Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

4.7

667 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for brunch
Lively

May and David Wasem's flagship location Grand Lake Kitchen location offers American classics and warm hospitality. An all-day cafe specializing in brunch and dinner! Maximum party size for regular reservations is 8 at Lake Merritt and 15at the Dimond location.

Grand Lake Kitchen at Lake Merritt has a full bar, bustling dining room, outdoor patio, take-out counter, and The Bubble Room (private dining)

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Breakfast
Hours of operation
Daily 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(510) 922-9582
Website
http://www.grandlakekitchen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Please visit grandlakekitchen.com and select the Catering tab for more info<br /><br />If you are interested having Grand Lake Kitchen provide food and or staff your large scale event (40+ guests and professional private event space), please fill out the information below and our Private Events Manager will get back to you asap to customize an event!
Private party facilities
GLK Lake Merritt is home to The Bubble Room. A private dining room on the mezzanine level, overlooking the main dining room. Minimum party size: 12. Maximum seated: 18, standing reception: 24Set menus and food and beverage minimum purchases applyPlease visit grandlakekitchen.com and select the Private Events tab for more info

Location
576 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Neighborhood
Oakland
Cross street
El Embarcadero
Parking details
There is metered parking along Grand Avenue and a paid parking lot at the corner of Grand and Euclid. Please allow extra time for parking as our neighborhood is very popular!
Public transit
12, 57, NL
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Offers

Happy Hour - Weekdays from 3pm-6pm
Multiple dates available
Mon - Fri - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Enjoy a weekeday afternoon with friends, someone special, or even on your own. GLK offers a friendly bar, open patio with a view of Lake Merritt, and a cozy interior. Weekday happy hour specials include discounted cocktails, beer, mocktails, wine and food! Mimosas, aperol spritz, local beer, crispy brussels sprouts, seasonal deli salads, and more. Monday-Friday from 3pm-6pm. See you then!

House Pickled Vegetables$6.00
Burrata$16.00
creamy fresh mozzarella, garlic greens & leek confit, arugula, olive oil, side of crostini
Soft Pretzel$12.00
Served with pimento queso!
Lamb Chops$15.00
three pan-roasted chops cooked medium rare to medium served with shallot vinaigrette, frisee salad
Fried Brussels Sprouts$11.00
lemon, parmesan, Aleppo chile
Arancini$15.00
five breaded risotto balls with wild mushrooms, fontina cheese deep fried and served with truffle aioli
Reuben Fries$15.00
french fries, beef pastrami, russian dressing, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, caraway *to make vegetarian substitute sautéed mushrooms for pastrami
Donuts
house made donuts, dusted in nutmeg & cinnamon sugar
- Four$6.00
- Dozen$16.00

Soup & Salad

Soup!

Soup of the Day
Always vegetarian
- Cup$6.00
- Bowl$9.00
Matzoh Ball Soup!
- Bowl$10.00

Salad Bowls

Dressing comes on the side

Cali Mixed Bowl$15.00
Arugula salad with parmesan and lemon vinaigrette, avocado, pickled red onions, grilled pita bread. Comes with choice of hummus, tuna salad, chicken salad, or egg salad
Chinese Chicken Salad$16.00
roasted chicken, napa cabbage, carrot, celery, daikon radish, peanuts, citrus, crispy wonton, soy-miso mayo dressing

Sandwiches

Gluten free bread available $0.50

GLK Burger$17.00
Beef patty, caramelized onions, mushrooms, bleu cheese, on a bun served with french fries. Cooked medium unless otherwise specified
Americana Burger$17.00
Beef patty, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, pickles, and mayo, on a bun served with french fries. Cooked medium unless otherwise specified
Veggie Burger$16.00
Garden veggie patty, swiss cheese, pickled red onion, lettuce, secret sauce on a bun. Served with french fries
BLTA$14.00
bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo on an Acme roll
Kamala Llama$12.00
hummus, avocado, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, on an acme roll
Eddy's Turkey Sandwich$14.00
sliced roasted turkey breast, avocado, baby arugula, sliced cucumber, red onion, swiss cheese, basil pesto, sun dried tomato aioli, acme roll
Tuna Melt$15.00
tuna salad, cheddar cheese, dill, tomatoes, sliced sourdough
Pastrami Reuben$15.00
beef pastrami, swiss, sauerkraut, and russian dressing on sliced rye

Dinner

Served at 5 PM

Pan Roasted Pork Chop$29.00
12oz Berkshire pork chop served with bacon-tomato braised romano beans, and creamy polenta (cooked medium unless otherwise specified)
King Salmon$29.00
pan seared and served with sautèed escarole, red fingerling potatoes, caper beurre blanc
Scallop Risotto$28.00
truffled wild mushroom risotto with seared scallops, garlic parmesan, and herbs
Eggplant Parmesan$20.00
breadcrumb crusted eggplant, roasted tomato sauce, brick cheese, parmesan, salsa verde, cherry tomatoes, basil
Steak Frites$31.00
12 oz Angus New York steak, roasted garlic butter, red wine demi glace, french fries. Cooked medium rare to medium
Chicken Pot Pie$22.00
nice pastured chicken, yukon gold potatoes, carrots, celery, lacinato kale, herbs, topped with puff pastry
Meatloaf$23.00
served with sauteèd blue lake green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy
Chickpea Stew$18.00
stew of chickpeas, kale, carrots, onions, and harissa served with grilled sourdough bread

Sides

Available in Small 8 oz | Medium 16 oz | Large 32 oz

Deli Sides

Jean's Persian Cucumbers$6.00
marinated in Bragg's Liquid Aminos, garlic, sesame
Roasted Cauliflower Salad$6.00
roasted cauliflower, pickled fennel, capers, herb oil, dill
Tuna Mac Salad$6.00
macaroni, tuna, carrots, mayo, shallots, vinegar

Hot Sides

Moroccan Roasted Carrots$6.00
with onion, preserved lemon, tahini yogurt
French Fries$6.00
Polenta$6.00
Creamy Anson Mills ground polenta, goat cheddar cheese
Garlicky Green Beans$6.00
sauteed blue lake green beans with garlic

Dessert

Donuts
house made donuts, dusted in nutmeg & cinnamon sugar
- 4 Pc$6.00
- 12 Pc$16.00
Panna Cotta$8.00
with fruit compote
Dole Whip$8.00
Cheesecake$10.00
served with strawberry sauce
Cookies$3.50
chocolate chip or peanut butter

Add-Ons

Acme Roll$4.00
Sourdough Toast$4.00
Rye Toast$4.00
Pita Bread$4.00
Gluten-Free Toast$4.00
Toasted Everything Bagel$4.00
Side Avocado$4.00
Prosciutto$4.00
Tuna Salad$4.00
Hummus$4.00

What 667 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

East Bay
Great for brunch
East Bay
American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing food" and a vibrant ambiance. Known for its friendly service and great location with lake views, it's a favorite for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Highlights include "delicious cocktails," "perfect outdoor seating," and "amazing brunch options."

667 Reviews

L
Leslie
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
I made a reservation for a party of three one day in advance. Upon arrival, the restaurant was very busy, and unfortunately, there was no table available for us despite our reservation. We were seated outside at a small table originally meant for two people, with an additional chair added. From the moment we arrived, I felt discriminated against by the host. My family and I noticed that we were treated differently compared to other guests, though we are unsure why. On the positive side, our server was wonderful—very kind, attentive, and funny. However, one of the utensils provided to us was dirty, with visible food residue, which was extremely disappointing given how much we love the food at this restaurant. Additionally, we had a negative experience with a homeless individual who wandered between tables and drank from the water glasses left on them. The person had a very strong odor, which made the situation even more uncomfortable. On a brighter note, the food arrived relatively quickly, which was impressive considering how busy the restaurant was. However, the overall experience fell short of expectations due to the issues mentioned. I hope the restaurant takes steps to address these concerns, as we truly enjoy the food and would love to see improvements in their service and management.
Is this helpful?
C
Carla
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have been to Grand Lake Kitchen 3 times in the last month. Everything tastes amazing from the Mocha Espresso, Pastrami Benedict, the Salmon Benedict and cannot forget to mention the french toast. We were completely happy when we dined there. The last waiter was so good and attentive I gave him an extra tip. I highly recommend making a reservation because this place is packed!!
Is this helpful?
K
Kathryn
VIP
San Francisco
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was delicious and eating outside across from Lake Merritt is a pleasure! The avocado toast (with a generous serving of green salad) was beautifully prepared, as was the pastrami benedict that my partner ate (unlike many we've had, it was not drowned in hollandaise sauce but simply topped with it). My only reservation was about the eggs on the avo toast. I asked the server to make sure the yolks were "not runny." She wrote down and repeated the instruction. But when they arrived, they were totally runny. She offered to get me a scrambled egg instead - which arrived perfectly prepared. But then I was charged for it. I think if the kitchen makes an error they need to make good on it, without additional charge. Other than that, it was a wonderful meal.
Is this helpful?
R
Robin
VIP
San Francisco
37 reviews
3.0
37 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A good choice for weekly dining with specials for the seasons. Especially good is the matza ball chicken soup with large medium soft ball and alot of broth! The fresh made donuts are to die for… very friendly staff who make extra efforts to make you ferl comfortable.
Is this helpful?
D
Daniel
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Brunch today was our (3 adults + 3 teenagers) first experience. Great in every respect! Chose GLK Lake Merritt based upon Open Table info and patron reviews. A follow up visit is a must!!
Is this helpful?
T
Tura
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We appreciate the happy birthday card for Michael
Is this helpful?
M
Maya
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service, delicious comforting food! Everything looked good, which made it hard to decide what to get.
Is this helpful?
I
India
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food came quickly. Nice ambiance and good service
Is this helpful?
N
Nancy
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food, service and ambiance were great for our group of four. We had no trouble hearing each other as we visited (we stayed for 3 hours!). We’ll be back!
Is this helpful?
S
Susan
VIP
San Francisco
58 reviews
4.0
58 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Sooo loud. Even in the smaller space upstairs one has to almost yell to the person sitting next to you. If sensitive to noise-forget about it! However, Great food and great service.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (510) 922-9582.

Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt is rated 4.7 stars by 667 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

576 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

Additional information

Cross street
El Embarcadero
Neighborhood
Oakland
Hours of operation
Daily 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Breakfast
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There is metered parking along Grand Avenue and a paid parking lot at the corner of Grand and Euclid. Please allow extra time for parking as our neighborhood is very popular!
Public transit
12, 57, NL
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.grandlakekitchen.com/
Phone number
(510) 922-9582
Catering
Please visit grandlakekitchen.com and select the Catering tab for more info<br /><br />If you are interested having Grand Lake Kitchen provide food and or staff your large scale event (40+ guests and professional private event space), please fill out the information below and our Private Events Manager will get back to you asap to customize an event!
Private party facilities
GLK Lake Merritt is home to The Bubble Room. A private dining room on the mezzanine level, overlooking the main dining room. Minimum party size: 12. Maximum seated: 18, standing reception: 24Set menus and food and beverage minimum purchases applyPlease visit grandlakekitchen.com and select the Private Events tab for more info

Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Happy Hour - Weekdays from 3pm-6pm

Nosh

House Pickled Vegetables$6.00

Burrata$16.00

Soft Pretzel$12.00

Lamb Chops$15.00

Fried Brussels Sprouts$11.00

Arancini$15.00

Reuben Fries$15.00

Donuts

Soup & Salad

Soup!

Soup of the Day

Matzoh Ball Soup!

Salad Bowls

Cali Mixed Bowl$15.00

Chinese Chicken Salad$16.00

Sandwiches

GLK Burger$17.00

Americana Burger$17.00

Veggie Burger$16.00

BLTA$14.00

Kamala Llama$12.00

Eddy's Turkey Sandwich$14.00

Tuna Melt$15.00

Pastrami Reuben$15.00

Dinner

Pan Roasted Pork Chop$29.00

King Salmon$29.00

Scallop Risotto$28.00

Eggplant Parmesan$20.00

Steak Frites$31.00

Chicken Pot Pie$22.00

Meatloaf$23.00

Chickpea Stew$18.00

Sides

Deli Sides

Jean's Persian Cucumbers$6.00

Roasted Cauliflower Salad$6.00

Tuna Mac Salad$6.00

Hot Sides

Moroccan Roasted Carrots$6.00

French Fries$6.00

Polenta$6.00

Garlicky Green Beans$6.00

Dessert

Donuts

Panna Cotta$8.00

Dole Whip$8.00

Cheesecake$10.00

Cookies$3.50

Add-Ons

Acme Roll$4.00

Sourdough Toast$4.00

Rye Toast$4.00

Pita Bread$4.00

Gluten-Free Toast$4.00

Toasted Everything Bagel$4.00

Side Avocado$4.00

Prosciutto$4.00

Tuna Salad$4.00

Hummus$4.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt restaurant rated?

Is Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information