Guidebook for El Cerrito
Food Scene
Locally owned, fabulous food. If you love great flavors, tender steak, salad greens and want to go light on the carbs I highly recommend the Lomito Salad : Stir fried Black Angus beef, onions, cilantro and soy sauce served with feta cheese, walnuts and tomatoes on a bed of mixed greens with cilantro dressing
22 recommandé par les habitants
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru
11720 San Pablo AvenueLocally owned, fabulous food. If you love great flavors, tender steak, salad greens and want to go light on the carbs I highly recommend the Lomito Salad : Stir fried Black Angus beef, onions, cilantro and soy sauce served with feta cheese, walnuts and tomatoes on a bed of mixed greens with cilantro dressing
The owner is very friendly and relaxed, he clearly loves running the restaurant.
They have an interesting array of teas available, the owner is well informed on their origin, flavor profile etc. Ask for a recommendation.
I appreciate that all dishes are MSG-free. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
For lunch I enjoy one of the the Chef's Specials: Five-flavored tofu with pork, and a pot of hot tea.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Noodles Fresh | El Cerrito CA Chinese Cuisine
10042 San Pablo AvenueThe owner is very friendly and relaxed, he clearly loves running the restaurant.
They have an interesting array of teas available, the owner is well informed on their origin, flavor profile etc. Ask for a recommendation.
I appreciate that all dishes are MSG-free. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
For lunch I enjoy one of the the Chef's Specials: Five-flavored tofu with pork, and a pot of hot tea.
Contemporary Mediterranean entrees, shared bites, wine & cocktails offered in upscale environs.
Each time I have been there for dinner I have really enjoyed my meal and the service has been great.
Friends that are vegetarian or gluten-free have also been happy with the menu choices.
It's not so much a secret spot anymore as it's so popular
Happy Hour menu available weekdays 3-6pm
Closed Mondays
12 recommandé par les habitants
Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar
1133 Solano AveContemporary Mediterranean entrees, shared bites, wine & cocktails offered in upscale environs.
Each time I have been there for dinner I have really enjoyed my meal and the service has been great.
Friends that are vegetarian or gluten-free have also been happy with the menu choices.
It's not so much a secret spot anymore as it's so popular
Happy Hour menu available weekdays 3-6pm
Closed Mondays
Great Pizza.
I love the thin crust WHITE PIE: garlic-infused olive oil, zucchini, tomatoes, feta.
Others love the deep dish.
Gluten-free thin-crust pizza and vegan "cheese" options available
Open 7 days. Sun-Thur 11:30am - 10pm; Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
360 recommandé par les habitants
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StGreat Pizza.
I love the thin crust WHITE PIE: garlic-infused olive oil, zucchini, tomatoes, feta.
Others love the deep dish.
Gluten-free thin-crust pizza and vegan "cheese" options available
Open 7 days. Sun-Thur 11:30am - 10pm; Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
Serving a tasty selection of hot beverages, specialty sandwiches, bagels, salads and Italian sodas.
Open 7-days Mon-Fri 6am-6pm, Sat & Sun 7am-4pm
If you're on a tight schedule perhaps go online to order ahead.
Want to buy something special for yourself, a friend or a loved one, visit Jenny K next door for unique gifts, toys, accessories and cards -see separate entry.
These side-by-side businesses are owned and managed by a husband-wife team.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar
6925 Stockton AveServing a tasty selection of hot beverages, specialty sandwiches, bagels, salads and Italian sodas.
Open 7-days Mon-Fri 6am-6pm, Sat & Sun 7am-4pm
If you're on a tight schedule perhaps go online to order ahead.
Want to buy something special for yourself, a friend or a loved one, visit Jenny K next door for unique gifts, toys, accessories and cards -see separate entry.
These side-by-side businesses are owned and managed by a husband-wife team.
Royal Cafe is a great place to enjoy a delicious breakfast, it's very popular so be prepared there might be a short wait. The cafe has a small shared parking lot plus plenty of street parking.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Royal Cafe
811 San Pablo AveRoyal Cafe is a great place to enjoy a delicious breakfast, it's very popular so be prepared there might be a short wait. The cafe has a small shared parking lot plus plenty of street parking.
Located in a small strip of shops on Arlington Avenue. It's a great place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
There's a wonderful local grocery store called Youngs Market in the same set of shops and if you are looking for that special bottle of wine then don't go past Arlington Wine and Spirits.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Inn Kensington Restaurant
293 Arlington AveLocated in a small strip of shops on Arlington Avenue. It's a great place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
There's a wonderful local grocery store called Youngs Market in the same set of shops and if you are looking for that special bottle of wine then don't go past Arlington Wine and Spirits.
Drinks & Nightlife
Many small local breweries have their beer on draft here.
The staff are friendly and well informed.
Enjoy a drink and order a meal, it's one of my favorite neighborhood bars for enjoying Happy Hour with friends.
Opens 11:30am, 7-days
11 recommandé par les habitants
Albany Taproom
745 San Pablo AveMany small local breweries have their beer on draft here.
The staff are friendly and well informed.
Enjoy a drink and order a meal, it's one of my favorite neighborhood bars for enjoying Happy Hour with friends.
Opens 11:30am, 7-days
Microbrewery, very popular. With the stainless steel tanks and throng of local devotees, it is noisy.
Happy hour weekdays 3-6pm. If you enjoy local artisinal food and beer don't miss it!
40 recommandé par les habitants
Elevation 66 Brewing Company
10082 San Pablo AveMicrobrewery, very popular. With the stainless steel tanks and throng of local devotees, it is noisy.
Happy hour weekdays 3-6pm. If you enjoy local artisinal food and beer don't miss it!
This is a British style pub, with a good selection of beers on draft, there will also be a cider or two available. The food is primarily British with some international dishes. It's another of my favorite places to meet friends for a casual drink and meal. If you enjoy both cider and Guinness I recommend you try a Black Velvet.
Dinner 7 nights a week, Weekend Lunch, Live Music Saturday Nights - no cover change.
Popular with families.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Kensington Circus Pub
389 Colusa AveThis is a British style pub, with a good selection of beers on draft, there will also be a cider or two available. The food is primarily British with some international dishes. It's another of my favorite places to meet friends for a casual drink and meal. If you enjoy both cider and Guinness I recommend you try a Black Velvet.
Dinner 7 nights a week, Weekend Lunch, Live Music Saturday Nights - no cover change.
Popular with families.
Entertainment & Activities
"El Cerrito's Hometown Theater", 2 screens.
Sip on a beer or wine while enjoying a movie, order a meal after buying your ticket and it will be delivered to your seat.
This is a destination -I love this place!
The cinema hosts National Theater Live which is a real treat to attend if the schedule aligns with your visit. These shows typically sell out ahead of time so book online.
There is also an associated wine bar called SCENE that features a separate menu and selection of beers & wines. You can enjoy drinks and eats in the wine bar or in the cinema.
58 recommandé par les habitants
Rialto Cinemas Cerrito
10070 San Pablo Ave"El Cerrito's Hometown Theater", 2 screens.
Sip on a beer or wine while enjoying a movie, order a meal after buying your ticket and it will be delivered to your seat.
This is a destination -I love this place!
The cinema hosts National Theater Live which is a real treat to attend if the schedule aligns with your visit. These shows typically sell out ahead of time so book online.
There is also an associated wine bar called SCENE that features a separate menu and selection of beers & wines. You can enjoy drinks and eats in the wine bar or in the cinema.
Shopping
Wonderful locally owned store with a great selection of unique gifts, toys, accessories and cards supporting small manufacturers that use organic, fair-trade, or handmade materials.
Treat yourself, a friend, a loved one to something special.
Open 7-days 9am-7pm NOTE: reduced hours/closures Christmas to New Year, please check their website
Need a hot beverage and a lunch after shopping, visit Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar next door -see separate entry.
These side-by-side businesses are owned and managed by a husband-wife team.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Jenny K
6921 Stockton AveWonderful locally owned store with a great selection of unique gifts, toys, accessories and cards supporting small manufacturers that use organic, fair-trade, or handmade materials.
Treat yourself, a friend, a loved one to something special.
Open 7-days 9am-7pm NOTE: reduced hours/closures Christmas to New Year, please check their website
Need a hot beverage and a lunch after shopping, visit Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar next door -see separate entry.
These side-by-side businesses are owned and managed by a husband-wife team.
Essentials
This is a locally owned grocery store well stocked with produce and all the essentials plus more including a selection of imported and local wines, cakes from Just Desserts, Cup Cakes from Rubicon Bakers in Richmond, Fruit Galette's, Pies and Scones from Sconehenge Bakery in Berkeley, frozen meals, chocolate bars and artisan soaps. Organic produce available.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Giovanni's Produce & Grocery
1600 Liberty StThis is a locally owned grocery store well stocked with produce and all the essentials plus more including a selection of imported and local wines, cakes from Just Desserts, Cup Cakes from Rubicon Bakers in Richmond, Fruit Galette's, Pies and Scones from Sconehenge Bakery in Berkeley, frozen meals, chocolate bars and artisan soaps. Organic produce available.
Adjacent to the del Norte BART station, Has a Starbucks Cafe, deli, bakery, wine selection, all the essentials expected of a large supermarket chain.
Easy parking.
99 recommandé par les habitants
Safeway
1444 Shattuck PlAdjacent to the del Norte BART station, Has a Starbucks Cafe, deli, bakery, wine selection, all the essentials expected of a large supermarket chain.
Easy parking.
Large market with excellent quality fresh organic produce, organic packaged essentials. In an adjacent building you'll find the Prepared Food Annex grab a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. You'll find soups, pizza , salad bar, hot drinks, smoothies, baked goods, Three Twin's Ice cream..... There's an associated florist and wine shop inside the Annex.
This market is an El Cerrito treasure.
15 recommandé par les habitants
El Cerrito Natural Grocery - Prepared Food Annex
10387 San Pablo AveLarge market with excellent quality fresh organic produce, organic packaged essentials. In an adjacent building you'll find the Prepared Food Annex grab a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. You'll find soups, pizza , salad bar, hot drinks, smoothies, baked goods, Three Twin's Ice cream..... There's an associated florist and wine shop inside the Annex.
This market is an El Cerrito treasure.
Parks & Nature
Located near the Bay Trail and Richmond Marina.
It's a very special treat to hear Park Ranger Betty Soskin as she discusses her experience as a young African American woman in Richmond during WWII. Call (510) 232-5050 x0 for the schedule and to make a reservation.
This is an excellent historical National Park Museum well worth a visit or two. Admission is free.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park
1414 Harbour Way SLocated near the Bay Trail and Richmond Marina.
It's a very special treat to hear Park Ranger Betty Soskin as she discusses her experience as a young African American woman in Richmond during WWII. Call (510) 232-5050 x0 for the schedule and to make a reservation.
This is an excellent historical National Park Museum well worth a visit or two. Admission is free.