There aren't too many places in the Bay Area that serve up peel-it-yourself seafood. The Rockin' Crawfish just happens to be that sort of place. The menu features crawfish (of course), as well as crab, shrimp, clams and oysters. You choose the seasoning and degree of spiciness. When your food arrives, be sure to don the bib they give you. You'll also make good use of those paper towels! The atmosphere is lively and fun, so this is a great place for family gatherings (as long as nobody's squeamish about shucking critters from the sea!).

Ahn's is a popular greasy-spoon diner featuring hefty burgers at an extremely cheap price. The menu, much like the decor, has seemingly never changed since the diner's inception. Order the namesake quarter-pound Big Burger for $3.85, loaded with the usual toppings. Service is fast and the portions are huge, so bring a friend and split the fries. Ahn's also does a great milkshake. Please take note that they only accept cash.

The Kwik Way has been an iconic Oakland building for over 50 years, but only in 2011 did it undergo a revitalization and reinvention that allowed it to reopen and once again become a neighborhood favorite. Kwik Way has left its outward appearance the same as its heyday of the 1960s, so you can really feel like you're getting an old fashioned dining experience, with a food upgrade. Of course the Kwik Way serves up delicious burger, fries and onion rings, but it also features items like prawns, grilled chicken sandwiches and even gluten free items, and of course you can also get thick delicious milkshakes.

Top Dog has been an East Bay, and indeed Bay Area wide favorite since the 1960s. With several branches throughout Oakland and Berkeley, this one is located on bustling Lakeshore Avenue. Top Dog does just one thing, and it does it well. All kinds of encased meats are thrown on the grill here, with the all beef Kosher Top Dog and the Lemon Chicken dog being especially favored by Oakland's dog-eating masses.

Right next to Oakland's Lake Merritt and its "necklace of lights" is the ever-popular Coach Sushi. Coach Sushi serves up high quality sushi of all your favorite varieties along with a full slate of other Japanese dishes. The most popular part of Coach Sushi, however, is their bottomless sake for USD3.50, which upon ordering gets you your own square cedar box which continues to be refilled frequently until you leave.

Vo's is located amongst the insurgence of popular bars and restaurants near Oakland's Uptown district. This stylishly decorated restaurant serves up delicious Vietnamese dishes like Tamarind Catfish Soup, Five-Spice Chicken and Mekong Noodles. This large restaurant is an ideal place for large groups, and even has a banquet room available for private parties.

Chai Thai Noodle House is located in Oakland just east of Lake Merritt. Chai Thai is very popular, as the name implies, especially for their noodle dishes. Favorites include the ever popular Pad Thai, Pumpkin Curry, and Larb. People love coming to Chai Thai because the relatively small restaurant is cozy and unpretentious, needless to say this is a family and neighborhood favorite that attracts many regular customers.

Lake Chalet is brought to you by the people responsible for the popular Beach Chalet and Park Chalet right across the water in San Francisco. This elegant restaurant is situated right on Lake Merritt, so you're sure to have delightful views while you're here. The menu consists of mainly seafood and grill items, but all with various global and contemporary influences. Lake Chalet's bar also offers a variety of creative and tasty cocktails, which are made even sweeter during their twice daily happy hours, when drinks and appetizers and small plates go on special. On a nice evening, sit outside and watch the gondoliers go by as you enjoy your sundries.

From the owners/chefs of the popular ZAX in San Francisco and Berkeley comes Sidebar. This restaurant provides a fresh take on classic Mediterranean cuisine as well as classic comfort foods. In addition to the regular lunch and dinner menus, Sidebar features an "in-between menu". The main feature of Sidebar, however, is the central bar that serves up a nice selection of wines and specialty cocktails.

Boot & Shoe Service, located near Lake Merritt, is the second restaurant from Chez Panisse alum and Pizzaiolo owner Charlie Hallowell. Boot & Shoe Service gives Hallowell yet another venue to do what he does best- gourmet pizza. The unusual name comes as an homage to the cobbler shop that was once located where the restaurant is. Boot & Shoe features delicious artisan pizzas, full bar with innovative and contemporary cocktails, a friendly family atmosphere, and you can even get their pizzas to go! If you like pizza, you'll love Boot & Shoe Service.