Old Oakland: Eat and shop at a former railroad stop
A historic district marked by beautifully restored brick Victorians, Old Oakland is a charming nook of galleries, shops, restaurants, and offices. Side by side with older establishments, a slew of new businesses have sprouted here of late, reflecting the fresh energy seeping into various Oakland districts, from East Oakland to Fruitvale.
On a quick afternoon visit, begin with a stop at G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers for a sandwich or some Old World deli items. Ratto’s has been around for more than 110 years, surviving a depression, a fire and a major earthquake.
For an Old Oakland breakfast, try the polenta and poached egg combination at refined Caffe 817 or the graham cracker-crusted French toast at the Cock-a-Doodle Cafe, and for lunch, there’s everything from Thai food at Siam Bay, Asian fusion at Le Cheval, teriyaki bowls at Kai’s, and tikka massala at Breads of India.
There’s evidently no shortage of food around here. Dinner establishments getting a lot of buzz include the upscale B Restaurant and Bar, with its seasonal cocktails and raw bar, Tamarindo, with its small plates and intimate setting, and Levende East, with Latin American, Asian, and Mediterranean flavors that made the San Francisco location famous.
When you’re ready for an after-dinner drink, the Trappist is modeled after a Belgium pub, and 28 rotating taps are available for sipping in the 1870’s Victorian building. The Pacific Coast Brewing Company, a beer emporium also housed in an 1870’s restoration, is another option.
If you’re neither hungry nor thirsty, there are other reasons to visit Old Oakland, such as the bookshops, galleries, game stores, clothing shops, and florists. Located right next door to downtown Oakland, Jack London Square, and Oakland Chinatown, each with its own neighborhood lore, Old Oakland has stories of its own to share. It was once a terminus for the Transcontinental Railroad. The bustling downtown hub of Oakland was here when streetcars were a common sight and the Victorians were thriving hotels.
HelloOakland Tip: Old Oakland’s 9th Ave., surrounded by delis and restaurants, makes for a nice stroll on Friday mornings, when the farmers market lines the street with booths selling fresh local fruits, vegetables, and other goodies.
Posted by Renee Rutledge
