This explicitly women-led bar brings good food and craft cocktails — both classic and creative — to an inclusive, queer-friendly space in Uptown Oakland. Whimsically named cocktails, like the vodka-based Mom’s Rosy Cheeks, and small plates, like the Big Daddy Artichoke, are served in a cozy, soft-lit space full of antique touches, from the glassware to the table toppers.

Between the music, the tropical vibe, and the infectiously upbeat crowd, Kingston 11 is as much neighborhood dining hub as restaurant, with chef Nigel Jones’s Jamaican specialties remaining a draw after nearly a decade. Nibble on salt cod fritters with chimichurri or beef patties before main events like curried goat, jerk chicken, and oxtail stew, while sipping on rum-based cocktails.

Daughter’s Diner brings a California sensibility to classic diner food and a tongue-in-cheek attitude to the menu, which features customer favorites like the Beast Mode bagel sandwich; the Double B Homewrecker; and “princess pancakes” made with marzipan and house-made raspberry preserves. The dinner menu offers spruced-up diner staples as well, but you’ll be tempted to order breakfast for dinner — the whole menu is served all day.

One of Uptown Oakland’s newest hotspots, Viridian is a photogenic dream, quickly becoming a destination for its stylish, cinematic space and Asian-inflected sweets — it boasts a dessert menu that’s twice as long as its dim sum menu. Gorgeous, savory cocktails like the Yuzu Bamboo — combining flavors like yuzu, sesame, and Shao Xing wine with vermouth and curaçao — balance out the sweets.

Shawarmaji is the permanent location of chef Mohammad Abutaha’s crowd-attracting pop-up, a Jordanian-style chicken shawarma shop serving a menu of halal meat-packed wraps, loaded fries, and salads. The massive wraps are filled with fresh-sliced chicken, griddled to a golden crisp, and topped off with a hit of garlicky toum, the sauce so popular Shawarmaji sells it by the tub.

Asian-Mexican fusion spot Belly specializes in affordable tacos and burritos starring ingredients like shrimp tempura, sesame slaw, and pickled cucumbers. The must-order is the steak and eggs taco, loaded up with skinny fries and chipotle aioli, with a runny fried egg as the crown.

Unlike most scoop shops, Little Giant actually makes its own base and churns it on the premises. With standouts like the Coconauts (a coconut milk base stracciatella) or the Beez Cheez (honey, goat cheese, and black pepper), it’s easy to love this community favorite. There is also a "pup cup" made especially for furry friends.

This self-proclaimed "Mission-style" taqueria features an addictive bacon-wrapped hot dog on the menu, as well as a vegan version of pozole that affirms its dedication to serving the community around it. The casual spot comprises of a patio, a mezzanine, and a dining room, offering selections of Mexican beers and six-ounce glasses of wine.

A sleek izakaya serving ramen and cocktails has joined the burgeoning dining scene on San Pablo. Small plates like fried potato salad with tobiko, truffle aioli, and furikake, and chicken karaage with miso tartar are jazzed up versions of izakaya offerings in a modern setting.

Chef-owner Paul Canales draws upon Basque and Catalan cuisines to transport diners with wood-fire cooking, communal seating, a plethora of Spanish wines, and more than 15 sherries by the glass. Come with a group and share a paella or go the pintxos/tapas route and sample dishes from fried fava beans to the classic patatas bravas.

Adding to the growing group of ramen spots in the bay, chef-owner Kyle Itani (Hopscotch) has put his stamp on the Japanese comfort food. The contemporary, hip, and well-lit space is offering ramen, gyozas, rice bowls, and the must-try crispy pig’s ears.

The large bar gets packed on the weekends for its wide array of craft cocktails and beer from local breweries. The upstairs mezzanine is filled with cozy couches and skeeball to ensure that despite producing high-end cocktails, the bar itself doesn't take itself too seriously.

This women-owned coffee shop has quickly expanded across downtown Oakland, thanks to the winning combination of quality coffee, well-designed spaces, and free wifi where busy workers need it most.

Before Uptown became the epicenter for craft cocktails and gastropubs, there was Cafe Van Kleef. The iconic spot, which serves the best greyhounds and salty dogs in the Bay, was officially born in 2004 when friends of then-owner Peter Van Kleef convinced him to turn the slow cafe into a full-fledged bar. Though Van Kleef passed away in 2015, his spirit remains in this special bar filled with his tchotchkes and stories.

Bar Shiru is styled after Japanese listening bars where vinyl and high-end sound systems compete with cocktails for attention. Craft coctkails, beer, and wine can be consumed in front of an impress wall of records, and very, very nice glassed-in sound system.

Punk rock-themed Japanese fried chicken shop Aburaya is actually much more than fried chicken — though you’ll usually spot fried chicken on just about every table. Aburaya also functions as an extra chill, fast-casual izakaya with classics like okonomiyaki as well as creative small plates.