Restaurants in East Bay
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A
La Note
A good spot to fuel up before exploring, La Note serves a French-cafe menu of omelettes and pancakes at breakfast, and croques monsieurs, Niçoise salads and baguette sandwiches at lunch.
reviewed
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B
Berkeley Bowl
A Berkeley institution since 1977, the Berkeley Bowl got its name from its original location in a former bowling alley. Its narrow aisles offer the absolute best and worst of Berkeley: produce, deli goods, wines and organic dry goods of the very highest quality threaten to topple off the shelves, while incredibly cranky and arrogant shoppers try to navigate oversize carts through the gridlock.
The self-centered rudeness amidst piles of celery and bulk granola bins can be exasperating and at times downright laughable. (Yoga, so popular in Berkeley, doesn't seem to put people in a positive mindset for the Bowl.) Get a picnic lunch here (weekdays, well ahead of the dinner…
reviewed
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C
Café Intermezzo
Mammoth salads draw a constant crowd, and we're not talking about delicate little rabbit food plates. Bring a friend, or you might drown while trying to polish one off yourself.
reviewed
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D
Phnom Penh House
An excellent Cambodian restaurant.
reviewed
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E
Gregoire
The best takeaway by the bay offers classic French. The weekly menu features what's in season locally, maybe grilled artichoke with aioli, impeccably fresh salad, steak in a wine reduction and always, the ethereal potato puffs. Just a few blocks from the park-like UC campus or the Berkeley Rose Garden (on Euclid at Rose), this is a perfect place to outfit a picnic.
reviewed
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F
Camino
Kick-back-chic Camino’s short daily-changing menu showcases the best of local organic produce and meats, most cooked over an open fire in slow-food-meets-California-now style. The tables are of recycled old-growth redwood, and the place buzzes with the city’s bon vivants, high on European biodynamic and organic vintages. Reservations essential.
reviewed
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G
Chez Panisse
Genuflect at the temple of Alice Waters: the birthplace of California cuisine remains at the pinnacle of Bay Area dining. Book one month ahead for its legendary prix-fixe meals (no substitutions); or book upstairs at the less-expensive, à la carte cafe.
reviewed
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H
César
This airy tapas bar recalls a rustic Andalucían taverna with its heavy wooden benches and tables and open hearth. It turns out simple and delicious small dishes that change with the season. It's jammed at mealtimes, but is a perfect spot for an impromptu snack or a lazy afternoon beer.
reviewed
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I
Zatar
Zatar’s mishmash Mediterranean–Middle Eastern cooking spans Morocco to Iran. We like the bold spicing, homemade Iranian bread and fresh ingredients – many from the restaurant’s own organic garden – but the food’s pricey and a tad precious.
reviewed
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J
Wood Tavern
The daily-changing New American brasserie-style menu features what’s in season, with earthy, soulful dishes like pan-roasted lemon-rosemary chicken, chopped salads, cheese boards, charcuterie plates and a damn good burger. Very local, happening crowd. Make reservations.
reviewed
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K
Shan Dong
Hand-cut sesame noodles, giant pork buns, fresh dumplings – you can’t go wrong at this authentic Mandarin hole-in-the-wall with plastic chairs and fluorescent lighting. This is the real deal, so don’t expect fortune cookies, which are American in origin.
reviewed
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L
À Côté
Small plates are the specialty at this foodie-scenester restaurant, and they’re deliciously creative – our favorite is the knock-out lobster-corn fritters. Great cocktails. Women can sport high heels without standing out; men can wear jeans and blend in.
reviewed
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M
Tamarindo
The carefully crafted antojitos (Mexican tapas) aren’t your usual Mexican fare. Expect flavor-packed spins on familiar dishes, like tostadas and tacos (try the shrimp), served in a stylish brick-walled space. No reservations.
reviewed
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N
Caffe 817
Bowls of steaming café au lait, poached eggs en croute (in pastry) and crunchy baguette sandwiches – if you’re looking for Paris in Oakland, you’ll find it at this deliciously unpretentious sidewalk cafe.
reviewed
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O
Bay Wolf
At this deservedly famous eatery the menu changes fortnightly, but the emphasis is always Mediterranean. The place attracts a well-to-do crowd, but dining on the plant-shrouded, heated front porch is a charming and relaxed experience.
reviewed
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P
Oliveto Cafe & Restaurant
Oliveto is one of the finest restaurants in Oakland. The specialties are house-cured meats and handmade pastas. You can have a cocktail or a pizza in the downstairs café, where the sidewalk tables are nice on a warm day.
reviewed
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Q
Spettro
Spettro has a quirky decor and friendly attitude that keeps fans coming back for its homespun, culturally mixed cuisine. Pizzas, stir fries and chili Colorado give an idea of the unusual mix offered. Very family friendly.
reviewed
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R
Everett & Jones Barbeque
The smoked pork ribs are damn good at this simple, family-run spot with plastic red-checked tablecloths, occasional live music and slow service (stick around, it’s worth it).
reviewed
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S
Ratto's
If you want to eat outside on a sunny day, grab a sandwich from Ratto's, a vintage Oakland grocery (since 1897) with a deli counter that attracts a devoted lunch crowd.
reviewed
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T
Cafe Fanny
North of University Ave is this café owned by Alice Waters. As you'd expect, it serves excellent cafés au lait, homemade pastries and poached-egg dishes.
reviewed
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U
Bette's Oceanview Diner
The diner food is fresh and well-prepared at this hugely popular spot. Table waits can be long, but you can opt to take out from the adjacent deli counter.
reviewed
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V
Arizmendi
On a commercial strip just north of MacArthur Blvd is Arizmendi, a bakery co-op selling gourmet pizza by the slice, along with hearty pastries and breads.
reviewed
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W
Zachary's Pizza
Heavy-duty Chicago-style pizza's are the specialty here, but the thin-crust pizzas are just as good, if not better. Expect a long wait for a table.
reviewed
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X
Masse's Pastries
Makes excellent, inventive cakes and buns and you can enjoy a coffee at sidewalk tables at the edge of the bustling Gourmet Ghetto.
reviewed
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Y
Cheese Board Pizza
Sit down for a slice of the fabulously crispy one-option-per-day veggie pizza at this worker-owned collective where there's often live music.
reviewed