
Portal: Lakeside brunch, burgers, and bites with a view of Lake Merritt.
Portal in Oakland offers brunch, breakfast, and American fare with a casual, welcoming vibe near Lake Merritt. Guests praise warm service, lake-view window seating, and a varied menu with burgers, steak and eggs, crispy garlic fries, curry fries, Brussels sprouts, and classic brunch items. Beer flights and pineapple mimosas enhance the relaxed lakeside experience.
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Enjoy classic brunch dishes like steak and eggs, Benedicts, waffles, and mimosas with scenic lake views.
Savor flavorful burgers, often hailed as some of the best in Oakland, served with crispy garlic or curry fries.
Indulge in superb fried chicken, chile lime fries, Brussels sprouts, and other shareable appetizers.
Sip on affordable beer flights, pineapple mimosas, and a selection of cocktails in a lively bar setting.
Experience beautiful seating by the windows overlooking Lake Merritt, ideal for afternoon or evening outings.
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Overall rating
kevin Bolden
Great food, excellent service. The Brussels sprouts are next level. Don't leave anything in your car. You will be adding a window to your meal cost.
Artemis Huntsman
Beautiful view of Lake Merritt and good service! The food was nice, my only complaint was my waffle was really chewy and tough. Fried chicken was superb and I enjoyed the chile lime fries that were very crispy as well. $93 for 3 people including tax + tip
Annika Johnson
Melvin and the owner were incredibly warm and thoughtful. Haven't been on this side of the lake in a while, so felt like seeing old friends. Melvin delivered kind service, honest and fun to talk to. Got a great seat by the windows overlooking the lake. Can't beat the view! Coffee was hot and mimosas were tasty. Very much enjoyed my Benedict, opted for scrambled eggs instead of poached. Can't wait to come back!
Jeremias Ibanez
Had lunch here with my sister and we shared the steak and eggs which both were cooked to perfection! Came with a side of smashed home style potatoes which were crispy on outside and soft inside! Also had a side of the garlic knots which were okay but a good snack! Beer flights was affordable and perfect and pineapple mimosa was delicious! Would definitely be back. Also close to lake Merritt so beautiful for an afternoon or evening outing.
Dudy Bar-Tal
We may have just found the best burgers in Oakland at Portal near Lake Merritt! Every bite was packed with flavor, and to top it off, the garlic fries and curry fries were absolutely incredible—easily some of the best we've ever had. But what truly made our visit special was the warm and welcoming experience from start to finish. The host set the tone with a friendly greeting, and the entire staff made us feel right at home. We can't wait to return! If you're a burger fan, do yourself a favor and don’t miss this spot. Highly recommended!