Got a craving for some authentic deep dish pizza? This hip, fresh joint has food of tantalizing tastes to satisfy even the most jaded pizza enthusiast. Try the Mediterranean chicken pizza, or try the vegetarian pizza, which will have you converted in no time. Little Star also offers thin crusts, which are, honestly, just as good as the incredibly taste-infused deep dishes for which they are famous. With minimalist decor and a blaring jukebox to boot, Little Star will have you hooked.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so then it is logical to do breakfast right. To experience this, the Pork Store Café is a place to be. Though small in dimension, the food here is huge. Every plate served is colossal, and, more importantly, delicious. It touts lots of meat on the menu (it's called the Pork Store, after all.) Ham, bacon, sausage, chops, all served with eggs, potatoes, toast and endless cups of strong coffee is served up by the friendly wait staff. If you are not feeling carnivorous, order a short stack of pancakes, omelet, French toast, or a veggie and tofu scramble. Sit at a window table or choose a stool at the counter, where you can watch all that fabulous food being prepared.
This famous Chicago-style pizza company is always packed with UC students, families and out-of-towners. No one seems to mind the 20-minute (or more!) wait for the stuffed masterpiece. The pizza is made as thick as a pumpkin pie (yes, you do need a knife and fork), and the ingredients are put on upside down with tomatoes on top, meat on the bottom. So filling and so delicious, count on bringing home leftovers. For those with a slightly lesser appetite, they also serve thin crust pizzas that are just as delectable.
Fenton's has been an Oakland institution for over 100 years, serving up homemade ice cream and deluxe toppings, along with all your classic American diner favorites. You can always get a juicy burger with fries, or cranberry turkey sandwich, but the real draw are the sweets. Fenton's serves up everything from your basic flavored ice cream cone to a super-deluxe sundae or an incredible milkshake. Besides high quality ice cream, the toppings are a huge favorite here, especially the marshmallow sauce.
Yoshi's is not just a place where you can catch mind-blowing jazz, but also a sushi bar with an excellent food. Eager music lovers pack the restaurant and the Jazz House on performance nights. It showcases the best talent and boasts of high tech acoustics in the Bay area. A full cocktail menu is available with items like sushi, appetizers, salads and desserts. The attire is causal and the atmosphere jazzed up. It has a top-notch restaurant that serves Japanese food, and is open for lunch and dinner.
The name's a bit misleading. Not only is there no ocean view, but this is not your ordinary diner. Though it has streamlined aluminum and black-and-white tile, and the fare is inspired by diner cuisine, the ingredients are the freshest available and the dishes are prepared with care and imagination. At breakfast, the cooks do wonderful things with the humble buttermilk pancake, and the scrambled eggs and tortilla chips are memorable, as well. At lunch, it is sandwiches and plate specials, which often feature a fresh fish filet. The to-go counter next door offers sandwiches and pizza slices.
All Star Cafe is a lively and friendly little cafe, located at the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Street. Apart from fresh coffee and a host of other beverages, the cafe also offers diners a selection of donuts, pastries, hot sandwiches, salads and teriyaki dishes. Although their most poplar dishes are the BLT and Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, all their food is fresh, delicious and generously proportioned. Perfect for a quick donut on your way to work, or a hearty meal to satisfy raging apatites, All Star Cafe is popular amongst tourists and locals alike.
Cala brings a breezy Mexico taqueria to the neighborhood of Hayes Valley, with its upscale rustic-chic interiors, tall French windows and skylights. The menu curated by Chef Gabriela Camara focuses on seafood with Mexican highlights. With the menu offering changing constantly, no two visits will be the same - in the past, Cala has served delicacies such as Chilaquiles and Sopes Playeros Con Pescado, served with fish, black beans and ricotta salad. Sample some Mexican wines or native mezcals and tonics for effect.
Kagawa-Ya Udon is a sleek Japanese bistro dishing out Japanese and Hawaiian specialties. Fans of Japanese cuisines can relish Udon, Onigiri, Tempura, a variety of curries and much more. They are popular for their Udon dish, which is prepared by aging it for 19 hours, it is then pressed, rolled and sliced to perfection. Foodies can come in and enjoy a bowl of delicious Udon. Besides regular drinks they also serve Hawaiian beverages like Hawaiian sodas, coffee and tea.
If you love wine, then Hotel Biron is a place you should visit. The cozy, sophisticated interior houses a selection of wines that would please the pickiest of palates, and the friendly, humble staff can help budding wine connoisseurs find the perfect glass. An exquisite selection of international cheeses enhance the flavor experience, while the paintings on the walls by the artist of the month help those on a first date break the ice.
As the name suggests, the 20th Century Cafe is inspired by vintage themes and old movies. The desserts and interiors made here reflect the founder Michelle Polzine's travels to Vienna, Budapest and Prague; which she considers as her inspiration. The sacher torte, honey cake and babka are popular European-inspired desserts that are served here.
Located in the heart of the city, Nojo takes inspiration from Japan's Izakaya establishments and offers a lively space to savor Japanese specialties and spirits. Yakitori, or skewered cuts of chicken in a tempting array of sauces, are a specialty here. Apart from this, the skewer selection includes other delights like bacon wrapped scallions and pork jowl. A choice of Japanese favorites like Umeboshi Somen, tempura and teppanyaki complete the menu. There's also a selection of izakaya style small plates and snacks on offer for lunch. The spirit list includes a diverse array of beers, sake and wines. The warmly-lit interiors feature wood accents with an Asian-inspired decor. Check website for more.