Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar

    4.2 (802 reviews)
    Closed 11:45 am - 2:30 pm, 4:45 PM - 8:30 PM

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar Photos

    Business Info

    TOP HATTERS KITCHEN AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    More like Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar

    Recommended Reviews - Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar

    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

    Savory doughnuts
    Rose C.

    Have you been to a place and felt like you just want to try everything on the menu? Well, this modest restaurant tucked in the neighborhood was just that for us! As you walked in the little gate, then through the outdoor seating area to the main restaurant, a full bar awaits you! We were greeted by the friendly servers. We had an 11:30am reservation and the place was fairly quiet. It got busier not long after that. Ok so the food... it was family-style concept so that was great because we got to try different things! Everything we had was excellent and scrumptious! Both the oysters on the half shell and grilled oysters were fresh and smooth. The prepared toppings were very flavorful and complemented the oysters very well. The dipping sauces for the light and crispy tissue bread and the tender and savory grilled galangal pork skewers were delectable! The ultra-fresh halibut tartare was very well prepared and seasoned. The perfectly grilled rockfish with the savory broth was delicious! The fresh mussels in green curry (subtle, light, and yet deep umami) sauce was mouthwatering. There were a couple of dishes we enjoyed so much that we had to reorder during the meal. What an awesomesauce meal we had! HATS OFF TO THE CHEF!

    Melissa G.

    We came here to celebrate a birthday. There were some delicious bites but overall this place was mid and missed the mark for me. The dishes were just okay. Savory donuts were decent, the sauces were good though. Tissue bread was true to its namesake and was so thin you could barely taste it. Beets salad was good- salty, earthy and delicious. Grit cakes with honey were the star of the show! Crunchy, salty, golden outside with a tender inside. Yum! Mushroom fritters were tasty, but not too memorable. Tofu and beef banh mi's were bland, pork belly sandwich had good flavor and a nice touch with the quail eggs. Beef vermicelli bowl was okay. The mussels were delicious. The sweet crepe was just well...sweet. It tasted like sugar with a bit of lemon and that's about it. The ordering system is rough. It's unnecessarily complicated. You scan the QR code and submit your order, you could in theory do it all without a server. But in practice, and if you're with a big group, it's a mess. We had questions and wanted recommendations and then we all kept cross checking if we had ordered, was it on bill? Multiples? Did we double order? I could see it working for parties of 1-2, but it was chaos for our 6 person + 1 baby group.

    Lemon Zeppoli
    May-Lynn L.

    Top hatters is a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant that offers seafood and pork dishes that are rooted in traditional Vietnamese dishes but have a twist. We came to top hatters for dinner on a Saturday evening and was able to snag a reservation on Open Table. The restaurants location is surprisingly on the corner of a pretty residential area. There is no designated parking lot so we parked in the street and were able to find parking pretty easily. The staff is really wonderful they were able to help answer all of our questions and help with allergies at our table. It might be because I'm Vietnamese but I personally wasn't impressed with the food. A lot of the items were one note in flavor heavily relying on fish sauce to be the base of flavor. I think the best bite of the night was the chanterelle mushrooms, it felt the most unique and every bite left me craving for more. The quality of the ingredients in all of the dishes are really fresh. I'm really glad I came to try it out but I will likely not be coming back due to the price of the dishes.

    Beef Satay. Deelish!
    Ricky W.

    I'm a fan and didn't know I'd be when I first came. I love their lemon ricotta donuts and their beef with vermicelli noodles the most. The lemon ricotta donuts are perfectly describe as savory while the beef & noodles pair perfectly here. My brother first suggested we eat here 4 years ago and a I've been back so many more times. Being a creature of habit when I find food/things I like I'm coming back for more at all times. The place is well landscaped with beautiful greenery and indoor/outdoor seating available. It's not a large space so it doesn't get crowded while eating. They have two different menus for 2 different times of the day and each have varying items. The menu isn't very expansive, but very well put together with delicious items. Check the menu and be sure there's something you'd try. I would recommend this place for anyone.

    lion mane mushroom fritters
    Allison M.

    Came here for a group birthday dinner and was blown away! We sat outside on a cold evening but the heaters kept us toasty. I SO appreciate our servers for working with our party of 8 as we decided what to order. I personally did not get a drink, but my friends enjoyed theirs! The small plates here were all delicious. Group favorites were: - focaccia with calamari honey brûlée - lions mane mushroom fritters - fried sesame mochi (THE favorite of the evening) Personally, I also loved the acidity and freshness of the marinated beets. Definitely a great palate cleanser in the midst of some heavy dishes. The interior is also so beautiful. Definitely a great spot for a nice evening!

    Tissue bread
    Michael L.

    We chose this restaurant for its good reviews and location. It was on a Sunday so I made reservations although the restaurant was pretty empty when we arrived at 11:30 AM. We started out with drinks and appetizers. The ube cream soda was refreshing. It wasn't very sweet (which is good) and had the hint of ube. The Bloody Mary was in a lowball glass. For $18, I was expecting a bit more! Nonetheless, it was made well. We had spring rolls, tissue bread, and lion's mane fritters for appetizers. They were all really good. We thought about ordering another tissue bread but I'm glad we didn't. For entrees, we had the eggplant salad and rolled pork belly. Both were also cooked very well and were delicious. We had room for dessert so we tried the sesame mochi and it went well with the Phin coffee. This is definitely a place to visit again if in the area.

    oxtail with grits on the left, roasted squash dip on the right
    Christy T.

    Honestly I have to say I was really let down by this restaurant after all the hype I've heard about it from multiple Oakland/San Leandro residents. It was super busy even for a Thursday night and we had a reservation for outside but luckily they were able to seat us at the bar. Service was good and attentive. The food is modern Vietnamese fusion with a menu that rotates seasonally. The halibut tartare was great. Their popular oxtail dish was on the heavier side and the I wish we had gotten the rice instead of the grits since it just made the texture really mushy. Definitely on the pricier side and would have been more if we had gotten cocktails. Honestly a bit of a let down and I don't think I would go back for the food at that price point.

    Seared rice cake with lap xuong, fried shallots, pickled veggies.
    Susan C.

    We came here, back in 2021 and had lunch a lovely lunch that we came back! Plenty of street parking in the area. The space is still inviting and aesthetically appealing. Check out the bar tile work. So pretty! But it ends there. It might be a place for us to go to for a drink but eat else where. Lots of dining options in the courtyard and inside as well. However, the food isn't as good as we remember. The oysters on half shell were fresh and delicious. They're $4 each. The pork dumplings were good, the fritters were good. The mussels were fine too but nothing we ate were amazing. We ordered two desserts: a fried sesame, mochi, and lemon ricotta donuts. They were okay too but nothing was special. The service was fine! For a $100+ meal, I wanted more. It's not as good as our first visit in 2021.

    Pork belly
    Odalys M.

    Location- this is located right next to the 580 free way. It's on a corner next to a neighborhood. Parking will be a bit tough in front but when you drive into the neighborhood there's more parking. They have indoor and outdoor seating which is great. The outdoor lighting is so cute I love how cozy it is. Food- OMG LET ME SAY THAT THIS IS FINE DINING!!! No seriously it is lol but everything literally taste like it was made from scratch. The bread was so soft and buttery. The pork belly fell off the bone if it could the wine selection was elite and the mussels were just cooked soo soooo right. I am definitely coming back here again. The staff here is extremely attentive and check on you almost every 5-10 mins so you are not missed. I will say it's pricey but this is worth the cost. I would pick this over a steak house honestly. The dessert is to die for because they have a bit of everything. Perfect date night!!!

    Our reservation that the host said we didnt have.
    Kat J.

    THK has been on our radar for awhile now. I made a reservation for 5:30 tonight, and we show up a few minutes before our time. We check in with the host only to be told that we didn't have a reservation. Really? I have a confirmation email and text from Open Table! He did offer us a table outside or at the bar. Not wanting to argue with him, and since it was just my husband and I we opted for the bar. We ordered the grilled oysters, foccacia bread with whipped butter, grilled beef & pork chipolata & the grilled meat platter with chicken, pork and short ribs. Everything was very good. To avoid getting grizzle and bone fragments, I would recommend sticking with the chicken for the meat platter. It's also a lot of food, so we ended up taking half of it home. We ended dinner with the Seasame Mochi. It was refreshing to have a diary free dessert option. Marco was great server/bartender.

    Beets w/whipped ricotta
    Brandon Y.

    Just solid food all around! A pleasant surprise in San Leandro. The food is phenomenally curated. To me it's sort of wine bar-ish food with Asian inspired ingredients but with western technique. We ordered the tissue bread, halibut tartare, oxtail, mushroom course, beets and rice cakes. The rice cakes were my favorite. Service was great. Savan was really helpful. Indoor outdoor space with nice bar seating. Would most definitely come back.

    Ube drink
    Genesis A.

    This places was good. The menu was very simple and at points underwhelming. I feel like it's more of a place to come have some drinks and hang out with a friend than to have dinner or appetizers. The ambience is beautiful and relaxing. Everyone is super friendly. You will have to look at the menu and order on your phone. I had the ube drink and it was delicious. Tried their bread appetizer but it wasn't what we expected. The Wong tong appetizer had good flavor but felt more like a side dish you would get with your entree. The rice thing tastes good but kept getting stuck on our teeth. All an all it was a decent place and we had a good time.

    Mussels with fries
    Danessa L.

    Posh restaurant with outdoor seating and beautiful bar right off the freeway in San Leandro! Great service. Weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktail menu. Appetizers to share. We had the savory donuts which were delicious and a lot like hush puppies texture with Parmesan.

    Oxtails

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 5
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara B.
    200
    347
    756

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Kat J.
    270
    977
    1574

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tony L.
    831
    844
    2186

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Shout out to awesome service from Tess and Marco! Love this local spot. The food and drinks are always wonderful.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen W.
    638
    1265
    8721

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    The ambiance, both inside and outside, is welcoming. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable and food is stellar...fresh ingredients.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 5
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 21

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar

    Is there air conditioning?

    Yes for indoor seating. Hopefully they close the open doors leading to patio.

    Do you need a reservation?

    No reservation needed

    Are there vegetarian options?

    Yes!

    Are dogs allowed in the patio?

    Only service dogs are allowed.

    Do they take walk-ins?

    Yes and Tuesday night no problem. You can also text them to ask if they have space ( reservations must be made 1 day ahead. System won't take same night reservations)

    Now that Alameda County goes into Red tier, are you reopen for indoor dining?

    Yes with proof of vaccination ( may 2022)

    Is this restaurant offering outdoor dining?

    Yes. They have patio seatings with heaters.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Asian Fusion 20,467 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Cordial Cellar + Lounge - Hugo and Togarashi Deviled Eggs

    Cordial Cellar + Lounge

    4.5(68 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Cordial Cellar + Lounge (located downstairs at the Castro Valley Marketplace) is a great spot for…read moregrabbing a drink, eating some light bites and listening to music. They also have various events. :: Trivia Tuesday :: Wednesday Wine Tasting :: Live Music Saturdays :: Friday & Saturday: Olive & Finn Boutique and pop-up events throughout the month ** 5 Star Review: Pop Up Brunch and Saturday Live Music *** I recently attended Eats by E Brunch last Sunday and returned this evening to catch up with a friend and listen to music. Place is spacious, lively, dimly lit with music playing at a level you can have a conversation. Table ordered a steak sandwich with salad, cheese sandwich with tomato soup and a five-spice pork ragu over polenta. We all enjoyed our dishes. Food is 3.5-4/5 stars and would like to see a bit more to keep it interesting but know their kitchen setup is limited. No wine with this visit. Dessert: Orange brownie was simple with orange zest and the Hawaiian bread pudding was different and flavorful. Good to see the place bustling and look forward to future rotating pop up events. Got a chance to talk to the owner, Stacey as I recognized her from the Eats by E event the week prior. My bad, didn't know she was the owner of Cordial Cellar & Lounge but all good as she was super welcoming, friendly and was very accommodating when asked if we could pay for our own dishes separately. At the end of the evening perused the Olive & Finn Boutique and quickly welcomed by Jackie who was explaining items like the handmade jewelry and some hand stitched clothing. Such cute items and will visit another time. Recommend Cordial Cellar & Lounge for a date night, special group outing or relax and listen to some music. The Ken Seideman Jazz Trio plays the month of February. Great jazz!

    They have Wi-Fi now! Tuesday trivia nights…read more A magician some nights Still my favorite dinner in CV though I wish the Ravi was beef again instead of pork. Tri tip sando is also great

    Photos
    Cordial Cellar + Lounge - Eats by E brunch - Cordial Cellars @ Castro Valley Marketplace

    Eats by E brunch - Cordial Cellars @ Castro Valley Marketplace

    Cordial Cellar + Lounge - Wine, cheese, and bread - without question the best things in life :)

    Wine, cheese, and bread - without question the best things in life :)

    Cordial Cellar + Lounge

    See all

    TwiningVine Winery

    TwiningVine Winery

    4.8(47 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    Twining Vine is the best! There is nothing like it in Castro Valley and exactly what it needs. The…read moreatmosphere is quaint, relaxed, and welcoming, perfect for families, friends, and -- yes, it's dog‑friendly too. It isn't flashy or crowded. It's serene, grounding, and quietly stunning--a place that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and savor both the wine and the moment. From the moment you arrive, the owners will make you feel like old friends. Their passion for what they do truly shines through, and the service is friendly, attentive, and never rushed. You can tell this is a labor of love, not just a business. The wines are fantastic--with something for everyone. I love the chardonnays and my bf loves their wine slushies. Very refreshing on a hot day. Another plus is you can bring your own food as long as there is not an event taking place where they serve food. Be sure to check their website calendar before you arrive. If you're looking for a one of a kind place in Castro Valley, that is beautiful, relaxing, family‑run, and genuinely special, this is it. It's the kind of winery you want to bring all your friends, and recommend without hesitation. Highly recommend.

    I've lived in the East Bay for over 20 years and just recently discovered this hidden gem thanks to…read morea friend. Tucked away along the winding backroads of Castro Valley, this charming winery feels like a little secret escape. It's quiet, secluded, and has a really welcoming vibe. The staff was super friendly and made us feel right at home. I learned the winery has been around since 2003 and produces around 1,000 cases a year. All sold exclusively at the vineyard. We did a tasting that included a sparkling, two whites, two reds, and ended with a fun slushy rosé. Honestly, I liked every single one which never happens for me! After the tasting, we didn't want to leave. The setting was so relaxing, we ended up opening one of the two bottles we bought and spent the rest of the afternoon soaking it all in. A few tips if it's your first time: tastings are only offered on the second and fourth weekends of each month. There's a $10 tasting fee for six wines, but it's waived if you purchase a bottle (which are very reasonably priced at around $16). They don't sell food, but you're welcome to bring your own, something we'll definitely do next time. So glad we found this place such a peaceful spot, just minutes from home. We'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    TwiningVine Winery - Cheers!

    Cheers!

    TwiningVine Winery - Halloween Harvest Event

    Halloween Harvest Event

    TwiningVine Winery - The beautiful outdoor wine tasting area

    See all

    The beautiful outdoor wine tasting area

    alley & vine - King Salmon $41 is a highlight of the night.

    alley & vine

    3.9(366 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Private events

    It was my first solo date night as a brand spanking new bay area resident and after a few drinks, I…read morewas ready for a nice dinner. Alley&Vine was the first recommendation via yelp, so off I went. Arrived at around 8pm and was greeted by the wonderful Janet. She was super kind, warm, and welcoming and gave me the option to sit at a table or the bar. Being a solo traveller, I opted for the bar which was honestly great. To Start, I had a Singapore sling. Its rare I see these on the menu so I had to try. It was strong and delicious! So happy with my choice. For food, I had so much meat. The lamb chops to start were incredible. This was served with a little mozzarella + tomato salad with all of the balsamic glaze. Super yummy and perfectly medium rare. Next time, I can just have this on its own. Definitely a star. Next, I had the duck breast which sat on a bed of spinach risotto. Very delicious and also cooked perfectly. Being Taylor, I had to finish out the dinner with another cocktail (lemon drop) that was great and finally I had a little glass of port as my dessert. All in al a great little dinner at Alley & Vine. Thanks again to Janet and the team for some excellent service and incredible food.

    My friend and I had stopped in here many moons ago for a dessert, but upon seeing the menu, we…read morevowed to come back, and we finally did! We came on a Friday and we were both starving! We were greeted warmly and we each ordered a drink to start. I got the blood orange sour, which was tasty, and my friend got the strawberry margarita, which she enjoyed. I ordered the seafood pasta, while my friend got the spinach seafood risotto. I will state the obvious, these are just about the two most expensive dishes on the menu, but man, they had heaps of seafood and were absolutely delicious! When I say heaps, I mean the shrimp and scallops were giant, there were mussels and clams and crab meat. 100% worth it! We finished the meal with the tiramisu and that was ok. Honorable mention to our server who was attentive without being overbearing. I would absolutely come back and would highly recommend!

    Photos
    alley & vine - Such a great space!

    Such a great space!

    alley & vine - Filet Mignon w/wild mushroom Risotto

    Filet Mignon w/wild mushroom Risotto

    alley & vine - Mashed potatoes

    See all

    Mashed potatoes

    Cordial Bottle Shop - $20ish Chenin Blanc from France. It's the perfect picnic wine. Beautiful fruit and will go with all types of picnic food.

    Cordial Bottle Shop

    4.1(7 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Cordial Bottle Shop is on the ground floor of Castro Valley Marketplace, located between the…read moregrocery store & the sushi place. Offerings: craft beers, wines, alcohol ice cream, seltzer cocktails... Drinks: "Latvia Laudromat"(5.75, 8.8% alc) Henhouse -"Hazy double IPA, boozy, made with mosaic & citra hops. Semi-fruity. Not disappointed Altamont "Maui Waui" (4.50, 6.5%j mosaic & citra hops -single malt IPA, nice blend of boozy, slight fruitiness. "Contains No Juice" DIPA (6.50, 8.5%) Alvarado St. Brewery. Boozy with mucho fruitiness, too sweet. Pass. "Eyes are Mosaic" Casa Apria (5, 7.2% alc) too sweet, semi-hazy, pass. Take outs: beers, seltzers are trendy items, didn't see any classic porters nor imperial ipa's -small display area. -knowledgeable cashier who also does the beer buying. -will stick to older names I know like Hen House, Altamont. Skipping newer labels, hazy versions of IPA.

    I'm a fan! I'm a member of their monthly wine club and it's fantastic! Bottles are in the $25ish…read morerange, one white and one red. The picks are always great and something new and interesting to try. Special shout out to Danielle. I used to be in wine retail back in the day, and she reminds me of myself. She's very passionate about the wines they carry and you can bank on her suggestions. She's also just a real sweetheart. I always enjoy popping in to see what's new.

    Photos
    Cordial Bottle Shop - Artisan craft beers in fridge.

    Artisan craft beers in fridge.

    Cordial Bottle Shop - $20ish red blend from Napa Valley. Drinking perfectly now. Notice the 13.7% alcohol - don't see this much these days.

    $20ish red blend from Napa Valley. Drinking perfectly now. Notice the 13.7% alcohol - don't see this much these days.

    Cordial Bottle Shop - Beers on the rocks.

    See all

    Beers on the rocks.

    Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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