6 Affordable Eateries in Berkeley, California
The college town is stuffed with diverse offerings that won’t drain your wallet, from a Thai temple brunch to a worker-owned pizza spot.
On the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is most famous for its world-class university. But the city is also home to hundreds of authentic, wide-ranging food spots. Whether you're a local resident, college student, or a visitor just passing through this eclectic town, here are six eateries for cost-conscious diners.
The Butcher’s Son
Founded by brother and sister duo Christina Stobing and Peter Fikaris, this vegan deli recreates classic American comfort foods with an entirely meat-free menu. The Downtown Berkeley space is bright and airy, thanks to high ceilings, with ample seating both indoors and outdoors. Sandwiches are aromatic and generously portioned: The Killer B.L.A.T and Buffalo Ranch Fried Chicken are fan favorites, but the Jalapeño Business ($16.95) is the star of the show, loaded with housemade melted Swiss, seitan steak, vegan bacon, and fresh jalapeno for an added layer of heat.
Wat Mongkolratanaram
Every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a Buddhist temple in South Berkeley transforms into a vibrant brunch spot. This locals’ favorite outdoor event features rows of stalls serving authentic Thai food in a communal atmosphere, with visitors and neighbors sharing tables or sitting on the grass and enjoying their food together. Each stall is run by volunteers, and the profits go directly toward supporting the temple’s causes. Instead of paying at each stall, guests exchange cash for tokens at the entrance. You’ll find options for everyone, with a dedicated vegan stall offering fragrant rice plates and a carnivore’s section dishing out rich curries. A standout is the rice plate with Pad Thai and stir-fried eggplant, a filling meal that comes to just 12 tokens ($12).
Thayir Sadam
South Indian cuisine meets the build-your-own-bowl concept at this homey vegetarian restaurant on the south side of campus. Two friends, Rani Radhakrishnan and Shilov Mani, came together to create an eatery that specializes in a simple yet elevated dish, thayir sadam (curd rice). With a base of homemade yogurt, fresh rice, or steel-cut oats, this creamy dish is topped with sizzling tadka (tempered oil infused with fragrant mustard seeds and curry leaves). The rows of choose-your-own toppings are a visual feast too: Try mixing spicy peanuts, pickled apples, cucumber, and dried fruit. Priced at less than $10 for a medium-sized bowl, each thayir sadam comes with complimentary mango pickle and pappadum (a crispy flatbread) for extra bang for your buck.
The Cheese Board Collective
The Cheese Board is a worker-owned co-op located in North Berkeley's famous foodie neighborhood, which includes the farm-to-table institution Chez Panisse. For a more casual yet still classic Berkeley experience, head to this combination pizzeria, cheese shop, and bakery, which has maintained a cult following since 1971. Step into the shop to browse almost 400 types of cheeses and freshly baked muffins, rolls, and other pastries. Two doors down is the pizzeria, where there’s always a line—but it moves quickly, and there’s usually a live band to entertain you while you wait. At $3.25 per slice, pizzas are hand-spun, vegetarian-only, and change daily. Or grab a par-baked whole pie to finish off at home. Either way, be sure to pair it with their famous Papi Chulo green sauce for a tangy and herby dip.
IB’s
A no-frills, take-out-only spot popular for its loaded cheesesteaks and crispy fries—and the fact that it’s open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday—IB’s has been a student favorite since 1991. Grab a sandwich and head to UC Berkeley’s sprawling campus for a picnic. Fresh rolls are stacked with grass-fed beef or free-range chicken, then topped with your choice of savory or spicy veggies and sauces. (Vegetarian options include a sandwich heaped with onions, mushrooms, sweet peppers and avocado.) For first-timers who eat meat, the massive Garlic Cheesesteak is a must for $16, with tender steak, honey garlic sauce, and “the works”: grilled onions, melted cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and hot sauce. Be sure to grab some extra napkins for the road.
La Burrita
A few steps away from the UC Berkeley campus, La Burrita is an authentic Mexican eatery that’s been a staple for its burritos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more since 1991. The menu promises high-quality ingredients—no lard, no antibiotics, and no preservatives. Try any burrito “wet” (smothered in enchilada sauce and melted cheese). But their signature California burrito, a SoCal style, is best in class: $14 gets you a forearm-length wrap stuffed with steak, French fries, house-made guacamole, and sour cream, with chips and salsa included; pair it with a refreshing agua fresca or horchata. Comforting and filling, these meals are big enough to share, but so good you probably won’t want to.
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