Where To Eat Around Lake Merritt, Oakland

Analog is a cozy vegan restaurant known for delicious sandwiches served on fresh Acme bread. The restaurant is one of the only places around open late, still serving food until 2am. The restaurant has a nostalgic atmosphere with plenty of vintage electronics to keep you entertained, including a selection of VHS tapes, a jukebox full of 45s, a record collection, and a Nintendo NES. The restaurant collaborates with various local businesses, features local ingredients, and makes most of its offerings on site. Plus, Analog supports the local community with a variety of pop-up events.

Lane-e Kefa Coffee is a popular café serving up high-quality coffee and espresso drinks. Food is also on offer, with most meals priced at under $10 including sandwiches such as the pesto sandwich and the sausage breakfast sandwich. The staff is consistently praised for excellent service, and you can call ahead to place orders for pick-up. The atmosphere is laid-back, featuring eclectic background music and a rotating selection of art on the walls that showcases the work of local artists and photographers. Be sure to check the hours before you stop by – this spot closes by 2pm on most days (1pm on Fridays), and it is closed on the weekend. http://instagram.com/p/kCinHlovfn/

Taqueria La Venganza is the place to go for hearty, authentic Mexican food, and it’s another great spot for vegans. This eatery serves up street tacos filled with vegan ingredients such as yuba and soy protein, imitating meats such as carnitas, carne asada, tripa, lengua, and more. Aside from tacos, this spot offers a variety of other menu options, like chiles rellenos, quesadillas, burritos, and tortas. The taqueria keeps odd hours, so be sure to check the current hours before stopping by. http://instagram.com/p/9PT82Ci_ev/

Laney Bistro is dedicated to offering high-end food at affordable prices. The food is fresh and delicious, with a great variety of options – people love the posole, the monte cristo, and the fresh lemonade. Relax in the dining room to enjoy a laid-back vibe, and rest assured that you will find plenty of vegetarian options in addition to delectable desserts. Locals rave about the genuine, friendly servers. Come for breakfast or lunch on a weekday – this spot is only open until 1pm and is closed on the weekend.

Phnom Penh House is a great spot for Southeast Asian cuisine. The restaurant is family-owned and has been around since 1986, and it now has two locations in Oakland. The menu offers a great variety of options, including appetizers, soups, curry dishes, vegetarian dishes, beef, pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, fried rice and noodles, and desserts. Enjoy a homey atmosphere where you’ll be served by a warm and helpful staff. The hours are flexible, with the restaurant open fairly late most nights, but it is closed on Sundays. http://instagram.com/p/BKTGcGfBSBw/