Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Great menu, drink list and wine list, perfect ambiance and lighting, and service is always spot-on. I suggest making a rez if you can - there's usually a line every night.
35 locals recommend
Dopo
4293 Piedmont AveGreat menu, drink list and wine list, perfect ambiance and lighting, and service is always spot-on. I suggest making a rez if you can - there's usually a line every night.
Local fave. International feel. The one cafe on Piedmont Ave without wi-fi. About 3 or 4 short blocks down Piedmont Ave.
99 locals recommend
Caffè Chiave
2500 San Pablo AveLocal fave. International feel. The one cafe on Piedmont Ave without wi-fi. About 3 or 4 short blocks down Piedmont Ave.
Sister restaurant to Dopo, with a beautifully-selected wine list, and delicious salumi plates. Great atmosphere. Plus, just one block from the house!
17 locals recommend
Adesso
4395 Piedmont AvenueSister restaurant to Dopo, with a beautifully-selected wine list, and delicious salumi plates. Great atmosphere. Plus, just one block from the house!
My absolute favorite "virtual" home office hangout, in a great part of Oakland. Gorgeous, long wooden tables and lots and lots of power outlets. People are super friendly and nice.
43 locals recommend
Arbor Cafe
4210 Telegraph AvenueMy absolute favorite "virtual" home office hangout, in a great part of Oakland. Gorgeous, long wooden tables and lots and lots of power outlets. People are super friendly and nice.
Excellent sushi, great and friendly service, and only one block from the house! Don't bother trying to drive - it's always busy, so easier to walk than try to park.
13 locals recommend
Shimizu Cuisine
4290 Piedmont AveExcellent sushi, great and friendly service, and only one block from the house! Don't bother trying to drive - it's always busy, so easier to walk than try to park.
Absolute best Ethiopian food in the East Bay or SF. Cozy place with warm, friendly service, you'll feel like you're in someone's kitchen. Food is excellent. The wait is well worth it.
76 locals recommend
Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant
357-A Grand AveAbsolute best Ethiopian food in the East Bay or SF. Cozy place with warm, friendly service, you'll feel like you're in someone's kitchen. Food is excellent. The wait is well worth it.
Best Thai food I've found yet in the East Bay. Great outdoor patio. Try the Kao Tod - and don't plan to share.
Bangkok Garden
5231 College AveBest Thai food I've found yet in the East Bay. Great outdoor patio. Try the Kao Tod - and don't plan to share.
Drinks & Nightlife
Sister
3308 Grand AveLively restaurant and bar scene, a short 4-minute drive from the house.
Still hands-down the best "go-to" spot in Oakland, whether bringing people from out of town, meeting friends for dinner, or just taking yourself out for a great glass of wine and a bite to eat.
50 locals recommend
À Côté Restaurant
5478 College AveStill hands-down the best "go-to" spot in Oakland, whether bringing people from out of town, meeting friends for dinner, or just taking yourself out for a great glass of wine and a bite to eat.
Everything Else
What's not to love about a historic neighborhood theatre? About a 7 minute walk from the house.
59 locals recommend
Landmark's Piedmont Theatre
4186 Piedmont AveWhat's not to love about a historic neighborhood theatre? About a 7 minute walk from the house.
A great neighborhood in Oakland, with restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, interesting architecture, etc. Your pick of cuisine. Less than 10 minutes by car from the house.
45 locals recommend
Uptown
A great neighborhood in Oakland, with restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, interesting architecture, etc. Your pick of cuisine. Less than 10 minutes by car from the house.
Another great Oakland neighborhood, with some of the most gorgeous architecture, in either the East Bay or SF. Great restaurants there, as well, too varied and numerous to list.
25 locals recommend
Old Oakland
Another great Oakland neighborhood, with some of the most gorgeous architecture, in either the East Bay or SF. Great restaurants there, as well, too varied and numerous to list.
Gorgeous hiking, within a 15-minute car ride from the house. Many different trails to choose from.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadGorgeous hiking, within a 15-minute car ride from the house. Many different trails to choose from.