Berkeley is home to a handful of breweries, some with their own pubs and others you luck out and find on tap at your local watering hole. Either way, if you’re of age (we’re looking at you, young’uns), you can be sure to enjoy one of the brews made within 10 minutes of your pad.
Trumer Pils Brauerei
Trumer is not a Berkeley native, but it is a welcome transplant in a sexy glass.
Located on 4th Street.
Bison Brewery
How can you say no to chocolate stout? (You can’t). read more »
Need groceries? Need mountains of fruit, glistening piles of veggies, arrays of produce you’ve never even seen before? OK, so maybe you don’t need that much, but Berkeley Bowl Marketplace will have that exact type of ruby grapefruit you’re looking for.
Some swear by Trader Joe’s, but if you’re in the market for fresh fruits and veggies, TJ’s ain’t got nothin’ on the Bowl. Always swamped, always hustling with other food lovers, a visit to Berkeley Bowl could be your newest Sunday ritual.
Besides the produce (which probably takes up as much space as a regular TJ’s), the market also has a selection of freshly baked Semifreddi’s bread and cheap wine at the checkout. No two-buck Chuck, but we managed to pick up a four-dollar Romanian beauty.
Location: 2020 Oregon Street, accessible by F bus
Price: Best deal on produce.
Notes: Definitely do not go hungry!
Image Source: Pete Boyd under Creative Commons
Berkeley Bowl Marketplace [Website]
Earlier: Brazil Cafe for a Sunny Day
If anyone is under the impression that Brazilian food is made up wholly by the combinatorics of different meats and salts, they might want to reconsider. By the nature of its location, it wouldn’t take much to imagine the Brazil Cafe to be in a favela–a view of the street, a constant flow of Brazilian music and cars whizzing by nonstop. read more »
So Yelp.com and ShopinBerkeley.com argue over the exact location of Berkeley Bagels, but we’re pretty sure this counts as a Berkeley gastro-pilgrimage.
Berkeley Bagels puts Noah’s to shame, and yeah, it’s a long way away from campus, but it’s so worth it. (C’mon, you have a bike, right?) Chewy on the inside, lightly toasted if you like, these bagels come fresh and utterly smothered in shmear.
They’ve got just as much selection as the next bagel shop, but they also offer refreshing beverages like Thai iced tea. So choose your variety, get something tasty to wash it down with and don’t forget the lox.
Location: 1281 Gilman Street, accessible by the 9 bus
Price: A few bucks for the whole deal
Notes: So good it won’t even need a toasting.
Image Source: iirraa under Creative Commons
Berkeley Bagels [Yelp]
Earlier: Cheeseboard for a Slice of Jazz, Pizza too
Cheeseboard pizza deserves a pilgrimage, worth even a trek on foot when you just can’t wait for the bus. Some Berkeleyans prefer Zachary’s, but if you want your pizza on the lighter side, there’s no better place than the collective down Shattuck Avenue.
read more »
There are plenty of cafes around Berkeley, and everybody’s got their favorite sandwich place. But if you’re hunkering for a little haute cuisine in your ham and cheese, then it’s Gregoire for lunch for you.
Across from Elephant Pharmacy, Gregoire’s little joint serves lunch and dinner, but the sandwiches are the real draw. It serve up organic fare done in French style, and the menu changes monthly. What do we recommend for April? Well, the poached sole was like butta.
Oh, and don’t forget to order a side of potato puffs–fried potato balls with mashed potato inside. They’re a meal in themselves.
Location: 2109 Cedar Street, walking distance from campus
Price: Ranges from $6-$8 for a sandwich (comes with small salad du jour)
Notes: You can call ahead and pick up your order.
Image Source: ImipolexG under Creative Commons
Gregoire [Web site]
Earlier: Vik’s Chaat Corner for Lunch, Ajanta for Dinner
For those who dare to venture outside a two-block radius of the campus, there are better Indian places than House of Curries or (heaven forbid) Naan ‘N’ Curry. Yes, our little ones, it is true.
Just off the upscale stretch of 4th Street, Vik’s Chaat Corner beckons to all those searching for a little spice in their snacking. Pick up a real chai, order one of the specials and dare to try something more exciting than a tikka masala. Sure, you’ll have to strain to hear your name called out in a thick Indian accent, but that’s half the charm of enjoying quality but affordable Indian chaat.
Location: 724 Allston Way, accessible by the 51 bus
Price: Specials somewhere between $5 and $8
Notes: Also an Indian market right next door
read more »
We’ve written about 900 Grayson before, but we can’t talk up the restaurant enough. Forget La Note for brunch, which (though tasty) always snakes its line out the door and is slightly pricey for a college budget.
900 Grayson is simple, friendly and hits the spot. Take Breakfast, one dish on the menu: eggs, double-smoked bacon or apple chicken sausage, hash browns and toasted levain. Plus, all the food is local and mostly organic.
Brunch is only served on Saturday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but you can still find the favorites on the breakfast menu. We recommend Breakfast, Tom Boy, and Demon Lover (or Seitan Lover if you’re a vegetarian).
Location: 900 Grayson, accessible by the 9 bus
Price: Averages less than $10 per dish
Notes: They even boast a hangover special!
Image Source: Nate Tabak
Saturday Brunch [900 Grayson]
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