Living in or staying in Southside, Berkeley

Scores

Safety and quiet come from researched sources about the whole neighborhood; walkability, transport and nightlife from the address reports here.

About Southside

A dense, walkable university neighborhood south of UC Berkeley, with apartment buildings, student housing, restaurants, cafes, busy bus routes, and lively streets. The area feels urban and youthful, with quieter residential blocks away from the main commercial corridors.

Good for

• students
• solo travelers
• digital nomads
• first-time visitors
• public transport users

Less suited to

• quiet seekers
• families
• drivers
• retirees

Watch out for

• Expect busy sidewalks, buses, bicycles, and scooters around campus and major streets.
• Use normal nighttime precautions on quieter blocks and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
• Parking is limited and driving can be inconvenient.
• Check accommodation reviews for street noise, especially near restaurants, bus routes, and student housing.

Sources

• Southside: Now safer and easier to walk, bike, take transit
• Southside Plan
• Southside Plan
• Southside Berkeley Housing Near UC Berkeley

Local picks

Food & drink

• La Note

  French · A well-known French bistro serving generous breakfasts and rustic Provençal dishes.

• Sliver Pizzeria

  Pizza · Popular for creative vegetarian pizzas with a daily-changing menu.

• Great China Restaurant

  Chinese · A longstanding Berkeley favorite for Sichuan and other regional Chinese dishes.

• Gather

  Fine dining · A polished farm-to-table restaurant with creative seasonal cooking and strong vegetarian options.

• Gusto Bar A Couscous

  Middle Eastern · A casual spot for North African-inspired couscous, salads, and flavorful small plates.

• Sizzling Lunch

  Japanese · A casual Japanese-style restaurant known for sizzling plates and affordable comfort food.

• Gold Bean Café

  A relaxed student-area café serving coffee and casual drinks near the university.

• K’s Coffee House

  A convenient neighborhood coffee shop near downtown Berkeley and the campus edge.

• Amausaan Uji Matcha

  A specialty café focused on matcha drinks and Japanese-inspired sweets.

• Almare Gelato Italiano

  A good stop for Italian gelato and a sweet break while exploring Shattuck Avenue.

Sights & things to do

• Telegraph Avenue

  Explore Berkeley’s iconic pedestrian-friendly corridor of bookstores, shops, street vendors, and restaurants.

• Sproul Plaza

  Visit the lively central plaza at the heart of the University of California, Berkeley campus.

• Sather Gate

  See one of Berkeley’s best-known campus landmarks at the entrance to Sproul Plaza.

• University of California, Berkeley campus

  Wander through historic buildings, leafy paths, and lively student spaces beside Southside.

• Browse Telegraph Avenue shops

  Spend an afternoon exploring independent bookstores, record shops, boutiques, and street stalls.

• Walk the University of California, Berkeley campus

  Take a self-guided stroll through historic academic buildings, gardens, and public spaces.