new seasonal drinks, along with more snacks.“

“Absolutely a great experience! Ambiance was nice. Place was very busy with lunch crowd but the server was very attentive to all. The beef dumplings and the beef and lamb schwarma was amazing! The sangria was tasty! Highly recommend coming to this restaurant!“

“Food was delicious. Service initially was started by a lady who barely understood anything. Then the man came outside and he was more knowledgeable. Ambience was good but the seats are really hard. They are wooden chairs. If you have a sensitive behind, it can actually cause severe pain. My husband was trying to order egg noodles since he’s allergic to rice. They have egg noodles on the menu, but he said they don’t have. That is why the four stars. Every noodle they had was rice based. They need to have a different option for people with allergies
if not, do not have it in the menu.“

“I’ve been coming here for years to meet w/family & friends to celebrate or anytime just because or to unwind in the comfy lounge & experience MKT Bar’s excellent service you find in a Four Seasons & the drinks are simply the best! Today was my daughter’s boyfriend’s 1st time here & he understood 💯 why we love MKT Bar & he is an awesome bartender!“

“Thank you, Le Petit Paris 75, for welcoming the Richard Crook trio to your delightful club. Always a friendly atmosphere, amazing cocktails, and awesome music line ups!“

“Strong cider, strong playlist, staffed by legends.“

“What an amazing place for sushi. I was town and a local suggested this place an I was not let down. I started with the spicy garlic edemame which he's a great kick of spice. I them had akani red tuma dashing and a flame roll. The sushi was perfect and the spice of the flame roll was squelch with my Nigerian sake! I could eat at the this place daily.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Punchdown - Wine Bar + Bottle Shop delivers an exceptional wine experience with a thoughtfully curated selection, knowledgeable service, and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying a glass in-house or exploring bottles to take home, the quality and care are immediately noticeable.
The ambiance is warm, inviting, and effortlessly cool—perfect for casual tastings, date nights, or catching up with friends in a comfortable, wine-focused setting. It has a unique charm that makes every visit feel special.
The staff is friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable, always ready with great recommendations tailored to your taste. Their passion for wine truly enhances the experience.
If you’re looking for excellent wines, a welcoming atmosphere, and expert guidance, The Punchdown - Wine Bar + Bottle Shop is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended and well deserving of five stars! 🌟🍷✨“

“First brewery of the day and what an excellent neighborhood brew pub sitting on the corner of Bryant St and Cesar Chavez St. A lot to choose from so we went high ABV with the Hazed & Confused Double Hazy IPA at 9%. We both enjoyed it.“

“Excellent costumer service love their drinks and happy hour. Food is delicious I recommend it to have drinks !“

“The view is amazing! Love the history ❤️“

“Wonderful experience eating wonderful foods“

“District Oakland is a great spot if you’re looking for good drinks and a lively atmosphere. The cocktails are well-made, the music keeps the energy up, and the crowd brings a solid vibe. It does get packed on weekends, but that’s part of the experience. Overall, a fun place for a night out with friends or a date.“

“The FOOD. The FOOD. The FOOD. The FOOD.“

“I really enjoyed this place. I bit outside the downtown area but in a nice street with several other places. The interior is relatively small but well decorated. This place is best for 2-4 people. The food was cooked by a seasoned cook from the motherland. They only had one server when we went there for lunch, but things moved relatively well. I really enjoyed the mocktails. The food was all around solid with a lot of flavor and plenty full. They also have an extensive selection of cocktails. Overall, I would give this place a visit and enjoy some really good Vietnamese food.“

“Always a great time! congrats“

“We had the most wonderful dinner tonight at Noren Izakaya! Everything was fantastic from start to finish! From the service to the cocktails to the variety of food, to the dessert! Japanese yakitori and grilled street food and even sashimi! My new favorite! A must if you live or are visiting San Francisco! Oh! And tonight is not the night to skip dessert! 😘“

“Josh and Jace made our night! Thank you for the hospitality ��“

“The View Lounge is an absolute must-visit when in San Francisco and easily one of the most memorable bar experiences in the city.

Perched high above the skyline on the 39th floor, the panoramic views are simply breathtaking—especially as the sun sets and the city lights begin to sparkle. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you that “wow” moment the second you walk in, and it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular with both visitors and locals.

The cocktails are just as impressive. The margaritas in particular are outstanding—beautifully balanced, expertly made, and definitely on the stronger side. If you’re not a big drinker, one is more than enough to enjoy the experience, which actually adds to the value given the quality and strength.

The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between sophisticated and relaxed, making it ideal for everything from a special night out to simply soaking in the view with friends. It’s not just about having a drink—it’s about the entire experience.

Yes, it’s a little on the pricier side, but between the stunning outlook, quality cocktails, and unique setting, it’s absolutely worth it. A standout destination that truly lives up to its name.

The The View Lounge sits on the top floor of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

It’s located on the 39th floor, which is why you get those incredible panoramic views over San Francisco. The hotel itself is that distinctive tall building with a curved, modern design in the SoMa district—hard to miss.

If you go, try to time it just before sunset so you can enjoy both daylight views and the city lights coming on!!

There staff are friendly. It does get busy around 5pm especially on Fridays and weekends but they seem to cope. It’s worth going for the view. Surprisingly, regular visitors, visitors who are there weekly, don’t seek to know about this bar 😱. I’m okay with that! I always get the best seat!!! Lovely place!“

“Staff is great. Roof top bar mucho Bueno . Love this place“

“I loved the drag on Sundays ! It was amazing“

“First time there…food and drinks amazing.. will definitely go back..👍🏽“

“My husband and I came here before going to a play and had an absolutely amazing time! The interior is sleek and sexy.. we shared a delicious appetizer of mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto as we had the best paper planes..both of us ate our entrees : Pappardelle pasta and lamb chops which was so good we didn’t even stop to take a photo!

The staff were kind and attentive.. you get a 10% discount if you are attending a play which was an added unexpected bonus!

I gnawed on the lamb chops at 2am that night, even cold it still hit a flavor profile Guy Fieri would be proud of!

Hoping next time we can get into the jazz room!“