Guidebook for Berkeley
Food scene
East Bay superstar---amazing wood fired pizza and excellent cocktails--try the gin and tonic with homemade tonic! Outdoor seating in the back, with bocce ball court and space for kids to run around.
237 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveEast Bay superstar---amazing wood fired pizza and excellent cocktails--try the gin and tonic with homemade tonic! Outdoor seating in the back, with bocce ball court and space for kids to run around.
Excellent cafe that sets the standard for Berkeley quality and culture. You can walk there in less than 30 min from our house by taking the hiking trail through Claremont Canyon to Dwight Way, then cross through Cal’s Clark Kerr campus and on to College Avenue’s Elmwood district.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Baker & Commons
2900 College AveExcellent cafe that sets the standard for Berkeley quality and culture. You can walk there in less than 30 min from our house by taking the hiking trail through Claremont Canyon to Dwight Way, then cross through Cal’s Clark Kerr campus and on to College Avenue’s Elmwood district.
Solid fast ‘slow-food’ burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches and fries, plus salads that you can enjoy al fresco, and easily walkable from our house. Incredible beer selection. Great milkshakes.
The Station Burger Berkeley
2984 Russell StSolid fast ‘slow-food’ burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches and fries, plus salads that you can enjoy al fresco, and easily walkable from our house. Incredible beer selection. Great milkshakes.
Authentic, amazing haute-casual Mexican food in stylish but low-key setting.
134 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Comal
2020 Shattuck AveAuthentic, amazing haute-casual Mexican food in stylish but low-key setting.
Excellent ramen and other Japanese inspired dishes, as well as top-notch cocktails. Family friendly setting with a hipster vibe.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ramen Shop
5812 College AveExcellent ramen and other Japanese inspired dishes, as well as top-notch cocktails. Family friendly setting with a hipster vibe.
Authentic, foodie-worthy, actual Italian-owned gelato
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Caravaggio Gelato Lab
1797 Shattuck AveAuthentic, foodie-worthy, actual Italian-owned gelato
Excellent brunch with French inspired dishes. Get there early to beat the weekend crowds.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Note
2377 Shattuck AveExcellent brunch with French inspired dishes. Get there early to beat the weekend crowds.
Great brunch with comfortable outdoor space. Walkable from the house via a stroll through Cal's campus.
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gather
2200 Oxford StGreat brunch with comfortable outdoor space. Walkable from the house via a stroll through Cal's campus.
Great salads, pizza, burger, and home-made chicken strips. Great for take-out. Order a half-baked pizza and bring it home to eat on the deck!
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Summer Kitchen +bakeshop
2944 College AveGreat salads, pizza, burger, and home-made chicken strips. Great for take-out. Order a half-baked pizza and bring it home to eat on the deck!
Best homemade Gelato outside of Italy. Period. Located in the heart of re-energized heart of downtown Berkeley, steps from the new BART station.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Almare Gelato Italiano
2170 Shattuck AveBest homemade Gelato outside of Italy. Period. Located in the heart of re-energized heart of downtown Berkeley, steps from the new BART station.
So many great cafes in the area. These guys make a really smooth cortado.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Artís Coffee
1717 Fourth StSo many great cafes in the area. These guys make a really smooth cortado.
Long standing Rockridge favorite. Solid, romantic and place with a refined but casual vibe for celebration meals or late night bites and drinks.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
À Côté Restaurant
5478 College AveLong standing Rockridge favorite. Solid, romantic and place with a refined but casual vibe for celebration meals or late night bites and drinks.
Thai Taste Kitchen
3814 Piedmont AveGreat spot for causal tasty Thai food or takeout.
Arguably the best French pastries in California. Head there early to stand in line—and when you finally get to the head of the line, place another order for no-wait pick up the next day.
That’s the only way to skip the line—keep placing orders for the next day! Their canales and croissants make it worth the effort.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pâtisserie Rotha
1051 San Pablo AveArguably the best French pastries in California. Head there early to stand in line—and when you finally get to the head of the line, place another order for no-wait pick up the next day.
That’s the only way to skip the line—keep placing orders for the next day! Their canales and croissants make it worth the effort.
Solid cafe & bistro with relaxing back patio. Solid California casual food, baked goods and desserts. Very friendly and capable waitstaff.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Babette Cafe
2033 Center StSolid cafe & bistro with relaxing back patio. Solid California casual food, baked goods and desserts. Very friendly and capable waitstaff.
Excellent Northern California cuisine in relaxed setting with generally impeccable service. Great for lunch or dinner. Reservations recommended for both meals.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Wolf
3853 Piedmont AveExcellent Northern California cuisine in relaxed setting with generally impeccable service. Great for lunch or dinner. Reservations recommended for both meals.
Where California cuisine was invented. Still open after many decades of innovation and local, farm to table meals celebrating simplicity of excellent ingredients. Reservations far ahead usually required for both the cafe and main dining room.
337 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveWhere California cuisine was invented. Still open after many decades of innovation and local, farm to table meals celebrating simplicity of excellent ingredients. Reservations far ahead usually required for both the cafe and main dining room.
A true izakaya experience. Great sushi, skewers, and Japanese delicacies.
Reservations recommended for popular dining times.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ippuku
2130 Center StA true izakaya experience. Great sushi, skewers, and Japanese delicacies.
Reservations recommended for popular dining times.
Amazing take out food.
Opened by a pair of Chez Panisse alums as a tiny lunch counter. Great flatbread sandwiches filled with spicy chicken, herbs, cabbage, yogurt, and harissa; pints of soup; and beautiful salads made with the Bay Area’s best produce, perfectly arranged. (FYI: this is take out. There’s nowhere to sit.)
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
FAVA
2114 Vine StAmazing take out food.
Opened by a pair of Chez Panisse alums as a tiny lunch counter. Great flatbread sandwiches filled with spicy chicken, herbs, cabbage, yogurt, and harissa; pints of soup; and beautiful salads made with the Bay Area’s best produce, perfectly arranged. (FYI: this is take out. There’s nowhere to sit.)
Amazing California-inflected middle eastern food. Fantastic brunch—but make reservations as it’s a small place and people love to linger at their tables here because the mezzo is sooo good!
Lulu
1019 Camelia StreetAmazing California-inflected middle eastern food. Fantastic brunch—but make reservations as it’s a small place and people love to linger at their tables here because the mezzo is sooo good!
Excellent French patisserie with prepared sandwiches for lunch as well. Arrive early and ready to stand in line.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fournée Bakery
2912 Domingo AveExcellent French patisserie with prepared sandwiches for lunch as well. Arrive early and ready to stand in line.
Rick & Ann's Restaurant
2922 Domingo AveSolid diner-style food and take out.
Old school, no frills spot for traditional donuts and straightforward ‘egg and cheese’ sandwiches.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dream Fluff Donuts
2637 Ashby AveOld school, no frills spot for traditional donuts and straightforward ‘egg and cheese’ sandwiches.
Tacubaya is a casual taqueria in Berkeley's 4th Street shopping distric. It is named after the neighborhood in Mexico City where famed architect Luis Barragan lived. Much like Barragan's modern architecture, which in its purity and simplicity was respectful of tradition, the restaurant features traditional dishes served at street vendor stands and in home kitchens and family taquerias around Mexico City.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tacubaya
1782 Fourth StTacubaya is a casual taqueria in Berkeley's 4th Street shopping distric. It is named after the neighborhood in Mexico City where famed architect Luis Barragan lived. Much like Barragan's modern architecture, which in its purity and simplicity was respectful of tradition, the restaurant features traditional dishes served at street vendor stands and in home kitchens and family taquerias around Mexico City.
Amazing Izakaya-style restaurant, specializing in modern Japanese cuisine where everything on the menu dazzles!
Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya
Amazing Izakaya-style restaurant, specializing in modern Japanese cuisine where everything on the menu dazzles!
Shopping
Great independent bookstore with excellent customer service and gifts
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mrs Dalloway's
2904 College AveGreat independent bookstore with excellent customer service and gifts
Excellent curated wine shop where you can find unique wines from around the world. Very friendly and helpful staff can entertain you with back stories on every single wine they sell. Be careful—you might spend a lot more time here than you thought!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vintage Berkeley
2113 Vine StExcellent curated wine shop where you can find unique wines from around the world. Very friendly and helpful staff can entertain you with back stories on every single wine they sell. Be careful—you might spend a lot more time here than you thought!
Olive oil specialty store. Lots of selections that make great gifts.
Amphora Nueva: Berkeley Olive Oil Works
2928 Domingo AveOlive oil specialty store. Lots of selections that make great gifts.
Highly curated, beautiful French country inspired housewares, accessories and stationery
Ellington & French
2942 Domingo AveHighly curated, beautiful French country inspired housewares, accessories and stationery
Great gift store, featuring nice jewelry by the owner and other local artisans, plus interesting and unusual gifts.
Philippa Roberts
4176 Piedmont AveGreat gift store, featuring nice jewelry by the owner and other local artisans, plus interesting and unusual gifts.
Nathan & Co
4025 Piedmont AveGreat gift store featuring locally-themed items.
Maison D'Etre
5640 College AveGreat housewarming gifts
The most amazingly complete supermarket in the United States. Astounding assortment of produce and products from around the world.
419 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StThe most amazingly complete supermarket in the United States. Astounding assortment of produce and products from around the world.
Great gift shop with a collection of local/Bay Area/California items including everything from housewares to jewelry.
Palm + Perkins
2950 College AveGreat gift shop with a collection of local/Bay Area/California items including everything from housewares to jewelry.
Fantastic housewares/gifts, jewelry, soaps, reading glasses, and oh yeah--bespoke gardening tools and books
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Gardener
1836 Fourth StFantastic housewares/gifts, jewelry, soaps, reading glasses, and oh yeah--bespoke gardening tools and books
Topdrawer
Bespoke Japanese-themed stationary shop featuring unique gifts and housewares
The Roark Explorer’s Club is a men's "adventure-themed" clothing store pleasingly outiftted with a curated assortment of surfboards, camping accessories, men’s grooming products, and travel literature. Easy to spend an hour or so aspirtationally dreaming about great places to visit.
Roark
The Roark Explorer’s Club is a men's "adventure-themed" clothing store pleasingly outiftted with a curated assortment of surfboards, camping accessories, men’s grooming products, and travel literature. Easy to spend an hour or so aspirtationally dreaming about great places to visit.
This might be the best place to buy stylish shoes in the Bay Area! Rabat features an unusual collection of European footwear for men & women, beautiful handbags,and eclectic jewelry from local artists.
Rabat
This might be the best place to buy stylish shoes in the Bay Area! Rabat features an unusual collection of European footwear for men & women, beautiful handbags,and eclectic jewelry from local artists.
Everything Else
Closest BART station if you're parking or picking someone up.
127 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rockridge Station
5660 College AveClosest BART station if you're parking or picking someone up.
Entertainment & Activities
Excellent pool and spa facilities a 5 minute drive (or 25 minute walk) away. Impressive lunch or dinner spot for a more formal business meal, or to celebrate with family and friends.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Claremont Club & Spa - A Fairmont Hotel
41 Tunnel RdExcellent pool and spa facilities a 5 minute drive (or 25 minute walk) away. Impressive lunch or dinner spot for a more formal business meal, or to celebrate with family and friends.
Great kids museum—about 6 min drive from the house—incorporating science, natural history, and interactive exhibits. Amazing expansive views of the bay from it’s hillside campus.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lawrence Hall of Science
Great kids museum—about 6 min drive from the house—incorporating science, natural history, and interactive exhibits. Amazing expansive views of the bay from it’s hillside campus.
Day pass for $5 for a sunny, heated lap pool with amazing views of the Bay! You can walk here from our house in 10-15 minutes
Cal Gymnastics Club
Sport Lane 25Day pass for $5 for a sunny, heated lap pool with amazing views of the Bay! You can walk here from our house in 10-15 minutes
Fun and educational place to spend an afternoon hiking among plants from around the world
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The University of California Botanical Garden
200 Centennial DrFun and educational place to spend an afternoon hiking among plants from around the world
Apple 4th Street
1823 Fourth StClosest Apple store to the house
Fun outing for the kids. Plus endless hiking trails nearby.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tilden Park Merry Go Round
Lake Anza RoadFun outing for the kids. Plus endless hiking trails nearby.
A classic steam train experience taking you on a tour through the redwoods and East Bay hillside. Fun for little kids and those who are young at heart!
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)
2481 Grizzly Peak BlvdA classic steam train experience taking you on a tour through the redwoods and East Bay hillside. Fun for little kids and those who are young at heart!
Lots of memories for us at the Little Farm with our little ones when they were littler. Check out cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals in this working farm tucked in a beautiful valley inside Tilden Park. A fun playground and endless hiking trails also are accessed from the same parking lot.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tilden Little Farm
1500 Canon DrLots of memories for us at the Little Farm with our little ones when they were littler. Check out cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals in this working farm tucked in a beautiful valley inside Tilden Park. A fun playground and endless hiking trails also are accessed from the same parking lot.
Arts & Culture
Best Theater House outside of Broadway.
127 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StBest Theater House outside of Broadway.
Great space to see internationally acclaimed performances
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cal Performances
101 Zellerbach HallGreat space to see internationally acclaimed performances
Great live performances by acclaimed musicians and other artists in a coffeehouse theater setting
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison StGreat live performances by acclaimed musicians and other artists in a coffeehouse theater setting
Closest IMAX theater—15 min drive.
Next closest are in SF and Walnut Creek.
83 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
AMC Bay Street 16
5614 Bay StClosest IMAX theater—15 min drive.
Next closest are in SF and Walnut Creek.
Great independent movies in an authentic & classic theater surrounded by great restaurants and retail.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
2966 College AveGreat independent movies in an authentic & classic theater surrounded by great restaurants and retail.
Famous for its concerts for decades... you can walk down the hill from our house to the concert!
75 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Greek Theatre
2001 Gayley RdFamous for its concerts for decades... you can walk down the hill from our house to the concert!