Holy Moly the paella. Was running errands in the East Bay and decided to stop in for lunch a few months ago... their paella was delicious, loaded with flavorful spice and lots of chicken and shrimp. Service was also very attentive and multiple people checked in to make sure all was well. Recommend, I wish they were in SF! read more

This is an outstanding spot with exceptional food and high standards. I've eaten here many times and never had a bad meal and once in a while have been served some of the best satisfying meals ever. You can't go wrong with the food but make a reservation because it can be busy. read more

Came here for brunch today and am already looking forward to my next meal here. I love the hip/casual ambiance and eclectic interior decor of Shakewell. We ordered/ - Chicken and Churros: the fluffy churros outshined the chicken here. I wish the chicken was more flavorful and crispy. I'll definitely order the churros again separately - French Toast: quite possibly the best French toast I've ever had. The flavor is caramel-y and not overly sweet - Shrimp and Grits: loved every part of this dish. Everything was flavorful and perfectly cooked read more

The Well - Sherry flight - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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We reserved a table at Shakewell for a birthday dinner but decided to sit at the bar as soon as we were able to size up the restaurant. The bar is great! We liked the bartenders and loved the two wines by the glass that we selected for our dinner: a Ligurian white (pigato, I think) and a rosé whose name had a bunch of x's in it (so that it was either Greek or Basque, or both). The arugula-basil salad was excellent. For our main dish, we chose the classic paella with shrimp and chorizo. I thought that this classic was not up to the standard of our usual go-to paella (which we obtain in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, next door to Chez Panisse). The rice was under-cooked, and the chorizo consisted of dime-sized slices of hard sausage that did not contribute in any way to the taste of the Bomba rice. The crunchy texture of the dish seemed wrongheaded to me. The paella did not end up putting Shakewell into negative territory for me. I'd like to come back, but I'll get the fried chicken or the salmon. read more

Service - 5 Stars Food - 3-4 Stars Location - 5 Stars Honestly I had the Fried Chicken, which was different (Not regular African-American Fried Chicken I am used to), but still good... but honestly I give them 4 stars because of their service. Someone busted my window and Shakewell staff came out, gave me cardboard, tape, helping me to board up my window. Customer service is too often a thing of the past, but Shakewell believes! And because of that I believe in them. read more

This is a cute find in the area. There is lots of indoor and outdoor seating! Everything is ordered online through you phone which is easy but there is no way to make substitutions. That can be frustrating for anyone with specific dietary needs. The food is satisfying but not out of this world. read more

Fantastic ... again! 'Stop in on every visit to the area. My fav. Great food and amazing variety on the menu. Totally nice folks from the greeter to the table service. My shrimp and grits for brunch was awesome, as was the special pana cotta dessert. And the unique Irish coffee was the perfect start. We'll be back!! read more

The lunch menu is very eclectic - lots of Spanish dishes like papas bravas, croquetas, etc. but also classic California like avocado toast, and tacos. All of it was delicious, but not amazing. I had the quinoa salad which was filling and a fantastic vegan option, although pretty expensive at $15 and added the falafel for another $4. It was pretty dry so I got a side of dressing, which is badly needed. I also used their housemade carrot hot sauce for falafels (highly recommend). Had the sparkling rose which was delicious and a real wine pour, not in a champagne flute (yaaassss). We also ordered the shakshuka and crocquetas with squid ink aioli, which everyone seemed to enjoy. I saw other diners having the fried chicken & churros which looked amazing & very hearty. Will have to be back to give that a try. Another diner actually purchased the housemade hot sauce, which was not very spicy, but was tasty! read more

Good food, and drinks. We ordered the manchego plate with a rosé sangria, and margarita. The food was really tasty, I loved the membrillo and marcona almonds that came on the platter but the service wasn't that good. The bartender checked on us several times and our server disappeared for long periods of time when we needed refills on water, or needed napkins, a box, or the check. read more

The Well - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Date of dining: Feb. 4, 17 Time: 8:00PM Table for: 2 ta·pas : small Spanish savory dishes, typically served with drinks at a bar. Ambiance: hip, good music, low lighting, loud, mature crowd (mostly UC Berkeley professors ) but HEY! that may be your thing. Presentation: nothing special. we were seated at a very awkward & uncomfortable small table for two. The place was very busy so we just took the table; but I do not recommend the small wooden tables. Ordered: Quail Eggs: (2) A one bite snack. Tasty. Chicharrones: Simple fried pork belly or fried pork rinds, nothing unique/different about the dish Falafel: Freshly made to order, deep-fried to perfection (not over cooked) Fried Chicken: Meh' we did not like was too dry and the dipping sauce we were unsure of Short Rib: Melts in your mouth, full of flavor Drinks: Sangria - arrived in a whisky glass and was watered down, disappointing Balvenie 12 - ($15.00) two fingers Customer service: hostess and food runners were great! was our server up to par? hmmmm. cons: was not very attentive, did not receive good energy from him. Overall: Decent place for the area and what it's worth, set your exceptions low and you'll have a good time. read more

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This used to be my favorite place in Oakland. But post Covid, I was so disappointed. Menu was limited. Sea bass was so dry and tasted like Tala pita, fried chicken was mehhhh.., there was hair in our salad and overall the whole experience was not good. I hope they go back to making real food instead of mediocre food. read more

Not sure why restaurants these days feel that the ambiance has to be uber loud to be cool! Shakewell in Oakland is almost eardrum breaking. You can hear the roar from the street. There isn't a soft surface in the restaurant. Décor includes big rocks as dividers, concrete floors, and glass tables that sound like they are going to shatter as soon as you place your drink on them. The bar is beautiful and well stocked, although we weren't impressed with the margaritas. The food is quite good, but the earth shattering noise made it almost impossible for our group of four to enjoy the meal. Bread isn't served but flatbread is for sale. Margarita=2 Salad with strawberries was ho hum = 2 Grilled Octopus, tasty=3.5 Lamb and Beef Meatballs were tasty and bold=3.5 Shrimp paella-could have used more shrimp=3.5 Duck confit was the best entree=4 The wait staff were all very friendly and competent, delivered plenty of water, yet they had to shout to describe menu items. We could only imagine the headaches they must have after a shift. Normally I'd bump a 3.5 rating up to a 4, but, truly, the loudness of the place was almost unbearable. BRING EAR PLUGS! Note to management: Do something to tone down the noise, please, as you have an interesting restaurant. read more

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Came for brunch today for the first time. My grandson and I were very hungry since we had a small breakfast early this morning. We ordered the fried chicken and churros, avocado toast, and French toast with a side of bacon and scrambled eggs. I was amazed at how crispy, tender and well seasoned the chicken was, and the churros were like crispy little clouds. The avocado toast was good, but I was too focused on my chicken and churros to pay much attention to it! My grandson's French toast was amazing too, as was the crispy bacon! The bacon and eggs was too much food for him, so we wound up taking some of the French toast, avocado toast, bacon and eggs home for a snack later! The only thing we finished was the fried chicken and churros (which we shared!) the service was excellent as well. We'll be going back for brunch again. read more

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Dining in is great. This place is cozy, trendy looking, and has great drinks appetizers. The staff are all friendly and thorough even when they are swamped with customers. Great a Unfortunately, if you prefer more vegan options, there aren't very many to choose from on the menu but it doesn't hurt to ask them to modify a little. Also, it's best to go after 6pm because parking on Lakeshore is monitored by meter readers before that time. read more

Best neighborhood choice for dinner, brunch, cocktails! Love it! Go often!Great atmosphere!

I loved so many elements at Shakewell. First, food is fabulous. The lamb/beef kafta was sublime and the fried chicken beyond delicious. The asparagus was grilled to perfection...crunchy and flavorful. Second, the cocktails and dessert was outstanding. Lastly but most importantly, the staff was warm, friendly, helpful and each dish came super quickly. I fell in love with Shakewell...I'll definitely return very soon. read more

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I really like this place for brunch! Over the last few years, I've come here a few times and have had the opportunity to try the eggs benedict (over falafel), which I think is a really cool twist, the shakshuka (also really good), and this last time I tried the breakfast lentils with eggs and avocado toast. I gotta say, the lentils are my favorite by far! Can't wait to come back and try more of their menu! read more

The great things about Shakewell is that it's like the TV show Cheers except: 1. It's a restaurant and a bar. 2. Shakewell has people of color in it, including me. 3. Cheers rarely did. 4. The owners of Shakewell are neighborly and welcoming folks. 5. Cheers owners were just plain nuts and self centered. 6. The food and drink rocks at Shakewell! read more

Since I wasn't able to show my sister what I was talking about with the fried chicken last time during brunch.. Here we are again! We got the fried chicken, classic paella with chorizo and prawns, AND finished with their made-to-order fluffy churros with bitter chocolate sauce.... SOOO GOOD and my sister was so impressed that she went straight to bed as soon as we got home :) read more

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This is the "review before the review" as I must admit, I did not order food on this inaugural visit to Shake Well. I wanted to try their unique cocktails and, considering we're in the midst of a pandemic, I realize the dine-in options are non-existent so I eschewed the food. What I DID discover was a delicious cocktail menu featuring the Fairlane and a mezcal cocktail (#6) that were both delicious. The friendly service and warm vibe was so infectious that I went back for a second round and, seeing the cool interior, it's an absolute certainty that I will be going there when this COVID-19 era is over. read more

Chilaquiles. . . Chilaquiles . . . Chilaquiles. . . Shakewell - It's not just for dinner . . . Awesome space, fun and hoppin' atmosphere. Super friendly host and servers from beginning to end... you will feel very welcome here. Partner had the "Shakshuka" - moroccan baked eggs, roasted peppers, chickpeas, herbs, feta, toast. He called it the Chaka Khan. . . It was fantastic! Oh, and guess what I had???? Chilaquiles!!!! - guajio chile sauce, creme fraiche, scallions, cilantro, scrambled eggs, queso fresco. I had mine with chicken. Super awesome is all I can say. We had a great time here, chatting with the neighbors, and enjoyed some really fun and delicious food... This place is a hit for me. read more

Shakewell! One word AMAZING! Why you ask? The service is always great! The food is fantastic and it's just an all around wonderful local restaurant! My partner have spent many a date night at Shakewell. We love the food especially the brunch menu! The bottomless mimosas are delightful! I can not say enough good things about this place! Keep up the amazing work! read more

I love Shakewell. Sitting at the bar or the window is so enjoyable. The food is great and the service is to!

How have I not yet reviewed Shakewell?! I go to Shakewell several times a month, sometimes just for a cocktail, sometimes for a bite at the bar (also with a cocktail, duh), but always for the friendly, engaging staff. Must-haves that are always on the menu: - Fried chicken - Falafel - Spanish octopus - Lamb and beef kefta Must-have seasonal rotations - Whatever the steak is - Whatever the shaved squash is - Whatever the market fish is - Any vegetable dish Everything is always really well balanced. I had the best watermelon salad of my life the other day, and what made it stand out was the perfect balance of sweet, salt, and heat. I cannot recommend this dish enough. read more

On my recent visit to SF and Oakland, I visited Shakewell with a girlfriend who is a regular. She'd been raving about these "AMAZING poached eggs with falafel," and didn't even give me any other options for brunch spots. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the owner and seated at the bar. I noted right away that all the people I saw working were laughing and happy. I think we can all agree that it's not easy to be a server, especially not when you want to be having brunch instead of serving it, but the attitudes of these folks enhanced the whole mood of the restaurant. It just felt perky. I ordered the chilaquiles (which I don't see on the online menu) and added chicken for a $4 upcharge. I couldn't even believe how much food they set in front of me! Flavors were BOMB but I wouldn't have minded a bit more scrambled egg and a bit less of the sauce; it just made everything soggy after a while. (I'm not a fast eater.) My friend (surprisingly...) ordered the "poached eggs, falafel cake, spanish chorizo, romesco sauce, herbs" for $16, and just about licked her plate clean. I was able to snag a bite before she devoured it and should say it was totally swoon-worthy. Not only was it gorgeous but just so, so yummy and healthy. What a good way to start the day! read more

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I love this restaurant, it's my local go to! The carrot habanero hot sauce is the absolute best!

Great customer service and cocktails. The fried chicken is excellent. Arugula salad and mushroom side were terrific. Great neighborhood gem and owner Tim and his staff are super stars. Always feel welcome and pampered here. Wonderful vibe with a few outdoor dog friendly tables and three tall bar tables alongside open windows. Cocktails are stellar and happy hour has some great deals. Fun and happy place! read more

What I ate: Shakshuka, Ginger No-jito Visit date: January 26, 2019 First time? Yes. I was going to meet a friend here for brunch and when I looked up it's location I was excited because I don't normally venture to this area of town on the weekend (it gets crowded!). We arrived to Shakewell shortly after they opened and it was easy to grab a table for four. As soon as we ordered, the place started to fill up quickly. It's a lovely spot with fun decor and a not-too-noisy ambience. Onto the food. I ordered the shakshuka which is made with with Moroccan baked eggs, roasted peppers, chickpeas, herbs, and french feta; plus, it's served with toast. This was my first time have shakshuka; it was a warm, comforting stew-like dish. I took my leftovers home and added rice - delicious! I also tried the ginger no-jito which is basically a sparkling ginger limeade with mint! It was just a tad sweet. Parking is street - there's lots in the residential area. read more

Pretty bomb but the paella which is like the most expensivest thing on the menu was bunk in the trunk. Should be illegal activity to charge $38 for a mini paella with just prawns and chicken. No other shell fish smh. Dry too needed some olive oil or cheese. The aoli was coo tho but still dry. Alright that's all I got. Keep up the good work buy spiff that paella up a lil. Elote n Jamon croquettas was 2 legit 2 quit............ peace n love all over the nation. read more

I ordered the churros and chicken today. Meh. My expectation was too high based on the pictures advertised.

Most will be enticed by the chicken and churros, but stay for the shakshuka instead. Knowing how popular Shakewell is, I made reservations for a party of 5 on a Saturday. I appreciated how friendly they were and they even gave me a reminder call on the day before. During the actual brunch, service was 5 stars. Hostess and servers had smiles all around and refilled our water and checked up on us. One thing I noticed is that they will ensure that all the food is ready before serving it, so if you have a large party, you might wait a bit before eating. Not a huge deal, but I wanted to point this out. My friend and I ordered the shakshuka while my other friends ventured off into other brunch items. I had a bite of the churro from the Chicken and Churro dish and I wasn't that impressed. The churro itself was quite moist inside and it left me feeling kinda confused. Wasn't a churro suppose to be crunchy all around? Didn't try the chicken, but my friend didn't really like it :/ The shakshuka was as fun to eat as it was to pronounce :) There was a great harmony of flavors and colors on the plate. I liked the blend of roasted peppers, chicken peas, and tomato sauce with the two baked eggs (they were runny which is good sign!). Overall, not every dish will be impressive at Shakewell, but you won't know until you try. I say start with the shkashuka and go from there. read more

The Well - shakshuka! - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I have been here twice now for brunch and really enjoyed the food, menu and service. We're particularly obsessed with the churros and chicken. If you're thinking about going, know that it is very loud. They seem to want to that ambiance with the open kitchen and music playing. For many, it is too loud. Also it's worth noting that the concept of piling food on tiny plates can be attractive in terms of plating, but i think it ends up being difficult to eat if guests are not given a side plate or main plate. This is particularly true with the chicken and churros which are difficult to maneuver on the very tiny plate. I will be back! read more

THIS PLACE IS OVERPRICED AND NOT THAT GOOD. + bravas $9: best deal. very filling!!!! but honestly not that good. potatoes aren't small enough to be crispy. watered down bravas sauce + spanish octopus $18: EXPENSIVE AF. 6 pieces. piece of meat, octopus and small potato underneath. pretty good but not worth the price. + bacalao octopus $13: 4 pieces. very tasty. but not worth the price. + rose sangria $10: soooo watered down. not fresh fruit. not worth. + churros w chocolate $12: 6 pieces. fresh and hot chocolate but no significant flavor on the churros OVERALL, not horrible but not worth it. read more

The Well - bravas + croqueta - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Review on 11/26: not sure why Shakewell is not interested in welcoming their customers especially if they are at 30% occupancy. The host reminded me of a punitive HOA president that's more interested in shaming the guests than welcoming them. Bottom line upfront: notified the text system that we are still coming in with 20 min delay. Arrived and were informed by host that we will likely be blacklisted from making future Rez. I look around in disbelief of an empty restaurant. When host could not cite a specific code or policy or law broken were ushered to our table. Food is good but not great. Certainly not worth a moral police of Rez code of conduct. read more

This is such a great place to celebrate or just come over for a weeknight drink and bite. It's not cheap but the food is so good and the drinks are strong. I especially love the old fashioned' sheer but all their cocktails are great depending on your taste. In terms of food, my go tos are the Bacalao croquettes, papas bravas, cauliflower tempura, and the fried chicken of course. The fried chicken is not your usual southern fare; there's a good twist on it and in a weird way, it tastes like Sambar chicken for those of you who are familiar with the South Indian curry Sambar. I know but if you know Sambar, go try it. For dessert, favs are the chocolate torta and the light, airy churros with thick chocolate sauce. Heavenly! Great service always, parking can be tight cos it's a great busy neighborhood. But do give it a try if you haven't already. read more

I like this place and the owner Tim has always been very sweet to us when we go in. I always recommend this place to anyone going to lake merit. read more

Day trip to Oakland and stopped here because it was right in front of where we found parking after driving around in circles for 10 minutes. The boyfriend said "the universe pointed us in the right direction- this place is good!" So cute inside, everyone is friendly. The food was amazing, cocktails were good (had sangria at 11am, don't judge), and it was reasonably priced. Would come back here again if we were in the bay. read more

The Well - Scramble: I couldn't wait to dig in before taking a pic - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Had only the cod corquettas, first time, but they were very good, the cod makes it juicy and the squid ink was quite interesting, it is like gravy without the heavy ingredients. Like the atmosphere, service was quick and pleasant too. read more

One of the best brunches around! If you want the perfect combo of salty and sweet, find someone willing to split with you the shakshuka and the stuffed blueberry French toast. YUM!! read more

Don't get the soup. It will ruin you. It is so delicious that your taste buds might not ever recover and mere everyday food will not suffice thereafter. Tomato Bisque Soup. That doesn't begin to describe the tasted journey you are about to embark on. Follow the drizzle trails of truffle oil and cream to add dimension to the smooth-yet-textured, thick-yet-creamy tomato soup. The deep, rich tomatoey flavor has a spicy zing at the end that makes me want to keep eating more and more. Little chopped bits of basil provide a playful break from the robust, heady and spicy tomato flavor. And it is all topped off w fresh tastey halves of cherry tomatoes floating in the middle. One bowl is almost a meal but be sure leave room for other yummy menu items. read more

The Well - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California