There is no want for good, inexpensive food and coffee in Berkeley! Known the world over for the quality of the food served in the local restaurants, here is a list of a few to get you started. Don’t forget to take of on your own and make your own discoveries!

Bette’s Oceanview Diner, 1807 4th St. @ Hearst, Open: M – Th: 6:30 am – 2:30 pm, F – Su: 6:30 am – 4 PM T: 510.644.3230

Pancakes, omlettes and sandwiches in a bright and busy diner that has been a Berkeley staple since the days before the neighborhood gentrified. Take a break from shopping at Cody’s Books, Sur la Table, The Gardener, Hear Music, or CP Shades and have a hearty meal. — KK

Bette’s To Go, next door to the diner on 4th St.

Don’t have time to sit for long, or don’t want to wait for a table at the diner? Try Bette’s To Go and sit outside on one of the benches to nosh. Two choices of pizza daily, refreshing salads, sodas and drinks and, Bette’s own baked goods. The Lemon Bars are my favorite. — KK

Cafe Fanny, 1603 San Pablo Ave @ Cedar, Open: M – F: 7 am – 3 PM, Sa: 8 – 4 PM, Su: 8 – 3 PM, T: 510.534.5447

Situated on an off the beaten track corner of Berkeley this cafe was started by Alice Waters and sits between a wonderful, local, artisan bakery (Acme Bread) and a local wine merchant. Enjoy a cafe au lait in a bowl with some toast or a light salad or sandwich later in the day. No longer owned by Alice Waters, the cafe still keeps the spirit of being a simple and relaxed place to enjoy good coffee. Don’t forget to check out Acme next door :) — KK

Cafe Intermezzo, 2442 Telegraph Avenue @ Haste, T: 510.849.4592

This popular cafe is famous among the locals and students for their enormous salads and freshly baked whole wheat bread. When I say enormous salads I mean that a $5 salad is enough for at least two people to have as a meal. Most people like the house poppyseed dressing. They also have sandwiches made with thick slices of bread. Long line at lunchtime – get there early! — KK

Cafe Tibet, 2020 University Ave. @ Milvia, Open: M – F: 11:30AM – 2:30PM and dinner daily 5PM – 10PM, T: 510.548.5553

Hearty food from the mysterious land of Tibet. Curries and Momos (dumplings similar to potstickers) as well as soups all made by Chef Samten. — KK

Chaat Cafe, 1902 University Ave @ MLK T: 510.845.1431

Went here on a whim one afternoon for lunch. Modern, dark interior was packed with regular customers. Walk up to the counter to order from the extensive menu on the wall. Nan-wraps take Tandoori to the next level, spicy potato salad makes me wonder how I put up with the bland stuff all my life! Plates of curry and lentils, rice and a spicy aroma floated around the room. Yum! — KK

Juan’s Place, 941 Carleton @ 8th, T: 510.845.6904

A Berkeley institution of longtime unchanged Mexican family-style food that is rich and filling and inexpensive. My favorite is a simple basket of chips made from flour tortillas and a bowl of salsa. Room for groups at tables pushed together or a table for two. Also has a bar. — KK

La Note, 2377 Shattuck Ave., Open: M – F: 8AM – 2:30PM, Sa/Su: 8AM – 3PM, F/Sa: 6PM – 10PM, T: 510.843.1535

A little bit of Provence in Berkeley! I took my friend David from NZ here for a late breakfast one day and it was just what we wanted. Omelets with Ementhaler, potatoes, toast, and café. They serve their lattés in bowls. There is a nice little patio in the back to enjoy when the weather is nice. — KK

Nizza La Bella, 825-827 San Pablo Ave., Open: W – F: 11AM – 3PM, Sa/Su: 10AM – 3PM, Dinner: Su/M: 5:30PM – 9:30 PM, T/W/Th: until 10:30PM, F/Sa: until 11:30, T: 510.526.2552

I have a confession to make…I haven’t yet tried Nizza La Bella. I’ve been meaning to. I’ve been wanting to. I just haven’t made it over there. This Niçoise style bistro has been getting rave reviews in the Cooking Conference on The Well, as well it should considering the talent of its owners Evelyne Sloman and Eleanor Triboletti. Both are chefs that dig deep into their heritage (Evelyne/French, Eleanor/Italian) to come up with true to the Riviera cuisine. How do I know this? Because I’ve sampled Evelyne’s cooking. She knows her stuff! — KK

Plearn, 2050 University Ave. @ Milvia, T: 510.8412148

My love of Pad-Thai began right here many many years ago. My first taste of Thai curry was here. When I traveled out into the world, this restaurant was the first place on my list to hit to make me feel that I had arrived home. Really nice Thai food. Sometimes a wait. Call ahead for take-out and it will be ready when you get there. — KK

Thai Basil, 2519 Durant Avenue @ Telegraph, T: 510.548.6692

This really good Thai place is tucked into the back of a food court on Durant between Telegraph and Bowditch. Mostly visited by students on their lunchbreak, they’ve got excellent Pad Thai and Curries and a great lunch special. Order at the counter, limited seating, more of a place to grab a great lunch rather than for the non-existant atmosphere. Oh, and when you say spicy, they give you spicy!— KK

Vik’s Chaat Corner, 726 Allston Way, Open: T – F: 11AM – 6PM Sa/Su 11AM – 6:30PM, T: 510.644.4412

Chaat is a Hindi word that means, in this case, snack. But the chaat in this house are yummy and big enough to fill one up for lunch. My particular favorite is the Samosas Cholle, two large deep fried pastries stuffed with peas, potatoes and spices smothered in Cholle sauce, which is spicy and full of whole garbanzo beans. The Awelle Tikki Cholle is also yummy. And at $3 each, the chaat sure is priced right. The daily special plates are only so-so. Crowded at lunch. I discovered this place while fulfilling my indentured servitude to the retail ‘gods’ at Christmas time. So I tried to take my lunch later on the days I wanted to go here…Unfortunately they wait until after the lunch rush before they wipe down the tables, and they do it with 409 so if you have any adverse reactions to cleaning products, you might want to get lunch to go. In spite of that, I highly recommend it! — KK

Zachary’s Pizza, 1853 Solano Ave., Open: Su – Th: 11am – 9:30pm, F – Sa: 11am-10:30pm T: 510.525.5950

What list could be complete without Zachary’s Pizza? This worker owned cooperative has been turning out the Bay Area’s best pizzas since 1983, and have collected over 100 awards in the process. While Zachary’s doesn’t take reservations, customers order at the front and put their name down for a table. The pizza is brought to the table. There are also half baked pies for take home. Bring cash-Zachary’s doesn’t take credit or debit cards. – Beth Vuolo

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