Bay Area summer is finally here. Anyone who has spent even a few years in Northern California knows the best weather months are September and October, when sunshine is plentiful and rain is scarce. While the Bay Area’s climate allows for outdoor dining during a large portion of the year, now is prime al fresco dining season.
In the East Bay, diners searching for a pleasant place to sit outside and enjoy a meal have many options —including pleasant parklets and patios, lush decks and gardens, breezy seaside venues and lively beer gardens. For brunch, lunch or sunset dinner, here are Nosh’s 12 favorite East Bay spots for an outdoor dining experience right now.
Alley & Vine
This pleasant Alameda spot is, no surprise, located in an alley and is covered with vines: both trumpet and jasmine nightshade. Planters border the patio, providing pops of color amid the greenery.
Alley & Vine recently changed owners and hours: it is now open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. The new hours and service are good additions to the restaurant, which previously offered dinner and co*cktails only. On a quiet morning recently, butterflies and bird song provided the entertainment. The outdoor patio is intimate — only five tables — but others can be added for larger parties. The vine-covered pergola provides dappled shade.
Popular items on the menu for breakfast and lunch are the lox scramble, corned beef hash (a fine, crispy version with potatoes, corned beef and onions), and chilaquiles. The dinner menu includes ribeye, spinach seafood risotto, king salmon and a Niman Ranch burger with “all the fixin’s.”
Alley & Vine; 1332 Park St., Suite D, Alameda; open Monday through Friday 10 a.m to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Babette
Housed in the former Lane Splitter space, Babette is home to a massive redwood planted a quarter-century ago by the former pizza joint’s original owners. The tree is at the center of the lushly landscaped back brick patio, and the garden’s peach and apricot trees provide fruit that Babette turns into jam and chutneys.
They serve pizza at Babette, but they also offer eggs Benedict, a Southern Brunch and a trio of fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes—the size of dinner plates— served with blueberries and powdered sugar. In addition to pizzas, dinner offerings at Babette range from oysters and pork belly or portobello sliders, to linguini pasta with shrimp and meatloaf (served with kumquat, pistachio, and tamarind BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and blue lake and yellow wax beans). Co-owner Joan Ellis remarked that dinnertime is often family time at Babette.
Saturday and Sunday brunch is accompanied by jazz musicians, who perform from a corner of the patio, under the large orange B. The restaurant can be reserved for private events. So far, eight couples have been married in this lovely garden. Heaters are available for cooler weather someday.
Babette; 2033 San Pablo Ave., near University Avenue, Berkeley; open Wednesday through Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for brunch; 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner; Sunday for brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Backyard
Like the name suggests this Richmond venue that opened in 2022 feels like a big backyard with indestructible ground cover and lots of space for playing (Corn hole, Foosball and Connect 4) and running around. But it is also an outdoor beer and wine garden with food, music, and a mission to be a “community gathering space.” Order from the simple menu of sandwiches, burgers, tartines, and a couple of kid-friendly options, as well as a “Pup Patty” for dogs. Needless to say, this big backyard welcomes kids and dogs.
Numerous tables are spaced around the yard, with a small area in one corner designed for sitting and conversing. The Backyard hosts live music on Fridays, and features reggae on the last Sunday of the month. The first Saturday is comedy night. Happy Hour is from 2 to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
The most popular items on the menu are the Marina Bay Burger (goat cheese, bacon, avocado, caramelized onion, spring mix and mayo on an Acme bun), the Chicken Pesto, and the Philly steak (steak or chicken, onions, sweet peppers, Cheese Wiz, provolone, on a hoagie roll). The Point Richmond Patty is all vegan.
The Backyard; 205 Cutting Blvd., at S. 2nd Street, Richmond; open Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Brotzeit Lokal
Located on the Oakland waterfront, nestled between the Brooklyn Basin neighborhood and the estuary, Brotzeit Lokal restaurant, biergarten and boat house offers a peaceful view of the boats bobbing in the nearby water. Outdoor seating has umbrellas to provide shade, casting an orange glow over the tables on the deck. It’s a glorious place to sit and watch the sunset, or to raise a Bloody Mary.
If brunch co*cktails are how you want to begin your weekend, this is the place to find them. Try the salty dog, Irish coffee, or variations on a mimosa to accompany your eggs Benedict, “Schnitzel Stack” (wiener schnitzel, over-easy egg, mushroom gravy on an English muffin), or wurst and eggs.
The most popular items on the traditional Bavarian menu are the many house-made sausages such as bratwurst, nurnberger and wurzige. A sausage platter includes a choice of two sausages, sauerkraut, spätzle and a fresh baked salted bretzel. Other dinner options include traditional German dishes made with pork cutlets, chops and shank. If you love spätzle, there are four versions on the menu. The dessert not to miss is the apfel strudel—a thick layer of delicious sliced apples encased in a delicate pastry— topped with whipped cream, generously drizzled with caramel sauce, and served a la mode.
Boaters may take advantage of guest berthing while they dine, and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Brotzeit Lokal; 1000 Embarcadero, Oakland; open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
El Patio Restaurant Bar
El Patio is not fooling around when they named one item on their menu a super burrito. With filling options of asada, pollo, al pastor, carne mechada or nopales, with rice, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and mild salsa—it fills the entire plate. All portions are generous at El Patio. The Pabellón Plate, for example, is composed of black beans, cotija cheese, fried plantains, shredded beef, rice and an exquisite plain arepa (corn masa patty): a tasty meal and a half. Other entrees include pozole, an empanada plate and camarones a la Diabla (spicy shrimp over Spanish rice) and several varieties of filled arepas. The plantains are exceptionally delicious.
With El Patio’s blending of Mexican and Venezuelan dishes, no one walks away hungry. The patio is decorated with colorful plants and art, but the food is the main event here. The co*cktail menu leans heavily toward mezcal, “tequila’s smokey cousin.” The bar’s collection now surpasses 300 bottles.
El Patio; 2056 San Pablo Ave., near University Avenue and Addison Street, Berkeley; open Sun 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Monday through Wednesday 4 to 9:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 4 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday 12 to 10 p.m.
Ghost Town Brewing Laurel District
Order at the counter and find a seat at one of the many picnic tables in the Ghost Town garden. One area is covered with a vast white tent, strung with lights, while the rear of the garden is full of more picnic tables and Adirondack chairs with shade provided by striped umbrellas. The décor, true to the name, includes several well-placed skeletons; a large-screen TV is attached to a mural of skulls along the back wall.
Diners here may appreciate the clever names on the menu: “Kale Caesar!,” “Burgermortis,” “The Lone Free-Ranger,” “Olive and Let Die,” and the “Altar of Sacri-Fries.” “The Salad of the Lone-Ranger” (mixed greens, roasted corn, mixed tomato medley, cucumber and fried shallots tossed in creamy lemon vinaigrette topped with a multi-textured house-made chicken salad) is a fine choice for warm weather. Sandwiches and salads offer a number of twists on the traditional types of hearty pub food.
Well-behaved children are welcome and have a choice of a cheese quesadilla, a “Lil’ Hellraiser” (fried chicken with fries) and a “Lil’ Hellpup” (a plain hot dog).
Ghost Town Brewing Laurel; 3506 MacArthur Blvd, at 35th Ave, Oakland; open Monday 1 to 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 12 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 12 to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday 12 to 9:30 p.m.
Headlands Brewing Beer Garden
Westbrae has enthusiastically welcomed the return of a neighborhood beer garden, spiffed up after Westbrae Biergarten and Pedro’s Brazil Café food truck closed last year. It’s still a kid- and dog-friendly location, with new and welcome additions: the brick patio, an artificial turf section, and additional seating. The “kids-only” play area was refreshed and is supplied with lots of new chalk.
The menu lists snacks (French fries and a giant pretzel served with house-made IPA mustard or beer cheese), sandwiches (like the Michoacano: pulled pork, jalapeño slaw, red onion, avocado and guajillo-garlic mayo) and burgers (including a smash burger with vegan options) along with a couple of salads and kid-friendly options. It is a beer-centric place, but also has a list of “drinks that aren’t beer” like wine, craft sodas and frozen pink lemonade.
Headlands is also planning to expand the menu soon, with additions including sausages with various toppings, nachos, and taco specials on Thursdays, manager Joey Daly told Nosh.
Headlands Beer Garden; 1280 Gillman St., at Curtis Street, Berkeley; open Tuesday through Thursday 12 to 9 p.m., Friday 12 p.m.to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.to 8 p.m.
Nido’s Backyard
This Oakland outdoor restaurant with a large back patio features a festive dining area and is decked out with rows of colorful papel picado. Umbrellas and a partial roof offer shade, with abundant greenery and strings of lights. Family friendly, and a great place for small and large celebrations, Nido’s offers a full bar as well as an extensive menu, including both all day and dinner options. All day choices include tostadas, flautas and elote asado, while the dinner menu offers the choice of a carnitas surtidas taco kit, cecina de res, and a dinner taco platter with eight tacos. Recommended: The enchiladas coloradas de pato con mole, for its deeply flavorful combination of duck confit, red mole, cotija, cream, avocado and rice.
The whole place feels like a party. Reservations are a good idea, especially on summer evenings. One can barely see or hear evidence of the city at Nido’s, except for the occasional train rumbling by. For dessert, don’t miss the Tres Leches: a traditional spiced milk-soaked corn cake with vanilla cream and a seasonal fruit topping. It’s the perfect way to end a meal at Nido’s.
Nido’s Backyard; 104 Oak St., at Embarcadero West, Oakland; open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe
Breakfast at Rudy’s is served anytime you want it: all day and night. Order at the counter and get settled before digging into the extensive classic and innovative options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast favorites are the Deuces Wild (two pancakes or two pieces of French toast with two eggs any style and two meat or veggie sausages), the breakfast burrito, and “Your Private Eyedaho” (hash browns, covered in melted cheese, topped with two eggs sunny side up—a perfect blend of crispy and melty breakfast textures.) The kid’s menu offers many time-tested kid favorites. Hot sandwiches (served after 10 a.m.) include a hot veggie sandwich, an “old school” tuna melt, a classic Reuben and a grilled cheese. Rudy’s also offers daily dinner specials like Monday meatloaf and Friday fish and chips.
The patio at Rudy’s is shaded by blue umbrellas, with two picnic tables and many smaller tables. The low wall along Hollis Street has clear partitions that mostly screen out the traffic but allow views of the nearby palm trees and the tree-lined streets around Emeryville’s City Hall and Pixar Studios.
The Happy Hour menu (served from 5 p.m. to closing) includes street tacos and a choice of ribeye steak, cheese, or chicken quesadillas. Rudy’s also offers co*cktails, wine and beer. For a salty-sweet treat, try the bacon shake (a bacon and sea salt caramel milkshake).
Be sure to peek inside the back room and view the massive, eclectic “I Am Rudy” Barbie collection.
Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe;4081 Hollis St., near Park Avenue, Emeryville; open Wednesday through Saturday 8 a.m.to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sam’s Log Cabin
This neighborhood favorite Lincoln Log structure is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and in-betweens. Seating is outside only, with an expansive patio and more seating on a raised platform.
The changing daily specials include the scramble, pancakes, scones, soup and the Blue Plate, all the day’s listings displayed neatly on a couple of chalkboards. The patio has lots of tables, shaded by umbrellas and a pergola, with heaters standing by in case the marine layer moves in. The patio is surrounded by greenery and Sam’s is kid and dog friendly.
The cinnamon currant French toast — and just the regular cinnamon currant toast — is a standout, as is the homemade applesauce. Sam’s offers traditional sandwiches, salads and breakfast options, with a few twists: yams n’ eggs, lake trout and eggs, and cheesy grits.
The daily scone features an ever-changing creative combo of fruit, spices and nuts — everything from cranberries to mangos. All are buttery and delicious. The food is beautifully presented and tasty; Sam’s staff performs great service in a place that feels both current and old-timey.
Sam’s Log Cabin;945 San Pablo Ave., near Solano Avenue, Albany; open Tuesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sailing Goat Restaurant
Getting to Sailing Goat is an adventure. Coming from the East, you need to get off I-580 at the exit for Stenmark Drive and Point Molate (right before the San Rafael Bridge). You’ll travel alongside the Bay, and then wind up hill and down again until you get to Point San Pablo Harbor. First time visitors may wonder at the large sculptures (rumored to have migrated from Burning Man), the goats and the small armada of houseboats.
All the seating is outdoors at Sailing Goat. The surrounding area is full of plants and art. It’s a perfect place to gather on a sunny afternoon, especially as sunset approaches.
Sailing Goat offers wood-fired pizza: a Margherita with mozzarella, tomato, basil and olive oil; and a Portuguese pie, with linguiça, sausage, kale, Cipollini onion, confit garlic and mozzarella. The current brunch offerings are a Boichik bagel plate, a summer frittata and Italian baked eggs. The “Classics” section of the menu includes a thick and creamy harbor chowder chock full of flavors and textures from land and sea, a little gem Caesar and fish and chips. The menu includes mussels and a Yucatán fish stew. Choose from a selection of local (and other) beers, as well as wines “sourced from seaside communities around the world.” Live music dates and artists are posted on the website.
Sailing Goat Restaurant; 1900 Stenmark Drive, Richmond; open Friday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. (for brunch and full menu) and from 4 to 8 p.m. for full menu only.
Saul’s Deli
Long a North Berkeley favorite, Saul’s has taken its parklet to a new level. Surrounded by succulents and other greenery, the space feels spacious and welcoming, with excellent people-watching available on the busy stretch of Shattuck. Large barrels, repurposed as planters, add to the garden-like feel. Strings of lights add some after-dark ambiance.
The menu offers Saul’s traditional over-the-top deli sandwiches (pastrami on rye, chopped liver, several versions of Reubens and melts) in addition to a variety of starters, soups, salads, and dinner specials, with the essential addition of pickles. The breakfast options include the fabled corned beef hash, shakshuka, lox and eggs, bagel sandwiches and outstanding challah French toast. Check the bakery section for black & white cookies, hamantashen, rugelach and babka.
Perusing the menu at Saul’s takes some time. Build up an appetite while you decide what to order.
Saul’s Deli; 1475 Shattuck Ave., between Rose and Vine streets, Berkeley; open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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