Guidebook for Oakland
Everything Else
Great spot to do laundry just down the hill with a lovely cafe next store to enjoy while you wait!
7 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Laundromat
500 Wesley AveGreat spot to do laundry just down the hill with a lovely cafe next store to enjoy while you wait!
This is the prettiest way to get to the lake from my place on foot. And, if you're up for it, you can run the stairs for a serious workout!
13 locals recommend
Cleveland Cascade
Lakeshore AvenueThis is the prettiest way to get to the lake from my place on foot. And, if you're up for it, you can run the stairs for a serious workout!
Food Scene
Fun, neighborhoody spot for a great cup of coffee and delicious empanadas.
30 locals recommend
Haddon Hill Cafe
504 Wesley AveFun, neighborhoody spot for a great cup of coffee and delicious empanadas.
"Boot & Shoe" is a great spot for fancy pizza & craft cocktails. In the a.m., you can get good coffee & pastries, and you can sit and work during the day if you need to. Also weekend brunch...yum!
194 locals recommend
Sister
3308 Grand Ave"Boot & Shoe" is a great spot for fancy pizza & craft cocktails. In the a.m., you can get good coffee & pastries, and you can sit and work during the day if you need to. Also weekend brunch...yum!
Tasty and atmospheric French/Cal restaurant. The bison burger and pates are really good if you like that sort of thing. Also good for brunch.
19 locals recommend
Michel Bistro
3343 Lakeshore AvenueTasty and atmospheric French/Cal restaurant. The bison burger and pates are really good if you like that sort of thing. Also good for brunch.
Another great dinner choice in the neighborhood. Shakewell features small plates from countries like Spain, Turkey, and North Africa with a California spin, and is a pretty good value for a nice meal.
73 locals recommend
Shakewell
3407 Lakeshore AveAnother great dinner choice in the neighborhood. Shakewell features small plates from countries like Spain, Turkey, and North Africa with a California spin, and is a pretty good value for a nice meal.
You can't beat the view from a table on this lakefront deck. The food and drinks are fine, nothing special. But it is the perfect place to stop for a break on your walk around Lake Merritt.
136 locals recommend
Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside DrYou can't beat the view from a table on this lakefront deck. The food and drinks are fine, nothing special. But it is the perfect place to stop for a break on your walk around Lake Merritt.
A great spot for breakfast/brunch - unpretentious and a good value w/ outdoor seating. Serves dinner as well, but I haven't tried it. It has gotten quite popular, so expect to wait for weekend brunch.
117 locals recommend
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand AveA great spot for breakfast/brunch - unpretentious and a good value w/ outdoor seating. Serves dinner as well, but I haven't tried it. It has gotten quite popular, so expect to wait for weekend brunch.
Arts & Culture
This is the place to be on Sunday afternoons/evenings if you are a salsa dancer, or just like to watch. A live Cuban band plays and dancers and onlookers spill out onto the street. Fun!
54 locals recommend
CAÑA Cuban Parlor & Cafe
530 Lake Park AveThis is the place to be on Sunday afternoons/evenings if you are a salsa dancer, or just like to watch. A live Cuban band plays and dancers and onlookers spill out onto the street. Fun!
This historic movie theater is one of the top ten vintage theaters in the US, and Fridays & Saturdays there is a short performance on the original built-in Wurlitzer organ before the movie plays.
382 locals recommend
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveThis historic movie theater is one of the top ten vintage theaters in the US, and Fridays & Saturdays there is a short performance on the original built-in Wurlitzer organ before the movie plays.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveIt's close, it's cheap, it's Trader Joe's!
It may be expensive, but sometimes you just want really great produce.
553 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlIt may be expensive, but sometimes you just want really great produce.
I love this store - it has a great produce section, bulk section, meat and fish counter, etc. And there is a bakery & butcher across the street. A one-stop shop. You would have to drive, though.
230 locals recommend
Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur BlvdI love this store - it has a great produce section, bulk section, meat and fish counter, etc. And there is a bakery & butcher across the street. A one-stop shop. You would have to drive, though.
Drinks & Nightlife
A lovable dive that has been around forever. Here you will meet locals old & new, and there is an in-house piano player almost every night, sometimes with (mostly quite good) karaoke accompaniment.
60 locals recommend
The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveA lovable dive that has been around forever. Here you will meet locals old & new, and there is an in-house piano player almost every night, sometimes with (mostly quite good) karaoke accompaniment.