Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Every single thing on this Mexican restaurant's menu is amazing. (Try the "Pablano" Mole sauce) They have a sister restaurant (Monte Cristo) that's a few blocks closer to the house. They can keep 2 restaurants w/ nearly identical menus running w/in 5 blocks of each other = must be good! (Monte Cristo ((University and Sacramento)) is open until Midnight)
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La Mission
1255 University AveEvery single thing on this Mexican restaurant's menu is amazing. (Try the "Pablano" Mole sauce) They have a sister restaurant (Monte Cristo) that's a few blocks closer to the house. They can keep 2 restaurants w/ nearly identical menus running w/in 5 blocks of each other = must be good! (Monte Cristo ((University and Sacramento)) is open until Midnight)
Delicious El Salvadoran food. Get there by 2:30 for great lunch specials. If you haven't had a papusa then it's time. :) Try the avocado salad. If you like soda, try the "Cola Champagne." It tastes like cream soda but has its own thing going and I haven't seen it elsewhere. Every town has Sushi and Chinese.... not necessarily papusas.
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Platano
2042 University AveDelicious El Salvadoran food. Get there by 2:30 for great lunch specials. If you haven't had a papusa then it's time. :) Try the avocado salad. If you like soda, try the "Cola Champagne." It tastes like cream soda but has its own thing going and I haven't seen it elsewhere. Every town has Sushi and Chinese.... not necessarily papusas.
Plearn has been open since the 60s. It's very good and very close to the house.
Plearn Thai Restaurant
1923 University AvePlearn has been open since the 60s. It's very good and very close to the house.
Walk up University ave towards the hills and you will reach Shattuck Avg. Turn Right for Downtown Berkeley.
Turn Left for Shattuck Northside. Lots of great places to eat, drink and shop. I recommend you check out Shattuck Northside (turn left) for overall... enrichment.
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Shattuck Avenue
Shattuck AvenueWalk up University ave towards the hills and you will reach Shattuck Avg. Turn Right for Downtown Berkeley.
Turn Left for Shattuck Northside. Lots of great places to eat, drink and shop. I recommend you check out Shattuck Northside (turn left) for overall... enrichment.
This world famous spot features the cooking and recipes of Alice Waters, a pioneer in the culinary field. This place is expensive but you will certainly be doing some FINE dining.
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Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveThis world famous spot features the cooking and recipes of Alice Waters, a pioneer in the culinary field. This place is expensive but you will certainly be doing some FINE dining.
Kirala is world class. It tends to have a line out the door so get there early. This world famous Japanese place is on the pricey side but very much worth it. They have EXCELLENT fish and specialize in lots of "Robata" and cooked small plate dishes. Everything there is amazing.
OTHER GREAT SUSHI:
Sushi California (MLK at Shattuck) $$
Manpuku (College ave./Elmwood) $
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Kirala
2100 Ward StKirala is world class. It tends to have a line out the door so get there early. This world famous Japanese place is on the pricey side but very much worth it. They have EXCELLENT fish and specialize in lots of "Robata" and cooked small plate dishes. Everything there is amazing.
OTHER GREAT SUSHI:
Sushi California (MLK at Shattuck) $$
Manpuku (College ave./Elmwood) $
Open until 1:30am! If you're up late this is the spot. Their food is quite good and reasonably priced. Be sure you order from the Thai Noodle on Shattuck; they have 2 locations.
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The Noodle Thai Restaurant
1936 Shattuck AveOpen until 1:30am! If you're up late this is the spot. Their food is quite good and reasonably priced. Be sure you order from the Thai Noodle on Shattuck; they have 2 locations.
There is an awesome famer's market every Saturday. It is about a 5-min walk from home. Not here on the weekend? There is also a Berk. farmer's market on Thursdays at MLK and Derby.
Really fun. Lots of free samples. Full meals, fruit, snacks, crafts.
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Saturday Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market
1947 Center StThere is an awesome famer's market every Saturday. It is about a 5-min walk from home. Not here on the weekend? There is also a Berk. farmer's market on Thursdays at MLK and Derby.
Really fun. Lots of free samples. Full meals, fruit, snacks, crafts.
This Bistro style Chinese place is AMAZING. They have a full bar.... Their sister restaurant, "Kirin" is on Solano Ave and has an almost identical menu.
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Shen Hua
2914 College AveThis Bistro style Chinese place is AMAZING. They have a full bar.... Their sister restaurant, "Kirin" is on Solano Ave and has an almost identical menu.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a bar that is not full of undergrad college students. It's really mellow. They have great drinks. You can hear yourself talk... They also have a second side of the bar that's all games. (Darts, Pool, Board games etc)
It's a short drive or 15-min walk+-.
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Albatross Pub
1822 San Pablo AveThis is a bar that is not full of undergrad college students. It's really mellow. They have great drinks. You can hear yourself talk... They also have a second side of the bar that's all games. (Darts, Pool, Board games etc)
It's a short drive or 15-min walk+-.
It's a bar... Its a brew pub... Its a coffee house... Its a yummy brunch, lunch & dinner place. It's a 5-min walk from home! Townie has a a early AM coffee shop w/ an amazing pastry chef (try the chocolate croissant) and serves excellent brunch/breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a classic pub/restaurant. drinks... good environment... 2 blocks from the place.
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Townie
1799 University AvenueIt's a bar... Its a brew pub... Its a coffee house... Its a yummy brunch, lunch & dinner place. It's a 5-min walk from home! Townie has a a early AM coffee shop w/ an amazing pastry chef (try the chocolate croissant) and serves excellent brunch/breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a classic pub/restaurant. drinks... good environment... 2 blocks from the place.
The Freight is the premier acoustic/Roots music venue in the East Bay, featuring mid-level touring acts and successful local bands. It's walking distance from home (As you read through this, SO MANY things are).
www.thefreight.org ... Don't let the name fool you; it's a concert venue. They serve food and drinks during the shows.
You can hear a pin drop. It's a listening room with comfortable seating and great "vibes."
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Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison St The Freight is the premier acoustic/Roots music venue in the East Bay, featuring mid-level touring acts and successful local bands. It's walking distance from home (As you read through this, SO MANY things are).
www.thefreight.org ... Don't let the name fool you; it's a concert venue. They serve food and drinks during the shows.
You can hear a pin drop. It's a listening room with comfortable seating and great "vibes."
Essentials
Trader Joe's is just 2 blocks away. It has all your food and beverage needs without having to go to a giant chain market.
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Trader Joe's
225 El Cerrito PlazaTrader Joe's is just 2 blocks away. It has all your food and beverage needs without having to go to a giant chain market.
711 University Ave
711 University AvenueThere is a 711 very close to home. They close @ 11:30pm.
Sightseeing
Berkeley Rose Garden
1200 Euclid AveBeautiful and peaceful.
Views of SF and the Bay... stroll out onto the pier.
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Berkeley Marina
Views of SF and the Bay... stroll out onto the pier.
It's out there. Take the ferry to Alcatraz for the famous tour of the infamous prison. (accessible by BART)
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Pulau Alcatraz
It's out there. Take the ferry to Alcatraz for the famous tour of the infamous prison. (accessible by BART)
Parks & Nature
Drive up the hill into Tilden and get lost. You can find all sorts of private spots with amazing views. When the fog rolls in you're right in the middle of it. Try the Skyline trail for panoramic views of the whole SF Bay. **Its at a higher altitude so bring a sweater even if it's warm out.
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Kawasan Alam Tilden
600 Canon DriveDrive up the hill into Tilden and get lost. You can find all sorts of private spots with amazing views. When the fog rolls in you're right in the middle of it. Try the Skyline trail for panoramic views of the whole SF Bay. **Its at a higher altitude so bring a sweater even if it's warm out.
Olhone Park runs along Hearst. It is a block and a half from our front door... and a short block and a half at that. It's a large park with open areas, full basketball court (where 'pick-up games' run daily), a dog park, Berkeley Community Garden, a small workout area, baseball field... Great for picnics of chilling out with a book. You can walk through the park to get to BART for maximum nice-view.
There's not much to do there at night but a great daytime spot.
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Ohlone Park
Milvia StreetOlhone Park runs along Hearst. It is a block and a half from our front door... and a short block and a half at that. It's a large park with open areas, full basketball court (where 'pick-up games' run daily), a dog park, Berkeley Community Garden, a small workout area, baseball field... Great for picnics of chilling out with a book. You can walk through the park to get to BART for maximum nice-view.
There's not much to do there at night but a great daytime spot.
Tilden park originates in Berkeley. Get up into the hills, watch the fog roll in, find a hike or stroll... Bring a sweater even if it's sunny out. It's at a higher altitude.
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Taman Wilayah Tilden
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdTilden park originates in Berkeley. Get up into the hills, watch the fog roll in, find a hike or stroll... Bring a sweater even if it's sunny out. It's at a higher altitude.
Shopping
Third St has some great shopping. It's a very nice stroll.
I highly recommend Betty's or Spengers for grub.
Third Street
Third St has some great shopping. It's a very nice stroll.
I highly recommend Betty's or Spengers for grub.
Bay Street is an outdoor mall in Emeryville, about a 10-min drive from home. It has a huge movie theater and all you would expect from a mall. (Gap, Body Shop etc). It's just the mall but its a nice stroll. There is a huge parking structure.
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Bay Street Emeryville
5616 Bay StBay Street is an outdoor mall in Emeryville, about a 10-min drive from home. It has a huge movie theater and all you would expect from a mall. (Gap, Body Shop etc). It's just the mall but its a nice stroll. There is a huge parking structure.
Famous Telegraph ave. Lots of shopping, street vendors... and lots of college students.
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Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph AvenueFamous Telegraph ave. Lots of shopping, street vendors... and lots of college students.
The Elmwood District has great food and shopping. The "main strip" is College Ave. College @ Ashby is the center of Elmwood. Keep walking down College Ave heading South towards/past Alcatraz Ave and you will be in the Oakland neighborhood, Rockridge... College is all shops, food & bars all the way to Broadway. It's a nice walk. Most of Elmwood shuts down on the early side. **Highlights: Shen Hua, La Mediterranean, Manpuku.
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Elmwood
The Elmwood District has great food and shopping. The "main strip" is College Ave. College @ Ashby is the center of Elmwood. Keep walking down College Ave heading South towards/past Alcatraz Ave and you will be in the Oakland neighborhood, Rockridge... College is all shops, food & bars all the way to Broadway. It's a nice walk. Most of Elmwood shuts down on the early side. **Highlights: Shen Hua, La Mediterranean, Manpuku.
Solano Ave is like a second Downtown but more quaint. The "Solano Stroll" has great food and good shopping including lots of independent clothing and merch. stores.
Great food: Kirin, Barneys, Zachary's
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Solano Avenue
Solano AvenueSolano Ave is like a second Downtown but more quaint. The "Solano Stroll" has great food and good shopping including lots of independent clothing and merch. stores.
Great food: Kirin, Barneys, Zachary's
Entertainment & Activities
I personally love having 3 movie theaters w/in walking distance. If you're here for a long-term stay, it rains out, or maybe they're showing something that doesn't play back home...
On Shattuck Ave, within a coupe blocks of each other, there are 2 larger movie theaters wtih all the major releases and fun stuff like throwback night classic movies.
There's also a smaller theater on Kitterage st. and you can see it from Shattuck.
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Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck AveI personally love having 3 movie theaters w/in walking distance. If you're here for a long-term stay, it rains out, or maybe they're showing something that doesn't play back home...
On Shattuck Ave, within a coupe blocks of each other, there are 2 larger movie theaters wtih all the major releases and fun stuff like throwback night classic movies.
There's also a smaller theater on Kitterage st. and you can see it from Shattuck.
All couches. No seats. All cozy. They serve beer, wine, snacks and entrees and will bring them to you at your seat. Its not in Berkeley but it's a great local spot. Great prices too! Go on a Wednesday night for $5 tickets.
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The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StAll couches. No seats. All cozy. They serve beer, wine, snacks and entrees and will bring them to you at your seat. Its not in Berkeley but it's a great local spot. Great prices too! Go on a Wednesday night for $5 tickets.