Cheryl Newbrough is a passionate food enthusiast and self-proclaimed foodie extraordinaire. With an insatiable appetite for culinary delights, Cheryl traverses the gastronomic landscape in search of the most exquisite flavors and memorable dining experiences. In the following article, Cheryl Newbrough reports on the top ten restaurants in and around the Berkeley, California area.
When it comes to dining out in the Bay Area, Berkeley offers a plethora of great quality establishments for foodies to visit.
The cuisines diners can experience on this list will take them on a world tour, from seafood at Rocky Island Oyster Co., Mexican at Comal, Indian at Ajanta, and Italian at Riva Cucina and Via Del Corso. Restaurants range from formal dining at Chez Panisse to more casual eating at Italian Colors, Gather, and Zut!
Cheryl Newbrough on Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse offers 5 course set menus showcasing the very best ingredients, including a locally sourced fish course and meat sourced from local farms and ranches.
Full attention is paid to getting the most out of their ingredients, prioritizing flavor over pomposity when it comes to the dish composition. Featured in the Michelin Guide, Chez Panisse showcases the talents of head chef and owner Alice Waters from the sumptuous surrounds of an arts and crafts bungalow.
Rocky Island Oyster Co.
This spot has been celebrated for offering a delightful touch of East Coast-style casual seafood dining, featuring the perfect combination of salt, pepper, butter, lemon, and a refreshing ice-cold beer drinking experience. All of this is enjoyed on Richmond’s picturesque industrial Craneway Pavilion waterfront, often accompanied by live music.
Italian Colors
Open for on-site indoor and outdoor dining with plenty of space and heaters for the off-season. This Oakland, California provides the option of to-go/curbside pickup – with Take and Shake Cocktails on your own at home. Reservations are recommended.
Gather
This eatery aims to make a difference both in the food that they serve and the service that they provide to their patrons. Situated in what is heralded as one of Berkeley’s greenest buildings, they take ethical and sustainable practices to heart in everything they do.
Cheryl Newbrough says that they make sure everything is harvested in its prime and in a sustainable way, showcasing wines from West Coast producers and meat and produce from local farms. The menu is extensive, catering to all tastes while still ensuring excellent quality with every dish.
Comal
Cheryl Newbrough reports that Comal offers a fresh, earthy take on some of the best dishes from Mexican cuisine thanks to executive chef Matt Gandin. With a particular focus on the Oaxaca region, their colorful and flavorsome dishes can be paired with authentic Mexican cocktails and agave spirits.
With a menu that undergoes regular changes, the experience at Comal is different every time, making it a popular choice for regulars and visitors alike.
Zut!
Known for its focus on Californian-Mediterranean cuisine, Zut! showcases regional flavors using locally sourced, fresh ingredients, as well as limited-production wine from California, explains Cheryl Newbrough.
Dishes range from casual but generously filled sandwiches, all the way to the finest New York steak.
Via Del Corso
Via Del Corso offers a taste of a traditional Italian trattoria in the heart of North Berkeley. With freshly made pasta in-house, as well as rich seafood dishes, fine Italian wines, and decadent desserts, there is much to love.
Cheryl Newbrough explains that it has its own host of regulars and has earned acclaim from Open Table as well as Eccellenze Italiane for its authentic Italian fare.
Riva Cucina
Riva Cucina was opened by husband and wife team Massi and Jen. Celebrating the food and culture of Massi’s home region in Italy, Emilia Romagna, the restaurant blends together the best of Italian cooking with local, Bay Area ingredients.
Alongside their a la carte menu, Riva Cucina also offers cook-at-home kits for a variety of their fresh pasta dishes, allowing foodies a unique experience.
Iyasare
Cheryl Newbrough says that, featured in the Michelin Good Food Guide, Iyasare is a perfect blend of Japanese cuisine and Californian produce.
Their warm and friendly atmosphere is also reflected in the food created by executive chef Shotaro Kamio, who forgoes fancy and pretentious dishes in favor of food that is truly rustic, comforting, and designed to make anyone feel at home.
Ajanta
Considered the best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area by the Zagat Guide, as well as being highly recommended by both the Michelin Guide and the SF Baylist Ajanta is a must-try.
Cheryl Newbrough explains that this is for a very good reason, as Ajanta brings the best of India to Berkeley, with a regularly changing menu that showcases their creativity. Their comfortable dining experience creates a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy some truly high-quality food.
