It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy: 5 Casual Oakland Spots for Great Dates
I already wrote about the intersection of hooking and luxury in a previous article about some fine-dining restaurants I’ve been wanting to try. Some people believe that escorts only want to be taken to luxuriously Michelin-starred fine dining experiences. And, it’s true. I do like that, a lot!
But I also enjoy local favorites, dive bars, taco trucks, and other experiences that are special in a different way. I’ve enjoyed being taken to Benihana or PF Changs on dates or sharing a drink at a client’s favorite dive bar before getting cozy in private.
So, here are some more casual Bay Area date options for those who appreciate them:
1. Snail Bar
I have great spring and summertime memories at Snail Bar, because of their adorable outdoor parklet. It’s a small restaurant and bar in the Temescal area of Oakland. They specialize in wine and small plates, most notably, escargot. When you go inside you feel you have left Oakland and stepped into a local village cafe in France.
They are only open from Friday to Monday. The inside is tiny and only has a few tables, which are available for reservations. The outside parklet and counter are available for walk-up service. Snail Bar is a real gem!
2. Wawa Thai
Wawa Thai is in Oakland’s Dimond District, between Lake Merritt and Mills College. It’s one of the more unique Thai restaurants I’ve been to. They feature Northern Thai dishes, like Khao Soi, that you don’t always see at Thai places. It also has cute decor and cute cocktail options!
3. Mama’s Royal Cafe
Mama’s Royal has been an Oakland classic since 1974. It’s perfect for brunch or a daytime meal. They serve standard diner breakfast fare: Eggs, French Toast, Pancakes, etc. During the week, they also serve a small lunch menu of salads and sandwiches. Wooden booths, old jukebox machines, and nostalgic decor from the building’s prior life as a Chinese restaurant give the place a unique vintage ambiance.
4. Mujiri Oakland
Want the Omakase experience without the Omakase price? For $25 here you can get a box that includes seven pieces of nigiri and a maki roll – a solid meal! For $35 you can get a 16-piece sashimi meal. The sushi here is very high quality, and they have a great selection of sakes. The restaurant is just a small counter, so reservations are vital.
5. Nido’s Backyard
Nido’s started as a great “margarita garden” near Jack London Square. Their original location is still in the family as a mezcaleria called Odin. Just a few doors down is Nido’s Backyard, a fully outdoor restaurant that opened fortuitously just before Covid in 2019. While much of their success is due to great cocktails, a lively environment, and amazing food, they also provided much-needed outdoor dining in 2020 and 2021. Their menu features yummy tacos year-round. the larger plates shift from season to season. The place has a certain “buzz” to it that makes it a truly fun place to share a meal.
