Oakland dining offers an embarrassment of multicultural rich culinary choices reflecting the city’s diversity. From farm-to-table innovation to authentic global flavors, talented Oakland chefs are winning acclaim crafting sustainable, socially-conscious dining experiences as memorable as the creative East Bay surroundings.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine/Concept |
|---|---|
| Camino | New American tasting menus |
| Dyafa | Coastal Mediterranean |
| Duende | Spanish tapas |
| Shakewell | Baja-style Mexican |
| Horn Barbecue | Central Texas barbecue |
| Calavera Mexican Kitchen | Modern Mexican |
| Commis | Fine dining, tasting menu |
| Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe | American comfort food |
| Spicy Hideaway | Hunan Chinese |
| Hopscotch | Asian fusion |
| Mua Webster | Hawaiian-inspired |
| Souley Vegan | Plant-based soul food |
| Millennium Restaurant | Vegan fine dining |
Downtown’s lively restaurant scene near Jack London Square entices foodies with award-winning favorites for special occasions. While visiting Oakland’s neighborhoods unearths affordable casual eateries and tempting food trucks displaying the city’s range, often with international influences. For some of Oakland’s best eating in supremely welcoming atmospheres, discover these highly-rated local gems.
Camino
Name and Location: Camino is located in a bustling area known for its vibrant dining scene, offering an inviting atmosphere for those who appreciate fine dining with a rustic touch.
History and Significance: This restaurant has made a name for itself with its unique approach to open-flame cooking, drawing inspiration from traditional methods to create a memorable dining experience.
What to Expect: Guests can anticipate a menu that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, prepared with a simplicity that enhances their natural flavors, all within a warmly lit, wood-accented space.
Visitor Information: Ideal for those seeking an intimate dinner or a special occasion venue, Camino offers both indoor and al fresco dining options.
For extraordinarily inventive small plates in an intimate setting, dine at Camino nestled in Oakland’s bustling Grand Lake district. Housed inside a former thrift shop, Camino’s rustic-industrial interior lined with brick walls and leather banquettes sets an alluring backdrop for Chef-Owner Russell Moore’s ever-changing New American tasting menus emphasize peak seasonal ingredients from local farms presented through multiple courses meant for sharing. Fresh lamb carpaccio might arrive dotted with bright peas, fava leaves and parmesan paired beautifully with Belgian artisan ales or biodynamic wines. End with light yet decadent orange almond cake soaked in citrus syrup or rich sipping chocolates from Oakland’s CCHOCOLATlATTÉ. At Camino, outstanding flavors reign supreme every evening.
Dyafa
Name and Location: Nestled in a lively district, Dyafa celebrates the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East with a contemporary twist, inviting guests to explore a fusion of flavors.
History and Significance: Dyafa stands as a cultural bridge, aiming to introduce and celebrate Middle Eastern cuisine and hospitality, while also highlighting the region’s diverse culinary landscape.
What to Expect: Diners will find a menu that offers an array of dishes ranging from mezze to hearty mains, all crafted with authentic ingredients and a modern presentation.
Visitor Information: The restaurant provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings, business lunches, or a casual meal among friends.
Middle Eastern spices and North African techniques blend wonderfully at Jack London Square’s Dyafa restaurant celebrating coastal Mediterranean cuisines with California fresh flair. Their elegant space spills outdoors overlooking Oakland’s waterfront where twinkling evening lights enhance the mood. Tantalizing aromas draw diners towards shareable small plates like blistered segmented lemon chicken dressed in preserved Meyer lemon or crisp falafel paired with velvety roasted eggplant purees and zippy toum garlic sauce. Dyafa’s lamb tagine entrée braised in saffron broth over fluffy couscous proves irresistible while the sweet potato basbousa cake drizzled in floral orange blossom syrup makes a fragrant finishing touch. For transporting flavors of the Mediterranean, Dyafa hits the mark.
Duende
Name and Location: Duende is a vibrant spot located in the heart of the city, offering a Spanish-inspired dining experience in an eclectic and artistic setting.
History and Significance: With a nod to Spanish culture and art, Duende brings together the lively spirit of a bodega with the sophistication of a modern restaurant, creating a unique space where food and culture intersect.
What to Expect: Patrons can enjoy a variety of tapas, paellas, and Spanish wines, all served in an atmosphere filled with music, art, and the energy of a Spanish fiesta.
Visitor Information: Duende is ideal for those looking to indulge in Spanish cuisine and culture, offering both communal dining experiences and intimate tables for a more personal meal.
Foodies swoon over Duende’s playful small plates masterfully reinventing classic Spanish tapas inside a chic downtown Oakland dining room. Their open kitchen stars a wood-fired grill infusing char and smokiness into intriguing bites like grilled broccolini with roasty almonds and lemon. Start off sharing thin slices of funky aged beef tongue or tuna crudo on crunchy baguette toast before moving into hot raciones like the creamy squat lobster risotto or slow-roasted chicken enrobed in saffron. Inspired cocktail infusions, a smart Spanish wine list and playlist filled with soulful flamenco guitar music completes the festively modern Iberian experience at Duende. Expect animated crowds and scant reservations availability at this slamming hotspot.
Shakewell
Name and Location: Located in a trendy neighborhood, Shakewell offers a lively dining atmosphere where Mediterranean flavors meet inventive culinary techniques.
History and Significance: This restaurant has quickly become a favorite for its approachable yet innovative menu, blending Mediterranean traditions with local ingredients to create something truly unique.
What to Expect: The menu features an array of shareable plates, wood-fired dishes, and signature cocktails, all crafted to encourage convivial dining amongst friends and family.
Visitor Information: Shakewell is perfect for casual dining, happy hours, and celebratory meals, offering both indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate the diverse preferences of its guests.
For bold tackle-box sized burritos shaking up lunch crowds, check out breezy Shakewell in downtown Oakland stuffing pillowy tortillas with an array of proteins, veggies and sauces bound to satisfy all tastes. Oakland’s favorite Baja-style taqueria keeps it simple while maximizing flavors inside their street-style counter digs. Line up eyeing the menu then pick fillings from al pastor pork, beer-battered fish, sofrito chicken or jackfruit carnitas paired with zesty salsas and cool crunchy toppings. Devour the beautifully wrapped results dockside at picnic tables under heat lamps while admiring Oakland Estuary views. When cravings strike for California-inspired Mexican street food prepared with finesse, Shakewell’s craveable tacos and burritos always gratify.
Horn Barbecue
Name and Location: Horn Barbecue is situated in a laid-back area, known for its mastery of traditional American barbecue techniques and its commitment to flavor and quality.
History and Significance: By focusing on slow-cooked meats and classic barbecue sides, Horn Barbecue pays homage to the rich heritage of American barbecue, while creating a community around its shared tables.
What to Expect: Guests can expect melt-in-your-mouth brisket, ribs, and other smoked meats, alongside a selection of homemade sauces and sides, all served in a rustic and friendly environment.
Visitor Information: Ideal for barbecue enthusiasts and families looking for a hearty meal, Horn Barbecue offers both dine-in and takeout options to suit a variety of dining preferences.
West Oakland’s Horn Barbecue sates serious meat cravings through Central Texas smokehouse techniques blending perfectly with Northern California ethos. Pitmaster Matt Horn’s backyard smoker origins launched his meteoric rise converting die-hard barbecue fans into lip-smacking disciples. Now diners flock to Horn’s industrial warehouse location for aggressively seasoned brisket, ribs and hot links sizzling with old school flavor. Expect pop-up sides like smoky jambalaya or fork-tender oxtails braised in red wine. Despite skyrocketing popularity, Horn’s tiny counterjoint stays true to its community cookout roots with hospitable service quick to offer tastes straight off the smoking pits or pours of regional craft brews to wash the delicious fare down.
Calavera Mexican Kitchen
Name and Location: Calavera Mexican Kitchen is a vibrant establishment located in a bustling district, offering a modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine within a colorful and lively setting.
History and Significance: This restaurant celebrates the diversity and richness of Mexican culinary traditions, using innovative techniques and fresh ingredients to reinterpret classic dishes.
What to Expect: The menu boasts an extensive selection of tacos, mole, and tequila-based cocktails, all designed to offer a contemporary dining experience rooted in traditional flavors.
Visitor Information: With its festive atmosphere and creative menu, Calavera Mexican Kitchen is ideal for those looking to explore Mexican cuisine in a modern and engaging environment.
An explosion of modern design and tradition fuse together at this industrial-chic Mexican dining destination in downtown Oakland. Calavera celebrates rich authentic regional cooking techniques through flavorful share plates, tacos and entrees popping with vivid colors and textures. Their Oaxacan huarache overflows with spit-grilled meats, stringy cheese, pinto beans and golden potato sticks for scooping up deliciousness. Balance the robust with refreshing aguas frescas or clever margaritas garnished with spicy tamarind candies. Continue exploring intricate mole sauces drenching tender chicken in bittersweet cocoa richness followed by cinnamon-laced Mexican coffee and chorizo bread puddings. From lively buzzy brunches to after-work craft cocktails, Calavera injects hearty, festive energy into Oakland’s restaurant scene.
Commis
Name and Location: Commis is an intimate, upscale restaurant nestled in a quiet neighborhood, offering a refined dining experience with a focus on precision and innovation.
History and Significance: As the recipient of prestigious culinary awards, Commis has established itself as a destination for those seeking an exceptional dining experience, characterized by its attention to detail and creative presentation.
What to Expect: Diners can look forward to a multi-course tasting menu that changes regularly, featuring seasonal ingredients prepared with avant-garde techniques, served in a minimalist yet elegant setting.
Visitor Information: Reservations are essential for this exclusive dining experience, making Commis a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts and those celebrating special occasions.
For experimental fine dining reflecting global essence through California ingredients, Commis’ eight-course tasting menu transports guests through unrelatedPrevious culinary journeys from Oakland to Japan, India, France and Mexico. Helmed by Michelin-starred Chef James Syhabout, this tiny storefront laboratory located between Piedmont and downtown focuses solely on using ethically-sourced local bounty to craft intellectually-inspired meals. Sensory delights await with every creative plate like delicate Dungeness crab threaded through gnocchi blanketing thinly sliced persimmons or smoked sturgeon wrapped around puffed wild rice echoing ancient grains of the Silk Road. Optional wine pairings enhance while friendly servers happily decode complex flavors and techniques. At Commis, expect envelope-pushing innovation in an unexpectedly modest space.
Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe
Name and Location: Situated in a lively area, Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe offers a retro-inspired diner experience, serving classic American fare with a side of nostalgia.
History and Significance: Inspired by the ethos of never giving up, Rudy’s has become a community staple, known for its welcoming atmosphere, eclectic decor, and commitment to serving quality, comforting meals.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a wide range of diner classics, from burgers and shakes to breakfast served all day, in a setting that’s both fun and unpretentiously cool.
Visitor Information: Open from morning till late, Rudy’s is a perfect spot for anyone looking for a laid-back meal, whether it’s an early breakfast, a late-night snack, or anything in between.
Quirky charm fills this casual Emeryville hot spot slinging hearty comfort fare perfect for families seeking a delicious pitstop near Bay Street mall’s shops. Inspired by the irreverent 80’s cult classic movie “Rudy Can’t Fail” about a fictional punk band, the cafe bursts with rock-n-roll personality through cheeky artwork, loud music and mismatched dining room decor. But Rudy’s soul-warming scratch-made classics like the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, shrimp po boy or classic patty melts dripping with cheese make meals special. Grab local craft beers, housemade shakes or bottomless glitter coffee refills then let kids run loose in video arcades and play spaces while parents relish time lingering over slow satisfying bites. For carefree family fueling, Rudy Can’t Fail Cafe rocks East Bay mealtimes.
Spicy Hideaway
Name and Location: Tucked away in a cozy corner of the city, Spicy Hideaway is a small but mighty restaurant offering a fiery array of dishes that celebrate the art of spice.
History and Significance: This hidden gem has built a reputation for its bold flavors and inventive use of spices, attracting adventurous eaters looking to explore a heat-filled dining experience.
What to Expect: The menu is a testament to the versatility of spice, featuring a variety of dishes that range from mildly tangy to intensely hot, all crafted to delight the palate of spice enthusiasts.
Visitor Information: Ideal for those seeking to challenge their taste buds, Spicy Hideaway offers a cozy ambiance for an intimate dining experience focused on the power of spice.
Oakland’s intimate Spicy Hideaway refines homestyle Hunan Chinese cooking guided by a mouth-numbing spice mandate ensuring each dish dazzles with chili depth. This Chinatown hole-in-the-wall packs impressive heat into regional specialties like Chairman chicken, cumin-crusted lamb or Chongqing hot pot simmering away with red-hued broth soon brimming with thinly shaved ribeye and bubbling peppers. Cold dishes refresh palates like the addictive Chongqing chicken with nutty chunks dressed in scallion oil or pickled cabbage strands twisted with chili and garlic. Despite cramped quarters, Hideaway’s personable owner-chef greets regulars while carefully preparing flavorful Hunan dishes modifying spice levels upon request yet never compromising her fiery heritage.
Hopscotch
Name and Location: Hopscotch is a chic, urban diner situated in a dynamic district, known for its fusion of American and Asian cuisine, served within a sleek, modern interior.
History and Significance: By blending American diner classics with Asian flavors and ingredients, Hopscotch has created a unique culinary niche, offering a fresh take on familiar dishes.
What to Expect: Diners will encounter a menu that includes innovative dishes and craft cocktails, all embodying a commitment to quality and creativity in a casual yet sophisticated environment.
Visitor Information: Perfect for foodies and cocktail lovers alike, Hopscotch provides a lively atmosphere for brunch, dinner, or drinks, with options that cater to a diverse range of palates.
Japanese izakaya culture thrives inside Hopscotch’s stylish exposed brick walls dishing Oakland’s most playful Asian fusion fare complemented by an avantgarde cocktail program. Their bustling Uptown vibe encourages adventurous small-group dining ideal for sampling inventive bites off a menu divided into Rice, Land & Sea. Find miso lobster spaghetti in one section then salted duck confit alongside herb tempura and Palawan-style pork belly adobo crossing culinary regions of Asia seamlessly. With viewing access into Hopscotch’s lively open kitchen, meals become entertainment watching chefs assemble artistic plates like the Hamachi Crudo composition with freshly grated wasabi. For an unforgettable ride through kitchen sink creativity, make reservations confirming seats inside Hopscotch’s exciting epicurean mosaic.
Mua Webster
Name and Location: Mua Webster, located in an artsy and industrial area, is a trendy spot known for its eclectic menu and vibrant nightlife, offering a space where dining meets entertainment.
History and Significance: Mua Webster has carved out a space where food, art, and music come together, creating a dynamic atmosphere that attracts a diverse crowd looking for an experience beyond the plate.
What to Expect: The menu is as diverse as its clientele, featuring everything from small plates to hearty entrees, complemented by a selection of cocktails and live music on select nights.
Visitor Information: An ideal destination for those looking to enjoy a meal and then dance the night away, Mua Webster caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making it a popular choice for a night out.
MUA Webster infuses downtown Oakland with welcoming aloha vibes through Hawaiian-inspired dishes perfect for large group sharing. Contemporary Kahului native and owner-chef Garrett Hashimoto expertly executes colorful plates blending natural sweetness with savory umami. His dry-aged ribeye loco moco served sizzling in a cast iron skillet reveals epic flavor depths. While whole crispy opah with lemon and Hawaiian chili pepper water makes a dramatically succulent statement. Pepper soft ahi poke tacos and rich haupia coconut pudding turn moreish alongside tropical cocktail infusions or signature sangrias swirling with tropical fruit. With friendly staff quick to explain cultural background details, MUA transports diners straight to the islands through beautifully composed Pacific Rim cuisine.
Souley Vegan
Name and Location: Souley Vegan is a beloved eatery located in a bustling urban area, offering a creative array of vegan soul food dishes that promise flavor without compromise.
History and Significance: With a mission to prove that vegan food can be as delicious and satisfying as its non-vegan counterparts, Souley Vegan has become a haven for both vegans and curious foodies alike.
What to Expect: The menu features vegan takes on soul food classics, from crispy tofu to smothered greens, all made with love and ingredients that are kind to the planet.
Visitor Information: Souley Vegan is perfect for anyone looking to explore the possibilities of vegan cuisine, offering a casual and friendly environment for dining at any time of the day.
Countless new and longtime vegans keep returning to West Oakland’s tiny unassuming Souley Vegan restaurant where dynamic flavors and savvy soul food mastery impress diners nightly. Chef-Owner Tamearra Dyson drives this husband-wife operation converting plant-based skeptics into praise-singing patrons through regional comfort plates reinterpreted healthier minus meat. Her mouthwatering oxtail plate featuring slow braised king trumpet mushrooms in a rich gravy over buttery grits proves plenty satisfying. While the heavenly cornbread muffins threaten appetites for tender jackfruit pulled “pork” doused in sweet smoky barbecue sauce with all the accompaniments. Despite limited indoor seats, Souley Vegan’s amazing scratchmade southern classics like flaky biscuits heaped with fluffy cheezy eggs and vegan fried chick’n warrant takeaway orders to enjoy magical flavors at home.
Millennium Restaurant
Name and Location: Millennium Restaurant is situated in a chic and contemporary space, offering a fine dining experience that focuses on innovative, plant-based cuisine.
History and Significance: As a pioneer in gourmet vegan cuisine, Millennium has been at the forefront of the movement towards sustainable and ethical eating, earning acclaim for its artistic dishes and commitment to environmental responsibility.
What to Expect: Guests can anticipate an exquisite menu that showcases the best of seasonal, organic produce, transformed into elegant dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Visitor Information: Millennium Restaurant offers an upscale dining experience that is ideal for special occasions, romantic evenings, or anyone looking to indulge in the artistry of plant-based cuisine.
Pioneering plant-based excellence, Millennium Restaurant continues breaking culinary ground preparing globally-inspired vegan fine dining winning over carnivores through masterful cooking and hospitality. For over 25 years inside a charming 19th century building near Lake Merritt, Millennium balances elegance and approachability shown through dishes like creamy red bell pepper bisque cappuccinos, black rice paella dotted with artichoke confit or pine-nut studded beet ravioli with cashew béchamel sauce. While the mouthwatering Gateau De Crepes Napoleon reveals pastry expertise combing layers of delicate crepes and vanilla-scented cashew custards. With an award-winning eco-friendly wine list and cocktails highlighting fresh ingredients and organic spirits, Millennium remains the East Bay’s gleaming standard for extraordinary vegan fare.
From street food trucks slinging banh-mi sandwiches to immersive multi-course dining adventures, Oakland’s independent restaurant boom brings worldly options to every dining budget. Uptown’s sleek lounges pour innovative cocktails beside Temescal’s cozy bistros and Fruitvale’s steaming taquerias promising hidden gems within the East Bay’s patchwork of distinctive neighborhoods. Through diverse identities, Oakland cuisine continues maturing into an integral part of California’s celebrated food scene.