This place remains the best spot on College Ave. Great food, super friendly staff (looking at you Jessica, Lucinda, Ada, and Christian!) and delicious drinks. The definition of a "neighborhood bar". read more

I've been in quite a few times for lunch and to grab drinks with friends. The atmosphere is always vibrant and busy in the evenings. Perfect place to watch the game. Food comes out quick even for how crowded it can be. I usually grab the Buffalo chicken sandwich, chicken club, or the burger which are all always delicious! The fries are addicting, crispy, and hot. Was really excited to see mead there this last visit! The jamaica by SideTrack was super tasty for warm day, I even got a second glass! Will be back for sure! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Delicious Bacon cheeseburger and fries with SideTrack Mead's Jamaica mead - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Nice pub bar-food place. The server seemed a lil hasty when we were ordering. Not sure if that was him or a bad day but in any case let's get into the food. I ordered a tea (it was as it should be basic and unsweetened with a slice of lemon), 1/2 pound of wings. Dry rub with blue cheese. The rub was good. Not salty not over powdered. Cooked well and had 3-4 small sticks of celery and a really good bleat cheese (may have had fresh dill in it). Pretty delicious actually. The 1/2 pound of wings kinda surprised me because it was 2 flats and 2 drums. 4 in total. Thought maybe I'd get at least 6. Deviled eggs. They looked soooo good. I liked how they had a lil of the deviled egg filling on bottom of the deviled eggs so they wouldn't wobble around. The amount of filling was high and was ok in taste. The mayo or something they used in it was on the sweeter side. The other people in my party loved them but too sweet for me. I tried some of my friend's Carnitas Nachos. They were goood. A very generous helping of nachos. I tried my friends spicy non alcoholic drink and it was really good! Bathroom was clean. read more

I met a friend of mine there, it was his spot and my first time dining there. The food was okay, nothing special the ambiance was a lot better than the food. The service was nice. read more

We had soooooo many options in this neighborhood, but finally when the hunger got too overwhelming, we were standing outside Ben 'N Nick's. A decent selection for both men and The Wife. She ordered quesadillas, while I got nachos, no meat but extra jalapenos. She was quite happy with her quesadillas, but I was over the moon with my nachos. Real cheese, not "sauce." Enough cheese to reach almost every chip. Plenty of toppings, but it never got soggy. Portion size was just right. Heavens, I'm practically drooling just writing this. Plus, they've recently expanded their happy hours to include weekends. We needed to point that out to our server, since it just happened. So our two entrees were heavily discounted, as was my beer and Irish whisky shot. Quite a deal. read more

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Great bar! Great pub vibe. Decent enough food options. They have trivia nights and great rotating drafts. Three large TV's for amusement if people watching isn't for you. Easy walk from Rockridge BART. I love this place. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Service is cool. The staff is friendly. Cheeseburgers were good. Cocktails were good. The copper tables are a nice touch. The one restroom is clean. The bill came out to about 80$ for two. A bit pricey and portion a little small, but overall experience was good. read more

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Our party of 8 got here around 9pm. We were welcomed inside and brought to a booth that was able to accommodate our party. They got an extra chair for us in case we needed it which was very nice of them. The inside looks like your standard pub with a few tables, a full bar with all the essentials, and the vast amount of wall decorations. At the table, you can find all your utensils and condiments. My partner and I shared the Philly Cheesesteak and the Cowboy Chili. The philly cheesesteak comes with fries and you can ask for hot peppers in the sandwich or just on the side. The chili does not come with beans and it's served in a cup or bowl depending on the size you prefer. Both of them tasted good and were decently sized, satisfying both me and my partner. The staff was very friendly and the place was well-lit! I also saw that they host Trivia Nights on Tuesday, so be on the lookout for that if you're in the area that day! read more

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This is a very cute bar restaurant on college ave! They have a lot of options on draft but we ended up with a very crisp Pilsner to complement the hot day! Service was very quick and friendly and she mentioned the happy hour menu was going on even on a holiday! We got two of the half dozen wings for $9 and split the cheeseburger with garlic fries and that was plenty for two people! Altogether I think we paid about $55! Not bad! Would come back again. read more

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So fun! Love Ben n nicks it's such a fun pub vibe but also family friendly, went for a late lunch on a saturday afternoon and it was so lovely outside on their little patio area out front with the warm weather, the food was great the hummus was so so good and creamy with a nice garlic twang, the salad was so yummy with quinoa and the crispy friend garbanzo beans were delish!! Fries were so good and thick and crispy, with yummy ranch as well, also serving sizes were really good sized! And classic burger but of course yummy :) the service was super friendly too and very quick, they assisted with questions really well and were just so friendly! Even asked if we needed an extra umbrella for the sun which we liked the warmth but we appreciated the thought to ask, fun family vibe and good food! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Hummus Plate, Market Bowl, The Cheeseburger, Side Fries, Onion Rings, - American Near Me - Oakland, California

It's a 5 star pub that succeeds in doing what it's trying to do. What are they trying to do? Be a neighborhood place with hearty food, a great beer selection (and full bar!) where you can hang out. I had the carnitas taco plate. I wish the carnitas would have been a bit crispier but the tacos were hefty and topped with a guac that had just enough kick to it. The folks with me had the Philly Cheesesteak (topped with jalapeños and very large) and a chicken sandwich (good sized). Loved the vibe of the place and our server was friendly and attentive. I drive by this place twice a day every day and have never stopped in but if the parking gods smile on me, I'll be in regularly. read more

Great casual bar/restaurant to bring family or meet up with friends! Their cocktails and menu are a nice step above basic bar food and drinks- nice variety of offerings and a couple healthier choices too. Good beer selection and a full bar, friendly and efficient bartender and servers! read more

3/19/25 - We got here around 9pm for a party of 8. We were sat at a booth that was just able to accommodate all of us. I ordered the Cowboy Chili while my partner got the Philly Cheesesteak. I ordered the bowl size of the chili, but it also comes in a cup size which is a smaller serving. If I was eating by myself, the cup size would've been satisfactory. The bowl size, however, was good as my partner and I were sharing each other's meals. Considering the serving size, the food is more on the expensive side. The chili was good, but I wish it had more of the sour cream, cheese, and other toppings that came along with it. I also wish that it had come with saltines or something else to change up the texture of the chili, but that's just personal preference. The fries that came with the philly cheesesteak tasted good and there was a good amount of them. The cheesesteak was good, but for $20+, it could have been bigger. read more

This is a great local bar with a decent food selection! You can always expect large portions and a good time when you come to Ben N Nick's! Any bar that has Pliney on draft is always a plus for me. The staff is all very friendly and it is a super cozy location. Definitely come in on Tuesday's for Trivia Night! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Impossible Burger - American Near Me - Oakland, California

My son is into beers and ciders and he has turned me on to a few brews. I've had a couple of very delicious ciders at Ben 'N Nicks, but what blew me away was their chili. It's a Texas style chili, no beans, but damn good. I'm addicted, lol. Check it out if you're in the area. read more

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The bartender Jessica is amazing, her customer service is amazing. Was all about finding exactly what I wanted to drink. Then through in reviewing food menu It's a cool old style bar. Lots of seating inside and some outside Real cool place to hangout. Watch a game. Socialize. Etc read more

Jess is my favorite bar tender ... and ben and nick's is my favorite spot in rockridge ... Jess makes the best drinks. Six stars if I could!

Ben and Nick's had everything we were looking for--solid service, great food, and no wait time on a weekend afternoon. Our server was attentive and thoughtful, even bringing our shared dishes out on separate plates without us having to ask. Most people come for the beer, but I appreciated that they also carry Alameda Point Craft Soda--nice touch! Only reason for 4 stars is the communal dog water bowl, which was placed far from our table. It would be great if each outdoor table had an individual dog bowl, especially since the patio is pet-friendly. Otherwise, a great spot with a welcoming vibe. Will definitely be back. read more

The best bar in one of the Bay Area's best neighborhoods. Beer and Wings! Smashburgers. Pliny the Younger on tap!

Ben 'N Nick's is one of my favorite places to grab a pint and a quick bite to eat. It's good pub food at a good price point. Service is always super friendly, and there are a few tables outside, if that's your preference (heat lamps don't always work, though). A minor gripe is that aside from salads and a few celery sticks, there are hardly any vegetables on the menu. It's a cash-free establishment. read more

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It's was amazing My partner and I shared the Philly Cheesesteak and the Cowboy Chili. The philly cheesesteak comes with fries and you can ask for hot peppers in the sandwich or just on the side. The chili does not come with beans and it's served in a cup or bowl depending on the size you prefer. Both of them tasted good and were decently sized, satisfying both me and my partner. read more

Jessica is the best bartender iv had in a long time she is so friendly and nice for sure be back just to see her food is good as well

This is the best pub around Oakland. Great ambiance and decor, amazing food. What a spot what a spot. Glad they opened back up after closing for a while a few years ago. read more

This place is absolute TRASH! Under staffed the only lady or "server" that's here is overwhelmed and has a nasty attitude and horrible customer service this place is probably good for drinks if your desperate food menu is stupid great drinks though get a better chef read more

Ben n' Nicks during the World Series! Best spot in the town! Great, fresh beer on draft and amazing service as always

I told the waiter that I am deadly allergic to onions. the cook put onions on my burgers.

These guys are the greatest. I've been coming here for years to watch football, basketball, baseball, to sing some karaoke or just kick back with buds. The food is awesome, the vibes are good and it's always nice to have the perfect neighborhood bar just right around the corner from BART. Check these folks out! read more

I ordered a drink and was verbally slighted for not leaving a tip. I do not owe you a tip and you are not obligated to receive one, especially for such a short interaction. First and last time going here. read more

Very nice staff, great selection of good beers on tap, my kids and I loved the burgers!

Accommodated well my big part of 15 people although there is no reservation system. I called a week ahead then the day of just to confirm and it was all good. Overall vibe was good and food seemed good, friends enjoyed. I only tried the fries and they were amazing! One of the best fries. read more

Been meaning to check this place out for a while. Glad I finally was able to swing by. Came on a Friday evening with my husband for a casual dinner. Cool pub w/ a laid back vibe. There is seating both inside and outside which is nice. We chose to sit outside since the weather was decent. The food and drinks are definitely better than your average pub. We ordered: - Deviled Eggs: good! And I appreciate that it comes with 6 halves. (the places who only give you 4 but charge you an arm & a leg are the worst) - Patty Melt w/ onion rings: delicious! I had them sub an impossible patty and it all came together really well. Bread was nicely toasted, onions were caramelized and the BN sauce was the cherry on top. Also, subbing onion rings for fries was probably the smartest decision I made all day. They are very very good. - Ben's Cheeseburger: my husband said this hit the spot. He devoured it. - Deconstructed Cheesecake: tasty! I like a more substantial crust (this was more of a crumble) but they did say it was deconstructed so I guess I can't complain too much lol - Cocktails: excellent! Both were very balanced and well made! Will be back for sure. read more

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THE BEST pub vibe and really friendly attentive staff. I like that they show the basketball games and that the music is at a low-reasonable volume so you don't have to scream to talk over it. Awesome burgers and the best beer in the East Bay: Cali Creamin' Nitro on draft. Come support this long time local gem. read more

We had come for an early dinner and every dish was extremely salty, even to those of us who are used to salt. Burger, Reuben etc. Not sure what happened. read more

I know I already left a rating for this place but my husband was craving their fried chicken sandwich today so we ordered pick up. I was going through their menu and found a falafel plate, I have to say that I'm still comfortably full five hours later! Not only are their drinks tasty and the people who work here are friendly but their menu has such a great variety of everything. My husband and I agree, it's a must try! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Pretty fun Pub/Grub place to watch World Cup Soccer. Not the cheapest but cozy and a great place to gather with friends and catch up. Food does the job. Had chicken wings and they were good and a breakfast burrito that was ok too. Love the rustic interior and the service was excellent given how crowded the place got. The place lacks sufficient restrooms. Just two toilets in two areas. When it gets crowded, the queue could be problematic if you have a weak bladder. All in all, had a fun time here. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Perfect place to watch a World Cup game - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Renewed interest when I saw their Instagram post about allowing friendly dogs inside. My friend was dog sitting and took our dog over to the confusion of the workers who said there was just a dog brawl the week before and didn't know the owner had made that post. They let him stay though, and our dog were the only one, so she got all the attention. Today there is one dog at the bar and two out on the parklet. My husband and I were third in line to "seat ourselves" at 6:45pm on a Friday in February. The couple in front of us left and we were next because the party of 4 wanted a booth. We were seated at the end of the long copper table meant for groups. We have been here with a larger group before. The only annoying thing about this seat is that some people who are impatient hover above you while they wait for a table. The waitstaff is efficient. They take your order and clear your table quickly. The check is paid with handheld machine and it's now a cashless restaurant. There are four tvs for sports lovers. Three over the bar and one in the "dining area." There are a few parklet tables, and some tables in the windows, which open during nice weather. Very convenient location across from Rockridge BART. Otherwise you can pay for street parking or find free residential parking. There are two unisex restroom, one hidden in the dining corner, and the other towards the kitchen. There is a full bar and happy hour. You can sign up for their email list or social media to keep up on events, but they regularly have karaoke and trivia. If you walk by, they will have posters on their windows. We have been here only occasionally over the last 10 years of living in Rockridge. Today we had the deviled eggs, which come six in a plate and are well formed. The cheeseburger is juicy but too bready for my liking. The fries have that double crisp crust trend that showed up some decade ago for no good reason, but ketchup helps everything. There is a caddy full of all kinds of condiments for the table. We also had the Caesar kale salad, which is very big. The chicken cubes are juicy but the crispy garbanzos aren't too cohesive. We asked for a takeout box and it was compostable and came to the table for us to self pack. Kid friendly so there were some kids during our visit. Neighborhood bar and grill. Nothing mind blowing but a good staple to have in the area. There is wifi available, check the menu on the wall for the password. read more

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So good, great experience. Sat at the bar, limited seating due to Football Sunday but, a kind lady scooted down 1 chair to allow hubby and I a seat together at the bar. We watched football, drank cold beer, had a few shots of whiskey (they use big ice cubes, nice touch for a pub) and enjoyed some appertizers, and shared a sammy.....my only regret was sharing the sandwich, I wanted to eat the whole thing, it was super delicious! It was the perfect Sunday Football experience at a local pub. We will return for the fun environment, cold beer and good food! read more

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Stopped by for lunch because it looked fun. Sat outside, service was good. Food was delicious. Arancini appetizers was my fave. First time ever having it. Crunchy panko crust outside, creamy and perfectly seasoned rice and cheese inside. Topped with marinara sauce, YUM! The Oakland fried chicken sandwich was really good. Crunchy, flavorful chicken, topped with a creamy and tangy slaw on a brioche bun, served with more fries than I could eat. That's rare for me, lol. Hubby got a burger that was juicy and delicious. Friends got a grilled cheese which looked amazing and their fish and chips looked really good too. We also shared an order of onion rings, which were beer-battered and good, but I prefer the panko crust over beer-battered. The light local beer was perfect with the entire meal. read more

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Stopped in for the annual Pliny the Younger triple IPA and was pleased to immediately find a seat at the bar. Tried the grilled cheese sando with tomato soup. And it was a perfect combo with the beer. The thick bread was grilled to perfection and the soup was very flavorful. read more

Ordered the Philly cheesesteak. Pretty pricey so I expected a substantial sandwich. Instead I got a pepper and onion sandwich with a minuscule amount of meat and cheese. Even some of the little bit of meat was chewy and uneatable. Also, server never once asked how the meal tasted. I'm not from here and only been there the one time, so I sincerely hope that's not normal operation. Definitely not worth the price at all read more