Cha Ya Berkeley

Cha-ya is a Japanese restaurant serving traditional vegetarian cuisine in modern renditions, with locations in Berkeley and San Francisco. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan: the kitchen uses no animal-derived ingredients, including dairy, eggs, gelatin, fish, poultry, or honey. The menu features vegetarian sushi, tempura, noodle dishes, appetizers, and seasonal specials, offering a range of options for guests seeking plant-based Japanese food. Cha-ya describes vegetarian Japanese cuisine as a tradition rooted in the daily practices of Zen monks in Japan, and brings its own contemporary approach to that culinary heritage.

Guests can dine in or order takeout by phone, through Uber Eats, or through DoorDash. The Berkeley location is at 1686 Shattuck Avenue, and the San Francisco location is at 762 Valencia Street. Both locations serve lunch from noon to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m., with a break between meal periods. The restaurant accepts cash or Venmo for payment. Guests with questions about ingredients can ask the staff.