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    Benchmark Pizzeria

    4.2 (390 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Italian
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Benchmark Pizzeria Takeout or Delivery

    Benchmark Pizzeria Photos

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    BENCHMARK PIZZERIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Benchmark Pizzeria

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    Fried Sage Pizza With Meatballs
    Lynn N.

    I have been meaning to try Benchmark Pizza for a while after hearing it was one of the best rated in the Bay Area! We came here and were immediately seated. The place is cozy, but there is enough room inside and outside. I also noticed there were a lot of children, so this is definitely a family-friendly restaurant! We ordered two pizzas based off our servers recommendation, the new mushroom one and the fried sage. The mushroom pizza had a nice earthy flavor, and the sauce was oily without being heavy. It was very soft in the center because of the sauce, but it had a nice outer crust. The fried sage had a thick layer of cheese and the meatball complimented well with the fried sage itself. Overall, I do like the outer crusts, but I feel the bottom could be crispier, and the sauces themselves were more on the heavy side. I'm glad I was able to come and try their well-rated pizzas though!

    Benchmark Pizza
 Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive O
    Matt W.

    My first time here. Thinking about this amazing pizza makes me want to belt out my favorite song from my favorite band... while driving of course. I am the egg man They are the egg men I am the walrus Goo goo g'joob Last week a friend and I shared a Benchmark Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Meatball Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Grana, Meatballs, Parsley. Perfect is the only way to describe the crust. Crunchy, chewy, smoky and flavorful. It stood up just fine to the sauce and toppings. The Meatball Pizza was my favorite. Super tasty meatballs that complimented the sauce and cheese. I'll take two next time. The place is popular so Matt suggests you go early. I can hardly wait to go back.

    Spicy margarita. Very good.
    Theresa S.

    I can see why locals come here. The food is good. The pasta was fresh with a nice bite and a light lemony sauce. We enjoyed the pizza. It had a chewy crust and really yummy cheese and a light tomato sauce. However the center was a bit soggy. The meatball put it over the top. Made me wish I had ordered the meatballs and polenta entree instead. Loved the spicy margarita. I could tell it was made with fresh squeezed lime juice, none of that sickly sweet and sour mix. The best part of the meal was the huge chopped salad. It came lightly dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. Perfectly boiled eggs. Fresh crunch greens. Just enough cheese and almonds. Superb! The room could use something to deaden the sound. We could hear every utensil on every plate and the conversations of the other guests. I'm sure that's fun for the regulars. Not so much for us. But that's what you get in a tiny room with tall ceilings. It's also quite pricey for a pizzeria with self-serve silverware in a cup on the table no white tablecloths. Our server was very nice and quite attentive. Parking was easy and free. I might go back.

    Gina G.

    With the holidays quickly approaching, if you're looking to cozy up for date night or an evening with friends/family in town, Benchmark Pizzeria is calling your name. Nestled in the equally as cozy community of Kensington, you'll find other gems here as well like the Sunday farmer's market, the charming Semifreddi's Bakery (opened in 1984!) and another local fan favorite, the Kensington Pub. Benchmark is well known for their delicious pizzas, comforting pastas, hearty salads/soups and yes, their organic soft serve to round out the menu! Highlights when ordering are always a pizza & pasta to split, with seasonal pasta favorites including the Strozzapreti Bolognese and Cacio e Pepe. Pizza wise, one really can't go wrong with traditional options and also fall/winter options like the Delicata Squash and Sage Pizza, all served "Neo-Neopolitan in style, 11-12 inches". My latest order was the Benchmark (Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $20) with a side of their homemade Caesar dressing to dip the crust in..amazing pro tip from the awesome servers! The pizzas are perfect for sharing or like me last Friday, simply just for one. The Caesar in general is also always a must, brimming top of bowl with fresh grated Grana. We typically always like to order a side of their house made bread & salted butter to start, which compliments any Antipasti quite nicely. Benchmark now has house & specialty cocktails to accompany their awesome selection of beer/wine. I love a good Spritz or Lambrusco, a sparkling red I only enjoy ordering here! Going down the sweet train, you have to make an express stop to try their Buffalo Milk soft serve with (any topping of choice) and Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie on the side to dip in. We usually get the caramel sauce because we're huge fans, but truly anything atop buffalo's milk is a win in my book! Fun fact: Benchmark has now opened a grab-and-go down the street! If you make it to the Sunday Kensington Farmer's Market, they offer morning quarter pizza slices to go and other fun breakfast treats/sandwiches, frozen pizzas, boxed items from their restaurant, and even sides of that super yummy Caesar dressing! Don't sleep on Benchmark this season ~ you're in for a big win!

    Soft Serve
    Tracy D.

    Finally had a chance to eat here. Nice neighborhood eatery we can walk to. We ate outside in a Sunday evening which got busier as the evening progressed. It was nice sitting outside enjoying the good weather. We had pasta, salad and two pizzas - margherita with wine and beer. All tasted really good. Bonus was the soft serve ice cream and sundae. Service was attentive and friendly. Food came out quickly. We'll be back!

    Benchmark pizza has the best chewy crust!
    Theresa R.

    Learned of this place as one of the "best pizzerias" and had to check it out and support local. We had their chopped salad, spicy carrot salad, a Benchmark and a Delegata pizza with sausage added. We also had to try their chocolate chip cookies, for dessert. The carrot salad was fun and fresh with just a little bite to it, not too spicy. The chopped salad was a meal in itself and an absolute rainbow of lettuces, radicchio, apples and pomegranate seeds with blue cheese bites. It was a bowl of happiness and good will! Oh and it had a just barely hard cooked egg that had the creamiest yolk, and felt like a delicacy to eat. Pizzas were thin crust and blistered, with toppings that complimented each other beautifully. The Benchmark was a margarite pizza with fresh mozzarella and the Delicata had squash and fennel with other types of cheeses which combined with the added sausage were crave worthy. We will definitely be back to this place. I can hardly wait to try the pasta dishes. The waitress was great. Efficient, friendly and helpful. We had one cookies to-go that slipped out of it's packaging onto the floor and she was kind enough to replace it for us, which I appreciated. If you love pizza, you need to check this one off as a favorite. It's worth the drive if you're not a local, honestly.

    Fried Sage Pizza
    Peg S.

    Great family and neighborhood spot with both indoor/outdoor seating for delicious, tasty pizza, with some interesting flavors (fried sage!) on a nice, slightly charred crust. Top it of off with yummy gelato and soft serve or chocolate chip cookie for the kids!

    Margherita Pizza

    I'm born and raised in Napoli, birthplace of pizza, and I can assure you that this pizzeria is superb! Easily in the best 3 pizzerias I've had in the Bay Area! Keep it up!

    Chopped Salad
    paula c.

    A true neighborhood gem, Benchmark is a gathering place for local Italians and Italian-food appreciators who come for their simple menu of high quality food and great drinks. Driving by on any given evening you'll see clusters of diners sitting at the outside tables, regardless of temperature but especially on a balmy evening. The inside dining area is small but feels equally suited for a date night or a couple families meeting up for dinner. Staff have always been efficient and friendly with service. But the food...that's what really matters. And that's why I keep returning and craving a Benchmark dinner. The fried brown butter sage pizza is something that must be ordered. It won't disappoint and you will be thinking about it days later! Other menu items on our regular order include: Strozzapretti Bolognese (priest-strangler pasta), Chopped salad which has the perfect balance of ingredients (large enough to share with the table), meatballs, sausage and pepperoni pizzas, marinated olives, and housemade bread. My recent conversation to plant-based diet has left me still dreaming of the sage pizza but feeling very satisfied with their vegan pizza, loaded with green olives, spinach and cashew-based cheese. On a hot day, add an Aperol spritz and it almost feels like I'm back it Italy

    Benchmark Pizza  and Fried Sage Pizza

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    7 months ago

    A good neighborhood pizzeria. Fried sage, goat cheese and pepperoni, and shredded fennel - all good choices

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    8 months ago

    I love this place great food. Great service great place to eat and over all a great environment.

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    10 months ago

    Love the pizza and chopped salad. I have it delivered, so it often isn't hot, but still worth it.

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    6 months ago

    Service is poor and the owner is extremely rude. Don't support this business, spend your money where it's appreciated.

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Kid friendly, with great service and good food. Reliable choice for dinner. Seasonal specials are worth trying!

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    Ask the Community - Benchmark Pizzeria

    Are pets allowed in the outdoor seating area?

    Do you offer a gluten free crust option?

    yes they do!

    View All 4 Questions

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    Via del Corso

    Via del Corso

    4.0
    (928 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    I'm ready to take this street and head straight into the heart of Rome, or Berkeley so to speak,…read moreespecially if the food is this deliciously prepared as it is at Via Del Corso! Located in the heart of Berkeley's trendy North Shattuck business area that covers most of the northern part of the busy thoroughfare of Shattuck Avenue, Via Del Corso comes from owner Peter Chastain, a local restaurateur who made sure to save a longtime favorite local restaurant that was known as Corso, in a prine dining destination. Chastain did so by assembling an amazing team that guaranteed authentic cuisine that could be found not in just one but throughout many regions in Italy, much in part thanks to Chef de cuisine Massimo Orlando, who brings his heritage from northern Italy into all of their dishes. What brought me and two other diners here on a busy Saturday evening was the buzz that has been constant ever since they opened Via Del Corso in the summer of 2021 and we wanted to see what it was all about. Reservations on the OpenTable even a mere two days out were actually easy to make, as we arrived a few minutes late and they were still gracious enough to take our party and seat us with a view of their open kitchen, where no fewer than five chefs were cooking up a storm all evening long. The dinner menu at Via Del Corso is separated into categories including Spuntini, which are little bites; Antipasti e Insalate, which are their Appetizers and Salads; Primi Piatti or first course dishes; Piatto del Giorno or Dish of the Day; Secondi Piatti or second course dishes; Contorni or sides; and Dolchi or desserts. To start our meal we decided to order their Insalata di Polpo, which was their poached octopus served with Yukon gold potatoes, Gaeta olives, celery, sweet onions, and topped with lemon and extra virgin olive oil. Served with the perfect amount of umami and flair this starting dish was the perfect starting dish and made us eager for more of what Via Del Corso had to offer. As for the second course in our meal, we knew we wanted to share in their deliciously handcrafted pasta entrées, and it was recommended by our server Mike to order their signature pasta entrée, their Ravioli con Spungnole e Fave, which were their fresh pasta raviolis filled with sheep's milk ricotta, served with fresh morel mushrooms, fava beans and topped with Parmigiano cheese; and then we ordered a half portion of their Tagliatelle al Ragu which is their fresh egg pasta topped with Emilian meat sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano. For our main courses, we decided to split two entrées, their Petto d'Anatra con Ciliegie e Balsamico, which was their seared duck breast topped with their balsamico condimento, blistered cherries, and sautéed spinach; and their Bistecca di Manzo alla Griglia which is their Grilled Prime New York Steak served with rucola, lemon, and shaved Parmigiano. We also opted to have it served with Lardo which was a film of buttery garlic and cost an additional four dollars. The pastas would be presented to our table first and they were two of the most lovingly crafted pasta dishes we have enjoyed in some time. The real star recommended their ravioli as the were a meal unto itself with beautiful triangle shaped pouches filled with fresh cheese topped with unique mushrooms combined with an unbelievably tasty sauce. At 60 dollars our Bistecca was a wonderfully composed dish that was served with an elegantly composed arugula side dish and would have been a wonderful solo entrée to enjoy. The seared duck was a nice heavy dish that I most likely would not order a second time, as we saw the halibut being a nicely composed dish from a table far away, and nothing but good things about their signature pork chop. With a total bill of $194 for five dishes, a return visit would be a must to Via Del Corso, as we found this restaurant lively, in a good way, the service attentive, and most importantly the food prepared in a way that would make us come back for many more return visits. A neighborhood gem that everyone can enjoy!

    Delicious food. I started with an olive oil infused martini. Perfection. I had the tuna carpaccio…read moreand then the pork chop. Both were great but the pork chop was the best I've ever had, ever. Perfectly cooked, moist and seasoned so well. Their service is knowledgeable yet not over bearing. I've been twice. There's one husky guy who's been quite bristly both times. Maybe he needs a fernet. I don't know. Hope to go back in the future.

    Photos
    Via del Corso
    Tagliatelle Ravi
    Tagliatelle Ravi
    Affogato

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    Affogato
    Biancoverde at Hotel Mac

    Biancoverde at Hotel Mac

    4.3
    (188 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    Came in with friends and had a really great experience. We ordered a pepperoni pizza with spicy…read morearrabbiata sauce and arugula, and it was honestly so good, perfect balance of flavor with a little kick. We also had an order of olives that were really, really good and a nice addition to everything. Angie took care of us and she was super kind, attentive, and quick the whole time. She made everything easy and enjoyable without it feeling over the top. Shout out to Angie! 10/10 Good food, good service, good vibes. I'd definitely come back!

    Came here for Father's Day, made reservations and was surprised how slow brunch time was. The menu…read moreis heavily Italian food and the menu had a few items that seemed appetizing. My son ordered the chicken and waffles: The chicken was 1/5 - dry and underseasoned The waffles were a 5/5 - perfectly made, but served with a really unappetizing pepper jack cheese butter and spiced jam that didn't go well with it all. No syrup whatsoever was provided which would've really elevated the dish. My wife had the clams / vongole and they were pretty solid, 3/5. The mussels weren't obviously previously frozen, but the broth was tasty, and the croquets were average. My kids started with the garlic fries which were also a 3/5 and had a good amount of garlic and herbs. The ketchup was overly sweet but house made. The aioli was very acid forward and tasted like it had some sort of artichoke or vinegar mix in it that didn't match the flavor profile well. I asked for a recommendation between the veal and the lasagna and was told the lasagna was the way to go. The lasagna came out and looked beautiful, but taste wise... super traditional which some may like, but I found to be super disheartening as it tasted like low expectations. It might has well been microwaveable lasagna that was plated and finished by a chef. The tomato sauce base that it sat in was the highlight, but the lasagna itself was a disappointment. It brought me back to 2nd year of college, when roomies took their first stab at cooking. The server himself was great, friendly and attentive. But in regards to food, I would never come back here. You could get better Italian food in a mall food court and at half the price. (I wouldn't eat there either).

    Photos
    Beautiful inside
    Beautiful inside
    Seafood Risotto
    Seafood Risotto
    Interior from balcony.  overlooking bar.

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    Interior from balcony. overlooking bar.

    Benchmark Pizzeria - pizza - Updated July 2026

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