Snail Bar

Although it would be easy to dismiss this perpetually buzzy spot as just another cooler-than-thou hipster haunt for natural wine, here you'll find some of Oakland's most exciting and well-crafted cooking. Although the vibe here is unfussy, fine dining chops are evident in every precise, flavorful dish. The concise menu changes frequently, but the namesake gastropod is always on offer, served in-shell, bathed in redolent garlic confit and cashew miso butter, topped with a coin of tangy kumquat. There might not be typical main courses, but guests will have no difficulty filling up on the array of creative small plates, from raw bar offerings to impeccable crudités.