First visit to Oakland and this small brightly colored clean open layout restaurant, reserved on OT, great full window views of street, paid parking in front, and both lunch and dinner menus. 5/5 Paul the Great, both Host and Waiter, made me feel right at home explained specials on menu and recommended some great Oakland places to visit. 10/10. Please ask for Paul when you visit. The delicious reasonably priced entrees cooked by the owner/chef included Dominican salad and Pico Pollo served with little wait.5/5. I will definitely visit again!! read more

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We had an absolutely exceptional experience at alaMar Dominican Kitchen in Oakland! From the incredible food and delicious drinks to the warm, attentive service, everything was truly outstanding to the ambiance and creative decor brought authenticity and warm welcoming . My husband complimented Chef Nelson on the amazing food, and we were so pleasantly surprised when Chef Nelson came out to greet us personally. He was incredibly kind and gracious, and even treated us to a special creation of his own. That personal touch made an already wonderful experience even more memorable. You can truly taste the passion, creativity, and love that goes into every dish. The flavors were incredible, the drinks were fantastic, and the hospitality was top-notch. We're already looking forward to bringing our folks from Brentwood, Pittsburg, and Antioch to alaMar so they can taste and experience it for themselves. Oakland has a real gem here! Thank you, Chef Nelson, and the entire alaMar team, for such an amazing experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

Comforting food and a lively, casual atmosphere. Food was generally good. Wings were crispy, flavorful, and juicy. Oxtails were tender. Braised greens were also good. The shrimp sauce was delicious with the toasted bread, though the shrimp were probably a bit on the overcooked side. Service was informal and casual. It was good food, though for this type of casual atmosphere plus comfort food, the prices on the steep side. A few more vegetable side dishes would be appreciated. I'll definitely be back, but the prices means it's going to be less often than I'd like to. read more

Popped in for a lunch business meeting. Made reservations but definitely didn't need it as I arrived after the lunch rush. The server/host for the afternoon, Paul, was absolutely great, friendly, and made me feel at home. While I waited for my guest, I ordered the tostones (twice fried green plantains) and the Island Vibes Rum Punch. Tostones came out crisp, hot, and with an aioli dip. Just delicious. Maybe could have used a touch more salt, but still yummy. The aioli was a great addition. My cocktail was also delicious and I could have easily put a few of those away. But... work. When my guest arrived, we ordered a couple of dishes to share: Dominican "Spaghetti" (Udon noodle, confit garlic, pork longaniza, beef salchichon, tomato sazonado) and the El Barrio Picadera (Chicharron de puerco - crispy pork belly, beef salchichon, pork longaniza, lime, pickled red onion, honey mojo, and a side of tostones). Wasn't sure what to expect from the spaghetti but it was slurpingly delicious. The sauce was savory, not sweet, and the pieces of pork sausage and beef were perfect additions. The Picadera was equally great, almost like a tapas plate of assorted meats. The crispy pork belly had lots of tasty fat to add flavor and moisture. Def enough food for two. Alamar isn't a huge space, but it's cozy inside with a see through to the kitchen. Dinner service has outdoor seating available as well. Will most definitely be back to try the more expansive dinner menu. read more

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I decided to try Alamar with my family after they raved about how great the food is here. There are a few tables for dining in and the restaurant itself gets pretty busy later at night. You can even see articles and pictures of the head chef that are proudly displayed along with wall. Right when you walk in, you are greeted by the very kind waiter who was so patient and sweet with explaining the items on the menu. I decided to go for a rice bowl so that I can try a few different items from their menu. For the table (not pictured), we also ordered goat. The rice bowl came with sweet plantains, beans, rice and chicken that was juicy and packed with flavor. I enjoyed the balance of sweetness that came from the plantains which did not overpower the savory flavors of the chicken and rice. I highly recommend trying a bowl so that you can explore different combinations. The goat was amazing! We had it well-done and it's seasoned to perfection. The texture is crispy from being fried, but still soft and tender on the interior. I have only had goat meat in stews and curries, so this was a pleasant experience being able to try Alamar's preparation. I'm looking forward to my next visit here! read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Dominican Rice Bowl - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellent, informed, transparent and charming service. Took my partner out for their birthday and we had a great time. We tried the fried goat and the pollo guisado. We were happy to have tried the goat but wouldn't order again although it's an excellent choice for meat lovers. We did really love their pollo guisado, which is made with sour orange. It is a cute and colorful dining space. We made reservations just in case but they weren't necessary, although it is worth noting that we did stop by on a Tuesday in the early afternoon. We will be back to try happy hour, Dominican rum, chili glazed maduros and the vegan sancocho. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - 2 platos banderos 1 w pollo guisado, tostones 1 w Dominican Fried Goat, maduros side avocado - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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Holy moly, worked next door for the last 4 years. How did I not come here before. This place is AWESOME!!!! So good. Nice family run, service on point. I order the pork rib with rice and beans. Every bite was full of flavor. Can't wait to come back read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Latin Flair Month Continues for me ...Quaint Location - great open space restaurant with lively Latin music in the background. Son in Law & I started our evening with Camarones Criollos (Shrimp) - Sourdough Bread w/ Guava Margaritas. Generous Strong Pour! He ordered the Whole Fried Fish and an all time favorite of mine = Ox Tail!! Meat fell right off the bone. Highly recommend and a great place to try new dishes. read more

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We recently spent a weekend in Oakland and the first meal of our stay was dinner at Alamar. Convenient to our Uptown home base, we made a last minute reservation, walked to the restaurant, and were seated promptly, just before 6PM. FIFA 2026 in full swing - Brazil vs. Haiti on the screen- had us and other diners chit chatting during dinner, which made for a comfy, family vibe! The staff are friendly but as the dinner rush began, the service got a little harried and apologies for delays were overheard. We started with the Pica Pollo chicken wings to share. They were perfectly fried with a lovely crunchy crust outside and juicy inside and we ate all of the tasty dip. I enjoyed a Mamajuana while Eric liked his rum punches. I'm a sucker for anything oxtail so I chose the Braised Oxtail de Res and Eric picked (and finished!) his Pernil. Everything was satisfying and flavorful. I ended up taking home some oxtail and moro for another meal. So good! We'll have to return to explore more dishes and drinks on the menu. read more

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Really enjoyed everything about AlaMar Dominican Restaurant! I came for a friends birthday and had never had Dominican food. We ordered several apps - the wings, the ribs, and some type of sausages. All the meat was so tender and delicious - I knew from that point on this place was a winner. For my drink I ordered the manajuana (sp?) very rum forward but also sweet and sippable. No wonder people love them! I got the oxtails as my entree given that it was the numero uno and they did not disappoint. 4 large pieces that felt right off the bone with rice. The restaurant itself is very small but it's super cutely decorated. Our server was super nice. Parking isn't too bad because there's a parking garage walking distance. I don't go to Oakland often but if I did I'd definitely come back! read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Interior - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Stopped by on Friday for my birthday. It was a nice night so we sat outside. Service was really friendly and they took care of us quickly. We ordered oxtail, shrimp and the roasted pork. Everything was delicious but the oxtail definitely was the star of the show. It was so good that I'm going to have to learn how to cook it myself at home hahaha. Maybe I'll just come back to Alamar. I feel like Dominican food is underrated and there ain't enough of it in the Bay area. I highly suggest checking this place out read more

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Went for a pop up . The spot is a great location with a parking garage only a block or two away . It's super cute inside and the staff were very welcoming . I was excited to try their menu but they had I'm assuming a guest chef ? And a pre selected menu. The chicken was good but the rice wasn't cooked all the way . We got 2 of the same and were given 2 different kinds of rice and 2 different kind of curtido- super random. The staff and the bar saved the day so we will definitely be back when there isn't an event to try the real food because I heard it's amazing and never misses read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

I tried their spaghetti at an event outside Oakland Oracle Arena for SuperBowl, and it made it want to visit the restaurant. I'm glad I did! Food is delicious w heart servings. Not to mention the casual, inviting vibes of the venue itself w decor celebrating DR's culture. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - The bar - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

The braised oxtail rice bowl was delicious! I came for lunch and I think almost everyone around me ordered the same thing. The server was attentive and humorous. A great spot! read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Out front - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is my second time here and specifically came for Oakland Restaurant Week. Started with a slider and shrimp ceviche- both were delicious and a great start to the meal. BUT the stars of the show were the entrees- mofongo topped with oxtails and a chicken leg with the most delectable pickled cabbage and rice and beans- literally couldn't pick a favorite. I liked the mofongo from one entree and the chicken leg from the other. Both entrees were on the smaller side in terms of protein, but may have just been the restaurant week special or maybe we got smaller dishes. BUT they were packed with flavor nonetheless. Ended the meal with a tres leches cake and sorbet. Sorbet could be skipped but we didn't need our own piece of cake so it worked out well. Will DEFINITELY be back for the mofongo and to try other proteins! read more

Love this place ! It's so delicious!! Whenever I miss NY Dominican food I come here to get my habichuelas, arroz con frijoles negros!! This time I also ordered the shrimp appetizer and the 1/2 chicken!! Both were so flavorful !!! Like finger-licking slurp on the sauce taste!! The server w the Afro was so attentive and nice- he was swamped that day but he made sure to apologize (none needed) for the wait. The drinks are kinda pricey but they taste good. And the chicken had little bones I had to dig out of stew but that kept me from slurping it down- the fear of choking on a chicken bone lol The music and the noise level was a little loud but normal for a Sat night. But the tables were very close together so you could overhear the other conversations. read more

What a gem of a place! My friends and I decided to eat here before a concert at the Paramount and it did not disappoint. The decor and music was so inviting I wish I could give Alamar 4.5 stars instead of 4 cause it was that good! We started out with glasses of wine and the republic 75 cocktail. The cocktail was well balanced and refreshing. For food, we ordered the Pernil, the sancocho and the ox tail. The Pernil and ox tail were so tender and the sancocho was filling. Everything was flavorful and seasoned to perfection. For sides, we ordered the Caribbean rice, tostones, and mofongo. The rice was sooo good tasted like it was made with love. The tostones were bomb, the dipping sauce it comes with just elevates the flavor. The only miss for us was the mofongo. It was dry and definitely needed the sauce it came with. Our server was a delight, knowledgeable about the menu and answered all our questions. I will definitely be coming back to try more. read more

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Friendly, clean colorful and delicious! Sometimes you need a plate of comfort food in a time of great unrest. A good plate of history of resistance piled on a plate that comes from the love of a people. Dominican food is just that ! Lunch time ushered me to this spot and it did not disappoint ! Plato bandera with choice of protein including a guava bbq fried goat and a choice of plantain of course I'm always a sucker for the Maduros !! From the perfectly cooked beans and rice to the tender pork Pernil to the sweet slices of plantain perfectly carmelized ! This place makes me feel like I'm eating at a friends house or grandmas ! Def a winner ! I'll be back to try the mofongo !!! read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Plato Bandera / pork pernil/ maduros - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here a couple of times and I really liked their service and food. I especially like their plantains. This time I tried the Dominican garlic noodles. It was too salty for my taste but otherwise it was perfect. read more

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Came here to celebrate alaMar's 11th anniversary and check out the specials, get together with friends we haven't gone out with in months and support our Brazilian dance group Ginga Brasil, who was performing for the anniversary! The atmosphere was lively and I had made reservations on Open Table. There were 6 of us and we decided to share and have a taste of many dishes: Dominican salad, braised oxtail encendido, guava bbq sauce chicken wings, tostones, Dominican pork ribs, yellow Caribbean rice, Habichuelas stewed Dominican red beans, a stew that had all kinds of meats in it, not sure of the name but it was hearty, Dominican garlic udon noodles, chicharron de pollo, and empanadas! Everything was so tasty! I especially liked the stew and oxtail and ribs, so yummy! I had a Lion Dance Ale which was refreshing. Service was attentive and we had a blast! Great company, great food, great service, and great entertainment! read more

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First time eating Dominican style food and I was really impressed. The interior definitely gave you that Caribbean vibe. Super casual place to eat...long tables to accommodate larger parties or even sharing, communal style. There were also smaller tables for individual seating/smaller parties. The staff were friendly and nice. Our server in particular was amazing... when asked for recommendations he gave us his personal favorites. He was very attentive too. We ordered the fried goat with the maduros (sweet fried plantains) and the pollo guisado with the tostones. it was so good. My goat was so flavorful and I love the sweet plantains with it. It did not disappoint. I can't wait to return. Only downside is parking--limited to the street and can be challenging, but it does exist and it's worth the hassle. Check this place out, it's so good and you won't be disappointed! read more

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Food: Loved it! Let's get right into it. So I ordered the oxtails and they were nothing short of delicious. The portion size was excellent. Now the oxtails were small and sliced thin but meaty enough to be filling. It did not come with rice or a carb so I ordered a side of the yellow Caribbean rice. I was in hog heaven. The hubby had the Dominican slow roasted pork ribs which were tender and quite tasty. It's not an entree but an appetizer. While the food was amazing the only disappointment was we went on a Saturday night and they were out of most of the entrees such as the 1/2 chicken, the garlic noodles and the whole snapper. Hated it! That said I guess it gives me something to look forward to next time. Ambiance: The small dining room is very quaint, and decorated to ever so slightly transport you to the Dominican. Service: The servers were really nice and the service was great. The staff was friendly and did their best to make our experience a good one. Parking: It's downtown Oakland so take your chances. Overall: If you're looking for a delicious meal with great ambiance, good service and portion sizes then this is for you! I'm putting it in rotation!!!! read more

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My wife and I went to an amazing Afro-Caribbean restaurant in downtown Oakland after a wonderful performance from Comedian Michelle Buteau at the legendary Fox Theatre! After the show ended, we discussed what to eat. I usually suggest Ramen because that's my go to, but the wifey wanted something with soul. So we then perused through Yelp when we took at Alamar. We acknowledged that we've only had Cuban and Jamaican cuisine in the Caribbean and it was an opportunity to try Dominican cuisine for the first time. So we walked several blocks to the 'Mar, and as we got closer to the restaurant, we heard sounds of a party going on, and when we arrived it was raver with food! After several minutes of acquainting ourselves, we found an outdoor table and the Queen and took a look at the menu and ordered our food. We ordered a half dozen wings, crispy plantains called Tostones (Twice Fried Plantains), Dominican Mofongo (mashed Plantain with Chicken Au Jus), Yellow Carribean Rice, El Barrio Picadero (Pork Chicharrones) and Braised Mustard Greens. Man it was FANTASTIC! Everything was delicious and the wings might be the best we've ever had! The Tostones and Mofongo are Devine! The food, service and atmosphere are top notch! We ARE definitely returning! read more

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Wow. Dominican food at its finest. I had the plate with pork and it was delicious. Amazing blend of flavors. Sweet, savory, good acidity and well seasoned. Nothing overpowering and good portion sizes. Service was great. The waiter was super attentive and asks how things were going throughout the meal. We also got seated right away. The decor and ambiance of the restaurant has bright colors and good upbeat latin music. Great place for younger adults or friends. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

We came here for lunch and sat outside because it was such a beautiful day! They had 3 tables outside, and several tables and counter seating inside. Paul served us and was super friendly & enthusiastic. Great service, and made our Thursday 1000x better. We got the lunch plates; salad with chicken, rice bowl with pork, and mofongo. All the food was full of flavors, and we left no crumbs. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

food took too long for a starter and 2 sides-- 3 other tables with more than one person got their full meals before me. I got there maybe 15 min after they opened. I was looking forward to trying this spot out all day--- visiting from Baltimore in town for concert with friends and well. When I ordered it I asked for them all to come out at the same time as my meal--the food came out one item at a time, needed a little more flavor-- after the second item came out, I was told " sorry the el barrio picadera, takes a while." This wasn't told to me until after I had my second side show up. It was a buzz kill of a visit. I love Dominican food but didn't have a good experience. The waiter apologized after I paid and yes I still left a tip because I'm a good patron. read more

Visited on a Wednesday night with a friend around 6:30pm. Restaurant had several other guests but plenty of open tables so pretty easy walking in. Food: Tostones - good, well fried, nice and crispy without being greasy, dipped in the spicy mayo this made for a nice bite to start the meal, serving size felt generous Dominican Slow Roasted Pork Ribs - very good, meat was tender and easy to eat off the bone without being too soft, really loved the guava glaze almost like a tropical BBQ sauce, the slaw added a bit of freshness and the avocado mousse added creamy richness Braised greens - tender and so flavorful, a hearty stew of greens and beans in sofritas, served in a savory broth and topped with pickled onions, layered Dominican spices Yellow rice - good, light and fluffy plump kernels of yellow rice that soaked up all the sauces nicely Mofungo - chunky mashed plantains with a cup of garlic miso sofrito broth/butter, mofungo itself was plain and neutral in flavor making it a great starchy vehicle for the savory buttery sauce Pernil - very good, pork was tender and easy to shred with crispy bits here and there, served in a delicious brothy citrus garlic butter sofrito sauce, topped with chunks of sweet potatoes which creamy sweet pops and and tangy pickles onions, along with cilantro lime aioli which added richness, lots of textures in flavors, generous portion Service was good, good came out super quick once we ordered. Water was refilled throughout our meal and staff checked in periodically. Overall really enjoyed Alamar, the Dominican/ Caribbean flavor with a California twist were fantastic. Menu felt like it had something for everyone, all the dishes weordered went well together but we're also solid stand alone. Reasonably priced, would love to come back and try more, great spot for a group to try a much of dishes. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Dominican Slow Roasted Pork Ribs - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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We were greeted and sat immediately. The environment and music was great. It's rare to come across a Dominican restaurant in California and we had to try it. We were so happy we did. The service was great, very attentive and personable. The mamajuana cocktail was delicious and hit the spot. The Latin fries were so addicting. Perfect amount of seasoning. The Dominicano sandwich was delicious. Tons of flavor with the pernil and very tender... melt in your mouth. Can't wait to go back. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Dominicano sandwich, tostones, and Latin Fries - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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The entire experience here was absolutely amazing! Our server was super sweet and accommodating to us. We were a group of 4 with no reservation and they sat us immediately. The food was SOOOOO BOMB!! My gf & I split the oxtails and it was definitely enough to share! It was packed with flavor and the gravy was sooo rich & amazing. My partner got the spaghetti which was also amazing! We also got the chicharrones and the pork ribs. Both amazing! I seriously recommend this place for date night or a night out with friends. The cocktails were so good & not too strong but not crazy sweet either. It was the perfect balance! Can't recommend this place enough! read more

It's my first time trying Dominican food, and I was so impressed that I found myself returning for two consecutive days to explore more of their dishes! For both visits, I placed a pickup order. The restaurant had my food ready when I arrived, and I appreciated that they sealed their takeout bags for security. From their Lunch Combo menu, I tried two delicious dishes. The Dominican Rice Bowl, featuring Slow Roasted Pork Pernil and Tostones (Fried Green Plantain), was an absolute delight. The roasted pork was incredibly tender and juicy, making it effortless to pull apart, while the tostones added a delightful crunch. The other dish I tried was The New Dominicano sandwich, which comes with braised oxtail, pork pernil, butter pickles, Swiss cheese, sofrito lime mayo, nisi Philly roll, and tostones. This sandwich was bursting with flavor, delicious, and extremely fulfilling. read more

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Food and drink were amazing. Enjoyed the experience during Oakland Restaurant Week. Customer service was great other than the waitress taking a little long bringing the check read more

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The fried red snapper was a hit! We asked for the beans and toppings on the side. We made reservations so our table was waiting for us upon arrival, which was a plus. It's a nice little restaurant on Grand Ave with a full bar. I had their guava margarita which was awesome. read more

At the office, we have a meal program called "fooda" which partners with local businesses and I love trying new places and foods. As I'm trying to get more vegetarianish, my meal today was delicious! Plantains, corn, sweet potatoes, beans and rice in flavor filled sauces. It is definitely a meal because I'm saving the plantains my dessert. If you are watching carbs, this isn't for you but try it anyways!! I will definitely order this again and look forward to going to the restaurant. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Veggie entree - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Awesome place only Dominican place around. Such unique and comforting flavors, hard to describe you have to experience. Blend of spices I have never had before. Plantains go well with the rich meat and rice absorbs it all. Slow roasted pork and ox tail are the way to go. Cool spot and nice decor. I heard the cocktails are good as well. read more

What an excellent experience to dine here! First timers to the Dominican cuisine and we were soooo happy! The interior is pretty open and loud with bright colors and music. The place was buzzing on a Sunday evening. Our party was seated and our server, Jess, was right on it. Jess was the bomb! The four of us ordered quite a bit, and it was all exceptional in flavor and overall presentation. Nothing fancy mind you, but exciting! Top winners for us was the Dominican salad - bright, spicy and super flavorful. the Pernil roasted pork - OMG so so good! the braised oxtail - I did not get to try this dish, BUT let me tell you, the two that hoarded it were in heaven. Couldn't get it away from them! Stewed Dominican red beans were just awesome. You get the idea that we had a really great time here? you would be right. WE WILL BE BACK SOON. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Dominican salad and salchichon longaniza sausages - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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Hummm.....what can I say. Ambiance was nice although the restaurant is very small. Stools are uncomfortable to sit on. It felt crowded at times. Not quite the authentic Dominican restaurant I was expecting. My husband is Dominican so my standards were very high. The Moro was great. The wings... were.... ok. The yellow rice was lacking in that familiar Dominican spice level that I'm used to ... Much like the Moro rice had. I think it's extremely over-priced and lacks authenticity. Oh and no kids menu either read more

This wonderful restaurant has a happy atmosphere, vibrant decor, bachata & merengue playing in the background, an open kitchen and some seriously flavorful food to enjoy. Traditional Dominican recipes feature a unique element to make it new and exciting. My sancocho vegetarariano took a bit longer to arrive compared to my husbands sancochito but that was fine since I was just about stuffed from the succulent slightly spicy sweet pork ribs and chili glazed maduros appetizers. Unfortunately they were out of both pernil and oxtail during this visit but we hope to come back and try it next time. We ended the meal sharing their Dominican style bread pudding. Our awesome waiter Jesus was very nice & efficient and the charming Chef Nelson came by to check on us. So glad he decided to stick it out despite their recent hardships. Oaktown needs places like this to thrive. read more

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We sat outside since it was a nice summer day but the inside is super cute and has cute ambient lights. Waiters were super friendly, gave great recommendations when we were ordering. Food was DELICIOUS! Our group agreed everything we tried was yummy. The salad was not at all what we were expecting but a very pleasant surprise, one of my fav dishes. Great reliable spot to eat, would def recommend and return. read more

Alamar Dominican Kitchen - Empanadas, Dominican Spring Salad, "Pernil" Roast Pork, Dominican "Garlic Udon Noodles", Dominican Pork Ribs, Chicken Chicharron, Maduros - Comfort Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Oh my gosh, can we talk about how much I love this place?! I've officially found my new favorite spot in Oakland. Chef Nelson German (yes, the Top Chef alum) is doing something special here . The service is friendly, the plantains are sweet and perfect, and the vibes are immaculate. Do not sleep on alaMar! read more

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very nice. The service was really good.