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 Californication |
2700, Bancroft Way Westminster House Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 647 2300 http://www.adagiarestaurant.com/ |
Originally the great dining room of the Westminster House, Adagia keeps its tradition of "community" alive. Sprinkled with loads of sunlight and light wooden interiors, this banquet style restaurant is a relaxed place to sample Californian cuisine made with fresh local produce...and check out the local crowd too! Outdoor dining allows you to enjoy the famous Californian sunshine. While the food is more wholesome than exciting and the service can be a bit slow, the ambiance is the main draw. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Food Court with a Twist |
2519 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States |
In the mood for Asian cuisine? Head over to this small food court. Circling around an outdoor seating area are a collection of 10 small Asian restaurants (also a donut shop and a gyro place) so you can grab what you like and enjoy it al fresco, although some restaurants have indoor seating. Find everything from King Pin Donuts (deep-fried, sugary glazed dough since 1939),to teriyaki and bean curd, as well as noodles and soups to pearl tapioca drinks to Korean BBQ. In between there is satay, curries and Kung Pao and Mu Shu. The gyro place may stick out in this garden of Asian delights, but it also offers biryani rice plates. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Coffee and student culture |
2522 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 644 3100 |
This cafe features brick walls, a tall ceiling with criss-crossed wooden beams, bright light from the windows, skylight and featured photography and artwork that changes periodically. Sit downstairs among the indoor trees or up in the loft. It fills up quickly at almost all hours of the day, so do not be afraid to ask to share with someone. It offers the standard coffee and espresso drinks including the Espresso Roma roast, cappuccinos, mochas, lattes, as well as juices and sodas. It also serves cakes and pies, as well as daily specials like salads, sandwiches and other quick eats. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alex Pang  |
 Photo: Alex Pang |
 Photo: Fai Chong |
 Photo: lookimasian |
 Photo: Mary Anne Clark |
 Photo: Kevan Ho |
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Cyber and sundries |
2600 Durant Avenue (Hotel Durant) Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 8981 |
This small coffee house serves up great espresso and coffee drinks to those looking for a little pick-me-up or some time on the Internet. Here you will find freshly roasted and ground house blends, espresso, mochas, lattes and cappucinos. There is also a small selection of juices, bottled water and baked goods like muffins, danish, bagels and biscotti. There are a few computers for Internet access, and the owners are in the process of acquiring as many as the space will accommodate. You will also find a limited amount of sundries for the convenience of those hotel patrons who may have left something at home. Cash only. As a part of the Hotel Durant, this cafe reflects its elegance, while still being sidewalk level and a block away from Telegraph. The long, narrow space seems longer from the mirrored wall at one end, and along the wall opposite the large windows that look out upon Durant Street foot traffic. The cafe is a bright mural of folks enjoying a jovial coffee house atmosphere. Relax with a cup, a book or a "mouse". Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Most popular outdoor cafe |
2300 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704-1723 United States +1 510 843 5282 |
Welcome to a cafe synonymous with Berkeley itself. Located directly across the street from the University, and open late, this is the perfect place to study, relax, rev up or just congregate. There are several outside tables, making this the perfect spot for sipping delicious coffee drinks al fresco. There is no telling how many famous novels, poems and quantum mechanic theories have been formulated, hammered out and perfected right here. Find a strong and inexpensive assortment of coffee and espresso drinks. There are pastries, including muffins, scones, croissants and the ubiquitous macaroons. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jennifer Jamieson |
 Photo: yanec |
 Photo: Alan Wiig |
 Photo: Sydney Mainster |
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Meatlover's paradise |
6609 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94609 United States +1 510 652 9605 |
For meat lovers, this little red shack is a shaque d'amour, where you will enjoy the tenderest brisket around, bonesucking ribs, and for liberal vegetarians, a barbecued chicken unlike any you have ever had. Choose whether you would like your sauce mild, medium or hot (no, the staff will not tell you the secret ingredients), and watch your meat cooked to perfection before your eyes in the pit. The late hours, particularly on weekends, make this a popular destination. Soft drinks, water, and simple sides are available, but if you are here, you are here for meat. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Paul Jonusaitis |
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Pub and grille |
2600 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 8981 / +1 800 238 7268 |
This place has been serving up traditional pub fare, a few slightly gourmet treats and lots of smiles in this congenial "publick" house atmosphere since 1981. If you are looking for a quick meal, want to catch a game on the television in the corner, or are just looking for a spirited good time, it is here. Sit at one of the tall tables or at the huge wood bar. The high ceilings and tall windows keep this place from falling into the dark, smoky sports bar category. Find dozens of beers on tap and a full bar. The menu features old standards like nachos and cheesy potato skins as well as the huge Henry's Burger. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sushi in the patio |
2441 Dwight Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 848 5260 |
Locals-in-the-know looking for fine Japanese cuisine and sushi, head over to this restaurant. In a small converted house, a beautiful patio and garden brims with lush plants, trees and traditional lanterns. You can also opt to sit inside at the bar or at one of the cozy, funky tables. It features a wide variety of traditional Japanese specialties, like teriyaki, tempura and katsu, udon and nabe-mono (iron pot stews). The sushi menu is equally as extensive and includes the traditional shrimp, yellowtail, scallop, fried bean curd and tuna as well as a selection of maki and temaki. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: heliosphan |
 Photo: Kambiz Kamrani |
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Health under glass |
2564 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 486 8322 |
The tables here are located along the atrium, along with a few plants and a glass roof, which is particularly cool to eat under during a rainstorm. True to its name, the place whips up all sorts of healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinner entrees, all at reasonable prices. Order at the counter, then sit beneath the glass. Morning selections include coffee, homemade muffins and pastries, eggs and omelets. Throughout the day find homemade soups, lasagna, stuffed baked potatoes and burgers. Try Southeast Asian entrees like the Mee Gorang, curry dishes and spicy udon. Only cash is accepted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sayumi Takahashi |
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Put that burrito on your AmEx |
2530 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 4859 |
If you are short on cash, do not fear. Your craving for fast, filling and tasty taqueria staples can be sated with a charge card. Or if you just want to dine on the cheap, this is the place for you. This is a definite to-go place. There are five tables in very close quarters that afford a nice view of the elbows and lower backs of those in line. Find carne asada, bean, cheesesteak and vegetarian. It also serves tacos and salads like the taco and the chicken fajita salad. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Music and Culture |
3105, Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 849 2568 http://www.lapena.org/ |
La Peña Cultural Center and the adjacent Café Valparaíso offer a taste of a faraway home for some and a window into different cultures and heritages for others. The concept of La Peña comes from Latin America, where in the 1960s artists and musicians created a space for collaboration. Now the tradition is being carried on in Berkeley by a multi-cultural group concerned with international and local social issues. Operating since 1975 and begun in response to the military coup of 1973 in Chile, the club hosts musical guests and community events and can boast annual visits by the internationally renown Chilean group Inti-Illimani. Sample tasty Chilean fare such as empanadas at Café Valparaíso before enjoying a show. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A cappucino with your symphony? |
2430 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 849 0211 http://www.musicaloffering.com/ |
Bring a portable CD player and a hankering for a cup a joe. One of the few music stores devoted to classical recordings, the Music Offering stocks everything from Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, to rare medieval chant and contemporary composers in the classical vein. And after you've bought your CD, sit down at the cafe up front and enjoy a latte and croissant. Find all the typical espresso drinks, coffee, pastries, and sandwiches made fresh daily. The space is large, airy, and accoustically perfect for the classical music over the loudspeakers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: adrina rodriguez |
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Caribbean Cuisine Carefully Cooked |
2836 Sacramento Street Berkeley, CA 94710 United States +1 510 486 1202 |
Penny's Caribbean Cafe is not in Berkeley's finest neighborhood, but it is not a restaurant for those interested in luxury. Penny's is for those interested in great food. Operated only by the lovable Penny herself, this cafe caters to anyone looking for a relaxing, yet amazing meal. All food is cooked from scratch, so it takes slightly longer to get a dish than at an average restaurant (you're on island time at Penny's), but after tasting the Goat Roti or the Mango Bread, the wait will have been worth it. Wash it all down with some Ginger Beer and your taste buds will be singing for more. A word to the brave, though, the hot sauce puts its name to the test. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Taiwanese tapioca drinks |
2552 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States |
No one is really quite sure when, why or how the tapioca drink craze hit Berkeley back in the 90s. This is one of the few places that only sells these Taiwanese drinkable delicacies. This is a small, ice cream bar-like atmosphere covered in pop Asian kitsch from Hello Kitty to Pokemon. The drink menu is so large and extensive, it rivals any store of its kind in the area. Flavors include flavors coconut, red bean, mango, red plum and it also serves Double Rainbow ice cream, sushi box lunches and fish paste snacks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Quick and delicious pasta |
2510 Channing Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 548 8220 |
This cozy little gem has been serving up quick and inexpensive pastas for years, and has recently added baklava and morning pastries to its repertoire. Choose to sit either outside on the sidewalk with the Telegraph Avenue foot traffic, or down in the warm dining room decorated with sponge-painted walls, flowers and smiles from the servers. The pastas include spaghetti with meatballs, fettucini alfredo (homemade alfredo sauce!) and marinara dishes. It offers salads like the green salad, and an avocado-tomato. Or stop in during the morning for coffee, bagels and muffins. Student Advantage discount is accepted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 More than sufficient |
2431 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 841 3049 |
With lots of small tables, a mellow atmosphere and windows that look out upon the foot traffic of Durant Avenue, this is the place to grab a cup of something away from the hustle and bustle of the beaten-path coffee houses in the Telegraph Avenue area. Bring a book or catch your breath. Enjoy the standard espresso drinks (mochas, cappucinos, lattes) as well as pastries, cakes, bagels, and juices. The late hours make this a perfect post dinner or movie destination. Only cash is accepted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Fast, cheap, tasty |
2475, Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94720 United States +1 510 486 0550 |
Welcome to the best on campus bagels that bagel friendly Berkeley has to offer. Ask any self-respecting student about the "#2" and their taste buds will start to crave the bagel of their choice with cream cheese, fresh tomatoes,cucumbers, and salt and pepper. Costing less than two dollars, the "#2" is a steal of a deal, so feel free to spend that extra change on a coffee or splurge for a baklava. This is a popular hang out for the Berkeley intelligentsia, so be ready to rub shoulders and discuss the finer points of poppy seeds with Nobel prize winners. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Hot Dogs Fed Exed |
2534 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 843 7250 http://www.topdoghotdogs.com/ |
Sometimes you want a Louisiana link that sends your tongue on a one-way trip to New Orleans, a decent kosher frank. That is what the owner wanted when he opened up this small stand: a taste of New York's famous ethnic sausages from its German, Italian and Polish neighborhoods. And they ship bulk orders around the world, too! Not surprisingly, this joint is a hit with local students grabbing a quick bite between classes or a satisfying break during a late-night study session. Place your order at the front and hang out while waiting for your link. Lemon Chicken, Kielbasa and the turkey "Bird Dog" are among the several appetizing selections. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: joyce_l |
 Photo: iris616 |
![Top Dog photo by [Terence]](pictures/268525_2.jpg) Photo: [Terence] |
 Photo: Cyrus Farivar |
 Photo: Ryan Wu |
 Photo: Mel Tajon |
 Photo: Mel Tajon |
 Photo: Yasuo.Hirao |
 Photo: Mike Chung |
 Photo: Alex Ainslie |
 Photo: Kay and Peter |
 Photo: Eugene Chan |
 Photo: TheWayOfTheGun |
