There's just something special about eating outside. And since we live in a place that allows for outdoor dining well into the winter, we've rounded up 15 Berkeley Restaurants that offer outdoor patios ideal for families. So let the sound of kids rejecting their food drift up into the heavens instead of bouncing off the walls and driving us all crazy. When the air quality improves and social distancing permits, dining al fresco can be a real treat for the whole family!
Top Kid-friendly Restaurants in Berkeley with outdoor seating:
Westbrae Biergarten (N. Berkeley)
Located just along the Ohlone Greenway and Gilman, you can easily take a family ride to your lunch or dinner at the Westbrae Biergarten. They offer plenty of outdoor tables and a kid friendly menu. Sandwiches, salads, rice bowls and a cornucopia of beer and cider. Prost! Website >>
Barney's on Shattuck Ave. (N. Berkeley)
Serving burgers and fries in many flavors, Barney's outdoor seating is up above street level. The view is not picturesque, but rather the bustling Gourmet Ghetto. Website >
Cafe Leila (W. Berkeley)
On San Pablo, north of University, this casual restaurant produces high quality, fresh food and a large patio with enough room for dogs and strollers. Service can be slow. Dinner only on Thursday – Sunday evenings. Try brunch. Website>>
Jupiter (Downtown Berkeley)
Sponsor
This large and festive patio is filled with students and young families. The pizza and salads are delicious. The fire pit is not awesome for for toddlers, but they can't get to it without climbing. Located conveniently for meeting a parent hopping off the BART in Downtown Berkeley. Website>>
La Note (S. Berkeley on Shattuck Ave.)
A traditional breakfast and lunch bistro with an authentic French vibe and pretty little patio on Shattuck in downtown Berkeley. Take your kids out for a special Provençal dinner in a warm and charming atmosphere. Make sure to joint the waitlist to avoid squirmy line-waiting behavior. Website>>
Creekwood (S. Berkeley)
A new South Berkeley restaurant with an approachable California-Italian vibe with kid friendly pizza. A heated front patio is small and they don't take reservations at the moment, but the unique menu is worth the visit. Website>>
Lanesplitter (W. Berkeley)
On San Pablo Ave., near University, this pizza pub's backyard garden is great for kids. (Read our previous review of Lanesplitter for kids.) Website>>
Longbranch and Paisan (W. Berkeley)
Sister restaurants next door to each other on San Pablo Ave. near Gilman, they have a twinkly-light lit back patio available for outdoor dining from 4pm – 8:30pm daily. Family friendly pizzas and strawberry shortcake for dessert, yum! Website >>
Tacubaya (W. Berkeley on 4th Street)
Sponsor
On Berkeley's 4th Street, Tacubaya patrons may sit outside with their food on tables shared by Tacubaya and the adjacent Market Hall. Ideal for pulling a stroller up next to your table for a weekend brunch. Feeding a baby or young toddler? Share the camote, a delicious, rich, pureed sweet potato dish. Website >> Also, see our guide to Fourth Street with Kids >>
Bette's Oceanview Diner (W. Berkeley on 4th Street)
Also on 4th Street, this breakfast and lunch institution is famous for its pancakes, and with good reason. The outdoor seating area offers great people watching right there on the main street, but beware it'll likely be busy. Bette's to go is right next door, if you get impatient. Website >>
Tomate Cafe (W. Berkeley on 5th Street)
Yes, another brunch spot, but isn't that window of time really the most doable with little kids? Get the French toast. Located in West Berkeley on the corner of Bancroft and 5th Street. Your dog is also welcome. Website >>
El Patio (W. Berkeley)
The name says it all! Munch on some tasty chips, guac and tacos (don't miss the house hot sauce!) on the cozy outdoor patio. In West Berkeley just south of University. Website >>
Gilman Grill (NW Berkeley)
A local neighborhood favorite for weekend breakfast and brunch. The noise from Gilman is a great cover for your boisterous children. Picnic tables and umbrellas offer a friendly outdoor space to enjoy your meal. Website >>
Lama Beans Cafe (NW Berkeley)
Also on Gilman, this cafe is another neighborhood favorite with solid breakfast and lunch family options (Nutella stuffed French Toast anyone?). They also offer a 3-course Dinner option that's great for sharing with littles. Try the buttermilk fried chicken. Website >>
The Berkeley Boathouse (Marina)
Tucked away in the Berkeley Marina in the Doubletree Hotel, this family friendly restaurant offers a heated patio overlooking the water and boats. Offering only a limited menu at the moment, there's still plenty of kid-friendly options. Website>>
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17 thoughts on “15 Berkeley Restaurants with Outdoor Seating”
Though I agree that Picante is “not cheap” compared to other taquerias, it seems weird to me that it got that qualifier, but Comal’s super high end fair didn’t garner a mention along those lines. I hear Comal is great and worth the price, but that place CERTAINLY ain’t cheap.
You’re right, Andrew. I should have suggested Comal as a special occasion restaurant.
I agree that Comal is a bit of a stretch – both because of cost and ‘fancy’ factor. I haven’t been to Moxy but also have heard that they are trying hard to make it less kid friendly, which is sort of sad. Paisan should be added to the list, I think their patio is outside enough to qualify.
Don’t forget about the cafe next to the main library on Kittredge.
The Durant Cafe on Durant near Telegraph has a 2nd floor patio with lots of sun.
There’s also a great small patio in the back of Local 123, now Highline Coffee.
Thank you for this list. SLOW on University has inexpensive tasty food with a beautiful and large rose garden seating in the back.
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Now we can add Westbrae Biergarten and Philz to the list. Yay!
http://www.westbraebiergarten.com/
https://www.facebook.com/philzcoffeegilman
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Which is the restaurant pictured first? Looks nice!
it’s mission heirloom cafe in the gourmet ghetto. so pretty, right?
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Nice list! The only thing is, I don’t think it’s responsible to suggest bringing in other vendors’ food (here, Cheeseboard) to another establishment (Epicurious Garden) unless the owners are okay with it. I frequent both Cheeseboard and Epicurious Garden and the latter really seems to be a private space where it’s understood that you dine there because you bought food there.
Mission Heirloom has closed 🙁