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man sitting at bar - alaMar Dominican Kitchen, Oakland, CA

alaMar Dominican Kitchen

4.8 (264)
$30 and under
Caribbean
100 Grand Ave, Suite 111, Oakland, CA 94612

Make a reservation

A photo of alaMar Dominican Kitchen restaurant

alaMar Dominican Kitchen

4.8
$30 and under
Caribbean
Oakland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for groups
alaMar is a Contemporary Dominican Kitchen located in the hip Uptown Oakland area. Bravo TV's Top Chef Season 18 Contestant, Chef Nelson German, dives deep into his Dominican culture at alaMar by offering a regional menu of foods he grew up on that his mom, grandmother, and Aunt Maritza would cook and NYC-style Dominican street foods he enjoyed as a child. German brings a unique take to family recipes with his contemporary NYC twist on traditional dishes, including his popular braised oxtail dish. There is indoor seating and a dog-friendly patio with heaters for al fresco dining. The not-to-be-missed craft cocktail program reflects Caribbean influences such as the signature Mamajuana cocktail.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Caribbean, Latin American, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Nelson German
  • Catering
    We would love to cater your next event! We have party trays of our most popular dishes for pickup or delivery. Please email alamaroak@gmail.com for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    We would love to host your next event at alaMar! Please email alamaroak@gmail.com for more information.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Oakland
  • Cross street
    Valdez Street
  • Parking details
    Three Parking lots a block away from alaMar
  • Public transit
    BART-19th and BroadwayAC Transit-Bus Stop 12
  • Entertainment
    150 inch projector screen which we occasionally show our Golden State Warriors!
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

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

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    chewsandbrues

    When a chef brings his roots to the Town, you can taste the story behind every dish. At alaMar Dominican Kitchen, Chef Nelson German turns memory into flavor, blending his Washington Heights upbringing with Oakland soul. This is more than food, it’s family, culture, and creativity on a plate. Follow @chewsandbrues for food, culture, and the stories that feed us. Full conversation with Chef Nelson German coming soon. 📍 alaMar Dominican Kitchen, Oakland CA #OaklandEats #DominicanFood #ChewsAndBrues

  • Profile image

    chewsandbrues

    Follow @chewsandbrues for food, culture, and the stories that feed us. Roots, flavor, and fire. This is alaMar Dominican Kitchen in Oakland. From Chef Nelson German’s NYC upbringing to the soul of the Town, every bite tells a story. 🔥 Authentic. Bold. Oakland made. 🎥 Food for Thought Series 📍 100 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA #BayAreaEats #OaklandFood #DominicanFlavors

  • Profile image

    foodwithlumin

    ala mar • oakland, ca we had an awesome dinner here!! the portion sizes are perfect for sharing and we got to try so many new dishes. a bit on the pricier side, but absolutely delicious. • sancocho vegetariano - 4.5/6 • braised oxtail encendido - 5/6 our fav! ⭐️ • moro - 4/6 • chili glazed sweet plantains - 3.5/6

  • Profile image

    the_happyepicurean

    The place to be for great vibes and delicious Dominican cuisine is at: @alamaroakland 10 Grand Ave. Oakland, Ca. Show them some love by visiting them soon!! #alamaroakland #alamar #supportoaklandbusiness #supportoakland #dominicaneats #eastbayvibes #oaklandvibes #visitoakland #the_happyepicurean #bayareaeatsgoodfood

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at alaMar Dominican Kitchen.

4.8

4.8
(264)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • East Bay

    Best Value

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
AlaMar Dominican Kitchen offers "excellent food and service" with standout dishes like chivo, oxtail, and red snapper. The restaurant boasts a cozy, vibrant atmosphere with "great happy hour" and attentive staff, especially Paul. Patrons enjoy Caribbean classics and the "delicious and plentiful" portions, making it a "5-star experience."
264 Reviews
  1. Juliana

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a great time. Happy hour is nice, drinks are delish.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kathy Gold

    San Francisco22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food here was delicious! We had multiple small plates and enjoyed all of them. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is authentic, but lighting a little dark.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Rhonda Gold

    San Francisco9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food & the service was excellent! We'll DEFINITELY be back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Yao

    Central Coast3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on September 26, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was good, but I was hoping for more exciting flavors.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Robert O Gold

    San Francisco16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 30, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our first visit...and my what a fun place...we had been to Nelson German's collaboration with Draymond Green, Messi's...a fun and entirely different experience..AlaMar was a real Oakland experience....we enjoyed from the moment we were seated and even had an unexpected meeting of other friends who were coincidentally eating there too! great time and good food...

    Is this helpful?

  6. Norm Gold

    San Francisco10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 20, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food and service. The room resonates loudly, so it is hard to talk over dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Norm Gold

    San Francisco10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 13, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    ¡Un almuerzo excelente! We enjoyed our visit immensely! Service was fast, attentive — even though our waiter, Paul, was covering the entire restaurant!! The chivo (goat) is superb…as are the tostones and maduros. These are classic dishes of the Caribbean! I will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. John

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 12, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambience matched the cuisine: comfortable, simple, perfect for a nice dinner. Food was delicious, service was impeccable, and the prices were more than reasonable. We caught the tailend of Happy Hour, and I was able to enjoy wine and wings, along with our main entrees The oxtail was cooked perfectly, as the tenderness of the meat just allowed it to fall right off the bone. The red snapper was cooked to absolute perfect crispness. Chicken wings were crispy and so moist. And the bread was so delicious. Just a total 5-star experience.

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  9. Rain Gold

    San Francisco10 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on August 9, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The customer service was excellent! Very attentive and friendly. The food was alright. Ordered the whole fish and it appeared salty. My husband enjoyed it more.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Cal Gold

    Houston10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First visit to Oakland and this small brightly colored clean open layout restaurant, reserved on OT, great full window views of street, paid parking in front, and both lunch and dinner menus. 5/5 Paul the Great, both Host and Waiter, made me feel right at home explained specials on menu and recommended some great Oakland places to visit. 10/10. Please ask for Paul when you visit. 💯 The delicious reasonably priced entrees cooked by the owner/chef included Dominican salad and Pico Pollo served with little wait.5/5. I will definitely visit again!!

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Caribbean, Latin American, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Nelson German
  • Catering
    We would love to cater your next event! We have party trays of our most popular dishes for pickup or delivery. Please email alamaroak@gmail.com for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    We would love to host your next event at alaMar! Please email alamaroak@gmail.com for more information.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Oakland
  • Cross street
    Valdez Street
  • Parking details
    Three Parking lots a block away from alaMar
  • Public transit
    BART-19th and BroadwayAC Transit-Bus Stop 12
  • Entertainment
    150 inch projector screen which we occasionally show our Golden State Warriors!
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, the restaurant maintains a dog-friendly patio, so dogs are welcomed on that outdoor space.

Guests frequently describe portions as plentiful and generous, with several reviewers calling the food "plentiful" or noting excellent portion sizes.

Yes, alaMar's lively, colorful dining room, strong cocktails, and several positive anniversary and birthday visits make it a popular choice for a fun date night.

For a calmer visit, aim for lunch, alaMar serves lunch Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm and several guests found lunchtime seating and service easy; expect a livelier, buzzing scene on Sunday evenings and during events like Dominican Independence Day.

Sunday evenings are a great pick if you want the buzzy, celebratory vibe; midweek (Wednesday) visits tend to have more open tables and are easier for walk-ins.

alaMar feels fun and vibey, bright, colorful decor, upbeat Dominican music (sometimes a DJ), a cozy dining room with a see-through kitchen and a buzzy, welcoming energy on busy nights.

Yes, alaMar is family-friendly: multiple reviewers describe visiting with children or returning with family groups, and the casual, welcoming vibe makes it an easy spot for families.

Yes, alaMar has a dog-friendly patio with heaters, so diners can enjoy al fresco meals with their dogs.

Casual dress, comfortable, everyday clothes are appropriate for a visit to alaMar.

Expect the biggest crowds for special events and busy weekend nights, reviewers describe Friday nights and occasions like Dominican Independence Day as very busy, while midweek visits (for example, a Wednesday evening) and some lunch visits were noted as easier with open tables.

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 alaMar Dominican Kitchen restaurant

alaMar Dominican Kitchen

4.8
$30 and under
Caribbean
Oakland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
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