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Skates On The Bay

3.4 (3.3k reviews)
Open • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Skates On The Bay Takeout or Delivery

Skates On The Bay Seafood Restaurant Photos

SKATES ON THE BAY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Romantic
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

Recommended Reviews - Skates On The Bay

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Reviews With Photos

Fried Banana Split
Isabel D.

The view is the winner here. Our family dined at Skates on the Bay on a Sunday evening around sunset, and it was beautiful. Service was great. We had a reservation, and were seated fairly quickly for a busy weekend evening. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. The food was delicious. Our whole family loved the burrata and prosciutto - the portion size was perfect for our family of 4. I ordered the miso cod, my husband and eldest both ordered the prime rib, my youngest had the kid's grilled chicken, and we ordered the steamed Dungeness crab cluster as a side. For dessert, I had the fried banana split. 10/10 would come here again.

Private party
Rachel M.

Skates on the Bay did an overall nice job with my in-laws' 50th anniversary! There were some snafus with the initial reservation due to staff turnover but we eventually got the contract finalized. They have beautiful bay views, tasty entrees, and a private event room in the heart of the restaurant. The day of coordinators/servers were also very helpful during the event and brought everything out in a timely fashion. The guests raved about the event and had a lovely time. I also liked my prawn linguini and key lime pie. I also enjoyed the happy hour with friends in the past. Recommend having your event here!

Beautiful Bay View
D. Reneé B.

Skates on the Bay - Berkeley, CA Beautiful views, but the service didn't match the setting. I visited on a Monday evening with my cousin who always makes it a point to come here when she's in town. Since we didn't have a reservation, we sat in the bar area. After being seated, it took about 20 minutes before we were able to order. The bartender was kind and helped get things started, but service throughout the visit felt slow and a bit unwelcoming. Water and bread weren't brought out until we asked, and after placing our order, there was very little follow-up. We ended up waiting over an hour before asking for the check. We ordered The Unveiling, which had a beautiful presentation but leaned heavily on the tequila. The Crab & Avocado Roll was a highlight -- fresh Dungeness crab and great flavor. The updated focaccia-style bread was also a nice touch. The view of the bay, with both bridges visible, continues to be the standout here. One thing to note: parking is now paid. Overall, while the food and views still have their appeal, the service during this visit took away from the experience.

Grilled Mahi Mahi with tomato and asparagus relish
Cheryl R.

The location was prime on the bay looking toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Our large group of 13 enjoyed a fun evening at this seafood restaurant. It was upscale but not fussy. Service was good considering there were 3 large parties in our room. The clam chowder and lobster bisque were standout starters. My king salmon was tender and flavorful. The lemongrass black rice risotto was outstanding. Pesto shrimp was good, not great. I sampled the linguini with prawns and grilled Mahi Mahi and both were delicious. The Amalfi cocktail was not only pretty but unique with passion fruit purée and Aperol. I would definitely dine here again.

Lobster Bisque Bowl
Maria M.

First of all, the ambiance here is always so beautiful. Sitting by the bay with the big windows just feels so nice and relaxing, definitely a first-class vibe. The food is always amazing, and the service today was excellent . Our server, Jonathan, was super attentive, professional, and just made us feel really taken care of. We come here a lot, but today was extra special, we were celebrating my dad's 91st birthday. Jonathan made it feel really special and they even brought out a creme brulee with a candle, which was such a sweet touch. We ordered the fish and chips, prime rib sandwich, a lobster dish, and the Asian fusion filet tacos everything was so good and cooked to perfection. We also had a few glasses of wine, it was just a perfect lunch. This place never disappoints. Always a great experience. If you're in the area, you should definitely check it out and ask for Jonathan, he's the best!

View from my table
Sandy N.

The restaurant is beautiful. It's literally on the bay. There's plenty of parking. I came by to get food to go. I had a $25 bday coupon to use. So I got the fish and chips. And a bowl of clam chowder. The fish stayed crispy and it was cooked perfectly. It was served with some lemon wedges and house made tartar sauce. The soup was good. I didn't really care for the fries. They were ok. There's a lot of happy hour/lunch specials. I've never been here any other time. This would be a great place to go to before the sunset. Great service from the hostess who took my order. She also brought me my food and asked if I needed utensils. On the way to the restaurant, you'll probably see a bunch of wild turkeys running around.

Micah M.

Excellent view. Attentive service. Private parking lot. The food was good but not great. I would return and try something else.

Caesar Salad
Janae H.

On Christmas Day, I decided to dress up and take myself on a solo dinner date. The holidays can be hard when your immediate family is out of state, so I was really looking forward to a peaceful meal with a beautiful waterfront view. Although I arrived about 20 minutes late, I called ahead and confirmed that I would still be seated by the window. I was told yes. When I arrived, I was seated quickly--but unfortunately not by the window. Instead, I was placed near the kitchen, where it was loud with constant clanking and servers rushing back and forth. There were plenty of open window tables, and I arrived about 40 minutes before closing. When I asked the host for a better seat and pointed out the open tables, I was told those were reserved for larger parties. That was disappointing, especially since I had already confirmed the seating over the phone. Once seated, service continued to fall short. No water was offered, and I waited for quite a while before finally stopping someone walking by to ask for it. My waiter didn't come to the table for another 10-15 minutes and seemed rushed and anxious, offering very short responses when I asked questions. The timing of the food was off. My Caesar salad came before my appetizer, then the appetizer, then the bread. The wine I ordered didn't arrive until I was halfway through my appetizer, even though the bread and wine should have come first. The calamari was the highlight--zesty, flavorful, and honestly a 10/10. The salad was fine but unremarkable; I expected something more elevated from an upscale restaurant. The steak and mashed potatoes arrived lukewarm, and while I cleared my own plates to make space, no one came to remove them. My water glass sat empty until I asked for a refill. The main course was very mid--honestly comparable to something you'd get at Denny's or IHOP, not a higher-end restaurant. With an appetizer, three-course meal, and crème brûlée for dessert, the total came to $115. Despite the poor service, I still left a $30 tip. Maybe solo diners don't get the same attention. Maybe the seating location made it hard for staff to notice me. Maybe my waiter was having a rough day. Whatever the reason, the experience didn't match the price point or reputation. I wanted this to be a special solo holiday dinner, but unfortunately it fell short. Do better.

Eggnog crème brûlée
John D.

Food: 5 stars Ambiance 4 stars Service: 5 stars My partner and I came here for his company's holiday dinner. Our party of about 25 people was set up in a private room. An appetizer buffet was set up with coconut shrimp, sushi rolls, bruschettas, artichoke dip, and a cheese/fruit platter. There was a three course menu for the evening with a couple of choices for each course. First course was choice b/w Lobster bisque or wedge salad The second course was a 13 oz prime rib, fettuccine alfredo with shrimp and crab, or rosemary chicken with couscous. The dessert course was eggnog crème brûlée or a mint chocolate cake. We had the lobster bisque, prime rib, and crème brûlée. Each dish was very well prepared and delicious. The bisque was a bit salty but still tasty. The service was excellent, rent attentive and responsive. Based on people's ratings I didn't give skates a chance but I'm glad we got to experience it. I'll be back for the prime rib!

A view from a window seat.
Glenda W.

The food and drinks were amazing while looking out the window, watching the ways. Enjoying chatting with my classmate friend. The waiter was on point during our visit. The water views of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate are a thing of beauty. I will be returning!

View from our table
Karen W.

We had open table reservation and got a beautiful view of the bay from our table. The place was busy with holiday gatherings. We had their delish buttery garlic bread and a humungous dish of crispy calamari so light and crispy, crab and artichoke dip with bread. For entrees two ordered the shrimp and crab linguini, seared kalbi bao buns and I ordered the steamed clams and split a caesar salad with one of my friends. The clams were fine except they added chili flakes to the broth and it was too much kick for me. For dessert we shared creme brulee delish, key lime pie and the fried banana split that came with yummy toppings! Service was somewhat attentive but only one server in our area and he was quite busy

Dungeness crab and shrimp linguine
Mary M.

Great experience from the moment we walked in, it was my birthday lunch my son told the hostess it was our first time at Skates, they wanted us to have an all around experience & so we did! We started off with a Pinot Noir and I had a martini ordered the calamari and artichokes so delishthen asked our waiter Antonio for suggestions I went with my first choice his pick as well I had the cciapino omg with the bread for dipping and my son had the seafood pasta, we wanted to share each others plates so the waiter suggested to split our dishes and we both experienced a happy tummy, the vibe was perfect not overly noisy. And the views were stunning! To end our meal Antonio brought me a crème brûlée dessert with a candle and we shared it! What a show and experience as our waiter said it would be! I'll be going back for date night. Kudos all the way around

Shrimp Prawns Linguine Pasta
Robert B.

This place blew my mind. Went out for a fishing trip with my buddies and ate here for dinner! The food was incredible and the ambiance was even better! Definitely be back!

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Staff was generally extremely rude. Reservation time was not honored. They sat us at a dirty table.

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Skates On The Bay Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Skates On The Bay

Is there garage parking nearby?

No garage nearby. Lots of parking in their lot. A sign says do not leave valuables in sight. Lock your car.

What kind of cooking oil(s) used?

I'm not sure. If you call the restaurant, they should be able to tell you.

Is fish and chips still on the menu?

It is on the lunch menu.

When does dinner menu open?

Our dinner menu is available all day.

Hi I'm looking for a place to have a birthday party for my dad and was interested if you can provide information and pics of space for private events?…

Hello Carol, please visit https://www.skatesonthebay.com/private-events/ to inquire about hosting a private event. Thank you.

Do you accept Discover?

Hi Andrea, Discover cards are accepted at our establishment. Thank you!

Do staff wear masks?

Hello. The health and safety of our guest and staff is our top priority, however here at Skates we do not require the staff to wear masks as we stay following the local county regulations, it is the staff and guest's choice to wear a mask or not.

Does the restaurant still require proof of vaccination?

Nope. They didn't ask.

Are you open during week? I'm trying to make reservations for Monday 5/23 but am unable to. Just want to confirm you are open on 5/23.

Yes they are open during the week for both lunch and dinner.

What is the parking options....private lot.,,street parking?

They have an unsecured parking lot but I wouldn't feel comfortable parking there at night. They haven't figured out that having a guard would actually increase their business. From the amount of broken window glass in the lot, you take your chances.

Does this restaurant ask for vaccine records or other private medical information as a condition for dining?

We were asked for proof of vaccination and identification on our last visit on February 19, 2022. Figured I would include the exact date since information is always changing.

Thanks for the replies. We made a trip there and they are booked until Tuesday after Valentine's Day. Luckily we caught sunset. -…

I can not confirm if they are open, however I can confirm that there is no outside porch seating. I suggest trying Scott's in Jack London. Better food, pretty view, outdoor seating.

Is there a dress code? Would someone be turned away wearing a baseball cap?

Nooooo! This is California! 😆 I would recommend dress smart to please yourself but that is it.

Does skates have outdoor seating?

No, it does not but it doesn't need it because the views are great!

Do you do $1 oysters for happy hour or on a certain day of the week?

New update on covid requirements?

Proof of vaccination required and masks when you walk in until seated.

Is there outdoor seating?

Hi Peggy, We do not have outdoor seating at Skates.

Do they require proof of vaccination for dining?

Yes alameda mandated the proof of the vaccination card and it is required to have your I.D

Do you have a brunch menu?

Yes they do! I think there were about 7 items on the brunch menu.

Do I need make a reservation ahead of time?

They do prefer reservations, and I would suggest so because they can get pretty busy. Sometimes it's a long wait without reservations.

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Marica - Twice cooked lobster

Marica

4.4(2.6k reviews)
4.0 mi•North Oakland
•$$

Date: 3/27/2026 Time: 7:25 PM 68° Cool…read more My male companion asked where I wanted to have dinner this evening. I had a taste for Chilean sea bass. A search on this website resulted in Marica having it on their menu. He booked a 7:30 PM reservation for two. We arrived early. What started out as a not too pleasant experience for us was the attitude of the guy who greeted us when we entered the restaurant. Attitude bordered on rudeness (3 star). We somewhat tolerated it, not knowing what to expect next. The restaurant was filled with diners, and the only available seating was not far from the front door. Oh, the chill was in the air, and my not wearing a sweater and/or light jacket to stay warm had me shivering. I had to brave the element (LOL). Since there was no Chilean sea bass on their daily special menu, it took a little longer for my companion and I to peruse the menu, and decide what entrees we were willing to have. Usually I would order an Arnold Palmer as a beverage; however, this time I decided to be adventurous - reisling peach spritz please - to whet my appetite. My date had the Temescal pilsner. Eats: Grilled salmon arange ginger saffron blanc beurre, roasted potatoes and vegetables. Korean short ribs, honey garlic gochujang marinade, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Our meals were on point and bomb-diggity delicious. The arange ginger saffron was perfect with the carrot. It reminded me of glazed carrots. The green beans were fresh and not overcooked. Ooh, the Korean pork ribs were tender and that sauce was sweet and had a subtle kick of spiciness. (Definitely a perfect complement for the pork ribs.) I have to admit the chef knew how to burn. Food tasted so good that figuratively speaking y'all gotta slap the cook and his mama. Ambiance: Comfy and casual. Despite the dining area is small, still it is a great restaurant for dining on a Friday evening. From my perspective and vivid imagination with the indoor lighting, it exuded a romantic atmosphere. Only in my mind I can hear soft jazz in the background. What convinced me to give Marica a 5 star rating? It was none other than Enriqueta, our waitress. She was pleasant, attentive and so accommodating. The chef lost our order ticket; thus, the wait time for our meal took a bit longer than we anticipated. She came to the rescue and comped us with dessert - chocolate souffle with homemade vanilla ice cream. It certainly was a gesture of kindness to have my date and me smiling from ear to ear. Return visit? Yes, mos def...not the rapper for Chilean sea bass. Enriqueta said I can always call to find out what their daily special is.

We made a reservation for Oakland Restaurant Week and decided on the black cod and the three course…read morespecial menu which consisted of fresh corn and shrimp cream soup sweet and delish, Prince Edward Island Mussels my fave, claypot salmon with signature rice which had a real kick to it, especially the rice, followed by orange creme brulee, tangy and tasty. Service was attentive. Somehow though we ordered the black cod we got the oxtail but notified them immediately and they replaced it with the black cod and gave us a complimentary pannacotta for the mistake. Food was great, just wish there wasn't a quick to the special rice

Photos
Marica - Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!

Another shipment of lobster in for the weekend. Limited quantity for a few lucky people who can get this drop!

Marica - Marica Seafood Stew

Marica Seafood Stew

Marica - Short ribs

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Short ribs

The Berkeley Boathouse - Crab and Shrimp Roll

The Berkeley Boathouse

3.5(320 reviews)
0.4 mi•West Berkeley
•$$

We had the most beautiful Mother's Day experience at Berkeley Boathouse. We originally came after…read moreseeing a blogger recommend it, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was phenomenal, the service was superb, and the ambiance was stunning. Sitting by the water while enjoying an incredible meal made the whole experience feel special from start to finish. What truly made this visit unforgettable, though, was the kindness from the staff and manager. I noticed a small plant sitting off to the side that caught my attention. It reminded me so much of my mother, who recently passed and was a huge plant lover. Since losing her, caring for plants has become something deeply therapeutic for me. I jokingly offered to buy the plant, and instead, the manager kindly gifted it to me. That simple act of compassion meant more than they will probably ever know. On a day that can feel heavy while grieving a mother, they gave me a little piece of comfort to take home. Beautiful restaurant, beautiful people, and a kindness I won't forget. Five stars without hesitation.

After all this time I've lived in Berkeley, I somehow never ate at the Berkeley Boathouse…read more(restaurant in the DoubleTree Hotel) until yesterday. First off, the renovation is beautiful. It has an amazing waterfront/courtside view of the Bay, dock access to a ferry (I think it's Hornblower?), and a lot of natural light and open space. They also have a new chef and friendly staff. My homegirl and I started with the Green Curry Mussels, and they were definitely flexing like Mr Olympia. The curry broth was the star -- 10/10. We dipped everything in it: bread, fries...hell, it would have made tree bark taste good. I had the fish and chips, and the cod was perfectly battered like an amateur boxer in his first pro fight. Crispy, golden, and lightweight. My homegirl's cioppino was a little too tomato-heavy, so the waitress had the chef remix it. He did by adding more garlic, and it went from mid-sauce to perfect. I hope they keep that change! The staff said the new chef is considering updates to the long-stagnant menu -- and clearly, he's listening. They do need to bring the price of everything on the mini down about $5 :-), or else have happy hour specials. The restaurant got quiet after a cruise group hopped on a boat. It was relatively empty, and it totally has to be because of the marketing. If you're thinking of a nice alternative to Skates By The Bay (also very delicious!), It's a nice detour. This spot deserves more love. We'll be back.

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The Berkeley Boathouse - Nauticle theme ropes

Nauticle theme ropes

The Berkeley Boathouse - Belgian waffle

Belgian waffle

The Berkeley Boathouse - No other place can take you from the port of Oakland to the San Rafael bridge in one head turn.  Absolutely beautiful

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No other place can take you from the port of Oakland to the San Rafael bridge in one head turn. Absolutely beautiful

Marina Seafood Dockside Patio

Marina Seafood Dockside Patio

4.2(110 reviews)
0.3 mi•West Berkeley
•$$

First time here but it won't be my last…read more Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating (heating lamps available) We opted to sit inside because it was a cold day . We sat at the bar and watched the football game. Inside is clean well organized and has lots of seating available All employees were very friendly and welcoming that is a huge plus We felt right at home Bar is well stocked, I ordered El Jefe $16 Friend had a mimosa We ordered focaccia bread 7$ very good and the Nonna sauce it came with was very tasty Steamed mussels with garlic bread, also very good and shrimp ravioli was amazing We shared everything, as in to say that the portions sizes are big and very shareable! We took food home Overall food is very good Ambiance is great Prices are very reasonable Parking is safe and easy to come by Only open Friday- Sunday Closes at 7pm We tried coming last Sunday but we got here too late glad we didn't give up

Great view of the Marina. The decor feels like your outside. Parking can be a little tough but…read morethere's overflow parking across the street. Food was good for sharing but taste was just okay, tipical. . A plus is it is a great place to hang out with friends. Walk around the Marina afterwards or beforehand! The service was excellent. They kept checking on us and kept making sure to clean up to make room or for our table to be tidy.

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Marina Seafood Dockside Patio
Marina Seafood Dockside Patio - Charred Gem Lettuce

Charred Gem Lettuce

Marina Seafood Dockside Patio - New Zealand Green Mussels w/Thai Green Curry

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New Zealand Green Mussels w/Thai Green Curry

Skates On The Bay - seafood - Updated May 2026

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