The city of Oakland has an incredibly diverse population and an abundance of independent cafes, bars, and restaurants to make it a destination for any food lover. There are many hidden gems scattered throughout the city and its neighborhood pockets.
It’s increasingly important to me to support businesses owned and operated by women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community. If that’s important to you too, please see these guides: Keep It Female map by the Keep It Oakland - Oakland Indie Alliance and the Bay Area Organization of Black Owned Businesses.
Here are a few standout restaurants I strongly recommend (organized by neighborhood):
GRAND LAKE & LAKESHORE
Mama - Owned by Stevie Stacionnis (founder of Bâtonnage) and her husband Josiah Baldivino, Mama provides a 3-course meal for only $35. You can of course order some add-ons that will boost your check, but they make elevated, seasonal cuisine accessible to everyone. Of course Mama’s wine list presents many options and, conveniently, if you love the glass you ordered at the restaurant, you can pop by Bay Grape after your meal to buy a bottle and explore more varietals with the knowledgeable staff.
Sirene - Fantastic food, wine, cocktails, and vibes from the same team as SF’s The Morris. Opt for a cheeky Chartreuse Slushy or one of the very serious and well curated wines from the extensive list to pair with your meal.
JACK LONDON SQUARE
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Opening in 2018, Farmhouse Kitchen is the latest of now five Thai restaurants in San Francisco, Oakland, and Portland owned by Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang (including Daughter Thai - below). This location offers a waterfront patio and a festive interior design. Bonus: a great place for birthdays and large groups.
Yoshi’s - World class jazz club serving Japanese food, including several vegetarian and vegan options.
Not a restaurant, but Narrative is a vintage home design collective not to be missed.
MONTCLAIR
Daughter Thai Kitchen - The Thai dishes here exude love of the chef-owner and they are served in a casual modern setting with a festive flair (like the patterned umbrellas on the ceiling or the colorful dishes). My favorites include “Mieng Kum Kung” - super crispy-crusted Tiger Prawns served atop a leafy green and a bed of lime, ginger, onion, roasted coconut & peanuts with Tamarind sauce and the Rice Salad “Nam Khao Tod” - Thai fermented Pork Sausage, crispy red curry rice, ginger, chili, and peanuts with a mound of fresh Thai herbs. Spicy means spicy here and it’s so so very good.
Kakui Sushi - My go-to sushi spot in the East Bay, Kakui has all of the usual sashimi and sushi with a large selection of innovative rolls, like the JP (shrimp tempura, tuna, salmon, white tuna, avocado wrapped with soy bean paper) or the Alicia Roll (tempura asparagus, avocado, seared spicy tuna, jalapeño, French sauce topped with tobiko).
Perle Bar - Co-owners Chef Rob Lam and Certified Sommelier Marcus Garcia transformed their French wine bar into a bar that serves Vietnamese food like Chef Lam ate growing up.
PIEDMONT AVENUE
This charming neighborhood has several blocks of retail shops and a lovely local grocery store, aptly named Piedmont Grocery. Sadly Kronnerburger suffered a fire and has not reopened its debut Piedmont Avenue location, but you can still get their goods at Henry’s at The Graduate in Berkeley. There are several great restaurants along Piedmont Avenue, including:
Commis - Executive Chef James Syhabout earned Two Michelin stars (2016, 2017, and 2018) for his splurge-worthy Commis.
Doña - Owner Doña Savitsky opened this fast casual Mexican joint on Piedmont Avenue in the old Chow space in 2020 after closing her popular Doña Tómas full service restaurant in Temescal. It’s got a full service bar with great margaritas, palomas, and fresh bowls, burritos, and entrees - including vegan friendly options.
Pomet - Owned and operated by K&J Orchards, it became an instant classic bringing farm to table dining with a warm vibe. Every dish is inventive and bursting with flavor.
The Wolf - Taking over Bay Wolf’s location in 2017, The Wolf serves “French forward California cuisine” in a warm and relaxed environment. I was bound to love The Wolf since I have always adored Rich and Rebekah Wood’s first restaurant, Frascati, in San Francisco (under new ownership now) as well as Wood Tavern in Rockridge. You can feel the couple’s love in the food and the environment they create at each of their restaurants.
ROCKRIDGE
A16 - This East Bay outpost is just as lively and inviting as the San Francisco (Cow Hollow) original. A16 serves rustic, yet refined, Italian cuisine and Neopolitan pizzas from their wood-fired pizza oven. I love the food but also enjoy studying (and ordering from) the extensive selection of Italian wine, amaro and inventive cocktails - like the Carcioppo aperitif with Cardamaro amaro, Aperol, Prosecco, and grapefruit juice.
Millenium - An award winning plant-based restaurant and bar with a large back patio. Don’t miss the Millenium Burger - one of the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had. It’s an OG plant based restaurant with a new concept shift from full service to a counter / bar service style inside and special dinners on the back patio.
Ramen Shop - My mouth waters just thinking about Ramen Shop. I cannot get enough of it. The menu is constantly changing, but the one thing that remains the same is that they offer three ramen options each night, along with at least a half dozen appetizers and salads and a donburi and fried rice option. I am addicted to the Veggie Shoyu Meyer Lemon ramen broth. Always order the pickle plate - a varying mixture of pickled vegetables; the ramen is so rich and filling, you need some acid for balance and digestive magic.
Wood Tavern - Wood Tavern is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant, and everyone loves it. It is always busy. Always. Book ahead or drop by for lunch. And be sure to stop by La Farine boulangerie next door. It is one of the East Bay’s best bakeries with incredible morning buns, baguettes, tarts, and cookies.
TEMESCAL
If you’ve never explored Temescal before, go on a First Friday and peruse the boutiques in the pedestrian alleys off of 49th Street between Telegraph Avenue and Clarke Street.
Bakesale Betty - It’s hard to beat the fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty. Owner Alison Barakat has been delighting Oaklanders for years with those perfect sandwiches: a big piece of crispy fried chicken topped with a nicely balanced jalepeno-flecked coleslaw on a soft bun. They also offer cookies and pies as well as chicken pot pie. They are only open Thursday - Sunday until 2 pm. Order at the counter to take your sandwich home, eat it in the car, or preferably, hunched over one of the ironing board tables along the sidewalk to enjoy your sandwich at its peak crispness.
Burdell - James Beard finalist Chef Geoff Davis has landed on many best of lists with this fine dining soul food restaurant and for good reason: it’s fantastic. Nostalgic, comforting dishes are served on vintage dishes and the small but well curated wine list always has something fun to discover. Chef Davis pays homage to the matriarchs in his family and to Black history. The menu and the checks bear this stark reminder: “Tipping in the US has an ugly past, allowing the continuation of underpaid labor. Included on your check is a 20% Service Charge which we use to provide healthcare and pay hourly staff a consistent, livable wage that is not dependent on chance or archaic customs. No additional tip necessary.“ Right on.
Hawking Bird - Chef James Syhabout’s homage to the food he loved from his childhood. It’s a festive spot serving delicious food. My favorite dish is the Khao Man Gai – Hainanese style chicken & rice served with a ginger & fermented bean sauce, cucumbers & cilantro - and the best part: it’s served atop chicken fat rice. That is some soul-nourishing comfort food. They also make a great fried chicken sandwich as well as a Thai Chili Hot Sandwich - my personal favorite; fried Hodu Tofu can be substituted for the vegans in the house.
Nido’s Backyard - All outdoor festive Mexican restaurant serving great food and cocktails. During the pandemic, this was a perfect safe space to meet up with friends and colleagues. If you prefer indoor dining, you can also visit its sister property with an extensive Mezcal list: Odin.
UPTOWN
Calavera - A bustling Mexican restaurant and agave bar (excellent selection of tequila and mezcal).
Curry Up Now - I fell in love with the Paneer Tikka Masala burrito at the Fort Mason Off the Grid many years ago before any brick and mortar locations existed. Now there are six, including this one in Uptown, plus a food truck you can always find on Bush Street in San Francisco’s financial district on weekdays. Super fun, delicious, and casual Indian Street Food.
Mua - Situated inside a two story loft space with art abounding, Mua has the energy and excitement of a rave. And you will rave about the food on its extensive menu and cocktail list. So much fun and so delicious.
WEST OAKLAND
June’s Pizza - Simplicity at its best. June’s offers three pizza options each day: a margherita, a pepperoni, and a weekday special That’s it. No salad. No appetizers. Just pizza - elevated to an art form, using high quality, local ingredients. It’s a vibe.
Soba Ichi - Get transported to Japan via this spot in an industrial park in West Oakland adjacent to Magnolia Mini-Mart and formerly June’s Pizza. Freshly made soba noodles and tofu await you in a charming location where you can dine indoors or in the pleasant outdoor space. No reservations.