Guidebook for Alameda
Food Scene
This is one of my top 3 restaurants in Alameda. If you like Thai and Indian food then you must come here. Amazing flavors. But go early because there is ALWAYS a line.
146 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveThis is one of my top 3 restaurants in Alameda. If you like Thai and Indian food then you must come here. Amazing flavors. But go early because there is ALWAYS a line.
Go here if you want a meal before seeing a movie. Great Moscow Mules too! It's next door to the theater and they can even deliver your meal directly to your seat.
Alameda Cinema Grill
2301 Central AveGo here if you want a meal before seeing a movie. Great Moscow Mules too! It's next door to the theater and they can even deliver your meal directly to your seat.
If you're looking for a light meal, snack or drinks, this is a great place to go. A casual restaurant with fresh food. Has board games for you to play while you're there. Karaoke on Thurs.
12 locals recommend
Hob Nob
1313 Park StIf you're looking for a light meal, snack or drinks, this is a great place to go. A casual restaurant with fresh food. Has board games for you to play while you're there. Karaoke on Thurs.
If you're looking for a pub, this is the place to go, and is run by locals. Built in the 1800s, the building has a rich history. Classic pub food, outdoor patio, cold beer, TV screens.
14 locals recommend
1400 Bar & Grill & Pizza
1400 Webster StIf you're looking for a pub, this is the place to go, and is run by locals. Built in the 1800s, the building has a rich history. Classic pub food, outdoor patio, cold beer, TV screens.
Even though this is in the shopping center, the food is fantastic. Outdoor seating during summer. Can eat at the bar if the restaurant is full. Good Italian food. Not the Olive Garden!
71 locals recommend
Trabocco Kitchen and Cocktails
2213 S Shore CenterEven though this is in the shopping center, the food is fantastic. Outdoor seating during summer. Can eat at the bar if the restaurant is full. Good Italian food. Not the Olive Garden!
This is a great place to eat outside but get there early! Traditional German food, lots of excellent beers. Music on Fri & Sat nights. Sausages, schnitzels, but fish options too.
39 locals recommend
Speisekammer
2424 Lincoln AveThis is a great place to eat outside but get there early! Traditional German food, lots of excellent beers. Music on Fri & Sat nights. Sausages, schnitzels, but fish options too.
Great Vietnamese food and options to sit outside. Service is hit or miss but the food is filling and good.
16 locals recommend
Dragon Rouge
2337 Blanding AveGreat Vietnamese food and options to sit outside. Service is hit or miss but the food is filling and good.
Off the main island, but still technically Alameda, this is a great sushi restaurant. Definitely ask for any specials as they often have nigiri sushi that's not on the menu.
Angel Fish
883 Island DrOff the main island, but still technically Alameda, this is a great sushi restaurant. Definitely ask for any specials as they often have nigiri sushi that's not on the menu.
Great, locally run cafe that's great for breakfast, snacks and light lunch.
26 locals recommend
Wescafe
1518 Webster StGreat, locally run cafe that's great for breakfast, snacks and light lunch.
If you want a greasy-spoon diner for breakfast, this is the place for you. It gets busy on weekends so be prepared to line up if you turn up too late. Classic eggs, waffles, etc.
30 locals recommend
Ole's Waffle Shop
1507 Park StIf you want a greasy-spoon diner for breakfast, this is the place for you. It gets busy on weekends so be prepared to line up if you turn up too late. Classic eggs, waffles, etc.
Cafe Jolie
1500 Webster StNice little cafe that's good for breakfasts.
On the same block as the house, head here for fresh coffee, morning snacks and the best lunch sandwiches in town. Locally owned.
11 locals recommend
Jay's Coffee Teas and Treats
1414 Encinal AveOn the same block as the house, head here for fresh coffee, morning snacks and the best lunch sandwiches in town. Locally owned.
This is hidden up an alley, just off Park Street. Average to good sushi... not as good as AngelFish but it will do in a pinch. They DELIVER!
Yellowtail
1332 Park StThis is hidden up an alley, just off Park Street. Average to good sushi... not as good as AngelFish but it will do in a pinch. They DELIVER!
Takeaway Chinese restaurant of very average quality. But if you need something quick and close, order form here, walk down a few doors to pick it up.
7 locals recommend
Little Joe's
1410 Encinal AveTakeaway Chinese restaurant of very average quality. But if you need something quick and close, order form here, walk down a few doors to pick it up.
Local ice cream parlor that is much loved by local residents.
31 locals recommend
Tucker's Super Creamed Ice Cream
1349 Park StLocal ice cream parlor that is much loved by local residents.
Wood fired pizzas, house-made bread & pasta, inventive small dishes and more substantial fare. Delicious.
21 locals recommend
East End
1650 Park StWood fired pizzas, house-made bread & pasta, inventive small dishes and more substantial fare. Delicious.
C'Era Una Volta
800 W Tower AveYou'll find home-style Italian dishes here. Warm and cozy.
Kid-friendly pizza and pasta restaurant. Not terribly exciting menu, but it covers the basics.
36 locals recommend
Tomatina
1338 Park StKid-friendly pizza and pasta restaurant. Not terribly exciting menu, but it covers the basics.
Burgers and sandwiches are the specialty here and people love it. Only a couple of seats so take-away or eat in Lucky 13 next door.
39 locals recommend
Scolari's Good Eats
1303 Park StBurgers and sandwiches are the specialty here and people love it. Only a couple of seats so take-away or eat in Lucky 13 next door.
This Starbucks is on Park Street so it's easy to find, but parking can be tough.
48 locals recommend
Starbucks
3347 Lakeshore AveThis Starbucks is on Park Street so it's easy to find, but parking can be tough.
Peet's Coffee
3401 Fruitvale AveDirectly opposite Starbucks. Parking can be tough.
Julie's is a great cafe because it has a hidden tea garden out the back. Lots of gluten-free options and organic ingredients. Healthy and fresh.
34 locals recommend
Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden
1223 Park StJulie's is a great cafe because it has a hidden tea garden out the back. Lots of gluten-free options and organic ingredients. Healthy and fresh.
If you want to avoid the chain coffee houses, then go to The Local. Sofas, nice snacks and a good atmosphere.
6 locals recommend
The Local
1333 Park StIf you want to avoid the chain coffee houses, then go to The Local. Sofas, nice snacks and a good atmosphere.
Not just "another" pizza place that's a little more creative than what you'll find at Dominoes. The Star is housed in located in a former bank so you can see the large wall safe and other elements from its former life. Great pizzas but also a broad menu and a full bar.
12 locals recommend
The Star on Park
1400 Park StNot just "another" pizza place that's a little more creative than what you'll find at Dominoes. The Star is housed in located in a former bank so you can see the large wall safe and other elements from its former life. Great pizzas but also a broad menu and a full bar.
Arts & Culture
This art deco theatre has been beautifully restored. If you like old movies, they hold a classic movie series that runs on Tues and Weds. Great cinema, good popcorn, beautiful venue.
87 locals recommend
Alameda Theatre & Cineplex
2317 Central AveThis art deco theatre has been beautifully restored. If you like old movies, they hold a classic movie series that runs on Tues and Weds. Great cinema, good popcorn, beautiful venue.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great throwback in time to when tiki bars were all the rage. It's dark in there and it's a bit divey but the drinks are strong and huge. For the best experience, go with a group.
71 locals recommend
Forbidden Island
1304 Lincoln AveA great throwback in time to when tiki bars were all the rage. It's dark in there and it's a bit divey but the drinks are strong and huge. For the best experience, go with a group.
On the old Naval base, this has the best views of the city. Come here if you want to try a bunch of locally brewed beers. It's WINDY on the base!
62 locals recommend
Faction Brewing
2501 Monarch StOn the old Naval base, this has the best views of the city. Come here if you want to try a bunch of locally brewed beers. It's WINDY on the base!
Come here for a distillery tour (vodka, whiskey, gin, liqueurs), BYO food to eat afterwards in the picnic area. Amazing city views. WINDY!
65 locals recommend
St. George Spirits
2601 Monarch StCome here for a distillery tour (vodka, whiskey, gin, liqueurs), BYO food to eat afterwards in the picnic area. Amazing city views. WINDY!
Another local brewery that serves several good beers. No food, but plenty of restaurants nearby on Park Street.
20 locals recommend
Alameda Island Brewing Company
1716 Park StAnother local brewery that serves several good beers. No food, but plenty of restaurants nearby on Park Street.
Local bar that takes CASH ONLY. Not glamorous, but a mixed crowd of people who just like to get a casual drink.
58 locals recommend
Lucky 13
1301 Park StLocal bar that takes CASH ONLY. Not glamorous, but a mixed crowd of people who just like to get a casual drink.
Another great local brewery with great seating, inside and out.
19 locals recommend
Almanac Barrel House, Brewery, and Taproom
651 W Tower AveAnother great local brewery with great seating, inside and out.
Parks & Nature
Playground and small recreation area and park that's great for kids.
10 locals recommend
Franklin Park
1432 San Antonio AvePlayground and small recreation area and park that's great for kids.
2.5 miles of beach with views of the city. Lots of parking.
106 locals recommend
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
Otis Drive2.5 miles of beach with views of the city. Lots of parking.
Bay-front education center with an 800-gallon aquarium & interactive exhibits about marine life.
63 locals recommend
Crab Cove Visitor Center
1252 McKay AveBay-front education center with an 800-gallon aquarium & interactive exhibits about marine life.
Entertainment & Activities
Pay a flat fee and play as many pinball games as you want on machines from the 30s until now. Totally fun.
68 locals recommend
Pacific Pinball Museum
1510 Webster StPay a flat fee and play as many pinball games as you want on machines from the 30s until now. Totally fun.
You can rent paddle boards or kite boards from here. It's right on the beach so you walk directly into the water with your gear. They also offer lessons.
10 locals recommend
Boardsports California
600 Westline DrYou can rent paddle boards or kite boards from here. It's right on the beach so you walk directly into the water with your gear. They also offer lessons.
Shopping
Great 2nd hand book store. Not too overwhelming but plenty to chose from.
6 locals recommend
Rocket Reuse
1355 Park StGreat 2nd hand book store. Not too overwhelming but plenty to chose from.
Main shopping center for Alameda. Many of the big chain stores are here.
19 locals recommend
Alameda South Shore Center
523 Mulberry StMain shopping center for Alameda. Many of the big chain stores are here.
Target
2675 Geary BlvdDiscount department store on the island.
This is a fairly new shopping center that has Target, Michael's, Safeway and a few chain restaurants.
10 locals recommend
Alameda Landing
2600 – 2700 Fifth StThis is a fairly new shopping center that has Target, Michael's, Safeway and a few chain restaurants.
Sightseeing
Old aircraft carrier that's now a floating museum. Plenty to see and do for adults and kids. Tons of rooms and aircraft to see. Great city views.
88 locals recommend
USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum
707 W Hornet AveOld aircraft carrier that's now a floating museum. Plenty to see and do for adults and kids. Tons of rooms and aircraft to see. Great city views.