Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Hip coffee shop serving excellent coffee and a nice quiet atmosphere to do computer work.
105 abantu bendawo batusa
Highwire Coffee Roasters
2049 San Pablo AveHip coffee shop serving excellent coffee and a nice quiet atmosphere to do computer work.
Very local hangout, good coffee/pastries and food/beer. Laid-back atmosphere and good for bringing a computer if you need to do some work. They also play major sports events on the TV and have live music on weekend evenings.
99 abantu bendawo batusa
Caffè Chiave
2500 San Pablo AveVery local hangout, good coffee/pastries and food/beer. Laid-back atmosphere and good for bringing a computer if you need to do some work. They also play major sports events on the TV and have live music on weekend evenings.
Smoke Berkeley
5333 Adeline StreetAmazing southern style BBQ
Our go-to local Thai restaurant. Great ambience for dining in, or good for takeout as well.
38 abantu bendawo batusa
Anchalee Thai Cuisine
1096 Dwight WayOur go-to local Thai restaurant. Great ambience for dining in, or good for takeout as well.
Great diner just around the corner. Can get a little crowded on weekends, but great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
69 abantu bendawo batusa
Homemade Cafe
2454 Sacramento StGreat diner just around the corner. Can get a little crowded on weekends, but great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
Extremely good modern Italian food and full bar. Good value for the quality of food.
66 abantu bendawo batusa
Paisan
2514 San Pablo AveExtremely good modern Italian food and full bar. Good value for the quality of food.
Good Mexican food. We usually get takeout, but eating there is fine too. Literally down the street.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
La Mission
1255 University AveGood Mexican food. We usually get takeout, but eating there is fine too. Literally down the street.
Very good Mexican food. Nice atmosphere for dining in and very nearby.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Taqueria Monte Cristo
1446 University AveVery good Mexican food. Nice atmosphere for dining in and very nearby.
Perhaps our favorite Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. Everything is very fresh, including the chips and salsa. They have great Margaritas too...
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Picante
1328 Sixth StPerhaps our favorite Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. Everything is very fresh, including the chips and salsa. They have great Margaritas too...
Iconic Bay Area coffee shop with multiple locations. They have the strongest coffee around, and it's definitely worth a visit. It's located in the famed "Gourmet Ghetto" so make sure to take some time to walk around the area.
913 abantu bendawo batusa
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StIconic Bay Area coffee shop with multiple locations. They have the strongest coffee around, and it's definitely worth a visit. It's located in the famed "Gourmet Ghetto" so make sure to take some time to walk around the area.
The most famous pizza spot in Berkeley. All vegetarian, and they only serve one kind each day,. There's generally a line, although it does move quickly and is certainly worth the wait. Usually a great local jazz group playing so very nice atmosphere.
317 abantu bendawo batusa
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveThe most famous pizza spot in Berkeley. All vegetarian, and they only serve one kind each day,. There's generally a line, although it does move quickly and is certainly worth the wait. Usually a great local jazz group playing so very nice atmosphere.
Amazing selection of cheese, as well as fantastic in-house pastries and bread.
83 abantu bendawo batusa
Cheese Board Bakery
1504 Shattuck AveAmazing selection of cheese, as well as fantastic in-house pastries and bread.
Starbucks
3090 El Cerrito PlazaSuper conveniently located inside the Target just down the street.
Zazzi Foods
1398 University AveGreat coffee, excellent baked goods, but generally known for it's amazing granola!
Drinks & Nightlife
Slightly divey local bar. Very fun place to hang out, but it can get crazy on a Friday or Saturday night so be forewarned! Great spot for dancing nearby.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
Missouri Lounge
2600 San Pablo AveSlightly divey local bar. Very fun place to hang out, but it can get crazy on a Friday or Saturday night so be forewarned! Great spot for dancing nearby.
Amazing bar specializing in whiskey and also a full restaurant with great food.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Longbranch Saloon
2512 San Pablo AveAmazing bar specializing in whiskey and also a full restaurant with great food.
Acme Bar & Company
2115 San Pablo AveClassic local bar. Great drinks, nice back patio area.
Parks & Nature
Lots of great hiking trails and nature without having to drive that far. About 20 minutes from our house, ask us for recommendations for specific hikes!
495 abantu bendawo batusa
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdLots of great hiking trails and nature without having to drive that far. About 20 minutes from our house, ask us for recommendations for specific hikes!
Berkeley Marina
Some nice loops, great views of the bay.
Super close by. Great for a family picnic or just reading outside.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Strawberry Creek Park
1260 Allston WaySuper close by. Great for a family picnic or just reading outside.
Shopping
Outdoor shopping. Lots of great shops and a few restaurants and coffee shops as well. Probably the best shopping in one place Berkeley has to offer.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Fourth Street Shops
1834 Fourth StOutdoor shopping. Lots of great shops and a few restaurants and coffee shops as well. Probably the best shopping in one place Berkeley has to offer.
Essentials
The best grocery store on the planet. Period. They have everything you could possibly want, and really amazing produce selection.
371 abantu bendawo batusa
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz AveThe best grocery store on the planet. Period. They have everything you could possibly want, and really amazing produce selection.
Good local grocery store. They don't have everything you'd want, but recently remodeled so it's great for basics and they have a good Mexican takeout spot inside.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Mi Tierra Foods
2082 San Pablo AveGood local grocery store. They don't have everything you'd want, but recently remodeled so it's great for basics and they have a good Mexican takeout spot inside.
Literally 3 blocks away on Acton St. Great for groceries, necessities, and equipped with a full pharmacy.
149 abantu bendawo batusa
Target
1057 Eastshore HwyLiterally 3 blocks away on Acton St. Great for groceries, necessities, and equipped with a full pharmacy.
Getting Around
The closest BART stop. About a 10 minute walk straight up Acton. From here you can get to UC Berkeley, OAK, SFO, and lots of other places.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
North Berkeley BART Station
The closest BART stop. About a 10 minute walk straight up Acton. From here you can get to UC Berkeley, OAK, SFO, and lots of other places.
Arts & Culture
Newly renovated museum with great permanent and rotating collections. Be sure to stop by the cafe upstairs as well!
171 abantu bendawo batusa
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center StNewly renovated museum with great permanent and rotating collections. Be sure to stop by the cafe upstairs as well!
A long-standing institution in Berkeley showing amazing plays with incredible talent!
127 abantu bendawo batusa
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StA long-standing institution in Berkeley showing amazing plays with incredible talent!