Feast on the East Bay: Oakland Restaurant Week 2023

Oakland, California has a diverse community that spans countless ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. With its residents speaking more than 125 languages, you can bet that The Town offers a dynamic culinary scene, featuring a melting pot of cooking styles, recipes and flavors.

Oakland is known for its vibrancy and liveliness and the food that comes from its chefs is no exception. From world-class restaurants, hole-in-the-walls, and mom and pops to up-and-coming food trucks, restaurants, and bars, what’s served on a plate is more than what you’re tasting. It’s a celebration of the diversity, inclusion and culture that makes Oakland special.

Oakland offers 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, including Horn Barbecue, Commis and Taqueria El Paisa. It’s also home to James Beard-nominated restaurants including Wahpepah’s Kitchen and Understory. Whatever you’re after, chances are you’ll find it in Oakland.

From innovative Thai cuisine, Filipino fusion or fresh Vietnamese dishes to Afro-Brazilian specialties, authentic Ethiopian food or traditional Oazacan recipes, Oakland chefs are shining and Oakland Restaurant Week is the best time to try them out all.

“Oakland Restaurant Week is about celebrating our diverse collection of restaurants and the talented chefs who bring such vitality to our culinary scene,” says Peter Gamez, President and CEO of Visit Oakland.

“With 125 restaurants participating, including food trucks, family-owned restaurants, Michelin and James Beard recognized establishments, it’s a great opportunity to come to Oakland and stay for a day or two. There’s so much to see and to Oakland and look forward to welcoming everyone to The Town.”

This year’s Oakland Restaurant Week will take place March 16-26, 2023. Both new and established restaurants will offer a specially curated lunch and/or dinner menu that includes family-style dining, menu items specials, fixed price menus, based on ingredients. tastings and better show their flavors and cuisine.

“Every year, we look forward to Oakland Restaurant Week,” explains chef/owner Nelson German of alaMar Kitchen and Sobre Mesa, both Restaurant Week participants. “It’s a special time where Oakland’s culinary scene shines.”

The Oakland community is made up of a variety of culturally distinct neighborhoods that offer unique and creative fusions, surprisingly delicious pairings, and an overall innovative food scene that needs to be explored to understand. Popular spots include Jack London Square, Temescal, Uptown, and Fruitvale, to name just a few.

“Oakland Restaurant Week brings people from all over the San Francisco Bay Area to see the beautiful, diverse dining scene here,” German continues. “We have so many cultures represented in the city. Oakland Restaurant Week brings a much-needed boost to the local restaurant business in what is traditionally a slow month.”

All Oakland Restaurant Week participants will offer lunch and/or dinner menus at six different price points: lunch at $15, $25, $35 and/or dinner: $35, $45, $65.

Featured restaurants include: Agave Uptown, Everett and Jones, Wise Sons, Beauty’s Bagels, District Oakland, MAMA Oakland, Horn Barbecue, Farmhouse Thai, Daughter Thai, Noka Ramen, World Famous Hotboys, Mela Bistro, Smelly’s Creole & Soul Food, Wahpepah’s Kitchen , Otto’s Uptown Kitchen, Burma Superstar, Square Pie Guys and more.

Complete lists of participating hotels, restaurants, menus, special events and reservations are available at OaklandRestaurantWeek.org.

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