Cheese Board Pizza ★ 4.6
Worker-owned collective making one vegetarian pizza daily from seasonal California produce. Live music during lunch. Always vegetarian; vegan on request.
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Berkeley actually eats.
Where to eat well, no fuss
Tacos Sinaloa ★ 4.1
Michelin Bib Gourmand taqueria open until 2am on Friday and Saturday. Fresh tortillas, carne asada, lengua and vegan fillings on Telegraph Avenue.
Boichik Bagels ★ 4.4
Nationally acclaimed best bagels in America. Chewy New York-style with scallion cream cheese and nova lox. Kosher certified. Sells out early on weekends.
Gioia Pizzeria ★ 4.0
North Berkeley neighborhood pizza by the slice with rotating seasonal toppings. Potato and rosemary, roasted squash, fresh corn. Slices or whole pies.
Sliver Pizzeria ★ 3.9
One rotating vegetarian pizza daily on Shattuck, similar to the Cheese Board model with longer hours. Vegan cheese available. Slice or whole pie.
Cancun Sabor Mexicano ★ 3.8
Farm-to-table taqueria at taqueria prices: organic handmade tortillas, vegan al pastor, vegetable burritos. Best plant-based Mexican in Berkeley.
Top Dog ★ 4.0
Berkeley's late-night sausage institution since 1966. Bratwurst, knockwurst, hot links, beef dogs on a flat-top. Open until 3am Fri-Sat. Cash.
Jupiter ★ 4.0
1890s livery stable turned downtown brewpub with a fire-pit beer garden and live music most evenings. House ales, wood-fired pizza until 11pm on weekends.
Long Life Vegi House ★ 3.8
Berkeley's oldest vegetarian restaurant, open since 1970. Chinese-vegetarian menu: mock duck, tofu steak, stir-fried greens. Large portions at budget prices.
The Butcher's Son ★ 4.1
California's original vegan butcher shop. Plant-based Reuben, BLAT and Chicken Parm all made in house. National food press-covered deli innovation.
Cha-Ya ★ 4.0
100 percent vegan Japanese in the Gourmet Ghetto: sushi, tempura, rice dishes. Cash or Venmo only. One of Berkeley's longest-running vegan restaurants.
Afghan Burrito ★ 3.9
Halal-certified Afghan-Mexican fusion on San Pablo Avenue. Curry-spiced rice and halal meats in burrito format. Uniquely Berkeley in its food eclecticism.
Peace Natural Vegan Food ★ 4.0
Daily-changing vegan menu on Solano: whole grains, legumes, roasted vegetables and rotating sauces. Nothing pre-made. The kitchen mills its own almond flour.
Homemade Cafe ★ 3.9
Berkeley neighborhood breakfast institution since 1979. Challah French toast, omelets, house-made biscuits. Small room; regulars know each other by name.
Kiraku ★ 4.2
Hidden izakaya behind a Telegraph address (unit B at the back). Seasonal small plates, yakitori, nightly specials. No website. Minimum $15 per person.
Humbowl ★ 3.7
Berkeley's only 100 percent gluten-free kitchen. Every menu item certifiably gluten-free; most vegan-adaptable. Open morning to late evening seven days.
Wat Mongkolratanaram Sunday Market ★ 4.5
Thai Buddhist temple opens Sunday mornings for a home-cooked market. Pay with $1 tokens at the gate. Pad see ew, curry and mango sticky rice. Sundays only.
Rojbas Grill ★ 3.8
Halal-certified Kurdish and Mediterranean on University Avenue. Lamb kebabs, kofte, hummus and fattoush. No alcohol. One of few Kurdish menus in Berkeley.
Eggy's Neighborhood Kitchen ★ 3.9
Gourmet Ghetto brunch spot with plant-lined outdoor patio. Fried Chicken Waffles Benedict, fluffy omelets, mimosas. Open from 09:30 six days a week.
Pizza Twist ★ 3.7
Halal-certified pizza on Solano: Indian-spiced tikka masala, butter chicken calzone, paneer tikka pie. Vegan and gluten-free options. No alcohol.