Oakland may not have the fame and popularity of neighboring San Francisco, but this Bay Area city has a strong culinary scene. In fact, Oakland was voted the best food city in the U.S.A. two years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Much of this can be attributed to the diversity of the restaurants and the people of Oakland. After all, Oakland is one of the most ethnically diverse city in the U.S. (although it’s important to note that the city is still highly segregated).
The population diversity of Oakland is reflected on its restaurants, where you can pretty taste the world. From contemporary Afghan food to Colombian fare to Asian-inspired brunch, here are five restaurants in Oakland that showcase the value of diversity, and what immigration brings to the table.
Parche
Ceviche from Parche
(Fiona Chandra)
Lively and vibrant are two words that describe Parche, both in terms of its atmosphere and the flavors of the food. The Colombian restaurant is headed by Chef Paul Iglesias, whose mother was a first-generation immigrant from Bogota. Iglesias opened Parche with his wife, Sophia Akbar. His menu at Parche highlights dishes from throughout the South American country. The ceviche served here is a style that hails from Tumaco and takes on a more tropical flavor with the addition of coconut milk and basil. There is Cartagena-style braised short rib and a stuffed pork that is traditional to Tolima. Of course, the drinks menu also leans heavily on South American spirits, wine, and beers.
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Bombera
The interior of Bombera
(Fiona Chandra)
Bombera comes from Chef Dominica Rice Cisneros, who was named a James Beard Best Chef California semifinalist back in 2019 with her previous restaurant, Cosecha Cafe. Cisneros is a second-generation Mexican-American whose family came from Chihuaha. At Bombera, Cisneros and her team serve up true Californian-Mexican cooking. There are plenty of vegetable-forward dishes utilizing local California ingredients. In fact, one of the most popular dishes at Bombera is the spicy carrots with toasted almond misantla. You’ll also find mole, tetela made with heirloom blue corn, and Cisneros’ beloved pozole that she brought over from Cosecha Cafe.
3459 Champion St, Oakland, CA 94602
JAJI
Lamb chops at JAJI
(Fiona Chandra)
JAJI is the first modern Afghan restaurant in the Bay Area, but it’s the second restaurant of husband-and-wife team Paul Iglesias and Sophia Akbar. JAJI in uptown Oakland is stylish, with floor-to-ceiling windows and colorful chiffon hanging from the ceiling, meant to evoke the poppies and tulips found on the mountains of Afghanistan. For the menu, Akbar draws on her Afghan heritage and California upbringing. Pekoras are stuffed with seasonal mushrooms while lamb lollipops are served with a harissa-chickpea spread and roasted root vegetables. Saffron martinis and date-infused bourbon make up some of the signature cocktails here.
422 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612
The Peach
The interior of The Peach
(Fiona Chandra)
The Peach is the second restaurant of Jo’s Modern Thai owner Kao Saelee and the restaurant is currently headed by Filipino-American Chef Harold Villarosa who infuses the menu with Asian flavors. During the day you’ll find Southern brunch classics like chicken and waffles, but the shrimp and grits here is topped with Thai-style curry. At night, Villarosa brings his heritage more to the forefront. There’s pork lumpia, chicken skewers inspired by the Filipino dish inasal, lechon, and more.
3257 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Sun Moon Studio
Noodles from Sun Moon Studio
(Alan Hsu)
Sun Moon Studio is newest Michelin-starred restaurant in Oakland. The intimate restaurant is headed by Chefs Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper and serves a multi-course tasting menu using local ingredients from local farms. The menu changes with the season but you’ll find Hsu’s Taiwanese heritage reflected on many of the dishes. Previous menus included brioche filled Taiwanese sausage and peanuts, and noodle soup topped with Dungeness crab. Reservations open six weeks in advance and go quickly.
1940 Union St STE 21, Oakland, CA 94607