Berkeley is a bay area gem. Situated across the bridge from San Francisco and home to the #1 public university in the US, Berkeley is an eclectic blend of history, culture, and exploration. This is perhaps most evident in the incredible variety of food the small city houses. Berkeley is filled with so many local restaurants and cafes that it would take forever to try them all. So, in order to get the best out of your experience at Berkeley, here are some of the most popular (and my personal favorite) restaurants, cafes, and eateries in Berkeley.
1. La Note (for brunch)
La Note is Berkeley’s iconic breakfast and brunch place. The adorable food and interior is perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend, but you’ll definitely need to book in advance!
La Note
Address: 2377 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 8am–2:30pm, Thursday & Friday: 8am–2:30pm, 6–10pm, Saturday: 8am–3pm, 6–10pm, Sunday: 8am–3pm
Website: La Note
2. Cheeseboard (Berkeley's most famous pizzeria)
Have you ever visited a bakery turned Pizzeria? Even if you have, come visit Berkeley’s most famous pizza place! With new pizzas to try every day (and a delicious green sauce to match) you’ll never get tired of Cheeseboard.
Pro tip: don’t be scared away by the long line! It always moves really quickly.
Cheeseboard
Address: 1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: Lunch: 11:30am-3pm, Dinner: 4:30pm-8pm, Closed Sundays & Mondays
Website: Cheeseboard
3. Tacos Sinaloa (for Mexican food)
Although Berkeley showcases lots of different food, there actually isn’t much in the way of Mexican cuisine. However, Berkeley makes up for lack of quantity with quality. Tacos Sinaloa tastes like it came straight off a taco truck!
Tacos Sinaloa
Address: 2384 Telegraph Ave, 94704 Berkeley, CA
Hours: 11:00am-9:00pm
Facebook: Tacos Sinaloa
4. KoJa Kitchen (for a fun fusion)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
We're back and better than ever. Come visit us this weekend for a tasty meal!
Posted by KoJa Kitchen on Friday, August 3, 2018
This restaurant, which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, specializes in Korean Japanese fusion food. The perfect balance KoJa manages to create is easier experienced than described, so come check out this unique blend for yourself!
KoJa Kitchen
Address: 2395 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: Monday - Sunday: 11:00am-10:00pm
Website: KoJa Kitchen
5. Tasty Pot (to watch your food cook in front of you!)
This Taiwanese restaurant is (like any good bowl of soup) great for a cold day. But at Tasty Pot you get the unique added bonus of watching your food cook in front of you!
Tasty Pot
Address: 2115 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: Monday - Sunday: 11:30am-2:45pm, 5pm-9:15pm
Website: Hot Pot
6. Vik's Chaat (for an amazing Indian food experience)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Celebrate Mother's Day at Viks!
Posted by Vik's Chaat on Friday, May 7, 2021
Berkeley has a lot of Chinese and Thai food, but it’s also home to some amazing Indian food as well. At Vik’s, dive into Indian street food culture with some piping hot cholle or classic tandoori chicken. Either way, it’s sure to be a fun and delicious time.
Vik's Chaat
Address: 2390 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am-6pm, Friday - Sunday: 11am-8pm
Website: Vik’s Chaat
7. Sharetea (try boba!)
You can’t go two feet in Berkeley without running into a boba shop. And for good reason, as Berkeley has some of the best boba around. There are lots of unique shops with great boba, but for a great variety of tea and lots of fun flavors that are sure to please, try out Sharetea.
Sharetea
Address: 2440 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: 11am–11pm
Website: Sharetea
8. Ici Ice Cream (for amazing homemade ice cream!)
What’s better than earl grey ice cream? That’s right. Nothing. If you’re a fan of homemade ice cream (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?) and love trying new flavors, then Ici is going to be your new favorite ice cream shop. And you absolutely have to try my favorite: the earl grey ice cream. You’ll be shocked, and then amazed, and then insanely happy. You’re welcome!
Ici Ice Cream
Address: 2948 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
Hours: Monday - Thursday: 12noon-9:30pm, Friday - Sunday: 12 noon-10:00pm
Website: Ici Ice Cream
9. Thai Basil (for amazing Thai food)
Berkeley is full of fantastic local restaurants, and one way it showcases its huge variety of culture is through food. For the best Thai food in town, check out Thai Basil. This place is a student favorite because of its cheap prices and great flavor. The only catch is that it’s cash only.
Thai Basil
Address: 2519 Durant Ave, Ste G, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: 11:00am-11:45pm
10. Little Gem (for adorable Belgian waffles)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Thanks for all the support for our SF cloud location grand opening! We have been selling out early everyday! Place your...
Posted by Little Gem Belgian Waffles on Saturday, February 6, 2021
Once you’ve gorged yourself on a great brunch and maybe tried out something new, it’s time for dessert. Little Gem is a waffle boutique that fills its Belgian waffles with pearl sugar to get the perfect blend of crispy outside and fluffy inside. Overall, an adorable (and very instagrammable) way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Little Gem
Address: 2468-A Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 3pm-11pm, Friday: 12pm-12am, Saturday & Sunday: 10am-11pm, Closed Monday
Website: Little Gem
Eat, eat, eat!
Berkeley has hundreds of great eateries, so don’t just stop at this list! Once you’ve tasted some of the best that Berkeley has to offer go out and explore! Pretty soon you’ll become a food connoisseur, and you can even come back and comment your own favorites.
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