Restaurant week is coming up once again in Alameda, the charming island across the water from Oakland. The promotional event runs from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 29, and features more than 50 restaurants, breweries, wineries, bars and even a movie theater’s grill.
In a sporty evolution of the concept, Alameda’s restaurant week is taking inspiration from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. “Inspired by this summer’s global soccer excitement, this year’s celebration highlights our international cuisine and adds a fun competitive twist to dining in Alameda,” informs the event website.
A bracket is posted online for diners to fill out (alamedarestaurantweek.com/arw-champions-bracket). To qualify for prize giveaways that, combined, total more than $1,000 in value, contestants can submit receipts from their meals. Or, they can take a photo of themselves at a participating restaurant — wearing an Oakland Roots jersey or any international soccer team jersey — and get entered into a prize drawing.
The restaurant list is too huge to post in full, but here’s a sampling of what’s on offer.
Saltbreaker, 2350 Saratoga St., Alameda: a $50 three-course prix-fixe menu with a last course called “The Golden Goal (A Coconut Finale)”
The Star on Park, 1400 Park St.: two complimentary drinks (draft beer, sparkling wine or well Old-Fashioneds) with the purchase of any meal for two
Alameda Brewing Co., 1716 Park St.: a custom beer flight with hummus and pita chips for $25
Bacogai, 2651 Blanding Ave.: a three-course dinner prix-fixe menu inspired by traditional Vietnamese regional specialties for $50
Yellowtail Japanese Bistro, 1332 Park St., Suite C, Alameda: free deep-fried calamari appetizer with the purchase of any premium cold sake; free mini-tempura udon with purchase of a seven-piece nigiri-sushi meal; plus other deals
C’era Una Volta, 800 W. Tower Ave.: $15 off a meal
The Rake at Admiral Maltings in Alameda serves a menu of 20 or so beers made with its own malt, plus barbecue, soft pretzels and other fare. (Photo courtesy Jay R. Brooks)
Ballpark Alameda, 1508 Park St.: three-course prix-fixe menu for $45 (entrees include linguine and clams, chicken parmesan and an eight-ounce ribeye steak)
Hang Ten Boiler, 2315 Santa Clara Ave.: Dungeness crab or snow crab with a choice of garlic noodles, paratha bread or steamed rice for $58
Burma Superstar, 1345 Park St.: a lunch special for $20.45 (entree, small salad and rice); a new cheesy garlic-noodles entree for $19; plus other deals
The Rake at Admiral Maltings, 651A W. Tower Ave., Alameda: a prix-fixe menu of Bavarian pretzel with house malt mustard and butter, smoked Angus beef brisket with mashed potatoes and chicken gravy, and chocolate bread pudding for $39
Whisk Cake Creations, 1216 Lincoln Ave.: an ube-coffee beverage and an ube-OREO cheesecake for $8
Details: Visit alamedarestaurantweek.com for a guide to participating restaurants and their specials.