Oakland’s consistently good weather makes it an ideal place for patio dining—add in a view of Lake Merritt, and you can see why Portal is a local favorite, especially for brunch. The patio is (mostly) covered with colorful umbrellas and a retractable roof, with a few seats in the sun if you really want to get your Vitamin D. The glassed-in patio is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your pooch. There are bench seats and tables for larger groups, while couples can dine at round bistro tables. The patio has such a fun vibe, but you can also sit inside at tables or at the bar.

Brunch is served daily (except Tuesday, when they open later), and you don’t want to miss their Mr. Pickles Bloody Mary with housemade pickles (love the daikon!) and a double shot of Petrov Reserve wine spirit; the special pineapple mimosa was another hit. Their extensive brunch menu includes fully loaded chilaquiles (it’s an abundant portion and fun for the table to share), same goes for their pork belly salad served with a poached egg over frisée, spinach, and arugula. They get their ingredients from local farmers’ markets, so they’re nice and fresh.

No matter what time of the day you’re here, their garbage bread is a can’t-miss dish: it’s a housemade stromboli stuffed with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and cheese, served warm and sliced up—you dunk it into the bright marinara sauce and say, “Ahhhhhh!” Their fried chicken mini burgers are also a great all-day dish, and they have many vegetarian and vegan options, too.

Check out their happy hour (weekdays 3pm–5pm, except Tue), and events and live music, like trivia night on Mondays. Their extensive draft beer list is updated weekly.

Photos courtesy of Portal and Marcia Gagliardi with TableHopper.