I went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was immediately hooked. First off, the place is huge, clean, and modern but somehow manages to retain the non-commercial feeling of the old Berkeley Bowl. I think it's partly because I recognize so many of the workers from the old place and it's fun to see them there. And the parking! The other day I realized when I got to my car that I forgot to buy coffee, so I just went back in to get some. And I kept wondering to myself, why does this feel different? I know I didn't used to do this at the old place, and I couldn't figure out why. Suddenly I realized that at the old place, I was usually parked blocks away so going back to buy an item I forgot was too much of a hassle! The selection is huge and the aisles are big enough that you're not constantly bumping into people. The only little glitches I've experienced so far are (1) they're always out of Good Earth cinnamon tea, and (2) the buttermilk I found on the shelf was due to expire in two days. They replaced it eventually. (Berkeley Bowl was never big on having long-running milk at the old place, either, but this was an extreme case.) I'm just a little afraid that it will eventually fill up and get crowded like the old place. But so far, so good - it's very smooth sailing and still my favorite place to shop. read more

We tried the cafe for dinner last night and have to say it needs some improvements. I ordered the Mussels and Clams which came undercooked, half the shellfish did not open completely. The sauce was a rich tomato base, tasty, but a bit heavy on the oil. My partner ordered a sausage sandwich. It came with home made french fries, quite a treat. Salads served lightly dressed with a sweet dressing. All portions were generous. When they work out the kinks it will be a good spot. read more

I love the Berkeley Bowl. However, I strongly caution anyone from buying their Quiche Lorraine. It should be renamed to onion Lorraine. It's 75% onion. I bet it would be excellent if I was 25% onion. read more

I finally drove here. A huge store compared to Berkeley Bowl (on Oregon)! Even the parking lot is huge. Very nice, spacious inside, wider isles. I buy bulk items often. Way easier to buy bulk items at this store. There's a clerk in the bulk area to help you tag and weigh your bulk items. Nice layout. read more

Yay! It's just like the old BB except they solved the traffic problem (outside AND inside the store). They have the same great produce and groceries in a much more spacious location. It's also really convenient to get to since it's right off I-80. Love this place! read more

I get most of my staples here.Love, love, love the huge selection. Much prefer this market to the original one. However I've found the organic produce to not be as fresh as Whole Foods and most esp. the farmer's market. Wish they carried more local produce. read more

The best market for produce next to the farmers markets. Killer selection on just about everything edible.

First point: the burritos. I'm a picky burrito eater and I know it's annoying to make the burrito I like (steak/carne asada, rice, lettuce, sour cream) because it's not really THAT super but it's also not plain old meat/beans/rice either. Usually I get charged extra for the sour cream and that's my only complaint here, 95 whole cents for a measly squirt of sour cream? Nuance in burrito pricing should be celebrated, not discouraged. Even so, this is my favorite burrito in Berkeley. Second are the customers. I don't know what the hell the deal is with the people at the original BB but at least here at West you're not constantly getting rammed by carts or find yourself stuck in the middle of the berries as you slowly realize that there are carts blocking every way out and you're going to have to pick someone's cart to move. That's a bad feeling and it never happens here because every aisle is spacious. Third and last thumbs up is BB being the only good thing about summer. For a few brief months you can get a carton of strawberries for $1.19, there's no beating that. read more

Fantastic produce and meat section, plenty of parking, and great customer service.

Berkeley Bowl West is a fantastic grocery store - you will be able to find anything you need there. One thing I'd say though is that your fellow shoppers often behave as if they are the only one there. A typical experience - you go down an aisle and find a cart parked directly in the middle, blocking your way - not on the side, but always directly in the middle. Also, if you do park on the side of the aisle, I guarantee someone else will come along and park there cart right next to you (rather than a few feet further down which allow others to be able to roll through). The staff are always nice and helpful! I recommend shopping here, but only during hours when it is not so busy. read more

We purchased a delicious new brand of salmon, Verlasso. It was the best-tasting salmon we've had. We decided to try it because the guy behind the counter said it was raised in a way that is better for the health of the fish, and its environment. It looked wonderful, tasted even better. We simply put a little olive oil, salt and pepper on it before placing it on the grill. Its fresh, clean taste didn't need anything else. We definitely have a new favorite dinner. Thanks for introducing us to Verlasso, Berkeley Bowl. We'll be back for much more. read more

Really I'd give 4 1/2 stars if that were an option. This store is an amazing improvement over the already great--but of course too crowded--original store on Shattuck/Adeline. The produce is great, the food selection so plentiful even the very knowledgeable customer service people don't always know what they have. The cafe is great. The to go food is great too--I just wish I didn't sometimes feel the pull back to Whole Foods for their salad bar, hot table, and rotisserie chicken--the ones at BB tend to be pallid and look like they have dishpan hands. But, its a great, if not perfect, store. And, what parking! read more

This is now my all-time favorite grocery. The organic produce section is amazing, but it is the little things that make me really love it. Like, instead of having candy at the register they have batteries. Which I needed and had forgotten about. I love this store! read more

For the sheer abundance of gorgeous produce, this place deserves 5 stars. The cafe, in keeping with Berkeley's populist zeitgeist, serves large, delicious servings of fare like burritos and noodle bowls. I must go back on further recognizance missions, but so far, SO good! read more

HOW HAVE I NOT REVIEWED A PLACE I VISIT SO MUCH? More than a place to go get my lunch while working at my studio or to get the groceries for the week, this place is an excellent place to eat at the cafe or discover unusual and exotic products. The amount of organic produce and bulk items are incomparable to any other store I've visited anywhere in the country. It looks like it would be hard to park there but most people don't realize there is parking across the street of the main entrance, the small parking lot at the exit and a huge underground parking lot. The staff seems to always be in a good mood and responsive to show you where things are. Keep up the good work guys. Artie says you rock! read more

i used to go to the cafe all the time, multiple times a week, because i worked in the area. I now work in SF and rarely get back there. This weekend i wanted to go to the cafe with my family because i remember it being so good. After standing with the kids for 15 mins trying to decide what we wanted, then standing in line for another 10 come to find out that they were out of pizza and out of reubens. We then changed our order to cheeseburgers for the kids and i grabbed some sushi. The cheeseburgers were obviously for the kids as we were standing there asking them what they wanted instead of pizza. It would have been nice if the person taking our order would have told us it came with onion, shredded lettuce, tomato and what looked like a mayonnaise based spread. We had to pick all of this off of the burgers (which wasn't easy since the lettuce was in miniature pieces). Suggestion (and what seems like common sense) is to cross off or put a sign up as to what they are out of. Food wasn't as good as i remembered it and service was definitely unfriendly and unhelpful (it was obvious that could have cared less about being out of these items). Not going back. Will probably ditch the grocery store as well, when i get a bad taste in my mouth it tends to stick. I usually do not take the time to write stuff like this experience really bothered me. read more

Best place to get groceries in the bay area PERIOD.

This is the most amazing supermarket i've ever experienced. Yes, it's VERY busy on weekends and that simply re-enforces how rightly popular and awesome it is. read more

Stopped in here on the way out of Berkeley with my daughters and we were floored. Rows of produce - organic and conventional. Two prepared food counters, bulk food and snacks ready to grab. Hope to be shopping here again when I visit the East Bay. read more

this food is awsome great selection and the daily specials are off the hook Fish Taco day is my favroite. All of this and the service was great !!! One of the guys in the back i think his name is Matt even gave me the racipe for there wonderful curry lentil read more

I have celiac. Berkeley Bowl is an awesome huge local grocery store with a plethora of amazing gluten-free packaged items. They have frozen, shelf stable, raw, you name it! Your well known brands (Udi's, Glutino's, Enjoy Life) as well as crazy new stuff. Most of it is made in gluten-free facilities and/or certified GF (but of course always check). And, best of all, their exhaustive produce section can't be beat. Local, organic, 6 types of navel oranges? They have it! I prefer this location ("Berkeley Bowl West") for the broader selection, larger aisles, easier parking, and cleaner store, but the original store is also great. (same review left on findmeglutenfree) read more

Best produce available. Crazy-wide selection to pick from. I've never eaten more healthfully in my life. Also love their butchers, who are super helpful. I am happy to support their coop style of business, though I do wish they'd be willing to stay open one more hour in the evening. I love this place so much that I come here from San Francisco. read more

Great produce section. Everything is so fresh and affordable

I have enjoyed the sandwiches here. Just had clam chowder- tasty. Unfortunately they have difficulties with salad dressing. I am staring at a plate of greasy greens. This was supposed to have a lemon vinaigrette but there is no evidence of lemon or vinegar. I had the same experience with a rice noodle salad that was supposed to have a lime dressing. This isn't even olive oil (must be canola) so basically no flavor but greasy. The Cali steak sandwich is sad. Tough meat, flavorless cheese sauce, tasty peppers but that doesn't save it. My husband just had chicken fingers which were barely crispy. The fries are good, but this cafe is pretty disappointing. October 2014 Why do I come back here? We seem to have lost sight of the purpose of baking soda. It is for leavening. Baking soda is not seasoning. The pancake should taste like a pancake, not like baking soda. The bowl isn't the only place around to be confused on this issue. Bake Sale Betty over sodas her cookies in the worst way. So I am not sure if my complaint is with the Bowl cafe or with our cultural taste buds. I do have a complaint about the bowl deep frying the breakfast sausage. They shouldn't be chewy and the casing shouldn't look like mummy skin. read more

I love the selection at Berkeley Bowl and I'm so happy with Berkeley Bowl West since I live nearby. I always seem to find parking even though at first it usually looks quite crowded. They have a below ground parking lot too! read more

The first time I walked into Berkeley Bowl my jaw dropped. This market is simply the best food market in the universe. They have (practically) everything you may need for making any kind of dish. More to pick from than Whole Foods and without Whole Foods outrageous prices! I mean like prices you would find at a "regular" grocery store. The produce section is like a farmers market. Unbelievable. I see some complaints here about certain customer service incidents, well humans work here. Try living someplace like Brooklyn NY for a few years then come here and tell me about your complaints of Berkeley Bowl. read more

This place is awesome when shopping for produce. They make shopping at places like Safeway, in comparison, seem like a punishment. The only downside and reason why I couldn't give them 5 stars is because of their customer service. I have shopped there for years and 90% of that time cashiers have either rushed myself or my wife while I bagged groceries, avoided eye contact, have regularly entered incorrect codes resulting in incorrect charges (that I have to catch),never greeted me, or thanked me for my business (you know normal nice customer service). read more

Best place to go for produce. Fresh and organic and several other varieties. You name it, coming from farms almost daily. Busy as hell every day. Long lines at the counter on weekends. But they have many many counters and several workers all over always stocking the shelves. Prices are very low. They also have a small eating place. They cook pizzas and Chinese and bakery and coffee. Plenty of parking, but it gets filled quickly. Some wait time involved. Great place to shop. read more

Hooray for the "squishy" bin! Go to the back behind the meat/fish counter and they always have SO MUCH produce for cheap that is perfectly fine just a little ripe or misshapen. There are no grocery co-ops in Berkeley and even though this isn't a co-op is somehow has that feel. The staff are cool, the prices are reasonable, and it's not pretentious. Love this place. :) read more

One of the main reasons why I live Berkeley is to enjoy the best organic produce market in California. Also, all of the meat is locally sourced and organic. It's easy to get to and there's always plenty of parking! read more

I have been shopping at Berkeley Bowl since it was actually in a bowling alley. These days I even commute from Richmond to shop at Berkeley Bowl West, because I cook, and I appreciate the huge selection of fresh food, even if the quality is not as high as it was before the store became so famous, and even though everything except the produce is ludicrously expensive. It would be really nice if I could eat at the cafe, too. Unfortunately, that cafe has got to go. Crappy pre-made sandwiches and salads, and overblown, overpriced grill food. I generally don't go in there, but I noticed recently they had started serving breakfast, so I decided to give it another try. I ordered an omelet, specifying carefully that I wanted it done really soft. I got a disc of yellow rubber. So I sent it back, saying that I would rather just have my money back if they couldn't do a soft omelet. The counter person went and had a long conversation with the cook, and ....out came another yellow rubber disc. The kitchen area is exposed, so I was hoping they wouldn't spit in my food if I sent it back a third time. I don't think they spat in it, but the third omelet was not only a yellow rubber disc, but it was browned, as well--- I guess they figured that would teach me to send food back. l just left, without asking for my $14.00 back, because when you've sent something back three times, and they still won't cook it the way you want it, that's not poor cooking skills, that's active hostility. read more

The store is amazing. It's in my neighborhood and I usually enjoy going there. The front customer service NASTY. I'm new to the store and walked up to the counter. Waited until she finished with the person in front of her. My question was met with rolled eyes and as if I'd intruded on her day. My question was 'do you have an ATM?' Avoid the bleached blonde African American woman at the counter. Ask someone else, or go somewhere else. read more

If you are looking for a sandwich this is NOT the place to go. I paid $5.95 for a meat and cheese sandwich. When returning to work ready to eat my lunch I felt like the little old lady on the burger commercial. WHERE'S THE BEEF??? There was only 1 thin slice of meat. I called the store to complain and the person I spoke to sounded like they could care less. They didn't even ask if they could do anything to make me happy. I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THAT STORE AGAIN. Still hungry read more

Parking in Berkeley is the pits. But BBW has made it easy for their customers. Check out the parking. You will want to bring some extra cash because you'll end up spending a Whole Lot more than you thought. Lots of fresh breads and pastries that you can smell all the way on the other side of the store. Leave your credit cards or you will max them out. read more

Extensive produce, but difficult to navigate through pain in the ass cars and people. Not as fresh as monterey market in my opinion. Seems things go rancid, rot etc. faster than monterey market's stuff. Local butcher shops seem fresher than the bowl's offerings. read more

Incredible food selection from local producers! Super-friendly staff at deli, meat/seafood counters and check-out. Free parking lot, garage and street always available when I go. But it can bit of a zoo on the weekends like any grocery market. read more

Yes, it is as good as it gets. The Berkeley Bowl West has parking underground and in 2 additional lots so it is not as stressful as the Oregon Street location. The organic produce and bulk food section have thoughtful selections as well as their non-organic produce area. I also appreciate the location (Canada, Mexico or USA etc) and farm information in each of the produce areas. Is the Berkeley Bowl West perfect, no, but then neither am I. Areas that could use a little more work is the deli counter for efficiency and the meat counter in announcing the numbers louder and clearer. Still 5 stars for selection, quality and value. read more

The original BB is like that joke, "nobody goes there because it's too crowded." BB West is only a little less crowded, but still easier, and it's the same products and selections. read more

One word: produce! Since moving to Berkeley, I've been hard pressed to find good produce at a reasonable price. Berkeley bowl is an oasis of fruits and veggies. I make the trek there every week or two to stock up of other things too. The meat/poultry department is priced well and full of quality product. For anyone trying to get good food on a budget, this is your place. read more

This cafe rocks all if the sandwiches are delicious. The pizzas are simply delightful. The soups are rich and creamy. The classic burger is one of the best in town. read more