r/OaklandFood • u/Ashleyshaw • 16h ago

Need suggestions on a nice restaurant for a mid-week lunch

Hi! I have a friend flying in for the day and I’m going to meet up with them for lunch. I’m new to Oakland so I need suggestions on a nicer sit down restaurant with good food (open to any type of cuisine) that is open for a mid-week lunch. Areas anywhere by downtown Oakland, the lake, Piedmont Ave. Thank you!

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

19

u/pointfivekorean 16h ago

The Wolf or Wood Tavern

3

u/kinddoobiedog 14h ago

Great answer. If you go to the Wolf, sit at the bar, it’s a little livelier

9

u/hydraheads 15h ago

Where is the friend flying in from? I'd optimize for a cuisine or food they can't get where they live. Oakland is strong on Ethiopian, Korean, and several other cuisines that aren't found in lots of places.

7

u/sfsellin 16h ago

The patio vibe at Rio California is fantastic. Slightly interesting food. Good spot to hang and chat for a long time. https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQmE8Nbw24AnmGcb8?g_st=ipc

9

u/theolive510 16h ago

Parche in Uptown, one of the few restaurants open in downtown during lunch. Bocanova and Agave Uptown are both good too. I really like Jaji as well (same owners as Parche) but I don’t think they are open for lunch yet

3

u/Seeking-useless-info 16h ago

Lucuma is delicious Peruvian food with a gorgeous interior!

3

u/skylaboakland 16h ago

Joodooboo

Nidos

Plenty

Brotzeit

The Wolf

Southie

5

u/Ill_Competition_7223 15h ago

JooDooBoo is good food but it’s not very “nice” setting 

2

u/PeepholeRodeo 12h ago

Not “sit down” either unless you manage to snag one of the few tables on the sidewalk. And it’s not in the location OP asked for.

3

u/WasASailorThen 16h ago

Nidos has secured parking for $5,

Thursday : 4pm - 9:15pm
Friday : 4pm - 10:30pm
Saturday : 11am - 10:30pm
Sunday : 11am - 9:30pm

1

u/No-Animal-7250 10h ago
  • Tay Ho
  • The Wolf or Wood Tavern
  • Bocanova
  • not really a nice, sit down place, but I love taking people to Swan's Market
  • Attraros Thai
  • Lucuma

1

u/Mysterious-Call-245 13h ago

Grand Lake Kitchen might be nice. Elevated diner/deli fare, with something for everyone. They’re closed Monday or Tuesday, depending on the location

0

u/rollerok 16h ago

You might see if Lake Chalet is open for lunch. Food is ok but the location is great. Very nice to hang out right on the lake.

10

u/Appropriate-Bar6993 15h ago

The food is so very mid, I think it’s better to eat anywhere else and then just stroll around the lake. Maybe a drink there.

1

u/monvino 11h ago

'Mid' is an exaggeration, IME

1

u/Appropriate-Bar6993 10h ago

Hard disagree. Mid food and mid service.