Souley Vegan ★ 4.4
Tamearra Dyson's vegan soul food started in Oakland in 2009 and returned to Jack London Square in July 2025. Creole classics, no animal products.
Signature: BBQ tofu, Cajun mac and cheese, Southern fried tofu
Restaurants in Jack London District
Casual Dining in Jack London District
Souley Vegan ★ 4.4
Souley Vegan returned to Jack London Square in July 2025. Tamearra Dyson's Creole vegan soul food has run since 2009 with a national following.
Signature: BBQ tofu, Cajun mac and cheese
Cenaduria Elvira ★ 4.4
Cenaduria Elvira in Oakland's Jack London Square specializes in Jalisco-style tostadas with shells flown in from Mexico, plus tacos dorados and salsas.
Signature: Jalisco tostadas, Tacos dorados
Cafés in Jack London District
Bicycle Coffee ★ 4.3
Bicycle Coffee on 2nd Street in Oakland's Jack London Square delivers all its Oakland coffee by bike. Cafe, roastery and headquarters since 2009.
Signature drink: Cold brew
Coffee Roasters in Jack London District
Mr. Espresso ★ 4.5
Mr. Espresso on 3rd Street in Oakland's Jack London Square roasts over oak wood logs the Italian way. The Di Ruocco family has run it since 1978.
Sources from: Italy, Central America, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail
Bicycle Coffee Co. ★ 4.3
Bicycle Coffee Co. on 2nd Street in Jack London Square has roasted and delivered all its Oakland coffee by bike since 2009. Open weekday breakfasts.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Bars in Jack London District
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ★ 4.4
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon in Oakland has poured since 1883 at Jack London Square. The building leans from the 1906 quake; original gas lighting.
Signature drink: Whiskey neat
Food: Bar snacks
Brotzeit Lokal Biergarten ★ 4.3
Brotzeit Lokal on the Brooklyn Basin waterfront pours German lagers under string lights, with estuary views. Pretzels, wurst and schnitzel on the menu.
Signature drink: Bavarian pilsner from the keg
Food: Pretzels, wurst, schnitzel
Breweries in Jack London District
Oakland United Beerworks ★ 4.3
Oakland United Beerworks moved to Jack London in 2017 as the rebrand of Linden Street Brewery. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, two-tier taproom.
Original Pattern Brewing Co. ★ 4.3
Original Pattern Brewing on 4th Street in Jack London Square pours a hop-forward production list, with a quiet rotating barrel-aged sour program.
Dokkaebier ★ 4.4
Dokkaebier on 3rd Street in Jack London Square brews Korean-inspired sours and yuza blondes. Kimchi sour with fermented chili is the cellar's signature.
Markets in Jack London District
Jack London Square Farmers Market ★ 4.4
Jack London Square's Sunday farmers market on Water Street is the waterfront pick. Bay Area growers, free yoga at 2 pm and a strong prepared-food line.
Cooking Classes in Jack London District
Laney College Culinary Arts ★ 4.2
Laney College Culinary Arts on Fallon Street runs continuing-ed cooking and baking classes for the public alongside its two-year degree program in downtown.
Budget Eats in Jack London District
Cenaduria Elvira ★ 4.3
Cenaduria Elvira in Oakland's Jack London Square cooks Jalisco-style tostadas, tacos dorados and Mexican plates under fifteen dollars per person.
Order: Jalisco tostadas with shredded pork.
Tip: The chicharron-style tostada shells are flown in from Mexico; ask which salsa pairs which dish.
Brunch in Jack London District
Souley Vegan ★ 4.4
Souley Vegan at Jack London Square runs weekend brunch on its vegan Creole menu. BBQ tofu, mac and cheese, cornbread, plant-based and very busy.
Order: BBQ tofu plate with cornbread and Cajun mac and cheese.
Tip: Weekend brunch runs 11 to 3; Sunday is the busiest. Cashless payment via QR code.
Late-Night Eats in Jack London District
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ★ 4.4
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon in Oakland has poured since 1883 at Jack London Square. The building leans from the 1906 quake; original gas lighting.
Order: Whiskey neat at the leaning bar.
Tip: The building leans visibly from the 1906 quake; the floor still slopes. Cash only, photos welcome.
Nightlife in Jack London District
Yoshi's ★ 4.6
Yoshi's on the Embarcadero in Jack London Square is Oakland's flagship jazz club and Japanese restaurant. A 310-seat live performance room with full kitchen.
Tip: Dinner reservations get the best seating; the late show usually starts at 9:30 pm.
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ★ 4.4
Heinold's First and Last Chance has poured since 1883 at Jack London Square. The leaning saloon serves up the city's most historic late-evening whiskey neat.
Tip: Cash only; the building still leans from the 1906 quake.