Excellent Haitian food! Beautiful place and nice location . Easy to park and I felt safe compared to what the news reports about this area. Oxtails were delicious but the two types of plantains were the better ones I've tried anywhere. read more

I came by here because I've heard of it. And I've gotten some decent food from places long gone. That being said, I really wanted to like the food. Unfortunately, I didn't. The guy working behind the counter was totally nice and took my order. I asked for a restroom and had to go out into the market to find one. I found it because he gave me the directions and the code. I then returned for my food. I ordered the jerk chicken and the griot. They came with rice (with a smattering of beans, a hot cabbage dish, and a savory and a sweet piece of plantain. I also got a couple of drinks to go with the meals and excitedly told him that I was coming home for lunch. I grabbed the drinks which came in a cute carrier and left. The first problem is that one of the drinks fell on it's side during the ride home. And it leaked, weakening the carrier. It broke on our kitchen floor, so I spent the next 10 minutes cleaning up. My husband hurt his hand and wasn't fast enough for my liking. Then we put the food on plates to eat and it was OK. I don't know what I was expecting from griot since I've never had it before. But the main flavor to me was salt. We rice was OK. The cabbage was spicy. I gave my husband the sweet plantain and he liked it. I ate into the savory one and it was quite flacid. Then I had the jerk chicken, which was not as flavorful as jerk chickens past. It tasted of chicken with a heavy dose of salt. Again, the plain Jane rice, the spicy cabbage, and plantain. I gave him all of mine from this. I will say that I probably won't come back again. I keep reading reviews where people have a fantastic experience. I wish that would have been my experience. Unfortunately, it wasn't. read more

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I'm so happy we ate at T'chaka. I'm a Bahamian in Oakland and I was jonesing for some tasty West Indian food. Their griot and pikliz delighted my palette and had me dancing in my seat. The server was warm and welcoming, and the owner/chef came by to see if we were pleased. Can't wait to go back. It was everything I hoped for. read more

This is the most delicious food in oakland!!! I had the oxtails which is my favorite food and this is the BEST ive ever had! This food felt like family and I am so excited to bring everyone I know here! Came on a Friday, they had live music and the service is TOP TIER... theres some food that you can just taste the love and tradition in. Oh and the plantains were cooked to PERFECTION read more

T'chaka - THE BEST OXTAILS OF ALL TIME - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

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I must say that I was pretty blown away by the food, it was my first time having Haitian food, and every single dish was absolutely delicious!! The legume and the appetizers were all SO delicious! The service was also great here. All the waiters and waitresses were Haitian and super friendly! The environment is also so vibey and decorated very well! Love this place so much will definitely come back. read more

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My husband and I are first-gen American (Caribbean parents) and native NY'ers, we planned to meet up with friends, one of whom is also a native NY'er and we all just wanted a little bit of home, since NY has everything. Personally, I've never had Haitian food, so was skeptical, it's the Bay Area. When I tell you this place didn't disappoint. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. If I had one negative thing to say, the equivalent of what we call tostones, wasn't my favorite, but it was still good; we just make it a bit different. [[HIGHLIGHT]]But honestly, this type of place is exactly what the Bay Area is missing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Run, don't walk. read more

Service was friendly but not fast. We were there in their first anniversary and they gave us complimentary champagne. That was nice. Nice to sit outside. Would have been nicer if the dirty table had been wiped off for us. Tostines appetizer was good. Slightly spicy. The Goat curry and fried goat were both good. Not a ton of meat in the curry-- probably 50% bones and fat. The fried goat was better-- and the "fry" treatment is more like pan seared. With both were served yummy plantains. Our friends had a whole fish and vegetable stew. Both were nicely presented. Bathroom Grade B it's the shared public restroom for swans market. Not my favorite kind of food so I'm not sure I'll return but I would recommend if others want Haitian or a restaurant in the area where talking, eating and drinking are easy and the menu marked with dietary restrictions read more

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This place is a must try. Food was cooked to perfection, service was friendly and attentive, and the location is great to explore the rest of downtown Oakland. I brought my boyfriend here and we had the pork griot and oxtail and we were talking about it for days. read more

Of course I had to come to the only Haitian restaurant up here, duhhh! The lady welcomed me immediately and I just sat at the bar for a quick lunch. The place is nicely decorated with pieces from Haiti. There's plenty of table space inside and out. There's street parking available and you just pay the meter a small fee. I ordered legumes with beef. Waited about 15 minutes. I ate some there and took the rest to go. The meat was tender and juicy. Vegetables were great; a bit salty at first but it paired well with my rice. Passionfruit juice was A1 so I doubled up on it for the ride out. The price is a bit different than what I'm used to in Florida for the quantity but I understand the Cali charges so no biggie. I was only in the area briefly and had to run to an appointment. Next time I will swing by for dinner and chat more with the folks there. My next try will be the oxtail. I heard great things. Antouka, loved being able to support my people. I'll see them again I'm sure. Go check them out. read more

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Excellent service. The food was prepared to perfection. The pikliz was so fresh & extra spicy (not to everyone). I am planning my next visit. read more

When I heard a Haitian restaurant made its way to Oakland, I HAD to try it out. I visited for Oakland Restaurant Week. I ordered the jerk chicken combo for dinner. The chicken was so tender and well seasoned. As for the ambiance, it's such a nice interior and they played Haitian music which was a plus. I would have liked to see Diri Djon Djon and the pikliz with more heat but overall it was a good dining experience. The owner checked in on me which was nice and made the experience better. There's also a patio if you're in the mood for outdoor dining. See my TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRTfoef1/ read more

T'chaka - Jerk chicken and shrimp combo with a side of rice, pikliz and plantain - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

I took a trip to Oakland and I found out about T'chaka. Yay, Haitian food to the rescue! When I travel to other cities, I'm always curious to know if there's a Haitian Restaurant around. I guess that was my lucky day for a taste of Haiti. It was good to know that it's in the heart of Oakland and opened last year. As soon as I entered the restaurant, I felt at home...smelling the pleasant appetizing aroma of Caribbean spices. Oooh yeahhh! I received a warm welcoming from staff. Oooh niiice! I was in a veggie mood and ready for a home cooked meal. I ordered my favorite traditional Haitian dish, legumes. While I waited, I enjoyed listening to the Kompa music and enjoyed looking at the decor. When my server approached me, I was delighted to see the presentation of the food. Look at that deliciousness! I can tell they put a lot of effort into it. So fast forward - The flavors were on point...jasmin rice and green/yellow plantains were on point. And lo and behold, the beautiful chef behind this fresh delectable masterpiece walked out the kitchen to check on me. I was all smiles at that point. She immediately knew I was a happy customer. Merci beaucoup! I'll be back. :-) FYI - To those who are unaware, Tchaka or Chaka is a nutritious Haitian stew associated with family time and festivities. read more

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We stopped in on a Wednesday night. The jerk shrimp and chicken was very good. Servers were quick. The location in Swan's Market is very nice and the atmosphere is relaxed. I like that you can hear each other talk! The fried calamari was a little overdone, but that is a minor note. read more

T'chaka - Jerk shrimp and chicken plus fried calamari. - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here with a friend of mine and had the oxtails with rice and plantains and they didn't disappoint one bit! The spicy sauce is amazing to add on the rice and oxtails too, it's a vinegar based hot sauce with some good kick! Customer service was top tier and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the place was very clean[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for some Haitian/Carribean spice. read more

T'chaka - Oxtails with rice and plantains - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

Recently took my mom out to dinner at T'chaka. This was my second time here, so it was an opportunity to try a few new dishes! I ended up going with the jerk combo (includes chicken and shrimp), as well as rice & peas and plantains. We also ordered some calamari to start. The chicken was very moist and flavorful and the sauce added a great kick. The calamari was fried crispy with plenty of flavor in the batter. I was also picking up some spice with the calamari, but I'm not sure what they put in there. The ambience is solid and the staff are very friendly/attentive. The owner regularly came by to refill our water and ask how the food was. Top marks for both food and service. Excited to visit again to try the goat! read more

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DO NOT PATRONIZE THIS PLACE When I walked in, I was not greeted by anyone, and the host or server who approached me was noticeably rude in their demeanor. This left a very negative impression, and as a result, I decided to leave and dine elsewhere. I'm disappointed because I had been looking forward to visiting, but the lack of basic hospitality made me feel unwelcome. I hope this feedback is helpful and that steps can be taken to ensure better service for future guests. I always hear good things about your establishment so I decided to give it a try this evening. I then talked to the owner/manager who promised he would take care of me if I came back. He never did read more

The most delicious Haitian food I've ever had. The pikliz is out of this world. I literally go out of my way to grab it on my way home. They use real scotch bonnets which means they are the real deal. Finally tried their famous curry goat. Fall of the bone delicious. Amazing chef and incredible food. read more

T'chaka - Curry goat - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

My wife, daughter and I ate there for the first time and it was amazing. Great flavor. You can tell the food was made after we ordered it. The chicken wings were above what I expected. The empanadas had great flavor. And our main course meal blew us away. This place is a gem. I will be coming back. read more

Look no further this has been Haitian approved. My dad and I visited this weekend. The food was delicious. The service was outstanding. The place had beautiful art work and designs. Looking forward to going back! Thanks (: read more

T'chaka - Griot, legumes, ox tail - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

The oxtail meat was very tough, the gravy was good but overall a subpar dish. Tried the restaurant several times and haven't had any luck with the quality of the food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant decor really is beautiful , but unfortunately we don't literally eat with our eyes[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. read more

I ordered the Ox Tail--highly recommend! Very tender and nicely paired with the rice. read more

T'chaka - Ox tail - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

The food was amazing. If you're going with a group, I suggest you do family style! Every meal was a hit! The service was also great which and efficient. Would definitely be back! read more

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My daughter brought me here for Mother's Day and what a delight. It's a small restaurant in Swan's Market. The fried fish was delicious. I'll definitely be back. Service was a tad slow but in all fairness, it was Mother's Day. read more

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T'chaka opened where Miss Ollie's was. Interior upgraded with subdued lighting, aquarium with live fish, music in background. Lotsa dining choices inside and out. Haitian food their specialty. Was given menu, seated upon entry. Know what i wanted from perusing same on window. Offerings (lunch): jerk chicken, pork sandwich, jerky's, T'chaka salad, vegan legume, griot, creole oxtails, jerk wings, cocktails, drinks, desserts.. Eats: creole oxtails (18) lunch, medium heat -didn't taste spicy at all. Not complaining, just saying. - small salad of cabbage, carrots, etc. yum! -plantains so smooth. Rice similar to "dirty rice" amaze.. -oxtails were chopped into smaller pieces than usual. Had to use tongue to discover bone bits. Meat was slightly dry, needed more heat? Meat was semi-juicy. My tummy really enjoyed the eats, great comfort food! Drink: passed since all have high levels of sugar. Wasn't in mood for alcohol. 4.5 stars- staff was helpful answering questions. Came in 2ish. Was able to finish in time for my 3 o'clock appt. Note: Haitian food has some similarities with U.S. creole style food . Would order Griot if i came again. read more

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What a wonderful addition to the Oakland food scene! Growing up in Oakland there was never much Caribbean food, fortunately that's changing a little bit but I don't know if many, if any, Haitian spots, I'm glad that's now changed. My friend and I came here on a Saturday night around 8pm. The restaurant was fairly full and they asked if we had a reservation, they sat us in a spot where they said a reservation hadn't shown up so it's possible a reservation for next time would be helpful. The restaurant is brightly decorated with vibrant colors and nice but somewhat casual atmosphere. The man who greeted us noted they had one cocktail, and no other hard liquor but the drink was a punch with passion fruit, ginger, lime and rum, we both decided to get it, it was addictive and almost too easy to drink. We also decided to share two entrees, the menu had many Haitian staples so it was hard to. choose just two things! We ended up getting the griot (fried pork bites), and stewed oxtail. Both were delicious but the oxtail was utterly heavenly, with the meat fall-off-the-bone tender and perfectly seasoned. Each dish was paired with a little pikliz, rice and beans, and both sweet and savory plantains, which were all wonderfully executed, flavorful and went perfectly with the main courses. read more

T'chaka - Griot (left), oxtail (right) - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

Come for brunch a few weeks ago.. Brunch turned into lunch.. they didnt open at one so I had a drinks next door.. no problem my friend was running late so it was perfect Once we came in we sat at a table and someone let us kno were drink menu and the specials.. mimosas with fresh fruit juice soo yummy.. the waitress was so nice and gave us great service. We shared the jerk wings which I will request to add some extra spicy next time.. i ordered the oxtails they were soo good falling off the bone good.. my friend ordered the shrimp and grits it was ok.. could have had more flavor.. after talking to the staff I definitely need to go check out there other location for more hatian dishes.. this location offers a smaller menu which is fine.. can't wait to come back once they get comfortable in this location.. definitely could come just to sit at the bar or with a big group.. read more

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The food was delicious!I had the goat curry. It was incredibly tender with a nicely spiced sauce, fried plantains, and red beans and rice. A few friends ordered the oxtail stew, which they also enjoyed. All the food was amazing. Great relaxing atmosphere and nice servers. read more

T'chaka - Oxtail stew - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

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Walked past T'chaka for past year and the night I tired it, it happened to be during their 1 year anniversary weekend! The restaurant was very busy, but the service was good. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the passion punch, which packed a little punch. For dinner I ordered the jerk shrimp, which was good and very flavorful! I appreciated how one of the chefs came to check to make sure I enjoyed everything and made sure I had the correct plantains! Overall great experience and I will be sure to go again! read more

T'chaka - Jerk Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

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The food was so good I was dreaming about it WHILE I was still sitting in the restaurant, right after finishing my meal! We had lamb chops and goat curry... I haven't had lamb that good in my life! Everything (literally everything!) was cooked, seasoned, and served perfectly. Servers + staff were also super rad and super lovely to talk to. Vibes were immaculate! The kind of place you'd take someone out to eat if you genuinely love them. Thank you!! read more

The whole package is outstanding, this is the place everyone should at least once experience and after that let your taste take you back

Haitian food and service by Christian were good. We ate curry goat and oxtail. Prestige blonde beer was good as well. Place is clean and vibrant. read more

Jerk chicken empanadas are incredible Great GF options. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Could do without the big tv screen but awesome food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

I came here for lunch one day. I thought it was delicious! I ordered the vegetable stew with rice, plantain and tostones and it was hearty and savory. It tastes like a well presented home cooked meal. The service was okay and the vibes inside were vibrant. read more

T'chaka - Vegetable stew - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

Authentic Haitian food. Go often. Great service. They also accommodate the locals because if this was Florida they would serve more rice with the portion lol. But that's just a personal thing. But been a good amount but had to drop a review. Also went when they were in San Rafael! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Excellent food,ambience and service![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would highly recommend dining here. We enjoyed taro fritters, jerk wings, oxtail stew, red snapper and the pork bites. Everything was fabulous. read more

Amazing food and excellent service. We drive over 1 hour to get to this restaurant, the flavors are unprecedented in the bay area!!

I'm skeptical of any Caribbean food in the bay area, but this was the best I've had by far. The is the first time jerk chicken gave me hiccups from the heat. The entire plate was very flavorful and spicy. I'll be back! Only minor drawback was the lunch menu is more limited than the dinner menu, so we weren't able to try everything we wanted. read more

T'chaka - Jerk chicken plate - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

After Kingston 11 closed down it was discouraging that Oakland had lost such a great Caribbean dining experience. This hole is now being respectfully filled by T'chaka (pronounced Chaka). The Haitian cuisine offered here was excellently prepared and features several stewed and slow cooked proteins that melt off the bone and loaded with complex flavors. The tostones (crispy plantains) are the excellent choice to pair with the different sauces and proteins for a superfood experience. You'll be surprised with what your taste buds are exposed to on every bite, the side salad has a little kick! I will be coming back soon. read more

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The food was fantastic here. Very relaxing environment with 90's R&B playing in the background. We had: - Jerk wings - very flavorful with a spicy kick. - Griot - Haitian fried pork bits, very crispy - Oxtail - succulent, falls off the bone. Highlight was the salad (substituted for rice and beans), which was very fresh and had a tangy dressing with tropical fruit flavors. read more

T'chaka - Jerk wings - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

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I absolutely love this restaurant. My husband is Haitian and I'm a good cook but I can't cook like they do here. The food is so authentic and delicious. The first time my husband tried it, his eyes watered a bit. The service is warm, kind of like you're eating at your families house. The restaurant has an authentic feel, really takes you to a different place. If you're new to Haitian food like me or missing a taste from home like my husband, I highly recommend this place! read more

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