“I tried there chicken pepian , it’s was so delicious that I went there the next day . I also tried there combo BBQ , It’s so tasty, the seasoning and well cooked . The staff is so friendly and eager to help . When you try the pepian chicken as for the country chicken one , it’s so tasty . There Tortilla is hand made and really tasty . The rice we get with the chicken is amazing as well . I will go there again when I go to San Pablo. It’s worth a visit if you are driving anywhere within 5-10 miles . Support Local businesses“
“My friend recommended this place to me. The place is fairly simple and clean. You order at the counter. There are a few tables for you to dine in, but I find most people order to take out.I like the Simurgh kebab sandwich. The kebabs were delicious but what stood out for me was the Turkish bread. It's not like anything I've had before. It is grilled, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is probably my favorite sandwich bread now. They make them all from scratch.I've only been there twice, but it's a place I would return again.“
“This was a celebration of International Women's Day for a group of close neighbors, some of whom had not experienced Corso before. The hostess greeting was perfection, as was Vito, our server, Michael our expeditor, and the food was superb❣️ The perfect evening for gratitude to our Women!“
“My partner and I love Humbowl! It's one of the few places around here where I can go out to eat and don't have to change anything on the menu to meet my dietary needs! We love that they use fresh and seasonal ingredients and that they're open later than other places (9 PM).“
“Yes!! Tarocco is the restaurant that we all needed but didn’t know! So fresh and healthy and delicious. Upscale enough for a nice work lunch but you can also show up as you are. Bravo!Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free and dairy-free friendly.“
“Quite literally the best Mediterranean food in the Bay Area!! If you're lucky enough to enjoy some Fava, you're quite lucky indeed. The falafel is crispy and all the ingredients are sourced carefully and the resulting quality is phenomenal!Jeremy and his wife are amazing and the kindest business owners I have come across in Berkeley - they really put the love into the food they serve.My go to's are the Falafel Flatbread Sandwich, Escarole Salad With Blood Oranges, and the Mango Lassi to wash it down. The perfect lunch on Saturday 10/10 would recommend to a friend!Thank you FAVA for bringing such an amazing food staple to Berkeley“
“Just the best taco place in the area. Creative, unique, and incredibly flavored tacos. The charred broccoli taco and all their seasonal vegetarian tacos are always incredible. I’d strongly recommend this place to people like myself who love a traditional Al pastor/carne asada taco, they have fantastic meat options and you will be very impressed the veggie options - and you absolutely must come if you are vegetarian/vegan. My only complaint is that they aren’t open enough for how much I crave their food.“
“Such a beautiful bakery. We stopped in after lunch for a sweet treat & were not disappointed. The staff are friendly & helped us to choose some very tasty items. We tried an amazing chocolate raspberry cake, which is pictured, chocolatelovers should try this for sure. A lemon bar & a lemon cheesecake. The lemon bar had a nice crispy crust, which was almost biscuit like. Sweet but not overwhelming. Tart & delicious. The lemon cheesecake was dense but not overly sweet . A light lemon taste enhanced the cheesecake instead of taking it over. The americano was served piping hot & great brewed fresh.. We will definitely come again.“
“The alma mater of my favorite bakery in SF Arizmendi Bakery. The pizza is fresh and tasty. The pastries here are also a steal. Everything is good. X-Bread is a signature bread that I've never seen elsewhere so you should try one. Another cool thing about this shop is that there is a live band! Come enjoy all the senses.“
“Great vegetarian food. Fast service, aQuiet, wonderful feel, and great customer service. Food is very tasty. I've gone a total of 5 times within the last 3 months. I do not eat out much. But when I do, I like authentic food that feels like home. Shangri-La Vegan On Linden marks the spot.“
“GC gets docked a star for two reasons: 1) limited access because the line is so long (reservations are only taken for parties of 6+) and 2) the kung pao chicken is disappointing. As an institution, GC has been the best Chinese food in the area for decades. It was once so small you could shoot an arrow from the front door to the back wall. Its corner spot now on Oxford & Bancroft is massive in comparison, so now more people can wait to get in. The space is modern and bright, but the food is thankfully not fusion or fanciful. The food is exactly what it says on the door: Great China. From the plump (but crisped-skin) potstickers to the mu shu pork to the spicy green beans to the Peking duck, it is deliciously predictable. When I order ma po tofu, I know I'm going to get silken cubes of tofu in a thickened shiny spicy red sauce with ground pork in perfect proportion. Service is as friendly as Chinese gets and effortlessly efficient and fast. Parking sucks; it's downtown Berkeley, people. But if my San Fran friends long to come here, you know it's worth the hassle.“
“I have been coming to chef elmy for 5 years. It is a very special experience and may favorite place to eat out in the east bay. If you are in a hurry come early or late… sometimes he gets very busy and there can be a long wait, but it is improving since he hired a “
“I absolutely love this place! The staff are so kind and friendly, excellent capuccinos (no sizes -- the correct way to make them), it's in one of my favorite nurserys and also has cute tables in the garden if you want to sit. I also think the pastry selection is spot on.“
“I love coming here for my caffeine and nature hit. It’s one of the best in Berk Berk… an oasis ?Dietary restrictions: Vegan and gluten freeParking: Hot tip: if you know where the other side of the park is, there’s always a spotKid-friendliness: Baby and kid friendly ❤️ Tons of moms and strollers and babies“
“This mac and cheese is perfect- PERFECT. When I'm not in the area, I cry. I got the cookbook for Christmas a couple of years ago and that can tide me over but of course, I'd rather it come from the OG. My absolute favorites are the pesto mac or pizza mac - both of which will rotate on and off the menu. A crunchy top is a necessity. I prefer the breadcrumbs but they have other options like hot Cheetos or chips too. Thank you for existing, Homeroom. ILY.“
“Delicious bowls that make me feel so satisfied and energized. The poke bowl was maybe the highest quality most yummy poke bowl I’ve had, it was perfectly balanced; the rice to fish ratio, the crunch of the veggies and the soft rice and fish.You can sample their extensive and DELICIOUS kombucha menu, melon rose was my fave.All the staff are so friendly and welcoming. I had lovely conversation with Ari and Sam (I think??) about language and culture.Lovely clean bathrooms and a beautiful space with lots of light, high ceilings, and plants.I love it what can I say! Can’t wait to bring my mom here who is on a low-fat whole food diet. She can’t eat at most restaurants but I saw so many options for her here!!!I spent the afternoon here working remotely after a dank lunch ?“
“Needed a pick me up. Stopped at this small and quaint cafe. The location is very clean. Great customer service. Nice variety of food and drinks. I got a pour over coffee and was persuaded to purchase a slice of Morning Glory loaf cake. Heavenly experience. :) Would definitely return.“
“My 8 year daughter and I were referred here from a social worker at Oakland Children's Hospital. My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac 8months ago. To say she was absolutely pleased with their selections and overall delicious subs is an understatement. She said "Mom if my belly could dance, it would definitely be dancing " Needless to say we are very pleased and would recommend 1000%. We hope to visit again soon when we are in the area. In the meantime I will be ordering online. Thank You for absolute amazing Gluten Free options!!!!“
“I've had the good fortune of bringing Acme treats to a few social gatherings this past week. Top notch service & baked goods each & every time. The two fellas at the front counter really hustle to keep that ever-present line moving briskly. But where is the tip jar for these magicians?!! Surely Acme could do this for their dedicated pros, and we customers are so accustomed to seeing one, it feels awkward to note its absence. [btw- the Acme pizza slab cut into bite sized pieces is a real crowd pleaser for happy hour occassions ] Word to the wise: everything available and barely a line between 8-830am. Now about that tip jar: hope to see it on my next visit!“
“We have been to Millennium several times and have never been disappointed. Their 4 course fixed price meals on Friday and Saturday are incredible. You have a large selection of each course. At $70 per head this is expensive but it is well worth it! It is important to make reservations. They also have a pizza night on Mondays and we celebrated a going away party their for the Rancho Compasion Sanctuary manager that was wonderful!“
“PennDel's is my neighborhood bakery, and it is so familiar that I almost forgot to write about their top notch delicious baked goods. Real French croissants (I lived in Paris, so I know what I am talking about), a Tiramisu to die for, and the best carrot cake that I have ever eaten in my life. Every single crumb is delicious. Apricot and pecan bars are a must-have for first-time visitors. Or just pick up a cake for a loved one, you can't go wrong.PennDel's was born from a love of baking and community. Thank you PD, for setting up shop in El Cerrito and help make it the inspired spot that we dream of.“
“Absolutely love this bakery cupcakes galore!!! The service and music always on point. So friendly and helpful with details, ingredients and decision making lol. My favorite is the key lime cupcake!!! So freaking delicious and fresh tasting. I always order cupcakes from here or the other location in Walnut Creek for celebrations. Such variety and flavors!! You will never regret from ordering cupcakes from here! So delicious!! Go try them out“
“Best bakery in Berkeley. They are so underrated and I wish more people know about their great food. I’m obsessed with their focaccia breads (marinara is out of the world), their pizzas are personally my favourite in berkeley and the chocolate croissant is to die for. I visit them atleast thrice a week. Encourage everyone to try this small business.“
“I stopped here out of curiosity to after getting items from Arizmendi and Los Cantaros Taqueria. I got the Honey Cake slice, chocolate baklava, and pistachio almond cookies (gluten free). Hatice the owner is very friendly and answered any questions I had. The Honey Cake was amazing, just the right amount of sweetness, not too much. I ate up the cake and baklava but shared the cookies. My family members said the cookies were great. I'll try to arrive before 12noon another time to get their breakfast items, like the egg in the hole. This will be one of my new go to places for food.“
“Overall a really nice, cozy, but dimly lit neighborhood restaurant. With uniquely organized small plate meals. They've stood the test of time. There is a lot of variation on seating; from a community table, to small 2 and 4 tops in the 2 window front, to a patio and then to a front covid style patio on the street front. Why a 4? Possibly the dim lighting, combined with the excess noise inside.“
“This time i tried the rich and roasty latte with espresso cream. It's amazing. I also got the banana bread pudding. Omg it's so sinful! I'm amazed at how fast they make the matcha drinks, since they're more complicated than coffee.“
“My family stumbled upon this little cupcake shop in Berkeley while on a day trip. There is a good assortment of decadent cupcakes to be had. We tried two (cookies and cream and the red velvet )and they were magnificent! I highly recommend! The shop is small with no sit down options so you must take your treats to go.“
Coffee Roasteries • $
“I've been frequenting this establishment, in one incarnation or another, pretty much since Market Hall was built. It is a wonderful centralized neighborhood hangout, good coffee, friendly service, a good place to catch up with your neighbors or grab a cup before or after heading off on BART or bus. It's not particularly a food place. They have a small selection of pastries, but it is in Market Hall, next to a bakery and many other gastronomic delights“
“My wife and I went to Pizza Twist, Hercules with a friend who is gluten intolerant. We were delighted to have ordered two Gluten Free Pizzas (Cauliflower crust). One was Veggie Tandoori Paneer Pizza Twist and the other one was Chicken Tikka Masala. These were the most delicious pizzas we had in a long time. The new owners were very friendly. Superb service - Pizzas was made quickly.Will come back again.“
“I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years and ate at Southie for the 1st time on 2/27. It is incredibly good and a good value. The service is fine dining standard where bottles are presented and napkins folded when a guest is away from the table.The food is prepared with a dedication to quality as well, oysters were shucked perfectly, dishes all were extremely flavorful and tastefully presented.I will definitely be back, it's the type of restaurant that you can stop in for a satisfying snack or a whole meal.Thank you Southie employees for the memorable experience.“
“Wonderful. This is one of the best Indian / Pakistani restaurants in the area, and I'm including Berkeley in that assessment. It doesn't look like much on the outside, but it is a great family run spot that I plan to visit again.“
“Great place to grab a bite and get some work done. The Vietnamese iced coffee is good. As is the bahn mi. The place is pretty tiny, so I felt bad camping out on the WiFi, but I got both breakfast and lunch there, and they didn't seem to mind.“
“Calming, humble space. The owner was attentive and served us cookies she made earlier in celebration of Lunar New Year. :) Would certainly return.We enjoyed the wood-ear noodles and Jasha-shedre (a chicken curry soup) with madagascar pink rice. More than enough for two people! We finished off with Dresy, which is a sweetened rice dessert that is traditionally used in ceremonies. Delicious!“
“I have been eating at this amazing bakery since 2006. I am so happy it exists because it is simply the best. I recently started ordering pies and other baked goods for holidays after not going here as much and I realize how much I missed it. I love the pies and anything with a flakey crust. The chocolate pave is also really good and the cakes. You really can't go wrong with anything from Crixa.“
“Excellent pizza, cute atmosphere, and good service. The Neopolitan pizza (i.e., The Benchmark) was excellent as was the caesar salad. Been here twice — the first time the pizza crust was a bit hard, so I wish they would make it fluffier Italian-style, but the second time it was more on-point. Would go again!“
Bakery • $
“The shop is very quaint and has a wide variety of baked goods + farmer's market quality condiments. This is a Berkeley staple! The apple cider was very tasty and warm. It seemed like they poured it from a premade container that was sourced from a local farm and then warmed it up. Both baked goods were fantastic and baked fresh that morning. The Rosemary puff is lovingly described by my friend as a "savory donut" - and for good reason! It has a sourdough base that is both fragrant and flavorful, but not overpowering. It has the perfect amount of sea salt seasoning and rosemary flavor, and just enough oil to make it soft and slightly juicy in the best way possible. It tastes great on its own or with one of the sauces sold at the collective! The pear ginger muffin was also very yummy and fresh with a distinctly citrusy flavor. It was fluffy and not too sweet. 10/10 experience!“
“Marc and team catered our wedding at the Brazilian Room, and we were extremely happy with both the planning process and the food/support on the day itself. The Arlington team are clearly pros at working in the Brazilian room - and had everything set up quickly and efficiently day-of - even though we had a shorter evening slot. The food was very good (especially the grilled salmon and pesto pasta) - everyone went back for seconds and we got many compliments! Marc was transparent and easy to work with throughout, and we thought pricing was reasonable compared to other vendors we looked at. Would highly recommend!!“
“This place is one of my favorite in the Bay area. The quality has been remarkably consistent over the past year and every dish I've tried has been very good. The khichari got me through COVID.I am really not a fan of picking up from here because it's always packed with delivery drivers; making parking difficult and talking to the staff quite frustrating. My mitigation strategy is to wait at the window that's to the right of the front door so they see you when they come up.Even though the above is frustrating, the food is always worth it. If the price was lower, I'd eat here more often.Vegetarian options: Lots of options!Parking: It's almost always packed with drivers. Just find the first spot nearby and walk.“
“For convenient ready made sushi, this place blew my mind. Didn't know what to expect going in and was met with melt-in-your mouth soft af salmon in their salmon roll. The rolls are a good size too. Perfect spot for someone on the go but also craving sushi. They give you chopsticks, soy sauce, and a napkin too. Thank you for the meal!“
“This spot is a family favourite. Something for everyone..as long as it's a pretzel. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Absolute Rockstars.Kid-friendliness: Staff are kind and considerate towards little ones. We will keep coming back. Thank you Squabisch!“
“I'm long overdue writing this review. I have visited Servino's four times over the years (when I'm in Tiburon...I live over an hour away), and I look forward to visiting the restaurant at their new (former) location. The staff make great recommendations for what's good from the menu as well as wines to accompany the dishes. Delectable Italian dishes, great wines, welcoming service (they make guests feel like family), incredible views, and their famous Opera Nights make Servino's a special place for any occasion, even if it's just because you want to relax over dinner and a sunset.“
“Had the vegan Buddha bowl, it was a delicious and nutritious lunch. Nice to have a healthy and filling meal so easy to grab to-go.Vegetarian options: Has more vegetarian options than veganThere is always a veggie sandwich and soup of the day“
“Masse's Pastries in North Berkeley's gourmet ghetto is a true gem. Owners Paul and Marcia Masse bring a wealth of culinary expertise to their European-style patisserie, resulting in cakes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Their seasonal cakes are a highlight, but their wedding cakes are what truly set them apart, earning them a stellar reputation across the Bay Area. As locals, we frequent Masse's for their fresh pastries and coffee, with favorites like the morning bun and chocolate croissant. For special occasions, their Mango Mirror cake is our top choice. This masterpiece features golden sponge cake layered with mango and mango mousse, finished with a gorgeous mango mirror glaze. It's a crowd-pleaser every time. Beyond their delectable offerings, Masse's is a lively hub in the neighborhood, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely coffee or tea along with a delightful pastry. Masse's Pastries is more than just a bakery; it's a beloved community fixture that consistently delivers exceptional quality and artistry.“
“We are here every weekend morning that we are in town as it is part of our routine coffee stop and dog walk.There are signs saying that there are only service dogs allowed inside, but we have seen dogs sitting inside and walking through with their owners for takeout. So it is a mixed message.With our coffee, we usually get some kind of savory baked treat. During the pandemic regulars would be sitting outside to converse. Now, inside is back open.I usually take my own straw to avoid using their plastic ones.“
“Everyone in the fish and meat department was friendly today. Same with the cheese department but I had a bad experience checking out in produce this afternoon. I saw this young woman cashier arguing with an older man as I was shopping. So when I went to checkout I tried to get into a different line but she said I was going the wrong way and to turn around and come back to her. I suggested that if they had changed the way the line works there should be a sign and she started arguing with me. When I asked about the cost of an item and plastic bags she again argued with me. I told her I wasn't there for a lecture. She left without completing my checkout and another woman came and finished it. I don't feel like someone who is working and having a bad day should argue with the customers. I would give one star for produce if I could, but overall it's a good market.“
“I was feeling kind of sick and really craving some pho and this was the only place near campus, I’m so glad I went! The pho here is really delicious I came back the next day to get more. I’ve never been a big fan of pho but this was game changing. The workers entertained my different questions about the various dishes and checked in with me to make sure I like it. Highly recommend :)“
“This is a modern and casual dining Thai restaurant with affordable price that provides various appetizers, soup, chef's recommended menu, salad, barbecue, noodle, curry, wok, along with alcholic and non alcoholic drinks. We were here to have a dinner with a friend who is a university student here, so that this place is suitable for the students.We tried Panang Nua for $15.95 as one of the chef's re commended menu here. A plate of white rice with the tender beef, Thai chili, coconut milk, peanut sauce, basil, zucchini, green bean, red bell in a thick sweet and savory curry sauce.For the drink, my friend recommended Singha Thai Beer. This was my first time having this Thai beer, and I could say that Singha is good! It's not bitter, but not overly sweet.“
“I had never a fans of sandwich, for me all of them tasted the same, till finally I bought sandwich from Crave Subs that it changed my mind lol. It tasted delicious, they also serve halal meat, so it's a plus point for me. The price is also pretty reasonable and the portion is huge.The thing that I don't like is the place, they only have small room and some tables, so it's difficult to find a place to eat especially if it's crowded.“
“Smells of wonderful bread and pastries before you even step through the door. I highly recommend the kalamata olive loaves. We used one of those paired with some salami and Humboldt Fog cheese that we had gotten from the deli next door and made an absolutely scrumptious sandwich.Only one minor critique is that they didn't have a slicer or a way to open the bread so I was forced to use my hands when it came to opening them.“
“I came here spur of the moment for dinner and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I seems like some down home Indian food. Nothing fancy looking but full of flavor. The owner is super friendly and the service was great. My new favorite spot in the neighborhood.“