Guidebook 2022
Food scene
Prepare to stand in line! These chicken sandwiches are the talk of the town. Takeout only.
196 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AvePrepare to stand in line! These chicken sandwiches are the talk of the town. Takeout only.
Delicious local coffee roaster in a beautiful historic building. A 15 minute walk.
173 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StDelicious local coffee roaster in a beautiful historic building. A 15 minute walk.
Locally owned, broad menu. Vegetarian options. Make sure you try their house-made carrot juice drink - it’s delicious!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Crepevine Restaurants
5600 College AveLocally owned, broad menu. Vegetarian options. Make sure you try their house-made carrot juice drink - it’s delicious!
Flavorful and creative menu. Outdoor parklet seating. Their salads are especially delicious.
146 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph AveFlavorful and creative menu. Outdoor parklet seating. Their salads are especially delicious.
Cozy and romantic, terrific cocktails, always order the pommes frites with aioli.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
À Côté Restaurant
5478 College AveCozy and romantic, terrific cocktails, always order the pommes frites with aioli.
Only a short drive away, the Public Market Emeryville offers a broad assortment of drinking and dining options under one roof. Newly renovated. Family-style seating. Plenty of free parking. The Korean beef tacos at Koja Kitchen are my favorite.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Public Market Emeryville
5959 Shellmound StOnly a short drive away, the Public Market Emeryville offers a broad assortment of drinking and dining options under one roof. Newly renovated. Family-style seating. Plenty of free parking. The Korean beef tacos at Koja Kitchen are my favorite.
Made with only unprocessed, real, locally sourced ingredients — fresh-churned by Smitten’s one-of-a-kind Brrr ice cream machine. My favorite is the cookie dough with pretzels and chocolate chips. Be sure to get it in the house-made waffle cone.
216 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Smitten Ice Cream
432 Octavia StMade with only unprocessed, real, locally sourced ingredients — fresh-churned by Smitten’s one-of-a-kind Brrr ice cream machine. My favorite is the cookie dough with pretzels and chocolate chips. Be sure to get it in the house-made waffle cone.
Two words: Foodie. Heaven. Organic produce, butcher, fishmonger, florist, wine shop, cafe, and more - all under one roof.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Market Hall Foods Oakland
5655 College AveTwo words: Foodie. Heaven. Organic produce, butcher, fishmonger, florist, wine shop, cafe, and more - all under one roof.
A cross between pizza and focaccia, these “squares of heaven” are a must-have for a midday snack or happy hour. In their own words: “The result is a pillowy-soft top and a crispy bottom from our Italian steel pans and Moretti oven. It’s light and airy texture is easy to bite through, and its delicate flavor lets the topping sing.” Indeed!
Casa Barotti
3204 College AvenueA cross between pizza and focaccia, these “squares of heaven” are a must-have for a midday snack or happy hour. In their own words: “The result is a pillowy-soft top and a crispy bottom from our Italian steel pans and Moretti oven. It’s light and airy texture is easy to bite through, and its delicate flavor lets the topping sing.” Indeed!
A multi-award winning Michelin Bib Gourmand establishment, it’s a casual, brasserie atmosphere with seriously good food. Their menu is inspired by California culture and focuses on local, sustainable ingredients. I like to order their burger and a Negroni.
123 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wood Tavern
6317 College AveA multi-award winning Michelin Bib Gourmand establishment, it’s a casual, brasserie atmosphere with seriously good food. Their menu is inspired by California culture and focuses on local, sustainable ingredients. I like to order their burger and a Negroni.
The best bagel in the Bay Area - if you ask me and most of the Bay Area. There might be a line, they might sell out before you can get your fix. Get there early. Emily, the owner, knows bagels 🥯 .
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BOICHIK BAGELS
3170 College AveThe best bagel in the Bay Area - if you ask me and most of the Bay Area. There might be a line, they might sell out before you can get your fix. Get there early. Emily, the owner, knows bagels 🥯 .
Sightseeing
Year-round Sunday-morning market for local farm-fresh foods and flowers plus live music. Stock up on organic produce, locally baked breads, spreads, jams, and honeys. Have a bite of lunch after perusing the stalls (tables and seating available). Only a few blocks away. 9am - 1pm.
96 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Temescal Farmer's Market
5300 Claremont AveYear-round Sunday-morning market for local farm-fresh foods and flowers plus live music. Stock up on organic produce, locally baked breads, spreads, jams, and honeys. Have a bite of lunch after perusing the stalls (tables and seating available). Only a few blocks away. 9am - 1pm.
Looking for a nearby scenic stroll? Cesar Chavez Park has gorgeous coastal views and lots of criss-crossing paths and trails to explore. It can be chilly and windy, especially on a foggy day. Take heed the Bay Area mantra, “Always dress in layers.” Adjacent to the Berkeley Marina, McLaughlin Eastshore State Seashore, and Shorebird Park Nature Center - all worthy of seeing while there. Two dining options within walking distance - The Berkeley Boathouse and Skates on the Bay.
75 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cesar Chavez Park
11 Spinnaker WayLooking for a nearby scenic stroll? Cesar Chavez Park has gorgeous coastal views and lots of criss-crossing paths and trails to explore. It can be chilly and windy, especially on a foggy day. Take heed the Bay Area mantra, “Always dress in layers.” Adjacent to the Berkeley Marina, McLaughlin Eastshore State Seashore, and Shorebird Park Nature Center - all worthy of seeing while there. Two dining options within walking distance - The Berkeley Boathouse and Skates on the Bay.
Retail
It might seem like an odd place to suggest but I can wander this place for an hour. It is packed to the gills with everything you need plus a lot of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them here.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cole Hardware
956 Cole StIt might seem like an odd place to suggest but I can wander this place for an hour. It is packed to the gills with everything you need plus a lot of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them here.
A gift-givers paradise. This store curation is original, delightful, and high quality.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maison D'Etre
5640 College AveA gift-givers paradise. This store curation is original, delightful, and high quality.
Bar scene
Leave the car at home. Located just a few blocks away, this unpretentious little neighborhood dive bar invites you in for a bite and a beer and a game of awesome shuffleboard (I can play this all night). Also a jukebox and popcorn machine. Per their website: “Bait shop-turned-beer joint, the Kingfish Pub & Café has seen North Oakland through most of the past century. The stories - of bootleggers & Bears, regulars & Athletics, weekenders & Warriors - are written on our walls. Pull up a stool, and enjoy.”
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kingfish Pub & Cafe
5227 Telegraph AveLeave the car at home. Located just a few blocks away, this unpretentious little neighborhood dive bar invites you in for a bite and a beer and a game of awesome shuffleboard (I can play this all night). Also a jukebox and popcorn machine. Per their website: “Bait shop-turned-beer joint, the Kingfish Pub & Café has seen North Oakland through most of the past century. The stories - of bootleggers & Bears, regulars & Athletics, weekenders & Warriors - are written on our walls. Pull up a stool, and enjoy.”
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Iindlela zokonga
DoorDash
Don’t feel like cooking? The DoorDash app will have food delivery to you, usually within the hour.
Ungaphoswa
Theft / Broken Windows
The neighborhood where the property is is generally a low theft, very safe neighborhood. In any high foot traffic area, especially in San Francisco, DO NOT leave valuables visible in your car (purse, luggage, laptop, bags). Also be aware that when you pop the trunk in a touristy area to put valuables in, someone might be watching. These are unfortunate realities in cities. Just please be mindful.