Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
Fab grocery store with abundant meat/cheese counter + prepared foods. Prices are higher than supermarket - but we like to support our local green-grocers. They are more than 100 years old!
66 locals recommend
Piedmont Grocery Co
4038 Piedmont AveFab grocery store with abundant meat/cheese counter + prepared foods. Prices are higher than supermarket - but we like to support our local green-grocers. They are more than 100 years old!
Safeway
5100 BroadwayClosest "big box" supermarket for groceries.
Whole Foods Market
Your favorite nationwide "health food" store is now within walking distance!
Food Scene
Hand's down best breakfast/brunch in the East Bay. Walkable! Long lines on weekends, get there early. Cash only but they have an ATM.
52 locals recommend
Mama's Royal Cafe
4012 BroadwayHand's down best breakfast/brunch in the East Bay. Walkable! Long lines on weekends, get there early. Cash only but they have an ATM.
Excellent dinner spot that is now also a morning cafe serving coffee and fresh baked frittatas and pastries in the am from 8-12. Big with the local hipsters, work from homers and stay at home parents.
237 locals recommend
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveExcellent dinner spot that is now also a morning cafe serving coffee and fresh baked frittatas and pastries in the am from 8-12. Big with the local hipsters, work from homers and stay at home parents.
You have not lived until you have tried a Bakesale Betty fried chicken sandwich on their homemade bread/slaw. The line starts around 11 and continues non-stop until 2. The cookies rock too!
196 locals recommend
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveYou have not lived until you have tried a Bakesale Betty fried chicken sandwich on their homemade bread/slaw. The line starts around 11 and continues non-stop until 2. The cookies rock too!
Tara's Organic Ice Cream
4731 Telegraph AveAll organic ingredients all the time. Good stuff!
Good Ethiopian food. Fun to eat with injera (bread) and your fingers. Frequented by the large Ethiopian community in Temescal and surrounding areas.
20 locals recommend
Asmara Restaurant
5020 Telegraph AveGood Ethiopian food. Fun to eat with injera (bread) and your fingers. Frequented by the large Ethiopian community in Temescal and surrounding areas.
Peet's Coffee
3401 Fruitvale AveClassic good coffee and nice baked goods too.
Bar Cesar
4039 Piedmont AveLatino-inspired tapas. Fab bar plus outdoor dining too.
This is the only Michelin starred restaurant in Oakland (I think). Many of the dishes are arranged by using a tweezer (to exemplify their attention to detail). Super fancy special place and costly too
53 locals recommend
Commis
3859 Piedmont AveThis is the only Michelin starred restaurant in Oakland (I think). Many of the dishes are arranged by using a tweezer (to exemplify their attention to detail). Super fancy special place and costly too
Mac and cheese place. People love it. Order yours just as you want it with bacon bits, vegetables, and even vegan cheese and gluten-free noodles! They also have a 2nd drive-thru location up the st!
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StMac and cheese place. People love it. Order yours just as you want it with bacon bits, vegetables, and even vegan cheese and gluten-free noodles! They also have a 2nd drive-thru location up the st!
Not only is this an amazing place to get a burger (open for lunch and dinner) but they also are a butchery with incredible housemade meats, sausages, bone broth, and chili to name a few!
20 locals recommend
Clove And Hoof
4001 BroadwayNot only is this an amazing place to get a burger (open for lunch and dinner) but they also are a butchery with incredible housemade meats, sausages, bone broth, and chili to name a few!
SUPER popular and very delicious Burmese food. Eat in or order out. Long lines. Energetic/loud/fun environment.
146 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveSUPER popular and very delicious Burmese food. Eat in or order out. Long lines. Energetic/loud/fun environment.
OMG OMG OMG. GO to this place if you are in town for dinner on a Thursday, Friday, Sat, Sun, or Monday. $4 tacos to DIE for. If you eat meat DO NOT miss the green chile verde taco. Don't be fooled by the shipping container structure...these guys are making INCREDIBLE and affordable food. Heat lamps and outdoor dog-friendly patio.
15 locals recommend
Tacos Oscar
420 40th StOMG OMG OMG. GO to this place if you are in town for dinner on a Thursday, Friday, Sat, Sun, or Monday. $4 tacos to DIE for. If you eat meat DO NOT miss the green chile verde taco. Don't be fooled by the shipping container structure...these guys are making INCREDIBLE and affordable food. Heat lamps and outdoor dog-friendly patio.
Craft cocktails, inventive high-quality food, open late (and serving food late too) and live music many nights of the week...what could be better?
7 locals recommend
Copper Spoon Cocktails & Kitchen
4031 BroadwayCraft cocktails, inventive high-quality food, open late (and serving food late too) and live music many nights of the week...what could be better?
Lovely beer garden with heat lamps and live music on weekends. Custom pizzas (including gluten and dairy free!) and decent salads too. Lots of fun things on tap. Very kid friendly in the early hours.
38 locals recommend
Arthur Mac's Tap and Snack
4006 Martin Luther King Jr WayLovely beer garden with heat lamps and live music on weekends. Custom pizzas (including gluten and dairy free!) and decent salads too. Lots of fun things on tap. Very kid friendly in the early hours.
Can't get in to Burma Superstar?? Go here instead! Shorter lines and food is just as good if not better. Now featuring full bar too! Lots of Vegan and GF options too.
19 locals recommend
Teni East Kitchen
4015 BroadwayCan't get in to Burma Superstar?? Go here instead! Shorter lines and food is just as good if not better. Now featuring full bar too! Lots of Vegan and GF options too.
Date place - very special! Not cheap but totally worth the spurge. Sit at the bar to watch the open kitchen fun. They call themselves "northern Cali" food...which means pretty much everything goes!
9 locals recommend
Mägo
3762 Piedmont AveDate place - very special! Not cheap but totally worth the spurge. Sit at the bar to watch the open kitchen fun. They call themselves "northern Cali" food...which means pretty much everything goes!
Local coffee roastery and vegan bakeshop. Try one of their chocolate truffles or, if you arrive early enough, a seasonal waffle! Streetside tables are filled w/locals all day long.
54 locals recommend
Timeless Coffee
4252 Piedmont AveLocal coffee roastery and vegan bakeshop. Try one of their chocolate truffles or, if you arrive early enough, a seasonal waffle! Streetside tables are filled w/locals all day long.
Closest coffee shop (totally walkable - and now there are TWO...one near Macarthur BART and the other on 40th). Adorable mini-cafe with bike-friendly parklet on 40th street! Serves up Ritual beans AND fresh baked bread which have a cult-like following in the Bay Area!
12 locals recommend
STATES COFFEE x BREAD
419 40th StClosest coffee shop (totally walkable - and now there are TWO...one near Macarthur BART and the other on 40th). Adorable mini-cafe with bike-friendly parklet on 40th street! Serves up Ritual beans AND fresh baked bread which have a cult-like following in the Bay Area!
Not only is this our best designed and VERY yummy coffee shop but they have a great ethos, hiring ex-cons, owned by ex-con, and portion of profits go to helping ex-cons repatriate into society.
Big House Beans
4770 Telegraph AveNot only is this our best designed and VERY yummy coffee shop but they have a great ethos, hiring ex-cons, owned by ex-con, and portion of profits go to helping ex-cons repatriate into society.
Popular location for the super trendy and authentic Vietnamese street food known as Pho. They have some robots inside that serve food - which is cool!
16 locals recommend
Monster Phở
360 BroadwayPopular location for the super trendy and authentic Vietnamese street food known as Pho. They have some robots inside that serve food - which is cool!
Hands down THE BEST restaurant within a few miles of our place! Excellence in all regards. Farm to table. A special date kinda place.
Pomet
Hands down THE BEST restaurant within a few miles of our place! Excellence in all regards. Farm to table. A special date kinda place.
We LOVE Pomella. Super delicious Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices. Likely some of the CREAMIEST hummus we have ever had (and we've had a LOT). Can sit outside or take home.
6 locals recommend
Pomella
3770 Piedmont AveWe LOVE Pomella. Super delicious Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices. Likely some of the CREAMIEST hummus we have ever had (and we've had a LOT). Can sit outside or take home.
This little sandwich spot only just opened but they already had a cult following. Lines stretch down the block for their creative, cultural "stacked" sandos.
Ok's Deli
This little sandwich spot only just opened but they already had a cult following. Lines stretch down the block for their creative, cultural "stacked" sandos.
Ever want to custom-design your own mac-and-cheese? You must try this place. Vegan and GF options available. So popular they opened a SECOND spot just one block away from the first one for takeout.
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StEver want to custom-design your own mac-and-cheese? You must try this place. Vegan and GF options available. So popular they opened a SECOND spot just one block away from the first one for takeout.
Just around the corner for you bagel-lovers. Note: their bagels are considered "Montreal-style" which is more hockey-puck like, than the soft fluffy water bagels known to chains like Noah's. They sell schmears and lox and GF bagels too.
123 locals recommend
Beauty's Bagel Shop
3838 Telegraph AveJust around the corner for you bagel-lovers. Note: their bagels are considered "Montreal-style" which is more hockey-puck like, than the soft fluffy water bagels known to chains like Noah's. They sell schmears and lox and GF bagels too.
In their own words: "DAYTRIP is a fermentation-driven shared plates party restaurant and bottle shop! A little bit of chaos in everything. Nothing that takes itself too seriously. We’re playful, and above all, want our guests to have FUN in this space."
DAYTRIP
In their own words: "DAYTRIP is a fermentation-driven shared plates party restaurant and bottle shop! A little bit of chaos in everything. Nothing that takes itself too seriously. We’re playful, and above all, want our guests to have FUN in this space."
Pyeong Chang Tofu House Oakland
4701 Telegraph AveWildly popular Korean spot.
Exellent Mexican food made with quality ingredients. Not your mom's taco truck...slightly more "fancy" but just as delicious. Backyard patio is pet friendly.
173 locals recommend
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph AveExellent Mexican food made with quality ingredients. Not your mom's taco truck...slightly more "fancy" but just as delicious. Backyard patio is pet friendly.
Cozy bar with high end mixology cocktails plus delicious food too. Sit in the bookish interior, cozy back patio, or large parklet in front.
10 locals recommend
North Light
4915 Telegraph AveCozy bar with high end mixology cocktails plus delicious food too. Sit in the bookish interior, cozy back patio, or large parklet in front.
Roses' Taproom
4930 Telegraph AveA local brewery with fun nibbles too.
Delish vegan and gluten free restaurant with both healthy (bowls!) and not-so-healthy options (fried things!). Locally brewed GF beers too! Most folks pick up, but the dining room is a nice option too. QR codes on tables and order from your phone.
Kitava
Delish vegan and gluten free restaurant with both healthy (bowls!) and not-so-healthy options (fried things!). Locally brewed GF beers too! Most folks pick up, but the dining room is a nice option too. QR codes on tables and order from your phone.
Nice little eatery and coffee shop. Full lunch and breakfast menu with salads/sandwiches and egg dishes too. A few outdoor tables in front and rear.
Caffè Chiave
Nice little eatery and coffee shop. Full lunch and breakfast menu with salads/sandwiches and egg dishes too. A few outdoor tables in front and rear.
"Rustic Vietnamese" including Yummy Pho and craft soju cocktails in a vibrant corner location with old movies projected onto the wall.
Co Nam
"Rustic Vietnamese" including Yummy Pho and craft soju cocktails in a vibrant corner location with old movies projected onto the wall.
If I didn't tell you this ice cream was NON-dairy you would NEVER KNOW! It's soooo good. AND it won't hurt your stomach. Taste all the flavors...but the chocolate with oreo cookies (which happen to also be gluten free) will blow your mind!
Mr.Dewie's Cashew Creamery
If I didn't tell you this ice cream was NON-dairy you would NEVER KNOW! It's soooo good. AND it won't hurt your stomach. Taste all the flavors...but the chocolate with oreo cookies (which happen to also be gluten free) will blow your mind!
This ice cream parlor is an Oakland institution that many people love. It's not high-brow, just your basic ice cream fare and long lines on weekends. Banana splits, cones, mediocre food that will clog your arteries - very American.
129 locals recommend
Fentons Creamery
4226 Piedmont AveThis ice cream parlor is an Oakland institution that many people love. It's not high-brow, just your basic ice cream fare and long lines on weekends. Banana splits, cones, mediocre food that will clog your arteries - very American.
Everything Else
Must-see items in our 'hood
Mountain View Cemetery has tons of local California and Bay Area history. If you know the major streets in SF, you recognize the names of families buried here. Is also one of the best examples of a garden cemetery found on the west coast. It has amazing views, winding roadways, native live oaks, elaborate masoleums (don’t miss “millionaires row”, and even wild turkeys. Half of it was designed by the same guy who did Central Park in NYC (Olmstead). For history buffs: take a free, doesn’t lead to her on the 2nd/4th Saturday of the month.
5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
Mountain View Cemetery has tons of local California and Bay Area history. If you know the major streets in SF, you recognize the names of families buried here. Is also one of the best examples of a garden cemetery found on the west coast. It has amazing views, winding roadways, native live oaks, elaborate masoleums (don’t miss “millionaires row”, and even wild turkeys. Half of it was designed by the same guy who did Central Park in NYC (Olmstead). For history buffs: take a free, doesn’t lead to her on the 2nd/4th Saturday of the month.
Entertainment & Activities
Totally cool Muay Thai and boxing gym with kickboxing classes too. A very woman-friendly space.
Pacific Ring Sports
493 40th StTotally cool Muay Thai and boxing gym with kickboxing classes too. A very woman-friendly space.
Arts & Culture
Oldest operating theater in Oakland (since 1917!). Shows first-run movies and gives away prizes on saturday nights.
59 locals recommend
Landmark's Piedmont Theatre
4186 Piedmont AveOldest operating theater in Oakland (since 1917!). Shows first-run movies and gives away prizes on saturday nights.
World class museum! Super cool permanent collections showcasing CA history as well as rotating shows on very relevant topics. Conveniently located near Lakeshore BART. Lovely lake views from top of outdoor area.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StWorld class museum! Super cool permanent collections showcasing CA history as well as rotating shows on very relevant topics. Conveniently located near Lakeshore BART. Lovely lake views from top of outdoor area.
Shopping
Former alley of horse stables has been transformed into a artisan Temescal Alley shops selling donuts, jewelry, plants, used furniture, handmade clothes, and an old-school barber shop!
9 locals recommend
Temescal Alley Barber Shop
470 49th StFormer alley of horse stables has been transformed into a artisan Temescal Alley shops selling donuts, jewelry, plants, used furniture, handmade clothes, and an old-school barber shop!
Super cool magazine store. Tiny place chock full of great finds including zines from Europe and Asia.
15 locals recommend
Issues
4198 Piedmont AveSuper cool magazine store. Tiny place chock full of great finds including zines from Europe and Asia.
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice gastropub. Decent food. Excellent beer. Loud collegiate (and post-collegiate) scene. Live music some nights.
48 locals recommend
Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont AveNice gastropub. Decent food. Excellent beer. Loud collegiate (and post-collegiate) scene. Live music some nights.
Incredible selection of Sake and Japanese bourbon plus cool serveware, drinkware, and other excellent-design stuff. Tasting bar at the back.
11 locals recommend
Umami Mart
4027 BroadwayIncredible selection of Sake and Japanese bourbon plus cool serveware, drinkware, and other excellent-design stuff. Tasting bar at the back.
Fun beer garden and local brews. Rotating cast of food trucks park in front for nibbles. Live DJ on weekends. Queer nite on the first friday of the month.
74 locals recommend
Temescal Brewing
4115 Telegraph AveFun beer garden and local brews. Rotating cast of food trucks park in front for nibbles. Live DJ on weekends. Queer nite on the first friday of the month.