Best Bar in Oakland

Z Cafe & Bar is a contemporary American restaurant located in the heart of Oakland, California. It offers unpretentious contemporary American Bistro fare using the freshest, locally grown meats and produce around the Bay Area. The menu changes seasonally to provide flavors at their peak, and the bar features exciting new alternatives with house cocktails infused with fruits and fresh-squeezed juices. The restaurant's kitchen works with fresh, locally sourced meats and produce from around the Bay Area, keeping every dish simple, seasonal, and thoughtfully prepared. Guests enjoy warm service, a cozy setting, and a menu that changes with the seasons. Every visit feels easy, welcoming, and well cared for. Z Cafe & Bar is only a 10-minute walk from the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA, making it a quick and easy stop before or after a show. The menu features scratch-made American café favorites built around fresh ingredients, including house soups, crisp salads, hearty sandwiches, flame-grilled burgers, and comfort-style entrées prepared daily. Vegetarian and plant-based options are available, along with lighter plates and filling classics. Seasonal updates keep the menu fresh while familiar favorites remain easy to enjoy any day of the week. The bar at Z Cafe & Bar is designed for connection and comfort, with fresh juices, house infusions, and carefully prepared specialty drinks made to pair well with the menu.

Wood Tavern is a contemporary, rustic neighborhood restaurant offering an American brasserie experience. It serves a hearty menu inspired by California culture, focusing on local, sustainable ingredients. The restaurant is located in a charming neighborhood shopping district on bustling College Avenue in Oakland, California. Wood Tavern's menu features a variety of dishes, including the popular "whiskey laced chicken liver pate" and "russet potato gnocchi." The restaurant also offers a selection of artisanal cocktails, made with fresh ingredients and premium spirits. Wood Tavern has a welcoming yet sophisticated dining environment, making it a great spot for special occasions. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with varying hours depending on the day of the week. Wood Tavern is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, known for its excellent service and quality food. The restaurant has received positive reviews from patrons, who appreciate the friendly atmosphere and attentive service. Wood Tavern is a great spot for a special evening or a casual meal, and its menu offers something for everyone.

Viridian is Oakland's premier bar and restaurant for innovative craft cocktails, comprehensive spirits, and locally sourced food inspired by Asian-American nostalgia. Driven by modern culinary technique and Northern California influence, our food and beverage programs are led by world-class hospitality professionals. Since 2020, Viridian has been recognized across the industry as one of the best cocktail bars in the nation and globally. Viridian is a top 10 U.S. restaurant bar, according to the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. We're proud to announce that the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has named Viridian a 2026 nominee for Top 10 U.S. Restaurant Bar. Our accolades include The World's 50 Best Discovery, Esquire "Best Bars in America", and Tales of the Cocktail regional nominations for Best New American Cocktail Bar, Best U.S. Bar Team, and Best U.S. Restaurant Bar. Our menu features a small selection of Asian-inspired dishes, including our famous Szechuan Salt and Pepper Wings, which were named the "most stellar" in Oakland by the SF Chronicle. We also offer a variety of craft cocktails, including our signature drinks like the Beef Tomato and Black Sesame Espresso Martini. Our bar team is led by experienced professionals, including Ken Kawachi, Nicole Nathan, Sky Sczesny, and Q Bolan, Jr.

The Star on Grand is a restaurant that serves Chicago-style and Detroit-inspired pizza, as well as subs and salads, in a casual and airy atmosphere. The restaurant is located in Oakland, California, and offers a full bar and a rewards program that provides benefits to customers. The Star on Grand is a family-friendly establishment that can accommodate large groups with reservations. The restaurant's menu includes a variety of pizzas, including a gluten-free option, as well as subs, salads, and other items. The pizzas are prepared in-house and can take up to 15-20 minutes to prepare, while the deep dish pizzas take 25-30 minutes to prepare. The Star on Grand offers delivery through third-party services and online ordering through their website. Customers can also place orders in-store. The Star on Grand has been established since 2013 and is known for serving some of the best pizza in the San Francisco Bay Area. The restaurant blends Chicago-style and Detroit-inspired influences to create a unique pizza experience. The Star on Grand is a popular destination for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, and offers a neighborhood vibe, award-winning pizzas, and reliable hospitality.

The Punchdown is a family-owned wine bar and bottle shop that offers a unique selection of natural wines. They are James Beard Award nominees for Outstanding Wine Program and have two locations, one in Oakland and one in Sebastopol, California. The Punchdown specializes in natural and minimal intervention winemaking practices, with a focus on "more than organic" vineyards that use natural farming principles and avoid chemicals like Round-Up. Their wine selection is curated with care, with a focus on wines that are made with minimal intervention and no added chemical treatments. They offer a range of wines, including zero-zero or "super natty" wines that are made without any additives or fining agents. The Punchdown's goal is to provide a unique and educational experience for their customers, with a focus on natural wine and a passion for sharing knowledge about the wines they offer. They also offer a wine club that provides members with monthly selections of wines at a discount, along with other benefits like 10% off all retail purchases and advance invites to special events. The Punchdown is a great destination for wine enthusiasts and novices alike, with a welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. They offer a wide range of wine options, including natural and organic wines from around the world. Whether you're looking to try something new or just want to relax with a glass of wine, The Punchdown is a great choice. They also offer a retail shop where customers can purchase wines to take home, making them a great resource for wine lovers in the Oakland and Sebastopol areas.

Sobre Mesa is an Afro-Latin cocktail lounge located in Downtown Oakland, California. It's a reference to what you do after the meal, once the hunger has passed and real conversation can begin. The name Sobre Mesa literally means "over the table." The business offers a range of options for intimate gatherings to grand events, with private party packages tailored to suit specific needs. Their menu is selectively curated to bring out the flair of the culture, featuring fresh local ingredients and flavors designed to pair perfectly with the cocktails. The tapas menu is a joyful expression of the chef's culinary journey and heritage. Sobre Mesa features lush surroundings, refined cocktails, and seasonal cuisine, with influences from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other Latin countries. The business is perfect for a fun night or a date night, offering a range of options for groups and parties. The staff is friendly, and the chef's dishes are exemplary, with favorites including the bone marrow, stuffed sweet plantains, and oysters.

Señor Sisig is a Bay Area-born Filipino fusion restaurant serving bold and modern street food. It was founded in 2010 as a food truck and has since grown into a Bay Area favorite, serving up its signature sisig. Señor Sisig's menu features a remix of traditional Filipino flavors into innovative dishes everyone can enjoy, such as Sisig Burritos and Sinigang Wings, all made to order. The restaurant offers catering services, food truck buyouts, and private events, making it a popular choice for special occasions. Señor Sisig has multiple locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including in San Francisco, Oakland, and the Ferry Building. Its menu is designed to be fresh, flavorful, and made to order, with a focus on bold and modern street food. Señor Sisig's menu items, such as the Umami Ube Crab Sandwich, are inspired by San Francisco and created in collaboration with local businesses. The restaurant's commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in its menu, which features a variety of traditional Filipino dishes with a modern twist. By serving up bold and modern street food, Señor Sisig has become a Bay Area favorite and a popular choice for those looking for a unique dining experience.

Original Pattern Brewing Company is an employee-owned craft brewery and tasting room in Oakland, California. It offers a diverse selection of package and draft beer with 5-8 beers released every week. The brewery frequently showcases a range of unique and hard-to-get New Zealand hops, and its beers have won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2019 California Craft Brewer's Cup in the American Wild Ale (Sour) Category. Original Pattern Brewing Company produces a wide variety of beers, including Hazy IPAs, Lagers, Sours, and more. Its beers are crafted with passion and attention to detail, and the company takes pride in using only the finest ingredients to create unique and delicious brews that cater to a diverse range of palates. The brewery's menu includes a range of beers, from Session IPAs to Double IPAs, and its beers have garnered praise from beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Original Pattern Brewing Company offers extensive indoor and outdoor seating on a first-come, first-served basis, and its taproom is open daily at noon. The brewery also features a resident pop-up, Citizen Pizza Co., which offers experimental pizza styles and delicious side dishes. Additionally, Original Pattern Brewing Company hosts a variety of events, including live music and food pairings, and its menu changes frequently, with new beers released every week.

NōKA Ramen & Bar is a Japanese restaurant in Oakland, California, serving authentic Hakata-style ramen. The restaurant focuses on real Japanese flavors, homemade noodles, and a relaxed experience that feels easy and welcoming. Guests can dine-in, takeout, or delivery, and the team works carefully to make each visit smooth and friendly. NōKA Ramen & Bar offers a variety of ramen options, including Hakata Tonkotsu Style, which features a creamy, rich, and cooked-for-hours tonkotsu broth paired with homemade artisan noodles. The restaurant also serves cocktails that pair with ramen and chashu, and guests can enjoy a cocktail with dinner or relax after a long day. The bar brings flavor and a lively, inviting space together for everyone to enjoy. NōKA Ramen & Bar is known for its delicious and flavorful ramen, with customers praising the service and the quality of the food. The restaurant welcomes groups of any size, and the team ensures meals for large groups are smooth and enjoyable. NōKA Ramen & Bar offers catering for offices, parties, and special events in the Bay Area, and guests can book reservations to guarantee seating at the restaurant.

Mua is a restaurant in Oakland, California, that serves New American cuisine with a focus on comfort food. It is a lively and trendy spot with a hipster vibe, featuring a spacious dining room, a large selection of wines, cocktails, and beers, and a compact menu with unique and delicious selections. The restaurant is known for its eclectic décor, art events, and open atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for large parties or intimate gatherings. Mua's menu features a variety of dishes, including signature items such as wings and cheeseless mac n cheese, which are described as "to die for" and "divine." The restaurant has a compact menu with a focus on comfort food, offering a range of options for both meat-eaters and pescatarians. The menu is known for its creative and unique twists on classic dishes, using fresh and high-quality ingredients to create a truly memorable dining experience. Mua is a great spot for a night out with friends, with a lively atmosphere and a wide selection of drinks to choose from. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout, and offers a variety of specials and events throughout the week. With a strong focus on community and local art, Mua is a popular destination for foodies and those looking for a unique dining experience in the heart of Oakland.