Best Historic Restaurants in Oakland

My wife and I are long time Yoshi dinner and concert fans, especially when Boney James comes to town. We first say him and his group perform at Yoshi’s in San Francisco many years. Since then, we always attend his Oakland Yoshi’s performances and it’s always a great dinner and show. So for 2024, thanks once again Yoshi’s for another great dinner and show. And we’re looking forward to many other great dinners and other great artist’s shows in 2025. Sincerely yours, Brian and Linda Rozier- Stephens

I went to Bardo Lounge & Supper Club on 27th December with my family. There were 5 of us. We were not celebrating any occasion. In one simple word, our impression was that the food was outstanding! Starting from the first course, the Pickled Seasonal Veg, Apple & Parsnip soup, the Fall Salad and the main entre, we devoured the food. Four out of five of us had the 6 oz, Bardo Burger, which was delicious. Incidentally, we noticed only one dish based on fish, with hardly any sea food in the menu! The service was good! All in all, this was a restaurant where we will go again and again with friends and family!

Julia’s is a hidden gem. The building is beautiful and the restaurant is spacious and relatively quiet. You can hear the people at your table speak and this is a major plus, given most restaurants are loud and noisy. The waitress was excellent and the man who helped us pick the wine to go with our meal was above and beyond helpful. We will be back!! I highly recommend having a meal here

Christmas prix fixe menu was just delicious and a good value. Service was efficient and attentive for a bustling night. The only downside- cold in the restaurant. Had to keep my coat on, many diners as well. Lobster Bisque is delicious, the Crab and Artichoke dip very tasty. Entrees were great- PrimeRib, Surf and Turf, tender and well seasoned Swordfish. We would go again and probably will next year.

Lunch after a matinee is one of our Holiday traditions- this year it was just perfect. The restaurant was packed with diners waiting for tables lined up at the bar, so thank goodness we had a reservation (on a Monday at 3:00PM- who knew?). Once past that minor inconvenience, everything was absolutely wonderful. We shared the Tortelloni appetizer and even though I am an accomplished Italian home cook, it was the best we have ever had. Then we shared the Jack LaLane salad - partly because we grew up with him on TV and the nostalgia was undeniable- and it was perfect. It had a respectable amount of seafood and avocado and was very large. My husband said his Manhatten was excellent. We left vowing to come back soon and often.