Gourmet Ghetto, Culinary district in North Berkeley, California.
The Gourmet Ghetto is a food and restaurant neighborhood in North Berkeley running along Shattuck Avenue, filled with dining spots, cafes, and specialty shops focused on quality ingredients. The area brings together establishments known for freshly roasted coffee, artisanal cheeses, and thoughtfully prepared dishes made with care.
The neighborhood began developing in the 1960s when specialized food shops and restaurants with innovative cooking ideas started opening there. These early establishments set the stage for growth into what became a thriving food district that has continued to evolve.
The neighborhood earned its identity as the birthplace of a cooking movement that champions local, seasonal ingredients from nearby farms. Walking through the streets today, you see this philosophy at work in how restaurants source and prepare their food.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot, with most places within a short walk along Shattuck Avenue. Parking can be difficult to find, so public transportation or biking are more practical ways to arrive.
One distinctive feature of the neighborhood is a cheese shop run by employee-owners that makes a different pizza variety each day. This daily changing menu keeps visits surprising and draws regular customers eager to discover what is being offered.
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