Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Solid neighborhood establishment, family run. One wall is covered in pictures of celebrities posing with grandma Lois. Try: lemon ice box pie, cheese grits, chicken and waffles. Closes ~3pm
52 Einheimische empfehlen
Lois the Pie Queen
851 60th StSolid neighborhood establishment, family run. One wall is covered in pictures of celebrities posing with grandma Lois. Try: lemon ice box pie, cheese grits, chicken and waffles. Closes ~3pm
Delicious pastries. Strong coffee. Nice outdoor seating. Try: tomato gallette, breakfast wreath, focaccia, any cupcake, cinnamon swirls. They have one kind of sandwich/day. Closes ~5pm
115 Einheimische empfehlen
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
3350 Adeline StDelicious pastries. Strong coffee. Nice outdoor seating. Try: tomato gallette, breakfast wreath, focaccia, any cupcake, cinnamon swirls. They have one kind of sandwich/day. Closes ~5pm
Hole-in-wall locale with the best tamales in Oakland, hands down. They are huge. Menu now includes burritos, tacos, tortas, etc. Cash only, take out only. Closes around 5ish.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Tamales Unicos de Cuernavaca
5751 Market StHole-in-wall locale with the best tamales in Oakland, hands down. They are huge. Menu now includes burritos, tacos, tortas, etc. Cash only, take out only. Closes around 5ish.
OMG such tasty Ethiopian food. Get a meat or veggie combo or both. You eat the meal with this spongy flatbread instead of utensils.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Abesha Ethiopian Cuisine
4929 Shattuck AveOMG such tasty Ethiopian food. Get a meat or veggie combo or both. You eat the meal with this spongy flatbread instead of utensils.
Love the 9+ dishes of assorted pickles that come with every meal. Tofu is made in house, soft and delicate. Try their tofu soup or the short rib soup.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Pyeong Chang Tofu House Oakland
4701 Telegraph AveLove the 9+ dishes of assorted pickles that come with every meal. Tofu is made in house, soft and delicate. Try their tofu soup or the short rib soup.
Velvety soft ice cream in novel favors like saffron or earl grey. Flavors change frequently, it's always a surprise when we visit.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Tara's Organic Ice Cream
4731 Telegraph AveVelvety soft ice cream in novel favors like saffron or earl grey. Flavors change frequently, it's always a surprise when we visit.
Huge, super thin crust pizza. Lots of tasty beers. Several good specials at very reasonable prices.
20 Einheimische empfehlen
Lanesplitter Pizza & Pub
Huge, super thin crust pizza. Lots of tasty beers. Several good specials at very reasonable prices.
Best Japanese food in the area. Expect a minimum 45 minute wait. Definitely get a reservation or sit at the bar for a shorter wait.
79 Einheimische empfehlen
Kirala
2100 Ward StBest Japanese food in the area. Expect a minimum 45 minute wait. Definitely get a reservation or sit at the bar for a shorter wait.
Great Mediterranean food set in a hole in the wall diner. Try the chicken schwarma. Ask for extra garlic sauce. Wally himself is super nice.
38 Einheimische empfehlen
Wally's Cafe (Emeryville)
3900 San Pablo AveGreat Mediterranean food set in a hole in the wall diner. Try the chicken schwarma. Ask for extra garlic sauce. Wally himself is super nice.
Great pizza by the pie or slice. Closest pizza to our place.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Nick's Pizza and Bakery Made in Oakland
6400 Shattuck AveGreat pizza by the pie or slice. Closest pizza to our place.
BEST PIZZA I HAVE EVER HAD. Open Wed-Sat, 5-9. They start taking orders by phone at 4. Call in, wait is between 30min to 4hrs. Whole pies only.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Emilia's Pizzeria
2995 Shattuck AveBEST PIZZA I HAVE EVER HAD. Open Wed-Sat, 5-9. They start taking orders by phone at 4. Call in, wait is between 30min to 4hrs. Whole pies only.
The neighborhood was hurting for a place like this and it is such a successful little cafe! Other greats spots have sprung up around them. They show movies, have live music -- a great spot to chill.
57 Einheimische empfehlen
Actual Cafe
6334 San Pablo AvenueThe neighborhood was hurting for a place like this and it is such a successful little cafe! Other greats spots have sprung up around them. They show movies, have live music -- a great spot to chill.
Recently opened. Great brunch and dinner fare. Service is hit or miss but they have the best chicken and waffles we've had in the Bay. Don't go for eggs.
53 Einheimische empfehlen
Aunt Mary's Cafe
4640 Telegraph AvenueRecently opened. Great brunch and dinner fare. Service is hit or miss but they have the best chicken and waffles we've had in the Bay. Don't go for eggs.
Beer garden. Rotating selection on tap and some of the best fries I've had in this town. Burgers are ok, but not where they shine. Great outdoor seating -- come here on a hot day and relax.
Casa Vino
3136 Sacramento StBeer garden. Rotating selection on tap and some of the best fries I've had in this town. Burgers are ok, but not where they shine. Great outdoor seating -- come here on a hot day and relax.
Began in SF, set up shop here. 11am-9pm and the food is very well reviewed! Delicious stew-based meals so it's ready FAST. Half the menu is vegetarian, and they offer gluten free options.
Ming's Chinese Kitchen
Began in SF, set up shop here. 11am-9pm and the food is very well reviewed! Delicious stew-based meals so it's ready FAST. Half the menu is vegetarian, and they offer gluten free options.
Vegan Mexican food. They usually have a booth at the Tuesday farmer's market. Super cute location.
44 Einheimische empfehlen
Flacos
3031 Adeline StVegan Mexican food. They usually have a booth at the Tuesday farmer's market. Super cute location.
Our local Thai restaurant. Ring the bell outside to enter. An excellent standby, and better than most of the Thai places in Downtown Berkeley.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Saysetha Thai
6230 Telegraph AveOur local Thai restaurant. Ring the bell outside to enter. An excellent standby, and better than most of the Thai places in Downtown Berkeley.
Haven't gone here yet, but it smells amazing and friends say good things about it!
29 Einheimische empfehlen
Victory Burger
1099 Alcatraz AvenueHaven't gone here yet, but it smells amazing and friends say good things about it!
We haven't found better Chinese food (not including dim sum in Chinatown). They have a secret upstairs dining area for large groups. Try the "Double Skin", or their other specialties. REOPENS WINTER.
Looney's Smokehouse
2190 Bancroft WayWe haven't found better Chinese food (not including dim sum in Chinatown). They have a secret upstairs dining area for large groups. Try the "Double Skin", or their other specialties. REOPENS WINTER.
Tiny, cooperatively run, great vibe, and great espresso. Sandwiches and other cafe fare. Short hours. They moved closer, a few doors down from Easy Creole.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Alchemy Collective Cafe and Roaster
1741 Alcatraz AveTiny, cooperatively run, great vibe, and great espresso. Sandwiches and other cafe fare. Short hours. They moved closer, a few doors down from Easy Creole.
Huge portions, fresh ingredients, and cheap! Breakfast and lunch spot. Very cool, colorful mural covers the building -- you can't miss it. Note: orders can take awhile.
North Oakland Farmer's Market - Phat Beets Produce
Huge portions, fresh ingredients, and cheap! Breakfast and lunch spot. Very cool, colorful mural covers the building -- you can't miss it. Note: orders can take awhile.
Every Tuesday 3-7pm. Fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, and Blue Bottle coffee is there too. The 63rd St section is all food booths.
Knit One One
3350 Adeline StreetEvery Tuesday 3-7pm. Fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, and Blue Bottle coffee is there too. The 63rd St section is all food booths.
A hole in the wall that's worth waiting an hour to get seated. Super fresh, delicious sushi in a humble little establishment with all sorts of interesting Japanese specials. They do take out, too.
46 Einheimische empfehlen
Geta Japanese Restaurant
165 41st StA hole in the wall that's worth waiting an hour to get seated. Super fresh, delicious sushi in a humble little establishment with all sorts of interesting Japanese specials. They do take out, too.
Casual beer garden that serves up some delicious fare. Lovely patio. Kids are welcome.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Sideshow Kitchen
942 Stanford AveCasual beer garden that serves up some delicious fare. Lovely patio. Kids are welcome.
Beautifully remodeled, huge indoor food scene. Lots of little restaurants and treats to please any tongue.
47 Einheimische empfehlen
Public Market Emeryville
5959 Shellmound StBeautifully remodeled, huge indoor food scene. Lots of little restaurants and treats to please any tongue.
Drinks & Nightlife
Friendly local dive with karaoke nights on Mon/Wed/Th. Pretty quiet until about 8-9, then it's packed nearly every night. Hidden patio out back that's open even when the sign says closed.
33 Einheimische empfehlen
Nick's Lounge
3218 Adeline StFriendly local dive with karaoke nights on Mon/Wed/Th. Pretty quiet until about 8-9, then it's packed nearly every night. Hidden patio out back that's open even when the sign says closed.
Former dive, now a way popular spot with an awesomely huge back patio. Good food too. Try the special: $5 for a shot of whiskey and a PBR.
47 Einheimische empfehlen
Missouri Lounge
2600 San Pablo AveFormer dive, now a way popular spot with an awesomely huge back patio. Good food too. Try the special: $5 for a shot of whiskey and a PBR.
This spot hits all the right buttons for a cool, local "dive". Great happy hour prices. Gets packed on weekend nights.
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Wolfhound Bar
5516 San Pablo AveThis spot hits all the right buttons for a cool, local "dive". Great happy hour prices. Gets packed on weekend nights.
Everything Else
Our closest laundromat. Start a load, walk across the street to Nick's for a drink while you wait.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Washingtown Laundry
3215 Adeline StOur closest laundromat. Start a load, walk across the street to Nick's for a drink while you wait.
Might be closer than Washingtown, and you can't beat free coffee. They also do wash and fold for $0.70/lbs! That's the cheapest I've ever seen.
Hambrick Laundry
5702 Adeline StMight be closer than Washingtown, and you can't beat free coffee. They also do wash and fold for $0.70/lbs! That's the cheapest I've ever seen.
Our closest Yoga studio. Although we haven't gone there, it has great reviews on Yelp.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Adeline Yoga Studio
3308 Adeline StOur closest Yoga studio. Although we haven't gone there, it has great reviews on Yelp.
Arts & Culture
Shotgun Players
1901 Ashby AveOne of Berkeley's live performance theaters.
Essentials
One of the best groceries in the East Bay. Incredible beer selection. Drawback: the Berkeley brawl. This is where hippies fight over organic sundries. West location is less crowded.
419 Einheimische empfehlen
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StOne of the best groceries in the East Bay. Incredible beer selection. Drawback: the Berkeley brawl. This is where hippies fight over organic sundries. West location is less crowded.
Super nice new facility, never gets crazy crowded like the East location. Way more parking. Separate dining area.
371 Einheimische empfehlen
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz AveSuper nice new facility, never gets crazy crowded like the East location. Way more parking. Separate dining area.
Shopping
All sorts of random items. Occupies the BART parking lot every weekend. Half garage sale, half cheap trinkets and clothing.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Berkeley Flea Market
1937 Ashby AveAll sorts of random items. Occupies the BART parking lot every weekend. Half garage sale, half cheap trinkets and clothing.