Late Night Food in Berkeley
Where to Eat Late in Berkeley
If you’re a student at Cal you’re going to have a lot of late nights. Between all of the studying, projects, and parties you’ll often find yourself looking around for something to eat in the late hours of the night or the early hours of the morning. This can present quite a challenge in a city that normally closes around 10 or 11 in the evening.
But don’t lose hope! Berkeley’s late night scene has improved over the last few years and we’ve put together a collection of spots sure to fit your needs when the hour is late.
Seniore’s Pizza
Pizza is a popular late night meal and Seniore’s has your back. Open till three in the morning (four on Friday and Saturday), you can pretty much rely on their huge slices, fair prices, and a wide variety of pies at any time of the day. They deliver too (and fast), which is great if you’re stuck in a midnight study session, need to feed a large party, or just want to avoid traveling around Berkeley at night. Seniore’s is already a student favorite and being able to have them at any time is a big bonus.
Au Coquelet
Au Coquelet is Berkeley’s most popular study cafe for night owls. Not only do they offer lots of space, outlets, and reliable WiFi, they also have a full restaurant attached that’s open till one in the morning. This makes it perfect as an all day work spot or an amazing location for evening group study sessions. If you need a place to focus in the evening and want a location outside your dorm or apartment, Au Coquelet is your best option.
King Pin Donuts
There are some great meal options available in the evening but what about when it comes to dessert? Finding something sweet past midnight can be a pain, but King Pin Donuts on Telegraph and Durant keeps its doors open till two in the morning and serves up all types of warm, sweet, and chocolaty donuts and donut holes. You’re sure to find some flavor combination to fall in love with here. It’s close to the dorms too which makes it an easy trip if you’re craving a late night snack.
Top Dog
Sometimes you just want something cheap and simple. Top Dog does that well. Open till two in the morning, Top Dog offers up a great selection of sausages, hot links, Frankfurters and more. All of them put into a toasted and seeded bun. Add toppings or eat it plain for a perfectly crispy bite the whole way through. Top Dog can fill you up without weighing you down which is extra valuable when you’re grabbing a bite to eat before bed. For a simple, cheap, and satisfying late night meal hit up Top Dog.
Nude Sushi
Berkeley has a few great sushi spots but most of them aren’t open super late. Nude Sushi is the exception (and a good one at that). Open till three in the morning, Nude Sushi offers Sushi delivery (you can only get them through delivery late at night) to hungry Cal students every day except Sunday. Their party platter is great for group study sessions or events and even if their standard selection of sushi isn’t your thing they serve up great bento boxes, Korean dishes, and plenty of other tasty treats to get you through the night.
Smoke’s Poutinerie
Open till four in the morning, Smoke’s Poutinerie is a newer addition to the late night scene at Cal. Their generous portions of fries, gravy, and cheese curds will keep you going all night. Even better if you have friends because it can be quite a bit of food. Craving a bit of protein? No worries, they have plenty of options that come piled on with all sorts of meats and vegetarian flavors. If you’re up late and need the energy to push through an all-nighter, this is a great place that's close to the dorms.
Bangkok Noodles & Thai BBQ
Berkeley has plenty of Thai restaurants but almost none of them are open late. Bangkok Noodles & Thai BBQ fills the void Thai Noodle left when they changed their hours. They’re already a local favorite during normal business hours, so it’s extra nice that they make themselves available till a little past one in the morning. If you’re craving noodles or some warm soup on a cold Bay Area night you should stop by.
The Smokehouse
Sometimes you get a burger craving late at night and it’s almost always impossible to sate that craving. The Smokehouse on Telegraph helps solve that problem by grilling up delicious traditional burgers till one-thirty in the morning. Get a simple burger if you want something simple or opt for a thick double cheeseburger if you’re feeling particularly famished. For all of your burger, shake, and fry needs in the early hours of the morning The Smokehouse is your best bet.
Even When It’s Late You Can Still Eat Great
Finding food in Berkeley late at night used to be a big problem. Fortunately, that problem has slowly been getting solved by some great spots looking to fill this common need for Berkeley students (and even locals).
Out late and want to reference this guide? You can always see this list and many others from the Gojurn community on the Gojurn app (available for iOS and Android). Discover a place you think deserves a mention? Let us know here.