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Portal

Portal

Gastropub and New American Restaurant$$$$
Merritt, Oakland
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8.4/10
334
ratings
  • Stars
  • Tips
    Darren Q.
    "Great beer garden, nice selection of beers and garbage bread!"(7 Tips)
    Todd M.
    "Hidden gem of Lake Merritt."(3 Tips)
    Adrian P.
    "Great beer selection, ask for a taste of you are unsure."(8 Tips)
    Daniel P.
    "Awesome atmosphere and attentive staff."(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon70 Tips and reviews
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  • Frank K.heart icon on user image
    Frank KimAugust 10, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    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 P.heart icon on user image
    Adrian PhillipsNovember 6, 2015
    The 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.
  • Trev ✌.heart icon on user image
    Trev ✌March 27, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    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 🌺 J.heart icon on user image
    Annie 🌺 JalotaJuly 13, 2019
    Put 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 P.heart icon on user image
    Daniel PisciottanoMarch 30, 2016
    Love 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!
  • Leah W.heart icon on user image
    Leah W.June 27, 2015
    Been here 100+ times
    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!!!
  • _heart icon on user image
    _October 27, 2014
    Sit at the outside patio for brunch! Definitely order the crispy potatoes!!! Also serving speciality beers and bottomless mimosa.
  • Ellen M.heart icon on user image
    Ellen McGrodyMarch 8, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    Portal is a wonderful gastropub! Lots of food, super friendly service, Queer Beer Wednesday, and great views of Lake Merritt!
  • Anton S.
    Anton ShusterDecember 8, 2015
    Try 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 L.
    Kai LedwardNovember 2, 2013
    Great little hidden gem, the food is amazing as well as the staff. Had the Hard Cider and I'm totes a fan.
  • bastylefilegirlheart icon on user image
    bastylefilegirlJuly 4, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    If there is anything by Allagash on tap try it! They are almost all perfection. Especially those who appreciate belgians and more complex beers 😁🍻
  • bastylefilegirlheart icon on user image
    bastylefilegirlJune 9, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    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
  • Joey C.heart icon on user image
    Joey CombsNovember 1, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Super friendly service and always a huge selection of amazing craft beers. Also, get the garbage bread. It's awesome.
  • Marshall S.
    Marshall St. ClairMay 25, 2015
    Stuffed Challah French Toast (fruit, ricotta, whipped cream, butter and maple syrup). Mini burgers
  • bastylefilegirlheart icon on user image
    bastylefilegirlOctober 25, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    They have alcoholic Ginger Beer, try it! And the Lagunitas Brown Sugga when it's on tap. THAT IS ALL
  • Garry T.heart icon on user image
    Garry TanJanuary 4, 2016
    Garbage bread! I'd come back just for that. Oh the giant selection of tasty beers is a plus too.
  • Byron W.heart icon on user image
    Byron WilkesFebruary 9, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    Chicken wings here are good to go and the outdoor area is amazing during warmer days.
  • George K.heart icon on user image
    George KellyMarch 10, 2021
    Been here 50+ times
    Got knots, brunch potatoes and a burger with some BBQ wings for later; midday visit meant little to no sidewalk crowding
  • Todd M.heart icon on user image
    Todd MarshburnJune 7, 2014
    Hidden gem of Lake Merritt. Sunsets on the patio, amazing beer list, fabulous bites
  • Avaheart icon on user image
    AvaMay 11, 2017
    Great brunch and friendly waiters
  • Tony C.
    Tony COctober 28, 2016
    French 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" H.heart icon on user image
    John "Johnny5" HirschNovember 27, 2014
    I love this place!! Such a friendly staff, bomb wings, great atmosphere.. This my shit!!!
  • Maddie Maeheart icon on user image
    Maddie MaeJanuary 24, 2015
    Garbage bread makes a perfect shareable happy hour snack.
  • Collin S.heart icon on user image
    Collin StrakaAugust 14, 2018
    Awesome bottomless mimosas! They even offered sunscreen on a bright day :)
  • Thomas E.
    Thomas E.October 1, 2012
    You definitely want a table on the patio. Worth the wait. Get an order of garlic fries, but skip the salmon.
  • Cathy B.
    Cathy BJune 27, 2013
    Hidden new spot in oakland! Their garbage bread is super and their beer selection? Uh-may-zing!!!
  • Alexheart icon on user image
    AlexSeptember 27, 2015
    Not 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.
  • Bella K.
    Bella KedaAugust 8, 2014
    The mini burgers and the chicken Caesar salad
  • Kevin W.heart icon on user image
    Kevin WatkinsAugust 13, 2014
    The fried brussel sprouts are hella good!!!
  • Vivian V.heart icon on user image
    Vivian VoOctober 12, 2015
    Choose to sit outside! You won't regret it.
  • Chloe C.heart icon on user image
    Chloe CondonMay 13, 2016
    Turkey slider is better than chicken slider! Just get 2 turkey sliders.
  • Trev ✌.heart icon on user image
    Trev ✌June 18, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    bloody mary! and the chilaquiles! can't go wrong at Portal
  • Hugo H.heart icon on user image
    Hugo HDecember 24, 2016
    Get the Portal Benedict.
  • Matt S.heart icon on user image
    Matt SNovember 30, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Not a huge beer menu but very high-quality selections. Would gladly order any on the menu!
  • L U.heart icon on user image
    L UJanuary 5, 2018
    Lively for sure. Great bottle of rose wine. Food is meh.
  • Keiron Q.heart icon on user image
    Keiron QJune 16, 2015
    Try the fried chicken mini burgers. The mushroom and gravy fell flat.
  • Darren Q.heart icon on user image
    Darren QuinnAugust 15, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    Great beer garden, nice selection of beers and garbage bread!
  • Megan M.heart icon on user image
    Megan MastersJuly 3, 2019
    Brunch patio is fun
  • RMi F.heart icon on user image
    RMi FloresSeptember 10, 2015
    Get the garbage bread. Best item on the menu
  • Cristi S.heart icon on user image
    Cristi ScheyeJune 27, 2015
    Live music on Thursday nights and friendly service!
  • andrew
    andrewJanuary 10, 2014
    The faucet in the bathroom has the temperature reversed. Hot to the right, cold to the left.
  • Lam A.heart icon on user image
    Lam AnhFebruary 17, 2013
    Definitely sit out in the patio, enjoy some sun and beautiful view of Lake Merrit.
  • Kali-Star H.
    Kali-Star HuggerNovember 4, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    The polenta Benedict is AMAZING!
  • Orianaheart icon on user image
    OrianaSeptember 16, 2015
    That fried chicken sandwich is a game changer.
  • Maddie Maeheart icon on user image
    Maddie MaeAugust 21, 2014
    Why go somewhere and eat just one burger, when at Portal you can try two completely different mini-burgers?!?!?
  • Billy S.heart icon on user image
    Billy SeolMay 15, 2015
    The chilaquiles are great!
  • Artemis L.heart icon on user image
    Artemis LunaOctober 9, 2016
    This place has a shit hostess... Waited 15 mins before anyone acknowledge me standing at the door.
  • teresa j.
    teresa johnsOctober 22, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    At night you can request a blanket & still sit outside!
  • Nikki M.heart icon on user image
    Nikki MunozJuly 11, 2015
    The French toast and potatoes!
  • Ilya S.
    Ilya ShaisultanovAugust 9, 2015
    Extremely loud inside. Deafening. Why would anyone want to go to a place like that at noon?
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