Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Berkeley Boathouse

    3.5 (320 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 10:00 AM, 3:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order The Berkeley Boathouse Takeout or Delivery

    The Berkeley Boathouse Photos

    THE BERKELEY BOATHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Berkeley Boathouse

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Andrea M.

    We were looking for someplace to have dinner in the Emeryville/Berkeley area, and my partner, who has an incredible knack for finding cool new places on the fly, suggested this spot. What a nice find! Located in the DoubleTree hotel at the Berkeley Marina, the restaurant is spacious, inviting, and offers beautiful views of the water. I should have taken more photos. Nice place to relax and enjoy a leisurely meal with a great view. There were a fair number of patrons, both guests of the hotel, and those just visiting for dinner. It's worth going out of your way for even if you're not staying at the hotel. The menu is pretty extensive, with something for everyone's taste. We shared the grilled artichoke and the scallop fettuccine alfredo, and both were good. Service was great, Fitz took very good care of us. Another bonus is they're open late, until 11pm. We will return, probably to try the brunch next time, and this could very well become one of our regular spots.

    Menu
    Deborah H.

    My friends and I were looking for a spot to have brunch and decided to try this place since none of us had been here before. Beautiful place with a great view. We were seated right away. Our server was very nice and provided great customer service. We ate outside they had a fire pit that kept us nice and warm. We started with the mimosa flight. It included a strawberry, guava and watermelon they were all delicious we all enjoyed them. My friend had the seafood eggs Benedict and was very happy with it. The rest of us had the boathouse breakfast. It was very good. We will definitely come back here again.

    Waiting room in the double tree hotel
    Kaylee C.

    I just want to say our server was hilarious! She was so personable and funny which made our dining experience enjoyable. We ordered the artichokes as a starter and they were seasoned and cooked well. We really enjoyed them! But, they were cold when they arrived at our table. For our entrees we ordered the Oxtail Ragu and the fettuccini Alfredo (which originally comes with scallops, and they substituted chicken for us). Both the entrees were cooked perfectly al dente. I loved trying oxtail for my first time! It was extremely soft and moist, but definitely a more fatty meat. I loved the ragu sauce. The Alfredo was good. But it needed some seasoning. Overall the service was outstanding and we enjoyed our visit.

    Kevin J.

    Crew and I decided to try the boathouse because we're staying at the hotel to fish. First, the place is nice, clean and very friendly staff. The sun in the later part of the day makes the facility hot and with no ac the place becomes stuffy. I ordered a double wygu burger. Trash. Fries were excellent. Meat had zero flavor, aoili tasted bad. After not eating all day i mustered about 1/2 of it down before i let them take it away. Not once did the waiter ask if anything was good or not. Maybe other items are good but this was not.

    The Bay and Frisco skyline
    Harry M.

    On a recent trip to visit relatives we took time to visit the Berkeley Boathouse. Situated at the Berkeley Marina this establishment provides excellent views of San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco skyline in the distance. The staff were welcoming and attentive and we were quickly seated at our table. We began the evening with glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. We next added a calamari appetizer and entrees that included the Boathouse Cioppino (clams, mussels, scallops, seabass, shrimp and crab in a tomato fennel broth, with grilled sourdough) and the Roasted Beet Salad. All were well prepared and tasty! Okay, I didn't do it justice that Cioppino was great actually, well seasoned and the Crab and other ingredients complimented each other. We will be back!

    Seating by the fire pit
    Richard B.

    First time here and it won't be our last. We were looking for a place to go for dinner after shopping close by and this was the winner. I knew the place was there, in the past may have discounted it because it was in a hotel. I was so wrong!! We started with the artichoke appetizer. Small chokes cut length wise in half then roasted with dipping sauce, like little artichoke popsicles. For a main we split the Scallop Fettuccine Alfredo. Not a big pasta fan but was very good. Drinks were good and a very nice wine list. Black Stallion was not on the menu, so be sure to ask if items are avaliable but not listed. Not only is this in a hotel, it's also on the water next to the Berkeley Yacht Harbor. If you like to look at boats, this is your place. There is a nice outdoor covered patio along the water where I am sure we will be next time. So a few added perks are it is inside a Double Tree Hotel. So, if ya'll imbibe a little too much there is a hotel room within walking distance (unless sold out). Option 2: If rooms are sold out there is a pool you could get accidently get naked and fall into. That will snap you back to some level of sobriety. Also, if you meet that new special someone at the bar you want to spend the rest of your life with or at least the next hour, as stated before, there are rooms in walking distance and at a good price. (Editorial note: I personally have not directly experienced any of the above scenarios.)

    Avocado toast $23
    Ultima M.

    This restaurant is located inside the Double Tree Hotel First time here, came for Christmas brunch all employees were nice and accommodating food presentation was amazing (see photo) but our food was COLD not to mention that the steak and eggs were NOT made as ordered We asked for medium well and we received medium rare This is a nice restaurant with beautiful views of the bay, restaurant has a nice ambiance to it but the food was rather lacking due to the temperature and prices are on the high side $7 for hot tea $7 for a cup of coffee $44 for steak & eggs cold &not made as ordered $23 for avocado toast $19 for waffles cold and hard There is indoor and outdoor seating Outside fire places and heating lamps After brunch we tried to have drinks at the bar but the bar closed at 1pm They do validate parking if you eat at the restaurant for 3 hours Other than that the parking is $40 !!!!!

    Marina
    Mick B.

    I had a great experience. I had Sunday brunch, I did the season omelette which was delicious and ample food. I was welcomed to take the left overs and accommodated with cutlery. lorre (I think that's how her name was spelled), was behind the bar and clearly managing drinks for the restaurant, while still trying to provide customer service to the bar. She was lovely and personable, while still clearly working hard. As a customer and a manager (in my professional life) I appreciated her service. The views were gorgeous. I loved the windows and view of the Marina. Really lovely experience and I will be back.

    Fish and chips
    Darren P.

    Paige, my server, is very friendly with a smile. She's attentive to your needs no matter how busy it is. The food is on point. I had the fish and chips (fries extra crispy). Flakey fish with a generous amount of crispy breading made this a meal I won't soon forget. I may have needed a bit more tartar, but that's because I used it all on the first three (of four) generous pieces. The fries were ever so crispy; just the way I ordered. Ambiance is chill and on point. I was alone so I sat in the bar watching one of the tv's, but you can sit in the dining area, where it's very quiet and relaxing too.

    Had an amazing Galentines dinner with 15 of my friends at The Berkeley Boathouse! From the moment I made a reservation, Deepa, the General Manager, was so thoughtful & quick to reply. She kept everything organized and stress-free throughout the planning process. On the day of the dinner, my friends and I were so impressed with the delicious food & incredible cocktails, warm, friendly service, and perfect ambiance with gorgeous views. It was an unforgettable experience! Wanna took such great care of us, and Chanh even ran outside to return a makeup bag I accidentally left behind. Everyone loved it and many want to come back. I know I will too.

    Dining area
    Cynthia Denice O.

    After a 12 hr drive from LA, with a few stop n go, a much needed dinner was in order. Checked out the Hotels restaurant. The host wasn't too friendly or just didn't feel like working that evening . I work in the hospitality industry and your host should be welcoming and exude great customer service etiquette . A good opportunity here to coach on best practices . This was on a Friday 10/11/24 at 6pm ish. The ambience was relaxing and the wait staff was friendly. My last advice is to check the crackers before giving it to your guest. They were stale unfortunately. The bread roll with the clam chowder was cold , I feel it would have been best served with crostini slices, fresh crotons or oyster crackers . Just a thought for next time . Thank you

    Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies even

    The staff made my birthday so special! I stopped by for drinks and dessert. I had my heart set on their famous chocolate chip walnut cookies. Even though this was no longer a menu item, Wanna worked with the chef to grant my birthday wish. She also helped get us the tins of cookies to take with us. So grateful for her exceptional service! Roger also stopped by to chat and wish me a happy birthday. We will definitely be back again soon!

    Crispy Skin Skuna Bay Salmon
    Beth A.

    We had reserved a table for 4 at 5:30pm on OpenTable for this restaurant. It was difficult to wave down a staff member for the front as no one is standing there. Staff kept saying someone would be there soon. We didn't actually sit down until about 5:45pm (we arrived at 5:20pm). Other guests said they had this issue here before. Apparently also their tablet of reservations was down or had no network connectivity (the area had poor Wi-Fi and phone connection), so if you use OpenTable for rewards remember to keep your receipt in case the restaurant staff can't check you in to your reservation. Once we sat down the dinner went much more smoothly. Our waiter was excellent, food came out quickly. The food itself was great - we got the calamari which does have a hint of spice with use of black pepper and the sauce can be spicy. The dining area in the front has a view of the marina, but it's harder to see the San Francisco skyline unless you sit in the outside patio. There is also a dining area in the back but a large group was seated there when we went.

    Lobster roll

    See all

    Photo of Jade P.
    167
    121
    26

    17 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gerald W.
    470
    48
    16

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 4
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 17
    Love this 36
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 4
    Love this 16
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Lorrie was wonderfully kind and attentive, she made our experience infinitely better!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mick B.
    220
    16
    8

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Love the vibe of the place and the food was great! Will definitely be coming back again!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Beth A.
    124
    290
    1107

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael N.
    372
    77
    70

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Hande G.
    38
    91
    32

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    The food, service, and ambience were all perfect everyday and every meal. I had a amazing time

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Roger was amazing with his attentive service. The food was excellent. Made for a relaxing way to end the day.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joan H.
    20
    81
    1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Albert N.

    Albert N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - The Berkeley Boathouse

    I tried to call the restaurant but no one picks up. Can someone confirm with me is dog allowed at the restaurant?

    Dogs are allowed on outside patio.

    Are dogs allowed?

    I am not 100% sure but they have patio sitting. Most patios allow dogs.

    What's the dress code?

    I would say business casual. There's not 'dress code', but it's a nice place and people typically dress the part.

    View All 5 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Seafood 26,313 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Acme Bar & Company - Michters toasted barrel

    Acme Bar & Company

    4.0(377 reviews)
    1.2 miWest Berkeley
    $$

    Local iconic cocktail bar with a standout whiskey and mezcal collection. Always enjoy the warm…read moreambience and impeccable service available here. We hosted my wife's 40th Birthday party at Acme for 40+ guests and worked directly with Jennifer (owner) to plan the whole thing. Jennifer did an absolutely knockout job ensuring the party had the best variety of tasty finger foods (including platters of fresh oysters from Monterey Fish Market with champagne to start), a hosted bar with specialty cocktails (Terence's drinks are always ), and incredible staff to keep my wife - and all our guests - incredibly happy. We were able to reserve a cute patio area with private bar and a private large room for our guests. I cannot wait for the next opportunity to host an event here again!

    I'm not sure whether it was the bartender who assisted me that evening, but unfortunately the…read morecustomer service I experienced was very disappointing. I tried to start a friendly conversation and ask a few questions about the drinks, however the responses I received were very brief and limited to only the drink names, which made the interaction feel unwelcoming. I also noticed that we were the only Latino guests there at the time, and throughout our visit we felt largely ignored. As a result, the overall atmosphere did not feel comfortable or inclusive to us. Based on this experience, I did not feel welcomed at this bar in Berkeley and would not recommend it. Even though we live only a few minutes away, it didn't feel like a place worth returning to or spending our time and money at.

    Photos
    Acme Bar & Company - Michter's Toasted Barrel

    Michter's Toasted Barrel

    Acme Bar & Company - Cheers with a little "cheeky" - from L to R: Terrence, Marina, Christa, Josh, Anais, Dre, Shadow, and a chick and dude I don't know (yet)

    Cheers with a little "cheeky" - from L to R: Terrence, Marina, Christa, Josh, Anais, Dre, Shadow, and a chick and dude I don't know (yet)

    Acme Bar & Company - Ceiling inside.

    See all

    Ceiling inside.

    Prizefighter - Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda + Ginger Beer ($19)

    Prizefighter

    4.4(580 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    This is one of my favorite bars for the past 15+ years (I will count the years when it was…read moreKitty's). Great drinks, great service, great vibes. In an old workshop space with high ceilings, the interior has plentiful windows and opens to the patio seating, making this a very sunny bar before sunset. It feels like a party. The outdoor area is a mini oasis in this industrial pocket between Berkeley and Emeryville (near Ashby Lumber and Urban Ore). You can't go wrong with any of their special cocktails, and the bartender helped me choose something once when I forgot my glasses. They are a little pricey, but good and generous. The vibe feels hip and cool yet open to all.

    Came here for the first time during my friend's bachelor party, and I have to say -- the vibes were…read moreimmaculate. The crowd was friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, and as a minority, I still felt comfortable here. Security at the front was super chill and made a great first impression for someone visiting for the first time. I decided to try the espresso martini, and unfortunately it just wasn't for me. It tasted very vodka-forward, and I was expecting a smoother balance with more coffee flavor. Definitely not my favorite drink of the night, so I probably wouldn't order it again. Expresso martini- 1/5 That being said, I'd still come back for the energy and overall experience alone. Stars are based on overall experience.

    Photos
    Prizefighter - Patio seating

    Patio seating

    Prizefighter - An endless amount of liquor options

    An endless amount of liquor options

    Prizefighter - Beer & food menu

    See all

    Beer & food menu

    Tipsea - Floral Reef $16 - Ginger guava tequila , Lightkeepers Daughter $15- pineapple coconut rum, The Green Flash $14- Basil Fuji apple Vodka

    Tipsea

    4.5(180 reviews)
    2.5 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    Shattuck is full of fun bars to slip into, Tipsea being one of them. I've been here twice, and this…read morewas the first time trying snacks while here besides cocktails. Looking for an in-between spot (a sip and bite before dinner), we cozied up to the bar here for a quick cocktail and bar food snack. We ordered onion rings that came with the choice of a variety of sauces including Tikka Sauce, Siracha Mango, Sweet Chili, Korean BBQ, Hot Honey, and more. Both the cocktails and snacks came timely, and we enjoyed conversation and community chatting with other locals/tourists visiting Berkeley for a short time. The vibes are right in Tipsea and I dig the nautical ambiance/theme/play on words. Worthy of a stop through; street parking on Shattuck/paid garages nearby, but ride-share sometimes easiest for these locations. NA options available and full menu including burgers, a fried chicken sando, seafood options, other bar snacks including Navi's and loaded tots, and dessert.

    My friend and I came here for some late night eats because they closed at 2am…read more We had a drink each. I didn't really know what I wanted to drink so I asked the service whatever is pink and pretty. she brought out a pretty pink tequila drink for it which I enjoyed a lot! I had the B.L.A.T burger and it was good. I like how the fries were small and crunchy. They didn't have honey mustard or ranch though so that was a little disappointing. The venue was pretty. It's not that big but they make do of the space and it's very cute in there.

    Photos
    Tipsea - Full bar

    Full bar

    Tipsea - Pina colada(flower) lemon drop and a ocean breeze(so good!) all amazing drinks

    Pina colada(flower) lemon drop and a ocean breeze(so good!) all amazing drinks

    Tipsea - Lemon drop

    See all

    Lemon drop

    Roses On Adeline

    Roses On Adeline

    4.5(116 reviews)
    2.6 miSouth Berkeley

    What a great find! I had a terrific lunch over at Roses on Adeline…read more Arrived right when they opened at 4pm and sat right down at the bar. I met the lovely Aurora who took great care of me from start to finish. This spot had a great happy hour and i definitely took advantage of the HH drinks. I had two for 10 bucks a piece, such a great little deal. Initially I wanted a burger, but if there is raw fish on the menu, all other thoughts leave my brain. So, of course, I had to grab the ahi tuna bowl. and my oh my, that was delicious!!!!! So many places with tuna, don't serve it with Won Ton chips, but Roses on Adeline got the memo! I love a won ton chip and these were giant and perfect with my fish. The fish came in a lovely sauce. So perfect! Such a great spot! I had a great time chatting it up with Aurora and eating yummy food. I love finding places that are somewhat nearby because it gives me a great excuse to come again.

    The one thing I'm always looking for when I go out with my fiancé is good food, good drinks, and a…read morecozy vibe with great ambiance. And what a nice surprise it was to have Roses on Adeline hitting the mark on all 3. We've been to Roses on Adeline twice now, once as a walk in and the second time with reservations. Both times we went for happy hour. Their drinks are creative and yummy. The smash burger here is absolutely delicious. The fries w/ sriracha aioli is also the perfect light bite. But beyond the good food & drinks, the ambiance here is really what brings us back. I love the vibe this place has and am so excited to have this as our new local staple for a date night. But be warned this place fills up quickly - I would recommend making reservations if you can!

    Photos
    Roses On Adeline
    Roses On Adeline - Charcuterie board

    Charcuterie board

    Roses On Adeline - Beehive cocktail

    See all

    Beehive cocktail

    Trader Vic's - Lettuce Cups

    Trader Vic's

    3.6(1.3k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    First things first, the drinks here are absolutely outstanding. It was great to go to one of the…read morefirst tiki bars in the US and to try so many different cocktails. They're about $16 a cocktail which isn't terrible, but if you are drinking and dining you'll run up a pretty tab. It's also not in a part of the city that you'll be able to take public transit to, so make sure you have a DD or an uber ready. The food was good, but not exquisite. I liked the Maui Wowie shrimp a lot, and would probably try something more novel instead of chicken next time. The artisanal love is definitely poured into the drinks. Overall, this was a fairly expensive date night. The bartenders were lovely, and although the place was full when we got there around 6:30 the crowd thinned out as the night progressed. It's the kind of place you either have to get reservations for or be comfortable waiting.

    This place is known for it's mai tai's, but they have lots of other fruity and colorful cocktails…read morehere. I think the main attraction of this place is the location. It sits on the beautiful Emeryville Marina. It's an amazing piece of real estate, right on the water. The service here is decent, but nothing special. Everyone seems to have worked there for quite some time. There wasn't a lot of enthusiasm in the service, but they tolerated my questions. Parking is easy. There's a parking lot right out front.

    Photos
    Trader Vic's - Well-stocked bar included local rums

    Well-stocked bar included local rums

    Trader Vic's - Koans Puffer

    Koans Puffer

    Trader Vic's - Bumbu Hunter

    See all

    Bumbu Hunter

    Tallboy - Cheese in the trap

    Tallboy

    4.4(173 reviews)
    3.7 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    This place is great! The drinks are delicious and very affordable. Service can be a little slow at…read moretimes but that's completely understandable since it's usually packed. Making drinks for a crowd takes time and the staff always does their best. The people who come here are super friendly which adds to the welcoming, cozy vibe of the place. It's the kind of spot where you instantly feel comfortable. If you love a good martini this is definitely a place you should check out.

    I'll give it to them, Tallboy is a solid concept with their "tinis & weenies". However, a clever…read moreconcept can carry a place so far. Customer service is a close second to concept. Tallboy's martini menu is well-executed. While I didn't personally try one of the slushies, a friend ordered the espresso martini version and gave it a solid thumbs-up. Unfortunately, the experience falls apart when it comes to food and service. Waiting 30+ minutes for two hot dogs (after paying) is hard to justify. When I checked in with a server, she was curt and dismissive. She was quick to explain there was only one person in the kitchen, with no effort to offer a solution, timeline, or even basic courtesy. I understand staffing issues happen. However, customer service is a close second to concept. How an issue is communicated and addressed is what separates good service from bad. What's more frustrating is that these aren't customer problems to absorb. If the kitchen is understaffed, if tables aren't being cleared in a timely manner at a seat-yourself spot, those are management problems. Guests should not have to choose to leave without the food we paid for. There's a lot of competition out there, and concepts alone aren't enough to bring people back. I genuinely wanted that hot dog. That's probably the most disappointing part of the whole experience. Great drinks, solid ambiance, but the service needs serious attention.

    Photos
    Tallboy - The bat and the awesome bartender!

    The bat and the awesome bartender!

    Tallboy - Lion dancing dog

    Lion dancing dog

    Tallboy - Banana hammock

    See all

    Banana hammock

    The Berkeley Boathouse - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...