Solid local diner with great brunch! I've only been here on a weekday, and have gotten seated quickly. The interior is very cheerful, with b/w tiles and cute wooden chairs. The staff is usually very attentive and friendly. Food and drinks are always delicious. I'm an omnivore, but keep coming back for their Plant Based Breakfast. It's flavor-packed, pretty, and so filling! Biscuits and gravy, chicken sausage, and turmeric tonic are also our faves. Street parking is usually pretty easy to find. They do include a 20% service fee in their check, so no need to do math at the end of a meal. read more

Sequoia Diner - Turmeric tonic - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I haven't been here in a while and recently learned that ownership has changed. Seems as if they've had a complete staff changeover as well. The food is still pretty good. Some items were surprisingly salty. But overall still really solid. The vibe is always pretty chill no matter how packed it is. The staff all seemed really nice, which is a good thing. However, service is pretty rough. Super slow to get your order in. Extremely slow to get your food delivered, even when the restaurant isn't near capacity. Never was checked in on after food was dropped off. I gave it three stars for the aforementioned read more

Sequoia Diner is a cute, cozy little diner with a warm neighborhood feel. Service was quick and easy during our visit. We came on a holiday, so it was quieter than usual, but most of the time this place is packed and can be difficult to get into. I'd definitely recommend calling ahead or making a reservation if possible. The food was delicious and very comforting. I ordered the Country Breakfast, which comes with biscuits and gravy, potatoes, eggs, and greens. It was hearty, filling, and exactly the kind of breakfast you want on a relaxing morning. My husband ordered the chilaquiles and really enjoyed the flavors, though he was disappointed that the dish initially came out cold. The staff kindly reheated it for him without any issues and were very friendly and accommodating about it. We also shared a waffle for the table, and honestly, that ended up being the star of the meal. It was perfectly fluffy and delicious in every bite. If you come here, definitely order a waffle to share. read more

See all

Recommended by a local friend who knows I love historic diners with good food. The color palette is off white and mint green with wood accents. Very spacious with some vintage mirrors on thralls (wish there was a bit more decor in the walls). Decent lattes, coffee, and even alcohol options. Love their daily homemade baked goods. Tried their biscuit with homemade jam. Definitely the "star". Wish I could eat more of their baked goods! My friend had the chilaquiles with Chorizo. Not your typical version. It was the marked tortilla chips with scrambled eggs on top. The chorizo was not mixed in but more like sausage links on the side. It didn't have salsa on top. Disappointing. I got the beef cheek special. Beautiful display of food: the beef checks weee re braised and cooked to perfection but the pasta was overcooked and not really needed for the dish. The steam veggies were ok but needed seasoning. The pickle radish was good and sunny side up egg (need seasoning). I'd try more of their baked items next time. The entrees were just ok. read more

See all

Really cute neighborhood diner with friendly service. Was taking a quick lunch break with coworkers near a site we visited and found this place to eat. They were packed when we came in but the lunch crowd turned over quickly. We sat in a narrow wooden booth where 4 people is a bit of a squeeze. It took a long time for our order and we had to ask for water but it kept getting refilled once we had it. I was deciding between chilaquiles and the special of shrimp and grits. The server recommended the shrimp and grits so that's what I ordered. It was just ok and wasn't flavorful, almost as if it had been watered down to introduce it to customers new to the dish. Disappointing since I took the server's recommendation. read more

I've been wanting to come here for a while. It seems like an older humble establishment from the outside, but it's quite modern and beautiful on the inside! The food was delicious, the crispiest hash browns and thick bacon were sooo good. ALL of workers were attentive and patient. So much good brunch dishes to choose from, I may come go back to try more. read more

See all

Came here for brunch on a Sunday morning after church. The food was ok, the fried chicken was under seasoned and over cooked. The lemonade is made in house, it was good. The hashbrowns were good. If I return I would try something else. 10% gratuity is included in the check . Service was good, helpful and attentive. The read more

Sequoia Diner - Pepper Jack Omelette - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

20% service fee. - It gets crowded. On weekends, it's best to arrive before opening. - Very good service. It's more like you are dining at someone's kitchen table. 5: The Waffle is great. Ask for it well done to get it more crispy. I bring my own real maple syrup in a little jar. 5: Coconut thai tea is great. 5: Pecan sticky bun is great. read more

See all

My new favorite brunch diner! I love everything about it. From the customer service, the ambience, the booths/seating, the food! read more

Sequoia Diner - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I had a breakfast plate with hash browns, eggs and salad included and I would have to pay a surcharge for extra protein which the menu clearly stated was $5. I thought "fine." I asked the waiter what were the options and I chose the chicken apple sausage. When it came time to pay for my bill I noticed it says the chicken apple glizzy was $8. I was obviously a little disappointed by that and it brings me no joy to rag on a small business but I wish there was a little more transparency. Overall the experience was okay. The restaurant is modern and "hip." At least the lavender latte was good. read more

I love going to sequoia diner not just to support a local business but also because the food is great I can pop in there real easy and get grits. Eggs sausage hash And I have an option of eating in or getting it to go. This is a very convenient place. The staff is very nice and since it's so busy you may have to wait a second to get your order in but once they get you they'll take care of you. I'd highly recommend the number one breakfast sandwich easy serve a little Salad, fruit some jam biscuits and works. Often there's room at the bar so you can sit there and have a meal or you can get it to go or eat in ! The atmosphere is really nice. Staff is very friendly and helpful and I'd highly recommend you try it out. read more

See all

I'm very disappointed with the new owners. Things have changed pretty drastically as far as the service and the quality of food. I had the country breakfast which I always look forward to, and the only thing really done right on the plate was the greens. Gravy was lukewarm, I didn't get the nice fat fluffy biscuit that I look forward to, and just in general it was lackluster in preparation. Someone came over to me - I don't know if he is the owner - and asked why I am not eating my food. I told him why and he said that his cooks do a really good job and he'll let them know. We'll you go ahead and let them know and in the meantime, I'll be taking my business elsewhere read more

I love this place but our last visit here was painful. Got seated in the corner window seat - cute but the bench is cracked and wobbling. Drinks came out promptly (though coffee refills required some work) but food took almost an hour to arrive. As soon as my dish arrived, I was so hungry and grabbed a big forkful of potatoes and found a long piece of hair attached. Our server saw all of this and brought me a fresh plate of hairless potatoes but of course I inspected each bite of my omelette for bio matter that shouldn't be there. Our server was very apologetic throughout our visit, explaining that they're still working to train staff..seems the change in ownership is not going too smoothly.. Despite the snafus, food and drink actually was still very good so hope they can work through these challenges. The community needs this place so please show up, Sequoia Diner! read more

The food is very good 5 stars but the kitchen and bar very slow. You should have some type of food within 15 minutes of sitting down (over 30 minutes is unacceptable does good restaurant). This will be the make or break for this restaurant as there is nothing to visit on laurel and we visited because we remember when laurel was happening. We will probably come back but there are so many options that have their kitchen and service above sequoia. I really want them to fix it read more

Sequoia Diner - Turmeric Tonic - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

Me and a friend went there for breakfast/lunch. I've been here before, but I think this is the first with the current management. I was shocked that an order of toast (barely warm) was one slice and I was charged for a 1/2 teaspoon of jam! Apparently jam only comes when ordering a biscuit. The side of bacon was super saltly and only half cooked. My friend asked for extra butter (another 1/2 teaspoon) for her biscuit, and she was charged extra for that! Service was just ok. Needless to say, I will not be coming to the Sequoia Diner again. read more

Owners have separated and management has shifted. Not sure how i feel about it yet, but it's a different feeling than before. Lavender mimosa is still delicious. Brand new menu. Food is still delicious, but i miss my girl that made me feel comfortable when i used to come in. Seems like the new owners aren't as welcoming to me in particular. I'll give them another try one day after they have gotten their feet wet read more

Sequoia Diner - Me after the most delicious mimosa. Sitting at bar waiting on order to go - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I'm still thinking about Sequoia Diner off MacArthur Blvd in Oakland. I had such a fabulous brunch here recently and can't speak more highly of this gem of a spot in the Laurel District. Parking is a bit limited because this is a popular block, but not impossible to find a metered spot. There's a few diner locales that have closed down in the EB, so it's awesome to have a spot we can tuck away to solo or bring friends. FYI, their freshly baked section on the menu is delicious ~ highly rec. the pecan sticky bun, the famous biscuit with house made jam, and the brown butter chocolate chip cookie (with sea salt)! I went with the American Breakfast & pork links. It was so delicious..everything tasted of such elevated and high quality. From the eggs, to the meat, the hearty potatoes to the side salad which added a bit of lightness to the dish. So yum. I also had a fresh Tumeric Tonic and Coconut Thai Tea..I couldn't choose so I ordered both. Well deserved and I will add, great non-alc choices. There are also wine/beer/cocktail choices, as well as a lunch menu starting at 10a. I love that they serve bottomless coffee, and Highwire at that, in adorable diner mugs..very nostalgic and feel-good. You actually can purchase the mug, and I noticed if you're really in love with the biscuits, you can purchase one dozen of them too! Already planning my next trip to try their patty melt or Cubano sandwich. Or let's be real..that pecan sticky bun. Prices very reasonable for portion and quality, and fun service. read more

See all

Sequoia Diner is such a great spot and absolutely worth the visit. The food alone makes it stand out, and the overall vibe feels cool, laid-back, and very much like a neighborhood favorite. When we arrived, there was about a 45-minute wait, which wasn't surprising given how popular the place is. We decided to walk around the area while we waited, and it worked out perfectly--they actually called us before the 45-minute mark, which was a nice surprise. Once seated, the food really delivered. Everything we ordered was great, well prepared, flavorful, and satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that's done really well and leaves you glad you waited. The staff experience was a bit mixed. Some team members were very friendly and welcoming, while others were more neutral. Overall, though, service moved efficiently and everything came out smoothly. One quick heads-up for future diners: they do include a service charge that essentially functions as a tip. This wasn't explained to us at the time, so we ended up tipping an additional 20% on top of the 19% service charge. Not a dealbreaker at all, just something good to know ahead of time. I'll definitely be back. Great food, a cool vibe, and a well-managed wait make it a spot worth checking out just be mindful of the service charge when the bill comes. read more

See all

Food was solid, got the country breakfast, and it hit the spot. Creamy, rich sauce, well-cooked eggs, and surprisingly tasty kale. Cold brew was classic diner style. No complaints about the kitchen at all. That said, I probably won't be back. With 19% gratuity auto-included and street parking, my bill hit $34. At that price point, I'd expect either a bigger portion, a stronger cup of coffee, or to leave with leftovers. As much as I get that prices are going up, local diners still have to compete with more filling, faster, or more convenient meals. Staff were clearly working hard and understaffed, and I appreciated the busboy's friendliness and honesty about that. The place was loud and busy, fine for some folks, just not ideal for me. Glad I tried it, and I get why people love it, but personally, it's not quite worth the cost for a repeat visit. read more

Sequoia Diner - Menu - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

We went on a Saturday afternoon and got a table for 2 after 15mins wait time. It is a small place and the interior is done pretty well. It's a popular spot and has been running for over 10 years. Parking wasn't an issue. The drinks there looked good but we went with black coffee and it was on the acidic side, not a fan. The waffle was light and crispy and goey inside, the huckleberry butter was very tart. I like dense waffle more. Wish they had put berries or banana on top. The pulled mushroom sandwich was cabbage heavy and had a cumin aftertaste. it sounded nice and creative on paper but taste wise it was pretty average. The breakfast sandwich was good. I didn't like American cheese in it but that's my personal preference. Service was good. There is a mandatory 20% gratuity charge which feels forced as majority of the tables were either for 2 or 4 people. I would suggest getting the breakfast platter, everyone was getting that and looked appetizing. read more

See all

Hidden heaven and a must try if you are in the area. Street parking is available and you can walk around after eating and enjoy the local shops. read more

Sequoia Diner - Breakfast to start the day ! - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

My friend has been craving for their waffles so since I had to pick up some contacts at my optometrist across the street and had parking karma right in front of my optometrist office, I knew it would be a good day! There was a bit of a wait on a Friday but we were in no hurry, getting there before 11 AM and put our names in. We got seated in about 15-20 minutes. The restaurant inside is cozy and my friend ordered the waffle with huckleberry butter, a side of two eggs, and a side of the potatoes with peppermint tea. I ordered the American breakfast and Thai tea. Service was good and the place was packed with people! I got a taste of my friend's waffle and it was light and crispy. My American breakfast was just right for my appetite, eggs cooked hard as requested, potatoes were tasty and crispy, and it was good to have a salad included with my breakfast. I also ordered the Thai tea which is made with coconut milk for my lactose intolerant me. Bathroom is gender friendly and very clean. Parking can be a hassle but I got lucky. read more

See all

Really loved this breakfast! It's so hard to find good biscuits and gravy on the west coast and they NAILED it. The biscuit was buttery, the gravy was savory, the greens had just enough spice. We also loved how friendly the staff was. Our kids felt welcome and the staff were so good with them. The little ones loved the waffles, which were flaky and soft and cooked perfectly. Seating can be tight but it's worth it. read more

Sequoia Diner - Country Breakfast with hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

Sequoia Diner is surrounded by many other businesses so parking is a hit or miss. It was busy on a Thursday afternoon but luckily the wait time for 2 wasn't bad. It is a cute, lowkey breakfast spot. Probably not ideal for large parties as the seating is pretty tight. The loco moco was apparently seasonal so I'm glad I tried it because it was good. I loved the touch of pickled onions and pepperoncini. read more

Sequoia Diner - Loco Moco - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Love the food but basic restaurant management is lacking. Waits are ridiculously and needlessly long. Hostesses could use better training and less attitude. read more

I needed to pick up a quick breakfast to take with me to work, and I'm so glad I found this place! I ordered their Country Breakfast, and added a side of bacon. I ate it about 15min after I picked it up, and I couldn't be happier! It was so yummy, and the staff were so kind when I picked it up. It's also a cute & cozy place. Can't wait to come back and dine-in :) read more

Sequoia Diner - Country Breakfast & Side of Bacon - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

Sequoia Diner is very much so your cozy neighborhood diner with the most friendly staff. The food fell a little short for me. I had the special which was fried green tomatoes, grits, an eggplant sauce, and a soft scrambled egg. The whole dish was just lacking seasoning but I did enjoy the tomatoes. The matcha wasn't my favorite either since the matcha itself was presweetened. I'd order something different next time. read more

Sequoia Diner - Fried green tomatoes and grits - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Food: Food was good , I had the daily special Loco Moco along with the bottomless coffee. My friend had the Country Breakfast with sunny side up eggs. Service: Service was a bit busy at the time we went but I would have liked to see that if I ask for a refill on my coffee, I think I should receive that before I get up to leave rather than after. Otherwise, service was good. Ambiance: Very nice ambiance, exactly what you would kind of expect from a diner. Personal experience: My experience is a bit skewed as I was eating overcharged (to the best of my knowledge). The loco moco was $20, bottomless coffee was $5.50, and the country breakfast was $19.50. With the mandatory 20% (enforced service tip and Dining for Justice), my subtotal (before tax) was $55.20. Total was $61.14 after tax. Assuming the tax rate was 10.75% according to Google, I was overcharged by almost $2. We were in a rush to get to our appointment so I did not take an in depth look at the receipt but assuming my math is correct, I would say that it was a little disappointing that I was a victim of poor business ethics. (Do take this review with a sprinkle of salt as the menu prices may have changed and was not reflected on the menu) read more

Sequoia Diner - Loco Moco - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

Local American cuisine brunch place with good standard options. It's becoming a very busy place over weekends with long wait time, better make reservation if really interested in trying. IMHO, Some reason for long time would be poor management. Witnessed while waiting for more than 1 hour and finally offered at the bar, guests turnover mismanaged. Food is good but interestingly smaller American portion. Inflation affected. Paid street parking available. Indoor seating only with booth/table and bar seating. read more

See all

This place is clearly a community hub. Typically go for breakfast/ brunch which are always solid, service is friendly and quick and if you're living large you can get a Bloody Mary. I've been a fan of Rick and Ann's, so I went with Sequoia's Red Flannel Hash and it was as good or better. It can get busy, so I often go during the week rather than weekends. read more

The food was lovely, the service was good, and the ambiance is Diner Minimalist. It's nice to know hat an area that does not have a lot of cafes has a good one. read more

So good. There's a great atmosphere, and the food is all good. Grateful for this place

Absolutely amazing! I came for the first time around 11am on a Saturday, and after a 15 min wait, my table of 4 was seated inside. It was busy inside and loud, but that's to be expected in a diner, and I really enjoyed the ambiance (we were seated by a window). I ordered the Morel Omelette and it was delicious. Every part of it had a depth of flavor. The eggs were cooked perfectly with morel and fennel, the potatoes were a nice contrast of texture for the soft eggs and not very oily, and the arugula was very light with a lemony dressing that cut the heaviness of the rest of the dish. It was super well balanced and I'd love to return. Prices are around average for the Bay Area ($20 for the omelette). Sadly they were out of the sticky bun when we went, but the cookie was very nice! read more

Sequoia Diner - Morel Omelet - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

On a random Friday late morning, Sequoia Diner was packedddd and for good reason! The food, the staff, and just the overall vibe - it's no surprise that they also made the Chronicle's top 100 this year. Luckily, I beat the rush at around 1130 and was able to snag the last booth for my group. They have a daily menu that you can also check out on their website with their current specials. But they also have their signature menu of classic American diner faves. Mostly breakfast, but they do have some sandwiches and soups available for lunch. They also have a large selection of coffees, teas, wine, beer, cocktails, & mocktails. I ordered the No. 2 Breakfast Sandwich ($12) from their daily menu. It comes with sausage, cheese, egg, pickled onion, and spicy aioli on sourdough. Delicious and filling! The spicy aioli was the perfect touch. I always am hesitant to get a breakfast sandwich at a restaurant because I feel like I could make it at home, but this was worth the spend! It was also a pretty generous portion, enough that I was able to take some home. I also got a pecan sticky bun ($6). If they're not sold out of this when you go, definitely order this one. It's perfect to share (or tbh, you might want to keep it for yourself!) and it's a great sweet choice if you want to balance out your savory entree. Service was fast and the staff was fun! It's totally not necessary but I do appreciate when the staff just makes the experience feel like we're just chit chatting with friends. Food came out really quick too! Parking is street parking but there's also nearby neighborhoods that you can park in if you don't mind walking a couple of blocks. read more

See all

Delicious little brunch spot. Food and dranks were great, so was the service. Came in on a Friday round 11am, waited about 20 minutes, and sat at the counter which is full service. It is a small restaurant so expect a wait. Our server and bartender were fun, and knowledgeable. Well stocked bar, don't hesitate to try their specialty cocktails even in the am. Parking can be difficult. No lots, paid street and neighborhood parking only. Pay attention to signs, you will get ticketed kids. THE FOOD Beet Hash: baby. Add mushroom for some added weight. The flavor was delicious and nice texture with the beets, yams, and potatoes. The Biscuits: best biscuits in the east. Served with nice soft butter and somebody's preserved that was the perfect little about of added sweetness. Beef Hash: really good. Add mushrooms for that added weight. Race car...side car: some hard hitting lovely ass cocktail similar to a manhattan. It was great. Michelada: sir. Ma'am! Who knew a Michelada could actually be good. Sequoia Diner makes their own tomato base situation which is well seasoned and served with a craft beer. read more

See all

Delicious brunch goodies and friendly service. We went mid morning on a weekday - no wait! Retirement has its perks. read more

Great flavors, we ordered the shasuka and corned beef hash. Loved the assortment of pickles on the side for the corned beef hash, and the homemade ham was delicious. Shashuka was really homey- loved all the spices. It was so good! Service was okay- servers were attentive to refill the water- and clearly communicated that they seem to have a system to check through the tables in the order of which they sat ( to take orders, vs. when your table is ready) and you could tell that they were really busy trying to handle all the tables. There's a reason why 20% tip is included! Would come back again. read more

Sequoia Diner - Shashuka - Diners Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Laurel District is not a neighborhood we would frequent (apart from a visit to Jo's Modern Thai, which is excellent btw) and we'd always be pleasantly delighted with its food offerings, and Sequoia is no exception. We randomly found this place after doing a bit of brunch search on Eater and local Oakland websites. Strangely enough I had never heard of this place. After browsing at multiple sticky buns and gorgeous colorful hearty meals posted by enthusiastic foodies we knew this place had already won our hearts. We showed up closer to 9am and thankfully there was not a line out the door. The diner was brimming with livelihood, and we admired their tall inviting ficus and money tree plants placed by the entrance. Our host quickly seated us and brought out water for us. They serve High Wire Coffee - bottomless coffee - so we quickly jumped on that caffeine train while planning our brekkie plates. With choices after choices, it was quite difficult making a final decision. I settled for the goat cheese omelette with biscuit while my husband with his usual chilaquiles. And of course we got the pecan sticky bun. Omg. Do not pass on the sticky bun. We took one bite and it took us away on a heavenly journey. The dough was incredibly soft with the right amount of syrup and pecan crusting. None of that Cinnabon sickening sweetness. The chilaquiles was done just right, with light coasting of the tomatillo salsa verde. Hints of spiciness came through but without being overwhelming. My goat cheese omelette was lovely as well, nicely herbed. There were diced tomatoes on top - reddest and fairest of them all - most succulent tomatoes I haven't had in a long while. The potato hash accompaniment was wonderfully crispy. And last but not the least, my biscuit was a buttery, flaky golden perfection that came with a good mouth feel. A few bites in we were already generating a list of foodie friends and family whom we would bring here next. Excitement abound. Service was attentive and friendly. Would most definitely come back here! Street parking was not an issue at all. What more could one ask for?? read more

See all

It was 5 stars before. The food is great but they no longer serve High Wire Coffee and should update their online menu as I find their new Coffee a big disappointment after being spoiled by one of the better Bay Area Coffees. Still, the food was great. The service was great. I am not saying the new Coffee is bad, I just find it nowhere as good. read more

Good (not great) food. But service is terrible. I got my mimosa AFTER I finished my breakfast. As others have stated, there's an auto 20% service charge / tip. Which is wise, because their service is valued at 10% There are better restaurants in the area, from both a food and service perspective. Invest there. read more