Schmap.com supports the following browsers:
PC
 The authentic Italian marketplace |
1843 Solano Avenue Berkeley, CA 94702 United States +1 510 559 6860 http://www.agferrari.com |
Whether you are looking for a quick pannini sandwich or the fixings for a gourmet Italian meal, this place fits the bill. Stocked full of gastronomic delights from all over Italy, you will find bronze-died pastas from Naples, tomato sauces from Tuscany, rare olive oils from Vinci, the finest vinegars from Moderna, prosciutto di Parma, and all manner of other imports. At the counter, order from a selection of prepared foods like fresh tagliarini and divine desserts. Made-to-order pannini sandwiches are available. And the vast cheese and wine selections cannot be beat. It also caters. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Cakes, pies and pastries |
1926 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 841 0773 |
Since 1988, this little bakery has been baking up some of the best cookies, pies, cakes and pastries in the downtown area. The owners use only the freshest ingredients, and bake every day the old-fashioned way. Relax at one of the tables with a warm cup of joe. There are also a few tables outside. Cakes include Apricot-Hazelnut Chocolate Velvet, and both Devil's and Angel's Food Cake. The breakfast pastries are fresh every morning. Its pies are made with hand-rolled butter crust and seasonal fruits like strawberry and rhubarb. You can also find lemon meringue and bourbon pecan pies year-round. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Baked delights |
1400 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 644 1601 |
From early morning till early evening, this place bakes up breads, pizzas and rolls, and makes great salads, sandwiches and breakfast goods. There are several small tables perfect for one or two, but many get items to go. It offers several sandwiches like Turkey Avocado, Roasted Eggplant and Chicken Breast Tarragon. Try one of the small pizzas like its Four Cheese, Margherita and Pugliese, perfect for a hungry one, or a light meal for two. Also find omelets served all day, salads that range from Caesar to Mediterranean, as well as fresh fruit smoothies. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Huge selection |
2020 Oregon Street Berkeley, CA 94703 United States +1 510 843 6929 http://www.berkeleybowl.com/ info@berkeleybowl.com |
Once a small and funky co-op store where you could find locally grown and organic produce, this store moved into a former Safeway building and expanded its offerings to appeal to everyone from the granola to the yuppie. You will still find bushels of fresh and organic produce, a wine selection to rival most specialty wine shops, and a complete bakery, butcher and fish market. It specializes in organic items, but there are many national and conventional brands as well. Bulk buying for grains and nuts and pasta is second to none, and the cheese section is first-rate. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Raymond Yee  |
 Photo: Herkko Hietanen |
 Photo: Herkko Hietanen |
 Photo: Raymond Yee |
 Photo: Steve-SF |
 Photo: particleboard |
 Photo: Leah Reich |
 Photo: dfn_doe |
 Photo: dfn_doe |
 Photo: arielle saiber |
 Photo: Seth Benson |
 Photo: rachael traub |
 Photo: Megan Riley |
 Photo: Dave Grady |
 Photo: Katherine Bucar |
 Photo: syaniger |
 Photo: Becka Dyson |
 Photo: Dan Steingart |
 Photo: Noemi M. Robinson |
 Photo: Farahnush Meraz |
 Photo: Theresa Roeder |
 Photo: Jason Chang |
 Photo: Sarah Jellyfish |
|
East Bay Gourmet |
1782 4th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 United States +1 510 525 1440 http://www.caferouge.net |
Cafe Rouge, located in the heart of Berkeley's hoppin' 4th Street shopping district, is an East Bay institution. Foodies flock from far and wide for treats as simple as a cheeseburger and as complex as a Mediterranean-style lamb shank entree. Menu items are rotated in and out of circulation every couple weeks, so expect to see new and exciting things every time you visit. Shellfish fans marvel at the massive oyster selection (officially celebrated at the weekly Oyster Wednesday party). Cafe Rouge is also well known for the quality of its meats, all of which come from the finest local and regional producers, and many of which are available for takeaway at the on-site Meat Market (where you'll also find all manner of cured meats, pates, terrines and sausages). See website for menus, wine lists and more. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sarah B. Gibson |
 Tea and zenpathy |
2979 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94707 United States +1 510 665 9409 http://www.farleaves.com contact@farleaves.com |
Since 1997, this very Zen-like establishment has brought a little bit of the Far East to Elmwood. It features greens, blacks and oolongs from China, Korea and Japan, as well as several herbals from the Middle East and North Africa, everything from the delicate Dragon Well to the feisty Purple Bamboo. It also sells a variety of handcrafted teapots and bowls from the East, including genuine Yi Zhing pots. Buy in bulk, or enjoy a steaming pot upstairs at one of the tables or on a tatami mat. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Phoebe J. Southwood |
 Photo: Barrett Brassfield |
 Photo: Therese |
 Photo: redkarryn |
|
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 |
|
Award-winning bakery |
5655 College Avenue (Rockridge Market Hall) Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 428 2662 |
This popular gourmet bakery makes cakes, cookies, creative pastries and healthy breads daily, with the finest ingredients. It has won numerous awards from publications like the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Sunset magazine and Modern Baking magazine. Challah, oregano-pesto French bread, multigrain sandwich bread, potato bread, currant-bran muffins, croissants and focaccia are just a sample of what is sold fresh out of the oven. It is located in a prime North Oakland European market, Rockridge Market Hall, where you will find a variety of gourmet specialty shops selling fresh pasta, seafood, meats, flowers, coffee, tea and more. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Fresh bread, free samples |
5800 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 655 4442 |
When you walk into this small corner bakery, you are immediately offered a slice of one of the day's featured breads from the whimsical selection of loaves, rolls and pies. The menu changes often, and throughout the year they might make over a hundred different types. Sweet breads include Cinnamon Chip, Pumpkin Spice and various Chocolate Breads. Savory breads include Cheddar Garlic, Oregon Herb, Spinach Feta, along with the traditional Nine-Grain, Honey White and Honey Whole Wheat. It offers other sweets throughout the week like chocolate chip cookies, vegan-gingersnaps and cinnamon rolls. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
The craze never went away |
1983 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 845 4333 |
Remember the 1980s? One could not wave one's rolling pin and not hit flaky pastry wrapped around something enigmatic, savory or sweet or just plain wrong. This tiny patisserie (only five very small tables) does one thing well. The croissants are flaky, baked fresh all day, and range from plain to chicken and mushroom. In between are chocolate, custard and raisin, spinach and cheese, and turkey and cheese. Nice French turnovers abound as well. It also serves breakfast. You may even catch the occasional lunch special like macaroni and cheese. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
A little continental flavor |
6323 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 654 0338 |
Come in the morning when the freshly baked odors of sugar, cinnamon, and sour dough litterally draw in passersby and form lines out the door. Baguettes, loaves, cookies and croissants, cakes and tortes, all have a slightly French accent and are delicious. Mornings draw a loyal following of locals eager for the first croissants and cinnamon buns out of the oven. There are only a few chairs and one table, so come in a robe and slippers and take your treats back home. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jonas Lerman |
 Photo: Dave Monk |
|
No better baking |
2708 Russell Street (at the corner of College Avenue) Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 845 2253 |
Elmwood locals have been coming here since 1976. Sit at one of a handful of tables with coffee and the famous Danish pastry, a cinnamon twist or croissant or one of the best chocolate-dipped macaroons you will ever have. You can admire the featured artwork by a local artists, or just sit and take in the Old World aroma of freshly baked goodies. Buy cakes by the slice or whole, including the zesty Carrot Pineapple. The freshly baked bread is wonderful. The owners do special orders, sometimes as fast as the same day. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Raymond Yee |
 Photo: Pip R. Lagenta |
|
Kosher in the East Bay? |
5640 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 653 8902 |
Kosher grocery stores are far and few in Berkeley, much less the East Bay in general. But for those looking for a little taste of the Old Country (Brooklyn or Poland, take your pic), this is the spot. You will find lots of imported groceries like matzoh, canned beans, egg noodles, macaroons, and even He'Brew the Chosen Beer. It offers a selection of prepared foods like roast chicken, potato and noodle kugels, smoked fish, bagels, tabouli, and an assortment of made-to-order sandwiches like pastrami, turkey, and chopped liver. The staff is friendly and quick. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Rusty Blazenhoff |
 Photo: Rusty Blazenhoff |
|
The chicken on the corner |
1685 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 845 5932 |
Despite its French name, the offerings here are varied, from North Africa, Asia, Italy and the American South. This great little gourmet food store features a counter stocked with salads like Saffron Orzo and Burmese Noodles. Find polentas, grilled chicken and tofu, meatloaf, Creole sausage, jambalaya, roasted root vegetables, and all manner of sandwiches, served on baguettes, levain, sour roll, focaccia or aram, as well as pastries, cakes and daily specials. There are several tables in a comfortable, French country setting with crockery, pictures of poulet and fresh flowers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: femtolivier |
|
The world on the corner |
5655 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 652 4680 / +1 888 952 4005 http://www.rockridgemarkethall... mwood@markethallfoods.com |
Just across the street from the Rockridge BART station, you'll find this great little shopping center that feels like a bit of Manhattan's Upper West Side all rolled into a corner. You will find the best in gourmet delights, flowers, coffees and tea, and everything you need for a romantic meal at home. Market Hall offers restaurants, cafes, bakeries and florists as well as fishmongers and some of the finest produce available in the Bay Area. However, credit card acceptance varies by store. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Diane Tani |
|
European-style market |
5655 College Avenue (between Ocean View Drive and Lawton Avenue) Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 655 7748 http://www.rockridgemarkethall... |
The Bay Area's only European-style market resides in North Oakland near the Rockridge Bart Station. Charming architecture holds a marketplace that features a variety of upscale shops for you to enjoy. You will find a row of shops selling fresh, high quality flowers, produce, seafood, meats, coffee, tea, baked goods, homemade pasta, imported and domestic cheese, olive oils and more. There is even first class catering and for fine dining, an Italian restaurant. If you like gourmet foods, you will adore this place. Credit card acceptance varies by store. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Grab a cab or sin with zin |
1580 Solano Avenue Berkeley, CA 94707 United States +1 510 525 0379 http://www.solanocellars.com/ |
A shop that is more than a shop, this is quaint wine merchant appeals to those who enjoy cool Deco posters on wooden walls, with something Dave Brubeck-esque on the speakers. The shop itself is a delightful melange of racks and bottles of primo vintages from California and beyond. The staff are experts who know their grapes and are eager to lend advice for a party or meal. There is a nice tasting bar on the second floor where glasses and samples await you, as well as a complimentary snack or two, like cheese and chocolate. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: charlie wright |
 Candy, toys, women's fashions |
2903 College Avenue (at the corner Russell Street) Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 549 1211 |
This unusual establishment consists of three shops within the same block (2901, 2903 and 2921) of College Avenue in Berkeley. The two neighboring shops are independent toy stores with a whimsical atmosphere that invites children and adults to shop to the sounds of Beatles tunes on a children's tape player. The third store is part candy store and part home accessories and gifts (notecards and candles) outlet. The back room is filled with women's clothing, such as fuzzy leopard slippers, slinky XOXO dresses and Hawaiian board shorts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jin Zhu |
 How Sweet It Is |
2901 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 549 1211 http://www.sweetdreamscandy.com/ |
What was once a candy store that opened in the late 1960s has grown to include a little of this and a little of that to make your life sweet. Find homemade fudge, gumballs, lollipops, gummy-candies and everything else to satisfy a sweet tooth or two. The stock changes often, so you are always guaranteed to find something new whenever you visit. Find a great souvenir or a quick energy snack. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Old-fashioned candy shop |
2544 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 644 0589 |
This old-fashioned candy shop is conveniently situated right across the street from the UC Berkeley campus. Squeeze yourself in it, can get crowed and smell the rich chocolate while gazing at endless jars filled with a virtual rainbow of candies. Find all your favorites, from rock candy and licorice whips to sweet-and-sour watermelon slices and chocolate-covered toffee, sold by a counter staff as sweet as the wares. Stroll in on your way to Telegraph Avenue and satisfy your sweet tooth with just one piece or candy by the pound. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Garden of Cheesy Delights |
1512 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 549 3055 http://cheeseboardcollective.c... |
This shop ranks among the great cheeseries in the United States. It is a fairly large space, but not a square inch of it is wasted in piling up the copious selection of sage Derbys, Gruyeres, Gjetosts, Cambozolas and Manchegos. The latest arrivals are noted up on a big blackboard, and the staff is knowledgeable to the point of didacticism. It offers many other specialty foods, too, and has its own bakery. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ethan Stock |
 Photo: Sunny L. |
 Photo: C. Wess Daniels |
 Photo: sharcardinal |
 Photo: Brian Herbst |
 Photo: Anthony Kinik |
 Photo: Chris Martin |
 Photo: Michelle Truong |
 Photo: Margot Neebe |
 Photo: Ed Fladung |
 Photo: Stephanie Sapienza |
 Photo: Sarah B. Nelson |
|
Sam the butcher |
6321 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 658 6854 |
Locals looking for something a cut above flat, plastic-wrapped random cuts of meats at the big supermarkets come here for impeccable service from the knowledgeable guys behind the counter. They are a friendly group, willing to tailor your order any way you'd like. They will trim fat, break bones, season, and offer preparation and cooking advice. You will find just about every cut under the sun, as well as fish, poultry, pork, seasonings and sauces. They have a few prepared items like smoked ham, sausages, and cooked shrimp as well. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Viva vino! |
1885 Solano Avenue Berkeley, CA 94707 United States +1 510 528 3534 |
For best of the grape, come to these knowledgeable wine merchants. Vino has one of the largest selections of wine in the area, along with featured specials. Although it stocks a huge variety and has three locations in the East Bay, each store is relatively small and personable. Your needs will be met with a smile and helpful attitude whether you are looking for several cases for a big event, or that under-$10 bottle for dinner at home. Review © 2007, Wcities |
