I've passed this place on my AM bike rides for many moons, yesterday was the opportunity to stop by for lunch. Heck yeah. This place checks all the (my) boxes... Nice folks. Really nice little oasis ambiance. Solid smashburger/fries. Plus? There was a sweetheart little dog (Remy), that added a little canine love to the equation. Thank you HB, I look forward to returning, and sharing a little space in the future. read more

Headlands Brewing - Yes please... - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I have no idea who on Earth can keep giving five stars to this place. Yes it's a great place to take children to play and have a drink, but it was easily some of the worst food I've ever had at a restaurant in the east bay. We ordered fries and a veggie plate to start and the fries that showed up were covered in paprika and soggy like they were baked. Extreme premium prices for beyond mediocre food. The hummus was laughable and ranch was awwwful. We ordered a following round of food with chicken strips, a burger and more fries. This time the fries were completely different. They were deep-fried and crunchy (definitely came from a bag) but a completely different french fry from what we received on our first order. Still the same foul Ranch and the ketchup that was out in squeeze bottles was beyond disgusting it was thin, sour and bright red with tin flavor. Chicken strips were fine, they 100% came from a bag and were consistent with hundreds of other restaurants that purchase the same ones. We asked the server if we could have our burger cut in half and they snapped that they were too busy to do that. The people next to us and across from us had burgers that were split in half... And the burger was a complete joke. Their "special sauce" is just cheap mayonnaise mixed with some of that cheap ketchup (that is probably from a huge can from the top corporate food distributor.) People listing that this is one of their favorite burgers are really missing out on some experiences in life, or they're eating them after their third double IPA... It's a beautiful place, great yard area. But the food needs to open a new document and start again. I can't believe how much it cost for how horrible it was. I'm in shock. read more

Headlands Brewing - soggy fries that weren't like the second ones we ordered - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

My new favorite place as of the moment !! I have been on a real smash burger kick and headlands definitely served one hell of a burger that I am still dreaming about. Service was so nice, everyone was such a sweetheart and even turned on the heater for me as it was awfully chilly for a day in May (hoping for warmer weather soon!) Ambiance is full of life with people chatting and drinking , kids playing, defo family friendly or even a place just to grab a beer with friends and hangout !! A lovely place, I am so sure to come back !! read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I was here with coworkers and decided to order the portobello sandwich. Wow, was I surprised. It was really flavorful and had a great spread. Honestly, this was such a solid sandwich and a good salad to go with. Definitely gonna get this again when I come back. read more

Headlands Brewing - Portobello Sandwich - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

My friend and I visited on 3/29/26 around 1pm// such a chill spot to hang out with your homies, highly rec on a warm day because the trees bring a lot of shade. I love how there are a bunch of tables and they offer food and beer. I went with a friend who suggested we go here. I've been here before but it's been a minute. Service was friendly and quick, we didn't wait more than 15min for our food; that day, there was an ice cream cart offering up some homemade ice cream by the scoop. I didn't try any but I liked how everything was within the beer garden parameters. I didn't get the beer this time around (except for a sip from a friend's glass) but I had the smash burger with a side salad and I really enjoyed the food, just wish the patty edges were crunchier; other than that, I loved how this fit into my lazy Sunday agenda! read more

Headlands Brewing - Deluxe smash (single patty) - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love this spot.. chill and neighborhoody. Food is gewd and drinks are also wonderful. Very great service!

Very family friendly place with kind waitstaff. Very chill ordering system -- you order in advance at the register and then find your own open place to sit. I ordered the chicken sandwich, it was delicious. Awesome fries too. read more

Headlands Brewing - chicken sandwich - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cool place for outdoor seating, a beer and quick bites. Great for larger groups and families as they have a cute toy area so the adults can enjoy the moment as much as the kids. Order at the counter and someone will bring your goods at the table, easy and convenient. read more

Ambiance is very chill, relaxing, I honestly barely notice the BART trains going by. Plenty of seating for groups, they have a kids friendly section and dogs are welcome too! They do have a kids menu, and a seasonal menu. Parking is street only, but be mindful of parking infront of residential driveways. Staff is nice and accommodating. They have ciders available and a few non alcoholic options. I like this location, hope to venture to the Walnut Creek one soon read more

Headlands Brewing - Deluxe with seasoned fries - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

We were about to head to another brewery but decided to try a new spot and found Headlands! We came on a Friday after work and it was very lively and busy. Drove around a bit to find street parking. When you first enter there's a line to order beer and food at the bar. It's open and self seating. Because it was so busy we drank our first beer standing around waiting for some seats to open up. There's also QR codes on the tables that you can place your order from. The whole brewery is outdoors and it feels like a cozy backyard or garden. It was a bit on the pricier side for a brewery serving their own beers. Most drinks were about $9 which is more in line to what I expect from a tap house or bar. Headlands probably wouldn't be my first choice for a brewery because none of the drinks stood out to me but I definitely wouldn't be opposed to grabbing another drink here when the weather is nice :) The food looked good so I might check it out again in the future! read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

"A beer garden with a real garden!" This is a cute beer garden in the heart of Berkeley. Parking can be a bit tight so be prepared to perhaps walk just a short bit. I had a chance to chat with the friendly bartender, Joey, who has been with the company a long time. She explained some of the history on this location and was extremely courteous. When she saw I was shivering, she even lit the fire for me. That's what I call service! If you want a really cute little beer garden this is a A+ location. Glad I came here. read more

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Love that they serve both tasty beers and good food. I enjoy their Gilman Curry Sandwich, Smash Burger, and the Michoacano Sandwich! It's an outdoor space with good vibes, fire pits, and TV if you want to catch a sports game. They also have a kids' play area, but good to watch the kids. Chill, backyard feel, I like this beer garden! read more

We took a spur of the moment trip to Berkeley on an absolutely beautiful day. We went to Headlands Brewing, a new brewery to us. The staff is very pleasant. The food and beers are a solid 4, and came quickly. We sat outside on the patio, on this perfect day, which has patio umbrellas, comfortable picnic tables, misters for those days when needed, a pretty garden, and clean bathrooms (this is the first time I've ever been moved to comment on bathrooms). You should try this place. Very solid all around. read more

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Great spot to stop for lunch and a drink! Food was great, we ordered a black bean veggie burger, double smashed burger and a kids nacho. Will for sure be going back for the black bean burger it was absolutely delicious! Drinks were also great of course had a few of their beers and a day trip CBD infused sparking water, again everything was great and can't wait to try again! Service was quick and attentive, everyone was super nice. We choose to sit outside and loved it, tons of shaded spots, college football was on overall great environment for everyone to enjoy! read more

The reason I returned here with my family is because you can always count on good food. I love that they barbecue over charcoal and the people that work here extremely nice. They have a sizable menu to work from whether it's for beverages or food or both. So I recommend coming down here in a nice warm sunny day and sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air and some good food. Today I'm trying the dry cider and it's delicious. read more

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Good beers, good fries and smashburgers but absolutely positively littered with feral children, unsupervised by parents drunk on IPAs and Sauv Blanc. read more

Such a cute spot to unwind after a long day. I tried one beer which was good and also had this chicken sandwich which was delish! The fries were okay (wish they were crispy and golden) but otherwise we enjoyed our evening here. The fire pits and children's area are very nice additions. We look forward to returning. read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Although I terribly miss the sweet potato fries and veggie sandwich from Westbrae (please consider adding them to new menu Headlands) this new business is doing a great job so far. I ordered the pretzel with cheese dip and it was delicious! Cooked perfectly- very soft, chewy and not too much salt. The cheese dip was very good as well. I also loved the paved floors that were added near the fire pits, looks fantastic! Looking forward to my next visit. read more

Headlands Brewing - Enjoying the fireplace - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Headlands Brewing in Berkeley, located along Gilman Street in an area known for its cluster of craft breweries and light industrial spaces. The neighborhood has quietly become a hub for independent brewing, and Headlands Brewing fits naturally into that community-driven craft beer scene. The taproom has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels authentic to the Bay Area's brewing culture. Large brewing equipment is visible inside the space, which reinforces that you are drinking beer directly at the source. The layout is casual, with communal tables and open seating that encourage conversation among guests who are there primarily to explore different beers. The brewery focuses on a rotating selection of craft beers that highlight balance and drinkability. Their lineup often includes approachable styles such as lagers, pale ales, and IPAs alongside seasonal or experimental releases. Rather than leaning toward overly aggressive flavor profiles, the beers tend to emphasize clean execution and thoughtful brewing techniques. Service during the visit was friendly and knowledgeable. Staff were comfortable explaining the differences between beers and offering suggestions, which helps visitors navigate the tap list whether they are experienced craft beer drinkers or simply curious to try something new. From a global travel perspective, Headlands Brewing reminds me of independent neighborhood breweries found in cities like Portland, Vancouver, and Copenhagen. These breweries thrive by combining quality brewing with an environment that brings people together over shared interest in craft beer. read more

What a gem! I was skeptical after hearing Westbrae Biergarten was no more and something new was in the space. But..after hearing it was Headlands Brewing, I was intrigued and also excited after a little research. We first visited the Lafayette location and now are frequent to the Berk location. Delicious smash burgers (served with a special yet hush hush sriracha sauce), crisp, light, and dangerously delicious beer, and awesome staff. Such a friendly environment and outdoor digs that are kiddo, wallet, and doggy approved. Can't wait to try other items from the menu including the sausages, nachos, and if you've been following my recent reviews..the pretzel and beer cheese hits home! Would love to bottle it up! I love a local and community gathering hub, and that's exactly the look and feel I get from Headlands. Quality beer, solid food, and an approachable/friendly vibe to stay for one, or a while. The Berk location has TV's and love the Lafayette location's mini fire pits. Excited to follow this spot with their East Bay expansions on the horizon and mission-forward brews. read more

Headlands Brewing - Smashburger and beer flight - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Decent beer but I don't have little kids anyone and way too many of them with parents letting them go roam around lol. So if you like beer and have kids under 11. Cool beer garden. Parking is all street and be patient read more

Headlands Brewing is a go-to spot to unwind for myself and my company! Before this new business, we used to frequent the Westbrae Biergarten. Glad to see that the business is doing well and I enjoy supporting them. The beer garden is all outdoors and is similar in layout to Westbrae. Open seating with plenty of communal picnic tables and beach chairs. Here you make yourself comfortable and get to know those around you. The fire pit, kid area, and the fact that it's dog-friendly is appreciated! I love walking my puppy here for a sip and bite. She loves it too--more so for the attention, treats, and seeing other dogs. The service is friendly and all smiles; especially when they recognize me and my pup. It makes us feel like we're a part of this close-knit community. Ordering is done at the front for both food and drinks or through the QR code. Everything is brought out to you. This time around, my companion and I came and shared the Seasoned French Fries. They're super seasoned, it's a party in your mouth, and hard to pinpoint the exact flavor profile. We thought the texture and size reminded us of In N Out fries. The price felt decent for the portion given. I'm interested in trying the sandwiches. I love frequenting local dog-friendly spots with friends and family. Headlands Brewing will continue to be on my rotation as it's always a chill but fun time. The beer garden is easy to find off Gilman with residential and street parking around. I'll be back soon! read more

Headlands Brewing - Seasoned French Fries - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love everything about this - the vibe, the friendly staff, the beer & cider, the eclectic seating areas, the kids & dogs - except the watermelon-feta salad special, which at $13 for a wad of store-bought greens with a few melon pieces & a light dusting of feta, was a rip-off. read more

Headlands Brewing - Didn't realize melon & feta were so valuable - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

The pros: Big outdoor space, thoughtfully designed, with picnic tables, umbrellas, fire pits, and a small park for kids to play. They have a varied drink menu, with a bunch of local beers on tap from the brewery; some wines, including organic varietals; and a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages, including Martinelli's apple juice. Headland's brewery also serves food - a very limited menu, but it includes burgers, chicken fingers, and a few veggie options. They are open until 9 PM, so you can wander over after work for a beer. On a nice day, including any random Wednesday, there's a line for food by 5:30 PM. The cons: This is the place people who have no idea how to say "no" to their dogs - let alone their kids - apparently come to hang out. As someone who loves dogs and kids, we were surprised to see kids climbing on the tables and running around screaming while dogs barked their heads off and tried to eat everyone's food. This place gets so loud you can't hear the person next to you talking. The wait in line to order food is also abysmally long. They need a few more folks behind the counter during rush hour to meet the demand. If you want a peaceful drink and shorter lines, show up at 8PM when the kids are heading off to bed. (That's when these photos were taken - nice and empty!!) All told, Headlands brewing has incredible promise, but they need to set some rules in the yard so that it's less like a schoolyard at recess and more like a place you'd want to hang out and relax. Otherwise, it's a great venue!! read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday evening and enjoyed our time here! Staff and Service: - Order at the counter and take your number to a table (tables are on a first-come, first-served basis) - Staff will bring your drinks and food to your table from your number Food and Drinks: - Smash Burger: this was better than I thought it would be. Good flavor from the sauce and the pickle spear I got was nice and crispy - Veggie Sandwich: good, but a little pricy - Ciders: I got the standard apple cider and the cherry cider. Both were good, with the cherry cider being more on the tart side Miscellaneous: - Parking is available via street parking - BART is nearby for those wanting to take public transportation - Seating is a mix of picnic tables, chairs, benches around fire pits, and lawn chairs - We arrived around 7 and had trouble finding a seat initially. Around 7:45, the place started to clear out a bit, so that's a good time to come if you have a larger group - Good for groups, families, etc. read more

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Absolutely a smash hit! Beer was fantastic! We got a kolsch, delicious! The lager was really well done as well! I hesitated when I was told it was in a can not out of the keg, but the server was correct, excellent! The smash burgers are delicious! I dont typically order smash burgers, but i would come back for these! The pretzel is excellent, light, tasty and has a great cheese sauce! Outdoor seating was great. Totally casual and a lot of fun. Great for kids, families or couples. We will definately be back!! read more

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Headlands Brewing's new Berkeley location on Gilman Street takes over the old Westbrae Biergarten space by the BART tracks. It's fantastic that they preserved the set up allowing lots of casual hanging out with friends, kids, and dogs. Apparently the owner lives in the neighborhood and missed the old beer garden. Creating an opportunity for him to expand Headlands Brewing to a second location. It looks like Walnut Creek will be the third location. Went over for a Friday evening happy hour with beer and food served up in the sun - it was a delightful opening day! Everyone was in good spirits and the taps were flowing and the food orders are flying, albeit from a limited opening menu. Their beers are well crafted. 14 on tap and a few in cans. Mostly served as full pints, but some stronger beers are poured in smaller glasses. Large steins are available if that's how you spell biergarten! Great selection from Headlands. I loved the Haná Helles Lager and the Pt. Bonita Pilsner was pretty tasty too. Other breweries are represented, which fills in the selection. As a dark beer lover, I was glad they had the absolutely delicious and very smooth Faction Nitro Oatmeal Stout - a 13oz pour. Most beers are $9 but a few are $8. I'd say the food is more than satisfactory, although Brazil offered a few options that were even better in the previous incarnation. As I mentioned, Headlands started out with the limited menu for opening day. I can't wait to see the full menu and I certainly think the food is very solid for beer garden, where, first and foremost, it's about the beer! Michoacano Sandwich - delicious pulled pork on perfect Acme bread. Or at least I would put it in the "much better than your average bar" food category. $14.50 Westveggie Sandwich - the Acme bread was fantastic, but the humus quite unsatisfying as the base for an unsubstantial sandwich. Add Fries for $3.50 - pretty good. Not amazing or anything, but get the fries. A full order is $6.50 and a basket $9. Churros - a sweet ending, with caramel dipping sauce. $6.50 Fantastic service even with many customers queued up. I heard that they hired some of the old Westbrae Biergarten staff - classy move. I saw the old manager and said it was nice to see her. But as much as anything, this place is about the space and the sunshine, at least until the fog rolls in. read more

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Yes, you read that right--you can bring the kids! This spot makes enjoying a night out with friends so much easier. With a dedicated play section for the little ones, I was able to hang out with my girlfriends for hours while my daughter happily played with other kids. Bonus points: my dog was perfectly content chilling under the table, hoping for leftover snacks to come his way. The food did not disappoint either. The smashburger was absolute fire, and the aioli for the fries? The perfect match. Headlands Brewery is a win for the whole family--kids, dogs, and adults alike! The ambiance is perfectly set and there are fire pits to keep you warm in the evening fall nights. read more

Headlands Brewing - Menu - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came on a Friday evening. Been here before under previous owners. Glad they have hard kombucha and other wine drinks since I'm not a beer drinker. Always appreciate the outdoor space which they updated chairs and umbrellas. Staff is friendly and I like that you can order at your table the drinks. I miss the Brazilian food options but enjoyed having the salad with chicken. Chicken seasoning was good and fries. Gilman Curry sandwich was ok. Overall fun local place that's nearby. Wish they had more appetizer food offerings beyond "bar food" ie pretzels, veggie, and fries and sandwiches. I guess I was missing the empanadas. read more

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Same space as Westbrae Biergarten but we liked the beer better because they have their own beers on tap--my dining partner enjoyed their The GOAT Maibock. We both thought the food (sandwiches, burgers, and salads) and service were an upgrade from before. The fries were warm and crispy, but not overdone, and my oescadero (tuna) sandwich was quite tasty. My partner liked his michoacana (pulled pork) sandwich but thought it was a bit on the hefty side. All in all, we'd be down for return visits to this easy and friendly hang out spot on sunny days. read more

Headlands Brewing - Pulled pork and tuna sandwiches with fries, The GOAT Maibock, and iced tea. - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

If you don't have kids and want to enjoy a nice beer with friends on a weekend, go to Fieldwork or Gilman. Too many kids running around! One kid knocked my beer down while running around my adorandack chair and another asked my friend to help him in the restroom!!! She said "please go get your mother I cant help you in there" read more

Great outdoor space with beer and food available. What more can you ask for?! Oh, also a separate space for kids, and pet friendly! Staff was great and the QR codes at each table were super convenient, especially when you decide on just oneeee more snack to enjoy with your beer. Also have multiple heaters for chilly nights. Overall, great place to spend time with friends! We need more places like this around the bay. Will be back. read more

Cute outdoor space. I liked that they have a space for kids to play. My friend and I enjoyed the Thursday taco deal. The service was kind and quick. read more

Fabulous spot for family and friends to gather. Lovely ambiance, great food & drinks and easy parking on side roads around the place!

Stumbled upon this place today and grabbed a few beers with a buddy. Was surprised to hear it had only been open for a few weeks as it appeared dialed in. The location and space is amazing. Lots of shade. You barely realize you're near the BART tracks. Plenty of seating. The beer was just ok for my taste. Not great, but definitely it bad at all. We did not try the food but I will next time. The staff was friendly. Overall great experience and I will definitely be back there next time I'm in Berkeley. read more

Headlands Brewing - Order window - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Solid place to drink beer and chill with friends. It was a bit hard to find seating on the weekend. They had good food offerings with kid friendly and vegan options. read more

This biergarten is great. I liked the old spot -- this new company seems to have made an improvement on the area. Weirdly, the only thing I didn't like was the IPA mustard. Rehash that recipe! read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

hey guys, I know I'm known on this app for being a very picky eater. But this brewery has really made my day first I'm gonna start off with the customer service which was fantastic. I want to shout out DJ for being very knowledgeable in my selection of headland signature beers. And also Minerva for a very welcoming hello! The food was very good and just what you would expect from a neighborhood brewery if not more. Again I want to give a very special shout out to DJ for being the best. Thank you!! read more

Food looks good as do their drinks but what is disturbing is when I am waiting for my order and see the worker literally not wearing gloves, grabs trash out of the bin and puts it into another trash bin to correct a customer then presides to turn back around bare hands - not washing them and touching the food he is passing out to people. Grossed out and don't want to eat here. read more

My mom and I had nice time at the Headlands Brewing on 6/18. On our walk back home the crowd caught our attention, so we walked over to the front entrance where we were kindly greeted by Adam. Despite it being a private event he insisted we check it out before their official opening. As expected Headlands Brewing did not disappoint. The vibes, food, drinks and customer service was great. 10/10 highly recommend. We're definitely looking forward to going back. Thanks again! read more

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