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I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and overall we had a really nice dinner. The food was delicious, the staff was attentive, and they did a great job explaining each dish as it came out. The standout for me was the salmon. SO good. I also loved the panna cotta-style dessert at the end. As someone who doesn't drink, I really appreciated that they offer a non-alcoholic beverage pairing too. I feel like that's still pretty rare at tasting menu restaurants, and it made the experience more fun for me. That said, I left with a slight sour taste in my mouth because there were a few things that felt less transparent than they could have been. The first is the service charge. Their website says there's a mandatory 20% service charge, which I actually have no issue with and appreciate them being upfront about. However, when you get to the restaurant, the menu includes an additional sentence saying that the service charge is not a tip or gratuity and that anything additional will be shared by the service team. I couldn't help but wonder why that part isn't also included on the website. The second was the beverage pairing. The tasting menu clearly labels the supplemental course as an additional $18, but nowhere on the beverage pairing menu did it mention that one of the drinks is tied to that supplemental dish. I actually noticed that a drink was skipped and asked about it because it was the one I was most looking forward to trying. The staff member was super kind and ended up bringing it out for me anyway, which I really appreciated, but I do think the menu should make that clearer. Lastly, my NA pairing was listed as $55 on the menu but appeared as $60 on the check. The food and service were both great, but after saving up for a special birthday dinner, I wish the pricing and menu details had felt a little more straightforward. Transparency goes a long way, especially at this price point.
I decided to try the tasting menu experience at Mago and went solo -- and honestly, this felt like the perfect kind of place to do that. I arrived a little early and they seated me right away at a table (not the bar), which I appreciated. They also checked a note on my reservation before we even started, which made the service feel very intentional from the beginning. I did the tasting menu with the wine pairing, and what stood out to me most was how thoughtful the experience felt overall. The first dish -- roasted eggplant -- surprised me because I don't usually eat eggplant, but it was actually really good. There was a garlic yogurt that brought everything together perfectly. As the meal went on, some of the dishes actually got better as I kept eating them, especially with the pairings. The cod was one of those -- not my favorite at first bite, but by the end, it completely made sense. The duck was the standout. The crust on it was incredible, and the meat just melted in your mouth. They even changed my pairing for that course, which I really appreciated -- it showed they were paying attention. Dessert was good, just not my favorite since I'm not big on chocolate, but the banana element was nice and it was still a solid finish. Overall, this is one of those places where it's really about the experience, not just the food. The food is great, but the pacing, pairings, and attention to detail are what make it worth it. I would definitely recommend trying it at least once -- and I'd come back when the menu changes.
We came for a special event here featured different artist . the food served by a pop up vendor was excellent it was Manitas so refreshing and delicious. The desserts was a different vendor as well and it was heavenly. I'm so glad that the restaurant does this events and supported different local artist . The decor was modern and chic where you can see dishes prepared by the chef , and there's an outdoor dining in the back . I'm sure the service would be good given the hospitality they gave to the local upcoming artist . Love to come back here to visit and see what's in their menu . NOTE: The pictures provided here are from the event not the restaurants menu .
i didn't try any food here so this rating is strictly for the bar. my friends and i had such a good time getting cocktails here during our piedmont bar crawl. the bartender was so friendly and gave us great recommendations for drinks and outings. i must highlight the star of the show: the coffee cocktail. i cannot recall the name, but it's a chefs special made with colombia coffee (i think) and sweet foam, and no alcohol! it was amazing, the perfect dessert drink. if they were open during the morning, i'd stop and get my coffee here before work! amazing job. the scene appears to be quite date-like, so i'll have to return for a dinner here.
I've wanted to check out Mägo for a very long time and finally had the opportunity to do so yesterday evening. What great timing as well, Mägo was having their limited Steak House pop up from August 27th through August 30th. Although there were three options for the main course -- carne asada, bone in halibut, or chuleta -- which required participation of both diners, we both ended up going with the carne asada. In addition to the three courses included in the $65 set menu, we also opted for the yuca frites as a supplement. For drinks, I opted for one of the two hazy IPAs on their menu, and my wife opted for the $40 non-alcoholic beverage pairing. My beer was fine, but the non-alcoholic pairing was truly spectacular. Food was all-around very delicious. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. I do wish their steak knives were a tad sharper though. I especially loved the dessert course, which had wonderful crunchy bits in it, layers upon layers of different flavors, and had just the right amount of sweetness. I was feeling about 80% full after the meal. Hungrier diners or those with a large appetite will definitely want to order more supplements. Throughout the evening, service was fantastic; staff was very friendly. After each course was completed, the plates and flatware were collected in a timely manner and we never felt rushed. I appreciate that each dish was described in plenty of details as it was brought over. I would happily dine at Mägo again.
Mago is genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've had in my life. The atmosphere wasn't overly pretentious or stuffy, and the staff were all attentive without being overbearing. They topped off our waters and folded our napkins whenever we stepped away from the table to use the restroom. They were also incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable when making recommendations to pair drinks with the courses. They're also committed to serving only the best quality. When one of us stepped away to use the restroom, the bartender noticed the shaved ice in the drink starting to melt, and so he remade it. They really go above and beyond to ensure that you have a wonderful time here. The intimate lighting and the dark wood decor created a stunning charm to the restaurant. I also appreciated that the tables weren't so close to each other, so the restaurant never felt too crowded (even though every seat was filled). The food was mind-blowing. I savored every bite and could not stop singing my praises with each course presented to us. Plus, the plating was gorgeous; I wanted every single dish in my own kitchen. You definitely do not need to worry about leaving here hungry. They somehow managed to calculate exactly the portions to feed you to leave you feeling completely satisfied without being uncomfortably stuffed. I'm looking forward to dining here again.
We came for the summer pop up Steakhouse menu. It's priced at $65 a person. We opted for the pork chuleta as our entree for a $15 pp supplement. This was a good call as the dish was massive, probably around 20 ounce. It comes with 2 types of cut: the lean pork chop and the crispy chicharrones. Each cut's texture contrasts and complements the other one's nicely. Overall the pork was well seasoned and tasty. I had the non-alcoholic drink pairing with my meal. I forgot the exact ingredients but drink 1 was some sort of tea. Drink 2 was a sweet drink with a strong hint of cinnamon. Drink 3 was an amazing cardamom-infused cold brew with vanilla foam. It was my favorite item of the night!
First time trying out Colombian cuisine, first time dining at this restaurant for their early V-day set menu. HANDS DOWN this restaurant is ranking as my TOP RESTAURANTS in the bay. Everything was cooked to perfection, with massive umami bombs, and many layers of depth in each of the dishes. How could the chefs made food look so simple but tasted so good??? A perfect example would be the Grilled Leek supplement dish. You would think "how can grilled leek be a star of a dish by its own?" Oh boy, the leek was grilled to perfection, with just the right amount of smokiness and charred and it was sooo good. I can't even rave more about the other dishes.. the grilled rice cake looked like two pieces of simple plain rice cake but it had sooooo much flavor and umami in it. HOW?? I was really amazed during my entire experience while I was there. I have tried many cuisines, fine dining or not, and I am a home cook myself. The food at this restaurant is by far the best I have had in terms of price point, ingredient choices, cooking skills, flavors, atmosphere, and service. This will be my first time, and many times more! It's so good I don't even want to share this hidden gem! Thanks to chef Mark and all the other chefs and staffs for this great experience. I hope you guys get a STAR very soon!
I Was treated to the prix fix vegan tasting menu for my birthday !! Reminiscent but more reasonable version of the ultra exclusive bougie tasting menu @ Atelier Crenn !! Great attentive service & attractively plated, we were able to "compare" our vegan version with the omnivore selections !! There must have been 9 different plates, very creative & delicious !! The ambiance is hip, modern & very tasteful ... I'm always thrilled when there are vegan choices & menus !!!!
My husband and I came for Oakland restaurant week (this week!). Upon arriving and comparing it to the normal tasting menu, the restaurant week menu is just a smaller version of the normal tasting menu. We didn't mind because it was a more affordable way to try samplings of the tasting menu - menu is attached below. We made a reservation for 5:15 and came early because we expected parking to be difficult (which it was). Restaurant was relatively empty upon arrival, but filled up as we finished around 7. $65/person for restaurant week + $40 for pairing (whole party doesn't have to order pairing - I asked because I wanted the pairing, but my husband just wanted a cocktail). Restaurant week comes with 4 dishes (including 1 dessert). +/- 1. beets / papaya, meyer lemon salsa verde (chef told us it was a chimichurri sauce though - which is what it tasted like and it was great) it was fresh tasting with the papayas and beets (papayas were perfectly ripe), and it went decently with the chimichurri sauce. It was okay, but I'm not a huge fan of beets, would've liked it to be all papaya to be honest with you. + 2. Swordfish / stew of shrimp and snap peas: fantastic - the swordfish was a tad overcooked so the texture was a little tougher than preferred. The dish honestly tasted very Thai to me, as the base was very green curry reminiscent and coconut-y. Snap peas and shrimp were a great combo, and the shrimp especially was succulent and fresh. Wish it was hotter as well since it was a stew! + Caraway arepa / beef tongue, spring curtido (supplemental price $14): SO good - wish it wasn't a supplement because it was my favorite item of the meal. Beef tongue wasn't gamey and the arepa was fantastic - tons of flavor. + Heritage Pork / plantain new onion praline: Wish it had more of that onion praline topping - fantastic! Pork was cooked perfectly, the fat on the edges were seared deliciously. Came with a burnt green onion on the side, which I enjoyed. Plantain was also delicious. + Coconut cake: also tasted very southeast asian to me! Very coconut-y - banana leaf ice cream on top almost tasted like matcha-like. The ice cream was a bit icy, could've been creamier. The coconut cake was on the stodgier side and very strong with coconut bits throughout. Rhubarb sauce added much needed acidity to the sweet, stodgy cake. Pairings in general were great. I'm not super picky with pairings, though. For $40, it was a fair deal. My husband's blood moon ($18) was okay. Nothing to write home about, he wouldn't get it again. Food was overall great, with minor critiques as mentioned here and there. I'm rounding up for the great service. Our server, Roy, was very friendly. And the Mago team worked together seamlessly to bring each dish out as we finished / switched out utensils for each dish. It was a very cohesive dining experience. We spent around 90 minutes in total. Portion size was decent, for this kind of meal. Would definitely come again to try out different dishes once they change the tasting menu again!
Such a great neighborhood gem. Great tasting menu though heavy on the desserts. There's a discount if you dine mid-week! Food was delicious and beautifully presented, fun drink pairing options (including a non-alcoholic one) plus interesting wine list, kind and engaged service. My favorite part of this experience was their bathroom - great wallpaper, flower arrangement, scented candle, and a beautiful framed photo of "dinosaur eating tree."
We stopped in last night and had one of the best meals we've had in a long time. It bordered on magical. We came in on a whim based on a parking place right in front. We were actually headed down the street but fate intervened and we're so glad it did. We got there later in the evening and without a reservation but they had seats available at the counter. The format is tasting menu and every course was a work of art. The flavors and freshness were off the charts. The chicken course was actually brought to us by Reid, who prepared the course and he was nice enough to answer our questions about the preparation. Very cool guy. The level of the experience and the artistry on the plate was Just a home run all around and fairly priced. This is Michelin star level dining from food and beverage to service and vibe. I give Mägo my highest recommendation.
Tough review here with sky high expectations. TLDR: not great service, good but not great food, open kitchen is a joy to view up close, but terrible attention to detail for a restaurant of this caliber. Saturday night reservation through Tock and I noted an anniversary we were having. It was not acknowledged. We were seated promptly upon entering but after that the service was lacking and woefully inattentive. . My main gripes were with the service and some food quality. Prominent was the feeling of being neglected, we were seated at the end of the counter but very much in view of staff and constantly we felt like we were ignored. Couples to the left of us were serviced thoroughly with drinks refilled and check-ins from staff with the bizarre aspect being a chef and/or server refilling water and checking in in patrons down the counter then inexplicably stopping before getting to us - what gives? Check on the white people and then assume the others are fine? I hate to call it racism but, I'm not entirely sure what else to say. It was just an odd experience we had here. Server was spotty at best but no one ever checked on us and food was brought by busy chefs who did not do a good job explaining what we were eating or how it was prepared. Spiced lamb is seasoned with what? "What's this sauce? Oh it's passion fruit." The main protein entree came with some of the twine still attached to it - a really bad look for this restaurant and after pointing it out all I was told was that "it's a bad look" but no apology from the chefs since the sommelier did not mention it to them. Which begs another question as to why he picked up our dishes that one and only time. I can't stop thinking about the service: - Bartender taking empty cocktail glasses without asking if we want more - Seeing empty water glasses and not refilling them - server only brings silverware without acknowledgment or eye contact - no check ins during the meal at all If this was a $35 or even $75 prix fix I may have been understanding but for $98 and additional 5% healthcare mandate we were extremely disappointed for a special occasion where a Denny's would be more welcoming. The food was OK. Not a great sign that my memories are the twine in my lamb and broken sauce that came with the broken rice. I really wanted to like this place but they consistently disappointed me. read more
2 years ago
Imagine a restaurant that could combine Michlen star-quality cooking and presentation with the congenial atmosphere of your favorite neighborhood eatery. Add imaginative mixology, a multi-course tasting menu accompanied by a skillfully and adventurous selected beverage pairing, and you have Mago on Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. Overseen by Chef/Owner Mark Liberman and his staff of Reid Gotchet, Gerald Ramsey, Sommelier, Stephen Shafer, the menu on December 27 provided a succession of superbly prepared and artfully plated dishes that would take far too long to describe in detail here-- whether it was the smooth-as-silk parsnip soup with coconut and a coffee drizzle; succulent Pacific tuna with a tiny Brussel sprout and citrus aji; climaxed (for me) by the grill-fired aged duck served with quince, yucca and duck croquette! The beverage flight was presented as one uniquely unpredictable selection after another including wines and spirits. An equally imaginative non-alchoholic pairing was also offered. The experience is pricy, but well worth it: $110 each (on weekends) for the tasting menu, $70 for the pairing. I'm told you can order selectively from the menu if you sit at the counter (which looks like a lot of fun). And the cocktail list is also worth exploring. I certainly plan to return. read more
The tasting menu is certainly worth a try. Dishes start light and small, then progress to the denser meats and richer flavors. Our favorites: arroz de coco, pan de bono, beef sancocho, and the chocolate torte to finish the meal. Well worth an occasional treat to yourself. read more
Business owner information
Mark L.
Hello Joanne, thank you for the kind review, we are so happy to hear…
1 year ago
10 months ago
3 years ago
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner to partake in the tasting menu. We both had the long tasting menu while seated at the Chef's Counter. It was nice to be able to see the creative process while hearing about each dish from the kitchen staff. The ambiance was nice. It wasn't too loud where I could hear my date but still lively. Drinks were delicious, and their spirit menu had some familiar and unfamiliar names. My favorite dishes of the night were the Halibut, Apricot Kernal, and Guava Cheesecake. The Mezcal and Bourbon cocktails were excellent. I wanted to try a cocktail with the Kiyomi Rum from Japan, but I figured I'd come in another time to try it. Overall I enjoyed my meal at Mägo Restaurant, I would definitely come back. I'll be on the look out for their Oakland Restaurant Week Special. read more
1 year ago
My husband and I went with two friends last year and ate at Mago. We had read good reviews about this relatively new restaurant and we were all wowed by the experience. We sat at the Chef's area and enjoyed watching him and his team prepare the food and also chat with us when we had questions. It's not dishes we were very familiar with but each course we considered delicious, exceptional and full of flavor. You can tell by the presentation of the dishes that the chef puts a lot of thought and expression in his work. It was one of those nights when everyone went home satisfied and planning to go back again. We hope to return soon and keep this place in business. I want the same cocktail for sure. Oakland needs restaurants like this. read more
Kind of a regular here because it's so close to home and their menu changes daily. I always get the vegetarian version of their long tasting menu, and it's really cool to see how close they can get to the fish/meat version of the same dish. I'm too old to get the full beverage pairing without ill effects, but I've loved the different meads, wines, and mezcal cocktails that rotate in and out. The arepas are also always amazing. Not sure why service seems to have been a miss for a lot of folks; it's usually impeccable (except for one slow time when we were the only group out on the patio). I love the Mägo team. I tend to like their year end menus better, but this is probably my personal preference for fall and winter seasonal vegetables and flavors. read more
10 months ago
Wow! Amazing food and beautiful ambiance. The mezcal cocktail was nothing less than perfect. 10/10 for the experience and the service. read more
Came here back in January for my birthday. We got the long version of the tasting menu. It was pretty good food but not memorable to be honest. But I liked all the flavors and textures, it was good to try. Service was very friendly. It wasn't on par with upscale spots (had to flag them down to order a drink, they didn't set out silverware correctly), but I'm ok with that since the price was reasonable for a tasting menu read more
3 years ago
Just had an amazing meal here!! You can make a reservation on Tock. Several seatings were still available on Friday night when I booked the day before. It's a hidden gem - go here before it gets too popular and reservations take weeks! Service was impeccable and everyone was SO nice, especially our bartender Emily and our server. Chef Mark and the kitchen staff are amazing. We opted for the long menu which is 12 courses for $105 that is unheard of in this day and time for Michelin star quality food. You can also choose a shorter six course menu for $75. The menu changes often - usually every week and is seasonally based. We sat at the chef's table so you can see them cooking. There's also an option to sit in the dining area. The space is clean and bright. You can also add a drink pairing for $75 for the long menu or $55 for the short menu. The drink pairing is unique because they included cocktails that are not on the regular menu as well as delicious wine options. It's better to pair and share drinks since they give you full pours of all the drinks. The cocktail menu is extensive and carefully crafted with complex tastes. The wines were all so unique and delicious. They are able to accommodate all dietary restrictions, even if you tell them that day. The food is a nice mix of vegetarian, fish, shellfish and poultry / beef. There were 3 smaller bites for appetizers and 3 desserts. Portion sizes are perfect. I was comfortably full, but not overly so. Please go here now! The food is prepared beautifully and is so unique although the restaurant is categorized as Columbian. I'm amazed that you can get such a fabulous meal at this price point! I will definitely be coming back and bringing more friends :) read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
The food here is absolutely phenomenal. The broken rice was probably my favorite dish. The pork and sturgeon were also delicious. Everyone is very friendly and the wait staff are wonderful. Would highly recommend! read more
Decided to have my birthday dinner with my family here for Oakland Restaurant Week. They have a $65 set menu and a drink pairing for an additional $55. We started the meal with Arepa, queso fresco, fig leaf zaatar; arepa was nice and hot but queso fresco was a bit salty. Next came the Shrimp ceviche, green tomato, kiwi, jicama; dish was beautifully plated in a blue bowl and the flavors went well together. Third dish was the California halibut, green garlic, eggplant. This was probably my favorite dish of the night; fish was super tender, broth was flavorful, and I liked the green onion that came with it. Fourth was the Heritage pork, salt baked carrot, white guava bbq; pork was cooked well but carrot was wayyyy too salty. Final dish was a Honey popcorn corn dessert. The corn cake was pretty dense but not overly sweet and the popcorn added a nice pop of sugar and crunch to the dish. Overall, the food was yummy and came out at a good pace. The service was also really good - we had our water refilled constantly. I would recommend trying Mago if you're interested in trying Columbian food in a space with nice ambiance. read more
7 months ago
3 years ago
Enjoyed coming here for restaurant week! Everything was a hit- definitely recommend getting the beverage pairing. We were eyeing the plantains and definitely want to come back to try the full menu next time. Arepas were so flavorful, and ceviche was bright and fresh. The heritage pork was different from what I've had before and I enjoyed it. Portions were solid for a 5 course meal. The ambience is cute, would recommend for a date night or special dinner with friends. The service was great as well, attentive staff. Looking forward to coming back! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Mägo means Magician in Spanish. And Chef Mark, he creates magic in his kitchen. Mago is Colombian in spirit but grounded in locally sourced California ingredients. Unassuming in ambiance, the heart of this restaurant is the food. Dining here was memory making. My gal pals and I sat around a long community table beside the warmth of heat lamps on the patio surrounded by herbs that could be used in the kitchen, I think. The entire experience was memory making and nourishing to the friendships at the table. The magic of this meal will stay with me. From the first step into the restaurant, perhaps a complement to the contemporary open kitchen was a personable warmth welcoming you in. It wasn't about materialistic ambiance, Nothing to hide here. it was all about people and food! That is the heart of life! As I settled into my seat and the serve staff came to guide and help us, this mood continued. Every interaction was simple, intentional and meaningful! In every dish, I could taste the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients but the sauces and seasonings left my brain pondering the thoughtfulness and artistry of Chef Mark's creations. This isn't the sort of food you gobble down for sustenance. This is food to be relished and experienced. With each forkful, my brain and palate exploded. Each course presentation was simple but visually enticing, served in beautiful dishware that I think may have all been handcrafted. The staff presented the courses with efficiency and detail without taking away attention from the food itself. I'm not a drinker so I didn't do any of the pairings but they had the most interesting non-alcoholic options. THIS made me very happy! My first drink was Tepache (fermented Pineapple). Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone with this beverage, it left me speechless because pineapple wasn't really the flavor I experienced since all the sugars were pulled out during the fermentation stage. A bit of a savory drink, it's definition became more clear to me accompanied with food. The second drink was an oatmilk Horchata. With both of these beverages, I was waiting for them to arrive filled with sweetness. My palate prefers unsweetened drinks. I was beyond excited that neither of those drinks fit that bill. What emerged were the natural flavors that I think were intended to be experienced. Mago is magic. It's down to earth, full of heart, and seeded in passion. If you live in the Bay Area, I highly recommend you make a reservation. The menu changes every week! That's how talented Mark is! I'll be back with more friends. read more
Was blown away with my experience at Mago. You have the option of reserving near the kitchen, inside, or outside tables online. There is a charge for holding the reservation but they'll refund it once you are checked in. Parking can be a little bit hard to find depending on the day of the week and time since it's street parking but there are plenty of side streets. While the building itself wasn't hard to find don't get turned around by the slightly tinted windows (which made us initially think it was closed) they are very much open during their posted hours. Ambience: more casual than I expected but it was warm and inviting with some awesome artwork and design touches around. The kitchen is open and to the side of the room and it was great watching everyone work and see how our dishes were put together. Service: no complaints here. Everyone was very attentive and nice. At least near the kitchen seating they would place out the utensils for the next meal for you. Food: long story short I will be back. They have a nightly menu that changes so don't expect what previous people have posted to be served but I think that's part of the adventure of a tasting menu is to try something you otherwise might not have. But at least with what was offered to me, the halibut was out of this world in terms of the balance of flavors. The lobster butter that went with my sea bass was luxuriously rich. My favorites were the halibut and the ice cream but every dish had an element I enjoyed. Can't say anything about the drink pairings since I didn't get them. Overall highly recommend and am planning on coming back. read more
DELICIOUS. I love places that have alcohol pairings that aren't only wine. They also had some pretty great cocktails. Two standout dishes for me were the english peas and faro. And the salmon and grapefruit. The price is reasonable - although it did start to add up cos we couldn't resist having a couple of the tasty cocktails! Service was friendly, and the atmosphere and vibe of the restaurant overall was very comfortable and hip. I will definitely be back! read more
7 months ago
It's very beautiful inside- it's sort of Art Deco meets modern greenhouse without an overload of plants. It's open and airy with lots of natural light. - inside seating gets you up close and personal to the kitchen which is great but I did notice that leaving I smelled like the kitchen and the smell lingered into my clothes but not a problem for me. - proof of vaccination is required - they have codes within their menu for contactless ordering and payments so that you can order through your own device. - the menu was exceptionally delicious and while they are small plates, with the pre-fixed menu and multiple courses I was full towards the end of my visit. - one of the highlight dishes was the yellowfin tuna ceviche- it was delicious, light and refreshing. The dish was well balanced. - overall i love love their incorporation of vegetables into their dishes. They easily can easily accommodate dietary restrictions. read more
2 years ago
This is our 3rd time at the restaurant and every time chef Mark and his crew manages to excite us with new and surprising dishes! If there were a hundred stars we would give!! Just perfect!!! Highly recommended!!! read more
Business owner information
Mark L.
Hello Nissim, it is always so good to see you and all your friends…
9 months ago
2 years ago
Art hits the plate here. I was impressed by the quality of the ingredients, aesthetically provocative presentation and the balance of each offers' flavor by impeccable design. As a single diner who enjoys affordable luxury, I was not disappointed by the smiles, the value or the original surroundings. Something for anyone and everyone here. The fun was trusting the whole adventure with curiosity and gratitude. Yum. read more
Business owner information
Mark L.
Hello Alexis, thank you for the great review. We look forward to…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Mark L.
Hello Rif, I apologize that the entrees didn't live up to the rest of…
2 years ago
Celebrated my birthday here and the service, food, and drinks were incredible. Loved the open kitchen concept and we all agreed that this was our new spot for happy hours and celebration dinners. Definitely worth the price for the tasting menu. read more
A clever Latin-influenced restaurant with beautiful plating and an affordable tasting menu, but nothing quite wowed me. It's a much-needed upscale tasting menu for Oakland that highlights often-underestimated cuisine, and there are some great moments over the course of a 90-minute-to-two-hour experience. Mushrooms, apricots, and a perfect cod were the ultimate highlights. Service is casual yet effective. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
Came with my husband to celebrate our anniversary on a Friday evening. I was expecting an upscale vibe but it turned out to be a bit casual, which I didn't mind. Made the place more approachable. They tend to be pretty busy so I wouldn't recommend just walking in. Definitely make a reservation. We did the short tasting menu and generally enjoyed it. I was initially concerned I would still be hungry at the end but I was surprisingly content. It was JUST enough. Their menu is constantly changing, but on the evening we were there we had: - Black Bean Arepas: this was my favorite bite; slightly crispy on the outside with a nice chew on the inside and the black bean puree was good. I could easily eat a bowl of these - Jicama w/ Laychee, Strawberry, Ginger Geranium: this was an odd one. Everything tasted fine together but I just didn't get it. Was it supposed to be a play on an empanada? Is it a tiny taco? Could it be a dessert?? IDK. But I did really like the combination of strawberry with laychee (that might have to be a new snack at home) - Petrale Sole w/ Sugar Snaps, Burnt Orange & Maracuya: the greens and snaps in combination with the sauce were the star of this dish! I was trying to soak up every bit of it. The sole was cooked well and seasoned nicely, but sole just isn't a favorite fish of mine. - Grass Fed Beef w/ Morel Fondue, Carrots: this was my husbands and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He said it was his favorite dish of the night. The beef was prepared perfectly and went well with the earthiness of the morels. - Cod w/ Morel Fondue, Carrots: they substituted cod for me (in place of the beef) and I was a happy camper. I love how meaty and flaky it was, and just like the beef it was great combined with the morels. The roasted carrots were also tasty; light on seasoning but still big in flavor. - Strawberry Sorbet & Rhubard Gelee: strawberries and rhubarb are a match made in heaven it seems. Loved this! - Dark Chocolate Ganache & Brook Cherry: I typically dislike ganache, but this one was perfect. So rich and smooth, and it paired fantastically with the fresh cherry. - Brown Butter Mexican Wedding Cookie: literally melts in your mouth. I could'v eaten 5 more. Brown butter really does make everything better. I also ordered the strawberry rhubarb fresca and it was amazing - so fresh and not overly sweet the way some frescas can be. I'd come back again for sure. Next time I'll get the drink pairing! read more
2 years ago
Delicious food, the flan is to die for! Beautifully crafted, excellent service, and the cocktails were great too. Came here for an anniversary dinner, very worthwhile read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We had made a reservation for 5:30pm but arrived 20 minutes early. They were very kind and we were seated when we arrived. Everybody who stopped by our table was incredibly polite and they were really on the ball about clearing our table! No complaints about the service- it is all around super excellent. The food!! The food was friggin good. It was really really good. They had vegetarian substitutes for all their dishes and they were incorporated in such a way that it didn't feel like an after thought. My husband and I got the long tasting menu, which we highly recommend if budget allows. If you like alcohol, I also recommend the beverage pairing! We had the long one and it was a nice mix of wine, sake, and cocktails. Price wise, it's a super good deal. We spent around $400 for two long tasting menus, a long beverage pairing, and tip. If we had the funds, we'd be there every week if we could tbh read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We loved and enjoyed our 11course with pairings. Not just wines they pair but to cocktails to sake were all amazingly paired. I was impressed. There are a few things we discussed how can they be better (what else do you do over a dinner in 40-50's?) - and there were a few dishes we think they can be better but overall quality, ingredients, flavors, temperature, seasonings were excellent. Why 4 stars then. The restaurant is a huge open kitchen. You can see everyone working for your dishes to come. It is maybe because we booked earlier time, cooks weren't yet busy so one decided to pull out his phone and do something. And the receptionist couldn't hide what she thinks on her face. Which both are lack of professionalism, and we think it is also included in the price. Do we go back? Absolutely, yes!! I'm sure next time we go, we'll see their professionalism improvement! One more thing is even with the high ceiling, inside seating can be a bit smoky from their wood fire grill. We sure smelled like we came back from camping when we were back! Hey! I loved that tho! read more
2 years ago
Absolutely enjoyed table chef tasting Columbian inspired menu. Each course was delectable & enjoyable. The open kitchen setting was awesome & service was top notch. Will be back & a must try culinary experience. read more
More info about Mägo
3762 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
Piedmont Ave, North Oakland
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(510) 344-7214
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https://www.magorestaurant.com
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Mägo - colombian - Updated July 2026
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