Best Restaurants for Local Ingredients in Berkeley

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodIndianJapaneseChinese

Regions

East BaySan Francisco

Neighborhoods

BerkeleyChinatownDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoFisherman's WharfLafayette

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

24 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Enoteca Molinari

4.6

Exceptional(608)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Oakland

Booked 8 times today

Enoteca Molinari is an Italian restaurant & wine bar (with heated outdoor seating) that specializes in house-made pasta and Italian dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy our all Italian wine list and don't forget to try some dessert.Please make sure to give us 24 hours of notice if you can't make your reservation. Thank you for your understanding!Grazie mille!

A photo of The Berkeley Boathouse restaurant

2. The Berkeley Boathouse

4.1

Excellent(586)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Berkeley

Booked 10 times today

Enjoy a diversified and innovative menu prepared by our culinary team highlighting fresh, local ingredients paying tribute to purveyors from California and the Bay Area. With an emphasis on contemporary California cuisine, the Boathouse menu is inspired by the Berkeley waterfront offering the classic California dishes infused with global influences in an artful presentation to amuse your senses. Designed for sharing, our well-balanced menu consists of a selection of small plates, flatbreads, sides, composed salads, and main entrées.

3. Passione Emporio

4.2

Awesome(211)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Berkeley

Booked 5 times today

What does Emporio mean? It is a 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 in Berkeley. Our mission at Passione Emporio is to create a neighborhood restaurant that has the same feel of community and quality as old village Emporio’s. We source only the best local ingredients and craft them with traditional Italian recipes to make delicious food with vegan and gluten-free options. Our rotating wine offerings include 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.

4. Iron & Oak

3.8

Excellent(50)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Oakland

Iron and oak are two of the most iconic elements associated with Oakland. Iron references the shipyards and commerce that have kept Oakland relevant on a global scale throughout history, while oak refers to the fabled groves from which the city derives its name. Chef Boman Tam as a Oakland native was inspired by the diversity of our community and created dishes to show case and celebrate local and seasonal ingredients.Please note, we only take only reservations for 6-12 guests. Parties of 1-5 guests are reserved for walk in only. Topgolf Swing Suite - Located in our BarThe Topgolf Swing Suite is featuring one simulator bay and a variety of virtual games – including the popular Topgolf target game, Zombie Dodgeball, Hockey Shots, Baseball Pitching Carnival Classic and more – paired with comfortable lounge seating, HDTVs and food and beverage service. For reservations go to - https://oaklandmarriottcitycenter.247activities.com/

5. Shelby's Orinda

4.7

Exceptional(168)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary European • Orinda

Booked 2 times today

Shelby's, in Orinda, crafts elevated and contemporary Continental and California fusion cuisine made with fine ingredients in its friendly and bright restaurant. The organic sweet potato chips with a mild chipotle dip and the breaded fried brie in a chipotle-strawberry glaze with warm baguette make most welcoming starter options. Some of Shelby's specialty entrée dishes include the slow-roasted Asian baby back ribs in a tangy marinade, the seafood paella with saffron rice, chicken, seafood and vegetables in a tasty broth and the black forest pizza topped with ham, bacon bits, cheese and caramelized onions. For a sweet end to your meal, the cold blueberry soup with vanilla ice cream won't steer you wrong.Shelby's also serves a fully organic breakfast, when you can indulge such plates as the California omelette with turkey, avocado, cheese and roasted fingerling potatoes and the croissant French toast with vanilla custard and strawberries.

6. Kakui Sushi

4.8

Exceptional(21)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Oakland

Booked 3 times today

The four seasons influence every aspect of Japanese art and culture. At Kakui, we maintain this tradition by creating unique dishes using the freshest local ingredients. As the seasons change so does our menu, taking advantage of the local abundance. In this way, we are creating a contemporary cuisine that combines Japanese traditions with the best the Bay Area has to offer.Kakui Features:A sushi bar stocked with the freshest fish, serving traditional favorites as well as our own creationsAn open kitchen serving a complete menu of Japanese dishesA full selection of sake, carefully selected to accompany our menu itemsWe look forward to having you join us as our guest!

A photo of The Hideout Kitchen restaurant

7. The Hideout Kitchen

4.5

Awesome(1736)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Lafayette

Booked 74 times today

The Hideout Kitchen is a Lafayette, family owned and operated restaurant that's best known for serving a seasonal menu of Californian comfort cuisine for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The atmosphere of the restaurant provides a warm, yet upscale dining experience. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely brunch with friends or sharing a special dinner with loved ones, our friendly staff will make you feel right at home.

8. AKIKOS

4.7

Exceptional(1621)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • SOMA

Booked 18 times today

Located in the vibrant East Cut neighborhood, just a 15-minute walk from the Ferry Building, our diverse and sustainability-driven menu offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Omakase experience. We blend innovative takes on Japanese cuisine with local, seasonal ingredients and fish sourced from Tokyo’s renowned Toyosu Fish Market. Signature dishes, such as our Shokupan—grilled milk bread topped with toro and golden Kaluga caviar—and the aged, soy-cured bluefin tuna nigiri, showcase a harmonious fusion of premium seafood and thoughtfully curated ingredients, presented with creative flair.Please note, we currently offer Omakase experiences exclusively for lunch and dinner, with no à la carte options available. For guests seeking to enhance their experience, additional nigiri selections are available a la carte from our nama menu after the tasting. The Omakase lunch experience is priced at $150 per guest, and the Omakase dinner experience is priced at $255 per guest.

9. Gary Danko

4.8

Exceptional(1751)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Fisherman's Wharf

Booked 25 times today

Twenty-five years after opening its doors in San Francisco’s iconic Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, Restaurant Gary Danko continues to refine its award-winning combination of classic French cooking, thoughtful and inventive use of local ingredients and personable yet impeccable service.In a warm, enveloping space overhung with fresh flowers and vibrant artworks, an evening at Gary Danko is both intimate and theatrical—a loving nod to an old-world dining experience with its heart thoroughly planted in the new: fresh, locally grown and raised foods drawn from the region’s vast seasonal offerings, prepared with precision and flair.

A photo of The Empress by Boon restaurant

10. The Empress by Boon

4.1

Excellent(1433)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 18 times today

Empress by Boon is San Francisco’s newest, must-visit epicurean destination, offering a seasonal menu in modern Cantonese gastronomy. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon applies traditional techniques to fresh, local ingredients to produce distinctive contemporary dishes infused with Cantonese flavors. The spacious restaurant occupies the former location of Chinatown’s celebrated Empress of China with striking city views. Reimagined by Chef Boon and team, the Empress was brought back to its former glory by embracing modern design elements while incorporating restored original features, creating a welcoming atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the beloved location.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SteveVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •111 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Well done! Our group kept changing size but the team took that in stride. The food was good, the service fantastic. The water view was a bonus!
More info
The Berkeley BoathousePrice: Expensive• American• Berkeley
•
4.1
E
EricVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Very good Italian Food in the Berkeley Aquatic Park area. It was a little slow last night, but the food was outstanding. Huge portions on the prosciutto and adequate portions on the pasta. As the night went on, more people came in and dined. I was impressed that they make their own flour, pasta, and gelato. Check it out.
More info
Passione EmporioPrice: Expensive• Italian• Berkeley
•
4.2
D
DAVID
Las Vegas •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Excellent meal. Great service. Look forward to going back.
More info
Shelby's OrindaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary European• Orinda
•
4.7
S
SeanVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 5, 2025
It was our first time visiting the restaurant, and we will definitely be back. The food and wine was excellent. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with both the owner and chef.
More info
Enoteca MolinariPrice: Expensive• Italian• Oakland
•
4.6
D
Debra
Hawaii •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 9, 2025
Friendly and hospitable with good food. Thank you!
More info
Iron & OakPrice: Moderate• American• Oakland
•
3.8

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