categories:
epicurean guide
a hand-picked selection of top epicurean delights in oakland including the best restaurants, cafes, bakeries, gourmet grocery and farmers' markets.
restaurant cheatsheet:
fabulous restaurants are popping up all over our fine quaint neighborhoods. here's an insider's guide to a great night of eating in the hood featuring a handful of the latest and greatest from the oakland dining scene.
Downtown Oakland:
- B: truffled fries, mussels, crispy thin pizzas, presented in a beautiful, airy space. Outside tables available.
- Levende East: all settled in a swanky update of the old Rex Cafe. Seasonal menu and bustling bar scene.
- Le Cheval: big boisterous, Vietnamese staple of Old Oakland with good prices. Great for groups.
- Spice Monkey Cafe: california cuisine with entertainment such as movie night, open mic and live music.
- Soizic: popular bistro serving French, with Californian, Mediterranean and Asian influences.
- Tamarindo Antojeria: tasty small plate mexican restaurant in lovely warm space.
GLENVIEW:
- Bellanico: owners of Aperto in SF bring this cozy little neighborhood Italian spot to Glenview.
- Marzano: delicious pizzas and rustic dishes like warm octopus salad and braised chicken.
Grand/LakeShore:
- Lake Chalet: beautiful dining destination offers outdoor lakeside happy hour and fine dining indoors.
- Sidebar: nice ambiance for a hip date destination comparable to a night out in the Mission. Run by the husband-and-wife chefs behind ZAX, Sidebar serves up creative mediterranean fare along with tasty cocktails near the lake.
Piedmont Ave:
- Adesso: warm, masculine stylish lounge and restaurant specializing in cured meats (great salumi, pate) and fabulous Italian wines from the owners of Dopo. Happy hour with free appetizers and foosball.
- Cesar: spanish tapas bar and restaurant with fab open-air sidewalk scene.
- Chez Simone: romantic, tiny, unfussy french country food cooked up by Simone herself in a charming setting tucked away off of Piedmont Ave.
- Dopo: tiny Italian venue with tiny little menu but it's all delicious.
- Jojo: french country yummy.
- Ninna: Thai/Mediterranean fusion. hmmm? hmmm? Green curry seafood risotto - good!
- Xyclo: sleek, modern vietnamese fare and lounge with fun cocktails great for a girls night out.
Rockridge:
- À Côté: tasty tapas in warm, cozy atmosphere. Now accepting reservations.
- Citron: À Côté's more upscale cuisine cousin. French/mediterranean.
- Garibaldi's: wonderful brunch, great new menu, new pastry chef, happy hour and recent remodel invites a re-visit.
- Marzano: second location for delicious pizzas and rustic dishes like warm octopus salad and braised chicken next door to sister restaurant, Garibaldi's.
- Oliveto: A classic beauty with seasonal dining specials. Cafe downstairs.
- Water Lounge: chic oyster bar and lounge featuring delicious fish entrees.
- Wood Tavern: neighborhood hot spot, rave reviews, bold flavors and welcoming space.
Temescal/Telegraph/Uptown:
- Barlata: new Spanish tapas spot from B44 chef-owner Daniel Olivetta.
- Flora: Art Deco-era dining and casual bar with prohibition style flair serving creative classic Californian cuisine conveniently located across from the restored Fox Theater.
- Marc 49: beautiful warm affordable place with nice outdoor patio serving salads, paninis, appetizers.
- Mua: free-form lounge and fusion restaurant, featuring local artists and djs in hip large industrial space.
- Ozumo: hot sushi night spot is packing them in. Great place for a party.
- Pizzaiolo: always a wait but those woodfired pizzas are that good.
- Doña Tomás: upscale mexican with stiff drinks; nice back patio.
top neighborhood cafes, sweets and bakeries:
we've compiled a handful of the best gourmet cafes and hangouts on the block. don't see your favorite on the list, let us know.
Downtown Oakland:
- Awaken Café: small, espresso bar with great third wave coffee, made-to-order sandwiches and good vibe. Plans to expand their art gallery and lounge in 2010.
- Café 817: european café with delicious sidewalk lunch and lattes.
- Modern Coffee: large variety of local, third-wave roasts and fabulous cappuccinos at this simple, comfy & elegant cafe. 411 13st street.
Grand/LakeShore:
- Arizmendi: the infamous bakery co-op. yummy scones, cookies, muffins and, best of all, the addictive gourmet veggie pizzas.
- diBartolo: capuccino-art and strong brews at this Grand Avenue neighborhood spot with sunny back patio.
- Michael Mischer: gourmet european chocolate boutique. champagne bon-bon, anyone?
Montclair:
- Montclair Bakery: award-winning cakes and pies, along with standard bakery fare. Limited outdoor seating.
- XOXO Truffles: fine handmade truffles by Chef Jean-Marc Gorce.
Piedmont Ave:
- Gaylord's: indie coffee shop hotspot promoting fair trade with good brews.
Rockridge:
- Bittersweet Cafe: Chocolate Cafe on Rockridge's College avenue. Score chocolate bars from around the world, along with a steamy mocha or decadent dessert.
- Cole Coffee: grab a morning bun with a cup of their coveted coffee and snag a sipping spot in the oversized leather chair in this comfy corner spot.
- La Farine: french patisserie with gorgeous fruit tarts, delicious baguettes and cakes.
- Market Hall Bakery: it's all good.
Temescal/Telegraph/UPTOWN:
- Bake Sale Betty: funky homebaked goods, along with her famous fried chicken sandwiches.
- Farley's East: this Potrero Hill coffee icon has opened up a spot in the growing Uptown hood. The Oakland spot is small, but serves perfect coffee, great food with an excellent magazine selection.