The Incredible Food & Drinks at Berkeley Restaurant Week!
Stuart, Katy, and I had the pleasure of previewing lots of the delicious bites on the menu for Berkeley Restaurant week, we got to meet local chefs, taste amazing exclusive Restaurant Week menus, as well as drink-in downtown Berkeley both literally and metaphorically.
Berkeley boasts cuisine from every corner of the world accompanied by some of the finest farm-to-table produce in California. AND since it’s a college town at heart, there are great deals that cater to gourmands, students, and Broke-Asses alike.
This year’s Restaurant Week theme is celebrating March Munch MUSHROOM Madness, highlighting forage-focused dishes March 21-31. So if you are a mushroom fan, you really can’t miss it. If fungi isn’t really your thing, no big deal, there are tons of delicious alternatives, literally hundreds of dishes and drinks to pick from. YUM!
This post is sponsored by visitberkeley.com
Berkeley Restaurant Week Menus & Deals!
There are menus for 70+ participating restaurants right here. (If you’d like to graze them all). Click on each tier below to search for dining deals based on price (and plant) breakdown:
March Munch MUSHROOM Madness:
$10-$20: Layup Tier
$20-$30: Jump Shot Tier
$30-$40: Three Pointer Tier
$40+: Full Court Press Tier
🌱 Plant & Mushroom Based Tier 🍄
Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Downtown Berkeley. Est 1910.
Where to Stay in Berkeley
Stuart and I had a nice stay at Hotel Shattuck Plaza which was hella convenient and has a great bar and restaurant (Zino). The Plaza is smack in the middle of downtown Berkeley and is perfect for exploring downtown. There are lots of other good hotel options and deals too, you can see them all here.
Follow Visit Berkeley on Instagram for every delicious detail!
Zino, in Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Downtown Berkeley.
Some Highlights of our Berkeley Restaurant tour
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BAS picks for Berkeley Restaurant Week 2024
Wild Mushroom Pizza at Pizzeria Da Laura
We got to meet three-time pizza champion Chef Laura Meyer AND try her delectable wild mushroom pizza on her award-winning Sicilian-style crust. Laura came up under the tutelage of Tony Gemignani of Tony’s in San Francisco, now she goes to Italy and wins THEIR pizza competitions. Yeah, it’s like that.
You can choose from several different crust types, all her doe and pasta is made fresh in house, the wild mushroom pizza is great, but you can’t miss with the incredible variety and quality of pizza at this gourmet joint.
Where pizza, pasta and good drinks bring people together to connect and celebrate. Tucked into a vibrant art deco building on the bustling Shattuck Square, Pizzeria da Laura is a love letter to the pizza community of the Bay Area and the quirky people of all ages who raise a glass to the good life.
2049 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California 94704
Chef Laura & Broke-Ass Stuart.
Lamb meatballs over polenta and manchego at Gather
This friendly little gem has savory comfort food with all locally sourced ingredients. We had a wonderful prix fixe meal and got to meet the proprietors, lovely experience all the way around, these people simply know food (including lots of great vegan options on the menu). If you see Jodi there, ask her how her chickens are doing!
Gather’s purpose is to evolve the food industry through new models that cultivate a local living economy and create more equitable, regenerative, and healthy living systems, nourishing people with impeccably-sourced comfort food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fosters community and connection.
2200 Oxford St
Berkeley, California 94704
This dish knocked our socks off.
Zino’s New Umami Sour cocktail
Zino’s Umami Sour cocktail with mushroom-infused simple syrup and mushroom seafoam
This year’s Restaurant Week has a mushroom theme, and Zino has a fantastic Mushroom-infused Umami Sour cocktail along with great Mediterranean-style dishes. Zino Bartender Marlon Guzman has serves an excellent cocktail program, say ‘hi’ for us if you get the chance!
Click Here for #BRW24 Lunch Menu!
Click Here for #BRW24 Dinner Menu!
The artistically-designed interiors are refreshing, drawing on inspiration from the land and sea, creating a colorful social gathering place that showcases Mediterranean cuisines and entices you with its exotic promise. Zino’s menu weaves together flavors and fresh ingredients inspired by 22 Mediterranean cuisines, food-friendly wines and craft brews from around the Bay. Curated craft cocktails complement tasty mezze, dips and dishes served in beautiful Mediterranean-style tagines.
2086 Allston Way
Berkeley, California 94704
Zino
TRIPLE ROCK BREWERY & ALEHOUSE
This is a big, lively college bar with really high-quality burgers, sandwiches and west coast IPAs and ales.
Pioneers in the craft beer revolution, Triple Rock opened its doors in 1986 and is now the oldest continuously operating brewpub in the country. Our 38-year legacy is a testament to our unwavering commitment to crafting the freshest, most tantalizing brews.
Our ever-evolving beers and top-quality food offerings are a reflection of our passion for brewing and serving the best.
Restaurant week Deal:
When you request the “Restaurant Week Special,” enjoy a complimentary House Beer, Rocktail, Alcoholic Slushie or soda with any menu item priced $12 and up!
1920 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, California 94704
Rock Hopper burger at Triple Rock.
Wild Mushroom Jambalaya Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen
We were bummed we didn’t get a chance to stop by Angeline’s on this trip, but a local chef recommended it to us for restaurant week brunch. We’re told, it’s amazing.
Angeline’s brings the flavor and atmosphere of a New Orleans neighborhood restaurant to downtown Berkeley with great music, libations, and the classic dishes invented in the Big Easy’s greatest kitchens.
2261 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, California 94704
The Pork Katsu Sweet Miso Sandwich with curry dipping sauce at Champion’s Curry
This is a casual spot for a good quick lunch with katsu sandwiches that are hella satisfying, especially after you dip them in the curry sauce, for restaurant week they’re doing a special March Mushroom Curry.
Champion’s Curry brings authentic, soulful Japanese curry with an American twist to California. The carefully crafted dishes range from curry rice to sandwiches to salads.
2506 Channing Way
Berkeley, California 94704
Porterhouse Steak at Julia’s Restaurant
Located in a historic, castle-like building known as the Berkeley City Club, this joint has fancy, French-inspired cuisine complete with vaulted ceilings, leather-bound books, and the scent of rich mahogany. You can get lost wandering around this historic 1930’s behemoth, we recommend checking out their legendary pool and the rich history behind the ‘little castle’s ARCHITECT & VISIONARY JULIA MORGAN.
A contemporary, farm-to-table French restaurant influenced by California culinary cuisine. Inspiration at Julia’s begins with the bounty of local and organic products available in the Bay Area and highlighted with French techniques. Combined with a beautiful atmosphere and friendly service, Julia’s creates a memorable dining experience for all guests.
Come up to the second floor to enjoy a seasonally updated menu filled with local, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
2315 Durant Ave
Berkeley, California 94704
Berkeley City Club (where Julia’s is located). Photo Alex Mak
El Patio’s Mushroom Al Pastor Tacos
El Patio’s motto is “In Mexcal and Tacos we Trust”! This is a great patio to sip the finest mezcal drinks, meet cool people, and enjoy delicious tacos, there’s just a great afternoon atmosphere here.
Bringing you Mexican and Venezuelan favorites with chef Libia Tenepe. Our kitchen dishes out the best of both worlds. From arepas to tacos, we have something to satisfy every palate. Complement your meal with a cocktail from our full bar, or sip and learn about Mezcal. We have over 240 to choose from!
2056 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, California 94702
Sake tasting at TAKARA SAKE USA
This sake brewery has its own museum and traditional Japanese sake-tasting bar with countless varieties of authentic sake, we had a great time learning about the art of sake brewing and getting tuned up in the process. If you see Mika behind the bar while you’re there say ‘Hi!’ for us!
Takara Sake brewery was established in 1983, and is now the largest sake brewery in the U.S. Home of award-winning Sho Chiku Bai sake. Visit our website: www.takarasake.com.
708 Addison St
Berkeley, California 94710
Matcha Tea Latte & BLTA’s at Cafenated Coffee co
The perfect place to recover from a night out is on the patio of Cafenated Coffee Co at 2085 Vine Street. The outdoor garden is calm and pretty, the coffee and matcha are top-notch, and the sandwiches on fresh baked acme bread are all delightful. If you want to check out their Restaurant Week menu (Smørrebrød “butter bread” Flight Paired with Latte Flight!) then head to their College Ave location March 21-31.
Cafenated Coffee Co. is a farm-to-cup coffee roasting company that sources green coffee beans directly from well-established women-run coffee farm cooperatives in Central America, South America, and Africa. Roasted in Berkeley, our high-quality coffees are ethically sourced and support women coffee farmers.
2960 College Ave
Berkeley, California
Berkeley Restaurant Week is from March 21 -31
Click Here for #BRW24 Menu!
This post was made possible by the fine folks at www.visitberkeley.com
Also in Berkeley during Restaurant week!
Join the Bioneers for its 35th Annual Conference in venues across downtown Berkeley and at Zellerbach Hall. We had a great time at this conference last year! (here’s the coverage).
Three days of movement building feature speakers on a wide range of topics, including: Labor Activist Dolores Huerta; Co-Founder and Lead Organizer of Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, Corrina Gould; Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Cindy Cohn; Podcast Host, Krista Tippett; Wildlife Ecologist, Suzanne Simard; and many more.
Take part in panels, interactive sessions, film screenings, networking and a double-bill concert with Chris Pierce and the Local Honeys. Register here with code BAS2024 for 15% off.
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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