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

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

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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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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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 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

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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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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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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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

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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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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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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-- 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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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

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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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

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

Sorry, but the 20% "service fee" keeps us from coming back here. Pay your employees a fair wage.

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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Went here for the first time and had the best experience! The food was incredible and the service was great. You can really sense the care put into every aspect of this place. I will definitely be back! read more

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Delicious food, great place for vegans and meat eaters to both walk away happy, and excellent people watching! One of my favorite Oakland brunches read more

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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I've been here twice and the food was delicious both times. I especially love the ube horchata. I always try to come back when I'm in the area. read more

Love this spot so much! My favorite is the fried mushrooms and everything is delicious and made with so much creativity and love. I love how they center community and host, fundraisers and organizers. Check out the co-working 2nd Tuesdays for BIPOC entrepreneurs and organizers read more

Food was good! Servers were all really kind and it's evident they take pride in their craft. I was so full by the time my meal was done I couldn't even think. I ate the lugaw and it literally made me cry because it reminded me of my Mama's that she'd serve me every time I was sick. It just tasted like home. My favorite part of this was that they offer the lugaw to anyone regardless of how much money they have so they're giving back to the community and I think that's amazing. Get yourself some good vibes, good food, and good drinks! read more

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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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

Stumbled upon this cool shop. We were intrigued by the mishmash of world cuisines labeled on Yelp. I liked the quirky design of the wallpaper. We were seated outside. We got the chef's choice which came with lemongrass pork, lechon, coleslaw, garlic rice, fried sunny side up egg, pickled veggies, tocino, and ube waffles. It was $40 and fed two people well. The server recommended we get pancit to get us more stuffed but this amount of food was good enough. Our favorite thing was the lemongrass pork. It tastes Vietnamese, like something my mom would make. The lechon was dry; I wish it had a sauce. The tocino and rice was solid. The ube waffles were dry and crunchy; not sure if it was supposed to be like this? We checked in for an agua fresca of the day; sadly, there was a hair in our drink. We also waited around 40 min for our food. We watched as several guests ate and left before we got the food. It came out just as we were about to inquire. All in all an interesting concept with cool Asian fusion choices. read more

Understory - chef's selection - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

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I heard that they change the menu frequently! I liked what I ordered on a recent Sunday around noon. I was very disappointed at their service, specially because is the slowest, maybe because they Force 20% into everyone's bill regardless! read more

At Merritt House pop-up. First time, missed their brick and mortar old location. My order: Ube Horchata vegan, rice milk, cinnamon, cardamon $5 Really liked the tasty flavor of the spices and infused ube. They did have coffee service from the in house Rise and Grind establishment, too. You ordered that separately yourself. Longsilog. longgsanisa tofu/ mushroom-soft, falafel like, nice flavor on it's own, would be interested in the reviews of tocino, healthier than a fake meat, really like spice flavor; garlic rice, not very garlicky; salad - cucumber, tomato, green onions, mango slices; spiced vinegar, just the right touch to pickup the flavors $20 Very friendly service, didn't mind me being a single at table for four, got there when they first opened. Very open bar space. read more

I love the new spot! Right off the Fruitvale BART station. Enjoyed my favourites: the mushrooms, malunggay pasta, and ube cheesecake! Can't wait to go back! read more

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I cannot stop thinking about the tofu sisig here--it's absolutely BOMB. Soooo good. They offer a ton of vegetarian and vegan Filipino options which is really welcome with the news of Chef Reina's place closing down :(. I want to try all of them. The space itself is gorgeous--beautifully designed and sensory-friendly. And the service is super welcoming. A perfect place to bring the family or go on a date. Also: they're committed to uplifting people of color, affirming justice for the disabled, and making good food accessible through a pay-what-you-can meal offering. I love to support places that supports the community they're a part of. I'ma be back all the time now that I know this is here!!! read more

Understory - Bomb Tofu Sisig - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

Such a beautiful restaurant with a wonderful team to boot!! We had the oxtail kare kare (not pictured), oyster mushroom appetizer, the calamansi salad, and the Cala-Cello Coffee Tonic! Everything was delicious and so fresh. read more

Understory - Cala-Cello Coffee Tonic, Fried Oyster Mushrooms (V/GF), and the Calamansi salad. - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California

I did a little happy dance when Understory opened its new location and was able to introduce my family to their delicious food and community. The worker servers have always been welcoming and helpful. When our drinks and food arrived, a content hush came over our table. I ordered the pandesal milk bread with homemade ube butter, cala-cello coffee tonic, perfectly juicy and crispy porchetta sandwhich and rhubarb/strawberry/mint sorbet. Do take in the artwork, inside and the exterior murals while you're at this vibrant community space. A great thing about the Fruitvale location is that you can take BART and walk over. read more

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The day you visit matters because the brunch menu for weekday and weekend are different and with different prices. I got the Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich with vegan chicken during weekday brunch and I would get it again. This chicken sandwich consists of a (soy?) vegan chicken patty topped with vegetables and sauce in between burger buns so I'm calling it a veggie burger. The vegan chicken was battered and crunchy like chicken tenders at an amusement park, just a bit less crispy than southern style fried chicken. The taste and texture were among one of the better for vegan chicken because it wasn't dry and didn't leave a weird aftertaste in my mouth. There were lots of vegetable toppings in the veggie burger that looked like microgreens. They tasted very fresh and worked well with the sauce. The only thing that could've been improved was if the patty was just a bit bigger because I finished the whole thing and still wanted more, especially since the vegan chicken was just done so extremely well. It did come with fries (not sure if those were an additional cost) and I would've preferred an option to have more vegan chicken instead of fries. Maybe a menu item for two vegan chicken patties, or a double crispy chicken sandwich? read more

If you want Michelin quality food from a worker owned and centered spot, you need to come here! Not only do they have vegan and gluten free options but everythings tastes amazing and the staff is super sweet. We tried the short ribs, pasta, oyster mushrooms and french fries. Everything was tasty and flavorful. The french fries are the best in the bay, the short ribs melt in your mouth, the oyster mushrooms are the best around, and the pasta felt like home. The decor and space is beautiful, especially considering it is a soft opening. I cannot wait to come back here. Wow! read more

We loved Understory in the old location, and this one is even better. It's a beautiful open space, the food is amazing, and the server/owners are very sweet. The co-op business model leads to an innovative menu drawing from various cultures and every dish has thoughtful touches. Try the tasting menu if you can't decide what to order - it can be ordered omnivorous, vegetarian, or vegan. read more

Understory - Bar area and front door - Filipino Near Me - Oakland, California