Cutest Three Family Owned Restaurants in Berkeley (Eat for under $25/person!)

 

These are the cutest family owned restaurants in Berkeley (Eat for under $25/person!)

Rojbas Grill 

Rojbas is a small, family-owned restaurant that serves Kurdish and Mediterranean cuisine. Famous for their tender meats and large portions, this place hits the spot every time without breaking the bank!

Cafe Tibet

No tour of Berkeley's best family-owned restaurants would be complete without this Tibetan cuisine gem! Vegan, authentic, and scrumptious, this menu will blow you away! 

Cafe Etoile

This cute small cafe specializes in Korean-inspired brunch. You notice a real symphony of flavor and texture in the food, with harmony between sweetness and spice, as well as softness and crunch. They also have great coffee!

Top 3 Places to Eat in Berkeley For $20

Best Dining Options in Berkeley for People With a $20/person budget

1) Cafe Etoile 

Cafe Etoile is a cute cafe that takes a fascinating spin on French and Korean cuisine, serving coffee, pastries, and full meals along Martin Luther King. It is a must-try, one of the most well-known and signature cafes in Berkeley! Be sure to try the croffles!

2) The Noodle 

The Noodle is a personal favorite of my family. Here, you can get incredible Thai food with fast service and reasonable prices. It's located in downtown Berkeley, where it draws a steady stream of loyal customers like us. The service is very fast and polite, and the quality is high! This video shows some great choices and their low prices...

3) Original Pollo

Original Pollo is a down-to-earth American diner in downtown Berkeley with good, inexpensive food. It gives off nostalgic, old-fashioned vibes. The food quality is rock solid. It's maybe the cheapest of the options, if you're all about price.

I had a wonderful collab with The Noodle the other day where I received a hosted meal

My Three Favorite Places to Eat in Downtown Berkeley

These are the 3 best places to hang out and eat in the downtown Berkeley! 

Each of these restaurants are unique and special in their own way. At some point, you should try them all...

1) Kura

Located in downtown Berkeley, this restaurant is a dining experience that involves watching a wide assortment of sushi dishes go around on a conveyor belt until you find one you want, or you can order something (sushi or not) off the menu and have it delivered on a separate conveyor belt. It's modern and fun, and the food tastes great. You can order a lot or a little at a time.  

2) The Noodle

The Noodle is my go-to place to get Thai food when I'm craving a no-frills, delicious eating experience in Berkeley when I'm with my close friends and family. It's a casual place to grab a quick, enjoyable bite that's been freshly prepared with all sorts of flavors that make it uniquely Thai cuisine. The service is forever fast and polite, and best of all, it's very affordable! I keep coming back!

#3) Tsuruya 

This small and homey Japanese restaurant is a specialty shop with only has a few items on the menu. It specializes in ramen served in a warm, savory broth. There are two types of noodles, skinny and thicker. They have pork and chicken options as well as mild and spicy items. The food is hearty and satisfying, warm and comforting.

I had a wonderful collab with The Noodle the other day... I received some free food, but my opinions are my own.

Top Three Thai Spots in the East Bay

 1) The Noodle

The Noodle is my go-to place to get Thai food when I'm craving a no-frills, delicious eating experience in Berkeley when I'm with my close friends and family. It's a casual place to grab a quick, enjoyable bite that's been freshly prepared with all sorts of flavors that make it uniquely Thai cuisine. The service is forever fast and polite, and best of all, it's very affordable! I keep coming back!

2) Anchalee Thai Cuisine

Anchalee Thai Cuisine is a more upscale Thai option, also located in Berkeley. It's the one that I favor for entertaining a small party of guests in a more formal setting. The dining area is beautiful, and the food comes plated artistically. The food is reliably tasty, and I like to eat there.

3) Bua Thai Kitchen

Bua Thai Kitchen, located near the border between Berkeley and Albany, has a gorgeous interior with the largest eating area of the three, so I would consider it to be the best place for a large party. The food there is fantastic and the prices are reasonable. The service is also very friendly.

I had a wonderful collab with The Noodle the other day...the meal was hosted, but the opinions are my own

Top Three MUST TRY Pizza Places in Berkeley

The BEST Pizza Places in Berkeley

1) Lucia's

Located on Shattuck in downtown Berkeley, here is the place for a high-end pizza experience. Authentic, flavorful Neapolitan recipes proudly prepared as they are ordered in a professional kitchen with a wood-fired oven and are served in a semi-casual eating environment. It is a great place to dine in, or you can also get takeout here.  

2) Rose Pizzeria

Cozy and simple, this place in downtown Berkeley is famous for high-quality, classic Italian-American style pizza, and it should not be overlooked. You should try the hot honey they put on every table; it adds some depth to the flavor. They also serve alcohol, including wine.

3) State Flour Pizza

A streamlined menu and dining area that make plenty of room for the star of the show: the quality of the ingredients and the pizza itself. This Elmwood neighborhood restaurant offers great quality for an affordable price! It's a comfortable yet simple place to eat with special gluten-free options that rival the originals. 

The Top Three East Bay Sushi Places

 

The Three Best East Bay Sushi Options!

#1)Kansai

This Oakland restaurant draws big crowds with its fresh fish, impressive menu, and included miso soup. Not only that, but they have a happy hour sale that makes eating there very affordable.

#2) Kura

Located in downtown Berkeley, this restaurant is a dining experience that involves watching a wide assortment of sushi dishes go around on a conveyor belt until you find one you want, or you can order something (sushi or not) off the menu and have it delivered on a separate conveyor belt. It's modern and fun, and the food tastes great. You can order a lot or a little at a time.  

#3) Kamado

This Berkeley establishment is more upscale than the other two and thus more expensive. However, is a great place for real sushi enthusiasts because they make top-quality sushi with incredibly fresh fish! They also serve a variety of other Japanese dishes.

The Top Three Best Desserts in Berkeley

The Three Most Loved Places to Get Dessert in Berkeley!

#1) Masse's Pastries 

This small and unique European-style bakery stands out for making fantastic sweets for an affordable price.

#2) Dessert & Spice 

This small bakery and coffee shop should not be overlooked! With a wide selection of top-notch sweets, you will quickly fall in love with its offerings. 

#3) Cupcakin'

A successful California chain that started in Berkeley, this bakery makes only the very best cupcakes! Come each day for fresh, gourmet treats!

The Top Three Cheap Eats You Should In Berkeley If You're On A Budget!

 

The Top Three Cheap Eats You Should Go To In Berkeley If You're On A Budget! 

(Eat for less than $10!)

#1) Oori Rice Triangles

This small stand of a restaurant cranks out delicious rice triangles at a fantastic price! It offers a variety of flavors of rice triangles with fresh rice and crispy seaweed, and you can also even put your toppings over rice or salad or even on a taco. It's fantastic, cheap Asian/fusion cuisine that will satisfy your hunger!

#2) Mel's Express

This fast-food chain operates in Berkeley and provides some of the most competitive prices for burgers and other fast food favorites, all the while producing a high-quality product. Decorated with a retro theme, this restaurant also provides a fun eating environment. 

#3) Bobby G's Pizzeria

This pizzeria serves whole pies, pasta dishes, and paninis, as well as a very affordable pizza by the slice option. Their pizzas are salty and savory with gooey cheese and a thin and foldable crust. It's a perfect meal if you're craving something delicious, but you're on a budget.

 The Top Three Burgers You Must Try If You Are In Berkeley!

#1) Barney's 

Barney's is the best place in Berkeley to get a next-level hamburger. (They also have some of the best fries and shakes.) The menu has plenty of tasty, gourmet options made with top-quality beef, and a lot of thought gets put into the toppings. The burgers are substantial and very enjoyable to eat!

#2) Eureka! 

If you're looking for an impressive gourmet burger that somehow still has a classic taste and a satisfying bite to it, Eureka! has some of the most impressive and original gourmet burger options out there. They take burgers to the next level without leaving behind the classic traits that make a good burger a good burger. If I were you, I'd come back to sample each burger on the menu!

#3)Original Pollo

This is my go-to simple but delicious burger. Their cheeseburger keeps it classic and tasty, all the while satisfying every tastebud. Served in a laid-back downtown diner, this understated masterpiece will leave you satisfied and salivating for more! 

 The Top Three Restaurants You Must Try If You Are Ever In The Elmwood Neighborhood Of Berkeley!

#1)Italian Homemade

This is perhaps the greatest hidden gem I have encountered in Berkeley. This unique place allows you to customize your bowl of freshly-made pasta with a variety of shapes and sauces. It's an incredible experience for a good price! You'll want to come back!

#2)Manpuku

Manpuku is one of the most delightful places I have eaten. This restaurant serves incredibly authentic Japanese cuisine and great prices, so it stands out from the others! With a small and quiet eating area, it's a great place to connect with friends over delicious food.

#3)In the Wood

At first, it looks like your run-of-the mill restaurant. But its quality and good service eventually set it apart from the rest. This place serves good pizza and incredible burgers for reasonable prices. It's the kind of place you'll be glad you discovered.

 The Top Three Restaurants You Must Try If You Are Ever In The Dogpatch Neighborhood in San Francisco!

#1) Moshi Moshi

This fantastic Japanese place takes pride in high-quality Japanese cuisine. Their fish is always fresh, and everything is plated beautifully. They have both traditional and modern sushi rolls that are made with great care and attention to detail. They also serve katsu bowls, teriyaki dishes, and udon, among other Japanese favorites. This restaurant consistently provides great food and great service, so I keep coming back!

#2) Marcella's Lasagneria

This small restaurant serves hearty lasagna and other pasta dishes with a homemade flair. Owned and operated by Marcella herself, every bite is a delicious blend of flavor and texture. The food tastes incredible and comes in generous portions. It is a must try!

#3) Bandit

Although it may appear to be a humble hole-in-the-wall, this small shop sells a consistently enjoyable and fast inexpensive dining experience. It's a casual place to enjoy a good and solid sandwich or burger or to buy one of their coffees or breakfast dishes. Their specialty is simplicity; it's a great place to go if you're hungry for some basic American food, and you're on a budget!