This chic deli near the lake serves up delicious, locally sourced dishes in a friendly vibe, making it the perfect casual spot for brunch and bites.
"Grand Lake Kitchen is a reliable brunch place in Oakland’s Dimond District (there’s also another location by the lake, of course) when no one made a reservation and everywhere else is booked. It’s easy to walk in for their solid brunch standbys, like a pork belly hash and the slightly tangy french toast made with sourdough. Sink into a bright teal booth and debrief last night’s debauchery over an Irish coffee or a boozy slushie. " - julia chen 1, lani conway
"By far the most popular brunch spot in the vicinity of Lake Merritt (the weekend lines are legendary), Grand Lake Kitchen has an all-day brunch menu that includes both sweet and savory versions of French toast. The restaurant has a second location in the Dimond." - Dianne de Guzman, Lauren Saria
"A lively spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner during the week. You can sit at the counter or at an outdoor table on the sidewalk with great views of Lake Merritt, and don't forget to browse the specialty grocery items at the front of the space. Brave the line to grab their legendary brunch over the weekend, we love the pork belly hash and the chilaquiles." - Huge
"Grand Lake Kitchen, Grand Lake Lake Merritt by Huge. A lively spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner during the week. You can sit at the counter or at an outdoor table on the sidewalk with great views of Lake Merritt, and don't forget to browse the specialty grocery items at the front of the space. Brave the line to grab their legendary brunch over the weekend, we love the pork belly hash and the chilaquiles."
"Grand Lake Kitchen is an all-day deli with two Oakland locations (near Lake Merritt and in the Dimond District). The menu ranges from house-made pickles and matzah ball soup, to salads, burgers, and sandwiches, but if you’re ordering from this place at all, it’s probably for their excellent (and popular) brunch. Things like savory french toast, scrambled egg and bacon plates, and avocado toast are served until 5pm and you should absolutely get it all with a cocktail or sparkling wine. During the pandemic, Grand Lake Kitchen also launched a new takeout concept called Carbona. They operate out of GLK’s Dimond District location and specialize in Detroit-style pizzas, which are fluffy and thick, like sheet cake thick or brick thick, and have perfectly chewy crusts with crispy, darkened edges. photo credit: Remy Anthes" - Lani Conway
