Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sequoia Diner

    4.1 (835 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Waitlist - Sequoia Diner

    Live Current wait: 0 mins

    Sequoia Diner Reservations

    Sequoia Diner Photos

    Business Info

    SEQUOIA DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Sequoia Diner

    Recommended Reviews - Sequoia Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Pepper Jack Omelette
    Diane L.

    Came here for brunch on a Sunday morning after church. The food was ok, the fried chicken was under seasoned and over cooked. The lemonade is made in house, it was good. The hashbrowns were good. If I return I would try something else. 10% gratuity is included in the check . Service was good, helpful and attentive. The

    Pecan sticky bun
    Scott F.

    20% service fee. - It gets crowded. On weekends, it's best to arrive before opening. - Very good service. It's more like you are dining at someone's kitchen table. 5: The Waffle is great. Ask for it well done to get it more crispy. I bring my own real maple syrup in a little jar. 5: Coconut thai tea is great. 5: Pecan sticky bun is great.

    Me after the most delicious mimosa. Sitting at bar waiting on order to go
    Brenton E.

    Owners have separated and management has shifted. Not sure how i feel about it yet, but it's a different feeling than before. Lavender mimosa is still delicious. Brand new menu. Food is still delicious, but i miss my girl that made me feel comfortable when i used to come in. Seems like the new owners aren't as welcoming to me in particular. I'll give them another try one day after they have gotten their feet wet

    Hash browns and salad
    Darryl W.

    I love going to sequoia diner not just to support a local business but also because the food is great I can pop in there real easy and get grits. Eggs sausage hash And I have an option of eating in or getting it to go. This is a very convenient place. The staff is very nice and since it's so busy you may have to wait a second to get your order in but once they get you they'll take care of you. I'd highly recommend the number one breakfast sandwich easy serve a little Salad, fruit some jam biscuits and works. Often there's room at the bar so you can sit there and have a meal or you can get it to go or eat in ! The atmosphere is really nice. Staff is very friendly and helpful and I'd highly recommend you try it out.

    Soup of the day
    Joshua M.

    Sequoia Diner is such a great spot and absolutely worth the visit. The food alone makes it stand out, and the overall vibe feels cool, laid-back, and very much like a neighborhood favorite. When we arrived, there was about a 45-minute wait, which wasn't surprising given how popular the place is. We decided to walk around the area while we waited, and it worked out perfectly--they actually called us before the 45-minute mark, which was a nice surprise. Once seated, the food really delivered. Everything we ordered was great, well prepared, flavorful, and satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that's done really well and leaves you glad you waited. The staff experience was a bit mixed. Some team members were very friendly and welcoming, while others were more neutral. Overall, though, service moved efficiently and everything came out smoothly. One quick heads-up for future diners: they do include a service charge that essentially functions as a tip. This wasn't explained to us at the time, so we ended up tipping an additional 20% on top of the 19% service charge. Not a dealbreaker at all, just something good to know ahead of time. I'll definitely be back. Great food, a cool vibe, and a well-managed wait make it a spot worth checking out just be mindful of the service charge when the bill comes.

    Pecan Sticky Bun
    Gina G.

    I'm still thinking about Sequoia Diner off MacArthur Blvd in Oakland. I had such a fabulous brunch here recently and can't speak more highly of this gem of a spot in the Laurel District. Parking is a bit limited because this is a popular block, but not impossible to find a metered spot. There's a few diner locales that have closed down in the EB, so it's awesome to have a spot we can tuck away to solo or bring friends. FYI, their freshly baked section on the menu is delicious ~ highly rec. the pecan sticky bun, the famous biscuit with house made jam, and the brown butter chocolate chip cookie (with sea salt)! I went with the American Breakfast & pork links. It was so delicious..everything tasted of such elevated and high quality. From the eggs, to the meat, the hearty potatoes to the side salad which added a bit of lightness to the dish. So yum. I also had a fresh Tumeric Tonic and Coconut Thai Tea..I couldn't choose so I ordered both. Well deserved and I will add, great non-alc choices. There are also wine/beer/cocktail choices, as well as a lunch menu starting at 10a. I love that they serve bottomless coffee, and Highwire at that, in adorable diner mugs..very nostalgic and feel-good. You actually can purchase the mug, and I noticed if you're really in love with the biscuits, you can purchase one dozen of them too! Already planning my next trip to try their patty melt or Cubano sandwich. Or let's be real..that pecan sticky bun. Prices very reasonable for portion and quality, and fun service.

    Breakfast to start the day !
    Gino C.

    Hidden heaven and a must try if you are in the area. Street parking is available and you can walk around after eating and enjoy the local shops.

    Menu
    Kevin H.

    Food was solid, got the country breakfast, and it hit the spot. Creamy, rich sauce, well-cooked eggs, and surprisingly tasty kale. Cold brew was classic diner style. No complaints about the kitchen at all. That said, I probably won't be back. With 19% gratuity auto-included and street parking, my bill hit $34. At that price point, I'd expect either a bigger portion, a stronger cup of coffee, or to leave with leftovers. As much as I get that prices are going up, local diners still have to compete with more filling, faster, or more convenient meals. Staff were clearly working hard and understaffed, and I appreciated the busboy's friendliness and honesty about that. The place was loud and busy, fine for some folks, just not ideal for me. Glad I tried it, and I get why people love it, but personally, it's not quite worth the cost for a repeat visit.

    No. 2 Breakfast Sandwich
    Ashish K.

    We went on a Saturday afternoon and got a table for 2 after 15mins wait time. It is a small place and the interior is done pretty well. It's a popular spot and has been running for over 10 years. Parking wasn't an issue. The drinks there looked good but we went with black coffee and it was on the acidic side, not a fan. The waffle was light and crispy and goey inside, the huckleberry butter was very tart. I like dense waffle more. Wish they had put berries or banana on top. The pulled mushroom sandwich was cabbage heavy and had a cumin aftertaste. it sounded nice and creative on paper but taste wise it was pretty average. The breakfast sandwich was good. I didn't like American cheese in it but that's my personal preference. Service was good. There is a mandatory 20% gratuity charge which feels forced as majority of the tables were either for 2 or 4 people. I would suggest getting the breakfast platter, everyone was getting that and looked appetizing.

    Waffle with huckleberry butter and syrup
    Karen W.

    My friend has been craving for their waffles so since I had to pick up some contacts at my optometrist across the street and had parking karma right in front of my optometrist office, I knew it would be a good day! There was a bit of a wait on a Friday but we were in no hurry, getting there before 11 AM and put our names in. We got seated in about 15-20 minutes. The restaurant inside is cozy and my friend ordered the waffle with huckleberry butter, a side of two eggs, and a side of the potatoes with peppermint tea. I ordered the American breakfast and Thai tea. Service was good and the place was packed with people! I got a taste of my friend's waffle and it was light and crispy. My American breakfast was just right for my appetite, eggs cooked hard as requested, potatoes were tasty and crispy, and it was good to have a salad included with my breakfast. I also ordered the Thai tea which is made with coconut milk for my lactose intolerant me. Bathroom is gender friendly and very clean. Parking can be a hassle but I got lucky.

    Country Breakfast with hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy
    Jeffrey R.

    Really loved this breakfast! It's so hard to find good biscuits and gravy on the west coast and they NAILED it. The biscuit was buttery, the gravy was savory, the greens had just enough spice. We also loved how friendly the staff was. Our kids felt welcome and the staff were so good with them. The little ones loved the waffles, which were flaky and soft and cooked perfectly. Seating can be tight but it's worth it.

    Loco Moco
    Megan J.

    Sequoia Diner is surrounded by many other businesses so parking is a hit or miss. It was busy on a Thursday afternoon but luckily the wait time for 2 wasn't bad. It is a cute, lowkey breakfast spot. Probably not ideal for large parties as the seating is pretty tight. The loco moco was apparently seasonal so I'm glad I tried it because it was good. I loved the touch of pickled onions and pepperoncini.

    Loco Moco

    Food: Food was good , I had the daily special Loco Moco along with the bottomless coffee. My friend had the Country Breakfast with sunny side up eggs. Service: Service was a bit busy at the time we went but I would have liked to see that if I ask for a refill on my coffee, I think I should receive that before I get up to leave rather than after. Otherwise, service was good. Ambiance: Very nice ambiance, exactly what you would kind of expect from a diner. Personal experience: My experience is a bit skewed as I was eating overcharged (to the best of my knowledge). The loco moco was $20, bottomless coffee was $5.50, and the country breakfast was $19.50. With the mandatory 20% (enforced service tip and Dining for Justice), my subtotal (before tax) was $55.20. Total was $61.14 after tax. Assuming the tax rate was 10.75% according to Google, I was overcharged by almost $2. We were in a rush to get to our appointment so I did not take an in depth look at the receipt but assuming my math is correct, I would say that it was a little disappointing that I was a victim of poor business ethics. (Do take this review with a sprinkle of salt as the menu prices may have changed and was not reflected on the menu)

    Country Breakfast & Side of Bacon

    See all

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave T.
    90
    51
    81

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Randall W.
    112
    43
    789

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    A great local diner! Delicious coffee and yummy food! Their potatoes are SO GOOD!! Will definitely be coming back.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Very friendly, efficient, and the food was tasty. I will visit this place again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tamara P.
    32
    34
    52

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of DT L.
    144
    111
    55

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chelsea G.
    364
    52
    11

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of reuben b.
    10
    21
    13

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steph W.
    407
    94
    20

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cathy C.
    56
    114
    206

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Outrageously overpriced, even considering the increased cost of food. The waffle was pitiful for the price.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara R.
    48
    207
    29

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kathy H.
    23
    19
    20

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lewis F.
    71
    25
    14

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelvin Y.
    191
    160
    54

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 10 of 21

    Sequoia Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sequoia Diner

    Do they take reservations?

    No they don't

    Do they have many Vegan options?

    Yes and it's posted online.

    Are there outdoor dining options?

    Your hood. They don't have tables outside

    Dine in still available?

    Yes, need proof of vaccination

    Are there gluten free breakfast options?

    Yes and option for gluten bread.

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    Lovely's - The Westerner Burger with 2x Patty. This burger is an absolute BEAST. Definitely got us full and worth it.

    Lovely's

    4.1(367 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    WHEN: Thur @4pm I…read morewanted to come here at opening time for a few reasons: - PARKING: It's downtown so not sure how parking would be. But lucky for us, we found free parking just around the corner! When we left around 5pm, more opened up! I'm guessing it's because the auto repair shop was closing. - THE CROWD: This place is popular and there is usually a line. Though they have a great amount of seatings available (outdoors), but I prefer a space I don't feel like I have to menu ear so much around. - THE FISHWICH THAT SELLS OUT: I was told about this special fried fish sandwich that sells out. So in order to guarantee there will be one for me to order, gotta get there early! It's my first time, and here's what I had: THE FISHWICH - $14.50 Panko crusted rockfish, American cheese, Pickle, Shredded Cabbage, Tartar, Potato Bun. This is a limited supply item that is only available Wed-Sat until sellout. A friend shared it was amazing, but sadly I couldn't agree from one reason: This was bland. I love the softness of the potato bun, the crispy and hot pink-crusted textures, and the generous amount of tartar sauce. But I tasted nothing--just all sorts of texture. I owned up top it though and finished the entire thing. Was I satisfied? No, but my belly is full! THE DRIVE THRU - $10.50 American cheese, Schmalz onion, Pickle, Lettuce, tomato, Special Sauce, Sesame Bun. Overall decent burger, and I enjoyed it. Really can't say more without comparing it to SCOLARI'S but it's a solid burger. HAND CUT FRENCH FRIES - $5.35 Blanched and Fried chipperbec potatoes. I think I enjoyed these fries because they remind me of SCOLARI'S friends, heh. I was surprised I did not see o any of their merch for sale because I'm digging that carton character icon! The brewery it shared a space with has a decent amount of merch though!

    Quality/Quantity - We almost did NOT come today. After circling for parking 3+ times, I told the…read morefamily if we don't find a space this last drive by, we will go to a different place for dinner and a different brewery! Got lucky and parked two blocks away. Lovely's restaurant is also here on the Two Pitchers Brewing premises. See pictures and other 5 star Yelp review. The food was amazing! I was worried when I first saw what my daughter and wife ordered as that was not my wife's usual type of food.. Corn Fritters - My order. The oil they fried this in was dark; I was worried that the oil was old...? But it tasted fresh and good. I would get this again, but prefer a lighter oil next time please. The Chili Willie - My wife's order?!?! And this was good. The jalapenos gave it the perfect kick. I told my wife I am here for the beer, and as light eaters I just wanted to share something with them. Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich - No surprise my daughter's order. Well she wanted your sold out Fish & Chips (which is weird because I think she ate that last night also...?). This was also made-to-order fresh! The chicken had a good crisp until the last bite and was moist inside! Fried perfectly. She also ordered Chili Cheese Fries with that; I guess that is the theme today. Lastly, the soft serve looked so good but too bad it would clash with my beer drinking, lol. To compliment my dinner, or the other way around, lol. Two Pitchers Brewing: 10 of their beers are on tap and the rest are guests' taps. So of course, I had to try their $3 Signature Lager which was too light for me. You basically get what you pay for. Next... Pale Ale - $7, now that's more like it! No IPA today, so I had to settle. My daughter got the Yard Bird, Strawberry Lemonade Beer; it suited her. Ready for my 3rd beer, when my daughter said she wanted to go home and party some more?!?! So I abided. Ambiance - Cool space. Lots of semi private spaces that you can rent. See pictures or their website. Very kid and dog friendly! Unisex restrooms with outside sinks, thank you! NO parking! So bad on a Saturday evening, that we almost did not come. Open 6 days a week. See pictures or their website. Closed on Mondays. Service - Counters service. For both Lovely's and the bar. The outdoor bar is WAY faster service than the inside bar, just an FYI. Same team, but more organized. Price - $49 + generous tip. Including a 3% operations fee/credit card fee, see the small print on the very bottom of the menu. Expensive, even for the Bay Area. But that is the price for quality. 20% gratuity for orders over $250. Owner Comment - Congrats to the building since 1919. Congrats on your success since 2021. Glad we were able to visit. Are you the same owners as Two Pitchers Brewing?

    Photos
    Lovely's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Lovely's - Soft Serve Cup (w/Vanilla & Chocolate, $5.75)- 4.5/5 stars

    Soft Serve Cup (w/Vanilla & Chocolate, $5.75)- 4.5/5 stars

    Lovely's - Order window

    See all

    Order window

    ButtercuP - Veggie omelette & hash browns

    ButtercuP

    3.7(833 reviews)
    4.2 miJack London Square
    $$

    I realize I came here years ago and my experience on Mother's Day was so much better! We got seated…read morevery quickly despite the busy day - we got our orders SO quick and the food we ordered was hot and right! Our server was also very friendly. The portions are huge so of course we took some to go. The only thing I wish was that their cheese on the grits came on top, not cooked in. Otherwise I felt like they full redeemed themselves from my subpar review years ago! Oh icing on the cake - I got two complimentary chocolate covered strawberries for mothers day - sweet indeed. Ooh parking can be a pain. Get there early for parking in the private lot or take your chances on street parking or walk a little and park in the garage down the way.

    My first time dining here, and it was truly wonderful. I sat at the counter and was followed over…read moreby the host with a menu -- no wait time at all. The diner is clean, cozy, and chic. The staff is warm and inviting. The portion sizes are HUGE, so my only regret is that I didn't have a buddy with me to split all of this food with. I went for the classic eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and toast combo. I asked for my bacon well / crispy and it came out perfect -- shoutout to the kitchen for a delicious breakfast. The Jessica's Coffee Cake was the perfect "something sweet" to end the meal with, but fair warning, this is not the size you usually get from say a Starbucks -- you could feed a family with this thing. I'll be back. Thanks for a memorable breakfast, Buttercup staff.

    Photos
    ButtercuP - Interior

    Interior

    ButtercuP - Churro waffles

    Churro waffles

    ButtercuP - Latte

    See all

    Latte

    Horn Barbecue - Mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw, and sauce

    Horn Barbecue

    3.5(319 reviews)
    4.1 miOld Oakland
    $$

    I visited Horn Barbecue and I NEED management and ownership to read this carefully--because what I…read moreexperienced deserves to be recognized on a higher level. First of all, my order was TO-GO. And let me tell you... when I got home and opened that bag, I was honestly blown away. My food was packaged with so much care, precision, and pride--it was neat, organized, and handled like it actually mattered. That alone told me everything about the level of service in that building. Candalen--YOU DID THAT. The attention to detail on my plate did not go unnoticed. You treated my food like it was being served in-house, and that speaks volumes about your work ethic and pride in what you do. Aaron--listen... that peach lemon drop??? BABY. That was my first time trying one and it was EVERYTHING. Smooth, flavorful, perfectly balanced--you made that drink an experience all by itself. I will be back JUST for that. And let's talk about the vibe--the music, the energy, the atmosphere--it all came together in a way that made the entire visit feel GOOD. Not just food... a whole experience. But what really stands out is this: It has been a LONG time since I've experienced service this genuine, this intentional, and this excellent. Not rushed, not careless--EXCEPTIONAL. Management, if you are reading this--please understand--you have some powerful people on your team. Candalen and Aaron are the kind of employees that elevate a brand. They are the reason people come back. They are the reason I will be telling others. This wasn't just a good experience. This was the kind of experience that turns customers into loyal supporters. I will absolutely be back--and I will be bringing people with me. Until next time, WUHAPN NATION

    I have been telling my friend about how satisfying and delicious the food at Horn BBQ is, but every…read moretime we came by the restaurant was closed. Finally, we were so excited to see it was open on a Saturday an we came in for lunch. To order you need to scan the QR code and pay plus tip before a single person spoke to us or offered us help. From the menu we saw they were out of beef ribs, smoked chicken, rib tips, no peach cobbler, no banana pudding and no kool aid. I come for their brisket and my friend loves ribs so we went ahead and ordered combo plates to share. Mine was the brisket with a side of collard greens, she had the pork ribs, a hotlink with a side of Mac-n-cheese, & cornbread. For drinks we had lemonade and an Arnold Palmer. I'm not sure what has happened over the last few months but the quality of the food, the service and the expectation to pay and tip up front were very disappointing. The greens, Mac cheese, brisket and ribs were cold. The hotlink wasn't BBQ'ed it was pan fried. Everything tasted like warmed up leftovers and we will not return. For 2 of us to eat it came to $100 and we were not satisfied. The dining room is an attractive space, it was completely empty. The staff was unclear about what we ordered, had to be told to bring our drinks, bartender is also working as server and apologized for his uncertainty. I suggest this restaurant hire and train more staff if they intend to keep their doors open.

    Photos
    Horn Barbecue - Bar area

    Bar area

    Horn Barbecue - Brisket, beef rib

    Brisket, beef rib

    Horn Barbecue - Full bar, paying homage to legends

    See all

    Full bar, paying homage to legends

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Bowl of Persian Cucumbers

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    4.0(1.5k reviews)
    3.0 miLower Hills
    $$

    Stopped by Grand Lake Kitchen for brunch this sunny weekend and it really hit the spot. The food…read morewas delicious and it felt like the perfect kind of meal for a relaxed weekend morning. I ordered the turkey club and it was honestly huge. You can see in the photo how big it is compared to my hand. It was stacked and super satisfying, the kind of sandwich that definitely fills you up. We also shared a deviled egg and some fried zucchini to start, which were great little bites before the main dish. The zucchini was crispy and light, and the deviled egg was simple but really good. I paired everything with a mocha latte that was perfectly balanced and honestly superb. Overall it was a ten out of ten brunch moment. Between the sunny weather, good coffee, and really satisfying food, it was exactly what we were looking for. Definitely one of those spots I would come back to for brunch again.

    This was me and my husband's first time at the restaurant and the food here was excellent…read moreeverything was very good and flavorful. I gave it to stars because the service was really bad. Our waitress took very long to even acknowledge us, didn't person herself to be very friendly, and lacked any attentiveness to us as customers. We had to ask other people for things like refills on our drinks, condiments, etc. She didn't ever really try to check to see how things were going after the food was served and we had to ask someone else to pay. Unfortunately considering this experience my husband doesn't want to go back and I hate that for us because the food was really good.

    Photos
    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Dining room

    Dining room

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.

    Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts

    See all

    Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts

    Saint Anna Cafe Shop

    Saint Anna Cafe Shop

    3.8(248 reviews)
    3.9 miOakland Chinatown
    $

    I've been getting takeout here for years, and they have the best black pepper sauce in the Bay Area…read more-- thick, rich, and super flavorful. We ordered the pork chop with lots of onions. It was a big, thick cut of meat, nicely seared and well-seasoned. Really satisfying. 8/10. I also got the black pepper steak with rice. For a café spot, the steak was surprisingly tender. Great value at about $22 -- it comes with soup and a drink, which is a solid deal. 9/10. The milk tea was okay but lacked a strong tea flavor for my taste. 6.5/10. That said, service was good. The waitress was kind enough to swap mine for a cold milk tea (which usually costs extra) and didn't charge me. The ambiance isn't the best -- it's a true hole-in-the-wall in Oakland Chinatown. Parking can be tough, so expect that. Overall, it's a great spot for authentic Hong Kong-style café food at very reasonable prices. It's been around for years and is definitely a staple. Just don't expect fancy vibes -- come for the food.

    One of the most traditional Hong Kong cafes in the Bay Area. My friends from Hong Kong love this…read moreplace, even my dad that grew up in Hong Kong. It reminds them of their childhood and of Hong Kong Cha Chaan tengs. Food is good and the prices are even better. Saint Anna Cafe has been here for decades . A staple in Oakland Chinatown. A must-try.

    Photos
    Saint Anna Cafe Shop - Dinning Room

    Dinning Room

    Saint Anna Cafe Shop - Black pepper sauce with chicken chop and rice

    Black pepper sauce with chicken chop and rice

    Saint Anna Cafe Shop - Lemon Tea

    See all

    Lemon Tea

    Town Fare by Michele McQueen - Fried chicken sandwich with freshly cut fries

    Town Fare by Michele McQueen

    4.2(191 reviews)
    3.5 miLake Merritt
    $$

    A friend and I decided to go here after seeing the instagram post highlighting the restaurant…read more Seemed like it would be a great experience with the food to match. However, as we arrived, I quickly realized it's not a full service restaurant. That's was our fault for not doing the research, but it was definitely disappointing in terms of the full experience. The staff was lukewarm, and was definitely more of a self serve experience. Not sure if they only do this for brunch, but definitely disappointing nonetheless. We weren't really given any guidance and basically just served our food. So not recommended if you are looking for elevated dining. The food was ok. Tasty enough. They have a strong menu but did not serve appetizers first. In fact the first appetizer was served with one of the mains and the rest was served 7 mins later. The first two dishes was served 2 minutes after we sat down, which was great, but definitely did not taste like it was made fresh for me. Like mentioned, it was not bad, but not to the standard like I thought nor for the price point. My mimosa was flat, which also made it seem pre made. Not a total loss but don't think I'll be coming back. Bummer.

    So this past Sunday, I got a chance to go to Town Fare and celebrate my oldest son's birthday. We…read morewere hungry, so we got there early and waited for them to open. A diverse crowd started forming but we were seated quickly. We seated right next to the DJ and he was cracking. He had a one nice soulful beat after another. Our server came right over set us up with water, hot coffee, and the pineapple mimosas. We had a carafe of that. The food was delicious. The ambience was excellent and of course it's located at the Oakland museum, so you can't go wrong. I Started off with a basket of fried chicken( a half chicken )and some deviled eggs. As you might expect it was delicious. My mom asked for a piece of the chicken. I started cutting the breast in half and she quickly dove in on my wing. For my main course, I had the chicken apple sausage with grits and eggs over medium. They were prepared exquisitely and I would definitely get them again. My mom and my son had the blackened catfish they were full and they had to get it to go Plate. Everybody enjoyed everything they had, including the fried chicken salad with bacon, the shrimp and grits. A couple of people have that both my daughter and my sister, and it was absolutely delicious. According to them I got a taste, and I can verify that. If you're looking for a great meal with an excellent ambience, great service town fair has everything you can ask for I would highly recommend you check it out and I can't wait to get back down there again. Kudos to Michelle McQueen!

    Photos
    Town Fare by Michele McQueen - Past event held at Town Fare. Food and event decor and set up done by Town Fare

    Past event held at Town Fare. Food and event decor and set up done by Town Fare

    Town Fare by Michele McQueen - Fried Brussels with chili flakes and freshly grated parmesan cheese

    Fried Brussels with chili flakes and freshly grated parmesan cheese

    Town Fare by Michele McQueen - Buttermilk chicken and waffle

    See all

    Buttermilk chicken and waffle

    Sequoia Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...