Gourmet District Gem

This popular Berkley neighborhood is known by at least a few names including Gourmet Gulch, North Shattuck and Gourmet District. Located less than a mile north of Downtown Berkley, Gourmet District is often considered the birthplace and epicenter of California Cuisine. The homes in the Gourmet District range from well-preserved Victorian-style homes to bungalows and meticulously preserved Craftsmans. In fact, the eclectic mix of real estate in the Gourmet District garners so much attention, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association conducts regular neighborhood tours in the area. Thanks to the nearby BART Station and central shopping district, the Gourmet District is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Berkeley.

Everything from Oakland to the bustling Downtown San Francisco area is less than an hour commute from Gourmet District. Oakland Medical Center is less than 20 minutes from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station and residents can be at Google’s headquarters in less than 45 minutes. UC Berkeley is just a mile away, making Gourmet Ghetto a great place for students, faculty, and staff to call home.

Live Oak Park, located near Shattuck Avenue between Eunice and Rose Streets, is ideal for everything from morning walks to outdoor sports and a plethora of other events. Amenities include basketball courts, a volleyball court, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, and an open-air theater which hosts children’s plays and Shakespearean productions. Just east of Live Oak Park is the Berkeley Art Center which proudly displays a variety of exhibits, art openings, and lectures.

Alice Kahn first used the phrase “Gourmet Ghetto” over 40 years ago. The strip of Shattuck Avenue between Cedar and Vine streets is anchored by Alice Waters’ world-famous Chez Panisse Restaurant & Café, The Cheese Board Collective, and the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Each of these restaurants have been icons in the neighborhood for decades and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon. Simply put, the area is a laid-back mecca for those who want to eat, drink, and live well.