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Interior - Wood Tavern, Oakland, CA
Award-winning

Wood Tavern

4.7 (2948)
$31 to $50
Gastro Pub
6317 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

Make a reservation

A photo of Wood Tavern restaurant

Wood Tavern

4.7
$31 to $50
Gastro Pub
Oakland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
Wood Tavern is nestled into a charming neighborhood shopping district on bustling College Avenue. Serving a hearty American Brasserie style menu. The contemporary loft- like space houses a dining room filled with "butcher block' tables, a comfy, copper topped bar and a chef's counter where you can dine watching the chef in action.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Esteban Escobar
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate up to 28 for semi-private parties. For buy-outs the Tavern can accommodate up to 40 for sit-down dinner. Contact restaurant directly for information.
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Oakland
  • Cross street
    Alcatraz
  • Parking details
    Metered street parking until 6:00PM and non-metered side street parking available all day.
  • Public transit
    Rockridge BART is 5 blocks away. A major thoroughfare for bus lines, including the 51 and 151
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Wood Tavern.

4.7

4.7
(2948)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wood Tavern is a beloved neighborhood gem known for its "fantastic food" and "attentive service." The rustic American menu, featuring standout dishes like the "scallops risotto" and "double pork chop," consistently delights patrons. With a "classic bistro atmosphere" and "excellent drinks," it's perfect for special occasions or casual meals.
2,948 Reviews
  1. Susie

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Four good friends wanted to have a wonderful lunch before Wood Tavern closed at the end of the year . We also made a special request if possible for a table by the front window. We were very lucky and had the table. We loved our meal and there were lots if people having a great time. It was a special day and we all loved our lunch The food was great and the service was wonderful. We never felt rushed even as we saw people waiting for tables

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  2. Nancy Gold

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So sorry to hear it's closing at the end of the year. Our favorite place for the best hamburger ever! We'll miss it.

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  3. Gayle

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of my favorite restaurants ever. So sad that it’s closing in December. We wanted to visit one last time, & as always, loved & savored every bite.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sarosh

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Congested and loud. Had difficulty hearing across the table. Service was great, much better than most places. Food was good.

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  5. Elizabeth Gold

    San Francisco91 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 26, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    My review doesn't matter because they are closing - food has never been an issue. The food is fantastic. However, for at least the last 5 years the servers have not been a draw. Such attitude and appear to not be able to manage the room. I'm sad they are going because I think the recipes are some of the best. But, it also isn't the same as it used to be.

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  6. Joy

    San Francisco18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious! Sad to see this restaurant go. It’s been one of our favorites in Oakland.

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  7. Sylvia

    San Francisco18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional seasonal arugula salad. Delicious! And great service, albeit a little slow. We went for a relaxing birthday lunch and didn’t mind the slow service as that gave us more time to enjoy ourselves. We will miss Wood Tavern when it closes.

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  8. Anthony

    San Francisco1 review

    3.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Server seemed distracted and not very attentive. Hostess seemed unhappy. Restaurant is closing soon, I think most of the staff has mentally checked out. Disappointing.

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  9. Sarah Gold

    San Francisco11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The pork chop is a beyond delicious and the steak was cooked perfectly. Henry helped us pick out the perfect wine, too.

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  10. ken Gold

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Wood Tavern always delivers.. Double pork chop. Every. Time.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Esteban Escobar
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate up to 28 for semi-private parties. For buy-outs the Tavern can accommodate up to 40 for sit-down dinner. Contact restaurant directly for information.
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Oakland
  • Cross street
    Alcatraz
  • Parking details
    Metered street parking until 6:00PM and non-metered side street parking available all day.
  • Public transit
    Rockridge BART is 5 blocks away. A major thoroughfare for bus lines, including the 51 and 151
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Wood Tavern is run by its owner, Rich, guests frequently mention and thank him for his hands‑on presence.

Yes, Wood Tavern is a popular spot for anniversaries and special evenings, with guests praising dim, intimate dinners, thoughtful wine choices and celebratory service.

Thursday lunch is a standout, reviewers note multiple groups waiting for the 11:30 opening, so expect a lively, popular lunchtime scene.

Wood Tavern feels like a warm neighborhood loft, butcher‑block tables, a comfy copper‑topped bar and a chef’s counter let you watch the kitchen in a cozy, buzzy dining room that can get quite loud.

Business casual is the guide, aim for neat, polished clothing rather than formal wear, and many guests do dress up a touch for anniversaries and special occasions.

Portions tend to be generous for mains, guests repeatedly call the pork chop and other entrees hefty, with some noting they leave with leftovers.

Wood Tavern is a terrific weekday-lunch spot, try lunch Tuesday–Friday (it opens at 11:30 am) when reviewers praise the midday menu; note Thursday lunches can be especially popular.

Yes, families regularly celebrate and dine at Wood Tavern; reviewers describe birthday parties and children enjoying entrees (for example, a guest noted their child ate the prime rib), and staff are reported as attentive to family needs.

Yes, Wood Tavern was awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2023.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. East Bay
  5. Oakland

Make a reservation

A photo of Wood Tavern restaurant

Wood Tavern

4.7
$31 to $50
Gastro Pub
Oakland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today
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