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Chez Panisse

New American Restaurant and French Restaurant$$$$

Gourmet Ghetto, Berkeley

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Chez Panisse

8.8^/10

588

ratings

Ranked #7 for desserts in Berkeley
The experts at Eater and Food Network recommend this place
"Alice Waters is truly a pioneer."(10 Tips)
"lunch and order the pizzetta at the place"(4 Tips)
"Book a spot at the more casual café upstairs to save some money."(5 Tips)
"birth of California Cuisine...still"(3 Tips)

133 Tips and reviews

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EaterMarch 16, 2016
The upstairs café at Chez Panisse channels the spirit of California dining even more ecstatically than its more formal downstairs sibling. Read more
PureWowFebruary 23, 2017
When Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse in 1971, she introduced the concept of California cuisine to the world. The rest is history. Book a spot at the more casual café upstairs to save some money. Read more
EaterJanuary 19, 2015
Eater National 38 member (Cafe at Chez Panisse): Salads, pizzettas, & entrees vibrate with just-in-the-door freshness. And whoa, the desserts. They spoil you for fruit everywhere else in the country. Read more
Troy CoxOctober 18, 2014
A bit of a hike from San Francisco but well worth it. We ate in the cafe upstairs where the menu changes multiple times per day, so difficult to recommend dishes but everything was outstanding.
BommySeptember 8, 2019
Try the cafe to have more dish options. No matter what you get, the vegetables are so fresh and flavorful. Definitely order dessert.
Alex NorcliffeMarch 18, 2014
Interesting menu that changes every day. They recommended the cheapest wine and it was great. Attentive service. Sustainable ingredients policy. Food great but just lacking a bit of oomph.
Peter BoveyJanuary 20, 2017
Beautiful interior, super attentive staff, food cooked to perfection, all seasonal and local, and showcasing smaller local wineries making delicious wines. This was a Sunday Suppers event.
Rachelle CAugust 26, 2016
Still one of the pioneers for California pioneers. Always the freshest organic food, prepared simply but perfectly. Do downstairs.
Fodor's TravelJuly 25, 2018
Alice Waters's legendary eatery is known for its locally sourced ingredients, formal prix-fixe menus, and personal service, while its upstairs café offers simpler fare in a more casual setting. Read more
Sabina B.April 21, 2015
Plan your dinner reservation well in advance. Lunch at the café upstairs is equally satisfying as well with an eclectic menu that changes daily. Fun fact: Dan Berber trained here
TripExpertMay 19, 2015
Considered the founder of Cali cuisine, many come to worship at the altar of Alice Waters. "Even humble pizza is reincarnated, with innovative toppings of the freshest local ingredients." -Fodors Read more
KEFebruary 13, 2020
Loved the café ambiance, service, wine, appetizers, and experience. Heads up if your reservation is for later in the evening (~9) some menu entrees may be sold out.
Adena BrenowitzMarch 22, 2019
I will say for $125 there didn't seem to be enough food. I've eaten at other restaurants at this price and there were more dishes. Regardless the food was delicious! Wine menu has all price ranges.
Daniel BouludJuly 30, 2014
I like to go to the restaurant for dinner or to the café for a light lunch. Chez Panisse offers the perfect “farm to table” experience. I love coming back every few years.
KEFebruary 13, 2020
Loved the ambiance, service, wine, appetizers, and experience. Heads up if your reservation is for later in the evening (~9) some menu entrees may be sold out.
FedericaMarch 18, 2014
Great food, of course. Menu changes every day and is sourced from local ingredients. Not super exciting so I wouldn't feel bad about trying out the cafe rather than the restaurant. Attentive service.
Cindy KMarch 26, 2014
Light, clean, delicious meal. Worth the caloric/financial splurge on multiple courses. Woman on the reservation line was snotty and rude but the rest of the service was friendly and attentive.
Brian BAugust 3, 2018
Simple, comforting food with incredible fresh, bright flavors. Everything was incredible! I had the Chicken and tried the meatballs - both winners.
Lears FoolJuly 20, 2015
Order more dessert than you think you'll need. It is so good, and come on - you are at Chez Panisse.
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Few places are as famous, or ground-breaking, as Waters' cafe and restaurant. She not only was one of the first to connect farm to table, but her cafe became a blueprint for other high-end chefs. Read more
Daniel GraysonNovember 25, 2017
If you see the duck confit up at the cafe, jump on it. The duck is even more succulent than I could have imagined.
Brian StraussSeptember 26, 2022
A classic. The same as it was 25 years ago. Love the pizzas, salads, the wines by the glass list is brief but excellent.
Michelle KauntzMarch 30, 2018
Absolutely everything was amazing. The food, staff, wine, atmosphere. What an absolutely wonderful experience.
James HOctober 25, 2015
Just all kinds of goodness. Bucatini with cauliflower, almonds, currants, saffron, anchovy, and wild fennel
AD NysDecember 2, 2011
Volunteer at the Edible Schoolyard and you get first dibs on CP's compostables. Amazing what fine produce gets tossed out here.
Upvoted 1 week ago
Mara Lu Herrera CohenJune 3, 2016
You can "taste" the details in every dish from entrees to desert. If you can try more than one desert, do it, they are worth trying.
Zuleyha SucuDecember 3, 2011
The greatest in Berkeley! You can feel that there's an harmony in foods by daily organic products. Don't afraid about the price. They've a cafe part which is better than other restaurants in Berkeley.
Amy BJuly 13, 2013
Quite possibly the nicest meal I've ever had. Downstairs for the traditional pre-fixe. Upstairs for a more lively atmosphere. Either way food & service are delightful.
Cameron WNovember 26, 2014
The produce here makes even farmers market produce seem lackluster. The Cioppino was a showcase of the freshest seafood with a subtle broth. I couldn't leave a single drop!
SuperbJuly 11, 2013
With each new day comes a masterfully prepared menu featuring only the finest locally-sourced ingredients. Chez Panisse truly deserves a space on every foodie's bucket list.
Doug ZamenskyDecember 2, 2012
Totally worth the trip to Berkeley. One of the most perfect dinning experiences in the country. Although not listed on the menu they offer wine pairings, very solid.
Jordan MAugust 9, 2018
The plum galette nearly brought tears to my eyes. A very special place.
Karen HuangNovember 2, 2017
Had lunch at the cafe. The space was beautiful and chanterelles were delicious.
San Jose Mercury NewsMarch 8, 2013
Chez Panisse is known throughout the world because its owner Alice Waters led the organic, locally-sourced food movement. A fire damaged the cafe March 8, 2013, but it hopes to reopen soon Read more
Aprile ElcichJuly 2, 2016
This place is truly special, and quite a treat. The freshest and best-tasting ingredients, with simple and unpretentious presentation.
Dr Profressor Food Destroyer Von Die Quantum RealmJune 19, 2016
Incredible. Detail focused. Humble. Let the staff pair wine for you, they know what they are doing. Alice Waters is great.
Kait GaissMay 13, 2016
I mean, this place is a f*cking legend. Downstairs is prix fixe. Upstairs cafe is more chill with an a la carte menu that changes daily.
Bob TennantJanuary 20, 2016
Parsnip soup, Petrale Sole and lemon sorbet were excellent. Rigatoni was extremely salty with the salt totally overpowering the flavors of the mushroom ragu.
Dan PullmanMarch 28, 2012
Just so comfortable and reliable everytime. Never have to question whether the sourced ingredients are anything but the best, very local and fresh. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Amy YMarch 1, 2015
The upstairs is amazing. The downstairs changed my perspective on vegetables forever. Still worthy of its former star!
Dov DMarch 11, 2020
Good service, the pannacotta was exceptional. The baked goat cheese salad and carrot soup were also notable.
Jerry HongNovember 18, 2011
Great place to impress someone! Since its existence, they never served the same menu twice...
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Specialties: Downstairs menu changes nightly. Cafe: pizza; goat-cheese salad; fried chicken; any seasonal dessert. Read more
Denise ChewJanuary 5, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Buttermilk fried ANYTHING is the best at the Cafe!! So far I've had the quail, chicken and rabbit - delicious!!
Shirley LauJune 26, 2016
Came here for birthday and loved every dish :) restaurant setting is definitely a bit too crowded though.
Emily LFebruary 25, 2019
Food and service were excellent but given the price and institutional infamy, I was expecting to be blown away but wasn’t. Would nonetheless still come back, maybe try the cafe upstairs instead.
David HuFebruary 6, 2015
Ask the right questions and get taken to the kitchen to watch them prepare the night's courses
Andrew WilsonOctober 4, 2014
This place has an amazing history and a fascinating seasonal menu. Make a Monday reservation.
Cameron WNovember 26, 2014
The Cioppino here is so good I don't know if I can enjoy it anywhere else.
Island BruinApril 25, 2015
Not for the faint of checkbook. The restrooms are next to the kitchen- chance to see the masters at work. Fabulous meal.

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