Rachel & Sam's Guidebook
Food scene
A 15 minute walk. Acclaimed as the best farmers market in the East Bay! We love the Bicycle Coffee Cold Brew and Dim Sum.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveA 15 minute walk. Acclaimed as the best farmers market in the East Bay! We love the Bicycle Coffee Cold Brew and Dim Sum.
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveThe birthplace of California Cuisine. Alice Waters is a legend!
A 10 minute walk, this is one of our favorites for an easy and affordable meal. Homemade tortillas daily!
9 locals recommend
Rico Rico Taco
3205 Lakeshore AveA 10 minute walk, this is one of our favorites for an easy and affordable meal. Homemade tortillas daily!
Bardo Lounge & Supper Club
3343 Lakeshore AveSwanky neighborhood supper club.
Almond and Oak
3311 Grand AveAmericana cuisine with a thoughtfully curated cocktail list.
Shakewell
3407 Lakeshore AveAburaya
362 17th StJapanese Fried Chicken. This is our go-to comfort food on a bad day.
Do not overlook the fish salad, unless you're looking at the cubano!
173 locals recommend
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph AveDo not overlook the fish salad, unless you're looking at the cubano!
Proposition Chicken
3465 Market StSomething for everyone, they accommodate GF and Vegan!
Open air dining hall with multiple food vendors ranging from Japanese food to an oyster bar.
55 locals recommend
Swan's Market
538 9th StOpen air dining hall with multiple food vendors ranging from Japanese food to an oyster bar.
Wise Sons Deli
1700 Franklin StreetJewish deli with traditional sandwiches.
Horn Barbecue
2534 Mandela ParkwayThe West Coast's Best BBQ
Dangerously close. The KFC chicken and spicy canton noodles are worth every dollar.
21 locals recommend
Lin Jia Asian Kitchen
3437 Lakeshore AveDangerously close. The KFC chicken and spicy canton noodles are worth every dollar.
Reasonably priced sushi favorite with bottomless sake. Fun Fact: East Side Sushi was filmed there.
27 locals recommend
Coach Sushi
532 Grand AveReasonably priced sushi favorite with bottomless sake. Fun Fact: East Side Sushi was filmed there.
The best in China Town! Chow mein with homemade noodles. Order us some if you're there!
71 locals recommend
Shandong Restaurant
328 10th StThe best in China Town! Chow mein with homemade noodles. Order us some if you're there!
Duende
468 19th StPaella, tapas, and cocktails. What more could you ask for?
Mua Oakland
2442a Webster StAsian fusion tapas. Great for big groups.
Date night spot. The staff are wonderful and the menu doesn't have a bad dish.
19 locals recommend
The Wolf
3853 Piedmont AveDate night spot. The staff are wonderful and the menu doesn't have a bad dish.
An Oakland staple. Same owners as The Wolf. The pork chop with marsala cream sauce is why I now have a Peloton.
123 locals recommend
Wood Tavern
6317 College AveAn Oakland staple. Same owners as The Wolf. The pork chop with marsala cream sauce is why I now have a Peloton.
Marufuku Ramen
4828 Telegraph AvenueBest ramen in town.
Shinmai
1825-3 San Pablo AveFun izakaya with a huge sake and whisky list.
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveLuxurious Burmese Food.
Blind Tiger
2600B Telegraph AveHip underground pan asian tapas bar.
Drinks and Nightlife
A 10 minute walk. Amazing Craft cocktails and equally amazing staff.
26 locals recommend
The Cat House
3255 Lakeshore AvenueA 10 minute walk. Amazing Craft cocktails and equally amazing staff.
One of the world's most respected jazz venues, earning a reputation as the Bay Area's premier location for great Japanese cuisine and jazz music.
136 locals recommend
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero WestOne of the world's most respected jazz venues, earning a reputation as the Bay Area's premier location for great Japanese cuisine and jazz music.
Heart & Dagger Saloon
504 Lake Park AveBest local dive bar with a hipster twist.
Best local wine shop and wine bar. Check out their Sunday blind tasting flights!
24 locals recommend
Bay Grape
376 Grand AveBest local wine shop and wine bar. Check out their Sunday blind tasting flights!
The Double Standard
2424 Telegraph AveSkillfully executed cocktails with a hidden backyard patio.
Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph AveFresh squeezed grapefruit juice for a classic greyhound.
Family friendly bottle shop and taproom offering a rotation of pop-up food shops.
40 locals recommend
Degrees Plato Tap Room Bottle Shop & Kitchen
4251 MacArthur BlvdFamily friendly bottle shop and taproom offering a rotation of pop-up food shops.
Neighborhoods
Situated along the estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront and marina area that has been a well-known landmark since the mid-1800s. As a lifestyle destination, Jack London Square offers visitors and local residents an authentic, vibrant hub of outdoor recreation, dining, special events, and entertainment opportunities.
29 locals recommend
Jack London District
Situated along the estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront and marina area that has been a well-known landmark since the mid-1800s. As a lifestyle destination, Jack London Square offers visitors and local residents an authentic, vibrant hub of outdoor recreation, dining, special events, and entertainment opportunities.
Parks and Nature
Children's Fairyland, U.S.A. is an amusement park, located in Oakland, California, on the shores of Lake Merritt. It was one of the earliest "themed" amusement parks in the United States. Fairyland includes 10 acres of play sets, small rides, and animals.
140 locals recommend
Children's Fairyland
699 Bellevue AveChildren's Fairyland, U.S.A. is an amusement park, located in Oakland, California, on the shores of Lake Merritt. It was one of the earliest "themed" amusement parks in the United States. Fairyland includes 10 acres of play sets, small rides, and animals.
One of the most unique urban spaces in the United States. It's three mile shoreline sits in the center of this exceptionally diverse city. This tidal lagoon is home to the United States' oldest designated wildlife refuge dating from 1870.
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardOne of the most unique urban spaces in the United States. It's three mile shoreline sits in the center of this exceptionally diverse city. This tidal lagoon is home to the United States' oldest designated wildlife refuge dating from 1870.
There are endless trails with beautiful redwoods. Bag a lunch and bring plenty of water. The park contains the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood found in the East Bay.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadThere are endless trails with beautiful redwoods. Bag a lunch and bring plenty of water. The park contains the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood found in the East Bay.
Breakfast Brunch & Coffee Spots
A hip brunch spot in the Laurel District Neighborhood. You cannot order wrong here.
101 locals recommend
Sequoia Diner
3719 MacArthur BlvdA hip brunch spot in the Laurel District Neighborhood. You cannot order wrong here.
The savory french toast is their flagship dish and for good reason.
117 locals recommend
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand AveThe savory french toast is their flagship dish and for good reason.
Our local co-op bakery. The pizza of the day is a must and since you're there, may as well get a corn cherry scone.
198 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveOur local co-op bakery. The pizza of the day is a must and since you're there, may as well get a corn cherry scone.
Lakeshore Cafe
3257 Lakeshore AveClassic diner breakfast within walking distance.
Our vote for best baguette in the Bay. FYI, the biscuits and gravy is worth the calories.
25 locals recommend
Firebrand Artisan Breads
2343 BroadwayOur vote for best baguette in the Bay. FYI, the biscuits and gravy is worth the calories.
Sweets and Treats
Our favorite ice cream in town plus it's in Temescal Alley, a high end artisan haven.
36 locals recommend
Curbside Creamery
482 49th StOur favorite ice cream in town plus it's in Temescal Alley, a high end artisan haven.