Best Restaurants in Berkeley; Best Restaurants in Oakland
ByBest Restaurants within a short drive of OakWalk in Emeryville
It seems my last blog about some of my favorite restaurants in Emeryville was a hit, so I’ve decided to pass along some of my other favorites in the Berkeley and Oakland area since they are so close to OakWalk. This area is abundant with fantastic restaurants, but here are my personal picks.
If you’ve got a craving for a slice of the best deep dish outside of Chicago, you need to go to Zachary’s Chicago Pizza. Zachary’s is a household name in this neck of the woods, so be prepared for a little wait. But I think you’ll agree (with me and everyone else) that it’s totally worth it. This is the really thick Chicago style, with tons of toppings and cheese layered in the middle, and chunky tomatoes on top. Just talking about it makes me want to go right now. Luckily there are two to choose from, one in North Oakland and one in North Berkeley.
My favorite gourmet restaurant is Sea Salt which is a little over a mile from OakWalk. The menu is unbelievable, with things like Ahi Tuna Sliders, Devilled Duck Eggs and Bacon, Lettuce and Trout Sandwiches. I keep coming back for the Mushroom Risotto and Grilled Flatiron Steak, and enjoy seeing what new creations show up on the menu.
Another nice “upscale” treat is Citron (it’s located in the Rockridge District of Oakland). It kind of has that “Paris Bistro” atmosphere, with authentic French and Mediterranean dishes. If you are planning for a good date night, I think you’ll like this place.
For a good Italian choice, try Oliveto Café and Restaurant on College Ave in Oakland. You can either sit on the ground floor at the Cafe for a casual meal (the traditional wood fired pizzas are excellent), or enjoy more of a fine dining experience in the Restaurant upstairs. Both experiences are worth trying.
Back in Emeryville, you can get a taste of just about everything at the Emeryville Public Market. For some Southeast Asian cuisine, try Phnom Penh House which is without a doubt one of the best Cambodian restaurants in the entire East Bay. There is also Pamir Afghan Cuisine, which is very popular. And you can even venture into some authentic Ethiopian food at Enssaro. You’ll have plenty of choices!
Hope you enjoy these places as much as I do. Let me know what you think with comments. I’d also love to hear your favorites because I’m sure I’m missing some.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of Oakwalk, and an Oakland native.
