Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the histories and amazing contributions of African Americans in all aspects of life: from music, to education, to culture, to science, and of course, to food! And while this time of year can also serve as a mile-marker to refocus support to our African American brethren, you don’t have to wait until February every year to support black-owned restaurants and businesses.
One of the small ways we live out our values is by patronizing black- and BIPOC-owned businesses all year long. And thankfully in Oakland (where Restaurant Week is slated for March 16-26, 2023), there is a plethora of amazing black-owned eateries from which you can grab yourself some delicious eats.
What is Restaurant Week?
Restaurant week is an annual promotion of prix-fixe menus at restaurants, and hosted by numerous cities (including Alameda, Berkeley, San Francisco, New York, etc.) during off-peak times of the year to entice diners to visit. As such, it’s a great time to visit restaurants on your bucket list since you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Eater SF usually does a great job of identifying the best Restaurant Week deals. As of this writing most restaurants haven’t yet posted their deals, but we’ll be sure to update this post (and keep you updated on our Instagram) when we have more info to share!
As part of BBA’s mission to highlight and support BIPOC communities, and to make it easier for you to identify and support BIPOC-owned establishments, we’ve put together a list of spots participating in Oakland Restaurant Week 2023 and which are owned/operated by BIPOC chefs and restauranteurs. We cross-checked this list against Soleil Ho’s search-friendly list (which unfortunately hasn’t been updated since 2021), as well as through individual research. A number of them are great family-friendly options. The others on this list would make lovely date-night spots, so get those babysitters on-deck!
Be sure to also check out our fave black-owned restaurants in the East Bay and San Francisco here!
Before you go
- Make reservations, if possible!
Black-Owned & -Operated Eateries of Oakland Restaurant Week 2023
Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Outdoor Seating
*When I say “kid-friendly,” I’m expecting that 1) my kid can eat food off their menu, even if they don’t offer a kid’s menu, 2) they offer high chairs and bathroom changing tables, 3) spacious outdoor seating is available (especially during COVID-times–we’ve still got the unvaccinated in our house to worry about!), and 4) there is ample space for toddlers on-the-move to roam about.
Also note that I choose to follow a pescetarian diet, which impacts how I experience eating out; I tend to go for vegetarian dishes, which at certain restaurants means I’m only left to eat the sides. Unlike me, my partner does eat meat, so I’ve relied on him to attest to the meaty meal recs!
Named by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Bay Area’s Top 25 Restaurants in fall 2021, Mela Bistro is a feast for the senses. From their website: “Chef Adiam (Tsegaye) devotes her time innovating and creatively arranging potent and robust Ethiopian spices like a jazz player composing his next musical masterpiece.” Their dinner menu look amazing, and their indoor space is warm and inviting. There are small bistro tables outside for those who’d rather enjoy their meal outdoors.
Oyster Po’Boy. Need I say anything more?! This eatery located in Old Oakland’s Swan’s Market is as charming as their food is delicioso. Get your fill of oysters (shucked ($18/$33), fried ($17), or fried in a po’boy ($16.50), which is my preferred preparation. Top off with one of their chocolate pecan cookies or a key lime cupcake from neighbor Cupcakin’ Bakeshop!
alaMar is owned by Top Chef contestant Nelson German and has some of the most delicious garlic noodles ($19) I’ve ever tasted–saucy, garlicky, and topped with a crispy fried egg. *chef’s kiss* While delicious, the meal can get a bit pricey, so take advantage of those restaurant week deals while you can. We ate here with our extended family (7 adults and 1 child) and everyone enjoyed their meal. Our kid ate a decent amount of garlic noodles, though I think we may have had to ask for the non-spicy versions of certain dishes. There is a fenced patio area on the wide sidewalk with heat lamps that is perfect for families. They offer high chairs, but I can’t vouch for a changing table…
While you could certainly bring your young children to Calavera, it seems much more attuned to the date night set (see below). Calavera serves up delicious Mexican fare overall; the dish I distinctly remember is the Tostadas de Atun ($16), which features Maggi-marinated ahi! The hint of Asian flavor amidst the Mexican ingredients was super yummy. Calavera is a huge restaurant with an extensive menu and a beautiful outdoor patio in Uptown Oakland.
Wahpepah's Kitchen
This is an Indigenous-woman-owned restaurant, but we definitely want to highlight it here! Review coming soon!
Oaklandia Cafe
Review coming soon!
Addis Ethiopian Restaurant
Review coming soon!
Other Participating Restaurants We’d Order Takeout From
These restaurants are exclusively to-go or lack kid-friendly outdoor seating
Calabash
$15-$45/person
Calabash is a collaboration between Nigel Jones (Kingston 11) and Hanif Sadr (Komaaj), combining the chefs’ Jamaican- and Northern Iranian-inspired dishes on one menu. You can’t go wrong with the sweet plantains with black bean sauce and cream ($11) or the classic Jamaican patty ($6). While the vegan mirzaghasemi eggplant and tomato dip ($13) was a bit too smoky for my tastes, I love that I had the opportunity to try it. Next time I go I’ll dig into the maast somaagh sumac and labneh dip ($8), and desserts like panna cotta and jamaican black rum fruit cake! The restaurant is also very airy and spacious, so I’d look forward to bringing my kid here one day.
This is an Oakland staple and offers chicken and waffles in all combinations (named after family members, the likenesses of whom you can catch painted on the diner’s walls), but we’d be remiss not to talk about the sides. For me it’s all about the Mac and Cheese ($6.50 a la carte) and Cornbread, and honestly I am happy just to eat those–with a Waffle, of course! If you’re comfortable sitting inside, there is a lot of space and tables, as well as high chairs for the littles.
Reviews Coming Soon —
For a Kid-Free Night Out
Cause some restaurants are best left for a night out on The Town
Coco Noir Wine Shop & Bar
Review Coming Soon!
Like Calavera, Chop Bar is not not kid-friendly, but it certainly wouldn’t be among my top choices to bring my little one. From my BBA partner Angel, “Their patio seating is located along a busy street and makes me nervous to think about having a rambunctious toddler running loose. I am a big fan of the P.E.I. Mussels ($19) and Fries ($8). Make sure to order a fancy cocktail if you are so inclined.”
Other Participating Restaurants Owned and Operated by People of Color
So many restaurants, so little time!
Tay Ho ◊ Belly ◊ Pintoh Thai ◊ Los Cocos Salvadorean Restaurant ◊ Tribune ◊ Agave Uptown ◊ Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar ◊ Perle Fine Wines & Cocktails ◊ Burma Superstar ◊ Mua ◊ Mago ◊ Soi4 ◊ Sobo Ramen ◊ Daughter Thai ◊ Farmhouse Kitchen ◊ Hawking Bird ◊ Viridian ◊ Aburaya
We tip our hats to the creators of numerous existing lists of black-owned restaurants, which made double-checking the ownership of these restaurants a tad easier. We’re excited to continue their great work and expand upon their lists!
If you want to go above and beyond, you might also want to cross-check our list with Community Kitchens Oakland’s Dining for Justice Initiative. Participating restaurants (a number of whom are on our list!) have added a 1% surcharge which will go towards providing community meals.
So, what’s at the top of your Oakland Restaurant Week list? Any tips you want to share about the family-friendliness of the establishments listed above?
Angelica (she/her) is of Cebuano(Pilipinx)-descent and was born and raised in Huchiun Ohlone territory (the East Bay Area--pay your Shuumi Land Tax!), where she also now resides with her partner and their toddler. She loves to spend her time sipping on boba and dirty chai lattes (sometimes together), and eating pescetarian goodies at BIPOC-owned cafes and restaurants.
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