Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Excellent sushi at the most convenient location! Great for take-away. Also has a pleasant garden dinning area in back.
Drunken Fish
3314 Piedmont AvenueExcellent sushi at the most convenient location! Great for take-away. Also has a pleasant garden dinning area in back.
FANCY night out for dinner in what appears to be a no-name design space, but in fact boasts a Michelin star. While we've never eaten there, we would love to hear your review!
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Commis
3859 Piedmont AveFANCY night out for dinner in what appears to be a no-name design space, but in fact boasts a Michelin star. While we've never eaten there, we would love to hear your review!
Very popular sushi joint! Inexpensive. Small. Expect to wait a while for a seat or skip that & order take-out.
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Geta Japanese Restaurant
165 41st StVery popular sushi joint! Inexpensive. Small. Expect to wait a while for a seat or skip that & order take-out.
If you love burgers, fried sides, and hot dogs - you will be in your slice of heaven here. Extremely large portions, expansive menu, fair prices. Nice back patio dinning area in sun or on warm nights.
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Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
1600 Shattuck AveIf you love burgers, fried sides, and hot dogs - you will be in your slice of heaven here. Extremely large portions, expansive menu, fair prices. Nice back patio dinning area in sun or on warm nights.
Excellent for breakfast/brunch/lunch. Delicious, local fare, great interior design, sunlit in the morning, and inexpensive! What more could you want, really?
Local Cafe
Excellent for breakfast/brunch/lunch. Delicious, local fare, great interior design, sunlit in the morning, and inexpensive! What more could you want, really?
Good, locally owned coffee shop, complete with (often bad) local art on the walls - skip corporate Starbucks and Pete's. Wifi available. PLUS old table-top Pac-Man video games!
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Gaylord's Caffe Espresso
4150 Piedmont AveGood, locally owned coffee shop, complete with (often bad) local art on the walls - skip corporate Starbucks and Pete's. Wifi available. PLUS old table-top Pac-Man video games!
It looks as though you have entered a large artists' warehouse - but it's a bar, restaurant, and apparently a weekend club. Cool space with good happy hour for snacks & sips.
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Mua Oakland
2442a Webster StIt looks as though you have entered a large artists' warehouse - but it's a bar, restaurant, and apparently a weekend club. Cool space with good happy hour for snacks & sips.
Excellent coffee, open early. Great seating options, inside & out. Good magazine selection for sale. Wifi. Also serve small breakfast-inspired eating options.
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Farley's East
33 Grand AveExcellent coffee, open early. Great seating options, inside & out. Good magazine selection for sale. Wifi. Also serve small breakfast-inspired eating options.
One of our favorite, date-night out fancy restaurants in the bay area. Excellent cuisine, libations, and service. Gorgeous art deco building & decor. Be sure to order the salted caramel pudding!
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Flora
1900 Telegraph AveOne of our favorite, date-night out fancy restaurants in the bay area. Excellent cuisine, libations, and service. Gorgeous art deco building & decor. Be sure to order the salted caramel pudding!
Innovative Mexican taqueria (same owners as Flora next door). Good for tacos & burritos. Fun building with small back patio that is reminiscent of NYC's really small back patios.
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Xolo
1916 Telegraph AveInnovative Mexican taqueria (same owners as Flora next door). Good for tacos & burritos. Fun building with small back patio that is reminiscent of NYC's really small back patios.
Sidebar
542 Grand AveCalifornia cuisine, copper bar, good art, view of the lake.
Grand Avenue Thai Cuisine
384 Grand AveGood thai, clean simple restaurant, fair prices.
Fair Mexican food - fine for sitting in or take-out.
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Los Cantaros | Restaurant & Taqueria
336 Grand AveFair Mexican food - fine for sitting in or take-out.
Incredible all-windowed dinning room (which reminds us of Paris) in art deco building overlooking Lake Merritt. Gorgeous at sunset. Good standard dinning, we think it 1 of Oakland's best kept secrets.
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The Terrace Room Restaurant
1800 Madison StIncredible all-windowed dinning room (which reminds us of Paris) in art deco building overlooking Lake Merritt. Gorgeous at sunset. Good standard dinning, we think it 1 of Oakland's best kept secrets.
Solid restaurant with seating in several dining halls & outside on the dock. Many enjoy Taco Tuesday at the bar over looking the lake or on the sunny dock. (You may also hop a gondola tour here.)
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Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside DrSolid restaurant with seating in several dining halls & outside on the dock. Many enjoy Taco Tuesday at the bar over looking the lake or on the sunny dock. (You may also hop a gondola tour here.)
Our favorite taco truck, hands down. Great to take order to eat on the lake (if still light out). Recommend ordering extra guacamole & ask for the chips. (Note: this map is slightly wrong.)
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Tacos Mi Rancho
1434 1st AveOur favorite taco truck, hands down. Great to take order to eat on the lake (if still light out). Recommend ordering extra guacamole & ask for the chips. (Note: this map is slightly wrong.)
Simply excellent Alice Waters's influenced cuisine centered around an enormous fireplace. Seasonal & local menu with farm-table seating.
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Camino
3917 Grand AveSimply excellent Alice Waters's influenced cuisine centered around an enormous fireplace. Seasonal & local menu with farm-table seating.
Breakfast standards great, simple, and very inexpensive. Rustic interior feels a little like a time warp, not in the least pretentious while nothing to write home about.
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Lynn & Lu's Escapade Cafe
3353 Grand AveBreakfast standards great, simple, and very inexpensive. Rustic interior feels a little like a time warp, not in the least pretentious while nothing to write home about.
Super popular spot for wood fire thin crust pizza, communal tables, cocktail bar tucked in back. Be prepared to wait and pay a little more than you might be comfortable with.
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Sister
3308 Grand AveSuper popular spot for wood fire thin crust pizza, communal tables, cocktail bar tucked in back. Be prepared to wait and pay a little more than you might be comfortable with.
Beautiful coffee shop in expansive and clean design-focused space. Good place to socialize or work - no wifi. Doubles as home decor shop too.
3265 Grand Ave
3265 Grand AvenueBeautiful coffee shop in expansive and clean design-focused space. Good place to socialize or work - no wifi. Doubles as home decor shop too.
This is a pizza shop for delivery & to-go only. (Several Lanesplitters in the east bay if you want sit down.) Our New York friends find this the closest to "a slice" you can get here in the Bay.
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Lanesplitter Pub & Pizza
536 Lake Park AveThis is a pizza shop for delivery & to-go only. (Several Lanesplitters in the east bay if you want sit down.) Our New York friends find this the closest to "a slice" you can get here in the Bay.
Bay Fung Tong | Tea House Restaurant
Good Cantonese food, very inexpensive, clean space, often busy.
Cozy & warm lovable restaurant with brick walls, street windows, large vintage-like bar. Known for seafood, daily menus, & fair prices ($1 oysters). Popular spot -make rezzies even the day-of & enjoy!
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Marica Restaurant
5301 College AvenueCozy & warm lovable restaurant with brick walls, street windows, large vintage-like bar. Known for seafood, daily menus, & fair prices ($1 oysters). Popular spot -make rezzies even the day-of & enjoy!
Shopping
Cute, independent hipster store - complete with some vintage ware, old cameras, local-made jewelry, trinkets, vinyl, & eye-candy galore.
Rare Bird
3883 Piedmont AveCute, independent hipster store - complete with some vintage ware, old cameras, local-made jewelry, trinkets, vinyl, & eye-candy galore.
Amazing games here - including the option to open a rental account to check out board games! Plus, great selection of comics, if you're into that.
Dr. Comics & Mr. Games
4014 Piedmont AveAmazing games here - including the option to open a rental account to check out board games! Plus, great selection of comics, if you're into that.
This magazine store is simply amazing. It has EVERY title available from the obscure zine to the culturally prolific, from People to Parabola. Enjoy.
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Issues
4198 Piedmont AveThis magazine store is simply amazing. It has EVERY title available from the obscure zine to the culturally prolific, from People to Parabola. Enjoy.
Mercy Vintage
4188 Piedmont AveCute vintage shop. Better threads for the ladies. Sizes run small.
Arjan
4220 Piedmont AveThe most beautiful, gallery-like flower shop we have found outside of Amsterdam!
Broadway Liquors
2860 BroadwayExcellent selection that includes unique & local spirits.
Feeling Oakland pride? Get your pride on here! (Check their website to see their retail: http://oaklandish.com/retail) You may also catch Oaklandish at the Grand Lake Farmers' Market on Saturdays.
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Oaklandish
3419 Fruitvale AveFeeling Oakland pride? Get your pride on here! (Check their website to see their retail: http://oaklandish.com/retail) You may also catch Oaklandish at the Grand Lake Farmers' Market on Saturdays.
3316 Grand Ave
3316 Grand AvenueGood independent book store.
Love consignment shops? For women, this one is super stylish, slightly higher priced, but, the quality of the clothing is excellent, especially the boots.
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maribel
3251 Lakeshore AveLove consignment shops? For women, this one is super stylish, slightly higher priced, but, the quality of the clothing is excellent, especially the boots.
Another really cute home decor & gift shop. (We love them and the Bay Area's flush with them.)
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Urban Indigo
20405 Lakeshore AveAnother really cute home decor & gift shop. (We love them and the Bay Area's flush with them.)
Need a quick gift or home decor element to remember your visit to Oakland? Nathan & Co is the place! *Oops, placement on this map is wrong: on north side, btwn 40th St & Glen Ave.
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Nathan & Co
4025 Piedmont AveNeed a quick gift or home decor element to remember your visit to Oakland? Nathan & Co is the place! *Oops, placement on this map is wrong: on north side, btwn 40th St & Glen Ave.
Drinks & Nightlife
The classic beer hall where all the locals like to hang. They also serve hearty bar food if you're feeling like pizza, burgers, tacos, or wedge-cut fries.
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Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont AveThe classic beer hall where all the locals like to hang. They also serve hearty bar food if you're feeling like pizza, burgers, tacos, or wedge-cut fries.
Fine spot for fancy cocktails in a central & open location. Current chef was apparently trained at Chez Panisse... Small plates. (Though we do find it over-priced, honestly.)
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Bar Cesar
4039 Piedmont AveFine spot for fancy cocktails in a central & open location. Current chef was apparently trained at Chez Panisse... Small plates. (Though we do find it over-priced, honestly.)
Tiki lounge with reasonable libations, a mini pool table, fabulous velvet art, a full size automated dancing hula girl - and a volcano. Just a blast!
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Kona Club
4401 Piedmont AveTiki lounge with reasonable libations, a mini pool table, fabulous velvet art, a full size automated dancing hula girl - and a volcano. Just a blast!
Great food, large selection of beers, full bar, and the West Gran Plateau - a huge selection of fresh seafood to be shared. They have $1 oysters Monday nights & DJ's make the dance scene on weekends.
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Luka's Taproom & Lounge
2221 BroadwayGreat food, large selection of beers, full bar, and the West Gran Plateau - a huge selection of fresh seafood to be shared. They have $1 oysters Monday nights & DJ's make the dance scene on weekends.
Excellent interior design, fun bites menu (including a "happy meal special"), great libations.
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Plum Cocktail Bar
2216 BroadwayExcellent interior design, fun bites menu (including a "happy meal special"), great libations.
1st storefront of downtown Oakland's revival. This bar feels like an old NYC bar filled with funky art & theatre storage remnants. Known 4 fresh-squeezed grapefruit greyhounds. Burlesque 1st Saturdays
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Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph Ave1st storefront of downtown Oakland's revival. This bar feels like an old NYC bar filled with funky art & theatre storage remnants. Known 4 fresh-squeezed grapefruit greyhounds. Burlesque 1st Saturdays
Really fun bar with events on most nights. Swing by on a Wednesday night for open-mic funk (which is only really open to the most talented local musicians)! Check FB for their events & specials.
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The Layover
1517 Franklin StReally fun bar with events on most nights. Swing by on a Wednesday night for open-mic funk (which is only really open to the most talented local musicians)! Check FB for their events & specials.
389 Grand Ave
389 Grand AvenueOur favorite bar.
This is both a bar and a restaurant and it is Robijn's favorite joint in the area. Indoor and outdoor lounges, fun decor, and really down-to-earth service, always friendly. Great steak.
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The Grand Tavern
3601 Grand AveThis is both a bar and a restaurant and it is Robijn's favorite joint in the area. Indoor and outdoor lounges, fun decor, and really down-to-earth service, always friendly. Great steak.
Greasy old dive bar decorated with every client's calling card from time immortal. Also a steak house, known for its piano bar/Karaoke action. (Not really our pace, but why not?)
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The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveGreasy old dive bar decorated with every client's calling card from time immortal. Also a steak house, known for its piano bar/Karaoke action. (Not really our pace, but why not?)
People are fond of this dive bar in an old house. Good back garden with producing lemon trees.
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Heart & Dagger Saloon
504 Lake Park AvePeople are fond of this dive bar in an old house. Good back garden with producing lemon trees.
Everything Else
Wishing our deck had a hot tub? Yeah, we do too... In the meantime, we like to soak here. We recommend the combo hot-tub & sauna room (both redwood) for a sky-open soak & sweat. Clean. Fair prices.
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Piedmont Springs
3939 Piedmont AveWishing our deck had a hot tub? Yeah, we do too... In the meantime, we like to soak here. We recommend the combo hot-tub & sauna room (both redwood) for a sky-open soak & sweat. Clean. Fair prices.
Incredible house-made gelato with innovative flavors - often organic too. We LOVE dessert, especially when going to Piedmont Theatre.
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Lush Gelato
4184 Piedmont AveIncredible house-made gelato with innovative flavors - often organic too. We LOVE dessert, especially when going to Piedmont Theatre.
Great YMCA in walking distance, but you've got to have a membership already. Includes indoor track, indoor pool, and saunas.
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Oakland YMCA
2350 BroadwayGreat YMCA in walking distance, but you've got to have a membership already. Includes indoor track, indoor pool, and saunas.
BART station closest to our home (15 min walk). Last train from the city's @12am so plan ahead. Be aware walking home at night or take 51A bus (bus stop at 19th & Broadway): tell driver stop @29th st.
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19th St / Oakland station
1900 BroadwayBART station closest to our home (15 min walk). Last train from the city's @12am so plan ahead. Be aware walking home at night or take 51A bus (bus stop at 19th & Broadway): tell driver stop @29th st.
Just like in Venice, you too may enjoy Lake Merritt from a gondola tour... let us know your thoughts, as we have yet to be that *romantic*!
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Gondola Servizio
1520 Lakeside DrJust like in Venice, you too may enjoy Lake Merritt from a gondola tour... let us know your thoughts, as we have yet to be that *romantic*!
One of the best Farmer's Markets in the Bay Area - every Saturday morning. Complete with vendors that serve breakfast/lunch, tables & chairs, great coffee, live music, and jumpy houses for the kids.
Splash Pad Park Path
Splash Pad Park PathOne of the best Farmer's Markets in the Bay Area - every Saturday morning. Complete with vendors that serve breakfast/lunch, tables & chairs, great coffee, live music, and jumpy houses for the kids.
Worker owned co-op organic bakery that serves up the most amazing sweet and savory baked goods & breads. (Maybe 1 gluten-free option, FYI...) Smells like heaven.
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Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveWorker owned co-op organic bakery that serves up the most amazing sweet and savory baked goods & breads. (Maybe 1 gluten-free option, FYI...) Smells like heaven.
Essentials
Great for classic and gourmet groceries. They have the freshest produce, excellent cheese and butcher counters, fair wine selection, and desserts - oh my. Pricey, but solid & in walking distance.
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Piedmont Grocery Co
4038 Piedmont AveGreat for classic and gourmet groceries. They have the freshest produce, excellent cheese and butcher counters, fair wine selection, and desserts - oh my. Pricey, but solid & in walking distance.
Hit or miss, but we have found some quality organic products here. It's an overstock grocery & you never know what you'll find. If you're into bargain shopping and/or love adventure, give it a go!
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Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
2900 BroadwayHit or miss, but we have found some quality organic products here. It's an overstock grocery & you never know what you'll find. If you're into bargain shopping and/or love adventure, give it a go!
It's Whole Foods. Probably the most amazing Whole Foods we've ever been in. Really top notch (aka don't shop here if you are on a tight budget).
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Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlIt's Whole Foods. Probably the most amazing Whole Foods we've ever been in. Really top notch (aka don't shop here if you are on a tight budget).
Safeway
3747 Grand AveIt's Safeway. That is all.
If you know Trader Joe's, you'll know what to expect. This one is small so store line is LONG at rush hour. Also open 'til 10pm.
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Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveIf you know Trader Joe's, you'll know what to expect. This one is small so store line is LONG at rush hour. Also open 'til 10pm.
Sightseeing
A lovely little garden/creek walk through the neighborhood (btwn Panama Ct. & Montell St.). This is the same creek that runs by our house! We like to walk here with gelato from Lush (listed herein).
Panama Court
Panama CourtA lovely little garden/creek walk through the neighborhood (btwn Panama Ct. & Montell St.). This is the same creek that runs by our house! We like to walk here with gelato from Lush (listed herein).
Lake Merritt is well loved by Oaklanders & geese alike. At any time of day, you will find people circulating the lake for exercise, leisure, or a nice lounge on the greens. 3 miles all round.
201 Grand Ave
201 Grand AvenueLake Merritt is well loved by Oaklanders & geese alike. At any time of day, you will find people circulating the lake for exercise, leisure, or a nice lounge on the greens. 3 miles all round.
Go for the clean lines of mid-century modern inspired architecture - it's the Bay Area's newest Catholic church and a beauty at that.
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The Cathedral of Christ the Light
2121 Harrison StGo for the clean lines of mid-century modern inspired architecture - it's the Bay Area's newest Catholic church and a beauty at that.
Hundreds of roses in a sweet little park that has been there since the '20's compete with very blue fountains. Also a set of over 80 stairs up the hill if you feel like a bit of exercise...
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Morcom Rose Garden
700 Jean StHundreds of roses in a sweet little park that has been there since the '20's compete with very blue fountains. Also a set of over 80 stairs up the hill if you feel like a bit of exercise...
Arts & Culture
Small film house exclusively for independent films (a Landmark Cinema). Plus, take your ticket stub across the street for a discount on snacking/dinning - look for their offer advertised outside.
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Landmark's Piedmont Theatre
4186 Piedmont AveSmall film house exclusively for independent films (a Landmark Cinema). Plus, take your ticket stub across the street for a discount on snacking/dinning - look for their offer advertised outside.
On the register of historic places, the Paramount is a gorgeous art deco theatre. It holds concerts as well as old film screenings.
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Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayOn the register of historic places, the Paramount is a gorgeous art deco theatre. It holds concerts as well as old film screenings.
Stunning restored art deco theater recently reopened with top bands and a decent bar & pub grub.
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Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveStunning restored art deco theater recently reopened with top bands and a decent bar & pub grub.
Ivy's favorite museum! OMCA houses 3 collections all about California: art, natural history, and history. Inner sculpture garden & cafe. Check their website for wonderful programs. Closed Mon & Tues.
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Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StIvy's favorite museum! OMCA houses 3 collections all about California: art, natural history, and history. Inner sculpture garden & cafe. Check their website for wonderful programs. Closed Mon & Tues.
This local theatre is a visual icon that Oaklanders take great pride in. It shows popular and independent films in a gorgeous deco period building, inside and out. Free popcorn on weeknights too!
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Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveThis local theatre is a visual icon that Oaklanders take great pride in. It shows popular and independent films in a gorgeous deco period building, inside and out. Free popcorn on weeknights too!