About Almond and Oak
Rico Rivera opened Almond and Oak on Grand Avenue in December 2018, and in the years since it has become exactly the kind of restaurant that Oakland does particularly well: a gracious, independently owned neighbourhood room where the cooking is genuinely excellent, the portions are generous, and the service operates with warmth and attentiveness that makes guests feel like regulars from the first visit.
The room is wheelchair accessible, which is more than a practical detail — it signals the kind of inclusive, unpretentious attitude that defines the best Oakland restaurants. The space is comfortable without being fussy: good lighting, proper acoustics (though busy evenings can run loud), and enough square footage that the tables breathe. The menu covers New American ground with a confident California sensibility — the kind of cooking that uses excellent local ingredients without needing to announce itself at every turn.
Almond and Oak has earned its loyal following through consistent excellence rather than novelty, which is a harder and more sustainable thing to achieve. The 4.6-star rating across 95 OpenTable diners and the enthusiastic word-of-mouth from Grand Lake and Lake Merritt regulars tells the same story that the kitchen delivers every night: this is a restaurant that takes its responsibility to its neighbourhood seriously.
The Menu
The dinner menu covers familiar New American territory executed with real skill. Shrimp and grits is the standout — a dish that appears in dozens of Oakland restaurants and is done correctly here, with a richness and seasoning that invites comparison against every other version you've had. Burrata arrives beautifully presented alongside little gem lettuce in a combination that is simple and exactly right. The prosciutto and broccoli Benedict at brunch is the kind of creative but not clever dish that makes you wonder why you hadn't had it before.
Weekend brunch (Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm) is a major draw, with additions like beignets, skillet cornbread, quiche, and summer veg hash that expand the kitchen's range. The cocktail list is appropriately seasonal and California-inflected. Wine by the glass offers genuine variety without overwhelming choice.
Best Occasion: First Date
Almond and Oak works exceptionally well for first dates because it provides enough quality to signal genuine taste without the formality that can make an early dinner feel like an interview. The Grand Avenue location near Lake Merritt means a walk after dinner is a natural extension — the neighbourhood rewards lingering. The menu is varied enough that dietary preferences rarely cause issues. The noise level, while sometimes elevated, creates an energy that works in first-date situations rather than against them.
For a birthday dinner, the generous portion philosophy and the warm service style mean the table will be fed and cared for in equal measure. A business dinner in a relaxed register — the kind where the goal is relationship-building rather than ceremony — works well here; the quality signals seriousness without the distance of a formal dining room.
Practical Information
Almond and Oak is at 3311 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, near the intersection of Grand Ave and Lake Park Ave. Dinner is served Tuesday through Friday from 5pm to 9pm. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. The restaurant is closed Monday. Reservations via OpenTable are recommended for dinner and weekend brunch. The Lake Merritt BART station is approximately a 12-minute walk. Street parking is available along Grand Avenue. The restaurant has a ramp entrance and is wheelchair accessible throughout.