Chez Panisse Cafe & Restaurant Review

Read our Oakland and Berkeley restaurant reviews. Or post your own.

Find more restaurants in Oakland and Berkeley »

Chez Panisse Café & Restaurant

  • Address: 1517 Shattuck Ave., north of University Ave., Berkeley, CA, 94709 | Map It
  • Phone: 510/548-5525 restaurant; 510/548-5049 cafe | Reserve Online
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.8/5

Fodor's Review:

At Chez Panisse, even humble pizza is reincarnated in new ways, with innovative toppings of the freshest local ingredients. The downstairs portion of Alice Waters's legendary eatery is noted for its formality and personal service. Here, the daily-changing multicourse dinners are prix-fixe ($$$$), with the cost slightly lower on weekdays. Upstairs, in the informal café, the crowd is livelier, the prices are lower ($$), and the ever-changing menu is à la carte. The food is simpler, too: penne with new potatoes, arugula, and sheep's-milk cheese; fresh figs with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and arugula; and grilled tuna with savoy cabbage, for example. Legions of loyal fans insist Chez Panisse lives up to its reputation and delivers a dining experience well worth the price. Visiting foodies won't want to miss a meal here, upstairs or down; be sure to make reservations a few weeks ahead of time to avoid disappointment. And, yes, it's that good.

  • Keep in mind: Reservations essential.
  • Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
  • Closed: Closed Sun. No lunch in restaurant

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by janschwartz from California on 11/12/09
We opted for dining in the cafe -- where dining choices are a la carte, and more reasonably priced that the original restaurant downstairs. We were NOT disappointed! The food was fresh, vibrant, and every bit as wonderful as its reputation. If you have to wait a bit to sit down, take a walk on Shattuck and experience the Berkeley vibe!

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by Luvero from Florida on 8/17/07
It was a little hard to get to but was worth the trip. Limited selection menu but every item was divine.

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0
Add your own review

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2010 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.