Restaurants Berkeley

East Bayshochulovers belly up to the bar at Ippuku, a Berkeley yakitori spot celebrating that indigenous Japanese libation. Evenings here begin with Shochu School, offered nightly from 5:00 to 6:00 P. M. , with half-priced drinks for novices and afic..

The choices may be limited but everything is worth a taste at eVe, a sleek University Avenue eatery. This ultimate neighborhood spot stays simple with black leather banquettes, bare tables, and a minimalist display of art. The clean stainless steel k..

Wining and dining her way through Tuscany was hard work for Wendy Brucker, who now shows off the fruits of her labor at Corso in Berkeley. Mementos of her Florentine travels can be found in framed souvenir menus, an all-Italian wine list-poured by ta..

For organic omnivorous fare and biodynamic wines just a stone fruit's throw from UC Berkeley, head to Gather. From the exhibition kitchen, Chef/owner Sean Baker boldly masters the humble vegetable with a dexterity that can make the most self-assured ..

Housed in the sparkling Hotel Shattuck Plaza, a glossy checkered floor leads the way to FIVE's charismatic dining room—a stylish feast for the eyes with towering columns and discreet red jewel tones that illuminate the bright space. The sophisticated..

Recycled cork wainscoting and parchment lanterns lend an earthy, Japanese vibe to Rivoli, which backs up to a lush "secret" garden framed by dramatic windows. The potted plants, climbing ivy, and fronds are a pretty, natural contrast to the..

On a block aromatic with fresh produce and just-baked bread, Wood Tavern is like buttah—seriously, those of high cholesterol and crash diets need not apply. Artisan charcuterie and cheese boards are divine for soaking up a glass and you'll find many ..

A universe away from Oakland's grittier Chinatown, Chu serves urbane Chinese fare in Rockridge style. Dramatically dressed in black and white with high ceilings and sleek leather chairs, the restaurant draws its aesthetic influence from contemporary ..

In a wood-shingled house on Piedmont Avenue, Bay Wolf has been an Oakland icon since the 1970s. Even then, this quaint little haunt was at the forefront of the Slow Food movement and today still serves the kind of seasonal Californian fare that warms..

Having made it big as a trailblazing African-American executive, Michael LeBlanc set his sights upon a more delicious dream: bringing a taste of the South to uptown Oakland. Picán is dreamy indeed, with an interior that echoes of New Orleans' French ..

Just a glance into this dark, plum-y interior, where tatted-up hipsters wield plates for under $20 beneath massive plum still-lifes, and Daniel Patterson devotees will know we're not at Coi anymore. The chef who made his name for fine dining in San F..

Something special is brewing in Sarah Kirnon's kitchen. The Barbados-raised chef wields her island-inspired talent like a fiery wand, transforming locally sourced products into plates of Caribbean and Creole-style deliciousness. Island grooves flow t..

A small wonder in Glenview, Bellanico is a kid- and foodie-friendly eatery tucked into a former flower shop with a new open kitchen and a warm palette. The Italian cuisine is both rustic and elegant: seasonal starters may include a savory goat cheese..

This little Lafayette neighborhood spot captures the warmth and charm of Southern France in its delightful seasonal dishes. Ignore the strip mall location and request a seat on the enchanting semi-circular patio, which winds around a fragrant garden ..

Faraway from the heat of Vietnam, Charles Phan's forever sacred Slanted Door embodies a fortuitous marriage of local bounty kissed with Californian flair and faithful Vietnamese flavors. A virtual emperor of a Bay Area empire, his branches ooze verve..

Hearts carved into the exterior shutters are your first clue that this Craftsman cottage is an ideal hideaway for canoodling lovers. Duck into the cluster of cozy dining rooms where warm Dijon walls, local artwork, and a stone hearth work together to..

Two tiny words will rouse any San Franciscan on Saturday morning: dim sum. The city's soup dumplings are legendary, and no one does them quite like Yank Sing, where Shanghai dumplings are stuffed with moist ground pork and a burst of juicy broth. Len..

Easily one of San Francisco's most sensuous dining destinations, Kokkari lures guests back again and again with a roar in the cavernous wood-burning fireplace, plush mismatched armchairs, and an exhibition kitchen in the taverna-style back room. Ambi..

Perbacco loosely translates to "good times" in Italian and that's exactly what you'll have when you come here. From the cool marble bar to the sleek furnishings, Perbacco has city chic written all over it. It is urban and up-to-the-minute, ..

Lack the funds to fork over for dinner at Quince? Head to Chef Michael Tusk's latest, less expensive outpost just next door. Cotogna is a rustic Italian eatery aimed at the Roman heart. Here you'll find straightforward, well-prepared fare such as sal..