This place is a must try! We got the street food doubles, beef patties, mac and cheese with jerk chicken, and the Guyanese cook-up rice. Everything we got was fantastic, but the star was the beef patties. The pastry was crumbly and flaky, and the inside was sooo flavorful, it was sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. I want an infinite supply of those. The rice was also amazing, it was very flavorful as well with hints of coconut and spices. The Mac and cheese was creamy and also had a little bit of spice which we loved, though I will say the jerk chicken on top tasted kind of like normal chicken, it didn't really have the jerk flavors or color, but it was still very yummy. Service was really friendly and attentive, and there was still so much we wanted to try so next time we're in the area we will be back to try more!! read more

I loved this spot! Most of the patrons were outside but my sister and I wanted to sit indoors. We were instantly sat down at the table and our server was so sweet! We ordered the Calypso Ceviche and skillet bread for appetizers. Both were delicious and fulfilling. We also drank a red wine sangria and chasing the devil, which were both refreshing. Our main entrees were so flavorful: oxtail Stew and Guyanese cook-up rice. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

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BOMBSHELL! I will DEFINITELY be going back! I enjoyed my food! Highly seasoned and even when I asked for some spiciness, they came with some REAL spiciness! I brought that back home! My drink was great! I got the Guyanese Cook-up Rice! The coleslaw was delicious and the rice was flavorful as well! My sister got the Oxtail Stew and enjoyed it as well. We made this place our last stop on our foodie day and it absolutely ended on a blast! The place felt homey and a place you can bring friends, family, or even a date. I can't wait to go back! read more

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My husband and I came here for date night on Saturday. After looking at their menu and driving by the colorful patio umbrellas we knew we had to try it out. We were seated right away, no wait on a Saturday night is great! We were given menus and drink orders were promptly brought out. We ordered the calamari appetizer and it was very good! I liked the seasoning and dips. For dinner I ordered the salmon and my husband ordered the jerk chicken. Both meals were brought out with plantains as a side. My salmon was very good, but pretty standard tasting. My husband really loved the jerk chicken. The only negative was that my husband had to ask for a refill of his soda a couple times and waited until he was almost finished with his dinner until he got it. We paid the bill and as we were reviewing the charges later on we noticed they charged us $5 for a refill. The waitress never mentioned a refill fee nor is it listed on the menu. He didn't even finish it because it was brought out so late. Kind of left a bad taste so not sure we'll be back. read more

Oyo - Salmon and Jerk Half Chicken - Latin American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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My mouth is watering just remembering my meal here. This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a long time. The food, service, and ambiance were impeccable. Our server was so friendly and the food was just fall-off-the-bone tender and seasoned to perfection!! Omg I never knew I could love South American / Caribbean food so much. Just look at the photos to see how tasty this food was. You MUST visit here if you're passing through the Bay Area or looking for a spot to chat with friends! I can't wait to come back. read more

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The $33 paella dish honestly was small for the price. The spoon would not go in more than 2 inches. Thats how small the portion is. To make matters worse the paella was watery, bland, and the veggies and THREE shrimp tasted thawed out which would explain the watery taste. Waste of money and space in my tummy. Im disputing this mess with Amex! The jerk tofu was a joke. The flavor was more curry although it did not look that way. To add salt to injury, the curry flavor was overpowered by the canned whole tomatoes that was used in the dish. The jalapenos did not taste fresh, more so of the gas from the grill that charred it and the cheese seemed like an afterthought. The only redeeming thing here was the appetizer of overpriced green plantains that had the dip wiped on the plate underneath the plantain so you couldn't even see it! That $9 mocktail was a mockery! The orchid and pineapple on there was a waste of space and did not make sense. I don't recommend these dishes and this establishment. I fell for the story but that food did not match up. There are way many better ones in Oakland or SF. Save your money and gas! read more

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My favorite restaurant! The food, the service, the ambience 10/10! The beef patties are amazingggg and also beautiful! I had their jerk tacos before also yummy! The chicken and waffles omg!! So much food. So filling and good. The waffles were perfect and crisp. The chicken was full of flavor and juicy. The drinks are great as the bartender is not light handed at all. We met the owner and he is so kind! I love this place and tell everyone to go. Also lots of seating. Indoor and outdoors plus bar area. read more

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We came here on a Friday night around 6:30 PM and got seated right away outside! The servers were nice and attentive. We ordered one of the specials, the ceviche trio and the Oyo paella. It came with pickles for the table (?). The food is okay, the ceviche was like one bite each per ceviche we tried. One of them was too bland and the other too oily but the one in the middle was good. The Oyo paella had too much "stuff" and not enough rice for a good ratio. It was a little oily as well. Overall it was an okay meal, I don't think I'll be back soon however I'd be opened to trying it again in the future! read more

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BOMB!! The squid ink pasta... my mouth is watering just typing about it. Has shrimp, clams, squid and the seasonings make it superb! The beef patty- The best! The crust is tasty AF too. Service was fast. They play live music. The band was pretty cool. The plantains and ceviche was perfectly tangy and seasoned too. They need a little more plantains though. read more

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What a pleasant surprise for an impromptu visit to the bay! Oyo did everything right - from the drinks and appetizers to the main course! The beef patties were to die for!! What a great place to share decadent items with family, friends or a large group! Can't wait to go back and try a few more items. Someone we lost or forgot to take pics of the food but wowww, I'm impressed! read more

I have visited this restaurant multiple times and I didn't realize I had not posted a review. We went lastnight and split two salads. The tropical salad and the octopus salad. I always order a side of sweet plantains too to go with whatever I order. We also ordered a cup of the pumpkin soup which was absolutely positively delicious. I mean. Creamy, dense and smoky. If you haven't tried it, I must say it is a must... Friday nights they have live music and the place was packed so it's a cool place to relax and enjoy good music and excellent food. Definitely a lively atmosphere so if you are looking for something more quiet and intimate you might consider trying it another night. read more

Oyo - Tropical salad, pumpkin soup, sweet plantains and a few mocktails - Latin American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Went for Valentine's Day and ordered the ceviche, jerk shrimp, BBQ oysters and paella Oyo. Overall was not impressed by the food, given the price tag. Jerk shrimp was oily and BBQ oysters were tiny. Paella was also very oily. Ceviche was probably my favorite but was still just ok. Disappointing given the high reviews and nice looking pictures of the food, which our food looked nothing like. Don't think I'll come back. read more

Easy to place reservation Excellent service, nice atmosphere Ordered 2 appetizers and drinks. Street food doubles with Jerk chicken Sizzling Jerk Shrimp Great taste and was filling read more

Came here to celebrate my dad's bday & to try a new cuisine. The vibes are there & it's super crowded, so highly recommend making a reservation before coming (which I did). We started off with some drinks and the pholourie & sizzling jerk shrimp appetizers. The pholourie was a miss/kinda lacking in flavor, and the jerk shrimp had the potential to be delicious, but it just had SO much oil, it was shocking honestly... For the mains we got the paella oyo, island salmon, and the mac & cheese. These dishes were MUCH better than the apps, I'd say you can completely skip the apps honestly. The paella was the star of the show, so tasty & cooked to perfection. The salmon was also delicious, very flaky and juicy and paired really nicely with the rice. The mac was so so in comparison, could've done w/o it but it was pretty good! Just needed more seasoning. To end it we got the banana bread pudding which was kinda meh, don't think I'd get that one again. Overall not a bad experience, certain items are a hit or miss but worth trying once I think! read more

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Food overall very salty and sour. Portion was shocking small. Tapas cerviche was like couple table spoon. I order tropical salad, so salty and sour its upsetting my stomach as soon as I ate it. And i only took few bits. read more

Finally got a chance to try this place I recommended over two years ago to my sister who lives in the Bay Area. Some dishes were good some were great. What we tried : Beef Patties 10/10 Chicken Pattie 3/10 Oxtails 7/10 Paella/2/10- not seasoned Roti with Goat Gravy 10/10 Ribs-9/10 Rum punch -6/10 has cinnamon, kind of off putting Watermelon Tequila drink 9/10 read more

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This restaurant is always a staple visit when my mom is in town! And guess who was in town?!?! The food is always delicious.. The service is always top notch.. And the vibes are always spot on! You really can't go wrong when you come here.. Well except for needing a walk after!! read more

Service was very good but the food wasn't amazing. Bland was the overall theme of our meal. The Mac and cheese was lackluster. It tasted like nothing more than cheese and pasta. It needed some spices to wake it up. The vegan Paella has a good flavor but it was way too oily. The highlight of the meal were the Trinidad Chickpeas. They had all the spice and flavor the other dishes were lacking. I would eat those any day, any time. read more

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Meals were good, and ambience was open with eye pleasing esthetics. Over a nice place to take a date or your significant other.

We LOVED this restaurant! Stopped here after wedding dress shopping with my daughter across the street. We sat outside on a very hot, summer Saturday around noon. Our experience was pleasant. We enjoyed the brunch menu which is only available on Saturdays & Sundays from 11:30AM TO 2:30PM. Among the dishes we enjoyed were the Jerk Beef Hash, the Oyo Breakfast, Caramelized Ripe Plantains, Jerk Pork Shoulder, and the Paella Oyo. Everything was delicious. Definitely a great pick for authentic Caribbean dining. Service was great. Wait time was just right. Overall an excellent dining experience. We would definitely go back to Oyo Restaurant. read more

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We dine in Pleasanton all the time and have never tried Oyo. A friend asked a group of us to join her for dinner in celebration of our friendship. We arrived at 415pm and sat in the bar area to enjoy the happy hour menu prior to dinner. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful. I ordered an old fashioned with call Bourbon. It arrived with a beautiful custom ice cube. Drink was nicely made. Other cocktails From the happy hour list arrived very sweet and not enjoyed. I ordered and plantain chips and when they arrived we were all shocked that the vessel the came in was nearly empty. We had only taken one chip out when I took the photo. I questioned the lack of quantity and was told it's happy hour and that's the portion chef approves. Even the server was a bit uncomfortable telling me this. Since I was not paying it was not my Place to insist on a replacement order. My friend just ordered another one. This time it came filled, I expected the first one to be comped as it was not a reasonable portion but it was not. Other appetizers ordered were lacking flavor. Again everyone there was very pleasant. We moved to dinner. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass It was over cooked and smothered In flavorless sauce. The other dishes on the table were the same. Nothing memorable, lacking flavor. It's an uncomfortable Position to be In when you are Being treated to dinner and mishaps happen. I dine out all the time and understand things happen and it's important to let the restaurant staff know so they have a chance to address it or Not. So three stars from me because I did not fully express my discontent with the meal. Again service was awesome. read more

Came here to celebrate! Eric and Lester treated my group with so much care and attentiveness. The ambiance fit the culture and took me right to the Caribbean's! Food: 10/10! Beef jerky hash was amazing! Also the plantain pancakes were the perfect amount of sweet and warm. The jerk chicken plate was delicious. Drinks: Get the prickly pear margarita read more

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This place seems always busy, finally had a chance to try it. We sat outside in the heat, but you could hear the noise of the inside. I can't imagine having a conversation inside. The pickle appetizer is good at first I tasted a hint of cinnamon which I found odd but then I pulled out some fennel shavings and it made sense. The ox tail stew was good but kind of salty. The pork shoulder dish was tasty! The entrees come out piping hot in this dish so beware on a simmer day. read more

Ambiance was beautiful and tasteful. Had outdoor sitting with complimentary blankets for the cold. Parking on Main Street alittle difficult: the staff was friendly and quick. Some dishes were good while others were bland. On the pricey side but definitely a good experience. Not sure if I'll go again but not disappointed that I went . read more

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Great ambiance and friendly service as soon as you enter - it's a very lively area with reggae music and vibrant colorful walls. They only have a single restroom though - and it is unisex - so only 1 for everyone in the restaurant. We went on a Sunday for lunch and were seated immediately. Located in downtown so you'll have to find street or public parking in the area. We ordered the tropical salad, beef patties, and jerk half chicken. Tropical salad (7/10): refreshing taste with plenty of tropical fruits including mango, jackfruit, papaya. The dressing was light and tangy. Good but for the price, small portion. Beef patties (9/10): tapas style. Came super hot and crispy on the outside. Very flavorful filling on the inside with meats, bell peppers, and spices. Would highly recommend as a side snack! Jerk half chicken (6/10): Jerk seasoning was good on the chicken skin, but the biggest downside was the chicken was so dry on the inside! We only ate around the skin areas. Would like to come back and try their paellas and other dishes. read more

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I was in the San Ramon area for work and convinced a friend from the Silicon Valley to come out to say hello. The pressure was on to find the right place to eat since both of us had challenging drives to get to the area. So I spent a good bit of time looking at reviews for various places in the area. Glad I chose Oyo. It's in downtown Pleasanton which means street parking or finding a public lot. Should have allowed myself a bit of time for that, but the mojito washed that slight lateness away quickly! I had the seafood paella and my friend ordered jerk chicken. We were both really glad we agreed to share up front. Both were well flavored for the dish which means alternating between the two was great! The paella had a lot more seafood in it than a lot of places do (have had issues where the rice totally overruns the protein, no problem with that here!). Both were fairly large servings too so my friend had lots of leftovers to take home. But as you see we were having so much fun I forgot to take photos of the meal! The staff (and other patrons) were friendly and we never felt rushed. Had the chance to visit leisurely and didn't feel rushed since the night we were there they were busy but never had people waiting for tables. We opted for indoor dining due to a heat wave but outdoor seating options are usually my fave so maybe next time! read more

Oyo - mojito -- such a refreshing way to go on a hot day! - Latin American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Jerk chicken and oxtail soup on a crazy hot day in the East Bay? Been killing myself with some work outdoors so it does make sense. Need the nourishment. Also, had a cooler of beer to wash it all down before getting back at it. Ok. Let's start: I always go to Back-A-Yard in San Jose for my jerk chicken and Oxtail cause I'm risk averse when I find the BEST. But this place reminds me life can be worth some risk if you're willing to be mad about a bad lunch for 24 hours. I'm usually not willing to do this. This dice roll worked out well. The chicken was flavorful and juicy and easily up there with any JC I've ever had. Nicely done. Oxtail? What can I say? I'm basically a junkie. I love it cooked low and slow and peeling off the bone. I love it in stews and I love it to punch up some stock. Oxtail. Shank. Tendon. Get some. This place DELIVERED! It's flavor. Absolutely the flavor. Delicious. Melts in your mouth. Falls off the bone. All the lame descriptive stuff you are tired of reading in most reviews completely apply here. Don't even believe me. Just try it to attempt to prove me wrong. You won't. I finished most of that off (have some leftovers for dinner later) with a few beers in the middle of the day in beautiful California weather. Five stars doesn't describe this experience. read more

I have no critiques for the place, because everything was great. The jerk chick was easily one of my favorites and the plantains were so good! Everytime we eat dinner in pleasanton this is the place i say first. Service is incredible, and theyre always playing good music, definitely a great date spot or to come with friends read more

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I finally had the opportunity to eat here on my birthday last week. They didn't disappoint.  The space is really vibrant and colorful. Sadly, it's very loud and, at times, a bit hard to hear who you're eating with, but they do have outside seating and make up for it with delicious food. I've seen some reviews claiming portion sizes are small and the food is salty. Not sure if those folks ate at the samerestaurant, but I didn't have that experience, and I'd suggest you try it yourself. I almost didn't because of those reviews. I'm glad I listened to my gut.  Service was impeccable. We had two servers, both of whom were extremely attentive, filled our water (when we asked), and made solid recommendations. We had: Half Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice--the tender portion was huge. We ended up taking some home. The jerk was spicy but not overdone, and the rice had a mild coconut flavor that helped offset the spice. It had a Mayo-type dip that came with it, and all in all, it was a great dish.  Ceviche - I wish this had more spice. It was to include habanero, but I just didn't get any of that. It was tasty, though, and served with fried, salty plantain chips. It was small, but I'm glad, given the richness of the main dishes.  Oxtail Stew--this was the recommendation of the server. It was meaty, tender, juicy, and fantastically fabulous. It was delicious. There was just so much flavor and roughly four large ox tails. This was the perfect birthday dish. Thanks to the server for this recommendation!  There is plenty of parking, both on the street and in free lots. This place is located in downtown Pleasanton, with tons of cute shops. There is an ice cream polar and a Boba tea located within 100 feet of the door if you are looking for an after-dinner snack. Remember to eat locally and support our small Bay Area businesses!l read more

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This is my absolute favorite date night restaurant. I would love to take my kids here too but I'm not sure if they have a kids menu. I will have to ask next time. My husband and I have had various dishes on the menu and all have been fantastic. My favorite cocktail is chase the devil. It's perfect and has all the flavors I love. The entree that is my favorite is the jerk pork. It's so flavorful but definitely shareable especially if you also get a few appetizers. Service is always great too. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Oyo - Octopus salad - Latin American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Awesome place that is hidden in the tri valley. I had to e braised short ribs prepared in a delicious sauce. I will return. The service was great and the food was even better read more

This has to be my favorite Island restaurant in the bay. From the atmosphere the decor the service the presentation and the food. So headed to Sj from Livermore and something said Oyeah let me get some OYO. So I stoped by ordered some oxtails the squid ink seafood pealla. While I waited I got myself some guava juice. That why I realized they expanded it's actually more than double the size it use to be. Same decor the floors might be different. So as sat waiting for my food. I actually was approached by 2 other front of the house staff. Just making sure I was ok or if I needed to order. Attentive and smiles all around. Now to the food. I always love their oxtails. It big it's seasoned it's braised it's delicious. From the meat to the gravy. This is what I mean somewhere that doesn't throw away the juices from the oxtails they actually utilize it in the gravy. I also loved the squid ink pasta. Having had it with rice always. This was an interesting adaptation. I'd give it a an 8.5 out of 10. The real winner is us because having someplace like OYO around really just adds something special. read more

Oyo - Oxtails and Sweet Plantains - Latin American Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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I'm so dissappointed this was my 3rd time trying to give Oyo the benefit of the doubt, I ordered the lobster RASTA Pasta because that's what my daughter wanted for dinner.... Surprisingly. I figured we could share it for our dinner. To only get a phone call that they do not have the Rasta pasta with lobster but offered me mac & cheese with a lobster after much thought I said yes they refunded me the difference when we went to pick it up and opened it the macaroni and cheese was red with sprinkles of lobster on the top no flavor no salt no seasoning full of oil and runny. See pictures attach I think I've had my fill of Oyo and don't think I'll be back. I'm very disappointed I would have rather driven to Oakland from Dublin California, where I live and got authentic Caribbean food. This is by far the worst of my three visits. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed dinner here. To be fair, the last time I had food from Oyo was during the pandemic. We had gotten it to go, and I think they were just staring up the restaurant. I wasn't impressed then. I sure was impressed this time! Had dinner here with friends. Hers what we got: - Jerk Pork shoulder. Very flavorful, love th sauce. The caramelized plantains were really delicious. I thought the pork was a tad dry, had my leftovers the next day, and they were much better. - Habanero BBQ ribs were tender with a nice sauce. They were a little spicy but not overly so. - the black beans and rice were good, well seasoned - the seafood paella was also delicious Service was good, and so nice sitting on the outdoor front patio. Umbrellas were great to keep the sun off us. Very enjoyable atmosphere. read more

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I took my partner here for his birthday. When we first walked in, it took awhile until we got anyone's attention to be seated. One server was outside assisting customers. The bartender was making drinks and didn't acknowledge us. We had to wait until someone came out from the back and asked if we've been helped with yet. We ordered the appetizer sampler recommended by our server. We also ordered paella, ribs, goat curry, and mac cheese. Everything was delicious, but nothing stood out as outstanding. The mac and cheese had a interesting flavor and I can't decide if I like it or not. I love Jamaican food, and Back A Yard is still my favorite. read more

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Delicious food, great ambiance and excellent service! So glad we tried this place. Lots of tasty vegan choices. We ordered the tofu eggs, vegan paella, fritters and hashbrowns. Everything was tasty. My favorite are the fritters. It came with tamarind and mango sauces. Also ordered POG juice. Orange juice was freshly squeezed. Service was awesome. Our server checked on us and made sure our we have everything we need. There's outside and inside seating. We elected to seat inside. I'm not fond of waiting so I always make reservations. Reservations were made via yelp and it went smoothly. Street parking and a couple of parking lots nearby. I highly recommend this place. read more

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This was a GREAT lunch. They have a ton of vegan options as well. We absolutely loved the jerk tofu, jerk chicken, and salmon. The plantains were delicious as well. The pumpkin soup was super good (a tad salty but still good). Overall, highly recommend this place!!! read more

Food was pretty good but the sides portions were quite small. Typical of tapas but the ceviche was honestly pretty tiny, almost two bites. The Grilled Octopus salad was prepared very nicely, not chewy, and pretty soft. The flavors were great. The Paella Oyo was the one thing we looked forward to trying. It had really nice flavor and the portion was perfect for two people. The bread pudding with the coconut ice cream was the perfect end to the meal. We also ordered two glasses of red wine, a Cabernet from Argentina which I thought was okay, and the Malbec as well which we liked a little more. Each hefty glass was $12, pretty worth it. read more

Delicious food and unique culinary experience! Although the jerk Caribbean looked great, we went with the more Guyanese specific foods. They did not disappoint. Guyanese cookup rice Paella Oyo regular Oxtail stew Service was really good. We arrived around 12:40 on a Saturday. The server brought drinks and asked if we were ready to order (we were not, though they were very attentive and prompt). Ambiance: had a light and relaxed vibe. There is one unisex bathroom and the music plays in there -- with an excellent sound system! A family member I was with (who wasn't familiar with 90s R&B) complimented the music and that was her introduction to the genre (it was "Killing Me Softly"). read more

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What an adorable restaurant with amazing food and huge portions. Further I was able to get a recommendation for my server about a new tequila. I will definitely be visiting this restaurant again. It was amazing. It's been my birthday with them. read more

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