Explore all that the Elmwood District has to offer, including unique shopping and dining. Photo courtesy of Homes.com.

With its small-town charm and numerous places to eat and shop, Berkeley’s Elmwood District is an ideal neighborhood to spend an afternoon in the East Bay. Centered around the intersection of College Ave. and Ashby Ave., Elmwood includes a walkable commercial stretch with several gems for shopping and dining. You’ll also find a movie theater, hair salons and more. 

Located about a mile south of the UC Berkeley campus, Elmwood is 0.9 miles from Rockridge BART (which is just up the street on College Ave.) and one mile away from Ashby BART. 

Here are just a few of the many spots that make this neighborhood worth a visit: 

Shopping

Browse books and more at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary & Garden Arts. Photo courtesy of Berkeleyside.

Elmwood has a number of boutiques with everything from clothing and shoes to books and skincare. These are just some of the great shops you’ll find in the neighborhood:   

100% Pure ( 2983 College Ave.) 

For natural skincare and makeup, head to 100% Pure. This Bay Area-based company has a boutique in Elmwood that offers facials in addition to high-quality skincare and makeup products that are made without synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances or harsh toxins.

Casa de Chocolates (2629 Ashby Ave.) 

This Latin American-inspired chocolate shop features items from small businesses and local artisans, with sweets ranging from bon-bons to chocolate bars and whole cakes. It also offers hot chocolate drinks to go. 

Cousin St.  (2946 College Ave.) 

Cousin St. offers a curated selection of stylish home goods, accessories and a few clothing items. Whether shopping for your home or looking for a gift, you’ll find interesting, artistic pieces at this Elmwood boutique. 

Koraa (2840 College Ave.) 

Koraa sells handmade products from more than 20 countries, including artisan-made pieces from Asia and Africa. With clothing, home goods, accessories and more, it’s a great place for unique gifts. 

Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary & Garden Arts (2904 College Ave.)

Named after the first line of Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway,” this independent bookstore was founded by Elmwood residents and maintains its local character. In addition to books, a small garden section has items for the home. 

Dining

Sample Mediterranean favorites on the patio at La Méditerranée. Photo courtesy of La Méditerranée.

When it comes to food, there are several neighborhood spots that have been delighting customers for years. Here are just a few: 

Baker & Commons (2900 College Ave.) 

A popular brunch destination, Baker & Commons serves freshly baked goods, breakfast, lunch and coffee. It’s housed in the old Elmwood Soda Fountain space, which dates back to 1921. 

La Méditerranée (2936 College Ave.)

This is the Berkeley outpost of the popular San Francisco restaurant La Méditerranée. Featuring a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, this location has a heated outdoor patio and ample indoor space as well. It’s been a longtime neighborhood favorite for families and student diners alike. 

Manpuku (2977 College Ave.)  

If you enjoy sushi, check out Manpuku. This local sushi eatery aims to provide high-quality Japanese cuisine at affordable prices. The extensive menu includes numerous sushi options, along with bento boxes, soup and more. 

State Flour Pizza Company (2985 College Ave.) 

A small pizza restaurant serving handmade pies, State Flour Pizza Company offers a variety of 14-inch pizzas, including vegan and gluten-free options. With a focus on craftsmanship, this is a popular spot for dine-in or take-out service. 

Summer Kitchen +bakeshop (2944 College Ave.)

Summer Kitchen features locally sourced salads and sandwiches served on organic dough, along with brick-oven pizza, baked goods and more. Step into this casual spot for organic, farm-to-table options. 

Coffee and Drinks

Have a glass of wine among the books at Book Society. Photo from the San Francisco Standard, courtesy of Book Society.

Whether you want a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, here are a couple of options in the neighborhood: 

Book Society (2945 College Ave.) 

A relatively new addition to the neighborhood, Book Society is a wine lounge and bookstore with a curated selection of books, drinks and light bites. Grab a glass of wine while browsing the book selection, or sign up for one of the shop’s literary and community events. 

Cafenated Coffee Company (2960 College Ave.) 

With a large space on the corner of College Ave. and Ashby Ave., this farm-to-cup coffee roasting company sources beans from women’s coffee farm cooperatives in Central America, South America and Africa. The shop offers outdoor seating and plenty of space inside as well. 

Entertainment and Experiences

Watch a movie or take a class. You can do it all in Elmwood. Here are a few experiences you can enjoy in the neighborhood: 

Rialto Cinemas Elmwood (2966 College Ave.) 

If you want to see a film that may not be playing elsewhere, check out Rialto Cinemas Elmwood. This local movie theater specializes in indie and foreign films and regularly hosts special screenings. Peruse the website to see what’s playing at this old-fashioned neighborhood theater. 

Scents by the Bay (2926 College Ave.) 

Dive into the world of fragrance at Scents by the Bay. Find your perfect scent or create one of your own. The shop offers several classes, including perfume blending and aromatherapy. If you have a favorite perfume that has been discontinued, consult the shop’s Master Perfume Blender to recreate it using their library of more than 900 fragrance and essential oils. 

Studio Sessions (2924 College Ave.) 

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to sew, Studio Sessions can help. This shop has everything from notions to sewing patterns and offers classes, wardrobe planning and open studio hours. Studio Sessions specializes in garment sewing and seeks to empower people to sew their own clothes. 

Getting There

From the Rockridge BART station, enjoy a flat and pleasant walk 0.9 miles down College Ave. to Elmwood. Alternatively, take the AC Transit 51B North bus from the station. From Ashby BART, take the AC Transit 7 bus about a mile to the neighborhood.  

Use BART’s Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.