Best Casual Restaurants in El Cerrito

81 restaurants available nearby

1. Juanita & Maude

4.8

Exceptional(1751)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Albany

Booked 18 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. Zaytoon

4.7

Exceptional(781)

Price: Moderate

• Middle Eastern • Albany

Booked 20 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 Heroic Italian - Berkeley restaurant

3. Heroic Italian - Berkeley

4.6

Exceptional(128)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

A unique artisanal Italian restaurant and wine bar in Downtown Berkeley. Located on a quite side street, our outdoor patio is a quiet refuge for those who want a Gourmet Casual experience. We balance the best imported Italian meats and cheeses with locally sourced produce and herbs. Our Italian and Californian wines pair perfectly with our Sandwiches, Pastas, Pizza and Salads.We use QR codes for Contact-less ordering and payment from the tables. We will bring food and wine to the table.

4. Mi Casa Grill

4.6

Exceptional(42)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Richmond

Booked 2 times today

Traditional Mexican & Latin American cuisine with a modern flare

A photo of Study Hall Rooftop Lounge restaurant

5. Study Hall Rooftop Lounge

4.4

Awesome(169)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 6 times today

Welcome to Study Hall! Located on the 12th floor. Indoor/outdoor dining with stunning views of the area. Beverage Centric - light food menu with Pacific, Oceana and Asian inspired appetizers, share plates and entrees

6. Babette

4.7

Exceptional(125)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Berkeley

Booked 10 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.

7. Ajanta Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1118)

Price: Moderate

• Indian • Berkeley

Booked 5 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.

8. Passione Emporio

4.8

Exceptional(190)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 5 times today

What does Emporio mean? It’s market where you can get a variety of things you need. Today in small villages in Italy, the Emporio is the center of life. Villagers visit the Emporio daily to socialize, share local happenings, and get their local fresh goods, cheese, pasta, sandwiches, and bread. Passione is bringing a little piece of Italian small village life to you, here in Berkley. Our mission at Passione Emporio is to create a neighborhood restaurant that has the same feel of community and quality as old village Emporios. We source only the best local ingredients and craft them with traditional Italian recipes to make delicious food, with vegan options, along with an authentic array of Italian and locally sourced food and wine.Our rotating wine bar offers a selection of Italian, Californian and European wines and beers with Prosecco at the center of the list to accompany Italian salami and cheese plates during happy hour.

A photo of Marina Seafood Dockside Patio restaurant

9. Marina Seafood Dockside Patio

4.4

Awesome(117)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

Located 5 min from the heart of Berkeley, and in the middle of the scenic Berkeley Marina waterfront, and right off I-580. With a large, spacious, and meter-free parking lot. Right next to Hana Japan.A warm and inviting waterfront seafood restaurant with plenty of delicious land meat options. Water-facing windows along the sit-down–covered–dining room invite bay views and a true oceanside patio feel. An attractive full bar for marina-adjacent snacking and sipping. Locally crafted beers, creative combinations, approachable and relaxed atmosphere with a focus on hospitality and an absolute commitment to quality.Ideal for date nights, meetups with friends, group parties, company corporate parties, and for delicious food with an amazing harborside view. UC Berkeley is just up the road, the Bay Bridge, and San Francisco is also a short skip away. Enjoy our fresh homemade pasta, fresh ingredients and an array of non-seafood options, we have dishes for everyone.

A photo of Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya restaurant

10. Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

4.4

Awesome(22)

Price: Expensive

• Izakaya • Berkeley

Booked 4 times today

Fish & Bird is a unique izakaya-style restaurant and bar specializing in modern Japanese cuisine, integrating fresh local, organic, and sustainable ingredients with curated traditional ingredients from Japan. The sophisticated interpretation of traditional dishes is a reflection of the current trends in metropolitan Japan. Enjoy dining in a casual yet comfortable dining room or at our full bar with Japanese whiskey and small-batch spirits, unique sake, wine, beer, and craft cocktails. Limited outdoor dining is available on the sidewalk, weather permitting. We are located six blocks from the downtown Berkeley BART station. Ample street parking is also available. Our accolades include Michelin Michelin-recommended list, San Francisco Chronicle's Top Japanese Restaurant in the Bay Area, Eater SF 38 Essential Restaurants in the East Bay, Esquire's Best New Restaurant in America 2021, San Jose Mercury News The Bay Area's Best Restaurants 2022: The Top Ten, and many more.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jim
San Francisco Bay Area •22 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Solid food and wine list. I've been here several times and always love the terrific choices for appetizers and entrees alike. And dessert! The crumbled baklava with ice cream was a great way to end a very nice meal.
More info
ZaytoonPrice: Moderate• Middle Eastern• Albany
•
4.7
N
Nancy
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
This was our first time at this restaurant and we were pleasantly surprised. The food was excellent, as was the service. I would highly recommend this location.
More info
Juanita & MaudePrice: Very Expensive• American• Albany
•
4.8
P
Pamela
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Dec 2024
A great pre-theater option for light bites, sandwiches, and salads. Outside seating is nice mid- afternoon and service was wonderful.
More info
Heroic Italian - BerkeleyPrice: Moderate• Italian• Berkeley
•
4.6
I
Ismail
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined on 16 Nov 2024
It was an incredible experience thank you………………………..
More info
Study Hall Rooftop LoungePrice: Moderate• Californian• Berkeley
•
4.4
M
Mario eduardo
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on 21 Oct 2024
Excellent service, they say that you eat with your eyes first and the dishes are excellently presented and the food is delicious, ten out of ten...
More info
Mi Casa GrillPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Richmond
•
4.6

Best Casual Restaurants in El Cerrito

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

81 restaurants available nearby

1. Juanita & Maude

2. Zaytoon

3. Heroic Italian - Berkeley

4. Mi Casa Grill

5. Study Hall Rooftop Lounge

6. Babette

7. Ajanta Restaurant

8. Passione Emporio

9. Marina Seafood Dockside Patio

10. Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable