Vodka made from Karl the Fog? Yep, it’s a real thing here at Hangar One. This distillery, located in Spirits Alley, has received a lot of attention for Fog Point vodka, which is infused with water from real California fog. Tours of the facility are popular, as are tastings (walk-ins welcome) featuring samples of six vodkas like rose, buddha’s hand citron, and pink peppercorn. Sip your liquor outside with stunning views of the bay or inside the gorgeous tasting room that features large windows into the distillery and decor playing off of its roots as an airplane hangar.

This independent craft distillery produces nearly every type of artisanal spirit you could imagine, from green chile vodka to raspberry brandy and even absinthe. Hands-down, the cult favorite is the Terroir gin. Around for more than 35 years, St. George moved from Emeryville to Alameda in the 90s, and into their current, massive 65,000-square-foot facility in a former airplane hangar in 2004. Tours and tastings are both offered Wednesdays-Sundays—or, just walk in and hang out on the patio where you can enjoy epic views of the San Francisco skyline.

If you want truly unparalleled views of San Francisco while sipping on a cold brew in the sunshine, Faction is your destination. This hugely popular brewery opened in 2013 in a repurposed 25,000-square-foot Marine Corps helicopter hangar. And on a nice day, the patio is packed with people enjoying food trucks, city views, and cornhole. As for the beer, choose from about 20 different styles ranging from IPAs to porters and stouts (the A-Town Pale is a popular choice).

There’s a lot going on these days along historic Alameda Point, with the massive tasting rooms getting most of the attention. Building 43 is more of a hidden gem: a smaller, more laidback taproom than others in the area. Grab a glass or bottle of their sustainably produced, small-batch varietals grown in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and head outside to the pet-friendly garden patio, featuring a fireplace, outdoor games, and SF views. Or for a more intimate vibe, cozy up inside on the couches beneath twinkling string lights.

Admiral Maltings became California’s first craft malt house to produce artisan, handcrafted malt when it opened in 2017, using grain sourced from California farmers. By offering an alternative that’s more sustainable and elevated than mass-produced malts, it’s quickly gained a large customer base of breweries in the Bay Area  including Almanac, Faction, and Marin Brewing. The onsite taproom, the Rake, opened in January. Visitors can now try beer on tap from more than 20 breweries using its malt and snack on a small bar-bites menu while overlooking the malting floor.

Trendy digs, patio space, and Instagram-ready food that also tastes delicious are important ingredients of a perfect brunch spot, and newcomer Neptune’s has it all. This relaxing and modern cafe opened last year, bringing SF-level brunch experience to the west end of Alameda, with its vibrant blue walls, tables lined with succulents, and beautifully plated dishes of fresh California cuisine. Be prepared for a wait on the weekends as people line up to get a taste of the varied, elevated new American menu, which includes everything from spam musubi to Persian-style frittata to the hangtown fry, a bacon omelette with fried oysters.

Step back in time through the doors of Domenico’s, a 50-year-old institution passed down generations after two Italian immigrants founded the deli in 1966 on Park Street (today’s location opened in 1982). This Alameda stronghold has a loyal customer base where regulars line up daily for their sandwich fix. Order nearly sandwich combination by either building your own or choosing one of the options on the extensive menu. Pick your fixins’, make sure to put it on their Dutch crunch bread, grab a bag of chips along the wall, and enjoy.

It says something that this huge, 360-seat Chinese restaurant often has hour-long waits. People flock to this family-run, longtime Alameda staple for its quality Cantonese dishes. Another huge draw: the Hong-Kong style dim sum served at lunch, where diners can choose from about 75 items pushed through the dining room on carts. At dinner, selections range from roasted peking duck to barbecue pork or a large seafood selection (rock cod, sturgeon, lobster, and Dungeness crab).

Every island is in need of some tiki culture, and Alamedians have found theirs at Forbidden Island. This retro-tropical bar is tucked away near a residential neighborhood, making it difficult to find for those not in the know. Inside is dimly lit, decorated with puffer fish and tiki statues, with vintage movies playing on the TVs. Friendly bartenders will whip up both classic and original drinks or pour a glass of rum from one of the largest and most unique rum selections around. In fact, visitors who try 100 of them (not all at once), get a plaque on the back bar — and plenty of loyal patrons have done just that. The signature drink, the Forbidden Island, is always a good bet. Pair your cocktail with a bite off the small bar menu with items like coconut shrimp, corn dogs, and mozzarella sticks.

Fresh, regional Italian cooking shines at this restaurant run by husband and wife duo Giuseppe and Christine Naccarelli. Its waterfront location paired with clean, airy design creates a picturesque place to feast on thin-crust pizzas, homemade pastas, and a variety of seafood dishes. Giuseppe, who grew up in the mountain village of Palombaro, Italy and cooked his way through restaurants in his home country before moving to California in the ‘90s, instills his roots into each flavorful dish. The substantial cocktail menu features many local Alameda distilleries.

This teeny-tiny restaurant embraces many aspects of Japan from its funky anime culture to its dishes and even its design. Inside, the low ceilings will make you feel like you’re in a Tokyo pub while the decor is comprised of custom murals and art from Studio Ghibli. Food portions are known to be both massive, and high quality: From the sushi to the gyoza to the bento boxes, you can feel confident in almost anything you order.

Xian-style food makes this tiny Chinese spot stand out, with hand-pulled noodles and meaty sandwiches sharing the menu with Sichuan street-style hotpot, malatang. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the noodle dishes or dumplings, and the hot sauce here is no joke.

Ever eaten at a Lithuanian restaurant? Most likely not, as they’re extremely rare finds in the United States. That makes Mama Papa worth a trip to Alameda alone to try this hearty, home-style Eastern European cooking. The specialty ingredient here is, of course, potato, with deep-fried pierogies, potato dumplings with creamy mushroom sauce, and potato pancakes stuffed with seasoned ground pork headlining the menu. They also have a solid selection of Lithuanian micro brews (a big industry there) and teas. For dessert, order the famous honey cake, which features seven layers of tangy sour cream and homemade chocolate.

Alameda’s first Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant offers all the classics, with a build-your-own sampler plate and plenty of vegan options. The injera is fluffy, the spices vibrant, and the dishes match the high standard set by the top Ethiopian restaurants in the East Bay.

With dim lighting, intimate seating, and a lively ambiance, Pappo is an excellent choice for a romantic date night or special occasion meal in Alameda. The seasonally focused, new American menu offers fresh flavors in dishes like slow-braised Moroccan duck leg with couscous, housemade gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce and maitake mushrooms, and pan-seared halibut. The restaurant is quite small and popular, so reservations are recommended.

The same team behind Scolari’s recently opened this new restaurant dedicated decidedly East Coast offerings, like New York-style pizza, chicken parm sandwiches, and stromboli. You’re not going to find this menu anywhere else in the area.

Old-fashioned doughnuts are the star at this family-owned and operated breakfast spot. They’re made daily, with both classic flavors and more adventurous options like matcha-glazed and blueberry fritters. The small, traditional diner is a favorite local breakfast spot and also serves a classic American lunch with burgers, baked mac and cheese, and grilled sandwiches. The down-home cooking has earned Homeskillet a big fan base, so the restaurant is often packed. But don’t fret if there’s a wait — service is quick and tables turn quickly.

Skip the Hawaiian part of Hang Ten’s menu and go straight for the Viet-Cajun seafood. Crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, and crawfish are all available by the pound, boiled in plastic bags with zesty sauces, including one named after Steph Curry. Put on a bib, roll up your sleeves, and have fun — and don’t forget the side of garlic noodles.

This upscale, relaxed restaurant located in the downtown area pleases everyone. From the steak to the burger to the truffle fries and mac-n-cheese — you can’t fail with the choices on the classic American menu, elevated by organic ingredients and sustainability raised meats. If you’re looking to splurge, go for the grilled ribeye with tarragon butter and a cocktail rom the extensive bar menu. It also has one of the most extensive inventories of whiskey in the area, stocking at least 150 distilleries.

Chikara Ono, the owner of AS B-Dama and Delage in Oakland, expanded his reach across the East Bay with this tiny, seven-seat, okimari (prix-fixe) sushi bar in Alameda. For $100, you get a mix of exquisite nigiri along with salads, hot dishes, and dessert — just the sort of meal you expect to find in San Francisco but you pay a bit less for here.

This taco bar opened last month as an offshoot of and connected to Penca Azul, a longtime Mexican restaurant in Alameda. Offering a trendier and fast-casual alternative to its sister restaurant next door, the taco bar is already a huge hit and offers some of the best street tacos on the island. And it’s much more than just tacos — burritos, bowls, tortas, and quesadillas are also all available. At the counter, choose from the huge selection of vegetarian and meat options (the brisket is a must order for carnivores) and toppings, and then pull up a seat in the trendy dining space or outdoor patio.

Out of everything offered on the island, Alameda does old-school diners best. Slide into an orange booth or grab a counter seat at this neighborhood greasy spoon and soak in the midcentury nostalgia. Not a lot has changed since it first opened in 1927, when Ole Swanson immigrated to the states and brought his secret waffle recipe with him — the same one still used today. Classic breakfast items are served all day — the light and crispy waffles are a must order every time — while lunch and dinner offer hearty, old-fashioned dishes like steaks, chops, and fried chicken.

This warm and festive restaurant is arguably one of the best spots serving up German fare in the Bay. On a sunny day, the outdoor patio — lined with long wood tables — is usually packed with people enjoying a cold beer and traditional dishes like potato pancakes, brats, sausages, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, wiener schnitzel, and apple strudel. Prost!

Chef Saboor Zafari blends his Afghan roots with French techniques and California ingredients to create a rotating menu sourced from local farmers served in a comfortable setting. Highlights include his handmade chutneys and duck strudel appetizer, which is served with crimini mushrooms and a cranberry wine sauce.

Asena has been community staple since it opened in 1996, featuring a cozy ambiance, exceptional hospitality, and fresh Mediterranean dishes with a California twist. The owners, Mustafa Yildirim and Muhittin Arpaci, originally hail from Turkey and aim to showcase the authentic cooking and friendly service of their home country. The menu puts seasonal, organic ingredients at its core — try a homemade pastas, bread baked fresh daily, and any of the grilled fish on the menu that day — with an extensive cocktail and wine list.