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Portal

Gastropub and New American Restaurant$$$$

Merritt, Oakland

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Portal

8.2^/10

336

ratings

Ranked #5 for a large beer list in Oakland
"Great beer garden, nice selection of beers and garbage bread!"(7 Tips)
"Hidden gem of Lake Merritt."(3 Tips)
"Great beer selection, ask for a taste of you are unsure."(8 Tips)
"Awesome atmosphere and attentive staff."(6 Tips)

70 Tips and reviews

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garbage bread
outdoor seating
beer
brunch food
scenic views
casual
polenta
balcony
trendy
happy hour
good for dates
authentic
cider
biscuits
roses
steak
sandwiches
friendly staff
lakes
chilaquiles
(15 more)

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Frank KimAugust 10, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Always a great selection of beers here, had a good brunch here too, overall a pretty cool place, obviously the balcony in back is their signature.
Adrian PhillipsNovember 6, 2015
The patio seating is table service so check in with the host. Great beer selection, ask for a taste of you are unsure. Get the Brussels sprouts and wings if you're drinking with hungry friends.
Trev ✌March 27, 2016
Been here 5+ times
there's gonna be a line, so order a bloody, a beer, a libation then wait on the patio for your table :) don't be afraid to share a patio table, you'll meet some cool peeps!
Annie 🌺 JalotaJuly 13, 2019
Put yourself on the waitlist on Yelp, you won’t have to wait as long. I love the outdoor seating, and good amount of options on the menu. Great food, service and ambiance!
Daniel PisciottanoMarch 30, 2016
Love the brunch. Chilaquiles were on point and the steak add-on was grilled to perfection. Awesome atmosphere and attentive staff. Get there early as it fills up quick!
Leah W.June 27, 2015
Been here 100+ times
The kitchen is closed in the middle of the day to switch from brunch to dinner. Closed Monday's. Great soju cocktail and local craft beer selection! Food is top!!!
Ellen McGrodyMarch 8, 2016
Been here 10+ times
Portal is a wonderful gastropub! Lots of food, super friendly service, Queer Beer Wednesday, and great views of Lake Merritt!
_October 27, 2014
Sit at the outside patio for brunch! Definitely order the crispy potatoes!!! Also serving speciality beers and bottomless mimosa.
Anton ShusterDecember 8, 2015
Try the garbage bread (pizza dough, proofed overnight and rolled into a burrito-Stromboli mash-up stuffed with either pepperoni and sausage, herbs and ricotta).
bastylefilegirlJune 9, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Another tip is be sure to try the Pranqsterwhen it's on tap... Perfect beverage for a warm day crisp, clean, with fruity and floral notes. Hey hey but it's not "girly" lol
bastylefilegirlJuly 4, 2013
Been here 25+ times
If there is anything by Allagash on tap try it! They are almost all perfection. Especially those who appreciate belgians and more complex beers 😁🍻
Kai LedwardNovember 2, 2013
Great little hidden gem, the food is amazing as well as the staff. Had the Hard Cider and I'm totes a fan.
Joey CombsNovember 1, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Super friendly service and always a huge selection of amazing craft beers. Also, get the garbage bread. It's awesome.
bastylefilegirlOctober 25, 2012
Been here 25+ times
They have alcoholic Ginger Beer, try it! And the Lagunitas Brown Sugga when it's on tap. THAT IS ALL
Garry TanJanuary 4, 2016
Garbage bread! I'd come back just for that. Oh the giant selection of tasty beers is a plus too.
Marshall St. ClairMay 25, 2015
Stuffed Challah French Toast (fruit, ricotta, whipped cream, butter and maple syrup). Mini burgers
AlexSeptember 27, 2015
Not worth the wait or the price for brunch. Food was bland, spicy Bloody Mary was not. Thank goodness for their selection of hot sauce in both cases.
John "Johnny5" HirschNovember 27, 2014
I love this place!! Such a friendly staff, bomb wings, great atmosphere.. This my shit!!!
Byron WilkesFebruary 9, 2016
Been here 10+ times
Chicken wings here are good to go and the outdoor area is amazing during warmer days.
Cathy BJune 27, 2013
Hidden new spot in oakland! Their garbage bread is super and their beer selection? Uh-may-zing!!!
Todd MarshburnJune 7, 2014
Hidden gem of Lake Merritt. Sunsets on the patio, amazing beer list, fabulous bites
Thomas E.October 1, 2012
You definitely want a table on the patio. Worth the wait. Get an order of garlic fries, but skip the salmon.
Tony COctober 28, 2016
French toast bread seemed like it had been left on the stove too long: it was hard no matter how much I soaked it in syrup.
George KellyMarch 10, 2021
Been here 50+ times
Got knots, brunch potatoes and a burger with some BBQ wings for later; midday visit meant little to no sidewalk crowding
Maddie MaeJanuary 24, 2015
Garbage bread makes a perfect shareable happy hour snack.
Trev ✌June 18, 2015
Been here 5+ times
bloody mary! and the chilaquiles! can't go wrong at Portal
AvaMay 11, 2017
Great brunch and friendly waiters
Vivian VoOctober 12, 2015
Choose to sit outside! You won't regret it.
Collin StrakaAugust 14, 2018
Awesome bottomless mimosas! They even offered sunscreen on a bright day :)
Matt SNovember 30, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Not a huge beer menu but very high-quality selections. Would gladly order any on the menu!
Bella KedaAugust 8, 2014
The mini burgers and the chicken Caesar salad
Keiron QJune 16, 2015
Try the fried chicken mini burgers. The mushroom and gravy fell flat.
Kevin WatkinsAugust 13, 2014
The fried brussel sprouts are hella good!!!
Darren QuinnAugust 15, 2014
Been here 25+ times
Great beer garden, nice selection of beers and garbage bread!
Chloe CondonMay 13, 2016
Turkey slider is better than chicken slider! Just get 2 turkey sliders.
andrewJanuary 10, 2014
The faucet in the bathroom has the temperature reversed. Hot to the right, cold to the left.
teresa johnsOctober 22, 2012
Been here 25+ times
At night you can request a blanket & still sit outside!
Lam AnhFebruary 17, 2013
Definitely sit out in the patio, enjoy some sun and beautiful view of Lake Merrit.
Artemis LunaOctober 9, 2016
This place has a shit hostess... Waited 15 mins before anyone acknowledge me standing at the door.
L UJanuary 5, 2018
Lively for sure. Great bottle of rose wine. Food is meh.
Hugo HDecember 24, 2016
Get the Portal Benedict.
Cristi ScheyeJune 27, 2015
Live music on Thursday nights and friendly service!
Kali-Star HuggerNovember 4, 2012
Been here 10+ times
The polenta Benedict is AMAZING!
Megan MastersJuly 3, 2019
Brunch patio is fun
SFGateJanuary 13, 2015
This gem off of Lake Merritt feels like a secret, even if it’s packed by 11 a.m. more often than not. A vegetarian-leaning menu and excellent beer list are major draws, as is its expansive back patio. Read more
Lane RettigSeptember 14, 2013
Delicious food but slow. They only have one bathroom which means a long wait every time wtf? Also they only serve some of their beer in pitchers, weird and obnoxious.
Billy SeolMay 15, 2015
The chilaquiles are great!
Ilya ShaisultanovAugust 9, 2015
Extremely loud inside. Deafening. Why would anyone want to go to a place like that at noon?
RMi FloresSeptember 10, 2015
Get the garbage bread. Best item on the menu
Maddie MaeAugust 21, 2014
Why go somewhere and eat just one burger, when at Portal you can try two completely different mini-burgers?!?!?

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