The first thing you should know about Oakland is that food is the city’s heartbeat, obsession, and art. This East Bay gem, which packs more culinary diversity per square mile than most cities, boasts everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to taco trucks that’ll redefine your standards. There’s exceptional Ethiopian fare in Temescal, Vietnamese pho that’ll warm your soul in Chinatown, and even a life-changing cheeseburger in Jack London Square.
Sweetheart Café & Tea
$ | (510) 835-8136 | WEBSITE
Sweetheart Café & Tea is a cozy spot in Oakland’s bustling Chinatown. They do classic drinks like black milk tea with boba and Hong Kong style milk tea, but also serve things like an excellent avocado shake and a passion fruit tea with boba, which puts Sweetheart in that sweet spot of “cafés that actually care about variety.” The popcorn chicken is fantastic, but the spicy popcorn chicken, which can only be described as “crunchy and delicious,” steals the show.
While in Chinatown, check out the convenient mobile ordering system or the well-maintained interior for some sit-down snacking.
Forma Bakery
$ | WEBSITE
If Marie Antoinette retired as queen, took her fortune and said, ‘I’m going to build a bakery,’ Forma would be that bakery. Filled with more flaky layers than a French patisserie, Forma has several dozen unique croissant varieties and pastries in a cozy space straight out of a storybook. You’ll see just as many tables with locals enjoying their morning coffee as you will with delighted visitors on a bakery crawl.
So grab a croissant, sink into your seat, and try to decide between the veggie poblano or chocolate almond before you need another latte.
Taqueria El Grullo
$ | (510) 261-6091 | WEBSITE
Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood is filled with the type of taquerias that serve $3 tacos, but our favorite way to spend cash in the area is at Taqueria El Grullo. You’ll find some of the best caldo de res in the city at this small, family-style Mexican spot. Dinner here feels like a community gathering every night of the week and it’s not uncommon to see a construction worker eating next to a family celebrating a kid’s birthday.
Whichever side of that spectrum your group falls in, make sure you order the signature caldo de res and Taqueria El Grullo’s lesser-known (but just as delicious) shredded chicken burrito to go.
United Dumplings – Rockridge
$$ | (510) 817-4070 | WEBSITE
With a space that can only be described as ‘authentic, but make it minimalist,’ United Dumplings – Rockridge hits with all the energy of a bustling Chinatown kitchen. Order things like the XLB, pan fried dumplings, and Dan-Dan noodles, and pair it all with a refreshing cucumber salad. Rockridge, just up the street, is a must-visit if you’re in the area as well—the vibrant local shops, the cozy cafes at College Avenue, and the spectacular farmers’ market on weekends are some of the highlights.
Lois the Pie Queen
$$ | (510) 658-5616 | WEBSITE
While you’re exploring Oakland’s vibrant neighborhoods, admiring the street art, historic buildings, and local boutiques, you’ll need to find somewhere to eat—and that place should be Lois the Pie Queen. Once you step inside this East Bay institution, you can get crispy chicken and waffles, juicy pork chops, hearty burgers, creamy grits, and flaky biscuits all without leaving your table.
Head over with a group when you’re craving comfort food, make sure you’ve got about $15–$20 per plate, and order everything.
Almond and Oak
$$ | (510) 250-9550 | WEBSITE
Charming, cozy, and decorated with more warmth than a grandmother’s kitchen, Almond and Oak is one of the best brunch spots in Oakland—and we can see why. Everything here is delightful: The food is consistently delicious, the space actually feels like a well-appointed living room (seriously), and everyone seems like they came here directly from a leisurely weekend morning.
If you somehow can’t decide between the shrimp and grits or the prosciutto and broccoli Benedict, have one of their polite staff recommend something, find a spot at one of the large tables for prime group-gathering, and revel in the fact that you got to eat at such a welcoming place.
Sfizio
$$ | (510) 229-8365 | WEBSITE
You’ll find our favorite neighborhood restaurant, Sfizio, tucked into the space that once housed Noodle Theory. They serve things like spaghetti and meatballs, a classic dish with hand-made noodles that’s part-comfort food, part-elevated dining, and seafood pasta loaded with rich, flavorful sauce. This cozy spot on Piedmont Avenue makes their pasta and sauces in-house before plating them with care that’s been evident from day one.
Grab a plate of their divine spaghetti and a glass of wine, then settle into the warm, inviting atmosphere for a casual meal or a nice date.
Curry Up Now
$ | (510) 398-4683 | WEBSITE
Reading the menu at Curry Up Now is like earning a degree in Indian street food innovation, blending traditional recipes with bold fusion twists. Everything they prepare tastes like it’s been amped up, from classics like chicken biryani and butter chicken burger to creative hybrids like the tikka masala burrito or El Jefe burrito wrapped in naan.
The restaurant outfits its space with vibrant murals and industrial-chic accents, which feels unexpected, but like every dish on the menu, it totally clicks. Portions are massive—perfect for sharing or leftovers—and the well-spiced flavors pack a punch, so proceed with caution if heat isn’t your thing. Alongside the hearty mains, they offer healthy vegan and gluten-free bowls, plus addictive fries with special sauce.
Service is fast and friendly, scoring a solid 10 out of 10, making this spot a top pick for a fun, flavorful night out in Oakland.
George & Walt’s
$ | (510) 653-7441 | WEBSITE
Most people don’t equate Oakland with great bar food.
But if anybody questions why you’re going to George & Walt’s for a casual night out and not another sports bar, all it takes is one bite for their opinion to change faster than they can say “ox tail grilled cheese.” Getting a table here requires some patience, but everything from the kitchen is fantastic—go for the daily specials like corn beef egg rolls, the killer margaritas that are made with fresh lime instead of mix, and their lively atmosphere that’s perfect for playing pool.
Enjoy it all in the friendly space that’s constantly buzzy and slightly chaotic, like how we imagine a neighborhood pub should feel.
Southern Café
$$ | (510) 336-2013 | WEBSITE
Instead of worrying about when their remodeling will finally wrap up, Southern Café’s regulars would happily eat their food off paper plates in a construction zone. Because when that first bite hits, you forget all about the wait. The restaurant serves soulful Southern classics, and the must-haves are the oxtails and rice and gravy, the fried pork chops, the mac & cheese, and their collard greens, a side so good it could be a main.
Golden Tea Shop
$ | (510) 251-9368 | WEBSITE
There aren’t that many tea shops in Oakland that roast their own leaves, perfect their own brewing methods, or create their own signature milk tea blends. Come to think of it, there aren’t that many tea shops that do that anywhere. But Golden Tea Shop, in its new location just a few doors down, does all of the above and more.
The menu has several standouts, but ordering their Roasted Black Milk Tea (which has a rich, smoky depth, velvety texture, and consistently perfect steep) with their Hong Kong-style curry fishballs and the Jinxuan Oolong Milk Tea is non-negotiable.
Ebiko
$ | (510) 903-6506 | WEBSITE
There’s no seating at all due to the compact space, but you’ll want to grab your order to-go from this spotless grab-and-go spot that looks like a convenient store with Asian snacks lining the walls. Get your sushi craving satisfied, skip the reservation, and order everything that ends in a roll—the omakase, California, and avocado are all highlights with fresh fish at fair prices.
Noor Indian Fusion Kitchen
$ | (510) 903-5001 | WEBSITE
Noor Indian Fusion Kitchen proves that fusion can work when the spices remain true. They’ve become a beloved fixture in the East Bay, operating from a cozy storefront with warm lighting and simple wooden tables, and still deliver their excellent butter chicken along with some clever additions: a variety of vegetarian options, consistently fresh ingredients, and generous catering services.
If you’re somehow not full on shrimp tikka masala and garlic cheese naan, have some chicken biryani or their tofu tikka masala as you seriously consider making this your regular Oakland spot.
Cellarmaker House of Pizza
$$ | (510) 947-9738 | WEBSITE
We’re not entirely sure what makes the pizza at Cellarmaker House of Pizza taste so good, but the prevailing theory is some form of crust magic. The restaurant provides a fantastic space for socializing, but that somehow makes getting a table during game nights even harder.
The menu offers consistent favorites, but what you can count on, though, is that everything from the hot honey & brie bar pie to the bacon & fig pizza will have that amazing crust and be delicious—and that dinner will set you back about $25 per person. Be sure to order their must-try hot honey & brie bar pie, a sweet and savory mess of Asian pears and pistachio heaped onto their incredible crust. It’s like the Cellarmaker version of a secret handshake (but with pizza).
Swahili Spot
$$ | (510) 978-9495 | WEBSITE
Comparing Swahili Spot to other Oakland restaurants is like comparing a home-cooked meal to fast food—they’re just not the same thing. Located in West Oakland, they replaced generic decor with a cool African vibe that feels both cozy and authentic. This place serves hearty chicken curry rice bowls and plays warm hospitality over the atmosphere—and somehow, in a welcoming way. Get a bowl of their flavorful chicken curry with generous veggies and rice, which hits harder than a home-cooked stew.
Amazona’s Pizza
$ | (510) 625-1233 | WEBSITE
The bustling streets of Oakland can feel like a furnace in summer, but the team at Amazona’s Pizza clearly didn’t get the memo because their spot offers some serious cool-down power. (Yes, that is indeed our best attempt at heatwave humor.) Place your trust in their friendly delivery crew and you’ll get rewarded with things like a New York style pizza baked fresh to order, buffalo chicken wings that pack a flavorful punch, and cheese pizza that hits all the right notes.
Even though the restaurant sits on a busy Oakland block, the space actually feels more like a classy escape now. After your meal, explore the surrounding neighborhood—grab an extra slice for the road, stop for some budget-friendly lunch specials, or bring the whole family back for their welcoming atmosphere.
Thank Que Grill
$ | (510) 220-0870 | WEBSITE
Thank Que Grill flies a little under the radar since it’s tucked away in a somewhat hidden location, but locals know what’s up at this Filipino spot. Highlights include the BBQ’d chicken, sisig fries, lumpia, and some legitimately awesome Filipino Bánh mì sandwiches. The Oakland area is what’s known as a refreshing escape from the busy city, meaning any area beyond the downtown core, yet it’s just minutes away from busier neighborhoods like Temescal and Uptown.
You can find a large concentration of excellent spots here (like neighborhood favorite Cholita Linda or Shakewell), which makes this one of the better Filipino restaurants around.
Oori Triangles
$ | WEBSITE
Everyone talks about Oakland’s sit-down restaurants (and rightfully so), but the majority of locals grab food at quick-service spots (think of them as convenient hubs hidden in busy neighborhoods). In one of those take-out spots in Oakland is where you’ll find Oori Triangles. It’s a fast-casual joint, which basically means a compact place that encourages grab-and-go eating and has a focused menu highlighting rice triangles that often feel like elevated comfort food.
Order at the kiosk, get the spicy salmon for yourself, and debate whether the triangle shape is for portability, tradition, or somehow pure geometry. Then, unwrap the warm rice packed with flaky salmon coated in chili and sesame and wonder why salmon is prepared any other way.
ShangriLa vegan on Telegraph
$ | (510) 250-9918 | WEBSITE
If ShangriLa were any more comforting, it would be brewing its own tea leaves and reciting Buddhist mantras in the back of a sunlit kitchen. This is the spot to bring your friend who reads about fermentation techniques for fun so you can watch them get excited about how good this place is. The daily menu is constantly rotating, but always includes healthy, home-cooked dishes, which in the past has meant things like spiced lentil soup served alongside fresh vegetable options.
If ShangriLa is too crowded, both the self-serve tea station and healthy dessert options are excellent alternatives.