Your Guide to Oakland Restaurant Week

A Delicious Tradition

Each year, Oakland Restaurant Week invites locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene—one plate at a time. With dozens of participating restaurants representing a global range of cuisines, this citywide event offers a unique opportunity to explore new favorites, revisit classics, and support the chefs and small businesses that give Oakland its flavorful reputation. Named #1 Best Food City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, Oakland’s culinary scene entices with 140+ participating restaurants that run the gamut from Michelin-rated fine dining and chef-driven pop-ups to beloved taco joints, vegan cafes, and global neighborhood staples.

When & Where It Happens

Oakland Restaurant Week is typically held in late winter or early spring, often around January or March, though exact dates vary from year to year. The event spans 10–11 days, giving diners plenty of time to make multiple reservations or explore different neighborhoods. The event is hosted citywide, with participating restaurants located across Downtown Oakland, Temescal, Uptown, Jack London Square, Fruitvale, Rockridge, and beyond.
For the most up-to-date dates and restaurant listings, visit Visit Oakland's official Restaurant Week page.

What to Expect: Menus, Pricing & Options

During Restaurant Week, participating establishments offer prix fixe menus at special prices, often ranging from $15 to $60+ depending on the number of courses and the time of day. Typical offerings include:
* Lunch specials at more casual price points (e.g., $15–$25)
* Three-course dinners with upscale or signature dishes (often $40–$60)
* Brunch and to-go packages in some cases

Menus are often designed to showcase highlights or seasonal specialties and may include appetizers, entrees, desserts, or drinks. Many restaurants also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, so there’s something for every palate.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Reservations are recommended for most sit-down restaurants, especially on weekends or for dinner seatings.
• Many menus are available for dine-in only, but some restaurants may offer takeout or delivery specials—especially those that adapted during recent years.
• Gratuity is not always included, so be sure to tip your servers based on the full value of the meal.
• Menus are posted in advance on Visit Oakland’s website, making it easy to plan ahead.

Why It Matters

Oakland Restaurant Week isn’t just about eating well—it’s about supporting local businesses, celebrating culinary diversity, and building community through food. Oakland is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S., and that richness is fully reflected in its food. Restaurant Week menus often span dozens of cuisines—from Ethiopian to Vietnamese, Mexican to Korean, soul food to California fusion—all within the same city. It’s a rare chance to sample that breadth in one week, often at discounted prices.

Unlike more corporate-driven events, Oakland Restaurant Week champions small, independent, and BIPOC-owned businesses. Many of the featured restaurants are family-run, chef-owned, or part of Oakland’s grassroots culinary scene, which gives the event an intimate, community-driven feel.

Because the event spans across neighborhoods—from Uptown to Temescal, Fruitvale to Jack London Square—it’s also an invitation to explore Oakland’s local culture block by block. The event also supports local food equity initiatives and promotes tourism in a way that’s community-centered, not just commercially driven.

From long-standing family-owned restaurants to rising-star chefs and experimental pop-ups, the event reflects the full spectrum of Oakland’s food scene. It sure is delicious. Enjoy!