Great food, excellent service. The Brussels sprouts are next level. Don't leave anything in your car. You will be adding a window to your meal cost.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Analu Gutter
Lori is the reason I keep coming back to Portal Oakland — she is truly the BEST server ever! Every single visit, she goes above and beyond to make sure I’m taken care of. Her energy is warm, her vibe is amazing, and she always remembers the little things that make the experience feel personal.
She’s attentive without hovering, quick with recommendations, and she always makes sure the food and drinks come out perfect. Honestly, the food is great and the atmosphere is fun — but Lori is what makes this place feel like home.
If you’re coming to Portal and you don’t get Lori as your server… you’re missing out! I LOVE her. She deserves all the praise and all the tips! 💯✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Manasa Narasimhan (Manu)
The menu and the options are well curated and is great for brunch. I don’t know why the service is average. They are probably short staffed and are not able to manage the crowd efficiently. We went in with two toddlers and we were seated almost immediately. But they said it could take a while for our waiter to be with us because he was on a break! And it took 25 minutes for someone to even come and get the order. The kids were getting cranky and impatient. Food was awesome and the farmer’s garbage bread is a must try!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
RuthafordB Gang
Had a beautiful wedding reception here at portal. Mona just took over the business and did a phenomenal job along with the chef and cooks servers who all supported myself and husband on this day. The food was perfect 👌🏾 definitely recommended this place for partys, events or just to have a nice cold beverage. Mona and her staff even created a his and hers drink which was fantastic. Food was out and ready in perfect timing. My whole family raved about the garbage bread and sticky ribs. But honestly i never thought i would have a wedding as beautifully put together but definitely was overwhelmed with her over delivery on making our reception magical. Thank you Mona and staff for all your help.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephen Tyler Carnathan
Good food, great atmosphere, abysmal service and not even sorry about it. Just kind of a “deal with it” or that asking for a refill or for my food not to be cold is just an inconvenience. Wild.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Renee Corbie
I ordered food online from portal, wanting to try it for the first time. I placed and order and my card was charged. Turns out they didn’t have what I ordered and they never refunded me or gave me a credit for the food I never received.
Cory M
Neighborhood staple with a big coveted outdoor area and amazing food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Toni Eastman
Good food, nice little tuck away, outside looks like the place is a small hole in the wall but pretty big on the inside. Good service as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
khialee2010
We went on a Friday early afternoon, they were short staffed but fit us in. The food was awesome, the cane soda was great. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Artemis Huntsman
Beautiful view of Lake Merritt and good service! The food was nice, my only complaint was my waffle was really chewy and tough. Fried chicken was superb and I enjoyed the chile lime fries that were very crispy as well. $93 for 3 people including tax + tip
Very casual brunch spot. Food is generally tasty, a bit heavy, and straight forward.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sheena B.
The breakfast potatoes are my favorite
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annika Johnson
Melvin and the owner were incredibly warm and thoughtful. Haven't been on this side of the lake in a while, so felt like seeing old friends. Melvin delivered kind service, honest and fun to talk to. Got a great seat by the windows overlooking the lake. Can't beat the view! Coffee was hot and mimosas were tasty. Very much enjoyed my Benedict, opted for scrambled eggs instead of poached. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jaxton Nguyen
The service was fast and polite, and the live band playing classics added so much charm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mikaela Bui
The chef came out to greet us — such a personal touch!
Great food, excellent service. The Brussels sprouts are next level. Don't leave anything in your car. You will be adding a window to your meal cost.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lori is the reason I keep coming back to Portal Oakland — she is truly the BEST server ever! Every single visit, she goes above and beyond to make sure I’m taken care of. Her energy is warm, her vibe is amazing, and she always remembers the little things that make the experience feel personal.
She’s attentive without hovering, quick with recommendations, and she always makes sure the food and drinks come out perfect. Honestly, the food is great and the atmosphere is fun — but Lori is what makes this place feel like home.
If you’re coming to Portal and you don’t get Lori as your server… you’re missing out! I LOVE her. She deserves all the praise and all the tips! 💯✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The menu and the options are well curated and is great for brunch. I don’t know why the service is average. They are probably short staffed and are not able to manage the crowd efficiently. We went in with two toddlers and we were seated almost immediately. But they said it could take a while for our waiter to be with us because he was on a break! And it took 25 minutes for someone to even come and get the order. The kids were getting cranky and impatient.
Food was awesome and the farmer’s garbage bread is a must try!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Had a beautiful wedding reception here at portal. Mona just took over the business and did a phenomenal job along with the chef and cooks servers who all supported myself and husband on this day. The food was perfect 👌🏾 definitely recommended this place for partys, events or just to have a nice cold beverage. Mona and her staff even created a his and hers drink which was fantastic. Food was out and ready in perfect timing. My whole family raved about the garbage bread and sticky ribs. But honestly i never thought i would have a wedding as beautifully put together but definitely was overwhelmed with her over delivery on making our reception magical. Thank you Mona and staff for all your help.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food, great atmosphere, abysmal service and not even sorry about it. Just kind of a “deal with it” or that asking for a refill or for my food not to be cold is just an inconvenience. Wild.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
I ordered food online from portal, wanting to try it for the first time. I placed and order and my card was charged. Turns out they didn’t have what I ordered and they never refunded me or gave me a credit for the food I never received.
Neighborhood staple with a big coveted outdoor area and amazing food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food, nice little tuck away, outside looks like the place is a small hole in the wall but pretty big on the inside. Good service as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went on a Friday early afternoon, they were short staffed but fit us in. The food was awesome, the cane soda was great. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Beautiful view of Lake Merritt and good service! The food was nice, my only complaint was my waffle was really chewy and tough. Fried chicken was superb and I enjoyed the chile lime fries that were very crispy as well. $93 for 3 people including tax + tip
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very casual brunch spot. Food is generally tasty, a bit heavy, and straight forward.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The breakfast potatoes are my favorite
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melvin and the owner were incredibly warm and thoughtful. Haven't been on this side of the lake in a while, so felt like seeing old friends.
Melvin delivered kind service, honest and fun to talk to. Got a great seat by the windows overlooking the lake. Can't beat the view!
Coffee was hot and mimosas were tasty. Very much enjoyed my Benedict, opted for scrambled eggs instead of poached.
Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service was fast and polite, and the live band playing classics added so much charm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The chef came out to greet us — such a personal touch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...