Popoca

Name: Popoca
Address: 906 Washington St, Oakland, CA, United States, 94607
Telephone: (510) 457-1724
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

41 Reviews

$30 and under

Latin American

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 11 times today

Great for creative cocktails
Lively
Charming

Popoca is a Salvadoran-inspired restaurant in the heart of Oakland. Popoca means “to emit smoke” in Nawat, the language of native people of El Salvador who stoked wood fires to prepare food over a comal for their families. Revered as more than just a means of cooking, smoke represents a prayer or offering to the spirits.

Popoca is a mix of heritage and play. Our food is driven by preserving past, creating something new and uniquely Oakland.

After years of pop-ups, Popoca has its own digs in the Old Oakland neighborhood, where the pupusas, chicken with fermented pineapple sauce, and other Cali-Salvadoran specialties are happily devoured.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 17:15–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:15–22:00
Phone number
(510) 457-1724
Website
https://www.popocaoakland.com/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
Area
Oakland
Parking details
None

What 41 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

East Bay
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Popoca delivers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing food" and "imaginative cuisine." Guests rave about the "excellent service" and "warm, welcoming atmosphere." The pupusas and cocktails receive special praise, and the restaurant's unique take on Central American flavors stands out. "Highly recommended" for its vibrant flavors and friendly staff.

41 Reviews

G
Gautam
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great service and ambience! We were a little disappointed in the quantity of food and the wait time for the food to come out. We still felt hungry after spending hundreds of dollars and 3+ hours at the restaurant.
1 person found this helpful
J
Jesse
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food was fabulous ingredients fresh and flavors on point. Can’t wait to go back and try the regular menu.
Is this helpful?
J
Joseph
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
The food was good but overpriced. We sat outside which might be nice in a summer evening but no so great this time of year even with the heat lamps.
1 person found this helpful
M
Marcilie
San Francisco
37 reviews
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great all around! Don’t skip the pupusas! The apple celery salad also quite a treat! I will return.
Is this helpful?
T
Taylor
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Got the tasting menu and it was amazing! Will definitely be back. I know it’s hard to be consistent when you’re a hot new restaurant but the team at Popoca delivers.
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B
BONITA
New York City
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The decor is beautiful with green tiles around the bar and stained glass at the entry. The food is fantastic and creative. Cocktails were unique and delicious. We had a great time.
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E
Erin
VIP
San Francisco
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
PERFECT!! Everything from tip to toe was fantastic. I am gluten intolerant & they have great options that taste FAB, which is very hard to find
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L
Lily
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 24 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a perfect night! Amazing food! I’m from Santa Ana ES and this place made me go back to original pupusas flavor! Expensive but worthy! Thank you so much
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 22 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was so good. Already planning to go back.
Is this helpful?
K
Kim
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 19 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved the food and service and everything about this place!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Popoca is rated 4.8 stars by 41 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 11 times today

906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Dining areas

Additional information

Area
Oakland
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 17:15–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:15–22:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None

Website
https://www.popocaoakland.com/
Phone number
(510) 457-1724

Popoca

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 41 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Popoca restaurant rated?

Is Popoca currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information