Matt Horn's Oakland City Guide

Learn more about the 2021 class of Food & Wine Best New Chefs.

"Minnie Bell's Soul Movementhas some delicious, authentic food. Chef Fernay McPherson's menu isn't expansive, and that's what I like about it. She has a limited selection, all executed well and with passion. Her dishes are homestyle, mainly made from family recipes that were passed down and are rooted in tradition, so you can feel the love and warmth poured into each one. My go-to order is the signature rosemary fried chicken, braised collard greens, and mac and cheese."

"For a fancy night out, I start at chef Nelson German's seafood spot,alaMar Kitchen & Bar. I order the garlic udon noodles, served with a fried egg on top, and head-on Cajun shrimp. After dinner, I would head over toBar Shiruin Uptown Oakland. They have a cool musical vibe, playing only hi-fi vinyl records, and a top-notch drink selection. I recommend the Kurayoshi 18 whiskey; it's super smooth and pairs perfectly with the overall ambience of the space."

"My wife, Nina, and I love the Vietnamese coffee fromOrbit Coffee."

"Firebrand Artisan Breadsuses simple but high-quality ingredients, and the loaves have that perfect crunchy, scored crust and soft, slightly tangy interior."

"Ordinaireis my favorite wine shop. They have a large selection of California wines, and it's a great spot to discover small, local winemakers."

"My family and I like to walk aroundGrand Lake Farmers Marketat Lake Merritt to pick up fresh, high-quality produce and picnic on the lake. It's the place to be on the weekend."

"I like a good brunch on the weekend, and it doesn't get much better than the smoked salmon soft scramble atLimewood Bar & Restaurant[located inside the Claremont Club & Spa]."

"When I need to buy a gift, I head over toAlkali Ryeand grab a bottle of small-batch bourbon or whiskey. They have a great selection of top-quality, limited-run spirits."

"Sobre Mesahas one of my favorite cocktails in the city, the Flor y Canto."