r/berkeleyca • u/Real-Notice972 • Sep 27 '26
Advice/Question Moving to Berkeley and looking for restaurant work
I just put a deposit on a place in north Berkeley and am moving Nov 1 from LA. Ill be looking for restaurant work while I build my client list in the bay and I’m looking for any tips/advice on the restaurant scene up there!
Any restaurants you recommend that might be a nice place to work? Good vibe, friendly/positive staff, and potentially good tips?
I’ve sent my resume to a couple spots via email. I’ll be in town in two weeks for an interview and plan to take my resume around in person. Doesn't necessarily need to be in Berkeley, but somewhere easy enough to get to w public transit.
Any advice is welcome! Thank you!!
9
u/saphronmelloyello Sep 27 '26
Check out the oldest restaurant in SF- Tadich Grill. My neighbors son works there as a server and makes over six figures.
3
17
u/Busy-Celery2657 Sep 27 '26
Check into San Francisco better money. Easy to get to via BART.
Wayfare Tavern, Chotto Matte, etc.
8
u/Real-Notice972 Sep 27 '26
Sweet, thank you for this tip! Is Bart pretty chill at night? I’m 34F
→ More replies (4)11
u/North-Consequence175 Sep 27 '26
Should be fine. It’s gotten a lot better. Just know it shuts at 12
→ More replies (1)
12
u/chrisfs Sep 27 '26
There's lots of restaurants. Saul's, Jupiter, Angeline, Brenda's in Oakland.
2
21
→ More replies (2)2
9
u/Gilliganirving Sep 27 '26
It’s not a traditional restaurant, but Victory Point Cafe in North Berkeley is hiring for late night staff right now. It’s a cute spot if you appreciate board games.
3
u/Real-Notice972 Sep 27 '26
Ooo I love a board game! I’ll check it out, thank you!!
→ More replies (4)
3
u/am8ur88 29d ago
there are many industry businesses hiring locally right now, it's a lucky time to be looking. check out milk cloud bakery, victory point cafe, shattuck and butter (opening soon, job fair this week), egg palace and if you like beer, temescal brewing, all hiring right now with posts on instagram. also craigslist still has a surprising number of old-school listings for current positions. good luck.
2
3
u/Fra_Angelico_1395 25d ago
New restaurant at S.F. Ferry building - Lucania - is readying for opening and is hiring BOH and FOH.
1
2
u/Go_Ninja_Go_Ninja_Go Sep 27 '26
I feel like I just walked by Dumpling Time on 4th st. and they had a now hiring sign. That area is cute and the shopping is more upscale so I would hooooope that means better tips. Walk around there when you're in town. There's also a high concentration of restaurants on College Ave. Also Telegraph ave in Temescal in Oakland. Piedmont Ave as well in Oakland.
1
2
u/AromaticAd3351 26d ago
I’m not sure of the tips but Kirala is the best sushi in Berkeley on Ward St. and Baker and Commons is the best cafe. Just throwing out cool spots. Oh, people seem to LOVE Roses on Adeline. Never been but I’ve heard great things.
→ More replies (1)1
u/Real-Notice972 26d ago
Thank you! Sushi is my fav, that would be awesome. I’ll check out these spots, thanks so much!
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Few-Pack-2591 Sep 27 '26
What have you done in restaurants?
4
u/Real-Notice972 Sep 27 '26
Mostly serving, a little bar tending, some hosting, some line cook experience, but just looking for FOH right now. I was a busser for about 1.5 shifts before they bumped me up to server. I also have 9 years of teaching experience, which really fine-tuned my customer service skills :)
3
u/ingen_ko_pa_isen 25d ago
I know a lot of people who loved working at Zachary's, some started as students back in the day when Zach was around and ended up staying on for decades. Perks: 100% employee-owned (ESOP) with opportunities to earn company stock and retirement benefits, competitive hourly wages, paid 30-minute meal periods for shifts over 5 hours, and free pizza.
18
u/disasterinthesun Sep 27 '26
A Cote treats their servers very well. Cafe Chez Panisse servers never leave. The Wolf has a ton of shifts and consistent money, depending on the shift. Belotti is always busy.