Finally I can leave a well deserved review for Burdell! My husband made a reservation for us for a special occasion and my heart was so warmed by the whole experience. Who would've thought you could have such a gourmet experience with good ol' soul food?! From the get go, everything was lovely. Parking was easy to find and we brought our kiddo and the staff made him smile and laugh. It's not easy to take little ones out for fine dining but we've got a great kid and the Burdell staff was amazing. I love the decor; it's like if you could make homey chic? We definitely had to get the chicken and waffles which was of course amazing and my kid devoured it. It wasn't your classic chicken and waffles but like crispy chicken skin bits (my kid's favorite) and I don't know what is in the waffles but they were divine. Not to mention the chicken liver mousse!! Heavenly. I'm allergic to peanuts so instead of the boiled peanuts (which my husband inhaled) I got something else and my apologies I cannot remember what it was but it was refreshing and crisp) Also the cornbread is to die for. I would eat it every day if I could. It went so well with the pork chop and I would come back just for the cornbread. Last but not least I eyed the owner and chef himself apron'd up and working amongst his staff like an undercover boss and I appreciated his humility and grace. If I could give Burdell 10 stars I would! read more

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4+ restaurant that specializes in soul food. They are ingredients focused and driven. Because of that you're gonna get higher quality food, but also the prices are gonna reflect that as well. This restaurant is good for when you want to have a nice evening out, but not sure if I would be able to dine here casually multiple nights a week. The service was great with a chill laid-back vibe to the place. It also has a cozy home, feeling to it because of the pictures on the wall. The interior is minimalist and clean. Also know that the service fee or tip is included in your bill. I don't mind at all because I usually tip that amount at least when I go out anyway, but it should be known. Came here for dinner while on a work trip in the area and was able to get seated at the bar pretty much right away. I ordered the boiled peanuts to start which was soaking in peanut miso. I also ordered the Jadore chicken which comes partly fried and roasted and comes with deviled egg potato salad on the side. I love the boiled peanuts even though my fingers got a little messy lol. The chicken was good and so was the sides. I would love to come back and try more items on the menu, but like I mentioned before, this place isn't exactly cheap so I would probably make a nice night out of it. I came in on a weekday so there was pretty good amount of metered street parking in the area. read more

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Burdell, with its combined internet acclaim and censure, piqued my interest for some time. I made a reservation (with ease) on OpenTable and dined with my friend for a very belated birthday celebration. The food is good but nothing to write home about. The cornbread, stellar and moist as this was, was served alongside a very tangy butter (almost overwhelmingly so) yet still remained the best bite of the night. The chicken liver and waffle, while inventive, was a tad too gamey for my liking, especially surprising as a person who generally loves pate. The hominy grits received many a praise from the Infatuation SF but was also too salty for my palate. Overall, the dishes generally were ok, simply put. What did shine were the eclectic wine selection and cocktail curation though. The service was stellar, expected for a more upscale restaurant. Sorta sad to see such disparagement accrued from the owner's choice of including a 20% service fee. Yes, it's steep but understandable given how diligent and accommodating the staff are. read more

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Birthday dinner here turned into one of those nights where time softens and the table becomes the center of the world. Plates hit the table and suddenly we weren't being polite - we were wiping sauces with bread, tearing off corners to catch every last drop, passing dishes back and forth, and laughing mid-bite. The Dungeness crab gumbo was deep and luxurious, the kind you end up taking little sips of straight from the bowl because leaving any behind would be a personal failure. The beets salad brought brightness and relief between bites. The greens and red cabbage were slow-cooked, vinegary, soulful-meant to be eaten generously, not delicately. The chicken jibori was tender and rich, sitting in its sauce like it expected you to drag bread through it (correctly). And that cornbread + honey butter? Edges crisp, center soft, disappearing fast because everyone kept "just one more piece"-ing themselves. Wine glasses stayed full, candles flickered, the room hummed, and then--quietly--a handwritten birthday note and candle arrived. No show. Just warmth. That kind of hospitality that lands in your chest. Burdell invites you to slow down, get a little messy, and eat with intention and joy. This is food meant to be shared, remembered, and felt. Oakland is lucky - and so was I. read more

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Sometimes reviews from restaurant critics and Yelpers don't always align, so there's really only one way to find out what's really going on, and that is to check out a place in person. Burdell is such a place. Winner of many accolades, yet somehow that's not reflected in Yelpers' reviews. So when a couple of friends - including one who is from the South - were visiting from out of town, we decided to have dinner to see for ourselves. Before I get into the individual dishes, our overall impression is that we enjoyed our meal at Burdell. Each dish was good, but some were better than others, and it is perhaps this inconsistency that has prevented Burdell from living up to the hype for some people. I didn't dislike any of the dishes we ordered, and I would definitely return to try more of the menu, so for that reason, I am giving it four stars. Also, chef Geoff Davis served us some of the dishes himself (without announcing who he was - very humble), so that was kind of cool, too. What we ate: Boiled Peanuts: My southern friend made us order this because, well, it's a southern thing I guess. It ended up being a good decision. Who knew boiled peanuts could be so tasty? Whatever seasoning they used was pretty addictive, and I could have probably eaten it with a spoon. 4/5 Blistered Brussels Caesar: Probably my favorite dish of the night. The most creative take on a Caesar salad I have seen. We expected a typical salad with Brussels sprouts, but the sprouts were slightly blanched, making them tender, and the citrusy vinaigrette was a nice complement to the bitter greens and salty cheese and dried slices of sunchoke. I almost wanted to order a second one 5/5 "BBQ" Whole Shrimp: Based on everything I had read, this was the dish that had to be ordered, so we ordered it. To be honest, while it was tasty, it was probably my least favorite. The sauce was a bit more on the saltier/umami side and didn't have much sweetness to it as I was expecting from a BBQ type dish. The toast pieces were a nice addition for sopping up the sauce, but honestly I liked the boiled peanut sauce better. It's one of their signature dishes, so it's probably a must-try at least once, but I probably wouldn't order it again. 3/5 Cheddar Dumplin's: The "dumplins" here were kind of like gnocchi, but also a bit dense and not super cheesy. The only thing that saved this dish for me was everything else that came with the dumplings: chanterelles, squash, kale, apples, which all complemented each other well. 3/5 Pork Roast: This was actually a pork collar, which I am not sure is a cut of pork that I have ever had, but it was incredibly juicy and tender. I loved it. Beans were just OK, but that's not why you get this dish. You have to be OK with pork that is pink, however, and I am totally fine with that. I would definitely get this dish again. 5/5. Cornbread: This cornbread is magical. It is so moist it is almost like a banana bread texture-wise. I think my mouth and brain were actually in shock when I took my first bite because it was nothing like any cornbread I had ever had before. I could probably eat a whole pan of it. 5/5 As you can see, the dishes I liked, I REALLY liked. The dishes I didn't like were just OK but not bad. The service was very friendly and attentive, and our server (I failed to get her name) did a great job suggesting a wine that our entire table enjoyed. I guess my point is, the only way to know if you will like Burdell is to go check it out yourself. Bon appetit! read more

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WHEN: Sat @5pm Been really curious about this place and heard great things and decided to give it a shot since it wasn't all the way in San Francisco. We lucked out on a free street parking spot on the other side of Telegraph. This restaurant has a lovely simple decor, and while the lighting is kind of dim, it does flicker every 20 minutes or so--gives it that slight underground feel, haha. The staff are all friendly and Prejean took great care of us. Here's what we ordered, with the first 3 being "For the Table": BOILED PEANUTS - $9 Cooked for hours, served warm in shell, with peanut miso & house spice. Served hot so be careful! Very skeptical about this, but seems to be a popular item most people rave about so why not. While this bowl of shelled peanuts was sitting in a bowl of sauce like cereal, the flavors were good. However, I just don't like my peanuts mushy. The little work peeling the hot shells just was not worth it. But hey we knew the risk and don't regret giving it a shot. Maybe I'll pour that sauce over a bowl of rice. BLISTERED BRUSSELS CAESAR - $18 lacopi Brussels dressed with sunchoke Caesar, aged cheddar. The tiniest Brussels sprouts I've ever seen! Which makes it easier to eat. Got this cuz we need a vegetable plate. I think the crunchy sliver pieces is the aged cheddar which I enjoyed giving it a nice crunch to this plate. Here I taste citrus and unctuous flavors, which made this "healthy" dish quite enjoyable! I love Cesar salad so I was curious to see a version made with Brussels sprouts! CHICKEN LIVER & WAFFLE - $19 Chicken liver mousse with crispy skin, maple & shallot vinaigrette, with cornmeal waffle. What a unique dish with the best of all worlds for me! I love pate, I love fried chicken skin and I love me some waffles! This dish is more of a savory one so the waffle is very subtly sweet, but it has a wonderful cornmeal texture. I would eat the liver mousse and skin alone, but it's better with the waffle. You have so much going on here with the rich and crispy taste of the skin, and the smooth liver mousse--which they should just call pate cuz it sounds more appetizing, haha. This was my favorite of the night! JIDORI CHICKEN - $45 Buttermilk fried leg & roasted breast with drippings & deviled egg La Ratte potato salad. We felt the obligation of ordering a "For Supper" entree and chose wrong. Now we read mixed reviews about their chicken but I still had to try it for myself and...the people have spoken. I didn't like it. The roasted piece was too salty, while the fried piece was bland...or maybe we were suppose to eat them together??? But the potato salad was good, as good as any potato salad would be. CORNBREAD - $13 Stone-milled red corn from Lee, served warm, with tangy honey butter. This "side" item didn't come out until the main dish ("For Supper") came out, which was about half an hour after the first 3 items from the "For The Table" menu came out. I didn't care for the butter at all because of the tangy flavor from the apple-cider vinegar. But the cornbread was good. But is it $13 good? No, and I've had better, but I'm grateful it wasn't dry. I do appreciate how unique this was though with what they added in their butter--it's just not for me. I don't need to taste all the kinds of sensations (sweet, salty, umami, etc.) in a cornbread. Overall, this place was good, but definitely very pricey for the amount you get. The sharables and sides are better than the main plate--I should have gone with he fish. They also automatically apply as 20% service fee to your bill so no need to think about tip. The bill came out to be a total of $139 with leftovers and we were stuffed! Didn't even bother with dessert! We are happy we gave this spot a try and do not regret it! read more

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First time at Burdell and overall the food was good but the overall didn't wow me... perhaps since I had set a high expectation considering the accolades given to Burdell. The salad, and the oxtail fries, were tasty! They were on point and I liked these. No problem with them at all. The mustard green side was on the saltier side but I manage by eating it with more of the mixed rice and beans which was delicious with a nice spice to it. The main entree, the pickle brine fried chicken was ok. The chicken was crispy and juicy but 1) not all pieces were marinated well as two pieces we had lacked flavor so it wasn't just how the chicken was, but inconsistency in marination, and 2) some pieces were overcooked leading a thick dry outer layer before you get into the nice juicy meat inside. Pieces that were marinated well were phenomenal along with the house made hot sauce, but due to inconsistencies, the overall was underwhelming. Service could have been better - primarily because when our water cups were empty, I expected them to fill it or ask to fill it but they came by twice but never asked or did so, until I asked for the water cups to be refilled. The ambiance of the place was on the upscale feeling though definitely did very well in keeping the southern feel to it with the dining wares used, and the decor. Maybe I'll give it another try during their non pre-fixe menu and see if the experience is better. read more

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I am well aware that the restaurant is Michelin star rated somehow, but because of that, I thought the service would be a little better. Even with a reservation, we had to wait about 20 min to be seated and saw others who came in after is get seated fairly promptly. That I was not fond of. However, once we were seated, the service was great. We loved our waiter. He was patient and knowledgeable in everything that was going into the food. Also super accommodating with the lighting because our old eyes couldn't see the food well so he raised the lights up so we could fully see and enjoy our food. I highly recommend the hush puppies and caviar. Sooooo delicious with the prosciutto and their sauces. Yum-pop. Chicken liver dish was a bit too sour for my taste, but we gave it a go. Lamb dish was perfectly cooked but a bit too salty for me. However, paired with their sauces Margaret cocktail, it was perfect. Give them a try and tell me if my taste buds are off. read more

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The rating on help is pretty accurate. Overly priced for average food. Made a reservation through Open Table to use the chase dining benefits. We were seated right away. The interior has some old school vibes and moody/dim lighting. First dish we got was the shrimp which came out COLD. I was not prepared for that. The sauce also was slightly bitter, almost burnt tasting? Then we waited maybe 45 minutes after the shrimp to get the main entrees. We got the chicken and lamb. The fried chicken was probably the warmest thing we got all night and it's probably because it was deer fried. It was still very moist and flavor was good. All the lamb items were also very good. But majority of items came out COLD. The corn bread was also delicious, but was only slightly luke warm. I'm not sure I would come back. It was worth trying to use the dining credit, but was definitely expecting at the bare minimum warm/hot food at the prices they have. read more

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After hearing so many great things about Burdell, my partner and I checked this place out for my birthday. The interior of the restaurant was very cool, as it felt very vintage and felt at home. I always found myself looking around and admiring how they set up the restaurant. For the food, my partner and I shared the Cornbread, Chicken Liver and Waffles, and the Blackened Cod. The cornbread was light and delicious. The Blackened Cod was very tender and I couldn't stop putting down my fork. Overall, our experience at Burdell was great. Sometimes, it was difficult to grab a waiter's attention to get water, but they did check in on us occasionally to change plates for the next course. Although the food was on the more expensive side, I would still recommend giving Burdell a try! read more

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This is a tougher review for me to write, mainly because expectations matter. Part of my rating reflects how highly reviewed this place is. I may have given more stars if the hype were lower. Like other commentary online, I do not think the food quite matched the buzz or the price point. Some dishes were good, but nothing truly left me in awe. The drinks were a strong point. My friend loved the Hula and found it genuinely unique. I ordered the margarita-style cocktail. It was good, but not exceptional. We also had wine, and the server's recommendations were excellent. My friend and I have very different palates, yet he guided us in a way that made both of us happy with our choices. For food, we started with the chicken liver waffle and the shrimp. The chicken liver waffle was delicious and one of the best things we ordered. I understand the hype here. I forgot to ask for hot sauce and regretted it afterward, especially since they have a great one, so I recommend requesting it if you order this dish. The shrimp did not land for me. It was not bad, but the flavor felt incomplete, and I could not quite pinpoint what was missing. The cornbread was a standout. It was firmer with a crispy top and a soft interior. The crunch was unexpected and really enjoyable. I do not think I have had cornbread with that texture before, and it worked beautifully. The pork roast was good, rich, and fatty, and the beans were delicious. Adding hot sauce brought the flavors together even more. Service was slow, as others have mentioned, but it worked for us. We were catching up, and the pacing gave us plenty of time to talk, which felt relaxed and intentional. The space's aesthetic is beautiful. It feels like stepping into someone's home from another era, with warm browns and oranges that feel cozy and groovy. read more

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I wanted to like this place but man, it was disappointing and I don't understand how it is a Michelin Guide restaurant. We were able to find street parking fairly quickly on a Sunday night. We arrived early for our reservation and waited about 5 minutes before we got seated. There isn't much space inside for groups to wait and it was cold outside. The restaurant itself is pretty cramped and you're close to the next table. There's barely any space for the server themselves to get in between to bring out the food. We ordered wine and appetizers, which came out fairly quick. But the actual entree took forever to come out. We noticed it was the same for the table next to us and it took just as long for them to get their desserts. For that reason, we didn't want to wait any longer to try their desserts. For the appetizers, we got the blistered brussels caesar and the bbq whole shrimp. We got the jidori chicken because of the potato salad it came with. We also got the cornbread. We really enjoyed the brusell sprouts, potato salad and cornbread. The cornbread had this amazing crunch and so much flavor. The chicken was a let down. Buttermilk fried leg lacked flavor. We wished there was some type of hot sauce that it came with. The roasted breast was slightly salty. Our server Zara was very nice as well as all the servers who brought the food, cleared the table and refilled our water. Another thing that irked me was the 20% gratuity that was adde just for the 2 of us. Like if you're gonna expect that, bring out the food faster and worth eating. I think it is a bit sad that we enjoyed the appetizers and cornbread the most. It seems like the brunch menu has the better food items to try. But I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again unless I was in the area. read more

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The food and service just don't cut it Beverly - sweet highball drink without much depth Lanail - great balanced cocktail, with pickles Maragaret - unique and acidic, herbal BBQ shrimp - good sauce, tomato, smokey, creamy, with buttery milk bread to soak it up. The problem was that the shrimp meat was OLD, like you know with the tooth meat in the inside and the dissolving mush meat on the outside Cornbread - GREAT crispy crust and unique flavor, super buttery Jidori chicken - well executed but NO FLAVOR , just salt on the roasted breast, but no salt in the fried chicken. The only thing that was good was the texture Service was sparse and nobody works as a team. They don't take ownership or even take your picture and ask your server to do it. We were so thirsty from lack of water initially and lack of refill For the price point, the product and service fall far below expectation. read more

Burdell - Beverly and lenail - Soul Food Near Me - Oakland, California

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My family and I had a great experience here. The service was efficient and friendly, and the food was amazing. We came for brunch and ordered a La carte instead of doing their pre fixed option. We got the croquettes, beignets, bans pancakes, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and the po boy. The interior is cozy and welcoming, however they are down to one bathroom so a small line formed at the door of a few people. Overall great experience, we will be coming back to try dinner. read more

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Wow, what an experience! I kept hearing about Burdell and had been wanting to try it, but heard it was hard to get reservations. Fortunately, myself and a coworker got in on a Tuesday evening for a great meal. I loved the vintage decor. The nostalgia hit so hard! It felt just like visiting grandma's house, the grandma who knocked it out in the kitchen! You could spend half your time just soaking in all the quirks and decorative choices. What tickled me the most was that the bench seats are church pews XD Now on to the food. I really liked how they put a modern spin on Southern classics. The menu looked so good we wanted to try everything, so we tried as many dishes as we could. For appetizers, we got pluots and country ham, boiled peanuts, and BBQ shrimp. The pluots and ham went perfect together and were a fun play on what other spots may do using burata cheese, but here they used ricotta. The boiled peanuts with miso was a pleasant surprise and the BBQ shrimp was covered in a sauce that was rich and buttery. The milk bread was a nice touch. For main we got lamb four ways with a side of cornbread. The lamb four ways was so delicious and a good sized portion! We had a good time discussing the different ways the lamb was prepared. I think I liked the sausage the most. The cornbread was great too. It was definitely more on the savory side rather than sweet which I liked, and it was light and bready which again I liked quite alot. Service was very attentive and it was clear that the people working there care about the experience. They were happy to share details about the menu, make food and drink recommendations, or share fun stories. I appreciated that they took their time so you never felt rushed or pressured. It was a very chill experience with good vibes. I would 100% go here again and recommend it to anyone looking for an elevated Soul Food experience in a cozy environment. read more

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I struggled to decide if this rating deserved 2 or 3 stars. Since I cannot do 2.5, I'm noting it as a 2. What started out as an enjoyable evening slowly turned into a lack of customer service and a reason to not return. To begin, prices are rather high, although we were prepared to pay for a meal that we'd read was the #1 restaurant in the Bay Area according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The food was NOT worth the price we paid. While it was good, I wouldn't highlight anything as unique or tasty enough to warrant the price per dish. We ordered almost every item from the starters and three of the four side dishes. Of the side dishes, we specifically requested the following: corn bread, greens, and the beans. We specifically omitted the mashed potatoes as they weren't something we wanted to try. Since they paced the food out one dish at a time, when we received mashed potatoes alongside our shrimp dish, we thought they were a part of our shrimp. To our dismay, we discovered that they incorrectly delivered them to us and charged us, which we did not discover until after we got the bill. We decided not to dispute it because we were already frustrated and wanted to leave. Why were we frustrated, do you ask? Let me tell you. Near the end of our dinner, we checked in with the our server to inquire about our greens and beans that had not yet arrived. After our server left to check on it, she came back to inform us that she forgot to put it in. We asked that she disregard the collard greens, but that we still wanted the beans. After some time waiting, what did we get? Collard greens! We kindly corrected her and said that we wanted the beans, not the greens. I can understand that it's a loud and small restaurant so it can be difficult to hear what we are saying. This miscommunication is not what upset me. She checked on the beans, returned to say we could keep the greens with no charge. But then she said that we had to vacate our table and finish dining at the bar because another party had arrived. We declined the beens, felt disrespected and honestly, angry. We asked for the check so we could leave. That was when we got the bill and saw that we were charged for the mashed potatoes that we didn't order. At this point we wanted nothing to do with them. We chalked up our loss, paid, and left. Here's the thing: we arrived a few minutes after our reservation time - 6:45pm, arrived at 6:51pm, then we were seated shortly after 7:00pm because our table wasn't ready. No problem here. We had a 15 minute window and we were okay with the additional wait time because the party dining at our spot hadn't finished eating. Flash forward to our dinner and they had the audacity to ask us to go to the bar because of a mistake the server made??? Absolutely unacceptable. To top it all off, they automatically charge a 20% gratuity/service fee stating that it's to help pay for 50% of the staffs benefits. You want to pay their benefits? Charge more for the food upfront. But that experience did not deserve the tip they decided they deserved. I really wanted to enjoy a restaurant that had such a rich history behind it, not to mention the accolades received through various media outlets. To say that this was underwhelming and a disappointment is a serious understatement. Honestly, the two stars I'm giving is more than generous with how I'm left feeling several days after the experience. The food in general was forgettable, although if you feel brave enough to go, the shrimp shareable and fried veggies were good, so I guess that's the silver lining? Just make sure they don't charge you for something you didn't actually order. read more

Burdell - Soul Food Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here on a double-date for Sunday brunch, and the vibe inside is really cool (though it got rather hot and there was no AC). Super retro but trendy We did family-style and got the brisket sandwich on viet roll, chicken/waffles, shrimp & grits, beignets, and the banana pancakes. --Personal verdict was chicken/waffles and brisket sandwich were the best. --Banana pancakes had dried bananas on top (not fresh), which was an odd pairing imo. --Brisket sandwich had really good flavor but too salty if ate too much Service was attentive, and food comes out very slow (so expect to relax/spend a bit of time there). Not sure I'd come back for the price (plates are $23-27, beignets were $13(?) for 4 small pieces), but it was cool to try. I'd rate this 3.5-4 stars for the price and what you get for it. read more

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Excellent food, staff and what an amazing ambiance. Super cozy and those plates and cups, well I felt like we stepped back into 1984! What a super smart concept to pair with the food. Now, let's talk about this food! We had the barbecued shrimp and grits, steak, hush puppies, and the beignets. Holy smokes everything was mouth watering! I think I dreamt about more hush puppies last night! Kudos to the staff! read more

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Came here for my anniversary and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere had a homey setting reminding you of grandmas house. From the lighting to the chairs to the plates it warmly welcomes you. We kicked off with the boiled (miso) peanuts, the touch of Ethiopian seasoning on top elevated to that next level while still keeping it very approachable. However, easily the favorite side dish was the cornbread. It's not like your usual and with the butter has phenomenal flavor. The blackened cod dish was screaming with citrus nots from the sauce which went well with the grits. The cod itself, buttery, flaky and blackened giving it a subtle smoky flavor. Topped it all off with the peach cobbler that was very consistent with its texture and crust. The buttermilk ice cream was a good touch also to bring it all home. Yes, it is a tad pricey but the food and atmosphere tells a story that you can get nowhere else. The service we had was equally great and they made it a special anniversary! Thanks to the staff at Burdell!! read more

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This food would have been good if it wasn't so salty. Really sad that professional chefs know how to construct a fancy dish but then borderline make it almost inedible due to over salting. The chicken breast was the best thing on the menu. It was perfectly cooked and not too salty. Following that I would say the grits. The rest of our dishes were over powered by sodium. read more

Finally got a resy to burdell for our anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint. Immediately when you walk into the restaurant you're transported to a place of nostalgia and it feels like you're sharing a home cooked meal with loved ones. We started the meal with boiled peanuts and they were warm, flavorful, and soft on the inside. Then came the chicken liver waffle, which was the perfect combo of sweet and savory. The fried green onions was one of my faves as it was fresh, crispy, and savory all in one bite. For a main entree we tried the Oregon lamb which I thought was pretty good. And we ended the meal with the best cornbread you'll ever have. Honestly felt like a dessert with how sugary and flakey the top of the bread was and the honey butter was the perfect addition. So glad we got to try one of the best restaurants in the bay! read more

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Came with a friend and ordered chicken and waffles. Don't know if what they served was authentic soul food but I was disappointed. The chicken was nothing special and the waffle was bland and not crispy. So if you are craving regular waffles, this is not the place. read more

I decided to finally give Burdell since its such a highly recommended restaurant in Oakland, but the experience was pretty disappointing. Even with a reservation, the service felt a bit disorganized -- there wasn't a clear host, and the welcome didn't feel especially warm. Throughout the meal, check-ins were limited, which stood out given the higher price point. We really enjoyed the lamb tartare and all our other dishes were just okay or we disliked, including the chicken, which they were well-known for. One of the top recommendations from our server was a caviar dish, which felt more like a safe upsell than a standout must-try. read more

The cornbread is *chef's kiss* amazing and not over hyped at all. I also absolutely love the Genevieve cocktail which has the egg white foam and is perfectly balanced between sour and sweet. The bread that comes with the shrimp is also really good with the sauce. The lamb was tender and so tasty but on the small side for the price. Butter beans and greens that came with it were delicious. The grits that come with the cod were really good and the cod was fresh but also on the small side. Peach cobbler dessert was AH-MAZING - buttermilk ice cream was so creamy and delicious paired with the fresh baked peaches and cobbler. The caramelization on the sides were yummy. The top part is reminiscent of the corn bread. They didn't mention there was a $9 charge for the house sparkling water so I would recommend they let customers know there is a charge beforehand. Service was good and our main server, Prejean, was really friendly and helpful with a positive vibe. read more

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Everything was absolutely delicious. The grits was out of this world. Vibe and service was great. No notes.

The interior was cozy and cute, it reminds me of eating dinner in a home almost but I expected more from the dishes. The skin on the roasted chicken was great however it was a bit salty. The corn bread was great paired with the butter, it was dense and had a good texture. The chicken liver and waffle was ok. It's an interesting spin on chicken and waffle but I'm not a fan of liver and the pate tasted weirdly sour? The greens with bacon were soft and tender. The bbq shrimp was good, the sauce was more tomato than I was expecting. The lamb was the star entree on the meal, a 10/10 dish. I was hoping to order their fried chicken, but it looks like they update their menu seasonally. This restaurant was featured on the SF chronicles top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area. There's certainly no other restaurant doing things like they do, however I'm a little disappointed because I was expecting to be wowed with such rave reviews. Service was great. They do serve brunch on the weekends so I am curious to see how they do brunch. read more

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TL;DR The metro newspaper ratedd best in the Bay area. A national magazine voted best in the country. Cal-Southern. Very much an Oakland restaurant. In the lineage, however indirectly, of Chez Panisse. An exciting place to dine. read more

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Decor is nostalgic. Place is expensive and the food really ain't that good or worth it. Fun to go once but probably won't go back. I had higher expectations. read more

Burdell, which was added to the coveted Michelin Guide last summer, claimed No. 1 in Food & Wine's magazine's ranking for the top 15 U.S. restaurants as well as the No. 1 spot for the best overall U.S. winners, Apr. '24. Reserve your table now. I booked a month out. Seating w/o a reservation is limited. We were really looking forward to the experience & Chef Geoff Davis did not disappoint! Beverly 5outta5 Light & refreshing Genevieve 4outta5 Lemon forward & refreshing. I stopped at one. I could've easily downed 3, it was so smooth. Marinated Serpent Cucumbers 4outta5 I love cucumbers! This was different. Pimento and aged cheddar cheese sauce? The cheese was creamy and complimented the spicy cucumbers. Burdell Reserve Caviar & Chicken Nuggets 5outta5 Unbelievably delicious! The nuggets were shaped like those at the Golden Arches but tasted nothing like them. Chef Davis presented the dish & advised us to have fun w/the condiments (caviar, honey mustard, a buttermilk sauce w/egg yolk & chives.) I did just that & every combination exploded w/flavor. Hoppin' John & Cornbread 5outta5 This is one of the most slept on soul food dishes, especially on the west coast. I've only had this served w/black eyed peas. The heirloom red eye peas were a first that I'll definitely revisit! Seasoned to absolute perfection, they tasted like they came from Granny's kitchen. The cornbread w/its honey butter, put it over the top! Blackened Black Cod 5outta5 She loved it. I tasted it and was blown away. The cod melted in my mouth. The grits and tomato vinaigrette were the perfect blanket. Oregon Lamb 4.9outta5 Perfect medium cook. The stewed butter beans & chard, danced harmoniously w/the lamb, a juke joint in my mouth! Chocolate Cake 5outta5 Delectably rich and savory. It went perfectly w/the cup of Mother Tongue coffee. Light jazz in the background, pretty attentive staff, there were a few lapses but everyone had a smile to offer. Chill, welcoming vibe. Erika was a jewel. #GoTaste&See read more

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Got their highly recommended chicken and waffle. I was pleasantly surprised to see they served it with chicken meat as I had though the dish was prepped with chicken skin only...prehaps that was a previous variant. It was, nonetheless, very flavorful and delicious. The cornmeal waffle was also very interesting and added more flavor and texture in comparison to a regular waffle. Our reservation time was closer to their lunch/dinner break, so unfortunately many of the item that I wanted to try was sold out already. Overall, it was a pleasant experience for the palate. read more

Burdell - Fried chicken and cornmeal waffle - Soul Food Near Me - Oakland, California

This place definitely didn't blow our mind away. All the food that we ordered were just okay, nothing was really special. We got to order the fried dirty girl green tomatoes that came with some shrimp remoulade and the petrale sole and the Jidore chicken for the main entrees. The service, on the other hand, was very pleasant and attentive. Although it took quite a long time for the main course to arrive after the appetizer. All in all, so glad that we had the opportunity to try this restaurant, but we don't have a plan to return in the future. read more

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We went to check them out right after the won for best restaurant. We were able.to get a last minute reservation on a Thursday night at 8:30PM. It was packed and there were line for us to get seated even with reservation. Perhaps because they were so busy and end of day, we didn't feel the welcoming gesture from both the host and bartender as we were ordering a drink while we wait for our table. The table where we sat was near the bathroom and definitely has a stuffy/ toilet smell, so we asked to be moved to the front area with a smaller table by the bar. So it's more of 3.5 stars for overall experience. The food was flavorful but it is very rich for my stomach. Lots of butter for sure... I could only taste the food a bit of each dish and not able consume it due to how rich it was and I am sensitive to lactose. I think Southern food is just not a fit for me, but glad we tried it. read more

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I really want to give this place a better review since I've heard SO many good things about it from coworkers, but it was just ok. Nothing went terribly wrong and the food was good, but the price tag is really steep for what we got. 24 dollars for 4 shrimp felt a bit criminal to be honest. The portions are on the smaller side and service is pretty slow. I get that they're a popular restaurant and quite busy, but I wasn't a fan of being seated 20 minutes after our reservation time. That being said, the duck we ordered was super fragrant and delicious- I wish there was more of it! Everything else we ordered was good, but nothing too special. read more

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Glad I was finally able to check this place out. My friend and I ordered the Family Dinner and overall we enjoyed it. They put a unique twist on southern classics that keeps things interesting. The flavors are rooted in tradition, but with a modern spin. I loved the cornbread and really liked the gumbo. The vibes are just as charming as the eats, with a cozy atmosphere and our server was great! Looking forward to coming back and trying more creative takes on soul food staples. read more

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The food here is executed incredibly well. It's a must try restaurant in Oakland & I understand why the head chef was a James Beard finalist! We ordered: - roasted duck (comes with dirty rice) - salmon (comes with braised cabbage) - collards - cornbread The salmon was cooked perfectly, with crispy skin. The cabbage it came with was quite literally the best I've had. I usually prefer collards, but the cabbage was so good! The collards here are good as well. The cornbread was perfectly moist, and it tasted like they made it with some brown butter. I usually don't like dirty rice, but their version with the duck cracklin and leg confit is amazing and I could eat it everyday. I see the connection with soul food but it's also distinct, with unique spins on classic dishes. I was skeptical because the reviews are mixed. But in my opinion, I had a perfect meal here. The space is also gorgeous. It feels like I stepped back in time. It's cozy. Parking is street parking. It was quiet later on a Sunday, but you probably always need a res. read more

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I had a lovely brunch here with friends. The food is generally some elevated soul food, and my understanding is it's black owned so I was willing to try it out. It was perfect for brunch cause while the service wasn't super fast, it was good for just chilling and grazing food with friends. We had the pork verde and grits, pimento omelette with salad, summer squash salad, hashbrowns, pancakes, shrimp and grits, and I had the Bonnie (which is basically an espresso martini with vermouth). I didn't try the shrimp (I'm allergic) but my friends loved it. I think my fave was the pimento omelette with salad but everything was hitting. Also the summer salad was super interesting and I would absolutely get it again. Thinly sliced zucchini with tahini dressing was unique but good flavor. The flavors were next level, you can tell this is a professional chef. Absolutely worth checking out! read more

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Food was disappointing and service was worse! Nasty attitude left a sour taste in our mouths and the mouths of our out of town guests! read more

This review feels a bit different from my last one. You know, this restaurant popped up in one of my absolute favorite brunch spots, Aunt Mary's, which sadly closed down during the pandemic. So, when it opened, I was super hopeful, especially since the previous owner mentioned they'd found a restaurant to take their place. Sadly, I tried it back in late March 2025, and I wasn't a fan. The flavors just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I brought my wife here to celebrate her birthday, and we had crab, salad, cornbread, and boiled peanuts. Considering the price, I was really hoping for something more. I'll definitely give it another shot sometime and keep my fingers crossed that it'll be better next time! I will say that the service was amazing though! read more

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I'm glad I came despite the unwarranted negative reviews. Everything was 5/5. The team was attentive and genuine. The ambiance was curated perfection - every detail from the nostalgic plates to the cups. It was dreamy. The food was flavorful and unique. We ordered: Brussels caesar- we order brussies everywhere we go because they are my husband's fave and these brussies were complex with the tanginess, acidity, and a crunch for texture. Chicken liver & waffle - Love the adventurous take on it. One of the best ways I've had liver Cornbread - everyone is right about this one - crunchy, buttery, and moist Greens - cooked perfectly. Nice kick to it and loved the broth/sauce/base it came with. I poured it over my rice Mains: Chicken - the breast was tender and flavorful - loved the note of licorice or star of anise. The fried leg was perfectly seasoned Petrole Sole - Delicious! The complement of the sole with the greens together created this synergistic perfect bite. Will definitely be coming back. We want to try the family dinner next time. read more

Service and food were amazing and seasonal. I was intrigued by the homey atmosphere and the twists on the food. We started with the Brussels sprouts Caesar, chicken and waffles, and boiled peanuts. The boiled peanuts were fun, messy, and slurpably delicious. Is that a word? I asked for a spoon, the miso broth was *that* good. The lemon tang on the Brussels sprouts was delicious and the anchovies were subtle. The crunch was a surprise! Really complex cooking going on. I was the only one that enjoyed the chicken and waffles. The denser waffle held up to the chicken skin and liver. Your head has to twist around on the pate aspect of the appetizer rather than what you might expect. We ordered the pork jowls and roast. This was the favorite with perfectly cooked chop and tender beans and a hit of Dijon mustard. High-end touches with a homey presentation. Another twist of a "classic." The surprise chicharron was fun! The fried chicken was delectable and so good with the pan juices. The potato salad with house made mayonnaise and pickle relish with fresh herbs was a complex symphony. It is not your boring grandmother's old-fashioned rendition. The mushroom dumplings with broccoli, cauliflower, and gai lan was another mind--altering take on a pedestrian vegetable dish that made you go back to taste the layers and textures. What a genius combination! For dessert, the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting accompanied by homemade salted caramel was sumptuous. Lots of nuts and not too sweet, just balanced. A great place to celebrate and enjoy an elevated homey meal; in grandmother's house. I have to mention the wines are thoughtfully selected to complement the food. We had a Hungarian Tokajji that finished the palate both complex and dry. The chef worked at a winery and the drinks, wine and beer demonstrate his training. Thank you, Zara, our server for her enthusiasm, her expert suggestions and for making a celebratory meal extra special. read more

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