MAMA Oakland ★ 4.5
MAMA Oakland on Grand Avenue runs a Michelin Bib Gourmand three-course Italian dinner for under forty dollars. No reservations, menu changes weekly.
Fine Dining in Lake Merritt
Casual Dining in Lake Merritt
Almond and Oak ★ 4.3
Almond and Oak in Oakland's Lake Merritt opened in December 2018 from chef-owner Rico Rivera. California New American with weekend brunch on Grand Avenue.
Signature: Seasonal market-driven plates, Weekend brunch
Cafés in Lake Merritt
Equator Coffees Lake Merritt ★ 4.3
Equator Coffees Lake Merritt at 175 Bay Place pours the Marin County roaster's beans in a calm downtown Oakland room one block from the lake itself.
Signature drink: Single-origin pour over
Bake Sum ★ 4.5
Bake Sum on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt pours coffee with the city's most-loved Asian American pastry program. Mochi muffins, Spam musubi croissants.
Signature drink: Iced black sesame latte
Bakeries in Lake Merritt
Bake Sum ★ 4.6
Bake Sum on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt runs an Asian American pastry program. Passionfruit tarts, ube cookies and Spam musubi croissants sell out daily.
Worth the queue: Mochi muffin
Coffee Roasters in Lake Merritt
Equator Coffees ★ 4.3
Equator Coffees opened the Bay Place cafe in Oakland's Lake Merritt as the Marin County roaster's East Bay outpost. Single-origins and a Lake Merritt patio.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Honduras, Rwanda
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Wine Bars in Lake Merritt
Ordinaire ★ 4.5
Ordinaire is Oakland's natural wine bar on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt. Bradford Taylor opened it in 2013 with organic minimal-intervention pours.
Signature pour: By-the-glass natural pours from California growers
Wine focus: Natural wine, organic grapes, minimal intervention
Food: Bistro plates, cheese, charcuterie
Bardo Lounge and Supper Club ★ 4.4
Bardo on Lakeshore Avenue near Lake Merritt is a mid-century-inspired lounge. Wine, supper club plates, and a Michelin Guide listing for atmosphere.
Signature pour: Vermouth-led aperitifs and California pours
Wine focus: Mid-century supper club wine list
Food: Supper club plates, classic cocktails
Bars in Lake Merritt
Ordinaire ★ 4.5
Ordinaire on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt has poured natural wine since Bradford Taylor opened it in 2013. Bistro plates, daily until 21:00.
Signature drink: Natural wine by the glass
Food: Bistro plates, cheese, charcuterie
Street Food in Lake Merritt
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid ★ 4.4
Off the Grid sets a rotating food truck row outside the Oakland Museum of California every Friday night. DJs and a community block party run all summer.
Try: Rotating food truck plates
Markets in Lake Merritt
Grand Lake Farmers Market ★ 4.6
Grand Lake's Saturday farmers market by Lake Merritt is among the largest in California. Organic produce, dim sum, pastries and prepared goods.
Brunch in Lake Merritt
Almond and Oak ★ 4.3
Almond and Oak on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt runs weekend brunch with chef Rico Rivera's market-driven plates. Saturdays and Sundays only.
Order: Seasonal benedict and the brunch pasta.
Tip: Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday only; dinner picks back up at 5 p.m.
Bake Sum ★ 4.5
Bake Sum on Grand Avenue is the East Bay's most-loved Asian American pastry counter. Brunch-grade pastries from 8 a.m. with coffee to match.
Order: Spam musubi croissant and a black sesame latte.
Tip: Pastries sell out by noon on weekends; arrive early Saturday or Sunday.