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    The Saap Avenue

    4.3 (342 reviews)
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    THE SAAP AVENUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids

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    Steamed catfish
    Tasha H.

    Not bad, but probably not somewhere I would return to. I think the cocktails and appetizers are where they shine, so I would recommend coming for happy hour rather than a full dinner. Bar staff were very nice. Cocktail menu is SF pricing ($17-18/drink) but they have some fun options. Food is unique and mostly tasty. Enjoyed the spareribs (especially the sauce- I ended up putting it on everything!) and chive cakes were nice. Curry puffs were pretty disappointing. 80% pastry and very little flavor. Papaya salad - big portion, very flavorful and fishy, borderline salty. Don't get this if you don't LOVE fermented shrimp/seafood paste Steamed catfish - loved how unique this dish is, the steamed contents were so flavorful, however this dish took a full 45 minutes to come out. Considering the price, probably wouldn't return here, but it was fun to check out something new.

    Andrea Y.

    Fun vibes, tasty cocktails, friendly service that serves up delicious food. This has been on my list and I'm glad I finally got to find a terrific Lao restaurant. I'd definitely bring family and friends here. You should definitely try it.

    Zoe G.

    Came for a baby shower and loved the variety between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. I got the mango limeade and it was very refreshing. The curry puffs, spring rolls, and the roti were our favorite appetizers. We got the yellow, pumpkin, and panang curry they were all delicious. We did have to order extra rice and tried to order roti a few times, but overall nice spot.

    Lao Appetizer Platter
    Sabrina C.

    My family came here for my brothers birthday on a Monday evening and were able to be seated early for our reservation! Parking can be slightly difficult since it is just street parking. The service is great and they checked up on us frequently and made great recs! We have never had Laos food so this is a great introduction. We ordered the Laos appetizer platter and loved it! The salmon curry was slightly dry but still really tasty. They did warn us that the papaya salad tastes different than Thai style, and I'm glad to have tried it! Overall, I would love to come back and try more Lao food!

    Lao Appetizer Platter
    Reeven S.

    I came here at the last hour and they were not letting people dine in - just take out, which is completely understandable. BUUUT if only I was able to come in earlier and dine in because the interior was pleasant and the staff were friendly, and of course the food was fantastic! I ordered the Lao appetizer platter and it was sooooo good. The rice? Flavorful. Texture-heavy. Delicious. The Lao Sausages? EVEN BETTER. I enjoyed my experience here even if I was eating my meal inside my car. I'm definitely coming back to experience the entirety of what The Saap Avenue can offer - great service, great atmosphere, and even greater dishes.

    Lao Appetizer Platter
    Connie L.

    Food was legit and the vibe is festive! We ordered the spicy basil wings and the Lao platters and it was more than enough food for the two of us. Honorable mention is our wonderful server Jasmine and fun loving bartender Linda. We had a great time!

    Spring Rolls
    Scott H.

    We stopped here on a whim as we were looking for something new after a workout class. Walking in there were plenty of tables open. This place has an enormous bar area as well. It must have been a sports bar in its former life. We ordered the Roti to start and my wife ordered the spring rolls with shrimp. I went with the roast duck over rice. The Roti was fine... it seemed like they put their roti in a panini press and just served it like that, so not a lot of flavor. The Thai restaurant down the street (infinity) has a much better roti. The curry dipping sauce was really good though. My wife said the spring rolls were "fine". I really enjoyed my duck over rice dish though. The duck was moist and full of flavor and the hot soy sauce had a nice kick to it. Service seemed a bit off, slow to get water for us and hot sauce, but everyone was nice. I'd come back for the duck rice, but I don't know if this place would get elevated to a "must return".

    Catfish and cabbage boiled in leaves
    Sharon B.

    I had plans here for dinner with some friends and it was our first time all hanging out. I got here before everyone else. I was coming from work so I took Bart to Rockridge and walked to Piedmont Avenue. Yes it was a 30 minute walk and by the time I arrived, I was low key sweaty, but I got my steps in! I realized when I got there that the girls had made reservations for 6 PM so I had an hour to chill which was cool because I like absorbing my surroundings beforehand anyway. I decided since I had an hour, that I could chill with a drink so I chose the Hella Daisy, which was vodka, pineapple and something- hella refreshing and yummy that I ended up having two drinks before the girls arrived. My server, San, was super friendly and warm and listened to my sob story about walking from Rockridge to Piedmont. As a group we ordered the appetizer platter, fried chicken wings, the basil chicken wings, the catfish boiled in leaves, the short ribs ,The salmon in curry. We were all in heaven, passing plates around, sharing food, it was beautiful! My favorite and most memorable dish was appetizer platter because I enjoyed eating the lettuce wraps with sticky rice, fried spring rolls and fried rice salad with a sprig of mint! Also the fried short ribs were the best in my opinion because it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and with the vinegar dip it was delectable! I also enjoyed the fried chicken wings as well! Everything was delicious and it was the perfect girls night!

    Wings

    Food was really good and service so cool Don't miss they're happy hour Makes me feel like home

    Kissing Lychee
    Towanna W.

    A week ago, I got to check out this really great Laotian restaurant/bar conveniently located on Piedmont Ave in Oakland. I overheard a colleague mention that they were a mixologist here and after a mutually rough day at work- another colleague and I decided to check it out for happy hour. Did I mention Happy Hour is everyday from 5-8 pm (only at the bar) with it's own bar menu alongside the restaurant menu? We were pleasantly surprised as we walked in- first off, we were able to find parking across the street on a busy Friday night so it made me feel safe to be able to see my car. The place seats about 50 people (both bar and restaurant). Lots of open windows- as you walk in you wait to be seated. We were delighted to see how many people were coming in and out- seemed like a lot of regulars including family, couples and friends. We even sat next to two friends who frequent here regularly and offered up some good food suggestions. We sat at the bar and chose the following from the bar menu: CRISPY VEGETARIAN EGG ROLLS- 5/5 The egg rolls were just as described- nice and crispy on the outside filled to the brim with fresh to order veggies and a sweet dipping sauce. This was our favorite dish. GARLIC PORK RIBS My friend ordered these as I'm pescatarian- she loved them and ate them all! CHIVE CAKE- Vegetarian 3/5 Personally not my favorite- I think it was a texture thing... a little gummy for me on the chew and filled only with chive. I would order the shrimp dish next time. THE COCKTAILS See Daniel at the bar- he is passionate and so knowledgeable about spirits and mixing cocktails. I had the Miss Lemongrass as I asked for something light and my friend had the Kissing Lychee which was tasty (I had a sip). We even asked Daniel to make up a drink on the spot and he didn't disappoint. COST- Pricing is very reasonable for the Happy Hour food menu- cocktails run about $14 so it can add up pretty quickly if you're ordering a few. OVERALL AMBIENCE/EXPERIENCE The decor was really funky and aesthetically pleasing- I took lots of photos and videos. I will definitely come back to try the regular menu with my Mom. It's a cozy place to get a good meal, have some sexy libations or mocktails and meet some cool people and although it was busy- it never seemed too packed.

    Papaya salad
    Genghis K.

    Indochina Laos cuisine, most of Vietnamese plates are appearing here in this place. However the dipping sauce is americanized, lighter, sweeter than original taste. Nice service! However when asking for check they "taps" on the table ?!? Very impolite! Will not give them any second chance, no more next time. American bar ambiance.

    Steamed Catfish (Ho Mok Pla)
    Austin W.

    I stopped by with my wife for date night on a Friday afternoon with a reservation at 7:00 p.m. and we were promptly seated at a table. The atmosphere is energetic ± with EDM music blasting over the speakers, and the decor is eclectic and fun. My wife got a rum based coconut cocktail while I got a bourbon, aperol, and mango cocktail. We both thoroughly enjoyed our drinks and loved that the fruit flavors weren't too sweet or overpowering. For our food, we got three items: the appetizer platter, the chicken wings with their house sauce and sticky rice, and lastly, their steamed fish in banana leaves and sticky rice. For two people, this ended up being way too much food. When the fish arrived, I could only take one bite because I was so full. The food itself was fantastic, especially the crispy rice salad that came with the appetizer platter. A spoonful of rice into a lettuce wrap with a small touch of their house sauce makes for the perfect, balanced bite. Another item I especially loved from the appetizer plate was the Laotian sausage, which is bursting full of flavor. The only item I would skip on would probably be the chicken wings, as they were not particularly special, as our other dishes came with sticky rice and their house sauce as well. I cannot wait to come back to this neighborhood gem.

    Jack H.

    Sometimes you gotta pop out and taste some new food. We ventured into Oakland for Happy Hour, and we found The Saap Avenue on Piedmont. What I really liked and appreciated was that their Happy Hour is Daily 5pm to 8pm (Most places I have seen HH start at 3pm and end at 6pm). The deals are great on the happy hour menu. All apps are $8 and drinks range from $6 to $14 (signature cocktails). The two drinks we got were the Saap Tea, which is like a thai tea with alcohol in it. Highly recommend this one. The Miss Lemongrass is a tasted more like a mojito. I wish I got more of the lemongrass flavor. It was still perfect for a hot summer day. All the apps were great. The Curry puff was our favorite of the bunch. The vegetarian is filled with potatoes and can fill you up easily. The spare ribs were on the pungent and salty side, so a heads up for you on that. Roti with the curry is a classic dish and can never go wrong with that order. The Chive pastry was great as well. The texture of the pastry is flaky ans crunchy. The best dish of the night was the Ka Poon. It is gluten free. There's a lot in this dish to love, but the best part was the broth. I will definitely order this again the next time I come back. Service also needs acknowledgment. They were very quick with every dish. The owner was interacting with us and comforting us throughout our meal. Thank you Saap!

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - The Saap Avenue

    Do they have brown rice?

    Yes, their menu says they have brown rice.

    Do you have vegan options?

    Yes, we do have vegan options. Please check out our website for complete details. All items listed as vegetarian is also vegan.

    Why the name change to The Saap avenue?

    The reason behind the name change is that we want to bring to the community a neighborhood restaurant that offer authentic Lao food and southeastern inspired cocktails, as well as classic cocktails… 

    View All 9 Questions

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    Tallboy - Deli dog

    Tallboy

    4.4(188 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    So been living in Oakland for going on 15 years now. I'm not what you would call a "bar" person. I…read moretend to enjoy my cocktails, wine, and beer in the cozy confines of my own home. That said I'm occasionally inspired to go check out the local watering holes for a good pour, some food if possible, and just to be in the presence of the human pulsation. Walking into Tallboy on a Thursday afternoon was a bit like Nirvana for me. There is a comforting vibe of neighborhood and after work people shedding responsibility and "toe the lineness" and transitioning to pondering true meaning and the other side of the elliptical bend over nicely crafted cocktails and HOTDOGS! I am a hotdog fiend, and Tallboy has a very creative range on the menu that does not disappoint. From a basic onions/mustard, an Elote Dog, an a Coney Islandesque (it has chili) version. Some folk go to bar and line up shots (or craft cocktails). At Tallboy you can do that AND line up their hotdogs which I intend on doing in the very near future. The pleasantries don't stop at the food (there are other delicious snack items on their menu to choose from too). Tallboy has a fully stocked bar, and the menu has a list of really unique and delicious signature craft cocktails. I'm not a Mezcal drinker, but I ended up dubiously ordering their Guava Martini which to my smokey surprise is made with Mezcal. I stayed with the smokey fruitiness of this Guava Martini as it was my mistake that I did not read in the description it is made with Mezcal, and ended up chasing it with their Tamarindo Cocktail which also has Mezcal. To those who really enjoy Mezcal the Tallboy Guava Martini and the Tamarindo Cocktail do not disappoint. Both have that deep Smokey Mezcal essence, but cut with the fruit sweetness. I personally think the Tamarindo balances well with the Mezcal. The Guava Martini the Mezcal comes through stronger, but both are just the tonic to release any existential pinging going on in your head. If you really want to kick in the hyperdrive pair either of these with an Elote Dog. I had their Deli Dog which sufficed. I think the Deli Dog would pair better with their standard Martini, but hey let's us not bring that snobbiness into Tallboy. Tallboy has an element of cloak and dagger or secret treehouse club about it. What I mean here is there is no signage on the outside (please keep it that way!). When you walk past all you see is this quaint beigeish/yellow brick façade of an establishment which begs you to press your face to the glass and scan what in the blazes is going on in here! Before you know it you are caught in the Tallboy tractor beam, and you find yourself sitting at the bar with some kind of craft drank and hotdog pondering the space and the very nice old fashioned wainscoting painted a shade of green circa 1930 (my description of winning in life). The cadre of bartenders are all really pleasant folk, very attentive (checking in with you to see if you need another round, hotdog, or snack), have tight shaker skills, and they know their craft and the menu. Tallboy also has SLUSHIES, and I did not do a deep dive on them, but I'm positive they may/do put spirits in them; or not. Also I noticed other patrons with a beautiful enticing thing that looked like an ice cream sundae milkshake hybrid (it had what looked like whipped cream on top) in on old timey soda fountain ice cream goblet. This could be a craft cocktail they make with the slushie, but major props for serving it in that goblet. I will investigate on my next visit which I intend to be very soon. Tallboy is the kind of bar establishment I could easily adopt as my after work living room for a couple of hours everyday.

    Had an amazing experience at Tallboy!…read more Sat at the bar on a sunny weekend and immediately loved the vibes. Bartenders were friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Can't quite describe it but it didn't feel like an SF bar, felt more open and like a community watering whole. On to the food and drinks. I'm vegetarian so was so excited to try the dogs - which are vegan. And I may be biased but you cannot tell that you're missing out on anything with all the flavor packed combos. The bun was fluffy and soft and you have multiple fun themed options to choose from. My partner and I ended up getting the deli dog and truffle meltdown. Deli was perfect - classic mix of spice and crunch with the spicy brown mustard and giardiniera peppers. And the truffle meltdown was so savory and decadent - totally different flavor profiles from each dog! We were only going to grab one drink but the menu was so inventive we ended up getting two. I ordered the banana hammock (which comes with a fire show) and espresso martini slushee which was is up there with the frozen Irish coffees I've had in New Orleans. Man writing this has my mouth watering... definitely coming back for more dogs, drinks, and vibes!

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    The bat and the awesome bartender!

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    Bar Shiru - Actual Proof - superb!

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    4.3(313 reviews)
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    Have to update because I've been back since 2019 and this spot still is so classy! They also offer…read moremusic nights which is like a listening party for a specific record. You can find their schedule on their site. Very grown and sexy vibes. Cocktails are pricey but worth it. It's a great place to start date night or meet up for a first date. Staff is always prompt and friendly. Love that there are other places in walking distance too, if you're looking to bar hop or get something to eat. One of the nicer bars in the area, for sure!

    My sister and I were really excited to come here, but unfortunately, the experience was incredibly…read moredisappointing. We waited 15 minutes outside in the cold, where Taylor, the same hostess who later seated us, added us to the waitlist and then asked us to leave because there was "no standing room." After 30 more minutes, we finally received the text to come in. When we returned, Taylor didn't acknowledge us and told us to go to the back of the line. After showing her our text, she seated us. We noticed two open seats at the bar and asked if we could sit there. She said the bar was first come, first serve..yet moments later, she seated two walk-ins who had been behind us in line at those exact seats. The inconsistency and lack of hospitality made us feel completely disrespected. We were excited to finally get in, but ultimately decided to leave. Such a bummer!!

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    Parche - EMPANADITAS BRAVAS yuca masa, pulled pork & tamarind, housemade hogao

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    4.4(669 reviews)
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    Had a great dinner at Parche! The Tumaco Ceviche was fresh, with a nice touch of sweet drop…read morepeppers. Our favorite was the Empanada de Ajiaco--filling, perfectly crusted, and served with delicious jalapeño cilantro aioli. The Patacones were good, though the beef, onion marmalade, and tropical salsa were a bit sweet for my taste. The Cacao Nariño dessert was amazing, especially with our Carajillos and Espresso Martinis. Friendly service, quick food, and a fun meal overall!

    Where to start....This is probably the worse value of any restaurant I have every been to. $150 for…read more2 people for 2 small dishes, 2 drinks, and an appetizer. My wife got a rice dish that had a few vegetables in it, no meat. It was $34. I got a chicken dish. I did not know chickens could be that small. It was $39. Both were good. Just incredibly overpriced. As if that were not enough. The rice dish did not come with everything as described on the menu. Less food. Same price. When we brought this to the manager's attention his response was "the chef has been experimenting lately. The menu needs to be updated." The service was good not great. 80% of the restaurant has a a great vibe and decor. Then there is a divider that contains the other 20% which is dark. Think eating in a dungeon. At first they tried to seat us in the dungeon. When I asked to escape the dungeon they reluctantly moved us into the light, and gave us some BS story about why this was difficult for them. But there was no difficultly seating the other parties of 2 who came after us in the light. Enough said. Do yourself a favor and don't go to Parche.

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    Bar area

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    Grilled fish with herbs was so good

    Parche - Mocktails - Dark N' Spicy in the long glasses. Short glass were complimentary so I'm not sure but delicious!

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    Mocktails - Dark N' Spicy in the long glasses. Short glass were complimentary so I'm not sure but delicious!

    The Saap Avenue - laotian - Updated September 2026

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