Portal
Clinton (historical), California
(1307)
Clinton (historical), California
(1307)
1307 customer reviews
Teison S.
Tip: wait time is extremely long so check in with yelp and reserve your spot. Then show up 15 minutes before to check-in in person. My party had the French toast and it was very savory and sweet. The toast had a great crust and was very soft inside with the apple filling. A must for a breakfast dish. Next we had the GCCB, which is fried chicken over biscuits with mushroom gravy. The sides offered are diced baked potatoes with onions and bell peppers and 2 eggs of your choice. A very big filling plate and definitely worth eating all. Overall experience was amazing and we were able to be seated outside with our table facing lake Merritt! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Kalkidan A.
The French Toast is as delicious as it looks. It's not too sweet and the bread is just soft and wonderful. My husband had the grange bread and loved it. It's like pizza on steroids. I also recommend the grapefruit mimosa, very good. The service was also great, all the waiters were all so kind and were even dancing with my toddler. I'll return to try more stuff for sure. More...
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Gabrielle T.
Hell yeah. Demolished some French Toast alongside a friend here and hadn't a single complaint. The wait time was impressive (read: short) given the (copious) crowd that had formed all throughout the restaurant. I was grateful to get a seat outdoors and especially grateful that it wasn't totally freezing out there. The patio overlooks Lake Merritt just enough to keep you feeling serene without overpowering your senses with that dreaded low tide scent that Merritt sometimes smacks ya with. The staff is mostly friendly, too. I've had a few awkward encounters where I wondered why the individual worked in a client-facing role given their less-than-pleasant demeanor, but for the most part the servers are cool and considerate. So hop on in this portal and get to a delicious dimension, wouldja? More...
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Rebekah T.
My sister and I are close. She knows I like good places and while working on her side of the bay, she is showing me some spots close to work. One of these is Portal Oakland. Good god, this is Oakland! This view is to die for, the patio is everything you need for a special get together - even if it's you. Parking wasn't bad, service was so great and there was no wait at ordering. Beer, cider and Kombucha options were awesome. Honestly loved the options and we flirted with multiple bevvys. The Cobb Salad was huge, we should have just split the burger we ordered - but I made use of the leftover salad. Great food, drinks and service - but the view is to die for. Portal Oakland will show you. More...
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Charitie Marie
Great atmosphere and good company.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Natalie M.
Came here for a meal after spending the day around the lake. The food was good (especially the garbage bread!), the service was good, but the set-up was a bit odd. Unfortunately they have a limited menu before 5pm, so we had to sit for about 20 minutes with drinks before our food order could actually get started. It seemed like other groups who came in around the same time were (reluctantly) doing the same thing, and one group actually left when they found out they would have to wait for the full menu. I understand not wanting to run the full kitchen between meal times, but starting the dinner menu a little earlier (4:30 or 4:45, especially on Sundays) might be nice. Or at least make this more obvious on your website, which just says that the kitchen is closed from 2:30 to 4. More...
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Madellyn H.
Yelped It, Found It, Tried it, Loved It. Nice variety of dishes. People support quality. Fun times, great conversation and definitely an uplifting environment. Go with an open mind and the food speaks on its own. Looking forward to the next visit. All the way from Cupertino CA More...
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Chantae' H.
Anytime I have someone new visit me for work, this is the place I take them.The food is divine! I love the sliders, oh these are not ordinary sliders- trio of delicious bites, one being jack fruit. My friends generally order appetizers, The Impossible Burger, or one of the large fresh salad.The menu is fresh and bright. I personally enjoy the spring/summer visits as you can sit in the patio and get a great view of Lake Merritt. The staff is generally patience and friendly.While I haven't ben able to enjoy a drink here I have seen a few served and they look delicious.You can also sit inside the bar area if the patio is packed. There's limited seating so you will want to arrive early if possible.Great little spot on Lake Merritt. A must! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Ines Schmidt
Cosy spot with very friendly service. Fresh ingredients make for a tasty dinner or breakfast. I had the turkey sliders and they were delicious, but must try that garbage bread, too - that's just so good. And there is a good selection of beers. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
James Morec
Portal is always a great weekend cozy brunch/early afternoon spot to chill. I've sat both outside and inside and have enjoyed both. Something about a bottle of bubbly rose, comfort food and a relaxing atmosphere with friendly staff makes for a great weekend day. It doesn't hurt that the pie spot a couple doors down does chicken pot pie, cookies and mini pies. NomnomnomPros: Cozy environment, patio and indoor optionsCons: Can get busy at peak timesBottom line: Good comfort food and drinks spot by the Lake so you can walk it off after or before if that's your thing More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Joe Cosso
Good was really good and service was great too. Liked the beer selection too!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Owen Keane
Stopped by for rainy day lunch and enjoyed the food atmosphere and hospitality. The barmen was very interested to help us around Oakland and provided plenty of travel tips. Our meals, which include vegetarian choices, where tasty and well proportioned. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Simon W.
Well I had a nice salad and some Benedict  that was absolutely fantastic. We all had  a very good time visiting this place. They have some very nice beers and offer  have great customer service. everybody was very friendly i enjoyed my food and had a great time. More...
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Nathan Ahmed
Love there salads.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Wayne L.
Portal is an awesome brunch spot and hidden gem in Oakland. It gives me a sort of hipster SF vibe but once you leave and walk to your car, it's like a stroll in homeless ridden downtown. I highly recommend using  the Yelp waitlist feature to avoid waiting around to be seated. The service is phenomenal here and the best part of all is the bottomless mimosas. Our glasses were never empty! We usually order the garbage bread and portal plate to share. The portions are pretty generous with reasonable prices. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Quin T.
Loved this place! I was very impressed by the healthy choices offered as well as Beyond Meat options. My aunt and I split the beyond garbage bread, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts. The food was very good. Although we ordered our food to go, Sharon C. helped us and she was so nice and patient with us as it was our first time, but it won't be the last time we visit. More...
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Sierra Rawls
Love this place
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Bonnie Shih
This place is good!
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Brandon Gaoiran
If I could, I’d go more often!!!
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grant schrader
Good place for brunch with bottomless mimosas. They have grapefruit and orange juice mimosas by the pitcher as well as by the glass. They also have a good variety of menu options for breakfast or lunch. Haven't gone there for dinner though. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Frances Burgoyne
The Happy hour, Portal Meal is fantastic!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Kelly L.
Nice outdoors spot for a large group lunch! Came here with a large group and it was a fun spot for such a large group with lot's of shareable food and also the outdoor area was pleasant and not loud! The fries here are so good. The garlic ones are possibly my favorite fries ever. Rest of the food was aight - I got the beyond burger and wasn't that big of a fan. The pork belly in the salad is awesome. So so good. Lots of hype about the garbage bread but I thought it was kind of salty. Overall good experience here though! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Deb Au-Yeung
Love this place for its outdoor patio and brunch. Stellar bloody marys- I especially like the version called Mr. Pickles with house made pickles. Get the eggs Benedict. Don’t forget to get on the waitlist before you get there because it can be an hour plus wait on weekends. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Jasmine L.
I've been wanting to try Portals for over a year and I finally got too!!! First tip, make a reservation, trust. This place is always busy, esp for Sunday brunch. The brunch menu closes at 2:30pm FYI. So we had the Benedict and the Meat garbage bread with a side of potatoes and everything tasted delicious. Everyone was so happy with their meals, the vibe was great, the service was great, and the drinks were also great (the Bloody Mary was pretty good)! I can't wait to come back to try more, keep Oakland alive Portal!! More...
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Katy Q.
A hippie style restaurant with friendly service. The foods were great! I got egg Benedict with bacon. The hollandaise sauce was flavorful.I really enjoyed dining here.
Reviewed on Yelp
Danielle M.
The same wait staff has been working there for years and I feel like they're family now. The chilaquiles and benedict are my favorites for brunch. Get a pitcher of mimosas to share if you aren't feeling up to the AYCD. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Sushma R.
Plenty of options for vegetarians  the patio area has a great view of the Lake Merritt.Delicious food and great portion sizes.
Reviewed on Yelp
Russell
Great location right off of the water for a nice view during sunset. and decor, kinda Rudy's but definitely down to earth with a local pub kind of feel. Big Tvs for good views of any get playing from any seat in the house. Very nice staff , the waitress gave good suggestions for food which leads me to the EXCELLENT FETTUCCINI PASTA. definitely recommend. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Gina Norman
Such good food and drinks! You can see a view of lake Merritt on the patio too. It’s a great space!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Julie Noubleau
As long as you stick with the sliders add bacon and an egg!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Sean McCollum
Good beers and beer food. Garbage bread and Brussels sprouts are great.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Andy Moreno
Long wait for brunch so I recommend checking on yelp beforehand! Chicken sliders were bomb!French toast looked amazing!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Melrose J.
Bottomless mimosas. French toast is to die for. Doesn't hurt that the patio is lake facing. Love Sunday brunch here.
Reviewed on Yelp
Mo L.
Must have been Murphys Law! Hope to try your place again as the food was good and waitpeople friendly.
Reviewed on Yelp
Tara S.
Loved this place for Saturday brunch! We got on the yelp waitlist for a party of 6 and arrived at the "arrive by" time. It worked out pretty well, though we still had to wait for 20 mins or so. Our server was really nice. We were too late for bottomless but loved the pitchers! We ordered various things, all highly regarded. Mine was the Portal Benedict, fresh and delicious. Vibe outside was so chill and fun! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Stanley S.
My initial thought was to give 3 stars, but it does just enough things right that it deserves 4 stars. I've been here a few times trying different things, but none of the food stood out to me. I'm having a hard time remembering the different things I tried which says a lot considering this is also a pricier brunch spot. But the food was higher quality, and you get the views if you find a nice spot outside. I will say that they do bottomless mimosas right. Besides Pink Elephant where it's self-serve, this is the best you're going to get if you're looking for a TRUE bottomless place. Those waiters don't hesitate to top off even if your glass is half full. If you're into vodka, they have decent homemade vodka for you to shoot down. I definitely recommend taking an Uber/Lyft if you plan on drinking here. More...
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Mayra A.
José de Jesús coolest San Francisco bar tender. His personality made my trip worth the visit at this beautiful restaurant watching over the beautiful San Francisco bay.
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Nicholas P.
Visiting Oakland california and a friend suggested the portal restaurant. Â Very pleasant restaurant with great vibe. Â My waiter Josh was very friendly and helpful making me feel more comfortable with my experience. Â The food was delicious and my drinks were perfect. Â The staff was wonderful especially josh my waiter. Â Thank you josh and the entire staff for a great experience and my friend was right Portal is a wonderful place to eat and have a drink. Â I will definitely be back when I visit again. Â Again thanks staff and josh. Â Nick. Â Tishamingo More...
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Sam D.
Great food, friendly people, fun environment. I had two mini burgers the turkey one and the fried chicken both were delicious. Everyone enjoyed their food.
Reviewed on Yelp
Timothy Bard
Great fries
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Katherine Webb-Rodriguez
The roasted brussel sprouts were amazing!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Steve S
Nice neighborhood chill place. Outdoor seating on warm evening with the lake right around the corner, is hard to resist. The beer and food quality, quantity and pricing combinations have not disappoint yet. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Faidah Moore
Good food, great view of Lake Merritt and bomb mimosas!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Donna L.
This is a great spot for lunch and or brunch.  The friendliest service ever by a woman doing all the work. Laurie!!!  Thanks so much.  I loved the pork belly salad and the Moonlight  Death in Taxes is the best beer!  The waiter is a cool dude and the chefs , well the food was amazing. More...
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Sayed Hashemi
great
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Cici S.
The polenta was the star on the plate. The eggs Benedict were ok but the polenta was fabulous!!!
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Shlomy K
Easy to deal with...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Jamie W.
Yummy brunch spot. Love the back patio with long tables and shade. Can be pretty long wait but generally not too bad to find parking and can walk around the lake while you're waiting for a table. Good beer selection and brunch is scrumptious with a bit of a unique twist (l love the egg benedict that comes on polenta cake instead of english muffin). I just don't get the hype with the garbage bread... I think it is only alright. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Allison G.
So we woke up in the morning not feeling quit like P.Diddy. Grabbed our glasses we were out the door we had to hit the city. Â Before we walked out the door we put our name on the list because when we left for Portal we weren't coming back! Sandals on my Toes Toes Scooters on the Go Go...Seriously this food was amazing. The Benedict was bomb.com, the French toast was Devine and the mimosas make you feel finneeeee. Ooo at the photos...Look...Amazing....But wait there's more...Go eat tell Melvin Allison said Hi and he is amazing. More...
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Sonya F.
Delicious food. Ordered the garbage bread and enjoyed it with a kale Caesar salad!! Nice patio area. Great vibe !!!
Reviewed on Yelp
