Oakland is full of diverse and eclectic neighborhoods that feature well-known businesses and hidden gems alike. One of the best parts of Oakland is that you can find everything you need if you know where to look.
We spent a Saturday in Koreatown/Northgate (KONO), and we’re excited to share some of our highlights with you in this post.
Morning coffee
If you’re an early bird, Black Spring Coffee Company is ready for you, open at 7am on every day. Their coffee are all varietals from India, letting you experience something new. The cafe features great local art, and you can even take home a Black Spring Coffee Company hoodie on your way out. Catch up with a friend, read a book, and relax to start the day!
Get some errands done
If you need to fill your gas tank, A & A Gas & Mart is right in the heart of KONO. They have competitive prices and a lot of pumps, so you’ll be in and out of there.
Brunch
CommonWealth Cafe is a Scottish pub with a great brunch menu. Get a breakfast sandwich, Shepard’s pie, and more with a coffee or beer. Nearly all their beers are local, small batch, letting you experience something new and delicious. You can come back the next day for their Pub Quiz, Sundays at 6:30pm.
Peruse some art
You may have already been to SLATE Art during First Friday’s Art Walk. If you haven’t, they’re open Saturdays noon-5pm. If you’re ready to purchase some unique fine art, they’re ready to sell you something. If you just want to check out their current collection, you can do that as part of Saturday Stroll, where most galleries are open 1-5pm.
Mercury 20 Gallery is also a great spot to visit for amazing art. An artist-run gallery, they feature art from 21 local artists. They’re also open for First Friday’s Art Walk and Saturday Stroll, so you can make a day of art gallery visits.
Lunch
Ole Ole Burrito Express has a KONO location that goes by Burrito Express, and it’s this author’s favorite lunch. They have a great salsa bar, agua fresca, and giant burritos. Share one with a friend or take your leftovers to go!
Dust off your cassette tapes (or vinyl or CDs)
Econo Jam Records will not only sell you some music, but they buy and trade, too. Enjoy the post-lunch therapeutic experience of flipping through their vinyl and finding some gems to take home. They also have their available selection on their website, if you don’t have time to search in the store.
Dinner
If you’re ready to call it a night, grab takeout from La’Christa’s Cafe. They offer a $5 dinner special every night, and Saturday is BBQ!
Grab a cocktail
Legionnaire Saloon has a great full bar, a juke box, and live performances. Pop in for Saturday happy hour from 5pm-8pm, and stay for the show!
Late night
If you’re a night owl, Telegraph Beer Garden (Beeryland) is open until 2am on Saturdays. It’s dog friendly, offers blended cocktails, and they have amazing burgers. Open starting at 11am, it’s a great spot to pop in all day long.
For more:
Check out KONO’s Facebook page for more upcoming events, business highlights, and more! Tell us your favorite small businesses in KONO on Twitter.
