Along College Avenue near Cal's campus, the Elmwood is a tranquil neighborhood of mature trees and charming old houses in that mix of Craftsman, brown shingle, Victorian, and Period Revival styles that makes strolling in Berkeley so pleasant.
The shopping district that grew up to serve these gracious homes in the early 1900’s includes a post office, Berkeley's only surviving commercial movie theater (Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Ave.), excellent restaurants, an epic bookstore, some unique hobby shops, and no fewer than three places for artisanal ice cream.
Many of the businesses in the Elmwood have been there since the ’70s, and some are even housed in landmark buildings, such as the majestic Mission Revival-style Wells Fargo Bank building, and the Julia Morgan Theater, which anchors the far northern end of the neighborhood. The theater is home to the Berkeley Playhouse (2640 College Ave.), which regularly presents professional musicals, as well as youth productions starring the students in their theater arts education program.
Walk about a third of a mile from the concentration of shops and restaurants near College and Ashby and you'll find the section of the Elmwood near Alcatraz Avenue that abuts Oakland's lively Rockridge neighborhood—another area thronged with great places to eat and browse.
Restaurants for Every Taste in Berkeley's Elmwood Neighborhood
All of the pasta is housemade at secret neighborhood gem, Donato & Co.
(Nadia Andreini)
Donato & Co. (2635 Ashby Ave.) is the neighborhood's secret gem. Chef Gianluca Guglielmi, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants previously, crafts authentic Italian fare using premium local produce—bringing all of the quality and none of the pretense to dishes like handmade pasta, roasted quail, and exquisite desserts, including house-made gelati and sorbetti. // Derek Lau, who opened State Flour Pizza (2985 College Ave.) on the main drag in 2022, also has Michelin cred. Even in an area that is rife with pizza competition, his pies stand out for their long-fermented tasty crusts. His salads are also first-class, and prices are well below what you'd expect to pay for this caliber of cuisine. // Baker & Commons (2900 College Ave.), in the historic Ozzie's Soda Fountain building, is another warm, laid-back eatery. Probably the most popular lunch spot in the area, it is beloved for its house-made baked goods, artisan coffee, and hearty sandwiches on Acme bread. // Humbowl (2975 College Ave.) offers gluten-free rice bowls that can be made vegan with your choice of protein and are chock-full of healthy veggies, including the Mettabowl, created in collaboration with a yoga studio. // King Yen (2995 College Ave.), a Chinese comfort-food staple, is one of several restaurants on College Avenue that have been satisfying locals for generations. Their giant portions make up for their upscale prices. // Boichik (3170 College Ave.), the juggernaut that has taken off since The New York Times crowned their bagel the best in the U.S., started here. They still have lines down the block on weekends but generally no wait during the week. Watch for seasonal spreads like amaretto cream cheese, made with toasted almond and housemade peach jam. // House of Curries (2984 College Ave.) is a no-frills yet delicious way to get your Indian fix, and the chai is free when dining in.
Extraordinary Sweets in Elmwood
Beautiful confections from Casa de Chocolates
(Byrhon Quizhpe)
Early risers and nostalgia buffs can't bypass Dream Fluff Donuts (2637 Ashby Ave.). Opening at 4am Monday through Friday, this purveyor of all the usual suspects (maple bars, old-fashioned doughnuts, cinnamon twists, turnovers, buttermilks, and more) is another business that has been a neighborhood favorite for decades. // Founded in 1976, Nabolom Bakery (2708 Russell St.) was originally a feminist collective. Their pistachio snail is a can't-miss, but all their pastries are delectable, and their relatively recently introduced vegetarian, sauceless pizza on sourdough crust is a hit. // Casa de Chocolates (2629 Ashby Ave.) confects sartisan chocolates, single-origin chocolate bars, and desserts with a Latin American twist. They also sell both hot chocolate and frozen hot chocolate (including a vegan version) for sipping at one of their outdoor tables. // Miharu Ice Cream (2965 College Ave.) is a relative newcomer, but their creative combinations have already made a splash. Flavors change with the seasons: banana with dulce de leche, honey rhubarb, and Breakfast Brownie are recent standouts. // Tara's Organic Ice Cream (3173 College Ave.) also emphasizes small batches and local ingredients, crafting unique flavors like fig and port, harissa, and goat cheese blueberry. They rotate the flavors of their refreshing sorbet pops regularly. // College Avenue additionally boasts an outpost of San Francisco ice cream pioneers Jake Godby and Sean Vahey's Humphry Slocombe (2948 College Ave.), who are also known for their novel flavor combinations. All of this bounty makes up for the loss of the neighborhood's cherished Ici Ice Cream, which had a cult following when it closed in 2018.
Caffeine and Tipples in Elmwood
Book Society wine lounge is a community hub in Elmwood.
(Kara Brodgesell)
Book Society (2945 College Ave.) book store is 21-and-over because it has a self-service wine dispenser featuring a rotating selection along with one nonalcoholic option. Their themed book clubs, which often sell out, have wine pairings, and regular literary events including author appearances and the monthly journaling club are popular. // Hit up Cask (3185 College Ave.) for hard-to-find spirits and bartending supplies. Their taproom hosts “Meet the Maker” tastings and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. // Cafenated Coffee Company (2960 College Ave.)—a farm-to-cup coffee-roasting company that sources beans directly from women's coffee cooperatives in Central America, South America, and Africa—recently took over the roomy space on the corner of Ashby and College. They serve a small lunch menu plus fabulous pastries from Starter Bakery. // Souvenir Coffee (2701 College Ave.) roasts their own specialty coffees and serves pastries by organic craft bakery Midwife and The Baker. Souvenir, a comfortable spot to read or study, is usually busy with students hunched over laptops.
Where to Shop 'Til You Drop in Elmwood
Old Salt Merchants offers samples of their salts, spices, and caramels.
(Monique Rodriguez)
Bill's Trading Post (2943 College Ave.), established in 1939, is the neighborhood's oldest business and the first trading post in the Bay Area. To this day, you can pop into Bill's and find the turquoise necklace of your dreams. Much of the jewelry and art are created by Native American artists. // On the other hand, Sweet Regalia (2950 College Ave.), the area's newest store, is still in soft-opening mode. Everything is imported from Italy, including one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, and home decor, as well as specialty sweets. // Koraa (2840 College Ave.) curates fair-trade, ethically crafted goods and clothes from around the world, including a variety of personalized Mayan worry dolls from Guatemala. // Cousin St. (2946 College Ave.) was born out of the owner's frustration at not being able to find beautiful, durable things for her own home. She carries high-end housewares and gifts, highlighting local makers like artist Noah Johnson, whose delightfully whimsical map of Berkeley is printed onto a bandana. // Berkeley Organic Market & Deli (2642 Ashby Ave.), where you will find a fun array of unique, imported gourmet groceries, now also houses Casa do Petisco, a casual Brazilian eatery. // Old Salt Merchants (2935 College Ave.), an emporium of teas and spices, makes their own flavored salts, sugars, and small-batch caramels in flavors like ghost pepper and lime. // An invaluable resource for bird owners, Your Basic Bird (2940 College Ave.) has been providing supplies for birds and other small pets for more than 40 years. Browsing in this store filled with exotic avians is like a trip to the jungle. // Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore (2904 College Ave.) is one of those independent bookstores that sustains an entire community. A welcoming, airy space staffed by knowledgeable book people, they are particularly renowned for their gardening and children's books and frequent author events. // Family-owned and operated Elmwood Stationers (2947 College Ave.) is revered for carrying a stunning assortment of stylish writing accoutrements—and the fact that you can test-drive any pen or pencil at one of their dedicated stations. // Slash Denim (2840 College Ave.) is a two-part shop, with the original downstairs denim cave on Russell Street featuring mostly vintage Levi's since 1979, and a 20-year-old upstairs store on College Avenue carrying new jeans and workwear. // Vintage clothing in this neighborhood is on the pricier side, with the upside being that it's less work to find something beautiful. Stores like Pretty Penny Clothing (2981 College Ave.), which also carries new clothes and accessories, and Labels Luxury Consignment (2629 Ashby Ave.), showcase dreamy designer items. // Bird & Bean (3212 College Ave.) and Stitch + Sparrow (3210 College Ave.) share an adjoining shop at the Oakland border of the neighborhood. Bird & Bean is a kids' store that combines its own East Bay-based clothing label with uncommon toys, books, and baby essentials. On the other side of the shop, Stitch + Sparrow carries established womenswear brands and under-the-radar labels with a mix of price points, alongside gifts and lifestyle items. // As the weather cools, Personal Pizazz (2928 College Ave.) is the place to go to find cozy top-of-the-line sweaters. Their assortment of both men's and women's casual and formal wear is surprisingly extensive, given the compact space.
Where to Get Crafty in Elmwood
Studio Sessions Sewing Experiences is a place where people can practice their passion.
(Eli Dembele)
Scents by the Bay (2926 College Ave.) offers more than 600 perfumes and essential oils, including smell clones for designer fragrances and the old Body Time scents from Berkeley's iconic, now-defunct odor emporium. They also hold interactive fragrance-creating experiences where you can make perfume, soap, candles, shower steamers, custom aromatherapy bracelets, and more—all with a glass of wine in your hand. // ImagiKnit (2921 College Ave.) stocks every kind of yarn and crafting accessory you can imagine, in addition to holding classes and regular socials (Sunday is “Yarn Church,” and some Wednesdays have Group Therapy with Celia the Yarn Therapist). // Studio Sessions Sewing Experiences (2924 College Ave.) is a combo shop and garment-sewing studio, with events, instruction, and group classes for every level.
