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.

An Alameda burger favorite on Park Street with Food Network cred, serving East Coast-style burgers on challah, Nashville hot chicken, and a chopped NY hero — with a bar next door.

World-class jazz meets modern Japanese cuisine — plus a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu — at Yoshi's in Jack London Square, an Oakland institution since 1972.

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.

An easygoing Lake Merritt beer garden with a covered, pet-friendly lake-view patio, a top rotating tap list, and a strong kitchen from daily brunch through dinner.

Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen with house-made noodles, plus creative cocktails and vegan options. A must-stop in Jack London Square with one of the most fun atmospheres in town.