A fantastic, unfussy, charming wedding reception venue for a smaller wedding group. My now-spouse and I had been struggling to find a good covered outdoor wedding reception venue that fit our budget, allowed external catering, and was small enough for the 50-ish guests we were expecting -- it seemed like every "wedding venue" felt overly fancy and was better suited to a 100+ person group. But then we found Portal! We're not fussy people, and we loved the more down-to-earth vibe of their patio. Plus, it's got heaters and an extendable cover, which was exactly what we wanted! The previous owner, Kevyn, was great to work with, as was the current owner, Mona. We decided to rent the patio and have Portal provide drink service and dishes, but we knew that we wanted a specific restaurant (which doesn't have its own seating area) to provide the food. Kevyn and Mona were both totally down for that, and completely helped us bring our vision to life. There was space for our 50 guests to sit, for the buffet, plus enough space left over for a small dance floor area. Really perfect for our group. Amber, their bartender and events coordinator, deserves a particular shout-out. She worked with my spouse and me to come up with three custom mocktails that fit our taste preferences and even thought of cute love-themed names for all of them! She really went above and beyond for it, having a mocktail tasting for us and even sourcing a non-alcoholic champagne to use for n/a mimosas and in one of the mocktails. It was a wonderful experience, and Amber was a joy to work with. She the one making the mocktails (and alcoholic drinks for guests who wanted them) during the reception, and we heard constant compliments. I imagine we'll be back for anniversary brunches in the future :) read more

Fav brunch spot in the lake merrit area. Outdoor patio are is beautiful BUT if you go during March Madness or World Cup (like us) they have TVs inside showing the big games! Food is consistent, homey (in the best way) and always delivers. I usually go with the Portal plate but sometimes I'll venture out and get the corned beef hash- both are divine. My boyfriend has tried multiple items and we are NEVER disappointed. Also- their mimosa pitchers are good and STRONG (if you're into that). Def a local fav!! read more

Let me start by saying there's so much of Portal I want to love: local, great view, and a small business. That said I'm going to be honest. The food is not great and the service is spotty. The last two times I've been there we've waited extraordinarily long for simple things such as water, placing our order, and getting the bill (both times there were a handful of other guests so it wasn't like they were busy). Not trying to dunk on the place or staff as I want it to succeed but if it's Portal or cooking at home I'd rather go, buy the groceries, and eat at home. It's not worth the headache and disappointment read more

First time here Came here during Happy Hour from 3-6 on the weekdays There is tons of seating inside and also in the patio area Venue is clean and nicely decorated There is a Tv showing sports (no volume) Menu is has lots of options and craft beer selection is great No liquor served here only beer and wine On Mondays they have Trivia nite starting at 7pm Customer service is friendly Ambiance is chill/drama free Parking is street parking only read more

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Came here for brunch on a Sunday right when they opened and there was plenty of seating. Staff was extremely friendly and gave us a couple options to sit outside since it was such a lovely day and with a view of the lake. They have a good amount of seating outside and a handful inside. Keep in mind sitting inside is not ideal since your sitting much closer to other people and it gets very noisy. The menu had an assortment of items along with a specials menu - I'm a sucker for those! We grabbed a pitcher of their pineapple mimosa and some coffee. Both were very flavorful and paired well with my Salmon Benedict. The Benedict (which came with potatoes) was ok flavor could have been strong so had to add salt and pepper. Overall food was ok, but what really stood out was the service especially from Lori who was constantly checking in on tables and making sure everyone was happy. Great brunch spot to meet with friends. read more

Portal Oakland - Weekend Special - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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Oakland has many great spots , we picked this one for brunch . Food was outstanding, the four of us were very happy with our different breakfast items The ambiance is good, great Bay Area vibe , its dog friendly and offer dog menu items , scrambled eggs for my dog looked very good, she didn't share tho Our waiter was awesome and kept checking on us and her other tables , a great experience , found parking by the lake which is a block away read more

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The food was amazing, the vibe was great and the server was amazing. The serve was nice and very helpful, the food was a 10/10 try everything, nothing disappoints. The vibe is great and you can see the lake while you eat. read more

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This place is great! We came in a large group for brunch and they were able to accommodate us in the back patio. The reservation page on their website is super convenient. Elvis and his coworkers really took good care of us! Good and drink options are great; food was tasty. Service friendly and pretty fast. I've also been here for happy hour and they've got a great one as well. read more

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We came here for brunch and it was PACKED but we had reservations so i wasn't worried about that. We were seated outside looking at the lake which is always so pretty. I live in the area so I never really take it in. ANYWAYS the food was delish! And the drinks?... DELISH! The staff were so helpful and great at giving recommendations to a table of 9 people. Theres a little of everything for everyone. Its very lively in there, great for groups. I want to go back for lunch. Definitely a place to try if youre in the area or if youre planning a group brunch. read more

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Finally got to dine in after a great DoorDash experience last time. We came in for brunch on Saturday and were able to sit in their outdoor seating in the back. I really love this place now. The food and drinks were delicious -- the Bloody Mary was tasty, and everything we ordered came out piping hot, smoky, and fresh. I'm definitely a repeat customer. read more

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Breakfast at Portal on a Sunday morning was absolutely outstanding and easily one of the best brunch experiences we've had in a while. We started with drinks the espresso martini was to die for! It was rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with just the right espresso kick. The orange mimosa was a classic done right light and refreshing. For our appetizerwe tried the garbage bread, which turned out to be a creative twist on pizza with the cheesy, sausage savory goodness rolled up in a warm wrap and served with a flavorful tomato dipping sauce. It was fun, filling, and full of flavor. For our main course, we both went with the chicken biscuits and gravy and it completely exceeded expectations. It was comforting, flavorful, and unlike anything I've had before. As for the service was friendly and attentive but most importantly honest. The way the server was able to describe the item we decided on was extremely accurate. He was right! We made excellent choices and every turn was delicious. The ambiance was modern, clean, and welcoming -- the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer. I don't always give a full five stars, but Portal truly earned it. No complaints here. The food was amazing, great drinks, and an overall wonderful experience. I'll definitely be back! Also forgot to mention that parking may be a little tricky since it is a semi busy area but IT IS WORTH the trouble. You will not regret! read more

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My boyfriend brought me to Portal on a Sunday afternoon, both of us starving for a bite to eat. We were given the option to either be seated immediately indoors or wait 5 minutes to be seated outdoors. We sat indoors and were served the bartender. She was nice, but kept calling my boyfriend "love" & "babe", which made both of us feel a bit uncomfortable. As for the food, everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed the curry fries, the seasoning was really yummy. I enjoyed my Irish coffee (the cinnamon on top was a nice touch!), but my boyfriend wasn't too impressed about the mimosa. The ambiance is very cute, although we sat indoors I wish we would have sat outdoors!! I checked out the outdoor seating quickly and was very surprised to see how well lit and lively it was! I would recommend others come try this spot out, it's worth giving it a try. read more

Portal Oakland - Pineapple mimosa & Irish coffee - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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Sorry this place is so overhyped! I got the potato pancake which was a special over the weekend- and what came out looks like a pile of shredded potato hashbrowns with some thinly sliced ham barely mixed in with scrambled eggs on top. For $24 and listed as a special over the weekend was especially a disappointing meal- potato pancake wasn't in any shape of a pancake, wasn't crispy at all. It was very bland. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon. read more

Portal Oakland - Potato pancake - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

Melvin was an amazing and courteous server. The food was amazing. The place had good vibes. I highly recommend. Good to take a walk at the lake afterwards. read more

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I love this place! Second time here. Had the shrimp and grits on first visit. This time around I had the Fire & Seoul chicken sandwich! Great flavor with a small touch of spice. Added the lime fries to this item. Great combo and just squeeze some of the lime on your plate into the ketchup! Really nice touch in flavor there. 3 others in group had the chicken and waffles, said to be fluffy and sweet with crispy hot juicy chicken. The service has been friendly and always on top of things. A great patio area to sit and eat. Didn't like the little flower/leaves that fell from over the patio top, as some can get into food, but nice to sit outside to enjoy your food. read more

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PISS POOR. HORRIBLE customer service!!! Bland and nasty food, restaurant is also dirty. Idk how they're still in business.

3.5 stars for the service & the fries I get why people come here truly, the vibes are cute. The service is attentive but the food was a bit meh. Out of the 4 things we got, the garlic fries were the best thing. Foreals, get the fries. Chicken & Waffles -- lacked any flavor. The chicken did not taste seasoned, its saving grace was the Louisiana hot sauce we added. Mini Chicken Burgers -- also lacked flavor and the slaw had an interesting sour cream taste. Espresso Martini -- did not taste like one. & the presentation was poor. For the price, you can find more savory spots around. read more

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The drinks were good, the location is good, the food was just fine. It was tough to find a good vegan option, but mainly it was the sloooooow service that got us. I have never waited so long for a check, but it was super slow throughout. Now it makes sense that there is often a line. read more

I love Portal! I used to come here all the time for happy hours and brunches pre-pandemic, but it's been a while. My husband and I came here on Sunday before we went for a walk around the lake. We found a parking spot nearby. We only had to wait about 15 mins to get a seat, and sat at the bar while we waited. My husband ordered a Pizza Port Winter Cabin $5 and I ordered a Fieldwork Aloha Vibes (Tiki Punch) $8. Our server was very kind and asked if we wanted to taste any of the beers before we chose one. I wish Portal had more than one bathroom and offered actual liquor, but the craft beer options go a long way! While seating is a bit limited inside, there are so any seating options outside. Warm sun filtering in, TVs inside, and many hot sauce packet options (I'm talking Frank's, Cholula, Tabasco, Crystal, and A1!). Conveniently located by the lake. The ambiance is perfect for brunching! For our appetizer, we ordered off the Weekend Brunch Chef's Specials menu. We got the cheese curd and fried pickles appetizer $14 and it came with marinara and ranch. For our mains, we ordered the GCCB (Gravy Covered Chicken & Biscuit) $18.95 and Chicken Mini Burgers $15.95. For a side, we ordered garlic fries $4.25. We wanted to get the Smoked Salmon Croissant, but they'd run out. :/ While the food was delicious, it was very heavy on fried food (fried chicken, fried eggs, fried potatoes, fried cheese curds, fried pickles, and fries). I would recommend getting a salad just to balance the meal out. Don't worry -- we brisk-walked off the food after. The mushroom gravy on top of the chicken & biscuit was HELLA good. The dish came with a slice of orange-- would've loved some more! I'll be back for sure! Thanks for helping make Sunday a Fun Day! read more

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Definitely a lovely brunch spot with a cool little ambiance if you want something with a cool social vibe, but not over the top. The service was good but not over bearing, the food was seasoned well, cooked perfectly and the portions were on par with the price. The outside patio seating was nice and refreshing for a semi-sunny day, so I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the summer. When Im back in town to visit, I'll be getting the sliders again! read more

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So last Thursday I stopped into Portal Oakland for the turkey burger. I'm always on the hunt for a good one, which is hard to find, Portal has a decent one. While I was there two of the staff were eating their lunch; one had an amazing looking salad and I'm not sure what the other was eating...I just know it looked delicious from my table. So from that, the staff and the ambiance of this little neighborhood hidden gem is what took me back on Friday to grab a quick bite. I saw that had a chicken basket on the Yelp menu but when I got there the menu didn't reflect. My server was so kind, they let me know they did have. It was almost five o'clock so I decided to have a nice hazy IPA with my chicken basket and asked the server for their recommendation...I wasn't stirred wrong. I can't remember what it was called, but it was D LI SHUS! So my chicken basket finally arrived and they did not disappoint! I am a dipper, however I don't like ketchup. So I requested two sides of the Portal sauce and to my surprise I got another type of sauce for dipping as well. I'm going to call it a chip'arbecue sauce...it was this awesome mix between barbecue and chipotle! I did receive a little bit of bad news before I was about to leave. I shared with my server my reason for coming in and let them know why i'd be back...for the chicken basket. Good fried chicken is hard to find. They then told me they are redoing the menu and may not carry the chicken basket any longer. I am begging...please do not take them off! Portal is a great neighborhood hidden gem...I almost hate to give this review on it to keep it to myself. But I don't want to be selfish...go check out Portal Oakland when you're in the neighborhood! read more

I just love Portal. I been coming here for years & I always have a good meal & a good time. The brunch is on point. They have an excellent burger & I love the beee selection. All the staff is so nice every time & there's just a nice feel when I go in. I've even taken the kids. read more

Came here on my lunch break for a burger and fries and really enjoyed it. The patio by Lake Merritt gives a relaxed vibe, good energy, and plenty of shade. Service was friendly and fast. The burger was tasty and cooked well, with fresh toppings that actually had flavor. Fries were crispy and seasoned just right. It's an easy spot to unwind for a bit, grab a solid lunch, and enjoy being outside. I'll definitely be back when I have a longer break. read more

After a break from the rain, we decided to walk the Lake and we stumbled onto Portal. I've been meaning to come a few months ago when they had comedy but missed it. We arrived a little after 1pm on a Saturday and the place is popping. We asked if we could see in the patio. Hostess sat us and busses brought us some water. While we scan the menu, Melvin appeared introducing himself and is top notch when it comes to customer service. We opted to share the burger which Melvin gladly asked if they could cut in half. Offspring ordered from the kiddie menu which was a burger slider, fries and a couple of apple slices. Food is fresh, flavorful and service is the best. Follow them on the gram as apparently they have different activities happening. read more

Portal Oakland - Yummy in my tummy - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

This was actually my first time at portal. My husband and I were was invited by my sister and her husband to have brunch and surprisingly at 11:30 AM on a Sunday, the wait was only 10 minutes. Portal is a cute little cozy place. Can get a little, I enjoyed the vibe of it. The service was top tier. Our waiter was Melvin and he was so personable and was able to answer all of our questions. Choosing what I wanted to eat was so hard because they have so many great options on the menu. I settled on the portal plate, my husband, the French toast and both were delicious. That French toast surprised me and I'll definitely be ordering it when I return And as far as price goes, it was very reasonable. I enjoyed my entire experience and I definitely plan to add this restaurant to places to have brunch on the weekends. read more

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I had the chimichurri steak and eggs. OMG!! Can you say absolutely everything cooked to perfection. Will definitely be going again.

This review is for a drink only--- can't speak to the food! My friend and I stopped in yesterday for a drink! He got a Paloma and I got a margarita. They were both terrible! So terrible that we couldn't drink them. Our server came by multiple times but never asked why weren't drinking our drinks. When I say it tasted like sour sugar.. I'm not sure what it even was but it was soooo bad!!! We never told them just paid and left. The place is beautiful with an inside bar/ food area and a far outdoor enclosed patio with great views of lake Merritt. read more

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This is a sad and pathetic joke. If I could leave zero stars I would. If my credit card had not already been charged I would think this was a prank. We spent $17.69 each on two orders of chicken "strips" and fries as well as ordered a burger and curry fries. It's all depressing - worse than airplane food. Each order came with two chicken nuggets on top of old stale and soggy fries that are worse than frozen fries from the grocery store. The curry fries are the same except some sprinkled with two dashes of curry powder on top. Can't believe this is actually a real $72 meal. Absolutely pathetic. read more

Portal Oakland - Chicken basket? - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

Great housemade beet burger. Friendly service. Good vibe. Get the chili lime fries. Chilaquiles were a hit too.

Good vibes here at Portal. Outdoor seating is the best place to be on a sunny day, but this time we sat inside since it was cold in the town. There are tv screens everywhere that has the games on there. It is perfect for Sunday footballs or early morning games mixed with brunch. The food was awesome and the drinks are great. The garbage bread was definitely one of the highlights for our brunch. It is a lot of food to share with the table. My favorite dish was the French toast. It had custard in between the toast. It was incredible. Servers were really nice and attentive. They all had a smile on their face as they helped us throughout. read more

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1-5 food rating Fish taco : 4.5 Portal eggs plate : 5 ( the potatoes were excellent!) Chard cauliflower: 4 Korean bbq wings : 2.5 (will not order again) tasted a lot like deep fried wings with smothered bbq sauce, lacks flavor or marinate. Service : 3 Very slow , they only have one server taking orders, on busy brunch hours you will wait 10-20 min before someone takes your order . Although he was friendly and vey apologetic i was close to getting up and leaving because it took 20min for someone to take our order. The food came out in decent timing except for tacos, we were almost finished with starters and one main meal before my daughter's tacos arrived, price is reasonable and food is good. Not exceptional enough to come back tho but would eat again if I was in the area and had no other choice. read more

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Delicious, Sunday brunch is my favorite! Great environment, clean and friendly staff. read more

My birthday landed on a Sunday so I decided I wanted to have brunch. Portal takes reservations for up to 10, and we had a great table on the enclosed patio with a lake view and heat lamps for the brisk January morning. The regular brunch menu has so many great options plus they had a couple specials. Many in our group had chicken and waffles. The chicken was GREAT with delicious crispy skin. The waffles were just ok. They were wanting to be fluffier and/or a little crisp and browned. The Corned Beef Hash, Cobb Salad, Stuffed French Toast, biscuits and gravy and UnBeetable Burger were all tasty. All staff were welcoming and helpful. The food came out as it was ready with very little wait time between the first and final order. Coffee and water was continually refilled. I can't wait to come back for lunch or dinner on a warm day, and enjoy selection of local craft beers. read more

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Nice spot with lake views outside. Food was delicious. Had fried chicken & waffles. Crisp & moist chicken & airy waffles. The friend chicken sandwich was a flavor bomb. Must try in Oakland. Staff were friendly & nice. read more

Portal Oakland - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

We found ourselves in Oakland over the weekend and stopped by Portal. This was our second time here. Last time we came here, I remember loving the vibe, the food, etc. However, this time, it felt like they hadn't kept up with maintenance. There were 1000x flies circling over our head while we ate our meal, and the tables were very sticky. Overall, just didn't feel clean. The servers were amazing - very friendly. The food was pretty good too but maybe not for the price we paid. read more

Portal Oakland - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

We hit up Portal stright off a 6 hour drive from southern California and my family of 7 LOVED IT I am super glad we were able to enjoy amazing service, ambiance and food. I made reservations the day befor and I am so glad I was able to push back our reservation time. We arrived at 11:15am on the dot Saturday morning. We received a warm welcome and we were seated immediately. The menu had something for everyone. Everything was outstanding, we will definitely be back when we are in town! THANKS PORTAL read more

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**3.5 Star Review** We recently visited Portal and had a good experience. There were definitely things we enjoyed, but a few misses kept it from being a standout meal. First, the atmosphere and service were both great. The staff was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the vibe overall was laid-back and welcoming. We especially loved the outdoor seating area--it's a great setup for brunch or casual dining. That said, it would've been nice if there were a couple or even one more TV outside. Depending on the direction in which you sit, a few tables had a good view, so if you're hoping to watch a game, you'll want to plan where you sit. Drinks were a win--the mimosa was fresh, not too sweet, and had a great balance and the ginger beer was exactly what its supposed to be. As for the food, it was hit or miss. I had the waffle, which was unfortunately on the chewy side. It honestly felt more like it was made from pancake mix rather than proper waffle batter, which was not expected. My husband ordered the steak, and while he appreciated the portion and presentation, the flavor and doneness didn't quite meet expectations. On the bright side, the house potatoes were excellent--crispy, seasoned well, and definitely the highlight of his meal. All in all, Portal was good. With a few small adjustments to the waffle and ribeye, it could be a great go-to spot. For now, it's a decent option if you're in the area and looking for a chill place with good drinks, great customer service and outdoor seating. read more

Portal Oakland - Mimosa - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

Love that they have a little patio area where we can sit eat and enjoy people watching but spicy margarita was delicious and i had the fish bowl! It was great and chips and salsa also hit!!! read more

We came in for brunch and had a solid experience overall. We ordered the ribeye steak and eggs and the chicken sandwich with chili lime fries. The ribeye was flavorful and cooked to a perfect medium rare. It had some fatty pieces, but that's expected with this cut--still very satisfying. The eggs and potatoes were a good match, simple but well done. The chicken sandwich was good--crispy and juicy--but not the best I've ever had. What did stand out were the chili lime fries--seriously delicious. Tangy, perfectly seasoned, and super addictive. We could've eaten another order of just those. Service was good, but not the best. I had to flag down the server to get my check. We left full and happy. Would come back, especially for those fries and to explore more of the menu. read more

Portal Oakland - Chimichurri Steak & Eggs - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here after a long walk around Lake Merritt and it was a great find! Ordered the carne asada quesadilla and angus beef slider during happy hour, along with the Moonlight Boney Fingers black lager and the Far West Cider. Everything was good and hit the spot! Caught some NBA and SNL while I was there. The staff was really friendly, Amber was nice at the counter. Would definitely come back! read more