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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Berkeley

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15 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt restaurant
1. Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
4.7
Exceptional(654)
Price: Moderate
• American • Oakland
Booked 50 times today
May and David Wasem's flagship location Grand Lake Kitchen location offers American classics and warm hospitality. An all-day cafe specializing in brunch and dinner! Maximum party size for regular reservations is 8 at Lake Merritt and 10 at the Dimond location.Grand Lake Kitchen at Lake Merritt has a full bar, bustling dining room, outdoor patio, take-out counter, and The Bubble Room (private dining)
A photo of Starlite restaurant
2. Starlite
4.4
Awesome(146)
Price: Expensive
• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 65 times today
Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.
A photo of Bon Delire restaurant
3. Bon Delire
new
4.6
Exceptional(68)
Price: Expensive
• French • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 43 times today
Bon Délire’s chic yet approachable atmosphere draws inspiration from the cafés, lounges, and bistros of Paris. The interior boasts a sculpted horseshoe-shaped wooden bar, plush banquettes, and vibrant, European-imported furnishings that invite intimate dining and lounging. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with views of the Bay Bridge, or relax at the outdoor cafe-style seating, framed by planter boxes and umbrellas, perfect for people-watching along the Embarcadero.At night, the space comes alive with flickering projections of vintage French films and a relaxed, nostalgic soundtrack of throwback French and American tunes, making Bon Délire a sophisticated yet cozy setting for private and semi-private events.
A photo of COQUETA - San Francisco restaurant
4. COQUETA - San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(3344)
Price: Very Expensive
• Spanish • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 40 times today
Brought to you by Award Winning Chef Michael Chiarello and located at Pier 5 on the bustling San Francisco Waterfront, Coqueta is inspired by the cuisines of Spain. Chef Chiarello feels that Spain’s signature ‘small plates’ coupled with the social vibrancy of their dining scene is the perfect combination for San Francisco, which has its own deep-rooted history with the country. Focusing on regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and beyond, the menu will feature Chiarello's interpretation of traditional Spanish cuisine and, as has always been his tradition, will highlight the bounty of fresh, local ingredients from land and sea.Coqueta means “flirt” or “infatuation” in Spanish, and represents Michael Chiarello and his team’s exploration and interpretation of Spanish Cuisine, wine and inspired cocktails, while highlighting the bounty of Northern California.
A photo of Left Bank - Jack London Square restaurant
5. Left Bank - Jack London Square
4.4
Awesome(534)
Price: Moderate
• French • Oakland
Inspired by the birthplace of the original Parisian brasseries along the Left Bank of the Seine River, Left Bank Brasserie is an authentic Parisian-style brasserie by Chef Roland Passot. Left Bank pays homage to the joiede vivre that is synonymous with the Left Bank neighborhood in Paris. Guests are invited to step intoFrench culture, in a vibrant, social atmosphere that captures all the charm of traditional brasseriesand iconic alfresco dining of France. An all-day menu features authentic French cuisine utilizingseasonal, local and organic ingredients, and consists of iconic lighter fare such as oysters, tartare andprawns provençal, in addition to heartier classics like coq au vin and beef bourguignon. Inspired by theParisian-style Bar Américain, an extensive cocktail menu features classics of a bygone era, along with awide range of rotating taps, seasonal drafts and bottled beer, and an expertly-curated wine selection.
A photo of Chotto Matte San Francisco restaurant
6. Chotto Matte San Francisco
4.5
Awesome(59)
Price: Very Expensive
• Asian • Downtown / Union Square
Booked 11 times today
Coming Soon Fall 2023! Situated in Downtown San Francisco, Chotto Matte is renowned for its signature Nikkei Cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and electric atmosphere. Chotto Matte’s chic, contemporary interior is inspired by its Japanese & Peruvian roots, making it a unique dining experience, every time. Key highlights include Chotto’s recognisable bold design, tropical foliage and theatrical robata grill.
A photo of Taksim restaurant
7. Taksim
4.9
Exceptional(360)
Price: Expensive
• Turkish • SOMA
Booked 11 times today
Taksim is inspired by a modern approach to authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Our team has a profound love for Mediterranean gastronomy, a dedication to refinement, and a commitment to using the best ingredients.Taksim focuses on contemporary and often playful versions of classic ideas. Our seasonal menu reflects a fresh gastronomic outlook rooted in memories, where each dish is conceived with a specific culinary philosophy.
A photo of Cassava restaurant
8. Cassava
4.7
Exceptional(733)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • North Beach
Cassava is a French-Californian bistro in the heart of the historic North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco, semi-finalist of James Beard Foundation Award 2023. The dinner offers 3 experiences nightly of the signature 3 course prix fixe menu, 5 course tasting menu both with beverage pairing options, and also a la carte. Full menu is available at the bar for dining as well.Wine list focuses on classic region wines including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone with approachability and vibrant expressions. Beverage pairing menus includes wine and sake, and there are always 2 wines selected for "potentially life changing" by the glass to entice everyone.Cassava is located in the heart of North Beach that is perfect for business team dinners and meetings. The private dining room seats up to 18 guests, and the entire restaurant can seat up to 50 guests and up to 150 for standing receptions. Brunch is offered on weekends with bistro inspired menu items and the famous Japanese breakfast.
A photo of Tosca Café restaurant
9. Tosca Café
4.6
Exceptional(149)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Beach
Booked 15 times today
A legendary hangout in North Beach since it opened in 1919, and even more so from the 1980's onward when Jeanette Etheredge took over Tosca. Locals including Willie Brown, Lars Ulrich and Francis Ford Coppola were regular fixtures, Hunter S Thompson wrote his column for the SF Examiner in the corner booth, Bono, Lauren Hutton, and Mikhail Baryshnikov played pool in the back room, singing Opera and drinking Tosca House Cappuccinos. When Restaurateur Anna Weinberg and Interior Designer Ken Fulk heard Tosca Cafe was closing they joined forces to save it. As the new owners and passionate fans of the original establishment their goal was to return Tosca to its rightful place as a San Francisco institution. As Mikey Rapin wrote in Bon Appétit magazine: “It’s the kind of joint Beats got bounced, Bono belted opera, and a bullet hole memoralizes the night an A-LIST actor disagreed with a rockstar's choice of music"
A photo of Acquolina restaurant
10. Acquolina
4.5
Awesome(473)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Beach
Booked 17 times today
In Italian, Acquolina means “mouthwatering” – illustrating what happens when you see a delicious, inviting dish. This phenomenon can only happen when food is made with passion and love. For us, food “is a social matter. ” In turn, Acquolina weds a passion for food with a real respect for the community in which it stands – welcoming a mix of locals and visitors, singles and families, welcoming guests of all ages and lifestyles.At Acquolina, we endeavor to create a vibrant and lively atmosphere where our patrons can revel in the experience of an authentic and “regional” Italian meal. The Tuscan-infused menu is meant to pair with an assortment of wines, with samplings from Italy and California. In the spirit of the Tuscan Trattoria, everything is meant to be authentic – the pasta boiler and the pizza oven came direct from Italy, brought here to guarantee a perfect plate of “al dente” pasta and a perfect slice of thin crust pizza.

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