Local Information

Restaurant recommendations

Check out the list below for some good local restaurants recommended by Berkeley linguists; all of them should be within 20 minutes of walking from campus! Note that local eateries might get busy due to Cal Day activities on the weekend. Budget time accordingly and make reservations early!

• Imm Thai Street Food ($): good vegan/vegetarian options with indoor seating; their Pad Kee Mao is to die for!

• Butcher's Son ($): vegan American-style diner

• Saigon Express ($): cheap but tasty Vietamese food!

• Sheng Kee Bakery ($): Taiwanese pastries (sweet and savory), coffee; tea eggs, etc. 

• Mezzo ($): a great spot for a huge hearty salad or sandwich and very close to campus

• The Cheese Board Collective ($): best pizza ever, also baked goods & cheese!

• Noodle Dynasty ($): hearty Chinese-style noodles

• Free House ($): comfortable inside or in large patio in back; good starters, sandwiches, quesadillas, hamburgers, salads

• Freshroll ($): quick lunch under $10! vegan and vegetarian options

• Poke Bar ($): fresh poke!

• Oori Rice Triangles ($): quick lunch of rice triangles or tacos; no seating :(

• Momo House ($): Himalayan dumpling house very close to campus; try their 'C' Momo if you can handle spicy food!

• Ike's Love & Sandwiches ($): good, reasonably priced, award-winning sandwiches; good gluten free and vegan options

• The Musical Offering ($): cute brunch spot, close a little early (4pm most days); def good for a break or a early morning stop

• La Note ($$): French, good for breakfast/brunch/lunch

• Great China ($$): fancy Chinese restaurant in town; must try their Tea-smoked Duck!

• Jupiter ($$): nice back patio, good pizza, a variety of salads and appetizers; they brew their own beer

• Lucia's ($$): good Italian-style pizza

• Via del Corso ($$$): Northern Italian, pasta, fish, steak/other meat, wine, cocktails; recommended by Larry Hyman so you know it's good :)

• ...

Full spreadsheet can be accessed here (with bakery recommendations from Amy Rose that you DO NOT want to miss)!

Things to do in East Bay

For general recommendations, check out this Visit Berkeley page. But here are some recommendations from Berkeley linguists:

• Hiking trails: Clark Kerr Fire Trail, Inspiration Point (also check out this link for other suggestions)

• Berkeley campanile: take the elevator to the top and check out the view!

• BAMPFA: art museum in downtown Berkeley: awesome space & exhibits

• Oakland Museum of California: farther from campus but accessible via Lake Merritt Bart Station

• Bookstores: Moe's (huge bookstore that recently unionized; lots of used and new books and souvenirs), Sleepy Cat (true to its name, has a cat there who is almost always asleep; Asian-owned), Pegasus (super close to campus, great selection of new and used books, including lots of local authors and zines)

Social events

TBA!