Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
Great prices and lots of int'l foods and organic produce. A local favorite!
419 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StGreat prices and lots of int'l foods and organic produce. A local favorite!
Great prices and lots of int'l foods and organic produce. A local favorite, and the house is halfway between two locations!
371 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz AveGreat prices and lots of int'l foods and organic produce. A local favorite, and the house is halfway between two locations!
Good, fun grocery foods at reasonable prices. Better for dry goods than fresh.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveGood, fun grocery foods at reasonable prices. Better for dry goods than fresh.
This review, and nearby snacks & food:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-market-oakland
A Market Pizza N Deli
5650 Market StreetThis review, and nearby snacks & food:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-market-oakland
South Berkeley Grocery: They are so friendly, and have fresh produce and meat, as well as dry goods. Its on the way from campus http://www.yelp.com/biz/south-berkeley-produce-and-meat-market-berkeley
3120 Sacramento St
3120 Sacramento StreetSouth Berkeley Grocery: They are so friendly, and have fresh produce and meat, as well as dry goods. Its on the way from campus http://www.yelp.com/biz/south-berkeley-produce-and-meat-market-berkeley
Sightseeing
Closest train stop; about a 12-minute walk from the house. Gets you easily to SF, UC Berkeley and other great local sights.
159 locals recommend
Ashby station
3100 Adeline StClosest train stop; about a 12-minute walk from the house. Gets you easily to SF, UC Berkeley and other great local sights.
Food Scene
Good, reasonably priced thai food, close to home and on the way from the BART station.
17 locals recommend
Giin Thai Canteen
3278 Adeline StGood, reasonably priced thai food, close to home and on the way from the BART station.
Amazing Thai food, walking distance from the house. This is my fave place for Thai; great curries, sauces, all dishes perfect. And good cocktails too.
33 locals recommend
Summer Summer Thai Eatery
5885 Hollis StAmazing Thai food, walking distance from the house. This is my fave place for Thai; great curries, sauces, all dishes perfect. And good cocktails too.
Another great restaurant from the owners of SummerSummer Thai. Good selection of foods... upscale pub type menu. Very good prices and great drinks. Nice, casual atmosphere.
19 locals recommend
The Bureau 510
5800 Hollis StAnother great restaurant from the owners of SummerSummer Thai. Good selection of foods... upscale pub type menu. Very good prices and great drinks. Nice, casual atmosphere.
Friendly gathering spot for coffee, espresso and wonderful baked goods.
115 locals recommend
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
3350 Adeline StFriendly gathering spot for coffee, espresso and wonderful baked goods.
Great breakfasts at the site of an old bank: the bank's vault for storage of valuables and $$ is in the center of the dining area.
23 locals recommend
Vault
3250 Adeline StGreat breakfasts at the site of an old bank: the bank's vault for storage of valuables and $$ is in the center of the dining area.
A 'food court' with all kinds of ethnic foods to choose from. Wazwan Indian food is great, but all others are good too. Cheap, fast, and good grub.
47 locals recommend
Public Market Emeryville
5959 Shellmound StA 'food court' with all kinds of ethnic foods to choose from. Wazwan Indian food is great, but all others are good too. Cheap, fast, and good grub.
Hot Italian
5959 Shellmound StYummy pizza, good gelato, casual atmosphere.
Peet's is a locally-founded coffee roaster that's now gotten bought out, but the coffee is strong and well-brewed. If coffee matters to you, Peet's is a good choice.
259 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine StPeet's is a locally-founded coffee roaster that's now gotten bought out, but the coffee is strong and well-brewed. If coffee matters to you, Peet's is a good choice.
Yummy burritos/mexican food. Their occasional special 'Ashleigh's burrito' is amazing!
13 locals recommend
Chile Jalapeño Taquería
6706 San Pablo AveYummy burritos/mexican food. Their occasional special 'Ashleigh's burrito' is amazing!
Everything Else
Run by a local neighbor, this cafe is a community hangout for coolest cats in the neighborhood. http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/the-bike-is-the-star-at-this-cafe/?_r=0
57 locals recommend
Actual Cafe
6334 San Pablo AvenueRun by a local neighbor, this cafe is a community hangout for coolest cats in the neighborhood. http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/the-bike-is-the-star-at-this-cafe/?_r=0
Arts & Culture
Great folk venue; longstanding non-profit that's supported small musical artists for many years. Calendar here:
http://freightandsalvage.org/event
87 locals recommend
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison StGreat folk venue; longstanding non-profit that's supported small musical artists for many years. Calendar here:
http://freightandsalvage.org/event
Local free paper, with a great calendar of events:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ and
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/EventSearch?eventSection=1113461
East Bay Express Publishing
1335 Stanford AvenueLocal free paper, with a great calendar of events:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ and
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/EventSearch?eventSection=1113461
Good music and dance selections; local, easy by bus, good vibe.
http://www.ashkenaz.com/ and calendar: http://www.ashkenaz.com/index.php
30 locals recommend
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center
1317 San Pablo AveGood music and dance selections; local, easy by bus, good vibe.
http://www.ashkenaz.com/ and calendar: http://www.ashkenaz.com/index.php
great irish, folk and blues, nice, neighborhood bar. http://www.thestarryplough.com/
74 locals recommend
The Starry Plough Pub
3101 Shattuck Avegreat irish, folk and blues, nice, neighborhood bar. http://www.thestarryplough.com/
Drinks & Nightlife
Old school with an upscale flair. This place was an old prohibition bar, and the wonderful redwood beam ceiling, fancy old dark wood bar and funky doors/windows show its history.
Food is awesome and bartenders are friendly if you're solo and sit at the bar -- where they will also serve you food. Fabulous outdoor patio if the weather allows al fresco dining. Food choices run from burgers to salads with protein, and fancy seafood entrees, so you can spend as little or as much as you want (from $20, with tax/tip).
42 locals recommend
Townhouse Bar & Grill
5862 Doyle StOld school with an upscale flair. This place was an old prohibition bar, and the wonderful redwood beam ceiling, fancy old dark wood bar and funky doors/windows show its history.
Food is awesome and bartenders are friendly if you're solo and sit at the bar -- where they will also serve you food. Fabulous outdoor patio if the weather allows al fresco dining. Food choices run from burgers to salads with protein, and fancy seafood entrees, so you can spend as little or as much as you want (from $20, with tax/tip).