Actual Cafe, in North Oakland right next to Berkeley, is a cafe with a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. Actual is a true proponent of community, using ingredients from local sources and even declaring the cafe a laptop free zone on weekends. Actual features all kinds of coffee drinks, including the ever popular Cubano con Leche, as well as cool drinks like spritzers, flavored lemonades and even ice cream sodas. As for food, Actual serves a selection of simple breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads, empanadas, brunch dishes like waffles, and various different ice cream concoctions. Actual is an Oakland favorite, and after one visit you will see why.

Numi Tea Garden is a unique establishment in Oakland. Opened in 2007 as a venue to showcase the artisan and high quality teas of the Numi brand, the garden has become a popular and tranquil retreat from the craziness of every day. The Tea Garden features a stage to showcase live music and perfomances frequently. At the Numi Tea Garden you can sip from a wide variety of White, Green, Black, Oolong and Herbal teas, among many other tea options. They also serve a selection of light nibbles and meals, like various dips, pizzas, cheeses and baked goods.

Penelope may be a small little bar, but its drinks sure do pack a punch! Make sure to try one of their specialty cocktails, Penelope makes sure to only use fresh ingredients, so you'll find no sweet and sour mix here. In addition to their selection of liquor, wine and beer, Penelope also serves up a small selection of gourmet appetizers and sandwiches.

Commonwealth is a cafe and restaurant that will almost make you feel like you've stepped off the Oakland streets into the United Kingdom. Commonwealth's kitchen provides all kinds of Brit specialties like sandwich rolls and toasties of different varieties like curried egg salad sandwich roll, a Scotch Egg and larger plates like Shepherd's Pie, Pork and Cider Stew, and of course Fish and Chips. As far as quenching your thirst, Commonwealth offers a well rounded collection of local beers on tap as well as a very impressive selection of bottled beers from Scotland and England and various different wines on tap, and of course all your favorite coffee drinks. Sunday mornings are brunch with some of the regular menu items as well as British brekkie favorites like Beans on Toast and Bubble and Squeak.

Located in Montclair Village, Yogofina is a favorite for cooling off on a warm day or just getting a sweet treat any old time. Pick any flavor of frozen yogurt and indulge with their topping bar consisting of over 25 toppings, so you can always get your favorite, or discover a new favorite every time.

This open and bright cafe is a favorite hidden gem amongst Uptowners. Uptown Cafe serves up all kinds of healthy and delicious meal options like salads, sandwiches, paninis and of course crepes, perfect for a light meal but you won't leave feeling hungry. Different varieties of crepes are named after different Oakland neighborhoods, bringing a real hometown feel to the place.

Encuentro is a modern, comfortable, airy restaurant located near Oakland's historic Jack London Square. The restaurant is entirely vegetarian, with a healthy amount of vegan options as well, so vegetarians will be able to eat to their heart's delight. The contemporary Californian cuisine that uses fresh, quality ingredients features dishes like Sweet Potato "Samositas", BBQ Tempeh Sandwich, and Fig and Chevre Bruschetta, which are so delicious the carnivores out there won't even miss the meat! In addition to all the meat-free fare Encuentro is also a wine bar, so needless to say the wine list features excellent selections, and Encuentro also has a small selection of beers.

Disco Volante is a trendy and popular bar and restaurant located in Chinatown near Downtown Oakland. The menu consists of several different sections, but the main selection comes from the Bistro menu, which features dishes like Crispy Avocado Tacos, Delicata Squash Pot Pie, and a daily Housemade Sausage. In addition to the Bistro menu, Disco Volante also offers a selection of dinner specials like Brick Chicken, and a selection of snacks and dessers as well. However, Disco Volante is as much a trendy cocktail bar as it is restaurant, with a nice selection of specialty cocktails and wines. Disco Volante hosts live music almost every night of the week.

Bar 355, so creatively named after its address on Uptown Oakland's 19th Street, has been a neighborhood, and indeed city-wide, favorite since it opened. 355's bartender's serve up a plethora of delicious cocktails, while the decidedly hipster atmosphere always provides entertainment. The DJ is always playing fun tunes.

Room 389 is a trendy little bar located right next to Lake Merritt. The bar has a nice fenced in area out front to enjoy warm days and nights, and inside the decor is modern and simple. The long bar area leads back to a decent sized dance or lounge area, depending on the night. Sports fans will enjoy the TVs at either end of the bar. Overall Room 389 is an enjoyable neighborhood bar, not too fancy, not too divey, but the perfect balance.