Bold, beautifully plated Thai cooking in a vibrant Jack London Square space with an estuary-view patio. Khao soi, papaya salad, Hat Yai fried chicken, and fun cocktails.

Uptown Oakland's neon-lit, award-winning cocktail bar pairs farm-to-glass drinks like the signature Tomato Beef with standout Szechuan salt and pepper wings and umami tots.

A short drive across the estuary, Ark Chinese Restaurant in Alameda serves outstanding hand-pulled noodles, xiao long bao, and authentic northern Chinese and Cantonese favorites.

A warm, family-run Nigerian spot in East Oakland serving smoky jollof rice, egusi soup with fufu, suya, and oxtail — with a buffet and many vegetarian options.

A short walk down the Embarcadero from our front desk, Quinn's Lighthouse serves seafood, pub fare, and globally inspired specials inside a historic 1903 lighthouse on the water.

A Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian spot near Lake Merritt serving a nightly three-course prix-fixe built around house-made pasta and slow-braised sugo.