Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Berkeley

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East BaySan Francisco

Neighborhoods

AlamedaBerkeleyDowntown / Union SquareEmeryvilleFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's Wharf

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

43 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Revival Bar+Kitchen restaurant

1. Revival Bar+Kitchen

4.4

Awesome(2817)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 19 times today

Revival Bar+Kitchen is serving distinctive, locally sourced, farm-to table, snout-to tail, utterly delicious food for brunch and dinner. The full bar is mixing original, hand-crafted cocktails, and our bar menu is available to satisfy after-the-show appetites. The entire dining room is available for meetings and buy outs.

A photo of Heroic Italian - Berkeley restaurant

2. Heroic Italian - Berkeley

4.5

Awesome(131)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

A unique artisanal Italian restaurant and wine bar in Downtown Berkeley. Located on a quite side street, our outdoor patio is a quiet refuge for those who want a Gourmet Casual experience. We balance the best imported Italian meats and cheeses with locally sourced produce and herbs. Our Italian and Californian wines pair perfectly with our Sandwiches, Pastas, Pizza and Salads.We use QR codes for Contact-less ordering and payment from the tables. We will bring food and wine to the table.

3. Via del Corso

4.8

Exceptional(1312)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 33 times today

a destination… is really just a place you are going along your way. When you enter Via del Corso, you may feel as if you are in any trattoria in Florence, Rome, or any other place in Italy. In the heart of North Berkeley, we bring you a place to relax, restore, dine and have drinks with family and friends. Leave the outside world outside for a moment. It is our pleasure to welcome you to Via del Corso.

4. Roses on Adeline

4.8

Exceptional(54)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 12 times today

Where love for Food, Art & Community thrives. Seasonally driven bar food & cocktails with an emphasis on quality and freshness, beer, wine & great vibes too!Our menu features comforts & classics with a sprinkle of innovation and creativity. Fresh, seasonal, local California fusion.

A photo of Creekwood Restaurant restaurant

5. Creekwood Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(1014)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 13 times today

Creekwood Restaurant, located at 3121 Sacramento Street, officially opened its doors on Friday, November 16, 2018. The location spans 1,700 square feet, seats 50 inside and 20 people on the patio and will feature a California – Italian menu. The atmosphere is cozy, warmly lit, with wood paneled walls and custom lighting. We serve brunch on Saturday and Sundays as well! “We are thrilled to be a neighborhood restaurant serving our community. We have a great pizza oven and create custom Neapolitan style pizzas. Diners should come hungry and ready to enjoy freshly made pasta, meatballs, steak, lamb, seafood, salads and house made desserts all of which feature seasonal ingredients. We also have a wide selection of wine, beer and espresso drinks."

A photo of three.one four pizzeria restaurant

6. three.one four pizzeria

4.6

Exceptional(195)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Berkeley

Booked 22 times today

We are located in the historic Lalime's space in the Westbrae neighborhood of Berkeley, CA.Our intentions with three.one four was to create a dining experience that is so captivating, it transcends all others. Our menu features small bites, salads, and World Class rustic pies from acclaimed Chef Mario Vollera. We utilize high quality Italian cheeses and fresh local products in our food and our menu is partnered with a carefully curated wine list featuring an extensive by the glass offering. We believe that our elevated food paired with our warm, intuitive, yet unobtrusive service style will help make three.one four a buzz-worthy neighborhood destination for many years to come.

7. Akemi Berkeley

4.6

Exceptional(479)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Berkeley

Booked 11 times today

Opened in February 2015, AKEMI is the latest incarnation of miyuki on 1695 Solano Avenue in North Berkeley (Albany border) in the San Francisco Bay Area.Along with a revamped interior and exterior that includes salvaged wood and upgraded kitchen equipment, AKEMI features an updated menu spotlighting fresh ingredients and well-crafted flavors while retaining customer classics such as our sushi rolls. AKEMI is the new name we bestow upon the beauty that is good food with good people in a good place.For outdoor reservations please call the restaurant.

8. MUA

4.5

Awesome(1398)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Oakland

Booked 18 times today

MUA is known for its open atmosphere, eclectic décor, art events and, of course, its delicious food. Ideal for large parties or intimate gatherings, the spacious dining room creates a relaxed, casual vibe for guests to enjoy their meals. A large selection of wines, cocktails and beers make MUA a great spot for an evening out with friends. Family owned and run Mua was one of the first restaurants to open in what was then Auto Row in Oakland, in 2008. After their first 2 restaurants, Pastoral in Berkeley (first opened in 1982 while still students, 37 in the architecture program at Cal and San-Ju painting at SFAI) then later Soizic (Jack London Square, 1996), they wanted to shift gears from heavily curated menus to more comfort-based fare catering more to the eclectic and artistic community in Oakland. Today you’ll find people of all ages and backgrounds, from Too Short to Jerry Brown.

9. Ajanta Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(1109)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Indian • Berkeley

Booked 5 times today

Ajanta features regional dishes from all over India, offered through a menu that changes every month. We feature organic chicken and vegetables. When possible, we use local and sustainable products. All seafood is sustainable, obtained from Monterey Fish Market. All meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free. Ajanta has been voted best Indian restaurant in the entire San Francisco Bay Area by Zagat Guide from 2009-2014. We were also voted best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area A-List contest from 2009-2011 and 2013. In addition, we have received top reviews in several publications, including the East Bay Express, Diablo Magazine, and the Contra Costa Times. We are also included in Michelin Guide.Our elegant dining hall features art inspired from the famous Ajanta caves in India.

10. Perle Wine Bar

4.6

Exceptional(171)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Oakland

Booked 7 times today

Perle is a neighborhood wine bar, specializing in french-California focused cuisine. We strive to casually exceed our customer's expectations with interesting food options and a wine list that is varied and affordable. Two San Francisco restaurant personalities, Chef Rob Lam from Butterfly & Sommelier Marcus Garcia from Fleur de Lys decided to open a hip and comfortable wine lounge and restaurant loaded with great wines, spirits, craft cocktails and beer... In the small, quaint, Montclair village in the hills of Oakland. House specialties include caviar, oysters, mussels and other gems of the sea... classic fromage and charcuterie... to a burger considered one of Oakland's best! Currently in San Francisco Chronicle's Top French Restaurants!!!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

SP
ScottP
San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
A great evening with the right amount of attention and good advice on what to select.
More info
The ParthenonPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.4
C
Cheryl
1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
I had the Oxtails they were delish staff great and the wait gave us time to talk and catch up I had a great time will be going back again even though this was my 4th time going. LOL
More info
Smellys Creole Catering LLCPrice: Expensive• Creole / Cajun / Southern• Oakland
•
4.5
A
Andrew
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
There chef is amazing, the food was so great. The decor is timely for sure.
More info
Bull Valley RoadhousePrice: Very Expensive• American• Port Costa
•
4.7
C
Caro
San Francisco Bay Area •16 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Still a favorite. This time the my daughter’s mussels were a bit off but they replaced them no question asked. The oyster supreme are an amazing explosion of flavors, the tartar with truffle infused caviar and the bone marrow are a real treat, and the mushroom capuccino soup is so intensely good!! Gotta love this place
More info
Perle Wine BarPrice: Expensive• French• Oakland
•
4.6
C
Carol
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 24, 2025
This was a special occasion. My sister loves Ajanta, is from out of town and hadn’t visited in a while. We were welcomed graciously, given a table by the window and then served a wonderful meal. Truly memorable. Well done Ajanta.
More info
Ajanta RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Indian• Berkeley
•
4.8

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