El Sol Restaurant
Point Richmond · Mexican · Since 1982
Family-owned and serving Point Richmond authentic Mexican cuisine since 1982. The family also runs a second East Bay location in Rodeo.
Location101 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801
HoursMon–Sat, 9am–8pm
MenuChicken & fish tacos, carnitas burritos, chili rellenos, super burritos and quesadillas — the signature dish is slow-simmered pork in a spicy cilantro-jalapeño broth.
Bubbaloo Cafe
Point Richmond · Coffee & Breakfast
A Marina Bay neighborhood coffee shop known for fresh, locally roasted coffee, breakfast and lunch. The name comes from the owners’ two French Bulldogs, Bubba and Leeloo.
Location1402 Marina Way South, Suite B, Richmond, CA 94804
HoursMon–Fri, 7:30am–7pm · Closed weekends
MenuHispanic breakfast plates, burgers, deli sandwiches and Asian dishes — samosas, Thai iced tea, and Lemongrass Chicken as a rice plate or sandwich.
Juanita & Maude
Albany · New American
A daily-changing New American menu near the Solano/San Pablo corner. Its burger — only offered as a special — has been named among the best in California by regional food critics.
Location825 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, CA 94706
HoursDinner, Tue–Sat, 5–9pm
MenuChanges daily based on what’s available — expect seasonal New American plates and the occasional burger special worth planning a visit around.
Little Star Solano
Albany · Pizza
An award-winning neighborhood pizza bar known for Chicago-style deep-dish, thin-crust and Detroit-style square pizzas.
Location1175 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA 94706
HoursSun–Thu, 11:30am–9pm · Fri–Sat, 11:30am–10pm
MenuDeep-dish, thin-crust and Detroit-style pizzas, including a spinach-mushroom-ricotta pie and a Classic with mushroom and sausage; full bar, vegan and gluten-free crusts available.
Chez Panisse
Berkeley · California Cuisine · Since 1971
Founded by Alice Waters in 1971, Chez Panisse is widely credited as the birthplace of California cuisine and the farm-to-table movement — a genuine culinary landmark, not just a good restaurant.
Location1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
MenuDownstairs restaurant serves a rotating four-course prix fixe dinner (reservations essential, book well ahead); the upstairs Café serves a daily-changing à la carte menu, generally a more accessible way to experience it.
Cheese Board Collective
Berkeley · Worker-Owned Bakery & Pizza · Since 1971
A worker-owned cooperative running side-by-side shops on Shattuck Avenue since the early 1970s — a cheese and bakery counter, and Cheese Board Pizza next door. Sits alongside the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea location that helped define the neighborhood.
Location1504 Shattuck Avenue (cheese & bakery) & 1512 Shattuck Avenue (pizza), Berkeley, CA 94709
MenuThe bakery and cheese shop sell fresh-baked breads, pastries and a wide cheese selection; the pizzeria next door serves one rotating vegetarian pizza flavor per day, often with a line out the door at peak hours.
Nation’s Giant Hamburgers
San Pablo · Burgers · Open 24/7
A longtime East Bay burger chain with deep local roots; the San Pablo location is open around the clock. A genuine neighborhood staple, not a recent arrival.
Location13296 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, CA 94806
HoursOpen 24 hours, every day
MenuClassic diner-style hamburgers and cheeseburgers, plus the chain’s well-known pies — a straightforward, reliable order any time of day or night.
Toppings Too
Union City · Filipino
Filipino comfort food with a loyal following among East Bay Filipino families, grown out of the success of the original Toppings restaurant in South San Francisco.
Location3910 Smith Street, Union City, CA 94587
Hours11am–8pm daily
MenuKare-kare, crispy pata (deep-fried pork leg) and pancit — real Filipino comfort food, dine-in or takeout.
Old Town Pinole
Pinole · Restaurant District
A few blocks of San Pablo Avenue in downtown Pinole preserving genuine small-town character, with a mix of family-run Mexican, Thai and Italian restaurants.
Worth KnowingPear Street Bistro, 2395 San Pablo Avenue — a local favorite for over twenty years, open Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 10am–9pm. Phone: (510) 741-8875.
Limewood Bar & Restaurant
Berkeley · California-Inspired Dining
California-inspired dining inside the historic Claremont Club & Spa, with sweeping Bay views from the Berkeley hills.
LocationClaremont Club & Spa, Berkeley, CA 94705
HoursBreakfast Mon–Fri 7–10:30am · Brunch Sat–Sun 8am–2pm · Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30am–2:30pm · Dinner Sun–Thu 4–9:30pm, Fri–Sat 4–10pm
MenuSeasonal California-inspired plates emphasizing local, fresh ingredients, with craft cocktails and a view-driven dining room.
First Cool Pho
El Sobrante · Vietnamese
A husband-and-wife-run Vietnamese restaurant specializing in Hanoi-style pho, made without MSG using quality beef and chicken stock.
LocationEl Sobrante, CA 94803
Hours11am–7:10pm
MenuHanoi-style pho as the specialty, made from scratch — one of a real mix of Korean, Indian and Mexican family-run spots that make up El Sobrante’s food scene.
Molinari Delicatessen
San Francisco · North Beach · Since 1896
A North Beach institution since 1896 — one of the oldest Italian delis in the country, still making its own award-winning salami.
Location373 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
HoursMon–Thu 9am–5:30pm · Fri–Sat 9am–9pm · Sun 10:30am–4:30pm
MenuDutch Crunch sandwiches are the specialty — the Molinari Special Italian Combo, the Luciano (prosciutto, coppa, fresh mozzarella) and more, plus house-cured salami, imported cheeses and wine to go.
