Best Restaurants for People Watching in Oakland

27 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt restaurant

1. Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

4.7

Exceptional(661)

Price: Moderate

• American • Oakland

Booked 43 times today

May and David Wasem's flagship location Grand Lake Kitchen location offers American classics and warm hospitality. An all-day cafe specializing in brunch and dinner! Maximum party size for regular reservations is 8 at Lake Merritt and 15at the Dimond location.Grand Lake Kitchen at Lake Merritt has a full bar, bustling dining room, outdoor patio, take-out counter, and The Bubble Room (private dining)

A photo of Little Original Joe's -- Marina restaurant

2. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

4.9

Exceptional(55)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 37 times today

Welcome to Little Original Joe's -- an Italian-American neighborhood eatery featuring pizza, pasta, and parmigiana in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood! Limited reservations are available for up to 6 guests -- we look forward to seeing you soon!

3. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8815)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission

Booked 79 times today

Foreign Cinema is a one of a kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant combining independent films with California-Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy an airy yet chic setting, complete with indoor dining room with a fireplace, outdoor courtyard with 35mm film screening starting at dusk, mezzanine, gallery curated by Modernism West & full bar in the main dining room. Foreign Cinema has something for everyone including their DJ/live music bar, Laszlo. Enjoy special happy hours, uniquely craft cocktails, zero proof selections, full Foreign Cinema dinner menu, and lively music to end your evening.We are currently booking for Outdoor Patio & Indoor/Standard seating 60 days in advance. A ‘standard seating’ reservation is indoor dining. Reservations for 10+ may be booked through private dining department - contact janine@foreigncinema.com for more information.

4. The Progress

4.8

Exceptional(2465)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Western Addition

Booked 30 times today

The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.

5. Boulevard

4.7

Exceptional(9088)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 51 times today

Chefs Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagined Boulevard! The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

6. Bon Delire

new

4.7

Exceptional(105)

Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 47 times today

Bon Délire’s chic yet approachable atmosphere draws inspiration from the cafés, lounges, and bistros of Paris. The interior boasts a sculpted horseshoe-shaped wooden bar, plush banquettes, and vibrant, European-imported furnishings that invite intimate dining and lounging. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with views of the Bay Bridge, or relax at the outdoor cafe-style seating, framed by planter boxes and umbrellas, perfect for people-watching along the Embarcadero.At night, the space comes alive with flickering projections of vintage French films and a relaxed, nostalgic soundtrack of throwback French and American tunes, making Bon Délire a sophisticated yet cozy setting for private and semi-private events.

7. Starlite

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 26 times today

Starlite is a historic San Francisco cocktail bar with nearly a century of vibrant stories. Renowned for hosting lively parties and attracting iconic figures like Alan Ginsberg, Starlite invites guests to the Beacon Grand’s 21st-floor, featuring refreshed interiors by San Francisco designer Alice Crumeyrolle. The atmosphere is set with rich velvet fabrics and a jewel-tone palette inspired by the Art Deco Era, paying homage to the city’s icons. Crafted by Scott Baird of Trick Dog fame, the cocktails are both playful and meticulously made. Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero curates a menu that celebrates San Francisco’s culinary artistry, drawing inspiration from international fare. Enhancing the experience are nightly, all-vinyl DJ sets by music director Nina Tarr.

A photo of STK - San Francisco restaurant

8. STK - San Francisco

4.0

Excellent(1275)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 107 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

A photo of COQUETA - San Francisco restaurant

9. COQUETA - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(3366)

Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 31 times today

Brought to you by Award Winning Chef Michael Chiarello and located at Pier 5 on the bustling San Francisco Waterfront, Coqueta is inspired by the cuisines of Spain. Chef Chiarello feels that Spain’s signature ‘small plates’ coupled with the social vibrancy of their dining scene is the perfect combination for San Francisco, which has its own deep-rooted history with the country. Focusing on regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and beyond, the menu will feature Chiarello's interpretation of traditional Spanish cuisine and, as has always been his tradition, will highlight the bounty of fresh, local ingredients from land and sea.Coqueta means “flirt” or “infatuation” in Spanish, and represents Michael Chiarello and his team’s exploration and interpretation of Spanish Cuisine, wine and inspired cocktails, while highlighting the bounty of Northern California.

10. Cultivar

4.8

Exceptional(239)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 2 times today

Mo-Sat: Food until 9pm, Wine until 10pm Sun: Food until 8:45pm Wine until 9pmSat/Sun: Brunch: 11am-3pm Cultivar San Francisco is an wine-centric farm to table restaurant by Cultivar Wine. The menu is inspired by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients including from our culinary garden at Caspar Estate. The menu complements hand-crafted wines from our Cultivar Winery and boutique wines from California and beyond. Cultivar Wine club flights are available. Cultivar Wine Club members get 20% off their Cultivar wine and Cultivar food. Join our Cultivar Wine Club!Our back patio has a fireplace, heaters and festive lighting, perfect setting for a private dinner or a celebration. Sidewalk tables on Chestnut have heaters, great for people watching and guests with dogs. Seasonal dishes and Cultivar Wines available for take out and to go.Our location is near the Lyon St. entrance to the Presidio, near the Palace of Fine Arts and in the Marina District of San Francisco.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
Tura
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We appreciate the happy birthday card for Michael
More info
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake MerrittPrice: Moderate• American• Oakland
•
4.7
A
Anna
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We LOVED this restaurant. We sat inside so we couldn’t see the movie, but that wasn’t really an issue. The restaurant itself was stunning. Our server David was absolutely lovely. He really made our experience. The food was great, we got the smoked salmon, burrata with pears, sesame chicken, and pork chop. Everything was delicious. For dessert we got crème brûlée and a sort of chocolate mousse. Fantastic. It’s an expensive date but you pay for the food and the experience. Would go again!
More info
Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission
•
4.8
S
Sandra
San Francisco Bay Area •44 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
One of the prettiest places to eat in San Francisco or anywhere for that matter especially at Christmas. Lovely dining experience. Dining room is pre fixe but lots of offerings make it a great deal before you add wine/cocktails but it’s a great bar list so splurge! Service is excellent although watch they don’t rush you through your courses. A great place to take friends or visitors in town or for any celebration. The bar and kitchen view seats are great for people watching.
More info
BoulevardPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.7
M
Marla
San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Staff was fabulous!!! Very friendly and attentive. Food was good, nice variety and well styled.
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Little Original Joe's -- MarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
•
4.9
LH
LarryHVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Outstanding food, particularly the signature duck and the Guinea hen. Kai is a superb waiter. He should own his own restaurant. Price reasonable for San Francisco.
More info
The ProgressPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Western Addition
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Oakland

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27 restaurants available nearby

1. Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

2. Little Original Joe's -- Marina

3. Foreign Cinema

4. The Progress

5. Boulevard

6. Bon Delire

7. Starlite

8. STK - San Francisco

9. COQUETA - San Francisco

10. Cultivar

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