Whether you’re after a grab-and-go sandwich or a more formal sit-down affair, you can find it in the East Bay in spades. Oakland alone consistently ranks as one of the most ethnically diverse major cities in the country — in fact, a 2019 analysis by WalletHub showed that Oakland was thee most ethnoracially diverse city in the United States. In short, if you’re an adventurous eater, this is the place for you. These are our East Bay Best Lunch winners, selected by our editors — look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
Featured Photo: Top Hatter’s
In and Around Richmond
3288 Pierce Street, A118, Richmond
Are usual brunch plates not doing it for you anymore? Switch it up and try Hong Kong-style dim sum at Richmond’s Asian Pearl Seafood Restaurant. If you’ve never been to a traditional dim sum restaurant, it is quite a unique dining experience, featuring push carts full of delicious dim sum options, like xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings) and sesame balls, for you to choose from.
803 Wright Avenue, Suite 101, Richmond
Whether you’re looking for big breakfast plates or good ol’ classic cheeseburgers, you’ll be sure to find them on the menu at Golden Gate Bistro. This spot is located near Point Richmond and is perfect for a casual afternoon lunch in the East Bay. On Saturdays, there’s free music from 11am to 2pm, so come out and enjoy a good meal and live entertainment.
In and Around Berkeley
1019 Camelia St, Berkeley
This new spot is bringing on the delicious flavors of Southern Indian cuisine to the East bay. Pochys specializes in authentic butter masala rolls and wok-tossed fried rice. And you can wash it down with one of their fruity frozen beverages, like their mango milkshake. And at that, my stomach is already growling.
1820 Fourth Street, Berkeley
The lunch menu of salads, pizzas, sandwiches and brunchy foods changes regularly at Californian-Mediterranean Zut! on Fourth, but one thing remains the same: They’re all prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You might find the Brussels sprouts with lemon and grana padano cheese, seared salmon Niçoise salad, or a pear and gorgonzola pizza among the offerings. Whatever you decide, pair it with a hand-crafted or house-bottled classic cocktail or choose a wine off the list of small-production wineries from California and farther afield.
In and Around Oakland
5000 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
Small Change is another lunch spot made for citizens of the Bay Area. Try not only oysters, but seafood of all kinds at this crudo bar in Oakland’s Temescal district. Dive into fresh oysters like the Royal Miyagis or savor classic oysters Rockefeller. Not an oyster person? Small Change also serves rock cod, shrimp ceviche and East Coast-style clam chowder. Micheladas topped with crab claws, shrimp rims and yes oysters complete this all-in seafood spot.
5295 College Ave, Oakland
510.823.2161
Originally founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1995, bb.q chicken has been a well-known name in the chicken game for a while, but is further expanding its presence in the Bay Area with their new location in Oakland. Give their Korean fried chicken a go, with many flavor profiles and different spice levels to choose from.
2062 Mountain Blvd, Oakland
510.339.2082
Bored of your typical burger? Oh G Burger elevates the classic American smashburger with Korean flavors. Their signature sauce, for starters, is a kimchi-infused Thousand Island dressing. And with their red-and-white checkered paper and retro logo, you can be transported back in time to the era of traditional diners while you enjoy a burger.
2700 Park Blvd, Oakland
650.309.8137
Now serving up subs and sandwiches galore, Brother’s Deli & Co. has a wide selection of ingredients for you to choose from while crafting your ideal sandwich. Located on Park Boulevard in Oakland, Brother’s Deli & Co. also offers toasts stacked with bananas, avocados, bruschetta and everything in between, making it the best breakfast and lunch combo spot.
Authentic and perfectly crispy banh mi sandwiches is what you’ll find at Banh Mi Ba Le. Along with other Vietnamese specialties like spring rolls, iced coffee, Thai tea, avocado smoothies, and more. Their banh mi’s are packed to the brim with ingredients and flavor and neatly wrapped in a fresh, crunchy roll. Pro tip: skip the line and order ahead, and pay in cash to avoid their credit card fee.
4923 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
510.679.2423
Other Locations: Old Oakland Farmers’ Market, Temescal Farmers’ Market, Alameda, & Jack London Square Farmers’ Market
Come for the fish tacos, stay for the yucca fries. Latin-American comfort food is Cholita Linda’s specialty. What you can expect: friendly service, good-sized portions, and decently-priced bay area food. We recommend ordering ahead online so you can enjoy your food even quicker.
Chef and owner Mica Talmor derives the inspiration for the dishes she creates at Pomella from Levantine, Maghrebi, North African, Mediterranean, Eastern European and Middle Eastern food — all flavors she grew up with in her native Israel. That means a chicken tagine with couscous and chermoula, lentil salad with goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette, and lamb kefta wrap with cabbage salad lemon-herb sauce are all equally at home on the seasonally changing menu. The selection of craft beer, wine and cider pairs nicely with the food, but the house-made minted lemonade and hibiscus iced tea offer a refreshing zero-proof alternative.
1601 San Pablo Ave., Oakland
An equally delicious as aesthetically pleasing fried chicken sandwich is what you’ll find at World Famous Hotboys. Yelp reviewers unanimously have rated it as the “best chicken sandwich” in the Bay. If you enjoy a nice kick, we recommend the medium-spice chicken sandwich with crinkle-cut fries, and don’t forget the ranch sauce!
855 MacArthur Blvd., San Leandro
510.777.9777
Asian fusion set in a welcoming atmosphere, you just might forget you’re in San Leandro. Their eclectic menu is bound to please everyone in your party. We recommend eating family style so you can experience more flavor and dishes you might not order for yourself like the oxtail and grits and savory donuts.
1708 Park St, Alameda
510.463.1303
It’s an unusual combo, but it works wonderfully. Fikscue BBQ offers halal Texas barbecue with smoked meats by the pound, including brisket, smoked fried chicken and jalapeno-cheese beef sausage and more. These can be paired with an exciting array of Indonesian dishes, including nasi goreng or batagor fried dumplings. Be sure to get there early because they can run out of food.
In and Around Danville
312 Railroad Ave, Danville
925.263.2189
In this unique wine-on-tap bar, Crush’d Wine Bar features some of the country’s best winemakers. Wine isn’t your thing? Give one of their cocktails a try, like the grape thyme one with grape liqueur, Aperol, lemon and simple syrup. Regardless of which drink you choose, pair it with something from the menu that has everything from shared plates and cheese boards to a selection of caviar and tinned fish.
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
