The food certainly does not match prices. The pretense is that they have traditional Spanish and Basque tapas. The selection is quite narrow and nothing that I tried was that good. Definitely overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
kao saephan
My server lied to me about the restaurant week pre set menu option pricing. The option reads, "Menu for 2, 65$ per person" and when I asked about making one order, my server told me it would be 65$ regardless of how many people eat it since it will be just another menu item. So i made 2 orders and asked her what the pricing would be, she said 130$, that makes sense. THEN the bill came out to 230$?? Without any other items? These people are scamming you Oakland!! Don't get the restaurant week order option!!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jon Schwindt
Really enjoyed the format and flavors. The space is nice and the staff are helpful if they know you have a show- they asked proactively. The pricing hurt a little but overall would come back! Bonus for a tapas place with a good amount of veg friendly choices!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Debbieh
Celebrating anniversary Place is loud tables are super close service just so so Food was ok Not the right atmosphere and no one really was very attentive or social It was close to Fox theater so that was a plus but I wouldn't go back Not a very memorable night and I even mentioned our 32 anniversary and asked for a more private table but was given a table in the worst spot so not treated special at all Anniversary was not even mentioned I'd say they don't care if u come back.
ReclaimtheGourmande
Really lovely food. The squid ink paella was fantastic. Also, the service was marvelous. Our server was casual and friendly but also wonderfully attentive to our dietary restrictions and allergies. We felt very well taken care of. Can't wait to go back!
Concerto
Service was fast, attentive and straightforward, what I would expect from a euro-inspired restaurant. We felt that most of the dishes were uninspiring (pescado crudo), cold and old (Tortilla) or overcooked/hard (Patatas bravas). Overall, it seemed like they weren't made to order. Except, the Bacalao Croquettes, which coincidentally took way longer to come out than any other dish. They were hot, fresh and very tasty. Flan dessert was fine but it felt like a premade flan you could get anywhere, with three raspberries placed on top, nothing notable. On a more positive note, ambiance is great, drink selection is great. It was nice, but not something I'd go out of my way to recommend.
Rebecca Richardson
Really good meal after a show.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
MartaC
A friend and I went for the Spanish Wine Dinner. It was wonderful! A great selection of wines that are not the typical wines you find in most restaurants perfectly paired with interesting, delicious food. The fuet+ salchichón + jamón de cordero on the charcuterie plate are all made in house! What a treat.
Cyntia Andres
The shrimp fideo paella is delicious! We asked for extra shrimp instead of chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BlueeyedM
Celebrated my birthday with a group of friends and we loved our experience! The food is outstanding with generous portions and they were so sweet to accommodate various dietary restrictions in our party. I highly recommend Duende and will definitely come back!
My husband and I enjoyed a yummy paella and cocktails at Duende before heading over to a show at the Fox. We tried the paella made with small pasta vs rice. It was interesting, good, but I think I like a rice base best. The hose special Manhattan was perfect!
RonY
Our waiter was extremely helpful. We were part of a post-show (by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler). Waiter suggested wine or beer, for a first round, because the bartender was swamped. Also good on suggesting items. We were big fans. Food was fine.
JonF
Duende is an excellent place to eat. This time, we had their cabbage salad and a paella. The paella took about a half-hour to cook, which gave us time to drink our Spanish G&Ts. We hope to do the same thing again soon.
Bootsy
The food is delicious, but the service was almost non-existent. We sat for an hour after ordering before we received any food at all. We had to flag down the server twice and actually get up and leave the table once to ask for food that we had ordered but didn't arrive. A tapas dish we had ordered as an appetizer showed up when we asked for our bill. Maybe it was an off night, but we were very disappointed as we had been excited to return to Duende for the first time since 2020.
berkcal
Always like to eat family style so shared the cabbage salad, potatos bravas, cod fritters and a paella. There were 6 of us and plenty to share. 2 salad/2 potato/2 cod and 1 paella. Excellent food and drinks.
The food certainly does not match prices. The pretense is that they have traditional Spanish and Basque tapas. The selection is quite narrow and nothing that I tried was that good. Definitely overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
My server lied to me about the restaurant week pre set menu option pricing. The option reads, "Menu for 2, 65$ per person" and when I asked about making one order, my server told me it would be 65$ regardless of how many people eat it since it will be just another menu item. So i made 2 orders and asked her what the pricing would be, she said 130$, that makes sense. THEN the bill came out to 230$?? Without any other items? These people are scamming you Oakland!! Don't get the restaurant week order option!!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Really enjoyed the format and flavors. The space is nice and the staff are helpful if they know you have a show- they asked proactively. The pricing hurt a little but overall would come back! Bonus for a tapas place with a good amount of veg friendly choices!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Celebrating anniversary Place is loud tables are super close service just so so Food was ok Not the right atmosphere and no one really was very attentive or social It was close to Fox theater so that was a plus but I wouldn't go back Not a very memorable night and I even mentioned our 32 anniversary and asked for a more private table but was given a table in the worst spot so not treated special at all Anniversary was not even mentioned I'd say they don't care if u come back.
Really lovely food. The squid ink paella was fantastic. Also, the service was marvelous. Our server was casual and friendly but also wonderfully attentive to our dietary restrictions and allergies. We felt very well taken care of. Can't wait to go back!
Service was fast, attentive and straightforward, what I would expect from a euro-inspired restaurant. We felt that most of the dishes were uninspiring (pescado crudo), cold and old (Tortilla) or overcooked/hard (Patatas bravas). Overall, it seemed like they weren't made to order. Except, the Bacalao Croquettes, which coincidentally took way longer to come out than any other dish. They were hot, fresh and very tasty. Flan dessert was fine but it felt like a premade flan you could get anywhere, with three raspberries placed on top, nothing notable. On a more positive note, ambiance is great, drink selection is great. It was nice, but not something I'd go out of my way to recommend.
Really good meal after a show.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
A friend and I went for the Spanish Wine Dinner. It was wonderful! A great selection of wines that are not the typical wines you find in most restaurants perfectly paired with interesting, delicious food. The fuet+ salchichón + jamón de cordero on the charcuterie plate are all made in house! What a treat.
The shrimp fideo paella is delicious! We asked for extra shrimp instead of chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Celebrated my birthday with a group of friends and we loved our experience! The food is outstanding with generous portions and they were so sweet to accommodate various dietary restrictions in our party. I highly recommend Duende and will definitely come back!
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I enjoyed a yummy paella and cocktails at Duende before heading over to a show at the Fox. We tried the paella made with small pasta vs rice. It was interesting, good, but I think I like a rice base best. The hose special Manhattan was perfect!
Our waiter was extremely helpful. We were part of a post-show (by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler). Waiter suggested wine or beer, for a first round, because the bartender was swamped. Also good on suggesting items. We were big fans. Food was fine.
Duende is an excellent place to eat. This time, we had their cabbage salad and a paella. The paella took about a half-hour to cook, which gave us time to drink our Spanish G&Ts. We hope to do the same thing again soon.
The food is delicious, but the service was almost non-existent. We sat for an hour after ordering before we received any food at all. We had to flag down the server twice and actually get up and leave the table once to ask for food that we had ordered but didn't arrive. A tapas dish we had ordered as an appetizer showed up when we asked for our bill. Maybe it was an off night, but we were very disappointed as we had been excited to return to Duende for the first time since 2020.
Always like to eat family style so shared the cabbage salad, potatos bravas, cod fritters and a paella. There were 6 of us and plenty to share. 2 salad/2 potato/2 cod and 1 paella. Excellent food and drinks.