Yum! Everything was so good and flavorful. We started with the navy bean soup and cabbage with cornbread. Then we chose the Chilean sea bass and chicken fried mushrooms and added a side of macaroni and cheese. For drinks we had the rum punch slushee and summer romance. Portions we large (more than enough to share and take some home) so we ordered the peach bread pudding to go. Everything was great and our server was friendly and attentive. If you're looking for good, comforting soul food definitely give this place a visit. read more

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First off. Why y'all ain't tell me I've been missing out?! Popped in on a random Thursday (I think) evening near closing time, and was still sat and received great service. Not rushed to get out. The staff were nice and great and providing recommendations. Cute decor, very clean restrooms. I appreciated the various table sizes, there is a semi-private room sectioned off. Someone was having a 70th birthday party, it was cute. Not sure if there is a private parking lot, but there is plenty of on street paid parking. Overall, everything we ordered was delicious. I can't wait to be back and try the chicken pot pie, I hear it's all the rave. THE FOOD Chicken Étouffée: sauce was saucing. The chicken tenders were not a good fit, didn't soak up flavor. Would have preferred bite size chicken pieces. Tasty dish though Mac n cheese: too cheesy, but delicious. I love that was made with shells. Chicken Fried Oyster Mushrooms: by far the BEST fried mushroom situation I've ever had. Well seasoned, balanced amount or batter, and friend to crispy perfection. This dish took me. Shrimp (and something) Chowder: I'm still dreaming about this chowder. I could not believe how flavorful it was. I hate to say it was the best thing we ate, but it was definitely the most surprising...and most delicious. lol I will slide though to pick up chowder and biscuit. That's all you need. Dessert: I forgot, maybe an upside down cake. My friend loved it. I don't like sweets so I can't really speak on it besides it looked hella good. read more

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My family went to Willows & Pine for dinner last night and we really enjoyed it. All of their food is so good with huge portions (I've already had leftovers of Jambalaya once and there's still more.) The star was the fried oyster mushroom fritters. They came in several dishes. We got the sliders with slaw and lemonade vinaigrette. Killer!! We also had the grilled cheese with brisket and gumbo and shrimp etouffee and the jambalaya. Everything was so good. I will say, the next time we go I may have mushroom fritter sliders, the entree of mushroom fritters and get a mushroom fritter po' boy to go!!! The service was good, efficient. Although reservations are normally needed on Saturday night, the person who answered the phone told us to come on since it was early. I appreciate flexibility but also the friendly manner of everyone I spoke with. Look up their history. The restaurant is a legacy from Old West Oakland. read more

Willows & Pine - Jambalaya - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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On 9/4/2026, at approximately 6:29pm, my wife and I went to Willows & Pine for diner. We had reservations, so we were sat immediately. We ordered and the service was great. We both ordered a vegetarian plate and it was amazing. The space is a more personal, family style place with a great vibe and music. Although I don't drink, there was some good stuff on the menu. If you are looking for great food, service and a nice drink you have to try Willow & Pine. All in all, I give them five stars read more

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Went to Willows & Pine for Father's Day. The service was very friendly and the owner / chef in the back was very kind. The food was good, but the portions were huge so I would suggest sharing the food definitely ! Overall my dad had a great Father's Day read more

Willows & Pine - Chicken etoufee, very good - huge portion - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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Every single dish was exquisite! I can't find words to describe all the deliciousness!! Holy crap. Even down to the espresso martini, which was super creamy and rich, everything was seasoned and cooked so well. This was my first time here and I was very impressed. The ambience inside was cool and laid back but also very sophisticated. The owner and chef came to visit our table and was so hospitable. I'm for sure coming back as often as possible. Don't sleep on this place!! read more

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The food here is truly amazing. I always want to reiterate that the food is made from scratch, so there will be a wait! Please be patient. It is worth the wait! We started off with a bowl of chicken n sausage gumbo. I could have gotten full off of this alone. As the main course, we got the short rib meal and the smothered porkchop meal. The chef was kind enough to split our porkchop dinner into two small plates. That was so kind of her. I was sharing with a child. Both meals were divine. We got a side biscuit and a side of mac n cheese. Everything was 10/10 highly recommend. read more

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Let me start this review by saying the staff is AMAZING in all aspects! I immensely enjoyed the short ribs with mashed potatoes and cabbage. The food was well seasoned, short ribs were tender, and the cabbage cooked al dente. The vibes are nice as well as the choice of music. Will be returning soon! read more

Willows & Pine - SHORT RIB with mashed potatoes and cabbage. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

As a biracial yellow bone with the blood of Louisiana flowing through her veins, Willows & Pine certainly did not disappoint. First of all, the ambiance was giving FOR US BY US, which we love. It was Friday night and there was a DJ playing throw backs. Very comforting. The servers were very attentive as well so we knew we'd be taken care of. But really what we need to get into is the flavor and generous portion sizes. Normally, I'm skeptical of roux-based mac & cheese because I typically prefer egg custard southern style baked mac & cheese, but the Mac and cheese was absolutely delicious, creamy and flavorful. My girl B got the gumbo and it was FIRE, crab legs and everything with that deep chocolate color you wanna see in a gumbo. Not greasy, just full of umami. I got the catfish with greens and rice and it was MASSIVE! Literally 2 meals for lil ole me. The fish was seasoned dowwwwwn and the greens were very solid. Sometimes in dishes like this the rice can be the afterthought, but the rice was also very flavorful and seasoned and paired well with everything. I will absolutely be back to big my back with those big ass plates of tasty Southern cookin. read more

Willows & Pine - Catfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

Came in with a party of 8 & we were seated right away. Good vibes and nice music playing. Been all over the Bay for brunch, this place is in my permanent top 3 now. Banana pudding waffles, oxtail & grits, shrimp & grits, chicken pot pie biscuit... all were excellent! Not one person put any hot sauce, salt or pepper on anything! That should yell you something. The chef came out to check if we were enjoying our meals. She is a very nice person & you can tell she really cares about her customers and the food she sends out of that kitchen. Will be back very soon! 10/10 read more

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This deconstructed pot pie was EVERYTHING!! A total flavor bomb, I nearly at the whole thing alone in one setting. Not only that but the staff was very attentive and the inside was very clean. The space is small and intimate. So I would suggest making a reservation, getting there early, or order to go. read more

Willows & Pine - Chicken pot pie - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious food, and excellent customer service. Felt right at home while dining. The music wasn't too loud and the energy was great! read more

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Had brunch at Willows and Pine and ordered the vegan chicken and waffles, biscuit and chicken pot pie and everything was incredible. The plantain waffles are UNREAL and the blue pea tea is so refreshing and delish. I can't wait to come back and try everything else on their menu. read more

Willows & Pine - Chicken fried oyster mushrooms and plantain waffles - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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I was visiting Highland hospital and was looking for something to eat. Yelp listed this restaurant as #2. Being a foodie and never hearing of this restaurant did not sit well with me. So, I went and I had the grill cheese rib sandwich. It was perfect! I wanted to try some other things but I was full. I will definitely go back. read more

Willows & Pine was damn good. Whoever recommended this spot to me, you are appreciated. It was this past Sunday and it was a last minute brunch idea. I've wanted soul and creole food in one spot for a while, and I'm excited to try the rest of the menu knowing that they offer shrimp etouffee, jambalaya and gumbo, red beans and rice, etc. These items are not on the brunch menu so I'll be back for dinner. Until then, on to brunch. Drink Order - Sex in the South. Made with soju, peach cordial and pineapple, this was a subtle fruity drink. They ran out of whatever ingredients were needed to make the Rum Punch Slushy? Doesn't that sound amazing? Another reason for me to return. Anyway, I'd give Sex in the South a 5/5. I ordered a second, and because don't like soju on its own I was initially a skeptic but this blended well and didn't taste too fruity. Entree: Shrimp & Grits. Look, I was going to skip and find something else and then I saw another table's food being brought to them. The plate is big enough to share. I'm not saying I'd have wanted to share, but I am saying the portion size is valid. With that said, the only thing I wish they did was provide more gravy. My friend ordered the oxtails and grits and her plate was gravy down! I'd like the same and that's the only reason I'm giving them a 4.5/5. You can't miss the flavor of that roux, and the shrimp was the texture of crab - flaky and buttery, like Argentinian shrimp. Extra Treat: banana pudding French toast. Look, banana pudding is having its moment and I want to be part of it. It wasn't a hard decision to make after seeing that it's made using brioche bread, the best bread to ever use for French toast! It was a good sweet treat I was able to try at the restaurant and save for later. Very reminiscent of banana pudding, and the cream on top does is what ties the dish together to really make it taste like the dessert it drew its inspiration from. I'm a sucker for sweets, so I'll have to give this a 5/5 because they pulled this one off beautifully. This is a popular spot with zero complaints from me. Service was on point, food was on point, drinks were on point. I think there's only street parking available, but I didn't have a hard time finding it. It may be due to the time I went which was around 1:00 PM on a Sunday, but let's be honest. I'd trek here if I couldn't find parking nearby. read more

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This place has been on my list for awhile. Sohappy I finally got to check it out. First off, the portions are beyond worth what you pay and the food is delicious. They we out of the chowder (so sad) but I don't know if I would've had room for my entrée had I been able to order it. Shared a mac & cheese which was so yummy. I ordered short ribs while my friend got sea bass. We both took over half home as leftovers. (Unexpected breakfast). My only compliment was dishes didn't come out at once. Our Mac came out first then one entrée followed by the other 5 minutes later. Would've preferred all coming out at once. read more

Willows & Pine - SHORT RIB - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

This was our 2nd time coming here to eat. The food is very good. We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. The spot had many customers inside eating. We had a wait once we entered as there were tables that needed to be cleaned. Once we were seated the server came and took our orders. This is a Black woman owner business. Support Black business. read more

Willows & Pine - Biscuit, breakfast potatoes and sausage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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I wanted to gatekeep this place so bad... but I need it to thrive. The vibes were perfect, the staff were so warm and welcoming it felt like family, and the food was incredible. One of those rare spots where everything just hits. If you're in Oakland and looking for great food and good energy, this is definitely a place to check out. Already planning my next visit. Brunch review coming soon. read more

Willows & Pine - Chilean Seabass - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've seen this on a few foodie reviews and had it booked marked for months. On a whim I came to the town and let me tell you.....EVEVERTHING I tasted I was goodt! Lol. So I started with dessert because that's how I live my life. The peach cobbler bread pudding had to made from scratch, because it was heavenly. Then the pseudo fried chicken was good (Oyster mushrooms). I wish it was juicy and plump on the inside like chicken but it had all the other important notes. Flavor, crispy, hot and fresh. Even knowing all that, I'd still order it because it tastes that good. I had the several dishes and they were all on point and I'm picky. My friend said the food was so good she over ate and her stomach hurt lol. read more

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The restaurant is cue and quaint with a lot NOLA flair. The environment is very welcoming. I ordered to go and forgot to take photos. The staff was very friendly and warm. I had chicken fried oysters mushrooms with cabbage and black eyed peas over rice, and a side of red beans and rice. The mushrooms were seasoned and fried to perfection. The cabbage was cooked well like I prefer not to soft still has a bite to it. The black eyed peas and rice were also good. The red beans were also good. The only drawback was I wish they had more vegan items. I definitely will go back and try out their brunch. Also ordered the shrimp, étouffée and mac & cheese for my family. My aunt loves their shrimp étouffée and mac & cheese. She's picky especially since we're from Louisiana so I know it's good. read more

Yes! Just go try it. Nice neighborhood restaurant. Black family owned. Our server Josua was super nice, and such a handsome man. We only got the crawfish and shrimp chowder and drinks. The chowder was FIRE! Loved the atmosphere, good music playing (not too loud) and just a nice vibe over all. Definitely will be back my next time in the area. read more

The best southern food I had in a long time in the Bay Area. I have went three times in one month. Will be back. Great staff and very clean restaurant. read more

Gumbo Roux was fantastic. Flavorful lil spice . . . So good. My hubby had the short ribs and he gives it 5 stars. We will return we had the banana pudding as late night snack and it did not disappoint. Excellent service! Very friendly. read more

Willows & Pine - Gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

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The gravy with our grilled cheese and short ribs sandwich tasted just like the original recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken. It took me back to when I was a kid in the south before the Colonel died. Top notch food. The rum punch slushy hit the spot too, tropical fruit mix of flavors. Cute decor, was reminiscent of what I imagine old buildings in Louisiana might look like but with updated color scheme. read more

The chef was friendly. The Ambiance was great and those oxtails and grits! Too yummy! The food on a scale of 1-10 is a solid 10! read more

We have been here a couple of times to celebrate two very special milestones, and each time from the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed and cared for. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the hospitality truly made us feel at home from our waitress. The food is always wonderful, but the staff go above and beyond. They even surprised us with dessert, which was such a thoughtful touch. A beautiful experience from start to finish. Warm, welcoming, gracious, and truly special. We'll definitely be back! read more

So I took my granny here cause we do Granny Granny and granddaughter dates took her here. We got the shrimp étouffée and she absolutely loved it like she took some home with her to eat for the next day. The service was really good. The Ambiance you can go with your girlfriends you can go a solo day. You can go with you on a date, but it was really nice overall it was if I give it five. read more

Willows & Pine - Shrimp Ettofee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

We've looked into this restaurant frequently while visiting the library up the street, or stopping at Farmer Joes' down the street, and patrons always seem happily seated inside, so we decided try it out. What a great addition to the Dimond! The place is stylish: modern, clean and comfy; the service was very friendly and helpful, and the food was great! We only ordered two entrees, because we could see the portions were really generous, and the shrimp etoufee and the porkchops were plentiful and very tasty. We really liked the veggies and the gravies, and the entrees themselves were fine too! I would have liked a biscuit or some bread to sop up the gravy! We are definitely coming back: Having a "special" each night would bring us back more often. read more

Willows & Pine - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

The food here was absolutely impeccable! I love food that I can't get anywhere else. Each of the dishes I tried were nothing short of amazing. I have no complaints whatsoever. Also the customer service was top tier. Everyone was so nice. The restaurant itself was spacious and well decorated. I would definitely recommend this to others, especially those who love southern authentic cuisine. read more

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Good food decent location. No fried items on the menu though. Gumbo was pretty tasty. The service was fast and friendly

Today my organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated: Chapter, did something special today; we participated in the Kwanzaa Small Biz Crawl. We supported various Black-owned businesses. I was excited to learned that we would be going to one my favorite restaurants. Willow & Pine's food is absolutely delicious and Michauxnée and her team did a great job taking care of their customers. There were roughly 20 of us and everyone left full and satisfied. read more

Everything we ordered was amazing I have no complaints the oxtail tails the vegan chicken & waffles made with oysters mushrooms the banana pudding waffles Their menu states they make everything as uts ordered so the wait is a little long but it's worth it. I do wish they had other creamer for the coffee Their staff are young ppl but they do a good job and their owner is a black lady The music was very fitting for the environment read more

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Date: 4/19/2025 Time: 2:00 PM 62° Sunny My companion suggested three different restaurants for lunch. He asked me to select one. After reviewing the menus and taking into consideration the locations of the three venues, I chose Willows and Pine. We were in sync as he also chose the same venue. Well, what else can I say except like minds think alike. Perusing the menu online, I knew what I desired for lunch - Chilean sea bass, which I haven't had for almost 12 years. We get to the restaurant only to find out that the Chilean sea bass is only during the dinner hours (5 PM to 9 PM). All right I needed more time to peruse the menu and decide what would be pleasing to my palate. What did I have a taste for on the lunch menu? Eats: companion had a grilled salmon salad and two orange mimosas. I decided on the biscuit chicken pot pie gravy and a butterfly pea iced tea. My entree was absolutely delicious. Best chicken pot pie I have ever had. Perfectly seasoned and loaded with all the veggies I like. The homemade biscuit was definitely biggly, and a bit too much for me. Service: Waitstaff were friendly, pleasant and attentive. Ambience: quite nice. Comfy and casual. Sit by the window and people watch. Seating capacity: 50 people, but the restaurant space is small. Front room: perhaps 20 people. There is a room in the rear of the restaurant. I did not see how much space was in that room. Drawback: street parking can be problematic. However, my companion lucked out and found a parking space nearby. Return visit? Yes, if I happen to be in the neighborhood. Public transportation (AC Transit) is within walking distance. read more

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They open at 5pm on this particular evening, we were greeted by the manager seated but then changed, kind of wish we stayed where she first seated us only bcuz we kept fanning away annoying fruit flies later saw that another customer was fanning away off them too. The food was decent. I ordered short ribs. My daughter ordered oyster mushroom dinner. The cabbage-and the greens pretty plain and for the price of the dinners I feel like cornbread should've came with the meal. Service was Be prepared to wait, , but I get it. It was just one chef in the kitchen all in all I guess it was worth the wait 7/10 read more

Willows & Pine - Short Ribs. rice and gravy with plain greens - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Oakland, California

I loved it...the whole experience! Came here to celebrate a friend, there were about 15 of us...and so the fact that they accommodated us was awesome! And then the complexity of ordering for a group that size. I had the oyster mushrooms with yams and cabbage...delicious. I am always challenged when I go to a restaurant and they don't have vegan/vegetarian options so I was very happy. More than anything, it's the people that make the experience...the staff...family run business...is just amazing, warm and welcoming...so I would come back just for that. The chef...thank you for your love and light! I will be back for sure! read more

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First time giving this place a try and it was delicious. The food was full of flavor. The service was amazing. I would definitely come back again. read more

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So glad we went here. Great service and amazing food! Family owned and operated. We had the shrimp & grits and oxtail & grits and mannnn SO GOOD. Will absolutely be back when we're in the area. read more

Run, do not walk to this place if you're a fan of soul food/Louisiana cooking! Every dish had so much flavor. My hubs and I went for a date night on a Friday. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The ambiance was upscale and cozy at the same time with black vinyl booths and a lot of greenery. We both started out with the chicken and sausage gumbo and it did not disappoint. There were so many herbs and spices, that the flavor was phenomenal. I am a Louisiana native, so I am always on the hunt for a good gumbo and this was a hit. For entrees, the hubs got the jambalaya which was on point, while I got the shrimp Etouffee. Both were terrific. The shrimp were perfectly cooked with just the right amount of spice, while the jambalaya had its own special kick. We also tried the Mac n Cheese, which is one of the best that I have ever tasted. So creamy and smooth with a beautiful cheese pull. We also tried the rice and gravy which is a staple in Louisiana. It was so good, I honestly wanted to lick the bowl. This was one of the best Louisiana meals that I have ever had outside the state. I cannot wait to come back and try more dishes. Do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

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Had a great experience here. I'm vegetarian and went with a pescatarian. We had a fine meal, everything tasted great. Even the cabbage, which I'm not usually a fan of, tasted great and was perfectly cooked. We ordered the fried oyster mushroom vegan entree to split, along with a salad, sweet potato fries, brussels sprouts side, and cornbread and cabbage appetizer. And my companion ordered a cup of soup. Way too much food! The portions were really generous, we were able to bring home leftovers and have a very full dinner the following night. Everything lasted really well except maybe the salad, due to the dressing. The food was all really good both times, though the fried oyster mushrooms were a little challenging to eat -- maybe smaller pieces and a sauce? We also ordered the strawberry shortcake dessert. That took quite a long time to come out, because they bake it to order! It was more like sweet biscuit than traditional shortcake and could have used a little more sauce (strawberries, cream). But it was so good! Atmosphere and service were good too, and it was easy to find nearby street parking on a weekend night. read more

The best biscuits ever! I was looking forward to trying the Jambalaya but that's only served during dinner. We arrived at 1PM and the brunch menu was available. We wanted to try a variety of items and ordered a few sides. Smothered potatoes, grits, hot link and scrambled eggs. The biscuit was the best followed by a flavorful smothered potatoes. We loved to cool and modern interior design. Looking forward to trying more fine restaurants in Oakland:) read more

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