Berkeley Bowl is a true East Bay institution, and the produce section is the main reason we keep…read morecoming back whenever we're in the area. The fruit selection here is exceptional. A must for us every single visit is the Honey Glow pineapple -- if you haven't tried one, you're missing out. They are incredibly sweet, almost like biting into pure sugar, but in the most natural and refreshing way. It's the kind of fruit that's hard to find at your average grocery store, and Berkeley Bowl delivers consistently. Beyond the pineapple, the quality across the board is impressive. The blueberries are plump and flavourful, the oranges are bright and juicy, and the wider fruit selection never fails to catch our eye. It's clear that real care goes into sourcing what ends up on those shelves. For anyone living in or passing through the East Bay, Berkeley Bowl is absolutely worth a stop. It's one of those places that makes grocery shopping genuinely enjoyable, and the produce alone is reason enough to visit.

I haven't been at the spot in really long time. And every time I come here I remember why I used to…read morelove it so much. They have absolutely everything and the price is a reasonable. Not as reasonable as they used to be back in the day, but reasonable enough. I love the bulk section of foods. And I love the fact that the organic food is not as expensive as it is in other places, but it has a really good quality. They have a nice selection of foods and you can get a lot of different things. They do have some specialty sections, such as English foods, Italian foods, Mexican foods, Asian foods, etc. I can cook something from another cuisine and often find those ingredients there. I could find lime leaves for a dish that I was making and they only cost $.99. They also have banana leaves that I can buy if I want to use. The meat counter is nice and the people who work there are generally very nice. Another thing I like about the store is that it's nice and clean. The aisles are OK and you can pass by. And when waiting in line for your food if people are shopping, it can get a little crowded, but it's not uncomfortable. The only thing I would tell you not to do here is to return something because they do not want to give you your money back even when you do have a receipt. And when they do give you your money, you get all kind of attitude. I would suggest coming here, which is something that I do when I'm in the area. I usually go to the other Berkeley bowl because it's closer to the freeway and I can drive up quite quickly. But I forgot, this used to be a Safeway, so unlike their original location, which is now a car dealership, and before that was a bowling alley, this space was built for retail of food. I like that I can always find something here when I need to.

This is a small local market that is convenient and is stocked with a good variety of products. The…read moreproblem is the produce is mediocre, even sometimes rotten, (especially bad when compared to Monterey Market up the street) and the owner/manager is rude. I swing by often but after recent visits I wonder why I spend so much money on overpriced bad produce from a nasty person. YMMV

Best kept secret in N. Berkeley for very fresh organic fruit , veg, eggs diary. select meats…read more Walkable; bikeable; near bus routes; excelent staff. A selection of homegoods and takeaway prepared foods. And speciality breads without having to wait in the ACME or others long lines. Well maintained and the staff are eager and helpful. Another neighborhood gem on this stretch. Although no designated handicapped parking in 30 years I have always found an good street spot.

This is a reliable market super close to where I live and the owner is incredibly friendly and…read morehelpful. Such a neighborhood gem compact with helpful essentials!

Stopped by Shattuck Market and overall it was an okay experience, but the customer service felt a…read morebit unprofessional. One interaction with an employee came across unnecessarily blunt and made the environment feel a little uncomfortable. The store itself is fine and has what you need, but a more polite and consistent approach to customers would improve the experience a lot. Not terrible, just room for improvement on the service side.

This place is amazing. They use super clean ingredients and a lot of it is soy free which can be…read morehard to find. I do the weekly online pickup order - they always well organized and they have plenty of other options in the store. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable too. I will riot if this place ever closes!!

Love this place! Healthy, nutrient dense prepared foods at reasonable prices. Great to have these…read moreprepared foods to eat on busy weekdays. There's no place like it!

Everything is very fresh and they have quality produce. If you want to buy bulk, there are large…read morequantities available.

Monterey Market is one of my go-to spots for produce, especially if you like variety. Their…read moreselection is huge, and the mushroom section is on another level, way beyond what you see at a normal grocery store. Fun fact: this place is famous for carrying hard-to-find and foraged produce and has been a quiet favorite of Bay Area chefs for decades, which explains why half the fruits look like they belong in a cooking show challenge. That said, the quality isn't flawless. This past summer the corn on the cob was disappointing, with a few ears already rotten at one end once you peel back the husk, so definitely inspect before buying. Also, the clientele is usually fine, but this visit featured an unnecessary checkout cameo from a full-volume Karen who felt the need to explain how standing in line works. The cashier chose silence, which felt like a statement. Still a great market overall, just keep an eye on the corn and maybe bring a little extra patience to the register.

I love my neighborhood spot with Marco at the helm. Positive…read morevibes always and can always grab Something needed in a pinch.

Alex Market is the little market that could! They have an amazing selection in a VERY small space…read more Most of the brands are local and/or organic which offers a contrast from a lot of other bodegas. They even have my favorite gluten free bread (Bread Srsly). The owner and staff are very friendly and greet regular customers warmly. Recommended if you are in the area!

I know where the best balls are, and no, this isn't a gay bar review. I'm talking about freshly…read moredeep-fried falafel balls, so take your mind out of the gutter, will ya? I'm talking about a tiny Middle Eastern kitchen inside the Berkeley Organic Market. I just happened on this spot as I was walking and feeling peckish in the family-friendly Elmwood neighborhood. One woman was behind the counter, so I assumed she was not only the face of Badan, she was Badan. I ordered the $9.99 Falafel Plate with three freshly deefalafel balls, hummus, baba ganoush, and a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, turnip, pickles, and feta cheese (photo). It came with a fluffy pita quartered for easier scooping. The market only has one table out on the sidewalk which I shared with a young mother and her daughter. I can say unequivocally that everything tasted fresh. I believe the woman who prepared my plate made everything that morning, and it made me want to come back and try the shawarma, the lentil soup, and the wraps. Great balls. You're welcome. FOOD - 5 stars...truly fresh combo plate with standout falafel balls AMBIANCE - 4 stars...not much room here but a relaxing to-go option SERVICE - 5 stars...she was great TOTAL - 5 stars...psss, it's in the market RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Went in for the first time and they have great things! Love their huge drink section. Will…read moredefinitely be back!

Great selection of hot foods and the staff is very helpful when you can't find anything. I love…read morecoming in here, food is always fresh and they keep the place very clean.

This used to be our favorite place to shop. Very clean and extremely friendly people. They must…read morehave had a change of ownership because we were there yesterday and we were shocked at how unfriendly the staff was. Not helpful. Sour looks on their faces. We won't be going there again. We miss the old staff.

We come to El Cerrito Natural when we don't feel like dealing with the energy and crowd of "T J"…read moredown the street a bit, but do want the small personal feel and quality items that this store provides. The ambience is somewhat low key but in a good way, not like no one is here or "I shouldn't be here". Everything, IMO, is good quality here. From the wines to the behind-counter foods to the ice cream to the other items they sell. Help is readily available without being smothering etc. Pop on into El Cerrito Natural. Get something natural... or not. Either way this is a really nice store.

Last three times I've been in this place, have been very unpleasant. With the amount of money you…read morehave to pay for their groceries, you would expect at least the cashiers would be happy for you paying for whatever benefits they get, and the guys in the meat department glare at you without acknowledging you, like you just waked in wearing a necklace made out of sausage. Nobody in the store ever says thank you or hello for paying extra for food that doesn't have poisons in it, like we're paying protection fees to the mafia. I mean seriously, Trader Joe's is right down the road and their cashiers are golden and their food is cheaper. I've given Natural Grocery three strikes so I'm out.