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Duende

Duende

(Now Closed)
Tapas Restaurant and Jazz and Blues Venue$$$$
Uptown, Oakland
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Tips and Reviews icon50 Tips and reviews
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  • Adrian P.heart icon on user image
    Adrian PhillipsNovember 9, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    The Patatas Bravas make for an excellent snack. Fantastic selection of wine, friendly staff and great cocktails. Recommend their take on a margarita.
  • Brian S.heart icon on user image
    Brian StraussSeptember 28, 2014
    As good as the paella is here, a better meal can be made by having several appetizers and some of the raciones -- tapas style. Top notch food and drink, but the staff are superb.
  • Tasting Table
    Tasting TableNovember 12, 2014
    Date night? Head to Duende and order the arroz negro paella ($40 for two people). It's one of the best meals in town and is definitely a centerpiece at this Spanish-inspired restaurant. Read more
  • Jenifer S.
    Jenifer ShieldsJune 24, 2014
    DELICIOUS. Menu changes sometimes, especially seasonally. Unique, fresh dishes. Sangria is really good. And they offer quality live music that's very much on the innovative side.
  • Megan Allisonheart icon on user image
    Megan AllisonDecember 10, 2017
    The private area upstairs is a great choice for a party. Great drinks, staff and food. The cabbage salad was (surprisingly) amazing.
  • Jennifer O.
    Jennifer OrrMay 13, 2013
    Great restaurant! For a party of three we ordered 3 tapas and a 2-person order of the arroz negro. Plus desserts. We left stuffed, and everything was so delicious!
  • San Jose Mercury News
    San Jose Mercury NewsMarch 12, 2013
    Save room for a chocolate torte with coffee ice cream ($9) It is served in a pool of mocha anglaise. The cacao nib-flecked ice cream was the best part. Read more
  • Derk R.heart icon on user image
    Derk RichardsonJanuary 17, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    Bring a group, order paella and several tapas. If cocktails are in order, they work magic with sherry, rye, and mezcal. Ask Rocco and Girard for Spanish wine tips.
  • Tom A.heart icon on user image
    Tom ANovember 1, 2014
    Paella! But try as many tapas as u can. They are authentic and delicious. Raw scallops in a pepper sauce drizzled with fried ? Delicious.
  • Craig S.
    Craig SchartonMarch 26, 2013
    This is a fantastic restaurant. Chef Paul Canales has a love of life and this joy shines through his food and the wonderful service. Great cocktails, too.
  • Amy P.heart icon on user image
    Amy PeyrotMarch 4, 2018
    Great for a group birthday - prix fixe chef's menu was amazing, plus a nice semi-private table!
  • Sherah B.heart icon on user image
    Sherah BeckMarch 7, 2019
    I had my wedding reception here and it was so good. They don’t make anything that isn’t amazing.
  • Brian L.heart icon on user image
    Brian LApril 14, 2018
    Wow was everything delicious. Loved the paella w/rabbit, and the goat cheese/broccoli dish.
  • Jonathan F.
    Jonathan FlemingMay 5, 2013
    Love the spot, cool vibe, good menu , music coming soon. Incredible layout, great dinner, date spot or hangout.
  • Melon L.heart icon on user image
    Melon LAugust 29, 2015
    Get everything, but get more helpings of the paella. (I'm just kidding, the paella is very generously portioned.)
  • Brian S.heart icon on user image
    Brian StraussAugust 4, 2013
    You can walk in and sit at the bar almost anytime. The bartender will dispense food and sophisticated libations with equal dexterity.
  • Akiheart icon on user image
    AkiNovember 22, 2015
    Book the space upstairs for private events. Pork trotter and paella are must haves.
  • catsun
    catsunMarch 4, 2013
    Get the albondigas - incredibly tender with amazing flavor. You will finish it all + you won't regret it.
  • Tom A.heart icon on user image
    Tom AAugust 22, 2014
    Every tapa we ate was delicious. Tried the vegetarian paella and we all we pleased
  • Keith S.heart icon on user image
    Keith SmithAugust 22, 2014
    Any paella is good! Authentic and filling. Great tapas too - lived the cheese plate.
  • Alexandria P.heart icon on user image
    Alexandria PiccininiSeptember 4, 2017
    All of the tapas are amazing. The piquillos rellenos were my favorite!
  • Joshua D.heart icon on user image
    Joshua DoonanSeptember 23, 2017
    Great food and atmosphere, accommodated our large group with superb service
  • Gloheart icon on user image
    GloDecember 14, 2019
    Rich, delicious food! Make a reservation or waitlist.
  • Shirley R.
    Shirley RFebruary 12, 2013
    When on the menu, have the Sobrasado ... includes spreadable chorizo - yes, you read that correctly! Flavorful yum!
  • Paul W.
    Paul WilliamsMarch 21, 2013
    Verdejo, Albondigas, Cabbage Salad, oh my! Leave room for amazing Sherry collection :-)
  • San F.
    The skinny, short noodles in Duende's fideus ($17.50) are toasted, then baked in a paella pan of flavorful broth.
  • Grace C.heart icon on user image
    Grace ChaungSeptember 29, 2014
    Duck pate and the paella with squid ink = heaven ; excellent wine
  • Ryan L.heart icon on user image
    Ryan LechaAugust 13, 2013
    Pricey but the food was very good. Recommend getting the some form of tapas mariscos.
  • Amy Nelson S.heart icon on user image
    Amy Nelson SmithJanuary 22, 2016
    Portions are large. Order multiple dishes and share. The more people the better.
  • Olaheart icon on user image
    OlaNovember 2, 2013
    Great cocktails and awesome small plates.. Definitely worth it. :-$
  • M S.
    M SchepersDecember 31, 2013
    Great food experience! Cosy atmosphere, nice Service. Will come again!
  • spauldingheart icon on user image
    spauldingApril 28, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    cafe con leche ftw! you can get it with almond milk as well :)
  • Jason J.
    Jason JamesJuly 30, 2014
    Near-perfect Spanish tapas with live music accompaniment.
  • J T.heart icon on user image
    J TMay 24, 2018
    Amazing paella, wine.
  • Anthony S.heart icon on user image
    Anthony SmithSeptember 11, 2018
    Super accommodating for vegetarians.
  • Eric E.
    Eric EliaJanuary 27, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    You can make a reservation online using seatme. Ignore the opentable comment.
  • Lam A.heart icon on user image
    Lam AnhSeptember 8, 2013
    Most of the food is incredibly salty! Make sure you order a pitcher of water with your meal.
  • Jean-Pierre P.heart icon on user image
    Jean-Pierre PommetNovember 29, 2015
    Eat everything !
  • Brian H.
    Brian HagemanFebruary 22, 2013
    Order slowly. Pace yourself. Don't let them rush you.
  • berrian p.heart icon on user image
    berrian pumaJuly 1, 2016
    Tapas and paella
  • Jonathan K.
    Jonathan KhooMarch 3, 2014
    The pulpo!
  • Marshall S.
    Marshall St. ClairApril 2, 2015
    Squid Ink Paella
  • Chris J.
    Chris JJanuary 25, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Unfortunately, they don't use opentable yet so be ready to wait a while to be seated..
  • Erin P.heart icon on user image
    Erin PolgreenSeptember 17, 2017
    Don’t think twice; get a paella
  • Lauren G.heart icon on user image
    Lauren GrimmDecember 2, 2014
    Disappointed with each shared plate, cocktails were weak and the server dropped a bottle of bubbles that the couple next to us ordered. Go to Fauna instead.
  • Peter S.
    Loved the rabbit!
  • Bonnie W.
    Bonnie WurzellJune 7, 2014
    Christa is one bad ass chef
  • Lam A.heart icon on user image
    Lam AnhApril 27, 2014
    Tried to give it a try bit still disappointed. :-(
  • Kelan T.
    Kelan ThomasJuly 12, 2013
    Arroz Negro...
  • David C.heart icon on user image
    David ConnorsMarch 2, 2015
    Arroz negro
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