Restaurants in Oakland
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Best Restaurants
“I took my wife out for date night and wanted to try this new place. This place is “Happening”. The music, the decor, the drinks, and … oh the food! Sabrosisima!!! Love how adventurous the chef is with Colombian fair highlighting the Pacific side of the country. It is an experience. Bacano! ??”
“My daughter took me and the hubby here for our Thanksgiving celebration since she couldn't come home (Sac) for actual Thanksgiving, we went to her. This was a night I won't soon forget! Having a nice meal with our daughter was a treat, the service was amazing and the food....OMG! Every bite of every dish I tasted was so so delicious! I can't get the butternut soup out of my head it was THAT good! We all ordered different food & shared bites with one another. This night was so enjoyable! Thank you, Sis & Thank you Mama Oakland!”
“Excellent pasta! Freshly made! Great ingredients! The espresso and ice cream was amazing”
“-The quality of the fish is very good and tasty. They know how to combine and play with the ingredients
- the price is too expensive for what you get
- the service is average. Our server is very friendly. However, we arrived a bit early for our appointment, the server told us to wait for 10-15 min for them to get a table ready since the customers at that table about to pay.We waited for more than 30 min outside, watching new customers came in and out. The server knew we were waiting outside at the door. Then we went inside just to see why they took new customers and saw there were multiple empty tables. It's quite weird when they have available tables and still let us wait outside. It took us a while to get the server attention at the door and also at dining.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Incredible food. Every. single. time. Super flavorful, great ingredients and just made with so much love (you can taste it). The plantains are always so ripe and sweet. They have wonderful service and a nice outdoor space to dine as a different option to sitting inside. My favorite is the fried goat with rice+beans and sweet plantains. The griot is amazing too. And so is their sorrel drink. There’s really nothing but great things to say about this family run business. For folks with allergies or dietary restrictions - they have plenty of options too. I am GF. I love how mindful they are. I’m rooting for their success and cannot recommended it more! ??❤️”
“I loved everything about this place. The food was just the right amount and so creative.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“We brought our friend here to celebrate his birthday because we wanted to gift an experience. We saw you featured on Check Please . . . And you guys WOW’d us beyond our expectations!! Amazing staff! And amazing food . . And yes, amazing cocktails!! Down to the last finishing touches ! We will definitely be back !”
“My daughter took me and the hubby here for our Thanksgiving celebration since she couldn't come home (Sac) for actual Thanksgiving, we went to her. This was a night I won't soon forget! Having a nice meal with our daughter was a treat, the service was amazing and the food....OMG! Every bite of every dish I tasted was so so delicious! I can't get the butternut soup out of my head it was THAT good! We all ordered different food & shared bites with one another. This night was so enjoyable! Thank you, Sis & Thank you Mama Oakland!”
“-The quality of the fish is very good and tasty. They know how to combine and play with the ingredients
- the price is too expensive for what you get
- the service is average. Our server is very friendly. However, we arrived a bit early for our appointment, the server told us to wait for 10-15 min for them to get a table ready since the customers at that table about to pay.We waited for more than 30 min outside, watching new customers came in and out. The server knew we were waiting outside at the door. Then we went inside just to see why they took new customers and saw there were multiple empty tables. It's quite weird when they have available tables and still let us wait outside. It took us a while to get the server attention at the door and also at dining.”
“I took my wife out for date night and wanted to try this new place. This place is “Happening”. The music, the decor, the drinks, and … oh the food! Sabrosisima!!! Love how adventurous the chef is with Colombian fair highlighting the Pacific side of the country. It is an experience. Bacano! ??”
“Incredible food. Every. single. time. Super flavorful, great ingredients and just made with so much love (you can taste it). The plantains are always so ripe and sweet. They have wonderful service and a nice outdoor space to dine as a different option to sitting inside. My favorite is the fried goat with rice+beans and sweet plantains. The griot is amazing too. And so is their sorrel drink. There’s really nothing but great things to say about this family run business. For folks with allergies or dietary restrictions - they have plenty of options too. I am GF. I love how mindful they are. I’m rooting for their success and cannot recommended it more! ??❤️”
“Loved our lunch today ! Bison stew with fry bread and bison meatballs. Hibiscus tea was awesome. Staff was so incredible. Busy and very full today. Great atmosphere.”
“I love the concept of this establishment. Went in for slices in the after hours and found a very fun place to spend time with good music, a very curated space, friendly staff. I really appreciate a wood burning oven, and I found the pizza dough to be excellent. The margherita topping was also great, with the right amount of fresh ingredients, and the grated cheese on top never hurts. I’m taking 2 stars off from the food category however as I admit I came in expecting perfection from a restaurant with 6 people dedicated solely to making pizza, but the slices that we got were all overly burned on the bottom and I found the salt a bit excessive. I will still definitely go back and look forward to trying the special pizza.”
Outdoor Dining
“I love the concept of this establishment. Went in for slices in the after hours and found a very fun place to spend time with good music, a very curated space, friendly staff. I really appreciate a wood burning oven, and I found the pizza dough to be excellent. The margherita topping was also great, with the right amount of fresh ingredients, and the grated cheese on top never hurts. I’m taking 2 stars off from the food category however as I admit I came in expecting perfection from a restaurant with 6 people dedicated solely to making pizza, but the slices that we got were all overly burned on the bottom and I found the salt a bit excessive. I will still definitely go back and look forward to trying the special pizza.”
“"Tacos 0scar is a food truck in Oakland that offers tacos with bold and creative flavors. Their poached egg tacos with fresh toppings are very popular, as are the vegan options. With a local and artisanal approach, they have won over the hearts of taco lovers in the region."???”
“How cool that this Oakland gem has adapted during the pandemic! All of the delicious drinks and all kinds of new menu items all for take-out in...wait for it...compostable containers...even the bottles the drinks come in! Please support this sustainability-minded, amazing and delicious restaurant. They have a few outdoor tables, too. Go. Go now!”
“This is authentic Tian Jin jianbing that is made of mung bean instead of flour. Mung bean is special because it has a much better texture, high in protein and fiber.The taste is great, not ontological salty and not plain, not too sweet. It is just right.Highly recommend!”
“Second time at Bombera. Just as good as the last time. Atmosphere is inviting. Multiple dishes for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Took the two most picky eaters i know, and they enjoyed every dish more than the last. Staff is great too. 👍🏾 It's a great location for drinks, celebrations and just a good meal. Only slightly negative is be aware it is noisey and lively inside so don't go here if you are trying to have a quiet dinner.”
“Yes, it gets busy.
The Double Standard is my Holiday standard in Oakland. They really go all out during the holidays. Drink menu, decor, everything. Their lovely Coast redwoods are the Christmas trees!
Eggnog, brandy drinks, hot buttered rum, antique Victorian sounding drinks in specialty holiday glassware. All delicious.”
“Second time at Bombera. Just as good as the last time. Atmosphere is inviting. Multiple dishes for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Took the two most picky eaters i know, and they enjoyed every dish more than the last. Staff is great too. 👍🏾 It's a great location for drinks, celebrations and just a good meal. Only slightly negative is be aware it is noisey and lively inside so don't go here if you are trying to have a quiet dinner.”
“An astonishing 18-course omakase, expertly prepared, sourced in the finest sushi chef tradition of impeccable quality.
Warm and comfortable welcome with a happy-to-share chef who told us stories about his choices in making what has to be one of the finest Japanese experiences stateside.
Tiny space, superbly arranged.
I cannot recommend it enough. Not cheap but value for money if you struggle to “have something you’ve never had anywhere else” (and don’t want the 9+ hour Tokyo flight).”
“I walked in with high hopes and with my group of friends. I walked out thinking the food was pretty good and the service was not great. Our server was gruff, condescending, and very inflexible when it came to splitting checks. The food was tasty and not as special as I was expecting. I'm not sure if I'll be going back.”
Online Reservation Available
“An astonishing 18-course omakase, expertly prepared, sourced in the finest sushi chef tradition of impeccable quality.
Warm and comfortable welcome with a happy-to-share chef who told us stories about his choices in making what has to be one of the finest Japanese experiences stateside.
Tiny space, superbly arranged.
I cannot recommend it enough. Not cheap but value for money if you struggle to “have something you’ve never had anywhere else” (and don’t want the 9+ hour Tokyo flight).”
“I walked in with high hopes and with my group of friends. I walked out thinking the food was pretty good and the service was not great. Our server was gruff, condescending, and very inflexible when it came to splitting checks. The food was tasty and not as special as I was expecting. I'm not sure if I'll be going back.”
“Nach drei Wochen „Roadtrip“ durch die USA haben wir uns gefreut dass in der Nähe unseres jetzigen Hotels dieses Restaurant/dieser Biergarten ist. Gut zubereitetes, ehrliches Essen. Ich bin selber leidenschaftlicher Hobbykoch in Deutschland und muss sagen: gut, wirklich gut. Das Sauerkraut könnte ein wenig „knackiger“ sein, aber es war trotzdem lecker. Und das „Früh Kölsch“ könnte ein weniger günstiger sein (schreibt ein Kölner 😉) Vielen Dank und euch weiterhin viel Erfolg”
“😀First visit here after years of walking past it. The veggie combo and meat combo platters were among the best I've had at Berkeley and Oakland's many great Ethiopian restaurants. Service was very fast and friendly and outdoor back-patio was peaceful. I will be back soon and often.”
“Loved my birthday dinner tonight! Portions small for the prices in our opinion. A scallops main dish with 3 scallops is small. Drinks were amazing, decor fabulous and great service. My son had to go eat more food afterwards as he was still hungry. Bigger portions would be good. Loved everything else! Great choices, appetizers, main dishes and creative drinks were delicious. Kind of surprised knowing they knew it was my birthday that they didn't offer me a birthday "something" to make it special. For these prices I would expect something.”
24 Hour Restaurants
“Surprised the tacos are still relatively low in price. Still good for what it is and they were made when ordered instead of sitting there in a huge batch. So the lettuce was still fresh, cheese melted, and meat want dried up. Service is great here.
Inside the place is nice, outside with the neighborhood definitely not the greatest.”
“At first, when we got to the window, this girl was very rude. She didn’t want to help. She kept rushing. She close the window on us, but then this gentleman named Omar came to the window and helped and gave us everything we needed on a timely matter and communicated very well and met our needs. We will come back to this location only because of him, thank you”
“There's no public bathroom and the lobby is not open to the public anymore. However, you can order inside the small lobby area using the electronic menus or use the double drive through. Service is quick at either spot and food is usually fresh. I had a McChicken and fries. They also have the icee machine at that location.The staff is cool and accommodating.”
“Super frustrated after placing my order through the mobile app only to find out when picking up that there are 2 locations on Telegraph Ave. My mistake but then to discover that I couldn't cancel the order through the app and had to drive to the other one in order to do so is just dumb.
Still rating it high though since that is a corporate issue, not the individual location. I share this just to make people aware.”
“How cool that this Oakland gem has adapted during the pandemic! All of the delicious drinks and all kinds of new menu items all for take-out in...wait for it...compostable containers...even the bottles the drinks come in! Please support this sustainability-minded, amazing and delicious restaurant. They have a few outdoor tables, too. Go. Go now!”
“It was the friendliest salsa scene I've been to in years--Sunday at four to eight. And the food was gorgeous, and the staff super helpful.”
Takeout Restaurants
“We were gifted our first ever Bake Sum box. After trying just one bite of a Yuzu meringue bun I knew I needed more. Ordered our second BSB last week and shared amongst the roomies, huge hit. Well baked, not too sweet, great flavor combinations. 10/10 would recommend the Bake Sum box. If you can’t grab a box, you can grab al a cart day of pick ups just to tide you over until you can get a box 😋”
“Was in the area and did a search for ice cream. This place popped up and I decided to check it out. The vibe from the staff is great. The flavors are nice and different, the finish of the ice cream is fresh. No lingering fattiness or artificial viscosity.
Will definitely come back if I'm in the area and want ice cream. Store is clean and bright, plenty of natural light and simple decor. The production area is clearly visible so you can see they're proud of what they're doing. I recommend this place.”
“Wonderful hospitality and warmth coming from the Host Ty Do letting me know more about the Cambodian culture. And BIG Wow on the Sea Food dish: 637. SALMON IN GARLIC BASIL WINE SAUCE : Poached salmon topped w/ roasted garlic, basil, & black mushroom in reduced wine sauce. It's divine! It's my new hot restaurant spot in The Little Town of Alameda.”
“Such a refreshing and delicious lunch spot! The set comes with different fresh and pickled dishes made daily using seasonal ingredients, including fresh tofu. Acorn noodle was really flavorful too. Since it is plant forward meal and portion is just right, I always feel good and satisfied afterwards, and not heavy.”
“I got superb service the other day. I am a regular shopper here and made plans to do Passover shopping myself but as the coronavirus outbreak came along my plans have changed. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get all my shopping done in time and get everything I need for the holiday. I emailed Yuval my shopping list with all my special requests and got top of the live service. My order was ready the next day and Yuval did not miss a thing! He took the time to go over the whole order with me to make sure I have everything I want and need. I highly recommend shopping here, other then the great variety of items you will get really taken care of. Thank you and Chag Sameach!”
“Excellent, fast service. Delicious, filling (vegan!) Veggie noodle soup with Tofu and house made spicy sauce. More vegan options available that I will definitely come back for including Banh Mi and Vermicelli 😋
Vegetarian options: They offer Vegan Spring Rolls, Vegan Veggie Noodle Soup, Vegan Tofu Vermicelli, and Vegan Banh Mi options. The house made sauces are vegan too!”
“My friend and I were able to get in on a Friday night, and I felt the experience was very good. The service was prompt and the ambiance was definitely classy and East Bay. I think the tables were slightly close to each other, creating an intimate environment but also easier to hear others talk. I was not super impressed with the food, but I think this is personal and my experience is not universal.”
“Such a refreshing and delicious lunch spot! The set comes with different fresh and pickled dishes made daily using seasonal ingredients, including fresh tofu. Acorn noodle was really flavorful too. Since it is plant forward meal and portion is just right, I always feel good and satisfied afterwards, and not heavy.”
“From the moment we walked in and throughout our dinner we had a wonderful
Time . The staff is so welcoming and a big thank you to our server who really made our night so memorable .
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the Salty Pearl . The food is Amazing!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“My fave place to grab n go some homemade muy rico tamales! It's literally a window you order at, limited street parking, but you can get thicc delicious tamales hot and ready to eat or to keep for another day. They last a week in the fridge. But mine never last that long. Chicken is my fave, the cheese is good too. Veggies is my least fave but I still like it! Huge portions. Quality people and hearty tamales. Go get you some from Tamaleria Azteca!”
“This little “hole-in-the-wall” has potential to be a truly fantastic restaurant.
First off, the restaurant is a cool, funky space that definitely has “Parisian” vibes, but not in a traditional sense. The bar is beautifully back lit with green lights and has cool Polynesian themed frescos.
The service was good and attentive. We sat at the bar and had great conversations with the bartender. She was a great conversationalist!
The food was great.. we started with half a dozen Beau Soliel Oysters which came with a horseradish mignonette. We followed that with the smoked trout pate which was probably my favorite dish. My wife and I both ordered the Crab Salad for our mains as they ran out of the Smoked Petrale Sole. It was good but the portion was tiny and at $39 I was hoping for more… it was more portioned like an appetizer. We finished off with the chocolate tart which was also delicious.
This place is close to receiving 5 Stars, but portion size needs to be addressed. Plus, having only three entrees and running out of one limits what can be ordered.”
“This review is just for the Sichuan Hot Chicken which I've eaten twice. Overall it's pretty good, but it's not great, and I really want it to be great. In concept this is a really thoughtful and well-executed sandwich. It has great veggies and really crisp, juicy chicken. It reminds me of what I had in the night markets in Taiwan. The breading is good too, although I feel it could be a bit thicker.
Where it falls short for me is in flavor. The Sichuan spices are there, but they are overpowered by the sheer amount of chili powder and salt that the chicken is breaded in. I was looking for more in the sauce as well - honestly maybe just adding more sauce would accomplish that. If I could get more of that peppercorn flavor, less salt, and more sauce, I think it'd be a 10/10.”
“The banchan was delicious and plentiful. We had mud fish soup and it was yummy. We also ordered kimchee dumplings thinking they were vegetarian but they also had ground pork. Very modern inside, hip and trendy. Menu is super pork centric, so if you love pork, you’re set!”
“I love Pho Vy! The environment is always very friendly and welcoming. Mom and pop shop located in Little Saigon. They have off menu items along with their variety of goodies on existing menu. My go to’s is their bun bo hue, bun rieu, bo kho, rice plates and all of their appetizers. Always a supporter of local mom and pop shops.”
“I am Salvadoran. I had the hongos pupusa, the chicken pupusa, the yuca con chicharrones. Every bite was an adventure. The Salvadoran dishes are made so creatively. Flavors stayed on your tongue as the sauce of la yuca. The drinks exceptional good. I had the mango verde cocktail….so rico. It was like eating Salvadoran food on fine china.”
“We stopped in for a beer on our honeymoon and loved the upstairs area to play some fun games and sand shuffle board! The beers were delicious and they had great service. It was a warm day and the airflow wasn’t great upstairs or down so that’s the only negative but we’ll definitely be back for more beers!”
“The food is as authentic as you can get!! As a Puerto Rican the only thing close to this is my Mom’s cooking!!”
“I got superb service the other day. I am a regular shopper here and made plans to do Passover shopping myself but as the coronavirus outbreak came along my plans have changed. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get all my shopping done in time and get everything I need for the holiday. I emailed Yuval my shopping list with all my special requests and got top of the live service. My order was ready the next day and Yuval did not miss a thing! He took the time to go over the whole order with me to make sure I have everything I want and need. I highly recommend shopping here, other then the great variety of items you will get really taken care of. Thank you and Chag Sameach!”
Cheap Eats
“Cafe Van Kleef knows what they do - greyhounds! - and they do it well. Very few options for beer/wine, but you're here for their famous greyhounds, and so is the rest of the crowd. Relaxed vibe inside, even when packed, and it's an eclectic collection on the walls that's fun to peruse.”
“(4.5 rounding up) We walked in to a clean space that you could def eat in at. The man at the cash register was super kind and friendly. He gave us some tea while we waited for the food which did take a tad longer than I expected bc no one else ordered before us visually but then 2 people came by for the their pick up orders so we will do that next time.
Husband got the plate and I got the wrap for chicken shawarma and it was good! Not better than my own imo haha but it actually does taste like 85% similar.
It’s partially on us bc we did take out and had to run an errand before we could eat so it was a tad soggy and it had a slight spice to it I didn’t care for but for reference I don’t even like black pepper so take that statement with a grain of salt (pun unintended).
I will def come again and order the same thing but maybe request to not have all the extra stuff inside bc as a Lebanese I prefer my shawarma with as minimal things inside as possible. I was also definitely missing my pickled turnips 😩”
“I’m touring a condo in Oakland for a client making an offer and I stop for a quick bite at a tiny sandwich place next to the Grand Lake Theater. OMG, Unbelievable sandwiches, smoked meats, homemade pickles, peppers🫑 and memorable pulled pork, etc. I hang out for a few minutes while Jerry makes my Cuban sandwich, and he has me try their smoked bacon, homemade meatballs, and more. Jerry’s the best and I love this place. Can’t wait to tell my client about it!! Check out Modigliani Cafe, next to the Grand Lake Theater. #modigliani #localbusiness #Oakland #localgem #restaurant #sandwich #grandlakedistrict #holeinthewall #localjoint #bayareafoodie #pamparkerproperties #realtor®”
“Kudos to the crew at Thornhill Cafe. Thank you for always taking good care of me. I love your green smoothies. They're refreshing and just make you feel good and your breakfast bagels are awesome. It's my favorite place to stop when I'm working in the hills of Oakland. Doesn't seem to matter how many people are in there. You still get us in and out in no time. You're the best!!”
“I am sipping on Ethiopian spiced chai and munching on a croissant with turkey, egg, cheddar and avacado. This moment is perfect. Perfect taste and temperature. Thank you Jebena Cafe. You just earned a regular. May all black owned business thrive and when that happens, we will truly have earned a celebration of America's independence from its own past.”
“My friend and I were able to get in on a Friday night, and I felt the experience was very good. The service was prompt and the ambiance was definitely classy and East Bay. I think the tables were slightly close to each other, creating an intimate environment but also easier to hear others talk. I was not super impressed with the food, but I think this is personal and my experience is not universal.”
“The banchan was delicious and plentiful. We had mud fish soup and it was yummy. We also ordered kimchee dumplings thinking they were vegetarian but they also had ground pork. Very modern inside, hip and trendy. Menu is super pork centric, so if you love pork, you’re set!”
“Love the cocktails and food at this queer-friendly, authentically Asian American bar. I loved their Thai Tea cocktail which is no longer on the menu. The music is always a bit loud though.”
“Nach drei Wochen „Roadtrip“ durch die USA haben wir uns gefreut dass in der Nähe unseres jetzigen Hotels dieses Restaurant/dieser Biergarten ist. Gut zubereitetes, ehrliches Essen. Ich bin selber leidenschaftlicher Hobbykoch in Deutschland und muss sagen: gut, wirklich gut. Das Sauerkraut könnte ein wenig „knackiger“ sein, aber es war trotzdem lecker. Und das „Früh Kölsch“ könnte ein weniger günstiger sein (schreibt ein Kölner 😉) Vielen Dank und euch weiterhin viel Erfolg”
“Such great service. SO much so they even lent me a cell phone charger for my dying phone! :) The Salmon is AMAZING. The Crab salad was delicious as well. Will definitely be coming back soon. :)”
“Being half Japanese this brought so much joy for me. The quality of the food was amazing. Can’t wait to go back. Please line up 30 min before they open as they get packed and they have one line to order.”
“Nashville will be back! Thank you for a great time. Come see us at Smoked in a Bowl!! 5 ⭐️”
“Wow gotta try this place, super chill with top notch mixed drinks, excellent service, and good food. The Old Fashioned are a house specialty, I heard the orange one is a must try. Had the fish and chips and loved it.”
“We’ve always been thin crust pizza fans, have never tasted authentic NY style pizza, though we have had Napoli-style pizza several times in Rome, and we gotta say, the crust here is AMAZING!! The only slight change that I think would make it taste even better is if there was a bit more salt in the dough. Other than that, the bottom of the pizza was crisp, and the crust was airy and crisp with a slight chew. The crust was so delicious that we saved all our uneaten crusts to bring home for later, could not bear to throw them away (unlike other, more bready crusts). 😆 The pepperoni pizza was our favorite (so flavorful), with the sausage being a close second. The margherita was nice with the fresh basil, but could have used a sprinkling of salt. Our younger son really wanted to try the corn pizza, but we could only manage to finish 3 pizzas with our family of 7, so he has already declared that this will be his pick for his birthday meal, and that he will be getting the corn pizza. 😆 Wish it were closer to us (we live around 30 mins away), but it is not too far for special occasions! From where we live, comparatively, Mountain Mike’s and Porky’s Pizza Palace would be rated 2 or 3 out of 10 and Spinning Dough would be 9/10! Would totally buy it frozen if they offered that, it is that good! Was also a treat for the kids to watch the owner (who is super, super nice!) toss the dough and assemble the pizzas. Thank you for the delicious meal!”
“This little “hole-in-the-wall” has potential to be a truly fantastic restaurant.
First off, the restaurant is a cool, funky space that definitely has “Parisian” vibes, but not in a traditional sense. The bar is beautifully back lit with green lights and has cool Polynesian themed frescos.
The service was good and attentive. We sat at the bar and had great conversations with the bartender. She was a great conversationalist!
The food was great.. we started with half a dozen Beau Soliel Oysters which came with a horseradish mignonette. We followed that with the smoked trout pate which was probably my favorite dish. My wife and I both ordered the Crab Salad for our mains as they ran out of the Smoked Petrale Sole. It was good but the portion was tiny and at $39 I was hoping for more… it was more portioned like an appetizer. We finished off with the chocolate tart which was also delicious.
This place is close to receiving 5 Stars, but portion size needs to be addressed. Plus, having only three entrees and running out of one limits what can be ordered.”
“Loved my birthday dinner tonight! Portions small for the prices in our opinion. A scallops main dish with 3 scallops is small. Drinks were amazing, decor fabulous and great service. My son had to go eat more food afterwards as he was still hungry. Bigger portions would be good. Loved everything else! Great choices, appetizers, main dishes and creative drinks were delicious. Kind of surprised knowing they knew it was my birthday that they didn't offer me a birthday "something" to make it special. For these prices I would expect something.”
“My main was not my favorite. My lamb had a bit of a sweetness to it that I couldn't stomach, but others loved the same dish. Their bread pudding on the other hand was incredible. Definitely get it if you do stop by.”
“😀First visit here after years of walking past it. The veggie combo and meat combo platters were among the best I've had at Berkeley and Oakland's many great Ethiopian restaurants. Service was very fast and friendly and outdoor back-patio was peaceful. I will be back soon and often.”
“We stopped in for a beer on our honeymoon and loved the upstairs area to play some fun games and sand shuffle board! The beers were delicious and they had great service. It was a warm day and the airflow wasn’t great upstairs or down so that’s the only negative but we’ll definitely be back for more beers!”
“Love the separate vegan menu with several options, really delicious! Excited to come back and try a few other vegan ramens! We tried the vegan “fried chicken” oyster mushrooms and liked quite a bit”
“Beautiful space. Alicia and her team are lovely hosts as well. I’ll be back again soon!”
“good drinks, good food, friendly service, outdoor dining, i'll be back”
“Start to finish delicious! We used to go to her spot in the Fillmore District SF called Gussie's Chicken & Waffles. Had the Bloody Mary's Revenge and the basil ginger soda, deviled eggs, fried chicken & sweet potato waffles, and the fried chicken sandwich. You can run & tell everybody that this is the spot! DJ Mark Divita during Sunday brunch gave us the perfect musical pairings.
Parking: Parking garage underneath the museum.”
“Overall, the food is very good and well-deserved Michelin star rating. But I was not a fan of all 10 courses. I recommend oyster parfait, Shima aji, chilled mussels, black cod (best) duck, and wagu beef. Was not a fan of the eel, poached egg and rice dishes, nor the sour drink. The deserts were superb. I feel it's a bit pricey, too.”
“Outstanding restaurant, we have dined at Wood Tavern more times than I can recollect . We we rather disappointed recently when we called to make reservations for 4 for lunch on 2/25/2022 and were informed they only take reservations for 5 or more. Is this true ? If so they should so state on their web site.”
“Millennium is my favorite vegan res! Excellent customer service, people, and atmosphere! The food is more than something to eat; it is something to experience!”
“Been coming here since 1977. Always great food and adult beverages. Best is fried zucchini!!!!”
“Delicious, unique, wonderful atmosphere. I’ve passed this place countless times but am so glad I stopped in. Everything was on point, my favorite was the trout.”
“This is my favorite restaurant in Oakland! The food is amazing and so are the cocktails. The vive is is unreal!!!”
“Nigiri combo is excellent! I can’t wait to try the sashimi combo next. I came just before they were closing for lunch and people were steadily coming either to pick up or eat-in up until their closing time. It seemed they were regular customers who are keeping this place a secret and happy to say, I am on it already. Can’t wait to go back.”
“They're always so nice to me here! Mama loves the craft cocktails and the book curations. We live nearby so it's a favorite neighborhood hang, and we appreciate all the thought that went into the menus.”
“I was planning on eating at Belly for lunch not realizing they’d moved, so I decided to try the new place out. I did not regret it!
The food was great, the service was pleasant, and the vibe was very chill. The woman who served us was happy to answer any questions we had about the menu (I have a shellfish allergy, so this is important for me in particular).
I ended up having the curry. The veggies were perfectly cooked and the flavor was on point. Chicken was still moist and the rice was fluffy.
Will definitely be returning.”
“One of the best Hand roll restaurants in Oakland. The prices for individual items was very reasonable. The portions were perfect and the staff was doing extra extra extra extra extra . Can’t wait to come back!”
“Great service and great food, we got the pad Thai and the green curry. Thought pad Thai was excellent and the green curry was pretty good! The tea was also pretty good, not too sweet. So adorable and very nice staff.”
“Belotti on College is so wonderfully delicious but can be difficult to get a ressy and I love that they have this casual take out option. Many of the same dishes are available and you can eat them there or in the comfort of your own home.”
“I take-out here once a week and the staff is amazing. My family’s orders are always correct and the food is consistently delicious. I’ve been coming here for over 5 years and I still look forward to weekly sushi night from Kotobuki.”
“We’ve been eating here for years, and the fish is always fresh and expertly prepared. We especially love the Fire Cracker Ball, Joy Roll, and Spicy Geisha Roll. Additionally, the staff is exceedingly kind. A great place to dine in or take out.”
“Food: The pasta was fantastic! Tasted fresh and we enjoyed the mushrooms. The appetizers were just okay in my opinion- the grilled halloumi was not crisp and didn't taste fresh off the grill. If I were to go back, I would probably just stick to the pastas.
Service: waiting in line for a bit was understandable, but I agree with other reviewers that they felt understaffed. They didn't really check in on us after seating us, and they timed all the dishes to come out at the same time, which was difficult due to the small table (not everything fit easily on the table). They also charge a 4% fee to provide better wages and/or healthcare to the staff. However, all of the staff was courteous and friendly.
Atmosphere: we ate outside in their parklet, which was nice, although I wish their heaters were a bit stronger. The tables were very close together as well. I felt like I was a part of the conversations on either side of me because they were so close.”
“Amazing food and a bit upscale atmosphere. Perfect for a date with a special someone. We got the recommended krawpow gai (ground chicken and rice) we also got the appetizer calamari which came with a sweet sauce”
“I drove up from L.A. & we eere tired so walked over to Inda rasoi from a block away. Did not know what to expect but itwas AMAZING! 4 star food & service ..and nicely decorated. Wow! What a great find! We will be back.”
“I am Salvadoran. I had the hongos pupusa, the chicken pupusa, the yuca con chicharrones. Every bite was an adventure. The Salvadoran dishes are made so creatively. Flavors stayed on your tongue as the sauce of la yuca. The drinks exceptional good. I had the mango verde cocktail….so rico. It was like eating Salvadoran food on fine china.”
“Cool place (love the decor/style), nice staff & tasty food. Some dishes you will not find in the average Thai restaurant in the Bay Area. For example, the chef or owner is from northern Thailand so the menu features a top Northern Thai dish - Kao Soi noodle soup (beef or chicken), or the all time fav 'street food' grilled pork skewers (moo ping) served with sticky rice (ck out the menu on their website). I had the Pad Kemao Chicken (menu says beef but they are happy to make dishes with what you like & even have Beyond Meat dishes on the menu - cool to see stir fried basil with Beyond Meat (Krapao Beyond Neur)). The taste of my wok fried pad kemao was delicious, same or better than any I've had on prior trips to Bangkok. Glad to have discovered a solid Thai restaurant that doesn't have watered down flavors. Good to see they have a lot of gluten free and vegan choices on the menu too. Definitely will be back, keep up the good work!”
“Absolutely delicious, colorful, healthy food! We ordered takeout for dinner tonight and had the chicken and mushrooms, Mela platter, beef tibs and sambusa. The portions were generous and everything was fresh and seasoning was off the chain!!! Try the brownies for dessert - you will not be disappointed!! When in Oakland, order from Mela Bistro 😋❤️😃”
“A nice replacement for a beloved neighborhood spot. Solid beer list and a super-friendly staff. And, personally, it's nice to hear music that's varied -- I like a little bit of everything!”
“I’ve died at Perle now about four times. Chef Rob Lam and staff do a great job. I took some photos and wrote about my August 2023 visit on @TalesoftheCork. Highly recommend, and will return.”
“Great restaurant for a date night or with a group of friends. Everything is flavorful and filling! We were 5 people total and split a bunch of dishes. Highly recommend the garlic noodles and saucy wings (medium?)
We made a reservation for a Friday night but walking in might have been ok too.
They have a large sake selection too, unsure what other drinks they have.”
“Screens at the entrance to place your order or a live person will take your order at the register. These screens were the easiest to use that I've ever found.
(On occasion I've given up trying to order at McDonalds and Habit because I found their screens too difficult).
I got cesar salad with chicken and avocado added, dressing is served on the side so it doesn't overpower the salad. Crisp fresh lettuce with no wilted bits. I ate about half at the restaurant and the rest at home. Sweet potato fries were very good. I ate all of those later as well. A friend got a basic grilled cheese and it appeared to me that it was prepared correctly.
Chairs make an absurd loud noise. Staff exceptionally professional, got me a bag and to-go lid instantly.
Make sure you TIP THE STAFF. They are hardworking and fast. You can tip on the screens and later, if you find the service to be exceptional (I did) then you can add additional cash to tip jar at the register on your way out
Plenty of clean, easy to use trash cans around. Very bright lights.
Wheelchair accessibility: Floor is smooth cement. I think it would be easy to enter using a wheelchair.”
“Homey. Great service. Banchan all crunchy and given right away. I had rice cake bone broth and a delish seafood pancake. They have many healing soups. Im embarrassed i usually go get bbq and not tried these healing soups sooner. There are single folks and families alike! Love this place and cant wait to come back!”
“First time having Chicago style deep dish pizza and it was so tasty. The sauce is so good.”
“Very delicious. The Pandan waffle had so much Pandan flavour! It was like traveling in Southeast Asia. Staff is friendly, the Banh Mi was great too, and I absolutely loved the Thai tea (they don't make it as sweet as other stores which ia great). Will come again when traveling bay area again.”
“Had to take my daughter to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and we were looking for a good place to have lunch before her appointment. My daughter spotted this restaurant and we are absolutely in love. Clean, comfortable eating area inside and outside. Variety on the menu and best Thai food we’ve eaten in a long time. Amazing flavors and portions are just right. And let’s not forget the Thai tea, best everrr! Seriously highly recommend for lunch and dinner if you are in the Oakland area.”
“The food was so bomb! It’s really amazing foood even it’s so prizey!”
“Great food and great music .... all you need .... great friends to join you.”
“What a gem of a place. I know Africa has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine so I decided to explore Tanzanian food. The flavors are like symphony in my mouth. I had the chicken curry bowl and chicken sambusa and accompanied it with the hibiscus juice. I was in heaven. The lady behind the counter who was preparing my food was also charming and generous enough to have me try their coconut rice cake which is called Vitumbua. It was delicious. I live about 45 minutes away but will definitely return!”
“If you're looking for Americanized Mexican food, this isn't the place for you.
My dad picked this place for his birthday lunch because the food is pretty good, since he's a harsh critic.
To start we had tacos de frijol, not the usual appetizer, with salsa and cabbage. Bit of lime to top it off.
My dad and brother ordered the birria plate, which came very juicy and with a side of tortillas. They voted 9/10.
My sister ordered quesabirrias and also voted 9/10.
I ordered the super nachos with birria and enjoyed every bite. Usually I'm not a fan of nachos unless I make them myself, but these were exceptional. Was only able to eat half but everyone else scared the rest so not a crumb was left behind.
Also, if you like horchata, theirs is pretty good. Not too sweet so if that's your jam, 9/10.
*side note, we all ate birria de chivo as this is the traditional type of birria we are used to. If you prefer beef, I have no notes so you're on your own * (:”
“500 Stars!
Wow I love Gold Palm!! It’s fantastic! The staff is super friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. The drinks are amazing, easily some of the best I’ve had. The atmosphere is great, but seriously, the staff really stands out!!!They’re so attentive and kind. Highly recommend!”
“I have to share a post from my favorite restaurant the FOB kitchen in Oakland. Chef Janice’s dishes are incredible. Being a queer person it is great to have a fantastic place to dine and feel safe and excepted. If you are in Oakland you have to try it. My favorite is the adobo and halo halo.”
“I love this place with my whole heart ❤️ I come here very often they know my face well! the drinks are DELICIOUS along with the food the atmosphere is beautiful very cozy ! This is definitely a wonderful place to unwind, get tipsy , & vibe”
“This was my first time in this establishment. There's actually sand on the floor/ground! ID is checked at the door. We sat at the bar. Our bartender was great! She's a great mixologist, hilarious conversationalist, and an asset to the Sandbar.”
“This Ethiopian Restaurant has been our family fave across 4 generations💚 Over the years: my grandma, my father, me, and my son…we dine and we bring friends! Highly recommend the restaurant and check out their partner Brundo Spice Company—spices and retail items available at the restaurant as well. The marvelous new location on San Pablo Ave. is vibrant, spacious, and inviting✨ Try the Vegetarian Sampler with extra Injera, followed by a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Latte and dreamy Tiramisu. Sheer divinity!💗”
“I have eaten here every day for the last 5 days, twice today - something I have never done anywhere else in my life, and I'm almost 73. The food is delicious and nourishing, and the owner and the people who work here are warm and delightful.”
“The food is the best place to start. We ate lightly and didn't order main courses. The gnocchi were outstanding and shouldn't be missed. Also exceptional were the aroncini and the calamari salad. Having been to Italy several times, our group was reminded by the closeness to the authentic tastes of Italy. The dining area is simple but comfortable, and the wooden benches seats and chairs would benefit by having cushions on them. The lengthy wine list is exclusively Italian, and we enjoyed our selections. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated promptly, and we weren't rushed.”
Latest Reviews
“Outstanding restaurant, we have dined at Wood Tavern more times than I can recollect . We we rather disappointed recently when we called to make reservations for 4 for lunch on 2/25/2022 and were informed they only take reservations for 5 or more. Is this true ? If so they should so state on their web site.”
“This place sells the most delicious Mexican food in Oakland, and what's even better is their prices are extremely reasonable. If I were to change anything, I just wish they would link up with one of the food delivery services available in Oakland. Being a disabled senior, getting out is sometimes prohibitive for me.”
“My daughter took me and the hubby here for our Thanksgiving celebration since she couldn't come home (Sac) for actual Thanksgiving, we went to her. This was a night I won't soon forget! Having a nice meal with our daughter was a treat, the service was amazing and the food....OMG! Every bite of every dish I tasted was so so delicious! I can't get the butternut soup out of my head it was THAT good! We all ordered different food & shared bites with one another. This night was so enjoyable! Thank you, Sis & Thank you Mama Oakland!”
Most Popular Restaurants
“I never believed my life will change in such a manner. I saw a review on Facebook about Mrs Craig Vanessa trading skills and before then I have never risk money doing anything online with anybody because I think I was so wise and never want to be cheated but when I contacted Mrs. Craig Vanessa, she explained everything to me concerning trading and the profit I can make within a week I was convinced to give a trial and risked to invest $1,000 and I made a withdrawal profit of $9,000 within a week. I am so happy that I trusted her and she didn't fail me. You can reach her through WhatsApp via her Facebook: Mrs Craig Vanessa”
“We had a great meal at Left Bank. Outstanding wine selection, the appetizers were delicious, and our mains were worth savoring. We took our time, they let us take our time, and everyone was happy.
I recommend you stop by for a bite whenever your find yourself in the Square.”
“Nice little cafe located in downtown Oakland that’s a unique experience from your typical third wave coffee roasters in the Bay Area. Delay is a middle eastern coffee shop so they specialize in Yemeni coffees and teas.
I tried the Adeni chai which was a solid choice. The tea had milk flavors and some spices which added to the drink, though I wish the spice flavor was a bit stronger. Next time I’d try one of their coffee based drinks instead.
The inside is nice and clean and had plenty of sitting area too if you’re looking to get some work done.”
“Was in the area and did a search for ice cream. This place popped up and I decided to check it out. The vibe from the staff is great. The flavors are nice and different, the finish of the ice cream is fresh. No lingering fattiness or artificial viscosity.
Will definitely come back if I'm in the area and want ice cream. Store is clean and bright, plenty of natural light and simple decor. The production area is clearly visible so you can see they're proud of what they're doing. I recommend this place.”
New Restaurants
“Get a fried banana! Its so good especially since theyre made fresh. Crispy on the outside and soft silky on the inside. What a treat!
Its a small spot, and mostly a grab and go for japanese inspired sandos, vietnamese noodle salads, and drinks like peach tea and green thai tea! There is also a small hot menu that is made to order at the front.
Egg salad sando was creamy and rich, peach tea refreshing, and green thai tea was a delicious treat.
I come back for the fried banana but always look forward to trying whatever they have in stock because its all really good!”
“We brought our friend here to celebrate his birthday because we wanted to gift an experience. We saw you featured on Check Please . . . And you guys WOW’d us beyond our expectations!! Amazing staff! And amazing food . . And yes, amazing cocktails!! Down to the last finishing touches ! We will definitely be back !”