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Portal
Gastropub and New American Restaurant$$$$
Merritt, 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 reviewsFilter:
- garbage bread
- outdoor seating
- beer
- brunch food
- scenic views
- (15 more)
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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, 2015The 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.
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, 2019Put 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, 2016Love 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!
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!!!
_October 27, 2014Sit at the outside patio for brunch! Definitely order the crispy potatoes!!! Also serving speciality beers and bottomless mimosa.
Portal is a wonderful gastropub! Lots of food, super friendly service, Queer Beer Wednesday, and great views of Lake Merritt!
Anton ShusterDecember 8, 2015Try the garbage bread (pizza dough, proofed overnight and rolled into a burrito-Stromboli mash-up stuffed with either pepperoni and sausage, herbs and ricotta).
Kai LedwardNovember 2, 2013Great little hidden gem, the food is amazing as well as the staff. Had the Hard Cider and I'm totes a fan.
If there is anything by Allagash on tap try it! They are almost all perfection. Especially those who appreciate belgians and more complex beers 😁🍻- 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
Super friendly service and always a huge selection of amazing craft beers. Also, get the garbage bread. It's awesome.
Marshall St. ClairMay 25, 2015Stuffed Challah French Toast (fruit, ricotta, whipped cream, butter and maple syrup). Mini burgers- They have alcoholic Ginger Beer, try it! And the Lagunitas Brown Sugga when it's on tap. THAT IS ALL
Garry TanJanuary 4, 2016Garbage bread! I'd come back just for that. Oh the giant selection of tasty beers is a plus too.
Chicken wings here are good to go and the outdoor area is amazing during warmer days.
Got knots, brunch potatoes and a burger with some BBQ wings for later; midday visit meant little to no sidewalk crowding- Todd MarshburnJune 7, 2014Hidden gem of Lake Merritt. Sunsets on the patio, amazing beer list, fabulous bites
Tony COctober 28, 2016French 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.
John "Johnny5" HirschNovember 27, 2014I love this place!! Such a friendly staff, bomb wings, great atmosphere.. This my shit!!!
Collin StrakaAugust 14, 2018Awesome bottomless mimosas! They even offered sunscreen on a bright day :)
Thomas E.October 1, 2012You definitely want a table on the patio. Worth the wait. Get an order of garlic fries, but skip the salmon.
Cathy BJune 27, 2013Hidden new spot in oakland! Their garbage bread is super and their beer selection? Uh-may-zing!!!
AlexSeptember 27, 2015Not 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.
- Great beer garden, nice selection of beers and garbage bread!
Not a huge beer menu but very high-quality selections. Would gladly order any on the menu!
andrewJanuary 10, 2014The faucet in the bathroom has the temperature reversed. Hot to the right, cold to the left.
Lam AnhFebruary 17, 2013Definitely sit out in the patio, enjoy some sun and beautiful view of Lake Merrit.
- Maddie MaeAugust 21, 2014Why go somewhere and eat just one burger, when at Portal you can try two completely different mini-burgers?!?!?
Artemis LunaOctober 9, 2016This place has a shit hostess... Waited 15 mins before anyone acknowledge me standing at the door.
At night you can request a blanket & still sit outside!
Ilya ShaisultanovAugust 9, 2015Extremely loud inside. Deafening. Why would anyone want to go to a place like that at noon?
294 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Local, Organic, Sustainable, Free-Range, Gourmet, Neighborhood, Casual Fine Dining, Beer Garden, Patio.
Open until 9:30 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:00 AM–9:30 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 10:00 AM–9:30 PM
(510) 663-7678
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Parking
Street
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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Inderpreet Singh - 6.0
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