Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Best mac & cheese in the bay area - also, awesome sides. And beer for that matter. So good!
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StBest mac & cheese in the bay area - also, awesome sides. And beer for that matter. So good!
Subrosa Coffee
419 40th StReally nice outdoor seating. Even better coffee.
a MUST eat while you're here. Call ahead 20 minutes to get your name on the list and you're in like flynn.
458 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
309 Clement Sta MUST eat while you're here. Call ahead 20 minutes to get your name on the list and you're in like flynn.
Best Ethiopian - and that's saying something (there a lot of Ethiopian options in Oaktown)!
10 locals recommend
Cafe Eritrea D'Afrique
4069 Telegraph AveBest Ethiopian - and that's saying something (there a lot of Ethiopian options in Oaktown)!
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL building, worth a little walk, awesome coffee.
173 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StAbsolutely BEAUTIFUL building, worth a little walk, awesome coffee.
This modern-korean restaurant is A. delicious, and B. has pretty great martinis. And I don't usually care about martinis.
18 locals recommend
Xyclo Restaurant
4218 Piedmont AveThis modern-korean restaurant is A. delicious, and B. has pretty great martinis. And I don't usually care about martinis.
Perfect coffee shop if you're looking to sit down with your computer, work, maybe grab an awesome bfast or lunch while you're there. FYI cash only.
43 locals recommend
Arbor Cafe
4210 Telegraph AvenuePerfect coffee shop if you're looking to sit down with your computer, work, maybe grab an awesome bfast or lunch while you're there. FYI cash only.
Amazing, menu of the day, vegan organic food. A good spot if you A. ate too much Bakesale Betty's, B. usually cook clean at home but don't have time, C. want a super flavorful meal you feel good about
27 locals recommend
Shangri-La Vegan
4001 Linden StAmazing, menu of the day, vegan organic food. A good spot if you A. ate too much Bakesale Betty's, B. usually cook clean at home but don't have time, C. want a super flavorful meal you feel good about
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph AveCute, outdoor seating in the back, delicious.
Super close spot to have a beer in the sun, fun whimsy feeling, nice bartenders. We would have named it "between two churches" :)
74 locals recommend
Temescal Brewing
4115 Telegraph AveSuper close spot to have a beer in the sun, fun whimsy feeling, nice bartenders. We would have named it "between two churches" :)
I know Bake Sale Betty's is already on here and how many chicken sandwiches can you get excited about? But this is the less trendy Vietnamese version, which I absolutely love, and it's a little local secret spot not on the tourist radar. In the morning they have a pop up breakfast sandwhich biz called Cracked that's equally awesome.
Chick & Tea
3932 Telegraph AveI know Bake Sale Betty's is already on here and how many chicken sandwiches can you get excited about? But this is the less trendy Vietnamese version, which I absolutely love, and it's a little local secret spot not on the tourist radar. In the morning they have a pop up breakfast sandwhich biz called Cracked that's equally awesome.
Everything Else
Fun classes; yoga, dance, trx, and a great new student special, 2 weeks for $25.
20 locals recommend
Flying Studios
4834 Telegraph AveFun classes; yoga, dance, trx, and a great new student special, 2 weeks for $25.
This place is supposed to have the BEST friend chicken (I'm a veggie so I don't know), but I always usher meat eaters down there. Plus you can eat outside, on iron boards. It's great.
196 locals recommend
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveThis place is supposed to have the BEST friend chicken (I'm a veggie so I don't know), but I always usher meat eaters down there. Plus you can eat outside, on iron boards. It's great.
Broadway Liquors
2860 BroadwayBest selection, really good prices, and so clean!
This is where I practice - alignment based, awesome instructors, and best pricing in town.
6 locals recommend
Barefoot Movement
1919 Market StThis is where I practice - alignment based, awesome instructors, and best pricing in town.
Walgreens
2801 Adeline StSuper accessible walking.
There are also all the big box type stores in this neighborhood, a movie theater, and outdoor mall.
149 locals recommend
Target
1057 Eastshore HwyThere are also all the big box type stores in this neighborhood, a movie theater, and outdoor mall.
I teach indoor cycling here! This is a really nice, small, Oakland neighborhood gym. One week free for new members, and that includes a group class.
FLEX
3925 Piedmont AveI teach indoor cycling here! This is a really nice, small, Oakland neighborhood gym. One week free for new members, and that includes a group class.
On a combined scale of closeness and awesome, this is the best convenience store. Really good beer selection for its size, and other basic essentials that are better than the average corner store.
U & I
4875 Telegraph AveOn a combined scale of closeness and awesome, this is the best convenience store. Really good beer selection for its size, and other basic essentials that are better than the average corner store.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont AveGood beer, trivia on Mondays, fun vibe
Really really good cocktails, good vibe. Love it. And right below my fave yoga spot, in case you want a drink after your workout :)
44 locals recommend
Dogwood
1644 Telegraph AveReally really good cocktails, good vibe. Love it. And right below my fave yoga spot, in case you want a drink after your workout :)
So many beers, all within 100 miles of Oakland (okay maybe a few are from LA), and really interesting yummy food (albeit meat-centric, but always at least one impressive vegetarian option). Also with brunch on weekends.
34 locals recommend
Hog's Apothecary
375 40th StSo many beers, all within 100 miles of Oakland (okay maybe a few are from LA), and really interesting yummy food (albeit meat-centric, but always at least one impressive vegetarian option). Also with brunch on weekends.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveNot too far, not super convenient either though...
Closest grocery store, super convenient, has an organic and local food focus.
66 locals recommend
Piedmont Grocery Co
4038 Piedmont AveClosest grocery store, super convenient, has an organic and local food focus.
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StDecently close, AWESOME grocery store.
Parks & Nature
So so SO many good trails, quick to get to, and connected to Redwoods Regional park system (which is the more dog friendly of the two, but you can have your dog off leash in both for the most part)
214 locals recommend
Joaquin Miller Park
3300 Joaquin Miller RdSo so SO many good trails, quick to get to, and connected to Redwoods Regional park system (which is the more dog friendly of the two, but you can have your dog off leash in both for the most part)
Best trail to jump on if you're in Berkeley, also dog friendly!
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdBest trail to jump on if you're in Berkeley, also dog friendly!
Entertainment & Activities
Movie theater, trivia night, sports, nerd night, bar, eats. This place is full of comfy seating and two big screens where they project anything from Beyonce's Lemonade to mainstream movies, to Anime, to the world cup. Bring your beer/wine and pizza/sandwich into the theater while you enjoy.
156 locals recommend
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StMovie theater, trivia night, sports, nerd night, bar, eats. This place is full of comfy seating and two big screens where they project anything from Beyonce's Lemonade to mainstream movies, to Anime, to the world cup. Bring your beer/wine and pizza/sandwich into the theater while you enjoy.