Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in El Cerrito

60 restaurants available nearby

1. Juanita & Maude

4.8

Exceptional(1740)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Albany

Booked 17 times today

An intimate neighborhood restaurant, Juanita & Maude features Chef Scott Eastman's personal take on American Cuisine. The daily changing menu highlights classic dishes including Michelin Guide's top 5 hamburger in California. His refined comfort food is matched with seasonal craft cocktails and an international wine list. Juanita & Maude's lively dining room or serene outdoor patio is the perfect spot for a night out, celebration or special occasion. Conveniently located near the corner of Solano and San Pablo Avenues.

2. La Marcha

4.6

Exceptional(1199)

Price: Expensive

• Spanish • Berkeley

Booked 21 times today

La Marcha Tapas Bar, located in Berkeley, California, is a culinary gem led by Chef Sergio Monleon and Chef Emily Sarlatte. Known for its innovative Spanish cuisine, La Marcha offers signature paella dishes and a variety of delightful tapas. The restaurant has earned accolades including listed in the Michelin Guide, Best of the Bay awards, and recognition among the top 5 Spanish restaurants by several publications. Situated near landmarks such as UC Berkeley and BAMPFA, it boasts a cozy, rustic atmosphere perfect for any occasion. Committed to community service, Chef Sergio, Chef Emily, and the team actively participate in local and global charitable initiatives. Join us at La Marcha Tapas Bar for an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the vibrant flavors and culture of Spain.

3. Zaytoon

4.8

Exceptional(776)

Price: Moderate

• Middle Eastern • Albany

Booked 10 times today

Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar offers Mediterranean comfort foods with a modern American twist. Located at the corner of Solano and Kains, Zaytoon embraces the everyday Mediterranean kitchen, making it the focus of your casual fine dining experience. With hummus inspired by the flavors of Jerusalem and humanely raised meats, Zaytoon is much more than your average shawarma joint! Come try Zaytoon’s craft cocktails, created by the Jessica Maria, the owner of Albany's craft cocktail bar, the Hotsy Totsy Club. Meet up with your coworkers or friends for Zaytoon's full bar and Happy Hour! Reserve a table for your romantic night out. Reservations are not required for lunch as we have plenty of seating, but feel free to call us at 510-898-1316 to check availability.

A photo of Revival Bar+Kitchen restaurant

4. Revival Bar+Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(2770)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 24 times today

Revival Bar+Kitchen is serving distinctive, locally sourced, farm-to table, snout-to tail, utterly delicious food for brunch and dinner. The full bar is mixing original, hand-crafted cocktails, and our bar menu is available to satisfy after-the-show appetites. The entire dining room is available for meetings and buy outs.

A photo of Julia's Restaurant restaurant

5. Julia's Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(1624)

Price: Expensive

• French • Berkeley

Booked 7 times today

Julia's Restaurant is a true neighborhood gem, located in the historic Berkeley City Club. Its French cuisine is creatively innovative, inspired by local and organic ingredients. It's not just about the food, but the experience. Reviewers rave about the 'superb food', 'lovely ambience', and 'excellent service' in a 'beautiful, peaceful Julia Morgan building'. The restaurant's unique blend of Julia Morgan's architectural design and French cuisine is a true Berkeley treasure.

6. Babette

4.8

Exceptional(124)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

At Babette, the husband and wife team of Joan Ellis and Patrick Hooker, are in the kitchen preparing each plate to ensure that their vision and taste profile are translated to each diner. The attention to detail are evident in not only the food they make but also the ambience they have created. The interior of the restaurant is natural brick and the couple have chosen a rich color palette of deep blues and greens for the walls. An elegant chandelier hangs over a natural wood backed booth providing both a cozy and elegant feel to the room. Outside on the spacious patio, a magnificent redwood tree provides natural shade to the built in seating area and plants are abundant creating a lush, garden setting. Live music Brunches, New York style Pizza, unique Entrees and our famous Sicilian Lemon Almond Pistachio Cake are just a taste of what you will find at Babette. Warm and knowledgeable staff will make you feel like part of the family.

A photo of Hana Japan Steak & Seafood - Berkeley restaurant

7. Hana Japan Steak & Seafood - Berkeley

4.3

Awesome(408)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Berkeley

Booked 11 times today

Hana Japan Steakhouse in Berkeley California specializes in teppanyaki and hibachi cuisine. The menu features USDA Choice Black Angus beef, grilled seafood items as well as vegetarian options. Try the Hibachi Salmon for a tasty dinner, the popular New York Steak or our newly added House Dry Aged Rib-Eye. Dinner items are served with a salad featuring our special organic Hana dressing, house soup, steamed rice and seasonal vegetables. Hana Japan’s menu also serves a kid-friendly dishes. Serving the San Francisco Bay area since 1979, Hana Japan draws a local regular crowd and proudly serve during dinner hours. Diners get to enjoy special discounts on their birthdays when they visit with parties of four or more. We are now open for dinner seven days a week. Reservations are Highly Recommended.

8. Akemi Berkeley

4.4

Awesome(476)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Berkeley

Booked 4 times today

Opened in February 2015, AKEMI is the latest incarnation of miyuki on 1695 Solano Avenue in North Berkeley (Albany border) in the San Francisco Bay Area.Along with a revamped interior and exterior that includes salvaged wood and upgraded kitchen equipment, AKEMI features an updated menu spotlighting fresh ingredients and well-crafted flavors while retaining customer classics such as our sushi rolls. AKEMI is the new name we bestow upon the beauty that is good food with good people in a good place.For outdoor reservations please call the restaurant.

9. Agrodolce

4.3

Awesome(1435)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 18 times today

From the family that brought you Trattoria La Siciliana—a fixture of Berkeley’s Elmwood district for the past twenty years—Agrodolce is a sister restaurant located in the heart of Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. We are housed in a beautiful brick building that is equipped with a full bar and outdoor seating. Serving authentic Sicilian food, the type you’d only expect to find in the alleys of Palermo, Agrodolce features unique and truly authentic food.

10. Ajanta Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1119)

Price: Moderate

• Indian • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

Ajanta features regional dishes from all over India, offered through a menu that changes every month. We feature organic chicken and vegetables. When possible, we use local and sustainable products. All seafood is sustainable, obtained from Monterey Fish Market. All meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free. Ajanta has been voted best Indian restaurant in the entire San Francisco Bay Area by Zagat Guide from 2009-2014. We were also voted best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area A-List contest from 2009-2011 and 2013. In addition, we have received top reviews in several publications, including the East Bay Express, Diablo Magazine, and the Contra Costa Times. We are also included in Michelin Guide.Our elegant dining hall features art inspired from the famous Ajanta caves in India.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Barbara
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Still too noisy but delicious! I tried the lobster croquettes with the lemon curd aioli. Wonderful.
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La MarchaPrice: Expensive• Spanish• Berkeley
•
4.6
G
Geoffrey
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great place for drinks a meal. Very popular and has a nice vibe. I had the salmon which was good but not overwhelming. The cocktails and service was awesome.
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Revival Bar+KitchenPrice: Expensive• Californian• Berkeley
•
4.6
L
Linda
Washington, D.C. Area •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We haven’t been in a while and it was jump’in and still delicious! Was able to snag a last min rez or we wouldn’t have gotten in, so that was lucky. Don’t come here, it makes it harder for us 🤣
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ZaytoonPrice: Moderate• Middle Eastern• Albany
•
4.8
L
Lara
Los Angeles •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
FABULOUS! We did not know what to expect from Julia’s, but we were excited to be in such an historical setting. We got to dinner early (after the Cal game), so we had drinks in their bar, which is adjacent to the restaurant. What a highlight-drinks were spectacular and old school while still being hip and cool. This is a great place for all ages in a stunning location. You really feel a part of the local history. Dinner—OUTSTANDING. All of our orders were different and really a fulfilling experience. The beauty of the building and its facilities makes this space unique, but really the team there, from the bartenders, to the host to the serving staff in the restaurant, are so professional and focused on hospitality—-something that is harder and harder to experience. We will be making this a regular part of our visits to Berkeley.
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Julia's RestaurantPrice: Expensive• French• Berkeley
•
4.8
B
Birgit
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Very nice atmosphere and service. Food was good but not fabulous.
More info
Juanita & MaudePrice: Very Expensive• American• Albany
•
4.8

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El Cerrito

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in El Cerrito

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60 restaurants available nearby

1. Juanita & Maude

2. La Marcha

3. Zaytoon

4. Revival Bar+Kitchen

5. Julia's Restaurant

6. Babette

7. Hana Japan Steak & Seafood - Berkeley

8. Akemi Berkeley

9. Agrodolce

10. Ajanta Restaurant

See what locals rave about

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