Produce and sauces were the stars. Dungeness crab salad with black truffle — really generous lump crab and claw meat, full slice of truffle. The beurre blanc with fresh leeks was really something. Constantly rotating menu means I have a reason to return... frequently.
Berkeley, California — Est. 1971
The menu changes.
The commitment doesn't.
Nightly prix fixe downstairs. À la carte café upstairs. Always seasonal, always Berkeley.
Reserve a Table
Two rooms. One philosophy.
Cooking rooted in
Cooking rooted in
the land itself.
Since 1971, Chez Panisse has operated on a simple conviction: that cooking rooted in the best local, organic ingredients needs little else to be extraordinary. The downstairs dining room serves a single nightly prix fixe menu built around what the farms deliver that week.
Upstairs, the café offers a more informal à la carte experience — the same sourcing standards, a broader range of choices, and the real bistrot warmth that guests have been returning to for decades.
- Prix fixe downstairs dining room
- À la carte café upstairs
- Seasonally rotating menu
- Farm-to-table sourcing
- Organic and local ingredients
- Founded by Alice Waters
What guests remember
"Kind, thoughtful and super stylish service. The whole meal was wonderful — perfect blend of simplicity and creativity. The star of the show was the passion fruit tart; the biscuit was INCREDIBLE."
"Definitely a special occasion kind of place. Pleasantly surprised with the small appetizer, dessert tea, and small candies included with the prix fixe menu. Delicious food and great service."
"You get the real Bistrot feeling at the café upstairs. Wonderful vegetables and sauces — farm to table done right. Full house, amazing atmosphere."
"The food was outstanding and the staff were exceptionally attentive. Every dish was packed with amazing flavors. Ask for a seat near the kitchen for an even more exciting experience."
Plan your visit
The menu for tonight is already written.
Reservations for the downstairs dining room are recommended well in advance. The upstairs café welcomes walk-ins when available.
Make a ReservationHours
| Monday | 5:00 – 10:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am – 10:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am – 10:00 pm |
| Thursday | 11:30 am – 10:00 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am – 10:00 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am – 10:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Find us
1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Address
1517 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94709
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone
Reservations
Price Range
$$$$
Secure your seat
Request a reservation
For the downstairs prix fixe dining room, reservations are strongly recommended and often book weeks ahead. The upstairs café accepts walk-ins subject to availability. We will confirm your request by phone or email.