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    NIDO's BackYard

    3.8 (1.1k reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order NIDO's BackYard Takeout or Delivery

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    NIDO'S BACKYARD ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
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    Classy

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    Isabel M.

    Nidos Backyard was such a fun place to spend the afternoon! I was especially excited because it's dog friendly, so I was able to bring my pup along. We hung out, watched the game, and enjoyed some really great food and treats together. The atmosphere was relaxed and made it easy to settle in for a while. The only thing that caught me off guard was the ordering process. I had expected table service, but instead you need to go inside to place your order. It wasn't a huge deal, just different from what I anticipated since I had my dog with me.

    Pat C.

    We'd were a large party of over 20 + people. We were allocated a great outdoor area The buffet consisted of drinks , nibbles and the. Delicious chicken , roasted veg, beans and with c delicious tortilla. Staff were very attentive. We had the whole area for two hours.

    Black beans and rice
    Diane L.

    Came in for dinner with a friend. It was very crowded but the hostess found us a table for 2 quickly. We both ordered margaritas, which were very good. I had quesabirria and a side of beans and rice, my friend had the fish tacos with a side of beans and rice. The beans were too dry, so I took off 1 star for that. The server was attentive and helpful. I would definitely return again, especially for drinks and appetizers.

    Baja fish Taco Plate
    Ray N.

    Very solid food at a nice outside location. Nico's has lots of seating and on a warm day or evening it's a lovely place to hang and get some drinks. We were here dyeing the World Cup and they had lots of TVs to watch the game from anywhere in the restaurant. The drinks are very tasty, and the food is very solid (though not standout). I got the fish tacos and the fish was crispy and the rice and beans was satisfying.

    Chilaquiles with Chorizo added
    Kerry R.

    After passing by this spot for years, we finally got the chance to check it out. The wait time was about 20 minutes, but there was space at the bar, so we grabbed seats there since we were starving. The bartender was fantastic, she walked us through the menu and shared her favorite picks. I went with the chilaquiles and added chorizo, and we shared the tostada de tinga. Honestly, we both agreed we could've each had our own, it was that good. Parking is a bit limited, but there's a dirt lot across the street. Just be careful crossing, as traffic can get busy. Overall, it's an ideal spot to enjoy great weather with a group of friends!

    Chloe C.

    Food - ordered the fish taco, caldo tlalpeno and guiso and for drinks, got horchata and beer. Service - super fast! Server came super fast after seating us, we ordered and food came within 15 minutes. Ambiance - cute spot, lots of outdoor seating, dog friendly Overall food was good. I wish the fish tacos came in flour tortilla but the horchata was AMAZING. The caldo tlapeno was also super flavorful. Only thing about the guiso was the cheese wasn't as melted as we preferred. They have a destined private parking lot that costs $5.

    Justine V.

    Nido's Backyard is the perfect hangout spot and I love the vibe of the outdoor seating! Plenty of seating space for larger parties, photo booth and games to keep the entertainment going. The good was very filling and hit the spot. They had a good selection of fun and tasty drinks! We ordered at the bar, it took a bit of a wait but the drinks came out quick once they got to us. As for the food, it came out quick after we ordered and once we were finished, they also were quick to clear our plates. I highly recommend especially on a nice sunny day!

    Carne asada tacos
    Brandy L.

    Ambiance is beautiful. Looks like it should be located on a beach . Love the vibes. Dog friendly 100%. Location easily accessible with street and lot parking . Staff friendly and accommodating . A little on the pricey side for what the food is . Paying more for the atmosphere. FYI bathrooms are all genders which my 72 year old mom had a huge problem with . And the fish tacos were spicy FYI .

    Menu
    Ted R.

    Nido's Backyard doesn't take a backseat to any restaurant. This place is legitimately great. And it takes advantage of Oakland frequent sunshine. They do have a few space heaters for the not so warm days. I love the Baja fish tacos here, pretty much all the tacos. Although, since I'm not a fan of brussels sprouts, I never get the vegetable taco. The Carnitas, Chicken and Carne Asada are all delicious. Margaritas And Mezcalitas are pretty special here. Good house too - Cimarron tequila. The bartenders know what they're doing. And the servers always bring good vibes along with your food. FYI, it's all outdoors. Some of the area is covered and they have a lot of heaters. Great place to have an event too. They have a few options to set up a private area for you. Don't even think about leaving something visible in your car or even in the trunk. Even if there's something hidden, if it's in your car and of value, use their secure parking lot. Follow the signs.

    Fish Taco Plate
    Mel S.

    Nido's Backyard has done it again. I came here on a Sunday afternoon with a friend for lunch and we had a great time, especially with the beautiful weather. Staff and Service: - Our waitress was great and very helpful - Staff at the check-in counter were disinfecting the menus. While we are not in the prime of Covid, I always appreciate cleanliness and this was comforting to see Food and Drinks: - Margarita Mocktail: they have a non-alcoholic margarita in a can, which was fun - Agua Fresca: we learned that they don't like to waste ingredients, so they go through various agua Fresca flavors in one day. This is so smart and friendly to the planet. When we went, the flavor was watermelon, mint, and pineapple - refreshing! - Media Quesabirria: we shared this, which was a good call. It was delicious, flavorful, and very filling. Comes with consome, hot sauce, and sour cream - Ensalada Picada: this was much better than I thought it would be. The persimmon slices were a fun addition and the whole salad was delicious Miscellaneous: - They validate parking if you use the legates security lot across the street - Gender-neutral bathrooms available - Plenty of outdoor seating for all group sizes

    Fish tacos
    Huey N.

    I really dig the colorful outdoorsy vibes here. I'm not usually a margarita fan but they had one with mezcal that was pretty nice. I came here specifically for the fish tacos. Super crispy batter, flaky fish, and chewy homemade tortilla. I was pretty happy with them. The rice and beans needed a bit more seasoning but otherwise decent.

    Great margaritas at $12

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    NIDO's BackYard Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - NIDO's BackYard

    Outdoor seating include dog friendly?

    Yes! Fully "outside" so dogs can enjoy all over!

    Does the paid parking have security?

    Yes, there’s a security kiosk when you drive up where you get your parking pass, though I’ve been there once when the kiosk was unattended (maybe they needed a bathroom break?)

    Do they offer high chairs for babies?

    Yes, we do!

    If I come with a group of 10, would separate checks be allowed? I'm asking folks to meet me for happy hour but not paying for everyone.

    You can order through QR code. So, yes, you can

    Are reservations required or available?

    Reservations are available but not required. If you're going at a busy time it is good to have them for prime seating but there is usually some seating available.

    I see that dogs are allowed in the front area. Are dogs allowed in the main restaurant area?

    Yes, they are allowed as long as they're on a leash and well behaved

    Gluten free options?

    Yes, yes, yes! They have many. I've been gluten free for years and I appreciated their offerings. They had lots of corn masa based offerings, so it should be relatively easy to find something. Good luck!

    How loud are the trains when they pass by the restaurant? In other parts of Jack London Square the trains were super loud, probably due to heavier pedestrian traffic. We like to bring our dog with us to restaurants. She is frightened by loud noise.

    Was there for 2 hrs on a weekday at midday and heard no trains or any loud noises. But if there were trains, they'd be right there running through the place!!

    Do you have to have a vaccination card?

    They did not ask for ours when we went

    Do you have to have a reservation?

    No, you don't, but just like any hot spot in Oakland, it's a good idea to have one.

    What are the happy hour times?

    They unfortunately do not have happy hour

    It seems that everyone is parking in the illegal parking lot or in the bike lane and are getting tickets. Where do you suggest that we park?

    I parked in the small lot across the street with no issues. The street parking had soooo much broken glass, so definitely keep your seats down and have no valuables in your car

    What's the difference between a patio table and garden patio for the reservations?

    The garden is at the front of near the entrance. There are larger tables to the right and smaller cocktail tables to the left. The patio tables are inside another area further down and are generally larger tables. No difference in food options from… 

    Great to see this place has wifi. I need a quiet place with wifi to work remotely. Does this place play loud music in the outdoor seating area? many restaurants even with outdoor dining have very loud music which makes it hard to work/take calls.

    During the weekend the music was loud enough that it would probably be heard on the phone.

    Are there outdoor TVs?

    Yes

    Is this place 21+?

    There's a sign outside that says all children must be accompanied by adults, so family friendly!

    Are dogs allowed?

    Judging from the dog others at my table brought the answer is yes!

    When will you be open for business?

    "Preview" nights started September 6 5-9 and same hours September 7. Waitress said same next weekend 9/13 and 9/14 and open daily or so starting the weekend after that. You can follow them on Instagram @nidosbackyard for updates.

    View All 21 Questions

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    Saltbreaker

    4.5
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    1.9 mi
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    I actually haphazardly stumbled upon this place a few months back after hanging out at a brewery…read morenext door. After scoping out the vibes of the place and the menu, I told myself to make sure to give this a shot. The place is in a redeveloped corner of Alameda right next to the bay. Probably used to be Navy base grounds back in the day. But now there's a couple of blocks worth of hip warehouse-y type of buildings, mostly restaurants, beer spots, some lofts and a little retail commerce. Very happening even though the surrounding area is a ghost town. Dining area not too big, maybe a couple of rooms that can hold about 20-30 heads each. Think there's another room for a private party/overflow. Decor pretty minimalist and stark. Service on the upscale side but in my stay, matched the decor, very minimalist and stark. Efficient enough but a little terse with little emotion. But I know service personality can differ from time to time or person to person. Just my obsy for one out. Daily Crudo ($20/4*) I think this rotates daily. Our choices that day was hamachi or a house smoked sturgeon. The sturgeon really piqued my interest but then it really wouldn't be a 'crudo' anymore would it, since I relate crudos to something 'raw-ish'. So I chose the hamachi. Very pretty plating, I love symmetry and balance. The thin slices of hamachi were indeed fresh, sitting in a stealthy pool of yuzu and olive oil. There are some fresno pepper slices and microgreens that garnish and a delicious nori cracker to break and accompany the crudo. This went really well with my glass of Fume Blanc. Caeser ($17/4.5*) We split this salad as their version sounded super cool. A miso-tinged Caeser dressing, lots of rustic garlic croutons and feathery soft grated parm and a soft-boiled egg. I love properly made Caesers and this was one of the best and unique versions I've ever had. The umami punch and the diverse textures just hit with me. A tad salty for a salad, but the crunchy and refreshing lettuce was able to absorb the salt blast. Huge salad too, like ideal for splitting and ridiculously large if for 1. Beef Short Rib ($43/4*) This was on special that night, and since I wasn't feeling Steak Frites (their only other beef entree option) this kinda fell on my lap. Very heavy and hearty dish. The short rib part was impeccable, super tender, gotta be sous vide. Perfectly seasoned with braising elements completely penetrated into the meat. There was a coarse gravy/sauce that covered which was okay, may have been the braising liquid just pureed. Served atop a huge pile of some risotto that I didn't inquire about. This risotto is what made the dish especially heavy. I ate most of it and it put me in a heavy carb coma. Lol. But there was a nice serving of perfectly cooked broccolini which helped balanced out the rich beef and carb heavy risotto. Chocolate Bar ($13/4.5*) Shared this for dessert as I really couldn't take more than just a few bites after the filling entree. But was this impressive, like high end dessert quality. Whoever does the desserts here definitely has some pedigree. The precision cut bar consisted of 3 layers. A brownie layer; a Bailey's mousse; and a salted caramel layer. I was loving the texture of all the different layers playing on one another. And every flavor was distinct without being overly sweet, which hit the right chords with me. A thick ganache garnished off to the side, which was good but just seemed a bit overkill with the already chocolate dominant bar. I think a cream element would have been a better contrast instead of rich chocolate on rich chocolate. But very minor quip on an otherwise skillful dessert. I finished the last few sips of my glass of Rhone with this dessert, and it left me one happy camper. I would definitely return as their style with flavors hits an accord with me. A little French, a smidge of Japanese and a lot of California. Rounding to a fiver, as this place made me more happy than not.

    The food was as visually beautiful as it was a party in my mouth. Emily was a fantastic server…read morewith her welcoming smile and positive demeanor that kept just the right amount of attention on us. We had the buratta, the mixed greens salad, the duck and the pasta. We finished up with the chocolate bar dessert. This was the most incredible culinary experience I've had in a really long time and I was so happy to have it. The fresh pasta with the fresh English peas in the carbonara sauce was so light and flavorful. The duck was crispy and moist. The salad was gorgeous with edible flowers sprinkled in. It was just a treat all the way around. Thanks so much. Heather

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    Saltbreaker
    Fresh pasta carbonara, chicken sliders, steak frites
    Fresh pasta carbonara, chicken sliders, steak frites
    Burger was pretty decent. The bun really makes it awesome

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    Burger was pretty decent. The bun really makes it awesome
    Town Tavern

    Town Tavern

    4.3
    (202 reviews)
    2.3 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!

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    Nachos
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    Pick your specials
    Inside bar

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    Inside bar
    Bar Shiru

    Bar Shiru

    4.3
    (311 reviews)
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    This place is music nerd heaven. They have a section of their menu dedicated to their speakers and…read moreamps, ferchrissakes. I love the atmosphere in here. Staff are always cool, vibe is relaxed. Even the security guard at the door is a cool guy. The interior decor and lighting are gorgeous. Silent Sundays are pretty fun: they play an album from top to bottom, and everyone has to shut the hell up for the duration and can't order any shaken drinks. See? Music nerd heaven. I almost forgot to talk about the drinks: the menu is solid. Good cocktails, reasonable prices, well made.

    We were in Oakland for the night with friends and were trying to kill time while waiting for our…read moretable at another nearby restaurant. We stumbled across this spot on Google and decided to give it a try. Luckily, our party of four was seated right away. The cocktail menu is on the smaller side, but between the four of us, we ended up trying a good portion of it. Honestly, every drink we ordered was really good, and there weren't any complaints from the group. I think we ordered Actual Proof, Sun Goddess, High Heel Sneaker, and Moonglow (mine). My cocktail was definitely my favorite because I love sweeter drinks where you can barely taste the alcohol, and it was exactly that. The rest of my friends' drinks leaned less sweet with a stronger alcohol presence. While I could appreciate the flavors of those cocktails, they just weren't my personal preference since I tend to like sweeter, fruitier drinks. I'd definitely come back. Very nice vibe and ambience. I'd probably order the same cocktail again since I enjoyed it, or try one of the other drinks I had my eye on. Between my friends and me, we managed to try almost everything that initially caught my interest, and overall it was a great experience.

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    Negroni and mocktail
    Negroni and mocktail
    Mocktail
    Mocktail
    Velvet mood

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    Velvet mood

    NIDO's BackYard - mexican - Updated August 2026

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