From vegan cinnamon buns to tofu soft serve to Indian street food to farm-to-table dining, Berkeley's got it all. There's something for everyone and every craving.
Here's the what's what on eating and drinking around UC Berkeley.
1. You're craving boba: U-Cha
Easily the best boba shop in Berkeley, U-Cha boasts a variety of drinks in addition to the classic milk teas and tapioca pearls. They also recently expanded their menu to include snow ice and fries. Their drinks are consistently good, and everyone’s sure to find at least one go-to drink.
What to order: If you’re feeling something sweet, order a Bomber Man. If you want a refreshing drink, get a jade lime premium green tea with ai-yu. If you’re feeling milky, you can’t go wrong with the matcha latte or black tea crema with boba.
2. You need to grab lunch for under $8 between classes: eatsa
This newest addition to Telegraph Avenue offers a wonderful option for quick lunch breaks: Fast, cheap, and healthy quinoa bowls. Eatsa’s flavorful bowls are all priced at $6.95, and it’s a vegetarian heaven with every topping and spice combination you can imagine. And to make it even better, you order using an iPad and pick up your food at a futuristic touch-screen food kiosk.
What to Order: Try any of their specialty bowls, like the fresh Mexican Bowl, the umami Bento Bowl, or the flavorful Spice Market Bowl.
3. You're craving Indian: Vik's Chaat
Vik’s is as close to authentic Indian food as you’ll get in Berkeley, maybe even the whole East Bay. They serve Indian street food such as pani puri and aloo tikki along with better known dishes like tandoori chicken and samosas. Plus, there’s a grocery market right in front where you can buy all the Indian goods you’ve always wanted to try.
What to Order: Chole bhature is an all time favorite. Lovingly dubbed “the big puffy thing,” bhature is chewy and crispy all at once. If you want something less oily, try their lamb biryani.
4. You're trying to be healthy: sweetgreen
Founded on the opposite coast, sweetgreen has finally made its way over to the Bay Area. With locally sourced and organic ingredients, sweetgreen is a fun way to stay healthy and actually enjoy eating salad. Get creative with the make-your-own option or select one of their pre-designed salads for a quick lunch on the go.
What to Order: Their peach and goat cheese salad is both low-calorie and made up of local ingredients. So you’re not only supporting your own body’s health, but also your local community. Seems like a win-win to me.
5. You're doing it for the Insta: Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar
This hip cafe is an Instagrammer’s dream. Colorful toasts — from avocado to ricotta — are artfully arranged on wooden serving boards, to be enjoyed (after the obligatory photo) among rustic wooden benches, exposed brick walls, and hanging string lights. Bartavelle’s toasts take the spotlight, but the cafe also offers sweet and savory porridge, sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards.
What to Order: Avocado toast — it’s the best we’ve ever had. A generous helping of avocado sits atop fluffy Acme pain au levain, drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil and finished with coarse sea salt and marash pepper.
6. You're cramming and the library is full: Café Blue Door
Blue Door is a staple for many Cal students because it really has everything you’d want or need in a study space; it’s somehow huge despite being a city coffee shop, has loads of outlets, is closer bathrooms than you’d have in the library, and is always on point with the atmosphere. Sure, it’s not dead quiet like Main Stacks, but sometimes you want to feel other human life around you.
What to order: For food, any of their bagels or croissants are a delicious pick-me-up. For drinks, the Nutella Hot Chocolate is a crowd favorite. Rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. Who doesn’t love liquified Nutella?
7. You're looking for the best weekend brunch: La Note Restaurant Provençal
If the wait time on Sunday mornings is any indication, La Note certainly serves the best brunch in Berkeley. You'll feel like a true Parisian while enjoying their selection of French pastries, rich coffee, and fluffy pancakes. Insider tip: If the weather allows, ask to be seated in the adorable courtyard they have tucked away in the back.
What to Order: The Pain Perdu is one of the best ways to start your weekend — sweet, fluffy, and creamy — it’s like no French toast you’ve had before. If you aren’t a fan of sweets in the morning, their tartines (small, open-faced sandwiches) are cheap, tasty, and Insta-worthy — a winning combination.
8. You're craving pizza: Cheese Board
Amid Berkeley’s impressive slew of pizza joints, offering everything from greasy 2 am slices to individual build-your-own pies, Cheese Board reigns king. (There’s a reason it ranked #2 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2016.) The 100% worker-owned pizzeria serves one type of vegetarian pizza and salad each day — yes, Inside Out was telling the truth — made fresh daily with organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Grab a slice to enjoy to the sound of live music, or take a whole or half pie, fully or lightly baked, to go.
What to Order: Pizza, obviously. Whatever the flavor of the day, it’s bound to be delicious. A thin and crackly crust, beautifully stretchy cheese, and fresh and flavorful toppings come together into the perfect pie. Don’t forget the green sauce — we could drink that creamy, herby, garlicky goodness by the gallon.
9. You're sick of Starbucks and Peet's: Philz Coffee
When you want to branch out into Bay Area coffee, Philz is a great place to start. Here’s how to order: Get in line. Once you’re at the front, a barista will call you over. Place your order. Then, go to the cashier to pay. If you bring a reusable mug, they’ll fill it up all the way but only charge you for a regular. When your coffee is ready, your barista will call out your order. Try your coffee there! If it’s not what you want, let the barista know ‘cause they’re more than happy to fix it for you.
What to Order: For your first time at Philz, get an Iced Mint Mojito (sweet and creamy). If you prefer black coffee, you can’t go wrong with Tesora.
10. You're craving sushi: Joshu-Ya Brasserie
This modern brasserie is one of the oldest sushi restaurants in Berkeley, and remains a go-to for any sushi cravings. Joshu-ya’s menu offers modern Japanese fare with a Californian slant — you’ll find local uni and classic rolls alongside fish tacos and beef burgers. You can sit indoors for a more intimate experience or dine al fresco in their rustic backyard space.
What to Order: Try the Chirashi, a selection of buttery sashimi served over rice, or the Lion King, a decadent combo of baked salmon, crab, avocado, and Parmesan sauce. For a non-sushi option, spring for the hearty Kobe Beef Sliders or unctuous Grilled Pork Belly Tacos.
11. You need to escape from the heat: Uji Time
Say hello to the coolest (pun intended) spot in Berkeley, Uji Time, which held its grand opening in July 2016. Inspired by Japanese flavors, Uji Time offers ice cream flavors you can’t get anywhere else in Berkeley, like Tofu and Black Sesame soft serve. Even better? They sell mochi ice cream that comes in a variety of flavors, and taiyaki with azuki red bean or Nutella filling.
What to Order: The Black Sesame soft serve here is to die for: Creamy, nutty, yet light. If you’re feeling extra, you can never go wrong with getting your ice cream in a fish cone.
12. You turn 21: Jupiter
Jupiter is an all-around great spot for dinner and drinks, but what makes it extra special for your 21st is the awesome staff, fancy ambiance, and delicious pizza. When you turn 21, you're looking for two things: 1) To go out drinking, 2) To go out drinking for free. Mention it’s your birthday and your kind server will come to your table singing with a free beer in tow (and they somehow get a lit candle to float on top). They will then race you in a chugging match, which almost always ends with you losing, because, after all, they’re professionals.
What to order: Drink wise, Jupiter is a beer and wine kind of establishment. So, be sure to get your free birthday beer, and then ask the server what they might recommend according to your preference (assuming you have previously had alcohol). Food wise, split multiple pizzas with your party, and make sure one of those pizzas is the Cassiopeia.
13. You're craving greasy food: Smoke's Poutinerie
At Smoke’s, you’ll find sinfully greasy heaps of heart attack in a box, aka poutine, waiting to be devoured. This store on Durant Ave offers poutine — a Canadian classic with gravy and cheese curds poured generously on top of french fries — with savory, meaty twists. As you may have expected, this eatery is open until 4 am every night, ready to satisfy all your drunk desires.
What to Order: The two most popular poutines are the Bacon Cheeseburger — poutine topped with bacon, ground beef, and a gooey cheese sauce — and Pulled Pork — poutine with pulled pork and bacon.
14. You're craving munchies at 2 am: Artichoke Basille's Pizza
Whether you’re capping off a fun night of drinking with friends or you’re emerging from the depths of Main Stacks after an intense nine hours of studying, nothing sounds better than a big slice of greasy pizza at 2 am. With only one location in Berkeley (versus its five other locations throughout New York), it’s pretty lucky that we managed to have this famous pizzeria literally steps from campus. And we’re even luckier they close at 2 am on weekdays, 3 am on weekends.
What to order: Artichoke’s always seems to be changing up their flavors, but no matter when you go, you're bound to find something unique. We recommend their crab slice — you’d think cheese and seafood wouldn’t go together, but something about the creamy sauce and sweet crab deems this pizza a major success.
15. You're craving ice cream: Tara's Organic Ice Cream
While you may have heard of Ici Ice Cream, or even stood an hour in line for its homemade waffle cone, the true hidden gem is Tara’s Organic Ice Cream. Tara’s offers eclectic flavors, ranging from Strawberry Balsalmic to Pear Ginger Agave Sorbet, all made with organic ingredients. You can go big here and combine 4 flavors into 3 scoops, or go small with just a half-scoop portion for $2.45 and skip the line.
What to Order: Any flavor on a homemade Sesame Cone — don’t be afraid to ask for samples!
16. You or your friends are vegan: The Butcher's Son
Newly opened in Berkeley, The Butcher’s Son is already famous among the Bay Area vegan community for its wide variety of vegan meats and cheeses. Operating like a real deli, you can buy "meat" and "cheese" buy the pound or treat yourself to one of their gigantic sandwiches. Even non-vegans can enjoy chowing down on their maple bacon doughnuts or fried mozzarella and meatball hoagie.
What to Order: My personal favorite is the Grinder but every sandwich I’ve ordered has been amazing. You literally can’t go wrong, particularly if everything is piled onto a fluffy hoagie roll and their bacon is included. I also recommend a side of coleslaw— it’s crunchy and tangy and everything good coleslaw should be.
17. You're craving something sweet: Cupcakin' Bake Shop
If you have a sweet tooth, Cupcakin’ Bake Shop is sure to hit the spot. This bakery has perfected the cake to frosting ratio and serves a variety of genius flavors from the classic vanilla to seasonal peppermint chocolate. Sometimes, Cupcakin’ runs out of certain flavors or sells out of cupcakes before 9 pm, so be sure to go early. Plus, you might be able to snag some $2 day-old cupcakes.
What to Order: You really can’t go wrong with any of these cupcakes. We highly recommend the red velvet, key lime pie, and Bailey’s Irish cream cupcakes. Take our quiz to see which cupcake you should get.
18. You're craving Italian: Pasta Bene
Pasta Bene is the place to be for standard yet well-done, casual yet classy Italian food. For lunch, Pasta Bene offers a few pasta options for just $7.95. For dinner, it’s a great place to grab a few appetizers, thin crust pizzas (Berkeley’s only stone-fired pizza!), and fresh pasta with friends. So if you’re wanting to feel a bit classy without paying for it, check out Pasta Bene’s great deals and even better food.
What to Order: Start off the meal with some bruschetta or garlic bread, share a margarita pizza, and finish it all off with the hearty sausage gnocchi.
19. You're craving chips and guac: Gordo Tacqueria
Chipotle may be the first thing on your mind when you think of chips and guac, but Gordo Taqueria will make you think twice. Whether you’re headed to classes, study sessions, or just walking back home, Gordo Taqueria is a great (and quick) pit stop for Mexican food.
What to Order: For just $3.50, you can get a generous portion of chips, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
20. You're looking for a vegan dessert: Cinnaholic
Whether you’re vegan or eating out with a vegan, finding desserts just got easier. Most people can’t even tell that Cinnaholic’s cinnamon rolls are vegan! You can get these in the satisfying original size for less than $5. With 20 frosting flavors and 21 toppings to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
What to Order: If you’re the kind of person who eats cake batter and cookie dough, an Old School Roll with Cookie Dough and Strawberries is the combination for you. If you need inspiration, feel free to check their daily specials and creative combinations.
21. Your parents are paying the bill: Chez Panisse
Established in 1971 by Alice Waters, Chez Panisse was one of the original farm-to-table restaurants and the inspiration for what we know as California cuisine. It's consistently listed among the top restaurants in the US and was a one-star Michelin restaurant for several years. To place focus on fresh ingredients and simple cooking, every meal has a set four-course menu and price. If you don’t want to sit through a set menu, however, there's an a la carte café upstairs that is no less special than the main restaurant.
What to Order: The menu changes daily so it can be hard to find repeated favorites, but any dish that focuses on seasonal fruits and vegetables will be well worth it.
So, the next time you're not sure where to satisfy your latest cravings, be sure to stop by one of these classic Berkeley eateries. You won't be disappointed.