8 new american places in Oakland we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Oakland | New American across every city.
New American in Oakland means seasonal, locally sourced menus that resist a single national label, spread between Rockridge, Uptown and the lake. Wood Tavern on College Avenue in Rockridge is a long-running neighborhood standard, while Almond and Oak near Lake Merritt and Viridian on Broadway in Uptown take a more contemporary tack. Mua Oakland, set in an Uptown warehouse, blends the kitchen with a bar-and-arts atmosphere.
Wood Tavern ★ 4.4
rockridge · 6317 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Wood Tavern in Oakland's Rockridge has anchored College Avenue since 2007 and holds a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand for reliable New American cooking.
Mua Oakland ★ 4.2
uptown · 2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Mua on Webster in Uptown Oakland opened in 2008 as one of the first restaurants on then-Auto Row. Family-owned New American with a strong cocktail program.
Wood Tavern ★ 4.7
rockridge · 6317 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Wood Tavern on Rockridge's College Avenue has poured Bay Area wines and cooked New American since 2007. Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Michelin Guide California.
Almond and Oak ★ 4.2
lake-merritt · 3311 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
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.
Viridian ★ 4.0
uptown · 2216 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Viridian on Broadway at Grand in Uptown Oakland runs contemporary Asian American small plates and cocktails. The room replaced Plum Bar in 2020.
Cafe Van Kleef ★ 4.3
uptown · 1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Cafe Van Kleef on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland is the long-running cocktail dive that runs until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Greyhound is the call.
Mua Oakland ★ 4.2
uptown · 2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Mua on Webster Street is the family-owned First Friday late-dinner room in Uptown Oakland. Industrial warehouse, classic cocktails, steak frites.
Almond and Oak ★ 4.2
lake-merritt · 3311 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Almond and Oak on Grand Avenue near Lake Merritt runs weekend brunch with chef Rico Rivera's market-driven plates. Saturdays and Sundays only.