plan ahead: berkeley restaurant week april 2-12

thanks to the good people at visit berkeley, we've had a careful look at the list of participating venues for the upcoming 14th annual berkeley restaurant week, and we're already strategizing.

running from april 2-12, 2026, berkeley restaurant week features 10 days (a week plus) of food and drink specials at more than 65 berkeley venues, from biergartens to cozy, upscale restaurants to sushi counters.

this year's theme is 'seeds of spring,' with four tiers of approachable prices – seedling ($10-$20); sprout ($20-$30); bloom ($30-$40); and the harvest tier at $40+ – for special dishes or prix-fixe meals at participating restaurants. also new this year are 'sips of spring' – waived corkage fees at berkeley restaurant week venues for a list of berkeley-made wines and sakes.

for us, the event means stepping into newer spots on our to-try list such as praaw thai; sampling prix-fixe menus at venues such as vanessa's bistro, donato & co. or julia's; or trying new, seasonal spring dishes from long-time berkeley classics such as the oceanview diner.

(note: even BAMPFA is getting in on the fun – show proof of restaurant week dining for a discount on gallery and film tickets. details are here.)

berkeley restaurant week runs april 2-12, 2026, at participating venues across berkeley. reserve a spot to join the free berkeley restaurant week kick-off party at donkey & goat winery at 1340 fifth street in berkeley on friday, april 3, at 5:00pm.

march 26, 2026 (tips always welcome)