Oakland
Yes that is the name of this place, and no, we don't know how to say it out loud (a lot of locals just call it 'El Paisa'). Honestly, we would call this…
Must-see restaurants in East Bay
Oakland
The East Bay's only Michelin-starred restaurant, the signless and discreet dining room counts a minimalist decor and some coveted counter real estate…
Berkeley
Foodies come to worship here at the church of Alice Waters, inventor of California cuisine. Panisse is located in a lovely arts-and-crafts house in…
Oakland
If you have children, or love ice cream, you owe it to yourself to stop by this institution. The range of ice cream flavors is encyclopedic in range,…
Oakland
Few breakfasts can match the sheer perfection of a good bagel loaded with cream cheese, salmon, tomatoes and capers, and the version at Beauty's is, well,…
Oakland–Grand Lake Farmers Market
Oakland
A rival to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, this bountiful weekly market hauls in bushels of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, ranched meats,…
Berkeley
Excellent Burmese fare includes some of the Bay Area's more authentic takes on mohinga (fish noodle soup), ohn no kauk swe (coconut-curry chicken soup),…
Berkeley
Berkeley does not lack for good Chinese food, but this enormous, upscale restaurant elevates the genre with Northern Chinese specialties like duck-bone…
Berkeley
Worker owned since 1971, this co-op boasts (surprise) a great collection of cheese, a bakery with a changing selection of fresh bread, and a new…
Berkeley
Japanese expats gush that Ippuku reminds them of izakaya (Japanese gastropubs) back in Tokyo. Choose from a menu of yakitori (skewered meats and…
Berkeley
A rustic country-French bistro downtown, La Note serves excellent breakfasts. Wake up to a big bowl of café au lait, paired with brioche pain perdu or…
Oakland
Homestead has an ever-shifting menu of farm to table goodness ranging from grilled ribeye and sweet potatoes to summer squash risotto – honestly, the menu…
Oakland
This simple spot is famed throughout the East Bay for its carnitas (pork braised in its own fat). Folks will line up for this stuff, which is served in…
Berkeley
When vegan foodies and passionate farm-to-table types dine out together, they often end up here. Inside a salvaged-wood interior punctuated by green vines…
Oakland
This impeccably hip spot does steaming bowls of ramen – ranging from green garlic beef shoyu broth to a vegetarian bowl – as well as rice dishes, served…
Oakland
Mac 'n' cheese, the ultimate in American comfort food, gets a long-overdue ovation at this quirky restaurant with a primary-school theme. A menu of…
Oakland
Wood Tavern's side venture steals the show with its gobstopping meatball and pork-belly sandwiches. This busy storefront eatery has only a few tightly…
Berkeley
In West Berkeley, this longtime, popular chaat house gets mobbed at lunchtime by regulars that include equal numbers of hungry office workers, students…
Oakland
Hopscotch's premise is quintessentially California: upscale American diner food with a Japanese twist, and seasonal cocktails. The diner/Japanese marriage…
Oakland
A warehouse-sized space in Uptown, this social gathering spot is just as good for date night as it is for groups getting ready for a night out. Peruse the…
Berkeley
Grégoire has an interesting theme going – French comfort sandwiches, salads and such (ie fries and puffs) available on the go, and for relatively cheap…
Berkeley
This stylish little cafe offers a very Berkeley take on diner comfort food, serving up rib-sticking favorites with slight (yummy) twists such as apple and…
Berkeley
Big, delicious bowls of acai are the name of the game here, served in a well lit space that's popular with the kids. Options include acai bases overlaid…
Oakland
The name promises what's good: pho ga, Vietnamese chicken noodle soup, served here with a side of ginger scallion sauce that feels like it came straight…
Oakland
A top pick at Jack London Sq, this high-ceilinged pizzeria and craft-beer bar spills out on to the bay-view patio. Classic cheese and meat pizzas are…
Berkeley
Feel like you're on Montreal's St Laurent Boulevard in the heart of Berkeley. Augie's serves its own Montreal-style smoked meat on rye bread (smoked,…
Oakland
Sweet Bar is as fresh and tasty a way to start your day as anywhere in Oakland. The airy dining room of this buzzing bakery is filled with happy customers…
Oakland
The wait will be worth it at this raucous Caribbean bar with a groovy soundtrack, where oxtail stew, salt-fish fritters, fried plantains and goat curry…
Berkeley
What could be more in tune with Berkeley's granola-crunchy, latter-day-hippie vibe than a vegan deli? Gorge yourself on imitation deli meats and cheeses…
Berkeley
Pick up some organic produce or tasty prepared food at North Berkeley's weekly farmers market, operating year-round. Also operates a market downtown on…
Berkeley
Fresh, pretty Comal serves Mexican food, although many come for the cocktail list. Grab a flight of tequila or mezcal, a plate of Latin American-inspired…
Oakland
Every city deserves an old-school Italian deli and grocery store, and Oakland's contribution to this genre is Ratto's, a vintage spot that might as well…
Oakland
Old Oakland's 100-year-old marketplace has been turned into a gourmet food court, where the wooden tables are always full, day and night. Fare ranges from…
Oakland
Great for breakfast or lunch but beware: this bakery co-op is not for the weak-willed. Gourmet vegetarian pizza, chewy breads and gigantic scones, all…
Berkeley
This is a buzzing breakfast spot, especially on the weekends. It dishes up baked soufflé pancakes and German-style potato pancakes with applesauce, plus…
Berkeley
From food truck to a brick-and-mortar shop, this Korean-Japanese fusion eatery makes addictive short-rib and braised-pork sandwiches out of garlicky fried…
Berkeley
With a line out the door, this corner shop smooshes together ice-cream sandwiches (or tacos!) with creative flavors (salted caramel, churro etc) and…
Oakland
You'll likely smell Firebrand before you see it, and you'll be smiling when you sniff, because this spot pumps out some delicious wood-fired baked goods…
Oakland
The name plays off its former identity as a cobbler's shop, but the current patrons pack this brick-walled place for its wood-fired pizzas, original…
Berkeley
Some of the Bay Area's most sought-after loaves of bread are baked fresh here in Berkeley. Its challah and sourdough loaves are exceptional.
