A long time favorite of students in search of the perfect place to study, it is a haven for those looking for a wooden-tabled coffee house that is open late and does not get too raucous. Despite its roomy interior, the dark wood and rustle of lecture notes will put you at peace and allow you to hunker down with a mocha and focus on that 19th-century tome. In addition to the many caffeinated choices and standard pastries, it also offers soups and sandwiches throughout the day, and a selection of gourmet desserts.

This place is definitely tailored for those on the go and with little to go on budget-wise. But it is a comfy little friendly place with a few tables and a counter where you can grab a crepe for a couple of bucks, wolf it down, and head to class or shopping or what have you. Crepes can be filled with every and any thing from cheese, spinach, avocado, garlic, nutella, you name it. Some basic sandwiches are offered for the less crepe-inclined, as well as espresso drinks.

This hip little jazz club and brewpub has taken post-modernism to the extreme by adopting an original, if not heretical, approach to its décor. Inside you will find pews, fixtures, and other bits and pieces from a local Berkeley church. But sit back, relax, and enjoy one of its three dozen beers on tap, and nibble on gourmet sandwiches like roast chicken, and mozzarella and basil, as well as freshly baked pizzas. Local bands are featured on Thursday through Saturday nights, and the crowd, though mostly students, is rather mixed.

Hankerin' for some traditional Japanese food in Downtown Berkeley? Duck into this small, blink-and-you-will-miss-it nook for fresh and delicious sushi, flawless tempura and quick bento box lunches. Its quiet setting is perfect for couples seeking intimate conversation, or for casual business meetings (you will always find a few here during the lunch hour). A la carte sushi includes the traditional selections of salmon, tuna, octopus, bean curd and roe. Try a bento box for a tasty lunch, or their tempura or donburi dishes. There are also decent choices for vegetarians.

If a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner is what you want when in downtown Berkley, a good choice would be La Rose Bistro. A friendly and warm environment accompanies your meal and the unique murals on the walls will pleasantly surprise you. The menu is creative and adventurous with appetizers such as Pear Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese USD7, and main courses such as Duck Confit with Port Wine Sauce USD18. Reservations are accepted.

This eatery specializes in Northern Indian cuisine. It uses lots of fresh ingredients and select spices. Find a comfortable setting with a full bar that includes Indian beers and a few bottles of vintage wine. The tandoori specialties and curries are excellent, and there's a large variety of vegetarian dishes to choose from.

This restaurant brings back memories of those grand Chinese restaurants from yore. The kind where you walk in and find a water pond and wild foliage to one side, dark wood walls to another, well worn red booths, golden dragons observing you as you dine and waiters in smart red vests with embroidery. Not many of these gems left, for those who consider them gems. Enjoy Northern Chinese and Mandarin cuisine here. Entrees include Bean Curd Beef, General Tsao's Chicken and Sea Cucumber with Pork, and Calamari with Black Bean Sauce. Many vegetarian selections are also available.

Murals of villas and a marketplace grace the wall of this restaurant. The music is fun, the service great, the food cannot be beat. This eatery makes its ingredients in small batches, ensuring you get the freshest available. Its meat is hand-trimmed, lean and low in sodium. Healthy cooking is key here. Choose from a whole wheat, spinach or tomato tortilla. Wraps and burritos can be had traditionally, or more creatively, like the picante (with chipolte). Choose from chicken, beef, carnitas or chorizo, salmon, snapper and prawns. For breakfast, try Chorizo and Eggs, Huevos Rancheros or the Mexican Omelet.

This corner restaurant is stark and simple, but with the greetings all accompanied with a smile, you will feel right at home. You can order prepared dishes and combination plates at the small buffet up front, and either sit down or take it to go. Depending on how many items you have (that change daily) you can fill up on the assortment of fried rolls, noodle and vegetable dishes, buttery fried rice with pork, or whatever else is set out that day. The beef dishes, such as Oyster Beef, are also particularly good. House beer and wine are available by the glass. Sit-down service is also available.

Since 1968, this restaurant has been serving chic and delicious burgers, bacon and baklava on the cheap. A cut above a greasy spoon or a fast food joint, it has a sleek, yellow and blue decor, comfy seats and apparent gloss. It serves breakfasts, like omelets with cheese, mushroom, bacon, or sausage, or eggs any style. Also find sandwiches with a decidedly Middle Eastern flair like the Shish Kebab Sandwich. Vegetarian selections include falafel and hummus sandwiches. But really, you are here for the burgers, which are big, cheap and juicy. Try the All-American and the Bacon. Everything is grilled and made to order.