We planned a surprise dinner for a coworker here and we had the best time. We had the whole place to ourselves. With Afro-Caribbean inspired cuisine and cocktails, Sobre Mesa did not disappoint. The artwork and inside decor felt like islands. The extensive charcuterie boards were full of color, flavors and textures. The star of the show of the evening were the drinks. Highly recommend the Sobre Mesa, comes Smokey with island punch and tequila. The Bar Maids were awesome and provided good suggestions. read more

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If you know you know Chef Nelson is really Him. The food amazing. Whether you going for brunch on a Sunday or dinner night Tuesday-Saturday. The ambiance on a whole other level. The drinks tho Dios Mio. We be back on Friday 7/25 for another dinner night. Whoever see this and comment I'll buy you a drink!! *get the bone marrow and the empanadas Un saludo hermano, el cielo es el límite. Mucho amor para ti y tu familia. read more

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Came in last minute and was greeted with a smile. That's always important, to not be made to feel like you're "too late." Was looking for a cocktail and dessert. Ordered a highball, which i don't normally order and it was good. It was quality and just right. Very doable for something you've never done before. Oysters were a different type of good. They had smoked trout roe which is very distinct if you know it. And i'm used to a lemony oyster (that's the mexican in me) and this was not that. But it was something to try! Coconut Mocha Flan: This was good and set up really well... if you know how a custard sets. It had coconut foam that was super light, maybe too. Great looking place with super cool vibes! Everything is picture worthy here. read more

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The coolest hidden gem in Oakland... Sobre Mesa! My cousin and I made reservations on a Saturday evening at 5 PM. We were greeted immediately. The ambience is very tranquil with dimmed lights, and soft music. We asked the wait staff to seat us in the 3 person booth and we were told it was reserved. In which it was not. And the entire time we could've sat there... Other than that, the food was absolutely exquisite. Each dish was delicious, the flavors were authentic and unforgettable. Our server was pleasant and knowledgeable. The wait times for our food was decent. The Branzino was the star of the show ...it was light and seared to perfection. It melted in our mouth. It had the most perfect crust on the outside. Can't stop thinking about it!!! read more

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Great experience, walking distance to the fox theater. Good drinks, great food. We sat at the bar and actually got served by the chef himself--he told us about each dish and how he used his grandmas recipe for some of them. This is a great date night spot or a place to bring friends. Highly recommend! read more

Food was pretty good. We had the mini chicken kebabs, stuffed plantains, and I can't remember what else. The food was fairly rich, so even though the servings weren't huge, it was pretty filling. Mocktails were full of sugar, even the one that tasted very bitter. Ambience was noisy, even though we got there early, but the decor is cute and the music wasn't bad. Service was strange, we had two servers who didn't seem to be coordinating with each other, and at one point, I had to get up and get myself water. Which is fine, at least they had water out. Overall, it felt expensive to me, not sure I would go back for a full meal again. read more

Great ambiance! This place is a vibe! Drinks were delicious and the service was amazing friendly and informative. read more

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This is a hidden gem in Oakland! I recommend everyone go and check this place out! Celebrated my bday here and the service, food, ambiance... everything was excellent! A good time was had by all! Order the branzino! everything was really good and let's just say we cleaned our plates! Order to share so you can try everything! read more

Lovely ambiance for a Friday night! Cocktails are good with many options. Wish the mocktails were on the menu. We had patatas bravas, black bean hummus, bone marrow, and flan -- the food was all decent but nothing to rave about. Service was good except at the end when we were waiting to pay. It's a fun spot! Would consider going again for a drink. read more

Sobre Mesa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Sobre mesa was absolutely delicious! Tasty drinks, yummy bites, and gorgeous atmosphere. We ordered the beef empanadas, stuffed plantain, and eggplant. My personal favorites were the empanadas and eggplant. The sauce was just so smokey and delicious! For dessert we got the affogato and it was perfect! We did take a risk by stopping in without a reservation on a Friday night but were seated fairly quickly. Thank you Sobre mesa, I can't wait to come back again! read more

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It was a good spot to go to before our show at the Paramount Theater Theater. The drinks were really strong and service was fine. read more

OK Sobre Mesa I was not familiar with your game! Lol. But seriously, they live up to the hype around their mixed drinks and their food is seriously flavorful. The servers were kind and patient to me and my coworkers during our holiday dinner, we even got to chat with our server since she was so friendly. Wish I had pics but I was too busy being present and having fun. Also love how vibrant, spacious, yet intimate the space is. Can't wait to take more friends here! read more

The beef empanadas were everything! The service was exceptional, the drinks were on point and the vibes were perfect. Great place for happy hour or a night out. read more

I had a great birthday dinner here! The vibes were so cool and the cocktails were spectacular. I wouldn't come here super hungry but the food they had here was delicious. My favorite was the cheese empanadas and the caviar service. They have an option where the bartender surprised you with a custom cocktail--you just let them know the type of alcohol you like and the flavor profile you prefer. My 2 friends and I all have different taste and they hit it out of the park for each one! read more

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What a vibe! Came here for a birthday dinner celebration with a couple of friends. We made a reservation and it was my first time here. There is only street parking available and during the time I came it was free which is a plus. As soon as I walked in I was in awe. The place is beautiful, colors and artwork are vibrant and photo worthy. I.D. was checked at the entrance then we were sat at a table near the door. We came during restaurant week so there was a special menu available for $65 including cocktails and courses. The catch was that everyone in the party had to order from that menu, they would not allow just one person. I'm pescatarian and needed a few more options so we opted for the regular menu. DRINK: I got the dealer's choice(?); just shared my alcohol of choice(vodka)/flavor notes(sweet) and was brought a cute drink. FOOD: I got the brussel sprouts and shrimp with bread. The need came out first and I don't know if I was just hungry but it was good! The brussel sprouts were yummy as well and had some sunflower seeds for a welcome crunch. Our waitress Alicia was awesome and checked on us regularly throughout the evening. After eating we walked further back into the rear of the restaurant where they have a cute area to take pics! Overall we had a good time and would come back. read more

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Sobre Mesa is where cocktails meet culture -- and the vibe is unmatched. I came for drinks and light bites, and everything impressed. The cocktails were creative, balanced, and absolutely beautiful -- each one felt like a work of art with bold flavors to match. The bone marrow was rich, buttery, and perfectly seasoned -- served with toast that soaked up every drop. Then I ended with the bread pudding, and wow... warm, comforting, and just the right amount of sweet. The space is stunning, the music sets the mood, and the service was smooth and welcoming. Perfect for a night out when you want something elevated but still fun. I'll be back -- and bringing friends. read more

I'm lovin everything about this place. First off, walking in the vibe was just incredible. Great music and good service. The decor was fabulous, I couldn't stop staring at the art on the walls. I sat at the bar and Benjamin took care of me, very sweet and attentive, without being overbearing. I ordered The Makers Coquito and it was flavorful, but very strong. Even though the alcohol was a lot for me, the coconut flavor brought me back for more. I also ordered the Steak Empanadas. The flavor was incredible. The crust was perfectly cooked, a nice golden brown too. What stuck out to me the most were the peppers. It was like eating steak fajitas, just a delicious combination of flavors dancing on my palate. I'm looking forward to going back, next time with friends. read more

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Great Oakland vibe! Tasty food - including the arugula salad which was large and had a very flavorful dressing. Fabulous cocktails. Friendly service. Fun music. read more

I've been wanting to try this place. Our friend suggested we come here after the Warriors game. It's so cute inside and the perfect place for date night or girls night. The crafted cocktails were delicious and the food didn't disappoint. Our server was really night. read more

Sobre Mesa is a vibe--from the ambiance to the food, everything was on point. I started with the crispy goat cheese, and it was perfection: warm, melty, with just the right crunch. The Romesco Buttered Gambas were rich, bold, and absolutely unforgettable--easily the star of the night. And the fried plantains? Sweet, crispy, and the perfect balance to the savory dishes. Whether you're going for drinks, bites, or the full experience, Sobre Mesa delivers. The servers were very and friendly and quick. read more

Sobre Mesa - ROMESCO BUTTERED GAMBAS - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came in on a Sunday afternoon, got there at 3pm right when they opened. They were still putting inventory away they had at the front door. The lady said give us a few, after about 10 to 15 mins, the lady finally said the kitchen doesn't open until 4pm. You could of told us that when we 1st walked in instead of having us wait. read more

Will the Bartender was exceptional and attentive, had a great time here. Had the baked oysters, bone marrow, Cesar salad, the shrimp dish, tostones fried plantain with the anchovy on it. All Were delicious. Will try the raw oysters next time. Malbec, Final Flight and Mezcal shots all were good. Also wish there were more meat dishes. Overall, great experience and ambiance. read more

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This is my second attempt coming here. The first time was full from reservations and no bar seating available. This time we also had no reservation but was able to sit at the bar. My first impression, I really loved the interior and decor. The ambiance was lovely and the music was just right. Not so loud where I couldn't have a conversation. I'm giving 4 stars because I thought the food was okay, but this is just preference. It's definitely on the pricier side. If you haven't been here yet, you should absolutely check it out! I'll be back for the drinks and ambiance! read more

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***4.5 Stars*** What a vibe! Sobre Mesa is all that and a bag of chippies, babes! The ambience is definitely flourishing. It'll be the first thing that will catch your attention. Well, at least it was the first thing that caught my attention anyways. Met up here with my sister for an afterwork nightcap and we had a fabulous time. I also have to say that the people who work here are beautiful. Not that this really matters, but our server (didn't get her name) was a literal doll! She was a beautiful tall chocolate sista with glowing skin and gorgeous big natural hair. We couldn't stop staring at her. Definitely felt like a perve that day! She was also spot on with the service and helped us choose some great items for sharing. So, back to the ambience; straight hypnotizing. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into the design of this place. It's a mix of dark and bright color tones with dim lighting and eclectic furniture. It kind of has a retro feel too with the glam mirrors and wrap around leather booths. The light fixtures are gorgeous. I could go on and on about the decor. It's just fabulous! The music is poppin' too! It felt like we were lightweight clubbin' for a sec from the way that we were bouncing in our seats. If you didn't already know, this is Chef Nelson's second restaurant (he also owns Alamar). I can honestly say that Sobre Mesa is definitely more of my kind of vibe, and I totally understand his concept of incorporating food from both sides of his background (Latin and African). They focus on creative tapas and craft cocktails. The cocktails are straight up FIYAAAAH! My sister and I tried 4 of their cocktails collectively (Haitian Daiquiri, Caipirinha, Sobre Mesa, and Bossa Bova) and every single one was amazing. They've got that tropical/Caribbean/Latin influence going on and we both really enjoyed it. For food, we ended up ordering the gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp bites), bean and cheese empanadas, and roasted stuffed plantains. We also split the coconut cornbread for dessert. Since everything is pretty much tapas style, it's easy to share dishes with groups. The garlic shrimp bites were tangy, garlicky, and super seasoned! We loved the rub on these as they aren't your typical garlic shrimp. We also enjoyed the aioli style dipping sauce that was served with them. The bean and cheese empanadas had a wonderful consistency, almost like a puff pastry. Perfectly crispy but also damn near melting in our mouths when we reached the center. Loved that melted cheese too! They had meat empanadas but we both were glad that we stuck with the bean and cheese because they were delicious. My absolute favorite was the stuffed plantains. I love me some plantains, chile'. And these here plantains did not disappoint one bit. What's crazy is that these are vegan and made with impossible meat ragu and chorizo, but it was so damn flavorful that we couldn't even tell the difference! And THAT'S how you do vegan food that's good enough for ANYONE to enjoy. The flavors were poppin' like hell out of them plantains, boooy. We loved them. The dessert wasn't typical as the cornbread wasn't very sweet but the cream sauce that they served with it was yummy. It also didn't taste too much like coconut but it was moist as hell. We still really enjoyed it. One thing that I should mention is that the prices are very high here. I'd chalk this up to a splurging kind of ordeal as it may be too pricey for a regular visit kind of spot unless you love to splurge or are coming for happy hour (they do have a nice happy hour here too). But I do feel like the high quality of their ingredients warrants the price tag here. But yeah... we were pleased y'all. We hung out for quite a while since we were having such a fun time. Will def be back again for more and I'm excited to try some different items and cocktails next time around. read more

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Stopped in last night for a drink with friends. There was a drink special for the night that was pretty enticing! So this is not my first time here but I realized I've never provided a review of this Franklin Street Gem! This place is beautiful inside...like beautiful colors, aesthetics and great vibes! Staff is cool and relaxed but attentive and efficient. Our wait staff person was awesome and sweet! We decided to order a few tapas. Very lively flavors and plenty of options. The shrimp with the brioche was my favorite. They offer tapas and plates. After shots and ample servings of food - dessert arrived! We had a taste of most of all the deserts and listen... they did not disappoint! This place has good vibes, cozy seating for groups, food, drinks and good vibes! I'm looking forward to returning!! read more

This is the best place to be on a friday night! Its so fun! Went with my girls one time and the food was great, service was even better and the vibe was just so fun!! read more

This place is everything! Admittedly, we were a little overwhelmed by the menu when we first looked at it. We really didn't know what to order. Luckily, our waiter Eric was nice enough to recommend some of his favorite picks from the menu. Everything cane out pretty quickly and was delicious! My favorite was the seared steak. The cocktails were also really good as well! I loved that they had non-alcoholic options for those that can't drink. Inside the restaurant is a nice little vibe. It's beautifully decorated and you have the option to sit at a table or the bar. Something that I thought was amazing is that they don't carry any of the mainstream alcohol brands. All of their liquors are by minority owned businesses. The waitress even walked around and allowed everyone to taste one a brand of Filipino rum that they carry. It was soooo good!! This is a 21+ establishment so you will need to show your ID to enter. I highly recommend making a reservation! read more

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Cute bar/brunch spot in the middle of downtown. I love the vibes in the restaurant. Service could've been better though. I think our waitress was having an off day. Drinks (not pictured) were good and strong! I wouldn't order the empanadas again. The gambas were amazing! And the stuffed plantains I couldn't get enough of!! Interior design is super cute! read more

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Came here for a quick drink with the hubby. We had already eaten dinner so we weren't really hungry. Vibe is really grown and sexy. Staff is friendly and diverse. Place was packed but since it was just the two of us, the hostess accommodated us at the bar. Ordered two drinks- Naked & Shameless and The Sobre Mesa. The drinks were strong with great flavor that really highlight the liquor. We also ordered a dessert- cornbread with scoop of coconut ice cream. There were liquor soaked cherries on it and it was really good. Reason for the 4 stars was because of price- $63 for the two drinks and one dessert. read more

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Request a receipt and review thoroughly. At the bar I ordered 4 tequila shots and was charged $75. She listed 4 repo shots on the receipt which I did not order nor receive. When I told the bartender she over charged me she said "oh that's a mistake I'll refund you the difference". Her coworkers also defended her and said "she's fixing it". I am currently disputing the charge with my bank. I will not be returning. read more

Went with 7 friends on a Wednesday night, one who loved the food, so YMMV. It was SO loud-- very hard to hear/converse with anyone who wasn't right in your face. The empanadas made me sad: thin, deep fried dough with a nondescript filling and tomato-based dipping sauce that also accompanied other dishes. I also tried the OG Margarita, which was very sweet and viscous with a tropical fruit juice base. I wouldn't call it a margarita. Potatoes were fine but brava sauce was lacking, chicken skewers were hard to eat and not great; I had to spit gristle into my napkin. Otherwise, service was slow--second round drinks came once we were ready to depart--and then we waited for a very long time for our check (all on one bill). For a downtown spot in the Bay Area, I just need better food and drinks. I wouldn't go back. read more

My wife and I were so excited to try this place we came from San Jose to try a couple places in Oakland and this was just disappointing walked in at around 6pm on a Saturday (4/19) host greeted us and told us it'd be a 15 min wait sure no problem i understand not overworking the servers or bartenders, we don't mind, she takes a look up at us goes back on her tablet and says actually sorry we're all booked up for the night I don't have room for anything We looked at each other and said ok thank you because that's just wild?? I don't know if it was discrimination or ageism or anything the restaurant was half full at most plenty of two tops open around and the bar only had 3 other patrons we don't mind bar seating at all! She just flat out refused us for no apparent reason, very disappointing we know it's not the restaurants fault but having a host do that can really damage the business :// read more

Absolutely in love with the decor and overall aesthetic. Such a cute date night vibe. The food is always amazing, and I love that they have a selection of items that rotate. Arturo was so warm and attentive , bonus points that he taught me some new phrases in Spanish! ¡ Me Encanta ! read more

I really had a wonderful experience here recently. The ambiance, service, food and drinks was all top notch. My friend and I ordered almost every other item on the menu and EVERYTHING was delicious!! The drinks were just as amazing and our waitress had all the best recommendations. I highly recommend checking out Sobre Mesa! read more

Cocktails were good, ambiance was great, service was excellent. Shout-out to Tatum for his excellent customer service. read more

Sobre Mesa - Sobre Mesa (Right) la paulette (left) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Review is looongg overdue. This is such a great addition to Oakland, easily became one of my faves. Tables are small but doable. Our waitress was a whole mood and brought the energy which made the experience even better. All the food is hella good too considering it's a bar first. Decor is hella cute too, very Miami vibes with the tropical leaves and neon lights. The sardines with plantain chips sounds unusual but was probably one of the best things we ate from what we ordered. The empanadas were yummy too it was like a crispy wonton on the outside. One of my go-to places for sure. Hope they stick around for awhile, can't wait to visit again! read more

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This is an amazing black owned spot in downtown Oakland. I went to a black tech meet up here a few months ago and I went back yesterday and it was worth it. Our waiter was amazing, the food was great, and the drinks did the trick. We didn't get to try the bone marrow but just about tried everything else. Will be going back. Food 9/10 - would be higher if they had larger portion sizes Drinks 10/10 - not crazy expensive and very good quality Service 10/10 - waiter was on point and gave recommendations Decor 9/10 - lots of color and cool decoration Price is high but food is good read more

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Came here with a group of friends to celebrate a milestone and the staff was amazing! We were a larger group so we pushed to tables together and they offered to wipe them down for us first, checked in on us throughout the evening, and even let us stay a bit after closing to take pictures. The vibe there is great - friendly, eye-catching, but not too loud. I ordered the Jackelberry signature cocktail which was 10/10, beautiful and delicious. We were gifted some shots too; while I don't know what they were, they were also fantastic. It tasted like orange and tajin salt, but it was smoky sweet and not overpowering. We came in after the kitchen closed, but learned as we were leaving that their chef has been featured in a few programs, I'd love to go back and try the food sometime. read more

Great for after work happy hour or meeting up with friends. This place is 21+ so don't forget your ID! Lots of yummy appetizers and the ambiance is very cozy and fun. They play Latin music and it starts to get busy after 6:30pm! Perfect date night or weekend spot. read more

Sobre Mesa - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is by far my favorite bar . The drinks are the best , the service is excellent. It's sooo cute in here come here if you want cute pictures and a more calm setting because it's never overcrowded and the food is pretty good too . read more