At UC Berkeley , a prestigious public school ranked number one in the US , besides commuting between buildings, burying my head in homework, and hanging out in the library, the most important thing is, of course, eating! Eating! Drinking! Drinking!

Without delicious food, what can sustain our journey through the ocean of knowledge? And when friends visit us on weekends or holidays , where should we take them? Whatever the case, what we need most is a foodie's guide to Berkeley.

The team has heard your voice, and now we will give you

Your Berkeley Food Guide

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Check out the details of the restaurant list near the school👇

 Chinese food 

Great China

This restaurant, touted as the top-ranked Chinese restaurant at UC Berkeley , is owned by a Chinese expatriate. After a fire, it reopened and remains popular, with lines always forming. While Cantonese-style roast duck is common in the Bay Area, good Peking duck is rare. Jade Jiangnan's Peking duck was also highly acclaimed, but unfortunately, it has closed.

If you're craving Peking duck, Miki Sauce will specifically visit this restaurant, a popular dish. This restaurant has received rave reviews from both foreigners and ABCs, and the menu, decor, and flavors are all geared towards the American market, leading to some seemingly odd dishes. However, I'm sure you'll find the hidden gems among the authentic dishes .

Address | 2190 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 843-7996

Ancient Moon Fragrance | Chengdu Style

Located about four minutes from campus, this prime location is beloved by Berkeley students and is considered one of Berkeley's most famous Chinese restaurants. The owner is a native Sichuanese, and the restaurant offers a wide variety of Sichuan dishes. Don't miss the Sichuan dish known as "flower potato ," also known as "street potato." Sichuan fans recommend it for its authenticity. The toothpick lamb and Maoxuewang (Chinese blood curd) are also highly recommended.

They also have Bobo Chicken , a slightly improved version. But even Sichuan foodies will be thrilled to have Bobo Chicken in the Bay Area. Cash payments receive a free dessert, like Tremella soup or rice wine dumplings.

Address | 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 845-5807

China Village Restaurant

Just a few minutes' drive away , you'll find a Michelin-recommended restaurant ranked among the top three Chinese restaurants in the area! The exterior is so unassuming it might seem overlooked, but once you step inside, you'll discover a whole new world, complete with stylish decor. The menu boasts a host of whimsical dishes, including pickled fish with king oyster mushrooms, live bullfrog with young ginger, and cold Sichuan peppercorn beef.

Address | 1335 Solano Ave, Albany, CA 94706

Phone |  (510) 525-2285

Sichuan Style Restaurant

The chef has decades of culinary experience and specializes in Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, with Cantonese options also available. For dining in the crowded Berkeley, a seven-minute drive to Yipin Chuanxiang is also a good choice for Chinese food. The menu has changed from being primarily American Chinese to authentic Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, and they're constantly innovating. The portions are generous and the value for money is great 👍

Address | 1699 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707

Phone | (510) 525-9890

Heat Cafe

A good choice for a light meal when going to and from school alone. Although the store is small, the dishes are quite thoughtful. For example, there is a particularly rich New Year's hot pot with abalone, sea cucumber, scallops, fish maw, prawns... Lychee ice is recommended !

Address | 2364 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 771-8822

Dumpling express

This small restaurant is definitely a well-known cafeteria for UC Berkeley residents. People are busy rolling out noodles and making dumplings. The chicken and corn dumplings are recommended. The best part is that they offer delivery , making it a great companion for eating 🐔 while finishing papers at home.

Address | 2328 Bowditch St，Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 204-9283

Dalian Restaurant

Da Lian Restaurant

I don't know if you've tasted any of the 🇰🇷 cuisine here, but that's because the chef's father was the original chef here, and he grew up in Busan, 🇰🇷, so there are some Korean dishes—jajangmyeon, deep-fried sweet and sour beef—as well as free home-style kimchi, available upon request.

But in most cases, the menu tends to be northern cuisine . You must try the handmade dumplings of northern cuisine. Oysters from the Pacific are also served from time to time. The store also sells Peking duck. Americans have a good reputation for this store.

Address | 1674 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

Phone | (510) 883-1883

DDC Cafe

This shop will make you feel like you 've been transported to the streets of Hong Kong . From traditional Hong Kong snacks to single-serving rice dishes, fried noodles, baked rice, clay pot rice, milk tea specials, and a wide variety of desserts, you can find everything you want here, including mango pudding, sago, and zodiac drinks.

Address | 2017 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA , 94704

Phone | (510) 981-1800

Tasty Pot

The Taiwanese stinky hot pot chain can be found in many plazas in the Bay Area. Each serving costs about $13, and you can eat a whole pot of food. We recommend the Taiwanese spicy hot pot , the satay beef hot pot, and the lamb and sauerkraut hot pot. Eating the stinky hot pot with a cup of boba milk tea is a perfect meal.

Address | 2115 Kittredge St,  Berkeley, CA 94709

Phone | (510) 898-1202

Little Hunan

Despite its name, Little Hunan doesn't primarily serve Hunanese cuisine; instead, it offers Americanized Chinese cuisine that appeals to international palates, like General Tso's Chicken and Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin. This was the first Chinese restaurant to open in Berkeley , and its prime location has made it a favorite spot for generations of international students, who often rave about it and keep coming back for more.

Address | 125 Berkeley St,  Berkeley, CA 94709

Phone | (510) 848-1288

Zabu Zabu

This restaurant is a bit like Xiapu Xiapu in China . If you want to eat hot pot alone, this is the right place. There is an all-you-can-eat option. The soup base is more Japanese and lighter. The good thing about this is that the original flavor of the meat can be boiled out. Friends who like heavy-flavored spicy hot pot may want to move on.

Address | 1919 Addison St, Ste 102, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 848-9228

Shunfeng

When it comes to dim sum in the Bay Area, Shun Feng is the first place that comes to mind. From its first location in South San Francisco to its three current branches, Shun Feng has always been recognized by Cantonese people as a delicious place. If you're willing to drive just over ten minutes to Pacific East Mall, you can enjoy Shun Feng, known as the best dim sum in the Bay Area!

Address | 3288 Pierce St,Pacific East Mall,Richmond, CA 94804

Phone | (510) 526-6800

Chimao Pavilion

Daimo Chinese Restaurant

Located in the same mall as Shunfeng, this is a Singaporean brand called Dimao Pavilion. There aren't many great dim sum places near the UC Berkeley campus, so on Saturdays and Sundays, it's best to drive to this mall, which is not far from Berkeley, for dim sum !

Address | 3288 Pierce St,Pacific East Mall,Richmond, CA 94804

Phone | (510) 527-3888

Sai Kung Fishing Port

One of the three most popular dim sum restaurants in the Bay Area, the restaurant is often crowded with people , the lobby has a great atmosphere for dim sum, and the dishes are constantly updated.

Address | 3150 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

Phone | (510) 559-9388

Golden Peony

Auckland's largest dim sum restaurant . With its traditional dim sum carts and extensive snack selection, and the newly renovated banquet hall, it feels like being transported to a Cantonese restaurant in China. The only drawback is the limited number of carts and slow service . On weekends, it's best to arrive early to queue.

Address | 388 9th St #288, Oakland, CA 94607

Phone | (510) 286-8866

 Japanese and Korean cuisine 

Iyasare Berkeyley

Chef Kamio, who has seven years of experience as Executive Chef at Yoshi, is launching his first independent venture outside of Japan. The restaurant's name, which means "to heal" in Japanese, reflects his desire to dedicate it to the families and others affected by Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Inspired by the flavors of his parents' hometown noodle shop, which specializes in the Tohoku region of Japan, the menu features simple, fresh flavors .

Recommended dishes on the menu include the beet-cured ocean trout ($17), the kakiage tempura ($16.50), and chawanmushi ($18), miso-braised beef short ribs served with chestnuts, carrots, and fresh peas.

Address | 830 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

Phone | (510) 845-8100

Kiraku

If you search for Berkeley restaurants on Yelp, this place rarely makes the top three . Sake, small plates, and laughter—these three words define this place. You might be familiar with the izakaya element, but this is n't an izakaya that specializes in Japanese skewers . Chef Daiki Saito spent ten years cooking at a French restaurant in Tokyo and enjoys incorporating Chinese and Korean culinary influences into his menu. Foie gras, garlic, and gorgonzola are all on Kiraku's extensive menu, and the place is practically packed whenever it's open.

The corn tempura crisps are Kiraku's exclusive creation , and the green tea salt sprinkled on top perfectly complements the golden corn kernels. They also have a wide selection of Japanese sake, with a light, alcoholic flavor. It's a great place to queue up and chat after school or work.

Address | 2566B Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone |（510）8482758

Ippudo

The iconic Ippudo restaurant in Greater Berkeley is a popular destination for Bay Area residents. Their world-famous pork bone broth , available in white and red, comes with a soft-boiled egg... and plenty of delicious appetizers!

Address |  2015 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 666-8807

Ippuku

With its dark wood interior, dim lighting, extensive sake collection, and rows of private tatami rooms, lppuku really captures the vibe of a typical Yakitori restaurant in Japan , straight out of Berkeley.

The simple salting gives it a nice flavor. The squid ink rice is highly recommended by the staff , and it actually tastes like the simple salty rice Kawa and Sori.

Address | 2130 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone |（510）665 1969

Bowl'd Korean Rice Bar

For the popular Korean bibimbap , I highly recommend the Bowl'd Wings, which are a real steal at $8.12. The Korean fried chicken is incredibly flavorful , and you can enjoy it with the classic 🍺 combination!

Addres | 1479 Solano Ave, Albany, CA 94706

Phone | (510)5266223

Moo Bong Ri

The restaurant's specialty is pig blood sausage , and the beef short rib soup is also quite good. This restaurant also has a location in Santa Clara, so if you live nearby and are stuck for food, this one is a good choice.

Address | 4390 Telegraph Ave #K, Oakland, CA 94611

Phone |（510）6544606

Simply Bowl

This seemingly unassuming restaurant on the west side of UC Berkeley is a long-standing institution. They specialize in poke, with two popular dishes: the Yin Yang Bowl and the Mango Salmon Bowl , which you can add toppings to. The snacks are also worth trying; the Takoyaki and Steak Terriyaki on the menu are both delicious and affordable. The Apple Honey Drink, featuring diced apples and honey, is highly recommended.

Address | 2156 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 647-9494

Seasons of Japan

This Japanese-run restaurant is a popular spot for Japanese people, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a jazz band performing. Recommended dishes include the Seaweed Salad, Mini Chicken Bento, California Roll, and Hand Roll. If you're not too hungry, this is a great option for those with a small stomach .

Address | 2122 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 356-4768

Which Kitchen?

Located on the south side of the school, their value-for-money combos are very attractive, and student ID discounts further increase their popularity. They specialize in rice burgers of different flavors, and they also have Korean fried chicken.

Address | 2395 Telegraph Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (415) 992-7394

Bonchon

BonChon Chicken is a famous Korean fried chicken chain. Their sauce is made in Korea , packaged in special containers, and shipped to the U.S. After rigorous testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, everyone can enjoy authentic Korean fried chicken.

Address | 2050 Berkeley Way,Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 647-3714

 Western food 

La Marcha Tapas Bar

When you walk into this not-so-big restaurant, you can hear the noise in the crowded restaurant, the clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen, and the sound of food being frying . It is very lively.

This is the most popular Spanish restaurant near Berkeley. Its signature dishes are paella and grilled meats , which are worth a try.

Address |  2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Phone |（510）6479525

Rivoli Restaurant

Nestled in a lovely cottage, it boasts huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lush "secret" garden filled with camellias and magnolia trees. The crisp white linen tables create a striking contrast to the greenery! It's a perfect date spot .

Adress | 1539 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707-2119

Phone | 1 510-526-2542

Chez Panisse

This restaurant is run with love and care . Chez Panisse Café, located upstairs, opened in 1980. The café offers a moderately priced à la carte menu for lunch and dinner. To one side, there's an open kitchen equipped with a charcoal grill and a wood-fired oven.

The restaurant's fixed-price menu changes twice daily , determined by the chef based on the fresh ingredients delivered that day . Since its opening in 1981, the restaurant has maintained a rigorous control over its ingredients. Experienced local farmers grow organic fruits and vegetables specifically for the restaurant, as well as fish caught directly from the ocean.

The restaurant's prices are $75 on Mondays, $100 Tuesday through Thursday, and $125 on Fridays and Saturdays (excluding beverages, a 17% service charge, and a 9.25% sales tax). Monday night's menu is typically simpler and more regional than other nights, with a seasonal fruit pie featured daily. Friday and Saturday nights offer a more elaborate menu .

Adress | 1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709-1516

Phone |  1 510-548-5525

The note

Known as a must-try in Berkeley, La Note is an authentic French Provencal restaurant. Every time I visit, I'm amazed by its popularity. The restaurant boasts a rustic interior and a small outdoor patio. They serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, and brunch on weekends. Reservations are not accepted, so expect to be in line.

Cote Est is one of the most popular items, and guests who have been there have given it high praise. It is probably the first choice for brunch at UC Berkeley .

Address | 2377 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 843-1525

Rick & Ann's

Feeling that Berkeley's brunch spots that evoked childhood memories were becoming scarce, the owner opened Rick & Ann's in November 1989, a place where delicious food can transport you back to your childhood. Ingredients are sourced from local California farms, guaranteeing absolute freshness . Now approaching its 30th anniversary, Rick & Ann's is a fixture of countless Berkeley students' memories.

Address| 2922 Domingo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705-2454

Phone | 1 510-649-8538

Zachary's Chicago Pizza

This place claims to have the best pizza in Berkeley , and we're waiting for our editorial team to review it. They also have a fantastic thin-crust pizza, and you can order one of each. If you like deep-dish pizza and are near Zachary's, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Address | 1853 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707-2306

Phone | 1510-525-5950

Sliver Pizzeria

The amazing thing about this shop is that the pizza flavors are different every day , so even if you order pizza seven days a week, you won't get the same pizza twice. If you're worried about not finishing one slice, or worrying about being too full with two, they also offer two sizes of slices , one large and one small . It's truly a unique pizza shop, and it's no wonder people line up to buy.

Address | 2132 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 356-4044

  Milk Tea & Desserts 

Asha tea house

The reason why their milk tea tastes so good is that the owner cares particularly about the quality of the tea . Whether it is milk tea or fruit tea or other drinks, they are all brewed with tea leaves. You can smell the tea fragrance as soon as you enter the store.

Blood Orange Oolong Tea, Hong Kong Milk Tea, Jasmine Milk Tea, House Milk Tea, and Blueberry Green Tea are all popular drinks. Matcha fans shouldn't miss the shop's matcha products , including matcha ice cream and lattes.

Address | 2086 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 549-9137

Sheng Kee Bakery

Outside the south gate of UCB is the bakery closest to the school. Although it is a Hong Kong-style bakery, it is also loved by young men and women from all over the world at UCB. They sell custard buns, pineapple buns, pineapple cakes... They even sell tea eggs !

Address |  2307 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 848-8200

Cream

This ice cream shop is located right next to the UCB campus and you can often see long queues . This chain ice cream shop is famous for its sandwich ice cream, which is two freshly baked big 🍪 sandwiched with ice cream, which is extremely caloric!

Address |  2399 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 649-1000

John's Ice Cream

At $1.25 a scoop, it couldn't be cheaper, and they even have unique flavors like Rainbow Sherbet, Ube, and Thai Tea. Rainbow has a fruity bubble gum flavor, while Ube is like the taro ice cream I had as a kid.

Address |  2204 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 981-0370

Yifang Taiwanese Fruit Tea

Yifang Taiwan Fruit

I'm sure everyone is familiar with this brand. The owner, a UC Berkeley graduate, found Yifang Fruit Tea's philosophy very similar to his own, so he secured Yifang's authorization and opened this milk tea shop in Berkeley. The fragrant tea, generous ingredients, and authentic flavor are all hallmarks of Yifang's teas. With meticulous tea selection and quality control, all of their fruit teas are made with authentic ingredients. Recommended options include the Roselle Tea and the Golden Brick Pineapple Tea .

Address | 2516 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA

Phone | (510) 616-1671

Marusaku | ONE ZO

I highly recommend this new store to everyone. Maruzuo has carved out a niche in the milk tea industry with its unique pearls and has long been a popular brand in Taiwan. They have traditional white jade pearls, cactus pearls, sesame pearls, caramel pearls... All the pearls are handmade in Maruzuo, and they mainly use natural ingredients. The pearls of different colors in the milk tea are all made from natural ingredients. I recommend the cactus pearl fresh milk green. There is also a buy-one-get-one-free promotion during the opening of the new store .

Address | 362 8th St unit a, Oakland, CA 94607

Phone | (510) 919-0386

Rare Tea

I was surprised by the huge queue . The store focuses on the concept of no chemical additives, no artificial flavors, and no artificial colors. They use the finest tea leaves from natural tea areas as raw materials and use modern scientific and technological processing technology to brew and extract the tea, which is very refreshing.

Address | 2380 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 679-5109

Icicles

It can be said that this is the number one fried ice brand in the Bay Area. In just two or three years, the owner has opened more than a dozen fried ice shops in the Bay Area. I originally went to Thailand with friends, but I didn't expect to bring fried ice back to the Bay Area. The fried ice has a variety of flavors and varieties, and the taste is refreshing and not greasy . 👍

Address | 1812 University Ave，Unit A，Berkeley, CA 94703

Phone | (510) 679-5109

UJI Time Dessert

For matcha lovers, this dessert shop specializing in Uji matcha is a must-see. The ice cream is served in crispy fish-shaped omelets. It ’s such a Japanese ice cream !

Address | 2575 Telegraph AveBerkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 666-1008

TALK

This Instagram-famous shop might rely on its looks, but it's also incredibly delicious. The pre-made egg waffles are served warm and paired with a variety of ice cream flavors. Their signature lattes are also highly recommended , and the Rose Matcha Latte and Lavender Matcha Latte are definitely must-trys.

Address | 139 Berkeley Square, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone | (510) 822-1888

The above summary summarizes the restaurants that I often go to on weekdays .

I hope you can be hungry when you

Or it can bring you some inspiration when you have no choice.

Delicious food will bring you closer to happiness.

What other shops near Berkeley are worth visiting ?

What memories do these stores hold for you ?