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Weekender’s Guide to Oakland

Oakland is playing second fiddle to San Francisco no more. Now, The Town is a destination in its own right, with chef-owned restaurants, classy bars, quirky shops, and more

Megan McCrea and Josh Sens
1 /26 Shelly Hamalian

Calavera

At this high-minded Oaxacan spot, even the humblest cocktails display a touch of molecular magic—yes, that would be sea foam atop your Salt Air Margarita. Other treats include the old fashioned, seasoned with chocolate mole bitters, and the hibiscus-infused gin and tonic. 2337 Broadway; calaveraoakland.com.

2 /26 David Fenton

Nido

This stylish eatery is not your usual Mexican joint, serving creative fare such as chipotle-rubbed roast chicken and braised pork belly with mole sauce, apple, and pineapple. They also boast a deep tequila and mescal roster, with flights on offer, in case you can’t choose just one. 444 Oak St.; nidooakland.com.

3 /26 Creative Commons photo by Corey Moxon is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Kronnerburger

Chef Chris Kronner has built an empire around ground beef on a bun. In this Piedmont spot, he serves up playful starters—such as king salmon tartare—alongside the burgers, which arrive rare, with optional add-ons like crispy onion rings and fries topped with cheese curds and beef-cheek gravy. 4063 Piedmont Ave.; kronnerburger.com.

4 /26 Thomas J. Story

Tamarindo Antojeria

This colorful mother-son-owned joint turns out Mexican-inflected variations on the mojito and the Greyhound, not to mention margaritas tricked out with fresh tamarind purée or chile salt. 468 8th St.; tamarindoantojeria.com.

5 /26 Thomas J. Story

Homestead

Inside a vintage Julia Morgan-designed building, this farm-to-fork eatery stays true to its name, down to the fresh-churned butter. For breakfast, it offers a range of sweet and savory items from salads and strata to doughnuts and fruit. 4029 Piedmont Ave.; homesteadoakland.com.

6 /26 Alanna Hale

Duende

Chef-owner Paul Canales presides over the art-filled space—which encompasses a restaurant, music venue, and bodega—to deliver an atmosphere as soulful as his cooking. You can buy olive oil on tap, sip coffee while listening to live flamenco music, or settle in for cured sausage or patatas brava. 468 19th St.; duendeoakland.com.

7 /26

Hopscotch

At this energetic bistro, veteran chef Kyle Itani has created a sharp Cal-Med menu with Japanese accents, flanking duck-fat fries with yuzu aioli, and underpinning fried chicken with shishito peppers. Wash it all down with a maple-tinged Old Fashioned or a spiced-up jalapeno-scotch. 1915 San Pablo Ave.; hopscotchoakland.com.

8 /26 Thomas J. Story

Miss Ollie's

Barbados native Sarah Kirnon brings the flavors of the Caribbean to Old Oakland at this casual eatery, in the form of saltfish ackee, curry goat, and more. She also makes the best fried chicken in the 510—which is saying a lot. 901 Washington St.; realmissolliesoakland.com.

9 /26 Thomas J. Story

Mamacita’s

It’s not hard to feel the (local) love at this Kickstarter-fueled café, where the drinks are squeezed from locally roasted beans, and warm doughnut kebabs are served on Fridays. The café is staffed by young women enrolled in a job training program. 1714 Franklin St.; mamacitascafe.com.

10 /26 Aya Brackett

Ramen Shop

Yes, the head noodle maker—a Chez Panisse alum—studied under a ramen master in Japan. Yes, the chefs infuse the dishes with seasonal ingredients like Meyer lemon and Dungeness crab. No, they don’t take reservations. Just give your name and wait at the bar—it’ll be worth it. 5812 College Ave.; ramenshop.com.

11 /26 Thomas J. Story

Beauty’s Bagels

Owner Blake Joffe was raised in Philadelphia, but his bagel memories were born in Montreal, his father’s hometown. Blake’s decadent disks are made Montreal-style: boiled in honey-laced water, then baked in a wood-fired oven. Diners can choose from sundry toppings, from lox and cream cheese to Nutella. 3838 Telegraph Ave.; beautysbagelshop.com.

12 /26 Colin Burke McClure

The Trappist

At this Old Oakland spot, beer is treated with the respect once reserved for wine. Overwhelmed by the selection? Not to worry—knowledgeable bartenders can guide you through the deep list, which could include everything from Belgian triples to American pilsners. 460 8th St.; thetrappist.com.

13 /26 Courtesy of Beer Revolution

Beer Revolution

Ales and pilsners, stouts and heffeweizens, this lovable dive has them all—and then some. Drinkers can select their suds from one of 50 rotating taps, then settle in for some people-watching on the sunny front patio. 464 3rd St.; beer-revolution.com.

14 /26 Thomas J. Story

Fox Theater

After decades of disuse, this gilded beauty made an epic comeback when it was purchased by the City of Oakland and refurbished in all its Deco glory, from floor to (golden) ceiling. It now hosts big name musicians, from Sam Smith to Prince. 1807 Telegraph Ave.; thefoxoakland.com.

15 /26 Carol Highsmith

Paramount Theatre

Around the corner from The Fox Theater, the Paramount shines, from colorful mosaic façade to meticulously restored interior. On any given night, you might hear rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, gospel, or soul inside. Each month, classic films flicker across the screen, from The Maltese Falcon to Goldeneye. 2025 Broadway; paramounttheatre.com.

16 /26 Justin Yee

New Parish

This venue showcases reggae, roots, rumba, rock, tango, and soul. For a small venue, they bring in some mighty acts—Mos Def, Dave Chappelle, and George Clinton have all played here. 1743 San Pablo Ave.; thenewparish.com.

17 /26 Courtesy of Yoshi’s

Yoshi’s

This sushi-and-jazz joint has brought tunes to the East Bay for decades. The audience forms a semi-circle around the stage, which means there isn’t a bad seat in the house. 510 Embarcadero West; yoshis.com.

18 /26 Creative Commons photo by oakzine is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Dogwood

Wedged in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it space in Uptown, this classy bar slings elevated cocktails, featuring everything from blackcurrant cordial to jalapeno pineapple syrup. Meanwhile, the kitchen turns out epic bites—don’t miss the grilled cheese with house-made mustard and tomato onion jam. 1644 Telegraph Ave.; bardogwood.com.

19 /26 E. Spencer Toy

Atomic Garden

This sunny Rockridge shop carries all manner of handmade goods, from garden tools to tea towels, rugs made from saris, and essential oil-based body balms. Shoppers can even take the store’s aroma home, in the form of the AG Scent No. 1, a perfume designed to mimic the shop’s smell. 5453 College Ave.; atomicgardenoakland.com.

20 /26 David Fenton

Oakland Supply Co.

To browse the shelves at Oakland Supply Co. is to revel in the beauty of handcrafted goods, from hickory-handled hatchets to hand-stitched baseballs. Allow ample time to explore—the shop includes such only-in-Oakland treasures as a beard comb with a built-in bottle opener. 291 3rd St.; oaksupplyco.tumblr.com.

21 /26 Thomas J. Story

Show and Tell

At once a gallery, gathering space, and shop, this proudly local place sells wallets and handbags, psychedelic soap and beard oil, alongside clothing bearing feisty civic slogans, such as “Oakland Against the World.” 1427 Broadway #B; squareup.com/market/showandtell.
22 /26 Erin Kunkel

Umami Mart

This bright shop displays an obsessively curated array of barware and cooking tools, from cheery Giraffe enamel coffeepots to Hasami porcelain, Japan’s answer to Heath. In the back, you’ll find U-Mart, an Oakland take on a Japanese convenience store. The East Bay’s own Peko Peko supplies the bento boxes. 4027 Broadway; umamimart.com.
23 /26 Courtesy of Oakland Museum of California. Photo: Shaun Roberts.

Oakland Museum of California

What do you get when you combine Gold Rush Era daguerreotypes, Richard Diebenkorn landscapes, and Dorothea Lange’s personal archive? A tiny portion of the museum’s 70,000-piece California art collection, which contains art from the 1800s to today. 1000 Oak St.; museumca.org.

24 /26 David Fenton

California Canoe & Kayak

At first glance, the estuary between Oakland and Alameda seems ordinary, industrial. But on a boat, it’s completely different. Rent a one- or two-person kayak from this friendly shop, go for a paddle, and you’ll see the wildlife that thrives here, from spindly-legged herons to gray pelicans. 409 Water St.; calkayak.com.

25 /26 David Fenton

Redwood Regional Park

A few miles from downtown Oakland sits this 1,830-acre park, filled with 150-foot coast redwoods. On a clear day, the hiking trails afford views of San Francisco to the West and Mount Diablo in the East. On a foggy day, the park becomes otherworldly—a mist-covered cloud forest awaiting exploration. 7867 Redwood Rd.; ebparks.org/parks/redwood.
26 /26 Thomas J. Story

Lake Merritt

Runners, bikers, and picnickers alike flock to this heart-shaped lake, often called “Oakland’s crown jewel.” Its 3.4-mile shoreline shelters many wonders, from a bonsai garden to a glassy cathedral, from the beloved Saturday farmers’ market to Fairyland, the theme park that inspired Walt Disney to create a little place called Disneyland. lakemerritt.org.