Schmap.com supports the following browsers:
PC
 Cheap chic chipotle |
5525 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 547 1305 |
Here the usual suspects such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas are accented by unique touches, including half a dozen different tortillas, homemade salsas and cactus chips, and daily specials. Past specials have included fillings like Chile Colorado, Chicken Adobo, and Flautas with Sweet Potatoes, Carrots and Corn Filling. The Green Mole Chicken is a particular hit, as is the homemade tamales made with pickled onions and Mexican cream and a choice of chicken or vegetables. Order at the counter, then relax and enjoy your burritos at one of the many tables beneath the wooden cactus cutouts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: James Knox |
 Photo: michael sippey |
 Photo: diana m. |
 Cambodian comfort |
2156 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 843 4630 |
At this quaint Cambodian restaurant you will find a delightful influences from India, China and even hints of France. In this comfortable restaurant with yellow walls and Indo-Chinese artwork, you will enjoy flavors rarely tasted outside the country itself. It offers an extensive vegetarian menu that includes potatoes in a magic coconut sauce, and a variety of stir-fried or steamed vegetable dishes. The menu is divided up based on the sauces like the Cambodiana Sauce, Cottage Sauce (soy, chili, shallots, lime), the Curry Sauce, Naga Princess Sauce, and the Ginger Blossom Sauce. Try the Smoky Eggplant or the Catfish Mekong. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Not the usual sushi |
1686 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 981 1213 |
Here you will find strictly vegetarian Japanese dishes. All types of postmodern renditions of sushi and soba dishes can be had, and at remarkable prices to boot. Appetizers include said Robata (broiled veggies on skewers) and Kakiage (deep fried veggies). The noodle dishes are filling and steamy. Try the a la carte sushi, all veggie of course, and served on fingers of rice nigiri-style. Complete dinners, including miso soup and house salad include the Sushi Combo, Hosomaki Combo and the Soba Sushi (buckwheat noodle sushi with dipping sauce). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Frank Bentley |
 Photo: Jesse Holland |
|
Glories of gourmet |
Around Shattuck Avenue (from Rose to Delaware streets) Berkeley, CA 94704 United States |
North of downtown Berkeley, this area features some of the best in fine cuisine and gourmet shopping in the city. Locals looking for food that is a cut above head here for the best in ethnic and local dining. The keystone is definitely Chez Panisse, known throughout the world as the place to eat in the Bay Area. You will also find some of the best tapas can be found at Cesar, sushi at Toyo and authentic Thai at Cha Am. There are also several vegetarian options, like the Japanese Cha-Ya, and great breakfasts and lunches at Smokey Joe's Cafe, to name just a few. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: _e.t  |
 Photo: overlapgreen |
|
Mediterranean on College |
2936 College Ave Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 540 7773 http://www.cafelamed.com |
Come here for delicious, freshly made food from Greece, North Africa and the Near East. You will be surrounded with blue tiles, wine bottles and an airy atmosphere. It offers delicious favorites like hummus and pita, dolmas, baba ganoush and tabbouleh all made from scratch. For vegetarians, it offers Armenian tomato salad, and a vegetarian assortment platter. Carnivores have lamb kebabs, pomegranate chicken and occasional fish dishes. The phyllo pastries (chicken, spinach and cheese, and meat) are perennial favorites, as is the baklava. Find house wines, withan ever-changing variety of vintages and a full bar. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Ever-Changing High-Class Dining |
1329 Gilman Street Berkeley, CA 94706 United States +1 510 527 9838 http://www.lalimes.com/ |
Lalime's has been a Berkeley institution for over 15 years and has been evolving constantly to maintain their reputation for fine Mediterranean-French cuisine. Their menu changes every couple of weeks so their patrons will always have something new to experience, and every dish is made with fresh, organic ingredients. Among the favorites are the Roast Beet Salad with Humboldt Fog cheese, the Mussels steamed in Belgian Beer, the Roast Rack of Australian Lamb, and the Wild Mushroom Stroganoff. An impressive wine list accompanies the menu, offering tastes from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and California. On certain holidays, the restaurant will host special dinners and serve a new entree that surpasses anything on the menu. Check the website for a listing of these events. Seating tends to be limited during peak dining hours so reservations are highly recommended. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Pints & Slices |
2033 San Pablo Avenue (at University Avenue) Berkeley, CA 94702 United States +1 510 845 1652 http://www.lanesplitterpizza.com |
At this East Bay beer and pizza joint, located on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, patrons can feast on thin and crispy slices while momentarily evading the bustle of the noisy neighborhood intersection outside. Begin your meal with a big salad full of fresh veggies and topped with your choice of house-made dressings. The pies here are strictly New York-style (some with names like "Carnivore," "Garbage Pie" and the cult classic, "Heartstopper" with bacon and Gorgonzola), and regulars will attest that Lanesplitter does it right. Plenty of tables and a ton of barstools mean there's almost always a spot for you, and there's even a charming patio out back complete with heat lamps and picnic tables. On the stereo: rock 'n' roll. On the walls: a rotating collection of locally produced artwork. On tap: a rotating selection of more than a dozen locally produced microbrews (including Russian River Brewing Company's Damnation, a favorite of regulars). See website for menu and more. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Live a long life |
2129 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 6072 |
The decor here is odd, yet the wood paneling is somehow comforting as you sit beneath the immense paper lanterns and the giant swordfish. Long Life believes a veggie diet is the secret to a long life, and its expansive menu is testament to the fact that the taste and skill of authentic Chinese cuisine can be delicious and inexpensive. It offers soy protein dishes and wheat gluten like Kung Pao Vegi Beef. The seafood is real, however, and includes Lobster Creamed Sauce Prawns. It offers a weekend Dim Sum brunch where dumplings and buns can be had for pennies. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Burmese delights |
6048 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 655 3298 |
A recipient of the Northern California Best Places award for several years, this restaurant features chef/owner Philip Chu's Burmese menu, reflect many regional influences: Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and even Indian. If you love garlic or curry, this is your spot. The decor is very clean, bright and somewhat 80s. (Is that neon? Are those geometric shapes on the walls?) The appetizers include traditional Burmese (Fried Tropical Squash), Indian (Samosas) and Chinese (Eight Treasure Bean Curd). Noodle entrees include Garlic Noodles and Prawns. Curries feature fish, lamb and several vegetarian options like Stir-Fried Jicama, Cloud Ears, Mushrooms and Snow Peas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Whozyrdaddy |
|
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 |
|
Vietnamese and vegetarian |
2126 Center Street Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 4020 |
This downtown restaurant features a casual and comfortable decor with lots of mirrors, pictures of various fish and large tables perfect for family-style seating. In addition to Vietnamese dishes, find some traditional Chinese and Thai-like ones, and many for the vegetarian at-heart. To name a few of the 357 dishes (at last count), you will find Scallops with Garlic Sauce, Orange Chicken, several clay pot dishes, Tofu Rolls and Thai Sour Soup. A huge vegetarian menu includes mock beef, mock shrimp and chow meins. There is also an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring many of the items on the menu. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Absolutely delightful |
1700 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 549 0611 |
This is the perfect place for a nice, low-key Thai lunch or dinner in a comfortably elegant setting (traditional artwork, Asian lamps, leafy plants) where locals come for good Thai food with many vegetarian options. The service is friendly, the menu vast and inexpensive. Although most of the menu is fairly traditional (the ubiquitous Pad Thai, the ever faithful and comforting Coconut Chicken Soup), you will find some truly delightful and unique options like the Chu-Chi (a red curry) or a very tasty Pineapple Fried Rice. The vegetarian options include various sauteed veggie dishes, Basil Tofu and Silver Noodles. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: hellaOAKLAND2 |