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1. Chez Panisse
California cuisine is so much a product of Alice Waters's genius that all other restaurants following in her wake should be dated A.A.W. (After...
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5. Venus - Berkeley
- Venus showcases a lively variety of heirloom vegetables, hormone and antibiotic free meats, and organic ingredients in their dishes. They boast... read more
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- Cuisines:
- American
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6. La Note Restaurant Provencal
- La Note is an authentic Provençal restaurant in the heart of downtown Berkeley. Traditional breakfast and lunch bistro fare are combined with rustic... read more
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- Cuisines:
- French
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7. Bongo Burger
- Since 1968, this restaurant has been serving chic and delicious burgers, bacon and baklava on the cheap. A cut above a greasy spoon or a fast food... read more
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- Cuisines:
- American
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8. Cafe Gratitude
- A small and cozy cafe located in downtown Berkeley, Cafe Gratitude serves fresh food made with organic ingredients. The menu includes dishes like... read more
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- Cuisines:
- American
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9. Herbivore-The Earthly Grill
- The answer to a vegetarian gourmet lover's prayers is Berkeley's Herbivore. The food has pleased one and all, the drinks are the tastiest and the... read more
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10. Blake's On Telegraph
- Since 1940, Blake's has been a fixture of Telegraph Avenue. Starting as a joint for beer and a quick bite by Larry Blake, it evolved into a jazz... read more
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- Cuisines:
- American
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The Best of NileGuide
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Two words: California cuisine. It's pretty much all you need to know about dining in Berkeley. As the birthplace of a sustainable style of living and eating, food is a huge part of life in Berkeley. The temperate climate and rich natural setting provide a bounty of fresh produce year around, and Berkeley restaurants make the most of the local offerings. Rustic, no-fuss and focused on fresh, local ingredients: these are the components that create the Berkeley restaurant scene. The laid-back ambiance and super healthy eats will get you feeling Berkeley-esque, inside and out.
To truly indulge and experience what Berkeley dining is all about, make culinary landmark Chez Panisse your first stop. The legendary restaurant revolutionized eating not just in the Bay Area, but in the United States as a whole, with its focus on seasonal, local ingredients. As the anchor point in the famous Gourmet Ghetto, Chez Panisse is the perfect place to begin your exploration of Berkeley restaurants. Nearby Cesar, Cheeseboard and Rivoli all capture the rustic, effortless elegance that defines California cuisine.
Destination restaurants abound in the rest of the city as well, making for an unrivaled epicurean adventure. Notable newcomer Gather satisfies carnivores and vegans alike with sustainable, sumptuous offerings in Downtown. Tucked discreetly in West Berkeley, no-frills Viks Chaat Corner smells like New Delhi, but the vibe is pure California. Locals line up for premium sushi at South Berkeley's Kirala, while a classic hamburger made from unclassicly top-notch meat can be had at Cafe Rouge.
Of course, Berkeley is a college town, and there's plenty of cheap eats as well. Cafe Intermezzo delivers mega-sized sandwiches and salads, while Top Dog provides more traditional American eating: hot dogs.
Students always need places to fuel up and study, and Berkeley's cafes are the place to do it. Experience the first in an empire, and indulge at the original Peet's Coffee in North Berkeley. Discover what third-wave coffee is, and why it's causing so many waves, at Local 123. You'll be raring to go and explore more of Berkeley.
