Get Your Feast On at Berkeley Restaurant Week, and Hurry!

How lucky are we? Seriously, everyday life in the East Bay is like finding a pot of gold around every corner. We’ve got it all: rich history, prolific musicians, visionary artists, prophets of prose and some of the best damn food from around the globe, because people come from around globe to live here. Berkeley Restaurant Week gives us a chance to dip into those little spots we often hurriedly pass by and sample some of the best culinary masterpieces the city has to offer.

Berkeley Restaurant Week, 2019. Graphic courtesy of Visit Berkeley

With a lineup as diverse and unique as the Berkeley itself, you don’t want to miss the chance to get in on the annual feast fest. So ditch the New Year’s diet and get your asses out there before Berkeley Restaurant Week comes to a sad end Sunday. Here’s a guide to just some of the grubberies offering prix fixe menus from $20 to $35 per person, but you can check out details for all participating restaurants here:

Akemi Japanese Cuisine

Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, ramen or Japanese tapas, you can get your gorge on at Akemi. The restaurant is offering $20 three-course lunch and $25 four-course dinner menus to satisfy the miso loving gyoza glutton that lives in all of us.

Akemi Japanese Cuisine in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Zagat

Address: 1695 Solano Ave.
Phone: (510) 524-1286
Website: www.akemiberkeley.com

Bobby G’s Pizzeria

Not only does Bobby G’s make amazing pizzas with homemade dough and organic sauce, they also have Pliny the Elder on tap, which on its own is a great reason to stop by. Their all-day prix fixe menu will run you $35 and serves two people bruschetta, mixed greens salad, a signature southwest-style pizza and cheesecake. And don’t forget the Pliny!

Pliny the Elder on tap at Bobby G’s Pizzeria. Photo courtesy of Marketplace

Address: 2072 University Ave.
Phone: (510) 665-8866
Website: bobbygspizzeria.com

China Center

In case the name didn’t give it away, China Center specializes in modern twists on traditional Chinese Cuisine. For a $20 dinner, you can fill up on egg rolls, sauteed shrimp and Kung Pao chicken served with rice or chow mein.

China Center, Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Groupon

Address: 2142 Center St.
Phone: (510) 647-8008
Website: www.chinacenterca.com

Doc’s Refresher

Doc’s is offering up two different menus for either one or two diners, which will cost you between $20 and $30. The elevated hamburgers and truffle tater tots pair well with the included beer or cocktail and not every restaurant is giving up a free drink, so this one might be well worth checking out.

Doc’s Refresher in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Groupon

Address: 984 University Ave.
Phone: (510) 984-2125
Website: docsrefresher.com

Easy Creole

Did someone say gumbo? Or maybe that was étouffée we heard. Easy Creole is pretty lax with their prix fixe menus ranging from $20 to $25 for two people – diners get the option of picking from 10 different daily specials and the $25 deal includes corn bread and rice pudding.

Easy Creole in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Berkeleyside

Address: 1761 Alcatraz Ave.
Phone: (510) 858-5063
Website: easycreole.com

Freehouse Berkeley

This is comfort food worth packing on a few pounds. The Freehouse lunch menu starts at $25 per person for a three-course meal and the $35 dinner ups the game with a bacon-wrapped; mushroom, spinach and cheese-stuffed baked chicken. Yes, please.

Freehouse in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of East Bay Express

Address: 2700 Bancroft Way
Phone: (510) 647-2300
Website: www.berkeleyfreehouse.com

Gaumenkitzel

Fütter mich means “feed me” in German and Gaumentkitzel is down to do just that with $25 and $35 meal options that will stick to your ribs – yes, they’re offering actual short ribs to go with soup, pancakes and something called a meringue cloud. 

Gaumenkitzel in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Oakland Magazine

Address: 2121 San Pablo Ave.
Phone: (510) 647-5016
Website: www.gaumenkitzel.net

Henry’s

Head over to the historic pub for brunch or dinner that will cost you between $20 and $35 per person. The offerings are a crazy but delicious mashup of things like chilaquiles, mussels or creamy Parisian gnocchi.

Henry’s in Berkeley, Calif. Photo courtesy of Visit Berkeley

Address: 2600 Durant Ave.
Phone: (510) 809-4132
Website: www.henrysberkeley.com

The suggestions above are just a sampling from the first eight letters of the alphabet – with more than 45 participating restaurants, you’re bound to find the perfect place to fix that craving. Check out the full list to find Mexican, Ethiopian, French, Indian, breweries, wineries and more – there’s even a hands-on culinary experience at Kitchen on Fire, if that’s your thing. Whatever you choose, make sure you call ahead in case reservations are needed and then go get your fill on.

Bon appetit!