Rose’s Taproom – If you are looking for an “Instagrammable” spot in Oakland then look no further than Rose’s Taproom. From the pink walls, to the abundance of greenery, it is the perfect spot to bring your girlfriends to for a 1pm Saturday brew! They not only offer a variety of beers but also non alcoholic cocktails. I tried the Autumn Mimosa which was sparkling apple cider and Cava, which we had heard a lot about on our Oakland trip and I was dying to try! Apparently Cava is supposed to make you relaxed almost like a liquid xanax (lol) but I didn’t really feel anything to be honest.
FINAL TIP: Don’t skip out on their make your own charcuterie boards. Talk about YUM.
Portal – We did brunch here during our stay in Oakland and had an amazing time. Our server was incredible and the food was fabulous! However we would have to say, our mimosas were the best part! Kelly and I have a golden rule when ordering mimosas that we never have the service team pre-mix. We ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask them to bring champagne in the glass then the juice on the side. That way you can control your portions and generally you will get more bang for your buck. Portal was nice enough to not only give us our juice on the side but also provide us with an entire pitcher of champagne! They won many points with us for that. Lastly this is a great spot due to its abundance of outdoor seating, music, vibes and art.
SHOP OUR OAKLAND LOOKS
Mad Oak – We went to Mad Oak twice while visiting Oakland! Both times were at night and when we were looking to meet up with friends. It was a great spot for big groups and had a large outdoor area with tables, photo booths and umbrellas. However what kept us coming back were the prices at Mad Oak! It was cheap, cheap, cheap. If you are in the area and looking to get a quick drink or cocktail this was definitely the best bet. We recommend their $7 Tecate/Tequila shot deal. 😉
Temescal Brewing – Fabulous brewery option to check out while visiting! As were many of the above spots, Temescal also had a large patio, which made up the majority of the bar. We went at night, so it was chilly, but they provided heat laps to all of the outside tables which was a win! We also loved their wide variety of beers and had a blast trying different ones! Their inside was a bit smaller but it’s super cute and very *modern* looking. We recommend their cider!
Grand Lake Kitchen – This was a spot we weren’t able to check out due to time constraints but we drove past it on our way to Portal and immediately had FOMO. Their front patio was packed with people of all ages and the food looked incredible. We recommend if looking for a breakfast or brunch spot. Try to go on a sunnier day in order to sit outside!
Love this article, gorgeous photos! Making your own charcuterie board sounds amaaaazing. I just wanted to share a saving tip for anyone looking to save on transportation. I was complaining about how much money I’ve been spending on Uber’s and a friend recommended saferides.org; it’s a non-profit and much more affordable than ride-shares. You can book rides in advance and it’s great for large groups. Just in case anyone else is tired of draining their funds with ride-sharing apps!