OAK TOWN and BEYOND!
Food Scene
These are all Neverland approved Oakland restaurants, my coveted local haunts, in all price ranges, to help you stay in style and eat like a true local!
Chai Thai Noodles
545 International BoulevardReally good and cheap Thai food a block away.
Rockin Crawfish
211 Foothill BlvdOld School New Orleans crayfish n’ shrimp in a plastic bin joint.
BEST TACO TRUCK ON PLANET EARTH. It's open until 3 AM. Want to meet the people of Oakland? Chat up whoever is waiting in line.
23 locals recommend
Tacos Mi Rancho
1434 1st AveBEST TACO TRUCK ON PLANET EARTH. It's open until 3 AM. Want to meet the people of Oakland? Chat up whoever is waiting in line.
Sister
3308 Grand AveAmazing pizza, amazing cocktails, amazing brunch. AMAZING!
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveAmazing pizza, amazing everything.
Aburaya
362 17th StJapanese fried chicken, get the tingle pepper!
Portal Oakland
1611 2nd Ave Local beers and beer garden, pub grub, great brunch.
A fabulous collection of food stands/restaurants, everything from sausages to tacos to sushi – shrimp and fish tacos to die for.
55 locals recommend
Swan's Market
538 9th StA fabulous collection of food stands/restaurants, everything from sausages to tacos to sushi – shrimp and fish tacos to die for.
AUTHENTIC Vietnamese Pho restaurant. Every Vietnamese person I've talked to says is the best in town. Slightly rough Neighborhood - worth the adventure.
16 locals recommend
Phở Ao Sen Restaurant
1139 E 12th StAUTHENTIC Vietnamese Pho restaurant. Every Vietnamese person I've talked to says is the best in town. Slightly rough Neighborhood - worth the adventure.
Sidebar
542 Grand AveBest burger in town, hands down.
This place is INSANE. Everything is amazing. If they are offering a fried chicken sandwich. Get.It.
25 locals recommend
Firebrand Artisan Breads
2343 BroadwayThis place is INSANE. Everything is amazing. If they are offering a fried chicken sandwich. Get.It.
If you feel like bravely striking out into the sprawling EAST Oakland - This locals only place is super worth the effort.
15 locals recommend
Philomena
1801 14th AveIf you feel like bravely striking out into the sprawling EAST Oakland - This locals only place is super worth the effort.
LOCALS JOINT | great German food, great beer, great BRUNCH! Right on the water, very close to the loft.
21 locals recommend
Brotzeit Lokal | German Restaurant & Waterfront Biergarten
1000 EmbarcaderoLOCALS JOINT | great German food, great beer, great BRUNCH! Right on the water, very close to the loft.
Almond and Oak
3311 Grand AveAWESOME! Seasonal locavore fare and great drinks.
Horn Barbecue
2534 Mandela ParkwayNew Celebrity chef Matt Horn’s barbecue joint!
Kowbird
1733 Peralta StreetAwesome Mexican food and awesomer brunch! Drinks are off the hook.
23 locals recommend
NIDO's Backyard
104 Oak StAwesome Mexican food and awesomer brunch! Drinks are off the hook.
CAÑA Cuban Parlor & Cafe
530 Lake Park AveLATIN VIBES | Great for Brunch and Salsa.
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand AveSO SO SO GOOD. The doughnuts... get them.
Mama
388 Grand AveGREAT ITALIAN FARE | Affordable Prix Fix menu!
Odin
GREAT DRINKS | Like Mezcal? Mexican Food? This is the spot.
OG CALIFORNIA CUISINE | Want to spend all your money on one of the best restaurants in California? THIS IS THE PLACE.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveOG CALIFORNIA CUISINE | Want to spend all your money on one of the best restaurants in California? THIS IS THE PLACE.
OFF THE GRID FRIDAY FOOD TRUCK PARTY | Great selection of food trucks and live music every Friday evening. Just walk on over to the museum, you can't miss it! 5-8 PM.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StOFF THE GRID FRIDAY FOOD TRUCK PARTY | Great selection of food trucks and live music every Friday evening. Just walk on over to the museum, you can't miss it! 5-8 PM.
Tacos Oscar
420 40th StHIPSTER TACOS | Very very very very good ones.
Fentons Creamery
4226 Piedmont AveICE CREAM OF YOUR DREAMS | 'nuff said.
Powderface
3411 E 12th StWHAT COULD BE WRONG with Deep fried dough swimming in a bag of powdered sugar? nothing
Almare Gelato Italiano
2170 Shattuck AveAMAZING GELATO | I am a snob. Trust me.
GREAT ROAD TRIP RESTAURANT | Excellent food and vibes. Also, amazing antiques nearby and don't miss the weirdass BIKER BAR across the street.
36 locals recommend
Bull Valley Roadhouse
14 Canyon Lake DrGREAT ROAD TRIP RESTAURANT | Excellent food and vibes. Also, amazing antiques nearby and don't miss the weirdass BIKER BAR across the street.
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveAMAZING RESTAURANT. TEA LEAF SALAD! get it.
Proposition Chicken
This is a great "fast food" option!
Nopa
560 Divisadero StOLD STANDBY IN SF | Always great, always packed. Worth the trip / wait...
Drinks & Nightlife
Cavernous, super-hip 1 million beers on tap and corn hole kind of a joint.
67 locals recommend
Mad Oak Bar
135 12th StCavernous, super-hip 1 million beers on tap and corn hole kind of a joint.
Oakland wine bar par excellence! Stevie and Josiah Will hook you up with some amazing wine, stick around and drink it for a mere $5 corkage fee!
24 locals recommend
Bay Grape
376 Grand AveOakland wine bar par excellence! Stevie and Josiah Will hook you up with some amazing wine, stick around and drink it for a mere $5 corkage fee!
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero WestFamous Music Venue!
Baggy's By the Lake
288 E 18th StThis is your local dive bar!
A distillery! Awesome fancy local booze made in Alameda, take a tour, drink some amazing booze with an amazing view of San Francisco!
65 locals recommend
St. George Spirits
2601 Monarch StA distillery! Awesome fancy local booze made in Alameda, take a tour, drink some amazing booze with an amazing view of San Francisco!
This is the oldest bar in California, divey and quirky, sinking into the earth in a slightly disconcerting and awesome way!
61 locals recommend
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon
48 Webster StreetThis is the oldest bar in California, divey and quirky, sinking into the earth in a slightly disconcerting and awesome way!
One of the world’s last all live piano karaoke bars, A great old Oakland institution!
60 locals recommend
The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveOne of the world’s last all live piano karaoke bars, A great old Oakland institution!
Good food, especially the house made pickled veggies, and the BEST grilled cheese ever (no matter what version they're serving). There are 15-25 beers on tap with a menu describing the taste, and alcohol content of all.
86 locals recommend
The Trappist
460 8th StGood food, especially the house made pickled veggies, and the BEST grilled cheese ever (no matter what version they're serving). There are 15-25 beers on tap with a menu describing the taste, and alcohol content of all.
The New Parish
1743 San Pablo AveAwesome music venue for modern live music.
Make Westing
1741 Telegraph AveCocktails and indoor bocce ball? YES
Urban Legend Cellars
1951 Monarch StGreat local wine, interesting varietals!
FAMOUS OAKLAND BAR with dangerously good Greyhounds… Set yourself a limit or you’ll regret it.
120 locals recommend
Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph AveFAMOUS OAKLAND BAR with dangerously good Greyhounds… Set yourself a limit or you’ll regret it.
Parks & Nature
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardIt's awesome!
Entertainment & Activities
Feel like classic movies, old couches and beers? Go here!
156 locals recommend
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StFeel like classic movies, old couches and beers? Go here!
Huge Oakland outdoor arts festival, every first friday. Don't miss this for real Oakland vibes!
64 locals recommend
First Fridays
2633 Telegraph AveHuge Oakland outdoor arts festival, every first friday. Don't miss this for real Oakland vibes!
High Scores Arcade
1414 Park StHEY NERD! | Vintage 1980's Video Game Arcade.
Brooklyn Basin
288 9th AveGreat place for Roller Blading and stuff !
Essentials: Food and Coffee
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay Pl7-Eleven
1501 University AveThe most fabulous grocery store on earth, great wine shop, fishmonger, Marin Sun Farms butcher, bakery and cheese shop etc.…
64 locals recommend
Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College AveThe most fabulous grocery store on earth, great wine shop, fishmonger, Marin Sun Farms butcher, bakery and cheese shop etc.…
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveBeautiful larger concert venue.
Starbucks
2080 Mountain BlvdThis Starbucks is very close by.
Great coffee and pastries. GET A KATCHAPURI! Georgian stuffed cheese bread. I am getting FOMO just thinking about you going there right now.
30 locals recommend
Haddon Hill Cafe
504 Wesley AveGreat coffee and pastries. GET A KATCHAPURI! Georgian stuffed cheese bread. I am getting FOMO just thinking about you going there right now.
Ivy Hill Cannabis
ALL YOUR LEGAL WEED NEEDS
Lucky
Arts & Culture
super interesting exhibits all the time. Also, the Off The Grid Friday food truck party every Friday from 6 to 9 PM.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Stsuper interesting exhibits all the time. Also, the Off The Grid Friday food truck party every Friday from 6 to 9 PM.
Shopping
Every Saturday until 2 PM. The best farmers market around.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveEvery Saturday until 2 PM. The best farmers market around.
Oaklandish
OAKLAND LOCAL gifts and stuff