El Potrillo Restaurant &amp; Bar

Love this spot! Came here several times during the World Cup and though I wish they served food,…read morethe food truck delivers. We got to enjoy a mariachi band before the Mexico match too- an added bonus! Drinks are tasty and affordable (by Bay area standards). I love that there are different spaces from outdoors (the biggest) and a pool table/bar area as well as different bars to order from to avoid waiting in long lines. Classic Fruitvale spot that is owned by a Latino family!

Such an awesome spot to pregame at before a concert at the Coliseum! I loved the outdoor patio…read morevibes on the Friday evening that we stopped by. Drinks are already super cheap, but were even cheaper when we went because it was happy hour! The bartenders were also really friendly and conversational. Definitely also grab a few items from the food truck outside and vibe w your friends!

Best bar ever! Friendliest and drinks are 10/10! Longest bar in the town!

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Menu for La Grana food truck, right on the patio

Club House

4.2(44 reviews)

1.0 mi

Dive bar in the front, expansive backyard and gardens in the back. (But the backyard area…read morefaithfully maintains the dive bar vibe, with various old mismatched tables and chairs.) There is also a horseshoe pit! Staff is very friendly, and prices are reasonable. Highly recommended!

This classic bar in Alameda used to be open at six now it's open at seven but that's good. Patty…read morethe Bartender is there and you could have your pic of any assortment of cold beer, classic cocktails nothing fancy none of that muddled Mojitos around here just drinks. No kids allowed don't bring them dogs welcome. Have a good time.

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Forbidden Island

4.2(1.6k reviews)

1.5 mi

A Tiki Bar in Alameda?! Sign me up! I just moved to the area and have been missing the tiki bars…read moreback home. Super happy I found this incredible little spot not very far from my new spot! Made a reservation for a Saturday and was able to grab a seat at the bar. This was definitely a necessity. I'll always keep this in mind when planning a visit here. Upon arrival, we were met to cute tiki interior, dollars overhead (my version of heaven), and an incredible staff! It was such a warm and welcoming environment. The staff was mega nice and helped us answer all of our burning questions. The drinks were perfect! I honestly can't remember everything I had, but the menu was expansive and all the drinks were tasty. We got a bit hungry and ordered some empanadas. I loved these! A nice change from other food at tiki bars ive experienced. Awesome visit to Forbidden Island! Im looking forward to visiting again!

Visited this place on a Sunday evening with a reservation for a party of six. The place is so cute…read moreinside, with inviting tropical-inspired bar seating and cozy booths. They also have a large outdoor seating area. As soon as you step inside, you feel like you've been transported to a tropical island--it definitely gives you that vacation vibe! The drinks weren't exactly cheap, but everything we tried was delicious and pretty strong, so we definitely enjoyed them! The service was also friendly and attentive throughout our visit. Overall, such a fun and vibrant spot to hang out and enjoy some tropical drinks!

0.8 mi•Fruitvale, East Oakland

Outside patio area

The two mugs that they have available. The mug on the left is a special edition mug and $150. The mug on the right is $40.

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More of the atmosphere of the forbidden island, and I love all the money hanging from the ceiling

Mariscos La Costa

4.1(334 reviews)

This is one of my uncles favorite spots in the area for some ceviche tostadas and street tacos! Im…read moreso happy he brought me here because they were delicious. the ceviche tostadas come with a generous amount of seafood and an extra tostada. The street tacos were flavorful, I wish I got more! Service is standard for a taqueria like this, the crew was very nice and food came out quick! Ambiance was very nice, we sat in the patio during a nice sunny day and enjoyed our meal. Would highly recommend!

Best tacos in town. For the price $3.00. Nobody topping the quality of this place. Everything good…read more All taco trucks need to take notice on how to make tacos from this place. Smh can be imitated but never duplicated. Been coming here since like 2003 and the prices only went up 2 times. Not bad if you can do the math. Burritos are . Promise whoever buy a steak burrito/steak tacos from here and not satisfied, lunch is on me. DM if you think I'm lying. Nobody topping this place. The service always amazing. And the ambiance nothing like outdoor seating that is covered.

This is the spot on E. 14. IYKYK before they change the street name to International

Tostadas con pescado y pulpo

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lemon drop

The location is great, the space is big and the bar tender was awesome. I went for the first time…read moreand I can already tell it won't be my last. My friends said the garlic fries were good and I enjoyed my drink very much. If you want a place that has good drinks and I has nice staff, I'd say Lemondrop is a good place.

Saw this place was highly reviewed and had some interesting fusion bites, so went to check it out…read more The restaurant is cute, they have a nice bar area and some fire pits outside. The wait staff was really nice don't get me wrong, but it took one of us to go up to them (chatting with a regular) to order drinks & food, and another one of us to bother them to pay as well. I think that was biggest qualm though! Just that the wait staff should be slightly more attentive, especially at times when the restaurant is mostly empty. The food was bomb though. We had a tikka pizza, the lemon pepper wings, and French fries. All were super great with the cocktails we ordered. Definitely a great catch up spot with the girlies, I'll probably return and manifest better service.

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Lemon drop

Park Station

4.5(63 reviews)

1.0 mi

Think old tire shop vibes, but now with amazing selection of beer and tasty food next door. Park…read moreStation is a great new addition for Alameda in the "not quite downtown" "not quite Bay-front" neighborhood. Popped in on a Sunday afternoon to grab a couple of terrific double IPAs from Pure Project Brewing and Bottle Logic Brewing respectively. Hubby had some sparkling wine that was on point. Drinks worked their magic, so we ordered food next door at Southie: some popcorn chicken and hand cut fries as nibbles. Also delicious. Fun outdoor space and friendly service. Great crowd too enjoying the beautiful late August afternoon and excellent vibes. We'll be back!

Been waiting on this spot for the whole time I've lived in Alameda and was glad that they didn't…read moredisappoint * Beers and food options are a great pairing. I specifically love how the rotation stays with similar tasting beers ** The choice of musicians and diverse genres make it such a fun time *** Dogs are happy and welcome to chill and frolic around the wide space **** The vibes are always so fun that even when you walk by it, it invites you to stop by ***** Perfect spot to have an event, watch a game or have a live music get together

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View from the bar

400 Club

3.7(15 reviews)

0.0 mi•East Oakland

I thought this was supposed to be a dive bar... Not quite. The place is squeaky, clean and put…read moretogether well. There was nobody there but me and the owners. The restaurant side closes very early so likely it's just a lunch option. The bar side closes when they feel like leaving. It's a shame they are not busy. It has its own parking lot which should be gold for any business in the Bay Area. The bathrooms are cleaner than yours at home. If there were customers and serious operating hours I'd come back but that's not going to happen soon so too bad for everyone.

I love dive bars and I rarely think too hard about the regulars surrounding me. This bar is an…read moreexception. The 400 houses the sort of people who make me want to go on the wagon. It makes me fear the thought of actually having MY 40th birthday party in a place like this, dancing away the night to bad juke box music in a bar with bright lights, cheap drinks and people who show up to my party merely because it is at their regular bar and therefore convenient. Besides, if that was the path my life was going to take I would at least make sure I chose a bar with regular hours. This place has no rhyme or reason to when it is open and I would want to ensure, at the very least, that if my life was this sad I could at least drink until 2AM.

Carne Asada plate.

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Boathouse

4.3(48 reviews)

0.7 mi

Literally your local neighborhood dive bar. You may not know about this place until you actually…read moreare from the area! It's on a quiet street with surrounding houses and apartments. Not in a prime spot for city nightlife, so definitely something iykyk. Walking in, it was a little better than expected. Although, there were all sorts of smells (coming from people maybe?) throughout the bar lol. It's cool there's a pool table on the end of the bar, which is $1 to play. First come first serve. Vibes are chill while they play hip hop music in the back. Everyone mainly sits outside, but they also have a patio that's pretty cute with all the string lights. One man is working, so he's basically the bartender and cleanup of this bar. Does the job if you wanna just grab a drink.

I use the words "Neighborhood dive bar" in only the best possible way. Walkable with the dog and…read moreincredibly dog friendly, this place is the epitome of a neighborhood gathering place. On top of that, the food's really good! Their tacos are tasty, and the sleeper on the menu is the spicy tuna melt. *chef's kiss* from any of our friend group who've had it. The nachos, pretzel, and soups of the day also bring something homey. You can walk in and see island folks you know, or quickly start getting to know a friendly new someone. We love it here. Goose especially.

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Lucky 13

3.8(458 reviews)

0.9 mi

* Great dive bar experience with a good balance of local charm, punk grime and familial welcoming…read morestaff ** Had all my tattoos on this spot so I'm glad this place is now a part of me *** A must spot to start a crawl or make the whole evening a moment here **** The charm of this is so East Bay

Lucky 13 is a mood! My coworkers and I went to celebrate another school year ending. The food next…read moredoor is a great addition to the drinks. I personally love the ambiance and the bartenders are always a great help in picking drinks.

Drinks

Sierra, cold beer.

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St George's and grapefruit juice

Town Tavern

4.3(203 reviews)

0.6 mi

Our go-to cocktail spot in Alameda. We've been here many times now, and it never disappoints. Great…read moredrinks, good service, and a chill, comfortable atmosphere. My favorite part is their collection thoughtful, balanced, complex drinks. If you want a variety of delectable old fashioneds with different spirits -- you're in luck! ---- Drinks ---- The cocktails are the main reason we keep coming back! Old Fashioned menu. They actually have several varieties and I've really appreciated how they use a different spirit for each! I won't review every single one, but you can't go wrong based on what flavor profile you want. They're all relatively sophisticated, balanced, spirit-forward, and consistently well made. The rest of the cocktail menu is equally thoughtful. Complex, creative, and well executed without trying too hard or going over the top with flavors or presentation. The food is delicious as well although we're usually just here for drinks before/after a meal. More small bites than full meals, but everything we've had has been tasty and pairs well with the drinks. We really enjoyed the empanadas; great flavor and execution. ---- Environment ---- Warm, cozy, and stylish -- but not pretentious or obnoxious. Music volume is always at a level where you can actually have a conversation, which I really appreciate! It does get busy, especially on weekends, but it's never been extreme. We've been seated immediately or only with a short wait most times. ---- Service ---- Friendly, welcoming, and attentive! Always had good experiences with the staff even when busy. Most of them have good recommendations. ---- Tips ---- Make a reservation if you can! Walk-ins are definitely possible, though you may end up sharing a larger communal table. We've done it before and honestly didn't mind. The bathroom can occasionally have a bit of a wait. ---- Overall ---- Love this place. It's become our go-to spot whenever we're in the mood for great cocktails and a relaxed evening and want a reliable experience. One of my favorite cocktail bars in Alameda.

This spot has very good cocktails. This time I tried Georgia on my Mind, it has cognac and peach…read moreliqueur. My friend has the chicken sliders with fries. Good choice. Server was helpful and attentive. Cheers!

Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

Nachos

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Pick your specials

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Steven P.

194

85

31

2 years ago

El Potrillo Restaurant & Bar is a fantastic spot for flavorful Mexican food and a lively atmosphere. The menu offers a great variety of traditional dishes, and everything I tried was fresh and delicious. The enchiladas were packed with flavor, and the carne asada was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of seasoning. The service was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed without being overbearing. The ambiance was vibrant, with a fun bar area that's great for enjoying a margarita or two. It's a wonderful place for a casual dinner or a fun night out. The only reason I'm not giving five stars is the wait time during busy hours, but the food and experience made it well worth it. El Potrillo is definitely a go-to spot for tasty Mexican food and a good time! read more

George N.

2

11

6

8 years ago

This place has the best Goat AKA Birria! Beer is cold and well priced. Its no fancy place but its great to just have a Sunday hangover meal with a cold ass beer! read more

El Potrillo Restaurant & Bar - mexican - Updated September 2026

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Xolo

3.5

(964 reviews)

We stopped at Xolo before a concert at the Fox Theater, and it was the perfect spot to grab some…read moretacos before the show. We ordered a bunch of different tacos to share, and they were all really good! My favorite was definitely the Camarones taco. I got the shrimp grilled instead of battered and fried, and OMG, the árbol aioli was so good. It went perfectly with the shrimp. I also really liked the Machaca taco with shredded beef. That one was a nice surprise and ended up being another favorite. I was only planning to eat two tacos and somehow ended up eating like three or four , so that tells you how much I liked them. The place is pretty spacious inside and they also have a nice patio. I don't live in Oakland, but next time I'm in the area for a concert, I would definitely stop here again. Really good tacos and a great stop before a show at the Fox!

I've been coming here for a while. They used to have Carnitas and my lord, they were a five star…read morereview, but they've discontinued so my next go to on their menu would be the Carne Asada, burrito or the surf and turf, but both are pretty heavy wouldn't have it for a casual lunch. The chips are a little too crunchy where you almost have to use force to bite it, and it could stab the roof of your mouth. The guacamole is really good. Churros are also good. The ambience is really cool very high ceilings and colorful decorations lots of seating even an upstairs area Staff is always friendly If you're in the area, going to see a show at the FOX it's worth given. I'm a try, but I probably wouldn't drive out of my way for it.

Todos

4.0

(275 reviews)

There is a large parking garage close by. No reservations needed. The door is heavy but not closed!…read more Four of us ordered on the phone. The chips with three dips was great. The margaritas were delicious. The food came out reasonably quickly but as there seemed to be only one server (besides the bartender) it was sequential. No big deal. Decent sized servings. My Quesabirrias were excellent. Forgot to try the churros! Nice clean welcoming place. Definitely recommend!

The place is beautiful with an amazing aesthetic. I also loved that you don't even have to talk to…read moreanyone to order since everything is done through a QR code, it made the whole experience quick and easy. I'm giving it 3 stars because I honestly don't understand why everyone raves about the ceviche. It was very bland, and we had to ask for hot sauce, extra lime, and salt just to give it some flavor. On the other hand, the quesabirrias were absolutely amazing, and the three dip with chips was so good. The cocktails were also excellent. My recommendation: skip the ceviche and go for the quesabirrias, 3 dip and cocktails instead!

Taqueria El Tio Juan

4.9

(11 reviews)

We tried the tacos with carne asada and al pastor, a burrito with carne asada and a side of…read moreguacamole. Everything was super fresh and delicious! We especially loved the tortillas that they used and the meat was tender and flavorful. We'll be back.

3731 International Blvd Oakland, CA 94601…read more "Taqueria El Tio Juan" is located in East Oakland's Fruitvale district. I was in the area getting gas when I saw this place. WOW! Two 5-Star reviews on Yelp, guess I better try this place. The interior was simple, clean and nice. Service was friendly and prompt. There was a short wait for my order. https://www.eltiojuan.com/menu I decided to order the "2-Meat Burrito w/ Birria and Lengua." (It comes with sour cream, cheese, rice, beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa). This burrito was fairly large for a regular burrito. It weighed in at nearly 21-oz, and the price was fair. The tortilla had a nice aroma and was nicely grilled. Initially, I found the burrito to be salty from the birria meat. But they included limes in my order to try and offset that salty taste. The lengua added a rich flavor. But it wasn't quite a perfect burrito in that it didn't have enough beans. I like the added texture and creamiest of beans. It would of given this 2-meat burrito better balance. The added fiber of beans would of made the burrito more filling. There's nothing wrong with a delicious burrito that's mainly meat, but after awhile you're hungry again. Free Chips were a big plus! These fresh, hand cut chips were super crunchy and crisp! I wish I had ordered some guac! Would I go back? Yes! 4-star review, but close to 5-stars!

Family Tacos

4.6

(15 reviews)

$3 tacos! I was skeptical but this might be my new favorite spot in Oakland. The meats are…read moreflavorful and tender, not dry like some other places. I tried 3 tacos: carne asada, Al pastor, and lengua. They were all 5/5. Horchata was good too. They add salsa on the food but it was too spicy for my bf. I didn't ask if they had a mild sauce but if you're sensitive to heat, I would just skip it. Carlos was super friendly and even gave me a free drink. They take credit card.

Chicken quesadillas are so good and comes with a small salad. It's a family truck that is much…read moreneeded in this area.

La Perla del Pacifico

3.9

(39 reviews)

I ordered a michelada and a tostada de ceviche and the shrimp was grey, slimy and pulling apart…read more Clearly still raw when I told my server she kept saying it was cooked but I showed her the shrimp I spit out in a napkin and asked her to remove it from my bill. I finished my drink and left. The server was pleasant enough so I left her a tip. Wouldn't recommend or go back.

Save your time and money. Don't even bother!…read more I'm all about giving places their credit but this place deserves none. I had really high hopes for this place. Came here with my cousin for our weekly dining date and it was horrible. Walk in and it's empty that should have been the first sign to leave but we had good faith. We ordered two mango margaritas and asked for Don Julio Reposado. Cute drinks, a little sweet but didn't taste an ounce of real alcohol nor a buzz. Decided to order one more since the first one didn't seem to be enough, that was a huge mistake... Food was flavorless, they didn't have any salsas. Service was slow for an empty restaurant but the real reason I am furious is how much our bill was for 4 margaritas, 2 tacos, ceviche and a seafood stew. $144!!!!!!! ($80 of it was for the 4 margaritas that tasted like nothing but margarita mix) We eat at a lot of different places all the time and this by far was one of the worst experiences and I will never come here or recommend this place to anyone. The worst feeling is to feel played especially at that price point. We could have went to so many other finer establishments with better food and service for that. Super disappointed. NEVER AGAIN!

La Penca Azul

3.3

(531 reviews)

The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

This review is for the parents out there: La Penca Azul is an incredible hidden gem for families…read more It's a genuinely family-friendly place with a great kids' menu featuring burritos, quesadillas, grilled cheese, burgers, and more. The outdoor seating overlooks a big plaza, so while you wait for food (and enjoy a margarita), your kids can run and play without bothering anyone. They offer a $10 happy hour menu Monday through Thursday, with smaller portions that are perfect for lighter meals. After your meal, stroll through the mall by the UPS store to find a lovely walking path along the canal where you can spot ducks and geese. You can also walk or bike to two playgrounds: one smaller playground is further along the path on the same side, and a larger playground is across the bridge a few blocks into the neighborhood. There's plenty of parking. You can swing by Safeway next door if you need to grab a few groceries before heading home. Penca Azul makes for a wonderful and easy outing. Our whole family always enjoys ourselves and leaves happy!

Carnitas Carnitas Zamora

4.7

(7 reviews)

Went down seminary and they were not there only on Sunday they opened up this new building and can…read moreget it past 4pm food is always good nothing bad to say we got the Saturday special and so much food definitely worth the money!

So happy to see this local mom and pop spot expand from their taco truck into a permanent brick and…read moremortar location! Carnitas Zamora has always been known for their carnitas, and this new spot doesn't disappoint. The owner and staff are friendly and welcoming. They do not skimp on the meat. The tacos are massive and well worth the $4. My only note is that the carnitas run on the greasy side, so be aware that it's going to be a heavy meal! They have the option to eat it with pickled onions and salsa which help balance out the richness. Carnitas Zamora is overall a great addition to the neighborhood!

Rinconcito Chapin

3.8

(37 reviews)

Excellent food and fine value…read more Three empanadas, three enchiladas, a whole fried fish and two drinks for $51 All quite tasty

Amazing food!!! Small establishment with a few tables and chairs- so worth the drive in. My son was…read moreabsolutely enthralled with his smoothie. I was craving desayuno chapin and was so so happy with my serving. My daughters shared a plate of frijoles and plátanos- gobbled them all up. Thank you for the quick service for my children! We will be back for more.

Molcajete Cocina Mexicana

3.8

(767 reviews)

I've been here a few times now and have tried the shrimp and steak burrito as well as the chicken…read moreburrito. Both were really good, with generous portions and great flavor. The staff has always been friendly, and the food has been consistently enjoyable. One suggestion I'd offer is to consider adding a happy hour or Taco Tuesday special. There are several Mexican restaurants nearby that offer deals like those, and I think it could help bring in more customers during slower times. The food is definitely good enough to attract people--I just think a few specials would give more people a reason to stop in and give the restaurant a try. Overall, I'd definitely come back and would recommend it if you're looking for a solid burrito.

The service was fantastic, the man in the front was very polite and friendly, and the ambiance in…read morethe restaurant was great I loved the decorations so much, but the food disappointed me. It was packed nicely in a cool container I'm so excited to reuse, but the salsas were watery and bland, and oh my the flautas were nothing like I was expecting. They were big like little burritos and the tortilla was still soft, it also lacked flavor. The beans and rice were delicious, the rice had some big pieces of what I believe were tomatillo peppers which I loved. I think my food was supposed to come with tortillas which I did not get. Maybe I just need to try something else there but a bad salsa really put me off.

Taqueria La Gran Chiquita

3.8

(37 reviews)