Participants at the Berkeley Stat Mech Meeting are provided breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. A list of suggested restaurants for evening meals is provided below. All of those listed are fine, but some more than others. A single * implies terrific, and a double ** implies especially terrific. Each $ implies about $30/person for three courses without wine.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the circumstances of the past two years, a number of restaurants in the area have closed or are operating differently. The list below has not been updated since early 2020. Please research in advance before going.

In San Francisco

Benu [**,$$$] (415-683-4860). It is located on Hawthorne Street a few steps from MOMA, with wonderful service, offers an extraordinary and inventive Californian and French melange.  List Elaine Chandler as one of many to savor dinner there.  Reservations more than a week in advance recommended.

Boulevard [*,$$] (415--543-6084). Maybe the best of the San Francisco/brasserie style, located close to Market Street at the Bay. John Weeks loves this place; it is also Phill Geissler’s favorite. Reservations more than a week in advance recommended.

Chapeau ! [*,$ to $$] (415-387-0408). (Formerly Clementine) One of David Chandler's favorites, a wonderful French restaurant in the Richmond District, does a great job with the classics and some inventiveness. The service is charming and unpretentious. A terrific wine list includes some wonderful yet inexpensive selections. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.

Hayes Street Bar and Grill [*,$ to $$] (415-863-5545). A wonderful fish restaurant near the Civic Center. Desserts are memorable too. One of Mike Klein's favorites. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.

Perbacco [**,$$] (415-955-0663). A superb Italian restaurant on California Street, near Battery (a short walk from a BART station.)  The service here is attentive, and the cooking is inventive and at times sublime.  One of June Andersen's and Elaine Chandler's recent favorites.  Reservations a few days in advance recommended.

Zuni Cafe [*,$ to $$] (415-552-2522). Near the Civic Center, a long-time-ago descendant of Chez Panise, always has great selections of oysters and rustic specialties made in a wood burning oven. One of Olke Uhlenbeck's favorites. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.

In Berkeley close to the UC Campus

Gather [$] (510-809-0400).  On Oxford Street, a few steps from Campus, this restaurant serves excellent California cuisine focusing on “sustainable” ingredients.  It is Phill Geissler’s current favorite for this neighborhood. 

Great China [$] (510-843-7996).  One of David Wu’s favorites during his student years, this restaurant is newly renovated and relocated at the corner of Bancroft Way and Oxford Street. It serves outstanding Chinese cuisine.  For tables with 6 or more, reservations are possible; otherwise be prepared to wait a long time to be seated.  (And bring some earplugs if you cannot tolerate a lot of noise.)

Ippuku [$] (510-665-1969). On Center Street a few steps from Campus, this restaurant serves traditional Japanese food, in the style of a tapas bar. Masaharu Isobe recommends it.

In Berkeley a long walk or a short taxi ride from Campus

Chez Panisse Cafe [**,$$] (510-548-5049). On Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley's gourmet ghetto, this restaurant is world famous and deserves to be so. The best of California cuisine. Reservations as early as four weeks in advance recommended.

Cesar [$] (510-883-0222). Located adjacent to Chez Panise on Shattuck Avenue, this is Berkeley's best tapas bar and quite the scene for the young and trendy. It's one of Mauro Merolle's favorites.

Corso [*,$$] (510-704-8004).  This Trattoria, located in Berkeley’s gourmet ghetto a few steps from Chez Panisse on Shattuck Ave, serves up superb Italian fare in a somewhat noisy venue.  David Manolopoulos loves it.

Kirala [$] (510-549-3486) At the corner of Shattuck and Ward. An excellent Japanese restaurant. It is one of Yuko Kumeda and Michiel Sprik's favorites.

Lalime's [**, $$] (510-527-9838) 1329 Gilman St. Eclectic California-inspired Mediterranean fare. Martin Karplus enjoyed it enough to want to return. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.

In Berkeley or neighboring communities more than one mile from the UC campus

Ajanta [*, $] (510-526-4373). Located near the top (East End) of Solano Avenue, arguably the best Indian restaurant in Berkeley. It is Arup Chakraborty's favorite. Reservations recommended.

Hong Kong East Ocean [*,$$] (510-655-3388). At a spectacular setting overlooking the Bay in Emeryville, this Chinese restaurant specializes in seafood. Juanpe Garrahan describes the food as "great." Reservations recommended.

Ramen Shop [$] (510-788-6370). A California take on the Japanese classic, run by alumni of Chez Panisse. Hip and crowded, it requires a substantial wait, during which you can sample from an adventurous list of cocktails and whiskeys. In Rockridge on College Ave, open late (by local standards), no reservations accepted.

Renee’s Place [$] (510-525-2330).  This quiet restaurant on Solano Avenue, near the Albany/Berkeley line, serves Szechuan and Hunan cuisine.  Delicious soups and dumplings, George Oster and Bob May thoroughly enjoy this spot.

Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery [$] (510-655-0889).  Perhaps the best Thai restaurant in the East Bay, Soi4 is located on College Avenue in the Rockridge area.  It is one of Jennifer Doudna's favorites.  Reservations recommended.

Wood Tavern [$$] (510-654-6607).  Want a good drink with a fine steak or pork chop, a great crab salad or grilled fish?  This bar/restaurant in Rockridge on College Ave is a great choice, provided you are not looking for a quiet place to eat.  It is one of Alex Pines' preferred places.

Zachary’s Chicago Pizza [$] (510-655-6385). Consistently rated best pizza in the area, served in a lively atmosphere. Deep dish is the specialty, but thin crust also very good. Moderate wait usually required. In Rockridge on College Ave, open til 10pm. (Solano Ave location is slightly farther from campus and closes slightly earlier.) 

For questions or more information, please contact us here.