Jupiter — Restaurant in Berkeley

Jupiter is one of my favorite places to go have some food and drinks at in Berkeley. It's very centrally located in downtown Berkeley, right next to BART and the Target.

The entrance is deceptively small, as it has an enormous patio area behind the building that also winds along the side and goes pretty far back, so there is ample seating room available! Especially in the warmer months, this is one of my favorite patios to go have some pizza and beer on. There's indoor seating as well with an upstairs and downstairs area, although the beautiful back patio is my favorite.

Service tends to be rather quick and friendly, and they use a mobile order system where you just order the food and drinks on your phone through a QR code on the table, and then they bring it out to you. Although the pizza can sometimes take a while to make and be brought out, I've found it to be quite efficient and they're very accommodating with any requests that you may make. Besides, at least it's always hot and fresh once it does come out!

For food, a lot of the pizzas seem to be space themed with their naming, being named after the moons of Jupiter. Get it? Cause the place is named Jupiter? I think it's cute! My favorite pizzas so far seem to be the Cassiopeia and the IO. I love white sauce pizzas, and these two are absolutely sublime! My partner tends to prefer the Cassiopeia one, which has chicken and bbq sauce on it, but I also absolutely love the IO, which also has chicken and then comes with pesto and olives, among other things. Both of them are very fresh and delicious. All of the ingredients complement the piping hot and perfectly baked pizza perfectly! I don't care for super thick crusts, so I like the way they make the pizzas here.

They also have plenty of IPAs and other beer and wine to choose from to accompany your pizza. I just wish you could order a pitcher to share with someone or a few people on the weekends! They'll only allow pitcher orders during the week.

Either way, I really enjoy coming here for the deliciously fresh pizza and drinks. Put that alongside friendly and efficient service and a beautiful outdoor patio area, and it's definitely one of my favorite spots in the area. I have...

Jupiter in Berkeley offers a versatile atmosphere that caters to a wide range of demographics. Whether you're a student seeking a casual hangout, a family with little ones, or a couple on a date night, Jupiter has something for you. The expansive outdoor patio is a major draw, complete with cozy firepits, overhead heaters, and whimsical string lights. It's the perfect spot to soak up the California sunshine or enjoy a lively evening under the stars. For those who prefer a more traditional setting, the lofty interior boasts an upstairs dining room, offering a comfortable alternative.

Their drink selection is impressive, with something to please every palate. We were particularly impressed by the Pina Colada, a refreshing and well-balanced tropical concoction.

But the real star of the show at Jupiter is the wood-fired food. We tried the wood-fired potatoes, and they were absolutely delicious. Perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they were served with a delightful citrus aioli and a zesty cilantro jalapeño sauce. The combination of textures and flavors was outstanding.

While we only had a chance to try one dish, the menu at Jupiter offers a wide variety of pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and other tempting options. With its extensive menu, versatile ambiance, and focus on delicious wood-fired fare, Jupiter is a great spot for a casual and enjoyable dining experience in Berkeley.

Things to Note: This place is always packed so I highly recommend making a reservation, especially for larger groups or during peak times. Also, parking can be a challenge in the area, so it might be a good idea to factor that in when...

Came her on a late Saturday afternoon. There weren't many people in the restaurant so finding a spot was quick and easy. Haven't been here since before the pandemic so I was surprised by the QR ordering system. Unfortunately my phone kept crashing when I entered my credit card info so I placed an order with the waitress. She seemed fine with me doing that. I ordered my go-to pizza - the 13" Galileo, which was my favorite as a Berkeley grad student, and some potato wedges... Unfortunately, the quality was not as I remembered. The pizza barely had any cheese and the dough was stretched too thin. The crust was burnt on the top - and not like "good brick oven burnt" more like inedible burnt-burnt (and they even cut off the parts that had burned so the pizza looked deconstructed and strange). The toppings were very basic and not high quality as I remembered. Artichokes were very tough and obviously came out of a can. The chopped tomatoes and mushrooms looked like they came from a cheap salad bar, and afterwards, left that metalic tin feeling on the top of my gums. The waitress seemed to forget our appetizers (the potato wedges) which came out 10 mins after the pizza. By then, the wedges were cold and tough. They were also improperly cooked and seasoned. Very greasy and burnt black on the sides with no hint of salt. The pesto and garlic aioli dips were very good though. For the price - $21 for a 13" pizza and $9 for potato wedges (1 1/2 potatoes) - I expect better. Sadly, we probably won't be coming back. Thanks for the memories. So many good times in the beer garden with...