Chez Panisse

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

The upstairs café at Chez Panisse channels the spirit of California dining even more ecstatically than its more formal downstairs sibling. Read more

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

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

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.

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 .

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.

Try the cafe to have more dish options. No matter what you get, the vegetables are so fresh and flavorful. Definitely order dessert .

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

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.

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.

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.

Simple, comforting food with incredible fresh, bright flavors. Everything was incredible! I had the Chicken and tried the meatballs - both winners.

Absolutely everything was amazing. The food, staff , wine , atmosphere. What an absolutely wonderful experience.

Still one of the pioneers for California pioneers. Always the freshest organic food , prepared simply but perfectly. Do downstairs.

The plum galette nearly brought tears to my eyes. A very special place.

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

If you see the duck confit up at the cafe , jump on it. The duck is even more succulent than I could have imagined.

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

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.

Just all kinds of goodness. Bucatini with cauliflower , almonds , currants, saffron , anchovy , and wild fennel

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.

A classic. The same as it was 25 years ago. Love the pizzas , salads , the wines by the glass list is brief but excellent.

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.

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

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.

Volunteer at the Edible Schoolyard and you get first dibs on CP's compostables. Amazing what fine produce gets tossed out here.

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.

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.

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.

This place is truly special, and quite a treat. The freshest and best-tasting ingredients, with simple and unpretentious presentation.

Order more dessert than you think you'll need. It is so good, and come on - you are at Chez Panisse.

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.

Had lunch at the cafe . The space was beautiful and chanterelles were delicious.

Parsnip soup , Petrale Sole and lemon sorbet were excellent. Rigatoni was extremely salty with the salt totally overpowering the flavors of the mushroom ragu .

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.

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!

Good service , the pannacotta was exceptional. The baked goat cheese salad and carrot soup were also notable.

Incredible. Detail focused. Humble. Let the staff pair wine for you, they know what they are doing. Alice Waters is great.

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

Ask the right questions and get taken to the kitchen to watch them prepare the night's courses

Specialties: Downstairs menu changes nightly. Cafe : pizza ; goat-cheese salad ; fried chicken ; any seasonal dessert . Read more

It is not possible to get anything below phenomenal food here. Alice was in the house and freely visited the tables. Some day this will be a World Heritage site lol.

The upstairs is amazing. The downstairs changed my perspective on vegetables forever. Still worthy of its former star!

Came here for birthday and loved every dish :) restaurant setting is definitely a bit too crowded though.

Chez Panisse was one of the more wished for places throughout 2015’s I Want Somewhere holiday campaign. Where’s your somewhere? Enter to win a bucket list experience. Read more

Buttermilk fried ANYTHING is the best at the Cafe !! So far I've had the quail , chicken and rabbit - delicious!!

Great place to impress someone! Since its existence, they never served the same menu twice...

This place has an amazing history and a fascinating seasonal menu . Make a Monday reservation .

The Cioppino here is so good I don't know if I can enjoy it anywhere else.