Yoshi's

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.

Oakland's beloved Temescal mac and cheese specialist since 2011, with a dozen-plus made-to-order varieties, from Mexican Mac to truffle — plus vegan and gluten-free options.

A warm, community-rooted coffee bar in Old Oakland with in-house roasted coffee and generously built sandwiches — the pulled pork is the local favorite.

A short walk up the Embarcadero, Ramen Station serves eight-hour tonkotsu with house-made chashu via a fun self-serve, train-station-themed kiosk. Bay views, easy parking, open daily.

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