Dining & Picnicking

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!

Picnic
The Bruns’ grounds open two hours before curtain so you can enjoy a picnic and relax in our beautiful groves. Classic Catering’s Midsummer Night's Cafe offers a variety of food and beverage options—or pack your own basket of tasty treats. Our eucalyptus- and oak-lined groves are scattered with sculpture and brimming over with good times—they’re the perfect place to start your day or evening of exceptional theater. And Cal Shakes Members at the Director level or above can call ahead and reserve a table in their grove of choice! View a map of the groves here.

If you don’t have time to finish your picnic before the show, never fear! You can eat and drink whatever you like while the performance is happening, inside the amphitheater. Just please be mindful of noise, and unwrap all items before the performance begins, or during intermission.

Classic Catering (view menu)
Classic Catering offers affordable salads, sandwiches, chili, house-made desserts, Bison Beer, wine, Peet's coffee, and more. If you’re bringing a group, you can arrange catering in advance, or just follow your fancy to the friendly folks at their on-site Midsummer Night's Café.

The Groves: The Grove Talk Grove: This is where the 20-minute Grove Talks take place, 45 minutes prior to each and every performance. It’s the first one on your left as you head up the path, and its many benches and picnic tables are shaded by Eucalyptus trees. The Isaacs Family Grove: Bruce Johnson’s North Star sculpture presides over this, the first grove on your right. In this grove you’ve got your choice of shade or sun during the day, and the Midsummer Night’s Café isn’t far. The Joffa & Ellen Dale Grove: The Dale Grove is also called the “umbrella grove,” due to its round tables shaded by large umbrellas. It’s the closest to the Café and the Amphitheater. The Denise & Ed Del Beccaro Grove: The most quiet and peaceful of the groves is also the one that’s best for large groups to meet. It’s shaded by Eucalyptus and features a fabulous view of the Amphitheater and the Orinda hills.