The Cook and Her Farmer

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/downtown-old-oakland/the-cook-and-her-farmer

On the Grid : The Cook and Her Farmer

"This cafe, oyster and wine bar prides itself on “gathering around the table for honest foods”. So since we’re being honest, it’s freaking delicious. We highly recommend “Oakland’s own Po’ Boy”, if not for the name then definitely for the tangy spread, cornmeal fried oysters and unique garnishes (an olive, a dandelion and stack of pickles). The best part is that you may be served by the cook herself. Can’t get more homey than that." - Pitch Interactive

"The Cook and Her Farmer, Downtown Old Oakland by Pitch Interactive. This cafe, oyster and wine bar prides itself on “gathering around the table for honest foods”. So since we’re being honest, it’s freaking delicious. We highly recommend “Oakland’s own Po’ Boy”, if not for the name then definitely for the tangy spread, cornmeal fried oysters and unique garnishes (an olive, a dandelion and stack of pickles). The best part is that you may be served by the cook herself. Can’t get more homey than that."

Oakland

https://sf.eater.com/2022/2/2/22913060/swans-market-oakland-best-restaurants

Best Things to Eat and Drink at Oakland Food Hall Swan’s Market - Eater SF

"Romney Steele and her life partner Steven Day created a menu that’s a blend of their loves: organic seasonal produce from local farms like Acta Non Verba and Southern flavors." - Maria C. Hunt

https://sf.eater.com/2020/12/21/22193606/best-neighborhood-restaurants-sf-2020

SF’s Best Neighborhood Restaurants, According to Food Industry Insiders - Eater SF

"The Cook and Her Farmer for the burger, Minnie Bell’s fried chicken and the BEST mac ‘n cheese, Cosecha for chicken tinga and carnitas with stacks of fresh made tortillas and all the yummy salsas and guacamole." - Eater Staff

https://sf.eater.com/2020/3/19/21185822/east-bay-restaurants-takeout-delivery-coronavirus

East Bay Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery During the Coronavirus Shutdown - Eater SF

"The oyster-centric spot is open in Swan’s Market for takeout Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., with an option for curbside pickup. Place orders online." - Luke Tsai

Margie Wu

Google

Delicious! I am not a seafood stew fan, but the seafood stew here is not just yummy and also has so... many fresh seafood ingredients inside. And also love my fried chicken waffle and cheese cake. ( I was told by a customer in front of me, the cheese cake is only Friday and Saturday.) Highly recommend this lovely place.

NEQUARNDA DAWSON

Google

I have never eaten an oysters poboy before but if I tell you this one was the absolute best when I visit Oakland again I'm definitely going back to get another one. My mom had the burger and fries she loved her food as well

Helen Karadsheh Levinson

Google

Nice cafe with fresh oysters, mussels and other menu items. Visited with a group after a team meeting. There is plenty of indoor / outdoor seating for small to large groups. Waitstaff are friendly and service is quick. This place sits adjacent to an Asian cafe, Cupcake station and meat / Sausage stand. Eclectic makeup of food offerings.

JM Galeano

Google

Such a gem! The ordering system is streamlined, and the cashier was incredibly helpful, even describing the dishes to help me decide. The grilled cheese with shrimp and arugula was so flavorful, the cheese perfectly melted and the arugula added a fresh bite. They even recommended an IPA that went perfectly with the flavors. loved the private outdoor eating area; the weather was perfect for it. If you're looking for a delicious spot in Oakland, this is it!

Jennifer Dungey

Google

The quiche was yummy. I did need to add a little bit of salt and pepper but it was still filling of flavors from the veggies. I also got a chocolate chip cookie that smells so good and the taste was phenomenal. The truffles fries are hot homemade and delicious

Khoi Pham

Google

Came here a bit before closing time as a group of 5 and enjoyed the dishes we got, which were mostly seafood but also some non-seafood ones. I particularly enjoyed the Fisherman's Stew. Overall, a good spot with communal seating shared by other restaurants too.

Brian MacCaughey

Google

Fantastic food, service was good but the server seemed alittle overwhelmed. Owner was very professional and was working very hard. The hard work of the staff really shows in the food they prepared. Highly recommend that grilled cheese and oysters.

Alicia Conley

Google

First time eating here. The oyster sandwich was soggy with the cabbage dressing and my oysters were fried soft yet tasty. I would like for my cabbage to be put on the side for future and I will request my oysters fried crispy. My quinoa salad was good and tatsty.Very nice customer service.

Natalie C.

Yelp

Located in a busy market in Oakland with lots of other counter-service restaurants, The Cook and Her Farmer is a popular spot especially on warm, sunny weekend mornings. Most of the seating for this place is outdoors, and you have to find your own (so on a busy weekend morning, it can be difficult to find seating). That being said, there is often live music in this market which makes for a lovely surrounding for brunch. I ordered the avocado toast and fries and both were very tasty. The avocado toast comes with pickled onions and a heaping pile of greens. The fries were well-seasoned as well

FoodLover F.

Yelp

I thought it would be a fancier restaurant so I was surprised you order at counter, take a number and sit on metal stools at wood benches and bus your own plates and get your own water But, the food is really good. The fish stew and the Big Sur (shrimp grilled cheese) were excellent. The oysters were fresh and great $75 You need a code to use restroom 12th street bart is 4 minute walk

Annabelle R.

Yelp

They're normally closed on Sundays, but we visited this past weekend for the Summer Jazz Brunch Series featuring Jazz Mafia musicians and a menu of delectable bites including shrimp and grits, grilled oysters, and buckwheat waffles. We had the big sur melt, raw oysters, and the daily sandwich special, as well as a delightful watermelon margarita and a michelada. Everything was tasty. I especially enjoyed the savory, crisp grilled cheese filled with yummy shrimp and melty cheese. It was quite a lovely setting. The outdoor seating near the live music was taken/reserved but the indoor seating had an open air feel, all of the tables available since the other businesses at Swan's Market are closed on Sundays. We waited about 45 minutes in line to order and 20 minutes for our order to be ready, but the farmer gave out some wine to waiting customers. And we got to listen to the awesome sounds of jazz musicians performing for guests, showcasing plenty of talent on that patio stage. Besides the long wait time in the early afternoon, service was great, workers cleaning up the tables and keeping the place beautiful, and the staff was friendly and helpful, making everyone feel welcome. We had a pleasant time.

Kenneth H.

Yelp

Sadly only had a few times via doordash, so can't say much about the environment, but the food was pretty good. If you're into pâte, they put a fuckton of it on their chicken liver toast. The kale salad is good and very filling and got me plenty full. Oyster poboy is pretty good, but i wish there were a few more oysters. Would definitely dine-in next time.

Quinney H.

Yelp

Late review from Fall 2021: The Bay Area will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the first place I moved to after finishing my undergraduate degree. After relocating to Southern Nevada earlier in the year (2021) from the East Coast, my first travel priority was returning to the East Bay to visit family and explore the area. I covered a lot of territory during the trip and went as far south as Monterey and as far north as Napa Valley. In terms of food, I personally found Oakland the most dynamic and fascinating due to restaurants like The Cook and Her Farmer. The Cook and Her Farmer is a cafe and oyster/wine bar located inside Old Oakland's Swan's Market, and it was my favorite meal of the trip. The restaurant is Black-owned and appears to be a mash up of coastal influences from the Gulf South and California. Service during my visit was phenomenal. I dined en plein air and throughly enjoyed the vibe during the lunch hour when other diners and foot traffic through the area appeared to be a diverse mix of locals, both blue and white collar professionals, and other tourists. The oyster po boy I had was also one of the best ones I've ever had! The oysters were plumb and well-seasoned, and I thoroughly enjoyed the generous serving of garnishes on top of the sandwich that provided both acid and freshness to balance out the heavier ingredients.

Denise P.

Yelp

The food is just excellent here. The staff are efficient and friendly!!!! I lived down the street from them for a number of years and ate here quite often. I visit whenever I'm in Oakland.

Leo C.

Yelp

Highly underrated restaurant Tasty menu, generous portions as part of Swan's Market. Prices aren't low but they are reasonable in my opinion.

Phil J.

Yelp

Decent. The place (Swan's Market) is odd. On a Saturday evening: nobody's here. Burger was good. Chips were excellent. Mussels: quite spicy.

Lawrence C.

Yelp

I visited this restaurant recently, and it technically is one of multiple restaurants contained within a food court type area in Oakland. There is a good amount of seating, and when I went on a Thursday there were plenty of areas to sit. You essentially just order from the front, and they'll give you a number to indicate that they'll bring the food over to you. The service was nice and quick, as I was able to get my meal within 5 minutes or so. For my items, I decided to try out the fried oysters and the Big Sur Grilled Cheese as I had seen those recommended. While the fried oysters were good, I do think that they are pretty pricy for what you get as they only give around 4-5 pieces. The Big Sur sandwich was pretty interesting, as it had shrimp in the grilled cheese sandwich itself. The sandwich was a decent portion size and the flavors were pretty good, so you can't go wrong with it. This is a nice restaurant to check out if you're in the Oakland area, although it can be a bit pricy for certain items.

Hanh T.

Yelp

Ever had service and food so bad that you wanna cry ? Spending 80 plus on food that's not even quality sucks . Service took forever poor chef looked overwhelmed . The chorizo dish was blah disappointing and expensive for what the liver pate was not it either no flavor bland besides the few pieces of salt they added . The mussels and fries were okay i tasted more wine then any other flavor it was so bland. It was such a disappointment.

Erica M.

Yelp

Came on a Saturday evening to grab a bite with my husband. I really like this place! A true gem in downtown Oakland. It's a part of a food court so it isn't a "proper" restaurant, but don't let that stop you. Very cute oyster and wine café with a nice selection of coastal fare. Everything is seasonal, locally sourced and delicious! I don't think I've had anything here that I didn't enjoy. On this visit, we ordered: - Market Salad: my husband ordered this and I had to stop myself from eating it all. It was really really good. A bunch of fresh seasonal veggies and leafy greens, perfectly dressed in a really delicious goddess dressing. You can add a protein of your choice and my husband (the genius that he is) asked if they would but duck confit on it!! Luckily they said yes, and now this is my new favorite salad. - Big Sur Melt: a delicious blend of melty cheesy goodness toped w/ gulf shrimp and green onions (I think they also threw in some arugula). All served between 2 slices of nicely toasted levain covered in more cheese (shavings). It came with a few olives on the side which were tasty (but I almost wish it came with a pile of pickled veggies instead; just to add a bit more acid to balance out the rich savory sandwich) - Seasonal Sangria: liked it! Tons of tasty fruit Will be back of course.

Max K.

Yelp

Well it's located inside Swan's market alongside other casual cafe. This is famous for oyster bar / seafood. Though sandwiches/salads are also great. Certainly kale salad (kale, cabbage, herbs and quinoa) are very delicious and healthy. You can easily customize with your choice of protein! It's more of self service in a shared area when you seat yourself with indoor and outdoor options.

Sierra M.

Yelp

Wildly overpriced is the first thing that comes to mind. This is a cafeteria style environment. Think food court type of vibe. I got a house sparkling wine for $13 and it about 3 sips of wine! The dozen of oysters was $40 and they were small and not that fresh tasting in my opinion. I'm an East coast girl who grew up eating oysters straight from the wharf boats while my mom shopped for fresh fish and crab. The fisherman's stew was $38 which was the only appropriately priced item considering the amount of seafood it contained. The broth was delicious but the pieces of fish in it were terrible and the tiny grain shrimp can absolutely go. I had to ask for napkins and there's no place in there to charge electrics. Overall and I'm being generous it's a 3/5 I won't return or recommend.

Sam Z.

Yelp

Had a lovely outdoor lunch - a light quiche with veggies, with an impressive arugula side salad. I especially liked the salad preparation- so fresh, the radish and carrot peels added additional crunch, perfectly dressed, and topped with shredded cheese. Also had a nice cup of tea. Service was polite and fast. Ambiance sitting outside was quiet, early on a weekday. It was busy inside by the time we went to return our dishes. Would definitely go back, but be prepared - it's not cheap. Ended up being $25 including tax and tip.

Colleen M.

Yelp

What an adorable find. The homemade chips are 10/10 and a really good size portion. The pickle plate was different and had some unfamiliar flavors that I really enjoyed. The outside seating area here was so quaint and cute with a decent amount of seating. Kudos to the man taking orders, running everything and also preparing drinks and food, he never seemed overwhelmed but kept churning dishes out. The chicken liver toast was a special that I had to try and my only note (more so personal preference) was there was entirely too much pate on the toast - I couldn't do it all but I did what I could because the pate was absolutely delectable. The avocado toast was my second choice and it looked so good, also piled high though. The prices felt very reasonable for the quality and portions provided. I'm actually shocked this place wasn't more packed - definitely an underrated Oakland find.

Bruce F.

Yelp

Located in downtown Oakland, this place is part of what looks like a food court. This reminds me of a cafè that's also an oyster and wine bar serving coastal inspired cuisine with a touch of southern influence. They work with local organic farms that include: dairy, meat and fish. We ordered the fried oysters and mussels. The oysters were fried to perfection and served an aioli dripping sauce. The oysters were the perfect combination of salty and sweet white the perfect breading. The mussels were simmered in a beer, garlic broth that was also delicious. The broth could be used again for a seafood pasta dish. If your in the mood for oysters in downtown Oakland this is your place.

Christine L.

Yelp

Monday lunch time. I wanted to give this spot a try after I see all these reviews about the oysters, seafood stew. This open restaurant it's located inside the open market on 9th street just a bit pass Chinatown. I love the garden setting with all the different vegetation and banana trees. Definitely very serene to sit in for lunch. I wanted to go light for my lunch so ordered the small arugulas salad, 1/2 DZ oysters and a glass of white wine 6oz pour with tips was $56!!! WTH?! Anyways, what drives me crazy is when you slurp down on a raw oyster you do not want to choke on shells. I don't understand why if this is their specialty item, why wasn't it clean properly so customers do not have to deal with broken shell pieces in their mouth. That ruins the oyster experience as you are having to pick small Pieces of shell off your mouth and food. So the oysters today was not very enjoyable due to all the shells. Two the salad was tiny and didn't fill me up at all. It was literally a small bowl of green salad. Was this meal worth the money? I probably should have waited until HH at The District across the street for their $1.50 oysters. Definitely not what I expected for the price and Value. Overall the experience was OK. I hope they clean their oysters better next time.

Kim B.

Yelp

Came here on a weekend afternoon and sat outside. It is part of an upscale food court in Old Oakland, and wasn't very busy (luckily) so we could snag a good seat. My friend and I ordered oysters, salad and fries- I forgot the names of the exact items :( the food arrived quickly to our table. The oysters were so fresh and delicious- and the salad was unique and tasty. The fries were solid, I could have probably gone with a different item though. Good place to sit back, eat oysters, and converse.

David L.

Yelp

Got food poisoning, have been sick for 3 days since eating the oyster po boy. The place is in a cute space and the employees were nice enough, but that doesn't make up for a seafood place that gives you food poisoning.

Peter N.

Yelp

Had the kale and quinoa salad with a helping of fried oysters on top. Fantastic combo and very tasty! Great location, busy but not difficult to find seating. Great huge area eating area with huge doors open to the outside side way patio area.

DaVina L.

Yelp

What a gem of a find!!! Who knew such a place could be found in down downtown Oakland. Sitting downtown on the outdoor terrace is so lovely and the food is amazing. It a must try for the oysters and a bottle wine

Genoa D.

Yelp

The Cook and Her Farmer always delivers fresh food and quality ingredients. I am always impressed by the flavors and extra care they take with their offerings. Service is always kind, and knowledgable. I enjoying dining on their patio on warm afternoons. Old Oakland is so beautiful.

Sutona S.

Yelp

Ok, so this is an oyster bar but I've been coming here for YEARS for the BiG Sur Grilled Cheese. I'm telling you, best grilled cheese on this side of the Bay Area. I wouldn't lie to you! Anyways.... This time I tried the oysters and also the mussels. Whew! I've been missing out. How is the whole menu fire?? Wow!

Shana R.

Yelp

Came here for lunch with coworkers. Located in Swans market so the vibe is pretty busy during lunch. There was no line this day while some of the other places looked like it was going to take too long. We ordered salads, grilled cheese sandwich, and garlic fries. Everything was incredibly tasty. If you like thick fries, definitely get an order (or two) here. My salad was also super delicious, though a little on the pricey side for lunch. Everybody enjoyed their meal, though it did take a minute for our dishes to come out. If you have a little extra time and want something healthier at Swans, I'd definitely recommend coming here.

Si W.

Yelp

I had the misfortune of dining at The Cook and Her Farmer, and I must say it was an experience I wish I could erase from memory. The service painfully slow, but others who arrived after us were served their meals before we even got a glance from the servers. To add insult to injury, the food was a disaster. The harissa chicken dish I ordered was not only undercooked but borderline dangerous to consume. It was like playing a game of culinary roulette, wondering if this bite would be the one to send me running to the nearest emergency room. As if the raw chicken wasn't enough, the wait time for our meals was excruciatingly long. We might as well have set up camp and cooked our own food in the kitchen because it took an eternity for anything to arrive at our table. Save yourself the agony and avoid this place like the plague. The one star was for the quick service in giving me a refund.

Elaine F.

Yelp

Located downtown Oakland, the Cook and Her Farmer is positioned in what I consider an upscale food court. Walk right off the street and you are surrounded by a curbside oyster bar. While the service is minimal, the food is exceptional. I had the fried oysters which were fried to perfection, they were so good that I placed a second order along with an arugula salad. I was in oyster heaven!

Amy O.

Yelp

Who can say no to fried oysters? Actually, I don't eat them but everyone in our party really liked them! Crispy and tender with a great dipping sauce! Glad we were able to try them!

Joseph Anthony S.

Yelp

Happy hour oysters - a dozen for $30 normally $40. They're bigger than your smallest oysters, and reasonably buttery. The sauce it comes with is really good tho..

Kate V.

Yelp

Amazing food, great service,beautiful outdoor courtyard. A very good discovery- we' ll be back.

Stephanie W.

Yelp

HUGE fan of the avocado toast with prosciutto. It's always fresh and extremely tasty. The bread is fantastic, avocado is always really well prepared. All in all, a great deal. Service is attentive. The space is clean and convenient.

Sophia S.

Yelp

I frequent this spot! The menu offers variety and items are fresh and taste pretty good most of the time. Located in what I refer to as housewives market - in Old Oakland. It shares a large space with other establishments like a butcher, a cupcake shop and a few other eateries. Prices are what you expect to pay at a restaurant- not at a cafeteria like setting, but we know the economy at this point. The biggest downside at this point in my experience has been the poor customer service. My most recent visit left me not wanting to return after being directly ignored, repeatedly and talked down to when asking about my extremely delayed (+20 minutes). I absolutely understand the staffing shortages that places are experiencing and don't believe that was the issue. I'd say try this place and hope they were just having an off day. But don't keep your hope high and then you won't be disappointed.

Amina H.

Yelp

Great place to eat outdoors, small but attractive menu (for the price), but really unsatisfied with everything we ate: ingredients (mussels were tasteless, fries like cardboard) and cooking (lack of flavor).

Sugar E.

Yelp

Relaxed urban setting outside the Swan Building. Chic presentation, really fresh ingredients. Posh casual.

Tamela S.

Yelp

Came yesterday with a few friends. I did not eat here, but they did. One of my friends had the bacon and egg sandwich, and the other bought mussels and fries. The French bread on the mussels it was good. It's nicely toasted and not a lot of butter. They both said the food was really good. Unfortunately, I only have a picture of the mussels Next time, I will have to try something from their menu.

Amanda C.

Yelp

The vibe of the restaurant was really nice. It's a little casual but at the same time, they're serving up pretty gourmet style of food, so it was interesting. But I wasn't a fan of. Big Sur Melt: it's fancy in a way you would expect multiple types of cheese inside, outside, and on top. I think they put a layer of jam/honey on the toast to make it a bit sweet. Little cocktail shrimps stuffed inside. It was a little too different for me. Fried oyster: cornmeal coated, which adds an extra crunch and hardness to the exterior. Garlic fries: I didn't like it. It wasn't crispy, but it was cooked through. The rawness of the garlic left a bit of tingy aftertaste to each bite which I didn't enjoy. Mussels: a nice beer broth with abundance of meaty mussels. The crispy baguette also drinks up the liquid when dunked in the broth. I can't say I like this different type of cooking compared to a more traditional style. It's just not to my liking, but I'm sure it's so popular for a reason!

Hoang N.

Yelp

I love going to eat on Friday night because alot of restaurants will have seafood special. I was in Oakland and I went to The Cook and her Farmer open space reserved. I got the special for $26, the Fisherman's Stew, which had mussels, clams, shrimp, prawn, squid and fregola sarda in a spicy chili- thyme broth and toasted bread. It was fresh and delicious. It was a huge serving with all the seafood. Definitely got my money's worth and hella enjoyed it. The Cook and her Farmer off 9th St in Oakland, CA.

Nasira S.

Yelp

Oh Em Gee This is the best grilled cheese sandwich I've had, let alone paid for outside of making my own. It is a top tier sandwich to say the least. Fresh bread with a a layer of jelly (today I think it featured apricot but the server couldn't recall which was fine) with an amazing blend of different cheeses, spinach, green onions, and of course: shrimp! The sandwich was topped with shaved parmesan cheese and cut into three big slices as you can see. It's 9:30 at night and I'm thinking about this sandwich right now LOL. My friend and I also ordered the fries with aoli sauce which were also yummy. I love Swan's Market and will definitely return many, many times.

Danielle K.

Yelp

Ordered a salad, chopped liver toast, and a charcuterie plate. While waiting for our food, we watched the man putting our dishes together rubbing his nose with his bare hand and then throwing his bare hand into the greens bin for our salads. His mask didn't cover his nose which is also a problem. Notified the woman at the register - she said she would have him wash up and remake everything. But then she went to him and pointed to me and said, "she is saying you are not being clean." Okay. Embarrassing. That ended my transaction. They were happy to refund our money and have us move on.

Lezlee W.

Yelp

My daughter & I split the Big Sur Melt & the Arugula Salad w/ shrimp. What can I say, we love shrimp ! It was absolutely delish ! The salad was fresh & the shrimp/prawns were tender & flavorful. The Big Sur Melt was just that Big, so big that they cut the sandwich into three big pieces. & it too was delish ! This is my second time ordering from The Cook and Her Farmer. The first time I ordered the market salad w/ shrimp which is no longer on the menu but was also delicious! I occasionally stop by the cupcake business that's across the way so in the future I will make it a complete meal.

Sean F.

Yelp

I have been here many times over the years, and today, I had the burger for the first time, with cheese and bacon, of course. I expected it to be good, but it was excellent: freshly groud beef, juicy, and gently seasoned with a wonderful bun. The thing that keeps me coming back is that the standard for each item on the menu is always very high.

Steve W.

Yelp

I met a colleague here for lunch today. This was my first experience at Swan Market, this co-op approach to many restaurants and specialty markets under one roof. I love this concept and hope it continues to grow in business...downtown Oakland needs more dining choices. I had a bacon cheeseburger with the housemate fries. It was a pretty good flame-grilled burger. My only comment is that they gentrified the burger with housemate pickles and a aioli spread that was very strong in flavor. The pickles and aioli flavors took over the burger. Now I know. Next time I will just order that same burger with out these condiments. The chips were awesome. Crispy and light. Definitely addicting. I will definitely come back to this counter service restaurant as I can tell they use good ingredients and care about their craft. However, I'm a more simple guy that just digs a straight up flame-gilled burger! Next time!

Ming Q.

Yelp

Had dinner and wine here - two dozen oysters and the mussels and fries. Mussels and fries were great! Lovely crispy all the way through fries, and tender mussels. Soup was a bit bitter from the mussel scum. Oysters were good with nice mignonette, but prepared really poorly. Never had oysters with that much grit left on the outside - especially at that price. ($40 for two dozen). Felt like they barely washed them, which I would hope out of an oyster bar.

Matt D.

Yelp

Amazing food and ambiance. Kind owners and staff. Great location! We will be back for another date night!

Tony B.

Yelp

Whenever I'm in downtown Oakland I have to stop here and get my oyster fix. located in the swans market the cook and her farmer have some of the best seafood in the area. The seating is a little weird and small but it is in a food hall. The staff here is always really friendly and very efficient. Not much I can say about them but come get that oyster fix!

Learnee L.

Yelp

love their poboy sandwich. their service was good during my last visit. I'll have to come back.

Margaret H.

Yelp

Five us came on a Friday night. Located in Swan's Market, this restaurant is an anchor in this location and for good reason. The Bay Shrimp Ceviche was very, very good. We ordered three Fisherman's Stews, a vegetable lasagna and a Big Sur melt, and we were all very happy. We also got the fries - which disappeared lightening fast. The cheese platter wasn't the easiest to share among people given that we are still dealing with Covid. That would have been the only thing I might have swapped out for more fries. But that is only because it's easier to safely share the fries because you just use your fork to take one. The service was good and they were very patient with us since our group trickled in and then got distracted talking, so we weren't always ready to order. We didn't have any oysters, but if you like those, this is one of the top places to go in Oakland.

Rachel M.

Yelp

The bustling Swan Market holds some restaurant gems and one of them is this yummy seafood spot. I've had the Big Sur Melt, Oyster Po Boy, and Kennebec fries with aioli and have not been disappointed. They have come out piping hot and flavorful with good quality ingredients. In my most recent visit, I had the oyster po boy and they really pack in a good amount of cornmeal crusted fried oysters, homemade slaw, remoulade, fresh pickles in an easily bitable French roll. The Kennebec fries were freshly cut and paired nicely with the aioli (an extra cost). The Big Sur Melt is like the ultimate grilled cheese with shrimp and the buttery grilled bread gets me every time. They also have some desserts of the day like cookies or cake if you are not feeling the cupcakery stand (which never happens to me.) My lunch was around $25 so it's a small splurge if you are ok with that once in a while. It would help to share some items, like the fries. I would like to try the more extensive dinner menu items sometime - looks like they have steak, chicken, seafood stews too.

Patty P.

Yelp

I have been ordering delivery via the caviar app for The Cook and Her Farmer for some time now and just recently started to go and eat outside in person. The food is always amazing. Love their oysters, which are handled with care and taste so fresh. I have also had their sandwiches, cheese and chorizo plate, and wine/beer there. Love their outdoor area at Swans Market and really recommend this place to eat, hangout with friends, and support a great business!

Laura Y.

Yelp

I've been here twice now and this is definitely the shared plates kind of place between 2-3 people. The customer service up front is ok but could be friendlier. The cooks in the back(who you can watch cook your food) are nice to customers sitting at the counter watching. The shrimp grilled cheese sandwich had a great crisp outside and a lot of cheese! It was tasty but a little flat with seasoning. I felt like I needed a hot sauce or more pepper to it because of the shrimp. The oysters are a bit small and it may be the kind of oysters they have which is 2-3 kinds. But they tasted really fresh! They even have their own signature sauce that has some nice heat to it. Also tried the flatbread which was the one let down unfortunately. It was flat enough in flavor that we actually barely finished half of it and didn't want to take it to go. It might've had to do with too much cheese sprinkled on top but overall it wasn't tasty. Their seafood with a spicy tomato broth was great, that had great flavor! I'd order that again because it had a lot of seafood and I'd like to dip bread in the broth all day! I'll probably be back to try something else because it is a cool spot and dining set up at Swan's Market!

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/downtown-old-oakland/the-cook-and-her-farmer

On the Grid : The Cook and Her Farmer

Oakland

https://sf.eater.com/2022/2/2/22913060/swans-market-oakland-best-restaurants

Best Things to Eat and Drink at Oakland Food Hall Swan’s Market - Eater SF

"Romney Steele and her life partner Steven Day created a menu that’s a blend of their loves: organic seasonal produce from local farms like Acta Non Verba and Southern flavors." - Maria C. Hunt

https://sf.eater.com/2020/12/21/22193606/best-neighborhood-restaurants-sf-2020

SF’s Best Neighborhood Restaurants, According to Food Industry Insiders - Eater SF

https://sf.eater.com/2020/3/19/21185822/east-bay-restaurants-takeout-delivery-coronavirus

East Bay Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery During the Coronavirus Shutdown - Eater SF

"The oyster-centric spot is open in Swan’s Market for takeout Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., with an option for curbside pickup. Place orders online." - Luke Tsai