Decided to try this place out and my friend and I were greeted by the nicest people. I just had surgery so I've been in the house for a few weeks just laying in bed and I had been craving a really nice Mexican meal with a margarita! The service was amazing, Brendan was our server and he was extremely nice and attentive. After being in bed for a few weeks this was the perfect meal and restaurant experience to come back out to. My enchiladas were smackin! And the chips & guacamole with the salsas were some of the best I've had! Just want to thank Brendan again for making the dinner experience all the more memorable! read more

Fresh sauces. Drinks are good. Mezcal based and tequila based. Viva Mexico sweet with cantaloupe flavor. Thirteen colonies smoky Lots of meat in the mole trio Tender chicken, mole a little sweet but flavorful Easy to park in later afternoon right on the street read more

We stopped at Agave for a Happy Hour snack before an event, and it was great. The staff were friendly and greeted us, and the drinks and food came out quickly. I had an awesome mezcalrita and a couple of tacos. They also have a great selection of Mezcal and Tequila. They have a nice outdoor seating area, and the inside is decorated nicely with a cool, welcoming vibe. When I'm in the area again, I will definitely try them for dinner. read more

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It's right around the corner from the PAramount Theater. Within walking distance. I don't have a reservation & they are completely booked. That's ok, it's just me & they have room at the bar. It's 5:45pm so where are the people? It's 6pm & people are starting to come in. Bartender says he's pulling a double & it's been busy all day. For my drink, I chose a Margarita w/ Tequila. It was a bit on the Smokey side & it came with some pepper heat. I chose Emoleadas rice & black beans. Perfect amount of food. Dessert: Banuelitos & pistachio ice cream. Cucumber AguaFresco to go. Excellent Excellent flavor. Great dining experience read more

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I came to Agave Uptown for a Yelp Elite event, and it was amazing! The margaritas were tasty and perfectly made. We enjoyed cheese and mushroom quesadillas, chicken flautas, fresh vegetables, beer, and ceviche. Everything that was passed around was absolutely delicious. After the event ended, we stayed for happy hour, which I highly recommend if you're in the area. The restaurant is accessible by BART. Parking can be a little iffy, but that's downtown Oakland for you. The service was outstanding and attentive, the drinks were perfect, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. It felt like we were out enjoying the town while also relaxing in Mamacita's cocina. If you're ever in downtown Oakland and looking for delicious Mexican food, tasty drinks, and welcoming service, Agave Uptown should definitely be your destination! read more

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I've worked as a Bartender and Waiter for popular - crazy busy restaurants. I have a sense of what reasonably good service is. And I can tell if food is prepared with a sense of passion and commitment to excellence. My experience this week at Agave Uptown told me the owners are satisfied with mediocre southern Mexican cuisine and service that is one click above McDonalds. Unfortunately the Chicken Enmoladas ( traditional Mexican enchiladas bathed in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet mole sauce) I ordered were lukewarm. Our waiter never came back to ask us how our dinner was after we were served. And he didn't ask us if we wanted dessert or coffee. I had to ask a server to track down our waiter so we could get our bill and then pay it. The place was 30% full so this level of service was ridiculous. The rent on this place must be expensive. One would think the owners would commit some time to training their staff to provide basic - reasonable service. And if one just looked around, there are local food trucks serving more creative food littered throughout Oakland. Will I be back? Definitely not. read more

It was a wonderful experience at Agave Uptown. The location is conveniently situated along Broadway and offers a friendly and warm vibe. Drinks and food were delicious, am I am excited to come back for more. read more

Agave Uptown is THE authentic Oaxacan dining and drink experience. The food was visually so appealing and came in very large portions--some even served in a molcajete. My personal favorite thing about this place, however, is the bar. The widest selection of mezcal I have ever laid eyes on and the taste was even better. The bartenders and staff were incredibly friendly and I could really feel the passion flowing through this restaurant. I got the opportunity to try the house made Mezcal along with fresh orange slices and...cooked grasshoppers! I'll admit I was very nervous to try this combination, but all together it was amazing. Never would I have expected to say I'd go back to a restaurant to eat grasshoppers but I definitely would. I also tried their "50 stars" cocktail which I noticed isn't on the menu but it was to die for with hibiscus puree and a smoky mezcal. Every detail is accounted for with fresh ingredients all the way down to lime and orange slices dried in house. read more

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Came here for my brother's birthday lunch. It was pretty quiet for a Saturday afternoon. Inside is very nicely decorated and welcoming. Staff was very nice and attentive, they kept coming over to check on us. My mom isn't a super adventurous eater but she really enjoyed everything that we ordered. This was my first time having Oaxacan food and my brother just came back from a trip to Oaxaca and had a craving. We ordered the taste of Oaxaca to get a sampler of everything and also the tlayuda with chapulines. It was my first time having grasshoppers, my mom's too. She was not aware that they were grasshoppers and thought that they were nuts. She likes the chapulines but said she would not have them again after learning that they were grasshoppers. My brother and I enjoyed them and would have it again. The taste of Oaxaca sampler had a good assortment of protein. Everything was super delicious and flavorful. We had to take about a quarter of the platter home as leftovers. Super filling meal! read more

Agave Uptown - Tlayuda with chapulines - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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We went to this restaurant to celebrate my daughter graduating with her phlebotomy certificate. It was also soccer games due to FiFA World Cup. Needless to say, it was very busy. Regardless we had a great waiter... bright us water, took our order and answered our questions. My parents had the steak ranchero. I had the molcajete, my daughter had the ceviche and two tacos and my wife had the carnitas. All the food was amazing. The drinks were good, I wanted to taste them all but I was driving!! We also had dessert and we shared the churros. Ambiance was loud but it felt like a party.. we were celebrating. If I'm in town I'll go there again. read more

Agave Uptown - Reina drink... - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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I love Agave! The service is amazing, the food is delicious, and the vibe in Uptown is always on point. I've been coming here as a regular for years and can't believe I've never written a review! The menu is easily one of my favorites --the Ceviche, Tlayuda, Queso Fundido, and Diablo Shrimp are in my personal rotation, and pairing them with one of their mezcal cocktails is a must. What really sets them apart is the staff. They're so welcoming and always happy to accommodate my random requests. Because of the great location, it definitely gets busy during peak times, but the energy is fun and the team always works hard to make sure you have a great experience. Easily one of my favorite spots in Oakland! read more

Nicer Mexican style restaurant w food from Oaxaca on the corner in downtown Oakland. Can be a little tricky to locate and park. I had my first molote here, was delicious. Same with the tasajo and carnitas tacos and Coloradito Chicken. The service was Ok. Good menu of classic, mezcal, tequila cocktails that are reasonably priced. read more

Agave Uptown - Molotes de patata - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

The food here is better than the food in the hospital The staff members work together very nicely. If one person needs help the other staff member is not worried about helping each other. read more

Service was amazing. Food & Drink was sooo goood!! I highly recommend as a first time customer. Beautiful place. Decided to try it out before heading to a comedy show at the Paramount Theater. Next time I'm in Oakland, I will be back for more. read more

Agave Uptown - Rice & Beans - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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I would drive all this way (61 miles one way) to just have the shrimp ceviche again! Great service from the staff at this establishment. We were greeted immediately & had all our questions answered regarding the cocktails and food which led to some wonderful choices enjoyed by all in our group. The restaurant was welcoming, had nice music playing but not too overpowering therefore allowing conversation. There was plenty of seating available inside & outside. Food was fresh and flavorful. read more

Agave Uptown - Ceviche (Shrimp) - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Agave Uptown is a beautiful local joint for Mexican flavors. I came with a friend on a Saturday right at opening and were seated right away. The gentleman servicing us was so kind, patient and thoughtful with recommending items for us to try on the menu. We decided to try out a few things to share. First, the hibiscus agua frescas was both a balance of sour and sweet with a floral fragrance that was addicting. The ceviche came with tender pieces of fish and shrimp. You can really taste the citrus marinade that shines and laying the ceviche with the tortilla chips offers the perfect bite. The empanadas de huitlacoche were delicious. The blue corn tortillas had a nice fried texture and the cheesy filling had a great slightly funky but creamy flavor. The side salad was topped with a sweet dressing that paired well with the empanadas. For dessert, we shared the churros with ice cream. The churros were a small but mighty treat - I loved the cinnamon & sugar coating along with the cream filling of the churro. The ice cream was creamy and so good with the churros and the fresh oranges and strawberries. I highly recommend coming here and supporting a local business! read more

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Solid dining choice in Uptown. Guacamole is very good and the chips are addicting. Nice friendly service. The coastal bowl is a good choice and I tried their enmoladas today. Tequila ice cream is very different and worth a taste. Nice spot to go out for a meal with colleagues or friends. read more

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Met a friend her for a bite before catching a concert at the Paramount Theatre. The food and drinks were good. The seafood fajitas were sizzling. The server was attentive and helpful. We choose this spot because it's a short walk to the Paramount, but the food and drinks are actually good and I would eat here again! read more

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This is one of my go to spots for work events! Not sure how it is for dinner but it's never crowded at lunchtime. The food is always delicious, though some items are a little pricey. Highly recommend any of the dishes with their special mole sauce. The service is always attentive and friendly as well. read more

Agave Uptown - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

I was here for a business lunch with 4 colleagues. We shared a guacamole appetizer with 2 salsas & chips. Plenty to share and simply excellent, with fresh ingredients, hand made green & red salsas. I had the chicken mole. Nice portion, surprisingly crispy enough, juicy, with a delicate, slightly sweet chocolate sauce. Great rice & beans, made with thought & skill, not just a vanilla addition. 2 colleagues had vegetarian Chile Relleno, while 1 had meat enchiladas. Everybody very much liked what they ate. Yes, I asked...because I like to review! :) I think this is great food, service, ambiance, & value for what you get. Good portions. I'll be back if I'm in Oakland. read more

It's a wonderful restaurant. The food was delicious, and we ordered some really tasty drinks. The staff is very attentive and friendly. I will definitely be back. The atmosphere is very pleasant and great. read more

Agave Uptown - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Update: I came here about twice after last time and thought "Okay, even the lady who was hostile last time is now cloyingly sweet, even if just to mock me, but its still good food and a nice time, I'll update the review" and enjoyed myself here on a date recently.... Until tonight. I came tonight with my autistic friend for their birthday and the staff kept giving me mocking eyes, as if he thought I was on another date, (and of course mere seconds after approaching me, talks of "puta" and overtly derogatory slutshaming terms all while still glancing at me with a smirk as he talked to his friend at the bar was quite irritating,) and the evening continued with a pretty heavy tone of dude giving me a mocking look, as if barely able to hold onto his laughter seeing me with a more poindexter looking openly autistic looking friend of mine, assuming I was just some hoe having hella dates, I get it, I was here a few days ago for an actual date. God forbid I think "What a pleasant spot, and I like their agua frescas, let me take my autistic friend who doesn't drink for a little bite since it's their first night in Oakland after an hour long drive, after a nice outing today, and to end an evening on a high note." And the mockery didn't help set a tone for a fun evening at all, we left pretty fast from the discomfort and bro triggered my migraines with the passive aggressiveness. Delicious food, and the woman server was pleasant, the guy? Not exactly. And its a shame, I liked the pork loin and agua frescas here a lot, not the ableism and weird commentary and vibes. read more

Came here on a double date. We were immediately seated due to having reservations. Our waiter immediately came and took orders when we were ready. He provided drink reccomendations upon being requested. I ordered the 2 tacos entree (Salmon and shrimp), my wife ordered the steak entrees. She ordered a beer and I ordered the watermelon type of drink. My tacos were so dry and the waiter forgot to bring me avocado salsa. However, even after he brought it, it was still so very dry and not very flavorful. It's like the just added the seafood on it without seasoning it. Also, I specifically told him no onions. However, there was onions on both my tacos. The rice was hard on some of the parts. The only thing great was the beans. My wife stated that get steak was bland as well. She nor I was pleased. I didn't bother to complain because we were with other people and I just wanted to have a great night. My drink came out watery with no flavor. I had to ask for additional watermelon stuff to put in it. He didn't even give me a straw, although he posted straws to everyone else. The waiter only came over once to check in on us and that was it. When the bill came, I gave the waiter $20 to make change for me. He made the change and handed it back to my friend. He was not even paying attention to us the entire time and now this. I felt such a way. read more

Agave Uptown is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Oakland! The food is absolutely delicious, with every dish full of authentic flavors and beautifully prepared. Brandon makes some of the most impressive cocktails I've ever had, and his mezcal creations are outstanding. The entire team is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service is always excellent. If you're a mezcal lover, this place is an absolute must-visit. I can't recommend Agave Uptown enough! read more

Agave Uptown - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

My meal was delicious their mole was so good the restaurant is clean and cute and service was great our server has good recommendations read more

Agave Uptown - Salmon - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

We came in for a few drink and were amazed by their hospitality and prowess with cocktails! 10/10 would recommend! read more

Agave Uptown - Amazing cocktail called the Rodolfo! - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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Amazing food- Oaxacan specialities! We tried the Taste of Oaxaca and the size, spices and taste was stupendous! There were big servings. And the mezcal selections were right on. Servers were well trained and helpful! read more

Great Service by HEBER y Yener the bartenders! Excellent food, great atmosphere! 100 % recommended read more

Agave Uptown - Bar!! - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Came in on a Sunday late afternoon for a late brunch earlier dinner and was seated right away. Our sever came over pretty quick and bought us ice water's, gave us a few and took our appetizer order, than a few minutes later our dinner order. He was pleasant, friendly, and attentive. Ceviche Shrimps, onions, tomatoes, lime, cilantro avocado, homemade chips were very fresh. Empanada de Huitlacoche with Grilled Chicken in a blue corn tortilla, quesillo, epazote, elote huitlacoche, serrano pepper, onion was tasty. But was suprised when it came out looking like a quesadilla. Half of Caesar Salad with organic romaine hearts, pumpkin seeds, avocado tomatoes in chapulin Caesar dressing was good. Giant Fish Taco in 10" fresh blue corn tortilla, black beans paste Monterey Jack cheese, cabbage, avocado, grilled seabass fish, side salad was good, fish had good flavor. Again, was surprised, it looked more like a burrito. Trio de Mole - Three homemade moles: Mole negro mole rojo, mole verde chicken, carnitas, salmon, handmade corn tortillas. I don't like mole so i didn't taste it, but my wife said it was good. read more

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We went to Agave Uptown for a dinner before seeing Poppy at the Fox Theater. When we arrived, we were pleasantly greeted by the host and sat at a table for two. Very quickly someone came to give us water. We looked over the menu and were able to decide what we wanted pretty quickly so with in a couple minutes our server came to take our drink order. Since we were decided, we ordered everything at that time since we were on a schedule for the concert. My wife ordered the Chef Salad and I ordered the two tacos plate. We also ordered shrimp ceviche to share. With in a few minutes, our server brought our drinks to us. A couple minutes later, the ceviche was brought to the table and it was absolutely delicious. Just about the time we finished off the ceviche, our meals were brought out. They visually looked stunning and smelled wonderful. The first bite of a taco was so good. The chicken seasoned perfectly, the ratio of onion with cilantro was spot on and the salsa was delicious. The plate included Mexican rice and black beans, both of which were excellent pairings with the tacos. My wife's chef salad was outstanding as well. We determined that if ever in Oakland, this is our go to place to grab a meal read more

Agave was recommended by people in the area and it was an overall good experience. The inside was nice and the servers were very kind and efficient. The cocktail was amazing and my wife loved her margarita. The star of the show was the salmon and shrimp tacos!! The salmon was sweet and flavorful, while the shrimp was seasoned to perfection. The only letdown was the giant fish taco. The seabass was lacking flavor and the salsa verde didn't help much. Our table was also a bit sticky. Overall it was a nice, authentic Mexican restaurant. read more

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Been wanting to come here for a min and finally did! The Molcajete was hella delicious!! The Guacamole and chips were tasty too love both the sauces that came with got spice and flavor I can tell they put love in too food. The Drinks were good too La bestia and La Llorona well balanced. The flan and the molcajete stole the show tho!! will be back very soon! read more

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Been here a couple times and each has been on point. First of all, don't mess around, get the chips and guac. The guac is incredibly savory, has the chunks of avocado so you know it's freshly made. And the chips are shiny and salty and so good on their own. I could eat that as my entire meal. But all their main dishes are also really good, I've had the enchiladas which are super saucy and rich and recently the cecina which is an adobo marinated pork that was super tender and flavorful (a little sweet). Beans and rice are nothing special but solid all around. Drink selection is great and the staff is super friendly and know how to serve a large group - if you're going with your work team you won't be disappointed. Definitely check them out, you won't be disappointed, and for the love of all that is holy...get the guac and chips! read more

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I love this place. The staff is amazing and the food is delicious. I've gotten the carnitas with the mole multiple times and each time it's amazing. My cousin got the chicken tacos and really enjoyed them. It will always be my go to spot, especially for lunch. I even tried a grasshopper with my tequila shot today! read more

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Agave in Oakland is deeply slept on! I do not understand why more people are not talking about it. The cocktail program is exquisite. Thoughtful, well-balanced, and clearly taken seriously without tipping into pretension. The food across the board is good and well priced, which feels increasingly rare, especially for a place that also happens to be beautiful. The interior is warm and inviting, polished without feeling stiff, and the kind of space that works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for hosting out-of-town guests. This is an easy go-to when you want something that feels impressive but still accessible. The menu lands comfortably with diners of all ages, and I genuinely like seeing that mix. Families, couples, friends, regulars. Everyone fits. The molcajete is a standout. Generous, flavorful, and satisfying in the way a shared dish should be, anchoring the table and giving you a reason to linger. Agave knows how to deliver on food, drinks, and atmosphere without overreaching. It is reliable, welcoming, and better than it gets credit for. read more

Branden was great! Amazing customer service! Drinks amazing! Food was delicious!! A whole vibe! Definitely coming back! read more

Agave Uptown - Shots - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Went to this restaurant twice with my boyfriend and had an excellent time in both. My most recent visit I had the wonderful server Isaac and he was very accommodating and attentive! (To the point I went out of my way to finally make a Yelp account to honor him, so that should tell you how good his service was!) When he wasn't sure if he could do a custom request, he would be transparent about it and still made the effort to try and see if it could happen. The food was delicious as usual! The chips and guac are my partner and I's favorite and we always look forward to it. Last time I also had the mole chicken and it was incredible (my first mole too) and they offer generous portions! :) I always look forward to the desserts! We tried the buñuelos with dulce de leche ice cream, and recently we tried the churros with pistachio ice cream. I usually don't like pistachio but Isaac recommended it, and he was right, it was delicious combo with the churros drizzled with chocolate syrup and slices of strawberries to pair! :) The decor of the area is well themed and the ambiance is well-supported by the music choice, lighting, and hospitality of all the staff. Everyone seemed ready to give a smile to your direction! :) read more

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Fantastic! There are so many great restaurants to choose from in this area, but Agave was a standout. Outstanding upscale Mexican food, we loved everything we got. It gets crowded, definitely make a reservation. Try the tequila tasting!! And save room for dessert, the churros were unreal. read more

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The food was absolutely delicious, and tbh I had my doubts about this place but my husband and I gave it a chance! We were not disappointed at all! The service was good and fast. The inside was very clean and I loved the Oaxaca vibe ! read more

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Wow simply anything with Mole eat it. This place is so tasty. The food also is authentic too. If you like spicy ask for the extra salsa. It's the best but you must ask for it. The service was quick and we had a table of 20. Also the ambiance is a very chill and simplistic. read more

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