Found this place as it was recommended for having a kids play area. Gotta admit the play Area is decent sized but my kid got bored very quickly. It's just a section but there's nothing to play with inside. It's an empty area with chalkboard walls and an old broken kitchen set. My 2 year old kid was not interested. There were a bunch of older kids in there around 6-12 years old but they were playing tag. We ordered a large spread. The standout was the pretzel. Wow, it was soft and sprinkled with just the right amount of salt particles. Your teeth just sink into it I. Such a satisfying way. It comes with a butter sauce and cheese. Both were great. I even got a second one !! The pulled pork sandwich was really good. Well seasoned and tender. My picky 2 year old doesn't usually like pulled pork but she had a good amount of it which says a lot. The burger was wonderful too. And the fries are GOOD. Fresh out the frier and well seasoned too. Seating wise , everything is outdoors. There's an adult only area where you can drink alcohol. There's also a little fountain that caught the attention of my kid but it isn't safe to play around and it's not meant for kids to play or dip their hands in bc the rocks are jagged. Overall if the play area was more interesting I'd come here all the time. It's a little too far for me to come here with a kid. The food is good though. read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ding dong! This place is a ringing all the bells for food, service, and ambience! Unassuming, funky, outdoor food and beer garden with lovely plants in a family atmosphere with little children in the mix. Charming, delicious, and thirst quenching. A friendly competent staff serves up a delicious impossible burger on a proper bun with a side of yummy crispy fries. Well, at least that was my choice. Like everywhere else, prices have increased so maybe a little cautionary advice before placing your order. Somewhat hidden on the corner just off of Gilman under the BART elevated tracks. The occasional sound of a passing train streaming by above is quite pleasant and welcome. Headlands Brewing - Berkeley (Westbrae Beer Garden) Address: 1280 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA 94702 (Cross Street: Curtis St (it sits right at the intersection of Gilman St & Curtis St, and is also bounded by Santa Fe Ave) read more

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Headlands is great. Their burgers in particular are top notch! And, their beer choices are also fantastic. And, their lemonade is legit. Their Sriracha sauce though is not for those that dislike pickle though. Honestly, I couldn't tell where the pickle haunting was coming from the first time I was here. Maybe more fries would eliminate the flavor. Maybe I'll did a bunch in this spicy sauce. Noooooo!!! My wife eats the pickle spears. I get a spicy black bean burger which is great! J gets a smash burger with a side salad that's great, and gives her the lettuce and stuff she likes in her burger. This is a family beergarden. If you got kids that want to run around, then his place should actually get 6 stars! The adults only tent can get pretty warm though on a warm day. The garden part though, is nice, staff is pretty friendly, music is hit or miss, and they have plenty of umbrellas for shade. Also, some dessert pop ups sometimes! You should really give this place a shot. Tons of people love it! read more

One of the best burgers I've had in a while! Every bite was hot, gooey, cheesy goodness. The bun had a nice crisp texture on the surface as well. I came here on labor day and there was plenty of outdoor seating in the covered greenhouse area. You can conveniently order from a QR code right at the table. read more

Headlands Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice open space for dogs and kids, however, it can get extremely crowded with no where to sit. None of the hand sanitizer work and there was no way for me to wash my hands without waiting at least 15-20 min for the bathroom. A separate hand washing station would be ideal at this location for busy days. Also, definitely miss the prior Pedro's Brazil cafe food. read more

Headlands Brewing - Tuna sandwich with a gluten-free bun - 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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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

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

Beers were pretty good but they served a Great pretzel! Lots of different seating options in a garden or adults only (warm) greenhouse. Service was friendly. A nice neighborhood hang. read more

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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Headland Brewing has a lot going for it - Beers were good, atmosphere was wonderful. The outdoor seating is spacious and pet friendly making it a great place to hang out with friends. The food, however, was a letdown. My friend had the pulled pork sandwich which he said was difficult to tell what kind of meat it actually was. The texture or the taste was not appealing at all. The pretzel itself was fresh and tasty but the mustard and cheese dipping sauces missed the mark and were not very enjoyable. The chicken sandwich was just ok - too much bread and not enough chicken. I'd come back for the beer and ambiance but skip the food. read more

Lovely little spot with lots of seating options, good fries and a backyard gathering vibe. Great for a date, time with the fam, or hanging out with friends. read more

Awesome beer garden with great food. I ordered the smash burger with fries and it was tasty. Can't go wrong with a good ol' Hefe either. Ordered a few IPA's and called it a day. Parking is the only con here but everything else was great. read more

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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

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

Cute place with good food, great service! And since it's dog and kid friendly, there's not reason not to come! Got the deluxe burger with fries and a kombucha. Got the little one chicken fingers and fries and a strawberry lemonade... everything was delish and came out fast! Will come back to hang out again! read more

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

I love this place. Food is simple and good and the staff is exceptional. Fun neighborhood feeling and good for kids in the late afternoon.

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

I like the service and setting. It's a friendly nice place. The food price vs quality would stop me from going there again. The Beef tacos need improvement! , bland and really nothing on the tacos but the tough beef. I would use a different cut, cook tacos a little less, add more onions and or replace quantity for better quality! The cheese for the pretzels was watery and bland and the burgers are just ok. They need a revamp on some items, after spending almost $90 for 3 adults and 1 child, I think without some better quality food- even smaller portions fine. I'm not going back. Less is more... read more

"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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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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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

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

Czech Pilsner was the only highlight. Wine pours very stingy. Pretzel disappointing for $12.00

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

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

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

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

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

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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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

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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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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