Restaurants in Berkeley
Best Restaurants
Vegan • $$
Thai • $$
“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!”
Ramen • $$
“I recently visited Tsuruya in Berkeley, CA, and the experience was nothing short of life-changing. Nestled in a cozy mom-and-pop shop atmosphere, the warmth and friendliness of the staff immediately made me feel welcome.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the tonkotsu ramen. The broth was rich and full of depth, clearly simmered to perfection, and the noodles were the ideal balance of chewy texture. Each ingredient from the tender pork to the perfectly cooked egg complemented each other flawlessly—the egg was particularly outstanding, with a creamy yolk that enriched the broth beautifully.
Tsuruya may be small in size, but the flavors and customer service are immense. This place captures the essence of traditional ramen with exceptional skill and care. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking a transformative dining experience.”
American • $$$$
“Highly recommend the Duck Confit with good company and a nice red wine. You can’t go wrong with this combination. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Restaurants by Cuisine
Cafe • $$
“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.”
Pizza • $$
“Staff was well-versed on the vegan menu and were very helpful. I would definitely come back again and try the other vegan options! We had the vegan grandma and the Caesar salad and both were good. Be sure to ask the host for a vegan menu! Update- went back to try the NY vegan - staff was knowledgeable and helpful. We tried the Beet and Chicory salad. We liked the Caesar better but the NY pizza better than the grandma! Updated from previous review on 2024-03-27”
Mexican • $$
“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.”
Restaurants with Delivery
Bakery • $
“Interesting variety of bread (they offer slicing service), delicious array of pastries and cakes.
What I go for annually is their panettone. The make their own and it varieties slightly from year to year with what’s available. One year they had Buddha’s hand citrus included in it. It is pricey but for the quality and once a year splurge.”
Vegan • $$
“I shared three specialty rolls with a friend. Each roll was beautifully presented and tasted so good. Can't wait to come back, but might make a reservation well in advance next time because the seats go quick!”
Bakery • $
“Visited for the first time today, and looking forward to going back! Slice of cake was delicious, and I loved the vintage plates and silverware, plus tea served in a beautiful teapot. Really made it feel so special.”
Latin American • $
“Excelente personas muy trabajadoras ambiente familiar y bastantitas menús saludables lo recomiendo al 100%”
Ethiopian • $
“We have lived so close to Desta for years but keep missing their open hours. Finally made it today and we’re sad not to have eaten here sooner! Definitely the best food from the Horn of Africa that we’ve had in the Bay Area. Flavorful, light but filling, and delicious! Two warm, welcoming women run the restaurant and do everything from filling water glasses to cooking to bussing tables - we were impressed by their coordination.
Vegetarian options: Gluten free”
Pizza • $
“I’m a pizza fanatic and this is hands down the best pizza I’ve ever had. Better then anything in NY and Connecticut (Pepe’s, Sally’s). The Brazilian was next level pizza”
American • $$$$
“Highly recommend the Duck Confit with good company and a nice red wine. You can’t go wrong with this combination. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Ramen • $
“Good selection of vegetarian, vegan, and standard ramen dishes. I enjoyed the Timmy Tan Tan ramen - a little bit of spice, fresh crisp from the greens, and nice depth in the broth! I usually only have half a bowl and save the rest for leftovers but I was still a bit hungry halfway through and ended up eating the entire thing.
Service is very quick with orders and refills. Very relaxed, casual atmosphere good for catching up with friends.
Unfortunately they are now very low/out of eggs due to the current egg stock issues. It does leave the ramen feeling a little naked.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan options available”
Barbeque • $
“Char Siu pork plate was decent but not phenomenal. I like the juiciness of the pork and a lil crunch on the skin. Decoration was cute, cucumber pickles were rotten/had a bit of foul smell. Not sure if it’s worth $23-24 after tax. I can easily get this dish at a Chinese restaurant or Chinatown for cheaper.
I also wish the eggplant salad had less sauce because the aroma of star anise or sth was too much for me.”
Salad • $
“This is a top go to spot for me. I’m not always around during their hours, or forget the options of places, so I get something from here about once every 6 weeks. As vegan I either get the falafel sandwich or plate. I prefer the plate. It amazes me how simple the combination of vegetables and sauces are, and yet it’s so flavorful. I feel full and healthy after eating at this joint and the people working there have such a nice vibe. If vegan they will swap out hummus for the yogurt based items.”
Pizza • $
“Tried Curry Pizza House in Kent, WA for the first time. Great flavors! Wonderful wings, Desi bread, and pizza! The mango lassis are yummy. Definitely check it out!”
Korean • $$
“What a find! I live in West Marin but when I have to schlepp to E. Bay, lunch here (almost) makes the long haul bearable. Really delicious food in a very pleasantly quirky environment with a sweet patio. Friendly service. I got a $49 parking ticket for overstaying my 90 minute spot and I (almost) didn't mind...the lunch was so good”
Bubble Tea • $$
“What a delightful place to stop and grab a delicious empanada or a boba drink. I just love the chicken adobo empanadas. The pastry is fresh, flaky, and crispy. The lightly spicy chicken and potato filling is tender and savory. So good. Be sure and try the house-made sweet chili sauce as well. For dessert, try the mango cheese cake empanada. It is tangy, fruity, rich with cream cheese and topped with a sugar-glazed crust. The prices are very affordable too!”
Spanish • $$$
“La Marcha is one of our fave restaurants in the east bay. All of the dishes are packed full of flavor. We like to order a few tapas and a paella and take the leftover paella home to enjoy the next day. It's a fun date night or dinner with friends!”
Outdoor Dining
Coffee Shops • $
“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.”
Thai • $$
“Loved the decor and the vibe，great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!”
Spanish • $$$
“La Marcha is one of our fave restaurants in the east bay. All of the dishes are packed full of flavor. We like to order a few tapas and a paella and take the leftover paella home to enjoy the next day. It's a fun date night or dinner with friends!”
Cupcakes • $
“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!”
Coffee Shops • $
“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.”
Cafe • $
“A kind barista. Dial in was amazing. Cappuccino had perfect texture. I was indecisive about what pastry to buy and I was unexpectedly offered one alongside my drink. They didn't have to do that, but that made my visit all the better.”
Korean • $$
“What a find! I live in West Marin but when I have to schlepp to E. Bay, lunch here (almost) makes the long haul bearable. Really delicious food in a very pleasantly quirky environment with a sweet patio. Friendly service. I got a $49 parking ticket for overstaying my 90 minute spot and I (almost) didn't mind...the lunch was so good”
Comfort Food • $$
“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.”
Pizza • $$
“Staff was well-versed on the vegan menu and were very helpful. I would definitely come back again and try the other vegan options! We had the vegan grandma and the Caesar salad and both were good. Be sure to ask the host for a vegan menu! Update- went back to try the NY vegan - staff was knowledgeable and helpful. We tried the Beet and Chicory salad. We liked the Caesar better but the NY pizza better than the grandma! Updated from previous review on 2024-03-27”
Indian • $
“Tried on my lunch break and was surprised that the place I selected for a quick bite ended up being some of the best Indian food I've had in this part of the bay.”
Coffee Shops • $
“Turkish coffee had it before and it was smooth with foam on top. This one was ok but did the trick and woke me up. The orange coconut cake was delicious. The Yemen tea my wife ordered was perfect.”
Indian • $
“Super nice and kind service. The paneer tikka masala was delicious and exactly what I needed after the chiefs got destroyed in the superbowl against Philadelphia!”
Mediterranean • $$
“We had the sweetest baby shower over the weekend, and we’re so grateful to everyone who made it special! We wanted an intimate, bright space with amazing food, and Tarocco was perfect—thank you for hosting us!”
Chinese • $$
“I enjoy this restaurant very much. The food is excellent and fresh. it’s served hot every time. The servers can speed up with taking orders but otherwise, they are o.k. The restaurant is ok. The seating is too close for me but I get it. There’s No parking. It’s excellent.”
Comfort Food • $$
“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.”
Online Reservation Available
New American • $
“We had the best brunch experience ever today! The lemon ricotta pancakes along with the cheesy potatoes were delish! We sat outside on their darling little patio and listened to live music, it was so lovely. But the best part of all was the outstanding service from Maxine, her suggestions were on point and her beautiful energy was exactly what our morning needed! Will definitely be back!”
Italian • $$
“We booked Lucia’s PIZZA TRUCK for a lawn party in the presidio and they were AMAZING. Easy to work with, great price, and all the food was so good, from salads and appetizers to wood fired pizzas. They were so gracious to make gluten free and vegan pizzas on request. Our guests loved them.”
Indian • $
“Best Indian cuisine in all of Berkeley, do yourself a favor and stop in! great people, great food, a real gem in the city.”
Coffee Shops
“I've booked this venue twice for work events (team offsites, strategy planning retreats) and have had nothing short of the best experience both times! The Sway team is extremely professional, responsive, and accommodating -- even arranging the furniture to fit all of our day's activities, and providing coolers for drinks that we brought ourselves! The location is great -- close to many restaurants for breakfast/lunch options and neighborhood parking all day. We've loved using this beautiful space and couldn't recommend it more.”
Szechuan • $$
“So freaking delicious. Good if you want spicy, non American style Chinese food. I mean they have the basics, but we went for the Sichuan specialties. We got the Water Boiled Spicy beef, Ma Po Tofu, and these super delicious pickled green beans and pork. Tofu and the beans were stand out. Love the spice level but might ask for hotter next time. Big portions.”
Food Trucks • $
“Nothing better then great tacos in walking distance. so glad that they are at the Valero! I no longer need to get into my car to scratch that taco itch... their red sauce is awesome as it has a real kick to ”
Mediterranean • $
“BEST falafel and kofte! So moist and fresh. Really impressed with the food. The staff is SO nice. Also, the little sitting in the area is pleasant. Prices are great, especially for the Turkish delight. You get what you pay for and some. I am looking forward to coming back here with friends and family. 10/10!”
Thai • $
“My fave thai resto ever! The food is exceptionally delicious, makes you want to come back for more. The place has great ambiance, very friendly staff and the portion is generous. The best thai food I have come across with.”
Chicken • $
“Fantastic old school lunch and breakfast option. The chicken kabob sandwich was good. They have a very large menu with a lot of variety. The service is super nice.”
Cafe • $
“All the people here: Paul, Dave, Mace, Elena, Matt, Joe, Misty, Rosey and Emily are great.
Dietary restrictions: They are willing to make the Southwest Chicken salad the way I like it. I only wish that they could get their decaf machine working☹️”
Mediterranean • $$
“Enjoyed an evening dinner - gold and red beets salad with cheese and a juicy pork chop with arugula, apples, roasted pecans, and bacon finished with a nice islamic or glazed dressing. Excellent service! Great ambience! A very satisfying meal!”
Salad • $$
“We are thrilled to have a vegan restaurant in Berkeley serving a whole foods meal that is healthy, beautifully presented, and tasty. The fixed menu changes daily for lunch and dinner (closed Tuesdays), and they offer three portion sizes. The plates feature a balanced array of vegetables, proteins (different varieties of beans or lentils), rice/quinoa and salad with a variety of sauces and flavors. For dessert they offer key lime pie and similar coconut/cashew/avocado-based pies and cookies. Help yourself to the twig tea and relax in the calm environment.”
Italian • $$
“We booked Lucia’s PIZZA TRUCK for a lawn party in the presidio and they were AMAZING. Easy to work with, great price, and all the food was so good, from salads and appetizers to wood fired pizzas. They were so gracious to make gluten free and vegan pizzas on request. Our guests loved them.”
Takeout Restaurants
Ice Cream Shop • $
“LEXIE'S is delicious. Everything is made in-house. Everything is perfect. I never realized how sickly, sour-sweet toffee shouldn't be until I had LEXIE'S remarkably fluffy-yet-crispy toffee. Everything we have tried is delicious. Nothing has been a "miss". If you know what you enjoy, you'll never order something you don't like. Heck, LEXIE'S homemade touch might even change your mind on some things.
Dietary restrictions: CELIAC FRIENDLY NO HIDDEN GLUTEN, ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS.”
Coffee Shops • $
“I usually swing in for a drip coffee, always greeted with a smile by the staff, and the overall atmosphere is chill and welcoming.
When the weekend comes, they always request Jaffa coffee, for a juice and pastry.
Really great spot to visit when in Berkeley.
Kid-friendliness: It’s a very chill vibe, and welcoming.”
Bakery • $
“Absolutely delicious & creative baked goods that everyone should be going after! The bostock in particular is my favorite, along with the pickled mustard greens focaccia.”
Pakistani • $
“Food is great. Service is prompt. Place is clean. We tried malai boti roll , samosa, and chicken tikka fries. They are generous with chatnis. Chai was lovely. Nutella paratha was a great fusion twist. The Owner is very attentive. Will highly recommend this place if you are visiting Berkeley, you must try this place.”
Fast Food • $
“The food, drinks, staff and atmosphere was excellent. This is my nephews favorite spot. Thanks Kelly for our family outing today.”
Chinese • $$
“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.”
Pizza • $
“it is Hella!! good come by if you have not!! everything up in there is the Bomb! 💣”
Cafe • $$
“I saw someome make a TikTok about this place and immediately knew I had to add that to my list. I headed out to Berkeley on a Friday morning to try it out and I bought a friend who isnt a big fan of Thai and or Asian food. I was thankful to experience this style of northern Thai cuisine I believe the order Tanzie referred to it as. The hospitality and service was above average. I enjoyed all of my food and so did my friend. The pork jowl was agreed to be are favorite out of the all the dishes we tried. Very juicy , flavorful and just all around deliscious topped off with that crispy fried garlic. The brown rice over that soft scrambled "lava egg" was to die for paired with the savory tomato based minced pork that I ordered extra spicy of course. The star of the show that me and my friend both agreed on had to be the "prik nam pla" which I would describe as a sweet and spicy vinegar or fish sauce based dipping sauce accompanied by a nice punch of spice from the thai chili peppers. I dont have any complaints whatsoever and I will definitely be back.”
Bakery • $
“Best of the best. Tons of choices, exquisite French patisseries, true North African specialties… there is so much to choose from. High quality and scrumptious! We will be back!!!”
Mexican • $$
“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.”
Pizza • $
“Pizza is delicious, ordered achari style paneer pizza, was balanced in all respects. Also ordered Manchurian style soya chaap (plant based wings). These were sooooo good!!!! They were filling and had extremely balanced sauce, not overly sweet and had perfect amnt of sauteed vegetables as part of wing sauce. Super good.. Loved it.... Staff is friendly too, and Nate in particular was a kind person, thanks!”
Brewery
“Tucked away a bit off the beaten path in Southwest Berkeley, Cellarmaker is one of the gems of Bay Area brewing. IPAs are a specialty here and they are all interesting and consistently delicious, no matter what is on tap. Other great options include the Coffee & Cigarettes porter, plus really interesting barrel aged and sour beers from the Rare Barrel.
Pizza and other bar snacks/appetizers are very tasty, and the space is very chill and laid back, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
The only negative I can think of is that they aren’t open 7 days a week!”
Thai • $$
“Oh how I miss Anchalee! Beautiful cozy decor and the food is amazing. I have great memories of this place. Time to make my way back to enjoy.”
Brunch • $$
“Looking for a place for brunch last night, and found this gem! Don’t be scared by the line because it’s 10000% worth it, AND you might just get a free mimosa while waiting? staff feels like family, and you can def taste the love in the food. Buen trabajo muchachos!! Saluddd?”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
Pizza • $
“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.”
Bubble Tea • $$
“What a delightful place to stop and grab a delicious empanada or a boba drink. I just love the chicken adobo empanadas. The pastry is fresh, flaky, and crispy. The lightly spicy chicken and potato filling is tender and savory. So good. Be sure and try the house-made sweet chili sauce as well. For dessert, try the mango cheese cake empanada. It is tangy, fruity, rich with cream cheese and topped with a sugar-glazed crust. The prices are very affordable too!”
Coffee Shops • $
“Great coffee - humble service!
Kid-friendliness: The place doesn’t mind having kids in pram/ stroller inside. However there’s also space to sit outdoors.”
Burrito • $
“The best food I have had in a long time! Great taste and excellent customer service. A must try !”
Coffee Shops • $
“By far the most creative and exquisite coffee drinks! Plus Pepples vegan donuts!! Danger Will Robinson...addictive And live music on Sundays.”
Bakery • $
“Cozy authentic bakery tucked in a corner of the building. The owner was extremely enthusiastic and really took time to explain the pastries. I got a Meyer lemon danish that was really good- the filling was a bit cream cheese and lemony and it was not too sweet at all! It balanced perfectly with the flakey buttery pastry. Will definitely come again, loved the service!!”
Mediterranean • $
“Great organic and delicious wraps burritos and plates thank you 😊”
Health Food • $
“Came to rush bowls with my daughter and had an amazing time! The system was down, but Rohan still walked us through the menu and helped us navigate the app so we could place our order. 10/10 recommend! Can’t wait to come back!”
Coffee Shops • $
“Fabulous assortment of specialty coffees and a delicious food menu. My favorite go-to is the quiche!”
Japanese • $$$
“Super delicious 👍 I never eat Japan food super good like this before.”
Japanese • $$
“Always great service and family has gone back here for years. High quality sushi, ramen, and other Japanese entrees. Chiraishi is great and they put great care into the quality of their menu. Highly recommend. Quaint quiet little spot and good for dates too.”
Cheap Eats
Coffee Shops • $
“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!”
Cafe • $
“Customer service was amazing. They allowed me to change the base to a nut free option. The granola was amazing. I don’t like bananas and they were willing to omit as well. Best bowl I’ve had thus far. Will definitely be back!!”
Indian • $
“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 !”
Bakery • $
“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.”
Pubs • $
“Live music, dance and poetry; something good on most nights. Linchpin of the Bay Area's traditional music scene, particularly Irish/Celtic. A community treasure.”
French • $
“I absolutely love their crepes! Especially their buckwheat gluten free options!”
Coffee Shops • $
“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.”
Middle Eastern • $
“They hands down make the BEST jooje Kabob and Kabob Barg that I have ever had in the US. Both juicy, just the right amount of flavor and so soft it melts in your mouth. Tahdig was amazing! Crispy and flavorful Super friendly staff, out of this world food!”
Bubble Tea • $
“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!”
Vietnamese • $
“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.”
Bakery • $
“This is one of the best bread shops I have ever been to. I seek out good bread shops wherever I go. I have visited 44 countries in my life and I will still rate this as number one.”
Pizza • $
“Atmosphere, outside patio and live music is great. The pizza, although very fresh, isn't very appetizing the next day. In fact, it's getting very stale even when attempting to warm up. If you buy pizza here, be sure to eat everything the same day. Also, the green sauce was great too.”
Ice Cream Shop • $
“Marshmallow fluff;) Loved the Milkbomb sandwich! Will definitely go again;)”
Barbecue • $$
“Cool BBQ spot with great brisket and even better ribs. Angel was a show in himself behind bar and super friendly. Definitely recommend. Impeccable vibes and sports on TV!”
Szechuan • $$
“So freaking delicious. Good if you want spicy, non American style Chinese food. I mean they have the basics, but we went for the Sichuan specialties. We got the Water Boiled Spicy beef, Ma Po Tofu, and these super delicious pickled green beans and pork. Tofu and the beans were stand out. Love the spice level but might ask for hotter next time. Big portions.”
Cocktail Bar • $$
“The food was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented and the portions were generous. Our waiter Hans was superb, attentive, never rushed us and added to the enjoyment of our experience at Julia's restaurant. Also the glass of red wine we ordered was a generous pour.”
Vegetarian • $$
“They have a small menu for gluten-free dishes, the staff is informed, just ask for it. It's fresh and fully vegan.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan and a small gluten-free selection”
Izakaya • $$
“I was craving something warm to eat close to midnight and I found this place. I was with my Japanese roommate, and he himself said this place did give off an Izakaya vibe. Most of the food items offered here I've tried elsewhere, so I ended up getting the sukiyaki, which was to my liking.
We did feel a little out of place, as the servers seemed primarily focused on a larger group, who they appeared to be friends with. So we felt a little forgotten throughout most of our time there, also considering that it was not that busy as we did leave a little before they closed.”
Italian • $$
“We are new to the area/California from NY we were delighted to find pizza as amazing as home! Friendly owner and staff.”
Japanese • $$
“The chirashi don comes with a generous portion of sashimi, and the bento box is also quite substantial. Though the flavors are definitely mediocre. It's great value for the price, with attentive service. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.”
Persian/Iranian • $$
“From the moment we walked into the fire light set tables with the giant Persian art on the walls it was great. Very nice ambiance. Greeters were helpful and the food amazing. We are vegan and they had a special vegan menu.. They were so helpful. We plan on telling our friends and going back as much as we can.”
Hot Pot • $$
“The first time eating this and it was amazing!!!! Delicious Delicious Delicious”
French • $$$
“a beautiful space in a historic building, with tables further apart than any restaurant I know, so you can easily have a conversation, good food with attention to detail,; a pleasure.”
Chinese • $$
“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”
American • $$
“In the location of the former Nico's and if you're a long-term resident around here Chester cafe, the breakfast joint everyone here used to come to, Walnut tavern has totally beautified the inside, and while I was only able to get a drink because of time constraints their "Old Cuban" (basically a mojito with spiced rum), was excellent, and the people working there we're friendly and the place has an overall goodbye. I'll review it some more when I have time to have a full meal there. But I can already recommend the bar. Great drinks.”
Thai • $$
“So happy we got to be one of the first customers to ever eat at this new Thai restaurant. The place inside is pretty small, but the decor is cute & simple. They make the most of the room by putting as many small tables that fit with seating mostly for tables of two or four. We were literally the second table to ever eat in this new spot. And wow, am I glad I decided to search Yelp today for lunch. The service was super sweet, friendly, and perfect. We had a hard time deciding on what to try first (because everything sounded good and the smells from the kitchen were amazing). What we ordered: - Tom Kha Soup with Chicken Excellently flavors and just enough spice for me. My spouse loves really spicy dishes and said it would be delicious with more spiciness, but thought the broth was so good that it didn’t even need to change. We actually just wish there was an option to order a larger size, it was that good! Sometimes my spouse like to just have soup as the entree. - Green Curry with Chicken (comes with rice) Wow! Super bright and fresh taste! Smells really good and tastes even better. It was very fresh and loved all the vegetables inside (eggplant soaked up all the delicious flavor just right, baby corn- yum, etc.). - Pad Cashew Nut with Pork (comes with rice) AMAZING. Mouth-wateringly delicious. I did not want the dish to end. It was the perfect amount of flavor and freshness. Loved the cashews, the carrots, the onions, the cilantro on top. Perfect combination of sweet & salty sauce with nuttiness from the cashews, enhanced by the onion, carrot, cilantro. Since it was their first day, we enjoyed free beverages. The Thai tea was so good- you can get oat milk for $1 more. The Black Mango Iced Tea was also delicious and you get refills on it. I cannot wait to go back and eat every dish. Since it was their first hour open, we were there when the Doordash photographer came to snap pictures of all the dishes. WOW! We were eyeing the Lobster Ravioli and honestly it looks too good to miss. So we’ll probably be back later this week to try it and more. Congratulations on your opening. Thank you for bringing delicious Thai food to the area. We just moved up here from San Diego, and we’ve been having a hard time finding true Thai food and flavors. Many of the Thai places we’ve eaten up up here lack flavor or are just different because they’re fused with Laotian dishes or another type of cuisine. Finely we found a great Thai places we can walk to from the University Village apartments. See you soon!”
Sushi • $$
“Amazing sushi rolls and great service. Try it. I promise you won't be disappointed.”
Ethiopian • $$
“As a new comer to east bay, I have been exploring Ethiopian restaurants and Addis is by far the best. Good vibe, good food (the best shiro), awesome service. My only suggestion is that they need to come up ways to pack the stews, soecially shiro, in small container by itself when it is ordered for to go.”
Wine Bar • $$
“My best friend and I made a reservation at Wine So Cru, and from the moment we arrived, we felt taken care of. The staff opened the door for us and warmly welcomed us before seating us near the fireplace, which added to the cozy ambiance. The atmosphere here is incredible—chic yet inviting.
Throughout our visit, the staff checked in on us just the right amount, attentive without being intrusive. We each enjoyed wine flights; I went with the champagne flight, while my best friend opted for the Chardonnay. Both were fantastic choices! We also tried the olives, which paired nicely with our drinks. There was a pop-up on-site that looked interesting, but as I'm vegan, we didn’t try it this time.
Overall, Wine So Cru left a great impression, and I’ll definitely be back soon!”
Indian • $$
“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”
Hamburger • $$
“Went here on a Friday for dinner. Got the Persian burger combo. Food was good and the service was nice. They had the windows to the street opened, which allowed the coastal breeze in.”
Brewery • $$
“Peaceful place, friendly people and Good beer 🍺”
Wine Bar • $$
“A wonderful addition to the Westbrae neighborhood! We've been watching and waiting and yesterday my husband and I discovered Adega Azul is finally open. Inviting atmosphere, friendly owner, a thoughtfully curated collection of wines for sale. And a charming place for an afternoon glass of rosé and savory Brazilian pastries.”
Cocktail Bar • $$
“Top notch drinks and personalities behind the bar, we will back. My only regret is that I waited this long to go there.”
Seafood • $$
“Amazing amazing food great waitress. I wish I knew her name so I could shout her out. The cioppino is so good. Get it with the noodles so you can have the amazing soup at the end.”
Pubs • $$
“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.”
Mediterranean • $$
“Enjoyed an evening dinner - gold and red beets salad with cheese and a juicy pork chop with arugula, apples, roasted pecans, and bacon finished with a nice islamic or glazed dressing. Excellent service! Great ambience! A very satisfying meal!”
Chinese • $$
“Visiting from out of state. Went here for Father’s Day celebration . Excellent food and service.”
Sushi • $$
“Great food, great service, great atmosphere with reasonable prices. We had a couple of specialty rolls which were superb. Also the chirashi was not only delicious but artfully presented. The tempura was just right, not greasy at all and also delicious. Are you seeing a pattern here? The plain old salad had a wonderful take on the classic American Japanese restaurant salad dressing over crisp hand torn leaves and was accompanied by a perfectly prepared miso soup as starters. We will be back to this wonderful neighborhood restaurant!”
Chinese • $$
“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”
French • $$
“Food is great ! Service is so so . They did forget a dish and were a bit slow even after the happy hour rush ended . They brought the bill before asking whether we wanted dessert ( we did ) this time and the last time we came . Still I’d go back as the food is too good!”
Sushi • $$
“This place takes the “& vegetarian” in their name seriously! So many sushi places have “vegetarian” options that turn out disappointing or limited, but not here. There were more vegetarian and vegan rolls than anywhere I’ve ever seen, and those options were just as interesting and delicious as any roll you could get at another sushi place. Plus, the nigiri was delicious - clearly high quality fish, and well made rice.
Vegetarian options: Most of the rolls were vegetarian or vegan, and they were great! Highly recommend the appetizers as well - the stuffed shiitake mushrooms were great.”
Bar • $$
“Camille is my favorite bartender, no question. Stars on her cheeks and amazing vibes.
Just put aside some dinero to select the music on the jukebox.”
Sushi • $$
“A small chirashi bowl with fewer than 10 pieces of sashimi costs $30, the same as the Unagi Don. While both dishes tasted good, they were on the expensive side. Salmon and Hirame nigiris are about the average.”
Himalayan/Nepalese • $$
“If you’re looking for an authentic and delicious dining experience, Himalayan Curry House is the place to go! The food is absolutely amazing,. The Nepali momo and chowmein are incredibly tasty,
Their chicken tandoori is hands down the best—juicy, flavorful, and perfectly grilled. On top of that, the service is outstanding—friendly, fast, and attentive.
Whether you’re a fan of Nepali dishes or just love great food, this place is a must-visit! Highly recommended!”
Brewpubs • $$
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Sushi • $$
“I ordered a tuna poke bowl. It was tasty fish and tuna. Unfortunately it had no rice, not sure if they ran out or that’s standard for them but I’ve never heard of a sushi restaurant not putting any rice with a tuna poke bowl. I’ll come back but recommend that people mention rice if they want that in the dish.”
American • $$
“Definitely recommend this place! first time here and I can't wait to come back next time I'm in Berkeley!! Food is delicious!”
Italian • $$$
“I was introduced to this restaurant by my other “foodie” friend Maria Vargas. I have been there about 4 times now. I appreciate the fresh pasta, the fresh veggies and the excellent service. Will be back again soon.”
Thai • $$
“Although there are very few vegan options here, I was pleasantly surprised with the Peanut Sauce Salad. They give you a lot of peanut sauce, on the side, which is great because I prefer lighter dressing. Truly, this was a great combination of flavors. Loved the crunchy bits at the top. It was very fresh and delicious. The photo doesn't show the actual green in the salad, but I assure you it's there and there's plenty of it. Very filling!
On a nice summer day, their unique patio is absolutely wonderful. And the server was very kind and courteous.”
Pizza • $$
“Three.One Four Pizzeria is a gem. Their happy hour deals are unbeatable, and the hospitality is second to none. The pizza is outstanding, with the table-side cacio e pepe—prepared in a wheel of pecorino romano—being an absolute must-try. For an added layer of intrigue, ask Owner Brandon Wilson about the riddle behind the restaurant’s name. A fantastic dining experience from start to finish.”
Mexican • $$
“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”
Japanese • $$$
“Ippuku is my favorite restaurant in Berkeley.
I have been coming here for 12+ years and the squid ink rice is amazing my kids love it.
The karaage is wonderful.
The plum wine is delicious.
I tried all their menu and recently I tried the potatoes salad is exquisite.
The service is excellent. I will always come back here. Mása and staff do a great job on welcoming me”
Hamburger • $$
“Casual spot with comfort "street" korean food. They were slammed on a Friday night and cranked out orders like a well oiled machine while staying polite and kind to diners, door dashers and take out-ers. Solid fried chicken and cheese corn. Fried rice a bit on the wet side served in a Ramen container which was fun. Limited bar and table seating. Overall yummy, good vibes. Will return!”
Indian • $$
“Tikka masala: spicy but good, great portions of tender lamb (I like spice but needed more rice).
Service was quick and friendly--a godsend as I was starving at 11pm. They serve food late.
Cocktails not my fave but good. You can't beat this place for late night food and drink, however. If I was still in college, I'd come here.
Great dim interior, cozy to hang out in. Noticeably young crowd, though.
I miss the old location but the new one ain't bad.”
Japanese • $$
“Amazing food and service. Ambiance on point as well”
Diner • $$
“A standard diner experience - their pancakes are very yummy but the waffles tastes like grease! The breakfast toast (Calabrian chili plus corn cheese) is so delicious. The soft scrambles eggs are cooked with butter so that's always a plus!”
Italian • $$
“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!”
Sushi • $$
“I value consistency and get the same thing everytime: miso soup and double order of shrimp tempura rolls. Always freshly prepared and easily best of the bay worthy. Sometimes I forget to request chopsticks but the staff is always nice about it when I call. The amount of food for the price/quality is also great.”
Bubble Tea • $$
“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...”
Food Court • $$
“Beautiful place and nice concept with delicious food.The sinks in both downstairs bathrooms don’t work (with signs telling customers not to tamper with the plumbing, so clearly not a problem only since today). This makes me wonder where the staff wash their hands - it’s definitely not in the bathrooms.”
Wineries • $$
“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”
Thai • $$
“Oh my God, I have the best spring rolls here ever
Kid-friendliness: I had my granddaughter with me. I forgot what she had but she really loved the spring rolls and the shrimp.”
Indian • $$
“It was a wonderful experience. All the foods were super tasteful and had some real sense of Indian food. Chicken Pakora, Lamb Chop, Chicken Chaat, Chicken Wings, And none other than Pinot Noir Wine. All of them are so fresh and organic. Even wine is fresh and smooth. They have well maintained wine stocks you can see from your table. Overall a great experience with my wife and my infant son.”
Japanese • $$
“Very tasty, good quality sushi at great prices. Happy hour prices are even better. We came in to pick up an online order but they didn't receive it due to poor Internet, so they expedited the order and finished it quickly. I would recommend dining in or calling in to avoid this.”
Korean • $$
“If you’re craving authentic Korean comfort food, you NEED to stop by Pyeong Chang next time you’re in Berkeley, because this is some of the best korean food I’ve ever had!! Everything is made in-house with the freshest ingredients and the KIMCHI was hands down life changing ?? REALLY recommend getting the seafood bibimbap and kimchi cold noodles :’)”
Thai • $$
“Authentic fresh ingredients/spices, excellent customer services and now my fav thai restaurant ! If you haven’t tried it do so soon😋”
Thai • $$
“Me and my co - workers loved the food that we ordered. We definitely come back and recommend”
Pizza • $$
“I was exhausted from work and treated myself to my favorite chicken wings and also their chocolate chip cookie. Total pleasure! They gave me 15 wings (the order was only 12), so, with homemade salad, I will have three dinners!!! Delivery was really fast, everything was hot, and the person who delivered was very sweet. I will absolutely order again!!! Wings and cookies delicious!!!”
Indian • $$
“Super delicious, the food is definitely a cut above. Ingredients are fresh and high quality, and the flavors are spot on. Tastes great and feels great after eating.”
Latest Reviews
Chinese • $$
“I enjoy this restaurant very much. The food is excellent and fresh. it’s served hot every time. The servers can speed up with taking orders but otherwise, they are o.k. The restaurant is ok. The seating is too close for me but I get it. There’s No parking. It’s excellent.”
Restaurant • $
“I ordered the meatloaf and it was very good . The mashed potatoes were good and so were the vegetables. Home made taste. Will go back again!”
Pizza • $$
“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.”
Cooking Schools • $$
“Hands down the best cooking class I’ve done. The chefs were professional, the food was fresh, and we learned more about having a feel for cooking, and knife skills, than I could imagine. Best ‘value for money’ Bay Area activity!”
Most Popular Restaurants
American • $$$
“The food is really great. I had the crab artichoke dip fabulous and then I ordered the primary French dip very delicious and the service was really great and the view is spectacular. Loved.”
Indian • $
“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.”
Pizza • $
“Atmosphere, outside patio and live music is great. The pizza, although very fresh, isn't very appetizing the next day. In fact, it's getting very stale even when attempting to warm up. If you buy pizza here, be sure to eat everything the same day. Also, the green sauce was great too.”
Indian • $
“Best Indian cuisine in all of Berkeley, do yourself a favor and stop in! great people, great food, a real gem in the city.”
Mexican • $
“the food's good, nothing was amazing but more importantly nothing was bad.”
Pizza • $
“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!”
Bakery • $
“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.”
Hamburger • $
“Good selection with a lot of options and they don't disappoint. It was my son's 1st time and he loved it‼️”
Coffee Shops • $
“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.”
Coffee Shops • $
“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.”
New Restaurants
Coffee Shops • $
“What a gem! Delicious coffee (with some single origin beans from China!) and friendly service. It has a lovely side garden that is really peaceful and would make for a nice sunny spot to hang out and read. There’s a shop next door that wasn’t open yet but I will be back to check that out too.”
Cafe • $
“This is my first visit to Roast and Toast Cafe; they recently opened and are already thriving. I enjoyed an Old School Cappuccino, which was exceptional, and the Roast and Toast special sandwich was unlike any I've ever had.”
Coffee Shops • $
“This is definitely the best coffee shop in Berkeley! They have so many original selections (their ube coffee and banana coffee are amazing). There’s also a cute sitting space to do work!”
Hamburger • $$
“Casual spot with comfort "street" korean food. They were slammed on a Friday night and cranked out orders like a well oiled machine while staying polite and kind to diners, door dashers and take out-ers. Solid fried chicken and cheese corn. Fried rice a bit on the wet side served in a Ramen container which was fun. Limited bar and table seating. Overall yummy, good vibes. Will return!”
“I shared three specialty rolls with a friend. Each roll was beautifully presented and tasted so good. Can't wait to come back, but might make a reservation well in advance next time because the seats go quick!”