Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
This is a must-do in our neighborhood. Live music at lunch and dinner; different seasonal pizza/salad every day. Closed on Sundays & Mondays. Line looks long but moves fast.
317 locals recommend
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveThis is a must-do in our neighborhood. Live music at lunch and dinner; different seasonal pizza/salad every day. Closed on Sundays & Mondays. Line looks long but moves fast.
Gioia Pizzeria
1586 Hopkins StPizza by the slice or pie. Yummy.
Insanely good, authentic Italian food. Can't go wrong here. They're great with kids but it's also a great place for a romantic dinner for two. Our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood.
14 locals recommend
Lo Coco's
1400 Shattuck AveInsanely good, authentic Italian food. Can't go wrong here. They're great with kids but it's also a great place for a romantic dinner for two. Our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood.
Amazing food. You need to plan WAY in advance for a reservation downstairs, but at the more experimental Cafe, you can sometimes get same-day reservations. Food and ambiance are worth the planning!
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveAmazing food. You need to plan WAY in advance for a reservation downstairs, but at the more experimental Cafe, you can sometimes get same-day reservations. Food and ambiance are worth the planning!
If you want your caffeine with a dose of radicalism, fun place to go
35 locals recommend
Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck AveIf you want your caffeine with a dose of radicalism, fun place to go
If a trip to Berkeley is not complete without a visit to a raw/vegan restaurant that features constant affirmation (dishes called I am Magnificent, I am Sublime). Can't get more touchy-feely.
33 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
1730 Shattuck AveIf a trip to Berkeley is not complete without a visit to a raw/vegan restaurant that features constant affirmation (dishes called I am Magnificent, I am Sublime). Can't get more touchy-feely.
Mission: Heirloom just opened in early 2015. A Paleo restaurant, it also caters to other dietary restrictions. Has bulletproof coffee if you are into that sort of thing... Sweet patio.
9 locals recommend
Mission: Heirloom
2085 Vine StMission: Heirloom just opened in early 2015. A Paleo restaurant, it also caters to other dietary restrictions. Has bulletproof coffee if you are into that sort of thing... Sweet patio.
Everything Else
This is the world’s yummiest wine shop. They specialize in small production vineyards, bottles mostly under $20. They have daily wine tastings and the folks running it are super-friendly.
8 locals recommend
Vintage Berkeley
2113 Vine StThis is the world’s yummiest wine shop. They specialize in small production vineyards, bottles mostly under $20. They have daily wine tastings and the folks running it are super-friendly.
A very sweet library -- recently renovated historic building. It has a lovely (but small) kid's section.
6 locals recommend
North Branch Library
1170 The AlamedaA very sweet library -- recently renovated historic building. It has a lovely (but small) kid's section.
It's a 20 minute walk to the BART from the house. There's free valet bike parking a block from the station should you need it.
122 locals recommend
Berkeley Station
2160 Shattuck AveIt's a 20 minute walk to the BART from the house. There's free valet bike parking a block from the station should you need it.
Awesome French patisserie - whose owner (Marcia) has treated our boys great since birth. Great croissant, pan au chocolat, Morning buns, etc Tell them we sent you. :)
22 locals recommend
Masse's Pastries
1469 Shattuck AveAwesome French patisserie - whose owner (Marcia) has treated our boys great since birth. Great croissant, pan au chocolat, Morning buns, etc Tell them we sent you. :)
Awesome take-out; amazing fries, sandwiches, etc. - call ahead as food takes 15-20 minutes usually
71 locals recommend
Grégoire Restaurant
2109 Cedar StAwesome take-out; amazing fries, sandwiches, etc. - call ahead as food takes 15-20 minutes usually
True Berkeley classy take-out; amazing sushi (Kirala II); Soup (Soop), and local organic gelato (Lush) plus a vegan place. Garden in back with nice Chinese food
17 locals recommend
Epicurious Garden
1511 Shattuck AveTrue Berkeley classy take-out; amazing sushi (Kirala II); Soup (Soop), and local organic gelato (Lush) plus a vegan place. Garden in back with nice Chinese food
CVS
2655 Telegraph AveIf you need a drug store; open late
Ok for staples - open late (for real grocery shopping use other recommendations)
99 locals recommend
Safeway
1444 Shattuck PlOk for staples - open late (for real grocery shopping use other recommendations)
Attached to Cheese Board pizza is an amazing Cheese Shop with great pastries (pecan rolls, chocolate things, baguettes, and scones all rock); can also get parbaked pizzas
83 locals recommend
Cheese Board Bakery
1504 Shattuck AveAttached to Cheese Board pizza is an amazing Cheese Shop with great pastries (pecan rolls, chocolate things, baguettes, and scones all rock); can also get parbaked pizzas
SenS Hotel
1538 Shattuck AveMIldly run down very Berkeley coffee shop - I love their Americanos
Astonishingly lovely multi-tiered park with something for all (including insane views and a usually empty field of dreams baseball diamond overlooking the world). A hike, but worth it.
6 locals recommend
Glendale La Loma Park
1310 La Loma AveAstonishingly lovely multi-tiered park with something for all (including insane views and a usually empty field of dreams baseball diamond overlooking the world). A hike, but worth it.
For the train lovers - lengthy ride on small scale train through the hills of Berkeley
45 locals recommend
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)
2481 Grizzly Peak BlvdFor the train lovers - lengthy ride on small scale train through the hills of Berkeley
Exactly what the name says - if your kids (or you) want to feed some animals bring celery or lettuce. Nice hiking nearby, too.
23 locals recommend
Tilden Nature Area
600 Canon DriveExactly what the name says - if your kids (or you) want to feed some animals bring celery or lettuce. Nice hiking nearby, too.
Scariest/most dangerous/coolest playground ever. Kids can hammer, paint, build cool forts. Terrifying as a parent, but extremely unique and very fun. Did I mention it is dangerous?
23 locals recommend
Adventure Playground
160 University AveScariest/most dangerous/coolest playground ever. Kids can hammer, paint, build cool forts. Terrifying as a parent, but extremely unique and very fun. Did I mention it is dangerous?
"Peninsula" of infill with Robinson Caruso squatter homes, crazy found/made art installations to hike amongst, and a beach where dogs like to play - very cool and very Berkeley
56 locals recommend
Albany Bulb
1 Buchanan St"Peninsula" of infill with Robinson Caruso squatter homes, crazy found/made art installations to hike amongst, and a beach where dogs like to play - very cool and very Berkeley
Like a hipster bar in Brooklyn (and enjoy awesome food from adjacent taco truck), this has kung fu and softcore films playing on the tv, shuffleboard to play and great drinks
45 locals recommend
Hotsy Totsy Club
601 San Pablo AveLike a hipster bar in Brooklyn (and enjoy awesome food from adjacent taco truck), this has kung fu and softcore films playing on the tv, shuffleboard to play and great drinks
Full service gym with swimming pools, classes. Reasonable daily rates.
12 locals recommend
Downtown Berkeley YMCA
2001 Allston WayFull service gym with swimming pools, classes. Reasonable daily rates.
Shopping
This is where it all started. Recently renovated to add a mini-museum, The original Peets location continues to be a hub in North Berkeley. Discounts if you bring your own mug.
259 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine StThis is where it all started. Recently renovated to add a mini-museum, The original Peets location continues to be a hub in North Berkeley. Discounts if you bring your own mug.
Solano Avenue
Solano AvenueSolano is over a mile of little shops & boutiques.
A viable competitor for best Berkeley coffee (everyone has their opinion) - each cup truly made to order (they won't let you add your own milk/sugar because they are better at it than you)
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StA viable competitor for best Berkeley coffee (everyone has their opinion) - each cup truly made to order (they won't let you add your own milk/sugar because they are better at it than you)
For a rainy day/some kids enrichment - nice science museum
65 locals recommend
Lawrence Hall of Science
For a rainy day/some kids enrichment - nice science museum
Essentials
Serious carnivore eye candy. Like the name says, this place specializes in meat from the local area. They also serve an AMAZING daily sandwich if you aren’t up for cooking the meat yourself.
18 locals recommend
The Local Butcher Shop
Shattuck AvenueSerious carnivore eye candy. Like the name says, this place specializes in meat from the local area. They also serve an AMAZING daily sandwich if you aren’t up for cooking the meat yourself.
You haven’t seen produce until you’ve been to the Monterey Market. Bring your camera and get a shot of the gorgeous mushroom aisle. They contract directly with local farmers & the prices are great.
213 locals recommend
Monterey Market
1550 Hopkins StYou haven’t seen produce until you’ve been to the Monterey Market. Bring your camera and get a shot of the gorgeous mushroom aisle. They contract directly with local farmers & the prices are great.
Loosely affiliated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this is THE place to get just-caught, sustainably-harvested fish. They also sell a gorgeous cookbook written by the owner of the shop.
213 locals recommend
Monterey Market
1550 Hopkins StLoosely affiliated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this is THE place to get just-caught, sustainably-harvested fish. They also sell a gorgeous cookbook written by the owner of the shop.
Entertainment & Activities
Sitting just below the Middle School, this park boasts the public (heated) pool, a lovely playground and a running track. We love to come here with a pizza from Gioia and have a picnic.
22 locals recommend
King School Park
1700 Hopkins StSitting just below the Middle School, this park boasts the public (heated) pool, a lovely playground and a running track. We love to come here with a pizza from Gioia and have a picnic.
This park is our kids’ favorite. It’s got everything: a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, community center & theater, big trees & meadow, a creek and lots of places for picnics.
Live Oak Theater
1301 Shattuck Ave This park is our kids’ favorite. It’s got everything: a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, community center & theater, big trees & meadow, a creek and lots of places for picnics.
Sightseeing
Only a block long, this farmers’ market is lovely with live music and amazing produce.
16 locals recommend
North Berkeley All Organic Farmers' Market - Thursday
Vine Street Only a block long, this farmers’ market is lovely with live music and amazing produce.
This place started the gardens-in-the-schools movement. You enter it from a gate at the west end of Berryman Street. Chickens!
10 locals recommend
Edible Schoolyard Berkeley
1781 Rose StThis place started the gardens-in-the-schools movement. You enter it from a gate at the west end of Berryman Street. Chickens!
The Rose Garden is gorgeous and a must-see. There's a secret tunnel that connects it with an epic awesome Cordonices playground. We suggest long pants if you try the concrete slide. :)
9 locals recommend
Rose Garden Tennis Courts
1200 Euclid AveThe Rose Garden is gorgeous and a must-see. There's a secret tunnel that connects it with an epic awesome Cordonices playground. We suggest long pants if you try the concrete slide. :)
This is the gorgeous Saturday Farmers Market. Prepared food & fresh produce. Yum.
50 locals recommend
Saturday Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market
1947 Center StThis is the gorgeous Saturday Farmers Market. Prepared food & fresh produce. Yum.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fancy fusion-y Mexican with good food and great cocktails. Cool space/ambiance and massive backyard
134 locals recommend
Comal
2020 Shattuck AveFancy fusion-y Mexican with good food and great cocktails. Cool space/ambiance and massive backyard
Small, crazy Japanese place with wild/interesting menu (non sushi). Feels like it is from the movie Kill Bill
45 locals recommend
Ippuku
2130 Center StSmall, crazy Japanese place with wild/interesting menu (non sushi). Feels like it is from the movie Kill Bill