Local Highlights

Best Restaurants in Oakland

The Common Team
Posted on August 30, 2021
Updated on September 21, 2022

Your tastebuds and tummy will love the best restaurants in Oakland, CA

If you consider yourself a foodie, or you’re just looking for your next great meal in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland has you covered. Oakland restaurants offer delicious dishes that incorporate culinary influences from around the country and the world. No matter which of the best neighborhoods in Oakland you visit, you’re sure to find something amazing.

We’ve created a guide to help you learn more about Oakland’s food scene and discover all the must-try restaurants in the East Bay. Read on to learn more about the best restaurants in Oakland and where you can find them.

Locals and tourists agree that Commis is one of the best restaurants in Oakland

Home to many things to do in Oakland, Piedmont Avenue is also home to one of Oakland’s favorite eateries. This high-end Oakland restaurant is an open kitchen that likes to use unique ingredients to create New American dinners. Run by Chef Synhabout, the kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients and fresh fish to create a nightly tasting menu. One night you might find roasted abalone on the menu, and the next it might be silky scallops with poached asparagus.

The serene and minimalistic space features sparse décor, which contrasts the packed dining room every night. For this reason, it’s recommended that you make a reservation before coming to this amazing eatery to enjoy some fine dining.

Sobre Mesa is a gem located in Downtown Oakland, CA

Chef Nelson German serves up delightful Afro-Latino dishes that take inspiration from his Dominican roots and African ancestry. Each dish on the menu consists of tapas that feature the flavors of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. In addition to the great food, you can also order cocktails to go with the small plates filled with Afro-Latino soul food.

When you’re in this restaurant, you’ll feel like you’re in the tropics, thanks to the design touches, live plants, and lively music. Don’t feel like eating at the restaurant? Sobre Mesa offers a takeout menu that allows you to enjoy all the fantastic eats to go from this Oakland restaurant.

Uptown Oakland features many amazing eateries, including Daughter’s Diner

Anyone who knows Oakland knows that Uptown is a destination for foodies or fans of Oakland’s food scene, which means there’s no shortage of great places to eat in this part of town. Among these establishments, Daughter’s Diner is one of the best restaurants in Oakland.

Daughter’s Diner provides a modern take on the classic diner. This community-oriented eatery serves up everything from the Hangover Buster (a bacon cheeseburger with an over-easy egg) to mouthwatering mashed potatoes with chicken gravy. You can also order local craft brews, wine, and cider.

A great place to grab a slice of pizza is Graffiti Pizza

If you want to grab a great slice of pizza, you should make your way over to Graffiti Pizza in Old Oakland. While the menu focuses heavily on pizza, you can also find calzones, sandwiches, salads, and beer.

People love that this pizzeria offers a casual dining space as well as a patio that has enough room for about 20 people. Another selling point for the eatery is its hours. During weekdays, Graffiti Pizza is open until 10:00 pm. However, on Friday and Saturday, you can grab a late night slice until 1:00 am.

Find everything from sushi to udon at Uzen Japanese Cuisine

Within the Rockridge neighborhood, you’ll find a delicious place to enjoy Japanese cuisine. Among the featured dishes are sushi that uses the freshest seafood. The atmosphere of the restaurant is modern and no-nonsense, just like the preparation of the food.

In addition to the sushi offerings, ramen lovers will enjoy trying dishes like udon noodles and miso soup for lunch. As for dinner, you can find incredible dishes like hiryuzu. This Uzen specialty features ground tofu and white fish meat with shrimp and veggies in a soy sauce base broth.

You can satisfy your sweet tooth at Fentons Creamery

Rounding out our list of the best restaurants in Oakland is Fentons Creamery. This retro ice cream parlor is famous for serving up delicious sundaes and cones that feature tons of amazing flavors. With menu items that include The Berry Go Round and the Cookie Connection, you’re sure to find something that’s perfect for your cravings.

In addition to serving up frozen dairy treats, Fentons Creamery also offers other types of food. You can find hot dogs, old-fashioned grilled sandwiches and burgers, and even salad if you want to get a little green in your diet.

You can eat at the best restaurants in Oakland every day when you move here

Are the best restaurants in the East Bay calling your name? If so, we can help you find apartments in Oakland, CA so that you can enjoy them every day. We offer coliving spaces in Oakland and Downtown Oakland. At Common Jefferson (coming soon!) and Common Webster, you can rent a private bedroom in a fully-furnished shared suite that allows you to enjoy city living for an attainable price. Alongside an all-inclusive suite, your rent includes pots, pans, cutlery, household essentials, and regular cleanings of shared spaces. It’s the easiest way to experience Oakland living. Explore our homes today and get more for your rent in the Bay Area!

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