Oakland gets to brag about its vibrant arts scene, sun-drenched hills, and food lovers debating whether to splurge on craft cocktails or save room for dessert. While you ponder if you’re ready to commit to a double patty or keep it classic, here’s where you should be sinking your teeth. There are sizzling smashburgers with crispy edges, a retro diner with perfect milkshakes, and a patio where you can devour grass-fed beef under string lights.
The Habit Burger Grill
$ | (415) 376-5250 | WEBSITE
At this spacious, surf-themed restaurant, you’ll eat something classic, drink something refreshing, and wonder how a space so bustling can be so clean. The tables are mostly occupied by families, or groups of friends who are here to grab a quick bite and catch up. But we also like coming here alone, snagging one of the comfortable booths near the window, and ordering a solo Charburger with white cheese.
The menu stays consistent, but with options like crisp salads, hot fries, and a variety of lemonades and teas, it feels like it was burger-focused once upon a time, and then things sort of expanded, but not in a bad way.
Cato’s Ale House
$ | (510) 655-3349 | WEBSITE
That one time we stopped by Cato’s Ale House before heading home after work, the rotating tap list eased our weekday fatigue, the leftover garlic fries were excellent next-day snacks, and our dog settled right into the outdoor mix. What we’re saying is that at this lively Piedmont Ave staple with its Christmas-meets-diner vibe, anything goes.
Bring a big group, bring a dog, get a $20 pitcher of something hoppy and some perfectly crispy bar food, and take a seat on the improved patio under the heating lamps. And yes, you should get the addictive sweet potato fries.
Morrison Dining Services Co
If Oakland’s pub scene were the city’s most vibrant gathering, the outdoor seating at Morrison Dining Services Co would be the prime spot to claim. This burger joint is where you should settle with a craft beer or a happy hour special, not check your watch, and listen to a dog pant, a family laugh, or perhaps both in harmony. Maybe you’ll order the spicy chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and the afternoon will stretch into evening, and maybe it won’t—nobody really seems to mind.
HegenBurger
$ | (408) 439-1663 | WEBSITE
Ah, HegenBurger. Oakland knows it, Oakland loves it. And don’t get us wrong, so do we. We’re not sure how it became the burger-loving poster child of the city, but it probably has something to do with the legacy, which feels like a time capsule where you can eat the neighborhood’s best old-fashioned burger experience. This isn’t really a stay-for-hours kind of spot, and you might get the sense that they need your booth back, now.
But in the meantime, order things like the 1/3 burger with cheese combo and Colombian food, and then head around the corner for a post-dinner milkshake that will be decidedly calmer.
Lynn & Lu’s Escapade Cafe
$ | (510) 835-5705 | WEBSITE
Lynn & Lu’s cheerful garden seating and homey decor will put you in the mood for a leisurely weekend brunch. This cozy neighborhood cafe serves comforting classics, like fluffy French toast platters and avocado toast with egg. The sunny patio and comfortable atmosphere make the space feel more special than your average takeout spot, but most dishes hover around $15 or less. Use any surplus funds on mimosas and sweet treats like fruit bowls and melon balls.
Pattys & Buns Burgers
$ | (510) 531-5000 | WEBSITE
Since it first opened in 2018, Pattys & Buns Burgers has evolved from a straightforward, destination burger spot into a reliably good, versatile neighborhood joint. Owned by the restaurateur behind The Griddle and Taco Alley, it caters to locals of all stripes, from tech workers to people who’ve called home Oakland for longer than those 30-somethings have been alive.
The consistent menu runs on crowd-pleasing classics like the Diablo burger, the Bacon Cheeseburger, and the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich.
Belly
$ | (510) 350-8799 | WEBSITE
There may come a time when you would like to eat a breakfast burrito and great tots in the neighborhood. Or fresh tacos like Korean Hot Chicken and Pork Belly. Or incredible, flavorful habanero salsa, and maybe a refreshing salad, too. For those times, it’s Belly you want. You might see a fancier interior with a cute aesthetic, but don’t be fooled—this place is as casual as any other neighborhood spot.
Come in a sweatshirt for brunch with fellow taco enthusiasts, have a drink at the bar while you wait for your table in the Temescal shopping area, or do as we do: Start with a kid-friendly menu item (they are solid and big, which feels like an underrated idea) and a refreshing beverage, and then head to the darling blue storefront for takeout.
Flipside Burgers, Fries and Shakes
$ | (510) 879-7195 | WEBSITE
It’s not every day that lunch feels like a trip back to the golden age of American diners, convincingly recreated in a bustling Oakland storefront. This burger joint stands out for its classic offerings with modern touches, like a traditional beef patty cooked to a perfect medium-rare, then topped with all the fixings, and served alongside crispy sweet potato fries and onion rings.
But Flipside is just as noteworthy for operating with genuine heart—they serve up generous portions with consistently friendly service that makes every customer feel appreciated. Remember this for a casual meal that feels satisfying and welcoming at the same time.
Halal Burgers & More
$ | (510) 350-7064 | WEBSITE
If you want to eat a burger that feels like a hug, go to Halal Burgers & More. Their dining area has simple booths and bright lighting, and their BBQ sauce comes made in-house with just the right tang, which we endorse. This spot is as good for a family dinner as it is for a solo meal at the counter, where you might watch the efficient staff work and feel satisfied to be alone with your crispy fried chicken.
Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers
$$ | (510) 601-0444 | WEBSITE
If you didn’t know you could have an excellent burger at Barney’s, you might easily pass this local joint by. Now you know, so you never need to make that mistake again. Head to College Avenue with a gourmet burger, which comes loaded with things like the Moroccan Burger or Carolina Crispy Chicken Sandwich, as well as an extra order of curly fries with ranch dip.
There are cute booths, so if you do stay and dabble in a midday milkshake with your burger, there is a high chance they will bring you a generous portion for it (with a pretzel bun), and make you feel extremely well taken care of.
Oeste – Bar
$$ | (510) 817-4157 | WEBSITE
If your week has been too demanding to plan anything elaborate, but you still crave a proper celebration with friends who won’t judge your cocktail choices, head to Oeste – Bar. Perched on their rooftop with a view of the city, with a plate of phenomenal catfish and some of the best French fries around, is an experience that rivals many a fancier night out. And the $22 happy-hour cocktail-and-a-bite deal will convince you that you must have a drink tonight, because it’s practically a steal.
There might be a wait during peak happy hour, but it moves pretty quickly because it is, after all, the place to be for a good vibe.
A+ Burger
$ | (510) 250-9598 | WEBSITE
A+ Burger has a lot going for it: it’s one of the best burger spots in Oakland, it serves the signature A+ burger with perfectly cooked beef and crisp ingredients, and the outdoor patio is charming enough to make you want to linger, which we hope includes trying the green bean fries with creamy ranch. The restaurant is like a premium burger joint that sprawls through a cozy interior, finally opening onto a spacious patio decked out in string lights.
They serve Mexican Coke here almost every day—essentially, a nice touch for customers who appreciate quality ingredients.
Roasted and Raw
$ | (510) 285-6052 | WEBSITE
Roasted and Raw is a Certified Hidden Gem, aka somewhere where your vegan friend will be able to find something, and won’t be disappointed with how flavorful the bowls are. You’re here for the curry chickpea ragu bowl with fish, so order as many of these as you’ll need (one bowl feeds one very hungry person, or two people sharing sides), along with some yucca fries, and a few empanadas.
Inside, a mixed crowd relaxes at the simple wooden tables as if they do this every week (which they probably do), and throughout you’ll find Roasted and Raw’s welcoming atmosphere, which is perfect for a casual lunch or a healthy dinner pickup.
Portal
$$ | (510) 663-7678 | WEBSITE
This burger spot overlooking Lake Merritt is the kind of place you can bring friends when you feel like keeping it casual, but want more flavor than fuss. They serve Portal Burgers with garlic fries and you might catch the owner chatting with regulars during Thursday comedy nights. Portal does a lot of things well, from brunch to bar snacks, but prioritize the Benedicts and the breakfast potatoes, which come with hot coffee and a view of the water.
