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/JACK LONDON SQUARE:
- B: truffled fries, mussels, crispy thin pizzas, presented in a beautiful, airy space. Outside tables available.
- Bocanova: gorgeous space with fab water front patio and bar serving fresh Pan-American cuisine and unique cocktails. Delicious ceviche, grilled seafoods & meats plus lovely lunch and Sunday brunch.
- 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:
- Boot & Shoe Service: more tasty thin crust wood-fired pizzas from the folks behind Pizzaiolo in this cozy spot. Take-out available. 3308 Grand Ave.
- 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.
- Commis: Michelin star rated in its first year. Modern, upscale, delicious feast for the senses.
- 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 Baking: award-winning cakes and pies, along with standard bakery fare. Limited outdoor tables/chairs in the Montclair Plaza near the Wells Fargo. 2220 Mountain Blvd.
- Thornhill Coffee House: you'll find the nicest, friendliest service in this cozy neighborhood cafe. 5772 Thornhill Drive across from the 7/11.
- XOX Truffles: fine handmade truffles by Chef Jean-Marc Gorce. 6126 LaSalle Ave/Moraga.
Piedmont Ave:
- Gaylord's: indie coffee shop hotspot promoting fair trade with good brews. 4150 Piedmont Ave.
- Caffe Trieste: the San Francisco institution opens with a fresher look next door to Cesar. Same great coffees, paninis, and Papa Gianni. 4045 Piedmont Ave.
- La Farine: a newer location of the popular french patisserie/boulangerie with gorgeous fruit tarts, delicious baguettes, cookies and cakes. 4094 Piedmont Ave.
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.
KID-FRIENDLY DINING OPTIONS:
Barney's Hamburgers: Two Oakland locations for an easy going burger and fries night out. The College Avenue location with outdoor patio is nice for warm evenings.
4162 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, 655-7180
5819 College Ave, Oakland, 510-601-0444
Banana Blossom: Good Thai restaurant in the Glen View district perfect for family-style weekend night out.
4228 Park Blvd, Oakland, 336-0990
Cactus Taqueria: Rockridge gourmet taqueria is always bustling with families seeking an easy meal. Crispy tacos are the best.
5642 College Ave, Oakland, 658-6180
Crogan's: This Montclair mainstay offers everything from burgers to seafood within a classic family-style restaurant and bar. Open everyday at 11:30; Sunday brunch and children's menu.
6101 LaSalle, Oakland, 339-2038
Lanesplitters Pizza + Pub: Pull-up a highchair and order a giant pie with your beer in this kid-friendly neighborhood joint.
4799 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, 653-5350
Montclair Egg Shop: Brunch plus moving trains, need I say more.
6126 Medau Place/Montclair Village, Oakland, 339-9554
Pasta Pomodoro: Child-friendly outdoor patio is an ideal spot at this Rockridge location for an early dinner, especially Tuesdays when kids eat free!
5500 College Ave, Oakland, 923-0900
Red Boy Pizza: Gourmet sourdough crust pizzas and kid-friendly environment at the Leimert location. Second location on Redwood Road and delivery available.
1500 Leimert Ave, Oakland, 531-9999
SadieDey's Cafe: This Temescal neighborhood Play Cafe offers an indoor play haven and calendar of activities for kids ages 0-5. Adults can relax in a cozy atmosphere and enjoy an organic coffee or tea and lunch. (Formerly Tumble and Tea)
4210 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, 601-7378
Spettro: An eclectic menu serving everything from pasta to seafood with good salads and crayons with special coloring book mini-menus for the kids. No corkage fee.
3355 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, 451-7738
Spice Monkey: Small loungy oasis serving up pot pies, hippy chicken, wraps and lots of vegetarian options with friendly staff.
1628 Webster St (between 15th St & 17th St), Oakland, 268-0170
Tachibana Restaurant: Distract the kids with passing sushi boats and snag some garlic albacore for yourself.
5812 College Ave, Oakland, 654-3668
Zachary's: Definitely no secret to East Bay families, but the award-winning pizza place always pleases with its deep dish and tangy tomato sauce.
5801 College Ave, Oakland, 655-6385