Berkeley, California is a quirky town I am proud to call home. The mother of the California slow food movement, Alice Waters, put Berkeley on the culinary map with the opening of Chez Panisse in the 1970s. Today Berkeley is more than a quaint, hippie town. It retains its character but now also appeals to savvy connoisseurs who prefer to shop, eat, and support all things local and sustainable. Here are a few of my favorite Berkeley spots.
This is our go-to spot when we have friends and family in town and we want upscale Mexican cuisine with incredible margaritas. Comal’s website describes its cuisine as “earthy, modern interpretations of dishes from throughout Mexico.” Designate a driver (or take BART) so you can enjoy a flight of tequila or mezcal and a couple of margaritas with your dinner.
Favorite features: outdoor patio to enjoy cocktails, chips & guacamole while waiting for a table; watching fresh tortillas being rolled and pressed; the warm glow of the fire from the wood grill.
Recommended dishes: White Shrimp Ceviche; Jicama & Cucumbers with chili arbol + lime; any of the Platos Fuertes from the wood grill which serve 2-3 people (the rotisserie chicken or pork spareribs are wonderful); and my absolute favorite: the grilled corn on the cob with chipotle aioli & queso fresco.
Location tips: Steps from the Downtown Berkeley BART station; near the Berkeley Rep Theater.
Lovely restaurant at the foot of the UC Berkeley campus with a crowd-pleasing menu. Several vegetarian options but great for meat eaters as well. Also another great cocktail program, featuring several cocktails with shrubs from my friends Juan and Deborah at Shrub & Co.
Favorite features: Open kitchen & cocktail program.
Location tips: Perfect spot before seeing a show at the Greek Theater or after a Cal game.
The Peking Duck and other classic dishes are worth the wait at this downtown Berkeley institution. It also has an award-winning wine list where you can find
This is a very traditional Japanese Yakitori restaurant tucked away on Center Street in downtown Berkeley. This is where to take your homesick Japanese friends. Ippuku also serves handmade soba noodles but only on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Favorite dishes: Bacon Mochi (Order Two. Trust me!) Chicken Karaage; and Agedashi Tofu (soft, fresh tofu to please even a self-proclaimed tofu hater).
Traditional Japanese food in a modern setting.
Favorite features: Chic dining room and outdoor patio located on Berkeley’s Fourth Street shopping district.
Favorite dishes: Kakiage Tempura with Black Tiger Shrimp.
Location tips: Plan to shop before or after your meal. Some of my favorite boutiques (Amour Vert, The Gardener, Rabat) as well as a Kiehl’s, Sur La Table, and Apple store.
This place serves the best burrito in Berkeley, in my humble opinion. I haven’t tried anything else at La Mission other than the Mole Burrito. Why would I? It’s so delicious, I actually crave it and can’t imagine trying anything else there. They serve two types of mole: mole poblano and mole guajilla. I prefer the mole poblano with its chocolatey richness, but I like to add extra spicy carrots, pickled onions and jalapenos inside the burrito to achieve a sweet-spicy nirvana.
Favorite features: It’s a joint with an outdoor patio.
Favorite dishes: Mole Poblano Burrito with chicken. Period.
Location tips: It’s on a busy section of University Avenue in West Berkeley, but there is ample street parking if its free lot is full.
This is a bustling restaurant in the heart of downtown Berkeley serving local, organic ingredients that will please vegetarians and carnivores alike. I love going here often to experience peak of the season ingredients prepared with expertise and heart. The cocktails are equally enticing.
Favorite features: Eclectic décor including a wall papered with player piano sheet music.
Favorite dishes: The menu is always changing since it is so seasonally driven. I normally order several dishes from the small plates section of the menu since they always sound great.
Location tips: P erfect location for dinner before or after seeing a show at the Berkeley Repertory Theater or Freight & Salvage.
“Pizza like mom used to make,” proclaimed my Italian aunt when she swooned over our lunch at Rose. My favorites are the Spicy Caesar Salad, the Classic Pep (pepperoni, pickled jalapeños, tomato sauce, mozzarella, pecorino, and Sicilian oregano) or the Green Deluxe (broccoli rabe, double 8 dairy mozzarella, garlic confit, cream, lemon. Doesn’t get much better than spending a sunny afternoon on Rose’s back patio sipping a glass of Lambrusco and crushing a couple of pies with friends.