NORTH BERKELEY’S GOURMET GHETTO
Gourmet Ghetto The restaurants, boutiques, and galleries along Shattuck Ave. and Vine St. in North Berkeley share an emphasis on high quality, artisan products and services. Sidewalk cafes, flower stands, bakeries and an array of fine food purveyors lend the area an inviting European ambience.
Kitchen on Fire Cooking School
Galleries, Boutiques & Jewelry
The Gourmet Ghetto is known for its high quality jewelers, and artisan shops and galleries. M. Lowe & Co. and Zaver & Mor Jewelry Gallery each offer an eclectic selection of fine jewelry, and handmade Celtic jewelry is found at Celtic Inheritance. On Vine St., Twig and Fig has letterpress cards and gifts, and aPriori Designs offers sustainable artist-produced home décor. Nearby, Earthly Goods, Molly B., Bryn Walker, and the Walk Shop carry distinctive women and men’s clothing and shoes while Eco-friendly children’s clothing and gifts are found at Kid Dynamo. A.C.C.I. Gallery presents the work of California artists and craftspersons in their historic brick building.
Health, Beauty & Wellness Gourmet Dining & Food Shops
An epicurean revolution began in North Berkeley’s in the early 1970’s with opening of the Cheeseboard Collective’s Bakery and Cheese Shop and Alfred Peet’s Coffee Shop, and Alice Waters’ pioneering Chez Panisse. Over the years, the “Gourmet Ghetto” has welcomed a host of eateries committed to freshness and sustainability. Cesar, a lively tapas restaurant and bar, stays open late, while Corso Trattoria brings an authentic Italian bistro experience. The Local Butcher Shop offers local sustainably raised meats, and the Mission Heirloom Cafe offers paleo and gluten-free dishes. Epicurious Garden Food Hall has a collection of gourmet take-out which can be enjoyed in their secluded courtyard. Longstanding neighborhood favorites include French Hotel Café, Poulet, Masse’s Pastries, Gregoire, and Saul’s Delicatessen.
The is home to an array of health and wellness oriented businesses, including the Berkeley Massage and Acupuncture Studio, and YogaKula Healing Arts Center, which offers yoga, massage, and natural beauty treatments. Salons and spas include Vine St. Salon, Peter Thomas Hair Design, and Solemates Nail Spa.
Music, Tours & Special Events
Each day there is music at the Cheeseboard’s Pizzeria, cooking classes at the Kitchen on Fire, and wine tasting at the Vintage Berkeley Wine Shop. The weekly Farmers’ Market features all organic produce and locally caught fish. A guided culinary tasting tour is offered with samples and talks with chefs. Annual events include a Valentine’s themed Wine Walk, and the Taste of North Berkeley. Dazzling tree lights and a “Snow Day” festival usher in the holiday season.
Please visit our website for more information about our businesses and events: www.gourmetghetto.org