While we stumbled upon this delicious spot by accident, everyone else should just put it in their maps app and go! We had the most tender flavorful cured pork (tocilog) beautifully plated next to garlic vinegar rice, and the ube waffles and fried chicken - with strawberries and figs! Airy space with big windows and a conscience and friendly service - had to take their fava bean patty burger to go, but we'll be back! And, their drinks (including strawberry orange blossom matcha) rock! read more

Understory is fantastic!! My favorite part of the experience had to be the ube horchata, which was SPECTACULAR; cold (perfect for a sunny Oakland afternoon) and sweet and cinnamon-y, a beautiful complementary blend of two incredible things. I also enjoyed my Understory Hash (with lechon/pork belly atop roasted root veggies, brussel sprouts, and a fried egg); it had great flavors. I think next on my list to try would be the tocino rice bowl. Inside were also just amazing vibes, with great decor and signage, and sweet and efficient service. I will say that ordering online comes with some extra fees, so next time I'd just order in person to avoid them and continue supporting this worker-owned, community built establishment! read more

Food 4/5 Service 4/5 Ambiance 5/5 Great locally owned worker spot with a great array of dishes and drinks. Definitely a great work space for any worker in the Fruitvale plaza area read more

Understory - Pamapa Fried chicken sandwich with a Cafe de Olla cold brew - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

Cute, spacious cafe with really delicious food! Came here for lunch on a weekday, and had their pork tocino rice bowl (with fried egg for an added YUM). The well marinated pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and matched perfectly with the accompanying java rice and the pickled veg. And my revelation was the house tepache-Pineapple goodness with ginger beer zing. Such a refreshing drink to go with the rice bowl! The people were very friendly, and the food and drinks came out very quickly. Will definitely come back to try out the other items on their menu! read more

Understory - Pork Tocino rice bowl & House Tepache - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

Amazing food! The waitstaff are friendly and attentive. The space was welcoming and spacious and very modern. It's rare to find Filipino food w/ vegan options and I am so excited for this! The vegan langgonisa was tasty, loved the crispy crust and savory filling, the garlic rice and spicy vinegar dip. My FH ordered the potato hash w/ vegan lechon and he loved it! The lechon was smoky w/ a nice texture and the potatoes were perfect and full of flavor. Everything was amazing right down to the presentation. The ube horchata is a must, not too sweet. We will definitely be back for more. read more

This review is for the popup team at this week's Queer Crush event at Alta Vina: we really enjoyed your wonderful food, and your positive energy! We had the fried oyster mushrooms (twice, we came back for more!) and the Kapampangam paella, these were so delicious, and the presentation was wonderful -they looked beautiful even in pop-up format. And we lived meeting the folks at the popup, who took the time to tell us about Understory's mission - it reminded me I'd been in back when the restaurant was in Old Oakland, and I now can look forward to visiting your current location! read more

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Met up with a friend here in this little lovely spot. The interior was cozy and colorful! The menu is very creative and diverse. Their mission is also very good and offers a soup for everyone who needs it! Whether you have money to pay or not! Pretty amazing! The service is amazing! We even got to chat with the chef! I was excited to see filipino dishes in the menu and the drinks are all interesting based off the ingredients. I got tocino bowl and my friend got the tapa bowl! Both were delicious and the meat is suuuper tender! The pandesal is gluten free so for me its a bit crumby but the ube butter is great! I got the fres leches latte using cold brew and it was delicious! My friend got the turon latte and also so delicious! Id definitely bring my husband here so he can get the same experience as me! read more

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Hosted my birthday here in April. The best! We had a kamayan lunch and mahjong to follow. The staff were so accommodating and even made me some surprise ube brownies for dessert. Everyone loved the food and the drinks never disappoint. Everything was delicious. The ube butter with the warm pan de sal - so simple, comforting and delicious. I love the fried oyster mushrooms and I don't even like mushrooms. The ube waffles are crisp and chewy. The kamayan spread is really a work of art. Ok, even the grapes were good. We took them to go. Nothing was going to waste. As we were wrapping up lunch, the staff helped set up a table for mahjong. We brought a couple of sets from home. Everyone loved learning and re learning how to play. Will definitely be hosting another mahjong night for a group event. Love this community space. Understory encapsulates the communal Filipino culture and the community in Oakland. read more

Spacious dining area. There was only one person taking orders and serving food. Be patient. It's worth the wait. We enjoyed everything we ordered: Tortang talong and tocino; crispy chicken bowl, fries, pandesal with ube butter and the ube horchata. The bowls are deep so there's a lot more that what you see in the pictures. The java rice hiding under there is delicious! Eat the warm pandesal and ube butter as soon as it comes out. I appreciate that there are vegan options because sometimes I just don't want to eat meat . Definitely coming back! read more

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What a great find! I flew in for work and had a meeting. My partner discovered this spot for yummy Filipino dishes and to support an employee owner business. Such a cute spot, warm and inviting. You order at the register and food is delivered to your table. Self service water station with beautiful glassware. We shared Pork Tocino with Garlic Rice, Fried Eggplant with Eggs sub white rice and add Bacon, Lumpia and Pork Tocino Sandwich with fries. Dishes took a little while to come out but it was all very tasty. Chef came out to say hello and we thanked her for cooking our meals. Great spot for a party or private event. Menu changes but there are lots of options for all eaters. read more

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This place ticks so many boxes for me, including a few that I didn't know I needed; delish food and FILIPINO food at that--tasty and with a unique fusion twist to some of the dishes that does not take away from their Pin@y roots but just enhances them, super friendly staff, QTPOC-centered, welcoming, clean, spacious, good music, close to my house and worker owned on top of all that!? I mean come on. Plus it's a vibrant hub for so much good community activity and activism that I just feel good spending my money here. It's not cheap but the portions are generous and the food is clearly made and served with so much love. Understory is an example of what the world could look like if we prioritized people and community care over big corporations and profit over all. Thank you Understory for showing us how beautiful this world can be! read more

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Small but might wine selection, delicious food, and awesome vibe. Imagine if Macondo (SF Mission old school cafe) and Oaklands Millenium made a chill spot for lunch dates, co-working, and community building that ALSO is a great dinner date spot. Plenty of parking, close to Fruitvale bart. Great addition to the neighborhood read more

Understory - Drink menu - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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Nourishing, delicious and beautiful food (you can feel the care they put in every bite), as well as a welcoming and important community space! read more

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Great experience. Nice big open space with tables spread out. Its like a work space but with good food and beverages. I order the tapsilog meal and some lumpias. I love how piping hot they came out and flavors were fantasic. The tapsilog is homemade with their own marinade. Big peices of pork that came out sweet and savory. The pork is bigger chunks, so theres more bite to it. The rice to pair with it called java rice was perfectly cookedand paired nicely with the meal. Also with cucumber and tomato on the side as garnishes. They also have a vinegar sauce that cut down on the richness of the meal. I really enjoyed this place and look forward to coming back read more

Underrated find!! I absolutely loved everything about Understory. The food was amazing, the staff were woke, and the atmosphere was devine. My mom, dad, and I shared the Collective Brunch Platter which was recommended for 2 people, but was enough to feed the 3 of us. I loved the flavor of the meats and brussel sprouts! I wish there were more waffles so we could each get a piece. My sister ordered the Papaya Veggie Burger w/ bean patty. I thought it was pretty good but she said that the patty was all burnt underneath. As for the drinks, the Tres Leches Matcha was the best. It was not too sweet and the flavors balanced perfectly! The Ube Horchata had a really strong rice flavor and was a bit grainy. My sister ordered her Strawberry Blossom without matcha or hojicha so that's why I think it tasted kinda funk. Overall, I'm so glad we stopped by and hope to come again! read more

Understory - Collective Brunch Platter - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great Place! I love that this is a co-working space + restaurant. Ordered the fried chicken bowl and it was pretty good. The place was clean the service was good. Only thing is the location, it's on international and the parking is not the best but overall a high rating read more

Understory - Fried Chicken Bowl with rice and slaw - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

A belated review -- we ate here for the first time all the way back in June 2024, not realizing that they were closing their doors that same week. It was a quick shift from happy to sad, because we really enjoyed our meal. The Poblano Pasta and Fava Bean Burger were both great, and the Coconut Tart and Ube Cheesecake were worth trying also. It seems like their new location has a fresh menu so we look forward to tasting what they've come up with after all this time. read more

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This place is awesome! Loved the fried chicken sandwich - and the people and vibe were the best! I'm looking forward to going back and exploring their menu! Super cool bonus that it's a worker owned restaurant with a great mission! It's easy to think of things in an isolated and transactional way - ignoring, basically, where our hard earned money is going after the purchase. With the Understory not only does the money stay in the community (vs a billionaire or private equity company ..or a garden variety corporation located God knows where) but it's also going to building a better Oakland and a better, more just society. What could be better?! Great food, great vibes, and a great project - for all of us! read more

Was excited to try this spot and my group and I shared tosilog, ube waffles w chicken, lugaw, and I had a pandan cold brew! Everything was not only beautifully presented but also tasted delicious and like a lot of thought was put into the dishes. Love the very creative drink menu and this is a good brunch option if you don't drink alcohol too. We shared everything and the lugaw was pay what you can. It felt like it took a little longer than usual for the food to come out but we didn't mind at all as we were chit chatting and enjoying the vibes. Love supporting a Filipino and worker owned spot and love that it's close to BART! read more

Understory - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

Loved Understory when it was near old Oakland and was happy that it moved near Fruitvale BART, super close to the buses as well. Enjoyed all of the food! We tried a little of everything, papaya burger, Ukoy, short rib, lumpia, and desserts -- ube and choconut Lovely space, wonderful service, and delicious food! Check it out sometime! read more

Understory - Mango Pandan - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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A truly unforgettable experience dining at Understory, their social media posts caught my attention several times and my husband and I finally had the chance to visit and organize a reunion with friends who live around the Bay Area and Sacramento. Parking is more available on 34th Ave since International Blvd is the busier street where the Fruitvale BART station is located (note: Apple Maps incorrectly redirects you to the old location so be mindful!). As it was our first time, I commented on their IG if reservations were needed but the restaurant owners replied it wasn't necessary and when we walked in, there was plenty of seating although several other guests were happily dining. We came during dinner during the final day of Oakland Restaurant Week and it was a warm welcome to see a college friend and now co-owner ushering us to a window corner near the front of the restaurant. The curated menu was fun and culturally inviting, since our group were happy Filipinos ready to order many items with familiar ingredients. The cocktails and mocktails were beautiful and delicious and the family-style entrees wowed everyone, which shouldn't be a surprise given the restaurant earned the famous James Beard award in 2022. Come during breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you will not be disappointed by the level of service and quality of drinks and dishes. Thank you for serving the community as a worker-owned business that shines beyond the meal. read more

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The new space in the Fruitvale is beautiful! We had a lovely family brunch during the soft opening, and everyone loved their dishes: chicken & waffles, tapsilog, pork sandwich & rice porridge all delicious. Plus the ube horchata & strong cold brew! :) Sweet staff, we love to support worker collectives! On weekends there is free parking at BART lot. read more

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My wife and I, went to Understory and had a great experience. The food was great and the service was excellent. I loved the open set up of the restaurant. Everyone was on point. If you're looking for great food and top notch service go to Understory. Oh yeah their coffee drinks/lattes are off the chain. I took a few pictures, but they don't do the food or drinks justice. All in all it is one of the best places in the Bay Area. I give Understory five stars read more

-- A Hidden Gem That Feels Like Home! My fiancé and I came here for breakfast and ended up coming back the same day for dinner -- that's how good it was! First off, the space is beautifully decorated with local art, each piece telling a story. The staff are warm, friendly, and make you feel right at home -- they genuinely take time to get to know you. Now the food... chef's kiss. The portions were huge (in the best way), and everything was packed with flavor. For breakfast, we had the tortang talong burrito, breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and bacon inside, kare kare empanada, and pandesal with ube butter. The tortang talong with a side of hot oil was perfection. The breakfast sandwich bread was soft, flavorful, and perfectly complemented the fillings. The kare kare empanada and pandesal with ube butter were to die for -- we loved them so much we ordered extras to take home. Everything is made in-house with locally sourced ingredients, and you can really taste the care that goes into it. For dinner, we tried the kare kare pasta, lechon chicken wings, and morcon -- and once again, the portions were made to share. Using palabok noodles for the kare kare is ingenious; every bite was rich and flavorful. The lechon chicken wings with their house-made Mang Tomas sauce were addicting (just add rice and I'm in heaven). And the morcon? Flavorful, tender, and packed with fillings. Their coffee is outstanding -- I tried two different kinds (pandan cold brew and tres leches matcha latte) and both were incredible. I can only imagine how amazing it will be once their liquor license kicks in and the bartenders start mixing cocktails. What really sets Understory apart is not just the food or the atmosphere, but their heart. They have a "Community Offering" program that provides food for those who can't afford it "no one turned away for lack of funds"-- a beautiful gesture that shows how much they care. We're officially fans and will 100% be back to try everything as the menu changes seasonally. Understory isn't just a restaurant -- it's an experience filled with flavor, warmth, and purpose. read more

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A fun adventure in fining. Everything went well. The service was excellent. The dishes were creative and eclectic. The food ingredient quality was spot on! It's a fun casual atmosphere. read more

This service was so good I'm going to come back soon with a family the food it was so tasty not as spicy like another place that I go they're really took care of us and it was nice to meet the chef read more

I've been here a few times as my son was in a summer rowing camp nearby. I usually went in ~9am and left ~11 am on weekdays. The staff is really nice. Their drip coffee is quite strong. I enjoyed the tres leches matcha latte. I really liked their pandesal. I also enjoyed their mushroom bacon sandwich. I love the vibe of the place, their artwork and what they stand for/advocate for in their wall art. read more

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This place is good, and in addition to having lots of really good vegan options, it's a worker-owned business. So your purchase supports the kind and friendly workers who run the business. It's very nice inside, and could easily be a date place, or a business lunch. They have events and other community happenings, and it just seems like a really cool place that attracts interesting people who love good food. read more

Beautiful space with delicious food. My family and I have attended several community events that understory has volunteered their space to host, as well as come for dinner with friends. The staff is warm and skilled. It is a community oriented space with yummy food. read more

I would highly suggest going here the food is amazing and the staff are so nice drinks are on point as well you for sure won't be disappointed read more

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We came here for weekend brunch. The space is nicely decorated with some larger tables for bigger groups if you need. Our server was so friendly too and it's admirable to see how community-driven and supportive the business is. Unfortunate to see that this location has now closed. read more

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Ambiance: fun with music Food; was good but took an hour to get out food. Really disappointed read more

Was in Napa and this was close. First time here. Nice area and clean. Service was satisfactory. Food was good.

Quit playing, my new favorite lunch spot was just discovered in Oakland. Everything fire, everything fresh, but what really took the cake was this ube butter-- good lord, thank you! Great vibes. Big area. Local art to see / purchase. Mocktails. Lots of vegan options too. Couldn't be happier. Thank you, Understory! read more

Understory - Ube butter! - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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I love the concept and communal aspect of Understory, but it was difficult to fully enjoy our experience. Understory has been on my visit list for so long. Employee-invested, collaborative, Indigenous and diaspora-based cuisines, and local community supported/highlighted! AHHH, so Oakland. But that was pretty much it. We walked in for dinner, and had many seats to choose from, a few groups dining already, masks provided and were promptly seated. Restrooms are clean, and only one room for diners. Immediately there were tons of fruit flies just buzzing around our table and food throughout. We started with some beautiful drinks, shoutout to the bartender. And we ordered the Morcon and the Burger. My friend loved the burger and fries, and I enjoyed the morcon which reminded me of a standard Asian meal with the rice, veg, and protein. I had never had morcon before, and loved trying this Filipino dish. My beef was a little lukewarm, and the bok choy was good. It was definitely a gravy texture, not as thick as curry. We were satisfied and not overly full. The service was a bit lacking, so kind and sweet but slightly on the slower side. Maybe they were understaffed? I feel so bad saying this because I have worked in the industry, so totally not hating on the hard-working servers. I think they have much room to grow and maximize their efficiency, love the Palestinian art and local events featured. Press on Understory! read more

Understory - Morcon and burger - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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The food is really good, and I love the vibe, but the service was super slow. My friend and I didn't mind so much, but brunch shouldn't take two hours. Especially not when there are only a handful of customers. So many positives, though, starting with a gorgeous space. The food presentation was gorgeous. Everything was fresh and well prepared. There were lots of good options, particularly on the drink menu, and you can satisfy both carnivores and vegans. The space itself is inviting. And the staff is friendly. They have everything going for them. Please tighten up the service. Loved the mango tepache and the calo-cello coffee tonic. Both were Uber refreshing. The watermelon salad was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the feta and hints of mint. The cube waffles were gloriously purple, and extra delightful with calamansi syrup. The tofu sisig was also really nice. It had great textures, and I love the slightly sweet, slightly sour pickled vegetables and garlic rice. All the food was on point. Wish I had tried dessert. Super convenient to Fruitvale Bart. Street parking is an option, but it fills up quickly. Recommended. Just don't be in a hurry. read more

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Went here for lunch today. The people are nice, the space was airy, light, and clean, and the food was vile and overpriced. I had the mushrooms, which tasted like cardboard. Almost $19 for a handful of mushrooms I threw out because they were not salvageable. They gave us the lumpia because the mushrooms were so awful, but they weren't edible either. I really wanted to like this place, but definitely can't recommend. read more

Went with a group of 5 on a Sunday around noon, thankfully we were seated immediately. We were able to find street parking a block away. Understory is worker-owned and a POC-owned, which is exciting as you'll see a rotational menu inspired by different cuisines. I ordered the banh xeo which was delicious! The egg crepe was crisp and the shrimp inside was tender and big. The pandan latte was good, though I asked for extra syrup because I prefer a strong flavor. They also do an Understory Collective Meal which is a cook's choice brunch sampler - I would recommend asking what's in it, as we ordered ube waffles and didn't realize it was already part of the sampler. The ube waffles we ordered separately came with calamansi syrup whereas the one in the sampler did not, but it makes all the difference. The syrup adds to the sweetness and mouthfeel of the waffles- otherwise they're on the drier side. read more

Understory - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

Feels like your grandma is cooking you a home cooked meal! I love taking people here on the way to/from the airport. A great welcome to/good bye Oakland. Haven't had anything that wasn't delicious. Lots of plants and art :) read more

Have eaten in and taken out. Everything is sooooo yummy. Also approved by my 3 yr old. Their chicken wings are some of the best I've ever had. Their sliders are also really yummy. Can't wait to try more stuff. The staff is slooo nice and welcoming. It's also a really lovely space. read more