Restaurants in Oakland
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Best Restaurants
“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!”
“Short wait on a Friday night for 7 of us. Really small place but the wait staff and owner very friendly and everyone was very happy with their meal. If I lived here I would go back.”
“Parche is a beautiful East Bay gem. Flavorful, unique, stunning, family style dishes. I'm still dreaming about the food I had there and the cocktails are incredible!”
“-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
“I loved everything about this place. The food was just the right amount and so creative.”
“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! ??❤️”
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.”
“Their food is absolutely amazing in taste and beautiful in presentation. I love how the menu varies by week, it makes it exciting to keep going back. I recommend this spot to anyone visiting the Bay Area, it’s 100% worth the drive out of San Francisco, I promise!
And of course, you MUST order their snails (they have this year around, so don’t worry)!! You will not regret it. ❤️ 10/10”
“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! ??❤️”
“Always an interesting experience and fun treat. Classic cocktails in a classic atmosphere. Service is on point! Food is innovative yet still comforting and familiar. Never disappointed.”
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.”
“I thought this would be a dime a dozen dive bar type spot, but thankfully I was wrong. It was pretty poppin for a Monday evening, but not enough to where it was overwhelming. The trees are fantastic, and the cocktails were actually good! We even got a nifty NA cocktail as a nightcap. I'll be coming back next time I'm in the area.”
“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!”
“A put bull was allowed to attack our dog tonight, they were sitting at the bar by the door. Our dog is well-behaved and well-trained and was attacked walking out of the restaurant. I appreciate places being dog friendly but plz be safe. The food and drinks are great but this ruined the evening.”
“Terrific cafe! Extensive Yemeni style coffee menu available, even more than other Yemeni cafes in the East Bay. Plenty of plant milk options, along with several vegan desserts and one savory baked goods. Plenty of atmospheric space to work (with wall outlet to charge), chill, meet friends. No weird smells inside. Pleasant non-English music playing at a reasonable volume in the background (so, it's hard to do meeting here). Very friendly service.”
“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.”
“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).”
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.”
“This is a good, casual KBBQ experience for a group. Not the tastiest or the best bang for buck, but definitely serves as a good fix.
We had a reservation for five and a toddler on a Friday night and were seated pretty quickly. Parking spaces were tight in the lot but fortunately there was a lot of street parking a couple blocks away.
We ordered the supreme set A, a seafood pancake, corn cheese and bossom to share. Between us we shared a grill and had our designated cooks at the table (which is how we prefer it but some might prefer a place that cooks for you). The highlight was easily the galbi (as if often is) and we did wish that the bossom was a little less dry. The others were good (as expected) but nothing to write home about. The banchan was also very standard.
Service wise, the waiters were a little slow to take our order and to give refills (for water, lettuce, etc.). Though, the yogurt soju special for our friend’s birthday was a really nice touch.
Like most KBBQ places, it’s helpful to bring your own bags for your clothes as the hoods aren’t the strongest, and it can get loud, but again - it’s a fairly standard experience.”
“😀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.”
“The restaurant itself is not in the best location, and the interior and bathroom isn't the best. But we went in and were welcomed so warmly for dinner when the place wasn't busy. We got the chicken biryani, garlic naan, and chicken tikka masala. The biryani is one of the best I have ever had in the US and the garlic naan was perfect and fluffy but crispy. The chicken tikka masala was creamy, not overcooked, and well seasoned. The best Indian restaurant we went to in East Bay. Would come again.”
“I've never been to a bar I've liked more. Everything about my experience was top shelf. The service was impeccable - attentive, engaging, and helpful. The listening experience was divine. The interior decor was a perfectly executed intersection of mid-century modern and industrial. What isn't to love? A gem.”
“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.”
“We stopped in because this place is located across the street from the Fox Theater and we were seeing a concert. What a terrific find. Fantastic cocktails, wonderful bartenders, and you can order food from a Japanese restaurant next door and they deliver it to you at the bar. Enjoyed a wonderful bento box with gyoza, seaweed salad, and fried chicken.”
“This is a good, casual KBBQ experience for a group. Not the tastiest or the best bang for buck, but definitely serves as a good fix.
We had a reservation for five and a toddler on a Friday night and were seated pretty quickly. Parking spaces were tight in the lot but fortunately there was a lot of street parking a couple blocks away.
We ordered the supreme set A, a seafood pancake, corn cheese and bossom to share. Between us we shared a grill and had our designated cooks at the table (which is how we prefer it but some might prefer a place that cooks for you). The highlight was easily the galbi (as if often is) and we did wish that the bossom was a little less dry. The others were good (as expected) but nothing to write home about. The banchan was also very standard.
Service wise, the waiters were a little slow to take our order and to give refills (for water, lettuce, etc.). Though, the yogurt soju special for our friend’s birthday was a really nice touch.
Like most KBBQ places, it’s helpful to bring your own bags for your clothes as the hoods aren’t the strongest, and it can get loud, but again - it’s a fairly standard experience.”
“A put bull was allowed to attack our dog tonight, they were sitting at the bar by the door. Our dog is well-behaved and well-trained and was attacked walking out of the restaurant. I appreciate places being dog friendly but plz be safe. The food and drinks are great but this ruined the evening.”
24 Hour Restaurants
“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”
“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.”
“My cashier at lunchtime was the best ever. She brought me smiles and fresh cooked food. It was tasty.😊❤️
And she had a sense of humor that made me laugh. My lunch was at 1 o'clock, so the lady that was Latina.
Has great customer service 5 starshe was my cashier around 1 o'clock.You know who you are 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.”
“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.”
“Probably the best meal I’ve ever had, super fun, exciting, every bite was perfect. Intimate and fast process”
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 😋”
“I really loved the Lao Special menu. You can order small portion of diverse foods. I ordered several items I have never eaten before, and they were all fantastic. The fermented pork sausage was the most "out there" dish from an American point of view: I didn't even know such a thing existed. Nice interior, and the service is great. This is some of the best Laotian food I've tried in the Bay. It turns out the portions are pretty generous, so I took soke home for another meal.”
“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.”
“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 love Lana's! It's my favorite ice cream shop - so much so I went there for my birthday. The staff are super friendly and the flavors are superb. Banana Oreo and Lilikoi (passion fruit) are definitely my favorite. Shout out to the crew today for keeping my pint cold as I ate my waffle cone outside :)”
“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.”
“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!”
“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®”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
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!”
“I got this delivered via Caviar so can’t speak to atmosphere (I think it’s a ghost kitchen maybe?) but the order was fast as heck and legit one of the best meals I’ve eaten in recent memory.A ton of food, generous portions, and just mind blowingly tasty. I got the pork bowl and every element was perfect. The meat was tender and so flavorful. Every combination of elements in the bowl creates a perfect bite.I can be kind of picky about food and this was a revelation, especially on a rainy winter night.I also ordered the bacon Brussels sprouts but I’m so full from the bowl I’ll save those for tomorrow.The world’s loudest YUM!!!!!”
“On my way to the Bayfair farmer’s market I saw a guy bbq out on the sidewalk today. After the market, I decided to stop and long behold I found this place! 😄. had the delicious “Thank Que bowl and lumpia”. So fresh, tasty and delicious! I will be back.....thank u Chef Rene!”
“Four of us enjoyed an early dinner at Bocanovo before attending a show. The staff were friendly and attentive. Everything we ordered was delicious including appetizers, main courses and two different desserts. We will definitely return and highly recommend this restaurant.”
Cheap Eats
“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.”
“I’ve recently cut out all dairy and pretty much all meat, although I will make an exception for special occasions and eat meat seldomly. anyway the options here are delicious if you’re a vegan! Their menu is full of tasty choices. U couldn’t be happier with my recent door dash orders”
“(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 love Kinfolk! It’s such a community base space and it feels like it based upon the seating arrangements and the large options for comfortable places to work/get coffee! I got the hot chocolate, which was good, nothing special though! I mainly enjoy this space because it feels so justice and community oriented :) the staff are always very friendly and I love the artwork up!!!”
“Pho was great! Order was ready quickly compared to another spot I had tried to order from. I love having the option to select beef broth with my veggie pho! The soft fried tofu in the veggie pho was so good!! The grilled shrimp and pork spring rolls were delish too! Will definitely be back - nice to have so close to my home!”
“I’ve had hundreds of fresh spring rolls in my life from a bunch of different places around the US… this is by far the best place. Sometimes I order them a couple times a week. You can get them with peanut sauce or their amazing special sauce (which I do) The pho is amazing too and also the fresh coconuts”
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“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!”
“😀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.”
“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!”
“Have been coming to this place for more than six years now and have always enjoyed the food here. My favorites are the blood sausage, pork rib soup, acorn cold noodle, and assorted pork soup. Very authentic Korean menu items that you can hardly find anywhere else in the Bay Area.”
“I've never been to a bar I've liked more. Everything about my experience was top shelf. The service was impeccable - attentive, engaging, and helpful. The listening experience was divine. The interior decor was a perfectly executed intersection of mid-century modern and industrial. What isn't to love? A gem.”
“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!”
“Four of us enjoyed an early dinner at Bocanovo before attending a show. The staff were friendly and attentive. Everything we ordered was delicious including appetizers, main courses and two different desserts. We will definitely return and highly recommend this restaurant.”
“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.”
“The selection of ciders and natural wines by the glass or flight here is unbeatable. We live close by and find ourselves visiting to grab a glass per person often. Vibes are so chill. We also love their olives!! Outdoor area dog friendly.”
“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.”
“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!💗”
“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.”
“Their food is absolutely amazing in taste and beautiful in presentation. I love how the menu varies by week, it makes it exciting to keep going back. I recommend this spot to anyone visiting the Bay Area, it’s 100% worth the drive out of San Francisco, I promise!
And of course, you MUST order their snails (they have this year around, so don’t worry)!! You will not regret it. ❤️ 10/10”
“good drinks, good food, friendly service, outdoor dining, i'll be back”
“Been coming here since 1977. Always great food and adult beverages. Best is fried zucchini!!!!”
“Tummy comfort food in great post-industrial space. Friendly service, craft cocktails. Good menu options and specials. Outdoor tables also available.”
“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”
“I went to Commis on my birthday. The food was amazing, creative and good mix of flavors. The atmosphere is very cozy and chill. Servers were all nice and they all wished me happy birthday. The chef come to the table for one of the dishes.
One thing I wish had been better was the service: although the servers were kind, they rushed through explaining the dishes, which made the experience feel less refined compared to the level of attention I’ve received at other Michelin-starred restaurants.”
“This is the best Ethiopian food that I have found. Every time I am in town, I make my brother take me! The staff is wonderful, the food is always delicious, and the samosas are off the hook! The prices are reasonable. A must try!”
“You have to go there from brunch!! The dishes are packed with flavor and love. Fresh wonderful oatmeal, cheese eggs on toast! Omg all so delicious and Donna is an amazing host.”
“Great ambience, wonderful food (my friend and I loved the flourless chocolate cake!), good drinks, and kind service. We extend our thanks to our server, Tony, who offered excellent service. We will be back again!”
“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 is my favorite restaurant in Oakland! The food is amazing and so are the cocktails. The vive is is unreal!!!”
“Beautiful space. Alicia and her team are lovely hosts as well. I’ll be back again soon!”
“Very tasty and carefully seasoned. All dishes were perfection”
“Holy Basil is one of our absolute favorite places to get delivery from in the Bay Area. Our kids are addicted to the bao buns and garlic noodles. I'm obsessed with the tofu vermicelli. Nothing is cozier on a cold day than their Chili Lemongrass soup. Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than their fresh rolls and ginger lemonade. We love Holy Basil food!”
“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”
“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.”
“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.”
“Chill Friday with great staff and patrons. I love a Pilsner on a warmer day and they had five on tap!! I was hella excited because it’s rare for a brewery to have so many pilsners on tap. Really great options all around. Dana was very warm and welcoming.”
“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.”
“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.”
“First time having Chicago style deep dish pizza and it was so tasty. The sauce is so good.”
“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!”
“I was treating my good friend to a birthday dinner. She requested Peruvian food and this restaurant came up as one of the best in our area on a Google search. We sat at the counter and were able to watch the dishes being prepared. Very impressive presentation. Our waiter was very attentive, suggesting wine selections and answering questions about the dishes. The food was delicious! The seating area inside is small and intimate. They also offer outdoor seating. We'll be back!”
“Amazing food, terrific waiter. Frustrated that although we booked standard tables they insisted on seating us at a high table which didn't work for my elderly parents. The low tables remained open until 5 minutes before we left. Not great.”
“Great beer and great people. Stop by if you're looking for staff who will love to chat, and beer you'll love to enjoy. My favorite is to come in after work and hang outside with a Proper Hooligan by the gas fire pits and read.”
“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”
“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.”
“Treated my parents to a lovely dinner from Kiana for their 50 th wedding anniversary!!! Everything was delicious!”
“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.”
“This establishment is excellent very clean and customer service is amazing specifically an employee named Alex he was very friendly, interactive and informative about the products and helped me decide what pizza was best for me and my liking to purchase”
“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.”
“Great food and great music .... all you need .... great friends to join you.”
“food was excellent..service was great...if u want excellent authentic Italian food...this is the place for you ..”
“My first time trying Mexican food!!
If you are into original non glamorous places with fantastic food, THIS WILL BE UP YOUR ALLEY! This is a family own restaurant with a full service bar adjacent room. The micheladas are insane! They have cool variety of imported beer and local to choose. The birria go some and the tiny been tacos will blow your mind.
Just watch out for the life mariachi bands if you don’t like loud music.”
“Hidden gem on an unlikely neighborhood. My Shrimp & Grits were delicious & authentic. Every dish looked unique & interesting. Casual setting. Best in Oakland. And reasonable.”
“Man, talk about old -school soul food! This place takes me back to the days of flavorful bbq and sublime sides like we used to get in Oakland. And their fish is off the hook, too(pun intended).
Make your way here when you can and you’ll not be disappointed. They deliver!”
“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.”
“Truly excellent place that has been here in the neighborhood forever. We've been coming here or getting orders togo for a decade and it's been the same folks running it the whole time and they are superb.
2025 update - still going strong. great food and great service!”
“Took my Tanzanian exchange student there for a taste of home. Walked into a cozy place where the owner welcomed us and talked to my student and other customers as if they were good friends. We had the fried fish and curry dishes. Everything was so delicious--we enjoyed every bite. Especially the cabbage! Overall one of the best places I have eaten, perfectly authentic, with a wonderfully friendly atmosphere.”
“Fresh Beef.Patty was very good definitely worth the visit along with fresh made smoothie”
“The food was so bomb! It’s really amazing foood even it’s so prizey!”
“The standard Thai menu items like green curry and pad see ew were unusually good. The “Thai home cooking” menu items like “mee cook”and “custard bread” dessert were bland and not tasty.”
“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 customer service is amazing, enjoyed my margarita. A friend recommended their shrimp salad so that’s my next try. And of course I can’t forget, they gifted me 2 tickets to see Joe and Tamia at the Paramount and my sister and I had an absolutely amazing time!”
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.”
“The restaurant itself is not in the best location, and the interior and bathroom isn't the best. But we went in and were welcomed so warmly for dinner when the place wasn't busy. We got the chicken biryani, garlic naan, and chicken tikka masala. The biryani is one of the best I have ever had in the US and the garlic naan was perfect and fluffy but crispy. The chicken tikka masala was creamy, not overcooked, and well seasoned. The best Indian restaurant we went to in East Bay. Would come again.”
“We had a good time here. The cocktails were tasty and the food was pretty ok. Wife liked her fish entree and the olives appetizer. I found my burger (and the bun) to be a little dry and not especially flavorful but not terrible. I enjoyed the ice cream with olive oil and sea salt, it was one of those surprisingly good combinations.”
“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.”
“we love the vibe, service and menu at GLK on Grand and have been going there for years. On our last visit we were surprised by how salty the food was. I think the cooks are overly generous with salt. Both our brussel sprouts and the scallops were really over salted. Next visit we will be sure to order low/no salt, and send back anything that's too salty.”
New Restaurants
“We started with a great atmosphere with Robyn. We came a long way to bring my nephew Roger, who lives in Hayward . We're visiting from the Bronx NYC. Eric was wonderful and invited us in. The five of us ordered the pernil ,arroz con gandules, canoa, amarillo, toastones, and empanadas. The food was delicious. Eric served us with love. We had a conversation. Eric was from our Bronx neighborhood. Eric is a very warm, humble, and charming person. I believe we were meant to find him. 🙏 🙏 🙏 for him and loved ones. Best wishes ❤️. Roger was so happy and shining.. Thank you all.”
“The cocktails are innovative and have so much depth. Ambiance is on point, there's so much seating and good music. There's a few logistical things they have to work out, for example it was very unclear as to whether we had to be seated or seat ourselves, and wasn't sure if there was table service in the evenings, but they're new and I'm sure they'll figure it out. Love a Black owned business!”
“Super cute bar with the best outside patio area! The drinks are creative and strong, the music is good and it’s a great vibe. There is food by Vegan Chula on the patio and let me tell you it is not only beautifully presented but it is DELICIOUS! I am not vegan so I was impressed with the flavors and textures of the food. The poblano Mac and cheese is by far one of the best I’ve ever had - it was creamy and rich with a crunchy topping that’ll change your life. The corn cakes were perfection! We will be back for more!”
“The Vietnamese spring rolls with shrimp are the best I’ve ever had! The shrimp taste incredibly fresh, and the vermicelli noodles perfectly complement the other flavors without overwhelming them. The peanut sauce has an ideal consistency that makes dipping effortless and delicious.
I also LOVE the shrimp salad!!!”
“I've been trying to get to this place for months!!! I finally had the opportunity today to go 🙌 the menu is quite small ,I anticipated so much more they could have done with the peaches. I want to give huge shout out to Jackie one of the leads at the restaurant. You can tell that she truly enjoys what she does and she takes he position seriously. I appreciate you sis for taking care of me today. It's service like you provided today that makes repeat customers.”
“love the vibes! the food is great and the atmosphere is so welcoming. my go to drink is the mango coconut boom with regular sugar — not too sweet and DEFINITELY tastes like mango. the croissant sandwich and the bagel sandwich are also really well made and tasty 😋😋 would def recommend!!”
“Such a beautiful restaurant with beautiful decorations and amazing service! Right when you walk in you are greeted with amazing staff and they have cupcakes and chips on display perfect for kids! The food, drinks and milkshakes are all 10 out of 10! Such unforgettable flavors and experience! Really enjoyed my time and highly recommend!”
“Loved Mixe! Never had trouble getting a table, food comes out fast and is super tasty. Good for groups too. Love the bar space, perfect for when I'm downtown and just need a Mezcalito and a beer. Mezcal selection is getting to be the best in town, bar manager is super knowledgable and happy to talk Mezcals to get me what I'm feeling. Friendly service, always a great time!”
“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 !”