updated March 14, 2019
Got a hankering for something to eat? Need a caffeine kick-start? The first question you ask, of course, is âWhatâs nearby?ââ which prompted us to do a little research, and pull together food & drink guides for the areas surrounding some of our most popular stations. First up: Oakland Jack London Square! You’ll delight in the excess of edible options within a stone’s throw of the station. Here’s a sampling of our favorites…
Quick-Bite Breakfast/ Caffeine Jolt
Bicycle Coffee Co.
364 2nd Street at Webster Street
This may be the epitome of a hipster haven, but you canât beat a local, organic coffee shop that has free coffee on Fridays! Brewing and selling only Fair Trade beans, Bicycle Coffee Co, is committed to doing well by their fellow human and the environment that supports us. Their to-go packaging is all biodegradable and wholesale purchasers get their orders delivered by bike. If youâre a super fan, you can purchase some of their bike gear or coffee cups.
Oakland Grill
301 Franklin Street at 3rd Street
For all your classic American breakfast cravingsâ and someâ you can’t go wrong with the Oakland Grill. Welcomed by a simple, warm, well-lit setting, you’ll get to pick from a wide variety of creative dishes, including a Crab Cake Eggs Benedict that gets raving reviews from both newbies and long-time Grill fans. Beware that the Oakland Grill tends to be a popular weekend brunch spotâ but while you wait, you’ll enjoy meandering the nearby streets, filled with colorful fruit stands and the earthy aroma of freshly brewing coffee.
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster Street
If coffee is a must to start your day, or help you get through the afternoon, then stop at the Bay Area infamous and native Oakland, Blue Bottle Coffee. This location provides a modest rotating coffee selection and prepares a fresh spread of small bites from a small pastry kitchen. If you find yourself in the area on a Sunday morning the shop hosts coffee cuppings, go see what itâs about!
Time to Munch, Itâs Lunch
Sierra Deli & Market
311 Oak Street, Ste. C3
If youâre looking for something fresh and simple head to Sierra Deli & Market. Theyâve got a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, salads and other deli staples, but the popular lunch pick is the Banh Mi. Whether youâre going to dine in or take out, you can browse their market section which offers a number of grocery items, including beer and wine.
Everett & Jones
126 Broadway
Need a good BBQ fix? The spot is Everett & Jones and their lunch specials. Lunch portions are filling without sending you back to work with the dreaded meat sweats. Itâs a popular joint thatâs been known to see more than a handful of celebrities walk through the door. In the evening, there is often live music and people gather to watch sports in the bar area. It may not be the quickest meal youâll ever have, but slow food means slow cooked, and thereâs no other way to do BBQ.
Chop Bar
247 4th Street, Ste. 111
The idea for this restaurant came from the West African bar/restaurant scene where community members meet to talk, share news, and enjoy themselves over a meal or beverage. Chop Bar recreates this environment with their New American style menu, offering something for every palate and all types of conversations. Stop by for lunch and break bread with your fellow Oaklanders.
Just a Snack
i-Tea
388 9th Street Ste # 125A
This tiny shop makes up for its small size with a large menu. If itâs your first time, take a look at their online menu, because when thereâs a line, there is little time for decision making before you reach the counter! i-Tea makes their Boba teas customizable so you can choose your own level of sweetness and ice in their one-size only drinks. Make sure you bring cash with you as no cards are accepted. If you forget, there are a few ATMâs in the area.
The Fat Lady
201 Washington Street
Housed in a historic building just off Jack London Square, this restaurant has been open since 1970. Here a great atmosphere is coupled with a menu inspired by the ownerâs Mediterranean ancestry, speckled with American classics. Although normally a popular dinner option, The Fat Lady has a mid-afternoon menu curated for the time when a snack feels more appropriate than a meal.
Forge Pizza
66 Franklin Street, Ste 100
When you find you have some time before your next train and are craving some ambiance, try Forge Pizza. Located on the water, this renovated warehouse is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy Oaklandâs waterfront. The menu is simple enough with pizzas, salads, and appetizers but the best deal is taking advantage of Happy Hour. Youâll have a beautiful view, a drink, maybe a pizza for the table, and hopefully good company to enjoy your afternoon nosh.
Gather Round, It’s Dinner Time
SlĂĄinte
131 Broadway
New to the Jack London restaurant scene this Irish Pub is quickly becoming a localâs go-to. SlĂĄinte, which means good health or cheers in Gaelic, offers a traditional pub experience for patrons. The food is hearty, and of course it wouldnât be a proper Irish pub without a broad selection of Irish whiskeys. There is often live music, a weekly trivia night, and Happy Hour specials Tuesday through Sunday.
Nido
444 Oak Street
With a hip atmosphere and fresh, seasonally inspired, high-end Mexican cuisine, Nido is worth a visit. The menu is small and keeps close to traditional Mexican recipes, but canât resist adding a bit of California flair. This is a great spot to meet friends or bring a companion as the dinner menu focuses on small, sharable dishes. Along with a full cocktail menu, they also offer mezcal for those who enjoy the smoky cousin to tequila.
Grocery Café
63 Jack London Square
This low key restaurant is giving the beloved Burmese Superstar a run for its money as best Bay Area Burmese. Grocery Café has recently relocated to Jack London Square, but still exudes a family-owned feel and gracious hospitality from the owner. With an updated space regulars are now enjoying an expanded menu. Not only does the food get rave reviews, but portions are great so you should have a little extra to take home, if you can exercise some self-control!
The Home of Chicken and Waffles
444 Embarcadero West
For riders who find themselves disembarking at OKJ on one of the last trains of the night, you can still find some good comfort food at The Home of Chicken and Waffles. Specializing in the delicacies of the south, the menu includes collard greens, cornbread, red beans, and of course their namesake dish. Open till midnight with a full bar, this is the place to be late night when bar nuts just wonât hold you over till breakfast.
Yoshiâs
510 Embarcadero West
Youâve probably heard of Yoshiâs, and thatâs for good reason. Dinner and a show is what this place is about. Known as an intimate Jazz venue, it has expanded over the years to feature performances from a variety of musical acts. You can start your experience with dinner, a Japanese and Asian fusion menu, and a full bar for those who really want to make a night of it. Reservations are encouraged, especially to avoid waiting, but walk-ins are always welcome.
Itâs 5 Oâclock Somewhere
Heinold’s First and Last Chance
48 Webster Street
Frequented by Jack London himself Heinold’s First and Last Chance has been in business since 1883. Itâs the kind of place that opens and closes when it wants, no frills, just serving beer and booze as they always have.
Dashe Cellars
55 4th Street
There is a whole wine trail you can follow in the Jack London area but Dashe Cellars is a lovely spot to stop if you canât see them all. Started by a husband and wife, the urban winery is rooted in love, and strives for that love to come through in their wines. The space is modern, with an unassuming tasting room inside, and when open during the spring and summer months, hosts an outside âWine Gardenâ for picnicking, tasting, and socializing. Open to the public, they are also a popular location for private events. Stop by the tasting room and you might catch some live music!
Plank
98 Broadway
This is a bar for those who need more than just a little chatter around the happy hour table. Plank is where adults can go to play. With a full bar and restaurant, you can eat and drink anywhere in the establishment. They have a bowling alley, arcade room, bocce ball, and billiards, so there is something for everyone. On a nice night itâs a lively place to enjoy a beverage and watch the sunset on the estuary.
Fort Greene
736 Washington Street
With a nice selection of draft beers, specialty cocktails, and wine, Fort Greene is a great place for all types of patrons. The bar has recently been revamped but still offers a relaxing place to grab a drink or a nosh from their small food menu. They also have TVâs for game day and decent music for those who arenât sports fans.
Rosenblum Cellars
10 Clay Street
If you have a love for Zinfandels then you canât miss Rosenblum Cellars. For forty years they have been crafting award winning Zins from California vineyards and creating a wonderful space for patrons to enjoy a glass while overlooking the bay.
Trappist
460 8th Street
Okay, this bar is a tad bit over the half mile mark, but itâs worth the extra tenth of a mile. The Trappist is an Oakland favorite for Belgian style brews and other specialty beers. The bar has an old school European feel and a small back patio. Their menu items are crafted with beer in mind so whatever you order will complement your drink.
Sweet Treats
Cookiebar Creamery
517 8th Street
Is there anything better than cookies and ice cream? How about ice cream inside of freshly baked cookies?! Cookiebar Creamery doesnât offer your everyday vanilla and chocolate (actually, they do have vanilla), but rather takes you to an ice cream land where Vietnamese coffee or fruity pebbles might be the flavor of the day. Their cookies keep a bit closer to classic ingredients, but do not fall short in deliciousness.
Ben and Jerryâs
505 Embarcadero West
Now this household brand doesnât need much explaining – Ben and Jerryâs ice cream is rich, delicious, and famous. With an ice cream shop located in Jack London Square, it will be hard for any sweet tooth to walk by without indulging in a scoop.