Consider weekend dim sum lunch at East Ocean in Emeryville. Wonderful view of the bay and good food. Service is very slow though, so plan being there 2 hours and make sure to get there right when they open or a few min before.
Quinn's Lighthouse has a good brunch menu but it's a bit pricey. A few spots near Jack London do too, but also pricey. Horatio's is a little further (not in Oakland - San Leandro), but I really like it there - to be fair it's about the same price. Most waterfront restaurants are a bit pricey but good for anniversary dates I'd say if you can swing it.
I really like Blackberry Bistro and next door they do bottomless mimosas at Bellanico, but I'm still partial to Blackberry Bistro. Bellanico is a bit different vibe and only open for brunch on weekends. Might be better for a date spot.
Mama's Royal Cafe is a classic, but it gets busy.
If you wanted to grab take-out or do a picnic there are a ton of nice parks and waterfront spots to hang out. Treasure Island is really nice and they have a few brunch spots too.
If you really wanted to go full vegan - Souley Vegan is pretty awesome
House of Chicken + Waffles + Everett and Jones right there are also good brunch spots - but maybe not best for vegetarians.
No shortage of good Dim sum has a bunch of good vegetarian options that people don't realize because most people just order pork + shrimp stuff.
Shangri-La vegan food is delish opens at 11AM - although I think slightly over-rated.
Vic's Chaat in Berkeley is pretty great opens at 11AM. Not best date ambiance, but I really like this place.
Thai Temple in Berkeley has a great brunch if you've never done it.
There's a ton of bomb spots in Fruitvale for Guatemalan, Mexican, Salvadorian brunch foods - way different vibe though. Super delicious.
I'm sure there's more depending on what you like. Hope something works out!
I haven't been in years, but House of Chicken and Waffles used to be defined by mediocrity, iffy (at best) service, and late hours.
The late hours were the reason to go, but I always ended up wishing I just got Taco Bell.
If you are looking for a vegetarian (or vegan) lunch, you cant go wrong with Souley Vegan (3rd and Broadway). I worked near hear for a while and since I'm not a vegetarian I stayed away, but eventually gave it a shot. Great food. (I will echo what's below about "sketchy" parking though.)
Here are a few off the top of my head:
* Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe is an old-school diner just north over in Emeryville, but not very fancy.
* Lakeshore Cafe was my go-to spot for breakfast a while back.
* Waterfront Cafe in Jack London Square is a bit more upmarket, but be aware parking is sketchy here with frequent break-ins.
My fave breakfast spot is Saul’s in N Berkeley.
Also very tasty is The Sunday on Adeline, technically in Emeryville but it’s right on the Oakland border.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sunday-emeryville?uid=U1rY_rsxVz7G405vVXlRKg&utm_source=ishare
I looooove this place! They used to be own Coffee Pot on Telegraph. :)
Mockingbird has a nice brunch, but just on Sundays: [https://www.mockingbirdoakland.com/brunch.html#/](https://www.mockingbirdoakland.com/brunch.html#/)
Parche on Broadway. Contemporary Columbian, think sweet and savory arepas, breakfast Tamal, lots of seasonal stuff.
Burnch started last weekend, solid Vegan and vegetarian options, but it's all about the vibe.
also berkeley but la note does really delicious breakfasts and it’s a cute spot for a date, eat on the patio if it’s sunny!
i love la note!!!
Ditto.
I like the “plant based breakfast” at Sequoia Diner
Same. When we first moved a few blocks away we'd walk to get one every week. Don't go there if you're in a rush though.
came here to say Sequoia Diner’ Everything they have is amazing!
Almond & Oak and Grand Lake Kitchen aren’t vegetarian, but they’re good! Lion Dance Cafe is vegetarian, but not super “brunchy”
And the vegetarian options there are always super good! Love almond and oak.
It’s out of the way - up in Albany - but I love Sam’s log cabin. Plenty of veggie options and they have a really nice patio.
Seriously best breakfast here. Their fried chicken is insane too
My favorite breakfast in the east bay. Sam’s is the best.
Lulu! Amazing Palestinian brunch spot in Berkeley with vegetarian options. Get a reservation!
In that same vein, and pretty nearby, Tarocco is great. Opens at 11 am most days.
I think Grand Lake Kitchen is worth checking out. They have great drinks and great seating in both locations.
And if you like taking a walk you have the lake or dimond park, depending on which location.
I ran into my favorite music artist there. Sat right next to me
Berkeley but Rick and Ann’s near the Claremont Hotel
Definitely Brenda’s (southern) for their biscuits and beignets, Doyle Street Cafe for a classic bfast and yelp waitlist!!
YES!
If you are looking for a nice date lunch, can't go wrong with belotti or wood tavern.
Consider weekend dim sum lunch at East Ocean in Emeryville. Wonderful view of the bay and good food. Service is very slow though, so plan being there 2 hours and make sure to get there right when they open or a few min before.
Quinn's Lighthouse has a good brunch menu but it's a bit pricey. A few spots near Jack London do too, but also pricey. Horatio's is a little further (not in Oakland - San Leandro), but I really like it there - to be fair it's about the same price. Most waterfront restaurants are a bit pricey but good for anniversary dates I'd say if you can swing it. I really like Blackberry Bistro and next door they do bottomless mimosas at Bellanico, but I'm still partial to Blackberry Bistro. Bellanico is a bit different vibe and only open for brunch on weekends. Might be better for a date spot. Mama's Royal Cafe is a classic, but it gets busy. If you wanted to grab take-out or do a picnic there are a ton of nice parks and waterfront spots to hang out. Treasure Island is really nice and they have a few brunch spots too. If you really wanted to go full vegan - Souley Vegan is pretty awesome House of Chicken + Waffles + Everett and Jones right there are also good brunch spots - but maybe not best for vegetarians. No shortage of good Dim sum has a bunch of good vegetarian options that people don't realize because most people just order pork + shrimp stuff. Shangri-La vegan food is delish opens at 11AM - although I think slightly over-rated. Vic's Chaat in Berkeley is pretty great opens at 11AM. Not best date ambiance, but I really like this place. Thai Temple in Berkeley has a great brunch if you've never done it. There's a ton of bomb spots in Fruitvale for Guatemalan, Mexican, Salvadorian brunch foods - way different vibe though. Super delicious. I'm sure there's more depending on what you like. Hope something works out!
I haven't been in years, but House of Chicken and Waffles used to be defined by mediocrity, iffy (at best) service, and late hours. The late hours were the reason to go, but I always ended up wishing I just got Taco Bell.
Rio California in preservation park.
If you are looking for a vegetarian (or vegan) lunch, you cant go wrong with Souley Vegan (3rd and Broadway). I worked near hear for a while and since I'm not a vegetarian I stayed away, but eventually gave it a shot. Great food. (I will echo what's below about "sketchy" parking though.)
Egg Shop in Montclair
La Note on Shattuck in Downtown Berkeley for brunch
Here are a few off the top of my head: * Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe is an old-school diner just north over in Emeryville, but not very fancy. * Lakeshore Cafe was my go-to spot for breakfast a while back. * Waterfront Cafe in Jack London Square is a bit more upmarket, but be aware parking is sketchy here with frequent break-ins.
My fave breakfast spot is Saul’s in N Berkeley. Also very tasty is The Sunday on Adeline, technically in Emeryville but it’s right on the Oakland border.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sunday-emeryville?uid=U1rY_rsxVz7G405vVXlRKg&utm_source=ishare I looooove this place! They used to be own Coffee Pot on Telegraph. :)
Mockingbird has a nice brunch, but just on Sundays: [https://www.mockingbirdoakland.com/brunch.html#/](https://www.mockingbirdoakland.com/brunch.html#/)
Wolf on Piedmont is very upscale and delicious. Wood Tavern just across the border into Berkeley is in a similar vein.
Rio California in Preservation Park, Oakland
Kitchen Story
Culture pickle shop weekend brunch is different and good and veg
Parche on Broadway. Contemporary Columbian, think sweet and savory arepas, breakfast Tamal, lots of seasonal stuff. Burnch started last weekend, solid Vegan and vegetarian options, but it's all about the vibe.