Established on Claremont Avenue in 1920, this bar is one of the oldest in the Bay. When news that the bar's lot had been sold and a condominium complex would take the landmark's place, the public was outraged. Luckily, the bar's owner was able to transport the small, shack-like structure 35 meters to its new location on Telegraph Avenue, keeping it completely intact. Outfitted with shuffleboard and a jukebox, this community watering hole is here to stay.

Traditional Filipino flavors are served in a vibrant, contemporary setting at FOB Kitchen, one of Oakland’s buzzier Filipino restaurants. Formerly a popular San Francisco pop-up, FOB Kitchen serves family-style dishes like pork adobo, lechon, and lumpia at dinner and rice plates topped with runny eggs at brunch.

Situated on the corner of 51st and Telegraph sits one of Temescal's most popular lunch destinations. Betty's thriving business is centered around one central food item: a buttermilk battered fried chicken breast, atop spicy jalapeno slaw on an Acme torpedo roll (also available with fried tofu). Chips, baked goods, and canned drinks are also available to help complete the meal. And though the line might look long, it moves fast — this place is a well-oiled machine.

There are a few Ethiopian restaurants to choose from in this stretch of Oakland, but Abesha has the edge for its exemplary kitfo — raw beef tartare with cottage cheese, greens, and spices — and is even open during the lunch hour. And while you’re at it, don’t miss out on the mushroom tibs.

Opened by two artists, Rose's is a relaxed gathering place for beers brewed on premises and a selection of snacks. Beers run the gamut from kolsch to saison to coconut porter served with lime. Food is a snacky array, with tinned fish, sandwiches, and more. The entire place is painted a warm peachy pink, intended as a welcoming space for beer lovers of all kinds, including families. It’s now offering seating on the new back patio, which used to belong to Doña Tomás.

Gourmet ice cream in charming Temescal Alley is the pitch for Curbside Creamery, though that sort of undersells its many virtues. These include a rotating soft serve (with a vegan and non-vegan flavor at all times) and simple seasonal ice cream flavors (again, many vegan). A big seller: Ice cream sandwiches made with several kinds of cookies, from gingersnaps to chocolate shortbread.

One of SF’s best Hakata-style ramen shops expanded to Oakland with this Temescal location (there are also outposts in Irvine, Redwood City, Del Mar, and Frisco). The 20-hour tonkotsu broth is the most popular, but the chicken paitan is also not to be overlooked.

The term "dive bar" takes on new meaning at The Avenue, a no-frills watering hole in the heart of the neighborhood. A metal theme pervades, complete with foam stalactites hanging from the ceiling and plenty of chains dangling throughout. Pool tables, PBR, and friendly tattooed bartenders make this the ideal, darkened hangout on a sunny afternoon or late into the night. There's also a working fireplace, for those cool Bay Area evenings.

Named after the owner’s aunt, a master at Southern comfort food, this spot specializes in a brunch that delivers just that. The inviting space also offers a selection of house-made pies and baked goods. Try a yeasted grits waffle with fried chicken on top, or the lemon ricotta pancakes with spiced rum peach compote.

The playful, colorful space of Daytrip is an excellent place to relax with a glass — or bottle, we don’t judge — of wine alongside what the restaurant calls “fermentation-driven shared plates.” The menu changes often, and with the season, but expect fun, funky plates of vegetables with fermented or pickled ingredients perfect for sharing and fitting for a place that bills itself as a “soft disco drunken dinner party.”

The Warriors or A’s might be the main reason to go get a drink at this sports bar that opened in 2018, but the MVP is Smokin’ Woods, chef James Woodard’s barbecue pop-up that serves some of the Bay Area’s best brisket.

Although Ok’s Deli is opening the doors to its new shop September 1, already its reputation precedes it, given that its fans have already sampled a number of sandwiches from its pop-up days. The group now finally has a permanent home of their own on Telegraph Avenue, with many of the sandwiches that gave the pop-up its cult following among those in the know. If you haven’t yet tried their Sichuan hot chicken sandwich, give that a go, as well as the konbini egg salad sandwich. Don’t skip the curated selection of potato chips, while you’re at it — it’s a chance to buy flavors of chips that aren’t typically found at the corner store.

Bohemian and funky, Copper Spoon is a neighborhood spot that feels appropriately Oakland. The eclectic menu jumps around from Japanese to Mediterranean influences with dishes like deviled eggs with togarashi and a lamb merguez burger, but plenty of people stop in purely for the strong cocktails. Mezcal fans will be pleased here.

Beauty's was a neighborhood favorite for Montreal-style bagels, before Wise Sons purchased the shop in 2020, to form a new bagel-and-pastrami superteam. They kept the sign and name, and although the bagels have definitely changed, they’re still kettle boiled and made with locally milled flour. And the upshot is that the menu got meatier, with pastrami reubens, smoked trout salad, and matzo ball soup.