This is for the Cafe at Chez Panisse. We ordered so much food and I forgot to take pictures of all of them! No matter. Food was great, service was great (more casual than the main dining room downstairs). My only comment is that there wasn't a full bar or any specialty cocktails available at the Cafe which I thought was odd (I think a nice bourbon would go well with some of these wonderful desserts.) read more

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I've been to the upstairs in the past (never the downstairs because of the fixed menu). This time before arriving they called and said they couldn't accommodate my allium sensitivity and all I could have was salad with oil and vinegar. For a renown restaurant that I've eaten at before I expected more, especially since there are literally dozens of other local resutrants able to accommodate my sensitivity. Very disappointing. read more

I've wanted to try Chez Panisse (cafe) for the longest time and am so happy I was finally able to. I have never been to a restaurant that has such attentive staff. You can tell they really care about service and they pay attention to all the small detailed. Bread and water came out as soon as we sat down and food followed shortly after. The food was delicious as well, although I wish they had more items to pick from on the menu. We had the plum galette for dinner which was definitely the standout of the night. Can't wait to go back! read more

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TLDR: chez Panisse delivers fresh flavors and the precious treatment of ingredients is obvious, however the poor service and lack of wow factor doesn't earn the astronomical price point ($200 per person with tip). Going to chez Panisse is an opportunity to experience the heritage of California cuisine and the golden standard of fresh ingredients. You'll notice many small special details walking into chez Panisse, from the rich wooden interior, the art nouveau wall paper, Frank Lloyd Wright inspired wall sconces and stain glass windows, it feels like you're eating in someone's fancy living room. The restroom is in the kitchen (questionably sanitary?!) but visits into the restroom give you a behind the scenes look into the symphony of chefs hammering away at their craft. Chez offers a different menu every night of the week. Ours was created by the sous chef. Course 1 was a shellfish salad. Really fresh and perhaps the only time I'll enjoyed octopus in salad. But otherwise it felt like an elevated salad. Course 2 was lasagna verde. Loved how they used olive oil in lieu of dairy in between the layers. It was a tasty, fresh, novel way to experience lasagna. This was the highlight of the night. Course 3, a sea bass which takes 5 mins to cook, took 45 mins to come out which is a longggg time. I tried flagging our waiter but he avoided our table the entire time. When the dish finally came it was 10pm and the waiter didn't apologize or mention the 45 min delay which was a surprise. Course 4 was dessert of 2 sorbets and a champagne ice foam which was tasty but a tad sweet. Overall, our experience was soured by the poor service and crazy price point given the food was pretty average, flavors didn't blow our minds. While we're glad to have paid homage to the birthplace of farm to table, we will not be back. read more

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It's a bit odd to be finally and for the first time reviewing a restaurant that I have been frequenting for 40 years. My first meal here was in 1982, when they still served their wonderful goat cheese calzones. But Chez Panisse introduced me to the now old term "nouvelle cuisine" and more importantly introduced me to being a foodie. As I no longer live in the Bay Area, my visits have been limited to once every year or two. That said, certain things stand out and remain constant: the quality of the service, the pleasantly intimate dining both upstairs and down, and an attention to preparation and presentation of each dish set before you. What has varied over time are the choice of offerings and often the quality. The one area in which they excel culinarily (is that a word?) are their desserts. They are as close to flawless as one can get. Their galettes in particular are the essence of sophisticated cooking looking simple and tasting exceptional. In other areas, however, their offerings can be hit and miss. Soups and salads in general remain very good; the carrot soup currently on the cafe menu is excellent. Seafood is still very well done, as often are the pastas (and the mix, like the crab ravioli, first rate). But the pizzas of which they were once rightfully proud, while still good, lack the novelty and wow factor that once characterized them. Poultry and game offerings are frankly unimaginative, pedestrian to all the senses, and at times border on the basic. I cannot speak to their beef and pork dishes, since I have not eaten them in some time. So taken in all, while I very much enjoy my occasional sojourns to Alice Waters' dining Mecca, much of the enchantment I experienced when I first graced its doors has gone. But I should add one important post-scriptum. Since that first meal, I have lived on three different continents, travelled extensively around the world, and of course have aged 40 years. No matter where I was, everyone knew its importance in the world of dining and fresh ingredients. And if this iconic restaurant is perhaps not what it once was (if in fact it ever was), it remains a pilgrimage site for anyone who wishes to understand California cuisine. And for my initiation into the world of fine dining, I owe Chez Panisse a heavy debt of gratitude. read more

We have dined many times at the cafe at Chez Panisse and have always enjoyed the experience. Thus I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday there with friends on 8/11. The experience was totally different. The dining room and servers were frenetic. Service felt rushed. Drink glasses were cleared with that last sip still in the glass. The food was uneven. Our appetizers were delicious - red pepper soup and little gem salad. Dinner courses were mediocre. Three of us had the fried sole, and we all found it to be flavorless. The panne cotta and plum galette were very good. Overall, a disappointing dining experience. read more

I personally recommend the Star Route Farms garden lettuces with Banyuls vinaigrette, Pizza with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, capers, and basil, and Stracciatella ice cream with caramel sauce and a chocolate sablé. The service is super professional. Everything from the clearing of the table of crumbs before dessert to the timing of when entrees are delivered was great. I especially liked the handicapped ramp in that it is gradual in its grade and went past the kitchen. This restaurant is very senior citizen friendly. The only things that might be taken to another level are the parking and value for the money. The ambience is slightly Mediterranean with its Arabic or Persian influenced lighting patterns. This is a quietly talkative restaurant for that special client relationship, pop-the-question moment, or birthday celebration. There were no small children or crying babies to spoil the mood. Overall, this is an amazing restaurant that I think is worthy of celebrating life's best moments. read more

Went to Chez Panisse Restaurant for their prefixed menu 4 course dinner. Service was great. Ambiance is perfect for our date night. The food was cooked to perfection. I know they change their menu daily so there isn't much you can go by, but you can definitely count on the food to be perfect. My favorite course was the pasta part. I never had pasta that perfect before. read more

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We waited just a couple of minutes for our reservation and were lead to a small room at the front with windows all around in craftsman style. Very cosy and pleasant. First came our appetizer, two pieces of toasted open sandwich with wild mushrooms and white beans and some leafy salad on the side. Very good. The pizza with fennel was excellent, the dole was soft and tender yet not soggy at all and had just the right amount of crisp. Had not experienced such a good pizza dole anywhere else. The roast chicken was well cooked, tender and tasty. The mashed butternut squash was also impressive. Service was immaculate. All in all, a very good lunch experience, well worth our trip of one hour from mid peninsula. read more

A temple to actual food. Service is always impeccable without being fussy. This review is for the upstairs cafe, where I dine most frequently, and it is generally busy without being oppressive. Background music is kept in the background and the food is always in the foreground. Highly recommended. read more

We came back to Chez Panisse because we knew the menu would change. The Acme bread was good as usual. The cucumbers in the starter salad was super crisp and the vinaigrette was the perfect tanginess. The pork loin was perfectly fatty and thin-cut. The vegetables on the side were great like all Chez Panisse vegetables. I had the galette again as the fruit changed from apricot to pluot. Though I was worried it might be too similar, the different fruits made it an entirely different experience. The slightly sour pluot balanced well with the sweet creamy vanilla ice cream. I highly recommend the White Peony tea to have with your dessert - the scent is heavenly and the flavors do not overpower the desert. We hope to come back again in the near future! read more

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Having grown up in the Bay Area, I had been hearing about Chez Panisse for my whole adult life. I finally decided to splurge for my birthday this year. We opted for the vegetarian tasting menu. They are very clear that they can accommodate vegetarians, but that NO other substitutions will be considered. Our meal started with an aperitif and an amuse bouche, followed by 3 vegetarian courses, a cheese course, and dessert. My favorite dishes were the dessert and the amuse bouche. I appreciated how fresh produce was the star of every course, but to be honest I didn't find the food that memorable or tasty. We opted for cheese course which is $25. I had heard good things about Andante Dairy and tried some of her cheeses before, but the two that were offered this night were just very mediocre and boring. Overall this is a Michelin level dining experience in service and price, but unfortunately the food just wasn't up to par from our vegetarian perspective. read more

Chez Panisse - Amazing 5 star panna cotta dessert - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

This isn't actually a review based on a recent visit; it's from a visit in the restaurants hay day, circa 1986-ish... I went twice I think, but I was already in love. Not with the food, but with the promotional posters of David Lance Goines! HE made it SEEM like a dream, an other worldly experience through the highest possible realms, and gardens of edible delights. Not that it wasn't that, but, it certainly was not what I expected. Even back then. It seemed rather ordinary, I mean it WAS good and unique I guess you could say. But was it the best food I had ever eaten at a restaurant or, ever? No, in retrospect but I guess it isn't fair to try and remember but I do remember being underwhelmed but then again this was The Cafe. And I fantasized about what it must be like based solely on the posters, which I'd seen for a few years before actually visiting, The Cafe. The pizza I recall WAS good but I recall a very thin and slightly burnt crust, about 5 pieces of fresh basil and a few mozzarella balls thrown in. My companion though was utterly lovely, a Greek poet named Nanos Valorities. He had an exquisite voice. His brilliant mind was endless - he could recite any line from any poet Greek or American. I guess it didn't really matter what was on the plate in front of me. Maybe this is more about my memories of Nanos. He left this earth a few years ago and for some reason I still think of him and his poetry and maybe Chez Panisse too as it was the backdrop for the most intimate and engaging conversation I had ever had. read more

So my kids surprised me and my hubby with dinner at Chez Panisse. I haven't been this excited fir a dining experience in a long time. We had the pre fixe menu with the wine pairing. Everything was delicious and fresh. The wines paired wonderfully. And the service was exceptional. I loved watching the team in the kitchen. Great experience. Enjoy. read more

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Being a big foodie was I was really excited to take my father here for his 75th birthday. Food was just meh. Nothing to rave about or talk about. The server barely acted like we were even there, and he didn't seem to care about what he was doing. It was loud, packed and just not what I would expect from an Alice Water restaurant. Sadly disappointed. read more

Chez Panisse continued its culinary legacy for my mom's 88th bday celebration! With a view of the crackling fire and humming kitchen of perfectly timed creations, the night flew by. Being able to witness the craft in action gave the kids a strong appreciation of their meal... watching the pastry chef mold the most beautiful scalloped pattern in the tarte tatin and then tasting a bite is a moment they won't forget. Each course was wonderful and we all went home savoring the details. From the host to waiters to servers and chefs, the staff could not have been more professional and welcoming. read more

Chez Panisse - Seared scallops w local greens - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Charming, elegant, and organic. Alice Waters set up a nice staple in the middle of the so-called gourmet ghetto. Perfect for a night out.

Senate Bill 1524 (SB 1524): Subsequently, SB 1524 was introduced to exempt restaurants from the requirements of SB 478, allowing them to continue adding separate service charges, provided these fees are disclosed conspicuously and upfront. Governor Gavin Newsom signed this bill into law on June 29, 2024. I believe this outfit is engaged in price deception. If a $40 entre really cost 40.00 plus 17percent service fee it should be listed as 46.80 not 40.00. AS a small business owner i can tell you there is no excuse to not clearly represent prices. It is a further deception that the ownership is sanctimonious when she claims to be some sort of food guru who knows what is best for the community. I would guess this hostile pricing does not actually help the workers, as people would assume the service charge is a mandatory tip. I'm sure the rich don't mind paying 17percent plus a ten percent tip, but what about the rest of us? read more

Ok the salad was amazing with ricotta toast. Staff is impatient and tries to get you to order and finish as quick as possible. A restaurant that charges this much should wait until the cutlery is left on the plate or eye contact is made before rushing around asking if you are still eating what is on the plate. Poorly trained being at your table every couple of minutes does not make one a good server. Please don't get the beef which was stringy fatty and rare and the little potatoes were something that grandma left in the oven yesterday. Coffee and dessert wonderful . The ambience beautiful, too bad the meal didn't add up to being as nice. Won't eat here again, looks like you might want to try to keep the reputation that this place once deserved . Go back to the drawing board and do better. read more

French/californian cafe that serves okay food for not okay prices. Slow but friendly service. I managed to get a reservation here and had some very high hopes for dinner here. I have heard it was good, but was better in the past. I would have to agree that the food quality was not amazing for as hyped as this place is. The location has a nice vibe to it. The lighting is on the dark side but the restaurant isn't too loud making it great for a quiet evening with friends or a date. The place has a varied menu and an extensive wine list. The portion size is reasonable. If you're hungry you can get an appetizer, entree and dessert and not feel overstuffed. To me the quality of the food was only okay. The flavors didn't blend together well. The meat was a bit overcooked as well. For the price I expected more. read more

I was highly disappointed with my recent meal at Chez Panisse Cafe, particularly due to the very miserable service. I had received a gift card for the restaurant a few months ago. I found the chicken dish, described as meticulously prepared, to be "miserable" and not as advertised. Service was incredibly poor, with an over one-hour wait for food, a server who attempted to substitute a chicken leg for a breast without consulting me, and a general lack of attentiveness. I also questioned the legality of the 17% service charge for parties of less than six in California, an issue I've seen raised in other reviews. The appetizer olives were of bad quality, and only the pizza was passable. While I appreciated the ambiance, which reminded me of Paris, I felt the overall experience was a waste of time and a disservice to its reputation. I've heard similar stories from other friends who recently visited and faced the same issues, confirming that the "perfection" and quality of the past are gone. I would not recommend it. I want to make a correction they did not even have the chicken plate on the menu ( no leg and breast mentioned just the preparation I think i read in their website so thought it would be good with all that work ) so they brought us simply a simple cooked breast of chicken pieces !!!! read more

After years of wanting to visit Chez Panisse, I was finally able to give the cafe a visit for lunch today on a Friday afternoon. It did not disappoint! My gems salad had a delightful creamy basil dressing with beets. I had a very flavorful spatchcocked chicken with spring peas, and some amazing chocolate cake for dessert! I also had a very light but very delicious Nebbiolo to enjoy on the lovely day. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Too expensive for the food quality. I made a reservation for my wife and our favorite couple. They reached out ahead of time for any food allergies, to which I responded scallops. Surely they could work around one food allergy. We got there and the appetizer was Scallops. Very disappointed. They accommodated me with grilled endive (not an even trade). Our main course was pigeon and two super small pieces. Not even a free glass of wine for serving scallops. The dessert was amazing. But at this price, everything should be amazing. read more

Considering how much they charge for the food honestly didn't taste that good. Could've done better job with the profiterole. I like squid. Loved the passionfruit Ice cream, it was the perfect taste read more

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This review is a bit different, so please bear with me. I have been eating at Chez Panisse restaurant and cafe dozens and dozens of times over the last 40 years. I've had better food at many Michelin three-star restaurants, but I've never known a restaurant to consistently deliver a better meal. The food is consistently thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and on point. The chefs here are not swayed by trends and the rush to the new; instead, they are devoted to delivering food of the now. That means you get hyper-seasonal items lovingly selected, often minimally embellished, which focus on the item's flavor of the moment. Until the outstanding flavor and attention to detail can somehow be conveyed by phone, there is not much to TikTok or Instagram here. You'll have to experience it for yourself. I highly recommend the place. read more

Eating at the sun-filled cafe is such a pleasure, for the food and the setting. I love the seasonality of the menu and how they celebrate and make the flavors of the ingredients really shine, which also means that for I never get tired of the food, it always has a new, freshness for me. I'm usually getting a salad, a pasta, and a dessert. Chez Panisse is a treasure and an institution, and I look forward to continuing to return long into the future. read more

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Chez Panisse has a such an amazing reputation but it doesn't live up to the hype. I've sat both upstairs and downstairs and I've been disappointed both times. Upstairs: pretty ambiance, overpriced food that is not very flavorful or creative. You can easily get much better food much cheaper. Downstairs: the interior design is gorgeous, it's fun to see the open kitchen, I had 2-3 impressive courses (a really good squash-stuffed pasta in a broth, great wine gummies, great aperitif) but the rest was really not special. When I went the main was a steak and it was wayyyy over salted which I was shocked to see because the preparation of the dish was so simple, how can you mess up something as simple as over-salting the steak at such a fancy restaurant? It's shocking that a restaurant with such a hefty price tag could be so unimpressive. I think this place is running on it's good reputation but the current experience doesn't match the hype. read more

Went for Valentine's Day and food was good but didn't justify the price; quality wasn't there for the price point. Service was good and always a nice atmosphere. read more

I ate here a number of years ago. I thought the prefix menu was terrible and I would rather order off of a menu and pay a little bit more. I paid nearly $200 for homemade turkey sausage and it was not good. The Disability access is terrible through the kitchen. The service was good but a bit creepy. I have not been back since and do not plan to go back. Sorry, Alice Walker but you just didn't impress me. read more

I would describe this meal as super fresh, clean food. We loved it! The meal took place downstairs and my husband did the wine pairing. He absolutely loved it. I loved the clean vegetables and different flavors of food. My favorite was the duck. Very good meal and excellent service with a prompt start time. read more

Chez Panisse - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What fabulous, supportive service. Went for the first time for our anniversary and even though we had a flat tire on the way, they were able to offer us a later reservation. They even accommodated my disability and took me up a ramp and through the kitchen!! The indoor brick oven produced delicious breads and offered a unique French-style ambiance. They also offered vegetarian options for their set menu. Worth the wait it can take to get reservations!! read more

I've had the pleasure of dining here more times than I can count and I continue to be a huge fan. My last experience was dinner a few weeks ago in the cafe and it was genuinely perfect and on point, from service to food and wine. Our server was professional and knowledgeable, and she performed impeccably, popping in at just the right moments to ensure we never wanted for anything. We had a delicious bottle of bubbles, a starter, a main, and a dessert each. Portions are conservative enough to allow you to enjoy different courses without getting too full, and the beauty is that everything on the plate blends perfectly and you wind up finishing it all without any diminishment in your enjoyment -- it's pretty magical. Chez Panisse never disappoints. One of these days I'll splurge and have dinner in the restaurant! read more

Chez Panisse is an historic Berkeley institution--the birthplace of Californian cuisine, opened by Alice Waters in 1971. The downstairs restaurant serves a prix fixe menu, but I think the upstairs cafe with its a la carte menu offers a better selection and value. We were started with sourdough bread and butter, and for our appetizer, ordered the Baked Andante Dairy Goat Cheese with Garden Lettuces. The rounds of warm goat cheese were coated with herbed bread crumbs, and the lettuces were dressed with a light vinaigrette. For our entrees, the Pizza with sweet and spicy peppers, red onions, and marjoram was baked in a wood-fired oven and was made with mozzarella cheese on a thin crust. The California-style pizza was not so different from what you might find across the street at Cheeseboard and was tasty though nothing remarkable. My favorite dish was the Braised Sonoma County duck leg with Moroccan spices, saffron couscous, zucchini, and chermoula. The duck leg was meaty and tender and was topped with a deliciously spiced sauce and herbaceous chermoula. The tiny balls of couscous were mixed with barberries, and the sliced zucchini was simply roasted and served with spinach--overall, a nicely balanced dish! In general, the food here was simple yet made with care and with quality ingredients. The lively atmosphere was centered around an open kitchen displaying fresh ingredients, and the service was friendly and attentive, though the menu prices were definitely high for what we got. read more

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I've been here a few times now and have enjoyed the ambiance, impeccable service and hospitality. However I don't think the food justifies the price. I love Alice Waters and how Berkeley became the hub for organic farm to table food. I also really like the fact that you see where all the ingredients are sourced from. Local and fresh. Most recently I ordered a cod dish with sauteed kale and the flavors didn't wow me. The duck dish was also on the dry side and served a bit cold. This place is a Berkeley icon but I feel as if my expectations going in were too high from all the rave reviews. read more

The loveliness of the Chez Panisse Cafe environment has remained a pleasurable experience to this day. I only wish the food had remained as good. Unfortunately, it is not the case. As hard as I hope, the food has become mediocre, disappointing and often bland. read more

Not pictured: the extra appetizers, drinks, and desserts they give you to round out the experience! I went in thinking I'd get a 4-course meal, but it felt like so much more than that. We had prosecco as an aperitif, and amuse bouche in addition to bread and butter, and small dessert bites (after our chocolate tart)! They really take care of you here. The servers were knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Food was amazing--no complaints at all and everything hit the spot. It's on the pricier side ($175/pp) but the experience as a whole justifies it. Get a reservation and check the menu when they release it ahead of each week! read more

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We went here for a birthday celebration and loved it! It's a very elegant, quaint restaurant. The food was delicious and fresh and our server was really attentive and nice without being intrusive. read more

Chez Panisse - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

There is a reason why Chez Panisse is legendary and after waiting years to dine in the main restaurant can see why this place remains a staple in the Berkeley culinary scene. Chez Panisse is a great place for any special occasion or celebration, and lacks a lot of the pretentiousness of other high end restaurants like many in SF. The staff are all very warm, and the environment is cozy and romantic. The set menu has four courses - a salad, two entrees, and a dessert. They also offer an aperitif to start which is a wonderful way to start the meal, and have good wine selections as well. Both my husband and I were thrilled that they were very generous with their bread and butter as well. On this particular day we had: - chantarelle and green bean salad (4.5/5): served with a parmesan and hazelnut vinaigrette, this was beautiful and well balanced. - bay scallop risotto with gremolata (5/5): my favorite dish of the night. This was absolutely perfect with the bright gremolata contrasting with the perfectly cooked sweet bay scallops. - seared duck breast with quince and tokyo turnip (4/5): the duck was beautifully tender and the quince had good flavor. The turnip leaves were just a touch bitter so I think the balance wasn't perfect but it was still very tasty. - lemon tart (5/5): delicious and well executed. In addition to the courses, we were started with an amuse bouche at the beginning of the meal and after dessert were given some after dinner candies/nuts served with their mint and lemon verbena tea. One regret we had was that we ate too much bread and were too full at the end of the meal to opt for their cheese plate which I'm sure would have been a fantastic addition to our meal. I will say that the lag time in between dishes was a bit too long for my taste especially since there were only four courses. However overall this is one of the best culinary experiences I have had in the east bay and would definitely recommend Chez Panisse as a place to celebrate someone special in your life. read more

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A Berkeley landmark, Alice Waters' Chez Panisse is known as the center of the slow food movement (circa early 1970s). The cafe provides an incredible rustic experience for diners looking for fresh, seasonal ingredients and excellent service. I started off with the Baked Andante Dairy goat cheese with garden lettuces. The goat cheese paddies (technical term) were super flavorful and perfectly seasoned. Vegetables were on point per usual. For the entree I ordered the corn and clam chowder. This was a really unique take on the dish- it was served more like clams with a little bit of soup. All the ingredients tasted extremely fresh and flavorful. I loved the dish! Last but not least we ordered the Strawberry sherbet meringata with raspberries, strawberries, and crème chantilly. The meringue was a bit sweet for me but I knew that going in! My sister and Mom really enjoyed this dish and the presentation was beautiful. Fantastic restaurant with great service and exceptional food. I was lucky enough to meet Alice in 2013 and she is the loveliest person. 5 stars for Chez Panisse! read more

Yum it was so good and the service was good and the dessert was bussin and i loved the ambiance