Brian and Micha's Berkeley Guidebook

Brian
Brian and Micha's Berkeley Guidebook

Food scene

Inexpensive, fabulous Asian & Vietnamese food (Pho, claypot, curries) and drinks (Thai iced tea, Vietnamese ice coffee, fruit smoothies). It is also right next to Berkeley Bowl West, which is our favorite grocery store. So you can get a great meal and then pick up groceries.
12 íbúar mæla með
Mint Leaf Vietnamese
2865 Seventh Street
12 íbúar mæla með
Inexpensive, fabulous Asian & Vietnamese food (Pho, claypot, curries) and drinks (Thai iced tea, Vietnamese ice coffee, fruit smoothies). It is also right next to Berkeley Bowl West, which is our favorite grocery store. So you can get a great meal and then pick up groceries.
Hearty German food (sausage, potatoes) and a great selection of German beers. If you like dark beer, try the Dunkelweiss beer from the Andechs monastery (“Andechser Dunkelweiss”) - much of their food is organic, and usually locally sourced.
26 íbúar mæla með
Gaumenkitzel
2121 San Pablo Ave
26 íbúar mæla með
Hearty German food (sausage, potatoes) and a great selection of German beers. If you like dark beer, try the Dunkelweiss beer from the Andechs monastery (“Andechser Dunkelweiss”) - much of their food is organic, and usually locally sourced.
Viks Chaat House is just a few minutes walk from our door (Channing at 4th Street) and offers Southern Indian cuisine not usually featured in restaurants. It is delicious, but loud and the a la carte prices can add up quickly - many people come from afar to eat at this place. It also has an attached mini-grocery store, so you can get ingredients to cook at our house.
84 íbúar mæla með
Viks Chaat
2390 Fourth St
84 íbúar mæla með
Viks Chaat House is just a few minutes walk from our door (Channing at 4th Street) and offers Southern Indian cuisine not usually featured in restaurants. It is delicious, but loud and the a la carte prices can add up quickly - many people come from afar to eat at this place. It also has an attached mini-grocery store, so you can get ingredients to cook at our house.
Mehak (Sacramento Street at Channing Way) is a more conventional Indian restaurant. Good Indian food at some of the lowest prices in the area.
11 íbúar mæla með
Mehak Indian Cuisine
2449 Sacramento St
11 íbúar mæla með
Mehak (Sacramento Street at Channing Way) is a more conventional Indian restaurant. Good Indian food at some of the lowest prices in the area.
THE #1 Original Peet’s Coffee - this is where it all began in 1966 at the corner of Vine and Walnut. This location has a very friendly, neighborhood feeling to it. It's roomy on the inside and outside. Lots of people hang out at the tables on the sidewalk with a coffee in their hand and a dog (or two) at their feet.
259 íbúar mæla með
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine St
259 íbúar mæla með
THE #1 Original Peet’s Coffee - this is where it all began in 1966 at the corner of Vine and Walnut. This location has a very friendly, neighborhood feeling to it. It's roomy on the inside and outside. Lots of people hang out at the tables on the sidewalk with a coffee in their hand and a dog (or two) at their feet.
Cheese Board: Co-op with cheese store and ONE type of cheese pizza per day. The line can be very long, but with only one pizza type the line moves fast.
317 íbúar mæla með
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck Ave
317 íbúar mæla með
Cheese Board: Co-op with cheese store and ONE type of cheese pizza per day. The line can be very long, but with only one pizza type the line moves fast.
The Epicurious Garden food court has several affordable restaurants, but the real reason to go there is Lush Gelato at the back. This is where to get desert after a meal at the Cheese Board.
17 íbúar mæla með
Epicurious Garden
1511 Shattuck Ave
17 íbúar mæla með
The Epicurious Garden food court has several affordable restaurants, but the real reason to go there is Lush Gelato at the back. This is where to get desert after a meal at the Cheese Board.
If you like all natural, interesting flavors, Lush Gelato is a treat worth seeking out. Here, I had one of my most epic gelato experiences ever: a cup with earl grey tea, espresso chunk, and green tea matcha. That was a very memorable gelato buzz. And you can eat your gelato in a relaxing garden just below the Imperial Tea Court.
27 íbúar mæla með
Lush Gelato
4184 Piedmont Ave
27 íbúar mæla með
If you like all natural, interesting flavors, Lush Gelato is a treat worth seeking out. Here, I had one of my most epic gelato experiences ever: a cup with earl grey tea, espresso chunk, and green tea matcha. That was a very memorable gelato buzz. And you can eat your gelato in a relaxing garden just below the Imperial Tea Court.
Chez Panisse: Alice Waters’ most famous restaurant. One of the best restaurants in the Bay Area and very expensive, a little less expensive in the cafe.
337 íbúar mæla með
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Ave
337 íbúar mæla með
Chez Panisse: Alice Waters’ most famous restaurant. One of the best restaurants in the Bay Area and very expensive, a little less expensive in the cafe.
Grégoire: gourmet French fast food, mostly for takeout (inexpensive)
71 íbúar mæla með
Grégoire Restaurant
2109 Cedar St
71 íbúar mæla með
Grégoire: gourmet French fast food, mostly for takeout (inexpensive)
Party Sushi (inexpensive) on Shattuck Avenue between Delaware and Francisco St. This is probably not the best sushi in Berkeley, but it is extremely good value. A family of four can chow down here for under $50.
Party Sushi
1776 Shattuck Ave
Party Sushi (inexpensive) on Shattuck Avenue between Delaware and Francisco St. This is probably not the best sushi in Berkeley, but it is extremely good value. A family of four can chow down here for under $50.
Caravaggio: great Italian Ice Cream. They have figured out how to make gelato tasty AND lactose-free (not an easy feat). But they also have super potent dark chocolate sorbet. This is also one of the only places I've found that serve up Affogato (a scoop of vanilla ice cream with thick, iced espresso poured over).
8 íbúar mæla með
Caravaggio Gelato Lab
1797 Shattuck Ave
8 íbúar mæla með
Caravaggio: great Italian Ice Cream. They have figured out how to make gelato tasty AND lactose-free (not an easy feat). But they also have super potent dark chocolate sorbet. This is also one of the only places I've found that serve up Affogato (a scoop of vanilla ice cream with thick, iced espresso poured over).
If the board games at our house are not to your liking, or you've never experienced a Board Game Cafe, here's your chance. The Victory Point Cafe offers all-you-can eat games (and hosts to explain them). This makes a HUGE difference, because you can try out 5 or more new games in an evening without the boring, slow, learning phase -- the staff get you going FAST. And while you play, you can purchase tasty snacks and craft beers on tap. If you like a game, you can buy it on the spot and take it with you. Right next door to Caravaggio Gelato.
Victory Point Cafe
1797 Shattuck Ave
If the board games at our house are not to your liking, or you've never experienced a Board Game Cafe, here's your chance. The Victory Point Cafe offers all-you-can eat games (and hosts to explain them). This makes a HUGE difference, because you can try out 5 or more new games in an evening without the boring, slow, learning phase -- the staff get you going FAST. And while you play, you can purchase tasty snacks and craft beers on tap. If you like a game, you can buy it on the spot and take it with you. Right next door to Caravaggio Gelato.
A friend of ours told us once that the best way to really get to know a neighborhood is to shop there for groceries. And it's true. Shopping at Berkeley Bowl West will give you a real taste of Berkeley atmosphere. This is actually the 2nd Berkeley Bowl (the original is at the corner of Shattuck and Oregon) but it closer to our house and has much more parking. The store has a very large selection of organic produce, ethnic foods, and beers & wines. The cheese is too expensive for us (we get that a Trader Joe's) but everything else has prices comparable to what you would see elsewhere in town. If you like kombucha, you'll love their self-service kombucha bar. Pro-tip: there is a room in the back left corner (near the meat counter) with special prices for items that are nearing their sell-by date. That's a good place to buy fruit that you plan to eat the same day.
371 íbúar mæla með
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz Ave
371 íbúar mæla með
A friend of ours told us once that the best way to really get to know a neighborhood is to shop there for groceries. And it's true. Shopping at Berkeley Bowl West will give you a real taste of Berkeley atmosphere. This is actually the 2nd Berkeley Bowl (the original is at the corner of Shattuck and Oregon) but it closer to our house and has much more parking. The store has a very large selection of organic produce, ethnic foods, and beers & wines. The cheese is too expensive for us (we get that a Trader Joe's) but everything else has prices comparable to what you would see elsewhere in town. If you like kombucha, you'll love their self-service kombucha bar. Pro-tip: there is a room in the back left corner (near the meat counter) with special prices for items that are nearing their sell-by date. That's a good place to buy fruit that you plan to eat the same day.
CoRo actually stands for Collaborative Roastery. At this cafe, you can actually watch the coffee roasting process. Their current selection is more on the fruity, sour side of the spectrum, so if that isn't your taste, ask about one of their coffee blends that isn't quite so "bright". Lots of natural light and power outlets (plus some uncommonly good cafe food) make this a really great place to get some work done on your laptop.
CoRo Coffee Room
2324 Fifth St
CoRo actually stands for Collaborative Roastery. At this cafe, you can actually watch the coffee roasting process. Their current selection is more on the fruity, sour side of the spectrum, so if that isn't your taste, ask about one of their coffee blends that isn't quite so "bright". Lots of natural light and power outlets (plus some uncommonly good cafe food) make this a really great place to get some work done on your laptop.
Here is a great place to try lambic (sour) beer. If you like sour lemonade and kombucha, there's a good chance you'll love lambic beer. Try one of their small samplers. If it's your thing, go for it -- it's less than a 10-minute walk back to our place.
28 íbúar mæla með
The Rare Barrel
940 Parker St
28 íbúar mæla með
Here is a great place to try lambic (sour) beer. If you like sour lemonade and kombucha, there's a good chance you'll love lambic beer. Try one of their small samplers. If it's your thing, go for it -- it's less than a 10-minute walk back to our place.
There's bread and then there's BREAD. Morrell's offer real old-world style bread with hearty grain's, texture, and a crispy crust. Their bread is sold on University Avenue at 3 Stone Hearth, but if you can, get it at the source, which is a 10-minute walk from our door. The catch: they're open to the public ONLY on Wednesday from 10am-4pm.
Morell's Bread
2701 Eighth St
There's bread and then there's BREAD. Morrell's offer real old-world style bread with hearty grain's, texture, and a crispy crust. Their bread is sold on University Avenue at 3 Stone Hearth, but if you can, get it at the source, which is a 10-minute walk from our door. The catch: they're open to the public ONLY on Wednesday from 10am-4pm.

Neighborhoods

The Gourmet Ghetto is along both sides of North Shattuck Avenue. As the name suggests, it's full of small, interesting restaurants and cafes, most of them quite affordable.
65 íbúar mæla með
Gourmet Ghetto
65 íbúar mæla með
The Gourmet Ghetto is along both sides of North Shattuck Avenue. As the name suggests, it's full of small, interesting restaurants and cafes, most of them quite affordable.
UC Berkeley (aka "Cal") is a neighborhood unto itself. Among the things you can do as a tourist on campus: - go to the top of the Campanile Tower for a fantastic view of Berkeley and across the bay to San Francisco. For you bird watchers: Peregrine Falcons (!!!) nest on top of the Campanile. - pop into the Department of Natural History (huge Dinosaur skeletons!) - see performances from renowned musicians in Zellerbach Hall - get coffee at the Free Speech cafe or (further up-hill) the International House cafe - take in a baseball, basketball, or football game (depending on the season) - see an open-air concert at the Berkeley Greek Theater
Campanile Way
UC Berkeley (aka "Cal") is a neighborhood unto itself. Among the things you can do as a tourist on campus: - go to the top of the Campanile Tower for a fantastic view of Berkeley and across the bay to San Francisco. For you bird watchers: Peregrine Falcons (!!!) nest on top of the Campanile. - pop into the Department of Natural History (huge Dinosaur skeletons!) - see performances from renowned musicians in Zellerbach Hall - get coffee at the Free Speech cafe or (further up-hill) the International House cafe - take in a baseball, basketball, or football game (depending on the season) - see an open-air concert at the Berkeley Greek Theater
The north part of 4th Street is the "posh" area of town. It's a great place to go shopping on a sunny afternoon. In addition to numerous small boutiques, there's also an Apple Store, Z-Gallerie, and Sur La Table. Tucked away on the West side of the street is the Stained Glass Garden, where you can not only purchase beautiful works of glass art, but learn how to make them youself with their on-site kilns. Peet's is there (of course) if you need coffee, but consider a walk further up the street to Artis Coffee. For snacks, try Bette's Ocean Street Diner or (if it's full -- and it often is) get it to-go at Bette's-To-Go.
184 íbúar mæla með
Fourth Street
Fourth Street
184 íbúar mæla með
The north part of 4th Street is the "posh" area of town. It's a great place to go shopping on a sunny afternoon. In addition to numerous small boutiques, there's also an Apple Store, Z-Gallerie, and Sur La Table. Tucked away on the West side of the street is the Stained Glass Garden, where you can not only purchase beautiful works of glass art, but learn how to make them youself with their on-site kilns. Peet's is there (of course) if you need coffee, but consider a walk further up the street to Artis Coffee. For snacks, try Bette's Ocean Street Diner or (if it's full -- and it often is) get it to-go at Bette's-To-Go.

Sightseeing

The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley (located on Oxford Street). Their mission is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through art and film, engaging audiences from the UC Berkeley campus, the Bay Area, and beyond. Each year BAMPFA presents more than twenty art exhibitions, 450 film programs, and dozens of performances, as well as lectures, symposia, and tours. Here is where we once watched an extra, extra-long version of "Metropolis" featuring lost footage recovered from an archive in Argentina.
8 íbúar mæla með
The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center Street
8 íbúar mæla með
The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley (located on Oxford Street). Their mission is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through art and film, engaging audiences from the UC Berkeley campus, the Bay Area, and beyond. Each year BAMPFA presents more than twenty art exhibitions, 450 film programs, and dozens of performances, as well as lectures, symposia, and tours. Here is where we once watched an extra, extra-long version of "Metropolis" featuring lost footage recovered from an archive in Argentina.
Cool science for kids of all ages. The country’s only science center that is part of a top-tier, public research university. This distinctive affiliation allows the Hall to partner with world-class scientists, engineers, educational leaders, and teachers, with the goal of developing and disseminating the most innovative and effective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs available today. Their mission is to inspire and foster science learning for all—especially for those with limited access to science. Located up the hills. The last time we went there, it happened to be the finals of a youth robotics competition. We got to watch robotics teams full of smart kids from all over the country face off for glory and then participate in hands-on science experiments.
65 íbúar mæla með
Lawrence Hall of Science
65 íbúar mæla með
Cool science for kids of all ages. The country’s only science center that is part of a top-tier, public research university. This distinctive affiliation allows the Hall to partner with world-class scientists, engineers, educational leaders, and teachers, with the goal of developing and disseminating the most innovative and effective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs available today. Their mission is to inspire and foster science learning for all—especially for those with limited access to science. Located up the hills. The last time we went there, it happened to be the finals of a youth robotics competition. We got to watch robotics teams full of smart kids from all over the country face off for glory and then participate in hands-on science experiments.

Parks

One of many places worth checking out inside of Tilden Park, which is huge. If you have small children, they will love this tiny farm with its own petting zoo. There is also a small playground nearby.
38 íbúar mæla með
Tilden Little Farm
1500 Canon Dr
38 íbúar mæla með
One of many places worth checking out inside of Tilden Park, which is huge. If you have small children, they will love this tiny farm with its own petting zoo. There is also a small playground nearby.
What on earth is this fancy Merry-Go-Round doing in a park in the Berkeley Hills? Well, they had to put it somewhere. There are also snacks and coffee inside, but don't expect the cafe quality you would find in town.
54 íbúar mæla með
Tilden Park Merry Go Round
Lake Anza Road
54 íbúar mæla með
What on earth is this fancy Merry-Go-Round doing in a park in the Berkeley Hills? Well, they had to put it somewhere. There are also snacks and coffee inside, but don't expect the cafe quality you would find in town.
This beach is a small portion of Lake Anza. The beach area is a great way to beat the heat and even includes its own cafe/snack bar. There's a nice walking path around the lake that lasts maybe 20 minutes for adults and up to an hour for small children. NOTE: the path is do-able for small children but it is steep in some places. DON'T let them run ahead - keep them with you so you can help them in the tricky spots.
43 íbúar mæla með
Lake Anza
43 íbúar mæla með
This beach is a small portion of Lake Anza. The beach area is a great way to beat the heat and even includes its own cafe/snack bar. There's a nice walking path around the lake that lasts maybe 20 minutes for adults and up to an hour for small children. NOTE: the path is do-able for small children but it is steep in some places. DON'T let them run ahead - keep them with you so you can help them in the tricky spots.