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<\/p>\nHomer Simpson once, quite catchily, sang \u201cyou don\u2019t win friends with salad.\u201d Well, The Simpsons\u2019 paunchy patriarch must have never tried a Bombera salad, which prompted at least one person to fly 5,000 miles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Nosh readers cast their votes prior to Thanksgiving, and the results of the\u00a02025 Nosh Awards\u00a0are in. Visit Nosh every day from now until Dec. 12 to see a new award announced each day. Congratulations to all the winners!<\/p>\n
\u201cTravelled all the way from London, UK just for the salad!,\u201d commented one of the Nosh Awards voters who propelled the Dimond District restaurant from chef Dominica Rice-Cisneros to its second consecutive victory in the Best Restaurant Overall category.<\/p>\n
Other voters had similarly high praise, if not the cross-Atlantic commute. <\/p>\n
\u201cLove the outdoor seating and the unusual and traditional options. It feels like an Oakland vibe,\u201d commented Adrienne of Oakland.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent elevated Mexican food, great service, and great vibe.\u00a0 Love this place!\u00a0 It\u2019s a neighborhood treasure,\u201d wrote Shoshana Finacom of Oakland.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both the outdoor patio and spacious indoors are lively and festive, complimenting Rice-Cisneros\u2019 style of seasonal, original takes on Mexican classics featuring California produce and products.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ambience, service, and food are top notch every time. The duck mole and the chocolate pot de cr\u00e8me are not to be missed,\u201d wrote one Nosh Awards voter.<\/p>\n
Other standouts include the charred beets with whipped pumpkin and sesame seed butter and carne asada huarache supreme, with filet mignon and crispy Oaxacan cheese on an heirloom blue corn tortilla.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Dominica Rice-Cisneros opened Bombera in the Dimond in 2021. Credit: Bombera<\/p>\n
\u201cBest Mexican food in the Bay \u2014 authentic and traditional. You feel like you just arrived at your beloved tia\u2019s house in Mexico. You feel the love in every bite,\u201d commented another voter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rice-Cisneros\u2019 culinary star began to rise after she opened Cosecha Cafe in Swan\u2019s Market in 2010. In 2019 she was named a James Beard Awards semi-finalist for best chef, California. In 2021, Rice-Cisneros shuttered Cosecha and opened Bombera in a revamped fire station later that year. (\u201cBombera\u201d is the Spanish word for a female firefighter.) <\/p>\n
Several Nosh Awards voters pointed to Bombera\u2019s ample options for vegetarians and vegans that are as creative and flavorful as the meat dishes. The current menu includes black mole roasted butternut squash with toasted pecans and swiss chard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent food that does not skimp on veggie\/vegan options,\u201d awards voter Jenny of Oakland commented.<\/p>\n
As with many of the 2025 Nosh Awards winners, the welcoming, attentive service at Bombera was mentioned right alongside the food and drinks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3459 Champion St., Oakland. bomberaoakland.com<\/a><\/p>\n Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. <\/p>\n \u201cThe food is always delicious. The decor is simple, but lovely. The wait staff rocks,\u201d commented one voter. <\/p>\n \u201c\u200b\u200bIncredible food and experience time and time again. They treat you like family!\u201d wrote Claudia of Alameda.<\/p>\n \u201cBombera has a welcoming atmosphere, consistently delicious food, and excellent service,\u201d added another awards voter. <\/p>\n Since landing in the Dimond, Bombera has consistently been ranked among the top restaurants in The Town and Bay Area, including a Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide.\u00a0Now, after taking home the trophy for the East Bay\u2019s best restaurant two years in a row, one voter had a straight forward recommendation: \u201cEat there and you will understand.\u201d <\/p>\n The Best Restaurant Overall category was highly competitive, and the other restaurants nominated were Burdell, Popoca, Mag\u00f6, Parche and Roses on Adeline.<\/p>\n “*” indicates required fields<\/p>\n
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