Saul’s in Berkeley serves up classic Jewish deli staples with juicy pastrami, hearty latkes, housemade bagels, and a cozy, vintage diner vibe.
"Berkeley’s Saul’s Deli offers dinner reservations and a takeout menu for Rosh Hashanah, featuring Acme turban challah, soups, sides, and dessert options such as Jerusalem kugel, honey cake, apple cake, and babka. The main entrees include roasted chicken with figs and grapes, whole rockfish matbucha, braised brisket, and pumpkin and chickpea stew. Takeout orders can be placed online and must be picked up at the restaurant during windows on Tuesday, October 1; Wednesday, October 2; Thursday, October 3; and Friday, October 4." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"Classic delicatessen food is tailor-made for young palates, with matzo ball soup, cheese blintzes, and towering meat sandwiches set to comfort upon first taste. Established in 1986, Saul’s is a perfect specimen and feels older and more connected to its New York origins than a Berkeley restaurant that opened in the ’80s would seem. But it also evokes what’s special about the locale, highlighting local farms and purveyors on its expectedly sizable menu. You’ll have to steer your kids past the pastry case at the front to focus them on a meal first, but revisit it at the end so they can pick out a slice of cake, chocolate pudding, crumbly hamantashen, or a giant black-and-white cookie for dessert." - Justine Jones, Laura Smith Borrman
"Saul’s is a Berkeley institution for its deli menu with Reubens and shakshouka, but the bagels are also worthwhile. After previously sourcing bagels, the shop now makes its own, ones that live up to the ideals of owner Peter Levitt. Try the bagel and trout, which comes with cucumbers, tomato, olives, and capers (along with the requisite swipe of cream cheese). Or for something hearty, but more breakfast-y, the mushroom egg bagel will do." - Dianne de Guzman
"Saul's is your classic Jewish delicatessen. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick nosh, or just want to pick up some chopped liver by the pound, Saul’s has what you need. Pastrami, corned beef on rye, matzoh ball soup, and pickles, lots of pickles, are the stars of the show, though breakfast does have the allure of challah French toast." - Eater Staff
"This long-standing deli has been serving excellent, comforting Jewish staples since 1986. The high-ceilinged space is packed with enough tables to fit your entire extended family, and deli cases stocked with an impressive roster of baked things, like hamantaschen, cake slices, and black and white cookies. Slide into a red diner-style booth, and feast on hearty chicken schnitzel, reubens, and a solid matzo ball soup. And know it’s legally required to order a whole bag of housemade hand-rolled bagels. They’re hefty stunners evenly coated in everything seasoning, poppy seeds, and sesame. " - Julia Chen 1, Lani Conway
